A few more reasons why I love sports

Because a guy named Boo Weekley can be the leader of a golf team.

Because the best player in golf (Tiger) doesn't have to be on the best team in golf.

Because J.B. Holmes can grip it and rip it ... and actually win. He's John Daly without the cigarette.

Because a 23-year-old Anthony Kim can become one of the most popular players in the world in 18 holes.

Because that same 23-year-old can hang out with Michael Jordan and listen to how much His Airness envies his game.

Because Kenny Perry can win the biggest competition of his life at 48 - in his home state - and hug his overalls-wearing father on the golf course.

Because 40,000 fans and millions of viewers from all over the country can unite to root for one team for three days.

Because I now know who Hunter Mahan is ... and I think I love him.

Because Paul Azinger can bring Payne Stewart's family to the golf course to witness something special. 

Because Stewart's family probably needed something to cheer for less than 10 years after he died tragically in a plane crash. 

Because Stewart and Azinger were able to become good enough friends through golf that Azinger would become a member of the family in Stewart's absence. 

Because it may not have taken nine years to win the cup if he was still here.

Because I'm smiling today, and if you're a golf fan and an American, I'm sure you are too.

But most importantly, I love sports because Tracey Stewart is smiling today.

Ryder Cup Preview

The Americans can win this thing for one reason: Tiger is not playing. Wait, the best player in the world – perhaps ever – is not playing and that’s a good thing for the Americans? Hear me out.

It’s not like Tiger has dominated this whole Ryder Cup thing. He’s actually lost more matches than he’s won (10-13-2) in his career at the competition, and the Americans only won the Cup once when he has competed (1999).

Here’s the real reason: Tiger is a golfer who is all about himself, which isn’t a real problem because golf is an individual sport. This isn’t a knock on him; in fact it’s one of the reason’s he is so great, because he doesn’t let anyone else into his world on Sunday and he is the one that rattles his competition.

There’s one problem though. The Ryder Cup is one of those rare team competitions in golf. Maybe when he’s teamed up with people they are intimidated, trying to live up to the standard set by the world’s greatest. Maybe he is too focused on himself and the other players are annoyed by that. Maybe they just expect him make all the big shots and fail to step up on their own. Who knows?

One of the main reasons for the European team’s recent success has been their camaraderie. They all look like they’re having fun together, and they are united in a common goal. I’m not saying Tiger doesn’t care about the Ryder Cup, but if you told him he had to pick between winning a Master’s or a Ryder Cup, do you think he would even hesitate? I think some of the European players might actually think about that decision for a while.

Tiger and Phil and all the rest haven’t been able to get the job done in almost a decade. Who’s to say J.B. Holmes and Chad Campbell can’t do it? I’d rather take a chance that some relative unknowns, who have much more to play for, can step up than keep trotting out the same bunch that loses every year.

Mr. Clutch

A lot of people missed Padraig Harrington becoming the next big thing in golf today (with no Tiger in the field and Olympics on NBC). The Irishman has now won two consecutive majors and three of the last six. He also did it with some clutch shots today, just like he did at Royal Birkdale last month.

Harrington buried clutch putts down the stretch on 16, 17 and 18 to put poor Sergio Garcia away. I don't even think Sergio choked this time, Harrington just snatched it from him at the end. That putt on 18 was oddly reminiscent of one Tiger Woods at the U.S. Open this year. 

To put this all into perspective - Harrington now has as many Major championships as such greats as Hale Irwin, Payne Stewart, Nick Price, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickleson. He has one more win than Ben Crenshaw and Greg Norman.