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Jay Haas matched the Champions Tour record with a 10-under-par 60 to take a five-stroke lead on Friday in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
The 58-year-old Haas made a five-foot birdie putt on the par-five 18th after hitting his second shot into a greenside bunker and leaving his eagle blast short. He is 14-under 126 for the tournament.
Haas became the eighth player in the history of the 50-and-over tour to shoot 60, breaking the course record on Desert Mountain's Cochise layout.
Tom Lehman was second after a 63, moving into position to win the season-long Charles Schwab Cup points race. Bernhard Langer, 211 points ahead of second-placed Lehman, was tied for fifth at six-under after a 65.
Haas' playing partner Fred Couples was third at eight-under after a 66.
'It was just a very magical day for me,' Haas said. 'I had a great pairing. I love playing with Freddie. It was a wonderful day. One of those that you don't want to end.
'I can't remember another time that I've had a chance to shoot a 59. I was thinking about it without question. I hit a decent bunker shot. It stopped a little quicker for me than I thought.'
He closed with a seven-under 28 on the back nine to finish a stroke off the tour's nine-hole record.
'Wow! What a round he had,' Couples said about Haas. 'I had a good time, four-under par. I'm not going to complain but, when a guy is shooting 10-under, it seems like you're shooting 80.'
Haas, a nine-time PGA Tour winner, won the Principal Charity Classic in Iowa in June for his 16th victory on the senior tour.
Couples is playing for the first time since a back injury forced him to withdraw during the first round of the Boeing Classic in late August. Before this week, he hadn't completed a competitive round since winning the Senior British Open in July for his second victory of the year.
Lehman's 63 was his lowest round on the Champions Tour. Langer and Lehman would win the season title with a victory, while third-placed Roger Chapman needs a win and some help to top the standings.
Jay Don Blake, the defending champion and first-round leader, followed his opening 64 with a 71 to drop into a tie for eighth at five-under. Blake won last year at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco.
Sky News: Haas fires 60 in champions golf finale
The 58-year-old Haas made a five-foot birdie putt on the par-five 18th after hitting his second shot into a greenside bunker and leaving his eagle blast short. He is 14-under 126 for the tournament.
Haas became the eighth player in the history of the 50-and-over tour to shoot 60, breaking the course record on Desert Mountain's Cochise layout.
Tom Lehman was second after a 63, moving into position to win the season-long Charles Schwab Cup points race. Bernhard Langer, 211 points ahead of second-placed Lehman, was tied for fifth at six-under after a 65.
Haas' playing partner Fred Couples was third at eight-under after a 66.
'It was just a very magical day for me,' Haas said. 'I had a great pairing. I love playing with Freddie. It was a wonderful day. One of those that you don't want to end.
'I can't remember another time that I've had a chance to shoot a 59. I was thinking about it without question. I hit a decent bunker shot. It stopped a little quicker for me than I thought.'
He closed with a seven-under 28 on the back nine to finish a stroke off the tour's nine-hole record.
'Wow! What a round he had,' Couples said about Haas. 'I had a good time, four-under par. I'm not going to complain but, when a guy is shooting 10-under, it seems like you're shooting 80.'
Haas, a nine-time PGA Tour winner, won the Principal Charity Classic in Iowa in June for his 16th victory on the senior tour.
Couples is playing for the first time since a back injury forced him to withdraw during the first round of the Boeing Classic in late August. Before this week, he hadn't completed a competitive round since winning the Senior British Open in July for his second victory of the year.
Lehman's 63 was his lowest round on the Champions Tour. Langer and Lehman would win the season title with a victory, while third-placed Roger Chapman needs a win and some help to top the standings.
Jay Don Blake, the defending champion and first-round leader, followed his opening 64 with a 71 to drop into a tie for eighth at five-under. Blake won last year at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco.
Sky News: Haas fires 60 in champions golf finale
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World number two Lewis, who went into the final round seven strokes behind overnight leader Korean Bo-mee Lee, finished at 11-under 205 following crucial birdies on all last three holes.
Lewis levelled with Lee following two extraordinary putts from 25 feet and 12 feet on the 16th and 17th holes respectively. She took the lead with another 25-foot putt on the last hole, and consolidated victory when Lee's last putt went long.
The win marks her fourth LPGA Tour title of 2012 and her third successive top-six finish at this tournament.
"It was pretty unexpected to make those last three birdies. They were all pretty long putts so it wasn't easy,” Lewis said.
"I knew I was a ways back," Lewis said. "I thought if I got to 10 under, it would be close. To shoot a 64 on the final day is always good."
Three bogeys and three birdies gave Lee enough for an even-par 72 and a second-place finish, who started the final round with a four-stroke lead. Japan’s Ayako Uehara took third place with a nine-under 207.
Defending champion Momoko Ueda of Japan shot a 73 to finish tied for 27th.
Golf - Brilliant Lewis wins Mizuno Classic in late display - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
Lewis levelled with Lee following two extraordinary putts from 25 feet and 12 feet on the 16th and 17th holes respectively. She took the lead with another 25-foot putt on the last hole, and consolidated victory when Lee's last putt went long.
The win marks her fourth LPGA Tour title of 2012 and her third successive top-six finish at this tournament.
"It was pretty unexpected to make those last three birdies. They were all pretty long putts so it wasn't easy,” Lewis said.
"I knew I was a ways back," Lewis said. "I thought if I got to 10 under, it would be close. To shoot a 64 on the final day is always good."
Three bogeys and three birdies gave Lee enough for an even-par 72 and a second-place finish, who started the final round with a four-stroke lead. Japan’s Ayako Uehara took third place with a nine-under 207.
Defending champion Momoko Ueda of Japan shot a 73 to finish tied for 27th.
Golf - Brilliant Lewis wins Mizuno Classic in late display - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
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Asked about the season title scenarios entering the Champions Tour finale, Tom Lehman said all he knew was "if I win, I win."
That's all he needed to know.
Lehman won the Charles Schwab Cup Championship on Sunday at Desert Mountain to become the first player to win the season points title two straight years. After shooting 68-63-62 to take a one-stroke lead into the final round, Lehman birdied four of the last five holes for a 5-under 65 and a six-stroke win over Jay Haas.
Lehman won at the mountainside club where he first worked with Jim Flick, a swing instructor stricken by pancreatic cancer.
"The more I thought about that, the more teary-eyed I would get," said Lehman, who spoke to Flick on the phone before the round. "I decided I can't play this round of golf with tears in my eyes."
He carded a 22-under 258 on the par-70 Cochise Course to break the Champions Tour record for the lowest numerical score in a 72-hole event. Jack Nicklaus set the old mark of 261 at par-72 Dearborn (Mich.) Country Club in the 1990 Mazda Senior TPC. Lehman tied the tourney record for relation to par set by John Cook in 2009 at the par-72 Sonoma (Calif.) Golf Club.
Lehman, 53, received a $1 million annuity in the Charles Schwab Cup points competition and earned $440,000 for the tournament victory.
The Scottsdale resident plans to use part of the $1 million annuity to help with a junior foundation he plans to set up to honor Flick.
Chip shots
• In Shenzhen, China, Ian Poulter won the HSBC Champions, his first victory of the season, overcoming a four-stroke deficit with a 7-under 65. The English Ryder Cup star finished at 21-under 267 on Mission Hills' Olazabal Course for a two-stroke victory over four golfers, including Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els. The victory was Poulter's second in World Golf Championship play, following the 2010 Accenture Match Play Championship in Marana.
• In Shima, Japan, Stacy Lewis rallied at the Mizuno Classic for her LPGA Tour-leading fourth title of the year, birdieing the final three holes for an 8-under 64 and a one-stroke win. With a 58-point lead, Lewis is trying to become the first American to win the player of the year award since Beth Daniel.
• In Bangkok, Guan Tianlang won the Asia-Pacific Championship, making the 14-year-old Chinese star the youngest player to qualify for the Masters.
Local holes-in-one
Pat Bray
• Oct. 28, Dorado, No. 7, 148 yards, 6-iron. Witnesses: Bill Bray, Paula Greene, Bob Greene
Bruce Rianda
• Oct. 23, Blanchard Golf Course, No. 9, 151 yards, 7-iron. Witness: Vic Hemer
Steve Trecker
• Oct. 27, Desert Hills, No. 6, 181 yards, 6-iron. Witnesses: Glenn Robertson, Fred Speidel
Golf: Lehman grabs 2nd straight points title
That's all he needed to know.
Lehman won the Charles Schwab Cup Championship on Sunday at Desert Mountain to become the first player to win the season points title two straight years. After shooting 68-63-62 to take a one-stroke lead into the final round, Lehman birdied four of the last five holes for a 5-under 65 and a six-stroke win over Jay Haas.
Lehman won at the mountainside club where he first worked with Jim Flick, a swing instructor stricken by pancreatic cancer.
"The more I thought about that, the more teary-eyed I would get," said Lehman, who spoke to Flick on the phone before the round. "I decided I can't play this round of golf with tears in my eyes."
He carded a 22-under 258 on the par-70 Cochise Course to break the Champions Tour record for the lowest numerical score in a 72-hole event. Jack Nicklaus set the old mark of 261 at par-72 Dearborn (Mich.) Country Club in the 1990 Mazda Senior TPC. Lehman tied the tourney record for relation to par set by John Cook in 2009 at the par-72 Sonoma (Calif.) Golf Club.
Lehman, 53, received a $1 million annuity in the Charles Schwab Cup points competition and earned $440,000 for the tournament victory.
The Scottsdale resident plans to use part of the $1 million annuity to help with a junior foundation he plans to set up to honor Flick.
Chip shots
• In Shenzhen, China, Ian Poulter won the HSBC Champions, his first victory of the season, overcoming a four-stroke deficit with a 7-under 65. The English Ryder Cup star finished at 21-under 267 on Mission Hills' Olazabal Course for a two-stroke victory over four golfers, including Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els. The victory was Poulter's second in World Golf Championship play, following the 2010 Accenture Match Play Championship in Marana.
• In Shima, Japan, Stacy Lewis rallied at the Mizuno Classic for her LPGA Tour-leading fourth title of the year, birdieing the final three holes for an 8-under 64 and a one-stroke win. With a 58-point lead, Lewis is trying to become the first American to win the player of the year award since Beth Daniel.
• In Bangkok, Guan Tianlang won the Asia-Pacific Championship, making the 14-year-old Chinese star the youngest player to qualify for the Masters.
Local holes-in-one
Pat Bray
• Oct. 28, Dorado, No. 7, 148 yards, 6-iron. Witnesses: Bill Bray, Paula Greene, Bob Greene
Bruce Rianda
• Oct. 23, Blanchard Golf Course, No. 9, 151 yards, 7-iron. Witness: Vic Hemer
Steve Trecker
• Oct. 27, Desert Hills, No. 6, 181 yards, 6-iron. Witnesses: Glenn Robertson, Fred Speidel
Golf: Lehman grabs 2nd straight points title
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Masters Tournament champion Bubba Watson will be aiming for his first international victory at the Thailand Golf Championship next month to cap a life-changing season in 2012.
