Ryder Cup: Paul McGinley handed Europe captaincy

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Irishman Paul McGinley has been named as Europe's captain for the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. 

 The 46-year-old played in three Ryder Cups, was vice-captain in 2010 and 2012 and holed the winning putt in 2002. McGinley was preferred to Ryder Cup legend Colin Montgomerie, who captained a victorious European team in 2010 and wanted to fulfil the role again. "This is a position I'm really thrilled to be in," said the Dubliner, Ireland's first captain. "It's also a very humbling experience and I can't wait to get into the role of captain and to working with the players." World number one Rory McIlroy and Ryder Cup stalwarts Luke Donald and Justin Rose all publicly backed McGinley for the captaincy of the biennial event against the United States. And McIlroy welcomed the appointment, writing on Twitter: "Common sense prevailed in the end.... Couldn't be happier for him... Roll on Gleneagles." Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke, the 2011 Open champion, was originally the favourite but formally requested not be considered. Scotland's Paul Lawrie, Open champion in 1999, and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez were also considered. The decision was made by the European Tour's tournament committee, led by chairman Thomas Bjorn, after a meeting in Abu Dhabi. Scotsman Montgomerie, who played in eight Ryder Cups, was seen by some as better able to oppose American choice, eight-time major champion Tom Watson. But in recent times Europe have taken the view that the Ryder Cup captain should serve for one match only, with Bernard Gallacher ('91, '93 and '95) the last man to lead the side more than once. A winner of four European Tour titles, McGinley's best campaign was in 2005 when he finished runner-up three times before lifting the season-ending Volvo Masters crown. And while the Dubliner may not have had as much individual success as eight-time European number one Montgomerie, many felt he did enough as a vice-captain (in 2010 and 2012) and as Britain and Ireland's two-time winning Seve Trophy captain to suggest he has the ability to lead Europe. "It's amazing how much you can learn when you listen and don't talk," said McGinley, referring to the media scrutiny surrounding the decision. "I knew I had the support of players and felt the more I said the more my chances would lessen." In 2009 McGinley cajoled a supposedly weaker GB and Ireland team to a 16½-11½ victory over a continental Europe side led by Bjorn. Opposite number Watson tweeted: "Congrats to Paul McGinley on your R/C Captaincy. Looking forward to our future competition. You're a class act." And McGinley said he was relishing taking on "one of my great heroes". "Tom Watson is not only a wonderful person abut a great ambassador for the game of golf," added McGinley. "I've never had an opportunity to go up against him in a playing sense. To go up against him in a captaincy sense will be a real thrill for me."










15 January 2013 Last updated at 18:14
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/21034093

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Luke Donald moves up rankings with Japan win

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Luke Donald moved up a place to world number two as he overtook Tiger Woods by claiming victory in the Dunlop Phoenix tournament in Japan. 

Donald followed up opening rounds of 65, 64 and 71 with a 68 for the win. The Briton had led by four shots going into the final round and ended up finishing five strokes ahead of nearest rival Hideki Matsuyama. It is the 34-year-old's first tournament win since he defended the PGA Championship at Wentworth in May. Donald's latest success rarely appeared in doubt after he birdied the fourth and eighth, while getting an eagle at the seventh. He did bogey holes nine and 10 before seven pars and a birdie on the long 18th assured him of victory.






18 November 2012 Last updated at 09:20
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/20384201

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Singapore Open: Thunderstorms raise risk of 54-hole event

Friday, November 9, 2012

The Singapore Open could be cut to 54 holes for the second year running after thunderstorms forced play to be halted early for the second day.  

Half of the field did not start round two on Friday and some greens were under water with more rain forecast. England's Simon Dyson birdied four of the 13 holes he played to lead on six under with Thailand's Chapchai Nirat. World number one Rory McIlroy, who needs a top-three finish to win the Race to Dubai, is one under after 12. Lighting and heavy rain caused two suspensions before play was finally called off. Last year's event, won by Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano in a play-off, was cut to 54 holes and only finished on the Monday morning. "At present, our aim is still to complete 72 holes, weather permitting," said tournament director Jose Maria Zamora. "However, if we do suffer more delays we would then decide, in consultation with the sponsor and promoter, whether to reduce the tournament to 54 holes or complete the fourth round on Monday." McIlroy, who finished his first round in one-under-par 70 on Friday morning, birdied his last hole of the day to improve to joint 29th.

The Northern Irishman had looked in danger of missing the cut after bogeying his third hole of the second round, the 12th, and following that with a double-bogey six on the par-four 13th to slip to two over. However, the 23-year-old picked up birdies on the 18th, first and third holes to move back into contention with six holes left of his second round. Dyson's share of the lead will be short-lived when play resumes at 23:30 GMT on Friday (07:30 local time on Saturday) because the siren to halt proceedings was sounded before he had chance to knock in a bogey putt on the fifth (his 14th). Nirat, who is ranked 631st in the world, completed a bogey-free 65 on Friday morning to take the first-round lead and mixed a couple of birdies with a couple of bogeys to remain six under after nine holes of round two. Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, who led on five under at the end of day one, is among the 78 players who were unable to tee off in the second round. Europe's Ryder Cup vice-captain was joined on that mark by Italian duo Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero. Molinari is yet to drop a shot in his second round, having birdied three of his 12 holes while Manassero recovered from an opening-hole double bogey to record six birdies in 11 holes. England's Chris Wood improved his score to four under with three birdies in the eight holes he was able to complete. He joined compatriot Simon Khan, who also did not tee off, in joint sixth, while Paul Casey (three under) was another who stayed in the clubhouse.












9 November 2012 Last updated at 11:22
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/20266403

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Rory McIlroy eyes US & European double at BMW Masters

Thursday, October 25, 2012

World number one Rory McIlroy will continue his bid to top the money lists on the European and United States tours at the BMW Masters in Shanghai. 

