Donald looking set to return to number one

Updated May 27, 2012 08:26:09

Luke Donald is in pole position to retain the PGA Championship title and return to the top of the world rankings after overnight leader James Morrison suffered a third round meltdown at Wentworth.

Morrison had been four shots clear after a second round 64, but the world number 236 carded a woeful 81 on Saturday to leave him eight strokes behind Donald heading into Sunday's final round.

As England's Morrison struggled to recover after a quadruple bogey eight, a triple bogey eight and three other bogeys, Donald made light of testing conditions to take the lead.

His 69 was the joint best round of a windy day and the Englishman is well on course to secure the top eight finish needed to seize the number one spot from Rory McIlroy, who missed a second successive cut on Friday.

The 34-year-old is now 11 under par and two shots ahead of second placed Justin Rose as he bids to follow Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie as the only players to make a successful defence of the European Tour's flagship event.

"That was by far my best round of the three. The swing was swirling and I hit a lot of solid shots," Donald said.

"There were a couple of loose ones coming down the stretch, but I'm very pleased with that finish - it was hugely important for me.

"Physically and mentally it was tough and it's going to be a grind tomorrow."

A defiant Morrison added: "I desperately, desperately want to keep going forward. I expect a lot, but if I shoot 80 or 65 I'll take what I can from it."

Rose, who could move to a career-high fifth in the world by winning on Sunday, was one of only three players to break 70 in testing conditions.

"I'm delighted," he said. "There were some borderline holes, as there are at US Opens and on Sundays, but I sort of relished the challenge.

"It takes all your experience and patience and it certainly tested me."

Lawrie is in third spot on seven under after a 72, while joint fourth are former Open champion Paul Lawrie and South African trio Branden Grace, Richard Sterne and Ernie Els, who was furious with tournament organisers for not keeping the greens well watered.

"I asked them to put water on the greens, so put fucking water on the greens," Els said.

"You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out. The guys are not happy and I'm with them. The Tour has got to play ball, it's not my job."

Lee Westwood was unable to close the gap on the leaders as the Englishman's hopes of ending his long wait for victory at Wentworth were shattered.

Westwood is making his 19th appearance here and came in with high hopes of lifting the trophy after losing a play-off to Donald last year.

But the 39-year-old's erratic form this week, 18 birdies in three days have been offset by eight bogeys, three doubles and a triple, has left him well off the pace.

"I've just got a destructive one in there. It's a bit of a pull hook and it's my bad shot when I'm not swinging well," Westwood said.

"I'm a bit tired. I've played a lot this year already."

AFP

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First posted May 27, 2012 08:22:12

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Donald returns to number one ranking

Updated May 28, 2012 10:05:42

Luke Donald looked back with pride after successfully defending his PGA Championship title at Wentworth and returning to the top of the world rankings.

A year after becoming number one for the first time at the same event Donald was back at the head of the list for the fourth time in his career.

The Englishman carded a four-round total of 273, 15-under par and won by four shots from Scotland's Paul Lawrie and Justin Rose from England.

Rose, who missed a six foot putt at the last which would have given him second place outright, had put the pressure on during the front nine before Donald eased away to win and displace Rory McIlory as world number one.

"There is something special about going 12 months and still being number one," the 34-year-old said.

"We have swapped it a couple of times but to go a 12 month span is something I am very proud of and is a vindication that what I am doing is right and shows that my game is improving."

This was a much more comfortable win for Donald than last year's when he had to win a play-off against Lee Westwood to take the crown.

"I enjoyed the walk up the 18th more this time with a four-shot lead. It is very special to come back here - this is the biggest event we play on the European Tour," Donald added.

"I played nicely for the whole week but today was the most difficult day in terms of pressure. I had a two-shot lead but I was trying to defend and I had never successfully defended a title before.

"I felt some tension out there - it is not easy going out with a lead and trying to close out a tournament. Justin is a solid player and I knew he was not going to give it away - I had to go and earn it."

Ireland's Peter Lawrie, who had shared the lead after the first round, had two birdies in the first seven holes but his hopes went up in smoke with a triple bogey seven at the eighth and he finished on 280, level par and in fourth spot with South African Branden Grace a further shot back in fifth.

Donald became only the third player to win back-to-back PGA titles following in the footsteps of Sir Nick Faldo (1980-1981) and Colin Montgomerie, who won three times from 1998 and this was the fourth English win in a row here after Paul Casey, Simon Khan and Donald's first victory last year.

Rose got level with Donald with successive birdies at the third and fourth whilst Donald dropped a shot at the fourth. However Donald responded by holing putts of 15 and 18 feet at the sixth and seventh to go clear again.

Donald played serene golf for the rest of the back nine making up shots at the 10th, 12th and 16th whilst Rose bogeyed the 16th after hitting his second shot into a greenside bunker and Donald shut the door.

AFP

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First posted May 28, 2012 09:27:51

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Johnson edges Dufner to win at Colonial

Updated May 28, 2012 12:55:19

Zach Johnson fired a 2-over 72 that included a two-shot penalty at the final hole to win the Crowne Plaza Invitational in Texas, denying Jason Dufner a third US PGA victory this season.

On a day of drama, Johnson appeared to be home and dry after Dufner's triple-bogey seven at the par-four 15th.

That gave Johnson a four-shot lead, and even after a bogey at 16 the 2007 Masters champion arrived at 18 with a three-stroke lead.

He had celebrated what he thought was a par for a three-shot win but then realized he had moved his ball marker on the 18th green and failed to replace it properly.

With the two-shot penalty, Johnson signed for a 72 and a 12-under total of 268 - giving him only a one-shot victory over Dufner.

