Villegas upstages Woods and McIlroy

(CNN) -- Golf's forgotten man, Colombia's Camilo Villegas, gave the galleries a reminder of his prodigious talent with a six-under-par 64 to lead the Honda Classic Thursday

Villegas won the 2010 edition of the PGA Tour event at Palm Beach Gardens but a shocking run of form since saw him lose his card at the end of the 2012 season.

Playing on an invite from the sponsors, the 31-year-old Villegas, carded four birdies and a stunning eagle on the 18th to lead Rickie Fowler, Canada's Graham DeLaet and Branden Grace of South Africa by a stroke.

Villegas came home in just 30 for the treacherous back nine of the PGA National Course as he bids for his fourth PGA Tour win and a return to golf's top table.

Honda Classic latest leaderboard

His 263-yard three-wood approach to the 18th "the perfect number for me" set up his superb finish.

"It was nice to make it," he told Sky Sports "And nice to see the ball going in the hole, I've been working hard for the last few months and nice to see the result," he added.

It left him six shots clear of defending champion and World No.1 Rory McIlroy, who again battled an errant driver and had to rely on his short game to stay in touch.

McIlroy, who missed the cut in his first event of the season since switching to the clubs of his new sponsor Nike, then lost in the first round of the WGC World Championship last week, got into red fingers on the back nine.

Read: Nike duo Woods and McIlroy humbled in Arizona desert

But more errant play from tee to green saw him finish with a disappointing bogey six for level par 70.

It left him on the same mark as early starter Tiger Woods, who recovered from two over at the turn, to recover to level par.

Woods had to take off his shoes and socks to play a ball half submerged in the water hazard at the sixth, his 15th, but it paid off.

He moved the ball forward and his third left him eight foot from the hole, making the putt for a valuable par.

But the former No.1 struggled on the greens and he finished with 32 putts.

"I hit good putts," Woods told the official PGA Tour website.

"I was getting fooled on the grain, the green speeds are a little bit faster than they were but it's an adjustment I need to make."

On the European Tour, South African Darren Fichardt continued his blistering early season form, carding eight holes on his way to a seven-under-par 65 and a one-shot lead in the inaugural Tshwane Open.

The 37-year-old won the Africa Open in East London two weeks ago and found his form again on the Copperleaf Golf and Country Estate near Pretoria.

Fichardt's nearest challenger is Bjorn Akesson of Sweden in the $1.970 million tournament.

Meanwhile, Guan Tianlang's bid to make this year's British Open suffered a major setback as the 14-year-old Chinese golf prodigy fell seven shots off the lead after the first round of International Final qualifying Asia Thursday.

Guan will be playing at the U.S.Masters after winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship last year on the same Amata Spring Country Club in Thailand where the qualifying is taking place.

But a one-over 73 left him with much to do to win won of the four spots available for the July 18-21 British Open at Muirfield.

Via: Villegas upstages Woods and McIlroy

McIlroy wants putting saga sorted

(CNN) -- Rory McIlroy has urged the world of golf to come together and unite over the controversial rule changes on putting.

The World No.1 fears that the game could be torn apart with the PGA Tour joining the PGA of America in opposing the proposed ban of advanced anchored putters from 2016.

Golf's governing bodies, the Royal & Ancient (R & A) and the United States Golf Association (USGA), announced the plan last year with the 90-day consultation period set to expire on Thursday.

The R & A is the rule-making authority throughout the world of golf, excluding the U.S. and Mexico where the USGA runs the sport.

"Anchored" putting method to be banned from 2016

PGA Tour commissioner Tom Finchem has already stated that the organization did not see "a competitive advantage to be gained by using anchoring."

But McIlroy, who has previously spoken in favor of the ban, says a decision needs to be taken across the whole of the sport from the PGA Tour to the European Tour.

"I saw what Tim Finchem had to say and it seems like the European Tour is going to go a different way," McIlroy told a press conference ahead of the Honda Open.

"I read a thing Monty (Colin Montgomerie) said that this divide isn't good for golf and I don't think it is. We either need to all be on one side or the other.

"It's up to the governing bodies at the end of the day to decide. I sort of think it was a bit of a knee jerk reaction to how much success people were having with it (players using long putters have won three of the last five majors).

"I'm all for people enjoying the game and trying to make the game as easy as possible and bringing people to the game, and if that means they should allow anchored putters to make it easier for the general public then that's a good thing.

"But then they talk about bifurcation, whether you should have one set of rules for us and one set for the amateurs and it's just a bit of a mess and opened a can of worms."

PGA Tour against 'belly putter' ban

The PGA Tour runs the American circuit and plays a leading role in staging World Golf Championship events.

It has traditionally adopted the rules of the R&A and USGA, which runs the Open Championship and U.S. Open, while the PGA of America organizes the US PGA Championship and American Ryder Cup team.

With the European Tour already having announced its intention to abide with the R&A agenda, McIlroy feels the rest of the world should fall in line.

He added: "We have put the game of golf in the hands of the R&A and USGA for I don't know how many years and have always abided by the rules that they've set and I don't think there should be any difference.

"If it were up to me, whatever decision the USGA comes to, maybe the pressure the PGA Tour has put on them, they might change their minds and rethink about it, and if they do that it's totally fine with me."

Via: McIlroy wants putting saga sorted

PGA Tour against 'belly putter' ban

(CNN) -- To belly putt or not to belly putt, that is the question.

Golf's governing bodies could be on a collision course after the PGA Tour announced it is opposed to the banning of anchored putting by the sport's lawmakers.

The controversial technique, which involves anchoring the club to a part of the body, is favored by major winners Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and Ernie Els.

The Royal & Ancient (R & A) and the United States Golf Association (USGA) put forward proposed rule changes in November which would effectively outlaw use of the controversial "belly putter" by 2016.

The R & A is the rule-making authority throughout the world of golf, excluding the U.S. and Mexico where the USGA runs the sport.

The U.S.-based PGA Tour rejects the suggested law change saying there is no evidence the technique offers a "competitive advantage" over more traditional putting methods.

Read: Obama, Tiger round irks press

"Essentially where the PGA Tour came down was that they did not think that banning anchoring was in the best interest of golf or the PGA Tour," the circuit's commissioner Tim Finchem told a press conference at the World Golf Championship event at Dove Mountain.

Finchem insisted the PGA Tour is yet to consider the course of action it would take if the ban was implemented and whether it would rally against the USGA.

"Our regulations provide that we will follow the rules as promulgated by the USGA provided, however, we retain the right not to in certain instances if we see fit," he added.

"But we have not even begun that discussion. All we've done is done what we were asked to do, which is to give them our best input and advice on that particular initiative.

"That's a different question, and it would be speculative for me to guess where that might come out."

Meanwhile, Matt Kuchar beat fellow American Hunter Mahan to clinch his first title of 2013 at the match play event.

