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Handicapping the Presidents Cup

2009-10-07T10:10:00.000-07:00

By Gary Van SickleSenior Writer, Sports Illustrated Published: October 06, 2009 SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Match play is unpredictable, especially 18-hole match play, so only an idiot would try to use statistics to forecast the outcome of this week's Presidents Cup at Harding

Tiger Woods: I'm not a billionaire

2009-10-07T09:59:00.000-07:00

October 07, 2009 Posted at 10:03 AM by Michael Walker Jr. | Categories: Tiger Woods Last week, Forbes reported that Tiger Woods was the first athlete to earn $1 billion. One problem, though: Woods says he doesn't have that much money. At a Presidents Cup news conference Tuesday, a reporter asked Woods directly about the Forbes report. Reporter: "This last week, it was

Barcode Golf clubs

2009-09-27T19:12:00.000-07:00

A barcode (also bar code) is an optical machine-readable representation of data. Originally, bar codes represented data in the widths (lines) and the spacings of parallel lines, and may be referred to as linear or 1D (1 dimensional) barcodes or symbologies. They also come in patterns of squares, dots, hexagons and other geometric patterns within images termed 2D (2 dimensional) matrix codes or

H. G. Wells

2009-09-20T17:02:00.001-07:00

Herbert George Wells (21 September 1866 – 13 August 1946), was an English author, best known for his work in the science fiction genre. Wells and Jules Verne are each often referred to as "The Father of Science Fiction". Wells was an outspoken socialist and a pacifist, and his later works became increasingly political and didactic. His middle period novels (1900-1920) were more realistic; they

Alan Shipnuck's Mailbag: Hank Haney talks about Tiger Woods Read more: http://blogs.golf.com/presstent/2009/09/hank-haney-talks-about-tiger-woods.ht

2009-09-16T00:26:00.000-07:00

Instead of fielding readers' questions this week, I thought I'd thought I'd turn the floor over to one dedicated reader of this column, Hank Haney. On Sunday night we had a lively 25-minute phone conversation. I was in the press room at the BMW Championship, and he was calling from Dallas. I've always liked Hank. He's a sweet guy. Maybe too sweet, because being Tiger Woods's swing coach

Woods eases to victory, FedEx top spot and sixth 2009 win

2009-09-16T00:02:00.000-07:00

Tiger Woods coasted to an eight shot victory at the BMW Championship on Sunday, to capture his sixth title of the season. Woods, who began the day with a seven shot cushion over American Brandt Snedeker and Australian Marc Leishman, closed with a three-under 68 to win for a fifth time at Cog Hill. It was Woods 71st PGA Tour title leaving him just two short of tying Jack Nicklaus for second on

James Kingston takes title in a playoff

2009-09-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

South African James Kingston ended a recent run of poor form decisively by defeating Denmark's Anders Hansen in a sudden-death playoff for the Mercedes-Benz Masters title on Sunday. Both players had finished on 13-under-par 275, a stroke ahead of the field. A late bogey for a three-under 69 took Kingston to extra holes after Hansen had set the target with a 67. A par on the first playoff hole

Jiyai Shin wins in playoff

2009-09-15T23:53:00.000-07:00

Jiyai Shin emerged victorious from a three-way sudden-death play-off to win the P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship. The South Korean shot a superb seven-under-par 64 in her final round to take her into a shoot-out with Angela Stanford and Sun Young You. And Shin held her nerve to beat her two rivals on the second hole to clinch her third LPGA Tour victory this year. She had been seven strokes

FedEx Cup Playoffs - The Final 30

2009-09-15T23:50:00.000-07:00

With the first three events in the 2009 PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedEx Cup completed, the final 30 players have been determined and will advance to The Tour Championship presented by Coca-Cola, which will decide the winner of the FedEx Cup. Here's a quick look at the Final 30 players in the field at East Lake in two weeks. Rank - Player - Barclays - Deutsche Bank - BWM - Reset points 1 TIGER

Tiger Woods says 2009 is one of his best years

2009-09-15T23:49:00.000-07:00

Tiger Woods celebrated his sixth title of the season at the BMW Championship on Sunday and described the year as one of his most successful despite failing to win a major. "Absolutely, it's one of my best years," said Woods, after romping to an eight-stroke victory at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club. "There's no doubt about that. "I haven't won as many times as I did in 2000, didn't win any

Lee Westwood withdraws from Seve Trophy

2009-09-15T23:47:00.000-07:00

Lee Westwood has pulled out of Paul McGinley’s Britain & Ireland team for this month’s Seve Trophy against Thomas Bjorn’s Continental Europe. “Paul was obviously disappointed but understood why,” Westwood told reporters at the Mercedes Masters on Wednesday. “It’s a sensible week to take off. The winnings don’t count towards the money-list (Race to Dubai) and I could play 36 holes in a day. I

