Woods, Stricker enjoy friendship on the course
Memo to President's Cup captain Jack Nicklaus: you might want to think seriously about pairing Tiger Woods with Steve Stricker when the international competition kicks off in two weeks at The Royal Montreal Golf Club.
These two guys absolutely love playing golf together, and it not only showed on their faces during the first two rounds of the BMW Championship, it showed on their scorecards as well -- each finishing at 7-under 134, just a shot off the pace of co-leaders Jonathan Byrd and Aaron Baddeley.
"When I first made the team, I had that cross my mind," Stricker said of pairing with Woods. "At first I really didn't think it would be a good match, a good fit. He hits longer than I do and it's just different.
"But after the last couple of days. I really feel comfortable with him and I think he plays comfortable with me, too. I wouldn't have a problem playing with him at all."
His caddie and close friend, Tom Mitchell, sees a perfect fit.
"They get along so well which I think is something that could benefit the President's Cup team down the line," Mitchell said. "Tiger's a great guy to play with; he talks to you out there, he's funny and Steve really enjoys his company."
The feeling is mutual. "No, I can't stand Stricks," Woods said, laughing. "He's one of the all-time nicest guys you'll ever meet."
No hard feelings: While Steve Stricker is thrilled to be competing in just his second President's Cup, second-round BMW Championship co-leader Aaron Baddeley says he harbors no ill feelings toward international team captain Gary Player for not selecting him.
"There's not, no," Baddeley said. "I just felt like I didn't play well enough to force my way onto the team. "I was right there -- like 10th or 11th (in points) for most of the year - and to not make the team was disappointing, but it's just one of those things."
Justin time: After making a splash Thursday with a record-tying 29 on the front nine en route to a first-round 65, Justin Rose survived a balky putter to close with a 69 Friday, good for a tie for third.
"On a day like today, the greens were so soft; they weren't rolling as true as yesterday," said Rose, who missed a handful of putts within 10 feet. "Certainly I hit a couple of putts I wasn't happy with. (On Thursday) I putted so nicely. I'm hoping that momentum will carry through the weekend."
Folding money: Suddenly, that $10 million bonus for winning the FedEx Cup has to seem like chump change to Tiger Woods, who according to Golfweek, has inked a 5-year endorsement deal with Gatorade worth approximately $100 million.
"We're working on hopefully finalizing a contract," a purposefully vague Woods said.
Rotten tomato: What do the Tour players do during an extended rain delay like the one Friday morning at Cog Hill?
"For me it wasn't that bad," said Jonathan Byrd, the co-leader after two rounds. "I went to the workout trailer, took off my shoes, watched a movie, got something to eat and we were back on the course.
What movie was it? "'Armageddon,' and it wasn't very good."