The swash-buckling American lefthander makes his debut at the prestigious US$1 million Asian Tour tournament at Amata Spring Country Club from December 6-9 along with other world-class names including title holder Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Sergio Garcia, Hunter Mahan and Ryo Ishikawa.
Watson, ranked eighth in the world, claimed his first Green Jacket in April in sensational style following a play-off victory over Oosthuizen at Augusta National. He hooked an approach shot from deep in the pine trees which led to a par for his first Major victory that came weeks after adopting a son.
“I would love to walk away with the trophy there. I’m looking forward to going to the Thailand Golf Championship and challenging myself and challenging the golf course and trying to beat some of the best players in the world,” said the 34-year-old Watson.
He believes his Major breakthrough in April would help him win more titles in his burgeoning career. “It was a crazy week. To pull that off to win and put on the Green Jacket, it was very special. It hasn’t changed me as a person, but it has changed me as a golfer. Knowing that I can do it and perform under pressure, I’m looking forward to many more Majors and trying to win more Majors and another Green Jacket.”
Watson said Westwood convinced him to commit to the Thailand Golf Championship, which will be only his second trip to Asia after featuring in the WGC-HSBC Champions in China last week.
“Lee won it last year and he said it was a great event and he enjoyed his time there. I heard there are some islands which are beautiful and I would like to do some sight-seeing,” he said.
“It’s been a blessing, winning a Major. On top of that, the number one thing for me was adopting our new son (Caleb). He’s eight months old now, he’s been with us for seven months. That’s been the most fun the whole year.”
He said family life has been the main factor for his rise in the Official World Golf Ranking, moving up from 21st position when he started the 2012 season. Apart from his Major breakthrough, the tall American racked up six other top-10s and nine other top-25s. With four PGA Tour victories in his career, he is eager to ply his trade abroad more regularly and experience different challenges and cultures.
“It has changed. You know, when you see him (Caleb) smile, when you come off the golf course and you’re not happy with your round, you see him smiling at you and giggling, you’ll think that round didn’t mean that much,” said Watson.
“There’s no reason to get down too badly. Your son smiling at you, whether you win or lose, your son still smiles at you.
“I think on the mental part, my caddie has also helped me a lot by just trying to stay positive on the golf course and not thinking about the bad stuff. Over the years, you get better and better and this year, it’s all come together. This year, it’s got better and it’s come together.”
He believes that the game has evolved immensely especially in the Far East. “I think the whole world is growing. Golf is getting bigger and more popular,” saidWatson.
“I’m learning. I like going to different places and learning different cultures and also learning to play in different parts of the world. And I like to win, I like to win outside the U.S. I think it’ll be fun to hold a trophy in another country.”
A self-taught golfer who has never had a golf lesson in his life, Watson’s mantra in the game is to enjoy himself and have fun while playing, which has since earned him the brand “Bubba Golf.”
“Bubba Golf is about having fun,” he said. “It’s about using your imagination to hit shots and hopefully they turn out good. As a kid, you learn the game and you have fun. You’re out there being free and playing the game that you enjoy and that’s what I’m trying to do in my golf career which is to have fun and play golf,” he said.
Part of the wacky world of Watson has seen him play a starring role with Ben Crane, Rickie Fowler and Mahan in the YouTube hit Golf Boys video. Watsonsaid the sequel would be out by early next year.
“We’re having a video shoot coming out pretty soon, by the beginning of next year, it’ll be out. It’ll be pretty much the same, maybe some treats here and there. Can’t let everyone know about it yet!” he smiled.
Masters champion Watson eyes first international win at Thailand Golf Championship | Indian Sports News
The swash-buckling American lefthander makes his debut at the prestigious US$1 million Asian Tour tournament at Amata Spring Country Club from December 6-9 along with other world-class names including title holder Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Sergio Garcia, Hunter Mahan and Ryo Ishikawa.
Watson, ranked eighth in the world, claimed his first Green Jacket in April in sensational style following a play-off victory over Oosthuizen at Augusta National. He hooked an approach shot from deep in the pine trees which led to a par for his first Major victory that came weeks after adopting a son.
“I would love to walk away with the trophy there. I’m looking forward to going to the Thailand Golf Championship and challenging myself and challenging the golf course and trying to beat some of the best players in the world,” said the 34-year-old Watson.
He believes his Major breakthrough in April would help him win more titles in his burgeoning career. “It was a crazy week. To pull that off to win and put on the Green Jacket, it was very special. It hasn’t changed me as a person, but it has changed me as a golfer. Knowing that I can do it and perform under pressure, I’m looking forward to many more Majors and trying to win more Majors and another Green Jacket.”
Watson said Westwood convinced him to commit to the Thailand Golf Championship, which will be only his second trip to Asia after featuring in the WGC-HSBC Champions in China last week.
“Lee won it last year and he said it was a great event and he enjoyed his time there. I heard there are some islands which are beautiful and I would like to do some sight-seeing,” he said.
“It’s been a blessing, winning a Major. On top of that, the number one thing for me was adopting our new son (Caleb). He’s eight months old now, he’s been with us for seven months. That’s been the most fun the whole year.”
He said family life has been the main factor for his rise in the Official World Golf Ranking, moving up from 21st position when he started the 2012 season. Apart from his Major breakthrough, the tall American racked up six other top-10s and nine other top-25s. With four PGA Tour victories in his career, he is eager to ply his trade abroad more regularly and experience different challenges and cultures.
“It has changed. You know, when you see him (Caleb) smile, when you come off the golf course and you’re not happy with your round, you see him smiling at you and giggling, you’ll think that round didn’t mean that much,” said Watson.
“There’s no reason to get down too badly. Your son smiling at you, whether you win or lose, your son still smiles at you.
“I think on the mental part, my caddie has also helped me a lot by just trying to stay positive on the golf course and not thinking about the bad stuff. Over the years, you get better and better and this year, it’s all come together. This year, it’s got better and it’s come together.”
He believes that the game has evolved immensely especially in the Far East. “I think the whole world is growing. Golf is getting bigger and more popular,” saidWatson.
“I’m learning. I like going to different places and learning different cultures and also learning to play in different parts of the world. And I like to win, I like to win outside the U.S. I think it’ll be fun to hold a trophy in another country.”
A self-taught golfer who has never had a golf lesson in his life, Watson’s mantra in the game is to enjoy himself and have fun while playing, which has since earned him the brand “Bubba Golf.”
“Bubba Golf is about having fun,” he said. “It’s about using your imagination to hit shots and hopefully they turn out good. As a kid, you learn the game and you have fun. You’re out there being free and playing the game that you enjoy and that’s what I’m trying to do in my golf career which is to have fun and play golf,” he said.
Part of the wacky world of Watson has seen him play a starring role with Ben Crane, Rickie Fowler and Mahan in the YouTube hit Golf Boys video. Watsonsaid the sequel would be out by early next year.
“We’re having a video shoot coming out pretty soon, by the beginning of next year, it’ll be out. It’ll be pretty much the same, maybe some treats here and there. Can’t let everyone know about it yet!” he smiled.
Masters champion Watson eyes first international win at Thailand Golf Championship | Indian Sports News
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Blixt, who won his maiden US PGA Tour title at last month's Frys-com Open, has recorded five top-10s on the US circuit this season and would book his place at Augusta National next year if he finishes in the top 30 in the final money list.
His main challenger for rookie of the year is American John Huh, who claimed his first US PGA Tour victory at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in February and has won slightly more money than the Swede in 2012 but from a greater number of starts.
"Those are the two big goals I have this week," Blixt told said while preparing for Thursday's opening round at Lake Buena Vista. "It'd just be easier to win, though, right?
"First I was trying to make enough money to stay out here, then qualify for the Invitationals, and now the top 30," he said of his widening ambitions during his maiden season.
Blixt, whose five top-10s have all come in the latter half of the season, lies 35th in the US PGA Tour money list and needs to finish no worse than outright third this week to break into the top 30.
Should that happen, the Swede would achieve a life-long dream in 2013 by making his Masters debut in the opening major of the year.
"I went there four years ago for the first time (as a fan) and thought that was the coolest golf course and atmosphere I'd ever seen," Blixt said of Augusta National. "It would be a dream come true."
While Blixt targets a top-30 spot in the US PGA Tour's season-ending money list, the Children's Miracle Network Classic is also the last-chance saloon for players yet to secure their full playing privileges for next year.
The top 125 in the money list secure full status for 2013 so this week will be a decisive one for Americans Kevin Chappell (123rd), Billy Mayfair (125th), Gary Christian (127th) and Bill Lunde (129th), as well as Australian Rod Pampling (124th).
A notable absentee this week will be Britain's former world number one Luke Donald who won last year's title at Lake Buena Vista by two shots after closing with a sizzling 64.
The Englishman was unable to defend his crown because one of his children was scheduled to have a medical procedure.
"My career as a golfer places many demands on my schedule, and I'm often forced to miss some precious time with my family as I travel to play around the world," Donald said.
"But in this case, home is where I have to be. I'm very sorry that I will be unable to defend my title ... as that tournament was an important highlight for me in 2011."
Golf - Blixt has Masters in mind at season finale - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
His main challenger for rookie of the year is American John Huh, who claimed his first US PGA Tour victory at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in February and has won slightly more money than the Swede in 2012 but from a greater number of starts.
"Those are the two big goals I have this week," Blixt told said while preparing for Thursday's opening round at Lake Buena Vista. "It'd just be easier to win, though, right?
"First I was trying to make enough money to stay out here, then qualify for the Invitationals, and now the top 30," he said of his widening ambitions during his maiden season.
Blixt, whose five top-10s have all come in the latter half of the season, lies 35th in the US PGA Tour money list and needs to finish no worse than outright third this week to break into the top 30.
Should that happen, the Swede would achieve a life-long dream in 2013 by making his Masters debut in the opening major of the year.
"I went there four years ago for the first time (as a fan) and thought that was the coolest golf course and atmosphere I'd ever seen," Blixt said of Augusta National. "It would be a dream come true."
While Blixt targets a top-30 spot in the US PGA Tour's season-ending money list, the Children's Miracle Network Classic is also the last-chance saloon for players yet to secure their full playing privileges for next year.
The top 125 in the money list secure full status for 2013 so this week will be a decisive one for Americans Kevin Chappell (123rd), Billy Mayfair (125th), Gary Christian (127th) and Bill Lunde (129th), as well as Australian Rod Pampling (124th).
A notable absentee this week will be Britain's former world number one Luke Donald who won last year's title at Lake Buena Vista by two shots after closing with a sizzling 64.
The Englishman was unable to defend his crown because one of his children was scheduled to have a medical procedure.
"My career as a golfer places many demands on my schedule, and I'm often forced to miss some precious time with my family as I travel to play around the world," Donald said.
"But in this case, home is where I have to be. I'm very sorry that I will be unable to defend my title ... as that tournament was an important highlight for me in 2011."
Golf - Blixt has Masters in mind at season finale - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
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RORY McIlroy spoke yesterday about the need to escape from golf – as he controversially did last week even though a world championship was being played.
The world number one returns to action at the Barclays Singapore Open today and by Sunday night he could have completed the same money-list double on the European and American tours achieved for the first time by Luke Donald last year.
