Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Woods lined up for Turkey event

World No. 1 Tiger Woods has won four PGA Tour events so far in 2013.

(CNN) -- World No. 1 Tiger Woods will take to the tee at the inaugural European Tour event in Turkey, a tournament with a bumper prize fund of $7 million.

The Turkish Airlines Open will be played between November 7-10 and will form part of the new Final Series, the climax European Tour's big-money Race to Dubai.

Fourteen-time major winner Woods first played in Turkey last year at the eight-man World Golf Finals, a precursor to this year's event being held at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal in Antalya.

Read: Garcia's biggest sponsor reviews deal

"I had a great time during my first visit to Turkey," Woods, who has already won four times on the PGA Tour in 2013, told the European Tour's official website.

"Turkish Airlines, the Turkish Golf Federation and the fans who came to watch made it a really special event and I'm looking forward to playing there once again."

Read: Manassero makes history

Last year's unsanctioned event at the Antalya Golf Club was won by world No. 4 Justin Rose.

"It is an honor to welcome back the world's No. 1 golfer to what is, in our opinion, the best golfing destination in Europe," added Turkish Golf Federation president Ahmet Ali Agaoglu.

"We are thrilled to have the support of Turkish Airlines and are looking forward to once again proving that Turkey is more than capable of hosting world-class sporting occasions."

The new event is one of four which boast a combined prize fund of $30.5m and serve as the finale to the European Tour season.

The $7 million BMW Masters, the US$8.5 million WGC -- HSBC Champions tournament --and the $8 million DP World Tour Championship in Dubai are the other three events in the Final Series.

"We are proud to support a top-class European Tour event and delighted to see Tiger competing in Turkey for the second year," said Turkish Airlines' chief marketing officer Faruk Cizmecioglu.


Via: Woods lined up for Turkey event

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Manassero prevails on dramatic day

Italy's Matteo Manassero was all smiles after winning the PGA Championship in a playoff.

(CNN) -- Italy's Matteo Manassero became the youngest ever winner at the PGA Championship.

He had to work hard for it.

Manassero edged England's Simon Khan on the fourth extra hole of a playoff after Scotland's Marc Warren exited on the first extra hole. The trio had finished at 10-under 278.

Khan found the water with his second shot on the deciding hole in fading light at Wentworth, and when Manassero struck a birdie to clinch victory, he surpassed Bernard Gallacher as the youngest champion.

At 20 years and 37 days, Manassero was two months younger than Gallacher when the Scot triumphed in 1969.

As a result of winning the European Tour's flagship event, he'll move from No. 57 to inside the top 30 in the world rankings, leads the Race to Dubai and booked a spot at this year's U.S. Open.

"I feel unbelievable, really emotional," Manassero was quoted as saying by the European Tour's Web site. "It's been an amazing week. I have always felt something really special about this place and this tournament.

"Everything has come together this week. I managed to play well and managed to stay in contention after a tough day on Friday and pulled it off with this playoff."

The dramatic finish at Wentworth helped make up for the early departures of Rory McIlroy, the world's second ranked golfer, and defending champion Luke Donald.

Read: Duo miss cut

Both missed the cut after underwhelming in the opening two rounds -- played in chilly conditions.

The fans at Wentworth couldn't lift Ryder Cup stalwart Lee Westwood to victory, either. He was only a shot behind overnight leader Alejandro Canizares.

Westwood, who recently moved his family from England to Florida, led at one stage on the front nine but was undone by a double bogey and two bogeys on the back nine. He finished the fourth round at one-over 73.

He was bidding to better two runner-up finishes at Wentworth.

"Obviously Lee had the most support at the beginning, but I had so much -- the crowd in general this week has been unbelievable, really," Manassero added. "I think the weekend that they got to see was a reward for the people that were here Friday with that weather to watch."

Manassero and Warren had chances to win the title before the playoff but faltered. Khan, five shots off the pace going into the final round, made a charge with a 66.

When Khan won the PGA Championship in 2010, he rallied from a seven shot deficit in the final round with another 66.

He was playing his first event since March due to his wife's illness, the European Tour's Web site reported.

"I wanted to prove to myself I've got it in me and that's been the great thing today," Khan was quoted as saying. "I've played great. After such a long layoff, to come back and lose in a playoff of this fantastic tournament, I can take a lot out of it definitely.

"I felt great going into the playoff. It's just a shame that second shot (on the fourth extra hole) didn't carry another couple of yards or I would probably be going back out to 18 again."

Canizares and Miguel Angel Jimenez, the oldest man in the tournament at 49, finished a shot off the pace.

British Open champion Ernie Els tied for sixth following a final round 67, while Sergio Garcia, under fire last week for "fried chicken" jibe, ended up tied for 19th.


Via: Manassero prevails on dramatic day

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Canizares on top at Wentworth

Alejandro Canizares is bidding to win his second title on the European Tour and first since 2006.

(CNN) -- With Rory McIlroy, the world's second-ranked golfer, and defending champion Luke Donald not surviving the cut at the PGA Championship, the door was opened for others at the European Tour's flagship event.

Spain's Alejandro Canizares took advantage, leading at Wentworth in England heading into the final day after registering a four-under 68 to move to nine-under 207 overall.

Canizares, whose lone European Tour title came in Russia seven years ago, was forced to skip this month's China Open after being diagnosed with viral meningitis.

"I'm not at full strength but it's working for me, so I'm not going to complain," said Canizares, the son of Ryder Cup veteran Jose Maria Canizares.

Read: McIlroy, Donald falter

Matteo Manassero of Italy, at 20 bidding to become the youngest winner of the event, and Scotland's Marc Warren sit tied for third at seven-under, a shot better than Ireland's Shane Lowry.

But it's the player in second, England's Lee Westwood, who might fancy his chances Sunday.

Westwood, twice a runner-up at Wentworth, a Ryder Cup stalwart and the only member of the top five inside the top 50 in the world rankings, is a single shot behind Canizares.

Westwood, who recorded a 67 in the third round, said it would be "ironic" if he won the title months after moving his family from England to Florida.

Although not matching the weather in Florida, Saturday's conditions were significantly better than chilly Thursday and Friday.

"It would be great and I am after as many wins as I can get, but it's a crowded leaderboard and I will have to play as well, if not better than I did today," Westwood said. "I felt much more in tune with my swing and had a lot better distance and direction control with my irons and set up a lot of chances.

"It was one of the most fun days I have ever had on a golf course. It was good to see a lot more smiling faces and a lot more people prepared to take their hands out of their pockets and applaud.

"I also get great support here but even more so today."

Another golfer that praised the spectators was Spain's Sergio Garcia.

Garcia came under fire this week and issued an apology for his "fried chicken" jibe. He considered pulling out of the tournament. But Garcia played, made the cut and remains in contention, tied for sixth at five-under.

"The crowds here, I don't have words to explain what I feel towards them," Garcia, last a winner on the European Tour in 2011, said. "They have been amazing, every single tee, every single green, cheering me on, and I can never pay them back."

Read: Sponsor not pleased with Garcia

Also tied for sixth is the halfway leader, Italian Francesco Molinari, who slumped to a 73 in the third round. Popular Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, the oldest man in the event at 49, registered a 67 to rise to a tie for 14th at four-under.

British Open champion Ernie Els, undone by bogeys on the first and third holes, could only manage a par 72 and fell six shots behind the leader.


Via: Canizares on top at Wentworth

Friday, May 24, 2013

World No.2 McIlroy frozen out at Wentworth

Rory McIlroy and his Northern Ireland compatriot Graeme McDowell both missed the cut at the European Tour's flagship event.

(CNN) -- Slumping World No.2 Rory McIlroy and defending champion Luke Donald will not be contesting the weekend action at the European Tour's flagship event at Wentworth.

With organizers still reeling from the controversy surrounding Sergio Garcia's "fried chicken" jibe, the star attractions comfortably failed to make the halfway cut Friday at the PGA Championship.

McIlroy 2013 travails continued as he followed a first round 74 with a 75 to finish on five-over 149 -- three outside the qualification mark.

Read: Sponsor finds Garcia's remarks offensive

McIlroy's Northern Ireland colleague Graeme McDowell, who is leading the European Tour's Race to Dubai, finished on the same mark, while Donald, who went to No.1 in the rankings last season with his second straight title at the tournament, was a further shot adrift.

Donald, who was on antibiotics, may have had an excuse in the freezing wet conditions on the West Course, and battled to a level-par 72 in his second round after a sorry 78 on the first day.

But McIlroy, who came into the $6 million event saying he was pleased with his game, could offer little in the way of explanation for his poor showing.

"I didn't play particularly well today," he told Sky Sports.

Read: Woods finds Garcia 's comments jibe 'hurtful'

"I'm looking forward to getting back to some golf without four layers. Sometimes when the weather is bad I try to do too much with the ball and hit some bad shots."

Standing four-over on the par-five17th, the U.S. PGA champion needed a birdie or better to get stand a chance of making the final two rounds. A wayward tee shot into the trees led to a double bogey seven and his chances were over.

Garcia fared better and remained in contention after a battling 71 for one-under 143, but trails halfway leader Francesco Molinari of Italy by five shots.

Molinari's superb four-under 68 in testing conditions has left the Italian Ryder Cup star one shot clear of South Africa's George Coetzee, Scotland's Marc Warren, Mark Foster of England and Spaniard Alejandro Canizares.

Read: McIlroy blames 'stupid mistakes' for slump in form

London-based Molinari said he had adapted to the inclement British weather.