He has a US$1.91m lead over Tiger Woods on the PGA Tour, but can be overtaken by both Justin Rose and Branden Grace on the Europe tour this week. Luke Donald became the first man to win both money lists in one year in 2011. The field at Lake Malaren includes 11 of Europe's victorious Ryder Cup team, as well as captain Jose Maria Olazabal. Of the side that came from behind to win 14½-13½ at Medinah, Spaniard Sergio Garcia is absent, while the Republic of Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Australian Marcus Fraser are the only two of the Race to Dubai's top 30 not in Shanghai. England's Rose and South African Grace could both overtake McIlroy with victory in China, with the Northern Ireland player on guard after finishing second on the European money list in two of the last three years. "It would be good to knock that off and try and do what Luke did last year and win the money list on both tours," said the 23-year-old. "I've got a big run left in my year with four tournaments in the next five weeks, so I would like to finish off the season as well as I can. "I've got Justin and Branden right behind me and there is still some big-money events still to play, so I've four events left and if I do play well in those four events hopefully I can achieve that goal." If McIlroy finishes outside the top seven, a top-two result would see Rose take over at the top of the Race to Dubai. Rose, who won the European Tour title in 2007, is drawn with McIlroy and fellow Englishman Lee Westwood in the final group that tees off at 04:20 BST on Thursday. "There are some big events coming up and an exciting finish to the Race to Dubai," said Rose, who trails McIlroy by 437,000 euros (£353,000). "I think Rory is playing more tournaments than me in the lead-up, so I am going to have to play well, absolutely. "To be number one of any tour around the world, especially the European Tour, that's a huge goal and would be a huge honour."








24 October 2012 Last updated at 12:09
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/20067839

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Rory McIlroy out of World Golf Final after Tiger Woods defeat

Friday, October 19, 2012

World number one Rory McIlroy bowed out of the World Golf Final in Turkey after losing his third successive match.  

Having lost to Matt Kuchar and Charl Schwartzel, McIlroy needed to beat Tiger Woods with a low total in the final group game of medal match play. But he could only post a one-under 70 as Woods surged into the semi-finals with a fine 64 containing no bogeys. Woods plays Justin Rose, who carded a 62, in the semis, while Lee Westwood shot 64 and faces Charl Schwartzel. McIlroy, who won his second major in August by claiming the USPGA title at Kiawah Island and helped Europe to Ryder Cup glory last month, was behind from the opening hole against Woods, after sending his opening drive into the water. With a three-wood he drove pin high at the 304-yard par-four fifth but miscued his chip and could only make par. Woods tapped in from four feet for his second birdie and opened a three-shot lead as McIlroy remained the only player in the eight-man field over par. At the next, a par three, McIlroy missed the green and made another bogey, while Woods rolled in a six-foot birdie putt to go five shots clear. McIlroy birdied two of the last three holes but Woods matched that and maintained his run of improving by three shots in each of his three matches. "I really hit it good out there," the 36-year-old world number two told reporters. "I missed a couple of putts so it could have been a really low number. "My game is starting to turn around a bit and I am beginning to hit it like I did at the start of the year." McIlroy, accompanied this week by girlfriend and tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, will receive a cheque for $300,000 for finishing joint last, and said: "I'm not that disappointed because I've got the afternoon off around the pool. I came here because I have never played in Turkey and there are a lot of good players here.

 "I thought it would be a fun week and it has been. I've now got four events left this year starting the week after next, defending my BMW Masters title in Shanghai." Meanwhile Westwood, one of three players resplendent in shorts at the Antalya Golf Club, was in fine form with the putter as he played the first nine holes in seven under, the highlight an eagle at the fifth when he drove to within 10 feet at the 373-yard par-four. He dropped his only shot of the round at the 11th but finished a comfortable five shots ahead of American Hunter Mahan, who ended without a point despite rounds of 67 and 69 this week. Rose was level with US Open champion Webb Simpson at seven under after 15 holes, before a two-shot swing at the par-five 16th, and a closing birdie gave the Englishman a nine-under total, the best of the week. Schwartzel recorded four birdies on each nine in an impressive 63 to defeat Matt Kuchar by two strokes.













 11 October 2012 Last updated at 10:17
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/19908803

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Ryder Cup: Jose Maria Olazabal rules out 2014 captaincy

Friday, October 5, 2012

Europe's winning Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal says he does not intend to skipper the side at Gleneagles in 2014.

  Olazabal masterminded Europe's historic comeback from 10-4 down to claim a 14½-13½ victory over the United States at Medinah. "Clearly I won't do it again," said the Spaniard, who believes several people could be suited to the role. "It would be unfair for me to just name one for the next Ryder Cup." Irishman Paul McGinley, one of Olazabal's vice-captains alongside Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn and Miguel Angel Jimenez, is the bookmakers' favourite to captain the side in Scotland in two years' time. Olazabal said Scot Paul Lawrie, part of the 2012 winning side, was another potential contender. "Once they do it there is Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington. There is a list of eight or nine guys that have a chance of doing it," he said. Olazabal, speaking at a news conference alongside Belgian player Nicolas Colsaerts, was asked a variety of questions. You can read his responses below... Olazabal on messages of congratulation "The King of Spain called me a few minutes ago and was pretty much over the moon, like me. There have been messages from sports guys like [tennis player Rafael] Nadal and lots from friends and family." On Rory McIlroy's late arrival Mcllroy was due to face Keegan Bradley at 11:25 local time but misread his tee time and made it to the course with just 10 minutes to spare after being given a lift in a police car. "We were a little concerned but we knew at 11:05 he was going to make it to the tee with no problems. That's why I was not all that tense. Luckily enough, a police car was there and he made it on time. It was no surprise at all he managed to win his point." Olazabal suggested McIlroy could have conceded the first hole had he failed to make the time. Asked what he would have said in that instance, the skipper said: "Get onto the second hole and win the damn point." On Seve Ballesteros The Europeans wore navy blue jumpers and white shirts, the colours most associated with Olazabal's great pal Ballesteros for Sunday's singles matches. The gesture was a tribute to the five-time major winner, who died in May last year after a long battle with a brain tumour. Olazabal said he took advice from Ballesteros about the Ryder Cup before he died. "We all know how great he was around the greens and maybe wherever he is, he put a little bit of magic onto the players." On Ian Poulter Poulter revived Europe's flagging hopes on Saturday with five birdies on the last five holes to win his fourballs match with McIlroy.

