ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -- Is golf really a sport or just a hobby?
Is it a good walk spoiled, or should we forget the walk and ask Santa for a golf cart this Christmas?
Would a PowerBar help more than an apple after nine holes, or should we forget 'em both and just wolf down another candy bar and Coke? And do you really have to have Tiger Woods' biceps to be any good?
A sports scientist pondering these and other 19th-hole kind of questions crunched a bunch of numbers and came up with answers, a few of which put a new twist on some age-old assumptions.
Among the top findings: Given the number of calories burned, it's certainly OK to call golf a sport.
"One of the more interesting things I found was that the actual act of swinging a golf club takes significant energy," said Neil Wolkodoff, director of the Rose Center for Health and Sports Sciences in Denver.
Maybe more energy than many people might think for a motion that takes a grand total of about 3 seconds.
Wolkodoff found eight male volunteers, ages 26 to 61 with handicaps between 2 and 17, strapped them into some state-of-the-art equipment and took them out for a few rounds of golf on the hilly front nine of Inverness Golf Club in suburban Denver.
Wolkodoff discovered the subjects burned more calories when they walked and carried their clubs (721) than when they rode in a cart (411). When they walked, they traversed about 2.5 miles, compared to 0.5 miles when they rode, but the 500 percent increase in mileage corresponded to only a 75 percent increase in calories burned.
The conclusion was that the act of swinging the golf club could actually be considered good exercise -- a theory many on the "not a sport" side of the golf debate have long questioned.
"As far as physical exertion, it's not the same as boxing, but it's definitely more than people thought," Wolkodoff said.
But before all you golf addicts cancel those gym memberships and turn the treadmill into a permanent coat rack, consider this: While the 2,884 calories the average player might burn by walking 36 holes a week is considered good for health (studies have shown that those who burn 2,500 calories a week improve their overall health by lowering their risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer), it will do little to improve fitness -- meaning it won't increase your overall aerobic capacity.
Another thing the study showed is that being fit directly affects your ability to play good golf.
"You need to ask yourself, is the goal better fitness, or is it better fitness and better health?" Wolkodoff said.
Wolkodoff will soon submit the results of his test to the Journal of Applied Physiology, the Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport and Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.
For the test, Wolkodoff strapped subjects into equipment that measured, among other things, their heart rate, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production and how far they were walking. Each volunteer played four nine-hole rounds: one carrying the bag on their shoulder, one pushing the bag in a push-cart, one with a caddie and one in a golf cart.
All the subjects went through fitness tests before the experiment to establish what their baseline anaerobic thresholds were -- in other words, at what point they began to burn fuel without the help of oxygen. When people cross their anaerobic threshold, lactic acid begins to build, which makes muscles start to burn and causes fine-motor skills to deteriorate.
This is important in golf, especially for walkers, because the higher a player's anaerobic threshold, the more ability the player has to hike up steep hills or walk long distances quickly without losing the motor skills needed to execute many shots.
"When the motor skill start to go, you can get the yips, lose coordination," Wolkodoff said.
Among Wolkodoff's findings:
--There was virtually no difference in calories burned between carrying (721) and using a push cart (718) -- a surprising result to many, who figured it would take more work to push the cart.
"Normally, calories are measured on how much weight you had to move up a hill," he said. "But in this case, it shows that even with another 15, 16 pounds to push with the cart, you're more efficient at moving that way than if the bag is over your shoulder."
Not surprisingly, walking the course with a caddie carrying the clubs burned fewer calories (613) and playing while riding in a cart burned even fewer (411).
The fact that the energy consumed while carrying and pushing is nearly identical could bolster the idea that players using push carts get no competitive advantage over those who carry. The American Junior Golf Association recently decided to allow non-motorized carts in tournament play, in part to decrease back stress on young players.
--Players in Wolkodoff's tests scored best when using push carts and playing with a caddie. Their nine-hole averages (40 with push cart, 42 with caddie) were better than when riding in the motor cart (43).
Wolkodoff said that offered proof there could be a benefit to walking the course -- the way many golf purists insist the game should be played -- that outweighs the benefit of resting while driving to your ball in the cart.
"It gets back to the idea that walking gives you a certain amount of time to think about a shot, to rehearse, go through the stuff," he said. "Where in a golf cart, you're holding on, then, boom, you've got to get up, go to the ball and make a decision pretty quickly."
But the benefit of walking didn't outweigh the stress of looping the bag on and off your shoulder 40 or 50 times and lugging it around the course over the span of two hours. The average scores for the walk-and-carry rounds was 45.
"Some people say, 'I play better golf when I'm carrying,"' Wolkodoff said. "But this study says, 'No. A carry bag is not necessarily better.' It's not an intuitive thought for people."
--Players reached their peak heart rates at the top of two taxing, uphill holes. When they were carrying or pushing the cart, the peak heart rates went past their anaerobic thresholds, and Wolkodoff noticed a marked spike in scoring on the tougher of the two holes under these circumstances.
He attributes it to the buildup in lactic acid, which decreases fine motor skills. Returning below the threshold took 2 minutes to 3 minutes in some cases. So, the advice is, get in better shape to increase the anaerobic threshold so you don't find yourself going over it while playing golf. Good ways to improve golf fitness would be doing intervals on a treadmill or taking a spinning class.
"Weightlifting can come into play, too," Wolkodoff said. "As you go up a hill, whether you're carrying your own body weight, or a carry bag or a push cart, the stronger your arms and legs are, the better you can make it up that hill without fatigue."
--Wolkodoff measured subjects' respiratory exchange ratio (RER), which can be used to determine which fuels -- carbs or fats -- are being used during exercise. The RERs for all four tests were between 0.85 and 0.88, meaning players had shifted from burning all fat to using equal amounts of fats and carbohydrates, but hadn't yet reached the point where they were burning all carbs.
It means an energy bar with the approximately the same combination of what the players are burning -- like a Zone or Balance Bar -- is optimal for replenishment, and probably better than pure carbohydrates, such as the apple we often see Woods eating on the course ... or a bag of pretzels.
Not that it's any knock on Tiger's diet.
"The thing with Tiger is, he's not just eating the apple," Wolkodoff said. "He's had a good meal beforehand. If he had a regular Gatorade, that's the equivalent of eating five apples. If he eats one apple per round, or one per nine, he's just doing it to add a little energy and maybe fill up his stomach."
So, is golf a sport?
Answer: It certainly is a sport, but probably not the only sport you would need to play if you really want to get fit. But getting fit on the treadmill or in the weight room will definitely diminish fatigue on the golf course and, in turn, help you play better.
"The study shows there's significant energy expenditure in golf, more than bowling and some other sports it's been compared to," Wolkodoff said. "There are a lot of sports that don't have this level of energy expenditure."
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
As other tournaments struggle, Canadian Open enters 2009 on strong footing
The Canadian Press
2008 Mike Weir, from Bright's Grove, Ont., and his caddie, Brennan Little wait to putt out at the 18th green at the Canadian Open golf championship at the Glen Abbey course in Oakville, Ont., Sunday, July 27, 2008.Weir tied for fifth place behind winner Chez Reavie.
The irony isn't lost on Bill Paul.
As several PGA Tour events enter 2009 facing potential sponsorship issues, the man in charge of the RBC Canadian Open feels optimistic about the direction of his tournament.
That alone makes the start of this new year a little different than the last couple.
"In '07, you really wondered what the future was, if there was a future for the Canadian Open," Paul said recently. "From where we went in 2007 to 2008, we made some giant steps forward. Our goal is to be best in class."
Other tournaments are just hoping to survive.
That really hit home for Paul during the PGA Tour meetings earlier this month. Commissioner Tim Finchem urged players and tournament organizers to "put on a strong face" in tough economic times, but that wasn't something many were able to do privately.
"There's no doubt that there is some fear among tournament directors," said Paul. "My counterparts are probably a little more fearful than the tour is themselves. ...
"I certainly felt in a stronger position, based on what the RCGA has done with sponsors, than what other host organizations have done south of the border. For a lot of them fear was a common word, about what the future was going to hold for them."
The main reason Paul feels so good is that title sponsor RBC has shown a strong commitment to the event since signing on in November 2007. That agreement runs through 2012.
One area he'll be keeping a close eye on is hospitality sales. Boxes and suites tend to fall under discretionary spending for companies that might be looking to cut back.
"I don't want to dismiss it," Paul said of the slowing economy. "Like any sports franchise or probably entertainment business in general, we'll feel it."
Even though the RBC Canadian Open will be held at Glen Abbey for a second straight year, there will be some changes in 2009.
The front nine of the course will be re-routed, starting on what traditionally was the fourth hole. The layout changes should save players 800 or 900 walking paces per round - equivalent to two holes - and speed up play. It's an idea that Paul first had several years ago and eventually decided to go ahead with after receiving positive feedback from all 25 players he asked about it.
Beyond that, he's going to ask Mother Nature for some kindness this July. "I'm going to get somebody in here that can dance and pray so we won't have any rain," said Paul.
That might be wise after watching more than 200 millimetres fall during this year's tournament. The bad weather caused several delays during an event won by Chez Reavie - a 26-year-old from Arizona who is sponsored by the Canadian clothing company Quagmire.
Mike Weir led after the first round and ended up in a tie for fifth at his home tournament, one of the eight top-10 finishes the lefty posted this season. He moved up to 22nd in the world rankings - his best position at year end since 2004 - and was happy with his performance even though it didn't include a win.
The native of Bright's Grove, Ont., was also busy off the course - announcing plans to expand his wine operation and moving closer to launching a course design business. His first project is expected to be in Vernon, B.C., and will likely be started in 2009.
However, Weir's primary focus remains on trying to win golf tournaments. He's currently going through a similar winter schedule to the one he had before winning the Masters and two other PGA Tour events a couple years back.
"I'm going to take a nice long break, which coincidentally I haven't really done since the 2002 season ... and 2003 wasn't too bad a year for me," Weir said on his website.
That's the opposite approach to the one being taken by Stephen Ames.
He's decided to try and stay sharper during this off-season than he has in years past and will continue hitting balls at an indoor range near his home in Calgary. Ames had seven top-10s and no victories in 2008.
The two highest-ranked Canadians will be the only players representing the Maple Leaf on the PGA Tour next year. An impressive eight Canadians made an appearance in the final stage of qualifying school, but none of them was able to earn a card.
It was a similar story on the women's side, although Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C., did manage to secure part-time playing privileges on the LPGA Tour in 2009.
