Golf

If you needed further proof pro golfers are flat-out better at the sport than you ... here's Bubba Watson snapping his driver on a tee shot -- and still somehow hitting the fairway!!

The golf superstar made the incredible swing in his 2nd round at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut on Friday ... and video of it all is WILD.

You can see in the footage, as Bubba's famous pink driver made contact with his ball on hole #2 at the TPC River Highlands course -- it obliterated, with the driver head separating from the shaft and flying dozens of yards away.

"That was crazy," one of the announcers said.

Yet, somehow, the ball still managed to go nearly 300 yards -- and land perfectly in the short grass!!

And, to make things even MORE impressive, Bubba went on to birdie the hole despite it all!!!

Under golf's rules, Bubba would be able to replace the driver mid-round if he could fix it ... although when his caddie tried to make it repairable -- it didn't seem to be going well.

Bubba's currently feasting on the course regardless ... he's the tournament's leader so far, sitting at 9-under par.

Jon Rahm chugged from his U.S. Open trophy and then punished a glow-in-the-dark golf ball to the moon ... and the awesome scene was all captured on video!!

The golf superstar -- who just took home the U.S. Open crown after an amazing four days at Torrey Pines last weekend -- hit up a restaurant patio somewhere in the world this week ... and then magic ensued.

Check out the video ... Rahm slurped down some sort of drink (odds are pretty solid it was an alcoholic beverage) and then he absolutely hit a missile off the floor!!!

Seriously, watch that golf ball go ... it was annihilated.

Of course, Rahm has every reason to celebrate this way ... the U.S. Open title was his first-ever major victory -- so keep on chuggin', Jon!

By the way, if this all looks familiar ... it's 'cause it kind of is -- Phil Mickelson famously drank out his PGA Championship trophy earlier this month just days after winning it.

Tiger Woods is back in Los Angeles just 4 months after that horrific crash -- and for a guy who almost lost his leg, he seems to be moving around pretty well!

The golf legend's private jet touched down at an L.A. airport on Monday -- he was joined by his girlfriend, Erica Herman.

Once they deplaned, 45-year-old Tiger -- sporting a black compression sleeve on his right leg -- was moving around on his own, using a pair of crutches.

You can see in the video ... there are moments where Tiger is putting some pressure on the injured leg, though he's still moving with a noticeable limp, as expected.

No word on why Tiger is in town -- it's possible he's here for follow-up treatments with some of the doctors who initially worked on the leg, but we just don't know.

As we previously reported, Woods was very badly hurt during the Feb. 23 crash -- suffering comminuted open fractures in his right leg, which means the bone was shattered in at least 2 places and broke through the skin.

The crash report described the injuries in detail -- "knocked unconscious, laceration to the lower front jaw, bruised right and left rib cage, fractured right tibia and fibula, possible right ankle injury."

A team of surgeons used a rod, screws and pins to stabilize the injuries -- and after weeks of treatment, he was discharged and allowed to go home in mid-March.

He's been recovering at his home in Florida ever since -- but now he clearly feels well enough to travel.

Woods told Golf Digest in May the rehab process is "more painful than anything I have ever experienced."

Tom Brady just hit Aaron Rodgers below the belt -- jabbing at the Packers star over his sad loss in their NFC Championship Game -- and the hilarious dig was all captured on video!

TB12 made the joke while promoting his upcoming golf match against Rodgers ... ribbing Aaron for not being allowed to go for it on that famous 4th down play back in January.

The set-up was great ... Rodgers' partner for the golf match, Bryson DeChambeau, was talking about their strategy for the big event, when Brady interrupted to poke fun at AR.

"I do think you have a partner that would probably have liked to GO FOR IT a little more often than he has in the past," Brady told DeChambeau with a wry smile on his face.

"So, Bryson, I'm glad you're encouraging him to kind of GO FOR IT when it's on the line rather than, you know, just not getting to the fairway or something like that and try to play for the next shot."

You'll recall, during Brady's battle with Rodgers in the big game ... Aaron was down at the Buccaneers' 8-yard line, trailing by 8 with just minutes remaining, but rather than going for it, Green Bay opted to kick the field goal.

Of course, Rodgers never got the ball back, and Brady went on to win the game and then his SEVENTH Super Bowl ring.

But, Rodgers took the trolling in stride Tuesday ... laughing off Brady's barb and saying, "I usually don't get the option [to go for it] in my experience."

Dig at Packers' coach Matt LaFleur??? Sure seems like it!

Tom laughed and responded, "I know the pain!"

