golfrewind.com

Favorites:

Paul Goydos: journeyman golfer who's there year in and year out. After he won the Sony the interviewer was saying how "courageous" he was, and how he "hung in there" on the back nine. Goydos brushed it off and said he did nothing courageous. "This is how I make my living. I don't know how to do anything else." Refreshing.
Camillo Villegas: like his swing
Tiger Woods: hits shots like no other

Least Favorites:

Tiger Woods: I don't think he's human. He combines the best of talents (great ball striking and the best mental game). When he's in the field, it's almost a given he'll win. It gets, well, kind of boring. But (though this is not his fault), when he hits a bad shot some commentator is always making an excuse for him. Jim Nance during Wachovia: "Oh, his grips must be slippery," when he hit one poorly.
Phil Mickelson: Don't like his course management. Could have won a lot more tournaments. If his goal is to play aggressively he's surpassed it. If his goal is to win as many tournaments as possible, than he needs to play less aggressively. Pick one, Phil, and stick with it.
John Daly: A tremendous amount of talent and natural ability that he is letting go to waste. I cheer for him, and I think he could have surpassed Tiger. Tiger once said in an interview that Daly had more natural ability than anyone on the PGA Tour, including Tiger. Too bad.

Favorites:

1. Fred Couples -- always liked this guy, a real class act w/ a smooth swing
2. Ernie Els -- seems like a genuinely nice guy w/ a sense of humor
3. Tiger Woods -- you have to respect greatness, a competitive drive that only very few could match

Least Favorites:

1. Vijay Singh -- don't know why, he's got an unbelievable work ethic......but c'mon, if you spend that much time hitting balls you should be able to wear a blindfold around the course
2. Sergio Garcia -- think this one is b/c it doesn't seem like he's ever lived up to the hype of being "Tiger's Rival", not that anyone really has
3. the asian guy that wears that stupid hat, nothing against him, just the hat

Congrats Ladyppro on mentioning Barbara Nicklaus. She is a really special person and I'll always treasure the get-well note she sent me from Florida during my brush with cancer. I brought it with me as a talisman right through the radiation therapy and it's side effects.

I had the opposite experience with Tiger atnd Phil and last year's 'bonding' session at the K Club. Phil spent ages with the fans, I even had a 4-5 min conversation with him reminding him of his Walker Cup at Portmarnock (where I first met him) as well as his first attempt to qualify for the Brritish Open during his first Pro season. We had a good laugh together.
Tiger just pranced off, there was NO excuse; he had no playing partners to take care of. It really riled me as I wanted his signature on my Oakland Hills admission badge for the day Pawd and Paul beat himself and Phil.

To give my current3 faves:
Padraig Harrington (biased here; he's also a friend as are his family)
Sergio Garcia (his father Victor as well who occasionally plays Seniors golf) He's aquaintance; but I have to be careful where we say "Hello". He gave me such a big tight hug at Oakland Hills Ryder Cup that my arm was bruised for well over a week. The barrier

There's a very tight bunch in joint third. Hard to separate friendship from golfing; who I follow will depend on the timings, playing partners and who I've been watching the least and need to support again.
Christian Cevaer, John Bickerton, Sandy Lyle. If I include US players when they are here then Jim Furyk, Phil Mick and one of my newest aquaintances Brett Wetternick.

Least fave Still top of my leaderbaord in that category is

Nick Faldo (I'm almost neutral for the Valhalla Ryder Cup purely because he's captaining)
Tiger Woods (see above)
Darren Clarke

Jack doesn't feature only because he's stopped playing. I'm overawed by the guy and when he recognises me when he's playing or walking around WOW!! Even though he's been doing so since the 70's it still has that knee-weakening effect.
Peter Alliss would feature ahead of Jack because I met him first. 50 years ago June 6th (next month) I always felt that if Pete had stronger oppoition in Britain and Ireland, and better putting he could really have given Jack better games.
As for Gary and Arnie .. again I'm proud to have met them on several occasions. Gary has been known to make short detours to say Hi with the standard knee-weakening effect.

Just writing this has cheered me up as I realise that despite my illness I'm still one of the world's luckiest people. So many heroes are aquaintances, if not friends and as for Mr. Alliss we've become so close he's my honorary brother. And to think my BIG ambition 50years ago was just to have his autograph

I owe so many in the game really big time for loads of friendship and support

Favourites:

#1 - Mike Weir - My Canadian Idol :). I love everything about his game and how he conducts himself on the golf course. He's my idol.
#2 - Tiger Woods - Another guy who I absolutely have the up-most respect for especially how he conducts himself under the constant eye of the public. This guy is better then any golf ever has and ever will be.
#3 - Sergio Garcia - The guy is cocky, arrogant and has his head up his ***. But he's a lot of fun to watch.

Least Favourites:

#1 - Phil Mickelson - I have a lot of respect for how he signs autographs for the fans and the constant smile. However I think in the past he's been lazy, far to lazy for someone with his talent. But who am I to judge?
#2 - John Daly - He's a bum. What more can I say?
#3 - Rory Sabatini - I hate this guys attitude. Respect his golf game though.

I think that 's a little harsh, yeah he can't handle money and fame. Not everyone is cut out for it, I know I would probably go down the exact same road if it was me. But come on he has won Two Majors. You don't have to like him but I can name 500 pro golfer who have never won a major that I would not call names.

Favorites.
Tiger: You never know when he may it a shot that you have never seen before.
Fred Funk: Shows you don't need to bomb it to be successful
Goose: Such effortless power.

Least.
Vijay: No idea why, just don't like how he carries himself on the course
Sergio: Hate watching him putt, fills your head with bad images
Daly: What a waste of natural ability

Favorites
Phil Mickleson, Freddy Funk, Joey Sindilar

Least Favorites
Sabitini, "Sparky" Goosen, Tiger Woods

No Favorites: There are just too many nice and talented Pros on the Tour.

Least Favorite: Without Question; Tiger Woods. Personality of a "Wet Mop".