The Golf Blog interview with 2 time gold medalist Misty May Treanor, Part 1

President Bush gets a good look at Misty May Treanor's tush

We had a chance to interview beach volleyball champ Misty May Treanor before the Olympics. She and partner Kerri Walsh just won gold again yesterday. Here's part 1 of the interview.

The Golf Blog: You are the No.1 ranked women's volleyball player and on the No.1 team with Kerri Walsh, already with 1 gold medal under your belt. Why do you think that you've been able to dominate the sport for so long? Are you the Tiger Woods of volleyball?

Misty: I don’t consider myself the Tiger Woods of volleyball. Kerri and I work hard and stay focused on our goals. I like to say we balance each other out. Tiger is a great competitor and I can relate to him in many ways, but I think our sport has a greater emphasis on team. He has the attitude and mental focus that it takes to stay on top in his sport and he’s also been a positive role model to kids throughout his career; these are two things I strive for in my career.

The Golf Blog: When did you realize you had a gift for volleyball? How old were you? Did someone in your family get you started?

Misty: I grew up playing and watching at the Santa Monica Pier where I grew up. Both my parents played volleyball and it was an easier sport for me to pick up.

The Golf Blog: What is your typical day like when you are in training? Hours on the beach?

Misty: Kerri and I practice on the beach for a couple of hours in the morning and then do a training session in the gym. I also like to do Pilates and play golf to balance out the beach training.

The Golf Blog: I read somewhere you are 5 foot 10 inches. Would you consider that average or better for the women's game? I take it you must have exceptional vertical leap?

Misty: Actually, I’m 5’9 and for our team I’m short because Kerri is 6’3. For indoor volleyball I’d be short but for beach I’m average, people say I play tall.

The Golf Blog: My readers would criticize me if I didn't ask this question. Anyone who's watched you on the pro circuit knows that the women in your league wear these really skimpy swimsuits or outfits. Are those outfits really comfortable for volleyball, and how do you avoid the dreaded wedgies?

Misty: They’re functional for our sport because we dive around in the sand in the heat and I get my suits made by my sponsor Nautica which helps… so far no malfunctions.

Tiger Woods walks on water video

LOL!

The Golf Blog interview - U.S. gold medalist Jeremy Wariner, Part 1

(photo NBC Olympics/USOC)

Jeremy Wariner is the world's fastest man in the 400 meter. He won Olympic gold in 2004 in that event (watch the video below), as well as in the 4x400 meter relay. Jeremy is known on the track for not only being fast, but also for his signature sunglasses. He's also a golfer, and The Golf Blog was fortunate to have the chance to interview Jeremy as his prepares for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Here's Part 1 of the interview. [NOTE: We ran this interview earlier in the summer, but we're running it again in anticipation of Jeremy's run tomorrow in the 400 meter final.]

The Golf Blog: Jeremy, thanks for chatting with us. It's an honor to interview an Olympic gold medalist. So let me start with the obvious: You are no doubt incredibly fit as an Olympic gold medal athlete. What’s your typical workout routine each day and do you know your percent body fat?

Jeremy Wariner: Unfortunately, I don’t know my percent body fat. As for my typical workout routine, each day is different of course, so I will give you a typical Monday for me. I wake up around 9:15 am, get ready for weights, head to the weight room by 10 am for weights. My weight workout usually takes about 30 minutes.

After weights, I go to my coach’s office and relax for about an hour. Then I head over to the track for workout at 11:30 am. It takes me about 15 minutes to warm-up and another 15 minutes to stretch. After all that, it's time to do my 200s, as the season goes on we cut back on the number of 200s we do. After workout, I sometimes go into the training room and take an ice bath to help keep my legs fresh for the next day. As for the rest of the day, I just relax and watch TV, walk my dog, or just hang out with my friends.

The Golf Blog: You already have two gold medals, one in the 400 m and one in the 4x400 m relay. This summer, what are your goals for the 2008 games in China?

Jeremy Wariner: My goals for the 2008 Olympics are, first, win the gold in the 400 meters. Then, after that, when I cross the line in first, I'm hoping to see the WR next to my time for the World Record.

The Golf Blog: How much do you want to break Michael Johnson’s world record of 43.18 in the 400 m? Since he’s a friend, will he be happy or upset to see his record fall?

