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)

Experience versus form the Cup conundrum for captain Price

Experience versus form the Cup conundrum for captain Price

Mark Lamport-Stokes August 27, 2013








By Mark Lamport-Stokes

(Reuters) - In just over a week, International captain Nick Price will announce his two captain's picks for the biennialPresidents Cup and he is not yet sure whether experienceor current form will ultimately tip the balance.

The top 10 players in the Cup points standings after this week's Deutsche Bank Championship in Norton, Massachusetts will automatically secure places andZimbabwean Price will then round out his 12-man team with his selections on September 4.

As things stand, Australians Adam Scott and Jason Day, South Africans Charl Schwartzel, Ernie Els, Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace and Richard Sterne, and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama have all but locked up their spots to take on the United States.

Argentina's Angel Cabrera and Canadian Graham DeLaet occupy the ninth and 10th positions and will need to stay there if they are to avoid having to rely on Price's pick to make the team for the October 3-6 competition at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio.

Next in line for possible selection are South African Tim Clark (11th), Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee (12th), Australian Marc Leishman (13th) and South African George Coetzee (14th) and Price will have to mull over their respective credentials, among others, before he announces his decisions next Tuesday.

"There are so many things to think about," three-times major winner Price wrote in his official captain's blog.

"My co-captains Tony (Johnstone), Mark (McNulty) and Shigeki (Maruyama) and I will weigh up how muchexperience we have on the team when the points are finalized, and if we are short on experience, we might include a player with more experience.

"We will look at who the 'hot' players are and may look at players who have had success at Muirfield Village in the past."

TEMPTATION FOR PRICE


Given that Oosthuizen, Grace, Sterne, Matsuyama and DeLaet would all be making their Cup debuts, Price may be tempted to opt for experience in a player well outside the automatic top 10, such as former U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy of Australia.

"That's the $64,000 question," Price replied with a smile when asked earlier this year if he would consider picking someone like Ogilvy, a three-time Cup veteran who sits 20th in the standings.

"The other factors are who plays over here (in the U.S.) a lot, the American-based players, because guys who have played Muirfield in the past, that's going to be a factor.

"There are so many things to think about, but I think that will be the biggest dilemma: Do we add more experience or do we go in there with someone who's playing really well?"

While Price has much to think about this week as Cabrera, DeLaet, Clark and Leishman aim to catch his eye with good performances at the Deutsche Bank, his opposite number Fred Couples has plenty of quality options for his captain's picks.

Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, Jim Furyk and Bubba Watson are the players occupying the 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th spots in the American standings and all four competed on the most recent U.S. Presidents Cup team, which triumphed in Australia in 2011.

Further emphasizing the greater depth in strength available to Couples is a stark comparison via the world rankings.

While Price has 56th-ranked Clark and 59th-ranked Jaidee as his first two players outside the automatic top 10 going into this week, Couples has Stricker (14th), Johnson (23rd), Cup veteran Furyk (15th) and Watson (22nd).

"The American team is going to be a lot stronger on paper than our team is going to be," said Price, who competed in five Presidents Cups.

"But it's hard to measure the camaraderie and the willpower and the spirit of a team, and that can overcome a lot of things. It's going to be up to the players, up to me and up to my assistant captains to really get these guys fired up."

(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank Pingue)

Tennis-Federer and Djokovic cruise, Stosur stunned at U.S. Open

Tennis-Federer and Djokovic cruise, Stosur stunned at U.S. Open

August 27, 2013








* 2011 champion Stosur beaten by teenager Duval

* Federer and Djokovic cruise to wins

* Janowicz booed for underhand serve (writes through at end of day)

By Julian Linden

NEW YORK, Aug 27 (Reuters) - A teenage American girl with a squeaky voice and an incredible tale of survival stole the spotlight at the U.S. Open on Tuesday with a stunning upset win over the former champion, Sam Stosur.

While Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic and the rest of the sport's old order calmly went about their business, 17-year-old Victoria Duval became the toast of New York.

Making her second appearance in a grand slam event against the Australian who beat Serena Williams in the final just two years ago, the pint-sized Duval clawed and fought her way to a 5-7 6-4 6-4 first-round win.

It was a remarkable performance but made all the more astonishing because of her background.

When she was seven years old, Duval was taken hostage by robbers at her aunt's house in Haiti, a terrifying incident that convinced her parents, both doctors, to move back to the United States.

"It's not a good memory, so I try to forget as much as I could about it. I don't remember too much of it anymore, which is great," she told reporters.

In 2010, her father was buried alive in the Haiti earthquake. He survived by digging himself out but suffered serious injuries, including broken legs, broken ribs and a punctured lung.

Duval took to tennis instantly and has quickly risen through the American junior ranks but Tuesday's win was by far her biggest.

