John Huggan is the European correspondent for Golf World/Golf Digest, a columnist for GolfObserver.com and he writes a must-read weekly column for Scotland on Sunday.
He is the second writer (after Stu Schneider) to participate in the "Taking Aim" interview.
Huggan chimes in via AOL Instant Messenger from Dunbar, Scotland:
JHUGGAN: get on with it you plonker
JHUGGAN: (fav saying of the late, great Peter Dobereiner)
GeoffShac: so you've seen your share of golf shenanigans, the new women's world ranking has to rank high with the all time boondoggles?
JHUGGAN: you think so? i can think of many more I'd rather get upset about!
GeoffShac: please, do tell
JHUGGAN: does anyone really care?
GeoffShac: well no, but women's golf is trying to break through
JHUGGAN: annika is number one...that is all that really matters
JHUGGAN: they might manage that if they don't cut their own throats by banning press agencies...
JHUGGAN: it is true that for the first time in ages the women's game is competitively interesting
JHUGGAN: especially if annika is losing interest
GeoffShac: well it does seem that everything they are doing is marketing driven, which I'm afraid might give some of our friends at the PGA Tour some bad ideas
JHUGGAN: money is never a good reason for doing anything in golf
JHUGGAN: money alone anyway
GeoffShac: what about world rankings points? is improving your lie after a rain delay worth a few extra points? :)
JHUGGAN: ah, monty
JHUGGAN: poor, poor monty
GeoffShac: who? :)
JHUGGAN: no one's pal any more
GeoffShac: how's that going to go over at the ryder cup?
JHUGGAN: not well...the much vaunted euro team spirit will be badly affected
GeoffShac: and lord knows you guys are already writing enough about it, when do we learn what the euros are going to be eating for breakfast?
JHUGGAN: that's always been a bit of a myth anyway
GeoffShac: what, team spirit or that the guys eat breakfast?
JHUGGAN: both
JHUGGAN: we love the ryder cup because you always come second
GeoffShac: hey, some of us over here love it for the same reason
JHUGGAN: that is to your credit
GeoffShac: nothing like seeing our boys slapped around every two years
JHUGGAN: the best part is how much they hate it all
GeoffShac: why do you think that is?
JHUGGAN: its a bit of a cliche...but golf isn't a team game in the US
JHUGGAN: we grow up playing team matches over here
JHUGGAN: and lots of foursomes
JHUGGAN: which you guys confuse with fourballs
JHUGGAN: if you don't know what the game is called, how can you play it well?
GeoffShac: hey, they both have four in the title
GeoffShac: do you think our boys would do any better if they actually played some different formats on the tour, or is it hopeless?
JHUGGAN: actually, i think they may win this year...despite everything
JHUGGAN: i do have concerns about your captain
JHUGGAN: weird choice
GeoffShac: oh?
GeoffShac: his golf bag is not real happy with him at the moment
JHUGGAN: job should have gone to o'meara...but the pga of america is still miffed about being asked where all the money goes
JHUGGAN: where does it go, by the way?
GeoffShac: Jim Awtrey's pension
JHUGGAN: sizeable i'm sure
GeoffShac: and of course they are strong supporters of The First Tee
JHUGGAN: aren't we all?
GeoffShac: eh, I'm not sure about the R&A
JHUGGAN: the R&A has enough to contend with...all that gin and tonic
GeoffShac: and they are doing wonderfully...square grooves seems to be their special project, can't wait to hear what they find
JHUGGAN: hey, anything to divert attention from the real issues
JHUGGAN: like tees outside the golf course at the last Open
GeoffShac: speaking of diverting, tell us what you thought of the commissioner's rationale for keeping the WGC's in the US?
JHUGGAN: yet again, short-term thinking
JHUGGAN: or maybe he thinks that, having killed off the Aussie tour he can go after Europe next
GeoffShac: how can you accuse of him of thinking short term when he's signed with the Golf Channel for 15 years?