Skipping the HSBC Champions in China did not harm his chances, but it did bring him criticism, especially as he was in the country at the start of the week for a head-to-head with Tiger Woods that was rumoured to have earned each of them a seven-figure sum.
McIlroy, who instead chose to fly to Bulgaria to watch girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki play tennis, said yesterday: “It’s a big event, it’s a tough one to miss.
“I need those weeks where I can just completely escape from this, from my life.
“I forget where I am, what I do, I’m completely away from it and those weeks are very helpful for me.
“You see some guys out there, golf is everything, their life – of course it’s my life and I’m very lucky too – but sometimes you need to step away from it.
“Spending time with Caroline helps me to do that. That’s the biggest challenge for us going forward.
“I can’t play every week. If I had I would have played five in a row finishing the season and after playing Turkey and Ryder Cup and all the FedEx Cup stuff it’s just too much.”
While he was off last week it was confirmed by Titleist that their association with McIlroy is ending.
He is thought to be switching to Nike for a reported £156m over 10 years, but the 23-year-old Northern Irishman was not about to discuss that when he spoke to reporters at the Sentosa club – and even cast doubt over whether it is a done deal yet.
“I’m a Titleist player until the end of the year. I’ve made no commitment to any company for next year,” he stated. “It’s a process we’re working through.”
While anybody would find it hard to say no to such a fortune, McIlroy is fast learning that he simply cannot agree to everything put in front of him.
Read More Golf: The great escape is vital for McIlroy - Golf - Sports - WalesOnline
The world number one returns to action at the Barclays Singapore Open today and by Sunday night he could have completed the same money-list double on the European and American tours achieved for the first time by Luke Donald last year.
Skipping the HSBC Champions in China did not harm his chances, but it did bring him criticism, especially as he was in the country at the start of the week for a head-to-head with Tiger Woods that was rumoured to have earned each of them a seven-figure sum.
McIlroy, who instead chose to fly to Bulgaria to watch girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki play tennis, said yesterday: “It’s a big event, it’s a tough one to miss.
“I need those weeks where I can just completely escape from this, from my life.
“I forget where I am, what I do, I’m completely away from it and those weeks are very helpful for me.
“You see some guys out there, golf is everything, their life – of course it’s my life and I’m very lucky too – but sometimes you need to step away from it.
“Spending time with Caroline helps me to do that. That’s the biggest challenge for us going forward.
“I can’t play every week. If I had I would have played five in a row finishing the season and after playing Turkey and Ryder Cup and all the FedEx Cup stuff it’s just too much.”
While he was off last week it was confirmed by Titleist that their association with McIlroy is ending.
He is thought to be switching to Nike for a reported £156m over 10 years, but the 23-year-old Northern Irishman was not about to discuss that when he spoke to reporters at the Sentosa club – and even cast doubt over whether it is a done deal yet.
“I’m a Titleist player until the end of the year. I’ve made no commitment to any company for next year,” he stated. “It’s a process we’re working through.”
While anybody would find it hard to say no to such a fortune, McIlroy is fast learning that he simply cannot agree to everything put in front of him.
Read More Golf: The great escape is vital for McIlroy - Golf - Sports - WalesOnline
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World number one Rory McIlroy admitted he was struggling with a cold after completing his rain-interrupted first round five strokes off the pace at the $6 million Barclays Singapore Open.
The Northern Irishman, who can wrap up the European money title at par-71 Sentosa Golf Club, on Friday finished his last 10 holes at one-under-par 70 and with work to do after a thunderstorm cut short Thursday's play.
Thailand's Chapchai Nirat led on six-under-par 65 on the demanding course, one better than Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, with Simon Khan, Pablo Martin and Chinnarat Phadungsil a stroke further back.
England's Paul Casey was three adrift on 68 alongside Kwanchai Tannin, Jaco Van Zyl and Y.E. Yang, Asia's first Major-winner.
An audacious eagle attempt at the last hole nearly slashed McIlroy's deficit but after chipping out of a greenside bunker, the ball popped out of the cup and ran 10 feet long, and he two-putted for par.
McIlroy said he was not feeling "100 percent" despite taking time off during last week's WGC-HSBC Champions to watch his girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki play tennis -- a move which drew strong criticism.
"I'm struggling a bit with a cold or a sinus infection at the moment, so I'm not feeling 100 percent," said McIlroy, who is also accompanied by Wozniacki in Singapore.
"The energy levels are fine, and maybe it's a good thing that the temperature and humidity is so high, because I might be able to sweat it out."
And McIlroy, who is facing a long day in the tropical heat, with 28 holes to play if the rain holds off, admitted he was already looking forward to having a rest.
"With the weather we have here at this time of the year, you have to expect some disruptions," he said.
"But hopefully we got the good side of the draw, and can get 18 holes in this afternoon and hopefully have a bit of a rest between the second and third rounds.
"I actually played pretty well from tee to green, just didn't really hole any putts, which was a bit frustrating. So that was the story of the round really."
McIlroy is bidding to become just the second man to win the PGA and European Tour money titles in the same season, after Luke Donald achieved the feat last year.
Chapchai also came close to an eagle on the last hole but pushed his putt just wide - however, his birdie was still enough for the outright lead. Play got under way immediately for round two, as clouds overhead threatened further interruptions in a tournament which is notorious for its storm delays.
Golf: Cold hits McIlroy's money-list attempt - Channel NewsAsia
The Northern Irishman, who can wrap up the European money title at par-71 Sentosa Golf Club, on Friday finished his last 10 holes at one-under-par 70 and with work to do after a thunderstorm cut short Thursday's play.
Thailand's Chapchai Nirat led on six-under-par 65 on the demanding course, one better than Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, with Simon Khan, Pablo Martin and Chinnarat Phadungsil a stroke further back.
England's Paul Casey was three adrift on 68 alongside Kwanchai Tannin, Jaco Van Zyl and Y.E. Yang, Asia's first Major-winner.
An audacious eagle attempt at the last hole nearly slashed McIlroy's deficit but after chipping out of a greenside bunker, the ball popped out of the cup and ran 10 feet long, and he two-putted for par.
McIlroy said he was not feeling "100 percent" despite taking time off during last week's WGC-HSBC Champions to watch his girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki play tennis -- a move which drew strong criticism.
"I'm struggling a bit with a cold or a sinus infection at the moment, so I'm not feeling 100 percent," said McIlroy, who is also accompanied by Wozniacki in Singapore.
"The energy levels are fine, and maybe it's a good thing that the temperature and humidity is so high, because I might be able to sweat it out."
And McIlroy, who is facing a long day in the tropical heat, with 28 holes to play if the rain holds off, admitted he was already looking forward to having a rest.
"With the weather we have here at this time of the year, you have to expect some disruptions," he said.
"But hopefully we got the good side of the draw, and can get 18 holes in this afternoon and hopefully have a bit of a rest between the second and third rounds.
"I actually played pretty well from tee to green, just didn't really hole any putts, which was a bit frustrating. So that was the story of the round really."
McIlroy is bidding to become just the second man to win the PGA and European Tour money titles in the same season, after Luke Donald achieved the feat last year.
Chapchai also came close to an eagle on the last hole but pushed his putt just wide - however, his birdie was still enough for the outright lead. Play got under way immediately for round two, as clouds overhead threatened further interruptions in a tournament which is notorious for its storm delays.
Golf: Cold hits McIlroy's money-list attempt - Channel NewsAsia
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The American left-hander returned to the course early on Saturday, after not even playing a shot on a storm-hit Friday, and found himself four-over par for the tournament and three strokes short of the projected cut with nine holes to play.
He picked up two birdies in a blemish-free eight holes and walked to the par-five 18th tee knowing a birdie would keep him in the tournament.
However, despite hitting what he described as a "perfect" drive, his five-wood approach shot skewed left over the lake and nestled in the rough on the edge of the adjoining 10th hole.
Mickelson surveyed the scene and opted for a high-risk chip shot that soared between the 'V' of two palm trees in his path and scuttled up the green to halt around six foot from the cup.
The American calmly slotted in the birdie putt, much to the delight of the packed gallery.
"I hit one of the best tee shots I have hit all week and one of the worst second shots I have hit all week with the five wood. I don't even know what happened there," he told reporters.
"It was one of the best chips... I had to go through the trees and run it up the hill. I hit it really well and made birdie and hopefully have given myself a chance."
Despite languishing 10 shots behind clubhouse leader Thomas Bjorn (nine-under) with two rounds remaining, Mickelson is still hopeful of climbing into contention after flirting with ending his tournament after just 36 holes.
"It's a tough course for me to make birdies, but I am trying and hopefully, I'll make a few putts this afternoon. To get into position on Sunday, I need to shoot a low one," he added.
"I drove the ball well off the tee and gave myself some chances into the greens. I didn't hit the best iron shots but wasn't far off. I should now be a little more aggressive and be able to make some birdies." (Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
Golf - Mickelson survives in Singapore after miracle shot on 18th - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
He picked up two birdies in a blemish-free eight holes and walked to the par-five 18th tee knowing a birdie would keep him in the tournament.
However, despite hitting what he described as a "perfect" drive, his five-wood approach shot skewed left over the lake and nestled in the rough on the edge of the adjoining 10th hole.
Mickelson surveyed the scene and opted for a high-risk chip shot that soared between the 'V' of two palm trees in his path and scuttled up the green to halt around six foot from the cup.
The American calmly slotted in the birdie putt, much to the delight of the packed gallery.
"I hit one of the best tee shots I have hit all week and one of the worst second shots I have hit all week with the five wood. I don't even know what happened there," he told reporters.
"It was one of the best chips... I had to go through the trees and run it up the hill. I hit it really well and made birdie and hopefully have given myself a chance."
Despite languishing 10 shots behind clubhouse leader Thomas Bjorn (nine-under) with two rounds remaining, Mickelson is still hopeful of climbing into contention after flirting with ending his tournament after just 36 holes.
"It's a tough course for me to make birdies, but I am trying and hopefully, I'll make a few putts this afternoon. To get into position on Sunday, I need to shoot a low one," he added.
"I drove the ball well off the tee and gave myself some chances into the greens. I didn't hit the best iron shots but wasn't far off. I should now be a little more aggressive and be able to make some birdies." (Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
Golf - Mickelson survives in Singapore after miracle shot on 18th - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
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There is no way of knowing who might win the PGA Championship, one of golf's four major championships, the next two years. The identity of the man who will present the trophy is another matter.
That will be Ted Bishop, director of golf at The Legends Golf Club in Franklin, Ind.
Bishop accepted the gavel as the 38th president of the PGA of America during ceremonies Saturday afternoon in Baltimore.
As such, he will serve a two-year term as chairman of the board of directors and the executive committee of the largest working sports organization in the world. Bishop is the face of the PGA of America's 27,000 club professionals and apprentices.
He also will play a leading role in selecting the Team USA captain for the 2014 Ryder Cup Matches at Gleneagles, Scotland, represent the association at the major championships, present the hardware at the Senior PGA Championship and the Grand Slam of Golf and serve two-year terms on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour policy boards.
Bishop is a principal in Crooked Stick Golf Club's invitation to the association to bring the 2019 PGA Championship to the Carmel, Ind., club.