Hamilton's Alena Sharp was again the top Canadian on tour this year with over US$180,000 in earnings. She's been in contention a number of times and will be looking for her first LPGA victory in 2009.
It was a much tougher season for Charlottetown's Lorie Kane, who finished lower on the money list (131) than she has in any other year of her career.
Fortunately, the news remained good for the tournament Kane fought hard to keep alive a couple years ago - the CN Canadian Women's Open. The 2008 event in Ottawa was won by Katherine Hull and boasted a quality field, proving beyond doubt that it is among the best on the LPGA Tour.
2008 Mike Weir, from Bright's Grove, Ont., and his caddie, Brennan Little wait to putt out at the 18th green at the Canadian Open golf championship at the Glen Abbey course in Oakville, Ont., Sunday, July 27, 2008.Weir tied for fifth place behind winner Chez Reavie.
The irony isn't lost on Bill Paul.
As several PGA Tour events enter 2009 facing potential sponsorship issues, the man in charge of the RBC Canadian Open feels optimistic about the direction of his tournament.
That alone makes the start of this new year a little different than the last couple.
"In '07, you really wondered what the future was, if there was a future for the Canadian Open," Paul said recently. "From where we went in 2007 to 2008, we made some giant steps forward. Our goal is to be best in class."
Other tournaments are just hoping to survive.
That really hit home for Paul during the PGA Tour meetings earlier this month. Commissioner Tim Finchem urged players and tournament organizers to "put on a strong face" in tough economic times, but that wasn't something many were able to do privately.
"There's no doubt that there is some fear among tournament directors," said Paul. "My counterparts are probably a little more fearful than the tour is themselves. ...
"I certainly felt in a stronger position, based on what the RCGA has done with sponsors, than what other host organizations have done south of the border. For a lot of them fear was a common word, about what the future was going to hold for them."
The main reason Paul feels so good is that title sponsor RBC has shown a strong commitment to the event since signing on in November 2007. That agreement runs through 2012.
One area he'll be keeping a close eye on is hospitality sales. Boxes and suites tend to fall under discretionary spending for companies that might be looking to cut back.
"I don't want to dismiss it," Paul said of the slowing economy. "Like any sports franchise or probably entertainment business in general, we'll feel it."
Even though the RBC Canadian Open will be held at Glen Abbey for a second straight year, there will be some changes in 2009.
The front nine of the course will be re-routed, starting on what traditionally was the fourth hole. The layout changes should save players 800 or 900 walking paces per round - equivalent to two holes - and speed up play. It's an idea that Paul first had several years ago and eventually decided to go ahead with after receiving positive feedback from all 25 players he asked about it.
Beyond that, he's going to ask Mother Nature for some kindness this July. "I'm going to get somebody in here that can dance and pray so we won't have any rain," said Paul.
That might be wise after watching more than 200 millimetres fall during this year's tournament. The bad weather caused several delays during an event won by Chez Reavie - a 26-year-old from Arizona who is sponsored by the Canadian clothing company Quagmire.
Mike Weir led after the first round and ended up in a tie for fifth at his home tournament, one of the eight top-10 finishes the lefty posted this season. He moved up to 22nd in the world rankings - his best position at year end since 2004 - and was happy with his performance even though it didn't include a win.
The native of Bright's Grove, Ont., was also busy off the course - announcing plans to expand his wine operation and moving closer to launching a course design business. His first project is expected to be in Vernon, B.C., and will likely be started in 2009.
However, Weir's primary focus remains on trying to win golf tournaments. He's currently going through a similar winter schedule to the one he had before winning the Masters and two other PGA Tour events a couple years back.
"I'm going to take a nice long break, which coincidentally I haven't really done since the 2002 season ... and 2003 wasn't too bad a year for me," Weir said on his website.
That's the opposite approach to the one being taken by Stephen Ames.
He's decided to try and stay sharper during this off-season than he has in years past and will continue hitting balls at an indoor range near his home in Calgary. Ames had seven top-10s and no victories in 2008.
The two highest-ranked Canadians will be the only players representing the Maple Leaf on the PGA Tour next year. An impressive eight Canadians made an appearance in the final stage of qualifying school, but none of them was able to earn a card.
It was a similar story on the women's side, although Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C., did manage to secure part-time playing privileges on the LPGA Tour in 2009.
Hamilton's Alena Sharp was again the top Canadian on tour this year with over US$180,000 in earnings. She's been in contention a number of times and will be looking for her first LPGA victory in 2009.
It was a much tougher season for Charlottetown's Lorie Kane, who finished lower on the money list (131) than she has in any other year of her career.
Fortunately, the news remained good for the tournament Kane fought hard to keep alive a couple years ago - the CN Canadian Women's Open. The 2008 event in Ottawa was won by Katherine Hull and boasted a quality field, proving beyond doubt that it is among the best on the LPGA Tour.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Vancouver Golf Tour 2009 Membership Information
With the 2009 Golf Season fast approaching, we are very excited to launch the following news about our 2009 Membership Program and tournament schedule: Click Here to View All the Details!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
PGA Tour offers fewer tournaments in the fall
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The PGA Tour has lost at least one tournament from its Fall Series because of the economy, and the final part of its 2009 schedule released Tuesday had another tournament still up in the air.
The tour announced five tournaments — down from seven this year — that will be played after the FedEx Cup ends and give players a chance to finish in the top 125 on the money list to retain their cards.
Gone from the Fall Series schedule is the Ginn sur Mer Classic, which was held the penultimate week of the season and was not expected to return because of the real estate crisis. Also missing from the fall is the Valero Texas Open, which moved to the spring to replace the defunct Atlanta tournament.
The Fall Series starts at Turning Stone the week after the FedEx Cup finale, then takes a week off because of the Presidents Cup, which will be held Oct. 8-11 in San Francisco. The series resumes in Las Vegas and Phoenix, then moves to Mississippi and Florida, ending Nov. 15 at Disney World, as it did this year.
The tour still is trying to create a tournament the week before Disney that would be played on Sea Island, Ga. Those negotiations were one reason the fall schedule was not released until two days before Christmas.
If the '09 schedule stays the way it is, there will be 46 tournaments (down from 48) with a $100,000 increase in total prize money. That doesn't include the majors, which have not released their purses for 2009.
The tour announced five tournaments — down from seven this year — that will be played after the FedEx Cup ends and give players a chance to finish in the top 125 on the money list to retain their cards.
Gone from the Fall Series schedule is the Ginn sur Mer Classic, which was held the penultimate week of the season and was not expected to return because of the real estate crisis. Also missing from the fall is the Valero Texas Open, which moved to the spring to replace the defunct Atlanta tournament.
The Fall Series starts at Turning Stone the week after the FedEx Cup finale, then takes a week off because of the Presidents Cup, which will be held Oct. 8-11 in San Francisco. The series resumes in Las Vegas and Phoenix, then moves to Mississippi and Florida, ending Nov. 15 at Disney World, as it did this year.
The tour still is trying to create a tournament the week before Disney that would be played on Sea Island, Ga. Those negotiations were one reason the fall schedule was not released until two days before Christmas.
If the '09 schedule stays the way it is, there will be 46 tournaments (down from 48) with a $100,000 increase in total prize money. That doesn't include the majors, which have not released their purses for 2009.
Monday, December 22, 2008
CK Golf Solutions Relaunches Blog
Vancouver, B.C.
CK Golf Solutions and Jeff and Tara Ciecko has relaunched their blog, ckgolfsolutions.blogspot.com.
The new version provides a more consistent look that follows the branding of the CK Golf Solutions website, www.ckgolfsolutions.ca. The other objective was to provide a cleaner look and make it easier for viewers to find the Blog topics they are most interested in. The new 'labels' section should assist in accomplishing that objective.
Based in Vancouver, B.C., CK Golf Solutions provides business and management solutions to the golf industry. Vice Presidents Jeff and Tara Ciecko bring a combined 34 years of golf operations experience to the clients of CK Golf Solutions.For more information, contact CK Golf Solutions at 604-506-2226 or email at info@ckgolfsolutions.ca.
CK Golf Solutions and Jeff and Tara Ciecko has relaunched their blog, ckgolfsolutions.blogspot.com.
The new version provides a more consistent look that follows the branding of the CK Golf Solutions website, www.ckgolfsolutions.ca. The other objective was to provide a cleaner look and make it easier for viewers to find the Blog topics they are most interested in. The new 'labels' section should assist in accomplishing that objective.
Based in Vancouver, B.C., CK Golf Solutions provides business and management solutions to the golf industry. Vice Presidents Jeff and Tara Ciecko bring a combined 34 years of golf operations experience to the clients of CK Golf Solutions.For more information, contact CK Golf Solutions at 604-506-2226 or email at info@ckgolfsolutions.ca.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
At close of '08, 15 players added to '09 Masters field
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) -- The final official shot of 2008 was a tap-in birdie by Richard Sterne to win the South African Open in a playoff, capping his unlikely climb in the world rankings to be among 15 players Sunday earning a Masters invitation.
Three players on two continents made one final push for the top 50 in the rankings to make the trip to Augusta National.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland tied for third at the South African Open and will move up to No. 39, while Lin Wen-Tang of Taiwan tied for sixth in the Volvo Masters on the Asian Tour and will be No. 49.
Since 2000, Augusta National has invited the top 50 in the rankings at the end of the calendar year. With no more official tournaments remaining, the final 2008 rankings were determined Sunday.
The 15 players not otherwise eligible except for their top-50 ranking were Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Ross Fisher, Luke Donald, Shingo Kayatama, Graeme McDowell, Rory Sabbatini, Jeev Milkha Singh, Aaron Baddeley, McIlroy, Oliver Wilson, Sterne, Søren Hansen, Lin and Søren Kjeldsen.
Along with other criteria, that puts the Masters field at 88 players who are expected to compete April 10-13.
Among those still not eligible are Woody Austin, Scott Verplank, Davis Love III and J.B. Holmes -- the only Ryder Cup player who could miss the first major of the year.
Augusta National has the smallest field of the four majors, and it most likely will get larger.
Players still can qualify by winning one of 13 PGA TOUR events leading to the Masters, or by getting into the top 50 in the rankings published a week before the Masters. The Masters has not had more than 100 competitors since 1966.
No one made a bigger move than Sterne, who was ranked No. 113 two weeks ago. But he won the Alfred Dunhill Championship and the South African Open in consecutive weeks to move up 70 spots to No. 43.
