Is anything major wrong with Tiger?
It was on the TV screen for only an instant.
But I'm fairly certain I saw Butch Harmon following Tiger Woods this weekend at the British Open, writing down notes along the way.
Maybe Harmon was watching someone else, or maybe I was hallucinating, but it raises an important question: What's up with Tiger?
The Greatest Who Ever Lived is having a tough couple of months, coming off one of the hottest streaks of his career.
Amazingly, had he made a putt or two Saturday at the Masters and the U.S. Open, he would have won for fun on Sunday at both, and with two more majors in his bag, no one would be asking any questions.
But he finished second at both, and the truth is he wasn't sharp at either, just as he wasn't at the British Open.
Just as astounding, had he birdied the par-5 No. 6 Sunday, after picking up a stroke on each of the previous two holes, he would have gone to 4-under par, jumped onto the leaderboard with 12 holes to play, and probably scared the leaders into submission.
Inconsistent as he has been for months, Tiger managed only a par and never got it going again.
The only standard by which we judge Tiger -- just as there was only one standard for Michael Jordan or Muhammad Ali -- is the standard he has set for himself as the greatest golfer in history.
And that same Tiger was 1-for-8 in sand saves this weekend. Last year at Medinah as he cruised to victory in the PGA, he was hitting the sand on purpose, because he was certain he could get up and down safely.
Which brings us back to the swing change and the coaching shift to current teacher Hank Haney. Woods is not as consistent as he used to be, though he is better when he gets hot, as evidenced by the roll he got on starting with the Open Championship a year ago.
Does it matter who his coach is, or what swing he uses? Probably not, but Tiger looked shockingly lost at times over the weekend, shaking his head and repeating his swing over and over after a miss.
Tiger looks so caught up in the technical aspects of his swing that he appears human at times.
He said Sunday he putted well enough to win at Carnoustie but didn't give himself enough good looks, meaning his approach shots and short game failed him.
That is truly unsettling for those who want only to see Woods win on Sunday in a major, as he chases down Jack Nicklaus in the history books.
It remains to be seen what Tiger can figure out between now and the PGA Championship starting Aug. 9 at Southern Hills.
But he won't enjoy the questions that week about possibly going winless at the majors this year, and that's only going to steel his purpose.
Regardless of coaches and swings, that might be all it takes for him to defend his title.
Sunday best
Painful as it was to watch Padraig Harrington go in the Barry Burn twice on No. 18 Sunday, it was just as incredible to see him get up and down for a double bogey.
That allowed him to sneak into the playoff when habitual whiner Sergio Garcia gave it away on the same hole.
Much will be remembered about both players choking on the 18th, but the gutsy Harrington chip to get within 5 feet and save the double was without a doubt the shot of the tournament.
Tiger tales
Watching player after player crumble atop the board Sunday, none more so than Garcia, who's only comfortable trailing the leader, makes you even more reverent of Tiger Woods' ability to put people away when he has the lead on Sunday.
Harrington has a natural draw, so what does he do on No. 18? Pushes it way right.
Whether he's struggling or not, Tiger Woods is Tiger Woods and everyone else remains everyone else.
Big deal
Everyone's marveling about how Andres Romero didn't have a par the final 11 holes. C'mon, I've done that a thousand times.
Check 'em out
If you're wondering where the next generation of great golfers will come from, wander over to Hawthorn Woods Country Club the next three days and watch the Midwest Junior Players Championship.
The American Junior Golf Association has a membership of more than 5,000 juniors (ages 12-18) from 49 states and 25 foreign countries and counts among its alumni Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Jim Furyk, Mike Weir, Lorena Ochoa, Christie Kerr, Pat Hurst and Laura Diaz.
The rounds begin at 7 a.m. and last until about noon at Hawthorn Woods.
Catching up
From e-mailer T.J. Brown, in response to our Sunday piece about Michael Barrett:
"Not to beat a dead horse, but the Padres are 4-13 in games Barrett has started for San Diego, and 8-2 in games started by Josh Bard.
"The Padres and the Cubs are a combined 76-49 (.608) when anyone not named Barrett is catching, and 28-41 (.406) when Barrett is catching.''
Just screaming
Now that the White Sox are flirting with last place, in the immortal words of the late, great Sam Kinison, "When do we hit rock bottom here?''
Just head-hunting
Should Aramis Ramirez really be surprised he nearly got clocked Saturday after posing at the plate and watching his home run Friday?
And finally ...
Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post, on O.J. Simpson turning 60: "What to get for the man who has everything? A GPS tracking system for his golf cart, just in case the real killer is hiding in the woods on 17."
brozner@dailyherald.com