The Sports Monitor

By many accounts, Tiger Woods is the favorite to win the U.S. Open. It's just like the Masters, when Woods was coming off a convincing win and was tabbed as the favorite. Tiger told us he was ready for a win and his game was in shape. It didn't work out that way. Tiger looked normal and didn't win a green jacket. The Open starts Thursday and Tiger is coming off another convincing win. We're also hearing similar comments about everything clicking for Woods before the tournament. We'll see how that works out for him. I think Tiger is trying to convince himself, the media and the rest of the PGA Tour his game is back. He's trying to bring back the intimidation factor. I don't think the top players are buying it. And I don't think Woods' game is tip-top shape. I think he'll eventually win another major, maybe even two. It won't be this week at the Open.

I don't usually delve too much into the world of golf, but with the U.S. Open in full swing, this is as good a time as any. What prompted me was a column by Associated Press columnist Tim Dahlberg about Tiger Woods. Dahlberg, it seems, is missing this tournament without Woods not being there. In a "letter" to Woods, Dahlberg writes, "Believe me, this tournament needs something to make it interesting." Ah, did you happen to watch the first round, Dahlberg? Rory McIlroy blew threw Congressional Country Club. And on Friday, he did it again. McIlroy's 11-under is a record through 36 holes at the Open. That's not too shabby. Not many expected it, I'm sure, especially Dahlberg. Maybe we just need to embrace change. I don't miss Woods and his surly attitude. I don't miss Woods swearing after every errant tee shot. When McIlroy withered on the final day of the Masters in April, he handled it with class and grace. I'm confident enoug...

Tiger Woods lost. That was a couple days ago and I'm still stunned. That's not supposed to happen -- at all. Anytime Woods has the lead in a major, he's supposed to win. It's predetermined. It's automatic. Well, tell that to Y.E. Yang. Woods' battle with Yang was one to remember on Sunday at Hazletine. I'm still a bit perplexed by how many people have reacted following the end of the PGA Championship. It seems not many people want to say Tiger Woods choked. It's hard to suggest, let alone believe. But, think about it for a second. If the roles were reversed, and Woods shot a 70 and Yang a 75, what would people have said about Yang gagging on a lead entering the final round? I'll bet there would be a mention or two of Yang choking. That doesn't diminish what Woods has accomplished to date. He's his generation's greatest golfer, and likely the best of all time. But he still didn't close it out when he should have. What do you think?