Weekend Fun: Floyd takes us all for a ride

July 21st, 2006 | Posted by PostmanE

When I was little, my Dad - still limber before three back surgeries - used to pack my brother and I into a little Schwinn tent-on-wheels sort of thing, which he would use to drag us about our suburban neighborhood.

For some reason, I just thought of that as I considered writing about Floyd Landis and his amazing last two days, which he began relatively forgotten in the Tour de France. Now, Landis is back in third place and has a chance to challenge for the Tour title tomorrow. Imagine if one of the Tour de France guys could compartmentalize someone into those Schwinn things my Dad used to use and take them whipping around the Pyrenees. That would certainly be a ride. Instead, we’ll have to settle for enjoying Landis’ story as the U.S.’ post-Lance cyclist. Good enough for me.

Besides cycling, there’s a good bit else going on this weekend. If the repitition of riders repeatedly pedaling is too boring for you, you might find some solace in the non-stop, fast-paced thrills of … golf. That’s right, the British Open is engaging the masses again (as we’ve chronicled a good bit just down the page there), and Tiger is back in business. Like I said earlier, those Tiger fist pumps are always entertaining. And you never know - maybe Phil will be around on Sunday too, preparing to answer the question posed by his nickname (FIGJAM).

That should be plenty to hold you over. Of course, we finally (only about three days late) got the copy of NCAA we were talking about, so we’re going to go ahead and pop that in and review the bejeesus out of it. In fact, we might live-blog the experience, or at least the day-job co-workers’ experience with it. Stay tuned for that.

And, reader, in case you forgot - I love you. See you Monday.

And so it begins…

July 21st, 2006 | Posted by PostmanE

Do you hear that whoosing sound, British Open field? That’s Tiger Woods, eagling his way past all of you into first. Try to hold on to your Titleist hats as he rushes past.

So that was quick. Woods eagled from 204 yards out at Hoylake’s 14th hole and, in combination with an all-around solid round, Tiger has put himself on top of the field.

This means two things: First - that Tiger is at least going to be in contention this weekend, and that’s always fun, and second - this puts the weekend Over/Under of Tiger-fist pumps at around +/- 2,000. And that, if not “fun”, is at least entertaining.

Fortunately, it’s impossible to choke in the first round

July 20th, 2006 | Posted by PostmanR

That’s good news for my man-boobed friend and yours, Phil Mickleson.

He’s off to a pretty solid start in the British today, knocking home an eagle already and supposedly playing with a confident stroke. I wouldn’t know, because I don’t have the TV on. Maybe I’ll go do that now.

To be honest, besides the Masters, the British Open is easily my favorite golf tournament. Like British football fans, the British golf fans seem to bring that extra edge to the course that makes things a bit more exciting (though I’ve never actually heard of any sort of golf-course hooliganism - but that would be awesome).

The fans do, however, lead the world in mid-putt “Get in da foookin’ hole!” screams per tournament. Quiet, quiet, ball rolls…and bam. British people screaming. It doesn’t get much better than that.