Brad Faxon, PGA Golfer

A joining us on the eight TNT hotline on the day that golf comes out of its doldrums and the the dead come back to the living. Our friend of the PGA tour brad Faxon supporting facts how are you. Mike in your backs and -- There are are. Good good good. Why -- make it such a big deal about this golf for coming back from knee surgery you did last year right facts.

I don't know I've come back get my golf in an economic indicator. Badly that's great but you know everybody's going to give credit to the surgeon. The stock market today you know Obama's speech last that it is going to beat Tiger Woods returned to the PGA effectively.

You know -- it's probably going to help the Nike the Nike price on the extra innings as it. I -- it and at Nike is running an ad today and their debuting for the first time were a bunch of Nike guys not named Tiger Woods. Are seen celebrating and sipping champagne and collect their money in the prize money in trophies at the on the eighteenth green. Stewart cink Anthony Kim Trevor Immelman a couple of the guys and that the in the commercial -- room door bursts open and tiger Watson and elbow. Not in real life. Brad is there any of that disappointment on the tour that the guy who's kicked everybody's ass is now back.

You know what I bet there are you people like you know we had a kid sitting. Which you know if you think about guys. Like potter character that that could -- as his absence would want to two majors in. Some the other players we had a came out of the show like -- the date so. These guys want to beat tiger as badly as anybody in. It's hard it is warm I mean it's gonna look way better on the record book as they get a win without the asterisk.

About what about Mickelson do you watch -- mean we saw it press coverages they when he. Welcomed him back with -- open arms is that genuine or is Phil thinking damn I missed my chance to win some majors while he was gone.

Well you keep it -- determined until you know the Northern Trust the only open last last week -- went I would -- on you know I don't think both his caddie and he Williams went to dinner last night today it was great to be back after all the flights but. So bill would love nothing more than to play tiger final in this tournament that's but it beat but you know.

About just play him if he told them. You play it would feel loved that it would be as he opened someone well tomorrow.

No absolutely would look up sure everybody wants to get bumped off and a you know Tiger Woods is a big deal nine with nine months away or eight but the -- it needs surgery so you know he's not going to come back. Until he's ready to go it I have a friend -- work out an hour and he told me Tigers -- drivers you know two or three months before yelled do you know without a lobbyist could chip shots seem that it bodes well. -- I think he's been ready for awhile and you know without like walking a golf courses. You know going to be like Brady taken snapped you know. Different deal to tiger's going to be justified but. The one thing he's going to have to live with. He's going to come back any in at sixty other players see it pay out they -- yeah it's kind of a pain in the neck you know an afterlife toward a deal of interest that. And then if you can remember the last study -- huge -- You know after father's passing. Before you open at winged foot you know he decided. -- took nine weeks off then. You know you're an idiot for all those same sort of questions I do it right those are all that stuff and that's going to be one of things it's going to be. One of the harder -- institute prepares to just get all that stuff out away.

Aside from the off the course stuff and entering the questions in the greetings and almost kind of things present guy who's dealt with the injuries coming back. Where will tiger be better and -- you suspect he might be a little rusty today.

Well I think he's going to be nervous you know he always said you know place well get there even though we don't think there was you know. Is nervous. You know that this desert all. It's one of those courses that in the earlier in the that the active. Player I would expect the him. You know hit a lot of three woods expect to see him you know excited to play bit nervous than. But the funny thing about this tournament for -- it doesn't know. About the this one act play but this is like -- stroke but is that. That's against heatley and Brandon Jones and strength is that really nobody here knows who is as. -- Long hitter you know young -- had a simple and sort of guy that.

it actually. Is that good I just.

Really good player Tiger Woods you know it's funny that. Really. Losses Tigers at the -- but it didn't take -- the Peter O'Malley to let in -- hurt so. If you know anything can happen at bats plate. I think the golfing world I see it today I see. Tiger do well all the -- in comeback and make you.

