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 European Ryder Cup teams and has a 5-1-1 record.
"While there is never a good time for an injury the timing of this was especially disappointing considering it forced me to miss the British Open and it comes in a Ryder Cup year," Donald told the European Tour's official Web site.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Woods won't swing club until next year; timetable for return uncertain
Tiger Woods is riding a stationary bike two or three times a day, but the No. 1-ranked golfer in the world does not expect to be able to swing a club for another five months and gave no indication of his return to competitive golf.
"As far as swinging a club, that's not going to happen until next year," Woods said in a newsletter sent Tuesday to readers of his Web site, tigerwoods.com. "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, 32, had reconstructive surgery on his left knee on June 24, just eight days after his dramatic playoff victory over Rocco Mediate at the U.S. Open.
It was Woods' first tournament since the Masters because of arthroscopic surgery that was performed with hopes of putting off the more serious reconstructive surgery until after the season.
Woods was in noticeable pain throughout the U.S. Open because of two stress fractures in his left tibia suffered during rehab. That injury coupled with the need to repair a torn ACL made Woods opt for the season-ending surgery. He had a graft taken from his right hamstring to repair the ACL.
Hank Haney, Woods' coach, said this type of surgery necessitates a long rehabilitation, regardless of whether it was Woods or any other athlete.
"It's just letting it heal and doing the rehab and strengthening it more than anything," Haney said. "He'll be able to work on his chipping and putting in pretty short order and I would think he'll be able to practice that for a long time. It's just a question of when he can start hitting full shots. And that's all speculation.
"If he's working out and he has swelling, he's got to back off and let it calm down. Maybe then you've lost a day or a week or 10 days. None of this has happened, but it's a possibility. We just don't know. The timetable he is on would put him back before Augusta, but you're really just guessing," he said.
Woods played in just six PGA Tour events this year, winning four of them, finishing second at the Masters and fifth at the CA Championship. His victories, in addition to the U.S. Open, were at the Buick Invitational, Accenture Match Play Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational.
In the newsletter, Woods said he initially lost about 10 pounds after surgery and has been busy with duties associated with his AT&T National golf tournament, golf course design business, a new video game and endorsements.
He also congratulated Padraig Harrington on winning the British Open and the PGA Championship, a title Woods was unable to defend.
"As a two-time defending PGA champion, it was a lot more frustrating not to be competing and that hurts the most," he said.
"The thing I miss the most about not competing is the fight. I've gone through this experience before, so I knew what I was in for. I know I'm in no condition to beat anybody right now, so I don't have a problem with not being able to compete," he said.
As for the Ryder Cup next month, which he will miss for the first time since turning pro, Woods said, "I will definitely watch some of the Ryder Cup matches and will be pulling hard for the American team. I wish I could do more than root!"
"As far as swinging a club, that's not going to happen until next year," Woods said in a newsletter sent Tuesday to readers of his Web site, tigerwoods.com. "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, 32, had reconstructive surgery on his left knee on June 24, just eight days after his dramatic playoff victory over Rocco Mediate at the U.S. Open.
It was Woods' first tournament since the Masters because of arthroscopic surgery that was performed with hopes of putting off the more serious reconstructive surgery until after the season.
Woods was in noticeable pain throughout the U.S. Open because of two stress fractures in his left tibia suffered during rehab. That injury coupled with the need to repair a torn ACL made Woods opt for the season-ending surgery. He had a graft taken from his right hamstring to repair the ACL.
Hank Haney, Woods' coach, said this type of surgery necessitates a long rehabilitation, regardless of whether it was Woods or any other athlete.
"It's just letting it heal and doing the rehab and strengthening it more than anything," Haney said. "He'll be able to work on his chipping and putting in pretty short order and I would think he'll be able to practice that for a long time. It's just a question of when he can start hitting full shots. And that's all speculation.
"If he's working out and he has swelling, he's got to back off and let it calm down. Maybe then you've lost a day or a week or 10 days. None of this has happened, but it's a possibility. We just don't know. The timetable he is on would put him back before Augusta, but you're really just guessing," he said.
Woods played in just six PGA Tour events this year, winning four of them, finishing second at the Masters and fifth at the CA Championship. His victories, in addition to the U.S. Open, were at the Buick Invitational, Accenture Match Play Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational.
