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Willie Wood took advantage of Bill Glasson's back-nine collapse to win the inaugural Hawaii Championship on Sunday for his second Champions Tour victory in the past three events.
The 51-year-old Wood birdied the final two holes for a 6-under 66 and won by a stroke when Glasson bogeyed the final hole. Wood played 54 holes without a bogey, finishing at 14-under 202 at Kapolei Golf Course. "I had a great back nine," Wood said. "I just hung in there and the putts kept continuing to fall, and I got a little bit lucky with the way Bill finished. ... I knew Bill would have to help us out some."
Five strokes behind Glasson entering the round, Wood chipped to 5 feet to set up his birdie on the par-5 17th and holed a 20-footer for birdie on the par-4 18th.
"I know how Bill feels," Wood said "We all go through that."
Wood also rallied to win the Dick's Sporting Goods Open last month in New York, making a long birdie putt on the final hole of regulation and beating Michael Allen with a par on the first hole of a playoff. That was his first victory since he won the 1996 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic for his lone PGA Tour title.
"This week feels a little different than the one in New York because I'd won and there wasn't nearly the pressure. I felt much more comfortable and it just fell into place."
Glasson, winless in 47 starts on the 50-and-over tour, shot a 72. He began the round with a four-stroke lead and increased his advantage to five, but gave it away on the back nine. The seven-time PGA Tour winner had five bogeys and three birdies on the final eight holes.
"The last six or seven holes were a roller coaster," Glasson said. "It got a little but iffy between clubs out there, but you have to give Woody credit."
Needing a birdie to win or a par to force a playoff, Glasson hit a sand wedge approach on the 18th that skidded down a bank between the green and a pond. He chipped to 10 feet and missed the putt.
"I hit that putt at 18 too hard. Couldn't get the speed right," Glasson said. "I need to work on some things. If I start missing greens, my short game isn't good enough."
Australia's Peter Senior birdied the final four holes for a 69 to finish third at 12 under.
Charles Schwab Cup points leader Tom Lehman and David Frost tied for fourth at 11 under. Lehman closed with a 67, and Frost shot a 69.
Read More: Wood rallies past Glasson, wins in Hawaii - Golf, PGA Tour - CBSSports-com PGA, News, Leaderboard Scores, Schedule and Stats
The 51-year-old Wood birdied the final two holes for a 6-under 66 and won by a stroke when Glasson bogeyed the final hole. Wood played 54 holes without a bogey, finishing at 14-under 202 at Kapolei Golf Course. "I had a great back nine," Wood said. "I just hung in there and the putts kept continuing to fall, and I got a little bit lucky with the way Bill finished. ... I knew Bill would have to help us out some."
Five strokes behind Glasson entering the round, Wood chipped to 5 feet to set up his birdie on the par-5 17th and holed a 20-footer for birdie on the par-4 18th.
"I know how Bill feels," Wood said "We all go through that."
Wood also rallied to win the Dick's Sporting Goods Open last month in New York, making a long birdie putt on the final hole of regulation and beating Michael Allen with a par on the first hole of a playoff. That was his first victory since he won the 1996 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic for his lone PGA Tour title.
"This week feels a little different than the one in New York because I'd won and there wasn't nearly the pressure. I felt much more comfortable and it just fell into place."
Glasson, winless in 47 starts on the 50-and-over tour, shot a 72. He began the round with a four-stroke lead and increased his advantage to five, but gave it away on the back nine. The seven-time PGA Tour winner had five bogeys and three birdies on the final eight holes.
"The last six or seven holes were a roller coaster," Glasson said. "It got a little but iffy between clubs out there, but you have to give Woody credit."
Needing a birdie to win or a par to force a playoff, Glasson hit a sand wedge approach on the 18th that skidded down a bank between the green and a pond. He chipped to 10 feet and missed the putt.
"I hit that putt at 18 too hard. Couldn't get the speed right," Glasson said. "I need to work on some things. If I start missing greens, my short game isn't good enough."
Australia's Peter Senior birdied the final four holes for a 69 to finish third at 12 under.
Charles Schwab Cup points leader Tom Lehman and David Frost tied for fourth at 11 under. Lehman closed with a 67, and Frost shot a 69.
Read More: Wood rallies past Glasson, wins in Hawaii - Golf, PGA Tour - CBSSports-com PGA, News, Leaderboard Scores, Schedule and Stats
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Holding down the lead in the FedExCup standings, Rory McIlroy will be looking to wrap up the PGA Tour's lucrative postseason title this week as he hits the course at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta as a favorite on the golf betting lines to win the Tour Championship.
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Make that a co-favorite on the golf betting lines, as McIlroy and chief rival Tiger Woods are both pegged at 5/1 at Bovada to win the Tour Championship this week – and in turn end up atop the FedExCup standings and head home with a huge prize cheque.
McIlroy is coming off back-to-back wins in the tour's last two tournaments – the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston, and the BMW Championship at Crooked Stick. That put him atop the FedExCup standings by a large margin, but with the points reset heading into the TOUR Championship his lead on Woods for first place is just 2500-2250.
Nick Watney (2000), Phil Mickelson (1800), and Brandt Snedeker (1600) round out the current Top 5 in the standings, and that quintet has the best chance of claiming the FedExCup title this weekend. Mickelson is listed third at 11/1 odds to win the Tour Championship at Bovada, with Watney and Snedeker both back at 33/1 on that list.
Dustin Johnson, Adam Scott and Lee Westwood all then hold down 16/1 odds for the Tour Championship this week, with Scott having won this tournament back in 2006. Mickelson (2009 and 2000) and Woods (2007 and 1999) have both won at this event twice.
Luke Donald (20/1), Sergio Garcia (22/1), Louis Oosthuizen (22/1), Jason Dufner (25/1) and Jim Furyk (25/1) round out the top contenders for the Tour Championship on the golf odds at Bovada; Furyk was the champion at this event at East Lake GC back in 2010.
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Make that a co-favorite on the golf betting lines, as McIlroy and chief rival Tiger Woods are both pegged at 5/1 at Bovada to win the Tour Championship this week – and in turn end up atop the FedExCup standings and head home with a huge prize cheque.
McIlroy is coming off back-to-back wins in the tour's last two tournaments – the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston, and the BMW Championship at Crooked Stick. That put him atop the FedExCup standings by a large margin, but with the points reset heading into the TOUR Championship his lead on Woods for first place is just 2500-2250.
Nick Watney (2000), Phil Mickelson (1800), and Brandt Snedeker (1600) round out the current Top 5 in the standings, and that quintet has the best chance of claiming the FedExCup title this weekend. Mickelson is listed third at 11/1 odds to win the Tour Championship at Bovada, with Watney and Snedeker both back at 33/1 on that list.
Dustin Johnson, Adam Scott and Lee Westwood all then hold down 16/1 odds for the Tour Championship this week, with Scott having won this tournament back in 2006. Mickelson (2009 and 2000) and Woods (2007 and 1999) have both won at this event twice.
Luke Donald (20/1), Sergio Garcia (22/1), Louis Oosthuizen (22/1), Jason Dufner (25/1) and Jim Furyk (25/1) round out the top contenders for the Tour Championship on the golf odds at Bovada; Furyk was the champion at this event at East Lake GC back in 2010.
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The third week of October will be a busy time at the sprawling Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) course here. After 48 editions of India’s premier golf tournament being held in New Delhi (NCR) and Kolkata, the Hero Indian Open 2012 will be held here from October 18-21. The trophy was launched here on Tuesday.
The prize money of US $1.25 million and a good field including Bangalorean Anirban Lahiri (who made the cut in the British Open and also got a hole in one), Gaganjeet Bhullar, Shiv Kapur, 2009 winner C Muniyappa et al., will indeed make this a very special event for the Garden City. However, participation of Arjun Atwal and Jeev Milkha Singh is not confirmed as yet.