 The Englishman was the best performer for Europe, collecting four points. "For whatever reason, this event for him means so much. He thrives on it and it brings the best of him out on the course. In a way, he reminds me a lot of Seve - that intensity, that focus, that will to win a point. He will be a wonderful captain for sure in the future. He will need 12 players like him." On Tiger Woods The American's generous concession of a putt on the 18th green to Francesco Molinari gave Europe a half to seal outright victory. Some British bookmakers claimed the outcome cost them £500,000 in payouts to punters who had backed Europe to win. "He just let it go. There was no reason for them to keep on trying to win that point. They didn't have any chance to win the cup." On Martin Kaymer The former world number one held his nerve with a six-foot putt on the 18th to win his singles match against Steve Stricker and guarantee a tie. "He's a German. You can rely on German engineering these days." On favourite shot "It's hard to just pick one but I think the putt Poulter made on 18 on Saturday afternoon was huge. We all knew how important that was. If that didn't happen I don't think we'd have had a chance to win. It was crucial."













 2 October 2012 Last updated at 12:41 GMT
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/19801219

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PGA Tour Championship: Justin Rose tied for lead after third round

Monday, September 24, 2012

Justin Rose is tied for the lead with Brandt Snedeker after the third round of the PGA Tour Championship. 

The Englishman is eight under par after shooting a round of 68, but American Snedeker put himself in the frame in Atlanta after a superb round of 64. Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy is three shots behind the leaders after a two-under round of 68, level with Bubba Watson and overnight leader Jim Furyk. Tiger Woods moved up to joint-seventh, four adrift, after shooting a fine 67. Fellow American Ryan Moore lies second, on six under, after carding the second best round of the day, a five-under effort of 65. Snedeker's move up the leaderboard puts him contention not only for the PGA Tour Championship, but also for the FedEx Cup. The American, who led this year's Open at the halfway mark before eventually taking a share of third place, is one of five players who are in with a chance of taking the $10m (£7m) bonus with victory in Atlanta. The others are McIlroy, Woods, Phil Mickelson and Nick Watney. "To hit 17 of 18 greens in this wind on this golf course, you're striking your ball pretty good. I'm very excited about the standings going into tomorrow," said 32-year-old Snedeker. Rose, 32, said he intended just to focus on winning the Tour Championship, rather than worrying about the complex permutations which will decide who takes the FedEx Cup. He said: "The whole year we've been grinding for the FedEx Cup, and it's still possible. "It's not an easy golf course. Things can happen out there. But for me, it's about one tournament. "I wish I was in the situation that Brandt's in. I would trade him, but obviously, that's the position I'm in." McIlroy, who has won three of his last four tournaments , said: "It's one of those courses where I don't think anyone is really going that low. I might need one and hopefully I have saved it for the last day."











22 September 2012 Last updated at 22:57 GMT
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/19689165

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Ian Poulter and Nicolas Colsaerts are Ryder Cup wildcards

Friday, August 31, 2012

Ian Poulter and Nicolas Colsaerts are the two wildcard picks in Jose Maria Olazabal's European side for the 2012 Ryder Cup in Medinah, Chicago.  

England's Poulter, 36, wins his fourth cap, while Belgian Colsaerts, 29, makes his debut in the 28-30 September event. Colsaerts played his golf on the Challenge Tour - Europe's second tier event - in 2009. "I am living proof if you want something badly, put the work in and have passion, it can happen," he said. "It has been a fairy story. It is something I have wanted since I was a little kid. To be part of such a big team for a captain with such good history is something I'm very proud of." The 10 automatic choices - those players who topped the rankings after Sunday's Johnnie Walker Championship - are Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Graeme McDowell, Paul Lawrie, Francesco Molinari, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Peter Hanson and Martin Kaymer. US-based Poulter, who struggled with pneumonia earlier this season, has built a reputation as a fearsome matchplay exponent. He was the highest points scorer for either side when selected as a wildcard for the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla and won three points out of four in Europe's 14½-13½ win at Celtic Manor two years ago. He said: "I'm thrilled. To get the call last night from Jose was a great moment. I want to pour some passion over the 18 holes at Medinah like I know best." Poulter, who made the first of his three previous appearances in the biennial event in 2004, could have take one of the automatic spots had he chosen to play in the Johnnie Walker Championship. A 35th-place finish would have overhauled former world number one Kaymer, but Poulter opted to stay in America. Colsaerts, who won the World Match Play Championship in May, could also have sealed an automatic place with a top-two finish at Gleneagles, but his share of 19th meant the out-of-form German Kaymer held on to the final qualification place, despite also opting to miss the event. Captain Olazabal explained Colsaerts, the longest hitter on the European Tour, won him over by showing his desire to play in the Ryder Cup.