Jeremy Wariner: For the past few years I have been wanting to break the 400 WR. Each time I step on the track no matter what track meet I'm at, I'm going for the record. He [Michael] has told me plenty of times that he won't be mad when I break his records, because records are made to be broken.

The Golf Blog: Do you wear your signature sun glasses on the golf course as you do on the track like David Duval used to? Why do wear sunglasses all the time on the track?

Jeremy Wariner: Yes, on the course, I wear my glasses most of the time. The reason why I wear my sunglasses is because they help me stay focused and block out the crowd.

The Golf Blog: You also look pretty cool, I have to say.

[Stay tuned for Part 2 of The Golf Blog interview with Jeremy Wariner.]

Jack Nicklaus discusses Sergio Garcia's "major" problem

"You know, Watson did it; Sergio has not been able to do it. He is very, very talented. When he learns to do that—if and when he learns that, and I don’t know whether he will or not--he will get to that level." (More from Golf)

Ouch. This kind of hurts and puts even more pressure on poor Sergio. Remember the guy is still is in his 20s. Mickelson and Harrington didn't win until much later in their 30s. I'm not sure this is the most constructive form of criticism from Jack.

Tiger Woods won't pick up golf club until 2009 at the earliest

Tiger writes in:

As far as swinging a club, that's not going to happen until next year. I just don't have a choice. We simply don't know what type of swelling there would be or if there would be any residual effects the next day once you start wheeling and dealing on the knee. Everyone's body reacts differently. I could putt right now, but I'm not going to do it. I don't know what the doctors are going to tell me about playing golf down the road. I'm taking it day-to-day, week-to-week. All I'm doing every day is looking forward to my next day. ***

Initially, I probably lost about 10 pounds because I wasn't working out. All of that was muscle. I've put about two pounds back on, but I'm still pretty light. I'm eating mostly raw and organic foods that provide the most nutrients.

I didn't watch much of the British Open and saw a little bit of the British Senior Open, because my friend John Cook was in contention. I watched some of the PGA Championship and want to congratulate Padraig Harrington on his wins at the British and PGA. As a two-time defending PGA champion, it was a lot more frustrating not to be competing and that hurts the most. I stayed plenty busy with my rehab and watched some of the Olympics on television. I did arrange the menu for the Champions dinner, and it was a combo of American and Swedish food. I want to thank the PGA for organizing that very special evening.***

Later this month, we're going to launch our new video game: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09. We've made some exciting changes, like the new "true one-to-one golf swing," that I really think you're going to like. In fact, the game just recently won the Best Sports Game of E3 2008 for the Wii.

I've also been working with Gatorade on a new fitness drink. They have been so helpful during my rehab, trying to think of ways to expedite my recovery process. It's been a pleasure to join forces with them.***

I will definitely watch some of the Ryder Cup Matches and will be pulling hard for the American Team. I wish I could do more than root!

That's all for now. Enjoy the rest of your summer and I'll talk to you soon.

Tiger

Natalie Gulbis in Japan

Natalie Gulbis has finally written on her blog with another post, this one from Japan:

"This week I was invited to play in the AXA Ladies Open in Sapporo, Japan. Sapporo is a two hour flight from Tokyo. I have been to Japan over a dozen times in my professional career and always enjoy visiting this country. I left London on Monday night at 7pm and arrived into Tokyo at 5PM Tuesday. After a 12 hour flight I had a one hour photo shoot in the airport. I slept great on the plane but was not sure about taking photos after that."

For more, visit Nat's blog, which has some photos from Japan.

TV ratings without Tiger Woods: terrible!!!!!

PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem might as well shut down the entire 2008 season. The TV ratings for golf tournaments, post-Tiger, are in, and they are absolutely abysmal. The PGA Championship had a 3.0 rating, down 55% from last year. Also, attendance at the tournaments are significantly down since Tiger retired for the season. You could see that this past weekend when Ben Curtis, who had a share for the lead, had only what looked like 10 people following his group. That's embarrassing for a Sunday at a major.

So it appears that the PGA without Tiger Woods is more like the LPGA, where it's tough to find any viewers. If the FedEx championship doesn't do well, Tim Finchem should resign for creating such an expensive, bloated gimmick.

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Padraig Harrington closes last 3 holes with clutch 1-putts to beat Sergio Garcia and Ben Curtis to win PGA Championship

If you missed today's PGA Championship, you missed the most exciting finish at a major this year, even better than Tiger Woods's win at the US Open, which had to go an 18-hole playoff. The drama in the final 3 holes was so intense, with 2-time major winner Padraig Harrington battling the best player not to win a major, Sergio Garcia, and major-winner Ben Curtis. The final 3 holes at Oakland Hills are all monsters, which only added to the drama. The PGA Championship played way more difficult than the U.S. Open did this year at Torrey Pines.

