Jordan Spieth finally felt like a kid teeing it up against the big boys on the PGA Tour.

The golf part wasnt what troubled the 16-year-old high school junior.

His dilemma was whether to call Tom Pernice Jr., his 50-year-old playing partner, “Mr. Pernice” or “Tom.”

he continued to defy the expectations of everyone but himself, shooting a 3-under 67 Saturday to move solidly into contention going into the final round of the Byron Nelson Championship.

Spieths best round yet left him tied for seventh, six shots behind leader Jason Day, and injects all kinds of intrigue into an event that was thought to be missing an attention-grabbing headliner.

“I know the pins are going to be the toughest pins Ive ever experienced in my life, but Im confident,” said Spieth, who just last week was competing in a high school state tournament (which he won). “Im going to start firing because I got nothing to lose, nothing to hold back.”

Day shot a 3-under 67 Saturday to pull into the lead by himself. He was part of a seven-way tie after the first round, then was a stroke behind after the second round.

A win would be the first of his promising career. Considering hes 22, that would normally be a big deal; this week, it almost seems old.

Day actually is a fitting foil to Spieth-mania. Three years ago, he won a Nationwide Tour title, making him the youngest winner of a PGA Tour-sanctioned event. His best finish in a PGA event is second in 65 events.

“Certainly its playing on my mind a little bit, my first big-time chance,” said Day, an Australian who lives in Fort Worth.

Second round co-leader Blake Adams shot even-par 70 and is two strokes back. The other co-leader coming in, Cameron Beckman, shot 1-under 69 and is tied for 13th.

Spieth (pronounced SPEE-th) is certain to have a huge following Sunday.

As if his play, his poise and the fact hes from Dallas havent won over enough fans, tournament organizers came up with a promotion in his honor: Anyone 16 and under will be let in free for the final round.

The juiced-up environment can only help the kid. Hes been feeding off it all week.

“After you hit each shot, youre walking to your next shot or in between holes and everyone is cheering you on,” Spieth said. “It gives me goose bumps. Ive just got to get out there and settle myself down and try and get them excited and give them something to cheer about.”

He did Saturday, holing out a bunker shot for a birdie on No. 1. He called the ensuing roar the loudest hes ever heard.

After a par, he went through a bit of a wild stretch: bogey, birdie, birdie, bogey. Then he got back to making pars with the occasional birdie mixed in, such as sinking a 38-footer on No. 12.

“Im getting a little jumpy in between shots, Im walking really fast, and I realize that; I just cant help it,” said Spieth, who has been coming to this tournament since he was 5. “But when Im getting to the ball Im remaining calm. … Ive only made a couple [bad decisions] this whole week, which is normal for a 16-year-old like me. But, you know, I think controlling my emotions has been my strength.”

He proved that again at the end of his round.

After making a bogey on the par-3 17th, he came away muttering, “So unnecessary!” Then he put his tee shot on 18 into the rough on the first fairway.

His approach had to clear a bunch of trees to a hole surrounded by sand, with water nearby, too. Spieth hit it so perfectly that he gave his iron a twist and stifled a smile as he walked to the green.

He wound up in a bunker, but was able to get the ball within eight feet. He made the par-saving putt, gave a few fist pumps and walked off thinking about what could happen Sunday.

“I think I can make a run,” he said. “Starting the entire week, yall gave me odds like 1,000 to 1 or a million to 1, something like that. No one expected me to make the cut, and I guess I have an outside chance. If I get the right conditions out there, the wind starts to pick up and I start just dropping bombs from all over the place, it could happen.”

When the round ended, Pernice shook Spieths hand and offered some advice. Or maybe he was getting Spieths phone number to pass along to his own daughters, who are 15 and 16.

“I said, Great playing, proud of how you hung in there, have fun and good luck tomorrow,” Pernice said. “Hes a wonderful young guy and hes got a lot of exuberance, a lot of excitement in him, which is great. He thrived off the crowd, and the crowd continued to edge him on. … Its great for the tournament. Hes going to bring thousands and thousands of people out here see the event. You dont need Tiger and Phil always to have a great event.”

The first time Spieth said “Mr. Pernice,” his playing partner said to call him Tom. Only, Spieth didnt hear it.

“So I went back and forth,” Spieth said. “I dont call my friends parents by their first name … and I ended up just skipping it altogether. I was just like, Good shot. I wouldnt say anything after that, or be like, Nice putt.”

Spieths manners will be put to the test again Sunday. His playing partner: 50-year-old Corey Pavin.

Pavin also is the U.S. Ryder Cup captain, but lets not get too carried away.

Spieth already has become the sixth-youngest player to make a cut. The best finish for someone so young was Italys Matteo Manassero, tying for 13th at the 2009 British Open last year, when he was 16.

Regardless of how things turn out, Spieth has plenty of other big events to look forward to, like a sponsors exemption into the Memphis PGA Tour stop in June, and defending his title at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship in July.

But, first, hes got homework to catch up on and a junior amateur event next weekend.

“It will be different,” he said, “but, you know, it will almost feel more natural.”

Surely hell call those playing partners by their first names. If anything, they might call him Mr. Spieth.