With her family watching from courtside and chants of "U-S-A!" echoing around the Louis Armstrong Stadium, Duval had to battle all the way to beat the vastly more-experienced Stosur.

"I think I'm very much of a child at heart ... (but) on the court, you have to be a warrior because that's just the sport we are in," she said.

Stosur paid tribute to Duval, saying she deserved the win, but said she had contributed to her own downfall with a whopping 56 unforced errors.

"I'm not going to be a sore loser and say she didn't do anything," said Stosur. "But, you know, I think I certainly helped her out there today, that's for sure."

Federer and Djokovic blasted their way into the second round with ruthless efficiency, crushing their hapless opponents in straight sets.

Defying the sceptics who had dismissed his chances of winning a sixth title in the Big Apple, Federer was in vintage form as he brushed past Slovenia's Grega Zemlja 6-3 6-2 7-5 in a delayed afternoon match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.


Djokovic then lit up Tuesday's night session with a dazzling combination of power and precision to defeat Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis 6-1 6-2 6-2.

The world number one hardly broke sweat on a balmy New York night as he took the first step toward a possible fourth straight appearance in the final.

EASY WIN

The 32-year-old Federer won the last of his five U.S. Open titles in 2008 but the Swiss master said he had lost none of his love of the game, ripping 35 winners in his win over Zemlja.

"I'm in a good spot right now. I want to enjoy it as long as it lasts," Federer said.

Twelve months after her agonising defeat in the women's final, Victoria Azarenka made a triumphant return to Arthur Ashe Stadium, chalking up a rare double-bagel win by thrashing Germany's Dinah Pfizenmaier 6-0 6-0 in just over an hour.

Italy's Sara Errani showed why she is looming as a real contender as she also handed out a 6-0 6-0 thrashing to her Australian opponent Olivia Rogowska, who got into the draw as a 'lucky loser' when Japan's Ayumi Morita withdrew.

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki survived a tough examination to join grand slam winners Petra Kvitova and Ana Ivanovic in the second round.

Kvitova, the 2011 Wimbledon champion, also had to put in some overtime before winning her clash with Misaki Doi 6-2 3-6 6-1 while a grieving Ivanovic, the 2008 French Open winner, cruised to a 6-2 6-0 win over Georgia's Anna Tatishvili.

Ivanovic arrived in New York with a heavy heart after learning about the drowning death of a childhood friend back in her native Serbia.

"It's been very sad news," Ivanovic told reporters. "It was very hard because it was almost like my relative. We grew up, and I knew him since we were kids. It's very, very sad."

'DAY OF SURVIVAL'

With her boyfriend, golfer Rory McIlroy, watching from the stands, Wozniacki had to dig deep to beat Chinese qualifier Duan Yingying 6-2 7-5.

Wozniacki raced through the opening set in just 35 minutes then reeled off five games in a row to seal the win after falling behind 5-2.

"It's not about being pretty," Wozniacki said. "It's about just getting the job done. I did that, so I'm happy about that."

Wimbledon semi-finalist Jerzy Janowicz was booed for serving underhand in his 6-4 6-4 6-2 loss to Argentina's Maximo Gonzalez, who is ranked 247th in the world.

Hampered by a painful back injury he suffered training three days ago, the Polish world number 14 was in a foul mood, arguing with the chair umpire and throwing his water bottle on the court.

"I was in really good shape before this happened," he growled. "That's why I'm fricking disappointed." (Editing by Nick Mulvenney)

'Asia's John Daly' makes splash at PGA Championship

'Asia's John Daly' makes splash at PGA Championship

Frank Pingue August 8, 2013







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Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat tees off on the 11th hole during the first round of the 2013 PGA Championship …


By Frank Pingue

ROCHESTER, New York (Reuters) - He is known as Asia's version of John Daly but little-known Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand made a name for himself by storming into contention at the PGA Championship on Thursday.

The 24-year-old's hefty physique and big-hitting, go-for-broke style of play have drawn comparisons to that of Daly and he lived up to the billing, finishing his opening round three shots ahead of world number one Tiger Woods.

Aphibarnrat, who changed his name for good luck and gave up car racing three years ago to appease his worried mother, showed no nerves while playing in only his second major, where he hopes to improve on his missed cut at last month's British Open.

"It was great golf for me and a good start for my second major," Aphibarnrat told reporters after carding a two-under-par 68 at sunny Oak Hill Country Club.


"I was doing good in the (British) Open but struggled in the second round. I was a bit nervous, but I have learned from the experience of that major and will just try to work it out on the game tomorrow."

Calling car racing too dangerous, Aphibarnrat decided to give up the sport after four years, a decision that sent his pleased mother into tears of joy on her birthday.

But the adrenaline Aphibarnrat enjoyed while racing Subaru Imprezzas in Thailand has not carried over to the golf course, where he has recorded one victory on the European Tour and two wins on his home Asian Tour.