The world No. 8 has won 14 of his last 16 matches at the Arizona course, with Kuchar's dominance such that none of his matches made it to the 18th hole.

Kuchar held off a stern challenge from Mahan over the back nine to seal a 2 and 1 win.

"I'm not sure I can explain how excited I am to have won this tournament," Kuchar told the PGA Tour's official website.

"Match play I find to be such an amazing, unique format, so much fun to play and so much pressure. It seems like each hole there's so much momentum riding and so much pressure on every hole.

"To come out on top after six matches of playing guys, the top 64 guys in the world, it's an incredible feeling."

Via: PGA Tour against 'belly putter' ban

Bubba Watson joins WGC casualty list

(CNN) -- Another day, another big name crashes out of the World Golf Championship event at Dove Mountain.

The world's top two players, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods departed after the first round of the Accenture Match Play in Arizona, former No. 1 Luke Donald exited on Friday along with Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose, and now Bubba Watson and Martin Kaymer are out of the running as well.

Masters champion Watson was beaten by Australian Jason Day in Saturday's early tee-offs, with the tournament schedule crammed due to snow at the desert course which wiped out the first day in midweek.

The American went down 4 and 3 as Day cruised into the afternoon quarterfinals, where he was to face former U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell.

"Jason Day just played better," Watson, who went to four extra holes before beating Jim Furyk on Friday, wrote on Twitter.

"But my ball striking is better and excited about the rest of the year!"

McDowell ended the dream run of Shane Lowry, who had beaten his fellow Northern Irishman McIlroy.

Lowry, who is from the Republic of Ireland, was the lowest-ranked player in the 64-man field but edged past McIlroy 1-up before defeating Sweden's world No. 35 Carl Petterson.

McDowell, ranked 19th, triumphed 3 and 2 on Saturday as he followed up his wins against Ireland's three-time major champion Padraig Harrington and world No. 51 Alexander Noren of Sweden.

Day, ranked 43rd, beat 2007 Masters winner Zach Johnson in his opening match and then disposed of American PGA Tour rookie Russell Henley -- who won the Sony Open in Hawaii last month.

"It was just really steady golf," Day said. "Bubba gave me a couple early on and I just tried to hold that lead, and I tried to extend it.

"I think I was four under through 14 holes, so overall very, very happy with how I played."

Former world No. 1 Kaymer was thrashed 5 and 4 by 25th-ranked defending champion Hunter Mahan, who earned a quarterfinal against U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson.

Mahan has now been ahead in every match he has played at the tournament since the sixth hole of last year's opening match -- a run of 133 holes.

"If you hit fairways and greens, you know you're going to put pressure on your guy," the American said after his win over the 2011 runner-up, which avenged that year's third-round defeat to the German.

"It's definitely nice to get a lead and that's the goal for everybody, but to do it, it's a good feeling for sure."

Simpson, ranked 17th, won 2-up against Spain's No. 33 Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.

England's Ian Poulter, the 2010 Match Play winner, set up a clash with 2001 champion Steve Stricker.

Poulter thrashed South Africa's Tim Clark 5 and 3 while veteran American Stricker beat Donald's conqueror Scott Piercy.

"Quick bite for lunch and then another match this afternoon," Poulter, playing in his first tournament for six weeks, wrote on Twitter.

"Keep plugging away and stay out of trouble."

The other quarterfinal was between Americans Matt Kuchar, who last year reached fifth in the world rankings before dropping to 23rd now, and big-hitting Arizona-based No. 38 Robert Garrigus.

Via: Bubba Watson joins WGC casualty list

Snedeker 'best golfer right now'

(CNN) -- Europe's Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter is in no doubt as to who rules the roost of golf at present: "Sneds is officially the best golfer on the planet right now."

"Sneds" is short for Brandt Snedeker, and Poulter's tribute on Twitter came soon after the native Tennessean had wrapped up a two-shot victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

It means the 32-year-old has picked up in 2013 where he left off last season after triumphing in the FedEx playoffs and winning the season-ending Tour Championship to secure a cool $10 million bonus.

Only world No. 1 Rory McIlroy and 14-time major winner Tiger Woods have won more tournaments than him in the past year and he has targeted 2013 as his time to finally break through to win a major tournament.

Read: Sterne emulates Tiger with Joburg win

"It's just hard to put into words, to have a stretch of golf like I had the last couple of months," Snedeker was quoted as saying on the PGA Tour's official website.

"Something you dream about. Something you think that you can do, but you don't really know until you actually put it together. And I have. I'm really enjoying this, and hopefully can parlay this into the best year of my career.

"I know that if I play the way I played the last three weeks that there's very few people in the world that can beat me.

"And I will relish that challenge being there Sunday trying to beat the best player in the world or whoever it may be down the back nine at Augusta. That's something I look forward to instead of dreading maybe four years ago."

Snedeker fired a final round 65 -- better than all his nearest competitors -- as he ended on 19-under-par, two shots clear of fellow countryman Chris Kirk.

Despite not being able to match the likes of McIlroy or Woods in terms of hitting distance, Snedeker has studied his fellow pros who are similarly short strikers of the ball.

Taking his lead from the likes of Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk and David Toms, Snedeker honed his game to ensure distance wasn't preventing him challenging for big titles.

"The more time I spent watching those guys play golf, the more I realized what I need to do to compete on a worldwide level," Snedeker added.

"I give those guys a lot of credit because I watched them do it day-in and day-out for like the last five years.

"You watch those guys pick their way around a golf course ... and what their strengths are and what they need to focus on. So it really kind of inspired me.

"To win the golf tournaments I've won and in contention as much as I have, you know, probably with not very much fanfare and people thinking, 'I don't hit the ball very long, I'm not the best ball striker.'

"But somehow all my parts end up being pretty good at the end of the day."

Snedeker's latest victory means he has finished in the top three in six of his last nine tournaments and in his 19 rounds this season he has shot in the 60s all but three times.

Via: Snedeker 'best golfer right now'

Nike duo Woods and McIlroy humbled

(CNN) -- When Nike signed a multi-million dollar deal to add Rory McIlroy to their ranks they must have salivated at the thought of the world's top player going head-to-head with stablemate Tiger Woods.

Imagine the marketing potential of their twin titans battling it out down the stretch at major championships for years to come, bedecked, of course, in Nike gear.

That dream may well be realized in time, and Woods at least has one title to his name this year, but at the most high-profile tournament of 2013 to date both crashed and burned at the first hurdle.

World No. 1 McIlroy was eliminated in the first round of the World Match Play Championship by Ireland's Shane Lowry in Arizona, to add to his missed cut at his only other appearance this year, in Abu Dhabi.

Read: Nike unveils Rory McIlroy: Tiger's heir apparent

Woods, the world No. 2, didn't fare any better, losing to Charles Howell III. The other two top seeds, South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen and England's Luke Donald, the world No. 3, went safely through to round two.