Who: Thoroughbreds – Queen of the Creek, Bay to Bay, Workin for Hops, Indy Scent, Summer Movie
What: Horse Racing Betting Tips – The American 1000 Guineas, The Arlington Classic
Where: Arlington
When: Saturday, May 22nd

We take a brief respite from the Triple Crown trail to look at a pair of turf stakes at Arlington this Saturday. While there are no household names in either The American 1000 Guineas (3YO Fillies), or The Arlington Classic (3YO’s), there are several participants that have flashed potential. Since these stakes are carded as races 9 and 10, let’s try to nail down the daily double.
In The American 1000 Guineas, Queen of the Creek and Bay to Bay will vie for favoritism. Go Ask Alex will attract some support based on her gate-to-wire victory last out in The Indiana Distaff, in which she earned a solid Beyer Speed Figure of 87. However, she didn’t beat much that day, and picks up 11 pounds. There’s other speed signed on, with Lucky Lass, Orchestrator, and Superstardom all capable of jumping out early, so the stalkers/closers would appear to have an advantage. European import Kilmore Quay may find the one-mile distance a bit too short, so I’ll look for her later in the meet. That brings us back to the favorites. Bay to Bay is more accomplished, having won the Grade 3 Natalma at Woodbine as a 2YO and rallying for second last out in The Appalachian at Keeneland. Queen of the Creek may have more upside, though, given her breeding (by Theatrical out of a Lear Fan mare), and 2-for-2 record on the lawn. I’ll use both (#7-Queen of the Creek and #8-Bay to Bay) in the first leg of the daily double, and double the size of my wagers on Queen of the Creek.
It’s very difficult to separate the ten Arlington Classic participants based on turf Beyers, as their career-best figures range from 80-87. Alfarabi hit the board in three straight turf races at Santa Anita, but has been found wanting when venturing into graded territory. The same applies to Gleam of Hope, who has failed to hit the board in four graded tries (although three of them were on dirt). True, this race isn’t graded, but it’s clearly a stepping stone to the Grade 2 American Derby in July and the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes in August. Call Shot is interesting based on his close-up third in The Dania Beach at Gulfstream Park, his only turf start. However, his fade in The Lexington at Keeneland last out is troubling. I’ll use Workin for Hops, who had an excuse last out at Churchill. With Robby Albarado aboard for the first time, ‘Hops should enjoy an inside, stalking trip. Indy Scent is also intriguing. Well-bred, lightly-raced, and in the expert hands of Bill Mott, this colt could be any kind. I’ll also throw in 15-1 long shot Summer Movie. He won his 3YO debut last out in fine fashion, defeating entry-level allowance foes at Hollywood Park by three lengths. Michael Baze, who was aboard this gray son of Holy Bull in his first three starts on the west coast, ships in to ride.
There you have it…7,8/3,8,10 Daily Double. Double the stake with Queen of the Creek in the first leg. Those are my horse racing betting tips for the weekend. Best of luck and happy gambling!

Jordan Spieth did something Tiger Woods couldnt do. And his pal Tony Romo showed up to watch.

Who the heck is this guy?

Jordan Spieth is tied for 22nd entering the third round. (Getty Images) Spieth is a high school junior from Dallas who cut class this week to play in the Byron Nelson Championship, becoming the first prep to take on the pros in this event since Woods in 1993. Hes handled his nerves and the TPC Four Seasons course quite nicely, shooting a 3-under 137 through two rounds to become the sixth-youngest player to make the cut at a PGA Tour event.

“Theres never going to be a golf course thats too much for him,” said Romo, the star quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys and a solid amateur golfer himself, having qualified for a U.S. Open sectional event on Thursday. He befriended Spieth while playing a tournament in South Carolina this year and have remained pals.

“Hes fine, as long as he keeps his emotions under control. Hes got the game for it, no question. Hes just playing the way hes capable of playing.”

Spieths debut on Thursday was delayed nearly four hours by threatening skies, and he got in only 11 holes at even par. He spent the night at the resort attached to the course because he finished so late, then teed off at 7:15 a.m. He made a pair of birdies over seven holes for a 68, took about a half-hour break, then shot 69 in the second round. He is tied for 22nd entering the third round.

“Im in shock right now,” said Spieth, who already has accepted a sponsors invitation to play the PGA event in Memphis, June 10-13. “Im extremely pleased with how the week has gone so far. Hopefully I can make a run at the top of the leaderboard the next two days and so did the size of his gallery. (Much to the chagrin of his schools teachers; “Theyre not happy with me,” he said.)

Spieth saw hundreds of classmates and thousands of fans around the 18th green, and told his caddie he wanted to really give them something to cheer about with his approach.

Sure enough, he went right at the pin, putting it 12 feet past the cup. He missed the birdie putt, then tapped in for a par that drew another raucous celebration. He tipped his cap, then flipped the ball toward some of his teenage pals. Several of them tumbled onto the green fighting for the souvenir.

“I didnt really expect the loudness of the cheers,” said Spieth, who just last week won a state high school title, and last summer won the U.S. Junior Amateur title. “Its a new experience for me. I could get used to it.”

