NiceBallz - Play Ballzy

Forgive our cynicism about The Presidents Cup this year.  After all Michael Jordan was an Assistant Captain (or something). Adam Scott was the homer Captain’s pick by Norman and in general the event feels like the Ryder Cup Lite.

But after watching the matches and enjoying a U.S. victory (wOOt! suck it rest of the world!) we felt inspired to recognize some of the more outstanding and/or shameful moments of the 2009 Presidents Cup.

MVP award: For Most-Valuable-Partner of course goes to Steve Stricker. It’s been rumored that Tiger is getting an I heart Stevie tattoo someplace discreet. Just don’t tell Stevie Williams it’s in honor of T-dubs new favorite match play partner Stricker.  If it weren’t for Stricker’s lights out putting on Saturday Woods would not have nabbed that nifty 5-0-0 record this year.

Don’t believe the hype award: Goes to Carl Steward whose article for the Mercury News declared: “Scott proves critics wrong, Norman right”.  Um, hold up there Hoss. Aside from Camilo Villegas’ spectacular 0-fer performance, Scott had the worst Presidents Cup record of 1-4-0.  Or another way to look at it is that he was first runner-up to Camilo for worst record on the international team. Ouch.

Most useless accessory: Michael Jordan. Which putting advice do you think served Sean O’Hair better this week: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson’s or Michael Jordan’s? As the SNL skit goes – REALLY?  Michael Jordan as a celebrity attendee? Fantastic. Bring it on. Interview him, give regular camera time and so on. In fact, we’d love to see The Presidents Cup become something like a four day long Lakers game. But as an Assistant Captain, c’mon Freddy.  C’mon man.

Wee-men Award: Mike Weir & Tim Clark. If the NBC announcers are to be believed, apparently Weir and Clark measure approximately 4’10″ combined. There were more short jokes during Weir/Clark matches than there are regrettable Verne Troyer reality TV incidents.

Best Captain: Also known as Captain Cool- Fred Couples is the epitomy of laid back coolness. He apparently didn’t even bother to tell Woods that his point against Yang sealed up the U.S. victory.  Details, don’t sweat ‘em people.

Worst Captain: Tough call. No wait, I mean easiest call ever! While Norman gets points for the Ryo Ishikawa pick, he also built upon his reputation for monumental screw ups by picking Adam Scott who rewarded his confidence with a whopping (net) negative three points for the internationals.

However, Norman did show no hard feelings by posing for a post-match photo with Scott, seen in the arms of Norman’s daughter Morgan.  If nothing else, Scott beats Jordan for cutest mascot. Thank you Dena Davis for the tweet with this Kodak moment.

“The man” award: Who else but T. Woods. The putt on 17 on Saturday.  The twirl/walk & point on 18. The close out of the Prez Cup by putting a beat down on Y.E. Yang. Yes he is and forever shall be The Man.

See you in 2011!