"I did move it, and I did not move it back," Johnson said. "You can come up with a lot of adjectives for that.

"I'm going to focus on the positives because I hit a really solid putt - and it's a good thing I made it."

Dufner, who won his first US tour title in 163 attempts on April 29 in New Orleans and won again at the Byron Nelson Classic last week, started the day with a one-shot lead over Johnson.

But he faded down the stretch, finishing with a 4-over 74 that included a double-bogey and two bogeys.

Dufner's challenge collapsed at 15, where his approach shot rolled off the green and into the water.

His chip from a drop in the rough rolled off the green, and his four-foot putt for a double-bogey burned the edge of the cup.

Dufner had surrendered his overnight lead at the second hole with a bogey from a fairway bunker as Johnson birdied to seize a one-shot advantage.

Back-to-back birdies at five and six saw Dufner regain the lead, and he moved two ahead with a par at the par-3 eighth, where Johnson missed the green en route to a bogey.

Dufner's lead was erased, however, when he took a double-bogey at the par-4 ninth, where he was in the water.

Johnson pulled two strokes ahead at the par-5 11th, where his tee shot kicked off a tree to land in the fairway, while Dufner's shot on a similar line ended up under the trees.

Dufner took bogey and Johnson emerged with a birdie.

At the next hole, however, Johnson saw his lead erased with another two-shot swing. Johnson scrambled to make a bogey while Dufner rolled in an eight-foot birdie putt.

Johnson edged ahead with his last birdie of the day at 14, which proved enough after Dufner's disaster at 15.

"I just didn't have it today," said Dufner, who squeezed in his wedding between his two recent tour wins.

"It has been a pretty exciting month or so of golf and personal things.

"I'm not going to use that as an excuse. I just couldn't get the ball in the fairway."

Even so, Dufner was comfortably in front of third-placed Tommy Gainey, who had six birdies and overcame a double-bogey six at the 12th en route to a 3-under 67 for a total of 273.

Jim Furyk was fourth with a 68 for 274.

AFP

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First posted May 28, 2012 12:55:19

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Price replaces Norman as Internationals captain

Updated May 30, 2012 09:41:51

Zimbabwe's Nick Price will replace Greg Norman as the captain of the International team for the 2013 Presidents Cup.

The biannual event, which pits a 12-man team from the United States against a line-up of international players from outside Europe, will be played at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, during the first week of October 2013.

Fred Couples will return for a third stint as US captain.

Couples steered the US team to victory in 2009 and 2011 and will try to become the first Presidents Cup captain to win three times, while World Golf Hall of Famer Price will be making his debut as captain.

Last November, the US team captured the Presidents Cup for a seventh time.

The lone win by the International team came at the 1998 event in Melbourne, Australia, while the 2003 Cup competition ended in a tie.

Norman was captain for the 2009 and 2011 editions, unable to lead the Internationals to victory.

Price will have the distinction of being the captain with the most Presidents Cup experience as a player after competing for the International team five times.

"Ever since playing in the inaugural Presidents Cup in 1994, it has been an event that has meant so much to me, and I have looked forward to the opportunity of captaining what I know will be a very strong International team," said Price.

Reuters

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First posted May 30, 2012 09:41:51

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Johnson sets pace in Texas

Updated May 25, 2012 13:49:05

American Zach Johnson charged into a one-shot lead after the opening round of the US PGA Tour event in Fort Worth, Texas.

Former champion Johnson rattled up four consecutive birdies in blustery conditions en route to a flawless 6-under-par 64 at Colonial Country Club where he clinched the 2010 title.

Jason Dufner, winner of the Byron Nelson Championship last weekend who is seeking a third PGA Tour victory in just four weeks, opened with a 65 to finish level with fellow Americans Tom Gillis, Kyle Reifers and rookie Harris English.

Spaniard Sergio Garcia saved par from greenside bunkers on his last two holes for a 66 to share sixth place with Americans Chris DiMarco and Tommy Gainey, and Argentina's Andres Romero.

John Senden was the best-placed Australian in a share of 20th position after posting a 1-under 69.

American world number six Hunter Mahan, a double winner on the 2012 PGA Tour, also opened with a 69, while fifth-ranked compatriot Matt Kuchar, who clinched the prestigious Players Championship two weeks ago, carded a 72.

Reuters

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First posted May 25, 2012 13:49:05

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Dufner strikes again to win Byron Nelson

Updated May 21, 2012 09:59:30

Australia's Marc Leishman fell just short of a maiden PGA Tour win, but American Jason Dufner held his nerve to win the Byron Nelson Championship with a pressure putt on the last.

Dufner took his second title of the year, just three weeks after breaking a 163-event win drought, draining a 25-foot birdie putt to win by one stroke and avoid a playoff.

His win takes him to the top of the PGA points standings for the first time.

Dufner fired a 3-under 67 to finish on 11-under 269 and edge fellow American Dicky Pride by one stroke.

Leishman finished tied for third on 9-under 271.

"There were a lot of people making a lot of shots down the stretch," Dufner said.

"Luckily I had a nice chance at 18 to close it out. I had a good feel for the putt. I didn't want a playoff."

It was a drama-filled final round, starting from J.J.Henry's stunning hole-in-one on the par three fifth that catapulted him into the early lead.

Dufner had back-to-back bogeys at the second and third holes but then birdied the fourth and fifth as well as the par-5 seventh.

He went birdie-bogey to open the back nine and birdied the par-5 16th before his winning birdie at 18.

Leishman had a big day, birdieing the first, seventh and tenth before taking the lead at 10-under with another birdie on the 16th.