Arnold Palmer still going strong at 80

2009-09-15T23:45:00.000-07:00

Tiger Woods passed Arnold Palmer on the PGA Tour’s career victory list last year, and some found it surprising how the King chose to congratulate him. “We’ve had a couple of text messages back and forth,” Palmer said. If it’s hard to imagine Palmer punching his thumbs on a cell phone to send a text, another sign of the times comes on Thursday when Palmer celebrates his 80th birthday. And how

Tim Finchem predicts prize funds will remain steady

2009-09-15T23:42:00.000-07:00

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said Wednesday any increases in prize money will be flat over the next decade, and that he didn’t seriously consider reducing purses during the economic downturn. “Our objective is to do the things that we need to do to continue to grow as we come out of a downturn,” Finchem said. “And it’s not our intention to go backward to get ready to go forward. Our

Surprise captains picks for Presidents Cup

2009-09-15T23:40:00.000-07:00

Ryo Ishikawa is known in Japan as the “Shy Prince,” a 17-year-old sensation who has won four times on the Japan Golf Tour in the last calendar year. He was hardly bashful during a meeting this summer of prospective Presidents Cup players. “He was engaged, he walked around the entire room, introduced himself to everybody, made sure everybody understood that he wanted to be on the team,”

Alex Noren masters the mountains

2009-09-07T04:13:00.000-07:00

Alex Noren masters the mountains Swede Alex Noren grabbed his maiden European Tour title in Switzerland on Sunday - and there is no doubt what shot he will remember most. In the first qualifying event for next year's Ryder Cup, the 27-year-old holed a difficult bunker shot for an eagle three at the long 15th as he took the Omega European Masters. It helped Noren to a two-stroke victory over

Pettersen breaks title drought by five shots

2009-09-07T04:01:00.000-07:00

Pettersen breaks title drought by five shots Suzann Pettersen had not visited the winner's circle since winning five times during the 2007 season. That changed Sunday when she closed with a one-under 70 to finish at 15-under- par 269 for a five-stroke victory at the Canadian Women's Open. Pettersen missed the 72-hole scoring record by a single stroke. "This feels absolutely great. I've been

Stricker, Kelly and Goosen by one from Harrington

2009-09-07T03:52:00.000-07:00

Stricker, Kelly and Goosen by one from Harrington Steve Stricker has a fan in fellow Wisconsin native Jerry Kelly. "Any time I get to watch Steve's putting stroke for a round it makes me a better player," Kelly said after playing 18 holes with his longtime friend. Stricker collected seven birdies, chipping in for one, and closed with an eagle at the 18th hole Sunday to shoot a six-under 65 and

Jeff Sluman defends at Pebble Beach

2009-09-07T03:49:00.000-07:00

Jeff Sluman defends at Pebble Beach Jeff Sluman carded a hole-in-one and fired a four-under 68 on Sunday to win the Wal-Mart First Tee Open for the second year in a row. Sluman, who cruised to a five-shot win at Pebble Beach last year, was the only player in the final three groups to break par during a breezy final round on the California coast. He ended at 10-under 206 for a two-shot win over

Tony Johnstone is Senior Master at Woburn

2009-09-07T03:47:00.000-07:00

Tony Johnstone is Senior Master at Woburn Tony Johnstone's remarkable recovery from multiple sclerosis continued on Sunday as he edged out Peter Senior by one shot to win the Travis Perkins Senior Masters at Woburn. Johnstone was told he would never play golf again due to the disease, but revolutionary new treatment has enabled him to make a competitive comeback. He won in Jersey last year and

Tiger Woods happy with form, except for putting

2009-09-07T03:45:00.000-07:00

Tiger Woods happy with form, except for putting Tiger Woods created a slight stir Thursday morning on the TPC Boston when a Nike representative approached him on the first tee carrying two putters. One was the Scotty Cameron model that Woods has used in 72 worldwide victories and 13 majors over the last 11 years. That’s the putter he was using when he missed one crucial putt after another on the

FedEx Cup playoffs continue in Boston

2009-09-07T03:43:00.000-07:00

FedEx Cup playoffs continue in Boston Bob Estes was on his way to the first tee for a practice round at the TPC Boston on Wednesday when he stopped to look at the FedEx Cup standings. “First time I’ve seen my name atop a leaderboard in a long time,” Estes said. That was the good news. Not so good was that this chart only showed the 10 players—from No. 65 to No. 75—on the bubble at the Deutsche

Padraig Harrington & Ernie Els skipping Match Play

2009-09-07T03:40:00.000-07:00

Padraig Harrington & Ernie Els skipping Match Play Ireland’s world number nine Padraig Harrington will skip next month’s World Match Play Championship and play the $5 million Singapore Open instead, organisers said on Thursday. The three-times major winner would almost certainly have qualified for the Match Play but has chosen to return to the Singapore Open, which takes place in the same week

OneAsia Tour happy with progress

2009-09-07T03:39:00.001-07:00

OneAsia Tour happy with progress OneAsia’s second event tees off in South Korea next week and despite the obstacles faced of launching a new venture in the middle of an economic crisis, golf’s newest tour is delighted with its early progress. Formed by founding members the PGA of Australia, China Golf Association, Korea Golf Tour and the Korea Golf Association, the series has a five-tournament

