News
What should Tiger, Rory and Fallon talk about?
As you may have heard, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will be appearing together on the August 18 episode of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
Many elements here are familiar: Woods and McIlroy have interviewed together before and both guest-starred on Fallon’s late night show in the past (Woods in 2011, McIlroy in 2012).
But this appearance remains a first. It’s the duo’s initial joint interview on Fallon, or any comedy show for that matter, which raises the question: What should we expect from this talk?
All three men love some degree of back and forth. And it doesn’t take long for it to get vulgar. If Fallon comes out firing, the discussion will be quite entertaining real quick.
In that vein, we look into the topics Fallon could bring up to incite relentless teasing. Fallon also loves to play games with his celebrity guests, with some contests related to the star’s talent while others are more tangential. This portion of the show could also be a goldmine of laughter with the Woods/McIlroy duo at hand.
Maybe our ideas aren’t what Jimmy has in mind, but they create the best opportunity for a hilarious sit down with golf’s two leading figures.
Without further ado, here they are:
Remind Rory that he’s still short of Tiger’s pace
McIlroy has been far and away the world’s best golfer since May and appears to be the game’s next “great.” Yet even his four major championships at age 25 falls below Woods, who held six such titles at the same point.
In other words, Fallon can say, “Rory, according to this comparison, you’re just not very good at golf. Sorry buddy.” Woods, ever the trash talker, is pretty much guaranteed to pile on, and McIlroy can fire right back.
This could really get the teasing juices flowing early.
Point to Rory’s engagement break off as it pertains to Tiger
If you don’t think Fallon would go here, remember that he openly addressed Woods’ scandal in their previous interview and mockingly thanked Tiger for all of the comedy his embarrassment and pain engendered.
Fallon could go a couple different ways here. Maybe the host suggests that McIlroy’s decision to end his engagement could have served as a blueprint for Woods—whose marital troubles were plenty public. Or possibly just a snide remark could do the trick, something along the lines of “Man, Rory you dodged a bullet. Am I right, Tiger?”
This may be an awkward discussion point, but awkwardness can greatly aid comedy. This would be a prime example of that concept.
Offer Rory and Tiger an additional “PGA Championship superlative”
Earlier this week Fallon did a bit called “Tonight Show Superlatives: 2014 PGA Championship,” where the host brought up professional golfers’ official PGA Tour photos and gave the players intentionally ridiculous “Most likely to…” tags.
It was some hilarious material that didn’t spare Woods or McIlroy, nailed Chesson Hadley and absolutely annihilated Kevin Stadler (joining those USGA bullies in picking on Stads’ weight).
So, why not give the Woods and McIlroy another “superlative”? People loved this gag, and there’s the added element of the subjects being at hand to offer live reactions.
This stuff pretty much writes itself.
Show the duo a compilation of their 2014 highlights, omitting Tiger
A mean-spirited ploy for sure, but evidence already suggests that such a tactic yields great laughs.
The way I see it, begin the video with Rory’s best on-course moments of the year, make it clear that you are about to transition to Tiger, and at that moment, abruptly cut the video.
That should lead to maximum laughter and a way by which McIlroy can goad on Woods.
Delve into the age and health gap between Tiger and Rory
Obviously Woods has struggled massively with injuries, and he’s getting to the age where golfers tend to start a steep decline. Rory, on the other hand, is young, spry and not hampered by significant physical ailments.
In this way, Fallon could poke fun at Woods for being a battered old man next to his robust and intact contemporary. Maybe McIlroy chimes in too, but whatever the case, this is an additional chance for some quality gut-busting.
Compare Tiger’s recent withdrawals to Rory’s history in this department
This is a way to use something currently relevant to point back to McIlroy’s “toothache” episode at the Honda Classic in 2013.
There’s no shortage of potential verbal sparring on this topic. Considering the extensive wit Fallon has employed throughout his career, he can certainly supply an array of jokes at a golfer quitting mid-tournament due to “wisdom teeth pain.”
Celebrity games:
Tiger Woods video game
OK, not incredibly creative, but the precedent is too strong here to delve on that point. Woods has competed in his own video game against Fallon twice on TV now, and both occasions proved quite entertaining.
There was the first time when Fallon won and gave us some television gold with him demonstrably celebrating his triumph. On the rematch, Woods won, but only because Fallon was hilariously awful, which was no less entertaining.
We’re two-for-two here then. A third installment should produce similar comedy.
Imitating other professional golfers
Athletes impersonating their peers is a very bankable comedic concept, as fans are more than eager to see these sportsmen unleash their personality.
So let’s give Woods and McIlroy a chance to show off their chops in this area. There’s no dearth of heckling between players in the professional golfing ranks, which means the duo must have some sort of practice in impressions of their fellow competitors.
The potential names that top the list here are Keegan Bradley and Jason Dufner, but any number of names could be the target of a fantastic imitation.
Lip-Synching Contest
Fallon has frequently carried out lip-synching contests with his guests. Maybe Tiger and Rory join that group?
