The Official Golf Thread

[Orior]

Well done Zachary. I was glad Spieth did not win - McIlroy is still the king (for a few weeks anyway)

I was rooting for Oustie in the play-off. Is it him or the other boy that likes to buy tractors?

[Boycey]

I was very disappointed when he won the Masters to find out he was a born again Christian.

What a strange thing to be disappointed about

Is it? Around here you can be a hero or a zero depending on what jersey you wear, what flag you bow to or even whether you have curly hair or not so I'll reserve my right not to like born again Christians, nauseating bunch..

[deiseach]

Supporting an individual is an odd thing. How many of us suddenly found we were fans of a player we never heard of a week ago? Each to their own.

[Boycey]

Supporting an individual is an odd thing. How many of us suddenly found we were fans of a player we never heard of a week ago? Each to their own.

Its the very essence of watching sport, I'd safely say I've never looked at any sporting event for more than a couple of minutes that I've not picked somebody or other to root for often for the most tenuous of reasons. I was even watching University Challenge recently and some guy was wearing a dickie bow that offended my tastes so I promptly laid my allegiance with the other lot 

[Tony Baloney]

Supporting an individual is an odd thing. How many of us suddenly found we were fans of a player we never heard of a week ago? Each to their own.

I would suspect you are in the tiny minority on this one. Take tennis for example; the vast majority of people will surely back individuals based on nationality, looks, whether they grunt or not, if they are nasty or nice to the officials etc.

My personal preferences are the best looking lady tennis player (grunting optional) and whoever is playing against Andy Murray.

[deiseach]

Supporting an individual is an odd thing. How many of us suddenly found we were fans of a player we never heard of a week ago? Each to their own.

I would suspect you are in the tiny minority on this one. Take tennis for example; the vast majority of people will surely back individuals based on nationality, looks, whether they grunt or not, if they are nasty or nice to the officials etc.

My personal preferences are the best looking lady tennis player (grunting optional) and whoever is playing against Andy Murray.

My original post was clearly confusing. I meant that people will support individuals for all manner of reasons. I can't think of any one reason that is virtuous - I can't stand Sharapova over the grunting, but there's plenty of them at it so I'm not sure why she gets on my nerves to the degree she does - so if someone takes umbrage at a sportsman/woman because they are a born-again Christian, it's not for others to find that unacceptable.

[deiseach]

Oh, and I've come to like Andy Murray over the years. He looked for a long time like he was destined to be the fourth best player in a three player era. Yet he kept at it, and got his reward. Good for him. And I thought all that before this:

[Hardy]

Didn't see the interviews did Zach thank God? I was very disappointed when he won the Masters to find out he was a born again Christian. There are few people that annoy me more.. Other than that he seems a nice chappie

I thought he was a big God squad member like Bubba but he was grand, not sure he did mention God.

Think he did right at the very end of his speech.

He definitely bigged up the whole God thing when he won the Masters. Made me wonder if he won and another bible basher say Bernhard Langer was 2nd would it mean that God loved him that little bit more?

If the credit goes to God when he wins, does he say "I'da dunnit only for that louser, God," when he loses?

[deiseach]

NFL Star Thanks Jesus After Successful Double Homicide

CHARLESTON, SC–Washington Redskins defensive end D'Aundré Banks gave "all thanks and praise to my personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" Monday for giving him the strength he needed to fatally stab bouncer Isaac Edmonds and ex-girlfriend Pamela Hamilton outside a Charleston nightclub early Sunday morning.

"All glory to Jesus," the 25-year-old Banks, who attended the University of South Carolina, told reporters from his cell in the Charleston County Jail. "He is with me in this dark hour, as He was in our devastating 14-13 playoff loss to the Buccaneers. His love will see me through this."

According to police reports, at approximately 2:30 a.m., a visibly intoxicated Banks became involved in an altercation with Edmonds regarding who would accompany Hamilton home. When Edmonds attempted to restrain Banks, the 288-pound devout Christian produced a knife and stabbed Edmonds and Hamilton repeatedly. He then fled to the home of girlfriend and Hooters waitress Lisa Nolan in nearby Summerville, where police arrested him several hours later.

"First off, I'd like to say 'great job' to Isaac and Pamela, who put up a heck of a fight and have nothing to be ashamed of," Banks said. "They were terrific opponents, and it's too bad somebody had to lose a life. But the Lord Jesus Christ was truly with me Saturday night. He guided my hand when I was able to make that big hit on Isaac, and I really felt His presence when I stepped up and made that great slashing cut to bring Pamela down from behind."

Added Banks: "Jesus really let me take this homicide to the next level. Thank you, Jesus!"

Banks, who has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, has been a devout born-again Christian ever since his hot-tub baptism at the hands of Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver and ordained minister Irving Fryar during Pro Bowl week in 1997.

"I was a mess before Jesus took my hand," Banks said. "At South Carolina, I'd show up late to practice, stay out late running around with the wrong crowd, all kinds of bad things. I was about to squander the precious gift of football God blessed me with. But through His grace, I was drafted in the fourth round and sent to the NFL to meet Rev. Fryar, who showed me that Jesus wanted me to glorify Him and play on His team."

Continued Banks: "D'Aundré Banks' life would be nothing without Christ's faith. Without His peace and love, D'Aundré Banks never would have gotten his time in the 40 down to 4.6 for the 1995 NFL scouting combines, and he never would have had the strength to turn a big guy like Isaac Edmonds around with just one arm and stab him."

Jeff Rosenzweig, Banks' Miami-based agent and manager, said his client has been unfairly represented by the media in its coverage of the double homicide.

"All the papers are branding D'Aundré a murderer, as if that's all there is to him," Rosenzweig said. "But in their mad rush to demonize D'Aundré, they neglect to mention his deep dedication to the D'Aundré Banks Helps Kids Tackle Drugs For A Loss Foundation and the Big 98 Safety In The End Zone Safe House For Women. Or, for that matter, that he acknowledges the workings of Christ in his everyday life. No, you don't see any of those things mentioned in the articles about him. It's all 'homicide this' and 'seven-inch stab wound that.'"

Banks, whose preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 22 in Charleston County Court, said his fate is in Christ's hands.

"I don't know what will happen to me. That's up to the Lord," Banks said. "The Bible tells us that nothing is done on this Earth but that is done through God. No multimillion-dollar contract extension, no game-saving interception, no acquittal on both counts of first-degree murder happens without Him."

[heganboy]

here's the interview that ZJ gave after his win to ESPN, before the presentation ceremony. He's very emotional, but makes no bones about his faith:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:13290083

[laoislad]

Sure our own Katie Taylor is as bad,but it wouldn't stop me wanting her to win.

[Applesisapples]

What overkill on Peter Alliss' quip about Jackson's wife wanting a new kitchen, it was a humorous aside people need to cop on.

[laoislad]

Alliss needs to be put out to pasture.
Can't stand listening to the cnut to be honest.

[Boycey]

Sure our own Katie Taylor is as bad,but it wouldn't stop me wanting her to win.

In that case her Irishness trumps her faith (and her monotone accent)

[gallsman]

What overkill on Peter Alliss' quip about Jackson's wife wanting a new kitchen, it was a humorous aside people need to cop on.

No, it's absolutely right that he's getting slated for it. I think I recall comments about Harrington being likely to fill trophies with stout that I found in no way humorous at all.