Golf Central

On this day in 1950, Andy North, a two-time US Open champion, was born in Thorp, Wisconsin and became one of the oddest statistical anomalies in modern golf history.

Why was North such an improbable champion? Because the 6-foot-4 journeyman only won three times on the PGA Tour in total. The only other golfer since World War II who has won two US Opens - arguably the toughest of golf's four majors - and not reach double figures in PGA Tour wins is Lee Janzen, who has won eight times on tour ...

Well, the rain stayed away for a bit and we finally have a champion ...: But it's not the champion that Simon Dyson wanted.
So who finally survived this thing?: Arjun Atwal. The Indian champ of this event in 2003 shot 64 to get into a playoff with the big Swede Peter "Pete Heathblossom" Hedblom at 18-under, and pleased by getting off dangerous driving charges in the States, beat Hedblom with a par on the second playoff hole.
Shocking display by Arjun's caddie ...: Ahem, yes ... I think even Arjun was a bit taken aback by how his caddie Ali Jaan over-reacted to the win. I mean, Malaysia is a nice win, but the little fella acted as if it was the 18th at Augusta.
So what happened to Dyson?: Well, the 30-year-old Englishman and accomplished old Asia hand had the lead for most of the final day. But after a two-hour delay for thunderstorms, Dyson came back out cold, bogeyed the 16th, and that was all she wrote for his challenge for a fifth title in Asia.
I've seen some pics of Simon chucking clubs ...: Yes. To say he didn't handle defeat well is an understatement. He grumbled "The break killed me. I could have won if we carried on."
But didn't everyone else have to deal with the weather delay?: Emmm, yes. Hedblom was in the same final group with Dyson and managed to get into the playoff.
OK. We'll leave that story for now. How did our Nick Dougherty end up?: Well, let's just say that the birdies dried up for Nick. You couldn't have started hotter ... Nick was 10-under after 13 holes in the first round. But Nick only made four birdies in Round 2, three in Round 3, and just one in the final round.
He needs to save some for later next time ...: Or make more in general.
So we're off to Korea! ...: Not if this weather gets there first ...

I notice PODS Championship is all listed in upper-case now ...: Well, a little free food goes a long way ...
You unabashed harlot ...: Sorry.
So what's the score today?: Well, after lots of rain delays, sitting around eating free food, and trying to watch Wales take the Triple Crown on Saturday, they actually played some more golf. Although for the third straight day they've not finished the round.
Who's still standing after all of that?: Well, the Bald Eagle, Stewart Cink, is playing in his third final round of the season after gutting out a 2-under 69 in 30-mph winds. Cink is 5-under. Geoff Ogilvy, the 2006 US Open champ who likes tough conditions, is with him, as well as up-and-coming youngster Brandt Snedeker and veteran Billy Mayfair, all on 3-under.
Last time we saw the Bald Eagle on a Sunday ...: Yes, I know. He was in the WGC Match Play final with Tiger Woods. But this time, there's no Tiger around.
So what does Cink have planned?: He was making some Tiger-like noises in the press room. Which is OK, since he and Tiger are mates.
What did he say that was so Tiger-like?: He said: "I've got to keep pushing. My goal is to give no one a chance tomorrow."
That sounds quite Tiger-like, actually ...: Well, he's got to hold off Ogilvy, Snedeker, and Mayfair. But Cink hasn't won since 2004 at Firestone, so I suppose he'll take the PODS title if he can get it ...
Sort of like you and the free grub ...

On this day in 1992, just weeks after a fire devastating his 12,000-square foot home in Indian Creek Island, Florida, the Hall of Famer Raymond Floyd capped his PGA Tour career with his 22nd victory, edging Keith Clearwater and Fred Couples at the Doral-Ryder Open with a score of 272. The win at age 49 also cemented a place in the PGA Tour record books for the long-serving Floyd, who tied Sam Snead's mark for the longest interval between first and last victories on the tour. Floyd's first win came way back in 1963 at the St Petersburg Open Invitational.

The Doral win only partly soothed the pain of losing his home for Floyd. Floyd's posh estate on the waters of Biscayne Bay had long been a party gala spot during the week of Doral. And while his wife Maria and three children safely made it out of the blaze, the home was a total wreck - resulting in the loss of more than three decades of Floyd's treasured memorabilia from his golf career ...

Is it possible for anyone to be a pro golfer and look more like Richard Dean Anderson than Danny Chia does?: Wow, that's a random way to start our report.
Well, it's true. Danny Chia is a dead-ringer for the blow-dried star of MacGyver and Stargate SG-1 ...: Dude, you watch way too much TV if you even know who Richard Dean Anderson is.
You watch too much golf if you know who Danny Chia is ...: Fair enough. He's ranked No. 721 in the world, is a Malaysian golfer of Chinese ancestry and is tied for the lead here with your precious Englishman Nick Dougherty.
But can't you see the resemblance?: I have to say, just a bit. He's not a doppelganger, per se, but especially with the highlights in his hair, Danny Chia looks a little bit like McGyver.
Thanks. I feel gratified ...: Good. Now can we talk about some golf, please. We have a job to do. We've already covered Danny Chia and his brilliant 12-under-par.
Well, it's rainy ...: Nice observation, Sherlock. Or shall I call you Michael Fish? Yes, Round 2 was suspended, but Danny Chia got his highlighted MacGyver-looking self to 12-under before they stopped play.
And, I have to ask, is our Nick Dougherty doing?: Just fine. He says he likes to chase rather than defend, and he's in a battle now after following up his first round 62 with a 70. And he's got some big-time IGWT karma and love going for him right now.
Anybody else?: Well, the Indian stick Jyoti Randhawa was sitting on a 6-under round before the horn blew, and he's just a shot behind the leaders with play to finish Saturday morning.
Does he have any IGWT karma going?: Not much.
Does he look like Richard Dean Anderson?: Not at all.
That's all I wanted to know ...