4 Goofy members in Zhuhai Golf Trip

Billy, CYM, Lee Heng (what's his last name?) and Chi Keen made the trip in early November to Zhuhai. While we wait impatiently from CYM for his post on this blog, here are some pictures of their recent trip. C'mon CYM, make us regret for not joining your trip!!!

I just heard today that CYM wets his pants at Changi Airport just before departure. What a start to the memorable trip.

Even Tiger Woods is hit by recession!

GM ends Tiger Woods deal

DETROIT (Michigan) - BELEAGURED US automaker General Motors, facing desperate times in a troubled economy, has ended its endorsement deal with 14-time major golf champion Tiger Woods, the firm announced on Monday.

The sponsorship contract, believed to pay Woods US$7 million (S$10.6 million) a year, was due to expire at the end of 2009 but instead will conclude at the end of the year under mutual agreement between GM and the global golf star.

GM has sought US$25 billion in loans from the US government to avoid a shutdown that would cost thousands of jobs at its factories and related auto part manufacturing plants.

Woods has been featured in advertisements for GM products worldwide, notably the Buick automobile brand in China, Canada and the United States, and has played in many US PGA Tour events sponsored by the auto brand.

The decision comes as US car manufacturers face huge financial losses and budget shortfalls while Woods is on a layoff following left knee surgery after his triumph in June's US Open at Torrey Pines.

While the car company looks to save money, Woods seeks more personal time with his wife Elin due to give birth to their second child in 'late winter'.

'I am very proud of the long standing partnership I've had with GM and have enjoyed being a part of the company's dramatic product evolution. We've had a lot of fun together,' Woods said in a statement.

'We've had a lot of fun together, and I participated in some unique and rewarding activities. We've enjoyed a tremendous partnership over the years, and we will maintain strong ties with the many people at GM we call friends.'

GM officials say the ending of the deal is unrelated to the automaker's request for US$25 billion in loans from the federal government.

'Tiger has been a great friend to GM and a fantastic asset through the years,' said GM vice-president Mark LaNeve.

'This decision is the result of discussions that started earlier in the year and the timing of this agreement with these other activities is purely coincidental.'

Woods, who needs four more major titles to match Jack Nicklaus atop the all-time list, is not certain when he will return to action after missing the past six months to let a knee heal.

A likely contender for Woods' comeback tournament is Torrey Pines, where he won in a playoff last June while limping to the finish.

The Southern California course will host the US PGA Buick Invitational next February and Woods has won his past five starts there.

Woods said last month he was 'very confident' in playing at next April's Masters, the next major golf championship. He has won the event four times.

Woods has carried the Buick brand on his golf bag since 1999. The only other sponsor logo seen around his clubs since he turned professional in 1996 has been that of another major sponsor, Titleist. -- AFP

Rusty, no KTH and an interrupted sleep

Teed off very early today at 7.15am with Dick, Robert and Jonas. After not having made a single swing for 3 weeks (not even at the range), I went onto the course to take on these 3 buayas.

First shot was really bad, a hook on Airforce 1 (sounds like George Bush's plane) into the left bunker. Out to green side and failed to get up-and-down. Can't get into the hang of things. Chipping was especially bad, not having any feel at all. Putting was in patches, some time excellent, some time horrible. Navy 4, had a horrendous 4-putts. However, I was quite pleased with my new swing, it was quite alright even after a long lay-off. Shot 89, which I think was still decent.

Luckily $ wise, did lose too much, won all 6-es, lost the 2nd drink hole. Individually, lost to Dick 15, Jonas 10 but thanks to Robert, who decided to "press", I won 25. So I broke even.

Dick played well today, especially in the AF9, scoring pars when the 3 of us were making bogies. Of course all of us had excuses for playing badly. Me, I was rusty after 3 weeks without golf. Jonas (aka Key Tow Hong) decided to leave his "Hong" at home.

Robert? He said his sleep was interrupted by his wife at 3am.

I shall not elaborate on the details.

World class vs regional talents

I can't believe I have not swung a golf club for the past 2 weeks. By this saturday, it will be 3. Came back after 2 weeks of winter chill in Switzerland and France just in time to catch the last day of Barclays Singapore Open.

One thing that struck me most was the gulf between world class talents such as Jeev Milka Singh, Harrington and Els vs regional talents such as Chapchai and Lam Chih Bing.

