It was just a few months ago that Rory Sabbatini put his foot in his mouth claiming Tiger Woods was "as beatable as ever."

Well Rory has found a way to get on Tiger Woods's last nerve yet again. How'd he do it? By skipping out on the last round of the Target World Challenge citing "personal reasons" at first, a story which his agent has now changed to "shin splints." Sabbatini was in last place going into the final round of the tournament after rounds of 81 and 76, but packed up his locker yesterday. Sabbatini will still collect his $160,000 last place check despite not finishing the tournament. When asked about the situation, Tiger Woods said, "A lot of different things going on, and I'd like to try and get to the bottom of it when I'm done here, and we'll see what happens." Regardless of what his reasons might have been, Sabbatini's move was questioned by many players in the field, Mark Calcavecchia said, "I think I could have toughed it out one more round. I don't think the fans missed him."<!--more-->

Bud Martin, Sabbatini's agent told the media, "He had shin splints that were bothering him yesterday. He went home overnight and worked on them with his trainer, and they weren't getting any better. He said he wasn't going to risk it." Fred Couples in particular was especially critical of Sabbatini. When told about his withdrawal, Couples likened the story to Roger Clemens's denial of the accusations in the Mitchell Report and said, "He should give [his check] back to the foundation."

Sabbatini has an uncanny knack for doing or saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Looming like a dark cloud over his four PGA Tour victories, Sabbatini's actions have a rather distasteful history. When the name Sabbatini comes to mind, it is linked to the memory of him storming off the 17th green while Ben Crane had not yet even hit his approach at the 2005 Booze Allen Classic. Despite the harsh criticism he drew from that incident, Rory continued to protest, utilizing his wife who would occasionally don a shirt with "Keep Up" in bold lettering. Sabbatini reasoned the protest saying, "There are some players who could certainly use some help with their pace of play." However, there surely are more tactful and civil ways to express the same message.

Yet, that has never quite been Sabbatini's style. Earlier this year he ignited a storm of controversy by calling Tiger Woods "the most beatable he's ever been," at the Wachovia Championship. Woods went on to beat Sabbatini at the Wachovia and again at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational. Whether Sabbatini makes these comments out of frustration, or simply to seek a reaction, his antics are increasingly non-professional considering his inability to back up his brash statements.

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on Pardon the Interruption they said that Rory took off early to start his family vacation in Hawai - no mention of 'shin splints' !!!

As much as I like and respect Tony and Mike (read their columns and watch PTI every day) they know nothing about golf.

He's busy cursing out some random people who told him he's beatable.

Oh well its certainly a roller coaster with Rory. He looked like he was on the improve and got a fair amount of favourable comment for being a team player at the Presidents.

He was even funny and laughing at himself at the NGC in South Africa in November/ December. In an interview when asked what his great achievements for the year had been, he said it was to "inspire Tiger to play better". Was pretty funny at the time. He played pretty well but came unstuck in one of the early rounds when a ball bounced backwards out of the bunker and struck him for a two stroke penalty just when he was building momentum. To his credit he kept playing and crept steadily up the leaderboard to mid-field from last by the end of the tourney. Didnt look like a quiters approach to me.

Then the Target saga to come crashing down again, which was so much at odds with the way he fought it out at the HGC just a few weeks earlier

I just can't wait for the day when he completely loses it on live TV... mark my words, it's going to happen someday.

Speaking of people shooting off at the mouth. Where did Jason Day end up this week in the Sony Open? Wasn't he going to dethrone Tiger? I might try making the cut in an event before I call out Tiger.

I'm uncertain as to the reason for this post ........if it was already an article on Golf Wrx, why post it as a thread? Was its posting intended to simply serve as a platform for criticism of Sabatini? Not sure I understand the merit(s) of this.

We import all articles from Bag Chatter as well as other golf news outlets (Sir Shanks alot, Sand Trap, etc.). It gives people a chance to comment and discuss things beyond just leaving a comment in the original article.

Case in point- the Mizuno driver review just posted by DRGJR72. No comments on the original article, but twelve on the imported post:
http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=134030


Hope that helps.

Well he had to one up rory by talking ever MORE trash. lol Can you beleive he bragged about being ahead of where Tiger was because he won on tour already?? I do NOT recall Tiger playing a Nike Tour(which is what it was called) Event at all. Im PRETTy sure he went straight to the bigs, so to speak. I respect the Nationwide Tour boys but there must be SOME difference between the Nationwide and the Big Show.

