Sydney Australia, John Daly smashed a spectators camera into a tree during a 6-over 78 first round at the Australian Open.
Daly continues to add to his resume of screw-ups and mishaps. Upon finding the ball he pushed far right on his final hole, he was obviously frustrated. At which point, he was approached by a spectator. According to Daly, he was snapping pictures from within six inches of his face. Daly quickly snatched the spectators’ camera, and threw it against a tree during a 6-over 78 in the first round.
Daly traveled to Australia for a three-tournament trip. All of which he missed the cut.
Daly is having a bad year, in fact, his career quickly on the decline. This is the first of many obstructions in his tenure on the PGA Tour. Just this year, Daly spent the night in jail on October 27th. According to police, he was found intoxicated and uncooperative outside of a Hooters restaurant in North Carolina.
Daly is trying to finish the year on a positive note, which in his career have been few and far between. Daly hasn’t earned a tour card since 2006. In 2008 Daly made only five cuts in 17 tournaments and has earned %56,000 on the PGA Tour .
The two-time major winner, has quickly fallen down the rankings to 719. With a plethora of excuses, mishaps, misfortunes, bad luck, bad attitude, stupid decisions, addictions, a lack of work ethic and self discipline, it looks like Mr. John Daly has a rain cloud over his head. Until some drastic changes are made………………………………..again, golf may not be in his future.
It has been announced, Paul Ainger will not return as the U.S. team captain for the 2010 Ryder Cup to be played in Wales.
Azinger told the Associated Press last Monday “It ain’t gonna be me, I am not the captain” Sounds like a disappointed and discouraged Azinger is you ask me.
The announcement comes as a surprise as Azinger lead the American team the their first win in a decade. Labeled as Captain American during the event, Azinger was an innovative captain. When handed control of the team he made immediate plans to make changes. Starting with the player selection process, He approached the PGA and persuaded the board to change the qualification process. Set exclusively on money earnings with more weight on the four majors. Azinger also chose a record high four captain’s picks.
Upon arrival at Valhalla, Azinger divided the team by personality traits into three pods. The three groups played and practiced together including matches. Even without an ailing Tiger Woods, the American team won by a decisive margin in a 16 1/2 to 11 1/2 victory.
Azinger proved his worth and most believe he deserved to be the 2010 captain. He went above and beyond his expectations which payed off. Truth is, maost American team players such as: Phil Mickelson and Justin Leonard have been lobbying for Azinger to return. Lobbying or not, Azinger is out and Corey Pavin is sitting in 2010 Ryder Cup captains chair
Corey Pavin, a playing member of three U.S. Ryder Cup teams with a 8-5-0 overall record. Pavin becomes only the 26Th U.S. Ryder Cup captain. Pavin like Azinger has a brilliant resume. Pavin has 15 PGA tour victories including the 1995 U.S. Open. Although Azinger equally qualified would be a worth second selection, the Americans haven’t had the same captain since Ben Hogan in 1947 and 1949.
PGA of American president Jim Remy said “We have so many great players who have earned the right to be a Ryder Cup captain that we want to make sure that we support them and hopefully not leave any great player behind”
The decision sounds to be based more upon fairness opposed to production. A surprising choice considering we as Americans want to win more than we care about being fair. Although winning is important the PGA cares about the integrity of the game first.
The divorce between General Motors and Tiger Woods raises many questions. One might wonder what the future of golf and PGA tour endorsements offer.
How will this affect the Buick Open, Buick Invitational and other GM sponsored events?
How will the a poor economy affect the PGA Tour over the next several years?
Is the Buick endorsement the first of many cutbacks for players on tour?
Whats next for the auto industry?
More importantly, who will pony up and endorse Tigers staff bag?
Most including myself are uncertain the answer to these questions. However, I do know its going to make for an interesting 2009 season on the PGA Tour.
Equipment Manufacturers & Tour Endorsements
Rumors in the golf industry have been floating around about many major equipment manufacturers possibly cutting their endorsement deals with various tour players. With consumer spending and sales down, there be a reduction the number of endorsements and spending. Although this is unlikely to effect the big names players, those low on the money list and who play on mini-tours will likely feel the effect immediately. The downturn in the economy is widely responsible. Some manufacturers have reported sales down double digits for 2008. Today, nobody is immune to the economic downturn. Now is where manufactureres in all industries are attempting to cut out the fat. Even the big four will soon begin to cut and reduce endorsements. At that point, a trend will be created and followed by many in golf and similar industries.
What about Tigers bag? Some expect to see an American automakers logo on his staff bag. We will find out when he feels ready to make his return. With 2009 likely out for Mr. Woods, there is plenty of time. Dozens of fortune 500 companies are drooling at the opportunity to cook up an endorsement deal. Don’t rule out, foreign automotive companies. One of which could potentially be the Buick replacement. However, any one of his current endorsements could make a push for his staff bag such as:
E.A. Sports
Nike
Tag Heuer
Although it is unlikely a superstar of his caliber not sell the rights to their staff bag, it wouldn’t be a complete surprise to see Tiger go with the all Black Nike staff bag. Lets face it, Tiger wants to be wanted, what superstar doesn’t. Even in a down economy a Tiger endorsement could be the equivalent to striking gold for another company.
The $6 Million Dollar Man
In his career, Tiger Woods was said to earn over $6 Million in endorsements alone. This more than:
Wheaties – 10th best selling box overall
Asahi Coffee – yeah that’s right, just google it
Golf Digest
Tag Heuer
American Express
Appearence Fees
The First Tee
Upper Deck
Nike Golf
Net Jets – Aviation Company
Accenture
Gillette
Gatorade
Tiger Woods Designs – Not an endorsement, just another branch of the Tiger Woods Empire.
Many economists have recently classified the current state of our economy as a recession. Many believe that for the auto industry, the recession started more than a year ago. U.S. automaker General Motors has been rumored for several weeks to be dropping their current Tiger Woods endorsement. Today, truth has became reality as GM pulled the plug on the endorsement with 2009 still remaining on the contract. The deal is said to have ended in mutual consent. On the side of Tiger, he has been quoted as wanting more time for himself, his wife and young daughter.
Just days after GM announced the release of Tiger Woods, Fred Couples appears to be the next big name on the chopping block. Couples has been with Cadillac for 16 years. Cadillac a division of GM is currently evaluating the endorsement deal. Although the couples deal is said to be worth less than half the Woods deal, it’s hard to imagine Couples, 49 years of age has more immunity than woods. Even though his best playing days are behind him, his charismatic swagger and silky smooth swing continues to attract galleries.
Most of this should come as no surprise as General Motors is currently facing bankruptcy and lobbying the government for a $25 billion buyout to save the company and jobs of thousands of hardworking Americans. The endorsements of Woods and Couples eclipse only $10 million and although the elimination of both may not be enough to save the company, it is certainly a step in the right direction.
Posted by Chris Burns 
Posted by Chris Burns 
Posted by Chris Burns 