Padraig Harrington has now won back-to-back majors, squeaking out a victory after a very tight duel with playing partner Sergio Garcia (who led for most of the final round) and Ben Curtis.

The pivotal point in the Championship occurred on the final 3 holes. Sergio, who was in the lead by 1, faded his 6-iron too far. It hit the bank and fell back into the water. Sergio saved a bogey with a clutch 5-footer, after Harrington sunk a clutch 15-footer for par. Then, on the par-3 17th, Harrington stuffed his 5-iron to 5 feet. Sergio then stuffed his 5-iron to 4-feet. Harrington sunk his birdie, but Sergio lipped his out. Harington -3, Sergio -2, Curtis -2.

On the 18th, Paddy tried to make things interesting by hitting a terrible drive into the bunker and even worse lay up shot, which bounded right back into the thick rough. Paddy caught a lucky break by drawing a good lie. Paddy made up for it by muscling out his third shot to 15 feet. Harrington sunk the clutch putt to seal the deal -- again!! That's 3 straight one putts on the final 3 holes. Amazing!!!!

Meanwhile, Ben Curtis bogeyed the 17th after his 5 iron bounced off the green into a bad lie and Ben could not get up and down.

Poor Sergio. He played well all day, but Harrington is now the closest thing to Tiger Woods.

Watch PGA Championship on Internet

Click here for the video stream

Tiger Woods talks retirement -- in the future

More from ESPN here

Annika Sorenstam plays her last major

Annika Sorenstam, 37 year old, finished her last major by sinking a 10 foot birdie putt that had no consequence in the tournament. Sorenstam shed a few tears afterwards as the rain continued to pour down.

Sorenstam finishes her career with 10 majors and 72 total victories. For several years, she completely dominated women's golf. Without a doubt, Annika will go down in history as one of the transformative figures for the LPGA. When the LPGA needed a marquee player to match the star power of Tiger Woods on the PGA tour, Annika filled that role. She even became good friends with Tiger Woods and barely missed the cut at the Colonial on the PGA tour.

Annika Sorenstam will be sorely missed. She was so great for women's golf and golf in general. We at The Golf Blog are very sad to see her retire, but we wish her the best as she pursues a family and new endeavors.

Phil Mickelson suffers another late round meltdown; Vijay Singh survives yips to win WGC Bridgestone

The bugaboos came back for Phil Mickelson late in the final round of the Bridgestone. Phil bogeyed 3 of the last 4 holes to squander away the lead. Hiring Butch Harmon doesn't appear to have helped the inconvenient slice in Phil's driver that creeps up at the worst moment.

VIjay Singh, meanwhile, survived terrible putting woes (read yips) that helped him to miss 3 putts within 8 feet on the back nine. Singh made a clutch 3 1/2 foot putt on the final hole to seal the win at -10. Lee Westwood and Stuart Appleby finished at -9.

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Shocker: Michelle Wie shoots +1 in Tahoe; may make her first PGA tour cut

Say what you will about Michelle Wie's miscues. Yesterday, she showed why there was so much hype around her as a 13 year old. She shot 1-over par in Tahoe, which put her in 79th place in a field of 132. She could make the cut if she shoots well today.

Yesterday, her score beat the following PGA players:

Willie Wood
Kris Cox
Jason Dufner
Tommy Gainey
Gavin Coles
Garrett Willis
Tom Byrum
Mark Hensby
Jeff Maggert
Scott Gump
Marc Turnesa
Richard Johnson
Jon Mills
Paul Stankowski
J.L. Lewis
Bob Sowards
Guy Boros
Michael Clark II
Scott McCarron
Kenny Knox
Mike Heinen
Chad Collins
Jay Williamson
Ryan Armour
Blaine McCallister
David Peoples
Dicky Pride
Jeff Gove
Robin Freeman
Dave Rummells
Todd Demsey
Ron Whittaker
David Lutterus
Phil Tataurangi
David Duval
Barry Jaeckel
Mike Standly
Trevor Dodds
Jason Allred
Brad Elder
Brent Geiberger
Nolan Henke
Ricardo Leibovich
Lance Ten Broeck
Chris Riley

Michelle Wie defends her decision to play PGA event, so does David Duval

David Duval supports Michelle Wie's decision to play in Tahoe this week: "The novelty of it seemingly is wearing off a little bit, but you know, more power to her if she wants to try it. I don't know if the PGA Tour is exactly the place to gain confidence. You can get your head beat in pretty easy out here."

