Skins Game Today

Looks like the annual Skins Game is starting today, and I have to say, I'm looking forward to it. First you have the best player in the world, Tiger Woods, then you have the most prolific Skins winner in history, Fred Couples. But perhaps the most interesting is the final two participants, Annika Sorenstam and Fred Funk, or as I like to call him, The Funker. Apparently, Tiger has been ribbing the Funker that Annika might outdrive him at some point and that he'll never live it down if she does. I wouldn't worry about it if I were him. I mean, she probably will outdrive him at some point, but he can always bring up the fact that he's got a Players title and she doesn't.

Tiger 360

This is a couple of weeks old, but with the release of the Xbox 360 in a couple of weeks, I thought somebody might be interested in some videos of the new Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006 for the new console. I'm pretty excited about the 360's release, even though I probably won't be buying one for a while... that is unless I get a boatload of gift cards or money for Christmas.

I've not really done a lot of research on it, but popular opinion is that you'll be out in the neighborhood of at least $500 to get a decent version of the system (including accessories, games, et cetera). I'm not saying I haven't blown that kind of cash before on something frivolous, but until some more games come out that interest me, I'll probably hold off for a while.

My, How Time Flies

Looks like the Golf Channel is already gearing up for the next installment of their successful Big Break franchise. The Big Break V: Hawaii debuts in February and looks like it's the ladies' turn again. According to About Golf, this crop of ladies might be the best yet, in terms of credentials, of any of the Big Break series. They've got several Futures Tour (the ladies' version of the Nationwide Tour) members, as well as a few who have won major amateur titles. Sadly, Michelle Wie isn't on the list.

Across The Pond

I have enjoyed The Big Break since it's inception a few years back. For those not in the know, it's basically a golf-based game show where the winner gets a shot at playing in a professional event. Past seasons have included spots in Canadian Tour, Nationwide Tour and LPGA Tour events, while this season features a spot in a European Tour event.

This, of course, leads to the format change for this season. In previous seasons, all players have played individually from the start of the show, with the final two going head-to-head in an 18 hole match play finale. This season, with the show taking place in Europe, they have decided to take the show to the next level and add a Ryder Cup, or probably more accurately, a Survivor-type element to the game.

Two teams, USA and Europe, go head to head each week in what they call an immunity challenge, with the losing team going on to an elimination challenge, or tribal council in Survivor terms. The difference here from Survivor is that you don't get to vote someone off. Players are elimintated if they lose the challenge, simple as that.

So far this season has been pretty decent. I do find myself pulling for Team USA, even though the team part of the show is just a gimmick and doesn't really mean anything as far as the ultimate goal of the show. At the same time, I do like some of the Europeans and would like to see them advance just as much as I want to see the Americans advance.

My current favorites are Randall from the Americans and Marty from the Europeans, with American T.J. not far behind. Unfortunately, I don't see any of them making it to the finale. If I was a betting man, I would go with American Paul and European Warren to go all the way. They are both seasoned veterans who seem to know that flash doesn't necessarily always get it done. Although neither is my favorite character, I think if it does come down to the two team captains in a head-to-head match play finale, it will be fun to watch. I currently don't see any weaknesses in either of their games and that should make for a good match to watch.

On a side note, I think I might be enjoying The Big Break: All Access show a little bit better than the regular series. It comes on Wednesday nights and is basically a behind the scenes recap of the Tuesday night episode. It's nice to see what goes on behind the cameras and that the things we see on these reality shows don't happen as "naturally" as we might initially think.