This is do you think this is a better set up for him as match play since he only -- to deal with destroying somebody physically and mentally one day at a time one guy at a time.

Absolutely in you know. Last -- tiger play that you remember you explain JB -- the real long hitter in the first -- and I think Holmes three up with or ago tiger came back and won. You'll made a couple muster but. And you know like -- sensitive to different ballgame when you're out of the ranger your whole play with friends opening got a torn flags up. The different feeling you know and even for tiger is it's different you know but. I know one -- he's he's he's spent a lot of time that we air but the minute you know he's had nine months to get ready every quote I've seen. From him. The paper letters and you talk about how he's going to come back and better. It's harper or any of but think what could this guy actually do definitely started you know he just the same can be pretty good but I dirty looks -- thirties he's worked out. Are bigger. That of the.

You mentioned hitting fairways and that this is desert golf and he may be hitting the stinger two iron to the three woods off the tee a soft step last couple of days and a quote from Lee Trevino. And I believe if I'm not mistaken did in the last three years brad. Tiger were somewhere between 150 and 160 on tour in driving accuracy and get number one's in green regulation. Greens in regulation to Reno said if tiger ever slowed his swing down to the point where he got in the top ten. In fairways hit no one in the world is ever going to beat tiger if he's putting the ball in the fairway.

I couldn't disagree that more no disrespect to lead you know. Tiger slowing window I don't know what. What that I have with -- hitting the ball straight really have a lot to do without square of an impact and it's if he'd have to -- a fairway it's it's learning it's -- you know but in his heart he does. In one of the reasons why it's Albany greens in regulation but it's so far. Though it's rusty that the shorter clubs than most the world. It ended it leading. That is -- stat is if he was a 150 that -- that numbers. In fairways hit that's just. Shot from the party that naive and drivers it if you if you asked what percentage. Driver's seat it's fairway. I would bet that that group be worse and but. -- statistics. When it's really important like what happened at the fairly evident numbers would be way better so. I think -- you know the evolution of this golf game current game. You know what it -- your -- you know about the world like first started. Guys -- hit it long they didn't stay in the top or what by the wasn't. You know -- what that is a strength that now if your in the top of the world I think there's only. There's only two were maybe one or two guys that are in the top or near thirty in driving distance that idea. It's in your type player but both he and the topic just outside but these guys. It long have a tremendous advantage in the old -- is -- a lot of good short of that. It.

Brad can he if you're a 100% of there were no knee problems no physical problems no rust. Could he lose to Brendan. Whatever name -- Jones and a guy.

I really doubt that I I I would bet a lot of money. Oh but you who can't. I can't be printed notes being. Tiger today I think I think rendering is going to be as nervous as he can be because of this Tigers enter I think it's going to be harder for -- play it.

Even though it's simple to them. Sears I mean I I agree with John for the most part that this is a good. Term to make his comeback except I mean he could lose maybe not to Brendan Jones could lose in the second or third round not make the weekend. Even though the -- spine and the rest is not a problem he could mean it's happened as you point out a number of times where he's not made the weekend in this tournament. He he always makes the weekend in in regular tournaments in medal play.

When you look at when tiger decided to come back to let you know he's curious career around winning agent chip which -- you know or a lot of factors as to when he was -- that personally you know -- nobody does and that and so Leland you know most of them. You know sort of -- was at -- But that was going to happen in any want to play at stake militarily and worried and worried that needs it -- And you ought to get ready to play in the masters and he's trying to figure how much golf but. -- one. Yet the roughed up and number -- this -- that I you know that he can go out play and that's what -- they would want around he's really accomplished nothing get all the you know the formality that way. But he also could go on and win you know to win the -- when they're told -- respect. And -- the golfing world has gotten pretty good shape it's.