"Six under is a good score given the conditions - I live over here now so I am used to it - and I'm in a great position going into the weekend," he told the official European Tour website.

"But it's a really tough course so anyone six or seven behind is still in it."

Other star attractions Lee Westwood and British Open champion Ernie Els were firmly in the picture on three under, the former showing his improved short game around the green on his way to a battling 71.

The crowds were also delighted as the oldest man in the event, the ever popular Spanard Miguel Angel Jimenez, made three birdies in the last four holes to finish on one-over 145.

European Ryder Cup captains past and present, Colin Montgomerie, Jose-Maria Olazabal and Paul McGinley, who takes charge of the team at Gleneagles next year, also survived for the weekend when the weather forecast is more favorable.


Via: World No.2 McIlroy frozen out at Wentworth

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Garcia's biggest sponsor 'reviews' deal

Sergio Garcia has been sponsored by TayorMade-adidas since 2002 but risks losing the deal.

(CNN) -- Sergio Garcia could lose a lucrative sponsorship deal after his "fried chicken" jibe directed at golf's World No.1 Tiger Woods.

Garcia apologized Wednesday for his off the cuff remarks at an official dinner, but the Spaniard's equipment and clothing sponsor TayorMade-adidas has gone public with its displeasure over the remarks.

"Sergio Garcia's recent comment was offensive and in no way aligns with TaylorMade-adidas Golf's values and corporate culture," said a statement released by the company.

Its long standing backing of former World No.2 Garcia stretches back to 2002 but appears to have been placed under strain over the controversy.

"We have spoken with Sergio directly and he clearly has regret for his statement and we believe he is sincere.

Read: Tiger 'hurt' by Garcia's remarks

"We discussed with Sergio that his comments are clearly out of bounds and we are continuing to review the matter," it concluded.

Garcia was playing his first round in the European Tour's flagship PGA Championship at Wentworth Thursday, clad from head to foot in the products of his biggest sponsor.

But he has admitted that the racist row which exploded after his comments had left him severely distracted.

"It was tough to hit a shot (in the pro-am) without thinking about it," the 33-year-old told gathered reporters.

Garcia has had an uneasy relationship with Woods for a number of years and it deteriorated to an all- time low after the Tour's annual dinner Tuesday night.

Answering questions from the media, he was asked if he would invite his American rival to dinner at next month's U.S. Open.

Read: Tiger edges Garcia after ill-tempered finale

Garcia quipped he would have him round every night and serve fried chicken, a remark associated with racial stereo typing when used in reference to African Americans.

Woods responded on his twitter account, saying the comments were "hurtful and inappropriate" but later tried to diffuse the row.

"I'm confident that there is real regret that the remark was made.

"The Players ended nearly two weeks ago and it's long past time to move on and talk about golf."

Woods, who won the Players Championship, was involved in a spat with Garcia after the third round at Sawgrass -- where they were paired together.

Garcia claimed he was disturbed by Woods as he hit a shot and later admitted his relationship with the 14-time major winner was strained. "You can't like everyone," he said.

Read: Garcia in joint lead after Masters first round

The saga echoes a 1997 incident after Woods won his first U.S. Masters title.

Former Masters champion Fuzzy Zoeller was asked what choice Woods might make at the major's annual dinner the following year -- as would be his right as the holder.

"You pat him on the back and say congratulations and enjoy it and tell him not serve fried chicken next year. Got it? Or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve."

Zoeller's reputation took a battering in the row that followed and despite issuing an apology, which Woods accepted, he also later shed a key sponsorship deal with K-Mart.


Via: Garcia's biggest sponsor 'reviews' deal

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

'Fried chicken' jibe 'hurts' Woods

Sergio Garcia (L) and the world No. 1 Tiger Woods have become embroiled in a very public spat

(CNN) -- Golfer Tiger Woods has described a jibe aimed at him by Sergio Garcia as "wrong, hurtful and inappropriate," though the world No. 1 insists he wants to move on from their very public war of words.

Garcia apologized to Woods after making a remark about the American at a players' dinner ahead of the European Tour's flagship tournament -- the PGA Championship at Wentworth that starts Thursday.

Asked on stage whether he would be inviting Woods round for dinner during next month's U.S. Open Garcia replied: "We'll be having him round every night... and serving him fried chicken."

Fried chicken is a common food in the American South, but when used in references to African-Americans, it often implies a negative stereotype.

Read: Woods edges Garcia at ill-tempered Players

Garcia and Woods have been at loggerheads since an acrimonious round during the penultimate day of The Players' Championship earlier this month.

"The comment that was made wasn't silly. It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate," Woods said on his official Twitter account.

"I'm confident that there is real regret that the remark was made. The Players ended nearly two weeks ago and it's long past time to move on and talk about golf."

Earlier on Wednesday Garcia released an apology via the European Tour and used his pre-tournament press conference at Wentworth to reiterate his remorse.

"I want to send out an unreserved apology, I did not mean to offend anyone," Garcia told reporters. "I was caught off guard by the question but don't get me wrong, I understand my answer was totally stupid and out of place.

"I can't say sorry enough. I would also like to say sorry to the European Tour and my Ryder Cup teammates for taking the shine away from a wonderful dinner that we all enjoyed to that point.

"Finally and most importantly I want to apologize to Tiger and anyone that I could have offended. I feel sick about it and truly, truly sorry. Hopefully we can settle things down and move on.

"As soon as I left the dinner I started to get a sick feeling. I didn't really sleep at all. I felt like my heart was going to come out of my body.

"It was tough to hit a shot (in the pro-am) without thinking about it."

Garcia said he had spoken to the head of the European Tour George O'Grady and the PGA Tour to apologize and subsequently will not face any punishment.

His comments came at a dinner to honor the 12 members of Europe's victorious Ryder Cup team, whose dramatic comeback in Chicago to defeat the American team that included Woods has been dubbed 'The miracle of Medinah.'

The 33-year-old's Ryder Cup teammate Graeme McDowell, the 2010 U.S. Open champion, later tweeted when asked about the fried chicken comments: "Private/humor filled environment but he (Garcia) shouldn't have said it slip."

Fuzzy Zoeller comments

Woods and Garcia have long enjoyed a fractious relationship that was again highlighted when they were paired together during the penultimate round of The Players' Championship earlier this month.

Garcia claimed he was disrupted during one of his shots after the gallery following Woods cheered as the 14-time major winner pulled a club out of his bag that signaled his intention to go for the green despite being in the rough.

Garcia sliced his shot and made a bogey that saw him relinquish the one-shot lead he held at the time.

After the incident Garcia told reporters: "I think that I try to respect everyone as much as possible out there. I try to be careful what I do to make sure it doesn't bother the other players."

Woods responded by saying: "It's not real surprising that he's complaining about something," prompting another provocative comment from the Spaniard: "That's fine. At least I'm true to myself. I know what I'm doing. He can do whatever he wants."

Woods went on to cement his status as the world No. 1, winning the tournament by two shots with Garcia eventually six back after he faltered on the notorious 17th island hole, which is surrounded by water.

The row rumbled on into this week as Woods was asked at a press conference whether he would consider contacting Garcia to end their spat. "No," came his brief response.

Upon hearing that, Garcia hit back by reportedly telling a function in London: "He called me a whiner. That's probably right. It's also probably the first thing he's told you guys that's true in 15 years. I know what he is like. You guys are finding out."

Garcia's remarks are similar to those made by two-time major champion Fuzzy Zoeller in 1997 after Woods won The Masters.

Zoeller suggested at the champions dinner the following year Woods would choose to serve fried chicken to his guests. He later apologized and claimed the remarks had been taken out of context.

At his own press call ahead of the PGA Championship, Lee Westwood, Garcia's Ryder Cup teammate, refused to be drawn into the row saying he was friends with both players.

"It's an awkward situation where they obviously just don't get on. It's in the public (domain) and you guys (the media) will stoke it up and you don't need to," he told reporters.

"I don't think Tiger will be particularly bothered. I get on with both of them but I have no interest of getting in the middle of that relationship. It's nothing to do with me."


Via: 'Fried chicken' jibe 'hurts' Woods

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Rulebook rewriten to ban 'anchored' putters

 Adam Scott won the Masters in April using an anchored putter that he held close to his chest

(CNN) -- Golf's governing bodies have ruled that the use of controversial anchored putters will be banned from 2016, following several months of consultation that drew strong U.S. opposition to the planned change.

The United States Golf Association (USGA) and the R&A on Tuesday ratified the decision by changing golf's rulebook, despite formal complaints from the U.S. PGA Tour and the PGA of America.

Professional golfers now have until January 1, 2016 to adapt their putting style to comply with the new regulations.

Adam Scott was the latest major winner to use an anchored putter -- where the top of the club rests on the belly or another body part -- on his way to a sensational playoff victory at the Masters in April.

American Keegan Bradley was the first player to capture a major using a long putter at the 2011 PGA Championship, with compatriot Webb Simpson, winner of the 2012 U.S. Open, and last year's British Open victor Ernie Els of South Africa following suit.

Read: Why Scott's win creates 'unease' in golfing world

Golf's global rule-makers explained in a statement: "Rule 14-1b, which was proposed on November 28 2012, has now been given final approval by the USGA and The R&A following an extensive review by both organizations.

"In adopting Rule 14-1b, the USGA and The R&A have concluded that freely swinging the entire club is integral to maintaining the traditions of the game and preserving golf as an enjoyable game of skill and challenge.

"The essence of the traditional method of golf stroke involves the player swinging the club with both the club and the gripping hands being held away from the body.