Spieth (pronounced SPEEth) has been so pumped up that hes adjusted his club selection, going one notch lighter than usual. He also goofed on the second hole of the second round, teeing off when it was David Lutterus turn. When his caddie pointed out the faux pas, Spieth apologized and Lutterus told him to forget about it.

Thro lots and lots of pars. His 1-under second round came from three birdies and a pair of bogeys.

His defining shot came on the par-5 16th. He was coming off his second bogey and had put his approach into a sand trap hed been trying to avoid. His chip rolled to about two feet from the hole for an easy birdie.

“I feel like I played better than my score showed today,” he said. “When something like that happens, and youre still somewhat in it, you kind of realize that if putts start to drop, you can make a run at it.

“I dont want to think of myself as the amateur out here. I want to think of myself as lets just say he probably we Spieths amateur status was obvious by his lack of sponsor branding. He wore a Texas Longhorns hat, even though hes more than a year away from college.

Spieth is 16 years, nine months and 24 days. Hes the second 16-year-old to make a cut this season, joining Italys Matteo Manassero at the Masters.

Manassero also has the best-ever finish by someone this young, having tied for 13th at the 2009 British Open.

Woods isnt on that list. But he does have an interesting history at this event.

Recruited by Nelson when he was only 17, Woods shot 77-72 then went home for the weekend. He returned four years later and won it, making him still the youngest winner.

That, of course, could change this weekend.

Augusta Chronicle

So, any educated guesses as to who Tiger Woods will hire as his new swing coach?

ELLING: If by educated you mean “possess inside information,” then the answer is a resounding no and anybody who professes otherwise at this point is going to grow a Pinocchio nose. Yet that hasnt stopped a parade of analysts and commentators from making suggestions and floating rumors about worthy successors. Woods was spotted in Charlotte speaking with Charles Howell and his coach, Todd Anderson. Rumors began flying. He played in a practice round with Sean OHair and Hunter Mahan, who was accompanied by their coach, Sean Foley. Blogs were posted. Right now, the last thing Woods needs is to be making more swing changes. Hes physically and emotionally out of sorts, his No. 1 ranking is in jeopardy, his aura is almost completely shot and he might have a hard time finding somebody to work for him given the coaching exclusivity he seemingly requires. Honestly, does he really need a coach at this point? Woods has eschewed golf psychologists since he was a latter teen, claiming that he had learned all the tricks of the trade and didnt need any more mental-game bandages. Hes surely capable of flying as a solo act with his swing for a spell, too. In fact, he might even find that to be a welcome diversion.

MICHAUX: The most interesting name Bill Harmon. Butchs kid brother might be the perfect fit, considering he has admittedly battled addictive demons in his own life as a recovering alcoholic for 17 years. When he discussed the state of Tiger after walking around with him and his own pupil Jay Haas before the Players Championship, Bill spoke of hoping to heal Tiger the person before healing Tigers golf swing. “If I could help him with recovery … thats the greatest thing I could do. Its what I do,” Harmon told Golf.com. As for swing flaws, Harmon feels like Woo “like a gymnasts two-minute floor exercise.” Sounds like a reasonable enough assessment from a coach who values fundamentals over any rigid method. Whoever Tiger chooses will need to be able to handle life in the fishbowl. Hopefully he will have a thicker skin than Hank Haney, who always chafed under the media glare. Bill Harmon is funny and affable and just the right personality to bring Tiger back.

Adam Scott was once considered one of the best players not to have won a major. If he thought that was a tough characterization, then the golf press stopped mentioning him altogether, which is far worse. Is he still an elite player?

ELLING: To look at Adam Scott swing a club, you would never know anything was amiss. For a while, though, nobody knew on what planet his drives were going to land. A guy could win a few beer nuts in the sports bars by asking the following question: Name the three guys who played together in the first two rounds of the 2008 U.S. Open, when Nos. 1-2-3 in the world rankings were paired. The answer is Woody, Lefty and Scotty. Woods had a knee that was shot, Mickelson showed up with no driver in his bag, and Scott had recently broken a bone in his hand when a friend slammed it in a car door. Starting then, the 29-year-old Aussies trajectory has mostly been straight downward, right off a La Jolla cliff, which is why his victory in Texas last week was so meaningful. With a streaky putter and a maddening habit of missing shorties, Scott is going to find it difficult to pick off more than one win each season or so. Of course, these days, thats probably good enough to get you in the Hall of Fame. Scotts easy to root for, since his graceful swing is matched by his easy demeanor. All things considered, the guy whose swing was copied from Woods a decade ago still makes a prettier pass at the ball than Woody himself. That alone should make him a top-20 fixture.

MICHAUX: I really hope so. Golf needs Adam Scott to be good. It needs Sergio Garcia to be good. It cant afford to have that generation of talent checking out prematurely. They have star quality that is vital to the games extended health. Despite his recent which is more than can be said for Vijay Singh. Hes back up to 36th, which is about average for a world-class player. As you mentioned, Scott is one of the all-time good guys, and that nice personality might be part of his weakness when it comes to the majors. While Scott may be elite, he seems destined to remain elite in the Kenny Perry sort of way. He has proven he can close regular tour events on a fairly consistent basis, but he has never even really sniffed the hunt in a major. My guess is that unless something changes or things align just right on the rare occasion he might get in the Sunday mix, hell never pick one up. He just doesnt have the same knack that Sergio has (or had) in the big ones. When Garcia gets his life and game straight again, theres no doubt hell be a strong candidate to eventually clear that major hurdle because hes such a regular contender. Scott doesnt project that same vibe. But if he can pick at least one off before hes done, hell compare favorably to Davis Love III in the end.

