Hannigan On SI Story

Frank Hannigan is skeptical ofAlan Shipnuck's SI scoop on Tiger's new ball. Hannigan points out where Shipnuck's story may have embellished the importance of this new ball or tech guru Rock Ishi by not pointing out that the ball is a USGA conforming piece of equipment. There is still little doubt that Tiger has regained some of his distance advantage in the last year, especially in terms of carry.

Hannigan points to Tiger's minor rise in driving distance average as evidence that some of Ishii's claims are excessive, but this year's stats have been compromised by the wetter than normal conditions. The stats also don't explain some of the optimized 350-yarders he has hit in competition, some of which aren't rolling more than 10 yards.