Two European Tour players — Swede Peter Hanson and Scot Richie Ramsay — will add a touch of class to the event that will also see England’s James Morrison, another European Tour winner, along with many of Asia’s leading lights. A total of 156 players — including amateurs — will be seen in action.
“The top 35 out of 40 in the Asian Tour have confirmed their entries for the Indian Open,” Lt Gen AKS Chandele, vice-president of the Indian Golf Union, said here on Tuesday.
Read More: Indian Open golf in Bangalore - Sport - DNA
The prize money of US $1.25 million and a good field including Bangalorean Anirban Lahiri (who made the cut in the British Open and also got a hole in one), Gaganjeet Bhullar, Shiv Kapur, 2009 winner C Muniyappa et al., will indeed make this a very special event for the Garden City. However, participation of Arjun Atwal and Jeev Milkha Singh is not confirmed as yet.
Two European Tour players — Swede Peter Hanson and Scot Richie Ramsay — will add a touch of class to the event that will also see England’s James Morrison, another European Tour winner, along with many of Asia’s leading lights. A total of 156 players — including amateurs — will be seen in action.
“The top 35 out of 40 in the Asian Tour have confirmed their entries for the Indian Open,” Lt Gen AKS Chandele, vice-president of the Indian Golf Union, said here on Tuesday.
Read More: Indian Open golf in Bangalore - Sport - DNA
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With every week, and every win, Rory McIlroy gets a new moniker. Two-time major champion. The world No. 1. Heir apparent. The latest nickname was courtesy of none other than Tiger Woods.
"He calls me 'The Intimidator,' McIlroy said Wednesday as he tried to stifle a laugh.
Woods has never had much of a rival during his 17 years on the PGA Tour, at least not for long. Now, he can't escape the growing shadow of McIlroy, who comes into the Tour Championship as the undisputed No. 1 player -- in the world ranking, the FedEx Cup, the PGA Tour money list and every other important category.
What triggered his one-liner at East Lake in Atlanta were comments Greg Norman made in an interview with FoxSports-com.
"What I'm seeing is that Tiger's really intimidated by Rory," Norman said. "When have you ever seen him intimidated by another player? Never."
For the longest time, Woods was said to have a two-shot advantage just by stepping on the first tee. He was the most prolific winner in golf, averaging about six wins a year and piling up 14 majors faster than anyone in history. The red shirt was blazing.
Now, the baton appears to have been passed over to McIlroy. He arrived at the Tour Championship having won three of his last four tournaments, starting with that record eight-shot victory at Kiawah Island in the PGA Championship for his second major.
Read More: Golf: Rory McIlroy denies that he 'intimidates' Tiger Woods - San Jose Mercury News
"He calls me 'The Intimidator,' McIlroy said Wednesday as he tried to stifle a laugh.
Woods has never had much of a rival during his 17 years on the PGA Tour, at least not for long. Now, he can't escape the growing shadow of McIlroy, who comes into the Tour Championship as the undisputed No. 1 player -- in the world ranking, the FedEx Cup, the PGA Tour money list and every other important category.
What triggered his one-liner at East Lake in Atlanta were comments Greg Norman made in an interview with FoxSports-com.
"What I'm seeing is that Tiger's really intimidated by Rory," Norman said. "When have you ever seen him intimidated by another player? Never."
For the longest time, Woods was said to have a two-shot advantage just by stepping on the first tee. He was the most prolific winner in golf, averaging about six wins a year and piling up 14 majors faster than anyone in history. The red shirt was blazing.
Now, the baton appears to have been passed over to McIlroy. He arrived at the Tour Championship having won three of his last four tournaments, starting with that record eight-shot victory at Kiawah Island in the PGA Championship for his second major.
Read More: Golf: Rory McIlroy denies that he 'intimidates' Tiger Woods - San Jose Mercury News
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Defending champion Lexi Thompson fired a nine-under par 63, matching the course record to grab a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Navistar LPGA Classic.
The 17-year-old American won the event by five strokes last year, becoming the youngest champion in LPGA history at age 16 -- a mark broken by 15-year-old New Zealand amateur Lydia Ko at last month's Canadian Women's Open.
But Thompson showed no sign of being surpassed at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail's Senator course, firing nine birdies without a bogey to finish the round two strokes ahead of American Lizette Salas and South Korean Hee Young Park.
"It feels really good getting a first round of 63 under my belt, but you just have to take it one shot at a time," Thompson said. "I hope to play like I did for the next three rounds."
Thompson opened her career-low round with a birdie, then ran off three in a row starting at the par-4 fourth.
She closed the front nine and opened the back nine with birdies, added another birdie at the par-3 13th, and also had back-to-back birdies at the par-3 16th and par-5 17th.
At the 18th, with a chance to claim the course record all for herself, Thompson missed a birdie putt by six inches.
"I wasn't thinking about the course record," she said. "I was just trying to put a good stroke on it like every other putt."
Thompson, ranked 25th, missed only one green in regulation in matching the course record of 63 set by Japan's Mika Miyazato and Australian Lindsey Wright in the 2010 event.
Read More: Golf: Teen Thompson takes LPGA lead in title defence - Channel NewsAsia
The 17-year-old American won the event by five strokes last year, becoming the youngest champion in LPGA history at age 16 -- a mark broken by 15-year-old New Zealand amateur Lydia Ko at last month's Canadian Women's Open.
But Thompson showed no sign of being surpassed at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail's Senator course, firing nine birdies without a bogey to finish the round two strokes ahead of American Lizette Salas and South Korean Hee Young Park.
"It feels really good getting a first round of 63 under my belt, but you just have to take it one shot at a time," Thompson said. "I hope to play like I did for the next three rounds."
Thompson opened her career-low round with a birdie, then ran off three in a row starting at the par-4 fourth.
She closed the front nine and opened the back nine with birdies, added another birdie at the par-3 13th, and also had back-to-back birdies at the par-3 16th and par-5 17th.
At the 18th, with a chance to claim the course record all for herself, Thompson missed a birdie putt by six inches.
"I wasn't thinking about the course record," she said. "I was just trying to put a good stroke on it like every other putt."
Thompson, ranked 25th, missed only one green in regulation in matching the course record of 63 set by Japan's Mika Miyazato and Australian Lindsey Wright in the 2010 event.
Read More: Golf: Teen Thompson takes LPGA lead in title defence - Channel NewsAsia
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The golf world was abuzz this week about the comments by Greg Norman that Tiger Woods is now intimidated by Rory McIlroy.
Norman said so in a Fox Sports interview, getting just about everyone talking up until the first round of the Tour Championship on Thursday, when Tiger shot a 4-under 66 while paired with McIlroy, who settled for a 1-under 69.
Questions were tossed around. Is Tiger intimidated by McIlroy? Has Tiger ever been intimidated by anyone? Is this why the two have become such good friends in such a short amount of time?
A lot of people, however, just bashed Norman, saying he didn't know what he was talking about and that he shouldn't speak up on such an issue.
The two-time British Open winner took to his Facebook page on Friday, giving a full-length explanation of just what he meant by his Tiger comments:
Got off the plane from Beijing this morning and my Iphone just blew up with emails and voicemails regarding my interview with Robert Lusetich of Fox Sports. It seems that everyone from Charles Barkley (no Charles I was not referencing or comparing Tiger's record to mine) to John Doe has weighed in on my quote regarding intimidation. I stand by my comments and for those that choose to read the full article and not just "grasp" and "react" to one word will notice that the headline and byline were inconsistent with the content of what Robert wrote. When you look at my comments in the full context of the article, you will see that it provides a more balanced view of my sentiments on this topic. Which is, since the PGA Championship Tiger has not made any impact on the weekend in passing Rory for the title. This has not happened in his career prior to this run by Rory. During the PGA Championship broadcast I spoke at length about Tiger and I maintain that no one has swung the club better in the history of the game, especially during the year 2000. At the end of the day, Tiger is a great athlete and a great student of the game and he will continue to win, but we are seeing a transition away from his dominance. Rivalry and parity is great for the game of golf. Unfortunately for Rory, I think that the trademark for “The Intimidator” is already registered with Dale Earnhardt.
