US Women's Open NEEDS Michelle Wie

It's a shame that media sensation Michelle Wie is not playing at the 2009 US Women's Open. I think that her not qualifying for the event is a big blow to the LPGA especially now that everyone's focus is not on the event itself but the requested resignation of LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens. Michelle Wie has a very big fan base and even if you are not a fan, admit it, you like watching and reading about her. She is one of if not the biggest name, and the most intriguing player in women's golf today. Her appearance at the US Women's Open will definitely attract attention from viewers and fans everywhere that would give the LPGA and the tournament the boost it very much needs.

The LPGA 2009 Official Money List has Michelle Wie ranked at #12. She is also in the top 10 on the list of Top 10 Finishes this year. So the question is, how can a player of this rank not qualify? There is clearly something wrong with this scenario.

PHOTO from www.graphicshunt.com

iPhone Users, Get Your FREE Open Championship Application Now

I just downloaded the British Open Application for my iPhone. Earlier this year, I have downloaded The Masters and The US Open iPhone applications and boy, it did help me get through those times when I couldn't locate a television nearby and wanted to know what was currently going on during the tournament. This application provides current scores, news, videos, and even player profiles. The only thing I am not sure of is if it will provide live streaming of the British Open just like the US Open application did. If you are like me, an iPhone user who is always on the go and is oh-so-busy at work, I suggest you download this application asap!

For weekly PGA tournaments, I suggest the iPhone Golf Tracker application by Plusmo.

Amari Avery: Golf Prodigy

Check out this video I stumbled upon on ABC-7 site. Her name is Amari Avery, a 5-year-old girl from Orange County, CA. With her golf skills and competitive nature, she could very well be a future LPGA star.

New Christina Ricci Book Coming Soon

A Girl's On-Course Survival Guide author Christina Ricci has another surprise up her sleeve. She is releasing a new book: Reach Your Goals Survival Guide: Learn How to Take Your Game to the Next Level. This book may be pre-ordered at a discounted price here. This book claims that it will aid both men and women golfers to realistically reach their goals. If this means shaving my handicap 2 points (it has gone up almost a point since I started tracking it over a month ago) before the year ends, then I guess it is worth a shot. Anything to be a better golfer! As written on an earlier blog entry, I very much enjoyed reading her first book. I look forward to getting my hands on a copy of this new book... Keeping my fingers crossed that it will have the same effect on me as the first one.

Sad News for Phil Mickelson

I heard that Phil Mickelson's mom just got diagnosed with breast cancer... such terrible news after his wife Amy's diagnosis a month and a half ago. I can't imagine the pain of having to battle this alongside his mom when his wife's battle just started.

Hang in there Phil!

Roger Federer vs. Tiger Woods

Tennis great Roger Federer ignited a Federer vs. Woods debate when he won his 6th Wimbledon title yesterday. Watching videos and reading blogs and articles about this discussion is interesting though not as interesting as reading comments posted by readers like the one on MSN Fox Sports. It is so obvious that the bottomline of some of the comments boils down to Golf vs. Tennis and not about the two athletes. Federer's win not just fueled the "Who is the Best Athlete Debate" but also the "Golf vs. Tennis Debate". As a passionate golfer, at times, I may be guilty of being biased but playing tennis and having experienced it as well somehow puts everything in perspective.

I wonder how these two guys are taking all this hype? We all know that Roger and Tiger are good friends, but even good friendships have their moments. Do they secretly have a rivalry? Is Roger secretly thinking "FINALLY!" and Tiger thinking "OH NO!"? Whatever is going on in their heads, I hope that it drives both of them to be even better at their game so we can watch more AWESOME golf and tennis!

Congratulations Roger on your 15th major. Your win makes me pray harder for Tiger to win the British Open in a couple of weeks!

It's Time for the 2009 US Women's Open

All eyes are on Bethlehem, Pennsylvania this week for the 2009 US Women's Open where Inbee Park will be defending her title at the Saucon Valley Country Club.

My Random Thoughts:

- Michelle Wie and Natalie Gulbis did not qualify! I was hoping that one of them would win the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic to secure teeing off on Thursday.

- Will Paula Creamer's famous Thumb Injury prevent her from playing well this week? I hope not!

- I wish I was in Bethlehem to follow one of the 7:55am groups: Hole #10 Start - Paula Creamer, In-Kyung Kim and Lorena Ochoa or Hole #1 Start - Christie Kerr, Anna Nordqvist and Yani Tseng

- Anyone can win this US Women's Open based on the randomness of past 2009 tournament winners... I can't come up with an early favorite.

2009 AT&T National Tournament

I was closely following the AT&T National Tournament in Bethesda, MD this weekend. Defending champion Anthony Kim and host Tiger Woods were the early stars of the tourney until Hunter Mahan temporarily stole the limelight today when he shot 8 under par applying pressure on Tiger and AK. For several holes, Tiger Woods and Hunter Mahan were tied at -12 until Tiger's birdie on the 16th. In the end, Tiger Woods wins his own event at -13. Anthony Kim came in third with -9 and US Open Champ Lucas Glover at T5 with -7.

Golf Addict?

This long weekend, I was all over Southern California. It was a busy 4th of July weekend and squeezing in a round of golf is out of the question. Though I did not get to play, golf still consumed me. Aside from following the AT&T National Tournament (which is turning out to be one of the most exciting tournaments this year... Host Tiger Woods and defending champ Anthony Kim will be paired during tomorrow's final round), I found myself shopping for random golf stuff. I bought a few stuff at Puma... some Puma Golf shorts, pants, hat, jackets etc. The ladies at the Puma store in Santa Monica Promenade were really nice. We were talking about my love for Puma and Golf while I was shopping and they gave me an "I Love Geoff Ogilvy" pin. The pin was not for sale... Call me shallow but I felt really special!

That evening, I watched the 4th of July fireworks at Downtown Disney. While waiting for the fireworks to start, I went to the Disney store to kill time. Can you guess what I bought? Once again, it's Golf Golf Golf related. I bought Disney golf balls. I particularly got a box of 6 balls. Each ball came printed with the following Disney characters paying golf: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, Daisy Duck and Donald Duck. I don't know why I bought these balls, I know that I will never use them but I just had to buy something golf-related in Disney.

I think I am sick... Got the golf bug really bad! :(

Toying with the Idea: Yamaha 2009 Inpres X

Recently, I have been toying with the idea of changing some clubs in my bag. A month ago, I have made some minor changes (wrote about these changes here). Lately, I can't get the Yamaha 2009 Inpres X C's Hybrid/Utility and Fairway Wood out of my head. These clubs, once again are available at TourspecGolf, the home of awesome golf clubs! What I want to do, or shall I say, what I DREAM of doing, is toss my Taylormade Burner Rescue #3 and #4 and replace it with an 18* Yamaha 2009 Inpres X C's Fairway Wood and a 25* Utility. These clubs would be really nice to have but I keep reminding my self that I don't need them. Oh dear, I can already hear Sunny say "It's the Indian not the arrow!".

Yamaha 2009 Inpres X C's Ladies Utility available at Toursepec Golf by clicking here.

Yamaha 2009 Inpres X C's Ladies Fairway Wood available at Toursepec Golf by clicking here.

Photo from Tourspec Golf.