Behind The Box Score

Mr. Number One in the golf world is going to be fined by the PGA Tour for his comments about a rules official following the Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday. Tiger said to runner up Padraig Harrington that he’s “sorry that John got in the way of a great battle.” The John he is referring to is European Tour chief referee John Paramor, who told Tiger and Padraig they were being timed starting on the 16th hole, where a 4 shot swing took place. The person who released the information remains nameless because the PGA Tour does not usually tell the public about fines.

On 16, Tiger hooked his tee ball, but he then hit an 8-iron shot that was retro Tiger, laying up beautifully for a nice easy birdie. However, Paddy had a difficult time. His 5-iron approach was to far, over the green, on the edge of the bunker. The next shot that he played was like some of the guys you see at your local golf course, getting underneath it and the flop shot did nothing but trickle to the water. Tiger claims that he doesn’t “think that Paddy would have hit the pitch shot that way if he was able to take his time, look at it, analyze it. But he was on the clock, had to get up there quickly and hit it.”

Harrington kept positive thoughts, getting ready for the PGA Championship next week at Hazeltine, “You learn from these things,” he said. “I don’t see it being a big issue. I’ve got the PGA next week. So, at the end of the day, when I start hitting shots tomorrow, today will be forgotten about.”