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December 21, 2010

Five best golf tournaments of 2010

By Michael Bamberger
December 21, 2010

5. The Ryder Cup, Wales, Oct. 1-4.

Traditionally, the Ryder Cup is a three-day event that concludes on a Sunday. For the first time, it ended on a Monday because of the epic rain that turned Celtic Manor, an American-style course on the outskirts of Cardiff, into a mud bath. At the start of play on Monday, things were looking grim for the American team, led by Corey Pavin.

Williams: Tiger's best shot was at the PGA

By The Associated Press
December 21, 2010

Orlando, FL — At his best, Tiger Woods hit so many good shots in a year that it was hard to pick one. When his caddie, Steve Williams, was asked for the best shot his boss hit in 2010, it was a difficult choice for a different reason

December19, 2010

Els hangs on for fifth South African Open title

By The Associated Press
December 19, 2010

DURBAN, South Africa – Ernie Els won the South African Open for the fifth time Sunday, shooting a 6-under 66 to beat Retief Goosen by one shot in a tournament shortened to 17 holes for each of the final two rounds.

Best new Golf courses of 2010

By Joe Passov
December 19, 2010

To declare 2010 a better year for new public-course openings than recession-ravaged 2009 is to damn it with faint praise. Still, the past 12 months were an improvement, if not in quantity — at press, 43 18-hole equivalents had debuted in '10 versus 43.5 through the same period in '09 — then certainly in quality.

December13, 2010

Who is Phil Mickelson's caddie Jim Mackay?

By Cameron Morfit
December 13, 2010

To begin to understand Jim Mackay, a progenitor of the 21st-century caddie — young, college-educated, hyper-professional — you must start with the earthquake story. Mackay was on the 15th floor of the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas when his hotel room began to sway. John Wood, Hunter Mahan's caddie and Mackay's roommate, woke up, shrugged it off and rolled over. Wood is from Sacramento, so he knows tremors. Not so Mackay, who grew up in Florida. He shot out of bed and darted across the room to Phil Mickelson's golf clubs, which were standing in the corner.

It will be interesting to see what Tiger Woods becomes

By Michael Bamberger
December 13, 2010

So much for the idea that the golf season ends with the PGA Championship. Or, in even-numbered years, the Ryder Cup. The single most mesmerizing event since Tiger's return and Phil's win at the Masters in April was last week's tournament, the Chevron World Challenge. I promise never again to call it the Tiger & Friends Silly Season Cash Grab. Because it's not, or wasn't on Sunday. You never know what a day is going to bring.

December 11, 2010

Multi-talented Libby Smith eyes LPGA tour card

By Julie Williams
December 11, 2010

Daytona Beach, FL — One glance at Libby Smith is all it takes to reveal a former life as a Division I basketball player. Tall and lanky, Smith uses her height to her advantage with a long, powerful swing that has her right where she needs to be heading into the final round of Q-School at LPGA International.

Korda takes 2-shot lead at Q-School finals

By Julie Williams
December 11, 2010

Daytona Beach, FL — It’s been just five weeks since Jessica Korda last found herself atop a Q-School leaderboard. With one round left at LPGA Q-School, Korda holds a two-shot lead on veteran Aree Song at LPGA International. The story is slightly different this time, and the stakes considerably higher.

December 7, 2010

USA vs. Europe didn't end with the Ryder Cup

By The Associated Press
December 7, 2010

THOUSAND OAKS, CA — Europe was 1 up when three of its top players decided not join the PGA Tour next year. America went all square by voting one of its own as rookie of the year over a European who had a superior season.

Tiger-McDowell showdown boosts TV ratings

By Mike Walker
December 7, 2010

Is Tiger Woods back? Golf fans have been arguing this point since watching Woods get out-clutched by Graeme McDowell at the end of the Chevron World Challenge on Sunday. However, there is no question that Tiger is back as the game’s star attraction.

November 13, 2010

Thatcher maintains four-shot lead at Disney

By Associated Press
November 13, 2010

Lake Buena Vista, FL – Roland Thatcher was at home a year ago after missing the cut at Disney, stressfully updating the live money list on his computer to see if he would finish high enough to keep his PGA Tour card.

Things will be up to him Sunday.

Tiger makes up no ground in the rain at Australian Masters

By Associated Press
November 13, 2010

MELBOURNE, Australia — Whatever hopes Tiger Woods had of getting back into the mix at the Australian Masters ended quickly.

