I just got back from the Bridgestone, got to play the north course Saturday and had front row seats at 18. We were on the range Saturday morning watching Sean O'Hair, Justin Leonard, and Davis Love and out came Rory Sabattini. This guy came out strutting like a damn peacock just begging to be paid attention to. I thought, gee what an a**! However, we went to the Firestone party Saturday night at Hackers and Rory was there, along with Zach Johnson and Charles Howell. Boy did I change my opinion of Rory! What a nice guy! Talked with him for a little while and he is a genuinely nice guy. He found out we had just finished playing the north course and asked how we liked it and how we played. We spent about 15 min. just shooting the s@#$ and he had no airs, no arrogance, just drinking beer and hanging out with his girlfriend. Just goes to show you that first impressions can be wrong.

By the way, DAMN what a party that was! Bridgestone had all their equipment out to demo on the range. BTW, I hit the J38 line, hated the driver, loved the irons. The driver looks like a Taylor Made and didn't do anything for me. The irons are AAAMMMAAAZZZIIINNNGGG!

after watching rory's playing lesson i started to like him more also..glad to hear hes not as bad as this board would like to think

I think most people that have actually seen Rory off camera and not based their opinions on media clippings alone, would probably not be surprised by your story. I've written a couple of times about Rory at the presidents cup in montreal, he was very good with the fans and seemed like one of the most "real" guys out there

He was hanging out with his girlfriend? Damn, his wife is gonna be pissed!!

Yeah whenever hes been around the fans hes seemed pretty genuine. I actually kind of root for him now.

I've always liked Rory, have met him as well and he was extremely nice. He got kind of a bad wrap over the Tiger incident and then the Ben Crane thing...not condoning his actions but he seemed like a genuine guy to me.

wife, girlfriend, whatever she is... it was interesting watching her hitting balls on the driving range in knee high leather boots and a tight minidress!

I enjoy folks like Rory who speak their mind and give a genuine answer when asked a question. Everybody got on the 'hate' train because he publicly stated that he wanted to be the best player in the world. I don't see how there's anything wrong with that. As for the Ben Crane congressional incident, something tells me that a lot of guys in the locker room were applauding that move. The media roasted him for it, and a few players roasted him for it as well. But ... it goes without saying, a reminder from your peers every now and again probably goes farther than being put on the clock from the official.

There's a difference between a "reminder" from your peers and just being an absolute asshat to your peers. The message was correct, the method was incorrect.

-mini

For all we know, the other methods weren't getting through to Crane. Sometimes enough is enough.

I never really understood all the hate for the guy.

Me, too. I definitely had that same impression after watching the episode.

Then that's a problem with Crane and not a problem to be addressed in the manner Rory addressed it. I'm sure you heard the phrase "It's not what you say, it's how you say it"? It applies here.

If telling him "hey, you're pretty slow...can you pick it up a bit?" doesn't work, then you go to the official with your group and say "you need to watch him. If we get put on the clock, it's probably him that's the problem, so please keep that in mind." Let the rules penalize him for being that far behind.

-mini

Rory is a good guy. A bit brash, but enjoyable to be around for the most part.

It's funny to me that so many still bring up the Crane incident. That's a perfect example of the media skewing your perception of a guy.

No one talks about the fact that Rory and Crane lived within a few blocks of eachother at the time and were and are still socialable. Of course, that's probably because the media doesn't report of that kind of stuff.

The two of them let it go, but it seems to many others can't.

I saw Rory at the PGA, and me and my buddy were definitely impressed. Immediately after finishing his practice round on Tuesday, he went over to the fence and signed EVERY autograph that was asked for by the kids. He was very polite and took his time, mingling with the kids and the adults in the process. Before this experience, I'd say my perception of him was much like some people on this board. However, because he treated those kids so well and took the time to thank the fans, he's someone I'll be pulling for. Just goes to show that once again that old saying about books and covers is as true as ever...

I don't believe the rules allow for a single player to be penalized when the group is put on the clock, which they were in that situtation.