CBSSports.com staffers Steve Elling and Ross Devonport take a scattershot look at three compelling and timely topics in the game.
| 1. Paula Creamer fought off a stomach bug to give it a shot but fell a few shots short of becoming the first American to top the LPGA money list since 1993. You guys hail from England and the States. Is too much media emphasis placed on the nationalistic importance regarding the women's tour? | |
| Steve Elling | Ross Devonport |
 Fifteen years is forever in golf. Creamer was 7 when an American last topped the LPGA list, and this tour is increasingly being dominated by Asian players who work harder and seem far hungrier for success than their comfy American cohorts. So, while I understand that the hue and cry for a Yank to top the list sounds like an overreaction, developing American stars is crucial to the LPGA's long-range success in the richest market in the world -- its own backyard. At the rate three-time defending money-list leader Lorena Ochoa played over a disappointing second half, I'd wager that Creamer will give her a run for the top spot in 2009. It's pretty clear that overexposed, under-delivering American players Morgan Pressel and Natalie Gulbis aren't going to threaten for the top slot. |  I think the media has a right to focus on the lack of successful American golfers out there and the abundance of Koreans, but I think the real issue they need to look at is why this is happening. Are the Koreans really that much better at golf, or is it just a case of pure numbers coming through the system? Or maybe is it the lack of a real, true American superstar out there for young girls to look up to? I think the main problem is the lack of exposure these girls get in the mainstream media. Everyone jumps when Tiger farts, but the major sports outlets don't give a crap what Creamer, Pressel or Gulbis do most of the time (unless one of them would decide to pose in Playboy, of course). Some have blamed the lack of personalities among the foreign crowd, but unless we start seeing them being interviewed on the ESPNs and CBSes of the world frequently, how will we ever get to know if they have any substance to them? |
| 2. Tiger Woods and Buick, which is bleeding red ink, this week parted ways with one year left on his massive endorsement deal. In today's marketplace, can a golfer really give a major company enough sales oomph to survive? | |
| Steve Elling | Ross Devonport |
| Can any athlete, really? The Associated Press cited several statistics that indicated Woods has been good for Buick's bottom line, but that issue remains very much in dispute. According to Bloomberg News, the median age of a Buick buyer -- which seems to be three heartbeats short of dead here in Florida -– hasn't changed one iota in the past decade. It's still age 68. By his own admission, Woods was specifically supposed to invigorate the brand and generate fresh appeal. Buick's sales have dropped by more than half since 1999. The world's No. 1 golfer made some funny Buick TV commercials, but despite his popularity and charisma, he didn't move product. Do you know anybody under age 60 who drives a Buick? Didn't think so. From a Buick standpoint, it appears to have been a colossal waste of money, another example of why the company is teetering on the cusp of bankruptcy. But at least their overpaid, jock-sniffing, jet-set executives got to play in some pro-ams with the world's No. 1 player, right? So, Congress, when can we expect that federal bailout check to arrive in Flint? | Honestly, I don't think I've ever bought a product like a car just because it is endorsed by an athlete. And I would never buy something that expensive simply because Tiger told me to. That's way too much money I'm putting on the line for me not to do actual research on the product. I think the only marketing tactic involving players that really works are the actual items they use on the course. I mean, the media loves the old "What's In the Bag?" pieces, and the golf companies must adore them, too; they are super-effective marketing tools. I know I've bought pieces of equipment before simply because a player I like uses it. All of these other companies are simply looking for some exposure, hoping someone like me even looks up their company on the Internet. Meanwhile, Callaway, TaylorMade and Ping, for example, are giving viewers a top-notch demonstration of their product on national television. What could be better than that? I just see these non-golf companies really scaling down their deals over this upcoming season. |
| 3. John Daly shot 62 in Hong Kong last weekend to seemingly indicate there's a pulse left in his game and is expected to play in an Australian event shortly. Is there any hope he can revive his career? | |
| Steve Elling | Ross Devonport |
| Daly complained for two years that he's been battling injuries -- and not just to his reputation -- so perhaps he's feeling better. PGA Tour stops began turning their back on him and he's been forced to travel abroad to find places to play and generate income (he's divorcing his fourth wife). The talent on the European Tour is stacked at the top but far thinner toward the middle and bottom of the fields, so he has a greater chance to swipe a win at some point if he plays abroad extensively. Truth be told, his act has worn so thin in the States, I'd rather see him play overseas. He can be somebody else's problem for a while. | Man, I really don't know what to think about J.D. In the past I've seen glimpses of hope only for him to dash them with some ridiculous performance on or off the course. One thing he really does need is a better PR firm, because surely someone out there has the skills to be able to talk to John and explain to him what he needs to do and not to do. Of course, hundreds of people have probably tried that and failed before and we all know J.D. does whatever he feels like doing and he can make money anywhere with a tournament appearance or corporate outing. To try to get inside J.D.'s head for a bit, I think he really wants one more shot at PGA Tour glory and then he can ride off into the sunset. Will 2009 be the year? I doubt it, but he could certainly do himself a favor by behaving himself for a while and popping up with 62s now and again. |