In the newsletter, Woods said he initially lost about 10 pounds after surgery and has been busy with duties associated with his AT&T National golf tournament, golf course design business, a new video game and endorsements.
He also congratulated Padraig Harrington on winning the British Open and the PGA Championship, a title Woods was unable to defend.
"As a two-time defending PGA champion, it was a lot more frustrating not to be competing and that hurts the most," he said.
"The thing I miss the most about not competing is the fight. I've gone through this experience before, so I knew what I was in for. I know I'm in no condition to beat anybody right now, so I don't have a problem with not being able to compete," he said.
As for the Ryder Cup next month, which he will miss for the first time since turning pro, Woods said, "I will definitely watch some of the Ryder Cup matches and will be pulling hard for the American team. I wish I could do more than root!"
Friday, August 29, 2008
Three tied for Scandinavian Masters first-round lead
Nick Dougherty boosted his Ryder Cup chances by taking a share of the lead in the Scandinavian Masters first round on Thursday.
With three counting events left, Dougherty is four places away from the top-10 qualifiers in the European side. A flawless 4-under 66 started his bid to make mentor Nick Faldo's team for next month's clash against the United States.
The 26-year-old Englishman holed out with his second shot at the par-4 12th on his way to a share of the clubhouse lead with Swede Peter Hanson. Spain's Pedro Linhart matched the pair's 66 in the afternoon.
"It's been a long while since I've played like that," said Dougherty, who has slid down the Ryder Cup table since his mother, Ennis, died in April.
"To see my name on the leaderboard, in the aftermath of what's happened, is fantastic. I was very confident for the first time for a long while. You know you've got to turn the corner sometime and that was today," he said.
With most of his rivals not playing this week, a win here can move Dougherty, joint runner-up in this event last year, within striking distance of the top-10 for next month's match in Valhalla, Ky.
Dougherty said he might also get one of captain Faldo's two wild-card picks even if he fell short of automatic qualification.
"I hadn't expected Nick to pick me, but if I just miss out by a few euros after playing well for the next three weeks maybe he will," he said. "But it is more likely I'll have to qualify."
Martin Kaymer, also second here last year, is even closer to qualifying, holding 11th place. The German stayed well in the hunt with a 69.
"I struggled on the first nine, three-putting the fifth, but after the turn I played pretty solid," said Kaymer, who had to combat blustery wind and rain in the afternoon. "But every round under par in those conditions was pretty good."
While Hanson's six birdies left him alongside Dougherty, Linhart collected seven birdies in the bad weather to make it a three-way tie as the 45-year-old Spaniard battles to keep his card.
"I've not made a lot of money but I expect to bring out the best of me now for the rest of the season and make my card now that I'm keeping it simple, more doing than thinking," Linhart said.
Australian Peter Fowler, 49, who has fully recovered from injuries he suffered in a recent car accident, is in the group a shot off the pace.
Fowler, tied for third at the Austrian Open in June, is also battling to keep his European Tour card for next season before trying to qualify for the U.S. Champions Tour at the end of next year.
With three counting events left, Dougherty is four places away from the top-10 qualifiers in the European side. A flawless 4-under 66 started his bid to make mentor Nick Faldo's team for next month's clash against the United States.
The 26-year-old Englishman holed out with his second shot at the par-4 12th on his way to a share of the clubhouse lead with Swede Peter Hanson. Spain's Pedro Linhart matched the pair's 66 in the afternoon.
"It's been a long while since I've played like that," said Dougherty, who has slid down the Ryder Cup table since his mother, Ennis, died in April.
"To see my name on the leaderboard, in the aftermath of what's happened, is fantastic. I was very confident for the first time for a long while. You know you've got to turn the corner sometime and that was today," he said.
With most of his rivals not playing this week, a win here can move Dougherty, joint runner-up in this event last year, within striking distance of the top-10 for next month's match in Valhalla, Ky.
Dougherty said he might also get one of captain Faldo's two wild-card picks even if he fell short of automatic qualification.
"I hadn't expected Nick to pick me, but if I just miss out by a few euros after playing well for the next three weeks maybe he will," he said. "But it is more likely I'll have to qualify."
Martin Kaymer, also second here last year, is even closer to qualifying, holding 11th place. The German stayed well in the hunt with a 69.
"I struggled on the first nine, three-putting the fifth, but after the turn I played pretty solid," said Kaymer, who had to combat blustery wind and rain in the afternoon. "But every round under par in those conditions was pretty good."