Lin also was out of the top 100 in early November but began his move by winning the Hong Kong Open and securing his place with a tie for sixth in the Volvo Masters.
The 88 players who have qualified and are expected to compete in the 73rd Masters Players listed in only one category
Masters champions - Trevor Immelman, Zach Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Mike Weir, Vijay Singh, Jose Maria Olazabal, Mark O'Meara, Ben Crenshaw, Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples, Ian Woosnam, Sandy Lyle, Larry Mize, Craig Stadler, Tom Watson, Fuzzy Zoeller, Gary Player, Raymond Floyd
U.S. Open champions (five years) Angel Cabrera, Geoff Ogilvy, Michael Campbell, Retief Goosen
British Open champions (five years)- Padraig Harrington, Todd Hamilton
THE PLAYERS Championship (three years) - Sergio Garcia, Stephen Ames
U.S. Amateur champion and runner-up - a-Danny Lee, a-Drew Kittleson
British Amateur champion - a-Reinier Saxton
U.S. Amateur Public Links champion a-Jack Newman
U.S. Mid-Amateur champion - a-Steve Wilson
Top 16 players and ties from 2008 Masters - Stewart Cink, Brandt Snedeker, Steve Flesch, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Robert Karlsson, Andres Romero, Nick Watney, Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Stuart Appleby, Sean O'Hair
Top eight players and ties from 2008 U.S. Open - Rocco Mediate, D.J. Trahan, Carl Pettersson, John Merrick
Top four players and ties from 2008 British Open - Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, Greg Norman
Top four players and ties from 2008 PGA Championship - Ben Curtis, Camilo Villegas
Top 30 players from the 2008 PGA TOUR money list - Kenny Perry, Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard, Robert Allenby, Jim Furyk, Ryuji Imada, K.J. Choi, Kevin Sutherland, Ernie Els, Steve Stricker, Chad Campbell, Boo Weekley, Ken Duke, Dudley Hart, Hunter Mahan
Winners of PGA TOUR events that award full FedExCup points since the 2008 Masters Adam Scott, Chez Reavie
The field from the 2008 TOUR Championship - Billy Mayfair, Briny Baird, Tim Clark, Bubba Watson
Top 50 players from the final 2008 world ranking - Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Ross Fisher, Luke Donald, Shingo Katayama, Graeme McDowell, Rory Sabbatini, Jeev Milkha Singh, Aaron Baddeley, Rory McIlroy, Oliver Wilson, Richard Sterne, Soren Hansen, Lin Wentang, Soren Kjeldsen
Top 50 players from world ranking published a week before the 2009 Masters TBD
Special foreign invitations TBD
Three players on two continents made one final push for the top 50 in the rankings to make the trip to Augusta National.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland tied for third at the South African Open and will move up to No. 39, while Lin Wen-Tang of Taiwan tied for sixth in the Volvo Masters on the Asian Tour and will be No. 49.
Since 2000, Augusta National has invited the top 50 in the rankings at the end of the calendar year. With no more official tournaments remaining, the final 2008 rankings were determined Sunday.
The 15 players not otherwise eligible except for their top-50 ranking were Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Ross Fisher, Luke Donald, Shingo Kayatama, Graeme McDowell, Rory Sabbatini, Jeev Milkha Singh, Aaron Baddeley, McIlroy, Oliver Wilson, Sterne, Søren Hansen, Lin and Søren Kjeldsen.
Along with other criteria, that puts the Masters field at 88 players who are expected to compete April 10-13.
Among those still not eligible are Woody Austin, Scott Verplank, Davis Love III and J.B. Holmes -- the only Ryder Cup player who could miss the first major of the year.
Augusta National has the smallest field of the four majors, and it most likely will get larger.
Players still can qualify by winning one of 13 PGA TOUR events leading to the Masters, or by getting into the top 50 in the rankings published a week before the Masters. The Masters has not had more than 100 competitors since 1966.
No one made a bigger move than Sterne, who was ranked No. 113 two weeks ago. But he won the Alfred Dunhill Championship and the South African Open in consecutive weeks to move up 70 spots to No. 43.
Lin also was out of the top 100 in early November but began his move by winning the Hong Kong Open and securing his place with a tie for sixth in the Volvo Masters.
The 88 players who have qualified and are expected to compete in the 73rd Masters Players listed in only one category
Masters champions - Trevor Immelman, Zach Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Mike Weir, Vijay Singh, Jose Maria Olazabal, Mark O'Meara, Ben Crenshaw, Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples, Ian Woosnam, Sandy Lyle, Larry Mize, Craig Stadler, Tom Watson, Fuzzy Zoeller, Gary Player, Raymond Floyd
U.S. Open champions (five years) Angel Cabrera, Geoff Ogilvy, Michael Campbell, Retief Goosen
British Open champions (five years)- Padraig Harrington, Todd Hamilton
THE PLAYERS Championship (three years) - Sergio Garcia, Stephen Ames
U.S. Amateur champion and runner-up - a-Danny Lee, a-Drew Kittleson
British Amateur champion - a-Reinier Saxton
U.S. Amateur Public Links champion a-Jack Newman
U.S. Mid-Amateur champion - a-Steve Wilson
Top 16 players and ties from 2008 Masters - Stewart Cink, Brandt Snedeker, Steve Flesch, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Robert Karlsson, Andres Romero, Nick Watney, Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Stuart Appleby, Sean O'Hair
Top eight players and ties from 2008 U.S. Open - Rocco Mediate, D.J. Trahan, Carl Pettersson, John Merrick
Top four players and ties from 2008 British Open - Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, Greg Norman
Top four players and ties from 2008 PGA Championship - Ben Curtis, Camilo Villegas
Top 30 players from the 2008 PGA TOUR money list - Kenny Perry, Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard, Robert Allenby, Jim Furyk, Ryuji Imada, K.J. Choi, Kevin Sutherland, Ernie Els, Steve Stricker, Chad Campbell, Boo Weekley, Ken Duke, Dudley Hart, Hunter Mahan
Winners of PGA TOUR events that award full FedExCup points since the 2008 Masters Adam Scott, Chez Reavie
The field from the 2008 TOUR Championship - Billy Mayfair, Briny Baird, Tim Clark, Bubba Watson
Top 50 players from the final 2008 world ranking - Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Ross Fisher, Luke Donald, Shingo Katayama, Graeme McDowell, Rory Sabbatini, Jeev Milkha Singh, Aaron Baddeley, Rory McIlroy, Oliver Wilson, Richard Sterne, Soren Hansen, Lin Wentang, Soren Kjeldsen
Top 50 players from world ranking published a week before the 2009 Masters TBD
Special foreign invitations TBD
Friday, December 19, 2008
Annika's Letter to the Fans
Dear LPGA fans,
My last event is over and it is time to step away from competitive golf. As I sat on the plane home from Dubai I had a chance to reminisce about the last 15 years. It has been an incredible ride and I could not have asked for anything more. This wonderful game took me from a small town in Sweden and introduced me to the world. I have met some incredible people and traveled to so many wonderful places. I have learned many lessons, matured and built friendships that will last a life time. I have so much for which I am thankful!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your support throughout the years. It has been truly humbling to witness the loyalty and commitment you have shown the other ladies and me. I have read some of the tributes out there on the different websites and they warm my heart. It is an honor to have touched so many lives and to have had the chance to make a difference. I might be outside the ropes starting next year, but I will be following the LPGA and its progress. Women's golf and the LPGA are in good hands with talents such as Lorena, Paula, Yani and Suzann.
The time has come for me to give back to the game I love in other ways. I hope to continue to inspire people to follow their dreams through my Academy, Foundation, USGA relationship, Course Design work and events that I will host. I am ready for the new challenges that the future will surely bring. I will embrace and attack them just like I did with my golf game over the years. I have ambitious goals, a great team, and a strategy to build a brand of businesses that will hopefully be my legacy. It will take patience, dedication, commitment and hard work – attributes that the game of golf has taught me well.
Thanks for sharing my passion!
Annika
My last event is over and it is time to step away from competitive golf. As I sat on the plane home from Dubai I had a chance to reminisce about the last 15 years. It has been an incredible ride and I could not have asked for anything more. This wonderful game took me from a small town in Sweden and introduced me to the world. I have met some incredible people and traveled to so many wonderful places. I have learned many lessons, matured and built friendships that will last a life time. I have so much for which I am thankful!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your support throughout the years. It has been truly humbling to witness the loyalty and commitment you have shown the other ladies and me. I have read some of the tributes out there on the different websites and they warm my heart. It is an honor to have touched so many lives and to have had the chance to make a difference. I might be outside the ropes starting next year, but I will be following the LPGA and its progress. Women's golf and the LPGA are in good hands with talents such as Lorena, Paula, Yani and Suzann.
The time has come for me to give back to the game I love in other ways. I hope to continue to inspire people to follow their dreams through my Academy, Foundation, USGA relationship, Course Design work and events that I will host. I am ready for the new challenges that the future will surely bring. I will embrace and attack them just like I did with my golf game over the years. I have ambitious goals, a great team, and a strategy to build a brand of businesses that will hopefully be my legacy. It will take patience, dedication, commitment and hard work – attributes that the game of golf has taught me well.
Thanks for sharing my passion!
Annika
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Harrington tops Woods as GWAA's Player of the Year
HOUSTON -- Padraig Harrington, Lorena Ochoa and Jay Haas have been named 2008 Players of the Year by the Golf Writers Association of America.
Padraig Harrington ended Tiger Woods' streak of winning the Player of the Year title for three consecutive years. All three players will be honored at the GWAA's Annual Awards Dinner April 8, 2009 in Augusta, Ga.
It is Harrington's first GWAA Player of the Year award and ends a streak of three in row for Tiger Woods. Woods, who has been sidelined since undergoing knee surgery following his U.S. Open win in June, had won the award nine of the last 11 years. It is the third consecutive award for both Ochoa and Haas.
Harrington received 184 votes to 58 for Woods and five for Vijay Singh. Ochoa received 232 votes to Paula Creamer's 13. Yani Tseng received three votes. Haas' margin in the Senior Player of the Year was the narrowest. He received 115 votes to 79 for Bernhard Langer. Eduardo Romero was third with 50 votes.
Harrington successfully defended his British Open title then followed up his win at Royal Birkdale with a victory at the PGA Championship. The 37-year-old Irishman became the first European to win successive majors in the same season and the fifth player in the last two decades to win two majors in a year. He finished eighth on the PGA TOUR money list.