Michael Jackson

2009-08-29T05:17:00.000-07:00

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009), known as the "King of Pop", was an American musician and one of the most commercially successful entertainers of all time. His unique contributions to music and dance, along with a highly publicized personal life, made him a prominent figure in popular culture for four decades. He started a solo career in 1971, having made his debut in

Seve Ballesteros targets 2010 Royal Trophy

2009-08-02T00:09:00.000-07:00

Seve Ballesteros is aiming to captain Europe in next year’s Royal Trophy matchplay tournament against Asia. Ballesteros missed the 2009 event after undergoing surgery to treat a brain tumor. The dates for the 2010 event were finalized Wednesday. It will be held at the Amata Spring Country Club in Thailand from Jan. 8-10. “I sincerely hope to captain the European team at the next editions of the

Catriona Matthew & Giulia Sergas share lead

2009-08-01T23:59:00.000-07:00

Catriona Matthew picked up five strokes to par in a brilliant three-hole stretch Friday in the Women’s British Open. Playing 10 weeks after having her second child, the Scot followed an eagle on the par-5 11th with a hole-in-one on the 12th and added a birdie on the par-4 13th. She finished with a 5-under 67 for a share of the second-round lead with Giulia Sergas at 3-under 141. Sergas also shot

Tiger Woods undergoes reconstructive knee surgery

2009-07-02T04:52:00.000-07:00

Tiger Woods had reconstructive surgery on his left knee Tuesday in Utah to repair a torn ligament, and doctors said it was “highly unlikely” there would be any long-term effects. It was the second time in 10 weeks Woods had surgery on his knee, this time on his anterior cruciate ligament. “We were confident going into this surgery, and I am pleased with the results,” Dr. Thomas D. Rosenberg said

Tiger Woods aiming to be a greedy host

2009-07-02T04:40:00.001-07:00

It’s not often that a player is bold enough to challenge Tiger Woods on the golf course. Rarer still is when it happens during a pro-am round from one of his amateur partners. “That still puts me 1 up,” Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo said to him Wednesday morning. “Does it, now?” Woods replied, not sounding the least bit concerned. The world’s No. 1 player then smoked a fairway metal down

Anthony Kim hoping troubles behind him

2009-07-02T04:38:00.001-07:00

Anthony Kim pressed a cell phone against his ear as he listened to Tiger Woods, the tournament host of the AT&T National, congratulate him on another impressive victory that seemed to mark the arrival of America’s next great golfer. That was one year and 25 tournaments ago. Kim has yet to pose with another trophy he could call his own. Remember, the Ryder Cup is an exhibition, and no matter how

Tours to proceed with groove change

2009-07-02T04:31:00.002-07:00

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem didn’t have to spin this one. He made it clear Tuesday that the tour will go along next year with a new rule that changes the grooves in irons and wedges. The U.S. Golf Association and Royal & Ancient Golf Club announced last year that effective Jan. 1, the dimensions in grooves—from the 5-iron through wedges—would change to create less spin when the ball was

Tours to proceed with groove change

2009-07-02T04:31:00.001-07:00

LPGA Tour loses Hawaii tournament

2009-07-02T04:30:00.000-07:00

Organizers of the LPGA Kapalua Classic have pulled out of a four-year deal to host the tournament through 2012 and will not stage the event in October as planned. The 1.5 million-dollar event was set for October 15-18 at Lahaina on the island of Maui. The backers are a subsidiary of Maui Land and Pineapple, which lost 70.6 million dollars in the last three months of 2008. Libba Galloway, LPGA

Greg Norman returns to the Australian Open

2009-07-02T04:26:00.000-07:00

Greg Norman will play the Australian Open for the next three years, including this year’s event at New South Wales Golf Club in Sydney. Tournament officials made the announcement about Norman on Monday. The 54-year-old Norman is a five-time Australian Open champion. He last played the Australian Open two years ago, finishing tied for 26th behind winner John Senden at Royal Sydney. The former No.

Tiger Woods favourite at PGA National

2009-07-02T04:25:00.000-07:00

Two years after pulling together the first PGA National on short notice, top-ranked Tiger Woods is back in the shadow of the US capital for his least-heralded golf role - tournament host. Woods will be the main attraction and his foundation the chief organizers when the six million-dollar National, a key tuneup event two weeks before the British Open, tees off Thursday at Congressional Country

Turnberry - Hole by Hole

2009-07-02T03:55:00.000-07:00

#1 AILSA CRAIG : 354 YARDS, PAR 4Fairway bunkering is now one Turnberry’s major strengths, as this view of the 1st hole – a relativelygentle opener at 354 yards – confirms, with new bunkers added at 280 and 300 yards from the tee======================#2 MAK SICCAR : 428 YARDS, PAR 4Running back parallel with the first, the par-four second again requires careful navigation through aseries of traps