The lead didn't last, however, with the Australian missing a four-footer for par on the 17th - he finished with a 3-under 67.

Henry appeared to have the title in hand with birdies at 15 and 16 for a one-stroke lead at 11-under, but he went left off the tee at the 17th, missed a 27-footer for par then missed a 2 1/2-footer and took a double bogey.

American Dickie Pride was the next in line to grab the title, after he reeled off three straight birdies on 15, 16 and 17, then had a big escape at the last.

Pride hit the water with his tee-shot, but sank a 23-foot put for par to take the clubhouse lead at 10-under.

Finally Dufner got the job done with a perfectly -struck long putt on the last that drew roars from the crowd.

Leishman, Sweden's Jonas Blixt and Americans Joe Durant and J.J. Henry shared third on 271 with Americans Phil Mickelson and Ken Duke next on 274.

On April 29, Dufner won at New Orleans to end a long win drought that included squandering a late lead at last year's PGA Championship.

On May 5, Dufner married his girlfriend, Amanda Boyd.

And on Sunday (US time), he won the $1.17 million ($A1.19 million) top prize to join compatriot Hunter Mahan as the only multiple winners on the US PGA Tour this season.

"Two wins and to get married in the same month, it doesn't get much better professionally or personally," Dufner said.

AFP

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First posted May 21, 2012 09:59:30

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Day pushing for second Byron Nelson trophy

Updated May 20, 2012 11:07:52

Jason Day boosted his chances of a second Byron Nelson Championship victory after finishing the third round just a shot behind leader Jason Dufner in Irving, Texas.

American Dufner, the overnight leader by one shot, kept his composure after a slow start to move one stroke clear of a congested leaderboard in a wind-buffeted penultimate round.

Dufner, who clinched his maiden PGA Tour victory at the New Orleans Classic three weeks ago, carded a 1-under par 69 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas for an 8-under total of 202.

The 35-year-old was one of nine players who held at least a share of the lead in the third round but he made no mistakes in gusting winds after recording a birdie at the 14th while his closest challengers slipped back.

Day three-putted the last for a 67 to slide back to 7-under, level with Americans JJ Henry (67) and Dicky Pride (69).

Fijian former world number one Vijay Singh was a further stroke back after firing a 66 while another Aussie Marc Leishman is at 5-under.

At one point on the back nine, Dufner shared the lead with Day, Pride, Leishman and American world number five Matt Kuchar but his birdie at the 14th was good enough to give him a one-stroke cushion going into the final round.

Day, who won his only PGA Tour title at the Byron Nelson Championship two years ago, was delighted with his position despite three-putting the final hole.

"I played great," the 24-year-old Australian said after mixing four birdies with the lone bogey.

"It was tough conditions out there with the wind, but I felt like I was trying to stay as patient as possible.

"I got away with a few shots out there, but overall I'm very, very happy with how the day went."

American world number 10 Phil Mickelson carded a 69 to lie six strokes off the pace at two under, one better than former world number one Ernie Els of South Africa, after a 70.

ABC/Reuters

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First posted May 20, 2012 11:07:52

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Dufner goes one ahead at Byron Nelson

Updated May 19, 2012 11:13:02

American Jason Dufner birdied four of his last five holes to go a stroke clear of a congested leaderboard after the second round of the Byron Nelson Championship in Irving, Texas.

Three weeks after clinching his maiden PGA Tour victory at the New Orleans Classic, Dufner fired a 4-under-par 66 in the toughest conditions of the day to post a 7-under total of 133.

The laid-back American with the distinctive pre-shot waggle birdied 14, 15, 16 and 18 to finish ahead of compatriots Matt Kuchar (68), Chad Campbell (66), Ryan Palmer (70), Pat Perez (67) and Dicky Pride (68), plus Australian Marc Leishman (69).

Defending champion Keegan Bradley (68), fellow American Charley Hoffman (69) and Japan's Ryuji Imada (68) were a further stroke back at five under.

Jason Day is three shots off the lead after a consecutive round of 68 while Adam Scott failed to make the cut at 2-over along with Louis Oosthuizen, Justin Leonard and Yang Yong-eun.

Dufner was delighted to take control of the tournament after playing in the afternoon when the gusting winds were at their strongest.

"The wind picked up a good bit ... so made it premium on putting the ball in the fairway so you could be more aggressive into the greens," the 35-year-old told reporters after mixing seven birdies with three bogeys.

"It was a nice way to finish, and I'm looking forward to the weekend. I've played pretty solid ... not as clean as I would like today because of the conditions but I was able to grind it out and got fortunate there on the last couple of holes."

Dufner, who twice chipped in for birdie during the second round, plans to make the most of his triumphant experience in New Orleans as he bids for a second PGA Tour victory.

World number five Kuchar, who won his fourth PGA Tour title at the elite Players Championship on Sunday, was delighted to claw his way back into contention after dropping three shots in his first six holes.

"I got going on the wrong side of things," the 33-year-old said after ending the day with six birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey at the par-four 14th.

"A bogey on 12, that was a hard hole, and on 14 where the tee is up, it shouldn't be that hard. I made a double-bogey there, and it was going the wrong way.

"Glad to bounce back. At 16, the par-five, I took advantage of that so I'm pleased with the way I was able to hang in there."

American world number 10 Phil Mickelson and former world number one Ernie Els of South Africa each carded 69s to end the day six strokes off the pace.

Reuters

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First posted May 19, 2012 11:11:44

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Leishman lurking at Byron Nelson

Updated May 18, 2012 11:56:40

Twelve months after losing a playoff for the Byron Nelson Championship, Ryan Palmer had redemption on his mind after taking control of the tournament in Thursday's opening round.