Ochoa followed up two impressive seasons with seven wins and her second consecutive major at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. She led the LPGA in scoring for the third consecutive year and led the money list with $2.763 million. Creamer was second with $1.823 million.
Haas is the first player to win the award three consecutive times. Hale Irwin won three Players of the Year, but only two in a row (1997-98). Haas won two tournaments, including the Senior PGA Championship, and won the Charles Schwab Cup. He finished second on the money list to Langer. Haas was honored with both the ASAPSPORTS/Jim Murray Award and the Bob Jones Award in 2005.
The GWAA, founded in 1946, takes an active role in protecting the interests of all golf journalists, works closely with all of golf's major governing bodies and the World Golf Hall of Fame and facilitates a scholarship/internship program which is currently helping students at 17 major U.S. universities.
Padraig Harrington ended Tiger Woods' streak of winning the Player of the Year title for three consecutive years. All three players will be honored at the GWAA's Annual Awards Dinner April 8, 2009 in Augusta, Ga.
It is Harrington's first GWAA Player of the Year award and ends a streak of three in row for Tiger Woods. Woods, who has been sidelined since undergoing knee surgery following his U.S. Open win in June, had won the award nine of the last 11 years. It is the third consecutive award for both Ochoa and Haas.
Harrington received 184 votes to 58 for Woods and five for Vijay Singh. Ochoa received 232 votes to Paula Creamer's 13. Yani Tseng received three votes. Haas' margin in the Senior Player of the Year was the narrowest. He received 115 votes to 79 for Bernhard Langer. Eduardo Romero was third with 50 votes.
Harrington successfully defended his British Open title then followed up his win at Royal Birkdale with a victory at the PGA Championship. The 37-year-old Irishman became the first European to win successive majors in the same season and the fifth player in the last two decades to win two majors in a year. He finished eighth on the PGA TOUR money list.
Ochoa followed up two impressive seasons with seven wins and her second consecutive major at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. She led the LPGA in scoring for the third consecutive year and led the money list with $2.763 million. Creamer was second with $1.823 million.
Haas is the first player to win the award three consecutive times. Hale Irwin won three Players of the Year, but only two in a row (1997-98). Haas won two tournaments, including the Senior PGA Championship, and won the Charles Schwab Cup. He finished second on the money list to Langer. Haas was honored with both the ASAPSPORTS/Jim Murray Award and the Bob Jones Award in 2005.
The GWAA, founded in 1946, takes an active role in protecting the interests of all golf journalists, works closely with all of golf's major governing bodies and the World Golf Hall of Fame and facilitates a scholarship/internship program which is currently helping students at 17 major U.S. universities.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Sue Kim and Eugene Wong Top 2008 CN Future Links Junior Order Of Merit
Oakville, Ont. (RCGA) – The Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) along with the Canadian Professional Golfers Association (CPGA) and Canada’s provincial golf associations announced Friday that Sue Kim of Langley, B.C. and Eugene Wong of North Vancouver, B.C. finished first on the CN Future Links Junior Orders of Merit and have been named Canada’s top junior golfers for the 2008 season.
Kim topped the Junior Girls Order of Merit after a stellar season that included a pair of victories on the CN Canadian Women’s Tour, earning her entry into the 2008 CN Canadian Women’s Open and the Jocelyne Bourassa Player of the Year award. With her win on Tour, Kim also became the first amateur to win an event on Canada’s only women's developmental golf tour. The 17-year junior sensation also won the B.C. Junior Girls Championship and finished tied for fourth at the Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. Kim also represented the nation as a member of Team Canada.
Wong, 18, was the top points earner on the CN Future Links Junior Boy’s Order of Merit by virtue of capturing the B.C. Men’s Amateur Championship and Buick B.C. Junior Boy’s Championship, while finishing second at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. Earlier on this season, Wong also won the Callaway Junior Golf Championships.
“Sue and Eugene played extremely well and it’s no surprise to see them finish as the top juniors in Canada,” said Ian Giles, CN Future Links Advisory Committee Chair. “Sue, in particular, enjoyed an incredible amount of success, not only winning a pair of CN Canadian Women’s Tour events as an amateur, but especially in earning the Tour’s Player of the Year award. We congratulate all of our top finishers on the CN Future Links Junior Order of Merit and look forward to their continued success in golf.”
Rounding out the top five on the Junior Girls’ Order of Merit is Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont., Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto, Jessica Wallace of Langley, B.C. and Brittany Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont.
Rounding out the top five on the Junior Boys Order of Merit is Julien Goulet of St. Roch de l’Achigan, Que., Mathieu Rivard of Granby Que., Canadian Junior Boy’s Champion Mitch Sutton of London, Ont. and Justin Shin of Maple Ridge, B.C.
The CN Future Links Junior Order of Merit is a ranking system designed to identify, recognize and promote Canada’s best junior golfers. Points are awarded to the top golfers participating in prominent junior provincial championships, CN Future Links Championships, RCGA national championships and select international competitions.
For full CN Future Links Junior Order of Merit standings, please visit the CN Future Links website at www.future-links.org or the RCGA website at www.rcga.org/orderofmerit.
2008 CN Future Links Junior Girls Order of Merit (Top 10)
Sue Kim, Langley, B.C. - 2190
Jennifer Kirby, Paris, Ont. - 1316
Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Toronto, Ont. - 1183.5
Jessica Wallace, Langley, B.C. - 1101.5
Brittany Henderson, Smiths Falls, Ont. - 931
Nicole Vandermade, Brantford, Ont. - 924.5
Anne-Catherine Tanguay, Quebec, Que. - 915.5
SooBin Kim, Port Coquitlam, B.C. - 837.5
Augusta James, Tamworth, Ont. - 765.5
Michelle Lee, Mississauga, Ont. - 721.5
2008 CN Future Links Junior Boys Order of Merit (Top 10)
Eugene Wong, North Vancouver, B.C. - 4090
Julien Goulet, St. Roch de l’Achigan, Que. - 3962.5
Mathieu Rivard, Granby, Que. - 3610
Mitch Sutton, London, Ont. - 3015
Justin Shin, Maple Ridge, B.C. - 2815
Brandon Ng, Toronto, Ont. - 2730
Riley Wheeldon, Courtenay, B.C. - 2520
Richard Jung, Toronto, Ont. - 2460
Zachary Balit, Montreal, Que. - 2150
Paolo Addona, Montreal, Que. - 2022.5
CN FUTURE LINKSCN Future Links is Canada’s national junior golf program conducted by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association (CPGA) and Canada’s provincial golf associations. The program is designed to forge a link between Canada’s youth and golf to ensure the future of the game in Canada. Since its inception in 1996, more than 748,000 young Canadians have taken part in Future Links. Additionally the CN Future Links Championships provide Canada’s best junior golfers a chance to hone their competitive skills in multiple day championships in two age divisions: Junior (boys and girls aged 14-18 years) and Bantam (boys and girls aged 11-13 years). Almost 5,000 top juniors have competed in these premier championships since their inception in 2000. For more information about CN Future Links, please visit www.future-links.org.
NORTH AMERICA’S RAILROAD CN – Canadian National Railway Company – spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key cities of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, St. Louis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For further information please visit www.cn.ca.
ABOUT THE CPGA Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit www.cpga.com.
ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATIONThe Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.
For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.
Kim topped the Junior Girls Order of Merit after a stellar season that included a pair of victories on the CN Canadian Women’s Tour, earning her entry into the 2008 CN Canadian Women’s Open and the Jocelyne Bourassa Player of the Year award. With her win on Tour, Kim also became the first amateur to win an event on Canada’s only women's developmental golf tour. The 17-year junior sensation also won the B.C. Junior Girls Championship and finished tied for fourth at the Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship. Kim also represented the nation as a member of Team Canada.
Wong, 18, was the top points earner on the CN Future Links Junior Boy’s Order of Merit by virtue of capturing the B.C. Men’s Amateur Championship and Buick B.C. Junior Boy’s Championship, while finishing second at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. Earlier on this season, Wong also won the Callaway Junior Golf Championships.
“Sue and Eugene played extremely well and it’s no surprise to see them finish as the top juniors in Canada,” said Ian Giles, CN Future Links Advisory Committee Chair. “Sue, in particular, enjoyed an incredible amount of success, not only winning a pair of CN Canadian Women’s Tour events as an amateur, but especially in earning the Tour’s Player of the Year award. We congratulate all of our top finishers on the CN Future Links Junior Order of Merit and look forward to their continued success in golf.”
Rounding out the top five on the Junior Girls’ Order of Merit is Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont., Rebecca Lee-Bentham of Toronto, Jessica Wallace of Langley, B.C. and Brittany Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont.
Rounding out the top five on the Junior Boys Order of Merit is Julien Goulet of St. Roch de l’Achigan, Que., Mathieu Rivard of Granby Que., Canadian Junior Boy’s Champion Mitch Sutton of London, Ont. and Justin Shin of Maple Ridge, B.C.
The CN Future Links Junior Order of Merit is a ranking system designed to identify, recognize and promote Canada’s best junior golfers. Points are awarded to the top golfers participating in prominent junior provincial championships, CN Future Links Championships, RCGA national championships and select international competitions.
For full CN Future Links Junior Order of Merit standings, please visit the CN Future Links website at www.future-links.org or the RCGA website at www.rcga.org/orderofmerit.
2008 CN Future Links Junior Girls Order of Merit (Top 10)
Sue Kim, Langley, B.C. - 2190
Jennifer Kirby, Paris, Ont. - 1316
Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Toronto, Ont. - 1183.5
Jessica Wallace, Langley, B.C. - 1101.5
Brittany Henderson, Smiths Falls, Ont. - 931
Nicole Vandermade, Brantford, Ont. - 924.5
Anne-Catherine Tanguay, Quebec, Que. - 915.5
SooBin Kim, Port Coquitlam, B.C. - 837.5
Augusta James, Tamworth, Ont. - 765.5
Michelle Lee, Mississauga, Ont. - 721.5
2008 CN Future Links Junior Boys Order of Merit (Top 10)
Eugene Wong, North Vancouver, B.C. - 4090
Julien Goulet, St. Roch de l’Achigan, Que. - 3962.5
Mathieu Rivard, Granby, Que. - 3610
Mitch Sutton, London, Ont. - 3015
Justin Shin, Maple Ridge, B.C. - 2815
Brandon Ng, Toronto, Ont. - 2730
Riley Wheeldon, Courtenay, B.C. - 2520
Richard Jung, Toronto, Ont. - 2460
Zachary Balit, Montreal, Que. - 2150
Paolo Addona, Montreal, Que. - 2022.5
CN FUTURE LINKSCN Future Links is Canada’s national junior golf program conducted by the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA), the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association (CPGA) and Canada’s provincial golf associations. The program is designed to forge a link between Canada’s youth and golf to ensure the future of the game in Canada. Since its inception in 1996, more than 748,000 young Canadians have taken part in Future Links. Additionally the CN Future Links Championships provide Canada’s best junior golfers a chance to hone their competitive skills in multiple day championships in two age divisions: Junior (boys and girls aged 14-18 years) and Bantam (boys and girls aged 11-13 years). Almost 5,000 top juniors have competed in these premier championships since their inception in 2000. For more information about CN Future Links, please visit www.future-links.org.