For the love of his links

2009-07-02T03:52:00.000-07:00

George Brown is preparing for his third and final Open Championship as head green keeper and estates manager at Turnberry. He spoke to Andy Farrell. This is your third Open Championship. What have been the challenges of this one, 15 years after the last? Anything different about this year? No, except that the players seem to hit the ball further every year so we felt we had to lengthen the

The Ailsa bites back

2009-07-02T03:50:00.000-07:00

Mark Alexander talks to architect Martin Ebert about the key changes he has made to strengthen Turnberry's Championship credentials In terms of Opens, it always seems too long, between visits to Turnberry. The last time the claret jug was raised on the west coast links was 15 years ago, when Nick Price triumphed with a blistering final round of 66. Before that, Greg Norman won his first

Lucas Glover holds on to claim two shot win

2009-06-25T15:45:00.004-07:00

Lucas Glover steadied his hands for a 3-foot par putt on the 18th hole, an anticlimatic finish to five dreary days at a U.S. Open filled with more delays than drama. The unlikely champion turned to soak up a beautiful sight beneath gathering clouds Monday at Bethpage Black. “I just looked at the scoreboard to make sure this was really happening,” Glover said. Some 24,000 fans, speckled with mud

David Duval still in the hunt

2009-06-25T15:45:00.003-07:00

No. 882 in the world, No. 3 at the U.S. Open with 16 holes remaining. David Duval doesn’t qualify as one of those out-of-nowhere stories this week at Bethpage Black. He’s captured a major championship already, has prevailed in 13 PGA Tour events and won four times in a three-month span 10 years ago on his way to spending 15 weeks as the world’s No. 1 ranked player. A series of ups and

Lucas Glover & Ricky Barnes share lead

2009-06-25T15:44:00.000-07:00

Lucas Glover was quick with a one-liner when asked about the reserved crowd reaction Sunday at the rain-drenched U.S. Open when he pulled within a stroke of third-round leader Ricky Barnes. “He’s got cooler pants than me,” Glover said, joking about his playing partner’s plaid slacks that were as loud as Barnes’ newfound fans at Bethpage Black. Glover—tied for the lead with Barnes at 7 under with

Tiger Woods & Phil Mickelson loom on Monday

2009-06-25T15:43:00.002-07:00

The 6:25 p.m. tee time was running late, which wasn’t all that surprising since nothing has happened according to plan in this U.S. Open. The thousands who lined the fairway of the dogleg-right first hole didn’t seem to mind, though, because Tiger Woods was approaching in Sunday red. Woods promptly hit it way right into the trees, which also wasn’t that surprising since nothing has seemed to go

Bad luck pegs Tiger Woods eleven back

2009-06-25T15:43:00.001-07:00

There are things that even the great Tiger Woods can’t control. Rain, for one, but he’s not alone. Had the USGA known what a mess the heavens would make of this U.S. Open, it would have taken the millions it put into Bethpage Black and used it to build a course somewhere in the Mojave desert. Then again, had the USGA known that putting Woods in the opening pairings Thursday morning would have

Big names miss the cut at Bethpage

2009-06-25T15:42:00.001-07:00

Sixty players—the lowest number possible—made the 36-hole cut for the U.S. Open on Saturday, with 11 players one stroke away from being able to play the final two rounds at Bethpage Black. Peter Tomasulo, who missed the cut at Torrey Pines last year in his first Open by two strokes, was among those who missed this year by one. Tomasulo shot a 3-over 73 in the first round and lost three more

Phil Mickelson hits a shot to remember

2009-06-25T15:40:00.002-07:00

Phil Mickelson gave his adoring fans a shot to remember Saturday in the U.S. Open—a remarkable hybrid that none of the Bethpage Black regulars would even think to try, let alone have the club to play it. From 164 yards in rough left of the 15th fairway, he opened the face of the hybrid as if playing a wedge and launched a high shot—the crowd cheering as the ball took flight, trying to help it to

Flash of old form from David Duval

2009-06-25T15:40:00.001-07:00

Former world number one David Duval moved into contention at the U.S. Open on Friday, 11 days after qualifying for the event for the first time since 2006. The 37-year-old American, who has not won since the 2001 Dunlop Phoenix in Japan, birdied three of his last six holes for a three-under-par 67 in the opening round. That left Duval three shots behind pacesetting Canadian Mike Weir at a

Champions grouping struggles

2009-06-25T15:39:00.000-07:00

One by one, they climbed the steep hill toward the 18th green at Bethpage Black in what resembled a parade of major champions Friday in the U.S. Open. U.S. Open champion Tiger Woods arrived from a bunker, the third time in four holes he failed to find the fairway. Masters champion Angel Cabrera needed a search party to find his ball along the weeds right of the fairway. British Open and PGA

Emotional day for Phil Mickelson at US Open

2009-06-25T15:38:00.002-07:00

Phil Mickelson was walking toward the 11th tee late Friday evening, his 29th and final hole of the day, when he looked at the wooden scoreboard bearing the names of his group. Goosen. Els. Mickelson. His, though, was different. Next to his name, fitting perfectly between the slots holding the letters, was a pink ribbon with the words “Find the Cure” written on one side—the tribute to breast

