During the chaotic celebration just moments after the United
States clinched victory against Europe at the Ryder Cup last month, Zach
Johnson was looking for somebody to hug.
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. He was walking down the 18th hole at Hazeltine when he saw Tiger
Woods -- make that vice captain Tiger Woods -- barreling toward him. T
sees me out of the corner of his eye and starts running at me, Johnson
recalled. We had a big old hug. I was emotional; he was emotional.Then,
Woods took off.He was the assistant responsible for a quartet of team
members that included Matt Kuchar, who was still playing in the last
match on the course. As Woods quickly explained to Johnson following
that tearful embrace, even though the overall result was decided, he
still needed to oversee his mans match to fruition.Thats just one story
about Woods first venture in a captaincy role, but there are plenty of
others. Like the one about him calling captain Davis Love III with some
ideas about potential Saturday pairings -- before the roster was even
finalized. Or the one about him teaming up with Jack Nicklaus during the
week to poke fun at Love for a poor shot from years earlier. Or the one
about Woods good-naturedly getting ribbed by team members in the
aftermath for failing to play in each of the two U.S. victories this
century.I told him, All I know is that the last two Ryder Cups we won,
you werent a part of, man, Brandt Snedeker recalled with a laugh. Maybe
weve got a trend going on.All of these stories about Woods time as an
assistant are preceded and followed by connective tissue that tells more
about his dedication to the role than any anecdote. He worked at it. He
strategized. He formulated plans. And most importantly, despite what so
many have often insisted in regard to his attitude toward this biennial
competition, he cared -- a lot.He doesnt do anything halfway -- lift
weights, ride bikes, whatever. He jumps in, Love explained. He was so
focused and driven. I can just flip through his text messages and show
you pictures of pairings, plan A, plan B, cold weather pairings versus
hot weather, wet versus dry. No wonder the guy is so successful.If Love
was the teams general manager, then Woods was like the head coach
calling the plays. Or maybe if Love was the head coach, then Woods was
the offensive coordinator figuring out the Xs and Os. There might not be
a perfect analogy, but its clear that Woods role with the team was
hardly ceremonial or lackadaisical.Tiger as an assistant, I think that
raised a few eyebrows. I think folks were concerned about his level of
involvement, but it was just the opposite. He was really a part of it,
said fellow vice captain Jim Furyk. He was on top of pairings and ideas
and lineups and orders, way, way, way ahead of time. He fully bought
in.He had situational options already on paper -- practice rounds,
formats, weather, Friday through Sunday, Johnson added. He was all-in.
He was all-in with this team from Day 1.Woods impact extended beyond the
details, too.Its no coincidence that he was assigned to the pod that
included Patrick Reed -- and perhaps no coincidence that Reed turned in
one of the most impressive performances in Ryder Cup history with his
childhood idol watching. It was a big part of what Patrick Reed did that
Tiger Woods was his guy, Love explained. Everybody had their role ....
That was for a reason.You look at some of those young guys on the team,
Furyk said. They grew up idolizing Tiger Woods. He was the most dominant
player in the history of golf at one time. Now hes a captain. One of
them said, Wow, hes actually our captain and hes talking to us. They
just looked up to him so much. They had him on this pedestal. They got
to see him in the team room and be one of the guys pumping them up.For
everything Woods meant to the team, the team -- from all accounts --
meant just as much to him. He wasnt involved in the last U.S. victory in
2008, which means it had been 17 years since hed been part of a winning
Ryder Cup side.I think it really meant a lot to Tiger to be a part of
something like that, Furyk said. All of us have done stuff on our own
and accomplished different feats individually, but its special to do
something as a group and I think it meant a lot to every one of us to
win, and I think it meant a lot to Tiger to have those guys embrace him
like they did.All of which leads to one more story about Woods from that
week. It was hours after the team had clinched the win, after the
champagne spraying and the closing ceremonies and the media interviews.
In the midst of the afterparty, Woods pulled a few players together and
recalled an old memory. This one was from 1999, when the U.S. had won at
Brookline in come-from-behind fashion. Woods went to sleep before most
of his teammates that night, only to be awoken by Payne Stewart, who
implored him to return to the party.Stewart told him to remember that
night, because it was so special. Woods recalled this story as he
huddled with those players Sunday night after the win. He echoed those
words that Stewart had told him so many years ago.Remember this night,
he told them. This is a special night.
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Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the
briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final
action was deemed necessary.
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The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a
17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three
birdies with two bogeys for a 70.
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With his new coach and six-time Grand Slam singles champion Boris Becker
watching him during an official match for the first time, Djokovic
appeared tentative early against the Slovakian player, who often
appeared content to keep the ball in play.
Need to catch up with whats happening in the world of sports
and pop culture? Dont worry, I got you.1. So, what a roller-coaster of a
week, huh?2. Before admitting he voted via an absentee ballot, Alabama
head coach Nick Saban told reporters he didnt know last Tuesday was
Election Day. Meanwhile, NBA head coaches Gregg Popovich and Stan Van
Gundy were very outspoken about the election results. Should sports play
a role in politics?3. NFL quarterback and activist Colin Kaepernick
said he didnt vote in the presidential election. Does not exercising his
right to vote make his protest of the national anthem, and all of his
other actions, less impactful? Stephen A. Smith weighs in?on ESPNs First
Take.4. The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks were early
favorites for Super Bowl LI, but are the 8-1 Dallas Cowboys
now?noteworthy contenders?5. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones officially
announced a healthy Tony Romo will back up the teams rookie quarterback,
Dak Prescott, next week. But did he really have a choice?6. Am I alone
in rooting for Dallas because of Prescott?(despite despising the Cowboys
my entire life)? Please tell me you understand my pain.?7. How will
an?upset-filled?day impact the race to the College Football Playoff??8.
Why does espnWs Mechelle Voepel question if this womens college
basketball season is really as wide open as everyone says it is??9. From
0 to 27,000 real quick: LeBron James became the youngest player to
reach this milestone on the court, but will he reach?No. 1??10. Is this
the mannequin challenge to end all mannequin challenges??11. Following
her loss to Raquuel Pennington?at UFC 205, bantamweight fighter Miesha
Tate announced her retirement.
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. Was she just caught up in the moment, or is she done for good??12.
What did?Conor McGregors win at UFC 205?do for his legacy?13. After
failing to qualify for the Rio Olympics, the U.S. mens national soccer
team is hoping to bounce back and compete at the 2018 World Cup. So,
howd they do in their first qualifier against rival Mexico??14. Olympic
skier Lindsey Vonn broke her right arm while training on Friday. But how
did the gold medalist respond??15. How are women still breaking ground
at United States service academies??16. Were you ever told you couldnt
do something because you were a girl? Here are the stories of 25 women
who fought past the naysayers.?17. Can we please clone Detroit Lions
linebacker DeAndre Levy? His understanding of misogyny is a breath of
fresh air.?18. Will real life ever imitate art? Check out Katie Barnes
recap of Pitch for intel.?19.?You mad? Find out how Gabby Douglas
responded to her Instagram haters last week. Hint ... the accomplished
gymnast encouraged them to volunteer or become peer mentors instead of
trolling on social media.20. Because we could all use a bit of levity:
If this happened to you, are you enjoying the views or running for your
life??Shana Renee is the founder and editor-in-chief of?All Sports
Everything?and a passionate New York Jets, Knicks and Yankees fan.
Follow her sports talk on Twitter at?@ItsShanaRenee.
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