It basically seems Norman is trying to backpedal from what he said while maintaining that McIlroy currently has a better grasp of the game than Tiger. Which is probably true; nobody has really argued that.
But it still doesn't take away from the fact that Norman thinks "intimidation" somehow is the key to all this, and that Tiger sees McIlroy and immediately wilts because he's somehow scared of the kid (maybe he's jealous of his hair or his age, but it doesn't seem like he's intimidated by anyone).
I know Norman is trying to cool the fire, but he didn't really do a great job of explaining what he meant. If he wants to stand by his comments, that's fine, too, because I stand by mine.
Tiger is only intimidated by Tiger, and the only thing that gives the guy fits is when his golf swing does what it did on Friday. Other than that, he still walks the same, swings with the same conviction and tries to go as low as possible. It just isn't as easy anymore.
And I think Jack Nicklaus closed the door on all this when he said to ESPN Radio 980 on Wednesday: "Quiet, Greg, quiet. Down, boy. I think Tiger had a pretty darn good year this year."
Nicklaus is the best.
Greg Norman responds to critics, says he stands by his comments about Tiger Woods - CBSSports-com
Norman said so in a Fox Sports interview, getting just about everyone talking up until the first round of the Tour Championship on Thursday, when Tiger shot a 4-under 66 while paired with McIlroy, who settled for a 1-under 69.
Questions were tossed around. Is Tiger intimidated by McIlroy? Has Tiger ever been intimidated by anyone? Is this why the two have become such good friends in such a short amount of time?
A lot of people, however, just bashed Norman, saying he didn't know what he was talking about and that he shouldn't speak up on such an issue.
The two-time British Open winner took to his Facebook page on Friday, giving a full-length explanation of just what he meant by his Tiger comments:
Got off the plane from Beijing this morning and my Iphone just blew up with emails and voicemails regarding my interview with Robert Lusetich of Fox Sports. It seems that everyone from Charles Barkley (no Charles I was not referencing or comparing Tiger's record to mine) to John Doe has weighed in on my quote regarding intimidation. I stand by my comments and for those that choose to read the full article and not just "grasp" and "react" to one word will notice that the headline and byline were inconsistent with the content of what Robert wrote. When you look at my comments in the full context of the article, you will see that it provides a more balanced view of my sentiments on this topic. Which is, since the PGA Championship Tiger has not made any impact on the weekend in passing Rory for the title. This has not happened in his career prior to this run by Rory. During the PGA Championship broadcast I spoke at length about Tiger and I maintain that no one has swung the club better in the history of the game, especially during the year 2000. At the end of the day, Tiger is a great athlete and a great student of the game and he will continue to win, but we are seeing a transition away from his dominance. Rivalry and parity is great for the game of golf. Unfortunately for Rory, I think that the trademark for “The Intimidator” is already registered with Dale Earnhardt.
It basically seems Norman is trying to backpedal from what he said while maintaining that McIlroy currently has a better grasp of the game than Tiger. Which is probably true; nobody has really argued that.
But it still doesn't take away from the fact that Norman thinks "intimidation" somehow is the key to all this, and that Tiger sees McIlroy and immediately wilts because he's somehow scared of the kid (maybe he's jealous of his hair or his age, but it doesn't seem like he's intimidated by anyone).
I know Norman is trying to cool the fire, but he didn't really do a great job of explaining what he meant. If he wants to stand by his comments, that's fine, too, because I stand by mine.
Tiger is only intimidated by Tiger, and the only thing that gives the guy fits is when his golf swing does what it did on Friday. Other than that, he still walks the same, swings with the same conviction and tries to go as low as possible. It just isn't as easy anymore.
And I think Jack Nicklaus closed the door on all this when he said to ESPN Radio 980 on Wednesday: "Quiet, Greg, quiet. Down, boy. I think Tiger had a pretty darn good year this year."
Nicklaus is the best.
Greg Norman responds to critics, says he stands by his comments about Tiger Woods - CBSSports-com
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Brandt Snedeker played the round of his life and claimed the biggest payoff in golf.
Snedeker, needing to win the Tour Championship on Sunday to beat out Rory McIlroy for the FedEx Cup, made three big birdies on the back nine at East Lake and pulled away to win both trophies. He hit his final tee shot into the grandstands behind the 18th green, but by then it didn’t matter.
Snedeker collected $1.44 million for winning the Tour Championship, his second title of the year. And he won $10 million for capturing the FedEx Cup, which comes with a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour.
He closed with a 2-under 68 to finish at 10 under, three strokes ahead of Justin Rose.
McIlroy and Tiger Woods, both of whom could have won the FedEx Cup with a victory Sunday, faded early and were never a factor.
Pro golf roundup: Snedeker pulls away to win the FedEx Cup | Lubbock Online | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Snedeker, needing to win the Tour Championship on Sunday to beat out Rory McIlroy for the FedEx Cup, made three big birdies on the back nine at East Lake and pulled away to win both trophies. He hit his final tee shot into the grandstands behind the 18th green, but by then it didn’t matter.
Snedeker collected $1.44 million for winning the Tour Championship, his second title of the year. And he won $10 million for capturing the FedEx Cup, which comes with a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour.
He closed with a 2-under 68 to finish at 10 under, three strokes ahead of Justin Rose.
McIlroy and Tiger Woods, both of whom could have won the FedEx Cup with a victory Sunday, faded early and were never a factor.
Pro golf roundup: Snedeker pulls away to win the FedEx Cup | Lubbock Online | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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Tiger Woods and the United States will try to win back the Ryder Cup while Rory McIlroy and the Europeans will look to win the match for the fifth time in six tries. As always, Bovada has plenty of prop betting options available.
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Bettors can bet on who will be the top European scorer and who will be the top American scorer. McIlroy (5/1) is the favorite to be the top European scorer with Luke Donald (6/1), Graeme McDowell (7/1), Ian Poulter (7/1), Justin Rose (15/2), and Lee Westwood (15/2) also expected to be in the running. Woods (5/1) is the big favorite to be the top American scorer with Steve Stricker (8/1), Phil Mickelson (8/1) and Dustin Johnson (9/1) looking to challenge.
Of course, you can also bet on who will be the top scorer in the Ryder Cup overall. Woods is currently favored at 8/1, with McIlroy close behind at 11/1.
Bettors can also bet on the exact final score of the Ryder Cup. 2010’s result, Europe 14.5 to USA 13.5, is one of the favorites at 10/1. Also going off at 10/1 are USA 15-13 and a tie at 14-14. The betting favorite is currently USA winning 14.5 to 13.5 over Europe at 9/1. In 2004 and 2006, Europe beat the USA 18.5 to 9.5; that score is going off at 80/1.
Other prop bets include betting on which player will have the best score by country (including America, England, and Ireland) and also who will be the top Wild Card. You can also bet on who will hole the winning putt in this year’s Ryder Cup, with Tiger currently favored at 12/1.
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Bettors can bet on who will be the top European scorer and who will be the top American scorer. McIlroy (5/1) is the favorite to be the top European scorer with Luke Donald (6/1), Graeme McDowell (7/1), Ian Poulter (7/1), Justin Rose (15/2), and Lee Westwood (15/2) also expected to be in the running. Woods (5/1) is the big favorite to be the top American scorer with Steve Stricker (8/1), Phil Mickelson (8/1) and Dustin Johnson (9/1) looking to challenge.
Of course, you can also bet on who will be the top scorer in the Ryder Cup overall. Woods is currently favored at 8/1, with McIlroy close behind at 11/1.