McIlroy squandered early chances against Lowry, who came to life on the back nine, chipping in for birdie at 11 and 12 before an eagle at 13 put him in the driving seat.

The Northern Irishman won 16 to reduce the deficit to one shot but Lowry, ranked 68, held firm to sink a four-foot putt at the last to claim a famous triumph.

"I didn't make enough birdies in the end," McIlroy told the PGA Tour's official website. "Shane had a nice little stretch around part of the back nine. I hung in there, but I just didn't do enough."

"Deep down I knew I could beat him," a jubilant Lowry said. "I'm not here for no reason. I'm not here to make up the numbers.

"I said to Darren, my caddie, walking down 11 or 12, 'He's not liking this one bit. He's the one under pressure, I've got nothing to lose, so let's have a go from here.'

"I'm feeling quite good now, but it's important not to get too high now because it's only the first round, and I've got another match tomorrow."

Heavy snow curtailed the first day and delayed the start on Thursday as the course was prepared for play. And in fading light, Woods and Howell decided to continue playing in near gloom to reach a conclusion.

Woods squared the game on 13 but Howell birdied the 15th and 16th to go two up, wrapping the match up on the 17th.

Woods was naturally disappointed in defeat but was pleased with his performance. "I played well, I really did," Woods said. "I hit a lot of good shots out there.

"It's the nature of the format. You've just got to beat the guy you're playing against, and I didn't do that today. Chucky won the match."

Elsewhere, defending champion Hunter Mahan moved into the second round after a comprehensive 5&4 victory over Matteo Manassero.

Donald, the 2011 champion, fought hard to beat Germany's Marcel Siem on the final hole while fellow Englishman, and European Ryder Cup hero, Ian Poulter beat Stephen Gallacher 2&1.

Graeme McDowell edged a close game with Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk defeated Ryan Moore while 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson and 2012 U.S. Open winner Webb Simpson moved into round two.

There were other high-profile departures in the form of 2011 U.S. PGA champion Keegan Bradley, Lee Westwood and 2012 British Open winner Ernie Els.

Via: Nike duo Woods and McIlroy humbled

Snow suspends first day of Match Play

(CNN) -- Players reacted with a mix of bemusement and amusement as the opening day of the Accenture World Match Play in Arizona was suspended by heavy snow.

The Dove Mountain course in Marana was able to host just over three-and-a-half hours of golf before the bitterly cold conditions took control of a region known for its desert climate.

"This weather is officially ridiculous!" tweeted World no. 1 Rory McIlroy who, like Tiger Woods, was among those who had yet to start their first round matches.

Spain's Sergio Garcia was the closest player to victory, two up against Thongchai Jaidee on the 16th and with a possible putt to win the match upon his return.

Ian Poulter was also looking good for victory, 3 up on Stephen Gallacher with 12 holes played, before he was forced off course.

"The caddies have officially just had a snow ball fight," the Englishman tweeted. "Never seen anything like it."

Play was suspended at 11.07 local time because of the driving rain and snow, with ice beginning to form on the greens.

Only 10 of the 64 first-round matches had yet to tee off when the snowstorm struck.

Defending champion Hunter Mahan was 4-up on Italy's Matteo Manassero after nine holes.

Organizers hope to restart play on Thursday, with fans who missed out on seeing Wednesday's action having been told they can attend for no extra cost on Sunday.

Via: Snow suspends first day of Match Play

Obama, Tiger round irks press

(CNN) -- There were high-profile tournaments on both the PGA and European Tours this weekend, yet the most talked about round of golf was undoubtedly shared by Tiger Woods and President Obama.

But as the 14-time major winner and current world No. 2 ambled round the Floridian course in Palm Beach with the leader of the free world, resentment was starting to build among the press corps.

Naturally, such a high profile two-ball was of huge interest to journalists the world over but the White House refused to sanction so much as a snap of the pair in action.

Obama's love for golf is well documented and the press have been able to capture some of his previous rounds with former President Bill Clinton and Republican House Speaker John Boehner.

Read: The world's largest golf tee?

But on this occasion reporters weren't allowed access to the well defended Floridian complex, which drew criticism from the White House Correspondents Association.

It's own president, Ed Henry, said: "I can say a broad cross section of our members from print, radio, online and TV have today expressed extreme frustration to me about having absolutely no access to the President of the United States this entire weekend.

"There is a very simple but important principle we will continue to fight for today and in the days ahead: transparency."

Very few details emerged from Woods and Obama's round, but the fact that Golf Channel reporter Tim Rosaforte appeared to be tweeting from inside the complex only added to the WHCA's ire.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest responded by releasing a statement defending the secret nature of the meeting.

"The press access granted by the White House today is entirely consistent with the press access offered for previous presidential golf outings," it read.

"It's also consistent with the press access promised to the White House Press Corps prior to arrival in Florida on Friday evening."

On Saturday, Obama is reported to have spent time working on his swing with Woods' former coach Butch Harmon, who called it an "honor."

The 69-year-old tweeted: "What a great weekend. To spend it with the President and have my son Claude III by my side. It doesn't get any better than this."

Obama also played with U.S Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Jim Crane, a Democratic donor who owns the resort and the Houston Astros, according to reports.

Meanwhile, John Merrick won his first ever title on the PGA Tour after edging Charlie Beljan out in a playoff at the Northern Trust Open in Santa Monica, California.

The American, who attended UCLA, made par on the second extra hole, the 10th, while Beljan missed a five foot putt to prolong the playoff.

"To be able to play the tournament was a dream of mine," Merrick told the PGA Tour website. "But to win? I can't describe it. It's so much fun."

Elsewhere, the draw for the first World Golf Championships title of the year, the Accenture Match Play, has been made, pairing world No. 1 Rory McIlroy, who lost to Hunter Mahan in the final last year, against Irishman Shane Lowry.

Woods will play Charles Howell III in his opening round match while defending champion Mahan comes up against Italian teenager Matteo Manassero.

Luke Donald, the 2011 champion, begins his charge against Marcel Siem of Germany. Former British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa, the No. 4 seed, will play Richie Ramsay of Scotland.

Via: Obama, Tiger round irks press

Fichardt holds out to win Africa Open

(CNN) -- Darren Fichardt claimed victory at the Africa Open in South Africa Sunday, despite suffering a late scare.

The overnight leader managed to cling on after dropping three shots in the his last five holes to finish with a one-under-par 71.

And the home favorite admitted afterward that he was left fretting as the tension began to rise.

"I started losing focus," Fichardt said on the European Tour website. "I was four shots ahead and I started taking it for granted.

"I was putting unbelievably and then I missed a short putt at the 14th and thought 'what's going on here?

"This is one of my favorite tournaments. The golf course is second to none -- you've got to hit a lot of knock down shots and irons off the tee.

"I always enjoy coming here, and obviously winning the tournament makes the week especially enjoyable."

Woods in, Snedeker out of Match Play

Fichardt edged out fellow South African Jaco Van Zyl and France's Gregory Bourdy, who finished in a tie for second place.

