Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Trump National Golf Club
Trump National Golf Course is perched high above the jagged California cliffs taking advantage of one of the most incredible views in the world from every hole. Noted as the most expensive golf course ever built, over $250 million dollars has been spent to ensure its prominence. Gleaming white sand lines the walls of the massive bunkers, expansive lakes protect tucked away greens, and magnificent waterfalls cascade down at Trump National. The Donald J. Trump Signature Design course design tempts golfers to take risks and rewards well-placed shots. The layout challenges experienced golfers and novices to the best of their abilities. Trump National truly stands as a testament to the greatness of golf. At Trump National Golf Club, a round of golf will never be just a round of golf.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Retirement brings Dawn of a new era for Coe-Jones
One of Canada's top female golfers will be making her final LPGA Tour appearance on native soil.
Dawn Coe-Jones of Campbell River, B.C., announced yesterday that this will indeed be her final season on the LPGA Tour, meaning this week's CN Canadian Women's Open in Ottawa will be Coe-Jones' final tournament appearance in Canada.
"I'm filled with both happy and sad emotions," Coe-Jones said in a statement yesterday. "I have had the pleasure of doing what I love for over 20 years.
"It has been an honour to represent Canada. It is a dream career and I'll miss it very much but I'm looking forward to new adventures with my family. I love being a hockey mom."
Coe-Jones, 48, and her husband, Jimmy, have a son, James, who will turn 13 in October.
She has been plagued by a broken foot that has limited her to just one tournament appearance this season.
Coe-Jones joined the LPGA Tour in 1984 and has won three tournaments and more than $3.3 million in earnings over that span of her career.
As an amateur, she registered consecutive B.C. junior amateur titles in 1978 and '79.
Coe-Jones also earned All-American honours while attending Lamar University.
Coe-Jones' first professional victory came in the 1992 Women's Kemper Open.
She won the '94 Healthsouth Palm Beach Classic as well as the '95 Chrysler-Plymouth Tournament of Champions.
Coe-Jones was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2003.
Dawn Coe-Jones of Campbell River, B.C., announced yesterday that this will indeed be her final season on the LPGA Tour, meaning this week's CN Canadian Women's Open in Ottawa will be Coe-Jones' final tournament appearance in Canada.
"I'm filled with both happy and sad emotions," Coe-Jones said in a statement yesterday. "I have had the pleasure of doing what I love for over 20 years.
"It has been an honour to represent Canada. It is a dream career and I'll miss it very much but I'm looking forward to new adventures with my family. I love being a hockey mom."
Coe-Jones, 48, and her husband, Jimmy, have a son, James, who will turn 13 in October.
She has been plagued by a broken foot that has limited her to just one tournament appearance this season.
Coe-Jones joined the LPGA Tour in 1984 and has won three tournaments and more than $3.3 million in earnings over that span of her career.
As an amateur, she registered consecutive B.C. junior amateur titles in 1978 and '79.
Coe-Jones also earned All-American honours while attending Lamar University.
Coe-Jones' first professional victory came in the 1992 Women's Kemper Open.
She won the '94 Healthsouth Palm Beach Classic as well as the '95 Chrysler-Plymouth Tournament of Champions.
Coe-Jones was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 2003.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Wie turns her back on career 'advice'
Michelle Wie has endured plenty of criticism for her play this season, some of it from her fellow golfers on the LPGA Tour.
But as the 18-year-old prepared yesterday to tee it up this week at the CN Canadian Women's Open, she shot back at the growing number of those who have offered their unsolicited career "advice."
"Everyone has their own opinion of what I should do, but I think that it's my life," Wie said after a practice round for the $2.25 million (U.S.) event at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club, the only Canadian stop on this year's LPGA Tour.
"I know there might be wrong decisions that I make and there might be right decisions that I make, but they're decisions that I make for myself. And I think the only decision I can make is to be 100 per cent supportive of myself and not doubt myself at all."
The Honolulu native is playing on a sponsor's exemption, the last of the six she's allowed on the LPGA Tour this season after failing to secure full-time status.
Often referred to as the Anna Kournikova of golf for the hype she generates without the results to back it up, Wie was criticized recently for pulling out of the LPGA's Women's British Open to play with the men at the PGA's Legends Reno-Tahoe Open.
"I really don't know why Michelle continues to do this," Swedish veteran Annika Sorenstam said at the British Open. "We have a major this week and if you can't qualify for a major, I don't see any reason why you should play with the men. We all have different agendas in life."
Wie, who has never won an LPGA tournament, ignores the comments and insists she makes her own calls.
"I don't listen to them, I listen to the people that are close to me and I respect," she said.
"But in the end, everything comes down to my decision."
Wie will get a chance to compete against Sorenstam and Helen Alfredsson in Ottawa, where the field features 47 of the top 50 players on the earnings list.
And not all of them share the same view of Wie that Sorenstam does.
Lorie Kane of Charlottetown says she is sympathetic to Wie and offered her support to the young golfer. Kane said she hoped to one day see Wie become an LPGA fixture.
"Michelle is a very talented young athlete that has unbelievable potential," Kane said. "It's unfortunate the way things have gone for Michelle in the last little while, but Michelle is a talent. We need that talent on our tour. She brings a lot of people out to watch her.
"You know, I hope for Michelle that she can continue being a kid at Stanford (University) and I'll be selfish to say a good and important part of our tour."
Wie, who spent much of the past year and a half hampered by a wrist injury, said she's made strides this season.
"The year was inconsistent, I've kind of had my ups and downs, but I feel my game has gotten better over the summer," she said, adding that she has learned about "perseverance, patience and hard work."
Wie's best finish this year at an LPGA event is a tie for 24th at the Wegmans LPGA. This week's event will be a big one for her. Only the top 80 money-winners will receive their LPGA card next year.
Wie is the top earner in women's golf, but that comes through endorsements. Her 2008 earnings don't appear on the LPGA's money list, but based on 2007's earnings list, she would need to take home about $95,000 from the Ottawa event to earn her card.
Wie, who is due back at Stanford in the fall to start her sophomore year, was asked if she'd consider LPGA qualifying school in the fall, but she said she's not thinking beyond this week.
"Right now I'm too involved with me playing this summer to be thinking about the future," she said.
But as the 18-year-old prepared yesterday to tee it up this week at the CN Canadian Women's Open, she shot back at the growing number of those who have offered their unsolicited career "advice."
"Everyone has their own opinion of what I should do, but I think that it's my life," Wie said after a practice round for the $2.25 million (U.S.) event at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club, the only Canadian stop on this year's LPGA Tour.
"I know there might be wrong decisions that I make and there might be right decisions that I make, but they're decisions that I make for myself. And I think the only decision I can make is to be 100 per cent supportive of myself and not doubt myself at all."
The Honolulu native is playing on a sponsor's exemption, the last of the six she's allowed on the LPGA Tour this season after failing to secure full-time status.
Often referred to as the Anna Kournikova of golf for the hype she generates without the results to back it up, Wie was criticized recently for pulling out of the LPGA's Women's British Open to play with the men at the PGA's Legends Reno-Tahoe Open.
"I really don't know why Michelle continues to do this," Swedish veteran Annika Sorenstam said at the British Open. "We have a major this week and if you can't qualify for a major, I don't see any reason why you should play with the men. We all have different agendas in life."
Wie, who has never won an LPGA tournament, ignores the comments and insists she makes her own calls.
"I don't listen to them, I listen to the people that are close to me and I respect," she said.
"But in the end, everything comes down to my decision."
Wie will get a chance to compete against Sorenstam and Helen Alfredsson in Ottawa, where the field features 47 of the top 50 players on the earnings list.
And not all of them share the same view of Wie that Sorenstam does.
Lorie Kane of Charlottetown says she is sympathetic to Wie and offered her support to the young golfer. Kane said she hoped to one day see Wie become an LPGA fixture.
"Michelle is a very talented young athlete that has unbelievable potential," Kane said. "It's unfortunate the way things have gone for Michelle in the last little while, but Michelle is a talent. We need that talent on our tour. She brings a lot of people out to watch her.
"You know, I hope for Michelle that she can continue being a kid at Stanford (University) and I'll be selfish to say a good and important part of our tour."
Wie, who spent much of the past year and a half hampered by a wrist injury, said she's made strides this season.
"The year was inconsistent, I've kind of had my ups and downs, but I feel my game has gotten better over the summer," she said, adding that she has learned about "perseverance, patience and hard work."
Wie's best finish this year at an LPGA event is a tie for 24th at the Wegmans LPGA. This week's event will be a big one for her. Only the top 80 money-winners will receive their LPGA card next year.
Wie is the top earner in women's golf, but that comes through endorsements. Her 2008 earnings don't appear on the LPGA's money list, but based on 2007's earnings list, she would need to take home about $95,000 from the Ottawa event to earn her card.
Wie, who is due back at Stanford in the fall to start her sophomore year, was asked if she'd consider LPGA qualifying school in the fall, but she said she's not thinking beyond this week.
"Right now I'm too involved with me playing this summer to be thinking about the future," she said.
Yang wins Sorenstam's Swedish finale by 6 shots
Amy Yang of South Korea spoiled Annika Sorenstam's finale on home turf, tying the course record with a 9-under 63 Sunday for a six-shot victory at the Scandinavian TPC.
Sorenstam eagled the par-4 17th to move into second place. The Swedish Hall of Famer took a double-bogey on the last hole, hitting her tee shot into the water and three-putting.
Sorenstam, the tournament host, shot 72 and finished seven strokes back to tie for sixth with three other Swedes. She was greeted by a packed gallery on the 18th green.
"I decided to forget that I hit the ball in the water," Sorenstam said. "I enjoyed seeing the fans making the wave and applauding when I went up to the green. It felt really good."
The 19-year-old Yang captured her second win as a professional in the rain-shortened 54-hole tournament with a 14-under 202 total at the Frosaker Golf and Country Club.
"I never thought I could win the tournament," said Yang, who accepted the trophy and a hug from Sorenstam. "The leader was four shots ahead of me, so I thought I'd just go out and have fun. I'm very happy."
Yang birdied seven of 10 holes from the third to move atop the leaderboard. She stayed there, finishing with birdies on the last three holes. Her only bogey came on the second hole.
Minea Blomqvist of Finland set the course record (63) earlier in the day. She shared second with Melodie Bourdy of France (66), overnight leader Lill Saether of Norway (73) and Maria Hjorth of Sweden (72) in the European Ladies Tour event.
Saether and Hjorth set the course record with 64s on Saturday. Sorenstam had lowered the record to 66 on Thursday.
Yang won the ANZ Ladies Masters at 16 in 2006, becoming the first amateur to win a major women's pro tournament in Australia. Her first pro win came at the Ladies German Open in June.
Joining Sorenstam at 209 were Liselotte Neumann (66), Louise Friberg (69) and amateur Anna Nordqvist (71). American Jill McGill (71) tied for 13th. Catriona Matthew of Scotland did not defend her title.
Yang played the first two rounds of the tournament with Sorenstam, her idol.
"I was nervous. I hardly dared to talk to her," Yang said. "Before the tournament, I wanted Annika to win it. She's my favorite player."
Sorenstam won the tournament six times from 1997-2006 when it was the Compaq Open, HP Open and Scandinavian TPC Hosted by Annika. Sorenstam, who will retire at the end of the season, acknowledged the Swedish fans for the final time.
"Naturally, it was special to walk out there today," Sorenstam said. "I knew this was my last tournament in Sweden. I'm enormously thankful for the fans' support this week."
The 37-year-old Sorenstam, a winner of 10 majors and 72 LPGA titles, plans to get married, start a family and focus on business and golf interests.
She will make her final competitive appearance in Europe on Sept. 5 in Denmark. Her last start will be at the Dubai Ladies Masters on Dec. 11.
Sorenstam eagled the par-4 17th to move into second place. The Swedish Hall of Famer took a double-bogey on the last hole, hitting her tee shot into the water and three-putting.
Sorenstam, the tournament host, shot 72 and finished seven strokes back to tie for sixth with three other Swedes. She was greeted by a packed gallery on the 18th green.
"I decided to forget that I hit the ball in the water," Sorenstam said. "I enjoyed seeing the fans making the wave and applauding when I went up to the green. It felt really good."
The 19-year-old Yang captured her second win as a professional in the rain-shortened 54-hole tournament with a 14-under 202 total at the Frosaker Golf and Country Club.
"I never thought I could win the tournament," said Yang, who accepted the trophy and a hug from Sorenstam. "The leader was four shots ahead of me, so I thought I'd just go out and have fun. I'm very happy."
Yang birdied seven of 10 holes from the third to move atop the leaderboard. She stayed there, finishing with birdies on the last three holes. Her only bogey came on the second hole.
Minea Blomqvist of Finland set the course record (63) earlier in the day. She shared second with Melodie Bourdy of France (66), overnight leader Lill Saether of Norway (73) and Maria Hjorth of Sweden (72) in the European Ladies Tour event.
Saether and Hjorth set the course record with 64s on Saturday. Sorenstam had lowered the record to 66 on Thursday.
Yang won the ANZ Ladies Masters at 16 in 2006, becoming the first amateur to win a major women's pro tournament in Australia. Her first pro win came at the Ladies German Open in June.
Joining Sorenstam at 209 were Liselotte Neumann (66), Louise Friberg (69) and amateur Anna Nordqvist (71). American Jill McGill (71) tied for 13th. Catriona Matthew of Scotland did not defend her title.