While Hanson's six birdies left him alongside Dougherty, Linhart collected seven birdies in the bad weather to make it a three-way tie as the 45-year-old Spaniard battles to keep his card.
"I've not made a lot of money but I expect to bring out the best of me now for the rest of the season and make my card now that I'm keeping it simple, more doing than thinking," Linhart said.
Australian Peter Fowler, 49, who has fully recovered from injuries he suffered in a recent car accident, is in the group a shot off the pace.
Fowler, tied for third at the Austrian Open in June, is also battling to keep his European Tour card for next season before trying to qualify for the U.S. Champions Tour at the end of next year.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Injury provided distraction to let Harrington focus on winning second Open
SOUTHPORT, England -- Beware the wounded golfer. And don't even think about dismissing anyone heading into next month's PGA Championship if he is on crutches, wearing a sling or has just left the infirmary.
http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0720/pga_harrington_300.jpg
To win a major championship this year, it appears, you better play hurt. Padraig Harrington wasn't even sure if he could defend his Open Championship. Sunday, the Claret Jug is headed back to Ireland -- where it began the week.
Despite an aching wrist that limited him to just nine holes of practice at Royal Birkdale, Harrington emerged as the "champion golfer of the year" Sunday after sentimental favorite Greg Norman ran out of magic and Ian Poulter could not produce enough of it.
Apparently, those guys were pain-free.
A fortnight ago, Harrington was practicing at home, hitting an impact bag, and injured his left wrist. It was painful enough to keep the world's 14th-ranked player from practicing Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Harrington tweaked the wrist again on the eve of the championship, then said his chances of finishing the Open were just 50-50.
Yet he persevered through a driving rainstorm Thursday morning, endured 48 mph wind gusts Saturday and dealt with the intense major championship pressure Sunday to win his second straight Open.
"There's no doubt that this week it helped me having an injury," said Harrington, who will move to third in the Official World Golf Ranking after shooting a final-round 1-under 69. He has also moved to the top of the European Ryder Cup list. "It took all the pressure and stress and expectation away from my game. It helped me deflect so much from coming back and defending. It was like coming in fresh."
Perhaps it was not as dramatic as Tiger Woods' win last month at the U.S. Open, where he returned following a two-month layoff from knee surgery and limped his way around Torrey Pines before winning a playoff over Rocco Mediate -- then shut it down for the year for more knee surgery.
And it certainly wasn't as serious as the surgery Trevor Immelman returned from just four months before his Masters victory in April. For a time, Immelman worried about having cancer as a benign tumor was removed from his diaphragm.
But a wrist injury brings problems not to be dismissed, especially trying to hit out of the deep fescue that lines a links course like Royal Birkdale. Add in the cold and rain and discomfort that comes with it, and nobody would have blinked had Harrington sprayed it around the property and packed his bags Friday night.
But the son of an Irish policeman who played Gaelic football did not become a multiple major champion by giving in so easily. Harrington has said that he would have been content to be a journeyman pro, that he didn't feel his talent warranted stardom. He'd have to work for what he got. And work he did.
"If you ask, me my best trait over the years, it's always been my ability to learn," said Harrington, 36, who now has 13 European Tour titles. "To look around, take the best of everything and try to put it together. I do enjoy that end of things. And I do believe I'm getting better with time."
Sunday was a prime example.
For a time, he and Norman appeared headed toward an ugly best-ball score, neither one able to do much. And when Harrington bogeyed the final three holes on the front side, Norman was on the cusp of history, leading the Open Championship with nine holes to play.
But Harrington did not make a bogey the rest of the way. He made two birdies and an eagle to shoot 32 on the back side.
"He was very impressive," said Norman, who also has two Open titles and was bidding at age 53 to become the oldest major champion. "The way he finished … a true champion finishes that way. And he finished strong on these holes early in the week, and he finished strong today."
Harrington joined a long list of back-to-back champions at the Open, including Woods, who did it in 2005 and 2006. But it's been more than 100 years since a European golfer pulled off the double. You have to go back to Scotland's James Braid in 1905 and '06. Before that, it was the great Harry Vardon, who won a record six Opens and won consecutive titles in 1898 and '99.
None of that was racing through Harrington's mind Sunday. He never looked at a leaderboard, didn't know until late in the round that Poulter had even entered the picture, was unaware of how much money he'll be hauling home (about $1.5 million).