His 5-foot birdie putt on the easy opening hole didn't even touch the edge of the cup. Then came a three-putt from some 60 feet on the second hole, with his 4-foot par attempt missing to the right.

November 10, 2010

Fowler, Kodak Challenge add intrigue to season finale in Orlando

By Cameron Morfit
November 10, 2010

Aaron Baddeley was set to play the JBWere Australian Masters this week, but he pulled out of the event so he could tee it up at the Children's Miracle Network Classic (a.k.a. Disney), the last official PGA Tour event of 2010.

Tiger in Australia, Phil plays Singapore

By Cameron Morfit
November 10, 2010

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will compete in the JBWere Australian Masters and the Barclays Singapore Open, respectively, this week. They'll be separated by nearly 4,000 miles and three hours, and will play golf while most of America is shrouded in darkness.

November 7, 2010

Francesco Molinari's 1-shot lead wins HSBC Champions

By Associated Press
November 7, 2010

SHANGHAI, China — The experience of losing to one No. 1 player in the world helped Francesco Molinari beat another.

When last seen on a world stage, Molinari was helpless against Tiger Woods in Ryder Cup singles, when the former world No. 1 steamrolled the Italian for an easy victory at Celtic Manor.

One month later at the HSBC Champions...

Jiyai Shin wins Mizuno for second title of 2010

By Associated Press
November 7, 2010

SHIMA, Japan — Top-ranked Jiyai Shin won the Mizuno Classic on Sunday for her second LPGA Tour victory of the season and eighth overall, closing with a 5-under 67 for a two-stroke victory over Yani Tseng.

November 3, 2010

A true World Golf Championship in Shanghai

By Associated Press
November 3, 2010

SHANGHAI — A year ago, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson sat across from each other in a mock game of Chinese checkers to kick off the festivities in this final World Golf Championship. They stood out as the top two players in the world. There was little argument about that.

Now it's a lot more crowded.

Phil Mickelson enters HSBC Champions in good shape

By Associated Press
November 3, 2010

SHANGHAI — Phil Mickelson isn't making any excuses about all the chances he had to reach No. 1 for the first time in his career, nor does he begrudge Lee Westwood for being the player to finally topple Tiger Woods in the world ranking.

October 30, 2010

Song-Hee Kim leads in LPGA South Korea

By Associated Press
October 30, 2010

INCHEON, South Korea — South Korea's Song-Hee Kim birdied four holes in a row on the front nine Saturday and finished with her second straight 4-under 68 for a one-stroke lead over defending champion Na Yeon Choi in the LPGA Hana Bank Championship.

Kaymer struggles, McDowell leads in Spain

By Associated Press
October 30, 2010

SOTOGRANDE, Spain — Martin Kaymer is unlikely to take over the No. 1 ranking from Tiger Woods after falling 11 shots behind leader Graeme McDowell at the Andalucia Masters on Friday.

October 24, 2010

Jonathan Byrd hits the jackpot in Las Vegas

By Associated Press
October 24, 2010

Las Vegas, NV — In a swift and shocking finish Sunday in Las Vegas, Byrd made a hole-in-one with a 6-iron on the fourth extra hole to win a three-man playoff in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital Open. The PGA Tour said it was the first sudden-death playoff decided by an ace.

Fred Couples wins at The Woodlands

By Associated Press
October 24, 2010

The Woodlands, TX — Fred Couples left Corey Pavin and everybody else way behind in the Administaff Small Business Classic, shooting a 9-under 63 on Sunday for a seven-stroke victory.

October 23, 2010

Korea dominated WWATC in Argentina

By Beth Ann Baldry
October 23, 2010

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — The fact that Korea had to come out and play on Saturday was more formality than anything else. They had the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship (WWATC) locked up after three rounds. Only the Americans could serve as any kind of threat, but they came out flat and joined the rest of the world in awe of Korea’s dominating play.

Corey Pavin maintains lead on Champions Tour

By Associated Press
October 23, 2010

The Woodlands, TX — U.S. Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin shot a 4-under 68 on Saturday to maintain a one-stroke lead in the Champions Tour's Administaff Small Business Classic.

Pavin had a 10-under 134 total on The Woodlands Country Club course.