A variety of media outlets have begun to probe and lament the slow-play issue over the past two weeks, of course to absolutely no avail. Pretend you are a tour traffic cop. Suggest one fix.

ELLING: Golf fans who do not attend tournaments have little grasp of how glacial play has become in real time, where the TV director doesnt just jump to another player while waiting for the leaders to go through their interminable histrionics. Can I suggest shooting mental-game gurus? At the Players Championship, Ben Crane detailed a complicated process in which he evaluates his mental performance on every shot. It made my head hurt and my wristwatch melt. A week earlier, in Charlotte, Rory Sabbatini grew so tired of playing behind slow-moving J.B. Holmes, that he physically imitated Holmes putting routine while camped impatiently in the tee box, with hundreds of fans watching his antics. When Sabbattini raised the issue of slow play at a tour-wide player meeting, another tour member said that guys stood up and left the room. Frankly, the tour and its players dont see it as a crucial issue. Television has adjusted its broadcast window to accommodate the snails. But if you press me for an answer, I would trim field sizes slightly. There are too many groups on the course in the first two rounds, and the backup on the first and 10th tees can be brutal at the turn. Of course, that change is never going to happen. But the first step toward change is recognizing that the problem needs addressing, and right now, its a minor nuisance, not a nagging issue.

MICHAUX: In the first round of the Masters this year under pristine weather conditions on a course set up for scoring, the threesome of Tiger Woods, K.J. Choi and Matt Kuchar required 5 hours, 45 minutes to finish their day. And its not like they struggled, since they were a combi they take too long to play,” was Johnny Millers always-frank assessment. They absolutely do and its ridiculous. What was more ridiculous was hearing commissioner Tim Finchem say the slow-play epidemic “is not to the point where we need to do anything,” like start assessing penalties for habitual offenders. They can fine these guys all they want, but until they start stroking them nothing is ever going to change. Golfs growth is nonexistent in part because nobody can afford to commit the amount of time necessary to play a round, since the weekend hackers emulate all the same bad habits they see these sloths showing on television. Maybe the fans need to take it upon themselves to start heckling the abusers like they did to Sergio Garcia at the 2002 U.S. Open. It prompted him to fix his habits. If fans want to follow a fast-paced hero (and Sabbatini doesnt suit their tastes), check out Angel Cabrera. The Argentine caddie yards didnt tolerate slowpokes.

Make no mistake about it; the Belmont Stakes at a mile and a half is not an easy race to win. When talking training success in this classic, it begins and ends with Woody Stephens.

What he did in this race will never be matched again. He won the Third Jewel 5 straight years from 1982 to 1986 and even trained the exacta in 1985 when Creame Fraiche finished just ahead of Stephen’s Odyssey.

Thirty horses have come to the event with a chance to win the Triple Crown; we are still searching for the 12th TC winner.

For riders, it’s just as hard. Check out this who’s who list of those that have had a tough time in the third Triple Crown Jewel. The deceased Chris Antley lost this race 5 times and with good horses like Charismatic and Strike Gold.

Jerry Bailey had 19 Belmont Stakes mounts, 2 won. Jorge Chavez lost this race 9 times and Hall of Fame rider, Angel Cordero Jr., who had the cream of the crop in his racing days in New York, only won this race once in 20 tries.

Jose Santos rode in this race 13 times, and only Lemon Drop Kid brought him home on top. Ruffian’s rider, Jacinto Vasquez, had 10 Belmont mounts, all of them lost. The legendary Jorge Velasquez and Johnny Velazquez lost this race OVER 20 times between them.

And it doesn’t stop there. Johnny Campo, who trained classic winner Pleasant Colony, lost this race 10 times. Genuine Risk’s trainer Leroy Jolly met the same fate.

This year offers a unique glimpse into the race, as neither the Derby nor Preakness winner will participate.

The line-up for the Belmont has yet to be solidified but a full field is in prospect including Preakness runner-up, the game First Dude.

Ice Box, after a very troubled trip in Louisville, just may go favorite. He has a nice style in that he can pass horses yet has enough zip to maintain some sort of contact.

Others eyeing the prize in New York include Drosselmeyer, disappointing Dublin, Fly Down, Game on Duke, Make Music for Me, New Madrid, Spangled Star, Stately Victory, Stay Put, Uptowncharlybrown and Setsuko.

The last runner mentioned is very interesting.

He has only won once but out gamed Lookin at Lucky in the Santa Anita Derby despite going 5 wide and getting to the lone speed before it was said and done.

And was far from disgraced in his turf debut in the Grade 2 American at Churchill the day before the Derby.

What Setsuko has going for him is his trainer Richard Mandella, who a few years ago won 4 Breeders’ Cup races on the same day.