If you’re looking for the most ideal songs for entertainment purposes here, there are plenty of options. Among the ones that come to mind for me are Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” (Adele’s music helped McIlroy during his triumph at the 2011 U.S. Open) and Boyz II Men’s “I’ll Make Love to You” (Already been done in a Fallon lip-synch off but Boyz II Men is one of Woods’ favorite groups). Hootie and the Blowfish played at Woods’ wedding, and John Daly has performed with them. Their single “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” (with Daly if possible) would fit in well. Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” would be intriguing as well, for obvious reasons.
And of course we have to ponder what it would be like for Woods and McIlroy to sing either of The Golf Boys’ musical masterpieces. In a word, epic.
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News
Four books for a springtime review
One thing that never changes over time: snowy evenings give purpose to reading (is it the other way around?) It has been a snowy 2024 in western New York, and I’ve had ample time to tuck into an easy chair with a blanket, coffee, and a book. You’re in luck, because despite the title of this piece, I’ll share five books and their worth with you.
There is great breadth of subject matter from one to five. Golf is as complicated as life, which means that the cover of the book isn’t worth judging. The contents begin the tale, but there is so much more to each topic presented within. If you’re like me, your library grows each year. Despite the value of the virtual, the paper-printed word connects us to the past of golf and humanity. Here’s hoping that you’ll add one or more of these titles to your collection.
Hughes Norton interviewed with Mark McCormack for 20 minutes (30 if you count the missed exit at Logan International) while driving the founder of IMG from Harvard to the airport. The lesson of taking advantage of each moment, of every dollar, because you might not get another opportunity, is the most valuable one that life offers. I say to you, be certain to read this book, because another opportunity to bend the ear of Hughes Norton may not come our way.
Hughes Norton was with Tiger Woods for waaayyy fewer years than you might guess, but they were the critical ones. Be warned: not all of the revelations in this tome are for the faint of heart. Some, in fact, will break your heart. Golf was a sleepy hamlet in the 1990s, until the 16-lane interstate called Eldrick “Tiger” Woods came into town. Everything changed, which meant that everything would change again and again, into eternity. Once the ball starts rolling, it’s impossible to stop.
My favorite aspect of this book is its candor. Hughes Norton is well into his time on Planet Earth. He has no reason to hold back, and he doesn’t. My least favorite aspect is that George Peper got the call to co-author the book (and I didn’t.) Seriously, there is no LFA for me, so this is the best that I could do.
Decision: Buy It!
The Golf Courses of Seth Raynor
Michael Wolf, James Sitar, and Jon Cavalier, in abject partnership, collaborated to produce a handsome volume on the work of gone-too-soon, engineer-turned-golf course architect. Seth Raynor was pulled into the game by Charles Blair MacDonald, the crusty godfather of American golf. Raynor played little golf across the 51 years of his life. His reason? He did not wish to corrupt his designs with the demands and failings of his own game.
Jon Cavalier began his photography career as a contributor to the Golf Club Atlas discussion group. I met him there in a virtual way (we still have yet to shake hands) and have exchanged numerous emails over the years. Despite the demands of his day job, Cavalier has blossomed into the most traveled and prolific course photographer alive today. His photography, both hand-held and drone, makes the pages pop. Michael Wolf invited me and two friends to play his home course, despite having never met any of us in person. His words, melded to those of James Sitar, are the glue that connect Cavalier’s photos.
My favorite aspect of the books is the access it gives to the private-club world of Raynor. Fewer than five of his courses are resort or public access, and knowing people on the inside is not available to all. My suggestion? Write a letter/email and see if a club will let you play. Can’t hurt to try! My one complaint about the book is its horizontal nature. Golf is wide, but I like a little vertical in my photos. It’s not much of a complaint, given the glorious contents within the covers.
Decision: Buy It!!
Big Green Book from The Golfer’s Journal
Beginning with its (over)size, and continuing through the entire contents, there is no descriptor that defines the genre of the Big Green Book. It is photography, essay, layout, poetry, graphics, and stream of consciousness. It harnesses the creative power of a lengthy masthead of today’s finest golf contributors. Quotes from Harvey Penick, verse from Billy Collins, and prose from John Updike partner with images pure and altered, to immerse you in the diverse golf spaces that define this planet.
One of my favorite aspects is the spaces between the words and photos. Have your friends and others write a few notes to you in those blank areas, to personalize your volume even more. One aspect that needs improvement: the lack of female voices. I suspect that will be remedied in future volumes.
Decision: Buy It!!!
Troublemaker and The Unplayable Lie
Books that allege discrimination and mistreatment check two boxes: potentially-salacious reads and debate over whose perspective is accurate. In the end, the presentation of salacious revelation rarely meets the expectation, and the debate over fault is seldom resolved. Lisa Cornwell spent years as a competitive junior and college golfer, before joining The Golf Channel as a reporter and program host.