Yang played the first two rounds of the tournament with Sorenstam, her idol.
"I was nervous. I hardly dared to talk to her," Yang said. "Before the tournament, I wanted Annika to win it. She's my favorite player."
Sorenstam won the tournament six times from 1997-2006 when it was the Compaq Open, HP Open and Scandinavian TPC Hosted by Annika. Sorenstam, who will retire at the end of the season, acknowledged the Swedish fans for the final time.
"Naturally, it was special to walk out there today," Sorenstam said. "I knew this was my last tournament in Sweden. I'm enormously thankful for the fans' support this week."
The 37-year-old Sorenstam, a winner of 10 majors and 72 LPGA titles, plans to get married, start a family and focus on business and golf interests.
She will make her final competitive appearance in Europe on Sept. 5 in Denmark. Her last start will be at the Dubai Ladies Masters on Dec. 11.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Nicklaus picking U.S. to win Ryder Cup
Jack Nicklaus isn't worried about Tiger Woods' absence hurting Team USA's chances of winning the Ryder Cup next month at Valhalla in Louisville.
Speaking Monday before a charity tournament hosted by Fuzzy Zoeller in southern Indiana, Nicklaus said he still thinks the U.S. can take back the Cup, though he concedes the Americans are no longer heavy favourites now that Woods is out with a knee injury.
Nicklaus also praised the revamped layout at Valhalla, a course he designed. He lengthened some holes and shortened others, hoping to put more emphasis on putting.
The 18-time major winner said his only advice to Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger is to relax and let the players go out and play.
Speaking Monday before a charity tournament hosted by Fuzzy Zoeller in southern Indiana, Nicklaus said he still thinks the U.S. can take back the Cup, though he concedes the Americans are no longer heavy favourites now that Woods is out with a knee injury.
Nicklaus also praised the revamped layout at Valhalla, a course he designed. He lengthened some holes and shortened others, hoping to put more emphasis on putting.
The 18-time major winner said his only advice to Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger is to relax and let the players go out and play.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Tiger Woods rules out swinging a club until 2009
Tiger Woods has said he will be unable to swing a golf club until next year as he recovers from reconstructive knee surgery.
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The American world number one decided to have surgery on his left knee for a fourth time after winning the U.S. Open in mid-June, ending his 2008 PGA Tour campaign.
"As far as swinging a club, that's not going to happen until next year," Woods said in his monthly newsletter on Tuesday. "I just don't have a choice.
"We simply don't know what type of swelling there would be or if there would be any residual effects the next day once you start wheeling and dealing on the knee. Everyone's body reacts differently. I could putt right now but I'm not going to do it."
Woods, a winner of 14 major titles, underwent an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction of his left knee. He had torn his knee ligament after last year's British Open at Carnoustie while running and took 10 weeks off at the end of the 2007 season.
He took a further two months off after having arthroscopic surgery two days after the Masters in April and did not play competitively until the June 12-15 U.S. Open.
"I don't know what the doctors are going to tell me about playing golf down the road," the 32-year-old added. "I'm taking it day-to-day, week-to-week. All I'm doing every day is looking forward to my next day."
WEIGHT LOSS
Woods said his rehabilitation was going well, despite an initial weight loss.
"I'm a lot more mobile, which is really nice," he added. "The big thing is I've started my rehab and can ride the (exercise) bike. I can't ride it hard – just motion – but am getting in two or three sessions a day.
"Initially, I probably lost about 10 pounds because I wasn't working out. All of that was muscle. I've put about two pounds back on, but I'm still pretty light. I'm eating mostly raw and organic foods that provide the most nutrients."
While spending quality time at home with his Swedish wife Elin and young daughter Sam Alexis, Woods has been watching television coverage of the Olympic Games.
He also watched last week's U.S. PGA Championship at Oakland Hills where Ireland's Padraig Harrington won his second successive major title.
"I want to congratulate Padraig Harrington on his wins at the British (Open) and PGA," said Woods, PGA champion in 1999, 2000, 2006 and 2007.
"As a two-time defending PGA champion, it was a lot more frustrating not to be competing and that hurts the most."
http://multimedia.thestar.com/images/39/0f/012891264918a72e42d8fdb56b0d.jpeg
The American world number one decided to have surgery on his left knee for a fourth time after winning the U.S. Open in mid-June, ending his 2008 PGA Tour campaign.
"As far as swinging a club, that's not going to happen until next year," Woods said in his monthly newsletter on Tuesday. "I just don't have a choice.
"We simply don't know what type of swelling there would be or if there would be any residual effects the next day once you start wheeling and dealing on the knee. Everyone's body reacts differently. I could putt right now but I'm not going to do it."
Woods, a winner of 14 major titles, underwent an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction of his left knee. He had torn his knee ligament after last year's British Open at Carnoustie while running and took 10 weeks off at the end of the 2007 season.
He took a further two months off after having arthroscopic surgery two days after the Masters in April and did not play competitively until the June 12-15 U.S. Open.
"I don't know what the doctors are going to tell me about playing golf down the road," the 32-year-old added. "I'm taking it day-to-day, week-to-week. All I'm doing every day is looking forward to my next day."
WEIGHT LOSS
Woods said his rehabilitation was going well, despite an initial weight loss.
"I'm a lot more mobile, which is really nice," he added. "The big thing is I've started my rehab and can ride the (exercise) bike. I can't ride it hard – just motion – but am getting in two or three sessions a day.
"Initially, I probably lost about 10 pounds because I wasn't working out. All of that was muscle. I've put about two pounds back on, but I'm still pretty light. I'm eating mostly raw and organic foods that provide the most nutrients."
While spending quality time at home with his Swedish wife Elin and young daughter Sam Alexis, Woods has been watching television coverage of the Olympic Games.
He also watched last week's U.S. PGA Championship at Oakland Hills where Ireland's Padraig Harrington won his second successive major title.
"I want to congratulate Padraig Harrington on his wins at the British (Open) and PGA," said Woods, PGA champion in 1999, 2000, 2006 and 2007.
"As a two-time defending PGA champion, it was a lot more frustrating not to be competing and that hurts the most."
Thursday, September 25, 2008
European players scatter in bids for Ryder Cup
The flight plans of Europeans leaving the PGA Championship in Bloomfield Township, Mich., says a lot about the various ways they can make the Ryder Cup as qualifying enters its final three weeks.
Martin Kaymer headed to Sweden for the SAS Masters on the European tour. Paul Casey went to Greensboro, N.C., for the final PGA Tour event before the FedEx Cup playoffs. Justin Rose went to his U.S. home in Orlando, Fla., with plans to head to Europe.
Europe made great strides in shoring up its team at Oakland Hills, with Sergio Garcia effectively sewing up a spot with his runner-up finish. But there are three tournaments left, and some players are trying to decide where to go.
The top five come from a world ranking points list, the next five from a money list and European captain Nick Faldo gets two picks.
Justin Rose is No. 7 on the points list, about 18 behind Robert Karlsson at No. 5. Rose, however, is third in the money standings and might have a better chance of nailing down a spot by staying in Europe.
He also is No. 76 in the FedEx Cup standings, but he entered the KLM Open in The Netherlands and the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, the final qualifying event for Europe.
"My plan was to play the FedEx Cup, but I don't know if I have quite enough points to be safe," Rose said. "So I might have to go back and earn some more."
DONALD OUT: Luke Donald has undergone surgery on his left wrist and will miss the remainder of the season, officially ending any hopes of playing on the Ryder Cup team for Europe.
Donald was forced to miss the final two majors of the year. He had surgery Monday in New York to repair a tendon injury in his wrist. He had hoped that rest would allow it to strengthen, but there was little progress.
The 30-year-old from England has played on the last two Ryder Cup teams and has a 5-1-1 record.
FEDEX CUP FINALE: The Wyndham Championship feels like the final tournament of the year, especially for someone like Davis Love III. This is the final tournament to finish among the top 144 in the FedEx Cup standings and qualifying for the PGA Tour Playoffs. Love is No. 150, and needs to finish at least 30th to have a chance.
Marco Dawson has the 144th spot, but likely would get bumped if he doesn't make the cut. Others outside the top 144 include Jeff Maggert (162) and Rich Beem (166).
COURSES YOU CAN PLAY: Pacific Dunes was rated the No.1 golf course on Golf Magazine 's list of "Top 100 Courses You Can Play," a biennial list of courses that are among the best without requiring private membership.
Pacific Dunes in Bandon, Ore., narrowly beat out Pebble Beach Golf Links for the top spot. Filling out the top 10 were Whistling Straits, Kiawah Island (Ocean Course), Pinehurst No. 2, Bandon Dunes, Bethpage Black, Chambers Bay, Spyglass Hill and TPC Sawgrass.
Martin Kaymer headed to Sweden for the SAS Masters on the European tour. Paul Casey went to Greensboro, N.C., for the final PGA Tour event before the FedEx Cup playoffs. Justin Rose went to his U.S. home in Orlando, Fla., with plans to head to Europe.
Europe made great strides in shoring up its team at Oakland Hills, with Sergio Garcia effectively sewing up a spot with his runner-up finish. But there are three tournaments left, and some players are trying to decide where to go.
The top five come from a world ranking points list, the next five from a money list and European captain Nick Faldo gets two picks.
Justin Rose is No. 7 on the points list, about 18 behind Robert Karlsson at No. 5. Rose, however, is third in the money standings and might have a better chance of nailing down a spot by staying in Europe.
He also is No. 76 in the FedEx Cup standings, but he entered the KLM Open in The Netherlands and the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, the final qualifying event for Europe.
"My plan was to play the FedEx Cup, but I don't know if I have quite enough points to be safe," Rose said. "So I might have to go back and earn some more."
DONALD OUT: Luke Donald has undergone surgery on his left wrist and will miss the remainder of the season, officially ending any hopes of playing on the Ryder Cup team for Europe.
Donald was forced to miss the final two majors of the year. He had surgery Monday in New York to repair a tendon injury in his wrist. He had hoped that rest would allow it to strengthen, but there was little progress.
The 30-year-old from England has played on the last two Ryder Cup teams and has a 5-1-1 record.
FEDEX CUP FINALE: The Wyndham Championship feels like the final tournament of the year, especially for someone like Davis Love III. This is the final tournament to finish among the top 144 in the FedEx Cup standings and qualifying for the PGA Tour Playoffs. Love is No. 150, and needs to finish at least 30th to have a chance.
Marco Dawson has the 144th spot, but likely would get bumped if he doesn't make the cut. Others outside the top 144 include Jeff Maggert (162) and Rich Beem (166).
COURSES YOU CAN PLAY: Pacific Dunes was rated the No.1 golf course on Golf Magazine 's list of "Top 100 Courses You Can Play," a biennial list of courses that are among the best without requiring private membership.
Pacific Dunes in Bandon, Ore., narrowly beat out Pebble Beach Golf Links for the top spot. Filling out the top 10 were Whistling Straits, Kiawah Island (Ocean Course), Pinehurst No. 2, Bandon Dunes, Bethpage Black, Chambers Bay, Spyglass Hill and TPC Sawgrass.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
World Golf Tour tees up; will players follow?
It's in the game, but is it in the money? That's the question for World Golf Tour, set to debut its online golf game (WorldGolfTour.com) later this summer. Emphasizing glitzy game production and free play, the venture aims to create a large audience ripe for generating advertiser and sponsorship revenue to keep the business out of the financial rough.
"There is no reason you can't have an amazing social experience with amazing production values in a game," said YuChiang Cheng, World Golf Tour CEO. " The idea is to merge those together."
To date, 700,000 people have played the demonstration version, with an average play time of 19 minutes and three sessions per week per player, according to internal research.
The golf industry is intrigued by the possibilities. Kiawah Island Golf Resort and Pinehurst Resort have signed on with World Golf and will be featured in the online game. Others aboard: PGA.com, a joint venture between the PGA of America and Turner Sports New Media, and TaylorMade-Adidas Golf.
No terms have been disclosed. World Golf Tour seems to be pinning some of its hopes on forging links with big-name players in the golf industry, which, in turn, will spur ad sales. Kiawah Island Golf Resort golf publicist Mike Vegis said World Golf Tour will pay a small licensing fee to Kiawah each year.
Vegis said Kiawah already has a presence in EA Sports' Tiger Woods golf game, but was interested in the free online game's potentially broader audience. "With EA, you have to go out and buy the game," he said. "This is open to anybody."
World Golf Tour and Kiawah are planning links to the resort as well as special travel packages for World Golf Tour players. Cheng hopes to craft similar custom packages for other sponsors and advertisers.
"There is no reason you can't have an amazing social experience with amazing production values in a game," said YuChiang Cheng, World Golf Tour CEO. " The idea is to merge those together."
To date, 700,000 people have played the demonstration version, with an average play time of 19 minutes and three sessions per week per player, according to internal research.
The golf industry is intrigued by the possibilities. Kiawah Island Golf Resort and Pinehurst Resort have signed on with World Golf and will be featured in the online game. Others aboard: PGA.com, a joint venture between the PGA of America and Turner Sports New Media, and TaylorMade-Adidas Golf.
No terms have been disclosed. World Golf Tour seems to be pinning some of its hopes on forging links with big-name players in the golf industry, which, in turn, will spur ad sales. Kiawah Island Golf Resort golf publicist Mike Vegis said World Golf Tour will pay a small licensing fee to Kiawah each year.
