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In the wake of the news that Elin will file for divorce (click here for ESPN’s article), I present you some photos you won’t see any time soon.

You would think she’d be smiling because of the payday she’ll receive, but if she had her druthers, she’d like to have her old life back.

Yeah, I don’t see them walking hand in hand any time soon.

If Elin were to hug Tiger now, it would be with one arm and it would be more of a choke hold than an embrace.

Images courtesy of Icon SMI

Lucas Glover hung on to win the 2009 U.S. Open.  He wasn’t brilliant shooting a +3, but did enough to earn the victory.

Phil Mickelson made a run, but bogeyed the 15th and 17th to finish even.  Considering the limited amount of play Phil has had since his wife Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer, Phil’s play was remarkable.

Tiger Woods was one under to finish four strokes back.

David Duval was in the running, but was one over for the day to finish two strokes back.

Ricky Barnes entered the last round as the leader, but shot a +6 to finish two strokes back.

Ross Fisher was the top European finisher at -1.

Image from ESPN Archives

Tragedy continues to the calendar year as pro golfer Chris Smith’s wife died in a car crash according to The News-Sentinel.  According to the Fort Wayne paper, Beth Smith was killed when the SUV she was travelling in collided with a bus carrying a semipro football team.  According to a report from the Angola Fire Department, the SUV “lost control in the passing lane and overcorrected”.  The couple’s two children were airlifted to a Fort Wayne hospital and are in critical condition.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Smith family.

For the first time in recent history Tiger Woods will not be the sentimental favorite for a major.  When the best golfers in the world tee off at Bethpage State Park (Black Course) in Farmingdale, NY, Phil Mickelson will have the heart of the country behind him.  His wife Amy was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and after a short break to be by his wife’s side, he rejoined the tour last week for the St. Jude Classic.  Phil was off to a great start entering Sunday at -4.  He shot a 75 (+5) to finish tied for 59th at one over.  Not bad for a rusty guy.  Brian Gay ran away from the field with a -18, five strokes better than runner ups David Toms and Bryce Molder.

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

The U.S. Open will be about Tiger and Phil initially though.  Tiger won last year’s Open in dramatic fashion over Rocco Mediate despite playing on an injured knee.  With a little luck the two will be paired up on Sunday in a match for the ages.  This time America will be on Phil’s side.

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

As I suspected when Phil and Amy first went public with her breast cancer, Phil Mickelson will play in next week’s St. Jude’s Classic and then in the U.S. Open.  Golf has become such a major part of their lives that I knew he would take part in one of the biggest events, especially at Bethpage Black.  I imagine that Amy more than gave her blessing for Phil to plau.  He will likely resume his leave after the Open as his wife undergoes treatment.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Mickelsons on her road to recovery.

Sorry about missing the Tidbits last week.  I was in the hospital as my wife had our second son (Owen).  I’m still catching up and adjusting so the tidbits won’t be quite as inclusive just yet. 

The Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals to meet up with the Lakers.  Orlando gave a contract extension to GM Otis Smith.  Detroit gave Flip Saunders the boot.  All he did was bring them to the Conference Finals year after year.  Michael Curry will replace him.  The Bulls and Miami are talking about a possible trade involving Dwayne Wade.  Kevin Garnett started early.  Paul Pierce shook off an injurty to finish strong and the Celtics took Game 1 of the NBA Finals.  Judging by Phil Jackson’s success when his team takes a series’ opener, this was pretty much a must-win for the C’s.

The Red Wings took Game 4 and a 3-1 series lead over Pittsburgh.  Pittsburgh stayed alive in a triple-overtime thriller in Game 5.  Tampa Bay fired Coach John Tortorella.  Detroit brought Lord Stanley back to Hockeytown.  Carolina D Glen Wesley is calling it quits after 20 years.  The ratings were pretty good for the Stanley Cup.

Manny Ramirez hit his 500th HR.  Ken Griffey, Jr. hit #599.  Johan Santana won his 100th career game.  Mike Lieberthal retired.  Mark Prior might as well retire as he’s being shut down once again because of a bum shoulder.  Big Papi landed on the DL.  Casey Blake drove in 7 Runs.  Joe Mauer finally hit a HR.  John Smoltz is back.  Hey Hank, Joba Chamberlain didn’t sparkle in his first career start.  Can they blame Joe Torre?  Randy Johnson surpassed Roger Clemens for second on the all-time strikeout list.  Matt Kemp (4 games) and Yorvit Torrealba (3 games) were slapped with suspensions for fighting.  John Smoltz is done for the year.  Jake Peavy and Curt Schilling are working on their comebacks.  The White Sox have become a boring Soap Opera.  Chipper Jones hit HR #400.  Tampa chose SS Tim Beckham with the first pick in the baseball draft.  Michael Young extended his hitting streak to 21.  His teammate, Ian Kinsler, saw his end at 19.

Denver kicked Travis Henry to the curb.  Washington signed S Stuart Schweigert.  San Diego signed Jeremy Newberry.  T.O. got paid.  Houston gave GM Rick Smith a four-year extension.  David Jacobs, a convicted steroids dealer who recently named NFL names, was found shot dead in his home.  Asante Samuel pulled a hamstring.  It shouldn’t affect his play, but with the kind of money he’s getting it’s worth reporting.  Jerramy Stevens was suspended two games next year for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.  He’s a broken record.

 
Notre Dame’s Athletic Director Kevin White is heading to Duke.  Syracuse suspended WR Mike Williams because of academics.  Pitt’s Maurice Williams is in the same boat.  Georgia DE Jeremy Lomax has been arrested on a weapons charge.

 
Jerrett Smith is transferring from Michigan to Grand Valley State.

Kenny Perry won golf’s Memorial championship at 8 under par.  Justin Rose, Mike Weir, Jerry Kelly, and Matthew Goggin finished two strokes back.

Kyle Busch took home the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Dover International Speedway.  Denny Hamlin won Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series at Dover International Speedway. 

That concludes the Tidbits. As always feel free to add any stories you liked this week in sports or discuss any of the stories I mentioned. Thanks again for supporting my blog. Be sure to check out My Friends’ sites to your right.