Struggling stars may suffer at Bethpage

2009-06-25T15:38:00.001-07:00

Anthony Kim has lost the dynamic game that made him one of the PGA Tour’s rising stars last summer, and knows that Bethpage Black in full U.S. Open trim is an unlikely place to find it. “I just haven’t been as patient as I need to be on the golf course, and if there’s anywhere that’s going to test it, it’s going to be at Bethpage,” said Kim, set to begin play Thursday on the long, difficult

Angel Cabrera amongst the golfing elite

2009-06-25T15:37:00.001-07:00

Angel Cabrera’s win at the Masters earned him a spot in the marquee opening threesome at the U.S. Open. It almost never happened. The only man with a chance at this year’s Grand Slam nearly skipped the Masters. Barely a week before teeing off at Augusta National, Cabrera was so disenchanted with his game that he considered pulling out of the season’s first major championship. Couldn’t putt at

Wet weather makes US Open even tougher

2009-06-25T15:36:00.001-07:00

It’s almost impossible to find a golfer who doesn’t use the words difficult or long in describing Bethpage Black. It is impossible to find anyone connected with the U.S. Open who doesn’t want to keep the rain away. With a recent rain history approaching biblical proportions, and a forecast that has umbrella salespeople smiling, the 7,426-yard, par-70 public course that is hosting the Open for a

Padraig Harrington insists changes worthwhile

2009-06-25T15:35:00.001-07:00

Padraig Harrington hasn’t changed a thing about the way he approaches golf. It’s just that people pay more attention now. That’s the burden of winning more majors than Tiger Woods over the past two years. Harrington took his place in the record books last summer as the first European in more than a century to win the British Open in consecutive years, and the first European to win two straight

Rocco Mediate still centre of attention

2009-06-25T15:34:00.001-07:00

Rocco Mediate arrived at Bethpage Black’s driving range Tuesday moments after Tiger Woods left, settling in one spot away from where the reigning U.S. Open champion practiced. Talk about fitting. Mediate will forever be remembered as being right beside Woods at the 2008 U.S. Open, where not even a mano-a-mano 18-hole Monday playoff was enough to break their tie and the world’s No. 1 player

Sergio Garcia trying to shake off labels

2009-06-25T15:33:00.001-07:00

“El Nino” is no longer a little boy, even if he sometimes still behaves like one. The Spaniard whose future once looked so promising is still chasing the first of what was expected to be a string of major championship wins, except now he’s standing on the cusp of 30. “Thanks for reminding me,” Sergio Garcia said to laughter Tuesday afternoon. “Very close to 30 now.” A former NFL player once

Bethpage - The people's course

2009-06-25T15:32:00.001-07:00

They sat on the trunk of their car to change shoes, slung their golf bags over their shoulders and walked across the parking lot toward the golf shop to pay the $55 fee. This is how it typically works at a public golf course, and Bethpage State Park is no different. The golf shop doesn’t have a view overlooking the 18th green, or apparel on display like a boutique, or even racks of the latest

Major winners grouped together

2009-06-25T15:31:00.000-07:00

World number one Tiger Woods will launch his title defence at next week’s U.S. Open in high-profile company with 2007 winner Angel Cabrera and British Open champion Padraig Harrington. American Woods, U.S. Masters champion Cabrera of Argentina and Irishman Harrington are scheduled to tee off on the first hole at 0806 (1206 GMT) in Thursday’s opening round at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New

Phil Mickelson the fans choice in New York

2009-06-25T15:30:00.000-07:00

No one knew for sure what was going through Phil Mickelson’s mind. He had just wasted a solid start to his round by hitting a fairway metal into the water. The U.S. Open, a major that has teased him for 15 years, was approaching. He was playing for the first time since learning his wife, Amy, had breast cancer. The fans who followed him faithfully under heavy clouds and a constant rain only saw

US Open tee times

2009-06-25T15:28:00.000-07:00

(local times, BST +5hours, USA unless stated , a denotes amateur) First Tee 7.00am: a-Rickie Fowler, Casey Wittenberg, Bo Van Pelt7.11; a-Drew Weaver, Angelo Que (Phi), Simon Khan (Eng)7.22: David Horsey (Eng), John Mallinger, Jose Manuel Lara (Spn)7.33: Rory Sabbatini (Rsa), Martin Kaymer (Ger), Ryuji Imada (Jpn)7.44: Vijay Singh (Fij), Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind), KJ Choi (Kor)7.55: Ian

US Open 2009 Bethpage State Park, Black Course, New York

2009-06-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

1 - Yardage: 430 Par: 4 This hole couldn't be lengthened because the tee backs up to the infrastructure of the club. So, while it's a fairly long hole for mere mortals playing from the white tees (421 yards), it's not a demanding opener for the pros. The big hitters can try to carry the trees from the elevated tee and hit a wedge into the green. Others will play the safe route, staying left of