Michelle Wie also stated, "People are going to write hateful stuff about me and that's fine with me. ... Good rounds and low scores can solve everything."

Meanwhile, her coach David Leadbetter said that more bad than good can come from Michelle's playing a PGA event.

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Annika Sorenstam questions Michelle Wie's attempt to play on PGA tour this week

AP is reporting the skepticism among LPGA players about Michelle Wie's attempt to play the PGA tour this week at the Tahoe Open.

Annika Sorenstam stated, ""I really don't know why Michelle continues to do this. We have a major this week and, if you can't qualify for a major, I don't see any reason why you should play with the men."

Helen Alfredsson stated, ""I feel kind of sad for her. I think she's a very good person. I feel sad for the guidance that she seems to not have in the right direction."

Paula Creamer stated, ""I don't know why you'd want to pass up playing in a major, especially the British Open here at Sunningdale. But she goes a different path and that's not the path way that I've taken."

The 50 Hottest Women Golfers of All Time

Thanks to a reader, here's the list of Sports Crunch's 50 Hottest Women Golfers of All Time. To see the Top 10 (with photos), click here.

Any list that places Jan Stephenson at No.3 (All Time) is a little bit suspect. More than any women, she really glamorized the women's game, even more so than Natalie Gulbis. And, although we've never heard of her, Blair O'Neal should have placed higher than No.36.

Greg Norman declines PGA Championship exemption, but may play Masters + British next year

Based on his 3rd place finish at the British Open, 53 year old Greg Norman received a sponsor's invitation to play the PGA Championship in two weeks. Norman, however, decline the invite due to other engagements. He did hint that he will play the Masters for the first time since 2002 and will almost certainly play the British again next year when it goes to Turnberry. More from Golf Magazine

It appears that his recent marriage to Chris Evert has rekindled his spark for golf.

Men's Vogue reveals how Phil Mickelson lost over 20 pounds

Men's Vogue has a nice expose on Phil Mickelson's new fitness regime. Click here for the regimen and here for the story.

He does look great, but it hasn't yet paid dividends at the majors.

Darth Vader golfing

Spike Star Wars Spots | Movies & TV | SPIKE.com

Chris Evert admits affair with Norman broke up their marriages

Not exactly surprising, but still a little shocking to hear it from Chris Evert herself.

Giving new meaning to the nickname "Shark," the ex-husband of Chris Evert, Andy Mill, said he was devastated when his best friend Greg Norman stole his wife.

Michelle Wie DQ'd for failing to sign scorecard after being only 1 out of lead; announces she's playing PGA tour again!

Leave it to Michelle Wie to generate some controversy while things have been relatively quiet. This past week, Michelle unfortunately failed to sign her scorecard after her 3rd round, after she was only 1 shot out of the lead at the State Farm Classic.

Well, today, Michelle announced that she'll tee it up next week at the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open with the men. At least, she played well last week and perhaps can break 80 now, at least from the women's tee. We still love you, Michelle, for giving us something to talk about when Tiger's away.

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Greg Norman seals his legacy: snakebitten at the majors, final round failures

After 6 holes of watching the British Open today, I couldn't stand watching any more. Greg Norman bogeyed 4 of the first 6 holes. That was all I needed to see. It was just too painful to see Greg Norman suffer another final round defeat at a major. So I turned off the TV, just as I did yesterday after seeing David Duval implode. I knew what was about to happen. Norman would falter again in the final round of a major, this time, shooting 7 over par 77 on the final day when others on the leaderboard were much closer to par or better. That's his legacy.

Sure, Norman had no business at age 53, with no practice regimen or competitive golf lately, to be leading the Open after 3 rounds and even in the 4th round with only 9 holes left. But to come again so tantalizingly close to winning a major, only to be unable to deliver the goods, it only brings a harsh reminder of the many other times Greg Norman suffered the same fate, often cruelly -- whether to Larry Mize, Bob Tway, Fuzzy Zoeller, Mark Calvacecchia, Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, did I miss anyone?