"The concept of intentionally immobilizing one end of the golf club against the body ... is a substantial departure from that traditional understanding of the golf swing."

Before introducing the ban, the USGA and the R&A first wanted a three-month period for comments to be made amid strong opposition from the U.S. PGA Tour and the PGA of America.

In response to the ban, the U.S. PGA Tour said it acknowledged the decision and thanked the USGA for hearing its voice during the long discussions.

It added that it would now consider whether to implement the ruling during competitions under its jurisdictions on U.S. soil.

The PGA of America said it was "disappointed with this outcome" but acknowledged the openness of the forum.

"We do not believe 14-1b is in the best interest of recreational golfers and we are concerned about the negative impact it may have on both the enjoyment and growth of the game," it said in a statement, adding that its board will meet in late June to "decide how best to proceed."

The European Tour, the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour have all supported the new regulation.

World No. 1 Tiger Woods had also backed the ban, with the 14-time major winner calling for the ruling to be implemented "as soon as possible."

The use of "belly" or "long-handled" putters fixed to the body has sparked debate in golf for the last two seasons.

The sport's governing bodies accepted that their decision won't please every player who takes to the green using such a club.

"The anchored method of stroke has been a subject of controversy within the golf community for quite some time," the joint statement said.

"Many individuals and organizations feel strongly about the anchoring issue, and there is no single outcome that will please all."

Meanwhile, Europe's Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley announced Tuesday that he will have three wildcard selections for next year's match against the United States at Gleneagles, Scotland.

That will mean nine automatic places are on offer through qualifying results, as opposed to the 10 under his predecessor Jose Maria Olazabal last year.

U.S. captain Tom Watson reduced his wildcard selections from four to three earlier this year.


Via: Rulebook rewriten to ban 'anchored' putters

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Jimenez advocates the good life

Miguel Angel Jimenez has spent the past four months in the gym undergoing a rehabilitation program after suffering a broken leg in a skiing accident. The Spaniard underwent surgery after breaking the tibia at the top of his right leg.

Editor's note: Watch the exclusive interview on Living Golf when it airs on CNN International Thursday May 2 at 09.30 and 16.30 GMT.

(CNN) -- A nice glass of wine, a puff on a cigar and a few clubs.

It sounds like a decent night out -- except these clubs are golf clubs.

When Miguel Angel Jimenez became the oldest ever winner on the European Tour following his triumph at the Hong Kong Open in November, he celebrated in the only way he knew how -- with a big, fat cigar.

At 49, Jimenez, who replaced Des Smyth as the oldest winner on the European Tour at the age of 48 and 318 days, is man with a hinterland which stretches well beyond sport.

While the rest of the world rushes around at breakneck speed, Jimenez often sits, looks out onto the Mediterranean and contemplates the meaning of life -- a subject he's had a lot of time to think about since breaking his leg in a ski accident last December.

Read: Golf star breaks leg in skiing accident

"You have to do whatever you want in your life when you are alive," Jimenez told CNN's Living Golf on location in his hometown of Malaga.

"I love to ski, I love to drink, I love to smoke, I love to compete and I love to have time with my friends.

"I don't want to stop any of those things. I'm sorry, but I'm honest.

"Freedom is so nice, to do what you're doing in your life, to do what you want in your life -- that's genuine. It doesn't matter what."

If sport these days is characterized by a winner takes all mentality summed up by legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi's famous remark -- "Show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser" -- then Jimenez's approach is the very antithesis to that philosophy.

"I do what I like in my life and I'm not going to change that. If a major is coming then it will be 'wow', but if the major is not coming, I'm still going to do what I like with my life."

A wry smile appears on his face as he waves his hand towards the camera and adds: "Bye, bye major."

Read: Jimenez seeks to become European Tour's oldest winner

But don't let Jimenez's "pleasure pursuit principle" disguise the ambition which still burns fiercely within his heart -- the passion and determination to compete with the latest generation of stars remains as strong as ever.

"I spend many days a week working at the gym and if I don't at the age of 49 then I've no chance of competing with the younger ones," he said.

"Of course, I really enjoy having my glass of wine, having nice food and just to have a cigar with nice company and I enjoy my life.

"You know somebody told me a long time ago that this life we're going to spend more time dead than alive. So, when you're alive, live."

Read: Jimenez becomes oldest European Tour winner

However, as he wrings every last ounce of pleasure out of life you won't find Jimenez telling the world about it on social media networks.

While Tiger Woods tweets to over 3.2 million followers and Rory McIlroy converses with his 1.2 million fans, the Spaniard prefers the old-fashioned method of talking to people.

"But sometimes people forget that you need to enjoy it, we need to enjoy friends, we need to enjoy family and we need to enjoy the things which happen around ourselves," said the Spaniard.

"People identify with a lot of modern things such as computers and social networking. I feel that people have lost communication between people.

"Now there is a lot of communication by information, but I prefer to touch the people, to talk to the people."

Jimenez made his professional debut 30 years ago. During that time the clubs have got bigger and heavier -- as have the pay checks and the relentless media attention which comes with life on the Tour.

"Golf has always been professional, but now it's getting more so," he added.

"People are more into that and are more like horses when they wear blinkers -- they don't see sideways.

"You have to be yourself and if you're like that then it's fine, you have to respect those things, no?"

Read: Golf struggles to shed all-male image

Jimenez makes no judgments on how others choose lead their lives, but he is insistence that his laid back and carefree attitude remains at the center of his equilibrium.

"The most important thing is, and I've always said the same thing, you have to enjoy what you do in your life," he said.

"I do a little bit of this, a little bit of that and my life is going forward.

"That is what I recommend to people. Enjoy yourself, enjoy your life and do whatever you want to do in life.

"But don't come to play golf if you want to do something else and don't do something else if you want to do golf.

"You have to make a compromise with yourself about what you want to do."

Read: Why Scott's Masters win creates 'unease' in golfing world

The affable Jimenez makes his comeback at Thursday's Spanish Open at the Parador de El Saler course in Valencia, providing the Spaniard with an opportunity to test out a body which has been put through months of rehabilitation.

"It's made me more determined," he said.

"I love the game and these three months of not competing, I'm missing some important venues.

"I love to compete. It's the only thing I know how to do properly in my life.

"It doesn't matter whether you win or not, but you're doing what you like in your life and I stopped doing things.

"I've stopped competing with the young guys. I've stopped competing in the tournaments. I miss all these things and that's what I want to do."

Read: Miracle of Medinah

Jimenez's 19 tour wins remain a source of great pride of satisfaction as does his success with the European Ryder Cup team -- most recently as assistant captain at Medinah.

While the next few days should give an indication of how his body is holding up, Jimenez is undecided as to how long he will continue playing at the very highest level.

"I've seen four kinds of generations and I've played with them. To me I think it's a privilege to be part of the history with them.

"I haven't won a major, but I don't regret anything. I feel satisfied to be part of all this, I feel so happy with that.

"I'm on the way back, I don't know for how long. To me I will keep competitive or in competition with the young people for as long as I can play well and win a tournament.

"But if I don't play well and just finish winning it's time to go."


Via: Jimenez advocates the good life

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Korean tensions scare off U.S. golfers

U.S. golfer Dustin Johnson played in the 2011 Ballantine's Championship in South Korea.

(CNN) -- The sponsor of a top golf tournament in South Korea insists it is safe to go ahead despite two American players pulling out due to security fears.

U.S. Ryder Cup stars Dustin Johnson and Zach Johnson withdrew from the Ballantine's Championship Monday, citing concerns over recent tensions between North and South Korea.

"They have reached this decision following perceived unrest on the Korean Peninsula and can no longer assure their commitment to this year's event," Ballantine's said in a statement on the website of the European Tour, which co-sanctions the tournament with the Asian Tour.

Now held at the Blackstone course at Icheon, 60 kilometers south of the capital Seoul, the 2,205,000 ($2.85 million) event was the first staged in South Korea in 2008 on the island of Jeju.

"Ballantine's and the European Tour would like to reiterate that the tournament is going ahead as planned with a full field of European, Asian and Korean PGA Tour members," the statement added.

Read: North Korea welcomes the world's amateur golfers

"Ballantine's has been kept fully up to date on relevant issues and the European Tour has also been liaising with key decision makers, including the Foreign Office, who have not warned of any increased risk to those traveling to or within the country.

World No. 30 Zach Johnson, who won the 2007 Masters, said he did not want to take the risk following North Korea's recent threats against its neighbor and its move to test missiles and restart its nuclear program.

"It was one of those things where the women in my life really didn't feel like it was necessary for me to go," the 37-year-old from Iowa told the Des Moines Register, referring to his wife, mother and young daughter.

Read: The $74M golf course in Korea that nobody plays

"The posture and rhetoric that is taking place right now makes it not worth it. And it probably is just posture and rhetoric. However, I don't want to take the chance."

World No. 19 Dustin Johnson, who played at the Korean event in 2011, had similar concerns.

"I feel bad for the tournament," said the 28-year-old, whose partner is Paulina Gretzky, the model daughter of ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. "They were gracious and understanding. Hopefully it will work out in the future."

The tournament, which starts on Thursday, will feature three former major champions in South Africa's world No. 6 Louis Oosthuizen, South Korean veteran Y.E. Yang and Britain's Paul Lawrie.


Via: Korean tensions scare off U.S. golfers

China's young masters take to the course

Ye Wocheng is juggling school with his historic golfing career. Photo from Richard Castka/Sportpixgolf.com.

(CNN) -- Prepare to meet the young apprentices to China's Masters sensation Guan Tianlang.