The 35-year-old American made the most of ideal scoring conditions at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Texas, firing a flawless six-under-par 64 to grab a one-shot lead.

Australian Marc Leishman recorded a pair of eagles on his back nine to card a 65, ending a surprisingly calm day level with Germany's Alex Cejka who posted a bogey-free round.

Americans Scott Piercy, Charley Hoffman, Bill Lunde and Matt Kuchar - the world number five who won the Players Championship on Sunday - were among a group of seven players on four-under 66.

Though Palmer struggled with his driving over the last four holes on the challenging layout, he was delighted to stay at the top of the leaderboard, largely thanks to his superb short game.

"I had big pull hooks on my last four tee shots and I fought my way in," the Texan told reporters after making three birdies on each nine.

"I kinda locked up on my tee shots, but that's what the short game is there for, and fortunately it was good today. It's great to be in this spot again.

"Continuation from last year, that's what's cool about the whole thing. It was great. I felt great all morning, warm-up was great. I knew everything was going in the right direction.

A three-time champion on the PGA Tour, Palmer was beaten by compatriot Keegan Bradley on the first extra hole of last year's Byron Nelson Championship. This week, he is determined to respond in the best possible way.

"I keep telling myself, 'Redemption!'," Palmer smiled. "I didn't lose it last year by any means, but to get back in the same setting with the same people watching, here where I live, and just to have that feeling again....

"This time I want to be the guy standing with the trophy. That's been my focus ... leading up to the start of this tournament."

Leishman, who is bidding for his first victory on the PGA Tour, chipped in to eagle the par-four 11th and holed an eight-foot eagle putt at the par-five 16th to rocket up the leaderboard.

"It's nice having a real good chance for eagle, doesn't happen a whole lot," he said. "Both of the opportunities for eagle I had I was thinking about holing, and it's nice when they go in.

"I'm just trying to do what I can to give myself a chance (to win) really," added Leishman, who has twice been a runner-up on the PGA Tour at the 2009 BMW Championship and the 2010 Farmers Insurance Open.

Bradley launched his title defence with a 67 while American world number 10 Phil Mickelson and former world number one Ernie Els experienced mixed fortunes as they carded level-par 70s.

Left-hander Mickelson offset two birdies with two bogies, including his final hole where his drive and approach shot each ended up in bunkers, while South African Els clawed his way back after a bogey-bogey start.

"I'm frustrated that I'm letting shots slide here or there and I'm not capitalising on some birdie opportunities," said Mickelson.

"The course is in great shape and we had a perfect day.

"There are some low scores out there and plenty of birdies but I didn't take advantage of it."

Australian Jason Day had a frustrating round. The Queenslander was right in the mix at 5-under par after 16 holes, but a bogey on 17 and a double bogey on 18 pushed him back down the leaderboard to finish with a 2-under 68.

Reuters

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First posted May 18, 2012 11:36:24

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NSW golfer shoots a 55

Updated May 18, 2012 12:43:33

A 26-year-old man from Lismore in New South Wales has provisionally set a new world record for the lowest score in a round of golf.

Little-known Australian professional Rhein Gibson fired a 16-under-par 55 at the River Oaks Golf Club in Oklahoma.

Only one other player has ever shot a 55 before - Homero Blancas, a PGA Tour player from the 1960s, managed the feat on a par-70 course of just 5,000 yards.

But that score was taken out of the record books after harder qualifying rules were set.

Gibson's round falls in line with the new rules and is set to become a new world mark once it is cleared.

Starting on the back nine of the 6,698-yard par-71 course, Gibson started with a routine par before notching up two eagles and a birdie in his next three holes.

He then continued his birdie blitz with five straight to close out a mind-boggling nine holes in 26 shots, 10-under-par.

Forced to wait 15 minutes at the turn, Gibson could only manage pars on the first two holes but then birdied six of the last seven to post an incredible 55.

"I just kind of got hot I guess and every putt I hit went in, that's the best I can explain it to be honest," Gibson said.

As he faced an eight-foot birdie putt on his final hole, Gibson knew history was in the offing but felt calm.

"I wasn't nervous," he said.

"I had this song playing in my head. It is that new one from the Eli Young Band. It was in there all day."

He says it is hard to believe he's posted a score unmatched by some of the game's greats.

"It's really only starting to sink in now," he said.

Gibson is aspiring to join the PGA Tour, playing the smaller Golfweek National Pro Tour, and through six events is 12th on the money list.

ABC/AAP

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First posted May 18, 2012 11:02:11

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Kuchar clinches Players title

Updated May 14, 2012 12:28:13

American Matt Kuchar won the Players Championship on Sunday by two shots to secure the biggest win of his career and a $US1.71 million payday.

To the delight of his watching family, Kuchar shot a final round of 2-under-par 70 to finish the tournament at 13-under, two clear of Scotland's Martin Laird (67) and Americans Zach Johnson (68), Rickie Fowler (70) and Ben Curtis (68).

Kuchar, who tied for third at the Masters, consistently avoided trouble on the final day on a course that severely punishes inaccuracy.

While his challengers stumbled at various hurdles, the American kept out of water and greenside sand throughout a confident 18 holes.

"You think of this as one of the strongest fields in golf and to come out as champion is an amazing feeling," the 33-year-old told reporters.

Overnight leader Kevin Na had a disappointing final day, making six bogeys in a 76 that saw him slip back into a tie for seventh.

Tiger Woods finished in equal 40th place after shooting a 1-over par 73 to end the tournament at 1-under.

