This Week at WorldGolf.com: August 16, 2006

Tiger and Sergio: The rivalry that never was

It was 1999. I was a pesky teenager with aspirations of a weekend without curfews and a car with a CD player. But one Sunday afternoon, a 19-year old's fearless Sunday round capped by an inconceivable shot captivated me and put a wrinkle in the future of golf.

Sergio Garcia's hard stab from behind a tree on the 16th hole of the '99 PGA Championship was the greatest golf shot I've ever seen. Nothing short of perfect execution and Sergio is in the hospital, the ball up his nostril. There's only one other human capable of hitting that shot - Tiger Woods - and the golf world assured us the two would supply us with epic battles for the ages in the coming decades ...

Fade to gray ...

Since those days I've aged, terribly. I'm no longer asked for an I.D. at R-rated movies and must take a razor to my stubble almost tri-weekly. The old pothole on Fourth Avenue keeps getting bigger and I'm left a mere fuzzy memory of the once proclaimed Tiger/Sergio rivalry we were all promised for the coming decades.

"The 1999 PGA Championship ..." I grumble to myself, slumped in my porch's rocking chair as ominous clouds loom over the horizon. "Those were the 'good ole days' ..."

Cut to present ... .

Today, Garcia is ninth in the world rankings but hasn't won a major. Woods meanwhile, remains cemented at no. 1. His rivals remain Jack, Gene and Byron.

But just a few weeks ago, a sign! Garcia was on Tiger's tail at Royal Hoylake. It was a dream Sunday final pairing that was over before it began. Europe's best chance at ending America's domination of their Open soiled himself for the world to see, intimidated by Tiger more than he'd been as a teenager, too ignorant to fear.

This week, the PGA Championship returns to Medinah. But maybe it's finally time for the tabled rivalry's fruition. After winning the British Open and the Buick Invitational, Woods appears invincible - the perfect time for Sergio - seemingly wounded after Hoylake - to steal Woods' 12th major and claim his first. Then next month, take him down in a head-to-head duel in the Ryder Cup Matches.

Ah, chills my aching bones just thinkin' about it.

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Diverse golf courses, Reggie Bush call
Southern California' Inland Empire home

The Inland Empire has long been known as a powerful economic force in Southern California, but golfers are still finding out about the great golf options offered in this area an hour east from Los Angeles. With a population approaching four million, diverse golf courses with low green fees, and Heisman Trophy winner and NFL No. 1 draft pick Reggie Bush call the "IE" their home.

Also: Cheap golf in Palm Springs, Calif. not so hard to find

Mental game tips to avoid frustration,
fade that golf ball and learn the rules

Barry noticed that Stacy gets frustrated easily on the golf course, and that it takes away from her enjoyment of the game. Find out some ways to "get out of your own way" and start having more fun on the golf course in this edition of the popular podcast. Also, "The rules of golf made easy," does just that for confused beginners.

Also: Subscribe to our podcast via RSS

Chuck Evans golf tip: Don't get
intimidated by your golf partner

How often have you played with a player who is much better than yourself? And how often have you seen your game change as you try to hit the ball further and attempt shots you would never normally try? Here, golf instructor Chuck Evans lets you know its ok to stay with your game, and points to the sad case of Ian Baker-Finch as an example of what can happen if you tinker with your game too much.

Also: Chuck Evans' tips and drills to learn about lag

Win a luxury cruise for two to
the Ryder Cup Matches in Ireland

TravelGolf Media is auctioning off a luxury cruise for two to the Ryder Cup in Ireland. The winner gets a 10-night, 11-day cruise to the Matches aboard the Seabourn Pride luxury liner, a trip valued at nearly $22,000. The winner receives: Deluxe suite accommodations aboard the ship; all meals, drinks and entertainment aboard the ship; round-trip transportation to The K Club; a 2006 Ryder Cup International Pavilion Badge; an invitation to attend a 2006 Ryder Cup Special Evening, and more.

GolfRyderCup.com: Your source for ticket info