All the guys let out a big laugh ... and good times were had by all.

Tiger Woods isn't ready to golf yet ... and apparently, he ain't ready to talk about the sport on TV yet either.

The sport's biggest star -- who's still recovering from a gnarly February car crash -- declined an offer from NBC Sports to help break down next week's U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in CA, according to broadcaster Dan Hicks.

"We were all thinking how good that would be, who better, if he couldn't be there to play it, to voice it and have him a part of the show, but we were rebuffed," Hicks told media members Wednesday ahead of the event's June 17 start date.

"He didn't want to do it, and I totally understand his situation. There is a lot going on in his world right now and there's also a part of Tiger that doesn't want to become this, I don't want to, for lack of a better word, a sideshow at an event where we should be concentrating on what's happening."

Hicks added, "I understand that what’s going on in his world that he wanted to kind of keep it low-key and stay out of the limelight for this one and just hopefully he’ll enjoy it at home watching it on TV."

Tiger -- who won the U.S. Open the last time Torrey Pines hosted the event back in 2008 -- has avoided the spotlight ever since he crashed his ride in Los Angeles County on Feb. 23.

He's hardly spoken about the incident -- revealing only that rehab has been "more painful than anything I have ever experienced" -- and he's only posted one picture of himself since the crash.

As we previously reported, Tiger shattered multiple bones in his leg and required several complicated surgeries and a metal stabilizing rod to fix the issues.

PGA champ Angel Cabrera -- who won The Masters in 2009 -- has been extradited back to his home country of Argentina ... where he's set to face charges of attacking 3 different women.

The 51-year-old golf star -- nicknamed "El Pato" -- was arrested in Brazil back in January after officials say he was considered to be a fugitive of justice after bailing on a meeting with prosecutors.

The women accusing Cabrera include 2 ex-girlfriends and his ex-wife.

As we previously reported, one of the women accused the golfer of punching her in the face, making threats and trying to run her over with his car in '16.

Another woman, Cabrera's ex-wife, Silva Rivadero, also reportedly filed two charges against the golfer ... including assault and threats.

Cabrera is already in custody in Argentina -- and his trial is reportedly slated for July.

And, get this ... Cabrera's defense isn't that he didn't attack the women, it's that the incidents weren't really that bad.

SERIOUSLY, THAT'S HIS DEFENSE!

Cabrera's attorney, Carlos Hairabedian, told TN Todo Noticias, "The accusations come from long ago ... and he was not in jail because the facts attributed to him are insignificant. They are light injuries."

WHAT?!?

Barack Obama just hit one of the most famous golf courses in the world for a game with some pals ... a group that included one of the most famous NBA coaches around too.

The former President was out at none other than the Pebble Beach Golf Links course Sunday near Monterey, CA ... where he was joined by Golden State Warriors HC Steve Kerr ... who appeared to be his partner (or competition perhaps?) for the day.

TMZ got video of 44 teeing off on the first hole -- and it looks like he sliced his initial attempt ... being allowed a mulligan (aka, a do-over), which apparently went much better, as he got a round of applause from a crowd of people that had gathered to watch POTUS hit.

You can tell Barry was in a pretty good mood ... laughing it up, cracking jokes about his caddy and even posing for photos at one point with Steve and co.

Of course, there was also a swarm of SS agents around standing watch ... and thier presence wasn't very low key either. Check out the cavalry of cars and SUVs they pulled up in. Still, folks just soaked it in -- and didn't appear to bother Barack while he played.

While it might seem a little surprising that Kerr was out there playing with the ex-leader of our nation ... it's not really when you consider their history. The Warriors have visited the White House in the past -- and Kerr even used to play for the Bulls, which is Obama's team.

Jon Rahm had the news broken to him that he had COVID-19 live on TV during a PGA tournament ... one that he was leading the pack in before having to withdraw.

The Spanish golfer -- and reigning champion of the Memorial Tournament, which he was again ahead in on Saturday -- was filmed being approached by PGA officials ... who told him he'd tested positive for the virus, which means he'd have to leave the premises and the game entirely.

It made for such a bizarre moment, as there were cameras all around on the course ... and they captured the exact moment he learned about it, which left him looking defeated. Rahm covered his face and then crouched down in disappointment -- before being led off.

The interaction was filmed from at least a couple different angles ... and the second picked up on some audio as well. You can hear Rahm say something that sounds like "Not again" ... seemingly suggesting he's gone through this before during the pandemic.

The CBS anchors who were covering it live had trouble making sense of what had just happened, but they knew some bad news had just been delivered. As Rahm made his way inside ... his crew pushed away photogs who attempted to follow, presumably for privacy.