Brett in the spring where we are examining you know the biggest star in baseball under the microscope yet again and we have have seen so many. Instances of superstar athletes with feet of clay -- the -- Roger Clemens or whatever the case may be. -- perspective. How hard tiger must work at this image we've never seen him photographed coming out of a strip club. Others never been any kind of an appropriate public behavior from tiger he really steps and when he opens his mouth when he is interviewed all the time. How how unusual or how amazing how hard does he work at making sure what you see is what he wants us to --

I think it's unbelievable you know what when. When you see what happens when the guys that you about a media credentials terms after issue you know -- Hundred times when he's not there. Every time we -- out into public he's got that security guards are cameras flash and you know. It's almost impossible for him to stop at a state of the other player has closers like momentum record -- you know then. I've ever seen the guy you know whatever players in around the golf but it they've finished practice -- locker in the part of the park has a lot of guys that they take out yourself on the chicken messages. -- They locked by the press -- Well put the followed up by their career not even talk to pretend that it there have to talk of the Packers never like that. It's unbelievable to be you know you never -- any thing. You know you like it. You know of Florida Lakers came up but he never he would do companies shouldn't be in. You know today's day and age where you know every single person at the camera yourself -- the but -- two seconds later. --

have had a beer with them.

You think I've been -- with a couple that. But I mean Alex can just go to outback and have a pivotal appear with a guy.

He's more mistake -- shake. It.

You like anything with a drive that but he told his favorite restaurant and --

this this speaks to his popularity in this certainly this is a barometer to what you were just talking about brad and reading USA today today tiger woods' popularity hit a ridiculous level on Tuesday. When an empty Gatorade bottle he supposedly drank from. During the 2007 PGA -- million dollar bid on eBay. Now they took it down because it's part of -- did that John told the story yeah did you in the trash yeah I -- it's at at Pinehurst we all know just it was a paper cup and -- was on the -- that the the cup into the into the trash can people who were three people were fighting over the that the -- the tiger drank up.

It's crazy. You know. I think it. Everybody's got these guys complain weather here you know sports and it you know everybody know the world -- with -- To develop failure pretty happy you don't --

What it should doctors say you have to have your ACL removed as you say you only have so many swings left. I know you are much older than he but the biggest doctors tell them the -- going to last forever --

I don't think so at all I think eight person audience. 3132 years old had surgery in. You know he's -- but he feels strong -- ever you know use. Is to proceed to that I did it. He's going to be is in need of taken a beating not have what it just that of course it is like crazy work he does. Ought to print but the -- parliament to pop up in the him. We're going to need a little bit. You watch him swing speed which is buddy rotate and you know -- that left leg snapped as he goes the ball and it's at the end up on the ball you know the left -- lack of the top of the impact. Yeah -- rotated. You know quickly they've. Rotated you know hundred degrees. That left like straight in -- a lot of torque there you know most of the doctors and I've talked when they talk about my immediately right near future right in not elect. I'm sure there's a little here that doctors but first stated he had a couple of about the call.

I've already seen the recent comments by Greg Norman about prize money and that technology. The Norman suggesting a pay cut for golfers on the PGA tour quote prize money has been scaled back in Europe. It seems like on the PGA tour the players are still playing for a million dollars a week as if they're recession proof. I think he has got to be a lot of sensitivity shown in my with a PGA commissioner that's what I would be recommending cutting back the pay on the PGA tour your thoughts.

