Tiger shuts down the season (TheGolfChannel.com)

We interrupt our hiatus to bring you this story: according to TheGolfChannel.com, recent U.S. Open champion Tiger Woods has decided to end his 2008 golf season due to a stress fracture that occurred right before the Open.

He experienced a small stress fracture in his left leg about two weeks before the U.S. Open, which was causing him the pain, and ultimately the doctors feel that he needs ACL surgery and rest to get him back to 100%.

It just adds to the lore of the epic 91-hole U.S. Open Championship, doesn’t it?

***UPDATED at 11:36 AM ET***

Sources tell the Associated Press that Woods will indeed abruptly end his ‘08 season to have surgery.

***UPDATED at 11:39 AM ET***

TigerWoods.com confirms that the golfer will undergo season ending surgery.

News and notes while Stromile Swift needs some anger management help…

Poulter: I can challenge Tiger (Reuters) The last guy that made such a claim got his butt-kicked.

Strahan living it up (Y! Sports) Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports writes that New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan is enjoying his second crack at an NFL title.

Tollner named QBs coach/assistant to the head coach (The Press Democrat) Matt Maiocco of The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, Calif.) writes that the San Francisco 49ers have officially tabbed Ted Tollner to coach to quarterbacks and will also be an assistant to head coach Mike Nolan.

Brooks not hired, yet (PFT.com) Despite Len Pasquarelli’s confirmation, ProFootballTalk.com states that the Washington Redskins have not hired — or have come to any agreement — with Larry Brooks to coach the defensive line.

Fresno St. OC will take same job with ‘Bama (SportingNews) Sources have told Sporting News’s Tom Dienhart that Jim McElwain will replace Major Applewhite as offensive coordinator at Alabama.

…and finally…

Mike & Mike, sad media folk and the Fox Sports Grill (Deadspin) Will Leitch’s evening in Glendale, Arizona.

Tilghman issues apology upon return (ESPN.com)

In a special to ESPN.com, Bob Harig writes that Kelly Tilghman, who was suspended for inflammatory remarks on Jan. 4, issued a 21-second apology just prior to The Golf Channel’s coverage of the Buick Open.

“In a recent live broadcast, I used an inappropriate word that was offensive to many. Over the last two weeks I’ve taken the time to reflect and truly understand the impact of what I said,” she said. “While I did not intend to offend anyone, I understand why those words were hurtful. I am terribly sorry for any hurt that I have caused. I would like to express my deepest apologies.”

We wonder if she heard Jim Brown’s comments earlier Thursday on ESPN’s First Take.

Woods calls ‘lynch’ comment ‘unfortunate,’ says the matter is over (AP/Yahoo! Sports)

Tiger Woods spoke out for the first time on the whole controversy surrounding comments made by The Golf Channel’s Kelly Tilghman.

“It was unfortunate,” Woods said. “Kelly and I did speak. There was no ill intent. She regrets saying it. In my eyes, it’s all said and done.”

[…]

“It was more media-driven than anything else…I tell them she’s a friend of mine, which she is,” Woods said. “I’ve known her for 10 or 11 years now. We all say things we do regret, and that’s certainly a moment she does regret.”

Woods spoke at the Tiger Woods Learning Center, where he announced a contest for children to talk about their first “fist-pump” moment.

News and notes while Peter King recovers from having his heart break…

Day 8: Federer, Blake and Venus all winners (AP/USATODAY.com) Today’s recap of the Aussie Open.

FIFA, UEFA to pay clubs $225M (TSN.ca) Top European soccer clubs will receive about US$252 million over the next four years as compensation for using players in international games.

No dumb blond jokes here (LA Times) T.J. Simers of The Los Angeles Times remembers former Los Angeles — and now St. Louis — Rams owner Georgia Frontiere and takes a poke at a newspaper colleague.

Language was hurtful, but actions were profane (WashingtonPost.com) Michael Wilbon of The Washington Post tackles the Golf Channel controversy (I-Five to The Big Lead for the tip).

Review: ‘God Save the Fan’  by Will Leitch (DanShanoff.com) The great Dan Shanoff who doesn’t read our emails anymore since he’s hit the big time — we’re kidding – gives a review to the upcoming book, “God Save the Fan” by Deadspin’s Will Leitch.

News and notes while Dan Marino’s cell phone rings — again…

Report: Tulowitzki, Rockies agree to record pact (MLB.com) Via The Denver Post, the Colorado Rockies and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki have agreed on a contract extension that will pay him $30 million over six seasons.

