Perry ends heartbreak with Senior Players title

Perry ends heartbreak with Senior Players title










June 30, 2013 6:49 PM



(Reuters) - Kenny Perry seized his long awaited first seniors major title with a stellar final round at the Senior Players Championship on Sunday.

Perry shot a six-under 64 to vault past overnight leaderFred Couples and finish at 19-under 261 as he claimed a two-shot victory at the Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh.

Perry, 52, had suffered playoff losses at the 1996 PGA Championship and 2009 Masters before losing last month'sSenior PGA Championship despite a two-stroke lead.

This time, he trailed Couples by two heading into the last round but forged a comeback with a bogey-free round.

After Couples three-putted at No. 15 to give Perry a one-stroke lead, the eventual winner hit consecutive approach shots to tap-in range on the 16th and 17th holes.

Couples had a final chance to tie on the par-5 18th, but after he reaching the green in two shots his 45-foot putt slid past the hole.

Couples finished at 17-under 263, tied with Duffy Waldorffor second.

Michael Allen and John Huston shared fourth at 12-under 268.

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles, Editing by Gene Cherry)

Park wins U.S. Open for third major of 2013

Park wins U.S. Open for third major of 2013









Joe Pantorno, The Sports Xchange June 30, 2013 7:00 PMThe SportsXchange


SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. - Inbee Park was just a few holes from making history, and she appeared to be playing a practice round on Sunday. Park seldom shows emotion during a round of golf, but she finally cracked a smile walking toward the 18th green, with the U.S. Women's Open Trophy waiting for her.



In what became a two-player race, Park, the world's top-ranked golfer, beat out I.K. Kim by four strokes to win the 68th U.S. Women's Open at Sebonack.



The others who won three majors in a year were Babe Zaharias (1950), Mickey Wright (1961) and Pat Bradley (1986). Park joined Zaharias as the only players to win the first three majors.



It was Park's second U.S. Women's Open win of her career, the first coming in 2008. It also was Park's sixth straight LPGA Tour victory.



Park shot a 2-over-par 74 in the final round to finish at 8-under for the tournament.




Paired with Kim for the final round, Park parred her first five holes while Kim birdied two and bogeyed four in her first six holes.



"I had a really good chance out there," Kim said. "If I putted a little better this week I think I could've pushed it a little bit more."



Park merely limited her mistakes the rest of the way. She made par on six of the last eight holes. She also had bogeys on 14 and 15, but the cushion she had was more than enough.



Park finished with a par to a standing ovation on the 18th hole followed by a champagne bath from So Yeon Ryu and Na Yeon Choi.



"I started off well, had good up and downs. I had a good opportunity, but I made her [Park] comfortable," Kim said. "It was hard to make mistakes. It's disappointing but I was still pleased with how I played."



A consistent outing from Paula Creamer enabled her to tie Angela Stanford and Jodi Ewart Shadoff at 1-over for fourth place. Creamer, like Ryu, managed to stay even on on the final round, but Stanford shot 2-over and Shadoff 4-over.



"It's a top-10 [finish], so I'm not going to complain about that," Korda said after finishing tied for seventh. "This is my sixth U.S. Open, so I would say this one had, by far, the toughest greens and was the windiest."

Golf-South Korean Park wins third consecutive major

Golf-South Korean Park wins third consecutive major










June 30, 2013 8:09 PM


(Adds details, quotes)

* She joins Zaharias with three majors in row

* Park will try for fourth at Women's British Open

* Kim never challenges, finishes four back

June 30 (Reuters) - South Korean Park Inbee became only the second LPGA player to win the first three majors in a season when she roared to a four-stroke victory at the U.S. Women's Open on Sunday.

The world number one held steady with a final-round two-over-par 74 to finish at eight-under 280 at Sebonack Golf Club in New York.

"I just hope this is not a dream," Park, who earlier this year won the Kraft Nabisco and LPGA championships, told reporters. "I don't want to wake up tomorrow and play the final round again."


Only Mildred (Babe) Didrikson Zaharias has previously won the first three women's majors in a season. She did it in 1950, winning the Titleholders Championship, the Women's Western Open and the U.S. Women's Open.

Fellow South Korean I.K. Kim matched Parks' 74 and took second at four-under 284 but was never able to really challenge Park.

Ryu So-Yeon was third at one-under 287 with Americans Paula Creamer and Angela Stanford and England's Jodi Ewart-Shadoff tied for fourth at one-over 289.

Entering the day with a four-stroke advantage, Park's lead was briefly trimmed to three when Kim birdied the second hole but the runner-up gave a shot right back with a bogey on No. 4.

After bogeying holes No. 6 and No. 7, Park ran off birdies at the ninth and 10th holes to swell her cushion to six shots.

Park has won five times overall this year and three in a row. She took over the top ranking after claiming the Kraft Nabisco Championship in April, then added the LPGA Championship earlier this month.

She will attempt to make it four majors in four tries at the at the Women's British Open in August before competing in September's Evian Masters, which has become the women's fifth major.

