Sport, sport, sport, sport. Today you get to ride up the front because you love sport. So do we, and here’s our weekly blab about the bits that took our fancy.
THE REAL FORGOTTEN MAN OF AUSTRALIAN GOLF WINS
The Gurgler’s favourite Australian golfer turned back the years and got his name back in the headlines (well our headlines at least) last weekend with a win on the second tier Web.com Tour’s BMW Charity Pro-Am in South Carolina. In the process he has moved to a ranking of 179 from 249.
A much underrated figure, very few would remember or care that Rod Pampling has won on the US PGA Tour, held a PGA Tour card for several years, was ranked inside the Top 30 at one stage, and even led a British Open. Not bad for a golfer from Caboolture.
He does it tough too, after losing his card he has continued to try his luck on the second tier tour, knowing a win will at least get a couple of games in the big time next season. He also lost his dad a year ago, so the win in the US will be all the sweeter and no less deserved for the real forgotten man of Australian golf.
The Gurgler salutes Rod Pampling and hopes to see him on a regular basis on next year’s PGA Tour and majors.
IS THE FRENCH OPEN TENNIS THE DANNY WOOD OF TENNIS MAJORS?
The French Open kicks off this weekend to very little fanfare, well amongst the general Australian sporting public.
With limited prior and recent Australian success at Roland Garros except for finals appearance by Sam Stosur, it tends to be the least anticipated of any tennis if not any sporting major. Much like the US PGA golf, Fencing at the Olympics or the Rugby World Cup.
The only interesting thing is usually the clay surface, but after a set or two that wears off and it is then confined to the quick check of the final score.
FTA TV gave up on it a while ago, probably because they couldn’t play it at the Olympic Stadium, and most of us wouldn’t have bothered even if it were on TV. Unless an Aussie does well of course. Then it’s time to get on Le Bandwagon.
ORIGIN TEAMS ANNOUNCED – NRL UNOFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES ITS COMPETITION IS RUBBISH FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS
So the origin teams were announced to few surprises for Qld and a couple for NSW, and whilst the excitement is high now, after many weeks of relentless origin hype, it will be good when the NRL returns in full.
Until then we have to put up with weeks of half arsed NRL games and teams missing star players, and if you’re lucky enough, very few of them will pick up injuries in Origin. One upside is that with only 1 game on a Friday night the chance of hearing Ray Hadley or Tim Gilbert call the game.
An argument we have made and will continue to make is why the origin treble can’t be held on a stand alone weekend and allow the NRL comp to continue for real when it’s all over. We can only pray that the changing of the FTA coverage will allow the NRL to dictate terms rather than the broadcaster doing it.
MOTORSPORT PINACLES THIS WEEKEND.
The biggest races of the F1 and Indycar are on almost back to back this weekend in a Sunday night worth ruining your Monday morning for.
The F1 visits the principality of Monaco on a street track that it outgrew fifty years ago. But the sight of the F1 cars rounding the tihght corners is still an treat that even gets the regular sporting public excited. Look for our preview of the Monaco race tomorrow.
The almost forgotten Indycar series has it’s showpiece on Sunday night with 500 miles of the Indianapolis circuit. It may be a boring oval, but like the Monaco GP it’s not always about the track or the racing but the premium event.
GURGLER’S SPORTING CLIPS OF THE WEEK
BEST OF THE MONACO GP
ASK DR SPORTZ
Q. DR Sportz who are your favourite French Tennis Players of all time?
Pierre Lachaise, Roland Garros, France
A. An interesting question, and one that is hard to come up with just the one, there’s so many, if I had to pick one I wouldn’t, I’d pick them all. Or at least the new few.
In no particular order – Guy Forget, Yannick Noah and Henri Leconte. All are from a not too long past vintage and all more interesting than any of today’s with the possible exception of Tsonga. Marian Bartoli wins the female player as it is the only one I can think of.
THIS WEEK’S TV HIGHLIGHTS
| THU | 21-May | 17:45 | F1 | FS5 | MONACO GP P1/P2 |
| FRI | 22-May | 19:10 | GP2 | FS5 | GP2 MONACO RACE 1 |
| SAT | 23-May | 18:45 | F1 | FS5 | MONACO GP P3 and QUALIFYING |
| SAT | 23-May | 19:20 | AFL | FF | HAWTHORN V SYDNEY |
| SUN | 24-May | 0:05 | GP2 | FS5 | GP2 MONACO RACE 2 |
| SUN | 24-May | 13:30 | RL | CH9 | QLD CUP – REDCLIFFE V CENTRAL |
| SUN | 24-May | 20:30 | F1 | FS5 | MONACO GP HYPE + RACE |
| SUN | 24-May | 23:50 | EPL | FS + | FINAL DAY |
| MON | 25-May | 1:10 | INDY | FS5 | INDIANAPOLIS 500 |
| WED | 27-May | 19:30 | RL | CH9 | STATE OF ORIGIN 1 |
[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