Bettors can also bet on the exact final score of the Ryder Cup. 2010’s result, Europe 14.5 to USA 13.5, is one of the favorites at 10/1. Also going off at 10/1 are USA 15-13 and a tie at 14-14. The betting favorite is currently USA winning 14.5 to 13.5 over Europe at 9/1. In 2004 and 2006, Europe beat the USA 18.5 to 9.5; that score is going off at 80/1.
Other prop bets include betting on which player will have the best score by country (including America, England, and Ireland) and also who will be the top Wild Card. You can also bet on who will hole the winning putt in this year’s Ryder Cup, with Tiger currently favored at 12/1.
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Fresh off a victory in the FedEx Cup over the weekend Brandt Snedeker will head to Medinah Country Club this week to try to help the favored United States team knock off their European rivals and reclaim the Ryder Cup on their own turf.
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Snedeker is one of four captain's picks for the American team that is favored at -140 on the golf odds at Bovada to claim the Ryder Cup this weekend, along with Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk and Dustin Johnson.
Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson, Jason Dufner, Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar and Phil Mickelson round out the United States squad; Mickelson will be making his team-high ninth appearance at the Ryder Cup this week.
The Europeans - the +120 underdogs on the Ryder Cup odds at Bovada - will be led by FedExCup runner-up Rory McIlroy, with Justin Rose, Paul Lawrie, Graeme McDowell, Francesco Molinari, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Peter Hanson and Martin Kaymer rounding out the points qualifiers for the team.
Nicolas Colsaerts and Ian Poulter were the captain's picks for Team Europe this year.
The Europeans won the Ryder Cup at home by a 14.5-13.5 score two years ago at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales, and they also captured the event in each of 2002 (in England), 2004 (in Michigan), and 2006 (in Ireland).
The lone American victory at the Ryder Cup in the past decade came at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville in 2008, when they beat the Europeans by a final tally of 16.5-11.5. Overall the United States has gone 25-11-2 in the Ryder Cup since it started in 1927.
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Snedeker is one of four captain's picks for the American team that is favored at -140 on the golf odds at Bovada to claim the Ryder Cup this weekend, along with Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk and Dustin Johnson.
Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson, Jason Dufner, Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar and Phil Mickelson round out the United States squad; Mickelson will be making his team-high ninth appearance at the Ryder Cup this week.
The Europeans - the +120 underdogs on the Ryder Cup odds at Bovada - will be led by FedExCup runner-up Rory McIlroy, with Justin Rose, Paul Lawrie, Graeme McDowell, Francesco Molinari, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Peter Hanson and Martin Kaymer rounding out the points qualifiers for the team.
Nicolas Colsaerts and Ian Poulter were the captain's picks for Team Europe this year.
The Europeans won the Ryder Cup at home by a 14.5-13.5 score two years ago at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales, and they also captured the event in each of 2002 (in England), 2004 (in Michigan), and 2006 (in Ireland).
The lone American victory at the Ryder Cup in the past decade came at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville in 2008, when they beat the Europeans by a final tally of 16.5-11.5. Overall the United States has gone 25-11-2 in the Ryder Cup since it started in 1927.
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Europe's Ryder Cup wild cards Ian Poulter and Nicolas Colsaerts are a contrast in styles and character, but both could be crucial to their team's hopes of retaining the trophy this week. Whereas Poulter is the epitomy of Ryder Cup passion and a veteran of three previous appearances, Colsaerts is all wide-eyed and hushed tones as he makes his first appearance in the tournament. Englishman Poulter, who has won eight out of his 11 Ryder Cup games and has yet to share a point, was spitting fire when he attended his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday. It may not be war, he agreed, but come Friday the battle-lines, albeit temporarily, will be drawn.
“This event is unique,” he said. “I mean, I hate to say we don't get on for three days, but there is that divide, and it's not that we don't like each other. “We are all good friends, both sides of the pond. But there's something about the Ryder Cup which kind of intrigues me how you can be great mates with somebody, but, boy, do you want to kill them in Ryder Cup. “It's great, I mean, it's passion like I've never seen before. I love it.” Poulter has been in this situation before, four years ago in Valhalla, Kentucky when Nick Faldo chose him as a wild card to take on the Americans.
Read More: Golf: Wild card pair set for Ryder Cup test Pakistan Sports
“This event is unique,” he said. “I mean, I hate to say we don't get on for three days, but there is that divide, and it's not that we don't like each other. “We are all good friends, both sides of the pond. But there's something about the Ryder Cup which kind of intrigues me how you can be great mates with somebody, but, boy, do you want to kill them in Ryder Cup. “It's great, I mean, it's passion like I've never seen before. I love it.” Poulter has been in this situation before, four years ago in Valhalla, Kentucky when Nick Faldo chose him as a wild card to take on the Americans.
Read More: Golf: Wild card pair set for Ryder Cup test Pakistan Sports
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The Discoverers came out near the top of their conference tournament.
The Columbus High girls golf team finished third at the Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference Tournament with a score of 347 Friday in Lexington. Norfolk ran away with the tournament after carding a 329, while McCook took second with 344.
The Discoverers placed three girls in the top 10, with only Norfolk represented more, with four.
Emie Hausmann led the Discoverers, finishing third after carding an 80. Samantha Beal took seventh with an 83, while Nicole Pauley finished eighth with an 84.
Norfolk’s Jenna Weber carded a 79 to win the meet, while McCook’s Megan Vetrovsky took second with an 80.
Also for Columbus, Emily Shevlin shot a 100, while Hannah Pauley carded a 101 to round out the squad.
Columbus hosts the A-2 District Monday at Elks Country Club.
GNAC Tournament
Friday at Lexington
• Team Standings— 1. Norfolk 329; 2. McCook 344; 3. Columbus High 347; 4. Scottsbluff 351; 5. Hastings 371; 6. North Platte 378; 7. Kearney 416; 8. Lexington 443.
• Individual Top 10— 1. Jenna Weber, NOR, 79; 2. Megan Vetrovsky, MC, 80; 3. Emie Hausmann, CHS, 80; 4. Kaylee Samway, MC, 81; 5. Ashlee Pilkington, SB, 81; 6. Kayla Bahle, NOR, 82; 7. Samantha Beal, CHS, 83; 8. Nicole Pauley, CHS, 84; 9. Sydney Rosenfldt, NOR, 84; 10. Kenzie Essley, NOR, 84.
Read More: CHS golf third at conference
The Columbus High girls golf team finished third at the Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference Tournament with a score of 347 Friday in Lexington. Norfolk ran away with the tournament after carding a 329, while McCook took second with 344.
The Discoverers placed three girls in the top 10, with only Norfolk represented more, with four.
Emie Hausmann led the Discoverers, finishing third after carding an 80. Samantha Beal took seventh with an 83, while Nicole Pauley finished eighth with an 84.
Norfolk’s Jenna Weber carded a 79 to win the meet, while McCook’s Megan Vetrovsky took second with an 80.
Also for Columbus, Emily Shevlin shot a 100, while Hannah Pauley carded a 101 to round out the squad.
Columbus hosts the A-2 District Monday at Elks Country Club.
GNAC Tournament
Friday at Lexington
• Team Standings— 1. Norfolk 329; 2. McCook 344; 3. Columbus High 347; 4. Scottsbluff 351; 5. Hastings 371; 6. North Platte 378; 7. Kearney 416; 8. Lexington 443.
• Individual Top 10— 1. Jenna Weber, NOR, 79; 2. Megan Vetrovsky, MC, 80; 3. Emie Hausmann, CHS, 80; 4. Kaylee Samway, MC, 81; 5. Ashlee Pilkington, SB, 81; 6. Kayla Bahle, NOR, 82; 7. Samantha Beal, CHS, 83; 8. Nicole Pauley, CHS, 84; 9. Sydney Rosenfldt, NOR, 84; 10. Kenzie Essley, NOR, 84.
Read More: CHS golf third at conference
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The glorious unpredictability of the Ryder Cup was unveiled in all its majesty on Sunday when Europe pulled off one of the most unexpected and dramatic comebacks seen on a golf course. Against all expectations, the Europeans won eight of Sunday's 12 concluding singles matches to overturn a four point deficit and defeat an American team that seemed destined to win.