Dungy to announce future on Monday (ESPN.com) According to ESPN.com’s Chris Mortensen, Indianapolis Colts owner Robert Irsay believes that head coach Tony Dungy is leaning towards returning.

New Golfweek editor will apologize for controversial cover (USATODAY.com) Jeff Babineau, the newly appointed editor of Golfweek, will apologize for a picture of a noose on its cover to illustrate a package of stories about Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman.

Source: UCLA hires Chow as OC (ESPN.com) Norm Chow has been hired by UCLA as offensive coordinator, sources close to Chow told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.

Louisville’s Brohm will not play in Senior Bowl (SI.com) According to SI.com’s Tony Pauline, Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm has elected not to take part in the Senior Bowl.  He joins Boston College signal caller Matt Ryan on the list of top-rated quarterbacks backing out.

NHLPA head: More teams for Canada (Palm Beach Post) Within this Florida Panthers notebook for the Palm Beach Post, NHL Player’s Association topper Paul Kelly would like for the league to consider Canadian cities should they decide to expand again in the near future.

…and finally…

Q&A with Brian Boitano (USATODAY.com) What would Brian Boitano do? Sit down with Amy Rosewater of USATODAY.com, that’s what (sorry, we just wanted to use a South Park reference).

Golfweek replaces editor responsible for ‘noose’ imagery (AP/ESPN.com)

The editor who decided it’d be a good idea to put a noose on the cover of Golfweek magazine in reference to the Kelly Tilghman controversy, was canned.

“We apologize for creating this graphic cover that received extreme negative reaction from consumers, subscribers and advertisers across the country,” Turnstile Publishing Co. president William P. Kupper Jr. said. “We were trying to convey the controversial issues with a strong and provocative graphic image. It is now obvious that the overall reaction to our cover deeply offended many people. For that, we are deeply apologetic.

To recap: that’s how to lose a good gig in less than 24 hours.

News and notes while prepping an abbreviated edition of the ‘Lunch’…

Garrett spurns Ravens, Falcons (AP/SI.com) Jason Garrett, the Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator and assistant coach, turned down offers from both the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons to remain in Dallas.  Next stop: head coach of the Cowboys?

Michigan’s Rodriguez: Lies need to end (ToledoBlade.com) Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez broke his silence on the controversy that has followed since he left West Virginia for the Wolverines regarding allegations that he shred files as left the school.

Golfweek fuels lynching controversy with noose on cover (ESPN.com News Services) Cover of golf magazine depicts noose on cover in reference to The Golf Channel’s Kelly Tilghman’s remarks about PGAer Tiger Woods.  One word: Morons.

Former NHLer Ramage sentenced (CP/TSN.ca) Rob Ramage, who spent 15 seasons in the NHL, was sentenced for four years in prison for a crash that killed his friend, former Chicago Blackhawks player Keith Magnuson.

Golf Channel’s Kelly Tilghman suggests young golfers should “lynch” Tiger (Chicago Tribune)

Late last week, The Golf Channel’s Kelly Tilghman that today’s young players might “lynch Tiger Woods in a back alley” during a Friday telecast on the station.

“On Friday during our golf broadcast, Nick Faldo and I were discussing Tiger’s dominance in the golf world and I used some poorly chosen words. I have known Tiger for 12 years and I have apologized directly to him. I also apologize to our viewers who may have been offended by my comments.”

More after the jump »

News and notes while battling a upper-respiratory issue…

McNamee then and now (Bats) The former trainer for Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte composed a piece in 2000 for the New York TImes stating “the suggestion that steroids are the answer to the increased strength, recovery from injury and the improved performances of today’s players is just wrong.”

Jenkins narrows choice to Phils, Friars (FOXSports.com) Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com writes that Geoff Jenkins, formerly of the Milwaukee Brewers, has narrowed his options to two clubs: The Philadelphia Fightin’ Phils and the San Diego Padres.

Ducks fielding trade offers from four teams as Niedermayer returns (The Hockey News) Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke is fielding offers for one of his defenseman, and while it’s possible a deal could be done in time that would allow Scott Niedermayer to play tonight in the Ducks home game against the Minnesota Wild, writes The Hockey News’ Ken Campbell.
Sources: Vols’ assistant Cutcliffe to take job at Duke (ESPN.com) Sources tell ESPN.com’s Chris Low that Tennessee Volunteers  assistant coach David Cutcliffe will accept Duke University’s offer to coach their football team.

Evert, Norman gets engaged (AP/Y! Sports) Former tennis great Chris Evert announced her engagement to golfing legend Greg Norman while attending the South African Open golf tournament in the South-Western Cape.