NORTH AMERICA’S RAILROAD CN – Canadian National Railway Company – spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key cities of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, St. Louis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America. For further information please visit www.cn.ca.
ABOUT THE CPGA Established in 1911, the Canadian Professional Golfers’ Association is a non-profit association comprised of approximately 3,500 golf professionals across the country with a mandate to promote and advance the game of golf, serving the needs of both its membership and the golf public through professional and junior golf development programs and high-calibre competitive events. The National Office is located in Acton, Ontario with nine Zone Offices across the country. For more information, visit www.cpga.com.
ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATIONThe Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf.
For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
It's official: Pavin named Ryder Cup captain for 2010
By Associated Press
NEW YORK – Corey Pavin was introduced as the next U.S. captain for the Ryder Cup on Thursday, selected to lead a team in 2010 that will try to successfully defend the cup for the first time since 1993.
A former U.S. Open champion with 15 victories on the PGA Tour, Pavin played in three Ryder Cups and had an 8-5-0 record.
“The Ryder Cup is in my blood,” he said at a news conference. “I think if you cut my arm open, Ryder Cup would just bleed out. It’s the greatest event in the world, I think, and certainly the golf world.”
The 49-year-old Pavin takes over for Paul Azinger, who helped the U.S. end a decade of European dominance at the Ryder Cup with a 16 1/2 -11 1/2 victory in September at Valhalla. The Americans have not had a captain in consecutive Ryder Cups since Ben Hogan in 1947 and 1949. U.S. players lobbied for Azinger to return the night of their victory at Valhalla, and only recently has he said he might be interested. But PGA of America president Jim Remy said the organization didn’t want to break with precedent. “We have so many great players who have earned that right to be a Ryder Cup captain that we want to make sure that we support them and hopefully not leave any great player behind,” he said.
The 2010 Ryder Cup will be played at Celtic Manor in Wales. The Americans have not won in Europe since The Belfry in 1993, when Pavin was on the team. He served as an assistant to captain Tom Lehman in 2006.
Pavin said it was too early to discuss whether additional changes would be made to the selection system. Azinger was responsible for modernizing the system to account for the influx of international players on the PGA Tour.
He based points on money and doubled the captain’s picks to four. “I’ve already asked the PGA of America if I could have 12 picks, but I think they rejected that already,” Pavin joked. Pavin played on two winning Ryder Cup teams, including the last U.S. team to win on the road, in 1993 at The Belfry. He made his Ryder Cup debut in 1991 at Kiawah Island. “I’ve been waiting 17 years to be sitting right here at the podium,” he said.
NEW YORK – Corey Pavin was introduced as the next U.S. captain for the Ryder Cup on Thursday, selected to lead a team in 2010 that will try to successfully defend the cup for the first time since 1993.
A former U.S. Open champion with 15 victories on the PGA Tour, Pavin played in three Ryder Cups and had an 8-5-0 record.
“The Ryder Cup is in my blood,” he said at a news conference. “I think if you cut my arm open, Ryder Cup would just bleed out. It’s the greatest event in the world, I think, and certainly the golf world.”
The 49-year-old Pavin takes over for Paul Azinger, who helped the U.S. end a decade of European dominance at the Ryder Cup with a 16 1/2 -11 1/2 victory in September at Valhalla. The Americans have not had a captain in consecutive Ryder Cups since Ben Hogan in 1947 and 1949. U.S. players lobbied for Azinger to return the night of their victory at Valhalla, and only recently has he said he might be interested. But PGA of America president Jim Remy said the organization didn’t want to break with precedent. “We have so many great players who have earned that right to be a Ryder Cup captain that we want to make sure that we support them and hopefully not leave any great player behind,” he said.
The 2010 Ryder Cup will be played at Celtic Manor in Wales. The Americans have not won in Europe since The Belfry in 1993, when Pavin was on the team. He served as an assistant to captain Tom Lehman in 2006.
Pavin said it was too early to discuss whether additional changes would be made to the selection system. Azinger was responsible for modernizing the system to account for the influx of international players on the PGA Tour.
He based points on money and doubled the captain’s picks to four. “I’ve already asked the PGA of America if I could have 12 picks, but I think they rejected that already,” Pavin joked. Pavin played on two winning Ryder Cup teams, including the last U.S. team to win on the road, in 1993 at The Belfry. He made his Ryder Cup debut in 1991 at Kiawah Island. “I’ve been waiting 17 years to be sitting right here at the podium,” he said.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Stephanie Sherlock and Nick Taylor Named Canada's Top Amateur Golfers in 2008
Oakville, Ont. (RCGA) – Stephanie Sherlock of Barrie, Ont. and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C. were recognized as the top female and male amateur golfers this season as the Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) announced the final 2008 National Order of Merit standings.
Sherlock, a junior studying business at the University of Denver, elevated her game to yet another level in 2008, winning the CN Canadian Women’s Tour event in Winnipeg and the Sunbelt Conference Championship, while continuing to hone her skills on the Team Canada for a third successive year.
The 21-year old also finished second at the Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship; managed a tie for fifth at the NCAA Division 1 finals; was named a Duramed FUTURES Tour NGCA Division I All-American for the second consecutive season; and was a member of Canada’s World Amateur team who finished fourth at the World Amateur Team Championships in Australia.
Rounding out the top five in women’s national rankings are 2008 B.C. Women’s Amateur Champion Kira Meixner of Richmond, B.C., 2008 Quebec Women’s Amateur champion Maude-Aimée LeBlanc of Windsor, Que., Sue Kim of Langley, B.C., who won two CN Canadian Women’s Tour events and Kirby Dreher of Fort St. John, B.C., who won the final CN Canadian Women’s Tour event of the season. All five ladies also competed at the 2008 CN Canadian Women’s Open in Ottawa.
In the men’s national ranking, Taylor tops the list after a stellar season that saw him earn entry into the U.S Open, as well as the RBC Canadian Open where he finished tied for 53rd. The 21-year old Team Canada member also earned individual runner-up honours at the NCAA Division 1 finals and the World Amateur Team Championships.
Rounding out the top five on the men’s Order of Merit are Eugene Wong, North Vancouver, B.C., who won the B.C. Junior Boys and Men’s Amateur Championships; Calgary native Jordan Irwin who was named to the All-Conference USA First Team and Canada’s World Amateur team; 17-year old Julien Goulet of St Roch de l'Achigan, Que., who won the Graham Cooke Invitational Junior Championship; and 2008 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion Cam Burke of New Hamburg, Ont.
The National Order of Merit standings recognize season-long achievements and were established to identify Canada’s top amateur golfers. For full Order of Merit standings and points breakdown, please visit www.rcga.org/orderofmerit.
The following are the Top 10 on the Women’s and Men’s 2008 National Orders of Merit:
2008 National Women’s Order of Merit (Top 10)
2008 National Men’s Order of Merit (Top 10)
ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATIONThe Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf. For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.
Sherlock, a junior studying business at the University of Denver, elevated her game to yet another level in 2008, winning the CN Canadian Women’s Tour event in Winnipeg and the Sunbelt Conference Championship, while continuing to hone her skills on the Team Canada for a third successive year.
The 21-year old also finished second at the Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship; managed a tie for fifth at the NCAA Division 1 finals; was named a Duramed FUTURES Tour NGCA Division I All-American for the second consecutive season; and was a member of Canada’s World Amateur team who finished fourth at the World Amateur Team Championships in Australia.
Rounding out the top five in women’s national rankings are 2008 B.C. Women’s Amateur Champion Kira Meixner of Richmond, B.C., 2008 Quebec Women’s Amateur champion Maude-Aimée LeBlanc of Windsor, Que., Sue Kim of Langley, B.C., who won two CN Canadian Women’s Tour events and Kirby Dreher of Fort St. John, B.C., who won the final CN Canadian Women’s Tour event of the season. All five ladies also competed at the 2008 CN Canadian Women’s Open in Ottawa.
In the men’s national ranking, Taylor tops the list after a stellar season that saw him earn entry into the U.S Open, as well as the RBC Canadian Open where he finished tied for 53rd. The 21-year old Team Canada member also earned individual runner-up honours at the NCAA Division 1 finals and the World Amateur Team Championships.
Rounding out the top five on the men’s Order of Merit are Eugene Wong, North Vancouver, B.C., who won the B.C. Junior Boys and Men’s Amateur Championships; Calgary native Jordan Irwin who was named to the All-Conference USA First Team and Canada’s World Amateur team; 17-year old Julien Goulet of St Roch de l'Achigan, Que., who won the Graham Cooke Invitational Junior Championship; and 2008 Canadian Men’s Amateur Champion Cam Burke of New Hamburg, Ont.
The National Order of Merit standings recognize season-long achievements and were established to identify Canada’s top amateur golfers. For full Order of Merit standings and points breakdown, please visit www.rcga.org/orderofmerit.