The Ryder Cup, more than any other golf tournament, rarely disappoints because it tests the nerves as much as the skills of every player but rarely has it seen a day as captivating as Sunday at Medinah.
There is no prizemoney and no ranking points but the pressure can be overbearing. The conflicting emotions of winning and losing are heightened.
For the Americans, Sunday's defeat was unpalatable.
"It was certainly a difficult loss," said U.S. captain Davis Love III. "It's never fun any way it happens. Today was certainly not what we expected."
Tiger Woods only got half a point from his four matches this week while Bubba Watson, who won the Masters in a playoff in April, lost his singles match on Sunday, when the weight of expectation was heaviest.
Read More: Golf-Unrelenting pressure makes Ryder Cup irresistible - chicagotribune-com
The Ryder Cup, more than any other golf tournament, rarely disappoints because it tests the nerves as much as the skills of every player but rarely has it seen a day as captivating as Sunday at Medinah.
There is no prizemoney and no ranking points but the pressure can be overbearing. The conflicting emotions of winning and losing are heightened.
For the Americans, Sunday's defeat was unpalatable.
"It was certainly a difficult loss," said U.S. captain Davis Love III. "It's never fun any way it happens. Today was certainly not what we expected."
Tiger Woods only got half a point from his four matches this week while Bubba Watson, who won the Masters in a playoff in April, lost his singles match on Sunday, when the weight of expectation was heaviest.
Read More: Golf-Unrelenting pressure makes Ryder Cup irresistible - chicagotribune-com
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Debbie Soward is a woman living in a man's world.
Two years ago, she took over operations at Big Oaks Golf Course after her husband, John, died.
The Sowards had been running it together since December 2000. They were both golfers and moved from Iowa to buy the course.
Debbie Soward started working in the kitchen while her husband handled the rest of the operations. But when he lost his battle with brain cancer, she took over operations for the 250-acre course.
She remembers hearing doubts from players about her ability to run the course.
"They did not know when I stepped in what was going to happen to Big Oaks," she said. "It was a challenge."
She buckled down, listened to members and took bookkeeping classes.
"When I took over, I wanted a different vision because I was taking John's place," she said. "I came up with ideas to make the golf course a success. ... When John passed away, I learned that I could do this job."
She focused on the appearance and usability of the course and clubhouse. She upgraded the members' lounge and the bathrooms. She replaced carpeting and painted the inside of the clubhouse.
Outside, she added clocks to the course to keep tee times on schedule. Plus, she added mulch to the trees, got a new mower that manicures the greens better and added directional signs on the course.
She also created a monthly newsletter to keep members up-to-date on what was happening at Big Oaks.
Now, she's working on widening the sidewalks to give the golfers more room to drive and park.
"I own the golf course myself," she said. "I always listen to other peoples' opinions. I don't have to go up against a group of people to make changes. ... I work seven days a week, 10 hours a day."
Her efforts appear to be working.
"A lot of people are saying it's in the best shape it's ever been in," said Buford Easter, the club house manager.
Memberships are up for the semiprivate course which offers memberships and open play time.
Big Oaks also is hosting more tournaments than ever, Soward said, and the remodeled members' lounge now is being rented for special events.
"Everybody asks me if I want to play, but I don't really have time," Soward said. "Business is number one for me."
In fact, only a handful of players at Big Oaks are female. Soward and Easter said they work to encourage more females to play the game but they haven't been successful. They have a weekly women's club and they offer prizes. Some women play, but it hasn't caught on as much as the men's club, Soward said.
She and Easter hope to change that soon. She also plans to continue working on improvements to the course. In 10 years, she hopes her efforts will gain her national attention.
"I would like to see us written about in 'Golf Digest' as the number one semiprivate golf course in Mississippi," she said.
Read more: Golf course owner makes name for herself » Ventura County Star
- vcstar-com
Two years ago, she took over operations at Big Oaks Golf Course after her husband, John, died.
The Sowards had been running it together since December 2000. They were both golfers and moved from Iowa to buy the course.
Debbie Soward started working in the kitchen while her husband handled the rest of the operations. But when he lost his battle with brain cancer, she took over operations for the 250-acre course.
She remembers hearing doubts from players about her ability to run the course.
"They did not know when I stepped in what was going to happen to Big Oaks," she said. "It was a challenge."
She buckled down, listened to members and took bookkeeping classes.
"When I took over, I wanted a different vision because I was taking John's place," she said. "I came up with ideas to make the golf course a success. ... When John passed away, I learned that I could do this job."
She focused on the appearance and usability of the course and clubhouse. She upgraded the members' lounge and the bathrooms. She replaced carpeting and painted the inside of the clubhouse.
Outside, she added clocks to the course to keep tee times on schedule. Plus, she added mulch to the trees, got a new mower that manicures the greens better and added directional signs on the course.
She also created a monthly newsletter to keep members up-to-date on what was happening at Big Oaks.
Now, she's working on widening the sidewalks to give the golfers more room to drive and park.
"I own the golf course myself," she said. "I always listen to other peoples' opinions. I don't have to go up against a group of people to make changes. ... I work seven days a week, 10 hours a day."
Her efforts appear to be working.
"A lot of people are saying it's in the best shape it's ever been in," said Buford Easter, the club house manager.
Memberships are up for the semiprivate course which offers memberships and open play time.
Big Oaks also is hosting more tournaments than ever, Soward said, and the remodeled members' lounge now is being rented for special events.
"Everybody asks me if I want to play, but I don't really have time," Soward said. "Business is number one for me."
In fact, only a handful of players at Big Oaks are female. Soward and Easter said they work to encourage more females to play the game but they haven't been successful. They have a weekly women's club and they offer prizes. Some women play, but it hasn't caught on as much as the men's club, Soward said.
She and Easter hope to change that soon. She also plans to continue working on improvements to the course. In 10 years, she hopes her efforts will gain her national attention.
"I would like to see us written about in 'Golf Digest' as the number one semiprivate golf course in Mississippi," she said.
Read more: Golf course owner makes name for herself » Ventura County Star
- vcstar-com
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PGA TOUR
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN OPEN
Site: Las Vegas.
Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.
Course: TPC Summerlin (7,243 yards, par 71).
Purse: $4.5 million. Winner's share: $810,000.
Television: Golf Channel (Thursday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m.).
Last year: Kevin Na won his first PGA Tour title, beating Nick Watney by two strokes. Na finished at 23-under par 261 to break the tournament record in the event that switched from 90 to 72 holes in 2004.
Last week: Europe rallied to win the Ryder Cup, taking 81/2 of 12 singles points to beat the United States by a point at Medinah (Ill.).
Notes: No. 21 Watney and No. 29 Jason Day are the only players in the top 30 in the world ranking in the field. ... Former Stanford player Casey Martin received a sponsor exemption. ... The Frys.com Open is next week in San Martin.
-----------------------------------------------------
EUROPEAN TOUR
ALFRED DUNHILL LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP
Site: St. Andrews and Carnoustie, Scotland.
Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.
Courses: St. Andrews, Old Course (7,305 yards, par 72), Carnoustie, Championship Course (7,412 yards, par 72) and Kingsbarns Golf Links (7,181 yards, par 72).
Purse: $5 million. Winner's share: $800,000.
Television: Golf Channel (Thursday-Saturday,
5:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.; Sunday, 4:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.).
Last year: Northern Ireland's Michael Hoey held off countrymen Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell. Hoey closed with a 6-under 68 at St. Andrews for a tournament-record 22-under 266 total. McIlroy finished two strokes back, and McDowell tied for third.
Note: Martin Kaymer, the 2010 winner, is in the field along with European Ryder Cup teammates Paul Lawrie and Peter Hanson, South Africans Ernie Els, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Americans Rich Beem and Shaun Micheel.
