Brian BahrThe Winter Olympics in South Korea are a month away, and for everyone other than curling groupies, biathlon tailgaters and Lindsey Vonn’s exes, that means Olympic hockey, until recently the best sporting event in the world, non-Puppy Bowl division. We say “until recently” because for the first time since 1994 the killjoys at the NHL have elected to not send players to the Games, fueling all kinds of questions about who will be playing in PyeongChang, and whether you should drag your musty gear out of the attic just in case. To that last part, we say don’t strain yourself, the teams are already taking shape, but it’s worth reviewing some of your questions just to get you up to speed.
For starters, why no NHLers this time?
The NHL let its players participate in the Games between 1998 and the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia, and I guess you can call it a success if you’re one of those weirdos who liked watching the best players in the world compete passionately for their countrie..

Kirby LeeBarry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants during 9-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers at SBC Park on Thursday, June 24, 2004. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)When it comes to Barry Bonds' career, everyone is going to have a different opinion. None of them or wrong or 100 percent right, but we can all agree that no batter has ever been feared by pitchers more than the former San Francisco Giants outfielder. The ball had the potential to leave the park every time he stepped to the plate, which something you can only say for select few players in MLB history. It's why he was once intentionally walked with the bases loaded.
Because of this, you'd think any pitcher that had the unfortunate task of facing him during their career would say he was the scariest guy to throw to, right? What about the guy who faced him more than any pitcher ever? That would be Greg Maddux, who had the audacity to call the all-time MLB home run leader* the “easiest” hitter to pitch to, s..

We're reminded every week on the PGA Tour just how extremely talented tour pros are with a golf club in their hands. And Camilo Villegas showed us his skills extend to taking the bottle cap off a beer with a video he shared over New Year's weekend.
Be careful at home trying this method — not all of us can operate a 9-iron so skillfully. Villegas, however, has obviously done this a time or two.
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Impressive stuff from Spiderman!
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KAPALUA, Hawaii (AP) The PGA Tour rings in the new year at Kapalua for the 20th straight time. After all these years, the one moment that stands above all others was the titanic battle between Tiger Woods and Ernie Els in 2000.

Both made eagle on the 18th hole to force a playoff. Both made birdie on the first extra hole. Woods ended it with a 35-foot birdie putt on the next hole that was downhill and into the grain with about 6 feet of break. Equally memorable was what Els said when it was over:

”He’s 24. He’s probably going to be bigger than Elvis when he gets into his 40s.”

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Woods turned 42 on Saturday. He’s still not bigger than Jack Nicklaus when it comes to golf’s ultimate yardstick, most majors won.

But he’s still Tiger, and that means a lot.

He commands more attention than major champions nearly half his age. And that’s why Woods, who makes golf must-see TV when he’s playing, leads the list of five questions to consider for 2018.

WHAT TO E..

Tiger Woods graces the Golf Digest cover for the first time since 2013. A retrospective of Tiger's 30 appearances on the front of our magazine.

Tiger Woods' return and the potential history at the majors are obvious storylines to follow in golf in 2018. But here are 7 that you should be watching for too

Golf Digest's 10 most popular golf instruction stories of 2017: From making short putts to straightening out a slice.

Jordan Spieth's practice on his indoor simulator has been well documented. In 2015, Spieth prepared for the Open Championship at St. Andrews in the comfort of his own home, and a few months later, he said he honed 3-iron shots ahead of his runaway victory at Kapalua to start 2016. Now heading into the opening event of 2018, it appears Spieth is still relying on indoor work to ready his game for another season. And the three-time major champ already looks pretty locked in.
RELATED: Watch one fan get juuuuust a bit too excited to high five Jordan Spieth
Check out this video of Spieth slam dunking a hole-in-one, which came on Christmas night in his home, according to Colorado Golf Blog. But also check out Spieth — who is wearing what could pass as an ugly Christmas sweater — dabbing in celebration at the end. Smooth.
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Good luck to the rest of the field in Maui next week.
RELATED: Our favorite golf trick shots of 2017
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You won't find a player in any sport who has had more of a rollercoaster year than NBA point guard Isaiah Thomas. Many know the story of his sister passing away in a car crash last April, and Thomas suiting up for playoff game with the Boston Celtics the following day, posting a stat line of 33 points, six assists and five rebounds in a loss to the Chicago Bulls.
After finishing off a career season in Boston, Thomas was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in August, a team he has yet to debut for as he continues to work his way back from injury. It's been quite a nine-month stretch for the diminutive guard as continues his quest to prove the world wrong, and The Players Tribune has been there to capture every moment in a documentary series called “The Book of Isaiah”, which follows Thomas on his journey back to the court. In the latest video, cameras captured a lighter, hilarious moment of Thomas and his two kids eating dinner together, and somehow, the subject of Shaquille O&#..

We gaze into the crystal ball to see what is in store for the 2018 golf season … and it looks pretty good, actually