I would completely been open to all days trash talk if he had DOMINATED the Nationwide Tour. He wasnt even #1 on the Nationwide money list. Had he dominated it Tiger-like, then I would definitely listen to everything he has to say. Im a fan of trash talk, but only when it's backed up.

As for rory, im sure he's in hawaii surfing away his shin splints!

That's gotta be it. lol.

Trash talking is usually respected by people who can talk the trash...but if you are talking trash to a dominant player...AKA...Tiger, or the Patriots....as they seem to be the only two organizations that are dominating at this time.......then you better be able to back it up...that is the bottom line....if you cannot....better keep you mouth shut or you are going to get your rear handed to you...if you want to talk some trash then be prepared to reap the whirlwind and hope that you can keep up and compete......

DG

While not an avid fan of Sabatini, I would charaterize 5 top ten in his last 7 tournaments as "walking the walk." As for his decision to withdraw from TigerFest 07 .... sorry the Target, that is quite simply his prerogative.

I havent even paid attention to his full record for the year, I didnt realize he was reasonably consistent. I know it is VERY embarassing for a Tour Pro to shoot 80 in ANY tournament, but to just leave and not man up to ride it out?? That part was pretty weak. It would take character to ride it out after that really crappy round. I guess their used to being cut after a round like that, so this was not a typical week......

It was a bit odd, he had been good in December at the NGC in South Africa where he shot a last place 76 on the first day with a two stroke penalty for hitting himself with his own ball in a bunker, but fought back for three days to 5th place

If nothing else he brings something different to the game (what will Rory do next?). On Sunday he has a chance to come from 6 shots behind if Choi falters. Now is his chance to let his clubs do the talking.

Say what you will about the guy, but two things are irrefutable:

1. He does not give a damn what anyone thinks.

2. He has SERIOUS game and is clearly a fighter on the course. He could be a world top 5 soon IMO.

Tim

What does Xenophobic mean??




He nearly got there and the only real challenger on the day, and in tough conditions. Oh no Choi with at least one Ignite in his bag (Rorys old sticks) and Rory with a3's- they must be cheating? What happened to Badds with the much lusted after Pro-M's maybe he needs some GI assistance and Tommy Two Gloves with his Callys? Are they letting the Adams team town by sticking with inferior or outdated equipment?

LOL.... Just joking, but interesting to see Rory start OK after all the bashing he was getting and Adams for signing him. Funny enough I didnt like him much, but sort of started siding with him after all the bashing he gets on here-- if I don't watch out I will be switching to Nike clubs soon as well

The "younger" John McEnroe of golf?

A good analogy, he did loose it for a while when he hooked one off the tee into the trees, he was storming around and throwing barrier tape out of the way, but next hole he belted a great drive and birdied like nothing had happened

Golf is an Arena where by Television gives us the opportunity to watch the blow by blow account of our favorite players . Like Tele SOAP series golf too has its share or heroes and villains . One particular PGA player steps up to the Number 1 Villain role to a tee and that is RORY Sabatini . He give golf that added drama by portraying his villain role to the fullest . I wont be suprised if he get nominated in the Emmys for best supporting .

He finished solo 2nd yesterday, so he's off to a good start. I also can see him top 5 in the world. He may talk too much, but he's entertaining and quite talented. He can at least vary the trajectory of his driver a ton. He generally favors a low bullet, but he took one off at like a 14 degree launch yeasterday for a 286 yard carry. The drive went about as far as his much lower one the day before, but rolled much less and stayed in the fairway. He's got some ability.

rory works the ball so well with those game improvement clubs its impossible to say you cant work gi clubs. and he was getting like 8 degrees of launch sometimes less on his drives and he did get a couple of good ones up around 13 or 14 degrees. he really knows how to handle his driver. i want to say it was a LOW drawing 7 iron i mean that thing was low low low. if you didnt see that shot you were missing out because it was beautiful. i talked to an adams golf rep and he said they do make a 5 iron instead of a 5 hybrid but thats it no 4 iron instead of 4 hybrid... i was kind of upset at hearing that. im only 21 and i love the look of adams golf clubs... the new driver 3 wood and hybrid look great. im going to get those if they perform good enough for me. and im sure they will. rory is my favorite player by far he is just an amazing player he is one of the best out there right now. he sure does have a personality though which has nothing to do with why i like him. i like him because when they show him hitting a shot you have no idea what shot it will be because he works the ball and can play any shot in the bag no problem. GO RORY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de6V90jT4SQ


All meant in jest ofcourse, my best friend is South African and is as nice as can be. Not so sure about her mother though!

Not a fan of Rory though, needs to learn to keep his mouth shut, or back it up with actions.