This Week at WorldGolf.com: Sept. 14, 2005

PGA Tour vs. NFL:
Is Tiger too much for the Patriots?

The NFL kicked off its season last week, bringing to mind the copious similarities between professional football and golf. Well, maybe not copious, but they do both play on grass, which is good enough for me.

So who's better, golfers or NFL players?

Tiger Woods vs. New England Patriots: The big difference is that Tiger is expected to win tournaments and nobody bothers picking the Patriots to win until they realize they are once again in the Super Bowl. All that really matters is this: Their opponents keep trying to stop them, but have little luck. Advantage: Woods, solely based on the fact that outside of Tom Brady, who can name anyone else on the Pats?

Sergio Garcia vs. Terrell Owens: Garcia kicked over a sign recently, which is the golfing equivalent of Owens calling everyone from the coach to the quarterback morons. Both are wildly talented but haven't won a big one, yet. Advantage: Owens tantrums his way to an easy victory.

Vijay Singh vs. Jerry Rice: Okay, Rice just retired. But who else can you compare Singh's work ethic to? While Rice was notorious for a preseason workout that would shred others, Singh regularly shreds his hands in practice. Both are respected champions. Advantage: Singh sneaks by based on Rice's retirement.

Mark Calcavecchia vs. Ben Roethlisberger: This battle of syllables takes a look at who has done the most with the least. For the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, Big Ben had moments where he looked like the rookie he was. The result? Well, just 14 consecutive wins. For Calcavecchia, he ranks 96th in driving distance and 85th in putting. The result? He's 20th in birdies made and 21st on the money list. Advantage: Calcavecchia is the old pro and has shown he can win, as he did in last week's Bell Canadian Open.

Phil Mickelson vs. Kurt Warner: Both of these guys are so likable that many people would like nothing better than to punch them. The similarities don't end there. Both can play the long ball and have overwhelming confidence in their accuracy. Advantage: Mickelson. Luckily for those of us who have recently eaten, Warner has had a bit of a decline, so we don't have to see his wife jumping up and down in the stands holding a bible.

So there you have it. The PGA Tour guys sweep to an easy 4-1 victory in this battle. You just can't get any more official than that. The PGA men are obviously stronger, faster and smarter than their NFL counterparts. And as long as no one shows this article to Ray Lewis, I stand by the outcome.

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Tennis great Ivan Lendl
just another golf-obsessed dad

With the U.S. Open just completed, tennis is front and center in the spotlight. But Ivan Lendl, a three-time U.S. Open champion, remains fixated on his new love: golf. A dimpled white ball has replaced the fuzzy yellow one at the center of his life. The man who once spent 156 straight weeks as the No. 1 tennis player in the world is now focused on his teenage daughters' golf games. Lendl's now a daddy who often plays caddy.

Full story | Blogger Doug Carey: Sergio keeps it real, gets fined

Thoughtful renovation
can bring new life to an old golf course

Renovation has been a part of course architecture since the second course was built (that's when the owners of the first decided they'd better keep up with the competition), writes noted architect Ron Garl in his latest column. And the art of renovation have never been more important.

Full story | Ron Garl on the Postage Stamp at Royal Troon

Flexibility on fairways starting
to take root with U.S. golfers

Professional golfers have been swearing by yoga for some time, and why not. With flexibility a main ingredient for a solid golf swing, this ancient form of relaxation and stretching is now a popular pastime for duffers of all ability levels as a way to loosen up and avoid muscle injury. Katherine Roberts gives some of the benefits of yoga, as well as some simple exercises that will have your swing feeling well-oiled and fluid.

Full story | Blogger: Dumpy Daly good for laughs, not wins