Woody Austin knows he’s better than Tiger Woods

If you happened to catch the PGA Championship this weekend, there was one name on the leaderboard not usually chasing Tiger Woods: Woody Austin.

In addition to stealing all the shirts from your municipal-course pro, Austin is know for his extreme self-confidence and disillusion about his golfing skill.

Think a older, louder Rory Sabbatini (without the Nike deal that provides him with acceptable golf apparel.)

Now Austin did come in second, just two shots behind Tiger. And he outlasted Ernie Els, one of the world’s top players. But, second is second. Lots of guys lose to Tiger, and I hate to tell you Woody, you’re just another runner-up.

But with all disregard for reality, Austin feels he’s the next Phil Mickelson (the quotes speak for themselves).

I have the almost identical personality in a way that he does,” Austin said of Tiger. ”He always says, ‘I want to be in the last group on Sunday.’ I want to be there just as much as he does.

I bet you do Woody. Could you tell us about Tiger’s course-searing 63 on Friday?

I went over his round and over my round, and I outplayed him from tee to green,” Austin said. ”Seven shots I gave up in one round. A person in my position cannot give that man that much cushion. . . .I don’t think anybody plays any better than I do when I’m on. I know that’s crazy, but I can hit any shot anybody in the world can hit. But it’s hard to do when you’re afraid of it — and that’s the fight I have every day.

I, too, hate it when I outplay people that beat me by 7 shots. But, I can think of one person who plays better than you when he’s “on” Woody. Any guesses? (Hint: He beat you yesterday to win his 13th major.)

Please, take Rory as an example. I’ll go out on a limb and say you’re not going to be the first to challenge Tiger on a Sunday. So keep it locked up. Before you’re just a sideshow like Sabbatini.

The Fynal Out: Back in first

Sunday was a big baseball day in Motown.

Coming off their first win in what seemed like forever Saturday (5-2 over the A’s), the Tigers could regain first with a win and a Cleveland loss.

Magglio Ordoñez made sure Detroit did its part when he homered twice — in the same inning — as the Tiger offense finally clicked in a 11-6 pounding of Oakland.

Elsewhere, the Yankees were looking for their second sweep of Cleveland this season and got it behind Andy Pettitte’s strong effort. Somehow, C.C. Sabathia’s prediction doesn’t look so strong after 3 straight losses.

Athletics 6, Tigers 11: Nate Robinson picked up the win, allowing 4 runs in 5 and 2/3. Ordoñez raised his MLB-leading batting average to .357. Oakland’s 14 games back in the A.L. West. Next up for Detroit, a showdown in Cleveland.

Yankees 5, Indians 3: Speaking of that Yankees sweep, it moved them within 4 games of first in the A.L. East. We’ve been saying all along, if you’re on that “Yankees miss the playoffs” train, don’t hold your breath. That was a lot of metaphoring.

Cubs 3, Rockies 6: Everyone’s favorite feel-good story hasn’t been playing so hot lately. The Cubbies are 3-7 in their last 10, and life without the Fons is looking a lot rougher than first imagined. The Rockies hung 21 runs on Chicago in the last two games of the series.

Braves 3, Phillies 5: Ryan Howard’s go-ahead 3-run homer in the 5th was all the Phillies needed to top Atlanta and move within 3 games of first. Jamie Moyer (somehow) won his 11th game of the season.

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