 "The guy has shown a lot of heart and a lot of character," he said. "The Ryder Cup is difficult but I think he has the game. It is a long course and I think he can take advantage of that." Colsaerts will become the first Belgian to compete in the Ryder Cup and will also be the only rookie in this year's side, compared to the six that played in Wales. Padraig Harrington, a six-time Ryder Cup veteran, was also in contention for a wildcard but failed to persuade Olazabal to select him. "He was 19th on the list of players and that was a little bit too far down," he said. "He took it well." The 10 automatic choices were made up of the top five from a list based on ranking points won in European Tour events, followed by the next five best on the world rankings. Olazabal, who played in seven Ryder Cups from 1987-2006 and was a key partner of the late Seve Ballesteros, will have four vice-captains to assist him in Chicago. The two-time Masters champion will be joined by Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke, Ireland's Paul McGinley, Denmark's Thomas Bjorn and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez. Eight players have already qualified for the US team: Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson, Jason Dufner, Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar and Phil Mickelson. US captain Davis Love names his four wildcard choices on 4 September after the first two events of the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup play-offs. The 2012 Ryder Cup will take place from 28-30 September at Medinah Country Club in Illinois. Europe have beaten the United States in four of the last five competitions.












27 August 2012 Last updated at 13:06
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/19379504

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Padraig Harrington presses Ryder Cup case by leading at Barclays

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Padraig Harrington pressed his case for a Ryder Cup wildcard by shooting a 64 to claim the early lead at the Barclays Tournament in Farmingdale. 

The Irishman's seven-under-par round at the New York course gave him a one-shot clubhouse lead over American pair Nick Watney and Brian Harman. US PGA winner Rory McIlroy opened with a two-under 69, one behind Tiger Woods and world number two Luke Donald. Europe captain Jose Maria Olazabal is to name his wildcard picks on Monday. Dubliner Harrington has played on four winning European sides in the Ryder Cup. Ian Poulter is widely expected to be handed one of the two places Olazabal will chose for the clash with the United States at at Medinah, Illinois. The Englishman, and two-times Open champion Harrington, were two of Colin Montgomerie's three picks for the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales. Olazabal, at Gleneagles for the Johnnie Walker Championship, was reminded that two weeks ago he had said Harrington needed to do something extraordinary to make the side. So what now constitutes extraordinary? "At least a win," Olazabal replied with a smile. England's Gary Christian was tied for fourth place after producing a superb five-under-par round of 66 which would have been even better were it not for a bogey at the last.

 The 31-year-old, who has only one top-10 professional finish to his name, belied his world number 245 ranking to register five birdies in his first nine holes. England's Justin Rose shot 67, one ahead of compatriots Donald and Ian Poulter. Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood were among other European stars to show encouraging form at the Barclays, the first of the FedEx Cup play-off events. Garcia, who confirmed his place by winning the Wyndham Championship last week, had a 66 to lie just two behind Harrington while Westwood matched McIlroy's two-under 69. Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell had a day to forget though - carding two double bogeys and three bogeys in a four-over-par round of 75.













23 August 2012 Last updated at 19:28
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/19363245

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US PGA champion Rory McIlroy motivated by criticism of form

Monday, August 13, 2012

Rory McIlroy said winning the US PGA Championship - his second major - was a satisfying snub to his critics. 

The 23-year-old's six-under 66 earned a record eight-shot win at Kiawah Island and a return to world number one. However, a run of four missed cuts in five events this year and scrutiny over his private life prompted questions over where his career was headed. "To be honest, it did motivate me," admitted McIlroy. "I did want to go out there and prove a few people wrong." The Northern Irishman became the second youngest player to reach the top of the world rankings in March of this year but then swapped the position with England's Luke Donald a couple of times through April and May. After taking the number one ranking for a third time on 6 May, McIlroy embarked on a run of four missed cuts in five events, including the US Open where he was the defending champion. Critics have also speculated that his relationship with former world number one tennis player Caroline Wozniacki has been a distraction for his sporting ambitions. However, McIlroy told a packed press conference in the wake of his victory in South Carolina: "I was a little frustrated with how I was playing earlier on in the year but a few people in this [media] room were probably pressing panic buttons for no reason. "I don't think I could have answered it in any better way. "It took me all of four weeks to get my game back in shape and get out of my mini slump - and this is the result." McIlroy became the youngest man to win two majors since Spain's Seve Ballesteros won the Masters, also at the age of 23, in 1980. His eight-shot margin of victory is a new record, surpassing Jack Nicklaus's seven-stroke victory at Oak Hill in 1980. In addition, the Northern Irishman is now a multiple major winner at a younger age than Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, who was four months older than McIlroy when he won his second major.

"I don't care if I win by one or by eight - I just want to win - but it's nice to break a record like that, especially of Jack Nicklaus," he said. "To sit up here and see this trophy and call myself a multiple major champion... not many people have done it and I'm very privileged to join such an elite list of names." The surprise of the Championship was Stoke-based golfer David Lynn, who finished alone in second place on five under. The 38-year-old, who has only played in one other major, the 2003 Open where he finished 53rd, was rewarded with an automatic berth in the 2013 Masters. "To get in is just a dream come true, obviously - amazing," he said. "I saw Rory at 11 [under] and I thought he's not going to mess up from there. It was just a case of playing for as good a position as I could." Fellow Englishman Ian Poulter mounted a serious challenge when he holed six birdies in seven holes. But his hopes of winning a first major disappeared with three bogeys on 13, 14 and 15. "I guess it was a dream start. I guess I pushed him [Rory] and I guess I ran out of steam at the end," said the 36-year-old from Hitchin. "It was a great day. It's just a shame I couldn't quite finish it off." Four-time US PGA winner Woods started the day on two under and finished the day on the same score, having never really threatened the lead. He laid the blame on his third round of 74. "I came out with probably the wrong attitude [on Saturday]. I was too relaxed and tried to enjoy it and that's not how I play," said the 36-year-old for. "I play intense and full systems go. That cost me."