Well you know regular actually that's -- things about this exact topic because I was all the players on the ball to board the thought we. Do something that would show that we you know at least know couple your economy and India a cut back or acute back by the players. Would be a good move but what. I don't think everybody really understands and in great you know great that we get a load and since in the commissioner's. Very well so he wants to go opposite whatever we're doing. As an organization. But there's been television that we have television contracts with all the -- spot in. You know some -- expire at 2010 some after 2012 of -- fourteen. And we keep you know we have all these. You know contract that are in place it in just say okay let's just give back you know whatever the -- making five billion dollar -- it's not that he. Duke -- the money authority. Therein -- everything's going on. And you know the sadly enough the worst thing about what's going -- the amount of money that we had to give to charity. Is going to come down. You to vote so I mean that that's going to be the worst part about I think when we go toward next negotiations television -- all are going. You know communication that we have with titles but that's were going to -- it lacked the work and it -- Talk about the economy every single meeting that we have play. And you know. I know Barney Frank sent a letter to the studios Northern Trust the title sponsor LA open and I just want to go out. Record -- and he couldn't be more -- informed about. Did you know about what happened at the Northern Trust you know it was he wrote the letter that they gave back all this money. Because they were funded by the government their -- one point five billion dollar first of all the Northern Trust tournament. Gave it away. You know fifty million dollars to charity the economic impact in the LA area of -- issue over 35 million dollars. And I don't know how these guys forget all the time. Anybody just look at this as a you know business they're businesses survive on relationships when. The bank in quite some of their client to come out have dinner played golf with. You know Phil Mickelson in the pro ever go to Cheryl crow about it and maybe maybe that cost money but in the end they get. Way more out of it with the relationships and this is the highest rated golf telecast we had to Tigers. -- the US open so for the cut it's great exposure that it. Barney Frank that you could do that all the money. The government gave him money and they -- more so it's it's just that.

It's called grandstanding brad it's -- hit it right. A very very quickly the other thing that that Dunham and be very comments about this Norman says it's time that we do a better job managing the technology breakthroughs have taken place over time. And implement different rules for us the professionals. Not having to spend millions upon millions of dollars to change golf courses for just four rounds a year he's talking about the technology obviously and -- the increased length off the -- that makes a lot of these golf courses obsolete and rather than you know make of 7200 yard golf or 7700 yards at the cost of how many millions what is he talking about. Dollar golf balls different rule changes what.

But yet you know there's been a move towards this bifurcation. The you know the rules that we played different. Sort of game in the public in you know. I again tonight I disagree with right now than in cycle back this all the time. I think a lot of the top players. That have equipment companies like Greg yeah Neil -- like Jack Nicklaus -- company. They want to be rolled back in the ball because they're not in the -- off all the titlist. Biggest selling golf all the world and make more money up call or any other opening and you know at the same -- they'll than it they had advertisements that they're driver goes. Twenty yards -- so. They can't have a vote he can't complain that the ball which ruled in the game and you of their argument. Oh golf course design works at the that we have been at 500 extra yards to the golf course you know and it's or player. You know only played there what your well. You know all the courses are built and don't have tournaments and that's why we have five or six different that the golf when you go play you can choose I would like 5800 from the all of these -- political plate. You know 8000 yards that -- is whatever you want to do and I mean cradle courses like -- Riviera they ultimately at lake. I don't see one player out there done that says to me you know what I'm -- with the game -- too --

But he's too good you know. I don't ever very quickly Portland to go 321 give us an order of 33 guys are gonna win this tournament in descending order from three down to one.

Okay well I'm gonna go out of eleven -- great Tiger -- wouldn't be the greatest thing he's done. You know along with the US opens.

You -- your number one when you're picking the winner I would definitely put. In the top three thought --

I'm -- wilds in the simple. Order yes please. 31. Boy. And you do -- don't know if you know one right antibodies that this. And even Robert -- an instant I don't.

I can't do potter schedule I would love to have picked as this streak -- I can't imagine going. -- late in old and one.

Sergio -- and Vijay besides tiger.

Our topic. I would pick any of those -- away at altitudes Ogilvy. I picked up openly yeah.

And trusting the other two's are -- even seem here O line and extensive against him --

And I don't think that play that well this year yet tiger -- I drove in let me to a -- that young kid. One hitter. But Anthony -- Anthony -- that's launch. Launch at the are Brett always a pleasure talking -- would be that enough -- to bashing bonds but. Oh yeah I don't I don't -- Let me ask you -- o'clock yes but are all here. Actual line today. Levine all -- line -- in their last day. Yeah depression now and I don't let it. We do here. Look through the blog the fire brand -- deals and I almost march they've got a good friend -- but it doesn't talent to tell him on the eighteenth -- outline.