October 22, 2010

Anthony Kim said Las Vegas party was exaggerated

By Alan Shipnuck
October 22, 2010

Dallas, TX — Earlier this week Kim created a minor media frenzy when reports of a wild night out in Las Vegas coincided with the news that he had withdrawn from Justin Timberlake's tournament. This was of a piece with Kim's longstanding reputation as golf's wild child, a rep he clearly earned early in his career but is now trying to outgrow. "I'm not going to deny my friends and I went out and had a great time in Vegas," says Kim, 25. "But that had absolutely nothing to do with me having to W/D. People may not want to believe that, but it's true."

Five tied for lead at Justin Timberlake's PGA Tour event

By Associated Press
October 22, 2010

Las Vegas, NV — Robert Garrigus, Will MacKenzie, Michael Letzig, John Senden and rookie Cameron Tringale shot 7-under 64s on Thursday to share the first-round lead in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open, the fourth of five Fall Series events.

October 20, 2010

Korda, Clanton steer U.S. to WWATC lead

By Beth Ann Baldry
October 20, 2010

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — There was a time when the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship (WWATC) must have felt like a global snoozefest. Team USA owned this championship from 1966-1976 and won at least once every four years until 1998. Since then they’ve been blanked.

Jessica Korda points to the LPGA for proof of stiffer world competition. Cydney Clanton said the three-count-two format is pressure-packed.

Els rallies late to win PGA Grand Slam title

By Associated Press
Octobe 20, 2010

SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda — Ernie Els ran off three straight birdies on the back nine Wednesday and turned a three-shot deficit into a one-shot victory over David Toms in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.

October 19, 2010

David Toms leads by 1 at PGA Grand Slam of Golf

By Associated Press
October 19, 2010

SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda — David Toms had the best score Tuesday in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.

PGA champion Martin Kaymer might have had the best feeling.

In an opening day led by the two alternates, Toms got off to a fast start before losing momentum with a pair of bogeys. He still managed a 4-under 67 at Port Royal Golf Course for a one-shot lead over Ernie Els.

Rocco Mediate takes the Frys.com title

By Associated Press

October 19, 2010

SAN MARTIN, CA — The familiar chants of “Rocco! Rocco!” never sounded better or louder as he approached the 18th hole.

Rocco Mediate holed out for eagle for the fourth straight day, hitting a pitching wedge approach from 116 yards that spun back into the cup on the par-4 17th hole Sunday en route to a one-stroke victory over Bo Van Pelt and rookie Alex Prugh in the Frys.com Open.

October 4, 2010

Europe reclaims Ryder Cup from U.S. at Celtic Manor

By Cameron Morfit
October 4, 2010

NEWPORT, Wales — It was tough to say which was the bigger surprise — the fact that the sun finally shone on swampy Celtic Manor or that the foregone conclusion that was the 2010 Ryder Cup came down to the last, nerve-jangling match.

With copious rain necessitating the first Monday finish in Ryder Cup history, the Americans rallied under blue skies but couldn't quite produce a 1999-style miracle in the singles, and Europe won 14-1/2 to 13-1/2 to reclaim the Cup.

Grades for studs and duds at the 2010 Ryder Cup

By Gary Van Sickle
October 4, 2010

EUROPE

Graeme McDowell (2-1-1)

Winning the U.S. Open was nice, but when the Ryder Cup is on your shoulders and you kick butt and execute critical shots, you're unquestionably the man. He's a superstar now.

Grade: A+

October 2, 2010

U.S. leads two matches in delayed four-ball

By Doug Ferguson
October 2, 2010

NEWPORT, Wales — Only in the Ryder Cup can so little golf produce so much drama.

More than 11 hours after these high-charged matches began in a steady rain at Celtic Manor, they ended in darkness with Ian Poulter making a 20-foot birdie putt to square his fourballs match against Tiger Woods on a green illuminated by a large video board.

British fans keep spirits high during rain delay

By Mike Walker
October 2, 2010

NEWPORT, Wales — Ryder Cup fan Julian Crow had a busy day Friday waiting out the eight-hour rain delay at Celtic Manor.

"What have I been doing?" a cheerful Crow said. "Well, standing in the rain, having a couple cigarettes, seeing some of my mates, standing in the rain again, having a pint in the bar, going to the bathroom, having a couple more cigarettes, then standing in the rain some more."

September 30, 2010

Ryder Cup will have players on edge

By Cameron Morfit
September 30, 2010

NEWPORT, Wales — Stewart Cink will be a veteran for the United States team at the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, which begins Friday. But he still remembers when he was a wide-eyed rookie, as five of his teammates will be this week. His Ryder baptism came at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, England, in 2002.

