Sept. 6, 2006 - Thomas Bjorn upset over snub for Ryder Cup and Skins Matches

Golf News Article

09/06/2006
Thomas Bjorn Reaction to Ryder Cup & Skins Game Selections

Something rotten in Denmark?
By Carmen Diode

The past few weeks have not been particularly good for Danish golfer, Thomas Bjorn. The thirty-five year old pro from Denmark was snubbed twice by the golf world just in the last week alone when he was passed over for the 2006 European Ryder Cup golf team and passed over by the folks at ABC for this years "Skins Game". Several weeks ago ABC also failed to name Bjorn as one of the celebrities for the upcoming season of "Dancing with the Stars."

Bjorn was exceptionally upset when he learned that European Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam (Wales) had selected Irish golfer, Darren Clarke and English golfer, Lee Westwood to be his two captain's picks. Bjorn reacted angrily after learning that Woosnam had overlooked him in favor of Clarke and Westwood, criticizing Woosnam's performance as Ryder Cup captain, questioning the legitimacy of Woosnam's birth and threatening to “kick the little bugger's ass.” Bjorn has not had time to react to the "Skins Game" snub because he was too busy apologizing to the press for his outburst against Woosnam - but he promised an appropriate angry response once he has a chance to think about it. In the meantime Bjorn continues to lose hair at an alarming rate.

ABC named John Daly, Stephen Ames, Fred Couples and last year's winner Fred Funk as the contestants for this year's “Skins Game” match. ABC Sports will televise the $1 million LG SKINS GAME, from the Trilogy Golf Club in La Quinta, California. The 24th edition of the event, annually one of the most widely viewed golf programs, will be televised in digital high-definition television (HDTV) on Saturday, Nov. 25 (check your local listings for times and channels).

The Skins Game has been one of the highest rated golf telecasts since its inception. The Don Ohlmeyer/Gary Frank creation began in 1983 with four of golf's greatest players - Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Tom Watson -and the Skins Game became an instant golfing television success. ABC began inviting younger players in the late eighties when Nicklaus, Palmer and Player began to require electronic wheelchairs to get around the golf course.

The players selected for the 2006 event are curious to say the least. Unlike years past, there are no current year major tournament winners, no Ryder Cup members, no one from the world's top ten golf rankings and no chicks. Stephen Ames is the closest thing to a major tournament winner having won the 2006 Players Championship. John Daly's game is no longer competitive since he has given in to his drinking and gambling addictions - but he remains a fan favorite and a good ratings draw. Hopefully he will have recovered from the gastrointestinal virus that has forced him to withdraw from two recent golf tournaments. Fred Couples' game is also no longer competitive due to chronic back problems and ABC may need to dust off one of their electronic wheelchairs to help him navigate the course. Fred Funk's spot is automatic as last year's winner. Funk is having trouble deciding whether he wants to play the Champions Tour or Regular Tour, or whether he prefers men's clothes or women's attire (he played several holes in a skirt, last year). ABC did not give a reason for not including a female golfer in this year's group of contestants. Annika Sorenstam played in the three previous “Skins Game” matches. There has been some speculation that ABC wanted a more feminine female than the tomboyish Sorenstam but were rebuffed by Michelle Wie and Natalie Gulbis who both refused to play in bikinis as requested by the network (Funk offered to wear a bikini and boasted that he had bigger boobs than most of the women on the LPGA).

In addition to Funk other “Skins Game” winners include Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Fuzzy Zoeller, Lee Trevino, Ray Floyd, Curtis Strange, Payne Stewart, Tom Watson, Fred Couples, Tom Lehman, Mark O'Meara, Colin Montgomerie, and Greg Norman.

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