Vegis said Kiawah already has a presence in EA Sports' Tiger Woods golf game, but was interested in the free online game's potentially broader audience. "With EA, you have to go out and buy the game," he said. "This is open to anybody."
World Golf Tour and Kiawah are planning links to the resort as well as special travel packages for World Golf Tour players. Cheng hopes to craft similar custom packages for other sponsors and advertisers.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Good Golf Players See The Hole As Larger Than Poor Players
"Golfers have said that when they play well the hole looks as big as a bucket or basketball hoop, and when they do not play well they've been quoted as saying the hole looks like a dime or the inside of a donut," said Jessica K. Witt, an assistant professor of psychological sciences who studies perception in athletes. "What athletes say about how they see the hole and how well they play is true. We found golfers who play better judge the hole to be bigger than golfers who did not play as well.
"We know a relationship exists between performance and perception, but we are uncertain how they affect each other. For example, do golfers see the hole as bigger so they putt better? Or if they putt better, does that mean they see the hole as bigger? I believe it is a cyclical relationship, but more studies are needed to clarify if one affects the other."
Witt's findings are published in the June Psychonomic Bulletin and Review journal. She co-authored the paper with Sally A. Linkenauger and Jonathan Z. Bakdash, both graduate students at the University of Virginia, and Dennis R. Proffitt, the Commonwealth Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia.
These findings also are consistent with Witt's earlier work in softball. In 2005 she found a correlation between player batting averages and how they perceived the size of the softball.
Historically, the study of perception in athletes has been limited to how the eye sees and processes incoming information, Witt said.
"There is so much more to perception," she said. "It's an active process because it encompasses aspects of your body and your body's abilities. We're not saying a person's perception is not immune to cognitive influences. Even if you know the hole is a certain size, you can't help but see it is a bigger or smaller. It's showing that perception is not just based on the optical information."
Witt's research team conducted three experiments. In the first, 46 golfers were asked to estimate the size of the hole after they played a round of golf. The diameter of a golf hole is 10.8 centimeters. The golfers selected from a poster one of nine black holes that ranged in size from 9-13 centimeters. Those who selected larger holes were the same players who had better scores on the course that day.
The second and third experiments were conducted in the laboratory and were used to clarify whether performance influence perceived hole size or remembered hole size. In these studies, golfers putted near or far on a traditional putting mat. In one study, they judged the size of hole from memory, and in the other study, the group judged its size while viewing the hole. Participants in both studies who putted closer drew the circle to be bigger than those who putted farther away.
Witt's future studies include determining what visual tricks could help golfers see the hole as larger, possibly leading to better scores. Currently Witt's findings, as well as other research, emphasize that golfers should stay focused on the hole.
"If you look at the hole, the hole is going to remain the center of your vision where there are more receptors. This means you are more likely to see it clearly, which will hopefully help you putt better," she said.
In addition to studying possible visual tricks golfers can use while playing, Witt also plans to follow the same golfers during a golf season to identify if perceived hole size changes for a player of a given handicap as daily performance levels rise and fall.
"We know a relationship exists between performance and perception, but we are uncertain how they affect each other. For example, do golfers see the hole as bigger so they putt better? Or if they putt better, does that mean they see the hole as bigger? I believe it is a cyclical relationship, but more studies are needed to clarify if one affects the other."
Witt's findings are published in the June Psychonomic Bulletin and Review journal. She co-authored the paper with Sally A. Linkenauger and Jonathan Z. Bakdash, both graduate students at the University of Virginia, and Dennis R. Proffitt, the Commonwealth Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia.
These findings also are consistent with Witt's earlier work in softball. In 2005 she found a correlation between player batting averages and how they perceived the size of the softball.
Historically, the study of perception in athletes has been limited to how the eye sees and processes incoming information, Witt said.
"There is so much more to perception," she said. "It's an active process because it encompasses aspects of your body and your body's abilities. We're not saying a person's perception is not immune to cognitive influences. Even if you know the hole is a certain size, you can't help but see it is a bigger or smaller. It's showing that perception is not just based on the optical information."
Witt's research team conducted three experiments. In the first, 46 golfers were asked to estimate the size of the hole after they played a round of golf. The diameter of a golf hole is 10.8 centimeters. The golfers selected from a poster one of nine black holes that ranged in size from 9-13 centimeters. Those who selected larger holes were the same players who had better scores on the course that day.
The second and third experiments were conducted in the laboratory and were used to clarify whether performance influence perceived hole size or remembered hole size. In these studies, golfers putted near or far on a traditional putting mat. In one study, they judged the size of hole from memory, and in the other study, the group judged its size while viewing the hole. Participants in both studies who putted closer drew the circle to be bigger than those who putted farther away.
Witt's future studies include determining what visual tricks could help golfers see the hole as larger, possibly leading to better scores. Currently Witt's findings, as well as other research, emphasize that golfers should stay focused on the hole.
"If you look at the hole, the hole is going to remain the center of your vision where there are more receptors. This means you are more likely to see it clearly, which will hopefully help you putt better," she said.
In addition to studying possible visual tricks golfers can use while playing, Witt also plans to follow the same golfers during a golf season to identify if perceived hole size changes for a player of a given handicap as daily performance levels rise and fall.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Gary Player - The Golfer
Professional Achievements
The winner of 163 tournaments world-wide, over five decades, Player is regarded as one of the greatest players in golf history.
A Golfing Great
* Regular Tour scoring average of 70.3 (lowest - 68.9)
* Senior Tour scoring average of 70.4 (lowest - 68.3)
* Over $14 million in combined worldwide earnings
* Victories in 27 consecutive years, ten years more than the second best
* The World's Most Traveled Athlete™ with over 13 million air miles
Winning Tradition
* Winner of golf's Grand Slam, one of only five golfers ever to do so, at the age of 29
* Winner of nine Majors on the Regular PGA Tour, with a total of 44 top ten finishes, including five second place and three third place finishes
* Winner of nine Majors on the Senior PGA Tour, with a total of 29 top ten finishes, including two second place and six third place finishes
* Only winner of the Grand Slam on both the Regular and Senior Tours
* Winner of the South African Open a record thirteen times
* Winner of the Australian Open a record seven times
* Winner of the World Match Play Championship a record five times
* Winner of the World Series of Golf three times
* Winner of the World Cup for South Africa once and of the individual title twice
* Winner of tournaments in 28 consecutive years, eleven more that the next best placed
* One of only three golfers, and the only "modern day" player, to win the British Open Championship in three different decades
Other Professional Achievements
* Oldest player to make the cut at the Open Championship (age 59 in 1995)
* Oldest player to make the cut at the Masters (age 62 in 1998)
* Holds the records for most consecutive cuts made at the Masters with 23
* Ranked by Golf Digest, Golf and Asian Golf magazines in Top 10 All-Time Greatest Golfers Ever
* Holder of tournament lowest round record in the USPGA Championship (63 at Shoal Creek G.C. in 1984)
* Shot 59, the lowest ever score in professional golf, in the 1974 Brazilian Open, the only sub-60 score in any national Open Championship
* Leading money winner on the PGA TOUR in 1961
* Entered his 47th consecutive British Open in 2001
The winner of 163 tournaments world-wide, over five decades, Player is regarded as one of the greatest players in golf history.
A Golfing Great
* Regular Tour scoring average of 70.3 (lowest - 68.9)
* Senior Tour scoring average of 70.4 (lowest - 68.3)
* Over $14 million in combined worldwide earnings
* Victories in 27 consecutive years, ten years more than the second best
* The World's Most Traveled Athlete™ with over 13 million air miles
Winning Tradition
* Winner of golf's Grand Slam, one of only five golfers ever to do so, at the age of 29
* Winner of nine Majors on the Regular PGA Tour, with a total of 44 top ten finishes, including five second place and three third place finishes
* Winner of nine Majors on the Senior PGA Tour, with a total of 29 top ten finishes, including two second place and six third place finishes
* Only winner of the Grand Slam on both the Regular and Senior Tours
* Winner of the South African Open a record thirteen times
* Winner of the Australian Open a record seven times
* Winner of the World Match Play Championship a record five times
* Winner of the World Series of Golf three times
* Winner of the World Cup for South Africa once and of the individual title twice
* Winner of tournaments in 28 consecutive years, eleven more that the next best placed
* One of only three golfers, and the only "modern day" player, to win the British Open Championship in three different decades
Other Professional Achievements
* Oldest player to make the cut at the Open Championship (age 59 in 1995)
* Oldest player to make the cut at the Masters (age 62 in 1998)
* Holds the records for most consecutive cuts made at the Masters with 23
* Ranked by Golf Digest, Golf and Asian Golf magazines in Top 10 All-Time Greatest Golfers Ever
* Holder of tournament lowest round record in the USPGA Championship (63 at Shoal Creek G.C. in 1984)
* Shot 59, the lowest ever score in professional golf, in the 1974 Brazilian Open, the only sub-60 score in any national Open Championship
* Leading money winner on the PGA TOUR in 1961
* Entered his 47th consecutive British Open in 2001
Saturday, September 20, 2008
PGA capping off a tough year in the majors
Justin Leonard is among 11 players who have made the cut in all four majors this year, but he holds one dubious distinction among such a select group.
He is the only player who has never been under par after any round.
Leonard has been steady, although not spectacular. Going into the third round of the PGA Championship, he had played 14 rounds in the majors this year and was 30-over par. He has matched par only four times.
Welcome to the new world of majors.
Steve Flesch might have summed it up best Friday night after he battled for an even-par 70 that put him in the mix at Oakland Hills going into the weekend.
"The only noise I heard was somebody getting hit by a golf ball. And they were grunts," he said. "No birdie cheers."
For those who complained that Augusta National had taken the fun out of the Masters, that might be the major this year that produced the most birdies. Trevor Immelman won at 8-under 280 for a three-shot victory over Tiger Woods.
And that U.S. Open reputation as being the toughest test in golf? It very well could be the easiest. Woods shot 30 on his back nine of the second round, made two eagles over the final six holes in the third round and forced a playoff with Rocco Mediate at 1-under 283.
Padraig Harrington won the British Open - survived might be the better choice of words - at 3-over 283, but only after producing a 32 on his final nine holes at Royal Birkdale to pull away from Justin Rose.
J.B. Holmes was the sole survivor to par at Oakland Hills after 36 holes, at 1-under 139. Unless the PGA of America uses the tees from the club championship, empties the Detroit River onto the greens and borrows every lawn mower in Michigan to shrink the rough, no one expects the winner to be in red numbers.
"This tournament is not going to be won by 1-under par," Sergio Garcia said.
If that's the case, it will be the first time since 1956 - and the first time that all four majors were stroke play - that a score of 280 or higher won every major.
So much for that theory of the PGA Championship being the one major that invited good scoring.
He is the only player who has never been under par after any round.
Leonard has been steady, although not spectacular. Going into the third round of the PGA Championship, he had played 14 rounds in the majors this year and was 30-over par. He has matched par only four times.
Welcome to the new world of majors.
Steve Flesch might have summed it up best Friday night after he battled for an even-par 70 that put him in the mix at Oakland Hills going into the weekend.
"The only noise I heard was somebody getting hit by a golf ball. And they were grunts," he said. "No birdie cheers."
For those who complained that Augusta National had taken the fun out of the Masters, that might be the major this year that produced the most birdies. Trevor Immelman won at 8-under 280 for a three-shot victory over Tiger Woods.
And that U.S. Open reputation as being the toughest test in golf? It very well could be the easiest. Woods shot 30 on his back nine of the second round, made two eagles over the final six holes in the third round and forced a playoff with Rocco Mediate at 1-under 283.
Padraig Harrington won the British Open - survived might be the better choice of words - at 3-over 283, but only after producing a 32 on his final nine holes at Royal Birkdale to pull away from Justin Rose.
J.B. Holmes was the sole survivor to par at Oakland Hills after 36 holes, at 1-under 139. Unless the PGA of America uses the tees from the club championship, empties the Detroit River onto the greens and borrows every lawn mower in Michigan to shrink the rough, no one expects the winner to be in red numbers.
"This tournament is not going to be won by 1-under par," Sergio Garcia said.
If that's the case, it will be the first time since 1956 - and the first time that all four majors were stroke play - that a score of 280 or higher won every major.
So much for that theory of the PGA Championship being the one major that invited good scoring.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Sorenstam trails by 2 shots in farewell event
Lill Saether of Norway tied the course record with an 8-under 64 Saturday to take a 1-shot lead going into the final round of the Scandinavian TPC.
Maria Hjorth, a LPGA Tour regular from Sweden, had set the course record with another bogey-free round only a few minutes before Saether posted her lowest score ever on the Ladies European Tour.
Saether has a 36-hole total of 9-under 135. Hjorth shared second with Lora Fairclough of England, who shot 66.
Tournament host Annika Sorenstam, who is retiring in December, shared fourth at 137 with Johanna Head of England. Sorenstam shot 71, Head 70.
"I think I played well today," Sorenstam said. "I had many chances, but many putts stopped just short of the cup."
Saether, who is looking for her first tournament win, needed only 24 putts.
"My coach said, 'If you're in Annika's group during the final round I'll drive five hours from Oslo (Norway) and watch you play,"' Saether said. "I hope my coach will be here although I will not play with Annika."