The 14-year-old stunned the golfing world when he made the halfway cut as the youngest player to enter the prestigious major, finishing as Augusta's leading amateur.

But Guan is likely to be just the start as China prepares to unveil its next crop of golfing prodigies at this week's China Open in Tianjin.

China's brat pack is led by 12-year-old Ye Wocheng, who tees off as the youngest player in the history of the European Tour on Thursday.

Alongside him will be15-year-old Bai Zhengkai, who earned his place in the field after winning the China Junior Match Play Championship, as well as qualifier Dou Zecheng, a relative old-timer at 16 years of age.

That trio will all be hoping to follow the headline-grabbing example set by Guan at last month's Masters.

"We're always all helping each other out, and turning to one another for advice," explained Ye, who at 12 years and 242 days will beat the record for the youngest competitor at the China Open set by Guan last year.

"I think the main reason for the success of young Chinese players is that we pick up the game at an early age, and we practice really hard. Hopefully that practice can pay off this week."

The Chinese youngsters will be up against the likes of Europe's Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and Scotland's Ryder Cup player Paul Lawrie at the Binhai Lake course, but if Ye finds that youth is not quite a match for experience he has a secret weapon to hand.

"I always wear my lucky hat out on the course, because it helps me shoot lower," Ye, who lives in the industrial city of Donggaun in Guangdong province, explained.

"I played really well the first time I wore it, and have worn it ever since. Hopefully the luck continues this week.

"I'm very happy to be the youngest player on the European Tour, and also a little nervous at the same time.

"My main aim this week is just to go out there and enjoy it; I don't really want to think too much about the result."

Ye is coached by Englishman David Watson, who as a junior played alongside future Ryder Cup players Justin Rose and Lee Westwood.

Watson has been coaching in China for the last decade and has been working with Ye since he was nine, describing the teenager's potential as "limitless".

"At the moment, I don't believe that Ye has too many close rivals of the same age," Watson told the European Tour website. "The China Open will be tough for him, but we will be ready."

Bai is aiming to be around for the whole weekend at the China Open.

"Hopefully I can make the cut this week -- that is my goal. I've played many practice rounds on the course, and it's very difficult. Some holes against the wind will be very tough to make par on, but all I can do is try my best."

South Africa's defending champion Branden Grace, who tied for 18th in the Masters, is only 24 but is in awe of Chinas' burgeoning talent.

"It's amazing," he said. "I only started playing the game at 11, so I wouldn't like to think what handicap I was playing off when I was 12!

"I spoke to [Ye's] coach and he told me he's been winning almost every amateur tournament he's played in this year.

"So I'll be looking out for his results here this week, as I'm sure will most other people. It's a great story, great for him and for the game of golf in general."

Reprieve for Singh

Meanwhile, the Professional Golf Association (PGA) has cleared three-time major winner Vijay Singh of infringing the Tour's anti-doping policy.

The 50-year-old admitted earlier this year to using deer antler spray which contains small extracts of growth hormone IGF-1, a substance listed on the PGA's list of banned products.

The PGA sanctioned Singh but the Fijian golfer appealed, saying he did not know the product contained banned substances.

The World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) has since said it no longer considers using deer antler spray to be prohibitive unless it resulted in a positive test.

That statement led the PGA to rule that Singh should no longer face a ban, ruling: "Based on this new information, and given WADA's lead role in interpreting the prohibited list, the Tour deemed it only fair to no longer treat Mr.Singh's use of deer antler spray as a violation."


Via: China's young masters take to the course

Monday, May 13, 2013

'Baby' Ye makes European Tour history

Guan Tianlang, now 14, qualified for the 2013 Masters when -- as the youngest player in the field, then rated 490th in the world amateur rankings -- he beat a host of senior golfers to win the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Thailand. Guan of China became the youngest player to make the cut at Augusta and finished as the top amateur.

(CNN) -- China's young golfers mixed the rough with the smooth on an historic day at the China Open on Thursday.

Ye Wocheng underlined China's prodigious golfing talent as he teed off to become the youngest player in the history of the European Tour at the age of 12 years and 242 days.

It was also a day to remember for another of China's young talent pool as 16-year-old Dou Zecheng signed for an impressive two-under-par 70 in Tianjin.

"I was bit nervous at the start, had a bogey on the third but then came back really well with four birdies," said Dou, who was joint 11th after the first day's play in a group including compatriot Bin Yan.

"This is obviously by far the biggest event I have ever entered, so I am very excited to be part of it.

Read: Ye - 'I always wear my lucky hat'

"This is a very long, tough course for me. On a couple of the longer par fours, I need to hit my wood from the fairway to have any chance of reaching the greens.

"I hit a bit of a top off the first tee and only carried it 230 yards, but it was okay because I still got a par."

Ye also made a solid start on the back nine at the Binhai Lake Golf Club, holing a birdie at the par-four 14th to cancel out his dropped shot on the 13th to card a creditable 38 at the turn.

But the schoolboy from the southern manufacturing hub of Dongguan lost momentum over the front nine, dropping five bogeys for a final seven-over-par score of 79.

Ye, who balances his homework with his golfing career, now faces a battle to survive the halfway cut at the $3.2 million tournament.

"It's the first time I've played with a baby!" said his 35-year-old Spanish playing partner Jose Manual Lara. "I think I was playing on the computer at 12, not playing in a big tournament on the European Tour.

"He's definitely got something about him. He knows how to manage himself out on the course, and I'm sure he's going to go a long way in the game.

"He hits it a long way for his age and he's got a very good short game. I was impressed with him."

The 15-year-old Bai Zhengkai, who earned his place in the field after winning the China Junior Match Play Championship, finished the day on 11 over.

They are following in the footsteps of Guan Tianlang, who drew global focus on China's young talent with his sensational Masters debut last month.

The 14-year-old made the halfway cut as the youngest player to enter the prestigious major and finished as Augusta's leading amateur.

Tianlang was invited to play at the PGA Tour event in New Orleans last week, where he also made the cut but then finished 71st -- bottom of the players who made it to the weekend rounds.

Back at the China Open, Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen held the first-round lead after a late birdie run took the 39-year-old to a six-under 66.

Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and Australian Brett Rumford were tied for second two shots further back.

Former British Open champion Paul Lawrie was still in the hunt on 69 but Europe's new Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley finished four over for the day.

Woods ruling

Meanwhile, golf's governing bodies have backed the decision by officials at the Masters not to disqualify Tiger Woods from last month's tournament even though the world No. 1 was found guilty of infringing the rules.

Augusta's rules committee deemed Woods had violated one of golf's ball-drop rules during the second round and handed him a two-stroke penalty.

But there had been calls for Woods to be disqualified from the tournament after he incorrectly signed for a round of 71.

The 14-time major winner hit a shot on the 15th hole that ricocheted off the flagstick and bounced into a pond. Woods took a drop but later conceded he had not taken the drop at the same place as the original spot -- an infringement that warrants a two-shot penalty.

At the time, officials determined Woods hadn't broken any rules and so did not disqualify Woods for signing an improper scorecard because it made its "initial determination prior to the finish of the player's round."

It was only under further scrutiny from the television coverage -- prompted by an inquiry from a viewer -- that Woods was retrospectively punished, but was not penalized for the incorrectly signed scorecard.

The R&A and the U.S. Golf Association supported the decision made at Augusta -- but stressed it should not set a precedent for future incidents.

The joint statement explained: "In returning his score card, Woods had breached Rule 6-6d by returning a score (6) for the 15th hole that was lower than his actual score (8).

"The penalty for such a breach of Rule 6-6d is disqualification. Under Rule 33-7, a committee has discretion to waive that penalty in 'exceptional individual cases.' The Committee elected to invoke that discretion and waived Woods' penalty of disqualification.

"The Decisions on the Rules of Golf authorize a committee to correct an incorrect decision before the competition has closed, and they establish that where a Committee incorrectly advises a competitor, before he returns his scorecard, that he has incurred no penalty, and then subsequently corrects its mistake, it is appropriate for the committee to waive the disqualification penalty.

"The Woods ruling was based on exceptional facts and should not be viewed as a general precedent for relaxing or ignoring a competitor's essential obligation under the Rules to return a correct score card."


Via: 'Baby' Ye makes European Tour history

Woods victorious as Garcia falters

World No. 1 Tiger Woods won the Players Championship for the first time since 2001.

(CNN) -- A collapse on the penultimate tee of the Players Championship by Sergio Garcia allowed Tiger Woods to win the $1.7 million tournament for the second time in his career.

Spain's Garcia looked to be heading into a playoff with world No. 1 Woods before hitting two tee shots into the water at the 17th hole to throw away any chance he had of winning the title he picked up in 2008.

A war of words between the two players broke out on Saturday when Garcia blamed Woods for crowd noise which he claimed distracted him during his swing.

It led to Garcia describing Woods as "not the nicest guy on Tour", but the American had the last laugh as a final round of 70 saw him finish top of the leaderboard on 13-under par, six strokes ahead of the Spaniard.

Read: Jury out on new Hall of Fame inductees

"It sounds like I was the bad guy here," Garcia told the PGA Tour's official website. "I was the victim. I don't have any regrets of anything.

"That hole has been good to me for the most part," Garcia said of the 17th after carding a final round of 76.

"Today, it wasn't. That's the way it is. That's the kind of hole it is. You've got to love it for what it is.

"It's always nice to have a chance at beating the No. 1 player in the world, but unfortunately for me, I wasn't able to this week."

For Woods it was a fourth tournament win of the year, one which moved him onto 78 PGA Tour wins, four off Sam Snead's record of 82.