It represented a fourth consecutive win for the home nation, after Charl Schwartzel (2010) and fellow Major Champion Louis Oosthuizen (2011 and 2012) won the first three tournaments.

Meanwhile, South Korea's world number eight Shin Ji-Yai claimed victory and the $185,000 prize at the Women's Australian Open Sunday.

Shin finished two strokes clear of Taiwan's Tseng Yani and four ahead of teen sensation Lydia Ko at 18-under-par.

New Zealander Ko, 15, could only manage a three-over 76 to finish third at 14-under-par.

Shin, 24, carded a final round of 72 for an overall total of 274, which was enough to claim her third victory in seven LPGA tour starts and 11th career win.

Shin, who turned professional in January 2005, is the first South Korean woman to win the tournament in its 21-year history.

Uribe overtakes teenager Ko in Australia

"Finally I win in Australia so I'm really happy about that," she told the LPGA website.

"I was so nervous this morning because I had a good chance for birdies, but also had a lot of hard work to keep par.

"Then the course is kept dry, so it's really hard to control with my iron distance.

"I had two bogeys today, but I think they're still happy with only two bogeys because I missed a few greens, but my chip shot was great and I had a good up and down out there.

"I believed -- and then when I came through the 18th, the green, there were so many people down there, so it felt amazing to walk through."

Via: Fichardt holds out to win Africa Open

Uribe overtakes teenager Ko in Australia

(CNN) -- Teenage sensation Lydia Ko followed up her record-breaking round of 10-under-par on day one of the Women's Australian Open with a score of 69, but it wasn't enough to retain the overall lead.

Colombian Mariajo Uribe, whose round of nine-under on Thursday was overshadowed by her 15-year-old rival, again kept a bogey off her card as a 67 took her one shot clear on 15-under.

Korean World No. 7 Jiyai Shin is hot on the heels of Uribe, her round of six-under drawing her level with Ko on 14-under as the trio gear up for a battle in Canberra over the weekend.

"I went out just wanting to get in the competition more, after two months without playing, so it was a fun round," Uribe told the tournament's official website.

"I made good putts, took advantage of the opportunities and the same thing I did today. So I feel pretty good.

"It's funny because the tournaments I play better are the ones that I'm rusty or that I'm not hitting the ball that well. I think I come in with low expectations and things kind of happen.

"I believe in things that are meant to be and I feel it's meant to be for me to play good this week. Hopefully it stays like that for the weekend.''

It is the first time Uribe has led a tournament at the half way stage but she said she was comfortable with the expectation that brings: "I'm not the type of player who gets nervous. I love pressure. That's when I play better, usually.''

It was perhaps inevitable Ko wouldn't be able to repeat her heroics from day one but a steady round of four-under means she is well placed to launch an attack to claim the fourth tournament victory of her fledgling career.

"I think four-under is a pretty good score out there. I mean, it's not an easy golf course. I'm pretty sure it is a pretty good score for me," she said.

"I mean at some points, because my putting was so good yesterday when it didn't go in I was a little disappointed but I think I putted well out there and played well."

Via: Uribe overtakes teenager Ko in Australia

Ko, 15, hits the front in Australia

(CNN) -- She's the latest teen prodigy to emerge from golf's conveyor belt and if she keeps producing stellar performances like this 15-year-old Lydia Ko may well shelve her plans to stay an amateur.

The Kiwi stormed to the top of the leaderboard at the Australian Women's Open in Canberra with a ten-under-par round of 63 that included 11 birdies, one eagle and, astonishingly, three bogeys.

Ko's round meant she eclipsed her playing partners, world No. 1 Yani Tseng and American Michelle Wie, another player who grabbed worldwide attention when she qualified for the Women's U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship aged just 10.

The teenager, who was born in South Korea, won her third professional tournament last week in her native New Zealand and leads by a shot in Canberra from Colombian Mariajo Uribe.

Read: Woods in, Snedeker out of Match Play

And despite giving notice of her intentions, even if she were to win the 1.2 million tournament, she won't be able to claim any prize money as she still is still an amateur.

"After my bogey on my first hole, which was the 10th, I thought 'what's today going to be like?' But after a couple of birdies, I started to feel pretty comfortable," she told the tournament's official website.

Ko needed just 30 shots to complete her front nine holes and her illustrious playing partners thought she could be on course for a record-breaking round of 59.

But Ko played down that it was on her mind during her round: "I've played good before and gone triple, par bogey or whatever. I didn't really think about what I was going to shoot. It was one shot at a time.''

Her performance certainly made a lasting impression on her partners. "Playing with Lydia, five-under (par) is like nothing," said Tseng, from Taiwan. "She still looks like 15. I don't know how she hits the ball that well. I'm not even close to her at 15.

"She is only 15 but she looks like a pro, so I mean I treat her like a pro, but I treat her like a child, too. I feel I'm getting old," the 24-year-old added.

Ko might now shelve plans to go to college and hone her game there in favor of turning professional. Her coach and mentor Guy Wilson hinted at the prospect after her victory at the New Zealand Open.

He told Fairfax Media: "Realistically she's probably going to look to turn pro next year, only because the opportunities now are pretty obvious. Wasting two years at college could be a disadvantage,"

The Australian Women's Open has a purse of $1.2 million but as an amateur, Ko won't be able to share in the spoils even if she ends up winning. But she does look set to improve on her official world ranking of 30.

Ko's tally of ten-under is the lowest score ever recorded at the Women's Australian Open, trumping Karrie Webb's nine-under 64 in Melbourne 13 years ago.

But due to preferred lies being in operation, where a player can clean and place their ball as long as it is on the fairway, due to several parts of the course being wet from over watering, Ko's 63 will not go into the record books.

Via: Ko, 15, hits the front in Australia

Woods in, Snedeker out of Match Play

(CNN) -- The planet's most in-form golfer won't be lining up at Dove Mountain this month, but Tiger Woods has committed to playing the first of the season's World Golf Championship events.

Sunday's Pebble Beach winner Brandt Snedeker has suffered an untimely injury blow and has been ruled out of the $8.5 million Accenture World Match Play Championship in Arizona due to rib soreness.

The new world No. 4 has been replaced in the elite 64-man field by 66th-ranked Swede Fredrik Jacobson for the February 20-24 tournament.

Snedeker, who went on holiday after playing his fifth tournament this year, has been advised to rest by his doctor but hopes to return for next month's WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral.

Read: Poulter - Snedeker is best in world right now

He has had finishes of 3-23-2-2-1 this season, having scooped the $10 million FedEx Cup jackpot after winning last September's Tour Championship in his final top-level PGA Tour outing of 2012.

World No. 2 Woods has committed to both WGC events plus the Honda Classic, starting February 28, where he tied for second last year behind world No. 1 Rory McIlroy.