Woods hopes for comfort in Stricker pairing

By Jim McCabe
September 30, 2010

NEWPORT, Wales – When the worst-kept secret of the Ryder Cup buildup was made official, Tiger Woods had his 12th different partner in this biennial competition.

Previously, Woods had played alongside Jim Furyk (four times), Mark O’Meara (three), Davis Love (three), Phil Mickelson (two), Steve Pate (two), and Chris Riley, Tom Lehman, Mark Calcavecchia, Paul Azinger, Justin Leonard and David Duval all once.

September 28, 2010

American Ryder Cup team bring big hitters

By Cameron Morfit
September 28, 2010

Bubba Watson averaged 310 yards per drive on the PGA Tour this year, second longest on Tour, and Dustin Johnson wasn't far behind at 308.5.

Phil Mickelson (12th at 299 yards per drive) and 2010 Ryder rookie Jeff Overton (16th, 297) are considered exceptionally long, while Tiger Woods (296), Rickie Fowler (292.4), Stewart Cink (292.3) and Hunter Mahan (291.8) also are among the Tour's bigger hitters.

Ryder Cup turning into 'silly season'

By Alistair Tait
September 28, 2010

NEWPORT, Wales – August used to be the “silly season” here in the United Kingdom. Judging from two preview days of this Ryder Cup, September is vying hard to claim that title.

September 27, 2010

Americans enter Ryder Cup as underdogs

By John Hawkins
September 27, 2010

On paper, which is where every Ryder Cup is played many times before the matches transpire, the 2010 U.S. team will head to Wales as the most obvious underdog ever to tee it up for Old Glory. Such status is a distant cry from the heavy-favorite tag hung over recent American squads like a 15-inch collar on a 16-inch neck. It didn’t get any tighter than in 2004, when the superpower pairing of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson was beaten twice on the first day, creating a hole from which the Yanks never came close to recovering.

Jim Furyk wins $10 million FedEx Cup, Tour Championship

By Cameron Morfit
September 26, 2010

East Lake , GA — Maybe the best way to win the $10 million FedEx Cup is to not waste 10 million brain cells trying to figure out how to win it.

After saying he was focused not on the FedEx Cup but on the Tour Championship at East Lake outside Atlanta, where a victory would mark his first three-win season, Jim Furyk shot an even-par 70 in the rain to finish eight under and win both Sunday.

September 25, 2010

Furyk, Donald tied for lead at East Lake

By The Associated Press
September 24, 2010

Atlanta, GA — This should serve as a wake-up call for Jim Furyk: He's tied for the lead at the Tour Championship, and very much in the hunt for the $10 million FedEx Cup prize.

Parry has 1-shot lead at Vivendi Cup

By The Associated Press
September 25, 2010

CHAMBOURCY, France (AP) — John Parry of England shot a 2-under 70 to take a one-stroke lead after the third round of the Vivendi Cup on Saturday.

September 24, 2010

Casey looking for another prize

By Doug Ferguson
September 24, 2010

ATLANTA, GA — Paul Casey won’t be going to the Ryder Cup. He wouldn’t mind a $10 million consolation.

Casey was the only player among the top five in the FedEx Cup standings to break par Thursday, running off three straight birdies around the turn at East Lake for a 4-under 66 and a share of the lead with Geoff Ogilvy and Luke Donald in the Tour Championship.

Tiger’s course developers reach settlement

By Pete Iacobell
September 24, 2010

Columbia, SC — Chalk up one victory for Tiger Woods this year.

Construction on Woods’ first American golf course, The Cliffs at High Carolina near Asheville, N.C., is back in full swing after developers agreed to reduce the planned impact the layout would have on area trout streams by almost half the original design.

September 22, 2010

FedEx Cup concludes with Tour Championship

By Cameron Morfit
September 22, 2010

Atlanta, GA — Tiger Woods has won the FedEx Cup and its $10 million first prize two of the three years it's been in existence, in 2007 and 2009. Vijay Singh is the only other player to hoist the trophy, in '08. Neither man has qualified for the 2010 FedEx finale, the 30-man Tour Championship, which begins Thursday at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.

Kuchar again the talk of Atlanta

By The Associated Press
September 22, 2010

Atlanta, GA — Matt Kuchar is the face of golf in Atlanta this week at the Tour Championship, just like he was 10 years ago.

There's one difference.

Golf News Autumn 2010