Just that fact that he has been pointed to the Belmont makes sharp observers of California racing raise their eyebrows.

Mandella is very traditional, very patient and he doesn’t put a horse into a race like the Belmont without thinking he has a legit chance to come away with the hardware.

If Setsuko becomes a tenth of what his sire was, he’ll have a stellar career.

His sire Pleasantly Perfect, a son of Derby and Preakness winner Pleasant Colony, won the BC Classic in 2003 and proved it was no fluke by taking the Dubai World Cup the very next year.

Look out.

NO EXCUSES

Super Saver got a perfect trip in Baltimore on Saturday but proved once again that these are not machines, but animals that have blood instead of oil running through those reins.

Props have to go out to Lookin at Lucky, who had some horrible trips this spring. And also to trainer Bob Baffert who stuck with the horse and new pilot Martin Garcia, who was working in a delicatessen only a few short years ago.

Garcia put up a ride well beyond his years and had to overcome a good strategic race by the horses trained by Dale Romans.

His student First Dude dug in at boxcars after pushing the issue the entire way but the more fancied of the pair, Paddy O’Prado was just not up to the task.

The Test of Champions is next in just under 3 weeks, and don’t be shocked if Slick Nick Zito is loaded for bear with his star in waiting Icebox, who just may have been best in Louisville.

Stay tuned.

GETTING UP FOR THE BIG RACES

If the first two legs of the Triple Crown have taught us if nothing else is that being able to ride with confidence and having the ability to make split-second decisions is paramount to winning on the big days.

Some say the Belmont Stakes and other big racing days are just like any other. They contend that the Belmont field is usually smaller, the horses in better condition and with a big sweeping track, the traffic problems are less likely to materialize.

Don’t be too quick to believe it and be very quick to consider the jockey factor in the major races in the world.

Eddie Delahoussaye remembers his first Kentucky Derby, although hed like to forget it. Anxious as a groom on the first night of his honeymoon, Delahoussaye finished 13th in a field of 15 aboard a 24-1 shot named Honey Mark, who ran in place throughout. Beaten nearly 30 lengths by Foolish Pleasure, Delahoussaye learned a valuable lesson: ride the race like its a $10,000 claimer.

It paid off, because Delahoussaye was second in his next Derby, beaten less than a length by Pleasant Colony when he rode 34-1 shot Woodchopper in 1981.

The next two years, Delahoussaye became one of only a handful of jockeys to take the race back-to-back when he won in 1982 on Gato Del Sol and in 1983 aboard Sunnys Halo.

Retired since January of 2003 after suffering neck and head injuries in a spill at Del Mar on Aug. 30, 2002, Eddie D. has two words of advice to riders competing in the Triple Crown: “stay cool.”

“Jockeys can get nervous before the Derby because it carries more historical significance than any other race and every jock wants to win it. The roar of the crowd and the playing of ‘My Old Kentucky Home creates pressure riders never experienced and they just lose it. The ones who dont, hopefully, their horses run well.

“After I rode my first Derby”, said Delahoussaye a few years ago, “I made up my mind that the next time it was going to be like an ordinary race. Thats the thought a rider should put in his head before the Classic races. Relax and hope your horse runs his race. That way you ride better. You cant make the moves in the showcase events that you do in ordinary races if you put pressure on yourself. You think you can, but you cant. Youve got to ride it cool, let the horse do the running and stay out of trouble.”

The Belmont Stakes is a bit different because unless you ride regularly at the mile and a half track, the distance can be tricky.

Many riders over the years have put their charge into a drive far to soon and too early and lived to be scorn the rest of their lives.

The first name that comes to mind is Ron Franklin. He rode Spectacular Bid to victory in the first 2 legs of the Triple Crown in 1979 but he asked his equine superstar for speed too early rushing up to overtake Gallant Best way before the real racing began only to wilt and succumb late to Coastal.

Another is Kent Desormeaux. He opened up a 4-length lead at the top of the lane Belmont Day in 1998 with Real Quiet, only to miss by a nostril to Victory Gallop.

The lesson is not to dismiss the jockey factor when the go a mile and a half in the Belmont Stakes.

The Lone Star soiree continues with the Byron Nelson and Colonial stops next up, as CBSSports.com senior writer Steve Elling takes a Texas-sized swing himself at the issues in the greatest game ov three weeks in a row Forget the older promotional slogans of the PGA Tour. The new one ought to be, “Dont go home early.” Aussie star Adam Scott reinvigorated his career and continued a semi-trend of weekend marauding on Sunday at the Texas Open, shooting 66-67 to win the title. Thats the second consecutive week in which the eventual winner has fired those closing scores to win, matching the numbers of Tim Clark at the Players Championship. The week before that, Rory McIlroy shot 66-62 to win at Quail Hollow. For numbing, red-numbers context, McIlroy and Clark either tied or established the low number in both the third and fourth rounds during their victories, while Scott was one of two players to shoot in the 60s over the final 36 holes on the new Texas Open track. And no, I have no earthly explanation as to why its happening, other than relying on the old tour slogan. You know, these guys are good.

