“I think it’s great for golf,” said the world’s number one golfer, Tiger Woods. ”It’s a perfect fit for the Olympics…”

“This is a very significant day for golf,” said Peter Dawson, head of golf’s governing body – the R&A . “In addition to those golfers who will have an opportunity to compete as Olympic athletes, we are excited for the national golf federations that will reap the benefits from today’s decision in terms of growth and support within their countries,” Dawson said.

“This is a wonderful occasion for Rugby and its future across the globe,” said South African rugby coach, Paul Treu. ” Just think, in a few years’ time our top rugby players will share the same stage as world-class athletes like Usain Bolt [and] Michael Phelps.”

While the IOC’s selection process received some criticism from it’s board members, the response of Twitter has been positive… for the most part:

1. 
   BeachBassBone (Long Beach, CA) So baseball is no longer an Olympic sport, but it’s okay. We get golf in return! Wait… what? 11 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck
2. 
   MicahDL (Denver, CO) Golf and rugby added to summer olympic lineup…holla! 11 Oct 2009 from txt
3. 
   alexmassie (Scotland) If golf can be an Olympic sport then why isn’t darts in the Olympics? 11 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck
4. 
   CADsmart (Bristol, UK) So pleased to see Rugby 7’s in the Olympic family – great stuff! 11 Oct 2009 from web
5. 
   atfmama2004 (Duluth, GA) Looking forward to golf as an olympic sport (cheering, not playing…..LOL)! 12 Oct 2009 from web
6. 
   WinSr (East Hartford, CT) Glad to see Rugby returning as an Olympic event. 12 Oct 2009 from web
7. 
   WomenandGolf (Michigan) Thrilled that golf will return (after 100+ yrs) as an Olympic sport in 2016 and 2020 along with rugby sevens, as approved by the IOC! 12 Oct 2009 from web

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After beginning the day in 7th place, four shots behind leader Jonathyn Byrd, Tiger Woods shot a seven-under 65 to edge Jim Furyk by one stroke to win the PGA Tour Memorial Tournament, per PGATOUR.com.

Birdies on 17 and 18 locked in a two-shot lead that could only be chiseled away by one as Furyk birdied 18 — hitting 14 out of 14 fairways didn’t hurt Tiger’s cause either.

Here’s a TwitPic of Tiger sinking a birdie putt on his way to victory:

#Tiger tapping in for birdie to all but win his 4th #memorial! (@scottd10tv)

This is Woods’s fourth Memorial championship and 67th overall PGA Tour win. The victory moves Tiger to fourth place in the FedEx cup standings and gives him the momentum heading into a summer schedule that features the U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 18-21 at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, NY.

The official Tweets of the PGA Tour (@PGATOUR) followed Tiger’s solid comeback victory:

1. 
   PGATOUR On 11, Tiger Woods drives 329 yds an hits an amazing chip from rough that rolls straight into the hole for eagle. He’s -10, one back of Byrd 07 Jun 2009 from twhirl
2. 
   PGATOUR Byrd missed his par putt on 14 and drops to one shot behind Tiger Woods. Tiger now leading at the Memorial. 07 Jun 2009 from twhirl
3. 
   PGATOUR Tiger reclaims the lead with a birdie on 17. He is alone at 11-under with one hole left to play at Memorial. 07 Jun 2009 from twhirl
4. 
   PGATOUR Tiger Woods posts 33-32=65, with 2 bogeys, 7 birdies and an eagle. He’s in the clubhouse at -12, on track for his 4th win at Memorial. 07 Jun 2009 from twhirl
5. 
   PGATOUR As Furyk and Byrd hit their 2nd shots on 18, Tiger’s win at Memorial becomes official. His 67th win on TOUR, what a way to do it. 07 Jun 2009 from twhirl

Other Twitterers knew Tiger had it in him to pull out this victory and they weren’t shy about their praise:

1. 
   pgagolf Amazing Finish for Tiger at -12 . . Jack Nicklaus comes down to congratulate Tiger and he says “thanks buddy!” hahaha 07 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck
2. 
   Joey_Ballgame Tiger Woods goes -7 on Sunday for the win. YOU DA MAAAANNN!!! 07 Jun 2009 from Twitterrific
3. 
   GMBNARD Tiger Woods after his comeback win today: “Just a matter of staying with it and being patient.” Good advice for any endeavor. 07 Jun 2009 from web
4. 
   ChrisLevinson Tiger Woods added another chapter to his lore Sunday, shooting 65. Tiger eagled and closed with back-to-back birdies. WOW!!!! 07 Jun 2009 from web
5. 
   gmorten1 tiger woods on a sunday is like a bruce willis movie. the situation seems dire, but you know he’s gonna find a way to pull it out 07 Jun 2009 from web
6. 
   MintaDoIt It’z no fair for #Tiger woods to play golf he invented the game 07 Jun 2009 from mobile web

Can Tiger win out this summer? Can anyone compete with this fierce competitor? Leave us your thoughts below or contact us @BTSports.

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Per ESPN in a release from Mickelson’s management company, the lefty will take an indefinite leave of absence from the PGA Tour.

The couple have three children between the ages of 6-9.

Support was being issued across the golf world, even from rival Tiger Woods.

Twitterers are also lending their support:

1. 
   FinTel RT @Titleist Amy Mickelson diagnosed with breast cancer. Thoughts and prayers to Amy, Phil and family http://bit.ly/15zD10 20 May 2009 from web
2. 
   castawaywilson Amy Mickelson diagnosed with breast cancer. 37 years old. Positive thoughts and energy going out to their family! 20 May 2009 from web
3. 
   MrPhotoID Best wishes to Amy (and Phil) Mickelson during their fight http://bit.ly/x156H – File under #perspective 20 May 2009 from TweetDeck
4. 
   BillBruno Wishing Amy Mickelson the best, sorry to hear the news. http://bit.ly/15zD10 20 May 2009 from TweetDeck
5. 
   dwtumby Good luck Phil & Amy Mickelson on battling breast cancer! He’s very fortuanate that he can take off work indefinitely. 20 May 2009 from web

Phil handing out autographs on tour

(Twitpic by @sportsmachine)

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