Sorenstam aims to leave at top with minimum of second-guessing
Most likely the best female golfer ever, Annika Sorenstam says Tuesday she will call it quits after this season. There aren't many 'what ifs' about the 37-year-old's career; will there be in regards to her retirement? Time will tell, Steve Elling says. 

USGA committed to setting up Torrey Pines for fantastic finish
Typical U.S. Open headline: Player screws up less than others, grinds way to title. Steve Elling wants to see somebody win it with a spectacular shot and says we might see that at Torrey Pines with USGA plans to make 18 a reachable par-5 with eagle in the mix -- for everybody. 

Sergio finds the mark and confidence at right time
Talk about facing your demons. Known for previous putting failures, Sergio Garcia sinks numerous pressure putts in winning TPC, which has Steve Elling saying Garcia is ready to take the next step. 

Laugh all you want: Goydos leads TPC
Paul Goydos leads after three rounds at the TPC. No, that's not a joke. Those come afterwards, as the leader rips up the pressroom with his sharp sense of humor. And after the last round, perhaps Goydos will be the one laughing last, Steve Elling says.  

Quieter Kim managing just fine on his own
The calls keep coming, but Anthony Kim is focused on golf. Solidly in contention after two rounds at the Players Championship, the 22-year-old is firing on all cylinders, even with the distractions that come from having no agent, Steve Elling says. 

When Tiger stays home, so do the fans
We know more people watch tournaments when Tiger Woods is involved. Now Steve Elling gets a first-hand look at the local impact when the world's No. 1 player is absent. It isn't pretty with fans staying away from the Players Championship. 

Getting it to the hole might finally pull Sergio out of one
His inability to match his putting with the rest of his game has kept Sergio Garcia from winning in three seasons, but his 66 Thursday has him on top at the Players Championship. Steve Elling says an old flatstick and new approach on the green might provide the breakthrough he's looking for. 

O'Hair unbowed by sunken opportunity at island green in '07
Being a little overaggressive on the infamous 17th cost Sean O'Hair a chance to overtake Phil Mickelson in last year's Players Championship, but Steve Elling says while O'Hair learned something, he'll still play to win, not win money. 

TPC Sawgrass evens field for all skill levels
The TPC Sawgrass is more than just a funky course with an island disguised as the 17th hole. It's a place where no matter a player's skill level, there are no favorites as everyone has a chance, Steve Elling says.  

Waiting on Kim was the right move
Hello world, meet 22-year-old Anthony Kim. You've seen him around and heard about his hype, but the youngster explodes in Charlotte, crushing Tiger's course record and clinching his first PGA Tour title. Steve Elling says Kim's future looks bold and this win is just a spectacular step. 

Cink or swim, Stewart is rewriting the rulebook
Stewart Cink doesn't duck the rules. The 14th-ranked player almost commits a second unwitting infraction in five weeks, but rebounds with a low round of 65 to stay a few shots off the lead in Charlotte. Steve Elling says Cink is becoming the poster boy for little-known PGA Tour rules. 

Don't cut me, bro -- Perez makes most of his survival
Just make the cut and who knows what will happen. Pat Perez sneaks in after the second round and voila, there he is in the top 10 in Charlotte. Steve Elling says Perez's performance is the reason why several players feel the PGA Tour's revised cutlines this year hurt the game. 

Corporate sponsorship getting sticky? You can bank on it
If a major event sponsor re-ups and nobody hears, does it make a noise? Wachovia and the PGA Tour must hope not, Steve Elling says, considering the lagging state of the U.S. economy -- and the role that companies with ties to banking have played in the mess. 

After a year, it's time for an Extreme Sabbatini Makeover
It has been a year since Rory Sabbatini got on the bad side of a lot of fans by getting on the bad side of Tiger Woods. Steve Elling says it's time for everybody to move on and offers Sabbo a few suggestions. 

Players: You want faster rounds? Let up on the setups
There has been a lot of talk about slow play on the PGA Tour, but players like policy board member David Toms tell Steve Elling that if they want to pick up the pace, they need to back down on brutal course setups. 

Better odds aside, even players sense loss when Tiger's not around
Their chances to win increase dramatically, but most players join fans, sponsors and networks in feeling there's something missing when Tiger Woods isn't in the field of an event he'd normally play in, Steve Elling says. 

Frightful finish: Nos. 16-18 at Quail Hollow as hard as it gets
One player calls it a 'great finish,' but Steve Elling offers some other words: brutal, daunting, dangerous. Nos. 16-18 at Quail Hollow are the toughest closing stretch on a regular PGA Tour course and will be key in deciding this weekend's Wachovia Championship. 

Ochoa, PGA Tour, Mexico, February? It's one crossover that works
Despite her ongoing dominance of the LPGA, Lorena Ochoa says she's in no hurry to seek a new challenge testing herself against men on the PGA Tour. But Steve Elling says the Mayakoba Golf Classic -- in Mexico in February -- would be a great fit for everybody. 

Slam hopes over for '08? Not on the distaff side
So there won't be a Grand Slam in golf this year? Not so fast, Steve Elling says. Turn your attention to the LPGA Tour, where Lorena Ochoa's early dominance truly makes it 'easily within reason.' 

