Tiger Woods pulls out of AT&T with elbow injury

Tiger Woods pulls out of AT&T with elbow injury











Eric Adelson June 19, 2013 3:00 PMYahoo Sports






View gallery.

Tiger Woods looks at his hand during the first round of the U.S. Open. (AP)For many months, the question about Tiger Woods has been: "Is he back?"



Now the question becomes something more concerning: "Is he healthy?"

After his worst major as a pro – an unsightly 13-over at the U.S. Open – Woods announced on his website that pain in his left elbow will cause him to miss the AT&T National in Washington D.C., a tournament he won last year.

"I was examined after I returned home from the U.S. Open," Woods said on his site, "and the doctors determined I have a left elbow strain."

Woods went on to say he expects to be ready for the British Open, which begins July 18.

"I have been advised to take a few weeks off, rest and undergo treatment," said Woods, who won't play again until the British Open. "I'll be ready to go for the British Open, and I'm looking forward to playing at Muirfield."

Woods appeared to be in pain on only his second shot at the U.S. Open, after pushing his first tee shot out to the right and trying to recover with an approach from thick rough. The pain seemed to get worse on the fifth hole when another recovery shot from the rough left him cringing and gripping his left wrist.

Woods admitted later in the tournament that he initially hurt his elbow at The Players in early May.

He has now struggled in two straight tournaments, including The Memorial, which he won last year. Woods is still the No. 1 player in the world, and has already been pegged as the favorite to win the British, yet this injury will stir questions about his ability to remain in top form – especially considering his history of knee injuries. Woods' last major victory came five years ago, at the U.S. Open, when he limped to victory on a torn left ACL. He needed significant time to recover from the ensuing reconstructive surgery.

Since then, Woods has been sidelined from tournaments for a variety of reasons, even as he's returned to the top ranking he held during the height of his career. He missed two majors in 2011, and had to pull out of The Players in both 2010 and 2011 – once for a neck injury, once for a leg injury.

Woods has recovered quickly from injuries in the past; he pulled out of the World Golf Classic-Cadillac Championship last year and then won the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks later.

He'll hope to have the same kind of comeback at the British Open, yet a third straight disappointing performance will fire up more questions about when Woods will be "back," as well as if.

Mark Sheftic balances U.S. Open service with preparations for the 46th PNC

Mark Sheftic balances U.S. Open service with preparations for the 46th PNC











PGA.COM June 21, 2013 1:39 PM

.

View gallery
After helping his home club, Merion Golf Club, play host the 113th U.S. Open, Mark Sheftic turns his …


By Bob Denney, The PGA of America

Nearly two weeks ago, as his "office" was being overrun by tents, scaffolding and grandstands, PGA teaching professional Mark Sheftic was interrupted by an early morning visitor at Merion Golf Club. The guy was lost and needed help finding the East Course.

"Oh, hi Tiger! No problem. I will lead you through to the right spot." Sheftic jumped into his car, parked on the West Course and the world's No. 1-ranked player followed in a black SUV to the clubhouse.

Fast forward to last Monday, and Sheftic arrived on the practice range at 4:30 a.m., trying to help maintenance crews sweep water that drenched the site of the 113th U.S. Open in Ardmore, Pa.

"I'm doing all that I can to make this week the best experience for the players in the Open," said Sheftic, a member of the Merion staff since 2008. "This is the U.S. Open, and my job is to make the club shine. I don't want to let anyone down."

Sheftic, 38, is more than a team player on a proud Merion staff. He also is one of the finest active Philadelphia PGA Section players entered in the 46th PGA Professional National Championship, June 23-26, in Sunriver, Ore. It will be Sheftic's first trip back to the Championship since 2011, when he missed the cut in Hershey, Pa., some two hours from his home in Blue Bell, Pa.

"When you compete closer to home, you often put too much pressure on yourself," said Sheftic, whoseNational Championship finishes include a runner-up in 2009 and third in 2010. What Sheftic also has been balancing is how to prepare this year for the Championship while a major championship visits his home course.

"I'm working the practice range for the week, and making sure that everyone is taken care of," says Sheftic. "If it means going out and driving the ball-picker, I will do that, too. I won't have the time you would expect to practice for our National Championship, but I have played my best when my expectations are low. It has helped me focus and to relax."

In addition to serving as a host to U.S. Open, Sheftic's focus over the past year has revolved around his family, particularly his infant daughter, Taylor, now 15 months. She recently underwent a third surgery for removal of a tumorous mass, which Sheftic termed "successful."


"It has all been very positive," says Sheftic. "My wife (Nicole) and I have been very blessed to live in the same area as a great hospital, CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia). They are the best in the world."

With the prospects of his daughter's recovery on the upswing, Sheftic, who is also father to a 4-year-old son, Tyler, can move on to carrying on his efforts to a trip to Sunriver in just over a week.

"It is fun for me to be at a National Championship, getting to make friends and to see some old friends," said Shetic, "It is like a reunion for me. The PGA of America has done a great job with the Championship. They treat us like a Tour player, and the overall experience is second to none. What I know is that I will not think too hard, and the one-shot-at-a-time formula has always been the best for me."

This year, entrants in the National Championship also have the opportunity to compete in two major "plums," should their performance go well in Sunriver -- a trip to a major and an overseas adventure. It is a combination of incentives that Sheftic knows well.

This year, the low 20 scorers in the National Championship will earn a berth in the 95th PGA Championship, Aug. 8-11, at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y. This also is a PGA Cup year, the "Ryder Cup for the club professional."