"We just go out there and play," said Woods, who won the Players for the first time in 2001 and took his earnings for 2013 to over $5.8m from just seven tournaments.

"I had an opportunity to win the golf tournament when I was tied for the lead, and I thought I handled the situation well and really played well when I really needed to. And that's something I'm excited about it."

Sweden's David Lingmerth, playing alongside Garcia, missed a birdie putt on the 17th which would have seen him pull level with Woods.

In the end Lingmerth (72) finished 11 under in a three-way tie for second with American duo Kevin Streelman (67) and Jeff Maggert (70).

Garcia was part of a seven-strong group on seven under which also included two-time major winner Rory McIlroy and former world No. 1 Lee Westwood.


Via: Woods victorious as Garcia falters

Sunday, May 12, 2013

McIlroy gets back in the swing at Quail Hallow

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy signed a lucrative deal with Nike in January.

(CNN) -- Two-time major winner Rory McIlroy showed glimpses of the form which shot him to the top of the world rankings by hitting a five-under-par round of 67 to share the lead after the opening round of the Wells Fargo Open.

McIlroy, who has struggled to produce his best golf since signing with Nike in January, shares the top of the leaderboard with six American players.

"I felt like I played really well," the world No. 2 told the PGA Tour's official website after a round which included seven birdies and two bogeys.

"I feel a lot more comfortable with my swing and a lot more comfortable with where my game is at. That's always going to make it easier."

Read: "Baby" Ye makes Tour history

McIlroy won this event in 2010 and is playing for the first time since tying for 25th at the Masters in April.

"I love this golf course," added the 23-year-old, referring to the Quail Hallow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. "I always seem to play well here, so that's an added benefit.

"I took the best part of two weeks off after Augusta and didn't touch a club. Flew back out to Florida last Friday, had three or four really good days' practice, and I feel good about my game.

"I knew if I could just take that from there to here, I'd do OK."

Read: Korean tensions scare off U.S. golfers

Alongside McIlroy are the six Americans Ryan Moore, Nick Watney, Robert Garrigus, Derek Ernst, Daniel Summerhays and Nate Smith.

Four-time major winner Phil Mickelson and 2007 Masters winner Zach Johnson are part of a six-strong group one stroke further back on four under.

"I really like this golf course," said Mickelson, who is looking for a first career win at this event. "I think from tee to green it's one of the best I've ever seen. I really enjoy playing here.

"I've had some good finishes, but you're right. I haven't been able to break through and get a win. This year, hopefully, it will be different because I am playing well and I do really enjoy it here."


Via: McIlroy gets back in the swing at Quail Hallow

Rookie win 'unbelievable' as Mickelson blows it

Phil Mickelson reacts to missing a birdie putt on the 18th hole at Quail Hollow, which meant he missed a playoff .

(CNN) -- Phil Mickelson's hopes of a first victory since January were derailed by his struggles at "the Green Mile" on Sunday, as rookie Derek Ernst earned his maiden PGA Tour title in a playoff at the Wells Fargo Championship.

While four-time major winner Mickelson dropped shots at two of his final three holes, Ernst birdied his last to force a playoff with Englishman David Lynn -- which he won at the first hole.

It earned him the $1.17 million first prize and an invite to next week's $9.5 million Players Championship -- the golf season's unofficial "fifth major."

Ernst, who turns 23 on May 16, had made the cut in just two of his previous seven tournaments of his first season on the circuit, with a best finish of 47th in New Orleans last weekend.

The California native graduated from University of Nevada-Las Vegas last year with a degree in hotel management before turning pro.

"This feeling is unbelievable right now," he told reporters. "Just at the beginning of the week not even knowing I was going to be in the field. I was fourth alternate last time I heard, and then a couple people dropped out so I got in."

Mickelson has won 41 times on the tour, and seemed set for his second victory this season despite dropping three shots at 15 and 16 in Saturday's third round.

The 42-year-old birdied 14 to be in contention but then again lost a shot at 16 to be in a three-way tie for the lead as the crowd sheltered under umbrellas in the wet conditions in South Carolina.

He then bogeyed 17 -- where he is now 14 over par in the 40 times he has played that hole -- and missed his birdie putt at 18 to card a one-over-par 73.

The last three holes at the Quail Hollow club are known as "the Green Mile" -- a stretch which is rated as one of the top-five hardest finishing runs on the PGA Tour in the past decade.

Mickelson racked up his seventh top-10 finish in 10 appearances at Wells Fargo, ending up one shot ahead of England's former world No. 1 Lee Westwood and Sweden's Robert Karlsson, who tied for fourth.

Lynn, 39, had also been seeking his first PGA Tour win, having finished in a tie for fourth at the Honda Classic in March -- and runner-up at last season's closing major, the PGA Championship.

He and Ernst had been three shots behind Mickelson going into the fourth round.

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy, who won his first PGA Tour title at Quail Hollow in 2010, finished tied for 10th after carding a second successive 73.

The Northern Irishman bogeyed his first and last holes, and also picked up a double at the par-four 12th.

Meanwhile, Brett Rumford completed his second successive victory on the European Tour's Asian swing with a four-shot victory at the China Open on Sunday.

The 35-year-old Australian followed up his playoff win from last weekend's Ballantine's Championship in South Korea as he carded five birdies in the first 10 holes of his final round.

It put him top of the Race to Dubai standings, having been 138th two weeks ago.

"It's quite surreal -- it's the first time I've actually played the week after a win so I'm more than pleased. It's hard to get my head around it at the moment," Rumford said.

Finland's Mikko Ilonen was second, having started the fourth round one shot behind Rumford.

Defending champion Branden Grace of South Africa tied for 33rd in a group including 16-year-old Dou Zecheng -- who was the best finisher of the group of young Chinese talent in the field.


Via: Rookie win 'unbelievable' as Mickelson blows it

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Jury out on Hall of Fame new boys

Sealed with a kiss. Fred Couples celebrates his one and only major success at the 1992 Masters with his wife Debbie.

(CNN) -- It's become as much an integral part of the annual golfing calendar as any tournament.

Every year in the week of the Players tournament at TPC Sawgrass, a select few are inducted to World Golf's Hall of Fame (WGHOF).

But the 2013 ceremony on May 6 is not without a degree of controversy -- thanks to the caustic observations of one of the Hall of Fame's very own.

Members are elected in five different categories -- principally the PGA Tour ballot and the International ballot -- for players who compete outside the U.S. circuit.

The criteria for getting on the ballot takes into account how many tournaments you have won -- with extra credit given for the four majors and the Players tournament, which is often dubbed the 'fifth major."

But in the view of American golfer Ray Floyd -- a four time major winner elected to the Hall of Fame in the 1980s -- it has become a club that is too easy to join.

Angry Floyd

In an interview with Golf Magazine the straight talking former Ryder Cup captain let rip:

"The bar has been lowered. Guys get voted into the Hall of Fame who don't belong, who lack the numbers. I'm very upset at the Hall of Fame for that. It's not fair to the people who went in early."

"Just look at the inductees over the last six, eight, 10 years," Floyd added.

"Some years, I don't even vote because the names are not worthy of induction. One major should not get you into the Hall of Fame -- maybe one major and 40 wins."

"I'll just say that you should have at least two majors. At least," he explained. "Wow, there are guys in there that it's a joke. It takes integrity away from the term Hall of Fame," he added.

Floyd did not name names -- but few doubted he was targeting two of this year's intake -- Fred Couples and Colin Montgomerie.

Couples only won one major - the U.S. Masters in 1992. Montgomerie famously won none, coming second five times.

A giant on the European tour and in the Ryder Cup, the Scot never managed to grab one of the prizes all his peers strive for.

Stout defense

The WGHOF chief operating officer, Jack Peter, told CNN's Living Golf that he welcomed an honest exchange of views of the merits or otherwise of inductees.

"We love the debate," he said with a smile.

"It's an election that we administer and it's a bit of a ' let the chips fall where they may' in terms of who gets elected."

But he's quick to firmly defend this year's choices, including the major-less Monty:

"What Colin's body of work has done for the European tour, for the game in Europe, his contribution to the Ryder Cup -- it's extraordinary.

"And I don't think because he has not won majors precludes him from the Hall of Fame. We want to celebrate the game. We want to recognize greatness."

It's possible the controversy could build in years to come. There are several star players -- Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia -- who still can't win one of the four majors.

Lively debate

And yet some other major winners in recent years -- Webb Simpson, Keegan Bradley, Ben Curtis -- have won only a handful of other tournaments.

But if debate stirs interest, Peter is happy.

"We administer the ballot. Should it be more strict -- maybe; should it be less strict -- maybe. There's a number of scenarios here that you could put together to do this, but were pretty comfortable with where we are.

"It is about fame, it's a vote, and he got the votes. Should he have more wins, less wins, I leave that to you guys in the media"

Montgomerie and Couples are joined in the Hall of Fame this year by former U.S. Open champion and broadcaster Ken Venturi; Ken Schofield, the previous head of the European Tour, as well as the course designer Willie Park Jr, a British Open champion from the 19th century.

Who knows what he would have made of it all.


Via: Jury out on Hall of Fame new boys

Castro equals course record on Players debut

American Roberto Castro played college golf at Georgia Tech in Alabama.

(CNN) -- Roberto Castro enjoyed an impressive debut at the Players Championship, carding a nine-under-par round of 63 to tie the course record at TPC Sawgrass and top the leaderboard after day one of the $9.5 million tournament.

Yet to record a PGA Tour win in his six-year career, the American equaled the record set by golf icons Fred Couples and Greg Norman to lead two-time major winner Rory McIlroy and 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson by three shots.