"The Honda Classic is a really good tournament, and it does a lot for the community," said Woods, who has already won one title this year, finishing ahead of Snedeker at Torrey Pines last month.

"I like the golf course, and I came pretty close last year. It's part of a busy stretch for me, and I want to continue playing well."

Read: Mickelson flirts with history in Phoenix victory

His three-tournament run comes in the lead-up to the Masters, where the former world No. 1 will seek to win his 15th major title but first since 2008.

Jacobson tied for seventh at Pebble Beach, just his second start since October due to back problems.

He lost in the first round of the Match Play last year, his first appearance since 2005 when it was still held in Carlsbad, California.

"I'm excited to come back," the 38-year-old said. "I was there a few years before last year, and any of these tournaments, the WGCs, the majors -- if you're on the bubble for them, you want to get some kind of rhythm where you get to play a lot of them and get accustomed to the courses."

Phil Mickelson, who finished 60th in his Pebble Beach title defense the week after winning in Phoenix, will not be in the field at Dove Mountain.

He withdrew to spend time with his family, and will be replaced by 65th-ranked Irishman Shane Lowry.

Via: Woods in, Snedeker out of Match Play

'The best golfer on the planet right now'

(CNN) -- Europe's Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter is in no doubt as to who rules the roost of golf at present: "Sneds is officially the best golfer on the planet right now."

"Sneds" is short for Brandt Snedeker, and Poulter's tribute on Twitter came soon after the native Tennessean had wrapped up a two-shot victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

It means the 32-year-old has picked up in 2013 where he left off last season after triumphing in the FedEx playoffs and winning the season-ending Tour Championship to secure a cool $10 million bonus.

Only world No. 1 Rory McIlroy and 14-time major winner Tiger Woods have won more tournaments than him in the past year and he has targeted 2013 as his time to finally break through to win a major tournament.

Read: Sterne emulates Tiger with Joburg win

"It's just hard to put into words, to have a stretch of golf like I had the last couple of months," Snedeker was quoted as saying on the PGA Tour's official website.

"Something you dream about. Something you think that you can do, but you don't really know until you actually put it together. And I have. I'm really enjoying this, and hopefully can parlay this into the best year of my career.

"I know that if I play the way I played the last three weeks that there's very few people in the world that can beat me.

"And I will relish that challenge being there Sunday trying to beat the best player in the world or whoever it may be down the back nine at Augusta. That's something I look forward to instead of dreading maybe four years ago."

Snedeker fired a final round 65 -- better than all his nearest competitors -- as he ended on 19-under-par, two shots clear of fellow countryman Chris Kirk.

Despite not being able to match the likes of McIlroy or Woods in terms of hitting distance, Snedeker has studied his fellow pros who are similarly short strikers of the ball.

Taking his lead from the likes of Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk and David Toms, Snedeker honed his game to ensure distance wasn't preventing him challenging for big titles.

"The more time I spent watching those guys play golf, the more I realized what I need to do to compete on a worldwide level," Snedeker added.

"I give those guys a lot of credit because I watched them do it day-in and day-out for like the last five years.

"You watch those guys pick their way around a golf course ... and what their strengths are and what they need to focus on. So it really kind of inspired me.

"To win the golf tournaments I've won and in contention as much as I have, you know, probably with not very much fanfare and people thinking, 'I don't hit the ball very long, I'm not the best ball striker.'

"But somehow all my parts end up being pretty good at the end of the day."

Snedeker's latest victory means he has finished in the top three in six of his last nine tournaments and in his 19 rounds this season he has shot in the 60s all but three times.

Via: 'The best golfer on the planet right now'

Sterne emulates Tiger with Joburg win

(CNN) -- Richard Sterne had spent a lot of time watching his fellow South Africans make it big on the world golf scene.

Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel both became major champions, Ernie Els rolled back the years to become one again, and Branden Grace showed he might be the next.

But far from compounding his own problems, it sparked a burning desire in Sterne to overcome a near crippling problem with arthritis in his back.

"After all the hard work and the time out with injury, I did think whether I was ever going to win again. At one point the pain was so bad that I even wondered if I'd ever play golf again. But now I know I can," the 31-year-old said after winning his sixth European Tour title on Sunday -- his first since topping three tournaments in 2008.

"The only thing that kept me going was all the other South Africans. They kept winning a lot of events and I believed that if they could do it then I could."

Read: Fisher fighting nerves in Joburg

Sterne became the first player since Tiger Woods in 2002 to drop just one shot over 72 holes in a European Tour event when he cruised to a seven-stroke victory over Schwartzel at the Joburg Open, having led from the start.

It beat Schwartzel's 2010 record winning total and margin for the tournament of 261 and six shots respectively, and his score to par of -27 was the equal second lowest in European Tour history.

It put him top of the Race to Dubai standings and put him inside the top 60 in the rankings, and closer to automatic qualifications for the four majors.

"I'd like to get back into all the majors -- that's where I want to be playing," said Sterne, who also won in Johannesburg in 2008 and was second at last weekend's Dubai Desert Classic.

"It's a big year. I've got off to such a nice start so hopefully I can keep it going. I played really good golf today and the whole week.

"That was probably the best final round of my career. It was quite special to finish the way I did."

He carded eight-under-par 64 to claim the 206,050 ($275,000) first prize, having started the day tied with compatriot Trevor Fisher Jnr as they led the field by five shots.

Fisher eagled his opening hole in his bid for a first European Tour title, but fell away with a 73 that left him tied for sixth.

Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters winner, was seeking his third successive victory after two December titles but he could not add to his previous two Johannesburg wins as he ended with a 66 to be 20-under 267.

Portugal's Ricardo Santos matched Sterne's 64 to tie for third with Chile's Felipe Aguilar and South African George Coetzee, who both shot 67.

Via: Sterne emulates Tiger with Joburg win

Fisher fighting nerves at Joburg Open

(CNN) -- He overcame his nerves on Saturday, but Trevor Fisher Jnr. will have to do it all again if he wants to win his first European Tour title.

The 33-year-old will have a shootout with fellow South African Richard Sterne at their home Joburg Open on Sunday after moving out to a five-shot lead over the rest of the field.

Both shot four-under-par 68 to be 19 under the card after three rounds, with 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel in a group of four players tied for third.

"A bit of nerves set in there," said Fisher, who has won seven times on southern Africa's Sunshine Tour. "You try not to think about the lead, but it's there in front of you."

Fisher finished third at the same tournament in January last year, his best result in a top-level event.

"I was a bit jumpy with the swing and wasn't waiting at the top, so I hit a few bad shots there," he told the European Tour website on Saturday.

"But I came back nicely with a few birdies. It's just a feeling, and you've got to try and feel comfortable out there as much as possible."

Sterne is looking for his first victory since December 2008, when he won two successive titles on home soil and three that year including the Joburg Open.

The 31-year-old finished second at last week's Dubai Desert Classic, having led at the halfway stage.