"I'm glad that I can give it a try at St. Andrews (for the British Open)," Park said. "That's going to be a great experience. Whether or not I (win it), I'm just a very lucky person." (Reporting by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles, Editing by Gene Cherry)

Golf-Perry banks on power game at U.S. Senior Open

Golf-Perry banks on power game at U.S. Senior Open

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July 10, 2013 5:42 PM


July 10 (Reuters) - Searing heat and a hilly course are likely to pose problems for players at this week's U.S. Senior Open in Omaha, Nebraska where Kenny Perry hopes his power game can help him clinch a second successive major title.

The 52-year-old American is one of the longest hitters on the over-50s Champions Tour and he views his length off the tee as "a huge advantage" on the 6,711-yard, par-70 layout at Omaha Country Club.

"It's all going to be how well I drive the golf ball is how well I play this week," Perry told reporters on Wednesday while preparing for Thursday's opening round at the fourth of the season's five senior majors.

"Definitely length is going to be a big advantage this week, but you've still got to hit the fairways. The rough is very penal out there. It's chip-out rough.

"It's got definitely a U.S. Open feel out there, with the greens as small as they are and undulating. But with my power, if I can keep driving it straight like I did at Fox Chapel ... I've got a huge advantage."

Perry landed his first major title by two shots in last month's Senior Players Championship at Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh for his third career win on the Champions Tour.

He capped a superb driving display there with a closing six-under-par 64 to seal victory but this week he knows he will need stamina as well as power if he is to visit the winner's circle for a second consecutive event.

"This is probably the hardest walking course I've ever been on," Perry said of the Omaha Country Club layout. "I played the (PGA) Tour 27 years and a couple of years out here and it's the hilliest I've seen. It's very physically demanding.

"You're always coming off the green and walking 50 to 80 yards up the hill to the next tee box, and then you're walking straight down and then back (up).

"The guys that will do well this week are going to be the guys who are in pretty good shape."


MAJOR DEAL

Winning a first major crown, even at senior level, meant a great deal to Perry, who had twice been beaten in playoffs for one of golf's four blue riband events on the regular PGA Tour.

"Anything that has major attached to it was always my one goal," said the American, a 14-times winner on the PGA Tour. "I came so close at the PGA (Championship) when Mark Brooks beat me in the playoff, and then I lost to Cabrera at the Masters.

"Our majors out here (on the Champions Tour) probably are not looked upon like they are on the PGA Tour, but yet they're still a major.

"It still will be attached to your name," said Perry, who was pipped by fellow American Brooks in the 1996 PGA Championship at Valhalla, then lost out in a three-way playoff for the 2009 Masters won by Argentina's Angel Cabrera.

Perry also suffered a close call in May at the Senior PGA Championship at Bellerive Golf Club in St. Louis where he fell back into a tie for second after going into the final round with a two-stroke lead.

"It was a huge monkey off my back when I won (the Senior Players Championship)," he said. "I had a three-shot lead with six to play at the Senior PGA, and I blew that one.

"It was finally nice to get that off my back. It was finally nice to say, 'Hey, yeah, I was able to do it.' That was awesome. That was a great feeling."

Englishman Roger Chapman is defending his title this week, having won last year's U.S. Senior Open by two strokes in Lake Orion, Michigan.

Also competing are Americans Tom Watson and Loren Roberts, who are each seeking to emulate Jack Nicklaus by winning a fourth different senior major title. (Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Gene Cherry)

Perry banks on power game at U.S. Senior Open

Perry banks on power game at U.S. Senior Open

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July 10, 2013 5:45 PM

.

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Kenny Perry of the U.S. watches his tee shot on the first hole during the third round of the Memorial …


(Reuters) - Searing heat and a hilly course are likely to pose problems for players at this week's U.S. Senior Open in Omaha, Nebraska where Kenny Perry hopes his power game can help him clinch a second successive major title.

The 52-year-old American is one of the longest hitters on the over-50s Champions Tour and he views his length off the tee as "a huge advantage" on the 6,711-yard, par-70 layout at Omaha Country Club.

"It's all going to be how well I drive the golf ball is how well I play this week," Perry told reporters on Wednesday while preparing for Thursday's opening round at the fourth of the season's five senior majors.

"Definitely length is going to be a big advantage this week, but you've still got to hit the fairways. The rough is very penal out there. It's chip-out rough.

"It's got definitely a U.S. Open feel out there, with the greens as small as they are and undulating. But with my power, if I can keep driving it straight like I did at Fox Chapel ... I've got a huge advantage."

Perry landed his first major title by two shots in last month'sSenior Players Championship at Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh for his third career win on the Champions Tour.

He capped a superb driving display there with a closing six-under-par 64 to seal victory but this week he knows he will need stamina as well as power if he is to visit the winner's circle for a second consecutive event.

"This is probably the hardest walking course I've ever been on," Perry said of the Omaha Country Club layout. "I played the (PGA) Tour 27 years and a couple of years out here and it's the hilliest I've seen. It's very physically demanding.

"You're always coming off the green and walking 50 to 80 yards up the hill to the next tee box, and then you're walking straight down and then back (up).

"The guys that will do well this week are going to be the guys who are in pretty good shape."


MAJOR DEAL

Winning a first major crown, even at senior level, meant a great deal to Perry, who had twice been beaten in playoffs for one of golf's four blue riband events on the regular PGA Tour.