No choke this time for Mickelson

2009-06-24T16:04:00.001-07:00

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- It would have been nice if at last Phil Mickelson could have planted a kiss on the silver U.S. Open trophy. The two have been dating for years, but the Open always plays hard to get. There's always an excuse: It has to do its hair … It has a headache … Its dad won't let it date left-handers.So Mickelson finished second again. And if this were any other Open under any other

Up-And-Down Day For Mickelson

2009-06-24T16:02:00.000-07:00

Phil's Drive To Fight

2009-06-24T15:58:00.003-07:00

PTI With Scott Van Pelt

2009-06-24T15:58:00.001-07:00

Jason Sobel's U.S. Open blog

2009-06-24T15:54:00.001-07:00

By Jason SobelESPN.com Archive2:30 p.m. ET: Milli Vanilli once recorded a song called "Blame It on the Rain." There's no truth to the rumor that callers to the USGA's headquarters in Far Hills, N.J., have been treated to this melodic feast while placed on hold in the past week. Even so, this could have served as the theme music to the 109th U.S. Open Championship, a tournament in which the rain

Tiger Not Happy With Final Round Play

2009-06-24T15:48:00.001-07:00

Lucas Glover Buoyant At U.S. Open

2009-06-24T15:38:00.000-07:00

At the end of the day, and at the end of a long U.S. Open, all we know for sure is this: La'Roi Glover picked the wrong day to retire.La'Roi made six Pro Bowls in 13 NFL seasons and towers over most mortals at 6-foot-2 and nearly 300 pounds. But he's unquestionably the "other" Glover after Lucas Glover (Dion Glover and Gary Glover need not apply) held on against the course, his own nerves and

Time away from golf proved crucial

2009-06-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- Talk about guts. Yeah, Lucas Glover showed plenty of fortitude, knocking in that crucial birdie putt -- his first of the day -- at the 16th hole with the likes of Phil Mickelson and David Duval making the Bethpage mosh pit all the more uncomfortable. But what about the cousins? These guys truly had some nerve. Todd Hendley, 25, and Billy Johnson, 29, are Glover's cousins.

Glover to play Buick Open

2009-06-24T15:33:00.001-07:00

GRAND BLANC, Mich. -- Newly crowned U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover is among the golfers committed to play the 2009 Buick Open in Michigan.Organizers said Tuesday that Glover, defending Buick Open champion Kenny Perry and former winners Justin Leonard, Jim Furyk, Scott Verplank, Tom Pernice Jr. and Brad Faxon will compete at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club near Flint.The Buick Open is scheduled

Ochoa parts ways with Brooker

2009-06-24T15:32:00.000-07:00

GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- Lorena Ochoa has a new caddie, switching to veteran Greg Johnston starting next week at the Jamie Farr Classic in Ohio.Ochoa won two majors and reached No. 1 in the world with David Brooker, but she said Tuesday they are parting because of a new phase in her career."It's not easy to let him go knowing he is such a great caddie and person," Ochoa said.Johnston spent a dozen

Lucas Glover On U.S. Open Win

2009-06-24T15:30:00.001-07:00

Glover locks in down stretch to prevail

2009-06-24T15:27:00.000-07:00

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- Lucas Glover steadied his hands for a 3-foot par putt on the 18th hole, an anticlimactic finish to five dreary days at a U.S. Open filled with more delays than drama.The unlikely champion turned to soak up a beautiful sight beneath gathering clouds Monday at Bethpage Black."I just looked at the scoreboard to make sure this was really happening," Glover said.Some 24,000 fans,

Glover Holds On For U.S. Open Win

2009-06-24T15:25:00.002-07:00

Glover, Duval, Barnes rise in rankings

2009-06-24T15:25:00.001-07:00

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- Listed at No. 71 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Lucas Glover became the fourth-lowest ranked player to win the U.S. Open since the inception of the ranking in 1986. With Room To Spare... Lucas Glover's 2-stroke triumph that earned him $1.35 million came in part thanks to his lone birdie of the day at the par-4 16th. Some key points: Second career win (first since '05

Price, Toms win with 11-under 60

2009-06-24T15:23:00.000-07:00

BARRINGTON, R.I. -- David Toms returned the favor on Tuesday.After Nick Price's strong play during the opening day, Toms had eight birdies to lead the pair to the title at the CVS Caremark Charity Classic at the Rhode Island Country Club.Toms and Price shot a second-round 11-under 60 on Tuesday as they won the best-ball tournament with a combined 36-hole total of 16-under 126.Toms accounted for

Top of Daly's RV heavily damaged

2009-06-24T15:19:00.000-07:00

For John Daly, life is not filled with dull moments.In the latest in a string of messy off-the-course stories this year alone involving the two-time major champion, Daly said a confusing set of signs at the entrance of the Bankhead Tunnel in Mobile, Ala., caused the top of his RV to be heavily damaged, with awnings and other parts hitting a Cadillac going in the other direction.AP Photo/Lance

Tour looking for TV partner in Britain

2009-06-24T15:15:00.001-07:00

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- The PGA Tour is broadcast to more than 230 countries in 35 languages with a maximum reach of just under 600 million homes. For the moment, it has gone dark in an important part of the world.Irish-based Setanta Sports, which had broadcast rights to the PGA Tour among other sports in Britain, filed for bankruptcy protection on Tuesday and said it will soon stop broadcasting to