Think Phil Mickelson is done celebrating his PGA Championship victory yet?!?

HELL NO ... Lefty's still going strong -- he chugged some fancy wine out of his Wanamaker Trophy on Tuesday -- all while Tom Brady egged him on!!!

Phil posted the fun footage on his Instagram account ... showing him getting in a celebratory sip of some red stuff despite being over a week removed from his epic win in South Carolina.

"Like, I know the wine is good," Phil said on video after taking the swig. "But, there's something about the Wanamaker that just gives it a little extra."

Phil added as a caption to the vid, "The wine had an extra ingredient this time - just a dash of VICTORY 😋 Tastes so good!"

Brady loved it all ... commenting on his pal's gloating, "Nothing like it Champ!"

Of course, Phil's had SO MUCH FUN since winning at the Ocean Course last month ... he's talked smack all over his social media and is showing no signs of slowing down his celebrations anytime soon.

As for the wine, it's some good stuff ... it's a bottle of Tor Kenward's Black Magic -- and it's so exclusive, one bottle has a price tag of $450!

A golfer was nearly mauled by a monster-sized swan after sinking a putt on a Georgia course this week ... and the wild attack was all captured on video!!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... John Walters was out on a round with his pals in South Georgia -- when the golf outing suddenly turned into a fight with a bird.

You can see in the crazy footage ... despite a massive swan parked on the green, Walters went ahead and putted out his 5-footer.

The problem? The made shot had serious ramifications -- 'cause the swan attacked!!

The bird nipped at Walters repeatedly, before the dude took off in a full sprint to get away!!

Walters' daughter tells us the bird has become famous on the course ... explaining it lives in a pond near the 9th hole and has a history of being protective of its green and fairway.

Tiger Woods is keeping it 100% real about his rehab for the injuries he suffered in his car crash -- saying it's the most painful experience of his life.

"This has been an entirely different animal,” Woods told Golf Digest ... "I understand more of the rehab processes because of my past injuries, but this was more painful than anything I have ever experienced."

As we previously reported, Woods suffered major injuries to his right leg in the Feb. 23 crash -- shattering multiple bones which required several complicated surgeries and a metal stabilizing rod.

After nearly a month in the hospital, Woods was eventually allowed to travel back home to Florida to continue his treatment and rehab.

The big question everyone wants to know about the 45-year-old superstar -- will he ever play golf again ... professional or recreationally??

Woods did not give a straight answer to Golf Digest -- fact is, he probably doesn't know yet ... but said he's currently more focused on learning to walk again.

"My physical therapy has been keeping me busy. I do my routines every day and am focused on my No. 1 goal right now: walking on my own. Taking it one step at a time."

Woods also acknowledged the worldwide outpouring of support -- saying it's been "incredible" to get so much love from fans and friends.

"I have had so much support from people both inside and outside of golf which means so much to me and has helped tremendously."

As for the accident, Tiger didn't get into specifics regarding the crash or the police investigation.

Remember, he was driving through Rancho Palos Verdes on his way to an L.A. golf course when he crashed his Genesis GV80 SUV down the side of a hill -- wrecking the car and suffering major injuries.

Investigators determined Tiger was doing driving at speeds between 82 and 87 MPH leading up to the crash -- more than 40 MPH over the 45 MPH speed limit ... and was doing 75 when he collided with a tree.

Aaron Rodgers won't have to wait long to avenge his playoff loss to Tom Brady ... the two QBs are set to face off on the golf course in July -- with Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau tagging along too!!

The PGA Tour just confirmed Rodgers and DeChambeau will go head-to-head against Brady and Mickelson in the next iteration of The Match -- and it'll all go down on July 6.

According to the Tour, the round will take place at Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana ... and it's must-see TV.

The storylines are endless -- will Tom finally break out his driver? Will DeChambeau hit a 400-yard tee shot? How much smack will Phil talk?

And, of course, will Rodgers -- who famously lost to Brady in the NFC Championship Game last January -- still be a Green Bay Packer by tee time?!?!

If you're unfamiliar, The Match has been going on for the past few years ... with athletes and pro golfers teaming up to provide amazing TV all while benefitting charities.

The past couple rounds have been great watches ... especially in 2020, when Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning beat Brady and Mickelson.

In that round, Brady refused to take out a driver off the tee ... but Mickelson is already vowing to change all of that and bring home the W this summer.

"Tom and I have some unfinished business," Mickelson said Wednesday. "Unfortunately it will be at Bryson and Aaron’s expense."

