Monty Never Saw the Sign

More than a dozen British Open competitors stayed at the
Wallett's Court Hotel, and most obligingly signed the guest book,
though not Colin Montgomerie. After Monty slipped on stairs at
the hotel and was forced to withdraw, the Wallett's manager
displayed a droll English sensibility, writing in the guest book:
MONTY SLIPT HERE.

Tom Byrum made two eagles in the span of three holes on Friday at
Royal St. George's--one-putting the par-5 7th and holing his
approach on the par-4 9th--and later gave most of the credit to
his headgear. Earlier in the week he had Gary Player sign his
hat, hoping to channel the magic that brought Player three Open
titles. Byrum also had Isao Aoki autograph the hat, in hopes that
the veteran's putting wizardry would rub off. Byrum finished
43rd.

The buzz in the ABC compound last week was that TNT is going to
make a bid to steal the early-round U.S. Open rights from ESPN.
The USGA has an out clause in its contract that allows it to
entertain offers.

Stats Central: Since the World Ranking began in 1986, Ben Curtis
(396th heading into the Open) is the lowest-ranked player to win
a major championship, easily eclipsing the standard set by John
Daly (168th at the 1991 PGA). Curtis also established a record by
jumping 361 places in one week, as he is now 35th in the ranking.
At the B.C. Open, Craig Stadler became the fifth-oldest winner in
PGA Tour history, at 50 years, one month and 18 days.

THE POLL
VOTE AT GOLFONLINE.COM

THIS WEEK: Which victory in a major was the biggest upset:
Francis Ouimet (1913 U.S. Open), Jack Fleck (1955 U.S. Open),
John Daly (1991 PGA) or Ben Curtis (2003 British Open)?

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

Sudden death...... 31%
Four-hole......... 50%
18-hole........... 19%

--Based on 5,129 responses to our informal survey.