"It's a big difference," said Aphibarnrat, who won the Malaysian Open in March. "All sports are the same, you have to focus, but golf and racing are different. Golf is like shot by shot but racing you have to go and go, it's more intense."

Aphibarnrat, who started golfing when he was eight and is one of the most exciting young players to emerge from Thailand, welcomes the comparisons to Daly, who won the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick in Carmel, Indiana.
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Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat reacts after his birdie on the 10th green during the first round of …

"I played with him a couple of times and I am really proud with that (comparison)," said Aphibarnrat. "He is one of the PGA Championship winners as well and it's my pleasure if I can hear comparisons."

Aphibarnrat, known previously as Anujit Hirunratanakorn, changed his name about seven years ago, a ploy in Thailand which he said is seen by many as a viable way to change one's luck.

He may need a lot of luck to emulate Daly's unlikely PGA Championship victory at Crooked Stick, where the burly American triumphed by three strokes after being the ninth alternate in the build-up to the tournament.

"I don't want to force myself a lot," said Aphibarnrat, who was greeted warmly by the gallery at the 18th hole as he lumbered his way onto the green.

"Just stick to the game plan and keep it on the fairway and give me a lot of chances to putt."

(Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)

Van Pelt pulls out of Oak Hill with a hip injury

Van Pelt pulls out of Oak Hill with a hip injury

August 8, 2013







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Bo Van Pelt of the U.S. watches his tee shot on the 11th hole during the final round of the Wells Fargo …



ROCHESTER, New York (Reuters) - American Bo Van Pelt withdraw from the PGA Championship on Thursday with a hip injury after battling his way to a 10-over-par 80 in the opening round at Oak Hill Country Club.

Van Pelt, whose only PGA Tour victory came at the 2009 Milwaukee Championship, was making his eighth appearance in the season's final major.

The 38-year-old's best PGA Championship finish was a tie for 17th in the 2005 edition at Baltusrol.

(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes; Editing by Julian Linden)

DSA recipient Trevino grateful for PGA of America

DSA recipient Trevino grateful for PGA of America

PGA.COM August 8, 2013







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PGA of America President Ted Bishop presents Lee Trevino with the PGA Distinguished Service Award.(Montana …


ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Lee Trevino's rags-to-riches journey, which inspired and energized American golf, was launched in 1967. That was the year Trevino received a PGA of America membership card, allowing him access into a world that opened up countless doors.

The recipient of the 2013 PGA Distinguished Service Awardon Wednesday night, Trevino reinforced his appreciation for those who helped him open that first door.

"It's hard to put into words what The PGA of America has meant to me," said Trevino, before an audience of more than 1,000 at the Rochester Convention Center. "They gave me my life. To get to where you want to be, you got to have some help."

Trevino paid tribute to PGA Life Member Bill Eschenbrennerof El Paso, Texas, who took the lead in helping Trevino secure his PGA membership card. Once secured, Trevino was on his way to building his golf career.

"I have never forgotten what The PGA did to help me," said Trevino. "The PGA gave me a shot with that card, and I worked hard for that card."


Trevino said the PGA Distinguished Service Award "has excited me almost as much as anything I've ever done -- except marrying a lovely lady."

Trevino went on to win 89 events worldwide, including six major championships, served as the 1985 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain, and lead a private, yet active philanthropic life. As he attempted to balance his success and the attention that comes with it, Trevino said that he worked for so many manufacturers over the years.

However, he never did any commercial promotion for any product that was not in a golf shop. "The PGA, my family, works in golf pro shops," said Trevino.

Borrowing from Paul Harvey's classic 1978 commentary, "So God Made a Farmer," Trevino said, "When the Lord was asked to fill jobs, he had a list. He said, 'I need someone who will go to work at daylight, to close at dark; to work on holidays; to work on weekends; who will be a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a doctor, a referee; an agronomist and a Rules official.' The Lord said, "Oh, what the Hell, that's easy, we will make him a golf professional. That's who we will put in that job."

Trevino said that his PGA brethren are "special."

"But, let me tell you something. You may think you are special for getting up early and helping make 500 members happy, but I want to tell you that your wives are the ones that are special. They are the ones that put up with all that you do in the business. They do everything for you. You are lucky to have a woman next to you who can give you that support."

Following Trevino's remarks, PGA of America President Ted Bishop said that "The PGA of America could not be more proud to give this award to you, because you are truly one of us."

The PGA Distinguished Service Award, inaugurated in 1988, honors outstanding individuals who display leadership and humanitarian qualities, including integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf. It is The PGA of America's highest annual honor.

About The PGA of America Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.