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of Norman and think the golfing gods have basically screwed the guy over at the majors. He deserved a better hand than he has been dealt over the years -- basically, just one of the many "lucky bounces" that Tiger Woods always seems to get. Today it would have been poetic justice if Norman would have won. But, alas, Norman's golf legacy will now forever be sealed as a somewhat of a tragic story of missed opportunities at the majors. Not even Phil Mickelson can match Norman's record in that respect, even with Winged Foot.

Giving Greg Norman his props ... even though he came in third

Had Greg Norman closed out a victory in The Open Championship today, his performance might have gone down as one of golf's all-time great achievements. But even though a slow start and a balky putter kept Norman from grabbing the Claret Cup, I still think his effort deserve a lot of props.

To put Norman's achievement in some perspective, consider the fact that, with everybody watching and all the pressure on him, he still had a better weekend than nearly everyone in the Top 10 after two rounds of the Championship. KJ Choi, Camilo Villegas, Rocco Mediate, Robert Allenby and David Duvall all blew up over the weekend after posting good scores on Thursday and Friday. Though Norman could have faded away and everybody would have smiled and been pleased by the mini-resurgence, he really played great over the weekend and simply got beat by Padrig Harrington who was rock-steady throughout the back 9.

Because he did not win, Norman's performance will only merit a footnote in major history. But I really think it was more historic and more of an amazing achievement than most will remember years from now.

Wind blows away entire field at British Open

What's it like to play in 40 mile per hour winds? Well, it's not good. Everyone's over par, the leader KJ Choi and Greg Norman are at +4. David Duval is +13. The wind is blowing the ball on the greens. The tournament is wide open now. Anything can happen. Hey, even Ben Curtis can win. He's only at +7, so is Anthony Kim.

David Duval implodes in 3rd round

It was too painful for me to watch. I turned off the TV after the first hole for David Duval. After striping his iron off the first tee, David hack sliced his approach from the fairway into an unplayable lie on the right junk. Then he bladed the ball over the green into the other junk on the other side. Then he squirreled one onto the green and two-putted for 7, triple bogey.

Quite frankly, it reminded me of some of my opening holes -- the kind that ruins the entire round.

Good thing I turned off the TV because things got worse for Duval. He shot a 44 on the front nine. The wheels have come unhinged. Not pretty. +12 for the tourney, +10 for the day. 9 holes left. I hope he breaks 90 and is not mentally broken from this round.

David Duval post-round interview

It's good to see David Duval back to his old form + old body shape. I always thought that the maniacal weight-lifting, ala Tiger regimen was a bad idea for DD.

Greg Norman gets kiss from new wife Chris Evert

Ahhh ... now this explains Greg Norman's good play.

The Early 1990s major: Norman, Duval, no Tiger on the leaderboard

Anyone concerned that the first major in more than a decade without Tiger in the field would be a snooze surely has to change his tune. I am still stunned from waking up this morning to follow newlywed Mr. Chrissy Evert, aka Greg Norman, roll in monster putts on 17 and 18 to be the low man in the clubhouse half way through the The Open Championship. And now I turn on the webcast upon my return from lunch to see David Duval make a deuce on 14 in order to get back to second place.

I am sooooo hoping Duval can hold on an maybe make one more bridie coming in so that the final group on Saturday will be Duval and Norman. How amazing would that final twosome be! The only problem is that I am not sure which one I will be rooting for more. Also, with Rocco Mediate, KJ Choi and Camilo Villeges all in the hunt (along with defending champ Padrig Harrington and even our old friend Jean Van de Velde), the diversity and number of weekend storylines for this Open Championship is astounding.

David Duval, Anthony Kim, Rocco Mediate, Monty, Greg Norman, Tom Watson -- who should win The Open?

The weather is the great wildcard at The Open. Today, the morning weather was borderline illegal. The afternoon quieted down and was even sunny at times. In the end, the leaderboard is absolutely crazy, with such names:

David Duval (+3)

Anthony Kim (+2)

Rocco Mediate(-1)

Colin Montgomerie (+3)

Greg Norman (E)

Tom Watson (+4)

So, dear readers, what story would be the best for golf this week -- who should be the winner?

Leaderboard

Watch the British Open on the Internet

TNT has coverage all day. Just click on this button and select the live TV simulcast from the menu.

The picture is fantastic. You, of course, will need high-speed Internet access. The Internet coverage is actually a second or two ahead of the TNT broadcast on TV.