Tiger, No....Ochoa, Yes....Annika, No....Darren Clarke, Yes....John Daly, Bizarre.

It's a mixed bag in the golf world this week. Even with Tiger Woods on the bench there's plenty of buzz to keep the average golfer interested. So, head to the trough and try some of this fodder....

Wachovia Championship......On the heels of his victory in the EDS Byron Nelson, Adam Scott is pushing hard to cement a position as one of the elite players. He'll be going for two in a row having beaten Ryan Moore last week on the 3rd playoff hole. Three former Wachovia champs are in the field. Jim Furyk, (2006), Vijay Singh, (2005), and David Toms, (2003), head a stacked field as the PGA Tour players line up for The Player's Championship and the two majors to follow. Professional golf season is heating up even with the absence of a wounded Woods. Off crutches and now in a knee brace, it's looking more and more that Woods won't be seen before the Memorial Tournament or perhaps even the US Open.

The SemGroup Championship......Lorena Ochoa's back playing for her 5th consecutive victory. I can only imagine how tough she'll be to beat after a week of rest. Mi Hyun Kim defends. Julie Inkster, 2nd last year, and Cristie Kerr are headliners. Annika's not in the 144 woman field. It would have been nice to see her in action against Ochoa having come off a win in last week's event.

Asian Open Won by Darren Clarke......In the "Feel Good" competition for 2008 Darren Clarke iced the crown. It's over. This is the feel good list. Clarke sunk a 30 ft. putt on the 72nd hole to hoist his first victory flag since the passing two years ago of his wife Heather. Clarke's one the most entertaining and seemingly genuine players on anyone's tour. He's the one guy I don't mind us getting tarred by in the Ryder Cup. Great golfer, better person.

R&A Delays Drug Testing 1 Year......Expected to begin testing by the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, The R&A has pussyfooted around the issue for another year. Perhaps the wait and see posture is to observe how the other tours drug testing plans play out. If the other tour catch any scofflaws then there won't be much to do one year later.

John Daly, Media Legend.....If you haven't seen this I'm directing you to Bob Smiley's site, Fore Right, which is where I tripped over it. No hints or setup from me, just proof positive that truth is always stranger than fiction.

There's the recap from me. Your mission, should you choose to accept it.........Get out and play, come in and watch.

Til' next,