 13 August 2012 Last updated at 09:00
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/19239032

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The Open 2012: Ernie Els wins as Adam Scott crumbles

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

The 42-year-old South African birdied the 18th to end seven under as Australia's Scott bogeyed the last four holes to come second by one shot. Els, who began the day six shots adrift, clinched his fourth major title and first since winning the 2002 Open at Muirfield. The 1994 and 1997 US Open champion carded 68 to the 75 of Scott, who had led since the sixth hole on Saturday. The 32-year-old Scott was four shots clear on the 15th tee and needed to hole from 10ft on the last to force a play-off. "I am just numb at the moment, I feel for Adam Scott, he is a great friend of mine," said Els, who picked up £900,000 in prize money. "We both wanted to win so badly, but I really feel for him. That is the nature of the beast, that is why we are out here. "It was my time. I was hoping at best a play-off. A lot of people never thought I would win but I started believing this year, getting a lot of help from my family and the professionals around me." Tiger Woods threatened at times but a triple bogey via a greenside bunker at the par-four sixth and three straight bogeys from the 13th sank his chances of a 15th major and first since the 2008 US Open. The 36-year-old carded a three-over 73 to end tied third at three under alongside playing partner and fellow American Brandt Snedeker (74). Woods said: "It's part of golf - we all go through these phases, some people it lasts entire careers, others are a little bit shorter. Even the greatest players to ever play have all gone through little stretches like this." Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, was playing in the final group for a second straight major but again struggled to engage the leader. The Northern Irishman took 75 to tie for fifth at two under with England's world number one Luke Donald, who climbed up the leaderboard with a 69. Scott's capitulation must rank worse than Rory McIlroy's Masters meltdown in 2011 and up there with Jean van de Velde's final-hole drama at Carnoustie in 1999. His defeat called to mind his compatriot Greg Norman's loss at the Masters in 1996 when Nick Faldo overhauled a six-stroke deficit to snatch victory at Augusta in the last round. "I'm very disappointed but I played so beautifully for most of the week I really shouldn't let this bring me down," said Scott. "I know I've let a really great chance slip through my fingers today, but somehow I'll look back and take the positives from it." Els, who was ninth at last month's US Open, becomes the 16th consecutive different major champion and moves up from 40th to 15th in the world rankings. He also finished tied second when Royal Lytham hosted the Open in 1996 and tied third when it was last held on the Fylde coast, in 2001. Scott led by four overnight and was still four clear of second-placed McDowell by the turn as the expected challenge in a stiffening breeze failed to materialise. Els was six shots adrift after going out in two-over 36 but he edged into the frame with birdies at the 10th, 12th and 14th. His putt across the final green set up the prospect of a play-off but Scott found a bunker with his drive and was unable to make his par. Donald, who like Scott is also still searching for a maiden major title, echoed the Australian's feelings, and the feelings of many in the field. "Certainly I'll leave this week knowing that my game is definitely good enough to win majors," said the 34-year-old, who finished five shots behind Els. "Unfortunately I couldn't quite hole the putts, but I'll take a lot of positives away from this week."










 22 July 2012 Last updated at 20:46 GMT
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/18948285

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The Open 2012: Paul Lawrie dazzles on day one

Friday, July 20, 2012

Former winner Paul Lawrie equalled his lowest-ever Open score with a first-day five under par 65 at Royal Lytham. 

The 1999 champion from Aberdeen chipped in for two of his six birdies. "It was probably the strangest start of my career, the first six holes - I didn't really hit many good shots and I was three under," he said. "We get enough bad luck so it is nice when it goes your way. After that I hit some really nice shots, played solid golf, and ended up with a good score." Lawrie is just one shot behind early pace-setter Adam Scott. The 43-year-old who came from a major record 10 shots behind on the final day to triumph in a play-off at Carnoustie, received a warm welcome from the galleries. "I heard my name called a lot today, which down in England is a bit of a surprise," added the Scot. "It's nice. It's the Open and everyone is here to support the British players as well as everyone else. "I hit some nice shots for them, which was good." Asked what had sparked his rise of about 240 places in the world rankings, Lawrie told BBC Sport: "When your 14-year-old kid beats you, it gets you out there and gets you working a bit harder. "I got a bit lazy with the whole thing. We were half talking about slowing down a wee bit and playing less tournaments and then Craig popped up and beat me. "I did some commentary on Sky and didn't think I was very good at that so I thought I'd better work a bit harder and get in the gym and try to make a bit of money playing golf again.

" Lawrie finished a great opening day with a short birdie putt at the 18th but Craig - who caddied for him as he missed the cut at last week's Scottish Open - and his younger son Michael were not there to witness it, having opted to stay at home to play themselves. "There were quite a few junior opens back home this week so both of them wanted to stay and play in them, which is fair enough," he explained. "They're both now decent players. It's a big deal and they wanted to stay home. "But the courses are shot over there with the rain so they've maybe had a bit of a disaster by staying at home. "But they've watched it on the television, I'm sure." Lawrie's previous 65 came in the final round at Sandwich in 1993, when he finished sixth. Martin Laird went round in level par 70, although it was an eventful opening day for the Glaswegian, who had a double bogey at the third, an eagle at the seventh and holed a bunker shot for a birdie at the last. Fellow Scot Richie Ramsay is in a tie for 49th place after a 71. Sandy Lyle, champion in 1985, and Steven O'Hara shot 74s, while Elliot Saltman finished two strokes further back.













 19 July 2012 Last updated at 17:03
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/18915555

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Sam Walker seals Open place as Montgomerie and Olazabal fail

Friday, June 29, 2012

Jose Maria Olazabal and Colin Montgomerie missed out in the Open Championship qualifier, but England's Sam Walker secured his place.