Finally, some upbeat news It has been a rough month for LPGA fortunes, with Lorena Ochoa abruptly bailing, coupled with the mysterious death last week of Erica Blasberg, a once-promising college star who never found a solid foothold as a professional. Sunday, at least, a familiar face brought a smile to the mugs of many when Hall of Famer Se Ri Pak won a playoff over Tampas Brittany Lincicome for her first victory in three years. Everybody likes a nice comeback story, especially given the dearth of happy thoughts in the womens game of late. Pak, one of the nicest people in the game, is the most influential female player of her generation and touched off a mass migration of South Korean and Asian players to the the LPGA has played six official events in 2010, and every winner has been from Asia.

Message in the massage Tiger Woods was delivered some good news last week when his self-diagnosis of a ruptured disc proved false. His sore neck, which prompted him to quit in the middle of a round for the first time in his career during the Players, is expected to recover nicely after receiving rest, anti-inflammatories and massage treatment (insert Ambien, Vicodin and Swedish-wife jokes here. Everybody else has). But with the wolves already circling, the decision to withdraw prompted some critics to question how badly Woods wanted to finish his round at Sawgrass in the first place since he was 2 over for the day and had fallen into 50-something place. He completed the U.S. Open on a broken leg, after all. Theres one key difference, however. There wasnt much more damage Woods could inflict on his leg in 2008, while he might seriously have torn up his neck if he has played through the spasms and locked-up muscles. With three weeks to mend, lick his wounds and confront whatever other personal disaster might loom, Woods next stop is expected to be the Memorial Tournament in two weeks, where he is the defending champion. It cant get much worse. No, seriously. This time, I mean it.

When the chips are down Swedens Peter Hanson, forever confused with European Tour standouts and Anders Hansen and former Ryder Cupper Soren Hansen, picked an apt way to enter the victory circle in Spain on S although at this point, were experiencing way more than double vision when it relates to the Hanson/Hansen issue. This year, there are actually two guys named Anders Hansen, both from the Netherlands, playing in Europe. The second goes by Anders Schmidt Hansen. Somebody create a nickname for one of these dudes, for the sake of us all. You know, like Hamlet or something.

When the scorecard absolutely lies You can judge Ken Green by a variety of yardsticks. He was a nonconformist as a PGA Tour regular, occasionally agitating his bosses and popping off in the press. He was a journeyman for most of his career, a true grinder in is 40s. Now, after his biggest setback has come his largest success. Green finished 73rd in a field of 77 players in the Champions Tour event over the weekend, but for once, those numbers dont mean a thing. After losing much of his right leg, his brother, girlfriend and son in a series of astounding, black-cloud mishaps over the past year, Green completed his first Champions event as a solo act, despite pain in his leg that is so severe, it nearly makes him cry. As far as guts and glory, Dan Forsman might have hoisted the trophy, but Green won in another fashion. “Its encouraging that theres hope I can go out and play some good golf,” Green said. Encouraging? More like inspirational.

If the boot fits As pa Aussie Adam Scott was given a pair of pricy leather cowboy boots after winning his seventh PGA Tour event. More meaningful might have been the old-fashioned beer shampoo Ernie Els gave him in a celebration afterward, a welcome-back to the winners circle that was long overdue and greeted with relief by plenty of others. While Scott won the Aussie Open over the winter, he had skidded badly since being ranked No. 3 in the world in June 2008. He missed the cut 10 times in 2009, including at three majors and the Players Championship, where he is a past winner. He parted ways with swing coach Butch Harmon, bought an expensive jet and at times seemed completely at a loss to explain his form. “I questioned myself at times last year whether I was a great player or not,” Scott said. “I still feel I am.” With seven wins, the 29-year-old has four more U.S. victories than any other under-30 player. If his travails over the past 1½ years toughened him up, that could present a Texas-sized problem for his tour peers. By the way, Scottie, real cowpokes dont tuck their pants leg inside the boots, mate.

Down

No more hammering of Hank Hank Haney quit via text message. Well give you a moment to ponder the comedy and irony in that. Haney took the high road last week after stepping down as Tiger Woods teacher of the past six-plus years, but theres no question being the focal point of Woods golfing issues was a grind on the Texan swing coach. As evidence that Haney never seemed to get much vocal support, consider what Woods pos four brief sentences about their time together, during which Woods won at the highest clip of his career. Pretty weak. Also pretty typical. Woods also noted in his four-sentence website post that, “Hank Haney and I have agreed that he will no longer be my coach.” What, he needed Woods permission to quit?

Rice full of beans Usually, I have a pretty high tolerance for guys given sponso even when somebody like Michelle Wie or former NFL megastar Jerry Rice take a spot from developing players on the Nationwide Tour, because tournaments must do what they can to command some degree of attention. But when Rice, supposedly a single-digit handicapper, shoots 92 in the first round and declines to conduct interviews afterward, thats insulting and unpardonable. The media turned up at a Nationwide stop in South Carolina to see how he played. Then he blew them off. The fact that the guy knows so little about the professional game that he was disqualified because his caddie used a range-finder in the second round makes it all the more laughable. “I dont want to talk about golf right now,” Rice said after the 92. You know what? Lets make that a permanent arrangement.