England's Luke Donald finished strongly with a 66 that elevated him to sixth place, four strokes behind Kuchar, but not enough for him to regain top place in the world rankings from Rory McIlroy, who missed the cut.

The key to Kuchar's victory, which comes after he finished tied for third at the Masters, was the way he consistently avoided trouble on a course that severely punishes inaccuracy.

The 33-year-old found 10 of 14 fairways and struck 15 greens in regulation and the tournament was effectively wrapped up when he coolly sunk a 15-foot birdie putt on the 16th to move three strokes clear.

Although he bogeyed the 'island green' 17th hole, the fixed grin never left his face as he went to the final tee with a two shot cushion.

Fowler, who followed his maiden PGA Tour win at Quail Hollow last week with a fifth second place in his career, missed a chance to apply more pressure on Kuchar when he was unable to convert a nine foot putt for birdie on the 18th.

"I saw Rickie's putt on 17 and I knew it got him to within two shots and he could birdie 18 to reduce it to one," Kuchar said.

"That could have changed the whole scenerio of how I would play the last hole.

"So I was really excited to drop that birdie on 16. That was big."

Kuchar safely parred the last to claim his first PGA title win since the 2010 Barclays at the Ridgewood Country Club in New Jersey.

"It's such an amazing feeling, it really is magical," he said.

For Fowler, despite falling short, it was another reminder of his emergence in the game.

"It was a lot of fun to be in contention and I tried to give it a run at the end. Kuch played very well, very solid and I just fell a couple of shots short," he said.

"I've had a lot of confidence in my game which has given me the calm you need coming down the stretch when the nerves are supposed to be on."

Scotsman Laird, who started the day six back, made an early challenge with six birdies through 13 holes, including a trio on 11, 12 and 13, but his push faded with bogeys at 14 and 18.

"I found my confidence this week for some reason. This is my best finish in a big, big marquee event," the United States-based Glaswegian said.

For the third tournament in a row, Woods failed to mount a challenge.

He also finished tied for 40th at the Masters before missing the cut at Quail Hollow.

"I've just got to keep working, keep working. I felt that I did it well in spurts again," Woods said.

"I just need to be a little bit more consistent."

Reuters

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First posted May 14, 2012 09:18:21

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McIlroy misses Players cut

Updated May 12, 2012 15:01:26

World number one Rory McIlroy missed the cut at the Players Championship after shooting a 4-over-par 76 in a second round which ended with a trio of Americans sharing the lead.

Adam Scott could not reproduce his heroics of yesterday but still fired a 2-under-par 70 to remain the best of the Australians.

Scott is tied for fifth while Rod Pampling, Geoff Ogilvy and Marc Leishman are all 1-under in a tie for 41st.

Americans Zach Johnson, Kevin Na and Matt Kuchar are knotted at 8-under 136, a shot clear of compatriot Harris English at the top of the leader board.

But with five players sitting a further stroke adrift and the course likely to get tougher over the weekend, the event widely known as golf's unofficial fifth major remains wide open.

One player who will not be able to make a move on Saturday is McIlroy, who has had a miserable record at the TPC Sawgrass course where he also missed the cut in his previous two appearances at the venue before skipping the event last year.

The Northern Irishman, who had not missed a cut since last year's Wells Fargo Championship, carded five bogeys and one birdie on Friday for a two-day total of 148.

"There is something about this place I just can't get to grips with," McIlroy told reporters.

"I just need to try and get the hang of this golf course somehow, it's just - I find it pretty difficult but it's just one of those weeks."

Tiger Woods had to fight to avoid missing successive cuts for the first time in his professional career after shooting a 74 in his opening round.

The former world number one, who failed to make the weekend at Quail Hollow last week, rose to the challenge by posting a 68 that included a string of four birdies around the turn that put him clear of trouble.

"I probably could have gotten one or two more out of it but I really played well today. I was just very consistent and nothing spectacular, just real solid golf," said the 14-times major champion.

It was a fair description of a round which leaves Woods six shots off the lead in a tournament he won in 2001.

Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, got off to a great start with three birdies in the opening four holes but he will be disappointed to have ended with a bogey on the 18th for a 6-under 66 that tied for the lowest round of the day.

"I never really gave the golf course much - in other words, I kept it where you need to keep it. My misses were proper. I was aggressive when I could be aggressive, and I caught a couple nice saves in there, too," the 36-year-old said.

"But when you shoot that kind of score around this golf course any day in the year, or any week, you're putting well. Clearly that's what I've been doing the best."

Martin Laird, who shared the overnight lead with fellow Briton Ian Poulter, slipped two shots off the pace after carding a 73, his solid effort undone by a double-bogey at the 'island green' 17th, where he found water, and then a bogey on the 18th.

Poulter opened his second round on the back nine with a double-bogey on his first hole, the 10th, followed by another double at the par-three 13th.

However the fashion conscious Englishman recovered to card a 4-over 76 that left him five strokes off the lead.

Defending champion K.J. Choi of South Korea missed the cut after a 76 on Friday left him with a two-day total of 151.

Also heading home early were British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, who was beaten in a playoff by Bubba Watson at this year's Masters, American world number five Hunter Mahan and three-times major winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland.

Steve Stricker ended his run of 49 tournaments without missing the cut.

ABC/Reuters

Tags: sport, golf, united-states

First posted May 12, 2012 10:50:45

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Na snatches lead at Players Championship

Updated May 13, 2012 11:25:20

Kevin Na drained a 15-foot birdie putt on the last hole to snatch the outright lead from Matt Kuchar after the third round of the Players Championship as Rickie Fowler made his move with a 6-under par 66, the best round of the day.

