TEEING OFF

By Thomas Bonk

June 21, 2007 12 AM PT

Times Staff Writer

Five things to keep an eye on this weekend on the pro golf scene:

1. Roberto De Vicenzo watched Argentine countryman Angel Cabrera’s victory at the U.S. Open on television at his home in Buenos Aires and said he couldn’t have been more elated.

“It’s been fantastic,” he said. “Cabrera is now a hero in Argentina. He is my hero. I’m 84 years old. I’m very happy for him because I didn’t want to leave this world before I saw something like this.”

Until Cabrera’s dramatic victory at Oakmont Country Club, De Vicenzo had been the only other Argentine to win a major -- the 1967 British Open at Hoylake. He could have won the 1968 Masters but signed an incorrect scorecard and lost to Bob Goalby by one shot.

Besides their background, there is another similarity between the two Argentine major winners -- the pedigree of the players they beat. De Vicenzo was 44 when he held off Jack Nickaus, the best player in the game; Cabrera, 37, held off Tiger Woods, the top player now.

Cabrera has two top 10s in the U.S. Open, three top 10s at the Masters and two top 10s at the British Open.

Cabrera tied for seventh in the British Open last year at Hoylake after starting the fourth round two shots behind Woods

And, by the way, the final Nielsen ratings for NBC’s fourth round at Oakmont and Cabrera’s victory averaged 9.54 million viewers, up 37% over 2006 -- a 6.4 rating and 16 share, up from a 4.7 rating and a 12 share last year. Los Angeles ranked 52nd out of the 55 major markets, ahead of Salt Lake City and behind Houston. Pittsburgh was first and New York last.

2. She’s only a few days old, but it’s clear that Sam Alexis Woods already has her father’s sense of timing. Although her due date was a closely guarded secret, most expected her to arrive late in the month, but her arrival early Monday morning probably makes Woods’ playing schedule a lot clearer -- depending on the infant’s health, of course.

Woods’ involvement in his own tournament, the AT&T; National, July 5-8, at Congressional outside Washington, looks to be a sure bet, and it’s now probable that he’ll also play at the Buick Open that starts next Thursday at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc, Mich.

And if you think Woods in the Congressional field isn’t a big deal, it is. Crowds of 30,000-35,000 are expected.

3. Phil Mickelson had to drop out of Hartford because of his sore left wrist, which leaves only two players ranked in the top 10 at the $5.5-million event: Vijay Singh and Padraig Harrington.

Mickelson missed the cut at the U.S. Open and played only 11 holes in the first round of the Memorial, which means he has played 47 holes in two tournaments since he won the Players in mid-May.

Mickelson isn’t touching a club for the next two weeks and unless he adds a tournament to his schedule, his next event is the Barclays Scottish Open, July 12-15, at Loch Lomond, the week before the British Open at Carnoustie.

Mickelson, who after missing the cut at the U.S. Open blamed the USGA for his wrist injury because of the length of the rough at Oakmont during his practice rounds, backed off his comments on his website Wednesday. He said he was simply upset about being hurt: “It’s probably why I said some of the things I did on Friday and some of them may have been a little out of line. It was frustration talking.”

4. Michelle Wie withdrew from the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic, July 12-15, because she still needs to rehabilitate her injured wrist. Wie still plans to play in next week’s Women’s U.S. Open. Somebody needs to explain exactly how this works.

5. Gary Player, who is 72, has shot his age or better six times this year on the Champions Tour. Player has done it 17 times since he shot 64 in 2000.

THE TOURNAMENTS

PGA TOUR

Travelers Championship

* When: Today-Sunday.

* Where: TPC River Highlands

(6,844 yards, par 70), Cromwell, Conn.

* TV: Golf Channel (Today-Friday,

noon-3 p.m., 5:30-8:30 p.m.) and Ch. 2 (Saturday-Sunday, noon-3 p.m.).

* 2006 winner: J.J. Henry.

LPGA TOUR

Wegmans LPGA

* When: Today-Sunday.