JHUGGAN: i rest my case....vacuous talking heads--Renton Laidlaw aside--are right up his alley...no tough questions
JHUGGAN: i'm not sure I understand anything he says
GeoffShac: is the European Tour going to be hurt by the new Tour schedule?
JHUGGAN: next year for sure....
JHUGGAN: after that i have a hunch that this Fed-Ex thing will flop
JHUGGAN: the best players don't want to play that much in a short space of time
JHUGGAN: the euros don't want to be in the US that long in the summer
JHUGGAN: and history won't care who wins it
JHUGGAN: and if history doesn't care, neither does Tiger
JHUGGAN: if he loses interest, it's over
GeoffShac: speaking of him...
GeoffShac: I woke up last night and realized that he may win his 20th major at some dreadful 8,000 yard modern course in about 2015
JHUGGAN: it's headed that way
GeoffShac: do you think he cares about something like that...
GeoffShac: that it might not happen at a "storied venue"
JHUGGAN: i think he does
JHUGGAN: i think he'd rather play proper golf
JHUGGAN: he'd win even more if they did
JHUGGAN: can't recall the last time i saw a shot shaped into a tucked flag
GeoffShac: would you call the way he plays now "proper"
GeoffShac: it works
GeoffShac: but it's not the same game he played in 2000
JHUGGAN: i can't blame him for doing what works
JHUGGAN: he's not the problem
GeoffShac: of course not, I admire him for adapting to the changing game
JHUGGAN: he is so much better than everyone else it is a joke
JHUGGAN: only ernie is close
JHUGGAN: ish
GeoffShac: well one difference is, Tiger isn't racing off for ribbon cuttings in between Sunday and Wednesday's first round
JHUGGAN: i don't think you'll see him do as much of that
JHUGGAN: only in weeks where he doesn't care about the event
JHUGGAN: he hates la costa
GeoffShac: can you blame him?
JHUGGAN: which is to his credit....
GeoffShac: yes and he loves Riviera
GeoffShac: so he gets bonus points
JHUGGAN: he does
JHUGGAN: and he's a good guy
JHUGGAN: likes a beer i hear
GeoffShac: on a more heartwarming note...
GeoffShac: you will be making your triumphant return to Augusta after 6 years
JHUGGAN: i will....i'm sure they can't wait to see me
GeoffShac: looking forward to fine cuisine in town and a nosebleed seat in the media room?
JHUGGAN: nothing there is edible apart from the chicken sandwich
JHUGGAN: actually, i'm looking forward to seeing a new course
GeoffShac: yes, you will have to be reacquainted
JHUGGAN: what is that slop stuff they serve?
JHUGGAN: i know what it looks like....
GeoffShac: pimento cheese
GeoffShac: it's not so bad!
JHUGGAN: nah, the other stuff
JHUGGAN: it's brown
GeoffShac: oh, I stayed away from that
JHUGGAN: me too
GeoffShac: well where can we read your correspondences from Augusta?
JHUGGAN: the guardian and scotland on sunday
GeoffShac: columns?
JHUGGAN: bit of everything i suspect
GeoffShac: tell us the truth, you are there to put the finishing touches on that lavish Monty coffee table book you have been working on
JHUGGAN: it's a joint venture
JHUGGAN: a tribute to our lasting friendship
GeoffShac: touching I tell you
JHUGGAN: teary
GeoffShac: great to see you two back together
JHUGGAN: it's always been an interesting relationship
JHUGGAN: i knew him before he was Monty
GeoffShac: oh? there was a pre-Monty?
JHUGGAN: oh yes, he and i were even in the same team when he was an amateur
GeoffShac: ah that's where the bond grew
JHUGGAN: sprouted
GeoffShac: ah, excuse me
GeoffShac: well I know he'll be happy to see you at Augusta
JHUGGAN: he does have more hair than me
JHUGGAN: and a bigger chest
GeoffShac: he does appear to be expanding again in the weight department,
GeoffShac: the car washing isn't burning enough calories
JHUGGAN: the man is in love, leave him alone
JHUGGAN: and not only with himself
GeoffShac: really? wow, this is serious
JHUGGAN: nigel the ex-husband has moved out i hear
JHUGGAN: only in england....
