Bethpage State Park

The omens could hardly be more favorable for triple champion Tiger Woods when he launches his US Open title defense in late yesterday’s opening round at Bethpage State Park. Not only is he the greatest player of his generation and arguably of all time but the world no. 1 also won at Bethpage in 2002, the first time the event was staged here.

"I’m excited to be back," the American told reporters while completing his preparations for the second major of the year. "Obviously this golf course brings back some great memories for me. "My practice rounds have all been good and I’m really looking forward to Thursday. I like my chances in any major."

Woods, the overwhelming favorite in pursuit of his 15th major victory, builds his entire schedule around the grand slam events where his focus and motivation are second to none. As for bringing good form into Bethpage, he has that totally sewn up after winning the Memorial tournament 10 days ago in his most recent PGA Tour start. "It’s always nice to play well going into a major championship," said Woods, who has been listed by British bookmaker William Hill as the 7-4 favorite.

Bubba the Love Sponge

Shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge Clem was missing from the radio this morning, following news that two handguns and an honorary sheriff's badge were taken from his car Wednesday night after a burglary at a St. Petersburg bowling alley. Police recovered the items after witnesses reported a description of the burglars and undercover officers arrested two men.

Clem's 2005 Chevrolet Suburban was among three vehicles reported burglarized at the Sunrise Lanes on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N at 11:07 Wednesday night, according to St. Petersburg Police. The radio personality reported a fanny pack was taken from his vehicle containing credit cards, a bank card, two handguns and an honorary sheriff's badge from Indiana; Clem has a concealed weapons permit.

Clem's boss at WHPT-FM (The Bone 102.5), the Tampa station which airs his top-rated morning radio show, said the host decided to sleep in today after staying up late Wednesday night handling details related to the burglary. His program airs at 6 a.m. weekdays. "If it would have happened to me, I would have done the same thing," said Jay O'Connor, Tampa market manager for WHPT owner Cox Radio. "I'd rather he get a good night's sleep than feel the need to come in and do a bad show."

Austin MN

AUSTIN MN--A man who watched and photographed Wednesday night's storm in Austin believes there could have been more than one funnel. Mike Langstaff who lives in the nearby community of Mapleview said he took pictures as the storm passed shortly after 8 p.m. Langstaff watched as what he describes as a funnel hit some high voltage power lines about 4 miles North of Austin along Highway 218.

He also said he watched the wind damage at least 4 or 5 nearby businesses. Langstaff said he spotted a different funnel form above the Hy-Vee grocery store, before its winds tore the roof off of his garage and leveled at least a half a dozen trees in his yard on Graham Street. He believes it is the same funnel that continued in an Easterly direction and slammed into Todd Park. Witnesses said several trees in the park were toppled by the storm.

Langstaff said he'll probably spend Thursday working to clean up the damage on his property and repair his home's roof. The National Weather Service in Chanhassen said its radar showed a tornado touching down in Austin. But the Weather Service won’t know for sure until one of its special teams gets a look at the damage and can determine the strength and the path of the storm.