Golf Central

Thank goodness. A week without Geoff Ogilvy's mug on the front page ...: I'll second that. Not only did Ogilvy make me look bad, he didn't do much for the front page either. Now it's Dean Wilson's turn.
So do you think Dean Wilson will do a back-flip if he wins this week?: He might. The "Flyin' Hawaiian" has a lot at stake: If he wins in New Orleans, he gets another trip to Augusta at the age of 38.
Why is it that I always forget about Dean Wilson?: Maybe because he was such a late bloomer and he played for most of this decade in Japan. Plus, being Hawaiian he's a bit remote anyway.
Good story ...: Yes, Dean is a good story. He's of Japanese-American ancestry, played college golf in Utah with Mike Weir, and gained most of his pro experience in Japan, where he had six wins.
No wonder why I always forget about him ...: Sure. But you're not the only one. For years Wilson couldn't even get a sponsor's invitation to the Sony Open in Hawaii, even though he has been the Aloha State's best tour player for ages. Instead, the Sony Open gave their sponsor's invites to the likes of Michelle Wie.
So where does the Green Jacket fit in?: Well, Dean is now one of the most solid players out there on the PGA Tour these days. He got his first Masters invite last year after winning the 2006 Invitational and the winners this week, and next week in Houston, will be automatically going to Augusta.
Cool. We'll root for him then ... Is it as tough out there as it looks?: I'd say so. Wilson's 66 looks good on the leaderboard, but with the wind howling this TPC was playing nasty. It's going to be a good tune-up for Augusta.
Anybody else we should be concerned with ...? Well, there's the wonderfully named Briny Baird, a veteran still looking for his first PGA Tour win. He's on 5-under and has a great name for Bubba Gump Shrimp Company country.
And Peter Lonard? ...: The Australian veteran is on 5-under as well but I can't think of anything funny about his name except that he needs to ask Carol for a consonant so he can be more like Justin Leonard.
And Chez Reavie? ...: Again, on 5-under, with a perfect name for New Orleans. Sounds like a restaurant in the French Quarter.
Speaking of the French Quarter, let's go!: We can be there in 15 minutes with this tailwind ...