GeoffShac: see, we Americans are above such petty gossip
JHUGGAN: nah...you love it all
GeoffShac: we'd love it if you came over here and covered Phil more often
JHUGGAN: phil is well enough covered i feel
GeoffShac: alright, last question before this gets ugly
JHUGGAN: stu schneider got longer than this!
JHUGGAN: i wasn't in caddyshack of course
GeoffShac: exactly, we love our movie stars here
JHUGGAN: he's too busy watching the hockey, believe me
GeoffShac: no no, he really watches the Golf Channel
GeoffShac: so this distance thing that you have a big bias about...
GeoffShac: what do you see happening?
JHUGGAN: i have to believe that sanity will eventually prevail
JHUGGAN: my theory has always been that as soon as it becomes an economic problem for finchem, then it will change
JHUGGAN: and the ball will be hauled back 50 yards or so
JHUGGAN: once everyone starts switching off in big enough numbers...it will happen
JHUGGAN: no matter what titleist thinks
GeoffShac: so not economic because of the cost of changing courses but because no one can relate to the game as it's played?
JHUGGAN: correct...while i have obvious sympathy for your point about courses, that isn't what will precipitate change
JHUGGAN: money!!!
JHUGGAN: finchem's money
JHUGGAN: and, by extension, his employer's income
GeoffShac: well that's a lot of money then
GeoffShac: will the european tour be supportive?
JHUGGAN: i think they will....even over here where there is a greater variety of course setup, the game is less interesting to watch
GeoffShac: do you sense the players--outside of Geoff Ogilvy, maybe Ernie Els and a few others--are aware of this?
JHUGGAN: the majority are not...or don't care
JHUGGAN: see above...under "money"
JHUGGAN: the long-term health of the sport is not something they spend a lot of time on
GeoffShac: well, if you make it out of Augusta alive perhaps you can share some thoughts in another of these stellar interviews?
JHUGGAN: do i get paid?
GeoffShac: no
JHUGGAN: didn't think so
GeoffShac: you get the pleasure of getting your money's worth out of AOL
JHUGGAN: get better questions next time
GeoffShac: I will try (note to self: no questions about women's golf)
JHUGGAN: you're holding me back
GeoffShac: well, we've gotten personal with Monty, Phil, what have I left out?
JHUGGAN: i'm a media personality waiting to happen
GeoffShac: maybe The Golf Channel will hire you
GeoffShac: wait, wrong accent
JHUGGAN: you forgot the USGA
JHUGGAN: i'd love to work with brian hewitt
JHUGGAN: all that knowledge he could pass on
GeoffShac: there goes your Sprint Post Game appearance from The Masters
GeoffShac: you two are collaborating on a book right?
JHUGGAN: not this year
GeoffShac: well give it time, maybe you can bond at the Golf Writer's dinner
JHUGGAN: uh-huh
GeoffShac: I'll talk to the right people and make sure you are seated together
JHUGGAN: sadly, i will be absent
GeoffShac: it might be the only decent meal you get all week in Augusta
JHUGGAN: i'll be applauding from afar during the writing awards
GeoffShac: you don't exactly do the maudlin stuff, that goes over well with the judges you know
JHUGGAN: i must find a terminally-ill child to write about
GeoffShac: preferably one that plays golf left handed, was visited by Monty in the hospital and who supports a manufacturers right to sell unregulated equipment
JHUGGAN: a sure winner
GeoffShac: on that note, promise you'll share some insights from Augusta?
JHUGGAN: if i have time in my busy schedule
JHUGGAN: i'm terribly important you know
GeoffShac: doing this interview tells the world that
GeoffShac: thanks a bunch