"Anything that has major attached to it was always my one goal," said the American, a 14-times winner on the PGA Tour. "I came so close at the PGA (Championship) when Mark Brooks beat me in the playoff, and then I lost to Cabrera at the Masters.

"Our majors out here (on the Champions Tour) probably are not looked upon like they are on the PGA Tour, but yet they're still a major.

"It still will be attached to your name," said Perry, who was pipped by fellow American Brooks in the 1996 PGA Championship at Valhalla, then lost out in a three-way playoff for the 2009 Masters won by Argentina's Angel Cabrera.

Perry also suffered a close call in May at the Senior PGA Championship at Bellerive Golf Club in St. Louis where he fell back into a tie for second after going into the final round with a two-stroke lead.

"It was a huge monkey off my back when I won (the Senior Players Championship)," he said. "I had a three-shot lead with six to play at the Senior PGA, and I blew that one.

"It was finally nice to get that off my back. It was finally nice to say, 'Hey, yeah, I was able to do it.' That was awesome. That was a great feeling."

Englishman Roger Chapman is defending his title this week, having won last year's U.S. Senior Open by two strokes in Lake Orion, Michigan.

Also competing are Americans Tom Watson and Loren Roberts, who are each seeking to emulate Jack Nicklaus by winning a fourth different senior major title.

(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Gene Cherry)

Golf-PGA Tour FedExCup points table

Golf-PGA Tour FedExCup points table

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July 15, 2013 10:40 AM


July 15 (Reuters) - PGA Tour 2013 FedExCup points table on

Monday (U.S. unless stated):

1. Tiger Woods 2,380 points

2. Matt Kuchar 1,964

3. Brandt Snedeker 1,603

4. Phil Mickelson 1,518

5. Billy Horschel 1,459

6. Justin Rose (England) 1,358

7. Bill Haas 1,320

8. Kevin Streelman 1,259

9. Boo Weekley 1,196


10. Jason Day (Australia) 1,148

11. Jordan Spieth 1,114

12. Keegan Bradley 1,051

13. Webb Simpson 1,018

14. Adam Scott (Australia) 1,012

15. Harris English 1,011

16. Russell Henley 1,005

17. Hunter Mahan 1,003

18. D.A. Points 1,000

19. Jimmy Walker 996

20. Steve Stricker 990

(Editing by Caroline Helly)

Golf-European Tour Race to Dubai money list

Golf-European Tour Race to Dubai money list

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July 15, 2013 10:40 AM


July 15 (Reuters) - Leading money winners on the 2013

European Tour Race to Dubai on Monday:

1. Justin Rose (England) 1,557,900 euros

2. Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) 1,530,715

3. Matteo Manassero (Italy) 1,176,977

4. Richard Sterne (South Africa) 1,097,976

5. Branden Grace (South Africa) 1,020,546

6. Ernie Els (South Africa) 951,200

7. Brett Rumford (Australia) 909,770

8. Sergio Garcia (Spain) 903,146

9. Mikko Ilonen (Finland) 829,997


10. Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) 746,474

11. Jamie Donaldson (Wales) 725,574

12. Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand) 705,378

13. Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark) 691,726

14. Thomas Bjorn (Denmark) 670,206

15. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) 664,157

16. Scott Jamieson (Scotland) 644,527

17. Marc Warren (Scotland) 632,691

18. Stephen Gallacher (Scotland) 608,871

19. Joost Luiten (Netherlands) 599,864

20. Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa) 590,807

(Editing by Caroline Helly)

Earning His Keep: Jordan Spieth's Life Changes by the Minute

Earning His Keep: Jordan Spieth's Life Changes by the Minute

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Ryan Ballengee July 15, 2013 12:08 PM


COMMENTARY | It's a true Cinderella story. No, not "Caddyshack."



Jordan Spieth began the year merely as a hotshot kid wearing a pumpkin-colored shirt and, after winning the John Deere Classic on in a playoff on Sunday, now he has a chariot of a charter plane taking him to the ball that is the Open Championship, golf's oldest major.



The 19-year-old, who turns 20 on July 27, outlasted 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson and Canadian David Hearn in a five-hole playoff to become the first teenager to win in a PGA Tour-recognized event in 82 years. That's back before the PGA Tour was its own organization, separate from the PGA of America.



Needless to say, things like this simply don't happen.



Spieth began 2013 without any status on the PGA Tour. None.



To survive and earn a livelihood, Spieth, fresh off leading the University of Texas to the NCAA men's golf championship, would have to rely on the kindness of strangers and sponsor's exemptions to set some kind of schedule.



If he played well enough in those rare opportunities to shine, then maybe the two-time U.S. Junior Amateur champion could earn enough money to get some kind of security for next season. Doing that alone would be an amazing accomplishment, but with a truncated season due to a new PGA Tour calendar, time was especially of the essence.



Spieth began to prove himself in very little time. In March, Spieth finished T-2 at the Puerto Rico Open, the event played opposite the WGC-Cadillac Championship. The $308,000 check was earned against a lesser field -- the big boys were at Doral on the U.S. mainland -- but it was a sign of things to come. It also afforded him an automatic start at the Tampa Bay Championship.