"Handing out the trophies is great. The national exposure you get is fun and you meet people you never thought you would meet," Bishop said. "But bottom line you do this because you care about the business of golf. You want to impact that. You want to do what you can to make the lives of PGA professionals better."
Bishop's first official function Saturday was to present Pete Bevacqua as the association's new CEO. Bishop will preside over the PGA in what is expected to be a time of considerable change.
Of wider interest will be the naming of the Ryder Cup captain, probably next month. It's an executive committee appointment, but the president has significant input and Bishop has devoted a lot of time to studying Ryder Cup history and speaking with former captains and players.
The U.S. has lost seven of the past nine matches and hasn't won in Europe since 1993. Bishop feels change is in order.
"We've had a lot of captains in their 40s who are close to the players," he said. "I think we've got to do something different than we've done in the past. I think we've got to look at who can motivate our team and put them in position to win over there."
While making it clear that he's speaking in the most general terms, he suggested someone of Jack Nicklaus' stature.
As president, Bishop takes his place in a lineage that includes Ed Dudley, longtime head professional at Augusta National Golf Club; Horton Smith, winner of the inaugural Masters Tournament; and two Hoosiers, Mickey Powell (1985-86) and the late Don Padgett (1977-78).
Bishop, 58, is a native of Logansport, Ind., where his father and grandfather operated a barbershop in the same location for 60 years.
He got his start in golf as golf course superintendent and head pro at the Phil Harris Golf Course in Linton, Ind., while still a senior studying Turf Management and Agronomy at Purdue.
During his 17 years there, he helped Harris, an entertainer, develop the largest celebrity charity golf tournament in the world. Golf professionals such as PGA champion Dave Marr and Masters and PGA champ Jack Burke Jr., typically were among the event's 600 players. So were stars from other sports such as John Unitas and Ernie Banks and pioneers such as astronaut Neil Armstrong.
Bishop founded The Legends, an upscale 27-hole public facility then known as The Legends of Indiana, in 1992.
He served on various Indiana PGA Section committees and as section president, 1997-98, before becoming involved at the national level.
Bishop's special interest is the PGA's grow-the-game programs. He has been a club professional for a third of a century. He knows the issues. He had the wheel when The Legends' existence was financially threatened during the 2008-09 recession.
"Ted is a grass-roots golf professional. He runs a public facility in Franklin, Ind., and he represents the grass-roots professional," said PGA past President Jim Remy, head pro at Okemo Valley in Ludlow, Vt., who sees Bishop's presidency as a victory for the rank and file.
Mike David, executive director of the Indiana PGA, echoed Remy.
"You get a pretty large percentage of national leaders who work for management companies, people who aren't behind the counter on a daily basis and going to work at the same facility every day," David said. "That's not the case with Ted. He's a hands-on guy."
Hands on the trophy; the PGA of America has a new leader, and he's a Hoosier.
www-indystar-com/article/20121110/SPORTS/211100340/Legends-Golf-Club-boss-Ted-Bishop-takes-over-PGA-America-president
That will be Ted Bishop, director of golf at The Legends Golf Club in Franklin, Ind.
Bishop accepted the gavel as the 38th president of the PGA of America during ceremonies Saturday afternoon in Baltimore.
As such, he will serve a two-year term as chairman of the board of directors and the executive committee of the largest working sports organization in the world. Bishop is the face of the PGA of America's 27,000 club professionals and apprentices.
He also will play a leading role in selecting the Team USA captain for the 2014 Ryder Cup Matches at Gleneagles, Scotland, represent the association at the major championships, present the hardware at the Senior PGA Championship and the Grand Slam of Golf and serve two-year terms on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour policy boards.
Bishop is a principal in Crooked Stick Golf Club's invitation to the association to bring the 2019 PGA Championship to the Carmel, Ind., club.
"Handing out the trophies is great. The national exposure you get is fun and you meet people you never thought you would meet," Bishop said. "But bottom line you do this because you care about the business of golf. You want to impact that. You want to do what you can to make the lives of PGA professionals better."
Bishop's first official function Saturday was to present Pete Bevacqua as the association's new CEO. Bishop will preside over the PGA in what is expected to be a time of considerable change.
Of wider interest will be the naming of the Ryder Cup captain, probably next month. It's an executive committee appointment, but the president has significant input and Bishop has devoted a lot of time to studying Ryder Cup history and speaking with former captains and players.
The U.S. has lost seven of the past nine matches and hasn't won in Europe since 1993. Bishop feels change is in order.
"We've had a lot of captains in their 40s who are close to the players," he said. "I think we've got to do something different than we've done in the past. I think we've got to look at who can motivate our team and put them in position to win over there."
While making it clear that he's speaking in the most general terms, he suggested someone of Jack Nicklaus' stature.
As president, Bishop takes his place in a lineage that includes Ed Dudley, longtime head professional at Augusta National Golf Club; Horton Smith, winner of the inaugural Masters Tournament; and two Hoosiers, Mickey Powell (1985-86) and the late Don Padgett (1977-78).
Bishop, 58, is a native of Logansport, Ind., where his father and grandfather operated a barbershop in the same location for 60 years.
He got his start in golf as golf course superintendent and head pro at the Phil Harris Golf Course in Linton, Ind., while still a senior studying Turf Management and Agronomy at Purdue.
During his 17 years there, he helped Harris, an entertainer, develop the largest celebrity charity golf tournament in the world. Golf professionals such as PGA champion Dave Marr and Masters and PGA champ Jack Burke Jr., typically were among the event's 600 players. So were stars from other sports such as John Unitas and Ernie Banks and pioneers such as astronaut Neil Armstrong.
Bishop founded The Legends, an upscale 27-hole public facility then known as The Legends of Indiana, in 1992.
He served on various Indiana PGA Section committees and as section president, 1997-98, before becoming involved at the national level.
Bishop's special interest is the PGA's grow-the-game programs. He has been a club professional for a third of a century. He knows the issues. He had the wheel when The Legends' existence was financially threatened during the 2008-09 recession.
"Ted is a grass-roots golf professional. He runs a public facility in Franklin, Ind., and he represents the grass-roots professional," said PGA past President Jim Remy, head pro at Okemo Valley in Ludlow, Vt., who sees Bishop's presidency as a victory for the rank and file.
Mike David, executive director of the Indiana PGA, echoed Remy.
"You get a pretty large percentage of national leaders who work for management companies, people who aren't behind the counter on a daily basis and going to work at the same facility every day," David said. "That's not the case with Ted. He's a hands-on guy."
Hands on the trophy; the PGA of America has a new leader, and he's a Hoosier.
www-indystar-com/article/20121110/SPORTS/211100340/Legends-Golf-Club-boss-Ted-Bishop-takes-over-PGA-America-president
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His health issues were serious, certainly nothing to make light of or diminish. But Charlie Beljan's anxiety attack that led to a hospital stay in the middle of a golf tournament couldn't keep him from winning his first PGA Tour event.
And his performance over the weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort certainly lends credence to the old axiom to beware the sick or injured golfer. From an ambulance ride and a harrowing night in a hospital to the winner's circle is not the way you'd draw it up, but it does again show that sometimes golfers have a habit of getting in their own way.
Who is a better example of that than Beljan, 28, a PGA Tour rookie who came to the final event on the PGA Tour schedule -- and what could be the last Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic -- fighting for his playing privileges?
And he wins.
His year had been so poor that Beljan made the cut in just eight tournaments. After his best finish at the Greenbrier Classic, where he tied for third, Beljan missed the cut in five of his next six events. He came here 139th on the money list, and things certainly did not look good when he was seeking medical attention before he even teed off on Friday.
And yet despite clear distress, needing medical attention on the course, feeling as if he was going to faint … Beljan made two eagles and six birdies en route to a 64. The fact that he finished was impressive. But to shoot 8 under, even on a relatively benign course?
"That was pretty special," said Beljan's caddie, Rick Adcox. "I've never seen nothing like that before. I've been caddying since 1971. I've never seen anything like that. I've never been involved in anything like that.
"Seeing the golf shots he hit, knowing what was going on. Is this the last swing of the day? You never knew what could be the last swing of the day."
And therein lies the lesson: Beljan was thinking of anything but golf on Friday and he shot one of his best rounds of the year.
"I think it taught me that it doesn't matter about your golf swing or your putting stroke or anything like that," Beljan said. "We're all good enough out here. As long as you believe in yourself and you keep on fighting, that's what I did on Friday that was able to put me in the position to be here.
"No longer will I be thinking about my golf swing on the first tee or in the middle of the seventh fairway. I'm just going to try and hit golf shots because that's what we do. We practice on the range for a reason and we play golf on the course for a reason."
Beljan left the hospital early Saturday morning and just a few hours later was teeing off, shooting a 71 to maintain his lead. On Sunday, he added a 69 on Disney's Magnolia course and survived a few more anxious moments.
"I woke up [Sunday] and felt horrible again," said Beljan, who bogeyed the first hole and found himself tied for the lead early on. And then after seemingly getting control of the tournament with four straight birdies from the seventh to 10th holes, he made a double-bogey at the par-4 13th to give others hope.
But Beljan birdied the 14th and a closing bogey still meant a 2-stroke victory over Matt Every and Robert Garrigus.
Ultimately, it helped Beljan secure his PGA Tour card as he needed a finish among the top 10 to jump from 139th into the top 125 on the money list -- the cutoff for full exempt status in 2013. As it turned out, he did better than that, earning a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour, a spot in the season-opening Hyundai Tournament of Champions and a handful of other perks, including entry into the PGA Championship -- which would be his first major if he is unable to qualify for the first three of 2013.
"I get to go to Hawaii to start the year," he said. "And I don't know quite what other perks come with winning, but I know every single one of them is pretty darn good." Perhaps more than anything, he attained some peace of mind.
He came to Disney World wondering about his job status, had a major health scare, and leaves with a victory, $846,000 and his golf future secure.
The final tournament of the year has typically been more about the bottom of the money list than those winning the event, although Beljan turned out to be part of both. He won and was one of just two players to move into the top 125. Tim Herron also moved into the top 125 while Rod Pampling and Billy Mayfair fell out.
Those dynamics have been part of the Disney tournament for years, and perhaps now a reason why the tournament's future is in limbo. It has a nice little niche in the fall, serving as the final full-field event. All that changes next year as the 2013 season concludes in September and the fall events become part of the new 2013-2014 wraparound schedule.
Children's Miracle Network is also departing as a title sponsor, and a new one will be asked to help pay for a purse that will would be expected to go from $4.7 million to $6 million.
All of those factors put the tournament's future in doubt, an unfortunate circumstance when you consider its history. Jack Nicklaus won the first three tournaments at Disney starting in 1971 -- just months after the Magic Kingdom opened.
Among other winners here were Larry Nelson, Raymond Floyd, Payne Stewart, Davis Love III and Tiger Woods. Love remarked earlier this week that a couple of generations of tour kids grew up coming to this tournament and partaking in all of the various Disney activities.
Whether the tournament endures will be determined at a later date, and tournament officials have declined to speculate about their wishes.