"It's quite draining for two weeks in a row, but I'd rather be here than in the middle of the pack. The heart is pumping quite fast out there," said the five-time European Tour winner.

Schwartzel, the Joburg champion in 2010 and 2011, is looking for his third successive title after December victories at the Asian Tour's Thailand Open and the co-sanctioned Alfred Dunhill Championship held in Malalane near Kruger National Park.

He was tied with fellow South Africans Jaco van Zyl (67) and George Coetzee (70) plus Chile's Felipe Aguilar, who also carded 68.

Pebble Beach leaderboard

Meanwhile, Brandt Snedeker is looking to shake off his tag of the PGA Tour's "2013 nearly man" after retaining a share of the lead after three rounds at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

Snedeker, runner-up to Tiger Woods in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines and to Phil Mickelson at the Phoenix Open in the last two weeks, matched Friday's 68 to move three clear before James Hahn caught him with a 66.

It was the ninth successive round in the 60s for last year's FedEx Cup winner Snedeker, seeking his first victory since September's Tour Championship win, which earned him a $10 million jackpot.

Chris Kirk was third, another shot back on 11-under 203 after carding 64 on Saturday, while joint halfway leader Patrick Reed dropped to fourth following a 67.

Defending champion Mickelson was tied for 56th after a 73

Via: Fisher fighting nerves at Joburg Open

Donaldson pips Rose in Abu Dhabi

(CNN) -- Justin Rose couldn't miss when he was part of Europe's triumphant Ryder Cup team last year but his putter let him down when his time came to force a playoff at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

The Englishman's putt caught the lip but didn't drop meaning Jamie Donaldson was able to secure his second European Tour victory without the nerve-shredding tension of a head-to-head over an extra few holes.

It took the 37-year-old Welshman 255 appearances to claim his maiden victory on the Tour -- at the Irish Open last year -- but only another 14 to land one of the most prestigious trophies on the circuit.

Donaldson carded a four-under-par final round of 68 but he dropped a shot on the final hole, opening the door to Rose and Denmark's 23-year-old Thorbjorn Olesen, who was also one shot back.

Read: McIlroy and Woods crash out in Abu Dhabi

But both players missed with their birdie attempts to secure Donaldson a title he admitted he thought he had no chance of winning during a pro-am tournament at the course on Wednesday.

"It's pretty surreal," Donaldson said at the presentation. "I played good golf all week, particularly today. I got away with murder up the last to be fair, but I'm very happy to be stood here with the trophy.

"It's a funny old game. I came during the week to play the pro-am and thought the course was too difficult. To be stood here holding the trophy is just mad.

"It was a nerve racking wait. I thought I hit a good putt on the last, I just misread it. I thought one of them would hole, if not both. I thought it was going to be a playoff, but when both slid by I knew it was my week."

Donaldson's impressive 2012 catapulted him to No. 47 in the world rankings -- he is set to climb higher with this latest triumph -- and secured him an invitation to the first major championship of the year, The Masters at Augusta in April.

He carded five birdies in the opening 17 holes to overtake a stuttering Rose, who bogeyed three of his first 16. Rose, instrumental in Europe's Ryder Cup comeback at Medinah last October, struggled on the greens to relinquish his grip on the tournament.

The lead was briefly held by England's David Howell, a member of Europe's winning Ryder Cup teams of 2004 and 2006, as he continued his resurgence having been 569th in the world rankings three years ago. But an inexplicable four-putt from four feet on the 13th saw him plummet down the leaderboard.

In a sparkling round, Donaldson's only dropped shot came on the final hole, which opened the door to the chasing duo, but neither Rose nor Olesen could take advantage as they shared second place.

Read: Nike unveils Rory McIlroy: Tiger's heir apparent

Portugal's Ricardo Santos came fourth on 11-under while South Africa's Branden Grace was a shot further back on 10-under. Both Tiger Woods and world No. 1 Rory McIlroy failed to make the cut.

Donaldson said he was delighted with his recent form, and to pick up another title so soon after his first triumph at the 2012 Irish Open.

"It's like buses I suppose, it took a while," he added. "I had four years in wilderness if you like. To come through and win the Irish Open was fantastic and to top it off with this has been awesome."

As for his chances of winning the Masters he said: "You never know in this game, like I say you are stood here thinking on Wednesday you've got no chance and here I am with the trophy.

"I've got to keep working hard and doing the things that enabled me to win this trophy."

Via: Donaldson pips Rose in Abu Dhabi

The world's largest golf tee?

(CNN) -- Inspired by Psalm 103 verse 11 -- "For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward those that fear him" -- two men with lofty ambitions in a midwestern town of the United States have finally realized them after months of endeavor -- and then some.

In July 2012, in a bid to attract golfers and tourists to the Casey Country Club in Illinois --a town with a population of just under 3,000 -- Bolin Enterprises operations manager Michael "Bo" Bohannon and the company's vice president Jim Bolin concocted the idea of building a golf tee of biblical proportions.

The two men hope the 30 ft structure, which has those words from Psalm 103 carved into its wooden edifice, will be officially crowned the world's largest golf tee.

It is not the first over-sized Bolin Enterprises construction -- last year the company produced the world's largest wind chime, a 55-foot long structure now proudly hanging in Casey.

Read: Mickelson flirts with history in Phoenix

Hours of chainsaw carving, 60 gallons of glue and 120 pounds of screws were involved in the making of the colossal tee, which weighs 6,659 pounds and consists of yellow pine boards.

Measurements were taken and sent to the Guinness World Records, with the club hoping it will be officially verified as the world's biggest tee, possibly as early as next week.

It will be sited on the 10th hole on the Casey course, although that is just the start for Bohannon and Bohin to put Casey on the tourist map.

If the record is confirmed, an 18 ft diameter hollowed out golf ball will be constructed to sit atop the tee, from where golfers will be able to tee off.

Read: The world's craziest golf course?

"Hopefully our world's largest tee construction receives the Guinness recognition next week," Bohannon told CNN.

"We have plans to erect the tee this spring at the Casey Country Club. Prior to the installation, there is a lot of prep work to do -- earthwork and landscaping -- that will accompany the world's largest golf tee.

"We truly hope this will be a draw to golfers and visitors worldwide," added Bohannon.

"Once the tee is erected, we plan to build the ball for the top. This ball will be constructed so golfers will be able to tee out of it. This portion of the project will be completed later this year.

To maximize the potential pulling power of having the world's biggest tee in Casey, Bohannon is also thinking on a grand scale to market the town's gargantuan landmark.

"We have contacted a world famous golfer and invited him to be the first to tee off of it when it is ready for the grand opening," said Bolin's operations manager.

"If you know of any other famous golfers that would like to be a part of this, by all means please pass along my contact information to them as we would love to have them.

"We would also plan to offer the opportunity to 'Sponsor the Golf Ball' to the major golf companies."