Kono's 68 wins medalist honors

2009-06-24T15:14:00.000-07:00

EVENS, Mass. -- Stephanie Kono shot a 68 on Tuesday to finish at 6 under and capture medalist honors in stroke-play qualifying for stroke play at the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship.The 19-year-old Kono, from Honolulu, edged 14-year-old Annie Park of Levittown, N.Y., by one stroke. Park shot a 69 to finish at 5-under 139 for the two rounds of stroke play.The top 64 players advanced

Finchem confirms death of Smith's wife

2009-06-24T15:12:00.000-07:00

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- PGA Tour officials confirmed Monday that the wife of golfer Chris Smith was killed and two of his children were critically injured in a fiery weekend crash that also hurt several members of the London (Ontario) Silverbacks football team, including its owner. "All of us at the PGA Tour are saddened by the news of the tragic accident which claimed the life of Beth Smith," PGA

Nilsson wins Saint-Omer Open with 69

2009-06-24T15:03:00.000-07:00

SAINT-OMER, France -- Christian Nilsson has earned his first European Tour title by shooting a bogey-free 2-under 69 to win the Saint-Omer Open by a tournament-record six strokes.The 30-year-old Swede had two birdies on Sunday to add to his four-stroke overnight lead and finish at 13-under 271. Jose-Filipe Lima of Portugal, the 2004 champion, was second after shooting a 68 that included six

Glover march toward U.S. Open title a real Bethpage turner

2009-06-23T17:20:00.000-07:00

By Steve DiMeglio, USA TODAY FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Lucas Glover likes to get lost in a good story. Nearly any tome will do for the avid reader, so during this wacky week at gloomy Bethpage Black, when relentless storms blew the U.S. Open into a Monday finish and turned the 7,426-yard track into a quagmire, Glover polished off four novels — one by Clive Cussler, two by Stuart Woods and David Grann's

At U.S. Open, Duval performs like a world No. 1 again

2009-06-23T17:19:00.001-07:00

By Michael McCarthy, USA TODAY FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — As a tired David Duval walked toward the clubhouse after his Lazarus-like showing at the U.S. Open, the New York crowds saluted him as only they can. "Way to go David. You're back!" screamed one fan, who sounded like he was cheering the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Once the world's No. 1 golfer, Duval picked golf's biggest

Mickelson unable to deliver U.S. Open title as gift to wife

2009-06-23T17:16:00.000-07:00

By Mike Lopresti, Gannett FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — The U.S. Open had been gone barely half an hour. Somewhere, someone else was holding the silver trophy — the one his wife had asked him to bring home, so she could have it in her hospital room. No more golf this day for Phil Mickelson. Or tomorrow, or nobody knows when. Down the road, outside the Bethpage gates, the doctors and real life

Glover, Barnes lead as U.S. Open heads to Monday finale

2009-06-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (AP) — Ricky Barnes flashed a smile as big as his six-shot lead. He was double digits under par, only the fourth player in U.S. Open history to get that low. He had a six-shot lead over his closest rival, while the stars struggled to make up ground. Phil Mickelson was making as many bogeys as birdies. Tiger Woods fell 15 shots behind. It all changed in a New York minute.

PGA confirms golf pro Chris Smith's wife killed in car crash

2009-06-23T17:13:00.001-07:00

ANGOLA, Indiana (AP) — PGA Tour officials confirmed Monday that the wife of golfer Chris Smith was killed and two of his children were critically injured in a fiery weekend crash that also hurt several members of the London (Ontario) Silverbacks football team, including its owner. "All of us at the PGA Tour are saddened by the news of the tragic accident which claimed the life of Beth Smith," PGA

Late-bloomer Barnes is blossoming at Open

2009-06-23T17:10:00.000-07:00

By Michael McCarthy and Steve DiMeglio, USA TODAY FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Ricky Barnes didn't merit a mention in the "official" souvenir program sold here at the 2009 U.S. Open. If the 28-year old PGA Tour rookie is able to hold off Lucas Glover and other challengers, he might rewrite some records in the book. LEADERBOARD: See who is leading at the U.S. Open PHOTO GALLERY: Images of the scene at

Rejuvenated Duval back in the swing of things

2009-06-23T17:09:00.001-07:00

By Steve DiMeglio and Michael McCarthy, USA TODAY FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Ten years ago, David Duval was ranked No. 1 in the world, with a 59 in the final round of his 1999 win at the Bob Hope in his pocket and a win in the 2001 British Open 24 months away. This week, he entered the U.S. Open ranked No. 882 in the world. He's back from oblivion. Today, Duval resumes play in the final round

What a difference a year makes for Tiger at Open

2009-06-23T17:06:00.001-07:00

By Mike Lopresti, Gannett FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — He will play on Monday at the U.S. Open, just as he did last year. And there, for Tiger Woods, is where the similarity stops. Maybe. This is 2,400 miles and golfing light-years from Torrey Pines and 2008. No playoff to win, no magic to create. Just 11 more holes on a muddy golf course, seven shots off the lead. If he makes a few putts, maybe he can