"Tiger Woods (didn't) play till this afternoon," Castro told the Tour's official website after a round which included seven birdies and an eagle at the second hole. "So I'm sure some people were looking for something interesting to watch.

"The last two weeks I've hit the ball nicely, the scores just haven't shown it. A couple of rounds, especially in the last two weeks, could have been low. They weren't even remotely low on the scorecard, but had a couple of quality shots."

Read: Jury out on new Hall of Fame inductees

Playing alongside Castro was compatriot Jason Bohn, who suggested the 27-year-old's round could have been even better.

"It was a clinic," said Bohn, who was four under at the end of Thursday's play. "It was beautiful. I've never seen a 63 shot like that.

"You see guys chip in or hole a bunker shot; but he shot 63 and it could've been two or three shots lower."

McIlroy enjoyed his best ever day at the event, having missed the cut and failed to break par on his three previous trips to Ponte Vedra Beach.

The world No. 2 was part of a stellar threesome which also included recently crowned Masters champion Adam Scott -- playing for the first time since his Augusta triumph -- and 12-time PGA winner Steve Stricker.

"I think when you get all three guys playing well in a group, you sort of feed off one another," said McIlroy. "It was a good group to be a part of."

Scott, who won the Players in 2004, was satisfied with his opening round of 69.

"I was a little surprised when I teed off that someone was five under already," explained the Australian. "I thought it might play a little tougher than that. But it was ideal.

"There wasn't even a breath of wind hardly on the front nine. The greens seemed pretty receptive, too, so if you were in the fairway you could attack."

A slip up at the 18th dashed world No. 1 Tiger Woods' hopes of carding a first bogey-free round at the Players.

The 14-time major winner carded six birdies during his round of 67, one stroke off his career best score at the event.

"I felt like I hit the ball good enough, but more importantly, I missed the ball in all the correct spots," said Woods, who is looking to win the tournament for the second time.

"I left myself some easy up and downs, and I was able to convert those up and downs."


Via: Castro equals course record on Players debut

Friday, May 10, 2013

Garcia leads Players from confident Woods

Sergio Garcia shot a seven-under 65 to charge to the top of the leaderboard at the Players Championship.

(CNN) -- Sergio Garcia posted five straight birdies on the way to a seven-under 65 Friday and the halfway lead at the Players Championship in Florida -- but World No.1 Tiger Woods is just a shot behind.

Spain's Garcia has an outstanding record on the TPC at Sawgrass, winning in 2008, and making 10 successive cuts.

His birdie blitz from holes two to six saw him reach the turn in 31 and he held his composure on the back nine to go into the clubhouse on 11-under 133.

"Wonderful day today," Garcia told the official PGA Tour website.

"Yesterday I scored very well; I didn't play that great. But today I played much nicer."

Woods also professed his satisfaction with his game after a second straight 67, which included an eagle on his 11th hole of the day, the second.

Read: Castro powers to first round lead

"I'm pleased with every facet of it," he said. "I feel like I'm driving it well, hitting it well with my irons, my distance control is good, short game is really solid, and I'm making my share of putts."

Woods is seeking his first win at the "fifth major" since 2001 and to consolidate his position at the top of the rankings.

His closest chaser, Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, looked set to build on his opening 66, but could not capitalize on a promising start and finished with a level-par 72 to be five back going into the weekend.

Fellow Ryder Cup star Lee Westwood was well placed after a 66 for nine-under 134, sharing third spot with Swede Henrik Stenson and Kevin Chappell.

Westwood has yet to drop a shot to par after 36 holes with his usual consistent play backed up by fine putting.

Masters champion Adam Scott improved with a four-under 68 to be in a tie for ninth, but first round leader Roberto Castro followed his opening 63 with a 78 to slip down the field.


Via: Garcia leads Players from confident Woods

Michael Phelps' golf growing pains

Michael Phelps, seen here at a promotional event in China in 2010, has been learning to play golf since his retirement from swimming.

(CNN) -- As a swimmer, his countless hours of training paid off handsomely -- earning him a record 18 Olympic gold medals.

As a golfer, Michael Phelps is wondering what he's got himself into.

"It's one of the most humbling games I've tried to do in my entire life," the American tells CNN.

"I could always pick things up fairly easily, but I don't get how hitting a little object -- a little white ball, that isn't moving -- is so hard.

"Why can't I just hit this in a straight line? Or hook it, or draw it, or fade it -- I can't do it. I'm finally learning how to be able to do all that stuff and do it consistently. But I still do have some pretty bad shots."

Have a quick look online and you'll find Phelps hurling his driver away in disgust after embarrassingly topping his tee shot at the home of golf, St. Andrews in Scotland.

"Throwing clubs, using profanity -- everything comes out," Phelps says.

Read: Short game: Golf gets snappy

But there are some moments of magic, such as when -- as a 26 handicapper -- he sank a monster 150-foot putt at the Dunhill Links pro-am in Scotland last October.

However, golf requires both power and precision -- which Phelps, who was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder as a child, is slowly learning to combine.

"He's one of those players that people would look at and say, 'He has a lot of potential.' What that technically means is that the player is very long and very wild," says Tiger Woods' former coach Hank Haney, who has been tutoring Phelps in the latest series of his television show The Haney Project.

"They never look at someone who hits it a very short distance and say, 'Oh you've got a lot of potential.' They always comment on the potential someone has as based solely on the distance of their hitting."

Haney has some history in shaping unpredictable talents, having previously worked with former basketballer Charles Barkley and boxer Sugar Ray Leonard among his celebrity TV clients.

"Michael is 6'4 but he has a 6'8 wingspan, so his arms are very long. Because of that he has a pretty long, loose swing," Haney tells CNN.

"It's capable of generating a lot of power ... That's been the biggest challenge, to get his swing better so he can control it a bit."

Haney says Phelps is "definitely getting better" after carding true hackers' scores of between 97 and 117 in six rounds immediately after the London 2012 Olympics -- where he took his career tally to a record 22 medals.

"His No. 1 goal after the Olympics was to learn how to play golf and be decent at it," Haney says.

"I think he's passionate about it. It's nice to have someone like Michael Phelps interested in the game, it's great for golf."

"Baltimore Bullet"

Golf is not only giving the 27-year-old Phelps a new hobby (if not quite a new career) -- it is also extending his commercial sell-by date.

While he's not in the $250 million league that Nike reportedly paid to sign up golf's new star Rory McIlroy, the "Baltimore Bullet" has already landed a club deal with Ping.

"Ping is a well-established global brand that should be able to deliver Phelps with huge international exposure," says British sports business expert Simon Chadwick.

"Phelps, meanwhile, provides Ping with a brand association that has a strong track-record of success at the very highest level.

"That said, this is a somewhat strange alliance that would be appear to be fraught with difficulty. It doesn't make instant sense, and quite what the tangible returns will be to both parties isn't necessarily obvious.

"If there is no expectation that Phelps will become a professional golfer, the Ping deal tends rather to imply that this is short-term opportunism -- unless, of course, the relaunch and rebranding of Phelps as a global sport or leisure brand starts here.

"If the Phelps brand in golf is to have any sustainable future, he needs to start delivering the kind of performances that fans and consumers will be looking for."

Chinese 12 year-old to make history

Haney doubts that Phelps will be able to make it as a pro golfer, citing the very few examples of sports stars who've been able to switch to the game -- and most of those have been on the seniors circuit.

"The possibility is there, but golf seems to take more time than any other sport -- there's so much to learn and so much to practice. You have to dedicate full-time to golf to get there," Haney says.

"It's a big difference between being a scratch golfer or two handicap and being a professional golfer. It's a whole other world," Haney adds when asked about the golfing prospects of retired tennis star Andy Roddick, who like Phelps has been hitting the celebrity pro-am circuit.

New adventure

And Phelps sounds like he's enjoying his retirement too much to dedicate himself to the same punishing routine that saw him not miss a 6.30 a.m training session for six years -- as Haney was informed by his protege's former swim coach.

"I've been saying a lot more recently about how great it is to be retired," says Phelps. "I can wake up at 10 in the morning, grab a cup of coffee, read the newspaper.

"If I feel like hitting a couple of golf balls, I hit some golf balls. I really just hang out, and it's awesome.

"At this point I'm really just trying to enjoy the sport, learn the sport, and be able to beat all of my friends who I go out and play with."

Read: Woods back on top of the world

However, Haney is in no doubt that Phelps is committed to his new adventure.

"The crossover is the work ethic that he has -- he knows what it takes to be great in sports," the 57-year-old coach says.

"He's used to being coached, that makes it easier for me. In golf you have to be coached, no-one just knows how to do it. In order for that to happen, you like to have someone that's used to taking coaching."

For someone who has coached 14-time major winner Woods, the goals of a novice like Phelps ("He's thinking pro-ams and playing amateur golf. He'd love to win a club championship one day") bring Haney back full circle in his career.

"Tiger was my last student and I had determined that when I started with Tiger, I said he's going to be the last touring pro that I have," says Haney, who wrote a book detailing his six years working with the biggest name in modern golf.

"I taught touring pros for 32 years and I enjoyed it. It was incredible, a lot of great experiences, but 32 years was enough for me -- I taught over 200 touring pros. It was time for me to do something different. And where do you go from Tiger Woods?"

Twitter tips

Apart from his TV show, Haney is now focused on his corporate work, his International Junior Golf Academy based at Hilton Head, South Carolina -- and taking the game to the people.

