Mickelson In? Showdown at 2008 Buick Invitational

It's funny, I never used to pay much attention to golf until the Masters. The PGA Tour's gone almost year round on us now and I'm anticipating a tournament before filing my taxes. No doubt the presence of Micklelson and Woods in their first 2008 appearances had a hand. Woods has kissed the trophy five times in this event, Mickelson three. How could the two of them not be prohibitive favorites? Box 'em in the exacta. It's been reported that Phil's bedridden and under the weather with a respiratory ailment. Nevertheless he's been quoted as saying he'll be there for Wednesday's pro-am. Other sources report that Woods has enjoyed a good five weeks of practice while on winter hiatus. I wouldn't expect to see much ring rust from Tiger, maybe some from Phil. Regardless, I hope they're both in contention. No slight on the Tour's earlier winners this year intended. It's just better to see #1 and #2 in the field. My picks out of the rest are....K.J. Choi, hey, he's hot and he's good. Pat Perez, with valium only. Tim Herron, always my sentimental pick.

Torrey Pines will of course host this year's US Open. Unusual. Does this mean we may see an Open at Augusta some day? Torrey Pines officials have said that the course conditions this week will be relatively close to the Open set up. The differences being that this week the greens will run at 9 1/2 to 10 on the Stimpmeter vs around 13 for the Open. Crap, my bathtub's only a 12! They also said the rough around the greens will be thicker. Curiously, The USGA has been rumored to rethink the controversial rough adjoining the fairways that created the whine fest at last year's US Open at Oakmont. Lastly, being played later in the year, the course should be noticeably drier and faster.

10 THINGS TO PONDER

1. Am I the only one to go from rooting for John Daly, to calling 911?

2. With his talent, is the only thing missing in Charles Howell III's game a sandwich?

3. Did the Golfweek "noose" cover buy Kelly Tilghman some breathing room or what?

4. Have any of you purchased a golf related item from an infomercial?

5. It's reported that Michele Wie will skip the spring semester to play golf. No way.

6. I played a well known golf video game online. I shot 65. The guy that beat me shot 43. Putt here, putt there.

7. Does anyone pay full price for golf shirts?

8. Does anybody hate Fred Couples?

9. I know a guy with a full size hitting net in his living room. Do you?

10.Seems like Mark Calcavecchia has it pretty good, huh? Nice mix of great career and regular guy living.

Til' next,