The current record is 26 ft 8in and belongs to the students of Jerry Havills Team Problem Solving Course at Bay de Noc Community College (all USA) in Escanaba, USA, on 23 July 2009.

The students' effort had a head diameter of 88.9 cm (35 in) and a shaft width of 35.24 cm (13.87 in).

Via: The world's largest golf tee?

Sterne just shy of 'impossible' Els record

(CNN) -- South African Richard Sterne almost did the "impossible" as a ten-under-par 62 left him just one shot outside the 1994 course record set by his famous compatriot Ernie Els as he set the pace in the Dubai Desert Classic Thursday.

The 31-year-old reveled in the benign scoring conditions on the Majils course at the Emirates Golf Course and came close to matching the 61 Els produced 19 years ago on his way to a commanding victory.

"I knew Ernie had shot 61 quite a while ago and always thought it would be impossible to get close, but I got as close as you could," he told the official European Tour website.

"Hopefully I can just keep going and give myself a chance on Sunday when it counts. I do want to win again and that's one of the goals for the year.

"It's been a while since I've won -- it's just not that easy to do anymore!"

Five-time European Tour winner Sterne, who was hit by a back problem in 2010, shot ten birdies in his first 16 holes, but could only par the last two.

Read: Former World No.1 Singh shocked by drug claims

It left him one shot ahead of Scotland's Stephen Gallacher with Tommy Fleetwood, early Race to Dubai leader Scott Jamieson and Chris Doak on seven-under 65.

Tournament star attraction Lee Westwood began his 2013 campaign with a five-under 67, the same mark as 56-year-old American star Mark O'Meara.

Westwood, joint second with Gallacher at the event last year, showed little signs of rustiness in a round which included two eagles, the first after he holed a 175-yard seven iron on the sixth. Another followed on the 13th and he also had a hat-trick of birdies from the 15th.

"It was a bizarre round," he said.

"I chipped in and three-putted from six feet -- everything was happening. I drove it great and hit a lot of shots close."

England's Chris Wood and Spanish star Sergio Garcia, who finished first and second in Qatar last weekend, were both on 68.

Defending champion Rafael Cabrera-Bello of Spain started his campaign with a 69.

Newly appointed European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley started with a 74, one of only 32 players in a 132-strong field to be over par on the first day.

Via: Sterne just shy of 'impossible' Els record

Mickelson flirts with history in Phoenix win

(CNN) -- Every day Phil Mickelson was on the verge of making PGA Tour history. Every day he fell just a little bit short.

But it mattered not, as the veteran American led from start to finish to become only the fourth player to win the Phoenix Open three times.

It didn't matter that his putt for a magical 59 lipped out in Thursday's opening round.

It didn't matter that he missed the U.S. circuit's 36-hole scoring record after a double-bogey on Friday.

And making the second best 54-hole total on Saturday was not a problem either -- it put him six shots clear going into the home straight.

A final-round 67 was his worst of the tournament and left him on 28-under-par 256 overall, the joint second-best 72-hole total in PGA Tour history -- matching the mark set by fellow three-time winner Mark Calcavecchia at the same tournament in 2001.

The 42-year-old came off the course at TPC Scottsdale beaming, having earned his 41st PGA Tour title ahead of next week's defense of his crown at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am -- the scene of his 40th win.

"I played really good golf," Mickelson said after claiming the $1 million first prize and moving into ninth place on the PGA Tour's all-time win list.

"This is how I've been playing for a while and it feels really good to get that golf out of me when I'm at a big tournament."

Mickelson, who also credited his new driver for his upswing in fortunes, is targeting a fourth Masters victory in April.

"It's important to start building momentum but it's more important what you do closer to Augusta," Mickelson said.

"You have got to deal with some of the greatest pressure you will ever deal with at Augusta."

Mickelson has now won a PGA Tour title in each of the past 10 years, the most of any active player. He has won a tournament in 20 different years, including in 1991 as an amateur -- putting him behind only Sam Snead (24 years of wins) and Jack Nicklaus (21).

His closest challenger at Scottsdale, Brandt Snedeker, got within three shots but a dropped shot at the last extended Mickelson's winning margin.

"To be in the last group with Phil and kind of trade birdie for birdie and make up some ground was a lot of fun," said Snedeker, who was also second behind Tiger Woods at Torrey Pines last weekend.

"It's what we play for. I wish I could have put some more pressure on him and got a little closer than I did today, but I think I shot 12 under par on the weekend and made one bogey.

"Sometimes you have to tip your hat and say Phil played unbelievable and deserved to win, and that's kind of what this week was all about."

Scott Piercy closed with 61 to be third on 23 under, one shot ahead of fellow American Ryan Moore (65), while Ryan Palmer carded 62 for fifth on 19 under.

Meanwhile, Scottish golfer Stephen Gallacher ended an eight-year wait for a second European Tour victory when he triumphed at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday.

The 38-year-old's three-shot victory from South African Richard Sterne came 210 starts since he won his first at the Dunhill Links Championship, and put him inside the world's top 60 rankings.

"It's taken a long time but it's sweeter now. I'm maturing with age hopefully!" said Gallacher, who fired a crucial eagle at the 16th hole -- his fifth of the week -- to move clear.

Via: Mickelson flirts with history in Phoenix win

McGinley wins Ryder Cup captaincy

(CNN) -- He had the firm backing of world No. 1 Rory McIlroy as well as Europe's Ryder Cup talisman Ian Poulter, and on Tuesday night it was made official -- Paul McGinley will captain the continent against the United States in 2014.

Despite a late bid from successful 2010 captain Colin Montgomerie, who was keen to do the job on home soil in Scotland, player power won out as the Irishman was confirmed at a press conference in Abu Dhabi.

The 46-year-old played in three winning Ryder Cup teams and holed the clinching putt for Europe during the 2002 clash at The Belfry, in England.

McGinley was trumpeted for the role by McIlroy several times on Monday, and also by English duo Poulter -- one of Europe's heroes who inspired their dramatic comeback in Chicago last year -- and former world No.1 Luke Donald.

Read: Nike unveils Rory McIlroy: Tiger's heir apparent

McIlroy said Montgomerie -- an eight-time European Order of Merit winner -- had "nothing to gain" by reprising his role and McGinley told reporters he was proud to be the first ever Irish Ryder Cup captain.

He said: "I'm obviously absolutely thrilled and delighted to lead the team with the strongest, in-depth European Tour in history; to be leading the cream of the crop is a huge honor.

"I knew I had the strong backing of the players. I thought the more I would say the more my chances would lessen. I watched with interest in the last few weeks as my chances went up and down like a yo-yo.

"To be honest it is quite a humbling experience to be sitting in this seat. It's a week I'm really looking forward to. I've been there many times as a player and as a vice captain but I'm looking forward to being a captain."

Europe has won five of the last six installments of the biannual team competition, including a stunning comeback victory at the last meeting in Chicago last year, when McGinley was vice captain to Jose Maria Olazabal.