Spieth finished T-7 at Innisbrook. Another six-figure check for almost $150,000. Another earned start, this time in Houston.



The small check from Houston put him over the threshold to earn special temporary membership on the PGA Tour, affording him the chance to take unlimited sponsor's exemptions through the end of the year. No longer limited to accepting just seven invitations to play, the rising star would no longer have to plot where and when he would compete.



A month later, he finished T-9 at the RBC Heritage. It wasn't the Masters, like the week prior, but it was another sign of what was coming.




After moving sideways for a month, Spieth found himself with an outside chance at Colonial. He finished T-7, but practically locked up his 2014 PGA Tour card through the nonmember money list. The biggest goal had been achieved.



A win was really the only thing left for Spieth. It would give him automatic PGA Tour status, a two-year exemption and a chance to chase the FedEx Cup. Despite all of his great play, only PGA Tour members can compete in the Playoffs. Nothing short of a victory would offer Spieth that chance.



A month after Colonial, Spieth was seriously in the mix for the AT&T National title, but the third-round pressure caught up with him, as he ballooned to a 74 that left him to fight for a sixth-place finish.



A week later at Greenbrier, it was the final round, a 73, that got Spieth unglued.



It only took Spieth 14 days to learn how to win. The Texan opened with a benign 70 at TPC Deere Run, but then took it to the Silvis, Ill. course. Three consecutive 65s, including five birdies in his final six holes, landed him in a playoff with two guys nearly twice his age. It turned out playing five playoff holes in even par was good enough to win.



When the 18-inch par putt to win at the 18th hole fell, Spieth had his victory. With it, he found the only path he had left to next week's Open Championship -- a tournament tailor-made for a kid from Texas.



Now instead of wondering how he might spend the better part of August and all of September, Spieth's calendar has filled quickly. He earned a spot in the PGA Championship. He'll be in the WGC-Firestone Invitational.



Spieth is not only in the FedEx Cup playoffs, but he's a contender to win the whole thing. He is retroactively credited with all of the FedEx Cup points he would have earned earlier in the year and now sits 11th in the standings.



The soon-to-be-20-year-old can continue to go for broke this year. Maybe that's a bad turn of phrase. Spieth has made $2 million this year with the possible to earn millions more before season's end. In fact, the rookie could take home $10 million and the FedEx Cup in September.



It's said the man with nothing to lose is often the most dangerous. With $2 million in his pocket, a two-yearPGA Tour exemption, a spot in the next three major championships, Jordan Spieth still has more to gain in 2013. That could mean his finest hour is still yet to come. And, unlike for Cinderella, midnight will not strike anytime soon.



Ryan Ballengee is a Washington, D.C.-based golf writer. His work has appeared on multiple digital outlets, including NBC Sports and Golf Channel. Follow him on Twitter @RyanBallengee.

Golf-Mickelson ends British Open hoodoo as Westwood falters

Golf-Mickelson ends British Open hoodoo as Westwood falters

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July 21, 2013 1:58 PM


* American captures fifth major title

* No joy for overnight leader Westwood

* Woods also out of sorts on final day

By Tony Jimenez

GULLANE, Scotland, July 21 (Reuters) - After huffing and puffing at the British Open so often in the past, Phil Mickelson finally blew the house down by romping to a three-shot victory over Swede Henrik Stenson in golf's oldest major on Sunday.

The American left-hander took advantage of a jittery last round from overnight leader Lee Westwood by firing a five-under-par 66 for a three-under tally of 281 on a cool and breezy day on the east coast of Scotland.

Mickelson was the beneficiary of a fortunate bounce with his approach shot at the last and after rolling in a 10-foot birdie putt he raised both arms in the air before hugging Jim 'Bones' Mackay as his long-serving caddie wiped away some tears.

Muirfield once again lived up to its reputation for providing great champions as the popular Californian picked up the fifth major title of his career.

It was Mickelson's 20th appearance at the British Open and only the third time he had finished in the top 10.

"That was one of the best rounds of golf I've ever played," he said as he cradled the coveted Claret Jug in his arms at the presentation ceremony at the conclusion of the 142nd Open.

"I could not be more proud to be your champion.

"To play probably the best round of my career is probably the most fulfilling moment of my career because it is something I thought I would never do here."

Stenson closed with a 70, ending up one stroke ahead of Westwood (75), Australian Adam Scott (72) and a fired-up Ian Poulter (67) who launched a spectacular last-day assault with an eagle-birdie-birdie-birdie burst from the ninth.

World number one Tiger Woods, like Westwood, was strangely out of sorts and never threatened to challenge for the first prize of 945,000 pounds ($1.44 million).

Fourteen-times major champion Woods, bidding to end a five-year wait for a win in one of golf's big four events, could be heard muttering darkly to himself throughout the round as he slid to a 74 to take a share of sixth place on 286.

Mickelson, who won last week's Scottish Open, said his triumph made up for the disappointment of losing out to Britain's Justin Rose in the last round of the U.S. Open a month ago.


"The range of emotions are as far apart as possible following the loss at Merion," added the 43-year-old.