But if this was the last one, it served as quite the dream come true for a Beljan, who just a few days ago didn't figure to be here.
Charlie Beljan nabs improbable victory at Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic - ESPN
And his performance over the weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort certainly lends credence to the old axiom to beware the sick or injured golfer. From an ambulance ride and a harrowing night in a hospital to the winner's circle is not the way you'd draw it up, but it does again show that sometimes golfers have a habit of getting in their own way.
Who is a better example of that than Beljan, 28, a PGA Tour rookie who came to the final event on the PGA Tour schedule -- and what could be the last Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic -- fighting for his playing privileges?
And he wins.
His year had been so poor that Beljan made the cut in just eight tournaments. After his best finish at the Greenbrier Classic, where he tied for third, Beljan missed the cut in five of his next six events. He came here 139th on the money list, and things certainly did not look good when he was seeking medical attention before he even teed off on Friday.
And yet despite clear distress, needing medical attention on the course, feeling as if he was going to faint … Beljan made two eagles and six birdies en route to a 64. The fact that he finished was impressive. But to shoot 8 under, even on a relatively benign course?
"That was pretty special," said Beljan's caddie, Rick Adcox. "I've never seen nothing like that before. I've been caddying since 1971. I've never seen anything like that. I've never been involved in anything like that.
"Seeing the golf shots he hit, knowing what was going on. Is this the last swing of the day? You never knew what could be the last swing of the day."
And therein lies the lesson: Beljan was thinking of anything but golf on Friday and he shot one of his best rounds of the year.
"I think it taught me that it doesn't matter about your golf swing or your putting stroke or anything like that," Beljan said. "We're all good enough out here. As long as you believe in yourself and you keep on fighting, that's what I did on Friday that was able to put me in the position to be here.
"No longer will I be thinking about my golf swing on the first tee or in the middle of the seventh fairway. I'm just going to try and hit golf shots because that's what we do. We practice on the range for a reason and we play golf on the course for a reason."
Beljan left the hospital early Saturday morning and just a few hours later was teeing off, shooting a 71 to maintain his lead. On Sunday, he added a 69 on Disney's Magnolia course and survived a few more anxious moments.
"I woke up [Sunday] and felt horrible again," said Beljan, who bogeyed the first hole and found himself tied for the lead early on. And then after seemingly getting control of the tournament with four straight birdies from the seventh to 10th holes, he made a double-bogey at the par-4 13th to give others hope.
But Beljan birdied the 14th and a closing bogey still meant a 2-stroke victory over Matt Every and Robert Garrigus.
Ultimately, it helped Beljan secure his PGA Tour card as he needed a finish among the top 10 to jump from 139th into the top 125 on the money list -- the cutoff for full exempt status in 2013. As it turned out, he did better than that, earning a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour, a spot in the season-opening Hyundai Tournament of Champions and a handful of other perks, including entry into the PGA Championship -- which would be his first major if he is unable to qualify for the first three of 2013.
"I get to go to Hawaii to start the year," he said. "And I don't know quite what other perks come with winning, but I know every single one of them is pretty darn good." Perhaps more than anything, he attained some peace of mind.
He came to Disney World wondering about his job status, had a major health scare, and leaves with a victory, $846,000 and his golf future secure.
The final tournament of the year has typically been more about the bottom of the money list than those winning the event, although Beljan turned out to be part of both. He won and was one of just two players to move into the top 125. Tim Herron also moved into the top 125 while Rod Pampling and Billy Mayfair fell out.
Those dynamics have been part of the Disney tournament for years, and perhaps now a reason why the tournament's future is in limbo. It has a nice little niche in the fall, serving as the final full-field event. All that changes next year as the 2013 season concludes in September and the fall events become part of the new 2013-2014 wraparound schedule.
Children's Miracle Network is also departing as a title sponsor, and a new one will be asked to help pay for a purse that will would be expected to go from $4.7 million to $6 million.
All of those factors put the tournament's future in doubt, an unfortunate circumstance when you consider its history. Jack Nicklaus won the first three tournaments at Disney starting in 1971 -- just months after the Magic Kingdom opened.
Among other winners here were Larry Nelson, Raymond Floyd, Payne Stewart, Davis Love III and Tiger Woods. Love remarked earlier this week that a couple of generations of tour kids grew up coming to this tournament and partaking in all of the various Disney activities.
Whether the tournament endures will be determined at a later date, and tournament officials have declined to speculate about their wishes.
But if this was the last one, it served as quite the dream come true for a Beljan, who just a few days ago didn't figure to be here.
Charlie Beljan nabs improbable victory at Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic - ESPN
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The first in the series of Glo Golf Tour 2012 came to a thrilling end at the Ibori Golf and Country Club, Nigeria, last on Sunday, with Ghana’s Vincent Torgah emerging the winner of the competition.
Torgah signed for a closing 74 for 292, over four days, winning the glamorous tournament by two-shots.
Tournament favourite Emos Korblah also from Ghana, came second after grossing a four-day score of 292, losing the tournament’s top prize to Torgah.
Nigeria’s Andrew Oche Odoh also gave a good account of himself. Playing four-shots off the pace going to the final, Odoh fought back for a closing 74 to come third in the tournament.
Martin Odoh’s picked the fourth position in the field of over 90-professional golfers drawn from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and Senegal.
Martin, who started on day one with an opening 71, shot a Second Day score of 74, carded 79 on the third but recovered on the final day to come fourth.
Republic of Benin’s Francis Isuku proved he is still a force to reckon with in Golf as he placed fifth behind Martin Odoh.
Cameroonian top seed, Ebela Desire who could not challenge for the top prize, and only managed a sixth position at the end of the four day event.
The professional golfers played for a total purse of N15m in Asaba while the purse for the Glo Golf Tour West Africa 2012 was N62.5m, the biggest Pro-Am purse in Africa.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Torgah described the competition as the beginning of great things to happen in the sub region.
Torgah, expressed appreciation to Globacom for supporting the event, adding the support will go a long way to develop the game in Africa.
The second leg of the Glo Tour series now moves to Sagamu, in Ogun from Wednesday, November 14.
Ghana Business News » Ghanaian wins Nigerian golf tournament
Torgah signed for a closing 74 for 292, over four days, winning the glamorous tournament by two-shots.
Tournament favourite Emos Korblah also from Ghana, came second after grossing a four-day score of 292, losing the tournament’s top prize to Torgah.
Nigeria’s Andrew Oche Odoh also gave a good account of himself. Playing four-shots off the pace going to the final, Odoh fought back for a closing 74 to come third in the tournament.
Martin Odoh’s picked the fourth position in the field of over 90-professional golfers drawn from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and Senegal.
Martin, who started on day one with an opening 71, shot a Second Day score of 74, carded 79 on the third but recovered on the final day to come fourth.
Republic of Benin’s Francis Isuku proved he is still a force to reckon with in Golf as he placed fifth behind Martin Odoh.
Cameroonian top seed, Ebela Desire who could not challenge for the top prize, and only managed a sixth position at the end of the four day event.
The professional golfers played for a total purse of N15m in Asaba while the purse for the Glo Golf Tour West Africa 2012 was N62.5m, the biggest Pro-Am purse in Africa.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Torgah described the competition as the beginning of great things to happen in the sub region.
Torgah, expressed appreciation to Globacom for supporting the event, adding the support will go a long way to develop the game in Africa.
The second leg of the Glo Tour series now moves to Sagamu, in Ogun from Wednesday, November 14.
Ghana Business News » Ghanaian wins Nigerian golf tournament
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2006/12/07
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Tiger Woods was on the ballot when the U.S. PGA Tour began voting on its annual awards, but only in one category.
Even though Woods missed four months with an Achilles’ heel injury last year, failed to qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs and finished out of the top 125 on the money list for the first time in his career, he is not under consideration as the U.S. PGA Tour comeback player of the year.
Neither is anyone else, for that matter.
The tour has changed the definition of the award, which began in 1991 and over the years had been given to players who came back from injury (Steve Jones, Steve Pate), a life-threatening illness (Paul Azinger) and bad play (long list, but notably Steve Stricker — twice).
Now it will be awarded to a player “who through courage and perseverance has overcome extraordinary adversity, such as a personal tragedy or debilitating illness, to make a significant and meaningful contribution to the game of golf.”
The award will be determined by tour Commissioner Tim Finchem and the four players on the policy board, assuming there is a candidate.
It is not unprecedented for no one to win the award: There was no one on the ballot in 2009 and 2011. That’s partly due to what now has become a running joke, with Stricker becoming the only player to win the comeback award in consecutive years — in 2006 after he started the year with limited status and was considered for the Ryder Cup team, and in 2007 when he won a FedEx Cup playoff event and was No. 4 on the money list.
Andy Pazder, the tour’s chief of operations, said potential candidates down the road could include Jarrod Lyle, who is in Australia recovering from a recurrence of leukemia, or even someone like Chris Smith, whose life suffered a crushing setback when his wife was killed in a car crash.
For Woods — and J.B. Holmes, who had brain surgery last year — there was little doubt they were going to return to play.
Rory McIlroy is virtually certain to be voted tour player of the year after winning four times, including an eight-shot victory at the U.S. PGA Championship and back-to-back wins in the FedEx Cup playoffs. He also won the money title (in the U.S. and in Europe) and the Vardon Trophy.
John Huh is the leading candidate for rookie of the year. He won in Mexico in an opposite-field event, which wasn’t nearly as impressive as Ted Potter Jr. winning The Greenbrier Classic. What was in Huh’s favor was that he started the FedEx Cup playoffs at No. 25 and was the only rookie to make it to the Tour Championship. Balloting ends on Nov. 30
Golf | Tiger Woods won't be winning any awards this year | The Courier-Journal | courier-journal-com
Even though Woods missed four months with an Achilles’ heel injury last year, failed to qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs and finished out of the top 125 on the money list for the first time in his career, he is not under consideration as the U.S. PGA Tour comeback player of the year.
Neither is anyone else, for that matter.
The tour has changed the definition of the award, which began in 1991 and over the years had been given to players who came back from injury (Steve Jones, Steve Pate), a life-threatening illness (Paul Azinger) and bad play (long list, but notably Steve Stricker — twice).
Now it will be awarded to a player “who through courage and perseverance has overcome extraordinary adversity, such as a personal tragedy or debilitating illness, to make a significant and meaningful contribution to the game of golf.”
The award will be determined by tour Commissioner Tim Finchem and the four players on the policy board, assuming there is a candidate.
It is not unprecedented for no one to win the award: There was no one on the ballot in 2009 and 2011. That’s partly due to what now has become a running joke, with Stricker becoming the only player to win the comeback award in consecutive years — in 2006 after he started the year with limited status and was considered for the Ryder Cup team, and in 2007 when he won a FedEx Cup playoff event and was No. 4 on the money list.
Andy Pazder, the tour’s chief of operations, said potential candidates down the road could include Jarrod Lyle, who is in Australia recovering from a recurrence of leukemia, or even someone like Chris Smith, whose life suffered a crushing setback when his wife was killed in a car crash.
For Woods — and J.B. Holmes, who had brain surgery last year — there was little doubt they were going to return to play.