News and notes while the John McEnroe seems to think the mob is infiltrating tennis…

Big Ten expanding to 13-week schedule (AP/SI.com) The Big Ten will move to a 13-week schedule beginning in 2009, pushing the rivalry game and the rest of the conference’s schedule to the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Borges out as coordinator at Auburn (AP/SI.com) Auburn offensive coordinator Al Borges resigned after four seasons and will not coach in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson.

Tiger Woods voted PGA Tour Player of the Year (PGA.com) This is Woods’ ninth title in 11 years.

Ombudsman tackles Taylor coverage and Cowherd (Awful Announcing) Le Anne Schreiber takes on ‘The Teaser.’

The problem isn’t Reggie Bush, it’s the NFL (100% Injury Rate) The great blog 100% Injury Rate makes the case that comparing New Orleans running back to Chicago Bears great Gayle Sayers are grossly unfair.

News and notes while Peter Gammons is a multimedia force…

Heyman: O’s need to trade Bedard (SI.com) Jon Heyman of SI.com writes that the Baltimore Orioles need to move lefthanded fireballer Erik Bedard, but obstacles stand in the way of getting it done. Of course, there are other notes within this column: Scott Rolen could still go; Jake Peavy is anxious to sign his new deal; and the Cubbies are the leaders in landing Hiroki Fukudome…should he decide to come to the U.S.

Stars defenseman Boucher sidelined indefinitely (CP/THN.com) Dallas Stars defenseman Phillipe Boucher will miss four to six weeks after undergoing shoulder surgery.

So wait…Is Les Miles staying or going? (The Big Lead) LSU’s Les Miles still hasn’t hammered out a deal with the university.  We still aren’t surprised.

The NFL announcing schedule, Week 14 (Awful Announcing) Want to know where Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots are this week? If not, the picture on the other side of the link is easy on the eyes.

Anna Rawson gets her LPGA Tour card (GolfNow/Deadspin) We might have a reason to follow women’s golf besides seeing Michelle Wie fail: Anna Rawson (with pictorial goodness).

Your votes fuel a 16-team college football tournament (SI.com) Hey, this is an original idea.  Get on board…or don’t.

BMW Championship to return to Cog Hill in Chicago for four straight years (Reuters)

The PGA Tour announced that the BMW Championship, currently scheduled to be held at St. Louis’ Bellerieve C.C. in 2008, will return home to Lemont, Ill., Cog Hill Golf & Country Club for 2009.

“We believe this new sequence for the BMW Championship will only enhance the tremendous appeal of this great event,” PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said in a statement.

“The BMW Championship will be exceptional next year at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis and then Chicago-area golf fans will enjoy four straight years of watching the world’s best players through three consecutive playings.”

In 2010, the BMW Championship will be played at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana.

News and notes while Gary Bettman does show prep for his upcoming XM Radio show…

College hoops preview (SI.com) SI.com wades through all the scouting reports for the college basketball clubs so you don’t have to.

PGA playoffs to take break for Ryder Cup in ‘08 (AP/USA Today) Two week break to give players chance to “freshen” up before the Ryder Cup.
Sirius shareholders on board for XM deal (Engadget) Speaking of XM…why do we care about this? Because sports-themed radio stations are at stake, dammit!

Should the Reds trade Junior? (Bugs & Cranks) Nick Kendall of B&C examines the idea of the Cincinnati Reds dealing off outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. this offseason.

The SSW: This week in the SSW (Deadspin) The description, from Deadspin:  Slate writer Robert Weintraub has been tinkering with a concept called The SSW, short for “The Sean Salisbury Wisdom,” which tracks the consensus of the football punditocracy to ensure those triumphant declarations from Friday aren’t flushed down the memory hole on Monday.

Wie’s agent quits are less than a year on job (AP/ESPN)

The agent for Michelle Wie decided to quit abruptly, ending his one-year association with the golfing “sensation.”

Greg Nared, a former Nike business manager whom the William Morris agency brought on a year ago to manage Wie and oversee the budding golfer’s career, resigned his position at the agency.  The decision comes the day following Wie finished second to last at the Samsung World Championship, placing 19th out of 20.
More after the jump »

Park and Creamer share Samsung lead; Wie shoots 79 (Golf.com)

How did Michelle Wie celebrate her 18th birthday?

By shooting a 79 and three shots behind some gal named Bettina Hart, Wie sits in 20th-place at the Samsung Open in Palm Desert, Calif.

More after the jump »