"To win here feels amazing but you have to be resilient in this game, you have to accept the losses as well as you accept the victories.

"This is such an accomplishment for me. I just never knew I could develop the game that I needed to play links golf effectively."

STRAIGHT BIRDIES

Mickelson was on the fringes of contention on the front nine but suddenly lit the blue touch paper on his game with birdies at the 13th and 14th.

The world number five, watched by wife Amy and his children, then delivered a dazzling coup de grace on the 575-yard 17th.

Mickelson reached the green with two crunching blows, crying 'Go, Baby, Go' as his second shot came to rest on the green, and the title was effectively secured when he two-putted for his sixth birdie of the round.

While the American was buzzing, Westwood felt deflated after wasting a glorious opportunity to end his wait for a breakthrough major victory at the 62nd attempt.

Hundreds of British fans started streaming towards the exits with the Englishman on the 17th hole.

The crowds, who had to contend with the coolest temperatures of the week and winds gusting up to 25mph, cheered patriotically for Westwood early on but the atmosphere fell flat around the turn as their man started to struggle.

"I didn't play that badly today but the round came apart at the seventh, eighth and ninth," said the 40-year-old. "I found three bunkers and each time the ball was plugged but that is the defence of the golf course.

"It seems like an over-40 championship now, it seems like you have to be 42 or 43 to win it," he added, referring to the victories by Ernie Els last year and his close friend Darren Clarke in 2011.

Westwood was particularly irked when he was distracted at the seventh and found sand off the tee.

"I can't believe you clicked your camera at the top of my back swing," he fumed at a photographer.

Conditions were difficult for scoring, just as they had been all through the championship, and sub-par rounds were few and far between on Sunday.

Els finished in a tie for 26th place despite producing the shot of the day when his approach at the 17th bounced straight into the cup for an eagle three.

($1 = 0.6553 British pounds) (Editing by Ed Osmond)

Mickelson ends British Open hoodoo as Westwood falters

Mickelson ends British Open hoodoo as Westwood falters

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Tony Jimenez July 21, 2013 1:59 PM

.

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Phil Mickelson of the U.S. reacts after making his birdie putt on the 18th green during the final round …


By Tony Jimenez

GULLANE, Scotland (Reuters) - After huffing and puffing at the British Open so often in the past, Phil Mickelson finally blew the house down by romping to a three-shot victory over Swede Henrik Stenson in golf's oldest major on Sunday.

The American left-hander took advantage of a jittery last round from overnight leader Lee Westwood by firing a five-under-par 66 for a three-under tally of 281 on a cool and breezy day on the east coast of Scotland.

Mickelson was the beneficiary of a fortunate bounce with his approach shot at the last and after rolling in a 10-foot birdie putt he raised both arms in the air before hugging Jim 'Bones' Mackay as his long-serving caddie wiped away some tears.

Muirfield once again lived up to its reputation for providing great champions as the popular Californian picked up the fifth major title of his career.

It was Mickelson's 20th appearance at the British Open and only the third time he had finished in the top 10.

"That was one of the best rounds of golf I've ever played," he said as he cradled the coveted Claret Jug in his arms at the presentation ceremony at the conclusion of the 142nd Open.

"I could not be more proud to be your champion.

"To play probably the best round of my career is probably the most fulfilling moment of my career because it is something I thought I would never do here."

Stenson closed with a 70, ending up one stroke ahead of Westwood (75), Australian Adam Scott (72) and a fired-up Ian Poulter (67) who launched a spectacular last-day assault with an eagle-birdie-birdie-birdie burst from the ninth.

World number one Tiger Woods, like Westwood, was strangely out of sorts and never threatened to challenge for the first prize of 945,000 pounds ($1.44 million).

Fourteen-times major champion Woods, bidding to end a five-year wait for a win in one of golf's big four events, could be heard muttering darkly to himself throughout the round as he slid to a 74 to take a share of sixth place on 286.

Mickelson, who won last week's Scottish Open, said his triumph made up for the disappointment of losing out to Britain's Justin Rose in the last round of the U.S. Open a month ago.

"The range of emotions are as far apart as possible following the loss at Merion," added the 43-year-old.

"To win here feels amazing but you have to be resilient in this game, you have to accept the losses as well as you accept the victories.


"This is such an accomplishment for me. I just never knew I could develop the game that I needed to play links golf effectively."

STRAIGHT BIRDIES

Mickelson was on the fringes of contention on the front nine but suddenly lit the blue touch paper on his game with birdies at the 13th and 14th.

The world number five, watched by wife Amy and his children, then delivered a dazzling coup de grace on the 575-yard 17th.

Mickelson reached the green with two crunching blows, crying 'Go, Baby, Go' as his second shot came to rest on the green, and the title was effectively secured when he two-putted for his sixth birdie of the round.

While the American was buzzing, Westwood felt deflated after wasting a glorious opportunity to end his wait for a breakthrough major victory at the 62nd attempt.

Hundreds of British fans started streaming towards the exits with the Englishman on the 17th hole.

The crowds, who had to contend with the coolest temperatures of the week and winds gusting up to 25mph, cheered patriotically for Westwood early on but the atmosphere fell flat around the turn as their man started to struggle.