----------------------------------------------------------------
CHAMPIONS TOUR
SAS CHAMPIONSHIP
Site: Cary, N.C.
Schedule: Friday-Sunday.
Course: Prestonwood Country Club (7,240 yards, par 72).
Purse: $2.1 million. Winner's share: $315,000.
Television: Golf Channel (Friday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.).
Last year: Kenny Perry won his first Champions Tour title, making a 30-foot eagle putt on the par-5 17th en route to a one-stroke victory.
Notes: Tom Lehman tops the Charles Schwab Cup points race with three regular-season events left. The top 30 on the money list will qualify for the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in November at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz.
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN OPEN
Site: Las Vegas.
Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.
Course: TPC Summerlin (7,243 yards, par 71).
Purse: $4.5 million. Winner's share: $810,000.
Television: Golf Channel (Thursday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m.).
Last year: Kevin Na won his first PGA Tour title, beating Nick Watney by two strokes. Na finished at 23-under par 261 to break the tournament record in the event that switched from 90 to 72 holes in 2004.
Last week: Europe rallied to win the Ryder Cup, taking 81/2 of 12 singles points to beat the United States by a point at Medinah (Ill.).
Notes: No. 21 Watney and No. 29 Jason Day are the only players in the top 30 in the world ranking in the field. ... Former Stanford player Casey Martin received a sponsor exemption. ... The Frys.com Open is next week in San Martin.
-----------------------------------------------------
EUROPEAN TOUR
ALFRED DUNHILL LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP
Site: St. Andrews and Carnoustie, Scotland.
Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.
Courses: St. Andrews, Old Course (7,305 yards, par 72), Carnoustie, Championship Course (7,412 yards, par 72) and Kingsbarns Golf Links (7,181 yards, par 72).
Purse: $5 million. Winner's share: $800,000.
Television: Golf Channel (Thursday-Saturday,
5:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.; Sunday, 4:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.).
Last year: Northern Ireland's Michael Hoey held off countrymen Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell. Hoey closed with a 6-under 68 at St. Andrews for a tournament-record 22-under 266 total. McIlroy finished two strokes back, and McDowell tied for third.
Note: Martin Kaymer, the 2010 winner, is in the field along with European Ryder Cup teammates Paul Lawrie and Peter Hanson, South Africans Ernie Els, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Americans Rich Beem and Shaun Micheel.
----------------------------------------------------------------
CHAMPIONS TOUR
SAS CHAMPIONSHIP
Site: Cary, N.C.
Schedule: Friday-Sunday.
Course: Prestonwood Country Club (7,240 yards, par 72).
Purse: $2.1 million. Winner's share: $315,000.
Television: Golf Channel (Friday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.).
Last year: Kenny Perry won his first Champions Tour title, making a 30-foot eagle putt on the par-5 17th en route to a one-stroke victory.
Notes: Tom Lehman tops the Charles Schwab Cup points race with three regular-season events left. The top 30 on the money list will qualify for the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in November at Desert Mountain in Scottsdale, Ariz.
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By Michael McManus
I spent considerable time over the last three nights staying up till dawn to watch the Ryder Cup. I never left home but the jet lag is huge. The golf competition took place in Chicago time this year. Thus, in Seoul, it began when we normally fall asleep.
The Ryder Cup has been going on for many years, but TV golf worldwide has just made it as big as a three-day Olympics. I got hooked five years ago. I was in Ireland exactly one year before the cup match was played there at the famous K Club. I rented clubs and played a round on the same course to the day one year before the golfing greats actually made the event come alive. I remember that early September morning. Blue sky, heavy dew on the grass, leaves turning fiery red colors. I recall the fresh smell of the grass and Ireland on a calm morning.
The Europeans won this year’s event again, snatching victory from the fingers of the Yanks. It was one of the great come-from-behind victories of all time. Thousands, tens of thousands cheered, moaned, and as usual, the home town factor was strong. Waves of “USA…USA” chanted against the subtle song of the Euro fans.
It is one of the greatest professional events. But here is the amazing thing. Most of the rest of their year, these great players act rather dignified and conservative as they play PGA Tour or European Tour events. Not here! These guys become like teenagers. There are more fist pumps, high fives and hugs among them than anywhere else on the planet. It is borderline and somewhere far from refined golf etiquette. And that is why it is so great. And that is why I stayed up all night, three nights in a row.
These guys are competitors, namely the Americans against the Europeans. But they are not competitors but brothers. What does this explain? Moreover, how does this explain why their behavior is so contagious and so great to watch?
Here are a few powerful thoughts. First is the contest “nationalism” gone wild? There is real national and European spirit there. Men are like wild teens, screaming in joy after sinking an ordinary five-foot putt. The players give each other hugs between shots. These are long-lasting hugs. I saw one of the Europeans hug his team mate for at least 10 seconds. It was like hanging on before a crash.
The international media load pressure on these guys for weeks and months leading up to the event. Just being selected for the team is a great honor. Losing a match for your America or Europe is devastating. Winning brings bulging pride. It is OK at this event and only this one to blow it off and explode with joy or grief, and to show it right there to the whole world.
I think these guys also have a hard time sleeping those nights. Then, viewers see the very, very intense emotions of joy or disgust from the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ian Poulter. We rarely see this from these polished men. It is thrilling to see this human side of big heroes.
There should be a Global Cup, even bigger than the Ryder Cup. It could and should have Asian stars. Part of the team should also include the women professionals who are top in the world. A Ryder Cup-like event could be devised. It could be hosted by a Korean big name company. The first such Global Cup would, of course, take place here in Korea. Then, we would see the same range of human spirit, from agony to ecstasy that we just saw. This human emotional aspect of what just took place is every bit as great as the golf behind it!
The author is the founder and president emeritus of the California International Business University in San Diego, and currently a guest professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) in Seoul. Contact him at [email][email protected][/email].
I spent considerable time over the last three nights staying up till dawn to watch the Ryder Cup. I never left home but the jet lag is huge. The golf competition took place in Chicago time this year. Thus, in Seoul, it began when we normally fall asleep.
The Ryder Cup has been going on for many years, but TV golf worldwide has just made it as big as a three-day Olympics. I got hooked five years ago. I was in Ireland exactly one year before the cup match was played there at the famous K Club. I rented clubs and played a round on the same course to the day one year before the golfing greats actually made the event come alive. I remember that early September morning. Blue sky, heavy dew on the grass, leaves turning fiery red colors. I recall the fresh smell of the grass and Ireland on a calm morning.
The Europeans won this year’s event again, snatching victory from the fingers of the Yanks. It was one of the great come-from-behind victories of all time. Thousands, tens of thousands cheered, moaned, and as usual, the home town factor was strong. Waves of “USA…USA” chanted against the subtle song of the Euro fans.
It is one of the greatest professional events. But here is the amazing thing. Most of the rest of their year, these great players act rather dignified and conservative as they play PGA Tour or European Tour events. Not here! These guys become like teenagers. There are more fist pumps, high fives and hugs among them than anywhere else on the planet. It is borderline and somewhere far from refined golf etiquette. And that is why it is so great. And that is why I stayed up all night, three nights in a row.
These guys are competitors, namely the Americans against the Europeans. But they are not competitors but brothers. What does this explain? Moreover, how does this explain why their behavior is so contagious and so great to watch?
Here are a few powerful thoughts. First is the contest “nationalism” gone wild? There is real national and European spirit there. Men are like wild teens, screaming in joy after sinking an ordinary five-foot putt. The players give each other hugs between shots. These are long-lasting hugs. I saw one of the Europeans hug his team mate for at least 10 seconds. It was like hanging on before a crash.
The international media load pressure on these guys for weeks and months leading up to the event. Just being selected for the team is a great honor. Losing a match for your America or Europe is devastating. Winning brings bulging pride. It is OK at this event and only this one to blow it off and explode with joy or grief, and to show it right there to the whole world.