Rory McIlroy is virtually certain to be voted tour player of the year after winning four times, including an eight-shot victory at the U.S. PGA Championship and back-to-back wins in the FedEx Cup playoffs. He also won the money title (in the U.S. and in Europe) and the Vardon Trophy.
John Huh is the leading candidate for rookie of the year. He won in Mexico in an opposite-field event, which wasn’t nearly as impressive as Ted Potter Jr. winning The Greenbrier Classic. What was in Huh’s favor was that he started the FedEx Cup playoffs at No. 25 and was the only rookie to make it to the Tour Championship. Balloting ends on Nov. 30
Golf | Tiger Woods won't be winning any awards this year | The Courier-Journal | courier-journal-com
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Rory McIlroy is the No. 1 golfer in the world.
There is little doubt about his status after he won four PGA tournaments during the 2012 season, including his second major.
He was the leading money winner on the tour with more than $8 million in earnings. Tiger Woods, who ruled the golf world for more than a decade, was second in earnings with just over $6.1 million.
However, Woods knows that he is trying to chase down a young and talented star who is just approaching his prime.
It may not be impossible for Woods to recapture the No. 1 position, but it will be difficult.
McIlroy, 23, is not going to slow down. He is a great golfer who is getting better.
He won the U.S. Open in 2011 and the PGA title in 2012. He's got half of the four major titles.
He'll get the other two in 2013 and complete his first "career slam" before the end of the season.
He will get the Masters. You may remember that in 2011, McIlroy was just starting to dominate the golf world. When he got to Augusta in early April, his game was in excellent shape.
He had taken a couple of weeks off before the Masters and he came out of the game on fire. He shot a 65 in the first round, followed with a 69 in the second round and shot a 70 in the third round. He was dominating the Masters.
McIlroy had a four-shot lead heading into the final round. Then he fell apart. Instead of taking the green jacket, he shot a mind-blowing 80 on Sunday and gave the tournament away. He finished in a tie for 15th.
If McIlroy was an average or even a good golfer, having that kind of opportunity and blowing it would have sent him into a tailspin. He might have been ruined by such a defeat.
But McIlroy is not average, good or even very good. He is an elite player who has a chance to become one of the game's giants. Just two months after his Masters meltdown, McIlroy dominated the U.S. Open and won his first major.
McIlroy shot a 16-under par 268 to take the biggest title on North American soil. That record performance at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland gave him an eight-stroke victory.
Coming off a painful defeat, McIlroy showed his championship character.
In 2012, McIlroy fired a 13-under 275 at Kiawah Island in South Carolina at the PGA Championship to win the Wanamaker Trophy.
McIlroy clearly has the 2013 Masters in his sights. He was close to the green jacket in 2011 and he knows his time is at hand.
After he gets that, it will be time to start preparing for the 2013 British Open.
That's the championship that will mean the most to Northern Ireland's brightest golfing star.
The Open Championship will be held at famed Muirfield in Scotland. Nearly everyone there will want to see golf's greatest star earn the title, particularly if he has been successful in his pursuit of the green jacket.
As long as he is healthy and focused, there should be no stopping him.
Why Rory McIlroy Will Complete Golf's 'Career Slam' in 2013 | Bleacher Report
There is little doubt about his status after he won four PGA tournaments during the 2012 season, including his second major.
He was the leading money winner on the tour with more than $8 million in earnings. Tiger Woods, who ruled the golf world for more than a decade, was second in earnings with just over $6.1 million.
However, Woods knows that he is trying to chase down a young and talented star who is just approaching his prime.
It may not be impossible for Woods to recapture the No. 1 position, but it will be difficult.
McIlroy, 23, is not going to slow down. He is a great golfer who is getting better.
He won the U.S. Open in 2011 and the PGA title in 2012. He's got half of the four major titles.
He'll get the other two in 2013 and complete his first "career slam" before the end of the season.
He will get the Masters. You may remember that in 2011, McIlroy was just starting to dominate the golf world. When he got to Augusta in early April, his game was in excellent shape.
He had taken a couple of weeks off before the Masters and he came out of the game on fire. He shot a 65 in the first round, followed with a 69 in the second round and shot a 70 in the third round. He was dominating the Masters.
McIlroy had a four-shot lead heading into the final round. Then he fell apart. Instead of taking the green jacket, he shot a mind-blowing 80 on Sunday and gave the tournament away. He finished in a tie for 15th.
If McIlroy was an average or even a good golfer, having that kind of opportunity and blowing it would have sent him into a tailspin. He might have been ruined by such a defeat.
But McIlroy is not average, good or even very good. He is an elite player who has a chance to become one of the game's giants. Just two months after his Masters meltdown, McIlroy dominated the U.S. Open and won his first major.
McIlroy shot a 16-under par 268 to take the biggest title on North American soil. That record performance at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland gave him an eight-stroke victory.
Coming off a painful defeat, McIlroy showed his championship character.
In 2012, McIlroy fired a 13-under 275 at Kiawah Island in South Carolina at the PGA Championship to win the Wanamaker Trophy.
McIlroy clearly has the 2013 Masters in his sights. He was close to the green jacket in 2011 and he knows his time is at hand.
After he gets that, it will be time to start preparing for the 2013 British Open.
That's the championship that will mean the most to Northern Ireland's brightest golfing star.
The Open Championship will be held at famed Muirfield in Scotland. Nearly everyone there will want to see golf's greatest star earn the title, particularly if he has been successful in his pursuit of the green jacket.
As long as he is healthy and focused, there should be no stopping him.
Why Rory McIlroy Will Complete Golf's 'Career Slam' in 2013 | Bleacher Report
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Australian Masters favourite Adam Scott has warned tournament leader Matthew Guyatt that he's gunning for him and feels primed to claim his first victory this year.
Fellow Queenslander Guyatt retained his surprise two-shot lead with a three-under-par 69 at Melbourne's Kingston Heath in Friday's second round to move to 10 under at the event's mid-point.
World No.5 Scott, who played in the tougher afternoon conditions, could manage only a 70 to be three shots adrift of Guyatt in third place, with New Zealand's Michael Hendry sitting second on eight under.
But Scott said he played well as the greens dried out and winds picked up in the afternoon and liked his chances of donning his first gold jacket.
"I think I'm in pretty good shape," Australia's top-ranked player told reporters.
"There's only two people in front of me.
"So not too many people to pass to get to where I want to be."
A long-time acquaintance of Guyatt, Scott was pleased the 37-year-old world No.1474 was fulfilling his potential but planned to turn up the pressure over the next two days.
"Matt's worked hard for a long time so anything he gets he thoroughly deserves," Scott said.
"I wish him all the best for the next two days but I'll be gunning for him."
Guyatt, who admitted he would be feeling the nerves on Saturday, will partner Hendry in the final group, something he had hoped for, fearing that playing with Scott might have been more intimidating.
"That might be a good initiation into the final group rather than an (Ian) Poulter or an Adam Scott or someone like that where the crowds are going to be heavily increased," Guyatt said.
Poulter was left fuming after managing only an even par round of 72 on Friday to fall five shots off the pace.
"I've left quite a few shots out on the golf course and I'm not very happy," the world No.16 said.
But he remains tied for fourth and well in contention.
Two other tournament drawcards, Graeme McDowell and Robert Allenby, crashed out of contention.
McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, started with an eagle and a birdie but the rest of his round included six bogeys and a double-bogey as he shot 77 to be four over, just enough to scrape through the cut.
Out-of-form two-time Masters winner Allenby was set to miss the weekend before he birdied the last to also reach four over.
Scott gunning for Masters golf leader
Fellow Queenslander Guyatt retained his surprise two-shot lead with a three-under-par 69 at Melbourne's Kingston Heath in Friday's second round to move to 10 under at the event's mid-point.
World No.5 Scott, who played in the tougher afternoon conditions, could manage only a 70 to be three shots adrift of Guyatt in third place, with New Zealand's Michael Hendry sitting second on eight under.
But Scott said he played well as the greens dried out and winds picked up in the afternoon and liked his chances of donning his first gold jacket.
"I think I'm in pretty good shape," Australia's top-ranked player told reporters.
"There's only two people in front of me.
"So not too many people to pass to get to where I want to be."
A long-time acquaintance of Guyatt, Scott was pleased the 37-year-old world No.1474 was fulfilling his potential but planned to turn up the pressure over the next two days.
"Matt's worked hard for a long time so anything he gets he thoroughly deserves," Scott said.
"I wish him all the best for the next two days but I'll be gunning for him."
Guyatt, who admitted he would be feeling the nerves on Saturday, will partner Hendry in the final group, something he had hoped for, fearing that playing with Scott might have been more intimidating.
"That might be a good initiation into the final group rather than an (Ian) Poulter or an Adam Scott or someone like that where the crowds are going to be heavily increased," Guyatt said.
Poulter was left fuming after managing only an even par round of 72 on Friday to fall five shots off the pace.
"I've left quite a few shots out on the golf course and I'm not very happy," the world No.16 said.
But he remains tied for fourth and well in contention.
Two other tournament drawcards, Graeme McDowell and Robert Allenby, crashed out of contention.
McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, started with an eagle and a birdie but the rest of his round included six bogeys and a double-bogey as he shot 77 to be four over, just enough to scrape through the cut.
Out-of-form two-time Masters winner Allenby was set to miss the weekend before he birdied the last to also reach four over.
Scott gunning for Masters golf leader
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World No.1 golfer Rory McIlroy has vowed to cut back his competitive schedule next year after the disappointment of missing the cut in the defence of his Hong Kong Open title.
McIlroy four-putted the final green on Friday to crash out of the event by three shots - the second time this year the 23-year-old has had to sit out the weekend rounds as defending champion after also missing the cut in June's US Open in San Francisco.
Before leaving Hong Kong for Dubai and the season-ending World Tour Championship, McIlroy said he will spend coming weeks working out where he will compete in 2013.
"Of course, you're going to miss cuts in your career, but it's not nice and it's a tough pill to swallow when you're the defending champion in a tournament," the Northern Irishman said.
"While there's a part of me that perhaps wished my year had ended as soon as I wrapped up the Race to Dubai, I now look back over the last couple of years wondering why did I stretch myself so much," he added. "I've probably played an extra couple of tournaments too much and I have learnt from the last few years, so that's why I'm cutting back my schedule even further from next year."
Counting next week's European Tour closing event, McIlroy will have contested 24 tournaments this season as well as the Ryder Cup and two exhibition events.
McIlroy arrived in Hong Kong sounding tired after wrapping up the Race to Dubai money title a week earlier with his third-placed finish at the Singapore Open.
"I'm not sure if the energy in trying to sew up the Race to Dubai and competing in the FedEx Cup has taken more out of me than maybe I thought because, while I am feeling OK physically, mentally I feel really tired," he said.
"When you achieve something that you want to achieve so bad, like the Race to Dubai, there is a letdown considering there are still two events remaining."
Last year, McIlroy competed in 22 regular European and PGA Tour events, but also contested the Grand Slam of Golf, the World Cup, the Korean Open and the China Golf Challenge.
After combined European and PGA Tour earnings this year of $US9.62 million ($A9.35 million), McIlroy will bank another $US1 million ($A973,000) by just teeing up in Dubai - the "bonus pool" first prize for capturing the Race to Dubai.