Woods sidelined up to six weeks after knee surgery
Tiger Woods decided it was time to take care of his damaged left knee with arthroscopic surgery. While it's great that the game's best player is trying to get healthy, his absence may cause a modest economic impact, Steve Elling says. 

Please, Augusta: Ease up and return roars that make the Masters
Yet again, we arrived at Augusta National expecting the Masters, and a U.S. Open broke out. Steve Elling implores the men in charge: Return to those thrilling days of yesteryear. 

Immelman's 'roller coaster ride' ends with green jacket
Define pressure. How about a blustery day at stingy Augusta with the world's best golfer on your tail? For Trevor Immelman, who spent part of last year's Masters with a rough stomach bug, his gritty victory shows what hard work can accomplish, Steve Elling says. 

Flesch lives, and he's lovin' every minute of the Masters
Steve Flesch is the low lefty? Riiiight. No, really -- and one of the sport's most candid interviews will have even more to say if he catches Masters leader Trevor Immelman on Sunday, Steve Elling says. 

Out of the Woods? Let's see if Tiger has gas for this comeback
The window is open, but enough to let a Tiger through? Hmm, maybe. Woods is six strokes back of leader Trevor Immelman, and while Steve Elling says it's a long shot, Woods can overcome a subpar leaderboard. 

To rewrite history again, Tiger needs to forget it
Those who forget the lessons of history are ... smart, in the case of Tiger Woods at the '08 Masters, Steve Elling says. Tiger must disregard that standing outside the top 10 after 36 holes is usually bad news. 

Immelman feeling much better about this Augusta business
After a year of one health issue after another, Trevor Immelman shoots matching 68s in the first two rounds to put himself in prime contention to win the Masters -- the place where the whole ordeal started. Steve Elling tells the tale. 

For Orlando three, scouting out Augusta pays off
Ian Poulter's ace was the shot of Round 1, and Justin Rose and Trevor Immelman lead the Masters at 4 under. Steve Elling says it was some day for the Orlando mates who made an Augusta pilgrimage together two weeks ago. 

Tiger continues curious trend of ho-hum starts in majors
Tiger Woods might very well be wearing his fifth green jacket Sunday, but Steve Elling says Thursday's opening 72 reminds us of an indisputable fact: If Round 1 decided the majors, Jack Nicklaus' record would be safe. 

Swing work starting to pay off for finally coachable Goosen
Retief Goosen resisted going to a swing coach for the longest time, and months of his work with Gregor Jamieson seemed to justify that fear. But the remake is starting to pay off, and Steve Elling says it could make Goosen a force at the Masters. 

Kid stuff a significant, progressive move for Masters
The Masters is opening its gates to kids 8-16 for free this year, an impressively progressive move for an event not known for such things. Steve Elling says it's a big step for Augusta National, and for golf as well. 

Golf's greenies lacking rhythm on dance floor
This is a rare era in golf. Not one PGA Tour player under 30 has a major title to his name. Is there a connection? You bet. Steve Elling says in this video age, golf's up-and-comers can't get a grip on their putting. 

Provoke a Tiger and history shows you'll get bit
He's the undisputed No. 1 golfer in the world. That hasn't stopped some on tour from popping off at Tiger Woods over the past few years. Yet over and over again, Tiger has ravaged every 'challenger,' Steve Elling says. 

Masters Countdown: The great oak at Augusta
Augusta is full of sights and sounds, but nothing looms like the 150-year-old evergreen located between the main clubhouse and the first tee box. As Steve Elling says, to be seen at the tree IS to be seen at the Masters. 

Player's club: Masters record fit for only one
He's fitter than a man 30 years his junior. He oozes optimism and he's about to tee off for his record-setting 51st Masters. So what makes Gary Player tick? The man simply won't be outworked, Steve Elling says. 

Pros drive to funny farm on the range
The practice range is a place to fine tune your game. For the pros, an all-you-can-hit amount of balls tends to bring out the quirks in golf's stars, Steve Elling says. 

On TV, some on course conversations better seen but not heard
After another microphone-overheard display of profanity at TPC Louisiana this past weekend, Steve Elling says perhaps it's time for TV networks to be a little less up close and personal. 

First Doral, now Woods loses in own backyard
Tiger Woods' losing streak is at two. After having his seven-tournament win streak snapped in Miami on Monday, Woods fails to win individual honors at the Tavistock Cup as J.B. Holmes shoots a 4-under 68 for the win on Tuesday. 

For first time in a while, Tiger on other side of that 'fine line'
No, Tiger Woods won't be undefeated this season, and he very well might not win the Grand Slam, either. Steve Elling says a few little things at Doral ended Woods' worldwide winning streak at six and showed just how small the difference between champion and also-ran can be. 

Trailing Ogilvy by five, Woods needs miracle finish to keep streak alive
If Tiger Woods is going to improve to 4-0 in 2008, he'll have to match his biggest comeback ever today at Doral. Woods trails Geoff Ogilvy by five heading into the fourth round at the CA Championship, with Adam Scott, Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk and Retief Goosen ahead, too. 

Is Tiger's seven-month win streak drying up at rain-soaked Doral?
Better to be lucky than good? Not true. After a sloppy third round at the rain-soaked CA Championship, Tiger Woods needs both. Steve Elling says Woods could bounce back to extend his seven-month unbeaten streak, but it's a reminder that nobody beats golf forever.