1 – Sorry, the Knicks have to keep searching

Had to break the news to the Knicks the other night. My wife refuses to give them permission to speak to me about their head-coaching job.

2 – Why so mad?

If this is how Rory McIlroy is acting after winning the career Grand Slam, can you imagine how miserable he would be if Justin Rose had won that playoff at Augusta?

3 – Kid stuff

The average age for the top 10-ranked women in the world of pro golf is 24.3. And to think, it used to be suggested that a pro golfer’s prime was 28-to-35.

4 – Title it however you wish, but water is water

The Rules of Golf call it “temporary water.” It’s not termed casual. So my guess is, even though Sam Burns and Adam Scott might have needed a pair of oars in those fairways coming home, it was not ruled temporary. Meaning, I guess, the water was permanent.

GOLF COURSE SIGNS: Continuing to admire the messages that golf course owners/operators feel the need to get across to their golfers, here's one that longtime friend and fellow golf writer Phil Robinson sent in. At Crail, a brilliant course in Scotland, as if the barbed wire isn't clear enough, a sign reinforces the idea that you shouldn't think about going into the field. Should you have photos of signs that have caught your fancy, feel free to forward them to jim@powerfades.com

5 – Still waiting for warm weather

How bad has our late spring weather been in the northeast? Buddy of mine called to say he was still playing “winter rules” and wearing three layers in June.

6 – Interpretations are personal

Of course, he’s the same guy who starts playing “leaf rules” three weeks before foliage begins.

7 – Let’s be honest here

Gush about the U.S. Open being arguably the sternest test every year. Lavish praise on the army of superintendents pushing mowers. Pontificate about how historic and magnificent these golf courses are. But please, stop calling it a field of “the best 156 golfers in the world.” It is not. Far from it. It is a healthy gathering of the best golfers in the world and a significant list of qualifiers who present great human-interest stories and prove it definitely is an “Open” championship. But it is not "the best 156 golfers in the world."

8 – The winning caddie

It’s unlikely that anyone who watched the U.S. Open stopped and said, “Hey, is that a former two-time winner of the Boston Open on the bag for J.J. Spaun?” But indeed it was. Cheers to you, Mark Carens.

9 – They haven’t got a chance

Biggest mismatch over the last 20 years in golf: Trees trying to stand up against today’s architects and the golf committees who hire them.