Despite the dream assignments, there were clouds that covered the sun. Cornwell documents episodes of favoritism and descrimination against her, prior to her departure from The Golf Channel in 2021. Her work echoes the production of the late Marcia Chambers, who wrote for Golf Digest in the 1980s and 1990s. Chambers took issue with many of the potential and real legal issues surrounding golf and its policies of access/no access. Her research culminated in The Unplayable Lie, the first work of its kind to address issues confronted by all genders and ethnicities, and immediately predated the professional debut of Tiger Woods in 1997.
My favorite aspects of the two works, are the courage and conviction that it took to write them, and believe in them. My least favorite aspects are the consistent bias that many groups continue to face. Without awareness, there is no action. Without action, there is no change.
Decision: Buy Them!!!!
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
GolfWRX is on site in the Lone Star State this week for the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
General galleries from the putting green and range, WITBs — including Thorbjorn Olesen and Zac Blair — and several pull-out albums await.
As always, we’ll continue to update as more photos flow in. Check out links to all our photos from Houston below.
General Albums
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Monday #1
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Monday #2
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Tuesday #2
- 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Thorbjorn Olesen – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Ben Silverman – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Jesse Droemer – SoTX PGA Section POY – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- David Lipsky – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Martin Trainer – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Zac Blair – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Jacob Bridgeman – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Trace Crowe – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Daniel Berger – WITB(very mini) – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Chesson Hadley – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Callum McNeill – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Rhein Gibson – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Patrick Fishburn – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Peter Malnati – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Raul Pereda – WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Gary Woodland WITB (New driver, iron shafts) – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Padraig Harrington WITB – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
Pullout Albums
- Tom Hoge’s custom Cameron – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Cameron putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Piretti putters – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Ping putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Kevin Dougherty’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Bettinardi putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Cameron putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Erik Barnes testing an all-black Axis1 putter – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
- Tony Finau’s new driver shaft – 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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nikkyd
Aug 18, 2014 at 2:07 pm
All i know is….jimmy fallon is a great entertainer /singer/guitarist…..but is not a good nightshow host. Imho
Kevin Casey
Aug 18, 2014 at 2:23 pm
I’ve never been a big Fallon fan, but he’s pleasantly surprised me as a Tonight Show host. He’s been better than I thought, although it definitely helps that Lorne Michaels is his EP. Just my opinion though.
Out of curiosity who would your ideal Tonight Show host be at the moment? Do you wish they had let Conan had his own long run or is there someone else you have in mind?
josh
Aug 18, 2014 at 2:00 pm
Talk to tiger about taking a 15 year break to heal up then start the champions tour
Kevin Casey
Aug 18, 2014 at 2:19 pm
I like that line of thinking. Kind of goes with what I said about delving into the age and health gap between Rory and Tiger. Any old jokes Fallon can throw at Tiger (and for Rory to pile in on potentially) are worthwhile in my opinion.
Mark
Aug 18, 2014 at 5:53 am
To Tiger: who’s career go down hill quicker yours or Lindsay’s ?
To Rory: Was Caroline trying to smash & grab your recent Nike deal ?
Desmond
Aug 17, 2014 at 3:49 pm
Both should discuss blondes who follow them on the course… and how they should avoid them.
HackerDav31
Aug 17, 2014 at 2:12 pm
This is great for golf… regardless of the topics at hand…
Chris
Aug 17, 2014 at 11:53 am
Rory to Tiger – Dawg, Dump the Man Bag Swing
Pingback: What should Tiger, Rory and Fallon talk about? | Spacetimeandi.com
Nath
Aug 16, 2014 at 10:04 pm
Ahh, I wonder if they will talk about a nike equipment release. Seeing Nike website has “08/18/14 THERE’S ALLWAYS BETTER” . Hmm coincidence maybe, maybe not
bradford
Aug 18, 2014 at 7:46 am
Not seeing this on Nike’s site?
Inthejonzone
Aug 18, 2014 at 1:14 pm
Look at “the oven”
bradford
Aug 18, 2014 at 1:23 pm
Yup, and thanks–now I’m hooked on trying to figure out what they’re holding out on. I guess we’ll know in a bit.
rgb
Aug 18, 2014 at 10:40 pm
Perhaps its
Nike Golf Unveils Vapor Iron Franchise: The Iron Reimagined
Insights from Nike Golf athletes inspire engineering and design for perfected precision and power.
http://nikeinc.com/nike-golf/news/nike-golf-unveils-vapor-iron-franchise-the-iron-reimagined
rgb
Aug 18, 2014 at 10:41 pm
The Vapor irons will be available on nike.com and at select retailers Oct. 31.
Vapor Pro Irons
Specifications: 3-PW, True Temper Dynamic Gold X/S/R (RH/LH);
MSRP: $1199.99 3-PW Steel
Vapor Pro Combo Irons
Specifications: 3-AW; True Temper DG Pro (RH/LH)
MSRP $1,319.99 4-AW Steel
Vapor Speed Irons
Specifications: 3-SW; True Temper Dynalite 105 Steel S/R (RH/LH); MRC Fubuki Z graphite S/R/A/W
MSRP: $959.99 4-AW Steel; $1079.99 4-AW Graphite; $944.99 5-PW Women’s