The following are the Top 10 on the Women’s and Men’s 2008 National Orders of Merit:
2008 National Women’s Order of Merit (Top 10)
- Stephanie Sherlock, Barrie, ON 1750.00
- Kira Meixner, Richmond, BC 1522.00
- Maude Aimee Leblanc, Windsor, QC 1517.50
- Sue Kim, Langley, BC 1357.10
- Kirby Dreher, Fort St.John, BC 1059.00
- Sara-Maude Juneau, Fossambault, QC 1032.50
- Caroline Kim, Port Coquitlam, BC 763.00
- Jennifer Kirby, Paris, ON 593.38
- Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Toronto, ON 581.25
- Kristy McLaughlin, Wasaga Beach, ON 577.50
2008 National Men’s Order of Merit (Top 10)
- Nick Taylor, Abbotsford, BC 1410.00
- Eugene Wong, North Vancouver, BC 979.00
- Jordan Irwin, Calgary, AB 946.00
- Julien Goulet, St Roch de l'Achigan, QC 745.25
- Cam Burke, New Hamburg, ON 686.00
- Dave Bunker, Woodbridge, ON 623.75
- Graham Hill, Brights Grove, ON 584.00
- Scott Stiles, Calgary, AB 570.00
- Adam Hadwin, Abbotsford, BC 524.50
- David Markle, Shelburne, ON 484.00
ABOUT THE ROYAL CANADIAN GOLF ASSOCIATIONThe Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA) is the governing body of golf in Canada, representing 377,000 members at 1,600 clubs across the country. Recognized by Sport Canada as the National Sports Organization (NSO) for golf in this country, the RCGA’s mission is to grow participation in and passion for the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. The RCGA conducts programs and services to help shape the future of golf in Canada. High performance athlete development, CN Future Links, Canada’s national junior golf program, turfgrass and environmental research, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, Rules of Golf and amateur status, handicapping and course rating are only some of the initiatives the association leads for golf in Canada. In addition, the RCGA conducts Canada’s most prestigious golf championships. The RBC Canadian Open and CN Canadian Women’s Open attract the best professional golfers in the world, while regional junior and national amateur championships showcase the best in Canadian golf. For further information on what the RCGA is doing to support golf in your community please visit www.rcga.org.
Monday, December 8, 2008
PGA & LPGA Qualifying Schools Final Round Results
The Final Round is complete and playing privileges for 2009 have been established. Here is a look at how the Canadians faired at both the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour qualifying schools.
While the LPGA Tour goes five full 18 hole rounds, the PGA Tour qualify school manages to extend its marathon test to six rounds of golf before awarding the low 20 and low 25 players full time playing privileges respectively on each Tour for the 2009 seasons.
The LPGA Tour was contested in Daytona Beach, Fla and it took a 5 round score of five under par, 355 to make the top 20. The biggest story likely coming out of the LPGA Tour qualifying school was of course Michelle Wie finally 'earning' her way onto the Tour and legitimately into tournaments for 2009. Wie fired a final round two over par 74 to finish T7 well inside the tour card cut line. Personally, we were cheering for her and hope she will use this as a stepping stone to compete against the best women in the world so we can all see what her potential actually is.
Below is a list of how the Canadians finished after the final round was completed Sunday (the 72 hole cut was +2):
- T25 Samatha Richdale, Kelowna, B.C. -3, 357 - Receives partial 2009 LPGA Tour Exemption for finishing in the 21-30th places
- T25 Angela Buzminski, Oshawa, ON -3, 357 - Receives partial 2009 LPGA Tour Exemption for finishing in the 21-30th places
- Missed 72 hole cut - A.J. Eathorne, Penticton, B.C. +3
- Missed 72 hole cut - Cindy Pasechnik, Calgary, AB +7
- Missed 72 hole cut - Jessica Shepley, Oakville, ON +9
- Missed 72 hole cut - Lisa Meldrum, Montreal, PQ +17
- DQ Jennifer Greggain, Chilliwack, B.C.
Click here to view the full LPGA Tour qualifying results from the final round.
The PGA Tour was contested in La Quinta, California and it took a 6 round score of 19 under par, 413 to make the top 25 and earn a full time exemption on the PGA Tour in 2009. Players finishing 18 under par, 414 to 10 under par, 422 earn a full time exemption on the Nationwide Tour in 2009. While none of the Canadian boys made it to the 'big show' we will be well represented on the Nationwide Tour in 2009.
Below is a list of how the Canadians faired after the final round was completed Monday:
- T40 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Bryan DeCorso, Guelph, ON -14, 418
- T53 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Dustin Risdon, Strathmore, Alta. -13, 419
- T70 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Jon Mills, Belleville, ON -11, 421
- T70 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Brennan Webb, Huntsville, ON -11, 421
- T87 Jim Rutledge, Victoria, B.C. -9, 423
- T97 David Hearn, Brantford, ON -8, 424
- T130 Richard Lee, Vancouver, B.C. -4, 428
- 159 Kent Eger, Regina, Sask. +12, 444
Click here to view the full PGA Tour qualifying results from the final round.
Click here to view Round 1's Blog about the Tour Qualifying Schools.
While the LPGA Tour goes five full 18 hole rounds, the PGA Tour qualify school manages to extend its marathon test to six rounds of golf before awarding the low 20 and low 25 players full time playing privileges respectively on each Tour for the 2009 seasons.
The LPGA Tour was contested in Daytona Beach, Fla and it took a 5 round score of five under par, 355 to make the top 20. The biggest story likely coming out of the LPGA Tour qualifying school was of course Michelle Wie finally 'earning' her way onto the Tour and legitimately into tournaments for 2009. Wie fired a final round two over par 74 to finish T7 well inside the tour card cut line. Personally, we were cheering for her and hope she will use this as a stepping stone to compete against the best women in the world so we can all see what her potential actually is.
Below is a list of how the Canadians finished after the final round was completed Sunday (the 72 hole cut was +2):
- T25 Samatha Richdale, Kelowna, B.C. -3, 357 - Receives partial 2009 LPGA Tour Exemption for finishing in the 21-30th places
- T25 Angela Buzminski, Oshawa, ON -3, 357 - Receives partial 2009 LPGA Tour Exemption for finishing in the 21-30th places
- Missed 72 hole cut - A.J. Eathorne, Penticton, B.C. +3
- Missed 72 hole cut - Cindy Pasechnik, Calgary, AB +7
- Missed 72 hole cut - Jessica Shepley, Oakville, ON +9
- Missed 72 hole cut - Lisa Meldrum, Montreal, PQ +17
- DQ Jennifer Greggain, Chilliwack, B.C.
Click here to view the full LPGA Tour qualifying results from the final round.
The PGA Tour was contested in La Quinta, California and it took a 6 round score of 19 under par, 413 to make the top 25 and earn a full time exemption on the PGA Tour in 2009. Players finishing 18 under par, 414 to 10 under par, 422 earn a full time exemption on the Nationwide Tour in 2009. While none of the Canadian boys made it to the 'big show' we will be well represented on the Nationwide Tour in 2009.
Below is a list of how the Canadians faired after the final round was completed Monday:
- T40 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Bryan DeCorso, Guelph, ON -14, 418
- T53 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Dustin Risdon, Strathmore, Alta. -13, 419
- T70 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Jon Mills, Belleville, ON -11, 421
- T70 - Full time Nationwide Tour Exemption - Brennan Webb, Huntsville, ON -11, 421
- T87 Jim Rutledge, Victoria, B.C. -9, 423
- T97 David Hearn, Brantford, ON -8, 424
- T130 Richard Lee, Vancouver, B.C. -4, 428
- 159 Kent Eger, Regina, Sask. +12, 444
Click here to view the full PGA Tour qualifying results from the final round.
Click here to view Round 1's Blog about the Tour Qualifying Schools.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Women’s Golf Month gains momentum in the U.S.
GOLFWEEK STAFF
Boosting women’s participation in golf is a top priority for industry leaders, and they touted a recent success: Participation in the American Express Women’s Golf Month increased 9.2 percent compared with a year ago.
Final results for the event, held in June, were recently tallied by organizers who reported a combined median spend of $3,320 per facility by consumers after participating in Women’s Golf Month activities. In each of its previous three years, the initiative was a week-long event.
More than 105,600 people across the country have been introduced or re-introduced to the game over the past four years during American Express Women’s Golf Month, which premiered in 2005 as Women’s Golf Week.
“We are anticipating an even greater number of courses offering clinics for new players around the country as we celebrate the fifth anniversary in June 2009,” said Anne Lyndrup, director of player development for the National Golf Course Owners Association and leader of the Women’s Golf Month organizers.
Aimed at increasing the participation of women in golf and making learning and playing golf fun, the number of participants has increased each year with a record 37,350 people attending Women’s Golf Month events in 2008. By comparison, in its inaugural year in 2005, Women’s Golf Week was supported by 225 facilities that hosted 9,500 participants.
American Express Women’s Golf Month, part of the national Play Golf America campaign, is coordinated by industry organizations such as the Executive Women’s Golf Association, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the Ladies Professional Golf Association, the National Golf Course Owners Association and the PGA of America.
Boosting women’s participation in golf is a top priority for industry leaders, and they touted a recent success: Participation in the American Express Women’s Golf Month increased 9.2 percent compared with a year ago.
Final results for the event, held in June, were recently tallied by organizers who reported a combined median spend of $3,320 per facility by consumers after participating in Women’s Golf Month activities. In each of its previous three years, the initiative was a week-long event.
More than 105,600 people across the country have been introduced or re-introduced to the game over the past four years during American Express Women’s Golf Month, which premiered in 2005 as Women’s Golf Week.
“We are anticipating an even greater number of courses offering clinics for new players around the country as we celebrate the fifth anniversary in June 2009,” said Anne Lyndrup, director of player development for the National Golf Course Owners Association and leader of the Women’s Golf Month organizers.
Aimed at increasing the participation of women in golf and making learning and playing golf fun, the number of participants has increased each year with a record 37,350 people attending Women’s Golf Month events in 2008. By comparison, in its inaugural year in 2005, Women’s Golf Week was supported by 225 facilities that hosted 9,500 participants.
American Express Women’s Golf Month, part of the national Play Golf America campaign, is coordinated by industry organizations such as the Executive Women’s Golf Association, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the Ladies Professional Golf Association, the National Golf Course Owners Association and the PGA of America.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
PGA Tour Futures At Stake In California
by CanTour Communications John Berkovich
LA QUINTA, Calif. – The 108-hole, six round marathon, otherwise known as PGA TOUR Qualifying School, tees it up for the third and final stage on Wednesday in the California desert with a host of current and former Canadian Tour members in the field.
Current members aiming for a precious TOUR card include Adam Bland, Kent Eger, Steve Friesen, Erik Justesen, Troy Kelly, Jon Mills, Wil Collins, Dustin Risdon, Jim Rutledge, Lee Williamson and Dong Yi.
Former members in the field include Jay Williamson, Brennan Webb, Chris Tidland, Roger Tambellini, Sal Spallone, Ted Purdy, Bryce Molder, Spencer Levin, Kent Jones, David Hearn, Notah Begay III, Michael Bradley, Rodney Butcher, Kris Cox, Glen Day, Brian DeCorso and Scott Dunlap.
