He Got the Fax Wrong

Late Thursday at the Western Open, Brad Faxon missed a short
birdie putt on the 18th hole to skid to a 73. After signing his
scorecard, he was asked by a tournament official to speak to a
waiting sportswriter, Phil Theobald of the Copley News Service.
Theobald had barely introduced himself when Faxon gave him a
vacant look and said, "Did you see what I did on that last hole?"
Before Theobald could respond, Faxon mumbled, "I'm sorry, I
really can't do this." He wheeled and walked toward the
clubhouse, where, upon finding his bag lying on the asphalt,
Faxon picked it up and hurled it into a stucco wall. He then
disappeared into the clubhouse, cursing himself out under his
breath. Theobald was startled, not least because tournament
officials had told him that Faxon would be a good player to
interview for the story he was working on, a piece about the
ideal golf temperament.

Justin Leonard was surprised to read in last week's O.B. that he
was planning to work with David Leadbetter. "I'm really happy
with the work that Butch [Harmon] and I have been doing with my
swing," says Leonard. "I never called David for a lesson and
never felt I had a need to."

THE POLL
VOTE AT GOLFONLINE.COM

THIS WEEK: Do you prefer sudden death, the four-hole playoff used
at the British Open or the USGA's 18-hole Monday finish?

LAST POLL: Should Michelle Wie turn pro immediately, after high
school or after college?

College...56% High School...30% Immediately...14%

--Based on 1,776 responses to our informal survey.