Second Thoughts

Hey, dude, Shark Week already over

Australian surfer Mick Fanning fought off a shark attack and came away unharmed Sunday at a World Surf League event at Jeffreys Bay off the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. More information is available at worldsurfleague.com.
Australian surfer Mick Fanning fought off a shark attack and came away unharmed Sunday at a World Surf League event at Jeffreys Bay off the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. More information is available at worldsurfleague.com.

Surfing is difficult enough as it is, but it gets really tricky when you throw an angry shark into the mix.

Mick Fanning, a 34-year-old surfing champion from Australia, had to fight off a shark attack Sunday on live television during a world tour event at Jeffreys Bay off the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.

Fanning was competing in the final heat when a black fin appeared behind him. The surfer was sitting on his board when the shark lunged toward him and tipped him off the board.

Fanning fought to fend off the shark and even punched it in the back as onlookers watched and a nearby rescue jet ski rushed in to help the surfer out of the water. Somehow, Fanning managed to come out of the tussle unharmed.

"It came up and got stuck in my leg rope," Fanning said. "I was kicking and screaming. I just saw a fin. I didn't see teeth. I was waiting for the teeth to come at me as I was swimming."

The World Surf League, which organized the event, said two sharks were spotted in the water near Fanning and another surfer.

"I thought this guy was going to die in front of us," spectator Kaylee Smith told Jeff Wicks of News24 in South Africa. "The whole crowd rose to their feet in complete silence, and then that was broken by the announcer screaming over the information system for people to get out of the water.

"I am still in shock and I am shaking."

Thanks, Boss

Jordan Spieth is having one of the best seasons in PGA Tour history.

Michael Greller's hasn't been too shabby either.

Greller serves as Spieth's full-time caddie, and according to Business Insider the relationship is paying off nicely for both of them.

Spieth has 12 top-10 finishes and five victories in 19 events this season, which includes winning major titles at the Masters and the U.S. Open. That has added up to $9.7 million in overall winnings and $8.7 million on the official Tour money list.

Spieth's PGA Tour earnings total is more than twice as much as any other player on the circuit has earned, and more than any golfer has ever won during the regular portion of the tour schedule.

All of which has led to a windfall for Greller.

According to Golf Digest, caddies generally are given about 5 percent of the prize money when their golfer makes the cut. That is usually bumped up to 7 percent for a top-10 finish and 10 percent for a tournament victory.

If Spieth is using the same structure, that means Greller has earned about $866,534 this season alone. That figure would put Greller 93rd on the PGA Tour's money list, ahead of 159 guys who are actually playing golf.

Of course, Greller's bank account could get another nice boost today with Spieth only one shot off the lead going into the final round of the British Open at St. Andrews in England.

Quick hits

• From Brad Dickson of the Omaha World-Herald: "Marshawn Lynch revealed that he keeps chicken wings in his socks. It was probably better when he wasn't talking to the media."

• From Greg Cote of the Miami Herald: "Baseball's Hall of Fame weekend is expected to draw record crowds to Cooperstown, N.Y., next week. Officials warn visitors that prohibited items include weapons, coolers and Pete Rose."

SPORTS QUIZ

What was Michael Greller's job before he became Jordan Spieth's caddie?

SPORTS QUIZ ANSWER

Greller quit his job as a teacher in 2013 to become Spieth's full-time caddie.

Sports on 07/20/2015

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