Would you buy a used car from this man? Tiger Woods has an agent, a full-time personal publicist, an array of P.R. folks manning his charitable foundation and even hired Ari Fleisher for a spell. Does he listen to anybody? If so, can anybody explain why, seemingly every time he opens his mouth, another half-truth or obfuscation falls out? At the Players Championship, in an effort to deflect attention away from a subject he didnt want to address, Woods said that he and Haney “talk every day, so nothing has changed.” What hasnt changed is Woods inability to speak the truth. According to Scotland On Sunday, the two had exchanged nothing more than a couple of text messages since the Masters. So, in reality, Haney was taking the heat for Woods swing faults even though he hadnt seen him in weeks. Haney finally confirmed to the publication that being left to twist in the wind, a case we presented last week, was part of the reason for the split. At this point, if Woods said the sky was blue, a million public necks would look northward to verify it first, and rightly so.

NO EXCUSES

Super Saver got a perfect trip in Baltimore on Saturday but proved once again that these are not machines, but animals that have blood instead of oil running through those reins.

Props have to go out to Lookin at Lucky, who had some horrible trips this spring. And also to trainer Bob Baffert who stuck with the horse and new pilot Martin Garcia, who was working in a delicatessen only a few short years ago.

Garcia put up a ride well beyond his years and had to overcome a good strategic race by the horses trained by Dale Romans.

His student First Dude dug in at boxcars after pushing the issue the entire way but the more fancied of the pair, Paddy O’Prado was just not up to the task.

The Test of Champions is next in just under 3 weeks, and don’t be shocked if Slick Nick Zito is loaded for bear with his star in waiting Icebox, who just may have been best in Louisville.

Stay tuned.

GETTING UP FOR THE BIG RACES

If the first two legs of the Triple Crown have taught us if nothing else is that being able to ride with confidence and having the ability to make split-second decisions is paramount to winning on the big days.

Some say the Belmont Stakes and other big racing days are just like any other. They contend that the Belmont field is usually smaller, the horses in better condition and with a big sweeping track, the traffic problems are less likely to materialize.

Don’t be too quick to believe it and be very quick to consider the jockey factor in the major races in the world.

Eddie Delahoussaye remembers his first Kentucky Derby, although hed like to forget it. Anxious as a groom on the first night of his honeymoon, Delahoussaye finished 13th in a field of 15 aboard a 24-1 shot named Honey Mark, who ran in place throughout. Beaten nearly 30 lengths by Foolish Pleasure, Delahoussaye learned a valuable lesson: ride the race like its a $10,000 claimer.

It paid off, because Delahoussaye was second in his next Derby, beaten less than a length by Pleasant Colony when he rode 34-1 shot Woodchopper in 1981.

The next two years, Delahoussaye became one of only a handful of jockeys to take the race back-to-back when he won in 1982 on Gato Del Sol and in 1983 aboard Sunnys Halo.

Retired since January of 2003 after suffering neck and head injuries in a spill at Del Mar on Aug. 30, 2002, Eddie D. has two words of advice to riders competing in the Triple Crown: "stay cool."

“Jockeys can get nervous before the Derby because it carries more historical significance than any other race and every jock wants to win it. The roar of the crowd and the playing of ‘My Old Kentucky Home creates pressure riders never experienced and they just lose it. The ones who dont, hopefully, their horses run well.

“After I rode my first Derby”, said Delahoussaye a few years ago, “I made up my mind that the next time it was going to be like an ordinary race. Thats the thought a rider should put in his head before the Classic races. Relax and hope your horse runs his race. That way you ride better. You cant make the moves in the showcase events that you do in ordinary races if you put pressure on yourself. You think you can, but you cant. Youve got to ride it cool, let the horse do the running and stay out of trouble.”

The Belmont Stakes is a bit different because unless you ride regularly at the mile and a half track, the distance can be tricky.

Many riders over the years have put their charge into a drive far to soon and too early and lived to be scorn the rest of their lives.

The first name that comes to mind is Ron Franklin. He rode Spectacular Bid to victory in the first 2 legs of the Triple Crown in 1979 but he asked his equine superstar for speed too early rushing up to overtake Gallant Best way before the real racing began only to wilt and succumb late to Coastal.

Another is Kent Desormeaux. He opened up a 4-length lead at the top of the lane Belmont Day in 1998 with Real Quiet, only to miss by a nostril to Victory Gallop.

The lesson is not to dismiss the jockey factor when the go a mile and a half in the Belmont Stakes.

Deep in the heart of Texas, Adam Scott only saw Australia. Harsh scrubland off the fairways that reminded him of Brisbane and sandbelt greens that looked like home.

“I had a feeling Aussies would do well here this week,” Scott said.

None better than him.

Rallying from four strokes back for his first PGA Tour victory in two years, Scott was 11 under in a 36-hole Sunday finale at the Texas Open, edging Frederik Jacobson by a stroke on the new Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio.

The course was designed by Scotts hero, fellow countrymen Greg Norman, who sent a congratulatory message after Scotts first win since the Australian Open in December.

Normans note meant a lot to Scott. So did this victory.

“I questioned myself at times last year whether I was a great player or not,” Scott said. “I still feel I am.”