Even Tom's already talking trash, firing away at Rodgers on Twitter ... "[DeChambeau] better get used to laying up because we know @AaronRodgers12 isn’t going for it."

It's PGA Championship weekend ... which means we're all dying to know one thing -- who's going to win?! WHO FARTED NEAR A HOT MIC ON THE BROADCAST?!?!?

Cameras and audio equipment appeared to pick up someone blowing the butt trumpet during the final hours of the 1st round of the prestigious tournament in South Carolina on Thursday ... and it's got everyone wondering, was that really a fart??

Check out the clip ... it sure sounds like someone broke wind all over the broadcast as Cam Smith was wrapping up his last putts on the course.

There sure seemed to be a loud toot ... that was followed by several more -- and then several more!!

ESPN broadcaster Scott Van Pelt wasn't fazed by the apparent cheese cutting -- he powered through the noise like a pro, breaking down Smith's first day at Kiawah Island despite it all.

So, will we ever know what really went down? Seems unlikely -- but the last time a pro golfer's fart was caught on a course mic, we solved that mystery quickly!

You'll recall, Ian Poulter admitted to TMZ Sports he was the one who tooted during the broadcast of the Travelers Championship in June ... telling us, "I guess it's one way to protect social distancing!"

Hell might be freezing over -- Charles Barkley no longer sucks at golf!!!

Go ahead and check your calendar -- it's not April Fools' Day -- and if you need visual proof, just check out the NBA legend's drive at the Regions Tradition Pro-Am on Wednesday ... when he teed off and ripped a shot straight down the fairway!!

Of course, Barkley was famous for his turrrrrible golf swing ... but was never shy to put his god-awful skills on display.

As we previously reported, Barkley flirted with mediocrity by tweaking his swing back in 2015 ... but sadly, he fell back into his old ways of being tremendously bad.

Chuck has apparently been busting his ass on the links to STAY good this time around, hiring pro trainer Stan Utley to help him get his handicap down to SINGLE DIGITS, according to reporter Drew Carter.

Check out the new and improved product -- the Hall of Famer looks like he really knows what he's doing now ... from the practice swings to actually connecting with the ball (have you EVER heard one of his shots make that clean *ping* sound before?!?!)

It couldn't have come at a better time for Barkley -- he's facing off against huge names like Nick Saban, Bo Jackson, Tommy Tuberville and more at the Greystone Golf and Country Club in Hoover, Alabama.

And, for the first time, the dude might not make a fool of himself on the links!!

Wanna know how a 62-year-old golfer celebrated the insane feat of hitting TWO hole-in-ones in one round???

DRINKS FOR EVERYONE, BABY!!!

That's how it all played out during a recent round of golf in California for Karen Veseth, who says she sank two aces in a span of less than half an hour back on April 18!!!

Veseth tells PGA.com she was out at Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club on the 8th hole of the South Course when she pulled out her driver for the 150-yard par 3.

Veseth says her tee shot went straight, took one bounce, and then plopped into the hole.

Just 23 minutes later, she says she pulled up to the par 3 10th hole ... and sank another ace -- this time with her 9-wood!!!

Veseth says the golf course rewarded her for her shots with two $500 gift cards to the club's bar ... so she went to town!

Veseth says she racked up the $1K bar tab buying drinks and food for everyone ... and couldn't believe how it all went down afterward.

"I don’t really think it’s hit me how amazing it is to make two in one round," Veseth said. "I didn’t know how rare it was until after it happened. I really couldn’t believe it after the second one went in."

Wanna see a pro golfer hit bombs into a speeding BMW ... while revealing an epic dad bod in the process?!?

Good news ... Marcus Armitage did just that this month -- and the video of it all is pretty awesome!!!

Here's the deal ... Armitage and pro driver Paul O'Neill set out on April 8 to break the Guinness World Record for longest drive hit into a moving car.

The guys went out to an open track, set up a driving range mat and dozens of cameras -- and then Armitage went to work striping golf balls.

The dudes thought they had broken the record in one of their 1st attempts -- Armitage hit a baby fade that landed in the Beamer perfectly, and he celebrated by stripping off his shirt!!

The problem? The ball only traveled 268 yards -- JUST short of the previous 273-yard world record.

So, Armitage put his shirt back on ... and went back to work.

The 33-year-old -- who plays on The European Tour -- hit drive after drive after drive ... even cracking the car's windshield at one point in a failed attempt.

But, finally, after double-digit attempts, a 303-yard drive landed perfectly in the ride ... and the guys celebrated by spinning donuts!!