I think these guys also have a hard time sleeping those nights. Then, viewers see the very, very intense emotions of joy or disgust from the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ian Poulter. We rarely see this from these polished men. It is thrilling to see this human side of big heroes.
There should be a Global Cup, even bigger than the Ryder Cup. It could and should have Asian stars. Part of the team should also include the women professionals who are top in the world. A Ryder Cup-like event could be devised. It could be hosted by a Korean big name company. The first such Global Cup would, of course, take place here in Korea. Then, we would see the same range of human spirit, from agony to ecstasy that we just saw. This human emotional aspect of what just took place is every bit as great as the golf behind it!
The author is the founder and president emeritus of the California International Business University in San Diego, and currently a guest professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) in Seoul. Contact him at [email][email protected][/email].
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New Zealand are in the middle of the pack heading into the final round of the Eisenhower Trophy golf tournament in Turkey overnight (NZT) in an event shortened to 54 holes because of delays caused by severe thunderstorms.
New Zealand are in 19th, 18 shots behind 13-time champions the US who lead the Republic of Korea by six shots.
Southland golfer Vaughan McCall once again led the way for the Kiwis with an even par 71 at the Sultan Course and he was well supported by Waikato amateur Mathew Perry who also carded an even par round. Two-time Eisenhower representative Ben Campbell signed for a disappointing non-counting 13 over 84.
McCall, who is tied 27th on the individual standings, was pleased with his short game throughout the round.
"The whole day I was playing some good shots but I just left myself in some bad spots around the greens," the 21-year-old from Gore said. "My short game stood strong and I never missed an up-and-down all day.
"The back nine got a lot more intense as I kept leaving myself with some tricky chips and always left meat on the bone for the putts, too. It was rewarding to hole all the putts needed and sail in with a par round.
"I am still mostly happy with where my game is at and feel like I now want the score to represent how I am playing.
Read More: Golf: Kiwis slip to 19th in Eisenhower Trophy - Sport - NZ Herald News
New Zealand are in 19th, 18 shots behind 13-time champions the US who lead the Republic of Korea by six shots.
Southland golfer Vaughan McCall once again led the way for the Kiwis with an even par 71 at the Sultan Course and he was well supported by Waikato amateur Mathew Perry who also carded an even par round. Two-time Eisenhower representative Ben Campbell signed for a disappointing non-counting 13 over 84.
McCall, who is tied 27th on the individual standings, was pleased with his short game throughout the round.
"The whole day I was playing some good shots but I just left myself in some bad spots around the greens," the 21-year-old from Gore said. "My short game stood strong and I never missed an up-and-down all day.
"The back nine got a lot more intense as I kept leaving myself with some tricky chips and always left meat on the bone for the putts, too. It was rewarding to hole all the putts needed and sail in with a par round.
"I am still mostly happy with where my game is at and feel like I now want the score to represent how I am playing.
Read More: Golf: Kiwis slip to 19th in Eisenhower Trophy - Sport - NZ Herald News
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Former UNLV player Ryan Moore won the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas on Sunday for his second PGA Tour title.
Moore birdied the 16th hole to take the outright lead and finished with a 5-under 66 for a one-shot win over Brendon de Jonge.
Tied with de Jonge and Jonas Blixt after the third round, Moore finished at 24-under 260 at TPC Summerlin. The Las Vegas resident earned $810,000 in the Fall Series opener.
"I was shot for shot with Brendon, and he was playing some great golf," Moore said. "I was able to make a birdie down the stretch when it mattered to hold him off at the end."
De Jonge shot a 67. Blixt had a 70 to finish third at 20 under.
"Hats off to Ryan," de Jonge. "He played great."
Jason Day pulled within three shots of Moore and de Jonge with a birdie on the No. 16 but closed with a double bogey on the par-4 18th. He had a 65 to finish fourth at 18 under.
John Daly, tied for sixth at 10 under after a 63 on Friday, followed a 15-over 86 on Saturday with a 6-over 77 on Sunday to finish last at 11-over 295. He fell from 132nd to 137th on the money list.
The Fall Series moves to CordeValle in San Martin for the Frys-com Open, which begins Thursday.
Read More: Golf: Hometown boy Ryan Moore hits jackpot in Las Vegas - San Jose Mercury News
Moore birdied the 16th hole to take the outright lead and finished with a 5-under 66 for a one-shot win over Brendon de Jonge.
Tied with de Jonge and Jonas Blixt after the third round, Moore finished at 24-under 260 at TPC Summerlin. The Las Vegas resident earned $810,000 in the Fall Series opener.
"I was shot for shot with Brendon, and he was playing some great golf," Moore said. "I was able to make a birdie down the stretch when it mattered to hold him off at the end."
De Jonge shot a 67. Blixt had a 70 to finish third at 20 under.
"Hats off to Ryan," de Jonge. "He played great."
Jason Day pulled within three shots of Moore and de Jonge with a birdie on the No. 16 but closed with a double bogey on the par-4 18th. He had a 65 to finish fourth at 18 under.
John Daly, tied for sixth at 10 under after a 63 on Friday, followed a 15-over 86 on Saturday with a 6-over 77 on Sunday to finish last at 11-over 295. He fell from 132nd to 137th on the money list.
The Fall Series moves to CordeValle in San Martin for the Frys-com Open, which begins Thursday.
Read More: Golf: Hometown boy Ryan Moore hits jackpot in Las Vegas - San Jose Mercury News
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Former U.S. Open champion and television broadcaster Ken Venturi, a 14-times winner on the PGA Tour, has been voted into the World Golf Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2013.
The 81-year-old American, whose selection in the Hall of Fame's lifetime achievement category was announced on Monday, will be inducted on May 6 at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida. "It's just an honour," Venturi said on a conference call from Pebble Beach Golf Links in his home state of Northern California. "The greatest reward in life is to be remembered and I thank the World Golf Hall of Fame for remembering me.
"I was taught by Byron Nelson and I asked him one time, 'How could I ever repay you for all you've done for me?' He said, 'Ken, be good to the game and give back.'
"And that's what I've tried to do because I've said many times, the world will never remember you for what you take from it, but only what you leave behind."
The highlight of Venturi's playing career came in the 1964 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club where he overcame 100-degree temperatures and severe dehydration to win his only major championship.
He was forced to quit competitive golf because of carpal tunnel syndrome in 1967. The following year, he joined CBS television as an analyst and enjoyed a lengthy career as one of the most insightful and respected figures in the game.
"He played on the Ryder Cup in 1965, he captained the U.S. Presidents Cup in 2000," said PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem.
"But to fans around the United States and around the world, he was the conduit of what PGA Tour level golf was to those fans for an incredible 35-year broadcast career which spanned many, many careers on the PGA Tour.
"Ken Venturi was a fixture to the game of golf for fans everywhere in terms of his ability to analyse the game and excite fans about the play they were watching."
Venturi joins 1992 Masters champion Fred Couples, who was voted into the World Golf Hall of Fame via the PGA Tour category three weeks ago.
The Hall of Fame will round out the class of 2013 by announcing inductees from the international ballot and the veterans category in the coming months. (Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank Pingue)
Golf-American Venturi voted into Hall of Fame - chicagotribune-com
The 81-year-old American, whose selection in the Hall of Fame's lifetime achievement category was announced on Monday, will be inducted on May 6 at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida. "It's just an honour," Venturi said on a conference call from Pebble Beach Golf Links in his home state of Northern California. "The greatest reward in life is to be remembered and I thank the World Golf Hall of Fame for remembering me.
"I was taught by Byron Nelson and I asked him one time, 'How could I ever repay you for all you've done for me?' He said, 'Ken, be good to the game and give back.'
"And that's what I've tried to do because I've said many times, the world will never remember you for what you take from it, but only what you leave behind."
The highlight of Venturi's playing career came in the 1964 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club where he overcame 100-degree temperatures and severe dehydration to win his only major championship.