"Golf's been awful good to me, I have no problems doing that, I'm very thankful to the game of golf," says Haney, who is an active presence on Twitter, giving away tips to anyone who contacts him -- much to the chagrin of some of his peers.

"Last year I did clinics for over 15,000 people, so I feel like through Twitter and doing the clinics I'm much more able to reach a larger audience and giving back to the game a little bit.

"I enjoy being a top instructor who is willing and able to do those things."

He says his junior academy, which has almost 150 students from 22 countries, is not necessarily seeking to unearth the next Tiger Woods.

"I'm really proud of the fact that the kids don't just learn golf but they have a great education. Every kid from our academy last year went to college, 94% of them got scholarships. I really enjoy seeing how much they grow as people from being in our academy."


Via: Michael Phelps' golf growing pains

Thursday, May 9, 2013

'Dufnering' craze grips golf

Points celebrated his Houston Open with his best

(CNN) -- Leading golfers Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, Luke Donald, Dustin Johnson, Brandt Snedeker and Keegan Bradley are all "Dufnering".

So it was entirely appropriate that D.A. Points celebrated his win at the Houston Open by posing for the cameras with his best impression of the trend that has gone viral on the internet -- the American golfer slouched on the green with a slightly vacant expression on his face with the tournament trophy by his side.

Before Points' win, which earned him a place at the Masters and a winner's check of $1.16 million, the U.S. PGA Tour event had been buzzing with laughter after the likes of McIlroy et al posted pictures of themselves on Twitter mimicking Jason Dufner's unfortunate photograph of himself looking rather disinterested in a Texas classroom surrounded by children, while performing a charity visit last week.

"What can I say, I was tired, my back hurt from sitting on the floor, and we were talking about relaxation and focusing," tweeted Dufner, explaining his lackadaisical posture and the less than animated expression on his face.

Too late -- Dufnering was quickly trending after a succession of leading golfers gently poked fun at their sporting colleague on Twitter.

Sitting in front of the General Lee car from the Dukes of Hazard television series that he owns, Watson tweeted: "Just Dufnering in the garage!!"

Other sports starts quickly got in on the act, peppering Dufner's Twitter timeline with their own version of the online phenomenon -- former tennis player Andy Roddick even tweeted a picture of his dog "Dufnering".

Given Points had made just two cuts in nine starts this year, the 36-year-old was not surprisingly only too happy to oblige the photographers with his own take on golf's new craze after his win on Sunday at the Redstone Club.

"You know, again, I want to win," Points told the PGA Tour website as he more seriously outlined his future ambitions.

"I want to win more than once. I want to have the opportunity to win majors, I want to play in Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups. These are things I want to do and I know I'm capable of doing.

"So I never doubt that I can do it. I certainly get down and frustrated when I make two of nine cuts. That's not making you feel real great about yourself.''

Read: McIlroy explains Haiti decision

Remarkably Points earned his place at the Masters thanks to some help from his mother's putter as he finished one shot ahead of compatriot Billy Horschel and Sweden's Henrik Stenson.

"I've been hitting it better and better, and I saw Brian White for a putting lesson,'' added Points, who holed a 13-foot par putt at the 72nd hole to to clinch victory after thunderstorms had halted play in the closing stretch.

"Gave me a couple things, changed the putter, boom, felt great, and here I am.

"So, the thing about it, is I never count myself out. I never just chalk it up, like, 'Oh, this year is over with.' I've never ever felt like that. I was just grinding, just trying to wait and try to find that one thing that was like, boom, there it is and there I go.

"Fortunately, it was this week and I capitalized on it."

McIlroy, who announced during the tournament that he would postpone a UNICEF charity trip to Haiti in order to add this week's Texas Open to his schedule, finished tied for 45th -- 12 shots behind Points.

He is still seeking his first victory this season, having fallen to No. 2 in the world rankings behind Tiger Woods.


Via: 'Dufnering' craze grips golf

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Masters: Old school vs. New social


Via: Masters: Old school vs. New social

Teen gives taste of China's ambition

Guan Tianlang, now 14, qualified for the 2013 Masters when -- as the youngest player in the field, then rated 490th in the world amateur rankings -- he beat a host of senior golfers to win the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Thailand. Guan of China became the youngest player to make the cut at Augusta and finished as the top amateur.

Living Golf is CNN's monthly golf show. Click here for program times and latest videos, news and features.

(CNN) -- The legendary Jack Nicklaus may have won the most titles, a 21-year-old Tiger Woods may have been the youngest champion and Gary Player may have made the most appearances, but a little-known Chinese golfer will be added to the illustrious list of Masters record-holders on Thursday.

For when Guan Tianlang steps onto the first tee, the Chinese teenager will become the youngest competitor -- at the age of 14 years and five months -- in the 80 years of the prestigious Augusta event, beating the previous record held by then 16-year-old Matteo Manassero.

The boy who has been taking time out of school in his home city Guangzhou earned his place at golf's top table when, as the youngest player in the field, he beat a host of senior players to win last year's Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Thailand.

He is just the latest of a small but expanding list of teenage -- and, remarkably, even pre-teen -- golfers to be impacting upon the highest echelons of golf, despite being drawn from a playing pool estimated to be no more than 600 teenage boys and girls.

Read: Tiger gives Guan helping hand at Augusta

Guan was just 13 when he became the youngest player to ever contest a European Tour event in 2012, the same year that Andy Zhang, then 14, became the youngest player in the history of the U.S. Open -- while that year's Women's British Open found the youngest Chinese female golfer to ever contest a major, Jing Yan, then 16.

Cultural Revolution

Just last month, all were slightly upstaged by Ye Wocheng, who became the youngest golfer to qualify for a European Tour event -- at the age of just 12. Yes, that's right. Twelve.

"I don't think there's another country in the world that is putting as much into golf as China -- in terms of the resources, energy and money," says Michael Dickie, the Scotland-born head coach of China's women's Olympic team.

"Look at most other countries, they support players as amateurs but the support stops once they get to pro -- then, they're on their own and have to do it themselves.

"But our girls -- all they need to do is train. We do the logistics, which tournaments will suit them and where they should train. We also have a physio, fitness instructor, technical coaches and people arranging logistics, visa, flights and hotels.

"And the state is paying for it all. It is like a monster sponsorship program."

Of course, it wasn't always thus.

Opinion: For Tiger, winning does take care of everything

During China's Cultural Revolution of 1966-1976, golf was considered to be too bourgeois a pastime and any existing courses were dug up, with the land returned to farmers.

Eight years after Chairman Mao's death, though, the first modern-day golf course was built -- in 1984 -- even if there was still a reluctance to invest fully in the sport in the nominally communist nation.

Eye-wateringly expensive

For with its 1.35 billion inhabitants representing nearly 20% of the world population -- yet the country's landmass amounting to just 6% of the planet's total land area -- land in China is decidedly scarce.

So it makes no sense for politicians to allocate great swathes to golf courses, especially given ecological concerns -- primarily over water use -- that accompany their operational capacity and the association with the wealthy elite.

While the number of courses has quietly tripled in the last decade to over 600, golf is still very much a minority sport and even though significant growth is expected with the expansion of a middle class predicted to have doubled its 2010 level of 52 million by 2015, the sport is still eye-wateringly expensive.

So much so that a 2008 survey by professional services company KPMG established the average initiation cost of joining a Chinese golf club to be $53,000, with a regular round costing around $150 -- way beyond the reach of all but a fraction of the population.

But help is at hand for some following a decision taken in 2009 in, of all places, the Danish capital Copenhagen.

That was where the executive board of the International Olympic Committee voted to return golf to the Games in 2016 after a 112-year absence.

Overnight, the Chinese government -- which boasts a long history of investing in Olympic sports -- finally had a reason to back golf. Although figures are hard to come by, the intensity of their training programs indicates just how seriously the Chinese are taking a potential fairway to medals.

At his academy in Shanghai, Dickie has a team of 15 Olympic hopefuls, eight of whom attend full-time training, which is funded by a state who get value for money -- with the girls training six days a week if they are not contesting a tournament.

"On a normal day, we get up at 0630 and do a fitness session for an hour," he says. "After breakfast, we train until midday, when we rest until 1400.

"Then another two hours of training and then an hour of fitness training -- we are heavy on fitness training -- so it's three hours of fitness and five hours of golf. Quite intense."

Chinese ambition

Improving the players' ranking is the major aim of the program, for the top 15 in the world gain automatic berths to Rio de Janeiro in 2016, following which another 45 competitors will be chosen -- with a maximum of two available players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top 15.

A further indication of the Chinese ambition is that Australian legend Greg Norman has been formally brought on board to advise and identify the country's best golf talent, which is largely drawn from privileged backgrounds -- for obvious reasons -- but he won't struggle with one name for the ladies category.

Last year, Feng Shanshan -- now 23 -- became the first Chinese golfer to win a major when she claimed the LPGA Championship by two strokes, five years after she had earned her place on the LPGA Tour as a teenage amateur.

Ranked No. 8 in the world, she does not train with the team in Shanghai but looks a certainty for Brazil -- especially since the next best Chinese female golfers are ranked 160th and 285th respectively, whose improvements represent the major challenge for Dickie, Norman and co.

Those working on the country's male golfers have an even harder task, for there are only three Chinese in the top 500, with Liang Wenchong -- the 34-year-old whose best finish, by some distance, was eighth place in the 2010 U.S. PGA -- leading the way in 169th place.

But it won't be long before the fruits of China's investment -- now reaching the grassroots for the first time -- will be clear for world golf fans to see, says a man who knows just a thing or two about the sport.