Thousands of fans followed Sorenstam's group on the course.
"The support has been fantastic this week," Sorenstam said. "On some holes you feel it more than others. On the 18th, they did the wave."
Rainy weather postponed the second round Friday and the event was shortened to 54 holes. So Sunday's 18 holes will be Sorenstam's last round as a pro in Sweden.
"It's going to be very special, but I'm not going to prepare in a different way," she said. "I'm going to have dinner at home with my parents."
Sorenstam's parents still live where she grew up and started playing on a nearby golf course north of Stockholm at age 12. It's just an hour's drive from the tournament site.
The 37-year-old winner of 10 majors won the tournament six times between 1997 and 2006 during which time it was named the Compaq Open, HP Open and Scandinavian TPC Hosted by Annika.
Jill McGill, the only American LPGA Tour player in the field, was tied for ninth at 140 after a 71.
Catriona Matthew of Scotland is not defending her title in Sweden.
Helen Alfredsson of Sweden, the LET money leader who finished runner-up in the U.S. Open and recently won the Evian Masters, also skipped the tournament and instead played a men's event in Sweden hosted by ice hockey star Peter Forsberg.
Sorenstam will make her final competitive appearance in Europe in another LET event in Denmark on Sept. 5-7 before making her last start at the Dubai Ladies Masters on Dec. 11-14.
Maria Hjorth, a LPGA Tour regular from Sweden, had set the course record with another bogey-free round only a few minutes before Saether posted her lowest score ever on the Ladies European Tour.
Saether has a 36-hole total of 9-under 135. Hjorth shared second with Lora Fairclough of England, who shot 66.
Tournament host Annika Sorenstam, who is retiring in December, shared fourth at 137 with Johanna Head of England. Sorenstam shot 71, Head 70.
"I think I played well today," Sorenstam said. "I had many chances, but many putts stopped just short of the cup."
Saether, who is looking for her first tournament win, needed only 24 putts.
"My coach said, 'If you're in Annika's group during the final round I'll drive five hours from Oslo (Norway) and watch you play,"' Saether said. "I hope my coach will be here although I will not play with Annika."
Thousands of fans followed Sorenstam's group on the course.
"The support has been fantastic this week," Sorenstam said. "On some holes you feel it more than others. On the 18th, they did the wave."
Rainy weather postponed the second round Friday and the event was shortened to 54 holes. So Sunday's 18 holes will be Sorenstam's last round as a pro in Sweden.
"It's going to be very special, but I'm not going to prepare in a different way," she said. "I'm going to have dinner at home with my parents."
Sorenstam's parents still live where she grew up and started playing on a nearby golf course north of Stockholm at age 12. It's just an hour's drive from the tournament site.
The 37-year-old winner of 10 majors won the tournament six times between 1997 and 2006 during which time it was named the Compaq Open, HP Open and Scandinavian TPC Hosted by Annika.
Jill McGill, the only American LPGA Tour player in the field, was tied for ninth at 140 after a 71.
Catriona Matthew of Scotland is not defending her title in Sweden.
Helen Alfredsson of Sweden, the LET money leader who finished runner-up in the U.S. Open and recently won the Evian Masters, also skipped the tournament and instead played a men's event in Sweden hosted by ice hockey star Peter Forsberg.
Sorenstam will make her final competitive appearance in Europe in another LET event in Denmark on Sept. 5-7 before making her last start at the Dubai Ladies Masters on Dec. 11-14.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Oakland Hills holding up in round 3
Once more, morning was the time to score at Oakland Hills.
Hours from when leader J.B. Holmes was to tee off Saturday at the U.S. PGA Championship, the wind was already whipping through the layout in suburban Detroit, creating havoc with some early rounds but also offering some opportunities to climb the leaderboard.
Judging by early scores in the third round, the course was permitting low rounds to those who started early.
Andres Romero was at 3 over through 11 holes, posting five birdies to pick up four shots on par. Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng was also at 3 over after 10 holes after starting the day at 6 over.
Holmes was at 1-under 139 through 36 holes, a shot better than Ben Curtis, Justin Rose and Charlie Wi. All were scheduled to tee off in mid-afternoon.
Holmes had a 2-under 68 Friday morning when Curtis and Rose posted tournament-low 67s. The first-round co-leaders, Robert Karlsson and Jeev Milkha Singh, both had their 68s after starting their rounds in the morning.
Chez Reavie, playing without a marker, completed his round in less than 3 hours and shot a 78. In the next group, Peter Lonard shot his third consecutive 74 and Richard Green had a 79.
"I'm a 74-74-74 man," Lonard joked. "I'm very consistent."
The Australian said it appeared the pin placements were more accessible than in the earlier rounds, but he said that gusting wind and the crispy and quick greens would cause lots of problems for the field.
"If they don't water the greens during the day - as I think they did on Thursday - the greens were pretty hard and firm and fast at 9 o'clock so they're going to be really firm and fast by 2:30 or 4 o'clock," he said. "This is probably the toughest course I've ever played. The rough is high, and even if you're a good driver you're going to miss four fairways. And the greens are tricky; you're always putting up slopes."
Lonard said he thought that a score of 3 or 4 over might win the tournament.
"It's rough," he said. "But somebody's going to enjoy it by the end of the week."
Others near the top of the leaderboard who had yet to tee off in the third round were David Toms (141), Sergio Garcia (142) and Phil Mickelson (143).
Hours from when leader J.B. Holmes was to tee off Saturday at the U.S. PGA Championship, the wind was already whipping through the layout in suburban Detroit, creating havoc with some early rounds but also offering some opportunities to climb the leaderboard.
Judging by early scores in the third round, the course was permitting low rounds to those who started early.
Andres Romero was at 3 over through 11 holes, posting five birdies to pick up four shots on par. Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng was also at 3 over after 10 holes after starting the day at 6 over.
Holmes was at 1-under 139 through 36 holes, a shot better than Ben Curtis, Justin Rose and Charlie Wi. All were scheduled to tee off in mid-afternoon.
Holmes had a 2-under 68 Friday morning when Curtis and Rose posted tournament-low 67s. The first-round co-leaders, Robert Karlsson and Jeev Milkha Singh, both had their 68s after starting their rounds in the morning.
Chez Reavie, playing without a marker, completed his round in less than 3 hours and shot a 78. In the next group, Peter Lonard shot his third consecutive 74 and Richard Green had a 79.
"I'm a 74-74-74 man," Lonard joked. "I'm very consistent."
The Australian said it appeared the pin placements were more accessible than in the earlier rounds, but he said that gusting wind and the crispy and quick greens would cause lots of problems for the field.
"If they don't water the greens during the day - as I think they did on Thursday - the greens were pretty hard and firm and fast at 9 o'clock so they're going to be really firm and fast by 2:30 or 4 o'clock," he said. "This is probably the toughest course I've ever played. The rough is high, and even if you're a good driver you're going to miss four fairways. And the greens are tricky; you're always putting up slopes."
Lonard said he thought that a score of 3 or 4 over might win the tournament.
"It's rough," he said. "But somebody's going to enjoy it by the end of the week."
Others near the top of the leaderboard who had yet to tee off in the third round were David Toms (141), Sergio Garcia (142) and Phil Mickelson (143).
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Holmes holds clubhouse lead over Garcia, Mickelson
J.B. Holmes is a long hitter. More importantly this week at the PGA Championship, he's a straight hitter.
Holmes birdied three consecutive holes on the back nine and then hung on to shoot a 2-under 68 to post the target score late in the second round of the PGA Championship on Friday.
The 26-year-old Kentuckian got into the clubhouse at 1-under 139. Then the fun began for a star-studded leaderboard at Oakland Hills.
Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson matched him at 1 under midway through their rounds. Garcia, coming off an opening 69, briefly took the lead with an early birdie but fell back and was 1 under through eight holes.
Mickelson, chasing his second PGA Championship and fourth major title overall, started the day at even par and got to 1 under with a birdie at the par-4 fifth. He remained at 1 under through six holes.
In the clubhouse at even par were Ben Curtis, Justin Rose and Charlie Wi. Curtis and Rose shot tournament-low 67s, with Wi posting his second consecutive 70.
Aaron Baddeley had a one-hole flirtation with 2 under but dropped two strokes to par in the next three holes and made the turn at even par for the tournament.
"Hitting it straight is a big advantage," said Holmes, who called his 68 probably his best ball-striking round of the year. "It makes it a lot harder to hit fairways when the wind is blowing like this. You've got to hit it right down the middle and you can't really attack these greens from the rough."
The course remained dry, with the greens growing ever faster in the sun and blustery, cool wind. After the average score was almost five shots over par in the weather-delayed first round, it appeared birdies were even harder to come by.
"The conditions were much tougher than I expected this morning, so I was happy that I was still able to go out and put together a decent score," Rose said. "The putter was the key to the round. I putted pretty well yesterday, but the greens were spiked up, so I was excited about what I would be able to do in fresher conditions today."
First-round co-leaders Jeev Milkha Singh and Robert Karlsson had their problems after opening with 68s.
In one four-hole span, Singh had three bogeys and a par and was at 1 over midway through his round.
Karlsson began his round with four straight bogeys and was 6 over for the day and 4 over for the tournament through 11 holes.
Holmes birdied three consecutive holes on the back nine and then hung on to shoot a 2-under 68 to post the target score late in the second round of the PGA Championship on Friday.
The 26-year-old Kentuckian got into the clubhouse at 1-under 139. Then the fun began for a star-studded leaderboard at Oakland Hills.
Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson matched him at 1 under midway through their rounds. Garcia, coming off an opening 69, briefly took the lead with an early birdie but fell back and was 1 under through eight holes.
Mickelson, chasing his second PGA Championship and fourth major title overall, started the day at even par and got to 1 under with a birdie at the par-4 fifth. He remained at 1 under through six holes.
In the clubhouse at even par were Ben Curtis, Justin Rose and Charlie Wi. Curtis and Rose shot tournament-low 67s, with Wi posting his second consecutive 70.
Aaron Baddeley had a one-hole flirtation with 2 under but dropped two strokes to par in the next three holes and made the turn at even par for the tournament.
"Hitting it straight is a big advantage," said Holmes, who called his 68 probably his best ball-striking round of the year. "It makes it a lot harder to hit fairways when the wind is blowing like this. You've got to hit it right down the middle and you can't really attack these greens from the rough."
The course remained dry, with the greens growing ever faster in the sun and blustery, cool wind. After the average score was almost five shots over par in the weather-delayed first round, it appeared birdies were even harder to come by.
"The conditions were much tougher than I expected this morning, so I was happy that I was still able to go out and put together a decent score," Rose said. "The putter was the key to the round. I putted pretty well yesterday, but the greens were spiked up, so I was excited about what I would be able to do in fresher conditions today."
First-round co-leaders Jeev Milkha Singh and Robert Karlsson had their problems after opening with 68s.
In one four-hole span, Singh had three bogeys and a par and was at 1 over midway through his round.
Karlsson began his round with four straight bogeys and was 6 over for the day and 4 over for the tournament through 11 holes.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
No. 6 at Oakland Hills the latest to play shorter
Jay Haas knew something was different when he got to the 387-yard sixth hole Friday at Oakland Hills and looked at the pristine turf.
"There was not a single divot," Haas said.
Players typically hit an iron, but not in the second round of the PGA Championship. In what is quickly becoming a trend at the majors, the tee was moved forward to make the hole play only 300 yards and give players the option of trying to drive the green.
"I think they just cut us a break," Brandt Snedeker said. "I think they were feeling bad for us."
There weren't many deep discussions over club selection. It was simply a matter of where to hit it.
The answer: Don't miss it right.
That's what Angel Cabrera did, which turned a potential birdie into a bogey as he was battling for the lead. One of the biggest hitters in golf, Cabrera's tee shot wound up in the thick rough parallel to the front of the green, with a deep bunker between him and the green and a large slope when he got to the putting surface.
Except he never got there. Trying to play the perfect pitch, he came up short and went in the sand, blasted out to 5 feet and missed his par putt. Cabrera wound up with a 72 and was still in good shape at 2-over 142.
Most everyone else simply tried to bash it left of the green, which left a simple angle to the hole between two humps. J.B. Holmes was an exception. He hit it onto the green and two-putted for birdie on his way to a 68.
"It popped in my head to lay it down in the fairway and hit a shot down there," Holmes said. "If the pin was easier, you might have saw a bit more of that. But where they put the pin, it's pretty much impossible. You have to try to get up where you can chip on."
Even though the hole played 300 yards, it is slightly uphill and played into a 10 mph wind, so only the longest hitters had much hope of reaching the green.
And while it was easier - No. 6 was the eighth-toughest hole in the first round and second-easiest in the second - not everyone was ready to christen it as the most exciting hole. It certainly won't challenge No. 10 at Riviera as among the greatest short par 4s in golf, the 17th at Oakmont or even the 17th at the TPC Scottsdale.
"Just because it's a shorter hole doesn't make it a great hole," said Tom Lehman, who missed the green left and chipped to about 5 feet for birdie. "The green is what makes the short holes."
"There was not a single divot," Haas said.
Players typically hit an iron, but not in the second round of the PGA Championship. In what is quickly becoming a trend at the majors, the tee was moved forward to make the hole play only 300 yards and give players the option of trying to drive the green.