  Ryder Cup captain Olazabal and predecessor Montgomerie fell just short of claiming one of the 10 spots during European qualifying at Sunningdale. Walker qualified for the Open for the first time in 10 attempts, finishing second to compatriot James Morrison. Welshman Jamie Donaldson and England's Matthew Baldwin also qualified. Montgomerie needed to hole a bunker shot on the final hole of his second round to go into a play-off. However, his shot finished six feet wide, meaning the 49-year-old was only able to add a level-par 70 on the Old Course to his three-under 66 on the New Course in the morning. The Scot could still feature at Royal Lytham on 19 July with a top-five finish at either the French Open or the Scottish Open. After his first round 67, Olazabal had at one stage been on target, the Spaniard having got to five under through 14, but he faded to a 71 to miss out by three shots. "I made a great start," said Olazabal. "But I then had too many putts and when I hit a bad shot on the 16th that was it." Midlander Walker's qualification ends a long wait to seal his place at the Open, the Brummie having first attempted to qualify 14 years ago at the age of 20. He followed up a first-round 68 with a 65 to finish on six under, two behind Morrison. "It feels amazing," said 34-year-old Walker, who made his first appearance in a major when he qualified for the US Open at Oakmont in 2007. "It's going to be fantastic to play.

 It'll be one of the best things in my life." Morrison opened with a sparkling 63 in the morning and followed that up with a 68 to finish top of the leaderboard on eight under. Two more Englishmen, Hull's Richard Finch and Surrey's Ross Fisher, Spain's Alejandro Canizares and Australian Marcus Fraser all finished on five under alongside Donaldson and Baldwin to qualify. Southport's Lee Slattery, who also played in the US Open two weeks ago, and Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen came out on top of a five-way play-off to fill the 10 available European Final Qualifying slots. Last year's young Open hero Tom Lewis, who tied for the lead as an amateur after a first round 65 at Royal St George's, was nine shots adrift after two matching three-over 72s. Yorkshireman Danny Willett, who won his first tour event, the BMW International Open in Cologne at the weekend, missed out by four shots. The 24-year-old flew back from Germany at 9.30pm on Sunday and did not get to bed until 2am. Willett could still qualify through a mini money list, which ends this week at the Irish Open. West Ham United midfielder Gary O'Neil failed in his bid to play at Royal Lytham after taking part in the Regional Qualifying at The London Club in Kent. The 29-year-old shot a seven-over-par 79, but was pleased with his efforts. "I don't normally hit it as bad as I did but I enjoyed it and it was just one of those things. I was pleased to keep it going and record a score below 80."













25 June 2012 Last updated at 20:32
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/18570198

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Tiger Woods in US Open hunt as Thompson leads at Olympic

Friday, June 15, 2012

Tiger Woods launched his bid for a 15th major title in impressive fashion as he took a share of second place in testing conditions on day one of the US Open.

  Woods's one-under 69 was only eclipsed by a stunning 66 from fellow American Michael Thompson but the former world number one looked in ominous form. Justin Rose, Graeme McDowell, David Toms and Nick Watney were also at one under but some big names struggled. Phil Mickelson carded 76, Rory McIlroy shot 77 and Luke Donald took 79. World number one Donald finished on the same score as Chinese 14-year-old Andy Zhang, who was eight over after his first five holes at the firm, fast-running Olympic Club in San Francisco. Lee Westwood, the world number three, was playing with defending champion McIlroy and Donald but fought back from a double-bogey start to card a respectable 73 as only six players broke par. Woods, back up to fourth in the world after his recent win at Memorial, looked in complete control of his game as he looks to win a first major since the 2008 US Open. The 36-year-old, who also won before the Masters but ended tied 40th at Augusta, began with five straight pars after starting at the ninth before dropping a first shot at the par-four 14th. He made amends with a birdie at the 522-yard par-five 17th and fired back-to-back birdies at the fourth and fifth, the latter courtesy of a 30-foot putt, before a final bogey on the sixth. "I played well - I felt like I had control of my game all day and stuck to my game plan," said Woods. "We knew it was going to be quick, but we didn't think it was going to happen overnight. "I was very pleased with every facet of my game and I stayed very patient." Masters champion Bubba Watson, who took 78, said of his playing partner's display: "That was the old Tiger. That was beautiful to watch. "That's what we all come to see. 

That's what we all want to watch and that was awesome to see him strike the ball." On his own wayward performance, the left-hander added: "The course beat me up today. It's a lot better than I am - it beat me by eight." Thompson, a qualifier who reached the final of the US Amateur at the San Francisco course five years ago, was two over after six but made six birdies to leave the field trailing. "This is one of my favourite golf courses, so I've got good feelings coming in here," said the 27-year-old, who is in his second year on the PGA Tour. McIlroy, who won by eight strokes and broke a host of scoring records at Congressional last year, said: "I tried to approach it like any other tournament I play and tried to go out there and shoot the best score I could. "It wasn't my greatest day, but hopefully I can come out and try and shoot a good one and at least try to be here for the weekend." Donald, who in part blamed his putting , added: "The top three in the world [with McIlroy and Westwood] and we make three birdies between us - it shows how tough it is." Five-time runner-up Mickelson lost a ball with his first shot and his day continued in a similar vein. "I didn't play very well, obviously," said the four-time major champion. "I've got a tough challenge just to get to the weekend. I will see if I can shoot under par - maybe that will get me there." 

15 June 2012 Last updated at 06:25 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/18452703

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Golf can no longer be slow on the uptake

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

As Colin Montgomerie was supporting a radical idea to speed up slow play, Doug Brecht - an official who barely stirs the mercury in the thermometer of fame - was becoming golf's newest hero. The LPGA rules man took a huge step in imposing a genuine penalty to punish the malaise that is the biggest blight on the game. It came in Sunday's semi-final of the women's Sybase Matchplay Championship between American Morgan Pressel and eventual champion Azahara Munoz. Brecht's intervention to award a hole to Munoz to punish her tardy opponent undoubtedly influenced the eventual outcome of the match, making it all the more significant. His action will cheer an ever-growing list of top names calling for more draconian action to speed up play. In recent weeks Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Tiger Woods and now Montgomerie have called for scoring penalties to be imposed on golf's slow coaches. Monty was giving the most outspoken criticism of the game's failure to deal with slow play on the same day Brecht made his move at the knockout tournament in Gladstone, New Jersey.

