The Week Ahead
SI Pick of the Week
THURSDAY 6/23
Golf's Grand Dame?
There will be 67 golfers in the field at the women's U.S. Open, the third major of the year. But all eyes will be on two: Annika Sorenstam (left), who has won the first two legs of the Grand Slam, and 15-year-old Michelle Wie (right), who finished second to the Swede two weeks ago at the LPGA Championship. No woman since 1986 has gotten halfway to a Slam; no woman has ever finished it off. As if she needs it, Sorenstam will have an extra incentive to win at Cherry Hills Country Club in suburban Denver: A victory would give her 10 major titles, one more than her practice pal Tiger Woods. Thursday and Friday, ESPN 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, NBC 3 p.m.
THURSDAY 6/23
Adrenaline Cowboys: Eight Seconds to Glory What's Bo Derek doing wearing a white cowboy hat? Hosting this gripping behind-the-scenes documentary on professional bullriding. The film follows reigning PBR world champ Mike Lee during the 2001 season. A must-see for anyone whose heroes have always been cowboys. OLN 9 p.m.
SATURDAY 6/25
Red Sox at Phillies Perhaps he should change leagues. In 11 interleague games Phillies leftfielder Pat Burrell (right) has three homers and 11 RBIs. He'll lead the surging Phillies--who were in last place on June 6 and are now in second--as they host the defending champs. Fox 1 p.m.
Colonial Turf Cup The field at Colonial Downs will hope that the grass is greener. The 13/16-mile race is the first leg in the Grand Slam of Grass, a new four-race turf series for 3-year-olds that features a $3 million bonus for the horse who sweeps all four. Fox Sports Net 1 p.m.
USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships The U.S. has four of the world's top seven shot putters: Adam Nelson (No. 2), Reese Hoffa (4), Christian Cantwell (6) and U.S. indoor champ John Godina (7). The problem? It can send only three to the IAAF World Championships in Helsinki in August. Meanwhile, the hottest competition on the women's side should be in the 100-meter hurdles, in which Michelle Perry (left)--who ran the fastest time in the world this year (12.45) two weeks ago--takes on Athens gold medalist Joanna Hayes. ESPN 4 p.m.; Sunday, ESPN2 5 p.m.
MONDAY 6/27
ING Par 3 Shootout Phil Mickelson, defending champ Fred Couples, Andy North and Gary McCord leave their drivers at home when they play the Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Mich. Each hole is worth $20,000 (an ace is worth $1 million), and chatty TV commentator McCord has a plan that he hopes will allow him to win a few skins: "The only chance I have is to get [Couples and Mickelson] flustered with my incessant banter." ESPN2 10 p.m.
TUESDAY 6/28
NBA Draft You'll turn it on to see whom the Bucks take No. 1. You'll keep it on to see which soon-to-be millionaire shows up in the most memorable suit. Whoever it is, they'll have to do some work to top the fire-engine-red pin-striped ensemble worn by Jalen Rose in 1994 (right). The team with the best chance to help itself tonight is the Bobcats, who pick fifth and 13th. In their short history they have a record of drafting well; last year they took Rookie of the Year Emeka Okafor. ESPN 7:30 p.m.
COLOR PHOTO
JOHN LOCHER/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL /AP (LEE)
COLOR PHOTO
ROB TRINGALI/SPORTSCHROME (BURRELL)
COLOR PHOTO
PETER FOLEY/EPA (PERRY)
COLOR PHOTO
DAVID BERGMAN (SORENSTAM)
COLOR PHOTO
MICHAEL COHEN/WIREIMAGE.COM (WIE)
COLOR PHOTO
NATHANIEL S. BUTLER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES (ROSE)