"I didn't play that badly today but the round came apart at the seventh, eighth and ninth," said the 40-year-old. "I found three bunkers and each time the ball was plugged but that is the defense of the golf course.

"It seems like an over-40 championship now, it seems like you have to be 42 or 43 to win it," he added, referring to the victories by Ernie Els last year and his close friend Darren Clarke in 2011.

Westwood was particularly irked when he was distracted at the seventh and found sand off the tee.

"I can't believe you clicked your camera at the top of my back swing," he fumed at a photographer.

Conditions were difficult for scoring, just as they had been all through the championship, and sub-par rounds were few and far between on Sunday.

Els finished in a tie for 26th place despite producing the shot of the day when his approach at the 17th bounced straight into the cup for an eagle three.

(Editing by Ed Osmond)

British Open: Tiger Woods, Steve Williams appear to reconcile at Muirfield

British Open: Tiger Woods, Steve Williams appear to reconcile at Muirfield

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Pat Forde July 21, 2013 2:23 PMYahoo Sports



Tiger Woods shakes hands with Steve Williams on the 18th green at Muirfield. (Getty)
GULLANE, Scotland – With a heartfelt handshake on the 18th green Sunday, Tiger Woods and former caddie Steve Williams appeared to bury the hatchet and signal an end to their long-running feud.



The two were in the same pairing Sunday during the British Open at Muirfield, with Williams on the bag of his new boss, Adam Scott. That had the making of an awkward afternoon, given the verbal shots Williams had taken at Woods since Woods fired him in 2011, but it ended on a conciliatory note.

At the traditional post-round handshake – after Scott finished tied for third and Woods tied for sixth – Williams grabbed Tiger’s hand and held it for a few moments while speaking to him. Then he patted him on the shoulder before the two went their separate ways.

When asked about the conversation, Woods acknowledged that it was good to have a positive conversation with the man who carried his bag for 13 of his 14 major championships.

“He was saying it was a good fight out there today,” Woods related.

Woods’ current caddie, Joe LaCava, said the two actually had an ice-breaking conversation earlier in the day while walking down the eighth fairway.


Tiger Woods and Stevie Williamsappeared to bury the hatchet on Sunday. (Getty)



“If [the relationship] is getting better, that’s great for both of them,” LaCava said. “Life’s too short, right? I’m glad Stevie’s making the effort, and Tiger’s accepting the effort.”

LaCava said he shied away from listening to their conversations, both on the eighth hole and after the round, saying it was personal between the two.

After his firing by Woods, Williams crowed to the press following his first victory with Scott, at the 2011 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

“I’ve caddied for 33 years — 145 wins now — and that’s the best win I’ve ever had,” Williams said.

Williams and Scott were together to win The Masters earlier this year, while Woods is still searching for his first major championship since parting company with Williams.

Golf-Merrick ties course record, grabs early second round lead

Golf-Merrick ties course record, grabs early second round lead

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July 26, 2013


By Steve Keating

OAKVILLE, Ontario, July 26 (Reuters) - American John Merrick shot a sizzling 10-under 62 that tied the Glen Abbey Golf Club course record and vaulted him into the second round clubhouse lead at the Canadian Open on Friday.

Merrick, who began his round six shots back of overnight leader Brendan Steele, took full advantage of ideal scoring conditions with an eagle at the par-five second and eight birdies over his final 12 holes.

The 31-year-old American birdied the final two holes on the Jack Nicklaus-designed layout to complete a career-low, error-free round that equalled the course record set by Leonard Thompson in 1981 and matched Greg Norman in 1986.

"Everything kind of clicked today," said Merrick, a winner at February's Northern Trust Open. "I think I played a couple rounds in the past few weeks where I didn't make a birdie, and that doesn't happen a lot.


"Maybe that all kind of came back together. Everything came in a rush."

With the first round leaders still to tee off, Merrick had put himself solidly atop the leaderboard with an 11-under 133 that left him four shots clear of compatriot Tommy Gainey (64), whose round included five straight birdies from the 13th.

American Steele, who was among the late starters, began his round four shots back of Merrick.

Canada's Mike Weir had the local fans cheering as he mounted a second day charge to move into contention with five-under 67 that left him seven shots off the pace.

The 2003 Masters champion, who is battling back from a string of injuries, had the Glen Abbey crowd buzzing as his name popped up on the leaderboard in a share for third with 14 holes completed.

But Weir wobbled down the home stretch with bogeys on three of his final four holes. Still, his four-under 140 total should see him make the projected one-under cut. (Editing by Frank Pingue)

Golf-European Tour Russian Open scores

Golf-European Tour Russian Open scores

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July 28, 2013


July 28 (Infostrada Sports) - Scores from the European Tour Russian Open at the par-72 course on Sunday in Moscow

