Apparently, Tiger will win the Masters

Please do believe the hype. Tiger’s back. Photo: Getty

Every year baby, there is the inevitable pre-Masters stories hyping up Tiger’s game. One suspects the PGA commissions an article an hour prior to the first round to ensure maximum eyeballs. The truth is, Tiger’s been out of action for much of last year with a bad back, and he’s probably more likely to miss the cut than win it. Which doesn’t stop the unbelievable hype about his game, though. Such as this from the respected Golf Channel journalist Tim Rosaforte, who says Tiger shot a 66 worst-ball stroke score at the Medalist Golf Club during the week. Here’s how he described it:

“The best example of the progress Tiger made over the last two-to-three weeks is the worst-ball 66 he shot at Medalist Golf Club. That’s where he takes the worst of two drives, the worst of the two approach shots, the putt that’s either furthest away from the hole or the chip that’s furthest away from the hole. And then if he makes birdie he has to validate. So if he makes a 10-footer for birdie he has to make another 10-footer for birdie. To go around that golf course, shoot six under in those conditions where you can’t hide, obviously, you can’t hide a weakness, and you think about the course record he shot there — 62 in 2011 — this round could conceivably be considered better.”

Well, we’ll have to tune in now. Telecast starts with the Par 3 tournament, Thursday, April 9 on 7-mate at 4.45am.

We’re going surfing anyway

Friday morning should see very quiet roads around Melbourne – because everyone will be glued to their media devices reading how on earth Damien Hardwick will survive into round two as Richmond coach. It doesn’t matter if the Tiger’s win either. It will probably not be enough, and the faithful will be asking for Hardwick’s head. It’s tradition, right?

Speaking of traditions, we’ll be heading down to Bells for the Rip Curl Pro, to witness the continuous rise of the Brazilian surfers on the world championship tour. Felipe Toledo, Gabriel Medina, Adriano de Souza and others are in town, and they are electrifying.

Did we mention that most of the Aussies are facing early exit? Photo: Getty

Already, they have ripped apart this event dominated for decades by Australians and Kelly Slater. We are hoping for some big swell, and great surfing, but also some more gossipy, nasty follow-ups to the Gold Coast event which degenerated into farce with tiny waves and massive egos. There were threats of punches, boards lodged deliberately onto rocks, and the commissioner Keiren Perrow’s capabilities questioned by the reigning world champ.

Yep, Bells will be interesting. When: all through easter and most likely into next week.

What else is going on?

Doing the rounds on social media today … Georgian running back Todd Gurlay is expected to enter the 2015 NFL draft as the top pick when the televised event takes place on April 30.

Here’s a video package of his career so far.

But since we are offering video packages, you must check out this one of Leonard Williams, a defensive lineman who most US sports critics have as their number one draft pick.

 World Surf League’s tour of fruity waves

And in some breaking news, yes still on surfing, Beach Grit is reporting that the World Surf League, which has run in the red for most of 2014/15 is courting a potential new sponsor which will see surfing focus more on audience than quality of surf. This quote from any anonymous spokesperson speaking to Beach Grit’s Rory Parker: ”“The GC (Gold Coast) event looked really bad, and there’s been pressure to move more events into the mainland US. They want to dump Fiji in favour of the US Open as a late addition this year and add another event in CA for 2016…  [It] will most likely be an existing QS event to save money using existing infrastructure.”

For those who think surfing doesn’t need quality waves like Fiji on tour, you need to see this reminder: