PGA Golf Talk

Hunter Mahan has had a pretty good summer. The 28-year-old PGA golfer got engaged to his Dallas Cowboys cheerleader girlfriend in June, finished a career-best 8th at the Masters, and won his biggest PGA event to date last weekend- the Bridgestone Invitational. The former Oklahoma State first-team All-American felt right at home in Akron, Ohio. Mahan captured the $1.4 million prize shooting a 64 on the final day of the PGA tournament. The victory also guaranteed Mahan a spot on the USA’s Ryder Cup team. In 2007, Mahan was apart of the winning USA team at the President’s Cup. The headline story at Firestone Country Club was the horrific tournament Tiger Woods had. Woods shot 18 over PAR for his worst PGA finish in his career. The PGA will now sets course for Whistling Straits-where the 2010 PGA Championships will be held. The golf world will see if Woods can get his game together or if a lesser known name like Mahan steals the show once again.

Not even Tiger’s friends have any idea when he will return. The past few months for the greatest golfer in the world have been dreadful. Since the conga line of mistresses formed confirming Woods’ infidelities starting back in November, the 34-year-old hasn’t played any professional golf. Instead Woods has been sequestered in a Mississippi sex rehab facility. Once thought to be one of Tiger’s best friends and mentor, Mark O’Meara, hasn’t seen him since last July. Early on in his career, Tiger was aided by O’Meara’s advice and friendship, but hasn’t reached out to him throughout the scandal. Tiger or any of his representatives have publicly addressed the reports fueling the speculation. No one knows when the world’s best golfer will return to the game, but when he does it will be a momentous event. Sooner or later Woods will have to face the media and return to doing what he does best.

Michelle Wie was left devastated on Sunday after she was disqualified for breaking the game’s most basic rule – she forgot to sign her scorecard. The 18 year old after finishing second on Friday and Saturday was just one round away from winning the State Farm Classic. She was seen leaving the Panther Creek Country Club in a SUV with her parents leaving behind Yani Tseng leading the tournament at 18 under followed by Katie Futcher, Hee-Won Han and Ji Young Oh. The tickets for this event are up for grabs.

35-year-old PGA Professional Dan Rooney delievered a perfect pitch at Wrigley Field on Thursday on behalf of the Chicago Cubs. While this was perfect, the pitch he made off the mound later was even more so. He is the founder of Patriot Golf Day and the Folds of Honor Foundation, and will serve his country by making his third round at Iraq as an F-16 fighter pilot. This event was part of the promotional campaign for the upcoming second annual Patriot Golf Day. And while the Cubs lost, Rooney believes this was a victory because it made people aware of the causes he supports. The tickets are already available for this upcoming event.