Just got this in an email from The Tour Championship people.  A few Questtions and answers from Vijay, Sergio, and an answer with no question from Mickelson

I really hate the cliche first question - but the second one is interesting.  It sounds like something from the Spanish Inquisition. (NOOOObody expects the Spanish Inquisition !!) 

Vijay Singh, Aug. 24 – Ranked No. 1 – 109,500 points

(Began The Barclays ranked No. 7 in FedExCup points; moved to No. 1 with his victory)

Q. You have a pretty long resumé, but what would winning the FedExCup mean to you?  

VIJAY SINGH: Well, I'm going to answer that question when I win it. (Laughing). It would be nice to win it, I've got a great start, and I just have to go ahead and play hard for the next three other events. The guys behind me, the way the system works now, the next guy that wins can just overtake you. It's going to be tough. But I'm ahead and I've got a head start, so I just have to go out there and play consistent, solid golf and hopefully win at the end.

Q. Is it something you covet, is it something that you want?
VIJAY SINGH: Oh, yeah, definitely everybody that's playing the FedExCup wants to win. I mean, I want to win as much as anybody else. But that doesn't prove that I'm going to win it. I have to go out there and do it. That's what I'm looking forward to.

(f he had answered "covet" - would he have been beaten wwwiiiiiiiiiith...the comfy chair ?)

Third question - apparently whoever asked this one might not pass the English proficiency test on the LPGA -- (hint - where's the actual question ?)

Sergio Garcia, Aug. 24 – Ranked No. 2 – 104,375 points – 5,125 points behind leader (Began The Barclays ranked No. 12 in FedExCup points; moved to No. 2 with his T2 finish)

Q: One last question, gearing up for the rest of the Playoffs, you're looking to be in good position.
SERGIO GARCIA: Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. Obviously this was a good start. Not the perfect start, obviously, but it was a very good start. I'm looking forward to keep moving in the right direction, keep giving myself chances in the next two weeks, and then get ready for The Ryder Cup and see if we can have a good TOUR Championship and at least have a chance at winning the FedExCup.

Anybody got a Phil to English Translator handy ? :)

Phil Mickelson, Aug. 20 – Ranked No. 4 – 7,550 points behind leader

“I think it's gaining a lot of traction with the players. The players are excited about it. What's cool is that we have a guy like Padraig Harrington, who just won the last two majors, and would love to take a bunch of time off, but he cares about the Playoffs, and he's here and plans on playing every week. I think that speaks to how credible these events have quickly become…

And I think that the points system, I think is fine. I think it's very good, and the reason that is, is because you have to have it open to where in a playoff system, anybody can win, per se. But you also still have to entice players and create value into having a higher ranking heading into the Playoffs. Otherwise, guys won't play; if they are already in and everyone starts at zero, there's no incentive for the guys to play those last few events towards the end of the year.

So there's an incentive for guys to finish high, and it's to where the top 20 or 30 really realistically have a chance of winning the FedExCup. And yet, there's enough turnover to where nobody has any idea really who is going to win.”

(yes - PADDY is playing all four tournaments - PHIL, on the other hand, skipped one last year)

Sitting here watching the KLM Open third round on xxx Golf Channel and saw the most amazing thing I have seen by a pro in a long time.  This could rival any of Tiger's shots or putts, or Mickelnuts' wedge from the trees at the Colonial.

Ross McGowan's approach to the 12th missed the green and rolled into a ground under repair area.  He pulled out his driver to measure a drop area, then dropped not once, but twice (the first drop bounced closer to the hole).

What made this so incredible was that McGowan did it without calling an official.  He and his "playing opponent" (don't you love political correctness ?) took care of the situation without a 5 minute wait for an official to make a call, explain the rule, and supervise the drop. 

Granted, this happened on the European Tour, not our beloved PGA Tour where something like this might have taken them out of their preshot routine, or interrupted a discussion of endorsements with an agent - but it was refreshing to see a pro step up and take care of a simple rule situation. (I almost had to reach for a tissue to wipe away a tear of pride for McGowan) 

We golfers do have a tendency to buy a lot of toys - some of them on Ebay.  I just got this notice from a (reliable) friend about a problem Ebay and Paypal are having with hijacked passwords to accounts...

"Just wanted to give everyone the heads up. I spent the better part of this morning talking to www.avangate.com and paypal over the phone. My account was hacked into and someone in california (according to the ISP address according the avagate.com) made a bogus purchase. Not too much money, but none the less, irked me real bad.

I did receive the refund, but im just happy its taken care of.

My real reason for this post is 2 fold.

1) Paypal informed me these medium sized purchases have been occuring more often lately, and they recommend that people like me (who use paypal often) change passwords OFTEN and maybe even email addresses. I did both to be safe. this is time #2 this has happened to me in 4 years.

2) Be Careful!!!   They believe people are making these small-medium size purchases hoping the real owner wont notice. AVANGATE said i am not the only defrauded person, happens alot for these small companies who sell computer proxy's (whatever they are???)

Just wanted to warn everybody, be careful, and consider changing passwords!"

How about this - and I have to admit that I'm surprised - Michelle Wie fired a two under 70 today, which still puts her at +1 for the tournament, but it's looking like she will make the cut.

Veeeeerrry interesting.  She is still 9 shots below the leaders and has a boatload of players to pass to get into the top 2/3/4, depending on who's numbers you believe will make her enough money to get her LPGA card for '09.

Most of the leaders are still on the course, so the top spot could be more than 9 away, and 4th is 6 away.

SO - here's the question - knowing that she doesn't have a history of going low - can she put up at least 2 65's to make up the ground on Saturday and Sunday ?

If she can't break par, or only posts 1 or 2 under, will she give up on Sunday ? (this is a pretty good sized purse - a decent finish won't get her a card - but there is that pesky "back to school" shopping to do and those #2 pencils aren't cheap anymore) :-)

Wow - it's Wednesday already, and I haven't heard the first peep about the greatest golfer in history teeing it up at the CN Canadian Women's Open this week.

No parades - no video mantage - no 24 hour coverage from XXX Golf  Channel - nothing !

Is the magic gone already ?  If she doesn't win or finish top 4 to get a card for next year, will we start reading "loser" articles left and right ? (hey - she and Sergio could start dating...as long as he doesn't mind dating someone taller than him) :-)

What has happened to the media hype machine around Michelle Wie ?  Swallowed by global warming ?  In therapy during Tiger's absence ?

My prediction ?  If she makes the cut, but finds herself way out of contention for a top 4 finish - there will be a mysterious relapse of the wrist "injuries", or the heat will get to her, or a new Spice Girls and Insync CD will be released that she just HAS to have -- and she'll withdraw.