Padraig's 5-wood eagle brilliant -- just not that smart
Dual 5-woods to eagle on the 71st hole helped Padraig Harrington lock up the British Open, but Steve Elling says the second wasn't as prudent or historic as legend already has it. 

Golf and the Gold: With an emphasis on the latter
Many of golf's top organizations are pushing hard for the sport to be included in the 2016 Olympics. Steve Elling says it's a good idea only for those with a buck at stake. 

Fearing the worst brings out the best in Harrington
Ever wonder what keeps champions going, what motivates them? Well, for back-to-back Open champ Padraig Harrington, it's fear. Steve Elling looks at the Irishman's unusual approach. 

Poulter rides 'great buzz' to highest major finish
Ian Poulter has one of the best rounds Sunday at Royal Birkdale and finishes second to Padraig Harrington at the British Open. Steve Elling says Poulter comes up short but says, 'I'll be back for lots more of this.' 

All in the wrist: Injury frees up Harrington to simply win
Want to win the season's final major? Get thee to an infirmary. Steve Elling says when Padraig Harrington wins his second consecutive British Open with a troublesome left wrist Sunday, it extends a curious medical phenomenon. 

Nicklaus-like Norman within reach of miracle Open title
Tormented and triumphant at varying times through his Hall of Fame career, Greg Norman will add another chapter Sunday at the British Open. Will it be a victory to remember, or another heart-wrenching moment? Norman knows what to do to make it the former, Steve Elling says. 

In the air, on the ground, wind wreaks havoc at Royal Birkdale
Balls rolling off the green. Tee shots getting blown into the hay. Hats flitting on the breeze down fairways. The wind had the most fun Saturday at the circus-like British Open, making players miserable, Steve Elling says. 

Duval takes huge step in drive 'to get back to greatness'
Forgive David Duval if he's not nostalgic about his sudden reappearance on a British Open leaderboard after seven years in the abyss. Steve Elling says Duval isn't interested in retro -- he's working to create a game that can win in 2008. 

Norman sets up weekend drama with trip back to '93
This is how a two-time champion plays the British Open. But a 53-year-old part-time player? Greg Norman is ready for another weekend charge at a major, giving everybody at Royal Birkdale something to root for, Steve Elling says. 

Insanity -- the good kind -- just keeps coming for Mediate
Not far removed from being one of two main players in one of the most memorable U.S. Opens ever, Rocco Mediate was at it again Thursday at the British, tied for first through Round 1. Steve Elling says Mediate isn't afraid to finish the deal this time, either. 

Goosen doesn't get loose until it counts
With rain a constant in the first round at the British Open, Retief Goosen makes like a weekend hacker, pretty much skips warming up and goes straight from the clubhouse to the first tee. Steve Elling says the result is one of the day's better early rounds. 

Sore wrist doesn't slow sprightly Harrington on sloppy setup
Combine a stiff challenge with an ailing wrist and defending British Open champ Padraig Harrington had more right to gripe than anybody. But Steve Elling says the Irishman's attitude not only keeps him going but in contention, too. 

Demanding and dreary Birkdale day leaves all feeling weary
The weather is atrocious. The course beyond difficult. The scores are up, way up. Must be the British Open. Steve Elling says that the nasty elements plus a USGA-like setup lead to a miserable day of golf. 

While cat's away, Lefty has shot to really play
Nobody stands to gain more with Tiger Woods out than Phil Mickelson. Steve Elling says Lefty could begin filling holes in his impressive resume with a victory at the British Open starting Thursday at Royal Birkdale. 

Recovered from Car-nasty, Sergio takes 'favorite' tag
With Tiger Woods out, the major-less Sergio Garcia has been installed as the favorite at Royal Birkdale. After coming tantalizingly close last year, the stars might be aligned for his career-changing win, Steve Elling says. 

Ten years after, Rose returns to Birkdale with real 'shot' in mind
When 17-year-old Justin Rose holed a wedge for a final-hole birdie in the last British Open at Royal Birkdale, it changed his life -- and not immediately for the better. Steve Elling says 10 years later, Rose returns with life lessons learned and the game to win the whole thing. 

Privacy harder to come by for scrutinized Ochoa
Perhaps the biggest sports star in Mexico, Lorena Ochoa naturally garners plenty of attention. And while it might focus sometimes a little too deeply into her personal life, Ochoa still looks to keep private and public separate, Steve Elling says. 

Ground control separates Kim from other young Americans
Did you hear? Anthony Kim is a star! Steve Elling aims to avoid the Kim bandwagon; the kid needs to finish ahead of Tiger in a tourney before we gush. But Kim's short game does lead Elling to believe the 23-year-old will succeed where other young Americans fizzled. 

Perry staying home -- again: Major decisions will bring major questions
Kenny Perry's decision to skip the U.S. Open -- ostensibly to improve his Ryder Cup chances -- raised eyebrows but could be forgiven. Now, with spots nearly assured in both the British Open and the Cup, he won't be at Royal Birkdale. Steve Elling questions Perry's sanity. 

LPGA rookie Lewis has a lot of good work, not much to show for it
Stacy Lewis is defending champion -- or not -- at this week's LPGA tournament in Arkansas. She finished third at the U.S. Open in her first tournament as a pro -- but that money doesn't count toward earning her tour card. Count Steve Elling among the perplexed. 

