Times wires
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Langer skips first three majors
Bernhard Langer had such a big year in 2010 that he is eligible for eight major championships — all five on the Champions Tour and all but the PGA Championship on the PGA Tour. Because of an injury and sense of fairness, however, Langer is missing the first three. Surgery on his left wrist kept him out of the Masters (where he has won twice) and will keep him out of this week's Senior PGA Championship. Next would be the U.S. Open, although Langer has decided not to play. Langer, who was eligible as the U.S. Senior Open champion, does not believe he can win at Congressional in Bethesda, Md., and did not believe it was right to take a spot from someone who can. He will make his "major" debut this year at the British Open at Royal St. George's (July 14-17), where he finished third in 1993.
Mickelson has been good for a long time
Phil Mickelson now has the longest active streak of being among the top 10 of the world rankings, which only further highlights the amazing run of Tiger Woods. Woods fell out of the top 10 this week for the first time since April 6, 1997, the week before he won the Masters for the first of his 14 majors. He had been among the top 10 for 736 consecutive weeks. Mickelson now has been among the top 10 for the past 381, a streak that began more than seven years ago. He would have to stay there for nearly seven more years — he'll be closing in on 47 — to break Woods' record. Greg Norman has the second-longest streak at 645 weeks, from when the world rankings debuted at the 1986 Masters until late in the summer of 1998. Back then, however, it was a three-year rolling period with very little movement. Third all time is Ernie Els at 448 weeks from 2000 until the fall of 2008.
Teen returns to Byron Nelson
Today's Byron Nelson Classic will have at least one player to keep an eye on. Jordan Spieth, who last year made the cut at the tournament as a 16-year-old high school junior, is in the field again. Spieth, who has added 20 pounds, received a sponsor's exemption and will play as an amateur. He has an interesting scheduling conflict. Spieth graduates from Dallas Jesuit on Saturday. So he might miss it if he makes the cut.
Upcoming local tournament
The 24th annual St. Paul United Methodist men's tournament will be held June 25 at East Bay Country Club in Largo. It is a scramble with an 8 a.m. shotgun start and $75 entry fee. For details, call (727) 531-5061.
This week on tour
PGA: Byron Nelson Championship, TPC Four Seasons Resort, Irving, Texas. TV: Today-Friday, 3-6 p.m., Golf Channel; Saturday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m., Ch. 10.
Senior PGA: Senior PGA Championship, Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Ky. TV: Today-Friday, noon-3 p.m., Golf Channel; Saturday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m., Ch. 8.
European PGA: BMW PGA Championship, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, England. TV: Today-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon, Golf Channel; Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Golf Channel.