From pc hackers to a hole-in-one......

Who says the PGA isn't exciting?

With John Daly's recent report of someone "hacking" into his private computer and deleting his social network accounts, to Jonathan Byrd winning on the fourth playoff hole with a hole-in-one, can only be topped by Fred Couples winning by 7!

Jonathan Byrd was the winner of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas. He went into a playoff with Martin Laird and Percy Cameron to get to the 4th playoff and sink a hole-in-one! He had only 4 birdies & one bogey carded on his final round of 68. Prior rounds were 66, 63 & 68. A South Carolina native and a graduate of Clemson University, he joined the Tour in 2000. He's missed the cut 9 times this season out of 26 events, and this was his 1st win of the year! I'd say he did that with panache'! Congrats Jonathan!!

Fred Couples was another exciting finish on the Champions Tour in Woodlands, Texas yesterday. He shot a final round of 9 under to finish at 63 in the Administaff Small Business Classic. With only 24 putts in the final round, he considers it likely his best! His final 8 holes resulted in an EAGLE and 5 birdies! After his first 10 holes, he still sat 2 strokes behind recent Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin. That didn't take long to change when he put it into drive and didn't look back for his final 8 holes. He will be taking a week off and foregoing the AT&T Championship in San Antonio. He wants to be ready for the Schwab Cup the following week. Freddy admits that he is physically drained after this win at Woodlands. Great Play Freddy, and enjoy your week off....well deserved!

On the European Tour, Matteo Manassero became the youngest player to win on the Tour at 17 y.o. After just making his professional debut in May of this year, he has come on board ablaze! He shot a 4 under, 67 in the final round to win at 16 under par to take home the trophy! He has broken the previous record held by 18 y.o. Danny Lee of New Zealand. Breaking records by winning big is not completely new to this youngster. He also broke a record at age 16 when he won the British Amateur Championship last year! While at a loss for words following his big WIN, Matteo replied to reporters that he was both too young to drink or drive a car and also noted that he did not have a girlfriend to buy a gift for, so he was unsure just what he would be spending his winnings on. Spoken from the mouths of babes eh? Congrats Matteo, I know we'll be hearing alot more about you in the years to come!

And well, last but not least....John Daly. He's not in the news for any flamboyant partying that may have gotten him noticed in the past. Now, he tells GC that his personal email along with Facebook and Twitter accounts were hacked into. Hmmmmm, I won't even delve into this much except to say that his girlfriend and  her 2 daughters were said to be receiving threats from the "hacker". While his email and Facebook accounts had been deactivated, reportedly his Twitter account was open yet only had 6 followers and no recent tweets as of earlier today.



In other Tidbits.......

Wayne Perske, an Australian golfer was arrested in Japan for allegedly having cocaine on his person while out at a bar. In Japan, this charge can bring a sentence of up to 7 yrs! Perske has admitted to this being for his own consumption. Perske who hails from Brisbane in Queensland, Australia has played professionally since 2000 with most of that being on the Japan Tour. All I can say is....You play, you pay.

Do you ever get irritated on those playing up on you too closely or are you always on the look out for stray flying balls. If not, you should be!  Hiroshi Tango of Brea has died 9 days after being hit by a golf ball while playing at Los Serranous Country Club in Chino, when he was hit in the head. Initially, Hiroshi reported neck and head pain and was taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center. Sadly, he has died of his injuries. My condolances go out to his family! GODSPEED to Hiroshi for doing what he loved.

Now, Go Hit Some Balls...............