Fat Guy’s Corner

Jeff Day — Sports Columnist The Pebble Beach National Pro-Am provided some awesome golf by Phil "hefty” Mickelson. Big Phil paired with arch rival Tiger Woods and provided the highest television ratings in 15 years at Pebble Beach. The dramatic finish never did materialize between Phil and Tiger. Phil provided the dramatic golf on Sunday, when he trailed by six strokes. He made up eight strokes in just six holes and ended up winning by two strokes. Charlie Wi opened up the flood gates by hitting the green in four strokes on hole number one. That was the demise of Mr. Wi and Phil's run to PGA title number 40 on tour. It was one of Phil's best performances shooting a 64, a solid eight strokes under par. Tiger Woods, whom we all thought might be ready for his return to the winner's circle, couldn't make a putt. Tiger had to miss five putts from five feet or less. He ended up firing a 75 on the final Sunday at Pebble Beach. Tiger's miss on hole 18 was painful for all golf fans to watch. Phil had a look of pain on his face as well. Tiger looks to be close to back to winning on the PGA Tour. He hasn't won since late 2009, a long drought for Tiger, for sure. Phil played lights out and Tiger didn't! Phil, for now, has the upper hand on Tiger in the world of golf. Will it last? Time will tell. One more thing, Tony Romo might need to quit playing quarterback and become a professional golfer. He is pretty good on the golf course. Winged wheels rolling on

The Detroit Red Wings tied the record for consecutive home victories at 20 with a victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. It was one of the most entertaining hockey games I have watched all season long. Action to action up and down the ice, with both teams skating hard and striving for the “W”. The “Mule” Franzen notched the game-winner at the beginning of the third period. All this has been done with goalie Jimmy Howard on the shelf with a hand injury. He is due back here this week sometime. The job back up journeyman goalie Joey MacDonald has done has been fabulous, if not spectacular, since Jimmy's injury. Heck, Ty Conklin can't even get on the ice, as he just sits in the corner of the Wings’ bench. Who saw that coming? Not me, I can tell you that. Yesterday, the Dallas Stars were the opponent trying not to be entered into the record books. The Red Wings were looking for home victory number 21. If they beat the Dallas Stars, it will make

21 straight home victories, an NHL record. The

“Joe” will be rocking and I feel as though it will be a playofftype atmosphere.

My prediction is,

Wings will own the NHL record for consecutive home victories after defeating Dallas.

Sparty on!

The Fat Guy has to tip his fork to the Michigan State basketball team. The Spartans went down to Columbus, Ohio and knocked off the Big Ten leaders, the Buckeyes. MSU boys held OSU to 24 percent shooting from the floor, while they shot 40 percent from the floor. The victory pulled MSU into a tie for the Big Ten title. How big could that last game of the year at MSU be between the two schools? Huge, I say! Coach Izzo has the MSU boys playing good basketball right now and a possible Big Ten title looms for the Spartans.

Michigan defeated Illinois on Sunday and only trails MSU and OSU by a game. Maybe Michigan will win it, who knows. What we do know is the Big Ten race is wide open and will be a great finish coming down the stretch.

Spring in their step

Is it spring training time already? Yes, this Sunday the pitchers and catchers head to Lakeland, Florida. The expectations in Tiger Town are sky high this upcoming season. A new Prince is coming to the Tiger kingdom. A smaller version of Miguel Cabrera is some 25 pounds less than last season. The third base experiment for Miggy is getting closer for scrutinizing by Tiger management and fans. Can he play the position without embarrassing himself? I don't know, to be totally honest. All teams, like the Tigers, feel like they have a shot at the World Series (except Houston) here in 2012. I say bring on spring training and the 2012 season. Go Get'em Tigers! thefatguy@mihomepaper.com