What differentiate them was mental toughness. When push come to shove, these world class players soak up the pressure and still make the key strokes and putts. Chapchai and Lam Chih Bing, both leading into round 4, wilted under the tremendous pressure. We have seen many times how golfers when paired with Tiger going to the last round get intimidated and ultimately present the the trophy to him.

Jeev Milka Singh also took a while to break through, and now he knows how to win, having won the Volvo Masters last year and now Singapore Open.

Lets hope Lam Chih Bing will learn from his good performances in the British Open and Singapore Open and achieve his major win (not Major) soon.

Jonas "Key Tow Hong" - Posted on behalf of CYM

Wow, this Jonas 'key tow hong', did not made a single mistake at Navy. Every 2nd shot attacked pin and masok green, man. Upto 6 holes down 3 holes, how to play. Offered to pay $7.50 to avoid further damage. Wow lau, he so confidence rejected my offer. So I decided to show him my colour.

At 7th hole I hid my 2nd shot to 105m and he put it on again, cnn pow see liao.

I took out my 9 irons and gave it a good hit. It sailed up, pin high, dropped about 15m from pin and rowed to about 4 ft away. The buaya nearly birdie the hole, gave me a fright but I also par it. So down to 2 holes.

At 8, cnn my ball went to the left and rolled into hazard. The buaya 'flicked his tail' and gave a crooked smile. I was disappointed with my tee but did not gave up hope. Found my ball in the hazard but playable, I took out my 5 iron, managed to get it out to about 60m from the green on the left. He hid into the bunker. I told myself, ada chance lah. I used my sand wredge and got my ball on to about 20ft from pin. Alamak, our buaya friend putted from the bunker to about 15 ft. Neh neh ku, know how to play safe, ha. Buaya ada sikit brain. I putted to about 3 ft away. Lucky he didn't masok lobang. We both bogeed and so it's down to 1.

He hid a f*$%ing good shot at 9 but landed in the bunker to the left. I screwed my tee shot to just 10 - 15 ft passed the red tee. My 2nd shot was solid but still on level distance with the buaya. Wow lau, his 7 iron got him to 120m to pin playing yellow. I told myself, if I can get to about 100m still got chance. Again I screwed my 3rd shot and left me with 165m away. I know with his 'tow hong' day he will put it on with his 3rd shot. So I died died must cheong. Took out my 5 iron (these days my 5 iron can carry 160m, don't need my U wood). Hit my 4th shot, sailed thru' the air, alamak kanang pergi lah and tok nam, loh. Maybe still got chance if he top and masok ayer. Prayed hard hard, Lee Heng also. Wow lau, the tow hong really tow hong, pin high and landed 3 ft away from hole for birdie chance. I raised my white flag. Lucky only 9 holes otherwise backside bocho.

Although, lost individual still got chance to win our three's. Lee Heng and myself is up 1 hole going into 9. Need only half to win. Lee Heng got his bogee. So both of us chant 'miss, miss, miss'. I can see the buaya hands trembling but being a buaya how to let the prey lari. So the bite was hard, deep and painful. His birdie got him to even par for the 9 holes.

Well done, Jonas!!! It was fun, the only regret we did not do was taunting you.

A game of 2 nines?

Can't agree more with this statement.

Again, the weather was not kind to us, especially early in the morning. All flights were delayed by 1 hour due to the rain. Even as we teed off at about 8.30am, it was still raining. The rain did not stop until the 7th hole.

I am not sure if it was the rain or my new swing, my first 9 was horrendous, with 2 triple bogies. Started with a birdie but could not sustain. Had a 12 over for the first 9. Poor Richard, both of us partnering for the first six could not beat Peter and Albert Teo. He threatened to report me to CPIB :).

At crossover, I told myself to wipe out the first 9 from my memory and focus on my game. Weather was perfect on the 2nd 9. No sun, no rain, what else is there to ask for. Shot 1 over for the 2nd 9 with a lone bogey on Navy 4.

Apologies to Dick, who was so kind to give an early slot to me as I needed to run an errand. He ended up unable to crossover due to the rain.

Heard Jonas had a solid Navy 9, he shot even par. No wonder his flight could not crossover. CYM must have deliberately slow the game down to avoid being slaughtered further.