"In China, they are incredibly passionate and you see how the game is growing," says Hank Haney, who coached Tiger Woods for six years and who now runs several golf schools.

"I know from my academy that Asian golfers are incredibly great students -- they're very, very focused and without a doubt, we're going to see more and more great golfers coming from Asian.

"It won't be long before China is a big part of that."

Perhaps just as long as it takes for Guan Tianlang, Andy Zhang, Ye Wocheng and the rest to exit their teenage years.


Via: Teen gives taste of China's ambition

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Teary-eyed teen to green jacket

Adam Scott became his country's first Masters champion with his playoff win at Augusta.

(CNN) -- From teary-eyed teenager to the proud owner of a green jacket, Adam Scott's transformation from best of the rest to major winner has involved a fair amount of heartache.

The newly-crowned Masters champion watched on television as his hero and fellow Australian Greg Norman threw away a six-shot lead at Augusta in 1996, while Scott himself blew a four-shot advantage over the final four holes of last year's British Open.

But there was no collapse, no choking on Sunday.

The new world No. 3 showed nerves of steel to defeat overnight co-leader Angel Cabrera in a tense two-hole playoff to win the first major of 2013.

"The whole nation stopped that day and felt for Greg," Scott told CNN when asked about Norman's implosion on April 14, 1996.

The tale of Twitter: Masters social media reaction

"It was so hard to see your hero not come up with the goods that day like he normally always did. I learned lessons out of that day.

"It's an amazing journey, the whole golfing career. I've played a lot of majors and to finally get one means a lot. I've knocked on the door a couple of times recently, to get over the hurdle is hopefully the start of something to come."

Scott has flirted with major success on a number of occasions.

He finished third at the 2006 PGA Championship before tying for second at the Masters two years ago, with his final-round collapse at Royal Lytham and St. Annes in 2012 was the closest he had got to winning one of the sport's four blue riband events, letting the Claret Jug slip from his grasp and into Ernie Els' hands.

Read: Australia's great avenger

Now, Scott is Australia's first Masters champion, succeeding where two-time major winner Norman and the great Peter Thompson failed.

"Golf is a game that can humble you very quickly, and it certainly did at the British Open," continued the 32-year-old.

"But I've won tournaments before and I've lost tournaments before and it's going to keep happening for the rest of my life. As much as I don't want to lose tournaments, it's inevitable.

"The British Open gave me more belief than anything. No doubt, it just gave me more belief that I am good enough to win a major championship."

Scott looked to have done enough for victory when he holed an impressive birdie on the 72nd hole of the weekend to move to nine-under par and into the outright lead.

But Cabrera, who held a share of the lead heading into Sunday, responded with a sublime approach shot to the final green and a playoff was required.

Scott eventually emerged victorious on the second playoff hole, the par-four 10th, fulfilling the dreams of the 15-year-old who watched Norman's infamous capitulation.

"It's quite a feeling to make a couple of putts to win a tournament," he said. "It's what every kid dreams about. For it to finally happen is amazing."

The Adelaide native becomes the latest player to win a major using the controversial belly putter. Els' victory over Scott was achieved using the club, while Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley both belly putted their way to major championships.

That putter, which involves golfers anchoring the club to any part of the body, has divided golf in recent months.

The Royal & Ancient and the United States Golf Association, backed by the European Tour, has proposed banning anchored putting from 2016 onwards, a move opposed by the PGA and the PGA Tour.

For now though, Scott has time to savor his win at Augusta, while golf's regulators come up with a belly putter solution.


Via: Teary-eyed teen to green jacket

Scott wins his first major title

Adam Scott of Australia smiles while wearing the green jacket after winning the 2013 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, on Sunday, April 14. Scott captured golf's most prestigious event in an oh-so-close sudden-death playoff with Angel Cabrera. Click through to see all the shots from the fourth day and <a href='http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/13/golf/gallery/masters-round-three/index.html' target='_blank'>look back at the third round</a>.

(CNN) -- Adam Scott produced the performance of his life to win the Masters on Sunday and finally exorcise the demons of last year's British Open.

Scott, the first Australian to ever wear the famous green jacket, defeated Argentina's Angel Cabrera on the second hole of the playoff after both men finished at nine-under on an enthralling day at Augusta.

As Scott sank the winning putt on the 10th at Augusta he banished the pain and heartache that had haunted him following his humiliating collapse at Royal Lytham in July.

Scott's collapse

On that occasion, the 32-year-old looked set to win his first major until he somehow contrived to blow a four-shot lead with just four holes remaining.

But with the eyes of the sporting world upon him, Scott showed nerves of steel to hole his putt and finally end Australia's Augusta curse.

"I don't know how that happened," Scott said after his historic triumph.

"It seems a long, long way from a couple years ago, or last July when I was trying to win a major. It was incredible."

Scott's character and determination came to the fore at a course where his country's most famous golfer suffered so mercilessly.

Greg Norman, the man who squandered a six shot lead on the final day at the 1996 Masters, was the closest Australia had come to a Masters champion.

Norman lost out to Augusta native Larry Mize in a playoff in 1987, just a year after his bogey at the 18th allowed Jack Nicklaus to win his 18th and final major.

The tale of Twitter: Augusta reaction

Two years ago, Scott and Jason Day finished tied for second as Charl Schwartzel produced an astonishing final four holes to win the tournament.

But this time, Scott got the job done, and the Adelaide-born player was quick to praise the man who had come so close at Augusta in years gone by.

"It's incredible to be in this position," said Scott, who had earlier shot a three-under 69 for the final round.

"Australia's a proud sporting nation, and it's amazing that it's come down to me today.

"There was one guy who inspired a nation of golfers, and that's Greg Norman. Part of this definitely belongs to him."

He later added: "A phone call isn't going to be enough; I'd like to share a beer with him."

Taking the green jacket from last year's winner, Bubba Watson, Scott stood proudly after an afternoon that neither he nor Australia will ever forget.

His birdie on the 18th, the 72nd hole of the weekend, produced a hugely emotional celebration, with Scott appearing to believe had finally won a major.

Cabrera, Snedeker lead Masters

But while he walked back to the clubhouse, 2009 champion Cabrera produced an exquisite shot to ensure a relatively simple putt and the opportunity of a second Masters title.

The playoff provided an exhilarating climax to a round played amidst worsening conditions with the rain constantly falling and the light deteriorating.

After both making par on the first playoff hole at the 18th, the pair moved to the 10th. While Cabrera failed to make a birdie, Scott made no such mistake as he holed from 15 feet to spark delirium.

Cabrera would have been the second oldest man to have won the tournament at the age of 43, with only Nicklaus, who won at the age of 46 in 1986, ahead of him.

It would have been some achievement for the Argentine, currently ranked 269th in the world.

"That's how golf is," said Cabrera, who hit a final round 70. "I came back. I had my chance to win it. Adam is truly a good winner.

"He's a great person and a great player, and I'm happy for him."

Australia's Day was one of the first to congratulate Scott after he missed out on qualifying for the playoff, eventually finishing two shots back on seven-under for the tournament.

"It was really tough," Day said. "The pressure got to me a little bit."

Woods penalized two strokes

While Scott celebrated, world No. 1 Tiger Woods refused to blame his two-shot penalty for taking an incorrect drop during his second round Friday.

Woods finished with a final round of 70 to finish four shots off the lead -- but the U.S. star refrained from blaming Friday's incident.

"We could do that 'what if?' in every tournament we lose," he said.

"We lose more tournaments than we win out here on tour, so that's just part of the process, and I'll go back to it.

"I thought 65 would win it outright today. I thought that was going to be the number, and it looks like it was. If I would have shot my number, it might have been a different story.

"I had a tough time getting accustomed to the speed of the greens; they were so much slower than yesterday. I left every putt short on the first eight holes.

"I played well but unfortunately did not make enough putts and missed a few shots here and there. I had an opportunity today."

McIlroy blames 'stupid mistakes' for slump

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy carded a closing 69 to finish the week at two over par, but the Northern Irishman was satisfied with his game despite failing to challenge the leaders.

"I know I've played good enough golf here to win; it's just a matter of stringing it all together," McIlroy said.

"I was in a good position and did not quite have it all yesterday, and that really cost me.

"You have to be right on your game for 72 holes here. I played a five hole stretch in five over, and that was really it. I played nicely again today; if I just limit the mistakes from yesterday, I am right there.

"It's frustrating. Sometimes you hit a good shot and all of a sudden it's off the green; it is what it is, and you have to embrace it.

"It's Augusta, and you're going to get some good bounces; you're going to get some bad. It will all even out in the end."

Teen sensation Guan makes Masters cut

Earlier Sunday, China's 14-year-old sensation Tianlang Guan finished his momentous week with a three-over 75 to leave him 12-over for the tournament.

Guan, the youngest ever player to make the cut, received the Silver Cup after finishing as the leading amateur.

"It's not easy to play here and make the cut and be the low amateur, and I think I did a pretty good job," Guan said.

"I'm a little bit tired today. There are still a lot of things to improve. My short game is good, but I could still get better, and my driving has to get a little bit longer. Yes, everything needs to improve."

Rapping golfers return with 2.Oh

Defending champion Watson endured a nightmare final round, dunking his ball into the water on three separate occasions at Rae's Creek.

Watson hit a seven-over 10 on the 12th, Augusta's shortest hole at just 155 yards.

"If you're not going to win, you've got to get in the record books somehow," Watson said after carding a final round 77, seven-over for the tournament.

"So I'm a guy that got a double-digit score on a par three."


Via: Scott wins his first major title

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