Adam Bland, 26, won twice as a rookie on the Canadian Tour in 2007 and has played professional golf around the world. The Australian had six top ten finishes this season.
Kent Eger won the Seaforth Country Classic in record breaking fashion this year, setting a Tour record for lowest overall score.
Steve Friesen has played several Nationwide events and at 31, hopes to earn his PGA TOUR card for the first time.
Erick Justesen recently graduated from the Canadian Tour’s Fall Qualifying School and at 23, appears to have a bright future ahead of him.
Canadian Tour rookie Troy Kelly had three top ten finishes this season after sharing medalist honors at the 2008 California Qualifying School.
Jon Mills won the Canadian Tour Order of Merit in 2003 and has spent the past several years on both the Nationwide and PGA TOUR.
Wil Collins finished second at both the San Luis Potosi Open and the Seaforth Country Classic this season. The 2001 Ben Hogan Award winner has all the tools for a successful golf career.
Dustin Risdon won the ATB Financial Classic just outside Calgary this year, thrilling the hometown fans. In 2007, the laidback Canadian took home the TELUS Edmonton Open for his first Canadian Tour win.
Jim Rutledge and Lee Williamson both have PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour experience and are hoping to move up a level in 2009.
Dong Yi made 8 of 14 cuts this year on the Canadian Tour and has easily advanced through both stages thus far.
Spencer Levin is also in the field. Although the Canadian Tour’s 2007 International Rookie of the Year guaranteed a PGA TOUR card with his 22nd place finish on the 2008 Nationwide Tour money list, the three-time Canadian Tour winner is hoping to move up the exemption ladder.
All players who have qualified for final stage earn at least conditional Nationwide Tour status for 2009.
LA QUINTA, Calif. – The 108-hole, six round marathon, otherwise known as PGA TOUR Qualifying School, tees it up for the third and final stage on Wednesday in the California desert with a host of current and former Canadian Tour members in the field.
Current members aiming for a precious TOUR card include Adam Bland, Kent Eger, Steve Friesen, Erik Justesen, Troy Kelly, Jon Mills, Wil Collins, Dustin Risdon, Jim Rutledge, Lee Williamson and Dong Yi.
Former members in the field include Jay Williamson, Brennan Webb, Chris Tidland, Roger Tambellini, Sal Spallone, Ted Purdy, Bryce Molder, Spencer Levin, Kent Jones, David Hearn, Notah Begay III, Michael Bradley, Rodney Butcher, Kris Cox, Glen Day, Brian DeCorso and Scott Dunlap.
Adam Bland, 26, won twice as a rookie on the Canadian Tour in 2007 and has played professional golf around the world. The Australian had six top ten finishes this season.
Kent Eger won the Seaforth Country Classic in record breaking fashion this year, setting a Tour record for lowest overall score.
Steve Friesen has played several Nationwide events and at 31, hopes to earn his PGA TOUR card for the first time.
Erick Justesen recently graduated from the Canadian Tour’s Fall Qualifying School and at 23, appears to have a bright future ahead of him.
Canadian Tour rookie Troy Kelly had three top ten finishes this season after sharing medalist honors at the 2008 California Qualifying School.
Jon Mills won the Canadian Tour Order of Merit in 2003 and has spent the past several years on both the Nationwide and PGA TOUR.
Wil Collins finished second at both the San Luis Potosi Open and the Seaforth Country Classic this season. The 2001 Ben Hogan Award winner has all the tools for a successful golf career.
Dustin Risdon won the ATB Financial Classic just outside Calgary this year, thrilling the hometown fans. In 2007, the laidback Canadian took home the TELUS Edmonton Open for his first Canadian Tour win.
Jim Rutledge and Lee Williamson both have PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour experience and are hoping to move up a level in 2009.
Dong Yi made 8 of 14 cuts this year on the Canadian Tour and has easily advanced through both stages thus far.
Spencer Levin is also in the field. Although the Canadian Tour’s 2007 International Rookie of the Year guaranteed a PGA TOUR card with his 22nd place finish on the 2008 Nationwide Tour money list, the three-time Canadian Tour winner is hoping to move up the exemption ladder.
All players who have qualified for final stage earn at least conditional Nationwide Tour status for 2009.
Birdie on final hole gives Choi win at Skins Game
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) -- K.J. Choi holed an 11-foot birdie putt worth $270,000 on the 18th hole Sunday to win the 26th LG SKINS GAME with $415,000.
Stephen Ames missed a nine-footer that would have tied the hole and forced the foursome including Phil Mickelson and Rocco Mediate into a playoff.
Instead, Choi's putt gave him $340,000 for Sunday's nine holes and made him the fifth international player to win the title.
"I'm very proud to have won the SKINS GAME, the first time ever for a Korean player," said Choi, who said he watched the SKINS GAME and the Masters growing up in South Korea. "I'm very, very happy today."
Stephen Ames, looking for a third consecutive title in the event, won $250,000 on the first hole of the day with a birdie to finish second. Mickelson was third with $195,000, while Mediate earned his $140,000 with a birdie on the 16th hole.
It is just the seventh time that all four players in the event have won money.
"I thought it was a good day. Everyone was able to win a skin today," Mickelson said. "It was a fun few days. We all would have liked to have gotten the last skin. I just didn't make the putts. I though Stephen and I each had putts to carry over some skins."
Choi started the day with the lead but fell behind Ames on the first hole. Mickelson won $170,000 on the par-4 13th with a tap-in birdie. Choi added $70,000 with a four-foot eagle putt on the 14th hole.
Mediate, frustrated when his long birdie putts were tied by other players three times over the two days, finally broke through with a three-foot birdie putt on the par-3 16th for his $140,000. Again, Ames missed a six-footer that could have tied the hole and carried the money over.
On the 18th, all four players hit the green, but Mediate and Mickelson missed putts from about 11 feet, while Choi made his uphill birdie putt. Putting down the same hill, Ames' putt slipped to the right, giving Choi the title.
LG SKINS GAME
Results from the final nine holes
#10 - 4 - Ames sinks six-foot birdie putt/collects $250,000 (six skins)
#11 - 4 - Hole is halved with birdies by Mediate and Ames
#12 - 3 - Hole is halved with pars by Mediate and Choi
#13 - 4 - Mickelson sinks 18-inch birdie putt/collects $170,000 (three skins)
#14 - 5 - Choi sinks five-foot eagle putt/collects $70,000 (one skin)
#15 - 4 - Hole is halved with pars by Mediate and Mickelson
#16 - 3 - Mediate sinks three-foot birdie putt/collects $140,000 (two skins)
#17 - 4 - Hole is halved with birdies by Ames and Mediate
#18 - 4 - Choi sinks 11-foot birdie putt/collects $270,000 (two skins)
Stephen Ames missed a nine-footer that would have tied the hole and forced the foursome including Phil Mickelson and Rocco Mediate into a playoff.
Instead, Choi's putt gave him $340,000 for Sunday's nine holes and made him the fifth international player to win the title.
"I'm very proud to have won the SKINS GAME, the first time ever for a Korean player," said Choi, who said he watched the SKINS GAME and the Masters growing up in South Korea. "I'm very, very happy today."
Stephen Ames, looking for a third consecutive title in the event, won $250,000 on the first hole of the day with a birdie to finish second. Mickelson was third with $195,000, while Mediate earned his $140,000 with a birdie on the 16th hole.
It is just the seventh time that all four players in the event have won money.
"I thought it was a good day. Everyone was able to win a skin today," Mickelson said. "It was a fun few days. We all would have liked to have gotten the last skin. I just didn't make the putts. I though Stephen and I each had putts to carry over some skins."
Choi started the day with the lead but fell behind Ames on the first hole. Mickelson won $170,000 on the par-4 13th with a tap-in birdie. Choi added $70,000 with a four-foot eagle putt on the 14th hole.
Mediate, frustrated when his long birdie putts were tied by other players three times over the two days, finally broke through with a three-foot birdie putt on the par-3 16th for his $140,000. Again, Ames missed a six-footer that could have tied the hole and carried the money over.
On the 18th, all four players hit the green, but Mediate and Mickelson missed putts from about 11 feet, while Choi made his uphill birdie putt. Putting down the same hill, Ames' putt slipped to the right, giving Choi the title.
LG SKINS GAME
Results from the final nine holes
#10 - 4 - Ames sinks six-foot birdie putt/collects $250,000 (six skins)
#11 - 4 - Hole is halved with birdies by Mediate and Ames
#12 - 3 - Hole is halved with pars by Mediate and Choi
#13 - 4 - Mickelson sinks 18-inch birdie putt/collects $170,000 (three skins)
#14 - 5 - Choi sinks five-foot eagle putt/collects $70,000 (one skin)
#15 - 4 - Hole is halved with pars by Mediate and Mickelson
#16 - 3 - Mediate sinks three-foot birdie putt/collects $140,000 (two skins)
#17 - 4 - Hole is halved with birdies by Ames and Mediate
#18 - 4 - Choi sinks 11-foot birdie putt/collects $270,000 (two skins)
Monday, December 1, 2008
Sweden takes World Cup with dominant final day; Canada finishes T13
SHENZHEN, China (AP) -- Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson of Sweden came from behind Sunday for a three-stroke victory in the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup, shooting a remarkable 9-under 63 to overtake third-round co-leaders Spain and Australia.
Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal finished with a 70 -- three behind. The Australian pair of Richard Green and Brendan Jones slumped to a 76, nine off the pace of Sweden's winning total of 27-under 261 at Mission Hills in southern China.
Ryuji Imada and Toru Taniguchi (68) of Japan also finished nine shots behind with Martin Kaymer and Alex Cjeka (73) of Germany 11 shots back. Defending champion Scotland (72) led by Colin Montomgerie finished on 281 -- 20 behind. Americans Ben Curtis and Brandt Snedeker (73) were 13-under 275.
The Swedes started the day four behind Spain, but notched five brides on the front nine to catch their fellow Europeans at 23-under. Playing a group ahead of Spain, Stenson missed a short birdie putt on 10 that would have put them at 24-under.
However, Sweden pulled into the outright lead with birdies on Nos. 11, 12, 14 and 15 to reach 27-under -- four clear of Spain. Stenson missed a 10-footer on No. 13 that would have extended the lead even further.