The 29-year-old Scott finished at 14-under 274 and earned $1,098,000 for his seventh tour victory and first since the 2008 Byron Nelson Classic. He overcame two early bogeys with an eagle on the par-4 17th in his third-round 66, then built his lead with six birdies en route to a closing when Jacobson missed a 16-footer from the fringe on No. 18 that wouldve forced a playoff.

It was a long final day. More than 3 inches of rain had washed out Fridays round, setting up Sundays 36-hole marathon.

Ernie Els, Aaron Baddeley and Jimmy Walker tied for third at 12 under. Els, the FedEx Cup leader, followed a third-round 69 with a 68.

Baddeley also entered the day four back and shot 67 and 68. Walker had rounds of 70 and 69 and ended up with a career-best finish on the tour.

Tim Petrovic and tour rookie Garth M this one belonged to the Aussies.

His only blemish of the final round was on the par-5 18th, thought it nearly cost him. Scotts approach plopped in the greenside bunker, but he recovered to set up a 6-footer for par. But the putt rolled wide by a half-inch.

“A little bit of a disaster there,” Scott said.

Good thing it was just a little one.

Still, it gave give Jacobson a chance.

He started the day three strokes back but shot up the leaderboard with a bogey-free 7-under 65 in the third round. But the 35-year-old Swede couldnt keep up that pace over the final 18.

Jacobson finished with a 70 and another bogey-free round. But he struggled this time to break par, two-putting six of his first nine holes before finally sinking a 7-footer for birdie on No. 12.

Relieved, Jacobson threw his hands up in victory when the putt dropped.

But his final birdie was on the par-4 15th.

Jacobson was unable to replicate the five straight birdies he sank on hole Nos. 14 through 18 in the first round that morning.

“I certainly felt with five holes to go I could do something,” Jacobson said. “I had good feelings coming from the morning. I gave myself good looks on all five of them. Just didnt happen.”

J.B. Holmes had the 54-hole lead at 12 under but fell apart from the get-go in the final over then bogeyed four of his next seven holes.

Holmes was 4 over in the final round and finished 8 under.

Scott got his first top-10 finish this year, two weeks after he missed the cut at Quail Hollow and tied for 26th at The Players Championship.

Scotts last three PGA Tour victories have come in Texas. He won the Houston Open in 2007 and the Byron Nelson two years ago.

Divots James Driscoll , who lost to Zach Johnson in a playoff last year at La Cantera, began the day one stroke back but couldnt keep up while shooting even par in the third round. He finished at 9 under. Sergio Garcia , a player consultant on the design of TPC San Antonio, was 1 under. John Daly withdrew because of hip problems after double-bogeying two of his first four holes in the final round. Its the second straight withdraw for Daly, who did the same at the Zurich Classic in April.

Who: Thoroughbreds – Super Saver; Lookin At Lucky; Paddy O’Prado; Caracortado/li>
What: Horse Racing Betting Tips – The Preakness
Where: Pimlico
When: Saturday, May 15th

As The Preakness draws near, the prevailing view is that Super Saver was lucky to win The Kentucky Derby, while Ice Box and Lookin At Lucky suffered through nightmare trips. Ice Box will bide his time and shoot for Belmont Stakes glory, but Lookin At Lucky is back for another stab at the Derby winner. Let’s look at the major players in tomorrow’s Preakness.

Two weeks ago on this site I touted Super Saver to win The Kentucky Derby, and the price (8-1) was right that day. A little Derby futures action at 20-1 didn’t hurt either. Granted, all the stars aligned for this colt on Derby Day, but it would be a mistake to downplay his accomplishment as well as his Preakness prospects. He owns the field’s top Beyer Speed Figure (104), came out of the Derby in great shape, continues to thrive, has shown he can win on a fast track (which is likely tomorrow), should appreciate the slight cutback in distance, and has a tractability edge over his main rival, Lookin At Lucky. He may end up making 5-2 look like a bargain after the Preakness results are in. Once again…THE PICK.

Many times when a horse has an excuse for losing, the betting public over-compensates next time out, making that horse an underlay. I believe that will be the case with Lookin At Lucky in The Preakness. To make matters even more dicey, Lookin At Lucky will receive the services of a new, and far less experienced rider, in Martin Garcia. It’s also worth noting that trainer Bob Baffert was non-committal about Lookin At Lucky running in the Preakness until a week or so before the race. Yes, he’s a very accomplished, hard-trying animal, but he could end up playing Alydar/Easy Goer to Super Saver’s Affirmed/Sunday Silence. Use underneath in the chalk exacta.

Paddy O’Prado gave a good account of himself to get third in the Derby, although jockey Kent Desormeaux was criticized for not persevering with his mount in the stretch, possibly costing him the place spot. The main question with Paddy O’Prado is whether he’ll be as effective on a fast track. I’ll try to beat him with newcomer Caracortado (scar face in Spanish), who has been training up a storm on the West Coast since his eventful trip in The Santa Anita Derby. I also like the fact that Caracortado has five wins on his resume, compared to just one for ‘Paddy (that coming on grass). I’ll use both to round out the Preakness trifecta.

Those are my horse racing betting tips for the weekend. Best of luck and happy gambling!