Follow the flow chart to keep up with PGA Tour's drug policy
Players won't have to turn and cough, but the step-by-step of PGA Tour drug testing might be hard to swallow for some. Steve Elling zips through the pee process, and we await your analysis. 

Creamer gaining experience -- at Round 4 meltdowns at Open
It looked familiar, and that's a bad thing. Steve Elling says Paula Creamer's 5-over 78 Sunday in the final round of the U.S. Women's Open was reminiscent of past performances in the tournament, but this might have topped them all for disappointment. 

Sorenstam leaves Open with a slam-bank finish
If Annika Sorenstam is truly done playing the U.S. Women's Open, she certainly left an impression. Steve Elling says while she didn't win, her holed 6-iron for an eagle on her final hole was still quite a way to go out. 

Open title just another obstacle for Lewis to hurdle
Winning the toughest major in golf would make even a veteran nervous. Stacey Lewis has been through enough to know the U.S. Women's Open is just another challenge to overcome. And she's shown she is good at that, Steve Elling says. 

Finland's Blomqvist breaks the ice on course, off
Finland isn't exactly known as a hotbed of golf stars -- well, given the climate, there's not a lot hot about it -- but Steve Elling says Minea Blomqvist made her mark for her country Friday at the U.S. Women's Open -- and in the pressroom afterward. 

Park victory at Open would have New-American ring to it
Angela Park's parents are South Korean, and she was born in Brazil. But Steve Elling says if Park continues the way she has in reaching the midpoint at 6 under par, the U.S. Women's Open could have a brand-new American as its champion come Sunday. 

Rough opening day for women's elite at U.S. Open
While unknowns Ji Young Oh and Song-Hee Kim were throwing around scores of 5 under or better in Round 1 of the Women's U.S. Open, the Not-So-Fab Five finished a cumulative 5 over, Steve Elling says. 

As always, easy does it for Davies -- an Open contender again
The whole process isn't as simple as it must have seemed when Laura Davies won her first U.S. Women's Open in 1987, but Steve Elling says one thing hasn't changed: A laid-back approach that again has her in contention after Round 1 of the 2008 version. 

Not as never-ending as Torrey, but Interlachen could host fab finish
There will be no Monday playoff, but the U.S. Women's Open at Interlachen might closely approximate the last-hole drama of the men's event at Torrey Pines, Steve Elling says. 

New, improved Wie set to right wrongs of 2007
At 18-years-old, Michelle Wie is reinventing herself. After a disastrous 2007 season -- which she played through a broken wrist -- Wie is looking to turn the corner on her career and reputation, Steve Elling says. 

Haney says Woods will be back 'better than ever'
For golf fans of all levels -- and people who make their living on the sport -- Steve Elling says Tiger Woods' coach, Hank Haney, has good news: Once Woods' knee is fully and properly repaired, he'll be as good as new -- or better. 

Another milestone for Woods: Heart matches talent
It's only June, but Tiger Woods has ended his 2008 season for more surgery. Steve Elling says knowing how bad Woods' knee was as he won his third U.S. Open will add a human element -- and make him even more popular. 

Hobbled Woods reaches yet another level
We've seen extraordinary things from Tiger Woods countless times, but Woods himself, his coach and Steve Elling all agree: The U.S. Open victory over Rocco Mediate in a playoff Monday for his 14th major title was in a class by itself. 

Tiger's limp might be a permanent addition to his game
The scene of Tiger Woods in immense pain might be something we need to get used to. Woods' vague answers about his left knee have Steve Elling believing that his limp might never go away. 

Tiger's pain-filled third round one for the record books
What can't Tiger Woods accomplish? Despite a sluggish start to Saturday's third round at the U.S. Open, the reigning world No. 1 produces two eagles and a birdie on the back nine to charge ahead of the pack, turning feelings of pain into utter joy, Steve Elling says.  

U.S. Open's final stage set up for frenetic finish
In the past, the U.S. Open has been known for exciting finishes down the final stretch. This year's tourney may see one, too. If the circumstances work out perfectly, expect to see fireworks in Sunday's final round, Steve Elling says. 

One question left: Who's gonna drive Phil home after Torrey dud?
Phil Mickelson playing a U.S. Open at home in San Diego? Oh, it's on like Donkey Kong. Right? Wrong, Steve Elling says, because of Lefty's ludicrous decision to attack Torrey Pines without the benefit of a driver. 

Tiger, well, what more can possibly be said?
Tiger Woods' day didn't start off too well. But it sure ends on a high note. Woods turns into a birdie machine, finishing with a brilliant 68 -- good enough for a three-way tie for second. Tiger's round is impressive, even for him, Steve Elling says.  

For Johnson, Iowa disaster 'one of the worst things of my lifetime'
Zach Johnson is proud to be from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The community, where Johnson's parents still live, is being ravaged by floods. The event is weighing down the mentally strong Johnson, on the cut line at the U.S. Open, Steve Elling says. 

On a Tiger-Phil-Adam day, play really isn't the thing
The scores: Phil Mickelson (E), Tiger Woods (+1), Adam Scott (remember? +2). But Steve Elling says Thursday at the U.S. Open was all about the scene; the trophy business can be settled this weekend.