McIlroy wants lighter 2013 golf schedule - Yahoo! New Zealand Sport
McIlroy four-putted the final green on Friday to crash out of the event by three shots - the second time this year the 23-year-old has had to sit out the weekend rounds as defending champion after also missing the cut in June's US Open in San Francisco.
Before leaving Hong Kong for Dubai and the season-ending World Tour Championship, McIlroy said he will spend coming weeks working out where he will compete in 2013.
"Of course, you're going to miss cuts in your career, but it's not nice and it's a tough pill to swallow when you're the defending champion in a tournament," the Northern Irishman said.
"While there's a part of me that perhaps wished my year had ended as soon as I wrapped up the Race to Dubai, I now look back over the last couple of years wondering why did I stretch myself so much," he added. "I've probably played an extra couple of tournaments too much and I have learnt from the last few years, so that's why I'm cutting back my schedule even further from next year."
Counting next week's European Tour closing event, McIlroy will have contested 24 tournaments this season as well as the Ryder Cup and two exhibition events.
McIlroy arrived in Hong Kong sounding tired after wrapping up the Race to Dubai money title a week earlier with his third-placed finish at the Singapore Open.
"I'm not sure if the energy in trying to sew up the Race to Dubai and competing in the FedEx Cup has taken more out of me than maybe I thought because, while I am feeling OK physically, mentally I feel really tired," he said.
"When you achieve something that you want to achieve so bad, like the Race to Dubai, there is a letdown considering there are still two events remaining."
Last year, McIlroy competed in 22 regular European and PGA Tour events, but also contested the Grand Slam of Golf, the World Cup, the Korean Open and the China Golf Challenge.
After combined European and PGA Tour earnings this year of $US9.62 million ($A9.35 million), McIlroy will bank another $US1 million ($A973,000) by just teeing up in Dubai - the "bonus pool" first prize for capturing the Race to Dubai.
McIlroy wants lighter 2013 golf schedule - Yahoo! New Zealand Sport
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On Saturday George Coetzee stole the headlines with a sparkling round of 63 in the third round of the South African Open at the Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate.
His exploits rocketed him up from 25th place at the halfway mark into a share of second going into the final day, just three strokes behind leader Henrik Stenson.
The course record had been equalled earlier in the week by Merrick Bremner, who fired a fine 64 on Thursday. On Saturday Coetzee went one better with a round that included nine birdies and an eagle.
One intriguing pattern that has emerged this year for the 26-year-old though has been his susceptibility to finishing tournaments poorly.
Of course, there was that scintillating round of 62 in the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship last month that earned him a fifth placed finish. But this has sadly been overshadowed by some unsatisfactory days going down the final stretch.
At the Joburg Open, he found himself in second place and right on the tail of eventual-winner Branden Grace going into the last round. He wilted on the last day with a desperately disappointing 75 to finish in a share of 14th.
He also found himself right in the mix in events such as the ISPS Handa Wales Open and Alstom Open de France, only to fall away with final rounds of 74 and 76 respectively. Unfortunately, the trend has continued somewhat, as he could only manage a 71 in the final round of BMW Masters in good scoring conditions, and had to settle for a tied-sixth finish when that elusive maiden European Tour win was very much in the pipeline.
Last week at the Barclays Singapore Open, a second round of 63 shot him up to second place on the leaderboard. But closing rounds of 74 and 70 saw his challenge fade, as he was overtaken by Matteo Manassero and Louis Oosthuizen (who took part in the playoff) and fell back into a share of 14th by the end of the event.
Golf is a game where a plethora of things can play on one’s mind. Some suffer from the yips; others hit the ball sublimely well and can’t get the ball in the hole. These are just two of many. After all, golf is one of the only sports where one has to strike a still ball. The role of instinct is diminished and the need for mental strength becomes paramount -- more so than with any other sport. As a result, it leaves one with a lot of time to think about things -- good and bad.
For Coetzee, this particular flaw has become a monkey on his back, and one that he will be desperate to get rid of. On Saturday, after his round, he suggested that he might have a solution that could help him in Sunday’s final round.
“I’ve been working on staying in the present and especially today it felt like I handled it a lot better. When I made that bogey, usually I would want to make birdie on the next hole. I felt today that I handled it a lot better and just waited for my opportunities.
“It’s great to shoot a 63 and I’m very happy, but I have to forget about it as soon as possible. I’ve got go out tomorrow. If the wind pumps and they put the flags in ridiculous places then 63 is definitely not an option. I’ve just got to get over it and just go out tomorrow and start for scratch. I’m going to try to take it one step at a time and not be bothered,” he said.
Coetzee’s round on Saturday was a stark reminder of his unquestionable talent, and a maiden tour victory is surely just a matter of time. But the man from Pretoria would dearly love to do it in his national Open. With Stenson looking so ominous, heroics similar to yesterday will likely be required.
But if he can repeat his efforts from the final round of the Dunhill, it could be the dawn of a new era -- George Coetzee: the finisher.
George Coetzee - the finisher - SuperSport - Golf
His exploits rocketed him up from 25th place at the halfway mark into a share of second going into the final day, just three strokes behind leader Henrik Stenson.
The course record had been equalled earlier in the week by Merrick Bremner, who fired a fine 64 on Thursday. On Saturday Coetzee went one better with a round that included nine birdies and an eagle.
One intriguing pattern that has emerged this year for the 26-year-old though has been his susceptibility to finishing tournaments poorly.
Of course, there was that scintillating round of 62 in the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship last month that earned him a fifth placed finish. But this has sadly been overshadowed by some unsatisfactory days going down the final stretch.
At the Joburg Open, he found himself in second place and right on the tail of eventual-winner Branden Grace going into the last round. He wilted on the last day with a desperately disappointing 75 to finish in a share of 14th.
He also found himself right in the mix in events such as the ISPS Handa Wales Open and Alstom Open de France, only to fall away with final rounds of 74 and 76 respectively. Unfortunately, the trend has continued somewhat, as he could only manage a 71 in the final round of BMW Masters in good scoring conditions, and had to settle for a tied-sixth finish when that elusive maiden European Tour win was very much in the pipeline.
Last week at the Barclays Singapore Open, a second round of 63 shot him up to second place on the leaderboard. But closing rounds of 74 and 70 saw his challenge fade, as he was overtaken by Matteo Manassero and Louis Oosthuizen (who took part in the playoff) and fell back into a share of 14th by the end of the event.
Golf is a game where a plethora of things can play on one’s mind. Some suffer from the yips; others hit the ball sublimely well and can’t get the ball in the hole. These are just two of many. After all, golf is one of the only sports where one has to strike a still ball. The role of instinct is diminished and the need for mental strength becomes paramount -- more so than with any other sport. As a result, it leaves one with a lot of time to think about things -- good and bad.
For Coetzee, this particular flaw has become a monkey on his back, and one that he will be desperate to get rid of. On Saturday, after his round, he suggested that he might have a solution that could help him in Sunday’s final round.
“I’ve been working on staying in the present and especially today it felt like I handled it a lot better. When I made that bogey, usually I would want to make birdie on the next hole. I felt today that I handled it a lot better and just waited for my opportunities.
“It’s great to shoot a 63 and I’m very happy, but I have to forget about it as soon as possible. I’ve got go out tomorrow. If the wind pumps and they put the flags in ridiculous places then 63 is definitely not an option. I’ve just got to get over it and just go out tomorrow and start for scratch. I’m going to try to take it one step at a time and not be bothered,” he said.
Coetzee’s round on Saturday was a stark reminder of his unquestionable talent, and a maiden tour victory is surely just a matter of time. But the man from Pretoria would dearly love to do it in his national Open. With Stenson looking so ominous, heroics similar to yesterday will likely be required.
But if he can repeat his efforts from the final round of the Dunhill, it could be the dawn of a new era -- George Coetzee: the finisher.
George Coetzee - the finisher - SuperSport - Golf
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Adam Scott donned his first Australian Masters gold winner's jacket when he beat England's Ian Poulter by four shots on Sunday and said it made up “in a small way” for his capitulation at the British Open.
Adam Scott donned his first Australian Masters gold winner's jacket when he beat England's Ian Poulter by four shots on Sunday and said it made up “in a small way” for his capitulation at the British Open. Australia's top-ranked golfer blew a four-shot lead over the last four holes at Royal Lytham in July but said after his Masters win he had to put it quickly out of his mind. “I had to or otherwise I could never have come back to a golf course,” Scott said after a final round 67 gave him a tournament total of 17-under 271 around Melbourne's Kingston Heath.
Scott began the day trailing defending champion Poulter by a shot but Europe's Ryder Cup hero could only manage a final round 72. Scott said he was pleased he could “blow away” any negative thoughts that could have crept in from Royal Lytham once he found himself in a winning position although he realised the Australian Masters was a much smaller stage. “I did not want to let another opportunity slip by. It was good to get back in that position and close a tournament out,” said Scott, who in the process also won his first tournament of the year.
Scott said he was thrilled to finally win an Australian Masters and an event he watched his childhood hero, Greg Norman, win on six occasions. “I was beaten in a playoff in 2002 and 2003 so it's nice to finally win one on my favourite Australian golf course,” he said.
Golf: Scott beats Poulter by four shots to win Australian Masters - PakTribune.Com
Adam Scott donned his first Australian Masters gold winner's jacket when he beat England's Ian Poulter by four shots on Sunday and said it made up “in a small way” for his capitulation at the British Open. Australia's top-ranked golfer blew a four-shot lead over the last four holes at Royal Lytham in July but said after his Masters win he had to put it quickly out of his mind. “I had to or otherwise I could never have come back to a golf course,” Scott said after a final round 67 gave him a tournament total of 17-under 271 around Melbourne's Kingston Heath.
Scott began the day trailing defending champion Poulter by a shot but Europe's Ryder Cup hero could only manage a final round 72. Scott said he was pleased he could “blow away” any negative thoughts that could have crept in from Royal Lytham once he found himself in a winning position although he realised the Australian Masters was a much smaller stage. “I did not want to let another opportunity slip by. It was good to get back in that position and close a tournament out,” said Scott, who in the process also won his first tournament of the year.
Scott said he was thrilled to finally win an Australian Masters and an event he watched his childhood hero, Greg Norman, win on six occasions. “I was beaten in a playoff in 2002 and 2003 so it's nice to finally win one on my favourite Australian golf course,” he said.
Golf: Scott beats Poulter by four shots to win Australian Masters - PakTribune.Com
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Rolling Green Golf Club had been waiting for its turn in the national spotlight after restoration work brought back many of the characteristics of the William S. Flynn design when the course opened in 1926.
It has to wait no longer. The U.S. Golf Association announced Monday that the course in Springfield, Delaware County, will host the 2016 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship.
Rolling Green hosted its only other USGA championship in 1976, when JoAnne Carner defeated Sandra Palmer in an 18-hole playoff to win the U.S. Women's Open.
Club officials employed Forse Design to begin a bunker restoration project in 2006. The firm then worked on lengthening the course, removing some trees, and repositioning fairways while maintaining Flynn's original routing. The project was completed in early 2009.