The highest 10 point-winners over a two-year period, including National Championships and performance in the PGA Championship, land a berth on the U.S. PGA Cup Team that will face Great Britain & Ireland, Sept. 20-22, at Slaley Hall in Northumberland, England.

The winner of the 2012 Pennsylvania State Open, Sheftic also was a member of the victorious 2009 and 2011 PGA Cup Teams. He earned the clinching point in 2009 for the U.S. in a 171/2 to 81/2 victory at The Carrick in Loch Lomond, Scotland.

"I have getting the word out about the PGA Cup to younger professionals, letting them know what lies ahead if they can keep their games together and play well at the National Championship," said Sheftic. "People have asked me what is the best tournament that I have played in my career. I don't hesitate when I say it is the PGA Cup.

"That experience blew me away. It is all about building relationships and networking with your fellow professionals. The camaraderie and lifelong friendships that came as a result of that experience were tremendous," said Sheftic. "It is much more than just playing the game."

The 46th PGA Professional National Championship is presented by Club Car, Mercedes-Benz and OMEGA. The Championship will be televised live, June 23-26, by GOLF CHANNEL.

Chip Sullivan buoyed by return to Sunriver

Chip Sullivan buoyed by return to Sunriver











PGA.COM June 21, 2013 3:35 PM

.

View gallery
Many times, Chip Sullivan relied on the help and advice of his late father-in-law and best friend Tom …



By John Kim, Coordinating Producer Chip Sullivan may be the PGA Director of Golf at Hanging Rock Golf Club in Salem, Virginia -- but some of his greatest and most significant life memories have occurred a continent away in Sunriver, Oregon. In 2001, Sunriver Resort hosted the PGA Professional National Championship, where Sullivanmissed earning by a single shot one of the coveted 20 spots in the PGA Championship reserved for PGA Professionals. In 2007, Sullivan enjoyed perhaps his finest golf moment -- and one of his greatest life moments -- when he won a runaway victory at the same event when it returned to the Central Oregon paradise of Sunriver. And now in 2013, Sullivan returns to Sunriver once again for the PGA Professional National Championship -- full of hope and memories and a chance to apply some learnings his life experiences have taught him in the years since. "How can my expectations be anything other than to try and win again," Sullivan told PGA.com prior to leaving for Sunriver. "Obviously, you try to make the cut (no easy task as only top 70 and ties make the final two rounds) and then you set your sights on the top 20 and a spot in the PGA Championship -- but of course, your goal as a competitor is to win. I'd also love to do all I can to make the PGA Cup team (the PGA Professional version of the Ryder Cup, matching a USA squad against a team from Great Britain & Ireland), my good friend Allen Wronowski will be captain and playing for him and my country in England later this year would be remarkable." Sullivan will draw on memories -- some great, some bittersweet -- in his return to Sunriver. "Having my family with me to enjoy the victory was priceless," Sullivan recalls. "Having my father-in-law/best friend on my bag made it even that much more special. We spent our time balancing golf with all of the amazing amenities of the resort and surrounding areas. The week was filled with horseback riding, fishing, hiking, exploring lava tubes; it was, in a word, 'perfect.'" Sullivan's life, by his own admission, has not been "perfect" since his 2007 victory. He was diagnosed with hemochromatosis in early 2007 -- a hereditary blood disorder that claimed his sister's life in 2004 and has forced Sullivan to continously wear an insulin pump and glucose monitor. Side effects from his illness came to a head during last year's PGA PNC when he suffered a sugar crash during the final round. Sullivan is also at a new course in the Roanoke Valley area after leaving a club that had been home for many years. And most notably, his strongest forms of support from 2007 will not be with him this go around at Sunriver. "This is the first time in several years I have not had my family by my side at the PGA PNC," he noted. "Both times we've come to Sunriver, my family has been with me. Kari's father Tom (Hall), who was also my caddie -- and was always our sidekick on the road since we were married in 1996 -- was a very important part of not only my personal life, but my professional life. Tom passed away in August of 2011 in our home, a severely traumatic event that we are still reeling and recovering from. He could always calm me down and say the right things to get my back on my game. He could read me, knew when I needed encouragement or a kick in the pants or just to be quiet.

"For every hole at Sunriver, I can tell you a story that Tom and I discussed while walking the fairways in 2007. He will be heavy on my heart this week. And part of our recovery as a family has been keeping the kids engaged and active throughout the summer. Kari and I just didn't think it would be right if we were both 2,600 miles away from them at this time." Sullivan says he feels ready to put forth a strong effort. As the 2012 PGA Mid-Atlantic Player of the Year, and coming off a good showing in a recent Web.com event, Sullivan's game seems to be in fine shape. He cites gratitude for the owners of Hanging Rock Golf Club, full confidence in the staff and the love of his family as reasons his mental game should be focused and sharp as well. "You can't scrape it around out there (Sunriver Resorts two courses -- Crosswater Club and Meadows Golf Course) and think you're going to score well," he said. "You have to go into the event having confidence in your shot-making skills. It can be cold, the winds are usually a factor and the high elevation there requires a lot of trust in your game." Sullivan knows well the value of a good mindset. He's rented a house with some good friends and fellow competitors from the Mid-Atlantic PGA Section and is excited to see many old friends from around the country and from The PGA of America. "These folks have become a family to our family and I know they will keep me in good spirits," Sullivan said. "I know that Tom (his former caddie/best friend/father-in-law) will be there, everyday from tee to green, in spirit. As for everything else, I just want to play golf and play well." If there's ever a special place for Chip Sullivan to have a magical week -- he's teeing it up there now.