Author: David Shama

If there’s a tie after regulation play on Sunday at the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open, stay in your seat.  Unlike the men’s Open that uses an 18-hole playoff the next day, the women would compete in a three-hole playoff on Sunday.

The women’s Open went to the three-hole format last year.  Gregg Wong, the retired Pioneer Press golf writer who has followed the local and national golf scene for years, is an advocate of the Sunday formula to have a three or four-hole playoff.

“It’s what the men’s U.S. Open should do, too,” said Wong.  “You’ve got your volunteers, infrastructure… (and) prime time on TV (all in place).  It’s the only tourney where they do it.”

A lot of fans who watch this weekend’s Open at Interlachen Country Club will be hoping not so much for a playoff, but an Annika Sorenstam championship.  In a Scandinavian town, there’s extra emotion for the popular Swede who is retiring from the golf tour after this year.

The 37-year-old Sorenstam injured her neck in 2007 and played in only 13 events.  She’s made a comeback in 2008 adding to her long list of tournament wins and is the No. 2 ranked LPGA player in the world.

Sorenstam won the Open in 2006, her third Open title, and first in 10 years.  She’s won over $19 million and 10 major titles but Wong thinks it will be a surprise if she wins at Interlachen.  No. 1 ranked Lorena Ochoa is his pick to win the championship.

Sorenstam was the No. 1 long hitter in the game before her injury and made few mistakes on the course.  “She had the other gals playing in fear of her, just like Tiger (Woods),” Wong said. “She had people playing for second place.  She intimidated them because she was so mentally tough and could make all the shots.”

In opening play yesterday, Sorenstam shot a two-over 75.  The leader was Ji Young Oh with a six under 67.

A media industry source predicts Comcast subscribers receiving the Big Ten Network through a basic programming package this year will have to pay more in another 12 months or so.  Speculation is Comcast will put the Big Ten Network in a more expensive package.  Comcast and the network recently reached an agreement allowing local viewers to watch Gopher football and basketball during the 2008-2009 season.  Charter Communications and Mediacom may soon have agreements to carry the network, too.

This is the 25^th anniversary year of KSTP SportsTalk with Patrick Reusse and Joe Soucheray.  The station is considering celebration ideas including a possible show with a live audience.

Tim Pawlenty remains under consideration to become John McCain’s vice presidential running mate, according to a former politician.  Also on the list are Florida governor Charlie Criss, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, and ex-Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.  A selection is expected prior to the Republican Convention in early September.

The source also said Vikings’ owner Zygi Wilf is mistaken if he thinks the state legislature will approve a new Vikings stadium with the economy struggling.  The cost was projected awhile ago at about $1 billion but with construction costs rising a revised figure seems likely.

The Minnesota High School All-Star Football Game will be played tomorrow night (Saturday) starting at 7 p.m. at St. Cloud State University.  The game will be televised beginning at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2 on FSN North, according to Vikings.com.  The Vikings and FSN are “partnering” to make the telecast possible.

The Vikings report to training camp on July 25.  The team has a scrimmage against Kansas City in River Falls, Wisconsin on July 31.

By almost default, the Twins keep turning to Brian Buscher to play third base.  The 27-year-old left-handed hitter is batting .386 since being recalled from AAA Rochester.  In his last 10 games he’s hitting .417.   Last year he was recalled after the season began and hit .244, with two homeruns and 10 RBI in 33 games.  The organization has been concerned about his fielding but because of the team’s ongoing need to find a third baseman Buscher has been given opportunities.  This season he has only one error.  Last season he had four.

Talk about a long road trip, the Minnesota Thunder are in Puerto Rico for weekend matches against the Islanders tonight and Sunday evening. The Thunder don’t play at home until July 11 against Carolina.

In anticipation of the franchise’s 20^th season, the Timberwolves’ primary logo, featuring the wolf’s head amidst the tree line, has undergone a facelift. The Timberwolves also have a new, re-designed secondary logo. The modified primary logo includes adding  white to the wolf’s head as well as a cleaner and sleeker design of the tree line and the script “Minnesota Timberwolves.”  The secondary logo has been completely re-designed and features a Timberwolf in front of a tree line howling at the moon (depicted as a basketball).  The Wolves will also introduce newly-designed uniforms in August.

It’s No. 1 ranked women’s golfer Lorena Ochoa who is most likely to win the 2008 U.S. Open at Interlachen Country Club.  That’s the opinion of Gregg Wong, the retired Pioneer Press golf writer who has watched the local and national golf scene for more than 30 years.

“Ochoa and then maybe a group of 12 to 15 others,” he told Sports Headliners.  In that group he included Annika Sorenstam, Karrie Webb, Suzann Pettersen and several Korean and Taiwanese players.

Wong said Ochoa “has to be” the favorite to win the championship this weekend because she’s been the best player in women’s golf recently.  “She’s the one they fear,” he said.  “She’s now the longest hitter, although not the most accurate.”

Wong said that once Ochoa won the Women’s British Open last year, it was a confidence builder that she could “win the big ones.”   More comfortable with herself, the 36-year-old native of Mexico seems to now have an “inner peace,” according to Wong.

Part of her improvement is putting.  Wong believes putting is 90 percent confidence.  “Putting is what wins for you and loses for you,” he said.  “When Tiger (Woods) wins, it’s when he makes putts.”

Ochoa is looking for her first Open title.  Cristie Kerr is the defending champion and no player has repeated since 2000-2001 when Webb won consecutive titles.

Wong said the Open is the most difficult championship to win because the USGA sets up a difficult course, fast and hard greens, and challenging roughs.  Plus, a talented field of golfers.