Snedeker wins Torrey Pines play-off

Updated January 30, 2012 12:49:25

Brandt Snedeker parred the second play-off hole for an improbable victory in the US PGA Tour event at Torrey Pines after Kyle Stanley surrendered a three-shot lead on the 72nd hole.

Stanley, who led by as many as seven shots, arrived at the last hole of regulation with a three-shot cushion.

But his approach at the par-five rolled into the water and he ended up with a triple-bogey eight for a 2-over-par 74 for a 16-under total.

Snedeker was already off the course after capping his 67 on the Torrey Pines South course with a birdie at the last, where he landed a wedge to about a foot and tapped in.

Even after that final flourish Snedeker did not imagine that he would have a chance to win.

But after Stanley's disaster, the two returned to the 18th for the first hole of the sudden-death play-off.

Both birdied the par-five and they moved on to the par-three 16th.

Snedeker was over the green but his ball settled at the base of a television tower. He chipped on and made his five-footer for par, while Stanley's putt of similar length burned the edge but did not drop.

"It's just crazy," Snedeker said. "To get my mind around what happened the last 30 minutes is pretty hard to do right now.

"My heart is out to Kyle. I feel bad for him to have to go through this."

The devastating defeat left Stanley still in search of his first US PGA Tour win, while Snedeker captured his third title.

The 24-year-old could barely control his emotions after a week of superb play ended in bitter disappointment.

"It's not a hard golf hole," he said. "I could probably play it a thousand times and never make an eight."

Stanley had birdied his first two holes of the day and led by six through nine.

After back-to-back bogeys at 11 and 12, he appeared to be back on track with five straight pars.

It was not the first time Stanley lost to a come-from-behind rival. He led by two at the John Deere Classic last season but bogeyed the final hole and saw Steve Stricker seize the title with back-to-back birdies.

"I know I'll be back," Stanley said. "It's tough to swallow right now."

Meanwhile, Rod Pampling was the best-placed Australian in a tie for eighth, six shots behind Snedeker and Stanley on 10-under.

AFP

Tags: golf, sport, united-states

First posted January 30, 2012 11:41:02

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Smiling Ryu still on top at Royal Pines

Updated February 04, 2012 19:21:01

The birdies dried up for So-Yeon Ryu on Saturday, but the South Korean still holds a three-shot lead heading into the final round at the Australian Ladies Masters after shooting a 3-under 69.

Ryu (66-61-69) will take plenty of confidence going into Sunday at 20-under knowing she has plenty of experience of dominating the big days - just as she did last year in winning the US Open.

The 21-year-old, who posted a scorching 11-under 61 on Friday, admitted fatigue played a part as she was unable to replicate her magical round.

"My shot was not great today," Ryu said.

"My body was tired, (shooting 61 on Friday) took a lot of energy."

Gritty Dutchwoman Christel Boeljon (66-65-68) matched Ryu's last hole birdie to finish on 17-under, losing no admirers as she chipped away at Ryu's lead all day to finish three shots back.

Ryu looked to have the Masters at her mercy on Friday after posting a career low 11-under 61 to jump four shots clear of her rivals.

Her 12-birdie round was hailed one of the best seen at Royal Pines, putting her in a perfect position to attack seven-time winner Karrie Webb's 2010 tournament record total of 262.

Webb's 26-under record is still possible if Ryu goes low on Sunday and wins.

Saturday was moving day and while Ryu did not stall, several players made good ground on her.

What was significant, however, was the way Ryu finished - birdie, birdie - a reminder to those chasing her she is not going to give the tournament up.

The landscape however has certainly changed heading into the final round.

On Saturday she started 17-under and four clear of Boeljon with a gap of seven shots to Australia's Nikki Campbell and Korean Bo-Me Lee in third place.

Sunday she sets out three ahead of Boeljon with Korean Ha-Heul Kim, who eagled her final hole in her 8-under 64, and dangerous Italian Diana Luna (71-64-66) only four back.

Luna stormed home through her back nine with five birdies and an eagle.

Australia's best hope, Frances Bondad (68-72-63), also sounded a warning sizzling home with five straight birdies in a career-low 63.

"That was my best score to date, I'm very happy," said Bondad, who was ready to take a long break from professional golf last year when he finances and confidence were at an all-time low.

"I sort of lost track of how low I was shooting midway through the back nine. It was a pretty good round and it sets me up well for Sunday."

England's Laura Davies shot 70, leaving her 17 shots adrift of Ryu.

AAP

Tags: golf, sport, benowa-4217, qld, australia

First posted February 04, 2012 19:21:01

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Pampling, Chalmers in touch at Torrey Pines

Updated January 27, 2012 13:02:53

Rod Pampling and Greg Chalmers sit inside the top 10 after the first round at the US PGA Tour event at Torrey Pines.

Pampling fired an eight-under-par 64 to be tied fourth, one better than reigning Australian Open and PGA Champion Chalmers who signed for a seven-under 65, enough to be tied eighth.

Americans Spencer Levin and Kyle Stanley lead the field after producing blistering 10-under rounds of 62, one clear of Bill Haas (63) who is third at nine-under.

All but one of the top 16 players completed the easier north course in the opening round, with Marc Turnesa (66, tied 13th) claiming round honours on the more difficult south course.

The field plays on both courses over the opening two days before reverting to the 2008 US Open south course for the weekend.

Pampling flew out of the gates with an opening birdie but his form closing out the front nine was even more impressive.

The 42-year-old punched out four birdies in five holes to go out in 31 shots - enough to hold the solo lead for a brief moment.

He finished his round with three further birdies on the back nine to post a career-low score on the north course.

It was the first time in nine attempts he had broken 70 in his opening round at the event, although he twice previously shot 67 in second rounds on the north.

Chalmers raced out of the blocks with three birdies in his opening four holes.

He followed up with two further birdies before dropping a 50-foot bomb for eagle on the par-five 18th.

Robert Allenby and Gavin Coles were the next best-placed Australians in a tie for 26th after posting four-under 68s on the north course, while Nick O'Hern was the pick of the Aussies on the south.

O'Hern muscled his way to a three-under-par 69 on the trickier side of the course to be tied 36th.

Aaron Baddeley (-2, NC), Stuart Appleby (-1, NC), Geoff Ogilvy (Even, SC), Marc Leishman (Even, SC), Nathan Green (Even, NC), Jarrod Lyle (+1, SC), Steven Bowditch (+2, SC), Mathew Goggin (+3, SC) and Matthew Giles (+3, SC) rounded out the Australian assault.

AAP

Tags: golf, sport, australia, united-states

First posted January 27, 2012 12:59:22

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