"I think they just cut us a break," Brandt Snedeker said. "I think they were feeling bad for us."
There weren't many deep discussions over club selection. It was simply a matter of where to hit it.
The answer: Don't miss it right.
That's what Angel Cabrera did, which turned a potential birdie into a bogey as he was battling for the lead. One of the biggest hitters in golf, Cabrera's tee shot wound up in the thick rough parallel to the front of the green, with a deep bunker between him and the green and a large slope when he got to the putting surface.
Except he never got there. Trying to play the perfect pitch, he came up short and went in the sand, blasted out to 5 feet and missed his par putt. Cabrera wound up with a 72 and was still in good shape at 2-over 142.
Most everyone else simply tried to bash it left of the green, which left a simple angle to the hole between two humps. J.B. Holmes was an exception. He hit it onto the green and two-putted for birdie on his way to a 68.
"It popped in my head to lay it down in the fairway and hit a shot down there," Holmes said. "If the pin was easier, you might have saw a bit more of that. But where they put the pin, it's pretty much impossible. You have to try to get up where you can chip on."
Even though the hole played 300 yards, it is slightly uphill and played into a 10 mph wind, so only the longest hitters had much hope of reaching the green.
And while it was easier - No. 6 was the eighth-toughest hole in the first round and second-easiest in the second - not everyone was ready to christen it as the most exciting hole. It certainly won't challenge No. 10 at Riviera as among the greatest short par 4s in golf, the 17th at Oakmont or even the 17th at the TPC Scottsdale.
"Just because it's a shorter hole doesn't make it a great hole," said Tom Lehman, who missed the green left and chipped to about 5 feet for birdie. "The green is what makes the short holes."
Monday, September 15, 2008
Curtis' game is suited for Oakland Hills
Ben Curtis hits it short and straight off the tee.
From there, he plays it safe to the green where he's a solid putter.
Curtis' temperament and ho-hum game served him well at vaunted Oakland Hills - just as it did at the 2003 British Open - as he shot a 3-under 67 on Friday to trail J.B. Holmes by a stroke halfway through the PGA Championship.
"I don't know if it's just my personality or my game," he said. "Probably a reflection of both."
Curtis was at even-par 140 through two rounds, giving himself a chance to claim his second major and just his fourth victory since becoming a full-time PGA Tour player five years ago when he came out of nowhere to win at Royal St. George's.
Regardless of how he fares in suburban Detroit, the "Ben Bulletin" will be updated throughout the weekend about 150 miles away at Mill Creek Golf Course in Ostrander, Ohio.
Curtis grew up about 50 yards from the course that his grandfather created near Columbus. Dad is the superintendent while Mom and other family members, including Grandma on Friday, chip in by cooking, cutting the grass and updating the "Ben Bulletin."
A dry-erase board under one of the three TVs - an aunt says there isn't a big one - in the pro shop shows how Curtis is doing each day he's competing.
"We were following him on the computer," said his aunt, Nancy Plant. "But we were pretty busy because we had an outing today, so it was hard to keep up."
Curtis' mother, Janice, was able to see the action in person at Oakland Hills while his father, Bob, had to stay behind to work at the golf course and at home.
"He's dog-sitting," Plant said. "He got to go to the British, so his mother gets to be with him this week."
Janice Curtis saw her son get into contention with a 3-under second round after falling apart Thursday, losing six shots over the last eight holes for a 73.
Curtis said only one player will like Oakland Hills by the end of the tournament - and it might be him - because undulating and firm fairways coupled with hard and contoured greens make it one of the toughest in the world.
From there, he plays it safe to the green where he's a solid putter.
Curtis' temperament and ho-hum game served him well at vaunted Oakland Hills - just as it did at the 2003 British Open - as he shot a 3-under 67 on Friday to trail J.B. Holmes by a stroke halfway through the PGA Championship.
"I don't know if it's just my personality or my game," he said. "Probably a reflection of both."
Curtis was at even-par 140 through two rounds, giving himself a chance to claim his second major and just his fourth victory since becoming a full-time PGA Tour player five years ago when he came out of nowhere to win at Royal St. George's.
Regardless of how he fares in suburban Detroit, the "Ben Bulletin" will be updated throughout the weekend about 150 miles away at Mill Creek Golf Course in Ostrander, Ohio.
Curtis grew up about 50 yards from the course that his grandfather created near Columbus. Dad is the superintendent while Mom and other family members, including Grandma on Friday, chip in by cooking, cutting the grass and updating the "Ben Bulletin."
A dry-erase board under one of the three TVs - an aunt says there isn't a big one - in the pro shop shows how Curtis is doing each day he's competing.
"We were following him on the computer," said his aunt, Nancy Plant. "But we were pretty busy because we had an outing today, so it was hard to keep up."
Curtis' mother, Janice, was able to see the action in person at Oakland Hills while his father, Bob, had to stay behind to work at the golf course and at home.
"He's dog-sitting," Plant said. "He got to go to the British, so his mother gets to be with him this week."
Janice Curtis saw her son get into contention with a 3-under second round after falling apart Thursday, losing six shots over the last eight holes for a 73.
Curtis said only one player will like Oakland Hills by the end of the tournament - and it might be him - because undulating and firm fairways coupled with hard and contoured greens make it one of the toughest in the world.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Monty matches his worst round in a major
Colin Montgomerie didn't find much to smile about after matching his worst round in a major championship.
Montgomerie shot a 14-over 84 Friday in the second round of the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills, then snapped at a reporter who chuckled during one of his answers.
"Make that your last laugh," the Scotsman said.
He is trying to play his way on to his eighth straight European Ryder Cup team and hurt his chances with a 20-over 160 total that missed the cut by more than 10 shots and had him in front of only five players, all PGA club professionals.
"It was very difficult, obviously, but I made it more so," he said after making just two pars in his first 11 holes. "I got off to a bad start and, unfortunately, I kept it going."
This was Montgomerie's 15th PGA Championship and he finished in the top 10 twice, including a playoff loss to Steve Elkington in 1995. He has missed the cut in five of his last seven appearances.
The 45-year-old played a key role in Europe's rout over the United States in the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills, but said he barely recognizes the course after it was redesigned for the PGA Championship.
"This is nothing like the place that we came to four years ago," he said. "I think we all enjoyed the setup then more than we do now."
Montgomerie's 84th and final shot, a 5-foot par putt on No. 18, did provide him with one reason to grin. It was struck from nearly the same spot as the one he made to officially clinch the Ryder Cup.
"I holed the same putt that I made four years ago on the last green," he said. "That was good."
Montgomerie said he wasn't thinking about the Ryder Cup during the disastrous round, but bristled again at a reporter who implied that his appearance streak in the biennial event was now over.
"I'm not on the team, am I?" he asked sarcastically while walking away. "Sorry, I didn't think you looked like (European captain) Nick Faldo."
Montgomerie shot a 14-over 84 Friday in the second round of the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills, then snapped at a reporter who chuckled during one of his answers.
"Make that your last laugh," the Scotsman said.
He is trying to play his way on to his eighth straight European Ryder Cup team and hurt his chances with a 20-over 160 total that missed the cut by more than 10 shots and had him in front of only five players, all PGA club professionals.
"It was very difficult, obviously, but I made it more so," he said after making just two pars in his first 11 holes. "I got off to a bad start and, unfortunately, I kept it going."
This was Montgomerie's 15th PGA Championship and he finished in the top 10 twice, including a playoff loss to Steve Elkington in 1995. He has missed the cut in five of his last seven appearances.
The 45-year-old played a key role in Europe's rout over the United States in the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills, but said he barely recognizes the course after it was redesigned for the PGA Championship.
"This is nothing like the place that we came to four years ago," he said. "I think we all enjoyed the setup then more than we do now."
Montgomerie's 84th and final shot, a 5-foot par putt on No. 18, did provide him with one reason to grin. It was struck from nearly the same spot as the one he made to officially clinch the Ryder Cup.
"I holed the same putt that I made four years ago on the last green," he said. "That was good."
Montgomerie said he wasn't thinking about the Ryder Cup during the disastrous round, but bristled again at a reporter who implied that his appearance streak in the biennial event was now over.
"I'm not on the team, am I?" he asked sarcastically while walking away. "Sorry, I didn't think you looked like (European captain) Nick Faldo."
Saturday, September 13, 2008
1969 US Open champion Orville Moody dies
Orville Moody, the U.S. Army veteran who won the 1969 U.S. Open for his only PGA Tour title, died Friday. He was 74.
The PGA Tour said Moody, a part Choctaw Indian from Chickasha, Oklahoma, died in Texas. The tour did not give a cause of death.
Called "Sarge" because of his 14 years in the service, Moody was the last player to win the U.S. Open after going through local and sectional qualifying. He shot a 72 in the final round at Champions Golf Club in Houston for a one-shot victory over Deane Beman, Al Geiberger and Bob Rosburg.
"We are all going to miss Sarge, who was a patriot first and a professional golfer second," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said. "He embodied a bit of golf's everyman whom we all could identify with."
Moody was a five-time runner-up on the PGA Tour and won tournaments in Hong Kong, Morocco and Australia. A long putter helped revive his career when he joined the 50-and-over Senior PGA Tour in 1984, and his 11 victories included the 1989 U.S. Senior Open.
The PGA Tour said Moody, a part Choctaw Indian from Chickasha, Oklahoma, died in Texas. The tour did not give a cause of death.
Called "Sarge" because of his 14 years in the service, Moody was the last player to win the U.S. Open after going through local and sectional qualifying. He shot a 72 in the final round at Champions Golf Club in Houston for a one-shot victory over Deane Beman, Al Geiberger and Bob Rosburg.
"We are all going to miss Sarge, who was a patriot first and a professional golfer second," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said. "He embodied a bit of golf's everyman whom we all could identify with."
Moody was a five-time runner-up on the PGA Tour and won tournaments in Hong Kong, Morocco and Australia. A long putter helped revive his career when he joined the 50-and-over Senior PGA Tour in 1984, and his 11 victories included the 1989 U.S. Senior Open.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Euros juggle schedules to make Ryder Cup team
The flight plans of Europeans leaving the PGA Championship says a lot about the various ways they can make the Ryder Cup as qualifying enters its final three weeks.
Martin Kaymer headed to Sweden for the SAS Masters on the European tour. Paul Casey went to Greensboro, N.C., for the final PGA Tour event before the FedEx Cup playoffs. Justin Rose went to his U.S. home in Orlando, Fla., with plans to head to Europe.
Europe made great strides in shoring up its team at Oakland Hills, with Sergio Garcia effectively sewing up a spot with his runner-up finish. But there are three tournaments left, and some players are trying to decide where to go.
The top five come from a world ranking points list, the next five from a money list and European captain Nick Faldo gets two picks.
Justin Rose is No. 7 on the list of world points, about 18 points behind Robert Karlsson at No. 5. Rose, however, is third in money standings and might have a better chance of nailing down a spot by staying in Europe.
He also is No. 76 in the FedEx Cup standings, but he entered the KLM Open in The Netherlands and the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, the final qualifying event for Europe.
"My plan was to play the FedEx Cup, but I don't know if I have quite enough points to be safe," Rose said. "So I might have to go back and earn some more."
If he plays both European events, he most likely would be eliminated from the playoffs before the third week in St. Louis.
Paul Casey is No. 91 in the FedEx Cup standings and 16th in the Ryder Cup world points table. His best chance is to gather world ranking points, and there are more available in the United States this month.
"I'm FedExCupping it," Casey said after a tie for 15th at Oakland Hills. "I still have an opportunity to qualify, but that opportunity is now off the world points list rather than the euros. And I'm a long way off of that list. I basically have to win, simple as that."
Casey also needs to play two more events to fulfill PGA Tour membership.
Martin Kaymer headed to Sweden for the SAS Masters on the European tour. Paul Casey went to Greensboro, N.C., for the final PGA Tour event before the FedEx Cup playoffs. Justin Rose went to his U.S. home in Orlando, Fla., with plans to head to Europe.
Europe made great strides in shoring up its team at Oakland Hills, with Sergio Garcia effectively sewing up a spot with his runner-up finish. But there are three tournaments left, and some players are trying to decide where to go.
The top five come from a world ranking points list, the next five from a money list and European captain Nick Faldo gets two picks.
Justin Rose is No. 7 on the list of world points, about 18 points behind Robert Karlsson at No. 5. Rose, however, is third in money standings and might have a better chance of nailing down a spot by staying in Europe.
He also is No. 76 in the FedEx Cup standings, but he entered the KLM Open in The Netherlands and the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, the final qualifying event for Europe.
"My plan was to play the FedEx Cup, but I don't know if I have quite enough points to be safe," Rose said. "So I might have to go back and earn some more."
If he plays both European events, he most likely would be eliminated from the playoffs before the third week in St. Louis.
Paul Casey is No. 91 in the FedEx Cup standings and 16th in the Ryder Cup world points table. His best chance is to gather world ranking points, and there are more available in the United States this month.
"I'm FedExCupping it," Casey said after a tie for 15th at Oakland Hills. "I still have an opportunity to qualify, but that opportunity is now off the world points list rather than the euros. And I'm a long way off of that list. I basically have to win, simple as that."
Casey also needs to play two more events to fulfill PGA Tour membership.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
New course, same thin field at Wyndham
When Davis Love III last played in the Wyndham Championship, he was putting his inside knowledge to good use and winning at the course he helped revamp.
