Woody Austin

[warbirdlover]

Everybody I'm sure has seen his "dip" and his wearing the scuba diving mask the next day after the Presidents Cup.

Here is the end of an article where his wife is describing his coming home, including a quote from Caddy Shack...

"He always knew he could play the game at this level," she said. "It was just surreal sitting there with Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. He's never had more fun than he's had this week."
Austin isn't treated like a celebrity at home, not even in their bowling league. Shannon Austin isn't sure how much that will change, although with the "Aquaman" hats, she didn't expect the ribbing to stop when he got home.
"I'm sure they'll have some fun with him," she said.
Do they have a pool? "No," she said with a smile. "But we have a pond."

Absolutely cracked me up!!

[Bravo]

Ya gotta love pro athetes who don't take themselves too seriously...his dip in the pond was a riot and you could see him grinning from ear to ear as he made his way out.

And the swimmask was really funny. I wish he had hit a shot with it on!...

I saw Tiger kidding with him afterward. You could tell they had a good relationship...

[limpalong]

This guy is quite a story. He's worked as a bank teller, sold cars, done whatever it takes to keep his dream of playing professional golf alive. His internal demons... quick temper... constant berating of himself... have kept him from really excelling at that dream.

With his quick temper, witnessed by his breaking of the putter over his head, I've often thought of the day that the bank where he worked might be robbed. Can you imagine some klutz, drugged out bank robber walking up to Austin's teller cage and demanding money? I could see Woody crawl over the counter, take away the robber's gun and shove it right up where the sun don't shine.

Woody was the fire that kept the American team alive. Woody was the magic in what could have, otherwise, been a pretty boring weekend of golf on television. All Miller wanted to do was his usual applauding of TW. Everytime someone would bring up how Woody's stepping up was driving the entire American team, Miller seemed to make another TW comment. Yet, by Sunday afternoon, even Miller was involved in the Woody excitment.

This guy was living the dream, but was allowing Verplank and Glover and CHIII and Mahan to also grab hold of what team play should be about. Woody carried the audience and the team right up until the match between TW and Weir. Mike Weir also stole some of the spotlight in his duel with TW. What a great match. Neither one would give it up. Neither one would bend. The Weir/TW match kept everyone setting on the edge of their chair.

Overall, it was a great weekend of golf. Woody Austin brought the game and the pursuit of a dream home to each and every one of us. Keep working hard. Keep doing whatever is necessary. Never give up. Almost 10 years older than anyone else on the team... Never before included in President's Cup or Ryder Cup team events... Woody Austin brought his love of the game right into my living room.

[sidewinder]

I wasn't a big Woody fan going into the President's Cup event. But, I have to admit, the guy has won me, and I am sure many others, over.

S-

[5iron]

He's a funny guy lol. I thought he was gonna putt with those goggles when i was watching!

[SCGolfer]

it's kinda funny that he got brought up today, I was thinking about him this morning. How he in a short period of time has gone from a so called 'cheat' with the putter incident to the guy that helped the american team win the presidents cup through his play and his character. It's funny how someone is looked at in this sport when they make a mistake or go against the code, yet when they can do something for 'america' it doesn't matter. not bashing anyone or the guy, i like him, his swing is pure and very sound. if he gets it all together mentally and physically he could put together a good run next season. just really strange how we look at people


Jason

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by SCGolfer

it's kinda funny that he got brought up today, I was thinking about him this morning. How he in a short period of time has gone from a so called 'cheat' with the putter incident to the guy that helped the american team win the presidents cup through his play and his character. It's funny how someone is looked at in this sport when they make a mistake or go against the code, yet when they can do something for 'america' it doesn't matter. not bashing anyone or the guy, i like him, his swing is pure and very sound. if he gets it all together mentally and physically he could put together a good run next season. just really strange how we look at people


Jason

Even funnier how Woody has gone from hero to goat to hero again, and John Daly is a goat forever in most people's minds.

[5iron]

Originally Posted by SCGolfer

it's kinda funny that he got brought up today, I was thinking about him this morning. How he in a short period of time has gone from a so called 'cheat' with the putter incident to the guy that helped the american team win the presidents cup through his play and his character. It's funny how someone is looked at in this sport when they make a mistake or go against the code, yet when they can do something for 'america' it doesn't matter. not bashing anyone or the guy, i like him, his swing is pure and very sound. if he gets it all together mentally and physically he could put together a good run next season. just really strange how we look at people


Jason

Yeah man i know what you mean, he seemed a lot more accepting at the PCUP, compared to the interview after like the 3rd round of the PGA Tournament.

[mont86]

I get a kick out of his antics, make for good golf.

[$2 Nassau]

I am not a big Woody fan, never have been and I'm still not. I guess I'm in the minority right now....but the guy cheated only a few short weeks ago, plain and simple.

His dip in the pond was funny, but that's about it.

[MGP]

Originally Posted by $2 Nassau

I am not a big Woody fan, never have been and I'm still not. I guess I'm in the minority right now....but the guy cheated only a few short weeks ago, plain and simple.

His dip in the pond was funny, but that's about it.

Oh really? You know this for a fact? You were inside his head and had inside information as to his intent on that "stroke"? The fact is no one but Woody Austin knows whether he meant to hit the ball or hold up on the stroke. Me, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt just as people have done when Tiger has come off his swing a few times this year but finished his follow through and missing the ball. Why was Tiger not questioned as to his intent?

Me, I'll take both of them at their words as to their intention on the swing and whether it was a stroke or not. I think overall the PGA tour pros are quite honest when it comes to calling penalties on themselves.

As for Woody himself, I kind of like him. He's a character, seems like a nice enough guy (especially seeing some of the more personal interviews at the President's Cup) and adds a little color to the tour. I think guys like him are good for the sport.

He's also from Kansas too. We're not all like Woody though.

[EDSGolf]

He is a breathe of fresh air!

[JEFF4i]

Originally Posted by MGP

Oh really? You know this for a fact? You were inside his head and had inside information as to his intent on that "stroke"? The fact is no one but Woody Austin knows whether he meant to hit the ball or hold up on the stroke. Me, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt just as people have done when Tiger has come off his swing a few times this year but finished his follow through and missing the ball. Why was Tiger not questioned as to his intent?

Me, I'll take both of them at their words as to their intention on the swing and whether it was a stroke or not. I think overall the PGA tour pros are quite honest when it comes to calling penalties on themselves.

Does it matter? I've seen that movie more times than I care to count, and I'd say about 90%, from the movements in his body, eyes, and club, he wanted to tap that in.

Also, you don't have to know intent to call someone on a penalty, just perceived intent. This applies to a few rules of golf.

Lastly, while I lost a little respect for him, I gained some too with this incedent, funny guy.

[figjam]

He just looks a big dopey red neck. I for one thought it was hilarious watching him taking a dip. I hope it gets brought up before every interview he ever does. I hope he never lives it down, and he goes down in history as one of the biggest idiots golf has ever seen.