Pressel and Munoz had covered the front nine of their match at a typically pedestrian pace and were duly told they needed to speed up. Two holes later they were put on the clock. Then Pressel won the 12th with a par to go three up. Brecht's stopwatch showed she had taken two minutes and nine seconds over the three strokes, which was 39 seconds too long. Before they could tee off at the next he imposed the statutory penalty - loss of hole. There was no final warning and no fine, just a punishment that genuinely hurt. Instead of being three holes ahead, the US player was only one up and her Spanish opponent was back in a match she went on to win. Ironically Munoz had been playing the slower golf but Brecht should be congratulated and backed to the hilt for taking action that should serve as a precedent for the rest of the game. "I would clamp down harder than we have been doing," Montgomerie told me. "There has got to be a deterrent. The only thing we can do is impose shot penalties. We have to stop talking about it and start to action the only proper deterrent. "The game is getting slower every year. Five hours for a round is the norm and it is ridiculous. There is no excuse for a round of golf taking more than four hours as a three ball." The 2010 Ryder Cup captain was speaking after being part of a relay team that set a new British record for completing the fastest 18 holes.

The team of 10 players managed it in 10 minutes 53 seconds at the Golf Live event at the London Club in Kent. It was an entertaining gimmick far removed from the competitive game, but there were enough quality shots to show what is possible when players are up against a stopwatch. And this is relevant to the most revealing aspect of the Pressel controversy which came in Munoz's response. "She lost the hole because she was slow, I wasn't," said the Spanish Solheim Cup star. "I was slow before, but not when the clock was on." This reveals the heart of the problem. Players have two paces of play, one that is snail-like and then a faster version for when they are being timed. How about we just stick to the speedier mode? For that to happen players have to be clocked from the start of their rounds, meaning referees would be required for every group. It would be a radical step but when it was put to Montgomerie he agreed that it needs to be taken. "I would advocate that entirely. On the clock from the word go, so that we don't get to the stage where the last group is taking an hour longer than the first group," the veteran Scot said. "Why wait until there is a problem and then put them on the clock?" Whenever I have suggested such a move to Tour officials they have baulked at the cost of potentially employing more than 50 referees. This point was put to Montgomerie and he swiftly interrupted. He added: "Can we afford to lose sponsors? Can we afford to lose television viewers? Can we afford to lose radio listeners? No we can't. A referee would be cheaper than losing a sponsor." The eight-times Order of Merit winner even agreed that the extra officials should be funded effectively from a prize money levy by taking a slice off the winner's cheque to finance the scheme. "Why not? It would encourage faster play. Any business, and this is a business, has to be proactive. If you are reactive you are too late," Montgomerie said. This week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth is unique among full-field regular European Tour events because there is a one-tee start. All 156 competitors begin on the first hole which means those off last will be finishing at dusk. The same applies at the Open Championship. Year on year those rounds seem to finish in darker conditions because they are taking longer and longer, damaging what should be fantastic spectacles. Action needs to be taken. They daren't be as radical as Monty is suggesting, but at least Doug Brecht has had the courage to take a mighty step that, if supported by the game's bosses, will surely concentrate a few of the slower minds in the game.










 Iain Carter | 12:24 UK time, Monday, 21 May 2012 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/iaincarter/2012/05/golf_can_no_longer_be_slow_on.html

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Players Championship: Matt Kuchar seals Sawgrass win

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

American Matt Kuchar held his nerve on a tense final day to win the Players Championship at Sawgrass by two shots.

 

The 33-year-old, who started the round one shot behind leader Kevin Na, dropped a shot at the opening hole but hit four birdies for a 13-under total. Scotland's Martin Laird and American trio Zach Johnson, Ben Curtis and Rickie Fowler were joint second. Luke Donald, needing a top-four finish to take over from Rory McIlroy as world number one, finished sixth. Donald had started the final round back in 27th, eight shots behind Na, but battled hard with a round of 66 for a nine-under total. He also equalled the record for golf's richest event, with a back-nine 30 containing six birdies. Kuchar, whose last win came in the 2010 Barclays Championship where he beat Laird in a play-off, saved a shot with a gutsy par putt at the third and then came close to an eagle at the fourth, but had to be content with a birdie. He then hit a lovely approach to the ninth, leaving him with a relatively easy putt before another birdie at the 12th. He picked up another shot at the 16th, and not even a dropped shot at the 17th could halt his charge as he claimed the biggest win of his career to move up to third in the US Ryder Cup standings. "You think of this as one of the strongest fields in golf," Kuchar said.

"To come out as the champion is just an amazing feeling. "I think one of the things that strikes me is walking through the champions' tunnel every day. I can't help but stop and gaze at all the photos going through champions' tunnel, and to think I'm going to be a part of that with Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Raymond Floyd, Phil Mickelson, David Duval and Tiger Woods - it's all the best of the best. "To feel like I'm going to see my picture up there next year is pretty cool." Na, who had birdied the 18th to take a one-shot lead into Sunday's final day, was battling with his swing and he also struggled on the greens, dropping four shots in the space of five holes from the fifth to see his challenge disappear and he ended up with an eight-under total. Laird went out in 33 with birdies at the second, seventh and ninth then went into the joint lead with Kuchar thanks to a hat-trick of birdies from the 11th. But errors at the 14th and the long 16th, as well as the bogey at the 18th, left the 29-year-old Glaswegian two shots behind Kuchar. Laird said: "I'm obviously very happy with how I played today. That's one of the best rounds I've ever played under the circumstances, and the conditions." Lee Westwood had also had an opportunity to finish the week as number one following McIlroy's missed cut, but the win he needed never looked likely for long before he closed with a 77. It left Westwood four over and down in 60th place, while another disappointing tournament for Tiger Woods ended with him scoring 73 for one under and he was outside the top 30 for the third event in a row.