Despite taking a big 10-6 lead into the final day singles matches, the U.S were stunned by a European comeback as the visitors won 14 to 13 in what has become known as 'the Miracle of Medinah.'

McIlroy was one of the European stars, alongside Poulter, and McGinley said the backing he got from the world's best player was a big factor in him getting the job.

"Its humbling when the new star of world golf comes out in your favor," he said. "That means a lot to me.

"There's a couple of good things that have happened for me in terms of getting this role. One of those is Rory and Graeme McDowell (2010 U.S. Open champion) played in the 2009 Seve Trophy, which was my first captaincy.

"I had the opportunity of captaining him, and Rory and Graeme were huge for me that week. I was fortunate I had that situation where Rory played underneath me and that's why he spoke with such authority on the subject."

After their painful defeat in Chicago the U.S. turned to one of the game's greatest ever players, Tom Watson, who was the last man to captain a winning United States team on European soil back in 1993.

Read: McIlroy backs McGinley for Ryder Cup captain

McGinley said he was honored to be squaring up against the eight-time major winner.

He added: "I'm relishing the thought of taking on one of my great heroes in Tom Watson. Not only is he a wonderful person, he's a great ambassador for the game of golf and has been for a long time. It's going to be a real thrill for me."

Players' Committee chairman Thomas Bjorn said they had listened to the voices of their members and that it became very clear early on in the meeting that McGinley was their preferred choice.

European Tour chief exec George O'Grady added: "It's a wonderful achievement for Paul. It was a unanimous decision of the players' committee and was testimony to the democracy of the process."

Via: McGinley wins Ryder Cup captaincy

Mickelson leads by four in Phoenix

(CNN) -- Phil Mickelson continued to dominate the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on Friday, following up a stunning opening round 60 with a six-under par 65 to leave him four shots clear of nearest challenger Bill Haas.

After narrowly missing out on becoming only the sixth player on the PGA Tour to shoot a sub-60 round on Thursday, Mickelson had the tour's 36-hole low score record in his sights on Friday, but once again was denied at the last.

Read: Mickelson 'crushed' after putt for magical 59 lips out

A double bogey at the 18th saw him fall one short of equaling the record of 124 strokes held David Toms (set at the 2011 Colonial Invitational) and Pat Perez (at the Bob Hope Classic in 2009).

"Unfortunately, I made a double on the last hole and didn't finish the way I wanted to. But I think it's a good example of what can happen on this course," Mickelson said, PGA Tour reported.

"You can make a lot of birdies and eagles, make up a lot of ground, but there's a lot of water and trouble there that if you misstep you can easily make bogeys and double," he added.

Several big names will be to looking to chase Mickelson down over the weekend, including Keegan Bradley, who shot a 63 on Friday, and Brandt Snedeker (66).

Both men are five shots behind Mickelson on 12-under par, with Argentina's Angel Cabrera, Charlie Wi from Korea and American Brian Gay all one shot further back on 11-under.

Mickelson, who is on course for his third success at the event (his last victory coming back in 2005) is wary of the threats and is taking the positives out of two frustrating finishes.

Singh shocked by 'drug' claim

"You always remember kind of the last hole, the last putt," Mickelson said, PGA Tour reported.

"But I think it's very possible that's going to help me because it's got me refocused, that I cannot ease up on a single shot. I've got to be really focused. These guys are going to make a lot of birdies and I've got to get after it and cannot make those kinds of mistakes."

Meanwhile at the Dubai Desert Classic, Britain's Stephen Gallacher will take a three-stroke lead into Sunday's final round after completing a stunning 10-under par round of 62 on Saturday.

The Scot rounded off a memorable day by holing a 40-yard bunker shot for eagle at the final hole to finish on 21-under par and move a step closer to a first European Tour win since 2004.

Gallacher swaps places with overnight leader Richard Sterne from South Africa who fired a third round 66. Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen is two shots further back on 16-under while Lee Westwood, the tournament's highest ranked player, is 12-under after firing a 66 -- his best round of the week so far.

Via: Mickelson leads by four in Phoenix

Mickelson 'crushed' after putt for 59 lips out

(CNN) -- It's not often that a golfer shoots an 11-under-par 60 but finishes his round with a tinge of disappointment.

But that fate befell Phil Mickelson, who saw his perfectly struck 25-foot birdie putt curl around the cup but not drop on the par-four ninth at the TPC at Scottsdale in Arizona.

It was his final hole of the first round of the Phoenix Open and had it gone down, the American superstar would have joined the elite club of five players who have broken 60 on the PGA Tour.

"To see that last putt lip out the way it did and not go in, it's crushing because you don't get that chance very often to shoot 59," he told the official PGA Tour website.

Read: Phoenix Open latest scores

"He could not have hit a better putt," said his long-time caddie Jim Mackay.

"Disappointing for everyone to not see that one go in on the last," said one of Mickelson's playing partner's Rickie Fowler.

Mickelson, who achieved the same 11-under 60 score at the tournament in 2005, joins fellow Masters winner Zach Johnson in being the only two PGA Tour players to shot 60 or better more than once in their careers.

Read: Singh 'shocked' by drug claims

"I was ecstatic (in 2005), and I'm ecstatic to shoot 60 (today)," Mickelson said.

"But there's a big difference between 60 and 59. Not that big between 60 and 61, there really isn't. But there's a big barrier, a Berlin Wall barrier, between 59 and 60."

In another twist, fellow American Bo Van Pelt had shot a 59 in the pro-am Wednesday, but it does not count for the record books, while Mickelson himself carded a 59 at the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in 2004, a four-man invitational tournament which does not count towards the official money list.

The five golfers to have carded official 59s on the PGA Tour date back to Al Geiberger in 1977. Paul Goydos, Chip Beck, David Duval and Australian Stuart Appleby, the latest in the 2010 Greenbrier Classic, have also achieved the feat.

The world record is a 12-under 58 by young Japanese golfer Ryo Ishikawa at a tournament in his home country in 2010.

Mickelson's heroics left him four shots clear of the field heading into Friday's second round -- a big improvement on his two previous lackluster displays in earlier events in the 2013 season.

Read: Mickelson has a point on taxes

The four-time major winner has also attracted controversy off the course over remarks he made about tax rates in his home state of California, but on it he remains an flamboyant performer who regularly thrills the galleries.

Meanwhile, Richard Sterne of South Africa has a slender one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour.

He followed his opening 62 -- one shy of compatriot Ernie Els' superb course record -- with a two-under 70 in tougher conditions on the second day on the Majilis Course at the Emirates Golf Club.

Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark, England's Tommy Fleetwood and Stephen Gallacher of Scotland were tied for second on 133.

Spanish star Sergio Garcia was on 135, while world number eight Lee Westwood of England trailed by six shots after a one-under 71 in his first tournament of the year.

Via: Mickelson 'crushed' after putt for 59 lips out