Talking Points: Keep on keeping grudges

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Until Mayweather-Alvarez in September, we’ve got plenty of grudge matches to keep us occupied.

Like Keyshawn “Neighborhood Watch” Johnson versus Justin “Speed Demon” Bieber. The former Pro Bowl wide receiver recently chased down the teen heartthrob for pushing highway speeds inside their gated Southern California community. Bieber — either he’s pretty chicken or just smarter than he looks — allegedly tried to dodge the confrontation by switching the driver’s seat with his buddy.

Also there’s Ohio State president Gordon Gee versus Catholic priests.

Gee’s disparaging comments made late last year about Notre Dame and Catholicism have recently come to light. Gee had to realize he’s taking on a school with the word “Fighting” in its nickname, right?

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Whether or not you root for him, on some level you had to appreciate Tiger Woods’ performance Saturday at The Memorial. Woods shot a 44 on his first nine holes — the worst of his professional career — and finished with a 79.

For much of this season, Woods has been approaching his previous superhuman level of golf. While that often is awe-inspiring, it also can become monotonous to watch.

Golf is a game of failure, and the winner typically is the player who fails least often. When Woods is at his best, he obliterates that equation.

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It was nice to have a reminder Saturday that he sometimes is human.And speaking of failures, we got a chuckle out of one from Yahoo! Sports. The Web site posted an online poll asking readers who will win the Stanley Cup and providing four options: Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Lakers? What?!? Maybe that’s why Kobe and crew finished every practice by shouting, “Championship!” They were talking Stanley Cup!

Props to Yahoo!, though. Goodness knows we’ve made our share of mistakes here at Talking Points. And if you’re going to make one, it may as well be humourous.