Australia's Adam Scott endured a wretched round, shooting a 2-over-par 74 to drop back into the pack some eight shots behind sole leader Na.

Scott's day started and ended badly as he bogeyed the first hole and finished up with a disastrous double-bogey on the 18th hole to all but end his chances of winning the tournament.

Geoff Ogilvy was the best of the Australians with a 2-under-70 to put himself 3-under for the tournament, while Marc Leishman (even), Robert Allenby (3-over) and Rod Pampling (5-over) are all well back in the field after three rounds.

Na, frequently taking excessive practice strokes and often backing away from his shot, otherwise struck the ball sweetly in carding a bogey-free 68 to reach 12-under for the tournament.

The South Korean-born American met with rules official Mark Russell after his round to discuss his slow play but said there were no problems.

"We were talking about the pace of play. We were on the clock quite a bit. Everything's okay," said Na who blamed his problems due to a lack of comfort with his balance.

"As ugly as it is and as painful as it is, believe me, it is really tough for me and I am trying," he said.

Fellow American Kuchar had a mixed day, combining seven birdies with four bogeys, including one on the notoriously difficult 'island green' 17th, for a round of 69 to finish a shot behind Na.

"I knew it was going to be a tricky day, there were going to be a lot of bogeys and dangers around every corner," said Kuchar, who tied for third at last month's Masters.

"It was a great day in terms of not letting the bad holes bother me. I think that is one of my strong suits and today it came in really helpful."

Kuchar and Na began the day in a three-way tie for the lead with Zach Johnson, the 2007 Masters champion. Johnson shot a 1-over 73 to slip back into equal fourth with Ben Curtis (70) at 7-under.

It was a sign of the difficulty of the course that Na and Kuchar were the only players to post three rounds in the 60s and Na was one of only three players, along with Curtis and Carl Pettersson, that were bogey free during the third round.

While Kuchar and Na jostled for the outright lead, most of the buzz around a sun-drenched TPC Sawgrass layout surrounded Fowler.

The 23-year-old Californian, who claimed his first PGA Tour win at Quail Hollow last week, racked up seven birdies before spoiling his otherwise flawless round with a bogey at the last, missing a putt from less than four feet.

He ended the day perfectly poised, two shots behind Fowler and one behind Kuchar.

For most of the round, Fowler, who would become the tournament's youngest winner, was right on target, and even when he got in trouble, he remained unflustered.

On the fifth hole, he drove into a bunker, 200 yards from the pin, but blasted out of the sand to just four feet and made birdie.

"I drove it well, put myself in position off the tee, which is the key here, no matter what, especially with the wind blowing today. I was able to play out of the short grass as much as possible," Fowler said.

"Other than bogeying the last, I'd have to say it was a fairly perfect round."

Tiger Woods made an even-par 72 and was 2-under for the tournament, tied for 34th place. Phil Mickelson signed for a 69 to climb 16 places to be equal 14th.

Spain's Sergio Garcia made a double bogey on the par-five second hole to tumble back to a tie for last place but recovered to finish with a 4-under-68 leaving him level with Mickelson.

ABC/Reuters

Tags: sport, golf, united-states

First posted May 13, 2012 11:18:56

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Scott returns to form at Players

Updated May 11, 2012 11:29:00

Adam Scott came within one stroke of the lead in The Players Championship before two ill-timed bogeys forced the Australian to settle three strokes off the pace after the opening round in Florida.

Scott carded a 4-under 68, joining a large pack of players in sixth trailing leaders Ian Poulter and Martin Laird, who both shot 7-under 65s at the TPC Sawgrass.

American Blake Adams was a shot further back while countrymen Kevin Na and Ben Crane finished at 5-under.

World number one Rory McIlroy had to settle for an even-par 72 after finding water at the par-three 17th, famous for its island green, while Tiger Woods risks missing consecutive cuts for the first time as a pro after shooting a 2-over 74.

Scott, champion in 2004, birdieing three of his first four holes to be 3-under at the turn before going eagle-birdie at the 11th (courtesy of a massive 34-foot putt) and 12th to move to 6-under and within sight of the clubhouse lead.

Bogeys at 13 and 15 brought the 31-year-old back to the field but well within striking distance at an event he has struggled in the last four years.

"Overall I am very happy with the start," Scott said.

"The greens were quite spicy and while I dropped a couple of shots coming in, which was unfortunate, four-under is a good spot to be."

Geoff Ogilvy was the next best-placed Aussie at 2-under with Rod Pampling a shot back and Robert Allenby at even par, followed by Jason Day and Marc Leishman at 1-over while Aaron Baddley had a nightmare 6-over with three double bogeys.

Poulter, whose lone US victory came in the 2010 World Golf Championships Match Play Championship, took advantage of his early round.

After birdies on the par-5 second and par-4 fourth, the Englishman took his lone bogey of the day at the seventh. He answered by running off four birdies in a row starting at the par-5 ninth and including the par-5 11th.

"It was a very, very good round of golf," Poulter said.

"That's definitely probably in the top 10 of the rounds of golf I have ever played.

"To turn around and say that you're going to walk off 7-under par a little bit disappointed, but if I look at the chances I had on the front nine, that could have easily been a few more."

Scot Laird fired the only bogey-free round, finishing with seven birdies and 11 pars.

"Any time you go around this golf course bogey-free is obviously a very good day," said Laird, who won in Florida last year, clinching the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.

"I missed a few greens out there from good spots in the middle of the fairways but managed to scramble really well and chipped them up close enough ... but the key was the putter and any time I had a chance for birdie, I rolled it in."

