There's one early sign that things just might be looking up for Tiger Woods at the Ryder Cup, Bud Shaw says in his Spin column.
Tiger Woods (here with Jim Furyke during a Ryder Cup practice round on Wednesday) has never really warmed up to the team aspect of this U.S. vs. Europe competition. But Woods has never needed a positive finish to the season as much as he has in the lost 2010 campaign, writes Bud Shaw.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A flag of a different color has waved over Tiger Woods' season.
There's one early hint that Woods just might find redemption at the Ryder Cup. Or at least that TMZ won't have reason to find him.
A sexy woman is gracing a magazine cover this week timed to coincide with the Ryder Cup and -- unlike the way the 2010 golf season began -- she doesn't work at IHOP, dance at a men's club or claim a past relationship with Woods.
Lisa Pavin, wife of Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin, has caused a bit of a stir by posing for the cover of Avid Golfer magazine wearing America's colors.
It's being described as a flag. Actually, it looks more like bed linens.
She helped design the U.S. Ryder Cup "uniforms." So her style choices might be cause for concern. I mean, lots of people like Phil Mickelson. However, nobody wants to see him in a form-fitting sheet.
Lisa Pavin wonders why she's getting so much attention. I don't know, perhaps because the former assistant to Pavin refers to herself as "Captainess" and was recently seen publicly telling off Jim Gray after his beef with her husband concerning Gray's Woods report.
But really it's because on this half of the Atlantic, the Ryder Cup doesn't quite capture the imagination of Americans as purely as it does the Europeans, who are in it for the golf. Heck, until now, the Ryder Cup barely seemed to capture the attention of Woods, who has a losing record of 10-13-2 in the event.
Tiger Woods hasn't pulled off one of his signature demolitions of a rival during match play. Will a soggy Celtic Manor see a reprise of that version of a fearsome Tiger?(Disclaimer: I happen to love the Ryder Cup despite its propensity to give us some of the dorkiest looking celebrations this side of a high school Mathlete victory in an Advanced Calculus competition).
When 2004 Ryder Cup captain Hal Sutton paired Woods and Mickelson, Woods' expression in alternate shot play suggested slow torture. Let's just say warmer feelings were shared between Kellen Winslow Jr. and Phil Savage.
I'm not sure there's any way to make the Ryder Cup as relevant in America as it is in Europe. Woods will have to become part of a great U.S. performance, and not just part of the scenery, for that to happen.
You wouldn't think after all he's been through in 2010 -- public shame, contempt, divorce, failing to earn a Ryder Cup spot on his own merit for the first time in his career -- that Woods would need any other motivation. His terse response to a question about Ireland's Rory McIlroy suggests there's always room for more.
McIlroy had the gall to tell the truth when asked about Woods a week after Firestone, where Woods finished 18 over and beat only one other golfer. McIlroy said he'd look forward to playing Woods at the Ryder Cup given the state of Woods' game. And that he "fancied" the same to be true for his European teammates.
When reminded this week of McIlroy's words, Woods said, "Me, too." Asked to elaborate, he said, "No."
Hey, this might be worth watching after all ... if you set aside how absolutely ordinary Woods has been in 2010. His answer to McIlroy's shot was reminiscent of his attitude toward Stephen Ames when Ames said he liked his own chances against Woods in the 2006 Accenture Match Play Tournament because Woods was spraying his driver. Woods trounced him by the second-largest possible margin possible in match play.
Was he inspired by Ames' comments, he was asked.
"Nine and eight," Woods replied, meaning Ames' day ended with Woods already nine holes up with eight remaining. The boxing equivalent was the young Mike Tyson over Michael Spinks in 91 seconds.
Woods is hardly that intimidating these days. In Wales, though, he has a chance to come off passionate about playing for his country. That's a start.
He also has a chance to feel good about himself again, providing the "Captainess" doesn't dress him in polka dots.
HE SAID IT
"If we win back the Ryder Cup and you hear a loud noise, it will be me falling off the wagon." -- Lee Westwood, who is abstaining from alcohol as part of a post-injury fitness regimen.
And if the wagon he falls off runs over Colin Montgomerie, America will still have something to cheer about in the loss.
HE SAID WHAT?
"I don't think anyone will forget what was said. All I know is it took a tremendous amount of courage to do what he did, to subject himself to criticism." -- Miami coach Erik Spoelstra on LeBron James' decision to leave Cleveland for the Heat.
Yes, I'm sure the servicemen at Eglin Air Force base, where the Heat is training, define "courage" in much the same way.
YOU SAID IT
"Bud:
"In [Sunday's] column, you state, 'at the PD, only the editors are contemplating my retirement.' What can we do to expedite the process?" -- Phil Savarise, Ashtabula
Thank you for your kind offer. I know you're only trying to help. But I cannot retire until I have enough money in my nest egg to afford a beachcombing metal detector, and right now they're going for $59.99.
"Bud:
"Boise State is 54-2 playing on their blue field. Would the Browns be any better playing on an orange field?" -- Tom Hoffner
Only if they, too, play Wyoming and Idaho.
"Bud:
"So, is everyone on the PD staff required to drink the Kool-Aid before they make their [Browns'] predictions or does it just look that way?" -- Nate J., Brunswick
Kool-Aid is not required. It's just the obvious choice since the PD has a policy against beer bong use while working.
"Hey Bud:
"I read where Vinnie Pestano did not realize the magnitude of his MLB debut. Do you think it was due to the many familiar faces of all his Columbus teammates around him or was it that he didn't understand he was part of the next great reality TV show -- Major League III?" -- Vince, Cincinnati
Based on a quick crowd count, Pestano thought he was at a "Dimora for Mayor" rally.
"Bud:
"I searched high and low in the PD today, but did not find your 'mea culpa' for your woefully inadequate prediction of the Steelers' record without Big Ben. On behalf of Steeler Nation, can you let me know when that will be forthcoming?" -- Cwaltf
Be patient. Keep searching high. When you miss as often as I do, mea culpas are circling overhead like planes at Chicago O'Hare.
"Bud:
"With the Browns' history of turning geniuses (Carmen Policy, etc) into fools, would you be reading this by candlelight if Thomas Edison had moved here early in his career?" -- Ed DiFiore, Valley View
First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.
"Voice of Reason:
"I just saw the clip where Ray Lewis compares the Ravens and the Steelers. He says 'they have a great defense, we have a great defense....they love to run the ball, we love to run the ball.' Did they edit the part where he says 'they have a guy who should have gone to prison, we have a guy who should have gone to prison'?" -- Dan Okress
Repeat winners receive one phone call.