272 Michael Hoey (Britain) 70 67 65 70

276 Alexandre Kaleka (France) 70 67 71 68

Matthew Nixon (Britain) 69 70 68 69

277 Joachim Hansen (Denmark) 72 70 67 68

278 Liang Wenchong (China) 67 70 75 66

Gregory Havret (France) 72 70 70 66

Mark Foster (Britain) 69 69 72 68

James Morrison (Britain) 68 71 70 69

280 Simon Dyson (Britain) 67 74 71 68

282 Alexander Levy (France) 72 72 71 67

Matthew Baldwin (Britain) 68 69 73 72

Mikko Korhonen (Finland) 69 70 70 73

283 Andreas Harto (Denmark) 70 71 76 66

Magnus Carlsson (Sweden) 71 72 69 71

Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (France) 70 71 70 72

Rikard Karlberg (Sweden) 67 68 72 76

284 Sam Little (Britain) 69 72 74 69

Richard Finch (Britain) 73 74 69 68

Joakim Lagergren (Sweden) 74 74 68 68

Richard McEvoy (Britain) 74 71 69 70

David Horsey (Britain) 70 72 71 71

Matteo Delpodio (Italy) 69 74 69 72

Chris Paisley (Britain) 72 71 68 73

285 Michael Campbell (New Zealand) 70 73 72 70

Joel Sjoeholm (Sweden) 78 69 70 68

Maarten Lafeber (Netherlands) 69 73 71 72

Terry Pilkadaris (Australia) 71 71 70 73

Oscar Floren (Sweden) 76 69 66 74

Jorge Campillo (Spain) 72 71 67 75

286 Soren Hansen (Denmark) 77 67 70 72

Scott Hend (Australia) 70 69 74 73

287 Jake Roos (South Africa) 70 71 74 72

S.S.P. Chowrasia (India) 72 72 72 71


Alessandro Tadini (Italy) 68 73 73 73

Romain Wattel (France) 72 72 72 71

Peter Hedblom (Sweden) 73 74 70 70

Gary Lockerbie (Britain) 72 70 69 76

288 Anthony Snobeck (France) 70 73 73 72

Espen Kofstad (Norway) 74 73 70 71

Prom Meesawat (Thailand) 71 74 73 70

James Kingston (South Africa) 71 69 68 80

289 Jeev Milkha Singh (India) 71 71 72 75

Tom Lewis (Britain) 71 74 75 69

290 Simon Wakefield (Britain) 73 68 74 75

Daniel Gaunt (Australia) 70 72 73 75

Mark Tullo (Chile) 74 69 71 76

Jamie Elson (Britain) 71 71 72 76

Haydn Porteous (South Africa) 71 76 70 73

Scott Henry (Britain) 73 73 73 71

Alastair Forsyth (Britain) 74 73 73 70

291 Chris Lloyd (Britain) 71 73 72 75

David Higgins (Ireland) 71 71 76 73

Gareth Shaw (Britain) 71 77 70 73

Pablo Martin (Spain) 70 77 75 69

292 Nils Floren (Sweden) 71 75 68 78

Tjaart Van der Walt (South Africa) 73 71 76 72

Anirban Lahiri (India) 78 70 76 68

293 Gaganjeet Bhullar (India) 74 73 69 77

Martin Wiegele (Austria) 72 72 74 75

294 Juergen Maurer (Austria) 71 74 75 74

Jack Singh-Brar (Britain) 77 66 81 70

295 Oliver Bekker (South Africa) 74 71 74 76

Javier Colomo (Spain) 68 79 76 72

Daniel Brooks (Britain) 77 71 75 72

299 Matthew Southgate (Britain) 73 74 75 77

Tommy Fleetwood (Britain) 72 76 76 75

301 Callum Macaulay (Britain) 72 76 77 76

303 Sebastian Garcia Grout (Spain) 75 71 81 76

Golf-Snedeker closing in on Canadian crown

Golf-Snedeker closing in on Canadian crown

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July 28, 2013



OAKVILLE, Ontario, July 28 (Reuters) - American Brandt Snedeker was closing in on his second PGA Tour win of the season, taking a two shot lead midway through the final round of the Canadian Open on Sunday.

After a week of near ideal conditions that produced record equalling scores, the Glen Abbey Golf Club showed its teeth as gusty winds whipped across the Jack Nicklaus designed layout.

Snedeker, who began the day with a wafer-thin one shot advantage over Sweden's David Lingmerth, turned in a steady but unspectacular front nine that included two birdies and a bogey at the par four six that was his first in 26 holes.

The 32-year-old was being chased by a trio of fellow Americans, world number six Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnsonand William McGirt. (Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto,; Editing by Gene Cherry)

Third round at women's British Open suspended due to wind

Third round at women's British Open suspended due to wind

August 3, 2013









(Reuters) - The third round of the women's British Open at St Andrews was suspended on Saturday after winds of up to 38 miles per hour made the course unplayable.

Play was suspended soon after 7.30 a.m. ET after balls started moving on the greens, with the majority of players having started their third rounds but only nine having completed all 18 holes.

Play did not resume, with the day called off around 1700.

South Korea's Na Yeon Choi remains in the lead at 10-under par after 36 holes, while compatriot and world number one Inbee Park, chasing her fourth successive major, was sitting at one-under par after four holes of the third round, moving her up to three-under par for the tournament.

The third round will resume at 0515 on Sunday.