World number two Luke Donald recovered to make even-par with birdies on the 16th and 17th, while defending champion KJ Choi shot a 3-over 75.

The worst performance at the popular 17th hole came from Argentine Angel Cabrera, who found water three times as he made a nine.

Cabrera later withdrew, citing personal reasons, one of five players to pull out of the tournament on the opening day.

Lee Westwood, ranked third in the world, finished the day 1-under along with Phil Mickelson, the 2007 Players winner.

Woods was 1-over after nine but staggered around the turn with bogeys at the 18th and the first and a birdie at the par-5 second negated by a bogey at the par-3 third before he righted the ship and parred his way back to the clubhouse from there.

"Any kind of momentum that I would build, I would shoot myself in the foot on the very next hole. Just one of those days," Woods said.

"I didn't get a lot out of that round. It should have been probably 1- or 2-under par."

Woods won the 2001 Players but has struggled at the course in recent years, withdrawing last year after nine holes with left knee pain and in 2010 he withdrew with 12 holes remaining in the final round due to a neck injury.

This time, Woods was fit but unable to post a score among the leaders.

"I just didn't score. I hit decent shots in there and just got some of the worst lies," Woods said.

"It was frustrating in the sense that my good shots ended up in bad spots and obviously my bad shots ended up in worse spots."

ABC/wires

Tags: golf, sport, australia, united-states

First posted May 11, 2012 10:37:05

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Simpson soars to lead at Quail Hollow

Updated May 06, 2012 13:06:36

Webb Simpson soared to the top of a crowded leaderboard after three rounds of the Quail Hollow Championship by shooting a three-under 69 on Sunday (AEST).

Simpson birdied two of his final four holes as he took a one-stroke lead over fellow Americans Ryan Moore and DA Points in the $6.5 million dollar event.

"I don't want to get ahead of myself," Simpson said. "I look at the leaderboard and there's so many great players within a shot or two. So I know (Sunday) is going to be a tough day."

Moore (68) and Points (69) both shot bogey-free rounds and were tied for second at 13-under 203.

Former champion Rory McIlroy registered eight birdies and two bogeys en route to a six-under 66 for 204.

World number two McIlroy, the reigning US Open champion, was tied for fourth with overnight leader Nick Watney, who shot an even-par 72.

The young star from Northern Ireland has a shot at regaining the top ranking this week.

Simpson, who was tied for the lead after the first round, reached a 54-hole total of 14-under 202, capping his round with a two-putt par at 18.

Simpson posted a birdie on the par-four 15th and then rolled in a 12-foot putt for birdie on 17.

He was among seven players who had a share of the lead at one time or another in the round.

Simpson, who won both of his US tour titles last year, said the eight-foot birdie putt on 15 was the turning point.

"I hit a bad drive and had a bad lie in the rough and we actually considered laying it up, but it was one of those moments where you've got to take a chance, and it came out perfect," Simpson said.

Points said he would take the 69 even though he didn't putt very well.

"As a golfer I'm not very happy with the way I'm putting," Points said. "But if I focus on that instead of focusing on the 69 with no bogeys, my dinner is not going to taste very good, so I'm going to focus on the 69 with no bogeys and be excited about the position I'm in."

McIlroy liked his chances heading into Sunday's final round after he made par on the par-four 18 to get into the clubhouse at 12-under.

"I definitely feel like I've left a couple out there," McIlroy said. "The three-putt on 16 was pretty disappointing. You know, a 66 is a good score out there, and I feel like I've got another one of those scores in me, and looking forward to doing that tomorrow."

AFP

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First posted May 06, 2012 10:29:07

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Mickelson heads 2012 Hall of Fame class

Updated May 08, 2012 19:49:49

Three-time Masters champ Phil Mickelson headed a group of five people who were inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on Monday (local time).

Mickelson was joined in the 2012 class by two-time major champion Sandy Lyle, former player-turned broadcaster Peter Alliss, ex-LPGA star Hollis Stacy, and golf reporter Dan Jenkins.

"I would just like to say that since I was a kid and first picked up my golf club, I've been living my dream, and I want to thank you for this great honour tonight," Mickelson said.

Mickelson's superb career has been highlighted by four major championships including Masters titles in 2004, 2006 and 2010. He also won the 2005 PGA Championship.

The 41-year-old American has 40 career PGA Tour wins, including the 2007 Players Championship and the 2009 WGC-CA Championship.

Mickelson received 72 per cent of the votes. Only Australia's Greg Norman has earned a higher percentage when he got 80 per cent of the votes in 2001.

AFP

Tags: golf, sport, united-states

First posted May 08, 2012 19:49:49

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Woods misses cut at Quail Hollow

Updated May 05, 2012 10:05:25

Tiger Woods, making his first start since a disappointing performance at the Masters, missed the cut at Quail Hollow on Friday after a second-round 73.

He struggled with his accuracy off the tee but really suffered on the greens, needing 33 putts in his round.

Woods' one-over par effort left him on even par 144, one shot above the projected cut line.

Although the cut would not be official until the round was over, Woods was resigned to what would be the eighth missed cut of his pro career.

"This is one of my favorite tour stops, and unfortunately, I'm just not going to be around for the last two days," said Woods, who won at Quail Hollow in 2007.

Woods also missed the cut at Quail Hollow in 2010, not long after he returned to golf in the wake of the sex scandal that rocked his personal life.

American Nick Watney was the leader in the clubhouse after a sparkling 64 for 12-under 132, with Woods's playing partner Webb Simpson a shot back on 133 after a second-round 68.

Australia's John Senden lies in joint third along with Stewart Cink, Ben Crane and D.A. Points.