But he did know it sure would be nice to end things better than he did a year ago at Carnoustie. And it was an eagle at the 17th hole -- after a 5-wood second shot to three feet -- that meant a 4-shot advantage and one of the loveliest strolls toward the 72nd green a golfer could dream about.
The grin was ear to ear and the smile could have illuminated the sky from the west coast of England to his home in Dublin.
"It was a fantastic experience coming down there knowing I had won the Open," he said.
And quite the contrast from Carnoustie, where Harrington deposited two balls in the Barry Burn and considered the prospects of joining Jean Van de Velde in Open infamy.
But last year Harrington recovered, got a break when Sergio Garcia bogeyed the final hole, then defeated him in a four-hole playoff.
A year later, he wondered aloud how his career might have proceeded had he blown the tournament. He admitted that doubt could have crept in his mind, that the haunting memories might always come back if faced with a similar predicament. And he expressed regret at having to return the game's oldest trophy.
As it worked out, the Claret Jug was not out of his grasp for long. He scanned the list of champions, seeing his name inscribed there again. He then held it aloft for all to see.
And that wrist could not have felt better.
http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0720/pga_harrington_300.jpg
To win a major championship this year, it appears, you better play hurt. Padraig Harrington wasn't even sure if he could defend his Open Championship. Sunday, the Claret Jug is headed back to Ireland -- where it began the week.
Despite an aching wrist that limited him to just nine holes of practice at Royal Birkdale, Harrington emerged as the "champion golfer of the year" Sunday after sentimental favorite Greg Norman ran out of magic and Ian Poulter could not produce enough of it.
Apparently, those guys were pain-free.
A fortnight ago, Harrington was practicing at home, hitting an impact bag, and injured his left wrist. It was painful enough to keep the world's 14th-ranked player from practicing Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Harrington tweaked the wrist again on the eve of the championship, then said his chances of finishing the Open were just 50-50.
Yet he persevered through a driving rainstorm Thursday morning, endured 48 mph wind gusts Saturday and dealt with the intense major championship pressure Sunday to win his second straight Open.
"There's no doubt that this week it helped me having an injury," said Harrington, who will move to third in the Official World Golf Ranking after shooting a final-round 1-under 69. He has also moved to the top of the European Ryder Cup list. "It took all the pressure and stress and expectation away from my game. It helped me deflect so much from coming back and defending. It was like coming in fresh."
Perhaps it was not as dramatic as Tiger Woods' win last month at the U.S. Open, where he returned following a two-month layoff from knee surgery and limped his way around Torrey Pines before winning a playoff over Rocco Mediate -- then shut it down for the year for more knee surgery.
And it certainly wasn't as serious as the surgery Trevor Immelman returned from just four months before his Masters victory in April. For a time, Immelman worried about having cancer as a benign tumor was removed from his diaphragm.
But a wrist injury brings problems not to be dismissed, especially trying to hit out of the deep fescue that lines a links course like Royal Birkdale. Add in the cold and rain and discomfort that comes with it, and nobody would have blinked had Harrington sprayed it around the property and packed his bags Friday night.
But the son of an Irish policeman who played Gaelic football did not become a multiple major champion by giving in so easily. Harrington has said that he would have been content to be a journeyman pro, that he didn't feel his talent warranted stardom. He'd have to work for what he got. And work he did.
"If you ask, me my best trait over the years, it's always been my ability to learn," said Harrington, 36, who now has 13 European Tour titles. "To look around, take the best of everything and try to put it together. I do enjoy that end of things. And I do believe I'm getting better with time."
Sunday was a prime example.
For a time, he and Norman appeared headed toward an ugly best-ball score, neither one able to do much. And when Harrington bogeyed the final three holes on the front side, Norman was on the cusp of history, leading the Open Championship with nine holes to play.
But Harrington did not make a bogey the rest of the way. He made two birdies and an eagle to shoot 32 on the back side.
"He was very impressive," said Norman, who also has two Open titles and was bidding at age 53 to become the oldest major champion. "The way he finished … a true champion finishes that way. And he finished strong on these holes early in the week, and he finished strong today."
Harrington joined a long list of back-to-back champions at the Open, including Woods, who did it in 2005 and 2006. But it's been more than 100 years since a European golfer pulled off the double. You have to go back to Scotland's James Braid in 1905 and '06. Before that, it was the great Harry Vardon, who won a record six Opens and won consecutive titles in 1898 and '99.