14 May 2012 Last updated at 08:00
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/18054814

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Rory McIlroy is world number one as Rickie Fowler wins at Quail

Monday, May 7, 2012

Rory McIlroy returned to golf's world number one spot, despite losing a play-off to Rickie Fowler, who won his first PGA Tour title at Quail Hollow Club.

 

The duo tied at 14 under with DA Points and headed into a sudden-death play-off for the Wells Fargo Championship. American Fowler, the world number 39, took the title after producing a superb approach shot at the first extra hole. McIlroy's second-place finish was enough for him to leapfrog Luke Donald at the top of the world rankings. "It's a little consolation," said the 23-year-old Northern Irishman. "I would rather win the tournament, but it's good. "I want to try to play well for the next few weeks and solidify my spot at number one." Fowler, also 23, was making his 67th PGA Tour start since turning professional in 2009. He needed just one hole to win the play-off - sinking a four-foot putt to birdie the 18th hole, while McIlroy and Points could only par. Fowler, who won on his 72nd attempt, said:

"It's been a wait, but I'm definitely still young, and hopefully this opens the door to many more." "It's nice to be mentioned as a PGA Tour winner." The win brought back memories of McIlroy's first Tour win, which came at the same venue two years ago - albeit in more spectacular fashion as he finished with a course-record 62. Fowler said of McIlroy: "We've always had a great camaraderie, been good buddies. I definitely respect him as a player, and I feel like he respects me as well". "I've had a lot of fun playing against him." Fowler carded the best final round of the trio, a three-under 69, but it was not the best of the day. That honour went to Englishman Lee Westwood. The world number three was clubhouse leader for much of the afternoon after firing a fine six-under-par round of 66 to reach 11 under.






7 May 2012 Last updated at 07:14
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/17979055

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Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy head field at Wentworth

Friday, May 4, 2012

World number one Luke Donald and number two Rory McIlroy will tee-off against a strong field at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on 24 May.

 

The line-up at the Surrey course boasts 14 major champions, including Ireland's Padraig Harrington, Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal and South African Ernie Els. Donald beat Lee Westwood in a play-off to win in 2011, a victory which saw him lead the rankings for the first time. The event is only one of two Tour events taking place in England in 2012. The Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes in July is the other English event. England's Donald and Northern Ireland's McIlroy have swapped places at the top of the rankings four times in 2012, with the Englishman moving back to number one after finishing third in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in April. World number three Westwood will also compete at Wentworth, alongside British major winners Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and Paul Lawrie.

The other major champions competing at the event will be German Martin Kaymer, South Africans Retief Goosen and Charl Schwartzel, New Zealand's Michael Campbell, Mike Weir from Canada and Americans Shaun Micheel and Rich Beem.





 4 May 2012 Last updated at 11:52
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/17954418

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Luke Donald regains world number one spot at Zurich Classic

Monday, April 30, 2012

Luke Donald regained top spot in the world rankings from Rory McIlroy after finishing third in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The Englishman needed a top-seven finish to move back to the head of the standings and a final-round 67 saw him finish third, two shots adrift. American Jason Dufner beat Ernie Els in a play-off for his first PGA Tour title after they finished tied on 19 under. Masters champion Bubba Watson carded 70 to end tied 18th at 11 under. The world number one spot has changed hands nine times in the last 18 months, with Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer also holding the position. With Donald absent this week, McIlroy can regain top spot in the Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina. "It's been going back and forth a little bit. Rory's turn next week. It was a little bit of a motivation to try to play well today," said Donald on Sunday. Dufner took a two-shot lead into the fourth round but his two-under 70 was not enough to hold off Els's 67. Both missed birdie putts within eight feet on the par-five 18th on the first play-off hole, but Dufner holed a short birdie putt and Els missed one from the fringe on the 18th for a second time to hand the 35-year-old a first title in 164 starts on the PGA Tour.


 Dufner lost play-offs last year to Mark Wilson in the Phoenix Open and Keegan Bradley in the US PGA Championship for two of his three career runner-up finishes. "To get the monkey off of my back, it's a great feeling," said Dufner, who is getting married next weekend. Three-time major winner Els last won on the PGA Tour in the 2010 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. "It was a nice little charge I made and, you know, nice to catch the leader," said the South African. "I had a chance to win the tournament with a six-footer and missed it, but I made quite a few putts on the back nine to keep myself in it." Defending champion Watson, playing for the first time since his Masters win over Easter weekend, entered the final round eight shots off the lead and was unable to mount a charge after bogeys on his first two holes. "All in all, pretty good week being tired, coming back for the first time after winning the Masters, all this different media attention," Watson said. "It's something you got to get used to. It wears on you, tires you out. Somehow I finished - I'm in the top 20. A lot of guys wished they did that."








30 April 2012 Last updated at 00:28
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/17890460

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Bubba Watson suffers mixed fortunes in Zurich Classic defence

Friday, April 27, 2012

Bubba Watson carded a one-under-par 71 at the Zurich Classic on his return to action following his Masters success.

 

Watson won the event last year, but a mixed opening day of his defence left him six shots off pacesetters Ken Duke and Cameron Tringale. Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell finished three under, while England's world number two Luke Donald ended one over after a 73. Donald needs to finish in the top seven to reclaim his world number one spot. The 34-year-old finished his round in New Orleans with a birdie after a double-bogey on the 17th had threatened to leave him further adrift of the field. Watson's four birdies and three bogeys saw the 33-year-old sit well adrift of clubhouse leaders and fellow Americans Duke and Tringale. "Very happy with my score," Watson said via Twitter. "To shoot under par was awesome!" Duke sank seven birdies in his bogey-free round, while Tringale finished with four birdies to also shoot a 65. South Africa's Ernie Els, Sweden's Daniel Chopra and American duo Steve Stricker and Chris Stroud are a shot behind the leaders on six under.







27 April 2012 Last updated at 00:09
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/17864150

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