Love won't have that luxury this time. Not after the U.S. PGA Tour event moved across town to a vintage course created by noted designer Donald Ross.
"So many times in my career, we've left a classic, traditional golf course and gone to a new, modern-style course," Love said on Wednesday. "So it's nice to be doing the opposite for once."
Plenty has changed here in the two years since Love's victory: The tournament received a new name, a new spot on the schedule and, this year, a new home at the par-70, 7,118-yard course at Sedgefield Country Club.
But for all of those tweaks, a familiar problem reappeared. Several recognizable names withdrew in the days leading up to the tournament, the last one before the start of the FedEx Cup playoffs - despite its status as the tour's only annual event to be played on an original Ross course.
"Any time you get to play a Donald Ross course, it's a treat," Love said. "So, hopefully, word will spread to the players that this is a great golf course, a fun place to play, and it will help the tournament out. That's No. 1, helping the tournament out."
Not long ago, this event faced an uncertain future because officials weren't sure if there was room for it on the tour's reorganized calendar.
Those concerns were soothed when last year's event was moved up two months to the week before the start of the playoffs, and organizers hoped the tournament's position would attract players scrambling to make the top 144 and advance to the Barclays the following week.
That did happen, but for the second straight year, several notable names backed out in the days leading up to the tournament.
This year's newsworthy withdrawals included U.S. Open runner-up Rocco Mediate, who skipped the Wyndham to spend time with his family. Angel Cabrera, last year's U.S. Open champion, and J.B. Holmes, who took a one-shot lead into his final 36 holes at last week's U.S. PGA Championship, did not give reasons for their withdrawals.
Only three of the top 30 players on the playoff points list are playing here this week.
"I'm in a position where I need to play well," said David Toms, who entered at No. 120 on the points list and added that he assured tournament director Mark Brazil that "I would be here because I thought it was a good year to support the event when they were changing venues, and they needed that support."
The biggest name in the field is Vijay Singh. The fifth-ranked player in the world would jump from No. 7 to No. 3 on the FedEx Cup list with the 4,500 points that accompany a victory on Ross' famous turtleback greens at Sedgefield.
"It's a fun golf course to play," Singh said. "It's not very long so you don't really need to hit drivers every hole. ... It's a tight enough golf course where you can enjoy it as well. It requires attention, and there's a lot of tricky holes out there. It's got a lot of variety."
Love won't have that luxury this time. Not after the U.S. PGA Tour event moved across town to a vintage course created by noted designer Donald Ross.
"So many times in my career, we've left a classic, traditional golf course and gone to a new, modern-style course," Love said on Wednesday. "So it's nice to be doing the opposite for once."
Plenty has changed here in the two years since Love's victory: The tournament received a new name, a new spot on the schedule and, this year, a new home at the par-70, 7,118-yard course at Sedgefield Country Club.
But for all of those tweaks, a familiar problem reappeared. Several recognizable names withdrew in the days leading up to the tournament, the last one before the start of the FedEx Cup playoffs - despite its status as the tour's only annual event to be played on an original Ross course.
"Any time you get to play a Donald Ross course, it's a treat," Love said. "So, hopefully, word will spread to the players that this is a great golf course, a fun place to play, and it will help the tournament out. That's No. 1, helping the tournament out."
Not long ago, this event faced an uncertain future because officials weren't sure if there was room for it on the tour's reorganized calendar.
Those concerns were soothed when last year's event was moved up two months to the week before the start of the playoffs, and organizers hoped the tournament's position would attract players scrambling to make the top 144 and advance to the Barclays the following week.
That did happen, but for the second straight year, several notable names backed out in the days leading up to the tournament.
This year's newsworthy withdrawals included U.S. Open runner-up Rocco Mediate, who skipped the Wyndham to spend time with his family. Angel Cabrera, last year's U.S. Open champion, and J.B. Holmes, who took a one-shot lead into his final 36 holes at last week's U.S. PGA Championship, did not give reasons for their withdrawals.
Only three of the top 30 players on the playoff points list are playing here this week.
"I'm in a position where I need to play well," said David Toms, who entered at No. 120 on the points list and added that he assured tournament director Mark Brazil that "I would be here because I thought it was a good year to support the event when they were changing venues, and they needed that support."
The biggest name in the field is Vijay Singh. The fifth-ranked player in the world would jump from No. 7 to No. 3 on the FedEx Cup list with the 4,500 points that accompany a victory on Ross' famous turtleback greens at Sedgefield.
"It's a fun golf course to play," Singh said. "It's not very long so you don't really need to hit drivers every hole. ... It's a tight enough golf course where you can enjoy it as well. It requires attention, and there's a lot of tricky holes out there. It's got a lot of variety."
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Spieth, Vogel, Paolucci tied for lead
Jordan Spieth shot a bogey-free 8-under 64 on Thursday for a share of the second-round lead in the Junior PGA Championship.
Spieth, from Dallas, matched T.J. Vogel of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Anthony Paolucci of Dallas at 10-under 134 at TPC River's Bend.
"It is hard to play safe out here and, if you do that, you are going to give yourself some tough putts and you will start aiming shots and not hitting fairways," said Spieth, playing in his first Junior PGA. "Being aggressive has always been my game plan and yesterday I got away from that. I will not do that anymore this week."
Paolucci shot a 66, and Vogel had a 68.
"I played a bogey-free round today, which I can not complain about, but it could have been better," said Vogel, who has only two bogeys over his first 36 holes. "My ball-striking was definitely better of the tee yesterday and it has to be for the rest of the week for me to win this championship."
Danielle Frasier of Encinitas, Calif., shot a 72 for a one-stroke lead in the girls' division at 4-under 140. Karen Chung of Livingston, N.J.; Sarah Brown of Phillipsburg, N.J.; and Erynne Lee of Silverdale, Wash., were tied for second after 71s.
"I have to keep giving myself chances, but it all comes down to putting," Frasier said. "I have to be more aggressive then I was today. I played it a bit too safe."
Spieth, from Dallas, matched T.J. Vogel of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Anthony Paolucci of Dallas at 10-under 134 at TPC River's Bend.
"It is hard to play safe out here and, if you do that, you are going to give yourself some tough putts and you will start aiming shots and not hitting fairways," said Spieth, playing in his first Junior PGA. "Being aggressive has always been my game plan and yesterday I got away from that. I will not do that anymore this week."
Paolucci shot a 66, and Vogel had a 68.
"I played a bogey-free round today, which I can not complain about, but it could have been better," said Vogel, who has only two bogeys over his first 36 holes. "My ball-striking was definitely better of the tee yesterday and it has to be for the rest of the week for me to win this championship."
Danielle Frasier of Encinitas, Calif., shot a 72 for a one-stroke lead in the girls' division at 4-under 140. Karen Chung of Livingston, N.J.; Sarah Brown of Phillipsburg, N.J.; and Erynne Lee of Silverdale, Wash., were tied for second after 71s.
"I have to keep giving myself chances, but it all comes down to putting," Frasier said. "I have to be more aggressive then I was today. I played it a bit too safe."
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
A record-tying start for Heintz, Laird at Wyndham
Bob Heintz isn't concerned about playing his way into next week's FedEx Cup playoffs. Of more pressing concern is simply keeping his spot on the PGA Tour.
Heintz and rookie Martin Laird got off to a good start at the Wyndham Championship, matching the course record Thursday with 7-under 63s at Sedgefield Country Club to share the lead after the first round of pro golf's last event before the start of the FedEx Cup playoffs.
They joined three other players who previously shot 63s at the Donald Ross-designed course - nobody had done it since Gary Player in 1970, although the pros haven't played Sedgefield since 1976 - and surpassed the venue's opening-round record by one stroke.
Garrett Willis birdied his final five holes to join Scott Sterling, Tim Clark and Carl Pettersson one stroke back at 64. Steve Marino, Bob Sowards, Ken Duke and Scott McCarron were two strokes behind at 65.
For the co-leaders, it was precisely the kind of strong start they needed to extend their seasons, qualify for the playoffs and maybe even keep their tour cards. Laird ranks 162nd on the money list and 164th on the points list. Heintz is one spot ahead of Laird in earnings but trails him by three spots in the FedEx Cup chase in which the top 144 players advance to the postseason.
"If I was to point to something and say, 'This could be stressful for me right now,' it would not be whether I get into the FedEx Cup," Heintz said. "It would be, you know, am I going to be able to finish this year in the top 125?
"Am I going to be able to finish in the top 150? For a player of my current status, those are the real concerns. I would love to take some of that FedEx Cup money, and that would mean good things for me, but I don't come to this week going, 'Man, I've got to get in the FedEx Cup."'
Heintz started his round on the back nine and birdied five of his first eight holes. He could have pushed his score even lower on his final hole, the par-4 ninth, but he pushed his 15-foot birdie putt to the right and tapped in for par.
Laird's round was bogey-free with five birdies - including one on the course's toughest hole, the par-4 18th. He added an eagle on the par-4 13th, using a wedge out of the left rough and holing out from about 115 yards away.
"That was one of the ones I got lucky," Laird said.
Early during Heintz's round, he figured out that the gallery of roughly 50 people was far more interested in another member of his threesome, local amateur Drew Weaver.
"I said, 'I imagine y'all are here to watch Drew, right?"' Heintz said. "They kind of laughed and felt bad that they weren't there to watch me. I relayed to them that one of my career goals was to get where I'm good enough where someone might actually go to a golf course, pick up a pairing sheet and say, 'I'll follow Bob Heintz's group today.'
"That's kind of a vague career goal, but they started to tease me about that as the day went on - 'I guess I'll follow you now.' I'd rather have attention than, you know, have nobody know who I was."
Heintz and Laird bested the course's previous opening-round mark of 64 shared by four players, most recently Lee Elder and Tom Weiskopf in 1973.
Four years after that, the tournament moved 15 miles across town to Forest Oaks Country Club, and it was held there from 1977-2007 before organizers this year brought the event back to Sedgefield.
Brandt Snedeker, whose first career PGA Tour victory came at Forest Oaks last year, finished his opening round three strokes off the lead.
"This golf course actually sets up better for me than Forest Oaks did," Snedeker said. "This is more of a placement-off-the-tee kind of golf course and hitting the greens and making some putts. ... Forest Oaks was more of a shootout, see how many birdies you can make. If you hit it long, you had an advantage. Over here, you don't. You've got to place it around the golf course, which is kind of more suited to my game."
Heintz and rookie Martin Laird got off to a good start at the Wyndham Championship, matching the course record Thursday with 7-under 63s at Sedgefield Country Club to share the lead after the first round of pro golf's last event before the start of the FedEx Cup playoffs.
They joined three other players who previously shot 63s at the Donald Ross-designed course - nobody had done it since Gary Player in 1970, although the pros haven't played Sedgefield since 1976 - and surpassed the venue's opening-round record by one stroke.
Garrett Willis birdied his final five holes to join Scott Sterling, Tim Clark and Carl Pettersson one stroke back at 64. Steve Marino, Bob Sowards, Ken Duke and Scott McCarron were two strokes behind at 65.
For the co-leaders, it was precisely the kind of strong start they needed to extend their seasons, qualify for the playoffs and maybe even keep their tour cards. Laird ranks 162nd on the money list and 164th on the points list. Heintz is one spot ahead of Laird in earnings but trails him by three spots in the FedEx Cup chase in which the top 144 players advance to the postseason.
"If I was to point to something and say, 'This could be stressful for me right now,' it would not be whether I get into the FedEx Cup," Heintz said. "It would be, you know, am I going to be able to finish this year in the top 125?
"Am I going to be able to finish in the top 150? For a player of my current status, those are the real concerns. I would love to take some of that FedEx Cup money, and that would mean good things for me, but I don't come to this week going, 'Man, I've got to get in the FedEx Cup."'
Heintz started his round on the back nine and birdied five of his first eight holes. He could have pushed his score even lower on his final hole, the par-4 ninth, but he pushed his 15-foot birdie putt to the right and tapped in for par.
Laird's round was bogey-free with five birdies - including one on the course's toughest hole, the par-4 18th. He added an eagle on the par-4 13th, using a wedge out of the left rough and holing out from about 115 yards away.
"That was one of the ones I got lucky," Laird said.
Early during Heintz's round, he figured out that the gallery of roughly 50 people was far more interested in another member of his threesome, local amateur Drew Weaver.
"I said, 'I imagine y'all are here to watch Drew, right?"' Heintz said. "They kind of laughed and felt bad that they weren't there to watch me. I relayed to them that one of my career goals was to get where I'm good enough where someone might actually go to a golf course, pick up a pairing sheet and say, 'I'll follow Bob Heintz's group today.'
"That's kind of a vague career goal, but they started to tease me about that as the day went on - 'I guess I'll follow you now.' I'd rather have attention than, you know, have nobody know who I was."
Heintz and Laird bested the course's previous opening-round mark of 64 shared by four players, most recently Lee Elder and Tom Weiskopf in 1973.
Four years after that, the tournament moved 15 miles across town to Forest Oaks Country Club, and it was held there from 1977-2007 before organizers this year brought the event back to Sedgefield.
Brandt Snedeker, whose first career PGA Tour victory came at Forest Oaks last year, finished his opening round three strokes off the lead.