Rain does not cloud NBC's coverage of U.S. Open

2009-06-23T17:03:00.000-07:00

By Reid Cherner, USA TODAY As rain took center stage over the weekend and weatherman Al Roker became as key as Tiger Woods, NBC made its U.S. Open broadcast work by mixing analysis with weather reports. Said NBC's Peter Jacobsen: "Where's the Sham Wow guy when you need him?" On Sunday, NBC did an excellent job of toggling between leaders Ricky Barnes and Lucas Glover and staying in touch with

Nilsson cruises to six-shot victory at Saint-Omer Open

2009-06-23T17:00:00.001-07:00

SAINT-OMER, France (AP) — Overnight leader Christian Nilsson shot a solid bogey-free 2-under 69 on Sunday to win his first European Tour title at the Saint-Omer Open. The 30-year-old Swede sank two birdies to finish with a 13-under 271, ensuring there would be no repeat of his disappointment last year. Nilsson had also started the final round in 2008 at the top of the leaderboard, only to finish

Barnes sets scoring round after two rounds of U.S. Open

2009-06-23T16:41:00.000-07:00

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (AP) — Ricky Barnes had the best day of anyone at Bethpage Black.He only had to play nine holes. He knocked in a 45-foot birdie putt that put him in the record books with the lowest 36-hole score in U.S. Open history. He had a one-shot lead going into the third round. And he still hasn't hit a shot in the rain.Right when the water-logged U.S. Open began to gain traction, a burst

U.S. Open Championship Leaderboard

2009-06-23T16:38:00.000-07:00

Away from your computer, text message "PGA" to 44636 (4INFO) for current leaders. Site: Farmingdale, New YorkCourse: 7,445 yards, par 70Purse: $7,500,000Status: OfficialRankPlayerTodayThruTo Par1234TotalWinnings1Lucas Glover+3F-469647073276 $1,350,000T2Ricky Barnes+6F-267657076278 $559,830T2Phil MickelsonEF-269706970278 $559,830T2David Duval+1F-267707071278

Glover won't take time off after U.S. Open win

2009-06-23T16:28:00.000-07:00

FARMINGDALE, New York (AP) — New U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover doesn't intend to take any time off before the next major, the British Open in four weeks. The most hectic time for any major champion — except for Tiger Woods, who has done this 14 times — are the two days after winning, and Glover is no exception. He was atop the Empire State Building (104th floor, not the antenna) on Tuesday, and

A Record Score on a Pushover US Open Course

2009-06-20T22:20:00.000-07:00

Jun 20, 8:59 PM (ET)By DOUG FERGUSON(AP) Ricky Barnes waves to the gallery after a birdie putt on the eighth green during the second round...Full ImageFARMINGDALE, N.Y. (AP) -Another day at the U.S. Open ended with a familiar drill. Players dodged puddles in the parking lot as they headed to their cars, a round left incomplete for the third straight day. The maintenance crew grabbed squeegees

US Open 2009

2009-06-19T19:52:00.001-07:00

http://www.golftoday.co.uk/multimedia/golfbug.html?bcpid=1185086595&bclid=1799109125&bctid=26714330001

US Open 2009

2009-06-19T19:52:00.000-07:00

http://www.golftoday.co.uk/multimedia/golfbug.html?bcpid=1185086595&bclid=1799109125&bctid=26714330001

US Open -Mixed blessings for player on wet Thursday

2009-06-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

Mixed blessings for player on wet Thursday Talk about brutal conditions at the U.S. Open. The wind was gusting, blowing rain sideways and creating waves in puddles that were nearing ankle deep. Umbrellas were deployed with a mission in mind, because by now it was clear it was every man for himself. This was no time to get in the way in the parking lot at Bethpage Black, where it was a miracle

US OPEN Rain washes out most of Thursday's play

2009-06-19T19:43:00.000-07:00

Rain washes out most of Thursday's play The first round of the U.S. Open started Thursday. The end is not yet in sight. Making greens look like swimming pools and creating streams on many fairways, a daylong deluge overwhelmed an already-waterlogged Bethpage Black and postponed most of the opening round until Friday. Rain started falling moments before play began at 7 a.m., prompted a suspension

Struggling stars may suffer at Bethpage

2009-06-19T19:41:00.000-07:00

Geoff Ogilvy expecting a tough week

2009-06-17T17:34:00.001-07:00

A sign close to the first tee at Bethpage Black sums up the brutal challenge facing players at this week's U.S. Open, according to Australia's Geoff Ogilvy. The placard reads: "The Black Course is an extremely difficult golf course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers," an ominous caveat for the longest layout to stage the second major of the year. "This is probably the only golf

Rocco Mediate still centre of attention

2009-06-17T17:32:00.001-07:00

Padraig Harrington insists changes worthwhile

2009-06-17T17:31:00.003-07:00