Are You Ready for Some Golf?

I remember when Tiger was chided by his peers for claiming to have an “A” game. Well, folks, we’re becoming witnesses to what that “A” game actually looks like, and what an awesome and amazing sight it is.

I do still sometimes wonder if Phil Mickelson continues to consider Tiger’s equipment as being “inferior” in quality. If correct, then Lefty should be thanking his lucky stars.

KATHY ROSS

Long Beach

As a young baby boomer, I began an attempt to understand the game of golf. Once I thought I’d gotten the drift, Arnie was the man. How could there be another? Then, the big Buckeye showed up. Like others, I was crushed.

Challengers came and went -- Gary, Lee, Johnny and Tom. The Golden Bear remained -- 1986 proved that. But before our memories get too comfortable, there is another.

We were fortunate enough to see Jack. Let us hope our luck holds true again.

RODNEY K. BOSWELL

Thousand Oaks

The U.S. Ryder Cup team has exceptional players, including the world’s top two -- Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

Unfortunately, those two are among the world’s least team-oriented players. The Ryder Cup is all about team thinking and strategy. The Europeans have always understood the concept.

Woods has implied more than once that he would rather be elsewhere during Ryder Cup competition, which might explain why he has lost more matches than he has won.

Two years ago Mickelson chose the Ryder Cup as an occasion to break in a new driver. Phil’s tendency to take poor risks on the course cost him this year’s U.S. Open but did not hurt anyone else. But when he does this during team play, his partner and his team suffer the consequences.

Therefore, look for the Europeans to keep the Cup.

JIM WAKEMAN

Long Beach

With nothing better to do Saturday morning, I turned to TNT to watch the PGA. Its coverage impressed me so that I’m compelled to report:

* Instead of showing Stuart Appleby blasting out of a sand trap on the back nine, TNT’s viewers were treated to Sergio Garcia looking lost, wandering around the parking lot.

* For about the 100th time, we were shown the hole in one by whoever that guy was.

* Soon they went to a shot of Sergio hitting balls on the driving range, probably to let us know that he finally found his way out of the parking lot.

* Then instead of showing Jay Haas putting for a double bogey on the back nine, we saw Davis Love III attempting to get out of a car.

* When they put up the question about who was the best golfer in their time -- Nicklaus, Hogan or Woods -- I’m sorry, I turned over to ESPN Classic to watch the exciting end to the 1985 PBA tourney in Austin, where in the title match, the winner bowled 183 and the guy who lost had a frustrating, but well-earned, 157. Unfortunately, by now it was only 9:59, and the golf coverage on TNT continued for another hour. So, moron that I am, I tuned in to the golf, again, hoping for improvement, but I was again disappointed.

GENE MILLER

Huntington Beach