(Reporting by Josh Reich)

Golf-Woods stays in charge at Firestone

Golf-Woods stays in charge at Firestone

August 3, 2013









By Mark Lamport-Stokes

AKRON, Ohio, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Tiger Woods failed to replicate the sizzling form he produced on Friday but remained in full command with a seven-shot lead after Saturday's third round at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Seven strokes ahead of the chasing pack overnight in pursuit of his fifth PGA Tour victory of the season, Woods carded a two-under-par 68 on a warm, breezy day at Firestone Country Club.

The American world number one, winner of a record seven titles here, struggled at times for accuracy off the tee as he mixed five birdies with three bogeys for a 15-under total of 195.

Woods had distanced himself from the field with a stunning 61 on Friday and will head into Sunday's final round with an intimidating record, having triumphed 52 of 56 times on the PGA Tour when holding at least a share of the 54-hole lead.

His closest challenger is Swede Henrik Stenson, who fired a 67 to leave him at eight under.

Jason Dufner, who birdied his first four holes on the way to a matching 67, was alone in third at seven under, a stroke better than fellow American Bill Haas (69) and Englishmen Luke Donald (68) and Chris Wood (70).

British Open champion Phil Mickelson, who by his own admission struggled for focus in his opening round, carded a 67 to finish at even-par 210, level with U.S. Open winner Justin Rose and world number three Rory McIlroy (69). (Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes; Editing by Steve Keating)

Golf-Scott happy after revising his Firestone goals

Golf-Scott happy after revising his Firestone goals

August 3, 2013








By Mark Lamport-Stokes

AKRON, Ohio, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Having lowered his sights on a second-place finish at this week's Bridgestone Invitational where Tiger Woods is running away with the tournament, Adam Scott was happy with his progress in Saturday's third round.

Masters champion Scott, winner here in 2011, fired a sparkling four-under-par 66 on another warm, blustery day at Firestone Country Club to finish at three-under 207.

Though that left the Australian a distant 12 strokes behind the pacesetting Woods, he was a more respectable five adrift of Swede Henrik Stenson in the battle for runner-up honours in the elite World Golf Championships event.

"I'm going to have to be really hot tomorrow, but it was a good round out there today," world number fiveScott told reporters after mixing five birdies with a lone bogey at the challenging par-four last.


"Anything in the sixties is a good score around here no matter what the conditions are. There's always plenty of trouble. My game is sharpening up to where I want it to be, so I'm happy about that so far."

After seven-times Firestone champion Woods had spread-eagled the field with a scorching 61 in Friday's second round, Scott instantly revised his goal for the week.

"I'd like to have a very hot weekend and maybe finish second," Scott, 33, said with a broad grin.

So far, so good for the nine-times PGA Tour winner, who is also building momentum for next week's PGA Championship, the year's final major.

"It'll be nice to play another solid round tomorrow," Scott said. "I was nearly bogey-free today, just dropped that one on the last, and that's good golf around here.

"It's also good to get those rounds in before a major next week where dropped shots are so costly."

Asked to assess how well his preparations had gone for the PGA Championship at Oak Hill, Scott replied: "I think I've done what I needed to do the last couple days.

"I'm going to go and hit some more balls tonight and keep the good feelings. I've been driving it a little better since Thursday, and I feel it's getting to where I would like it to be. I think by next Thursday I can be really sharp." (Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes; Editing by Gene Cherry)

Wozniacki survives battle with Chinese qualifier

Wozniacki survives battle with Chinese qualifier

Julian Linden August 27, 2013





.View gallery
Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark celebrates after winning match point against Duan Ying-Ying of China at …By Julian Linden
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki reeled off five consecutive games to dig herself out of a hole on Tuesday and safely reach the second round of the U.S. Open.
With her boyfriend, Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy, watching from the stands at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Wozniacki was forced to work overtime to beat Chinese qualifier Duan Yingying 6-2 7-5.
"It was just difficult because there was a lot of wind out there," said Wozniacki.
"I just kept my focus and kept fighting for every point. She just went for it, hitting everything, and I just had to keep steady and keep running balls down."
Wozniacki seemed to be in cruise control after she raced through the opening set in just 35 minutes but the Danish sixth seed soon found herself in trouble, trailing 5-2 in the second.
But she quickly regained control and won the next five games on the trot to seal victory and avoid a repeat of her first-round exit from Flushing Meadows a year ago.
It was anything but a perfect performance from Wozniacki but she said she was just pleased to advance after her shock early exit 12 months ago.
"I think everyone that you asked today would just say it was a day of survival and a day to get through," she said. "It's not about being pretty. It's about just getting the job done. I did that, so I'm happy about that."
Wozniacki reached the final at Flushing Meadows in 2010 and was a semi-finalist each of the next two years but has fallen on lean times since, failing to make it past the fourth round in each of her past six grand slams.
The 23-year-old's relationship with McIlroy has been heavily scrutinized but Wozniacki said she remained confident of getting back to her best.
"I always believe in that, so I never lost the belief. There is still so many matches to go, so I just have to go one match at a time like always," she said.
"I think if you ask any athlete, there will always be ups and downs. The downs just make the ups even better. You appreciate it more. You love it.
"I love proving people wrong, and I love what I do. I live the life I have always dreamed of and I have a passion and I have something to wake up for every morning."
(Editing by Frank Pingue)