USGA vice president Thomas J. O'Toole Jr., championship committee chairman, said the course "has proven to be a formidable test and will undoubtedly present yet another stern challenge" for championship contestants.
The club has been a frequent host of Pennsylvania Golf Association and Golf Association of Philadelphia championships. The Pennsylvania Amateur, won by Andrew Mason of Huntingdon Valley, was held there in July.
The U.S. Women's Amateur was last held in the Philadelphia area in 2003 at Philadelphia Country Club, where Virada Nirapathpongporn defeated Jane Park for the championship. The tournament featured 13-year-old Michelle Wie, who lost in the first round.
Rolling Green will host U.S. Women's Amateur in 2016
It has to wait no longer. The U.S. Golf Association announced Monday that the course in Springfield, Delaware County, will host the 2016 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship.
Rolling Green hosted its only other USGA championship in 1976, when JoAnne Carner defeated Sandra Palmer in an 18-hole playoff to win the U.S. Women's Open.
Club officials employed Forse Design to begin a bunker restoration project in 2006. The firm then worked on lengthening the course, removing some trees, and repositioning fairways while maintaining Flynn's original routing. The project was completed in early 2009.
USGA vice president Thomas J. O'Toole Jr., championship committee chairman, said the course "has proven to be a formidable test and will undoubtedly present yet another stern challenge" for championship contestants.
The club has been a frequent host of Pennsylvania Golf Association and Golf Association of Philadelphia championships. The Pennsylvania Amateur, won by Andrew Mason of Huntingdon Valley, was held there in July.
The U.S. Women's Amateur was last held in the Philadelphia area in 2003 at Philadelphia Country Club, where Virada Nirapathpongporn defeated Jane Park for the championship. The tournament featured 13-year-old Michelle Wie, who lost in the first round.
Rolling Green will host U.S. Women's Amateur in 2016
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Perhaps not surprisingly, Australian Craig Hancock has rave reviews of the Clearwater course after firing a four-under par 68 in tough conditions to take the first round lead at the New Zealand Open in Christchurch today.
Hancock made the most of calmer conditions early this morning to get to five-under through 12 holes and held on well when the wind came up, with just a solitary bogey, at the par-four 13th, to take a two-shot lead into tomorrow's second round.
New Zealand's Ryan Fox, who was also five-under through 11 holes, is in a share of second with Australian Kristopher Mueck after a two-under par 70. He is the leading Kiwi.
The winds were strong in the afternoon with the downwind par-five second the only hole averaging under-par on a day where the average overall score was five-over 77.
The only player to break par in the treacherous afternoon conditions was little known Queenslander Heath Reed, who produced perhaps the round of the day with a one-under 71 to share fourth.
He will be hoping for calm winds tomorrow morning to take advantage.
This is Hancock's first visit to Clearwater and naturally the 28-year-old, who plies his trade on the OneAsia tour, was complimentary of the course after his round, and even said he liked the weather.
"It's spot on, there's nothing bad about the golf course. The greens are perfect, the rough, everything is perfect," he said.
"It's just perfect the golf course, it really is. I struggled a bit early but with the wind towards the end, I'm used to it in Tassie so it wasn't all bad for me. It was nice to put a score on the board."
Hancock said the key to playing well in the wind was concentration.
"You probably play a bit better in the breeze because you're not so relaxed. The first few holes there was no wind and I was (thinking) hit it anywhere and you'll be fine. But you have to really knuckle down when the wind gets up otherwise it'll bite you in the bum."
His goal today had been even-par.
"I would have taken probably four even-pars or four one-unders (across the four rounds). It's a pretty tough golf course, the rough is pretty thick. Four-under is really good. Anything could happen tomorrow. You've got to just try and keep the bogeys off the card, get it to the big part of the greens, two-putt and try not to do too much."
Hancock, who finished tied for 14th at the Australian Masters last week, said the Kiwis would bounce back tomorrow. Fox is the best of them after the first day, with lefty Gareth Paddison, Brad Shilton and amateur Vaughan McCall all tied for fourth at one-under after 71s.
Mark Brown, Mahal Pearce and Mathew Perry are all a further shot back at even par, tied for 13th.
Fox claimed the lead at five-under when he notched his sixth birdie of the day at the par-four first, his 10th hole, but double bogeyed the third when he lost his tee shot right into the bushes and picked up another bogey three holes later.
He did well to par his way home, with sand saves at the tough eighth and ninth holes, which averaged more than half a shot over par.
"I'm very happy, it was pretty tough out there the last 12 holes and No 7, 8 and 9 played really tough into the wind," Fox said.
"I got pretty lucky on No 8 that Ben (Campbell) left his ball there and I hit it. The one on No 9 is not a very fun shot hitting at the water but I judged it nicely and finished it off with a pretty good putt."
New Zealand's No 1 amateur McCall is nicely positioned and on the back of good form is confident heading into tomorrow.
"It will depend on conditions, but I just want to keep myself in contention to shoot a low round and get on that leaderboard as well.
"I think I'm capable of winning, but I've put my sights on getting myself into contention and giving myself a chance to win because of the experience I'll get out of that. The top 10 and the low amateur will take care of itself."
Golf | New Zealand Open | Craig Hancock Leads | Stuff.co.nz
Hancock made the most of calmer conditions early this morning to get to five-under through 12 holes and held on well when the wind came up, with just a solitary bogey, at the par-four 13th, to take a two-shot lead into tomorrow's second round.
New Zealand's Ryan Fox, who was also five-under through 11 holes, is in a share of second with Australian Kristopher Mueck after a two-under par 70. He is the leading Kiwi.
The winds were strong in the afternoon with the downwind par-five second the only hole averaging under-par on a day where the average overall score was five-over 77.
The only player to break par in the treacherous afternoon conditions was little known Queenslander Heath Reed, who produced perhaps the round of the day with a one-under 71 to share fourth.
He will be hoping for calm winds tomorrow morning to take advantage.
This is Hancock's first visit to Clearwater and naturally the 28-year-old, who plies his trade on the OneAsia tour, was complimentary of the course after his round, and even said he liked the weather.
"It's spot on, there's nothing bad about the golf course. The greens are perfect, the rough, everything is perfect," he said.
"It's just perfect the golf course, it really is. I struggled a bit early but with the wind towards the end, I'm used to it in Tassie so it wasn't all bad for me. It was nice to put a score on the board."
Hancock said the key to playing well in the wind was concentration.
"You probably play a bit better in the breeze because you're not so relaxed. The first few holes there was no wind and I was (thinking) hit it anywhere and you'll be fine. But you have to really knuckle down when the wind gets up otherwise it'll bite you in the bum."
His goal today had been even-par.
"I would have taken probably four even-pars or four one-unders (across the four rounds). It's a pretty tough golf course, the rough is pretty thick. Four-under is really good. Anything could happen tomorrow. You've got to just try and keep the bogeys off the card, get it to the big part of the greens, two-putt and try not to do too much."
Hancock, who finished tied for 14th at the Australian Masters last week, said the Kiwis would bounce back tomorrow. Fox is the best of them after the first day, with lefty Gareth Paddison, Brad Shilton and amateur Vaughan McCall all tied for fourth at one-under after 71s.
Mark Brown, Mahal Pearce and Mathew Perry are all a further shot back at even par, tied for 13th.
Fox claimed the lead at five-under when he notched his sixth birdie of the day at the par-four first, his 10th hole, but double bogeyed the third when he lost his tee shot right into the bushes and picked up another bogey three holes later.
He did well to par his way home, with sand saves at the tough eighth and ninth holes, which averaged more than half a shot over par.
"I'm very happy, it was pretty tough out there the last 12 holes and No 7, 8 and 9 played really tough into the wind," Fox said.
"I got pretty lucky on No 8 that Ben (Campbell) left his ball there and I hit it. The one on No 9 is not a very fun shot hitting at the water but I judged it nicely and finished it off with a pretty good putt."
New Zealand's No 1 amateur McCall is nicely positioned and on the back of good form is confident heading into tomorrow.
"It will depend on conditions, but I just want to keep myself in contention to shoot a low round and get on that leaderboard as well.
"I think I'm capable of winning, but I've put my sights on getting myself into contention and giving myself a chance to win because of the experience I'll get out of that. The top 10 and the low amateur will take care of itself."
Golf | New Zealand Open | Craig Hancock Leads | Stuff.co.nz
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And that could take some time.
Four players have been No. 1 over the last two years. The top ranking belongs to Rory McIlroy, who has widened his lead by winning the US PGA Championship and consecutive tournaments during the FedEx Cup playoffs. McIlroy was runner-up last week against a strong field in Shanghai.
"Rory is playing a lot of events, and so am I, toward the beginning of the year," Woods said in Singapore, where he staged a youth clinic on putting. "It's about winning golf tournaments. That's how I got to No. 1, that's how Rory got to No. 1. You've got to win golf tournaments, and when you don't, you've got to be consistent and finish high. I'm looking forward to that."
Woods won three times this year on the US tour, though it took time for his trademark consistency to develop. He did not have back-to-back finishes in the top 10 until the British Open (tie for third) and the Bridgestone Invitational (tie for eighth). He hasn't finished out of the top 10 since The Barclays in August, a streak of four tournaments.
Woods ends his 2012 season at his World Challenge in California in the last week of November. "Things are progressing nicely," Woods said. "Last year I was 127th on the money list, this year I was second. So I think that's pretty good improvement in a year. And given that I'm healthy, I'm really looking forward to next year."
He decided not to play the HSBC Champions this week in China, saying he was too tired to prepare properly. Woods will have played 24 tournaments this year, his most since 2005, which includes an unofficial event in Turkey and the Ryder Cup.
Woods confirmed he will not play in January at the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii, where he last competed in 2005. That will give him six full weeks off after his World Challenge.
"Doing these things are easy," Woods said of the clinic at Marina Bay Sands. "Competing and getting ready for another golf tournament ... I just didn't want to do that. I've got four more rounds, which is my tournament in LA, and I'm done until Abu Dhabi next year, so I'm looking forward to having this extended break. This is like my offseason now, and I'm really looking forward to just getting away from it.
"Competing and playing golf tournaments the playoffs, the Ryder Cup and a lot of other tournaments it's been a lot."
McIlroy also is skipping the World Golf Championship this week, though he will finish his season in Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai as he tries to match Luke Donald's feat of winning money titles on the US PGA Tour and European Tour in the same season.
Of all the legitimate rivals for Woods over the years, McIlroy is the first player who is younger by more than 13 years. Woods said it would take time to determine whether the 23-year-old from Northern Ireland is the best he has ever faced.
McIlroy beat Woods in an 18-hole exhibition in China on Monday, though Woods beat him in Turkey during an 18-hole match based on stroke play.
"Trust me, I've played against a lot of guys over the years that have been really good," he said, mentioning Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Padraig Harrington. "All these guys have won two to four major championships during the time that I've been on tour. And Rory has too, but he's still young. He's only 23 years old. Let him grow, let him develop over the next decade. He's still learning how to play the game. He's only going to get better with age."
Golf: Getting back to no.1 will take time - Woods - Sport - NZ Herald News