"This golf course actually sets up better for me than Forest Oaks did," Snedeker said. "This is more of a placement-off-the-tee kind of golf course and hitting the greens and making some putts. ... Forest Oaks was more of a shootout, see how many birdies you can make. If you hit it long, you had an advantage. Over here, you don't. You've got to place it around the golf course, which is kind of more suited to my game."
Monday, September 8, 2008
Dougherty, Hanson, Linhart lead SAS Masters
Last year's runner-up Nick Dougherty of England, Peter Hanson of Sweden and Pedro Linhart of Spain shot 4-under 66s in the rain and wind to lead after the first round of the SAS Masters on Thursday.
Dougherty enjoyed a bogey-free round and eagled the 442-yard 12th hole, his third, where his 142-yard wedge went straight into the hole for the shot of the day.
"It's been a long while since I've had a round with no bogeys," Dougherty said. "I had plenty of them last week, that's for sure." He had rounds of 77 and 82 at last week's PGA Championship.
Adjusting from the PGA Championship at tough Oakland Hills to the Arlandastad course north of Stockholm was not easy.
"It's an enormous difference," Hanson said. "Here the fairways are wider and the greens softer. You have to play aggressive and go for the pin here."
He made six birdies, but began with a bogey and had another one on the short 18th, his ninth hole.
"It was a good score," Hanson said. "It's always nice to get one early in a tournament."
Linhart, who unlike his co-leaders played in the afternoon, had seven birdies and three bogeys.
Robert Karlsson, at 21st the highest-ranked player in the field, tied for 69th after a 72.
The Swedish Ryder Cup player, who had top-20 finishes in all four majors this year, has played this European PGA event every year since 1991.
"It's important for Swedish golf to be here," he said.
Other world-class Swedes such as Henrik Stenson and Carl Pettersson skipped the tournament.
Two-time former champion Jesper Parnevik, the last Swede to win the event in 1998, shot 68 and shared 11th.
Dougherty enjoyed a bogey-free round and eagled the 442-yard 12th hole, his third, where his 142-yard wedge went straight into the hole for the shot of the day.
"It's been a long while since I've had a round with no bogeys," Dougherty said. "I had plenty of them last week, that's for sure." He had rounds of 77 and 82 at last week's PGA Championship.
Adjusting from the PGA Championship at tough Oakland Hills to the Arlandastad course north of Stockholm was not easy.
"It's an enormous difference," Hanson said. "Here the fairways are wider and the greens softer. You have to play aggressive and go for the pin here."
He made six birdies, but began with a bogey and had another one on the short 18th, his ninth hole.
"It was a good score," Hanson said. "It's always nice to get one early in a tournament."
Linhart, who unlike his co-leaders played in the afternoon, had seven birdies and three bogeys.
Robert Karlsson, at 21st the highest-ranked player in the field, tied for 69th after a 72.
The Swedish Ryder Cup player, who had top-20 finishes in all four majors this year, has played this European PGA event every year since 1991.
"It's important for Swedish golf to be here," he said.
Other world-class Swedes such as Henrik Stenson and Carl Pettersson skipped the tournament.
Two-time former champion Jesper Parnevik, the last Swede to win the event in 1998, shot 68 and shared 11th.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Ochoa leads Canadian Open; Sorenstam one back, Wie nine
Defending champion Lorena Ochoa shot a bogey-free 6-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead over Annika Sorenstam in the Canadian Women's Open, leaving Michelle Wie nine strokes back Thursday in her final LPGA Tour event of the year.
Ochoa, the winner last year at Royal Mayfair in Edmonton, Alberta, hit all 18 greens in regulation and was in the rough only once in sunny, calm conditions on the tree-lined Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club course.
"I probably hit 18 greens and I don't remember chipping, so that was good, too,"' said Ochoa, a six-time winner this year. "It was a great day. It always feels good when you have no bogeys on your scorecard. ... You've got to be careful off the tee -- to hit the fairways -- that's going to be the key all week."
Wie, using the last of her six 2008 sponsor exemptions, bogeyed three of her last six holes for a 75. She birdied Nos. 1 and 3 to get to 2 under, but gave the strokes back with double bogey on the par-5 sixth hole.
The 18-year-old Stanford student, down to No. 309 in the world, needs to win or finish second to avoid a trip to Q-school - if she decides to try qualifying.
In her last start, she missed the cut in the PGA Tour's Reno event with rounds of 73 and 80. In the State Farm Classic in her previous LPGA Tour start, she was disqualified for failing to sign her second-round scorecard.
Se Ri Pak, Nicole Castrale, Meena Lee and Hee-Won Han opened with 68s, and Suzann Pettersen, Catriona Matthew, Song-Hee Kim, In-Kyung Kim and Eunjung Yi had 69s. Lee won the 2005 tournament at Glen Arbour in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Alena Sharp was the top Canadian at 71, while 17-year-old Sue Kim opened with a 72. Crowd favorite Lorie Kane shot 74.
Sorenstam, the 2001 winner at Angus Glen in Markham, Ontario, had six birdies and a bogey for a 5-under 31 on her first nine, the back nine. The Swede dropped strokes at the second and eighth before closing with a 14-foot birdie putt on the par-5 ninth.
"I putted really well," said Sorenstam, leaving the tour after the season. "I got off to a great start and made tons of putts. "I missed a few opportunities on the (second) nine, but I made a birdie to finish on a high note, so I'm very pleased."
She had only 10 putts on her first nine holes.
"I can't remember the last time I had 10 putts on nine holes," Sorenstam said. That's what you need to score here."
The top-ranked Ochoa, winless since May, took time off this summer to deal with a death in the family and other issues.
"I think my game has always been there, it's more emotionally -- sometimes you have ups and downs and distractions and you're tired," Ochoa said. "I'm feeling OK now.
"I've played solid the last couple of weeks. I've had my rest and my time to practice and get motivated. I don't want to get too far ahead. This is just one round. Hopefully, it will continue to go in this direction."
Ochoa, the winner last year at Royal Mayfair in Edmonton, Alberta, hit all 18 greens in regulation and was in the rough only once in sunny, calm conditions on the tree-lined Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club course.
"I probably hit 18 greens and I don't remember chipping, so that was good, too,"' said Ochoa, a six-time winner this year. "It was a great day. It always feels good when you have no bogeys on your scorecard. ... You've got to be careful off the tee -- to hit the fairways -- that's going to be the key all week."
Wie, using the last of her six 2008 sponsor exemptions, bogeyed three of her last six holes for a 75. She birdied Nos. 1 and 3 to get to 2 under, but gave the strokes back with double bogey on the par-5 sixth hole.
The 18-year-old Stanford student, down to No. 309 in the world, needs to win or finish second to avoid a trip to Q-school - if she decides to try qualifying.
In her last start, she missed the cut in the PGA Tour's Reno event with rounds of 73 and 80. In the State Farm Classic in her previous LPGA Tour start, she was disqualified for failing to sign her second-round scorecard.
Se Ri Pak, Nicole Castrale, Meena Lee and Hee-Won Han opened with 68s, and Suzann Pettersen, Catriona Matthew, Song-Hee Kim, In-Kyung Kim and Eunjung Yi had 69s. Lee won the 2005 tournament at Glen Arbour in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Alena Sharp was the top Canadian at 71, while 17-year-old Sue Kim opened with a 72. Crowd favorite Lorie Kane shot 74.
Sorenstam, the 2001 winner at Angus Glen in Markham, Ontario, had six birdies and a bogey for a 5-under 31 on her first nine, the back nine. The Swede dropped strokes at the second and eighth before closing with a 14-foot birdie putt on the par-5 ninth.
"I putted really well," said Sorenstam, leaving the tour after the season. "I got off to a great start and made tons of putts. "I missed a few opportunities on the (second) nine, but I made a birdie to finish on a high note, so I'm very pleased."
She had only 10 putts on her first nine holes.
"I can't remember the last time I had 10 putts on nine holes," Sorenstam said. That's what you need to score here."
The top-ranked Ochoa, winless since May, took time off this summer to deal with a death in the family and other issues.
"I think my game has always been there, it's more emotionally -- sometimes you have ups and downs and distractions and you're tired," Ochoa said. "I'm feeling OK now.
"I've played solid the last couple of weeks. I've had my rest and my time to practice and get motivated. I don't want to get too far ahead. This is just one round. Hopefully, it will continue to go in this direction."
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Heintz, Laird tie course mark with 63s at Wyndham
Bob Heintz has always wanted some fans to follow him around the course for a change. For one day anyway, he got that kind of attention, even if it took some ribbing - and a remarkable start to the Wyndham Championship.
Heintz and rookie Martin Laird matched the course record Thursday with 7-under 63s at Sedgefield Country Club to share the lead after the first round of the PGA Tour's last event before the start of the FedEx Cup playoffs.
They joined three other players who previously shot 63s at the Donald Ross-designed course -- nobody had done it since Gary Player in 1970, although the pros haven't played Sedgefield since 1976 -- and surpassed the venue's opening-round record by one stroke.
Garrett Willis birdied his final five holes to join Scott Sterling, Tim Clark and Carl Pettersson one stroke back at 64. Steve Marino, Bob Sowards, Ken Duke and Scott McCarron were two strokes behind at 65.
Early during Heintz's round, he figured out that the gallery of roughly 50 people was far more interested in another member of his threesome, local amateur Drew Weaver.
"I said, 'I imagine y'all are here to watch Drew, right?'" Heintz said. "They kind of laughed and felt bad that they weren't there to watch me. I relayed to them that one of my career goals was to get where I'm good enough where someone might actually go to a golf course, pick up a pairing sheet and say, 'I'll follow Bob Heintz's group today.'
"That's kind of a vague career goal, but they started to tease me about that as the day went on -- 'I guess I'll follow you now.' I'd rather have attention than, you know, have nobody know who I was."
Heintz started his round on the back nine and birdied five of his first eight holes. He could have pushed his score even lower on his final hole, the par-4 ninth, but he pushed his 15-foot birdie putt to the right and tapped in for par.
Laird's round was bogey-free with five birdies - including one on the course's toughest hole, the par-4 18th. He added an eagle on the par-4 13th, using a wedge out of the left rough and holing out from about 115 yards away.
"That was one of the ones I got lucky," Laird said.
The co-leaders could use a weekend's worth of that good fortune if they want to extend their seasons, qualify for the playoffs and maybe even keep their tour cards.
Laird ranks 162nd on the money list and 164th on the points list. Heintz is one spot ahead of Laird in earnings but trails him by three spots in the FedEx Cup chase in which the top 144 players advance to the postseason.
"If I was to point to something and say, 'This could be stressful for me right now,' it would not be whether I get into the FedEx Cup," Heintz said. "It would be, you know, am I going to be able to finish this year in the top 125?
"Am I going to be able to finish in the top 150? For a player of my current status, those are the real concerns. I would love to take some of that FedEx Cup money, and that would mean good things for me, but I don't come to this week going, 'Man, I've got to get in the FedEx Cup.'"
Heintz and Laird bested the course's previous opening-round mark of 64 shared by four players, most recently Lee Elder and Tom Weiskopf in 1973.
Four years after that, the tournament moved 15 miles across town to Forest Oaks Country Club, and it was held there from 1977-2007 before organizers this year brought the event back to Sedgefield.
Brandt Snedeker, whose first career PGA Tour victory came at Forest Oaks last year, finished his opening round three strokes off the lead.
"This golf course actually sets up better for me than Forest Oaks did," Snedeker said. "This is more of a placement-off-the-tee kind of golf course and hitting the greens and making some putts. ... Forest Oaks was more of a shootout, see how many birdies you can make. If you hit it long, you had an advantage. Over here, you don't. You've got to place it around the golf course, which is kind of more suited to my game."
Heintz and rookie Martin Laird matched the course record Thursday with 7-under 63s at Sedgefield Country Club to share the lead after the first round of the PGA Tour's last event before the start of the FedEx Cup playoffs.
They joined three other players who previously shot 63s at the Donald Ross-designed course -- nobody had done it since Gary Player in 1970, although the pros haven't played Sedgefield since 1976 -- and surpassed the venue's opening-round record by one stroke.
Garrett Willis birdied his final five holes to join Scott Sterling, Tim Clark and Carl Pettersson one stroke back at 64. Steve Marino, Bob Sowards, Ken Duke and Scott McCarron were two strokes behind at 65.
Early during Heintz's round, he figured out that the gallery of roughly 50 people was far more interested in another member of his threesome, local amateur Drew Weaver.
"I said, 'I imagine y'all are here to watch Drew, right?'" Heintz said. "They kind of laughed and felt bad that they weren't there to watch me. I relayed to them that one of my career goals was to get where I'm good enough where someone might actually go to a golf course, pick up a pairing sheet and say, 'I'll follow Bob Heintz's group today.'
"That's kind of a vague career goal, but they started to tease me about that as the day went on -- 'I guess I'll follow you now.' I'd rather have attention than, you know, have nobody know who I was."
Heintz started his round on the back nine and birdied five of his first eight holes. He could have pushed his score even lower on his final hole, the par-4 ninth, but he pushed his 15-foot birdie putt to the right and tapped in for par.
Laird's round was bogey-free with five birdies - including one on the course's toughest hole, the par-4 18th. He added an eagle on the par-4 13th, using a wedge out of the left rough and holing out from about 115 yards away.
"That was one of the ones I got lucky," Laird said.
The co-leaders could use a weekend's worth of that good fortune if they want to extend their seasons, qualify for the playoffs and maybe even keep their tour cards.