He was forced to quit competitive golf because of carpal tunnel syndrome in 1967. The following year, he joined CBS television as an analyst and enjoyed a lengthy career as one of the most insightful and respected figures in the game.
"He played on the Ryder Cup in 1965, he captained the U.S. Presidents Cup in 2000," said PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem.
"But to fans around the United States and around the world, he was the conduit of what PGA Tour level golf was to those fans for an incredible 35-year broadcast career which spanned many, many careers on the PGA Tour.
"Ken Venturi was a fixture to the game of golf for fans everywhere in terms of his ability to analyse the game and excite fans about the play they were watching."
Venturi joins 1992 Masters champion Fred Couples, who was voted into the World Golf Hall of Fame via the PGA Tour category three weeks ago.
The Hall of Fame will round out the class of 2013 by announcing inductees from the international ballot and the veterans category in the coming months. (Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank Pingue)
Golf-American Venturi voted into Hall of Fame - chicagotribune-com
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2006/12/07
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Welcome to golf's Silly Season, where tournaments start on ... Tuesday morning?!? Even though the PGA Tour's Fall Series just kicked off last week and the European Tour's Race to Dubai is still going strong, eight of the top players in the world will be in Turkey, starting on Tuesday morning, for the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final at Antalya Golf Club.
If you're wondering why the limited field event is being played mid-week, it's because tournament officials didn't want to steal eyeballs from the big tours on the weekend. While that's all well and good, it's clear the cash-grab in Turkey will be the marquee event this week -- despite the fact it's being played early in the morning if you live Stateside.
The $5.3 million purse, with the winner getting $1.5 million and the last-place finisher earning a paltry $300,000, is just another chance for the likes of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlory to grab an easy paycheck before the end of the year.
It's hard to blame them for skipping out on events in California (PGA Tour) and Portugal (European Tour) when tournament organizers are throwing buckets of free cash in their direction. Woods and McIlroy are the big names in the field -- they'll go head-to-head on Wednesday -- and they'll be joined by Lee Westwood, Justin Rose, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Justin Rose and Webb Simpson.
In other words, you'll probably want to tune in ... if you can find it on TV. Normally you'd expect the Golf Channel to show, at the very least, tape-delayed coverage of the event. But the network plans to show exactly zero hours of coverage.
I'm confused, Golf Channel. Why not work something out and piggyback off Sky Sports' coverage? The Silly Season usually doesn't rate with golf fans, but when an event involves Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy going up against each other -- you'd think someone at the network would make it happen. But alas, we're stuck reading about the event online (or watching via online feeds).
As far as the tournament format is concerned, the players are split into two four-man groups. McIlroy, Woods, Schwartzel and Kuchar are in Group 1; Westwood, Mahan, Simpson and Rose in Group 2.
Players in each group will then compete against each other in medal-match play (lowest strokeplay score over 18 holes wins) with the winner receiving one point. After three round-robin matches, the winner from Group 1 will play the player who finished second in Group 2, and vice versa.
The winner from each semifinal will then go head-to-head in the final. Sounds easy, right? RIGHT?!? Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go lay down and rest my brain for a couple minutes.
Also, you can take a look at the tournament schedule after the jump (all times are Eastern Standard Time):
Tuesday October 10
5:30 a.m. EST Rory McIlroy v Matt Kuchar
5:40 a.m. Tiger Woods v Charl Schwartzel
5:50 a.m. Hunter Mahan v Justin Rose
6:00 a.m. Lee Westwood v Webb Simpson
Wednesday October 10
Am:
01:30 a.m. Lee Westwood v Justin Rose
01:40 a.m. Hunter Mahan v Webb Simpson
01:50 a.m. Rory McIlroy v Charl Schwartzel
02:00 a.m. Tiger Woods v Matt Kuchar
Pm:
6:00 a.m. Justin Rose v Webb Simpson
6:10 a.m. Lee Westwood v Hunter Mahan
6:20 a.m. Charl Schwartzel v Matt Kuchar
6:30 a.m. Rory McIlroy v Tiger Woods
Thursday October 11
2:00 a.m. Group A winner v Group B second place
2:10 a.m. Group B winner v Group A second place
Friday October 12
1:30 a.m. Final
Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy highlight Turkish Airlines World Golf Final field | Devil Ball Golf - Yahoo! Sports
If you're wondering why the limited field event is being played mid-week, it's because tournament officials didn't want to steal eyeballs from the big tours on the weekend. While that's all well and good, it's clear the cash-grab in Turkey will be the marquee event this week -- despite the fact it's being played early in the morning if you live Stateside.
The $5.3 million purse, with the winner getting $1.5 million and the last-place finisher earning a paltry $300,000, is just another chance for the likes of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlory to grab an easy paycheck before the end of the year.
It's hard to blame them for skipping out on events in California (PGA Tour) and Portugal (European Tour) when tournament organizers are throwing buckets of free cash in their direction. Woods and McIlroy are the big names in the field -- they'll go head-to-head on Wednesday -- and they'll be joined by Lee Westwood, Justin Rose, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Justin Rose and Webb Simpson.
In other words, you'll probably want to tune in ... if you can find it on TV. Normally you'd expect the Golf Channel to show, at the very least, tape-delayed coverage of the event. But the network plans to show exactly zero hours of coverage.
I'm confused, Golf Channel. Why not work something out and piggyback off Sky Sports' coverage? The Silly Season usually doesn't rate with golf fans, but when an event involves Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy going up against each other -- you'd think someone at the network would make it happen. But alas, we're stuck reading about the event online (or watching via online feeds).
As far as the tournament format is concerned, the players are split into two four-man groups. McIlroy, Woods, Schwartzel and Kuchar are in Group 1; Westwood, Mahan, Simpson and Rose in Group 2.
Players in each group will then compete against each other in medal-match play (lowest strokeplay score over 18 holes wins) with the winner receiving one point. After three round-robin matches, the winner from Group 1 will play the player who finished second in Group 2, and vice versa.
The winner from each semifinal will then go head-to-head in the final. Sounds easy, right? RIGHT?!? Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go lay down and rest my brain for a couple minutes.
Also, you can take a look at the tournament schedule after the jump (all times are Eastern Standard Time):
Tuesday October 10
5:30 a.m. EST Rory McIlroy v Matt Kuchar
5:40 a.m. Tiger Woods v Charl Schwartzel
5:50 a.m. Hunter Mahan v Justin Rose
6:00 a.m. Lee Westwood v Webb Simpson
Wednesday October 10
Am:
01:30 a.m. Lee Westwood v Justin Rose
01:40 a.m. Hunter Mahan v Webb Simpson
01:50 a.m. Rory McIlroy v Charl Schwartzel
02:00 a.m. Tiger Woods v Matt Kuchar
Pm:
6:00 a.m. Justin Rose v Webb Simpson
6:10 a.m. Lee Westwood v Hunter Mahan
6:20 a.m. Charl Schwartzel v Matt Kuchar
6:30 a.m. Rory McIlroy v Tiger Woods
Thursday October 11
2:00 a.m. Group A winner v Group B second place
2:10 a.m. Group B winner v Group A second place
Friday October 12
1:30 a.m. Final
Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy highlight Turkish Airlines World Golf Final field | Devil Ball Golf - Yahoo! Sports
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
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The 15-year-old from Auckland, who opened with an even par 72 to be in a share of 12th place, climbed to a share of ninth and to also be the leading amateur heading into the third and fourth rounds tonight NZT.
Ko will begin round three eight shots back from the leader South Korean Jiyai Shin who shot the round of her life, an eight under par 64, to lead the championship by five shots from compatriot Inbee Park.
The New Zealand representative was happy to improve in round two as the conditions were just as trying at Hoylake.
"It was kind of a rough start, two over after two, that wasn't the best start that I imagined,'' said Ko.
"But I hung in there and I made birdies on four and five which made it a little easier and it also meant that I didn't owe any shots.
Read More: Golf: Ko remains in contention ahead of big final day - Sport - NZ Herald News