Off the Tee: Tiger’s Return, Long Drought Ends, New Commish, Daly Film

It wasn't exactly the Chicago Cubs snapping a 108-year drought to win the World Series, but the PGA Tour saw a lengthy dry spell come to end over the weekend, as Aussie Rod Pampling drained a 32-footer on the 72nd hole to post his first tour win since 2006, winning the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. The victory was the eighth for an Australian player on the PGA Tour this season.

It was a great moment for Pampling, but the moment a lot of folks in the golf world are looking forward to is Tiger Woods' latest return, in three weeks, at the Hero World Challenge at Albany in the Bahamas. The tournament, which benefits Woods’ foundation, features 18 of the game’s top players.

In this edition of 'Off The Tee' I talk with Joel Harrington from 4 Deep Golf blog, about those stories, plus:

• Masters champ Danny Willett's game has really declined, seven months after winning at Augusta. The latest bad showing? A 4-over 75 during the final round at the Turkish Airlines Open last weekend, leaving him tied for 68th. In a post match interview, Willett said, "To be honest, I don't really want to be out there playing golf."
• Rory McIlroy has been very outspoken about a requirement that only European Tour members are eligible to make the European Ryder Cup team. A change may be coming soon.
• John Daly is the subject of a new ESPN documentary, 'Hit It Hard'. The 30-for-30 film is actually narrated by the two-time major winner.
• The PGA Tour will be under new leadership come January when Jay Monahan takes over as commissioner, replacing Tim Finchem, who is retiring after 20 years.

Here's my conversation with Joel:

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