None of that was racing through Harrington's mind Sunday. He never looked at a leaderboard, didn't know until late in the round that Poulter had even entered the picture, was unaware of how much money he'll be hauling home (about $1.5 million).
But he did know it sure would be nice to end things better than he did a year ago at Carnoustie. And it was an eagle at the 17th hole -- after a 5-wood second shot to three feet -- that meant a 4-shot advantage and one of the loveliest strolls toward the 72nd green a golfer could dream about.
The grin was ear to ear and the smile could have illuminated the sky from the west coast of England to his home in Dublin.
"It was a fantastic experience coming down there knowing I had won the Open," he said.
And quite the contrast from Carnoustie, where Harrington deposited two balls in the Barry Burn and considered the prospects of joining Jean Van de Velde in Open infamy.
But last year Harrington recovered, got a break when Sergio Garcia bogeyed the final hole, then defeated him in a four-hole playoff.
A year later, he wondered aloud how his career might have proceeded had he blown the tournament. He admitted that doubt could have crept in his mind, that the haunting memories might always come back if faced with a similar predicament. And he expressed regret at having to return the game's oldest trophy.
As it worked out, the Claret Jug was not out of his grasp for long. He scanned the list of champions, seeing his name inscribed there again. He then held it aloft for all to see.
And that wrist could not have felt better.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
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Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Woods making cautious recovery
World number one Tiger Woods is yet to set an official date for his return to competition and will not swing a club until next year.
Currently recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, the Nike player revealed that he has started his rehabilitation programme but is advised not to head to the golf course until 2009.
"As far as swinging a club, that''s not going to happen until next year, I just don''t have a choice," Woods told his official website this week.
The 14-time Major winner underwent surgery following his dramatic win at the US Open in June, when he defeated Callaway golfer Rocco Mediate in a 19-hole playoff.
In his website statement, Woods also congratulated Wilson golfer Padraig Harrington for his victory at the US PGA Championship last week.
According to Golf.com, Woods''s agent Mark Steinberg recently suggested that the player will target a return to action at the Masters in April next year.
Currently recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, the Nike player revealed that he has started his rehabilitation programme but is advised not to head to the golf course until 2009.
"As far as swinging a club, that''s not going to happen until next year, I just don''t have a choice," Woods told his official website this week.
The 14-time Major winner underwent surgery following his dramatic win at the US Open in June, when he defeated Callaway golfer Rocco Mediate in a 19-hole playoff.
In his website statement, Woods also congratulated Wilson golfer Padraig Harrington for his victory at the US PGA Championship last week.
According to Golf.com, Woods''s agent Mark Steinberg recently suggested that the player will target a return to action at the Masters in April next year.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Dougherty goes back to basics in Stockholm
Callaway golfer Nick Dougherty has said that he intends to go "back to the drawing board" in an attempt to play his way onto the Ryder Cup team.
The 26-year-old Englishman has struggled for form in recent months and currently lies 14th in the European points table, four places away from qualification.
Preparing for the SAS Masters in Sweden this week, Dougherty revealed that he is trying to rediscover his best golf by returning to a style of swing he used as a youth.
He told the Telegraph: "I''ve been trying to work out how I can get more of my old feel back, so I''ve gone back to playing a draw, just like I did when I was a kid, rather than the cut shot.
"I had to go back to the drawing board, because what I was doing wasn''t working."
Titleist''s Martin Kaymer is another Ryder Cup hopeful in the field at Stockholm''s Arlandastad course this week, while Robert Karlsson will play having already secured his place in the side.
The 26-year-old Englishman has struggled for form in recent months and currently lies 14th in the European points table, four places away from qualification.
Preparing for the SAS Masters in Sweden this week, Dougherty revealed that he is trying to rediscover his best golf by returning to a style of swing he used as a youth.
He told the Telegraph: "I''ve been trying to work out how I can get more of my old feel back, so I''ve gone back to playing a draw, just like I did when I was a kid, rather than the cut shot.
"I had to go back to the drawing board, because what I was doing wasn''t working."
Titleist''s Martin Kaymer is another Ryder Cup hopeful in the field at Stockholm''s Arlandastad course this week, while Robert Karlsson will play having already secured his place in the side.
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