Paul Azinger Continues His Reign On America, Will Throw Out First Pitch at Rays Game

I guess when you win the first Ryder Cup in nine years for the United States and live remotely close to Tampa Bay, damnit, you're a Rays fan, and an Ammmerican!!!!

Paul Azinger, king of all that is Nick Faldo, was picked to toss out one of the pitches in the Rays first ever playoff games, mostly because nobody notable is a Rays fan (no, Dick Vitale doesn't count).

That won't stop Azinger from telling everyone that he's some huuuuge Rays fan that loves them and wants to marry them. Liar.

“This is very special for me,” Azinger said. “I’ve been a Rays fan since the inception of the franchise and attend games at Tropicana Field as often as I can. This year’s Rays club shows what a team with talent, character and faith can do.”

I'm not buying it. Look at this picture. That is what Tropicana Stadium looked like before the Rays decided to be good this season. Nobody went to those games, especially not Azinger. You can't fool me sir. Just go back to being a great Ryder Cup captain and not a baseball fan. Those sports can confuse a fellow.

[Deadspin]

Jimmy Walker and Scott Sterling Are the Lucky Dogs Paired With Wie

At 1:55 EST today, Michelle Wie will embark on her first PGA Tour event.

Oh, I'm hearing this isn't her first time doing this. Really? Oh, whatever.

Anyway, she's going to be paired with the illustrious Jimmy Walker and Scott Sterling. Never heard of 'em? Not sure they are even people?

Well, let's do a mini crash course on the two.

Jimmy Walker, the strapping 29-year-old Baylor graduate, has won three times on the Nationwide Tour and in his second full season on the PGA Tour, has made nine of 15 cuts. Met his wife at a Nationwide event where she was a volunteer for the tournament, strictly prohibited in the "Nationwide Tour volunteer handbook."

Scott Sterling was the original DJ for the hip hop group Boogie Down Productions. Ehh, wrong guy. Nope, Scott Sterling is a PGA Tour player that finished in a tie for 12th at the John Deere this year, and is an avid fan of Pearl Jam.

Sound like a couple of guys perfect for Wie. Also, something I find funny, neither guys are in the top 50 in driving distance, maybe something the Reno-Tahoe people are doing so they can have a highlight on "Sportscenter" of Wie out-driving two men. "Wow, did you see how far that girl can hit it, she's amaaaazing!"

That Skinny Kid From the British Open Is Turning Pro

During all the hullabaloo that was Greg Norman at the British Open, an amateur named Chris Wood was doing his best Justin Rose impersonation, finishing in a tie for fifth place at the Open.

Just 20-years-old, Wood, like that guy with a similar last name, decided to forgo his amateur status and turn professional even though he said he wasn't going to do that.

British Open silver medal winner Chris Wood has decided to turn professional, less than a week after saying he had no plans to leave the amateur game.

The 20-year-old Englishman finished tied for fifth in the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, and then announced he was taking a week off to rest up for the English Amateur Championship at Woodhall Spa.

However, after several meetings with management companies in the aftermath of his Birkdale success, Wood has withdrawn from his national championship to prepare for life as a tour pro.

Checking out more info on Wood, it appears the guy is a great player. According to his Wikipedia page, he was a single digit handicapper at the age of 12.

Believe what you want, but my Wikipedia page says I'm 6'5", won the Masters at the age of 15 and am currently dating both Jessica Alba and Megan Fox. I love that about Wikipedia, you can really say anything you want.