Furyk pleased, not surprised, with strong opener

Furyk pleased, not surprised, with strong opener

PGA.COM August 8, 2013







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Jim Furyk put a little body English on his approach shot to the eighth green on Thursday.(Getty Ima …


By T.J. Auclair, PGA.com Interactive Producer

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Over the course of a very successfulPGA Tour career, Jim Furyk has amassed 19 top-10 finishes in major championships.

Remarkable, no doubt, but one gets the feeling Furyk is too good to have won just a single major - the 2003 U.S. Open - based on his consistency.

On Thursday, in the first round of the 95th PGA Championship, Furyk was impressive, firing a 5-under 65 - despite a bogey on the ninth hole, his last of the day - to take the early clubhouse lead.

"Obviously I'm pleased with the round," said Furyk, whose 65 was his best opening round in a PGA Championship and one shy of the Oak Hill course record. "I really felt in control this morning. It was nice to get off to a good start with a birdie on No. 10 (his first hole of the day). I knocked in a nice putt from about six feet and then knocked in a good par putt on No. 11.

"I got off to a good start with the putter. I had some testy 4-, 5-, 6-footers to start the day and was able to knock a bunch of those in and get some rhythm with my putter. That eased some tension with the rest of my game, as well. I hit a bunch of fairways today, controlled my iron shots very well. I hit 15 greens. I felt good with the putter, so it's a fun day when stuff like that happens."

Following a perfect tee shot on the 10th hole - his first of the day - Furyk stuffed an 8-iron approach to set up an 8-foot birdie try that he would covert for a fast start.

Furyk grabbed his second birdie of the day at the par-4 16th hole after holing a 40-footer and followed it up with a rare tap-in birdie on the nearly 500-yard, par-4 18th hole to make the turn in 3 under.

"Any time you get a tap-in at No. 18, that's always fun," he said.

Furyk holed birdie putts from inside of 10 feet on Nos. 1 and 4. His final birdie of the day came at No. 7. Furyk hit a hybrid off the tee that didn't travel quite as far as he anticipated. Instead of having a 5- or 6-iron in for his approach, Furyk had a 4-iron.

That proved to be no problem for Furyk. He hit the 4-iron to within 15 feet of the hole and knocked in the putt.


The lone blemish for Furyk in Round 1 was that bogey on his final hole. He sent his tee shot right into some heavy rough and was forced to chip back out into the fairway.

"Usually you're disappointed ending the day with a bogey, but you know, a 65 at the PGA isn't so bad," Furyk said. "I'm feeling pretty good about today."

To say Furyk likes Oak Hill might be an understatement. As has been the theme all week, this is a ball striker's course. With the fairways as narrow as they are, the longer hitters can't be quite as aggressive as they'd like.

That's setting up well for a player like Furyk, who isn't quite the longest hitter, but an accurate one.

"The way they set the golf course up, they have pinched the fairways longer off the tee, and 18 is a pretty prime example in that it's a hole that's close to 500 yards and I'm hitting 3-wood off the tee, and then 4-iron for my second shot, because I felt like that was the best opportunity to get the ball in the fairway," he said. "You know, you can hit driver if you wanted to, but the fairway becomes about two thirds the size, for me. So, yeah, I can see I guess my one thing, it's easier to get a 3-wood in the fairway than it is a driver and it's easier to get 2-iron in the fairway than a 3-wood, still, there's got to be some advantage to being long. It's not the leaps and bounds, but rarely do we ever go to a major championship where the golf course is wide open and they just let you flail away and hit it again. It's not that common."

Furyk's solid play on Thursday shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Since missing the cut at the Open Championship, Furyk has tied for ninth in each of his last two starts - the RBC Canadian Open and last week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Furyk is happy with his play lately, but that missed cut at the Open to go along with a missed cut at the U.S. Open certainly stung.

"I felt like I played a couple good events in there from the Masters to the British, but never really strung four rounds together, or always had a lapse in the middle of the day that maybe ruined a round, but I did play some decent events in there," Furyk said. "Also, missing the cut poorly at the U.S. Open and missing the cut poorly in the British Open are probably the thorns in my side."

The putter also seems to be coming around for Furyk lately. While a finicky short stick might be maddening for most, Furyk was never overly concerned by his putting woes.

"I feel like putting, even at your most hopeless point, even when you're out there on the course and you're really struggling, we've all been there before every player has been in that position before," Furyk said, "sometimes it takes a day; sometimes it takes a week; sometimes it takes a month, but eventually you get the putter in your hand and it feels great one day. It felt great today.

"That doesn't mean it's going to feel great tomorrow, and whatever. But I feel like I'm moving in the right direction, and I've always had a lot of confidence in my game and my short game has always been a strength. But putting is streaky. And I feel like I'm a very streaky putter at times where I've had some really good moments in my career, and I think great years with the putter, and I've also had my struggles, as well. But I think if you're out here for 20 years, you're going to go through that."