The 2009 Presidents Cup was sealed with a graphic display of Tiger's revenge, as his win over recent nemesis Y.E. Yang clinched the tournament, and his 5-0 helped to assure the US of a 19½-14½ victory over the internationals.
And speaking of the Internationals, (also refered to as the Europeans), I'm hoping no one watching the President's Cup was playing "have a drink every time one of the
And it didn't let up today, despite the fact that Tim Clark pretty much out-played everyone... and showed a mental toughness and mastery that was nothing *short* of breath-taking. At first I thought I was just being overly sensitive. I thought I was the only one who noticed an overuse of descriptions like, "The Little Guy", "Diminutive Tim Clark" and "What he lacks in stature..."
I mean, how many times can you call someone "scrappy" before it becomes... um... condescending maybe? Same goes for "bulldog"...right?
Well, I only had to take a quick trip to Twitterville to see that, in fact, I wasn't the only one who noticed it. Or the only one who had been put off by it.
So yes, I'll let the Tweets speak for themselves, they always do a pretty good job of that. And those were just a few of many.
It's already being written about in longer format posts too. Bret Kelly wrote about announcers Dan Hicks and Johnny Miller in his blog for About.Com, "...The NBC pair kept referring to the USA's opposition as the Europeans. And both of them, and Hicks in particular, wouldn't shut up about Tim Clark's 5-foot-7 height, consistently referring to him as the "little guy." Give it a rest, fellas. No wonder people can be sensitive about their height. I kept expecting Randy Newman's "Short People" to show up on the soundtrack."
So did I... It was that extreme.
By the end of the Clark/Johnson match, arguably the best of the tournament - mentions of Tim Clark's height and the fact that he had yet to win on US soil had pretty much ceased. Even the most bombastic And that trumps tall any day of the week.
Photos:Top-David/Cannon Getty Images Sport, Middele-AP, Bottom-Mark Nolan/Getty Images..... (Tim Clark with gorgeous wife Candace at the 2008 Australian Open) ✿
The President's Cup was so fun to watch! I wish we had more Matchplay events. :\
ReplyDeleteNice work Patricia. Tim Clark was great on the weekend. He's an underrated golfer in many ways. His performances at the majors are very good and he's over-shadowed (in more ways than one by the sounds of it) by fellow South African's Goosen and Els.
ReplyDeleteI really do hope he cracks a major one day. He's good enough.
SO very annoying, being a "wee" gal at 5'5" (when I stand up straight) I too was annoyed.
ReplyDeleteIt seemed especially ridiculous when he was playing such incredible golf.
I didn't hear anyone else mention he was hot either. That's just wrong! ;o)
Short is also a term we could use to describe Johnny Miller's golf career. Except for two Pebbles, his career spanned 1971-1983. The yips chased him off the tour and they have remained to this day.
ReplyDeleteHicks is a knucklehead. His idea of a good sense of humor is using his impression of Richard Nixon's voice as his phone machine answering voice...
I think Tim Clark could play the both of them and give give Miller 2-3 per side.
I watched everyday and loved all the different head to head matches! Great golf by all! And the fashion, wow! Stop by and see my recap of what they were wearing.
ReplyDeleteTim Clark..underrated? This is the first event where he has shown the ability to seal the deal...and make putts when they matter. His putting seems to stray when the chips are down...but...they didn;t this week.
ReplyDeleteLet's remember one thing...TV is kind to short people! Look at Bob costas and Tom Cruise. What is my point? His image is in his control...his choice to wear ill fitting trousers, baggy sweaters, and a shaggy haircut....MAKE him appear short, and a touch dumpy.
He gets his clothes free, and can have them tailored to fit...why he chooses to look so dumpy is the real question.
Ok Phil, I get it, Tim Clark has won three times on the European Tour but that doesn't count as "sealing the deal", and his Australian Open win probably doesn't count either because it doesn't take place on US soil.
ReplyDeleteYes, now I understand. Because I was confused for a minute there...I thought he had actually won something.
Phil: if Tim Clark looks dumpy, dumpy is the new hot. ;-)
ReplyDeleteto marcoman...thanks to TIVO I watch just about every PGA event. My view is that he puts himself in contention quite regularly...but his putting dissapears when victory is close. Worldwide wins are great..and I would guess a PGA tour win will happen soon...but the fact remains...he has not played the final 9 holes well in several tournaments.
ReplyDeleteTo Lisa...He has lost weight over the last two seasons, and is visibly more fit....but wears clothes that don't fit. He has charm, and charisma to spare...if he would wear the right size clothing....nobody would mention his height!
It was like listening to The Height Report, but not as sexy.
ReplyDeleteWe really enjoyed the entire tournament, especially since it was raining here.
ReplyDeleteFrankly, I think they ALL looked hot! But yeah, Tim Clark is very hot... You know. The way my son is hot, LOL!
Hey, no height complaints! I'm 5'3".
I always love it when Johnny Miller is commentating. I played a game of pool with him once in Aspen... when I was very young.
Share your feelings about the insensitive TV guys. Great Tim Clark!
ReplyDelete"Tim Clark..underrated? This is the first event where he has shown the ability to seal the deal...and make putts when they matter."
ReplyDeleteRight, Tim has won three European Tour and two Nationwide events. By not sealing the deal or making putts that mattered.
YES...I stand by my comment! He has been challenged closing out tournaments! Did you watch the Colonial this year? Do you know that he has more PGA Tour Top 10's than any other player without a victory?
ReplyDeleteHe puts himself in contention frequently...that is great. He has wins on the Canadian, European, and Nationwide Tours...all impressive...BUT none on the PGA Tour.
He gives great interviews, seems like a nice genuine guy, and honestly...who cares if he is only 5'7"....
Great piece, Patricia! Fun read. Johnny Miller has to be one of THE most annoying commentators on the planet! As for Clark, he's "all that!" and then some.
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