Woods, whose tie for 40th at the Masters was his worst ever finish at Augusta National as a professional, again couldn't capitalize on good scoring conditions.

He failed to birdie any of the par-fives and said that as at the Masters, he allowed old habits to creep in and disrupt the new swing he has put together under the guidance of coach Sean Foley.

"It's just that I get out there and I want to get comfortable, and I follow my old stuff," he said. "I know what I need to do. It's just I need more reps doing it."

In an odd twist to the 14-time major champion's day, Woods was awarded a free drop after a fan apparently walked off with his ball.

Going for the green at the par-five fifth Woods went 30 yards left of the green and over the gallery.

When Woods walked up, his ball was nowhere to be found.

Tour official Mark Russell spoke to several people who saw the ball land and determined that someone took it.

He allowed Woods a free drop at the spot where spectators said they saw it.

Woods is enduring an erratic 2012 season. He withdrew in the final round at Doral with a sore Achilles tendon, then won at Bay Hill to claim his first PGA Tour title in more than two years.

That victory sent him into the Masters on a high, but he finished tied for 40th at Augusta National and drew stern criticism for a burst of temper in which he kicked a club after a poor tee shot.

Woods said he would just keep practising.

"The entire week, I didn't play the par-fives well," Woods said.

"Today I made four pars. You just can't do that, especially when all of them are reachable with irons. I didn't take care of the par-fives, missed a couple other little short ones for birdie, and consequently got no momentum during the round."

AFP

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First posted May 05, 2012 09:58:06

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Fowler wins Quail Hollow in play-off

Updated May 07, 2012 10:30:16

Rickie Fowler claimed his first PGA Tour victory when he won the Quail Hollow championship with a birdie on the first hole of a play-off against Briton Rory McIlroy and fellow American D.A. Points.

The 23-year-old Fowler finally justified his billing as one of the game's top young players when he sank a four-footer for birdie at the 18th hole to claim victory at the Charlotte, North Carolina course.

Fowler fired a three-under-par 69 to join US Open champion McIlroy (70) and Points (71) in the sudden-death playoff after tying at 14-under-par 274 after the regulation 72 holes.

Fowler, who had made the last US Ryder Cup team despite lacking a tour victory, saw the pressure lift off his shoulders when both Points and McIlroy missed their par putts.

McIlroy had left himself 34 feet from the cup after his approach, and Points was 41 feet away.

Despite losing out in the playoff, the finish ensured 23-year-old McIlroy would reclaim the number one world ranking.

Home-town favorite Webb Simpson, the third-round leader, finished one stroke out of the playoff at 275 after posting a 73 for fourth place.

Simpson was two shots better off than Briton Lee Westwood 66 and Americans Ben Curtis 67 and Ryan Moore 74.

Reuters

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First posted May 07, 2012 08:38:52

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Selecting a Good Golf Ball

Cink shares Quail Hollow lead

Updated May 04, 2012 12:41:56

Stewart Cink birdied his last three holes to tie for the lead after 18 holes of the Quail Hollow Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina.

American Cink, seeking his first PGA Tour victory since his playoff win at the 2009 British Open, fired a 7-under-par 65 to end a humid day at Quail Hollow Club level with compatriots Ryan Moore and Webb Simpson.

Australian John Senden, Britain's Brian Davis and Americans Rickie Fowler, DA Points and Patrick Reed all shot 6-under par 66, while golfing heavyweights Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson had to settle for one-under-par 71.

US Open champion Rory McIlroy three-putted to bogey his final hole for a 70, British world number three Lee Westwood carded a 71 and 2009 U.S. Open winner Lucas Glover launched his title defence with a 72.

Cink, who has mainly struggled for form since pulling off his first major victory at Turnberry in Scotland three years ago, was delighted to remain bogey-free despite not playing his best.

"It was a good round," the 38-year-old told reporters after sinking a 20-footer on his final hole, the par-four ninth.

"It wasn't a great round, far from perfect, but I had a few putts go in the hole and managed my misses pretty well.

"I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm back ... but it's still good to see something like this and give yourself a little bit of confidence," added Cink, who has recorded only one top-25 finish in 10 starts on the 2012 PGA Tour.

Woods, who won the event in 2007, put himself under early pressure after bogeying two of his first six holes on his first PGA Tour event since last month's Masters.

Front-nine errors

"I made too many mistakes on the front nine," the 14-times major champion said after mixing four birdies with three bogeys.

"I didn't get up and down a couple times and made a couple bad shots on the wrong side of the hole.

"I didn't take care of the par-fives and I had an easy up and in at eight, which I messed up there. I've got to obviously not make those little mistakes like that tomorrow."

McIlroy, who closed with a course record 62 to blow away a top-quality field by four shots in the same tournament in 2010, was let down by his usually accurate driving.

"I didn't hit many fairways and if you do that around here, it makes it a lot more difficult to score," the 22-year-old said after carding four birdies and two bogeys.

"Conditions out there were pretty much perfect. Seventy probably wasn't enough out there but it's okay. I'll go out tomorrow and see if I can do a little better."

Four-times major champion Mickelson was briefly derailed by a triple-bogey at the par-four fourth where he hit his tee shot out of bounds.

"I played pretty well today and hit a lot of greens but made one mistake with the triple there," left-hander Mickelson said after a five-birdie display. "That was a really poor tee shot.

"Fortunately I came back to shoot one under. I'll try and come out tomorrow and shoot something in the mid-60s and get into the weekend ... if I can get a hot round, I'll get right in it."

Reuters

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First posted May 04, 2012 11:55:05

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