TAKEAWAYS AND TV
Gorant: It was a week for long shots. What did you take away from this week about Troy Kelly Ted Potter Jr. and Charlie Beljan? (By the way, could Nantz work in another mention of Kelly's restaurant? Jeez.)
Van Sickle: The CBS guys probably only knew two things to say about either one of them. So they kept saying them.
Dusek: Nothing. The PGA Tour is full of guys who are capable of getting hot for a week. In the absence of big name players, the Troy Kellys, Charlie Beljans and Ken Dukes of the world get a chance to shine.
Shipnuck: This week was the latest testament to the tremendous depth on Tour. Few golf fans have ever heard of these guys, but they put on a tremendous show.
Godich: Spectacular play, unbelievable shots (to borrow from Ian Baker-Finch). In the end, almost famous, nothing more.
Herre: Lot of IBF today. Too much.
Van Sickle: Note to TV announcers with nothing to say (and you know who you are): If your only comment is to follow a colleague's remark with "does it ever" or "will it ever," you should simply remain silent.
Godich: What was that nonsense from IBF about Potter's ball being close to the divot on the chip shot and how it would've been easier to play if he were right-handed?
Van Sickle: He totally got that call wrong. And then on the slow-mo replay he talked about how cleanly Potter hit the chip. Cleanly? He stuck the wedge into the ground, which was why it ran out so nicely. A good miss. He was oh-for-two there.
Tell us what you think in the comments section below: Do any of this week's Cinderella stories have staying power?
CHOI STUMBLES BUT RECOVERS
Gorant: Na Yeon Choi lapped the field at Blackwolf Run, 14 years after Se Ri Pak set off the Korean revolution by winning the Open on the same course. Now Choi's victory is only noteworthy for her score. What did you think of Choi this week, and has the globalization of women's golf helped the game?
Herre: You know, aside from the 40+ Korean players, the LPGA hasn't really changed that much. Interesting to hear Dottie Pepper and Annika Sorenstam -- remember, these two have had their moments -- in total agreement as to why the Koreans are doing so well. They are outworking the Americans and the Europeans.
Godich: I enjoyed it. That was some great TV on the back nine today, between Choi's roller-coaster ride and the work of her caddie. He certainly earned his keep. Loved how he lobbied for a more favorable drop after Choi tugged her tee shot on 10. And the most interesting comment of the week, courtesy of Dottie Pepper: The Americans are being outworked.
Van Sickle: What's different now? Before the Koreans, it was Annika (Swede) and Karrie Webb (Aussie) dominating. In case you haven't noticed, the rest of the world combined is a lot bigger than the U.S. If golf keeps on its present expansion, Americans will likely lose their prominent role in men's golf, too. It's the way of the world.
Wei: Good point. Nothing has changed. It's just that Annika and Karrie looked American, so people felt like they could relate to them better.
Bamberger: I had never watched Choi closely before, but what a swing.
Herre: To NBC/Golf Channel's credit, they did do a nice up-close-and-personal on Choi. It was kind of funny, actually. She only recently made the big effort to learn English (would any American player make a big effort to learn Korean?), and her speech was full of "you knows" and other All-American space fillers.
Wei: Yes, she spoke almost perfect English, with hardly a hint of an accent. Better than many Americans. I was impressed.
Shipnuck: Pak's victory changed everything. This was merely a personal triumph for a superstar-in-waiting.
Tell us what you think in the comments section below: What did you take away for Na Yeon Choi's victory?