Laird ranks 162nd on the money list and 164th on the points list. Heintz is one spot ahead of Laird in earnings but trails him by three spots in the FedEx Cup chase in which the top 144 players advance to the postseason.
"If I was to point to something and say, 'This could be stressful for me right now,' it would not be whether I get into the FedEx Cup," Heintz said. "It would be, you know, am I going to be able to finish this year in the top 125?
"Am I going to be able to finish in the top 150? For a player of my current status, those are the real concerns. I would love to take some of that FedEx Cup money, and that would mean good things for me, but I don't come to this week going, 'Man, I've got to get in the FedEx Cup.'"
Heintz and Laird bested the course's previous opening-round mark of 64 shared by four players, most recently Lee Elder and Tom Weiskopf in 1973.
Four years after that, the tournament moved 15 miles across town to Forest Oaks Country Club, and it was held there from 1977-2007 before organizers this year brought the event back to Sedgefield.
Brandt Snedeker, whose first career PGA Tour victory came at Forest Oaks last year, finished his opening round three strokes off the lead.
"This golf course actually sets up better for me than Forest Oaks did," Snedeker said. "This is more of a placement-off-the-tee kind of golf course and hitting the greens and making some putts. ... Forest Oaks was more of a shootout, see how many birdies you can make. If you hit it long, you had an advantage. Over here, you don't. You've got to place it around the golf course, which is kind of more suited to my game."
Friday, September 5, 2008
Tiger Woods Buys A New Mansion At The Hamptons
Golf legend Tiger Woods has recently added a $65 million mansion in the Hamptons to his list of assets.
Woods' six-acre estate houses a 13,200 sq. ft. Colonial Revival mansion, 7,500 sq. ft. guest house and a four-car garage.
The grounds come with an over-sized seaside pool and spa, a tennis court, a lily pond, and professionally groomed gardens.
According to the New York post, Woods has bought the property from the Austrian businessman Gerhard Andlinger.
This is Woods' latest acquisition and a sizable addition to his portfolio which includes a $40 million estate in Jupiter Island, Florida, a 16,500 sq. ft. mansion in Dubai, and a 155 ft. long yacht.
Woods' six-acre estate houses a 13,200 sq. ft. Colonial Revival mansion, 7,500 sq. ft. guest house and a four-car garage.
The grounds come with an over-sized seaside pool and spa, a tennis court, a lily pond, and professionally groomed gardens.
According to the New York post, Woods has bought the property from the Austrian businessman Gerhard Andlinger.
This is Woods' latest acquisition and a sizable addition to his portfolio which includes a $40 million estate in Jupiter Island, Florida, a 16,500 sq. ft. mansion in Dubai, and a 155 ft. long yacht.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Golf Pro Tiger Woods May Soon Be A Billionaire
Golf pro Tiger Woods may soon earn one billion dollars in career earnings, becoming the world's first billionaire to accumulate his fortune by playing sports. According to Forbes magazine, Woods may reach the billion dollar mark by 2010. He is already a millionaire many times over.
The 14-time major championship winner earned 115 million dollars in 2007 alone, according to Forbes. The magazine annually ranks the world's richest people with its Forbes' Celebrity 100 list. Soccer player David Beckham was the No. 2 sportsman on the list with earnings of 65 million dollars.
"It will be an unprecedented occurrence," the magazine said. "There are plenty of billionaires who have excelled at sports like Switzerland's richest man and champion sailor Ernesto Bertarelli. But there are no billionaires who accumulated their fortune by playing sports."
The magazine added, in its Wednesday edition, that while tycoons like Bill Gates accumulated his wealth by holding a stake in a company with soaring profits, Woods is unique because his massive fortune was earned through pay checks.
The 14-time major championship winner earned 115 million dollars in 2007 alone, according to Forbes. The magazine annually ranks the world's richest people with its Forbes' Celebrity 100 list. Soccer player David Beckham was the No. 2 sportsman on the list with earnings of 65 million dollars.
"It will be an unprecedented occurrence," the magazine said. "There are plenty of billionaires who have excelled at sports like Switzerland's richest man and champion sailor Ernesto Bertarelli. But there are no billionaires who accumulated their fortune by playing sports."
The magazine added, in its Wednesday edition, that while tycoons like Bill Gates accumulated his wealth by holding a stake in a company with soaring profits, Woods is unique because his massive fortune was earned through pay checks.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Piercy shoots even-par for two stroke win at Wichita Open
Scott Piercy won the Wichita Open for his first Nationwide Tour title, closing with an even-par 71 for a two-stroke victory over Daniel Summerhays, Hunter Haas and Spencer Levin.
The 29-year-old Piercy, 2007 Ultimate Game winner, opened with rounds of 64, 62 and 65 en route to a 22-under 264 total on the Crestview Country Club course.
He earned $94,500 to jump from 123rd on the money list to 35th with $118,749. The top 25 at the end of the season will earn 2009 PGA Tour cards.
Summerhays and Levin finished with 67s, and Haas closed with a 70.
The 29-year-old Piercy, 2007 Ultimate Game winner, opened with rounds of 64, 62 and 65 en route to a 22-under 264 total on the Crestview Country Club course.
He earned $94,500 to jump from 123rd on the money list to 35th with $118,749. The top 25 at the end of the season will earn 2009 PGA Tour cards.
Summerhays and Levin finished with 67s, and Haas closed with a 70.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Blumenherst denies Munoz's bid to win NCAA, Women's Amateur
Duke star Amanda Blumenherst won the U.S. Women's Amateur on Sunday, rallying to beat NCAA champion Azahara Munoz 2 and 1 in the 36-hole final at Eugene Country Club.
Blumenherst, the three-time national college player of the year, was 1-down after the morning 18 and still a hole behind through 27. She squared it with a birdie on the par-4 10th and took the lead with a par on the par-5 13th -- the 31st hole of the match.
"That's a lot of golf to have never been ahead," Blumenherst said. "I think that's just a testament of how much patience that's required."
Blumenherst pulled two holes in front with a birdie on the par-5 16th. Both players parred 17 to end the match, with Munoz missing a 6-foot birdie try that would have extended the match and Blumenherst ending it with a 5-footer.
The two-time Curtis Cup player won the tournament a year after a 1-up loss to Maria Uribe in the final at Crooked Stick.
"I'm so excited," Blumenherst said. "Last year was really tough not winning. I'm very proud of myself with how I played. I wanted this so much. I would have been crushed if I wouldn't have won it. If I hadn't had last year's experience I may have given up a little bit or tried to force something."
Munoz, the Arizona State star from Spain, was trying to become the first player to win the NCAA and Women's Amateur in the same season since Georgia's Vicki Goetze in 1992. Munoz was 2-up after 23 holes.
"I'm happy because I played good, but, obviously, I'm sad because I lost," Munoz said. "I gave my best and that's all I could do."
Blumenherst, the three-time national college player of the year, was 1-down after the morning 18 and still a hole behind through 27. She squared it with a birdie on the par-4 10th and took the lead with a par on the par-5 13th -- the 31st hole of the match.
"That's a lot of golf to have never been ahead," Blumenherst said. "I think that's just a testament of how much patience that's required."
Blumenherst pulled two holes in front with a birdie on the par-5 16th. Both players parred 17 to end the match, with Munoz missing a 6-foot birdie try that would have extended the match and Blumenherst ending it with a 5-footer.
The two-time Curtis Cup player won the tournament a year after a 1-up loss to Maria Uribe in the final at Crooked Stick.
"I'm so excited," Blumenherst said. "Last year was really tough not winning. I'm very proud of myself with how I played. I wanted this so much. I would have been crushed if I wouldn't have won it. If I hadn't had last year's experience I may have given up a little bit or tried to force something."
Munoz, the Arizona State star from Spain, was trying to become the first player to win the NCAA and Women's Amateur in the same season since Georgia's Vicki Goetze in 1992. Munoz was 2-up after 23 holes.
"I'm happy because I played good, but, obviously, I'm sad because I lost," Munoz said. "I gave my best and that's all I could do."
Monday, September 1, 2008
Yang shoots course-tying record 63 to win Scandinavian TPC
Amy Yang of South Korea spoiled Annika Sorenstam's finale on home turf, tying the course record with a 9-under 63 Sunday for a six-shot victory at the Scandinavian TPC.
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Sorenstam eagled the par-4 17th to move into second place. The Swedish Hall of Famer took a double-bogey on the last hole, hitting her tee shot into the water and three-putting.
Sorenstam, the tournament host, shot 72 and finished seven strokes back to tie for sixth with three other Swedes. She was greeted by a packed gallery on the 18th green.
"I decided to forget that I hit the ball in the water," Sorenstam said. "I enjoyed seeing the fans making the wave and applauding when I went up to the green. It felt really good."
The 19-year-old Yang captured her second win as a professional in the rain-shortened 54-hole tournament with a 14-under 202 total at the Frosaker Golf and Country Club.
"I never thought I could win the tournament," said Yang, who accepted the trophy and a hug from Sorenstam. "The leader was four shots ahead of me, so I thought I'd just go out and have fun. I'm very happy."
Yang birdied seven of 10 holes from the third to move atop the leaderboard. She stayed there, finishing with birdies on the last three holes. Her only bogey came on the second hole.
Minea Blomqvist of Finland set the course record (63) earlier in the day. She shared second with Melodie Bourdy of France (66), overnight leader Lill Saether of Norway (73) and Maria Hjorth of Sweden (72) in the European Ladies Tour event.
Saether and Hjorth set the course record with 64s on Saturday. Sorenstam had lowered the record to 66 on Thursday.
Yang won the ANZ Ladies Masters at 16 in 2006, becoming the first amateur to win a major women's pro tournament in Australia. Her first pro win came at the Ladies German Open in June.
Joining Sorenstam at 209 were Liselotte Neumann (66), Louise Friberg (69) and amateur Anna Nordqvist (71). American Jill McGill (71) tied for 13th. Catriona Matthew of Scotland did not defend her title.
Yang played the first two rounds of the tournament with Sorenstam, her idol.
"I was nervous. I hardly dared to talk to her," Yang said. "Before the tournament, I wanted Annika to win it. She's my favorite player."
Sorenstam won the tournament six times from 1997-2006 when it was the Compaq Open, HP Open and Scandinavian TPC Hosted by Annika. Sorenstam, who will retire at the end of the season, acknowledged the Swedish fans for the final time.
"Naturally, it was special to walk out there today," Sorenstam said. "I knew this was my last tournament in Sweden. I'm enormously thankful for the fans' support this week."
The 37-year-old Sorenstam, a winner of 10 majors and 72 LPGA titles, plans to get married, start a family and focus on business and golf interests.
She will make her final competitive appearance in Europe on Sept. 5 in Denmark. Her last start will be at the Dubai Ladies Masters on Dec. 11.
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Sorenstam eagled the par-4 17th to move into second place. The Swedish Hall of Famer took a double-bogey on the last hole, hitting her tee shot into the water and three-putting.
Sorenstam, the tournament host, shot 72 and finished seven strokes back to tie for sixth with three other Swedes. She was greeted by a packed gallery on the 18th green.
"I decided to forget that I hit the ball in the water," Sorenstam said. "I enjoyed seeing the fans making the wave and applauding when I went up to the green. It felt really good."
The 19-year-old Yang captured her second win as a professional in the rain-shortened 54-hole tournament with a 14-under 202 total at the Frosaker Golf and Country Club.
"I never thought I could win the tournament," said Yang, who accepted the trophy and a hug from Sorenstam. "The leader was four shots ahead of me, so I thought I'd just go out and have fun. I'm very happy."
Yang birdied seven of 10 holes from the third to move atop the leaderboard. She stayed there, finishing with birdies on the last three holes. Her only bogey came on the second hole.
Minea Blomqvist of Finland set the course record (63) earlier in the day. She shared second with Melodie Bourdy of France (66), overnight leader Lill Saether of Norway (73) and Maria Hjorth of Sweden (72) in the European Ladies Tour event.
Saether and Hjorth set the course record with 64s on Saturday. Sorenstam had lowered the record to 66 on Thursday.
Yang won the ANZ Ladies Masters at 16 in 2006, becoming the first amateur to win a major women's pro tournament in Australia. Her first pro win came at the Ladies German Open in June.
Joining Sorenstam at 209 were Liselotte Neumann (66), Louise Friberg (69) and amateur Anna Nordqvist (71). American Jill McGill (71) tied for 13th. Catriona Matthew of Scotland did not defend her title.
Yang played the first two rounds of the tournament with Sorenstam, her idol.
"I was nervous. I hardly dared to talk to her," Yang said. "Before the tournament, I wanted Annika to win it. She's my favorite player."
Sorenstam won the tournament six times from 1997-2006 when it was the Compaq Open, HP Open and Scandinavian TPC Hosted by Annika. Sorenstam, who will retire at the end of the season, acknowledged the Swedish fans for the final time.
"Naturally, it was special to walk out there today," Sorenstam said. "I knew this was my last tournament in Sweden. I'm enormously thankful for the fans' support this week."
The 37-year-old Sorenstam, a winner of 10 majors and 72 LPGA titles, plans to get married, start a family and focus on business and golf interests.
She will make her final competitive appearance in Europe on Sept. 5 in Denmark. Her last start will be at the Dubai Ladies Masters on Dec. 11.
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