The key was mastering the difficult foursomes (alternate shot) format, played Friday and Sunday. In foursomes, teams play only one ball and alternate shots. Fourballs (best ball) is easier. Each golfer plays his own ball and counts the best score on each hole.
Sweden shot 67-63-130 playing foursomes and 65-66-131 playing fourball.
The Swedes were the favorites entering the tournament, and had two of only three players in the field ranked in the top 20. Karlsson, who won the European money title this season, is No. 6 and Stenson is 12th. Spain's Jimenez is ranked 20th.
Each of the leading teams seemed to have a hot day - Germany on Thursday, Spain on Friday and Australia on Saturday.
"I thought it was our turn today," Stenson said.
The victory caps a great season for Karlsson, who won Europe's money title and also had two victories on the European Tour. Stenson is winless this season in individual play.
"I'm starting to run out of tournaments," Stenson said. "This is my third last. So I've got two more to go in South Africa. But winning for Sweden in nice. It's been a while."
Australia had bogeys on two of the first six holes and was never in the running for the title.
"Things didn't happen for us early," Jones said. "We were just making little mistakes, which we had not made the first three days. ... It's a different golf course coming from the rough." The Australians complained earlier in the week that coverage of their play was being ignored back home - partly because the top two Australians -- Geoff Ogilvy and Adam Scott -- declined invitations to play in the event.
Spain has won the event four times, the last in 1984 with Jose Maria Canizares and Jose
Rivero. Sweden's only other victory was in 1991 with Per-Ulrik Johansson and Anders Forsbrand.
All four days were played in perfect, warm conditions with a light breeze stirring through the hilly, tree-lined course designed by two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal. The rolling layout would look familiar anywhere. Only a 100-foot-high stone statue of Guanyin along the 18th fairway -- a Chinese female goddess with Buddhist origins -- suggests the club's location.
The Swedes split $1.7 million in prize money, a big chunk of the $5.5 million purse. Despite the global economic downturn, the purse offered by sponsor OMEGA was 10 percent above last year.
This year's event was the second of a 12-year contract at Mission Hills, the sprawling golf estate that boasts the world's largest layout with 216 holes.
Dating from 1953, almost every great player has won the event -- Palmer, Nicklaus, Hogan, Snead, Woods and Ballesteros. Though it's still failing to attract a top field, it's being given an economic boost by its sponsor and Mission Hills chairman and founder Dr. David Chu.
Chu has made the top 10 in one magazine's list of the most powerful people in golf.
Final leaderboard
Scores after Sunday's fourth round of the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup at the 7,251-yard, par-72 Mission Hills Golf Club:
Finish
Team/Country
Scores
1 Robert Karlsson-Henrik Stenson, Sweden 65-67-66-63-261
2 Miguel Angel Jimenez-Pablo Larrazabal, Spain 64-63-67-70-264
T3 Brendan Jones-Richard Green, Australia 63-68-63-76-270
T3 Ryuji Imada-Toru Taniguchi, Japan 66-68-68-68-270
5 Martin Kaymer-Alex Cejka, Germany 62-69-68-73-272
6 Ian Poulter-Ross Fisher, England 69-74-63-67-273
T7 Prayad Marksaeng-Thongchai Jaidee, Thailand 69-73-64-68-274
T7 Rory Sabbatini-Richard Sterne, South Africa 70-70-67-67-274
9 Ben Curtis-Brandt Snedeker, United States 64-69-69-73-275
T10 Gregory Bourdy-Gregory Havret, France 68-75-62-71-276
T10 Marciano Pucay-Angelo Que, Philippines 67-72-65-72-276
T10 Felipe Aguilar-Mark Tullo, Chile 67-76-66-67-276
T13 Soren Hansen-Anders Hansen, Denmark 65-75-64-73-277
T13 Wes Heffernan-Graham Delaet, Canada 64-71-69-73-277
T13 Tiago Cruz-Ricardo Santos, Portugal 67-73-67-70-277
16 Graeme McDowell-Paul McGinley, Ireland 65-68-68-77-278
T17 Jyoti Randhawa-Jeev Milkha Singh, India 67-72-70-71-280
T17 Liang Wenchong-Zhang Lianwei, China 69-75-64-72-280
T19 Edoardo Molinari-Francesco Molinari, Italy 70-73-64-74-281
T19 Colin Montgomerie-Alastair Forsyth, Scotland 68-73-68-72-281
21 Mikko Korhonen-Roope Kakko, Finland 69-70-68-75-282
T22 David Smail-Mark Brown, New Zealand 65-75-68-75-283
T22 Pablo Acuna-Alejandro Villavicenc, Guatemala 69-76-66-72-283
24 Lu Wen-teh and Lin Wen-tang, Taiwan 68-74-69-72-284
25 Bradley Dredge-Richard Johnson, Wales 69-77-68-71-285
26 Kim Hyung-tae, Bae Sang-moon, South Korea 68-70-71-78-287
27 Oscar Serna-Daniel DeLeon, Mexico 66-77-71-74-288
28 Miguel Martinez-Raul Sanz, Venezuela 71-74-75-74-294
Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal finished with a 70 -- three behind. The Australian pair of Richard Green and Brendan Jones slumped to a 76, nine off the pace of Sweden's winning total of 27-under 261 at Mission Hills in southern China.
Ryuji Imada and Toru Taniguchi (68) of Japan also finished nine shots behind with Martin Kaymer and Alex Cjeka (73) of Germany 11 shots back. Defending champion Scotland (72) led by Colin Montomgerie finished on 281 -- 20 behind. Americans Ben Curtis and Brandt Snedeker (73) were 13-under 275.
The Swedes started the day four behind Spain, but notched five brides on the front nine to catch their fellow Europeans at 23-under. Playing a group ahead of Spain, Stenson missed a short birdie putt on 10 that would have put them at 24-under.
However, Sweden pulled into the outright lead with birdies on Nos. 11, 12, 14 and 15 to reach 27-under -- four clear of Spain. Stenson missed a 10-footer on No. 13 that would have extended the lead even further.
The key was mastering the difficult foursomes (alternate shot) format, played Friday and Sunday. In foursomes, teams play only one ball and alternate shots. Fourballs (best ball) is easier. Each golfer plays his own ball and counts the best score on each hole.
Sweden shot 67-63-130 playing foursomes and 65-66-131 playing fourball.
The Swedes were the favorites entering the tournament, and had two of only three players in the field ranked in the top 20. Karlsson, who won the European money title this season, is No. 6 and Stenson is 12th. Spain's Jimenez is ranked 20th.
Each of the leading teams seemed to have a hot day - Germany on Thursday, Spain on Friday and Australia on Saturday.
"I thought it was our turn today," Stenson said.
The victory caps a great season for Karlsson, who won Europe's money title and also had two victories on the European Tour. Stenson is winless this season in individual play.
"I'm starting to run out of tournaments," Stenson said. "This is my third last. So I've got two more to go in South Africa. But winning for Sweden in nice. It's been a while."
Australia had bogeys on two of the first six holes and was never in the running for the title.
"Things didn't happen for us early," Jones said. "We were just making little mistakes, which we had not made the first three days. ... It's a different golf course coming from the rough." The Australians complained earlier in the week that coverage of their play was being ignored back home - partly because the top two Australians -- Geoff Ogilvy and Adam Scott -- declined invitations to play in the event.
Spain has won the event four times, the last in 1984 with Jose Maria Canizares and Jose
Rivero. Sweden's only other victory was in 1991 with Per-Ulrik Johansson and Anders Forsbrand.
All four days were played in perfect, warm conditions with a light breeze stirring through the hilly, tree-lined course designed by two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal. The rolling layout would look familiar anywhere. Only a 100-foot-high stone statue of Guanyin along the 18th fairway -- a Chinese female goddess with Buddhist origins -- suggests the club's location.
The Swedes split $1.7 million in prize money, a big chunk of the $5.5 million purse. Despite the global economic downturn, the purse offered by sponsor OMEGA was 10 percent above last year.
This year's event was the second of a 12-year contract at Mission Hills, the sprawling golf estate that boasts the world's largest layout with 216 holes.
Dating from 1953, almost every great player has won the event -- Palmer, Nicklaus, Hogan, Snead, Woods and Ballesteros. Though it's still failing to attract a top field, it's being given an economic boost by its sponsor and Mission Hills chairman and founder Dr. David Chu.
Chu has made the top 10 in one magazine's list of the most powerful people in golf.
Final leaderboard
Scores after Sunday's fourth round of the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup at the 7,251-yard, par-72 Mission Hills Golf Club:
Finish
Team/Country
Scores
1 Robert Karlsson-Henrik Stenson, Sweden 65-67-66-63-261
2 Miguel Angel Jimenez-Pablo Larrazabal, Spain 64-63-67-70-264
T3 Brendan Jones-Richard Green, Australia 63-68-63-76-270
T3 Ryuji Imada-Toru Taniguchi, Japan 66-68-68-68-270
5 Martin Kaymer-Alex Cejka, Germany 62-69-68-73-272
6 Ian Poulter-Ross Fisher, England 69-74-63-67-273
T7 Prayad Marksaeng-Thongchai Jaidee, Thailand 69-73-64-68-274
T7 Rory Sabbatini-Richard Sterne, South Africa 70-70-67-67-274
9 Ben Curtis-Brandt Snedeker, United States 64-69-69-73-275
T10 Gregory Bourdy-Gregory Havret, France 68-75-62-71-276
T10 Marciano Pucay-Angelo Que, Philippines 67-72-65-72-276
T10 Felipe Aguilar-Mark Tullo, Chile 67-76-66-67-276
T13 Soren Hansen-Anders Hansen, Denmark 65-75-64-73-277
T13 Wes Heffernan-Graham Delaet, Canada 64-71-69-73-277
T13 Tiago Cruz-Ricardo Santos, Portugal 67-73-67-70-277
16 Graeme McDowell-Paul McGinley, Ireland 65-68-68-77-278
T17 Jyoti Randhawa-Jeev Milkha Singh, India 67-72-70-71-280
T17 Liang Wenchong-Zhang Lianwei, China 69-75-64-72-280
T19 Edoardo Molinari-Francesco Molinari, Italy 70-73-64-74-281
T19 Colin Montgomerie-Alastair Forsyth, Scotland 68-73-68-72-281
21 Mikko Korhonen-Roope Kakko, Finland 69-70-68-75-282
T22 David Smail-Mark Brown, New Zealand 65-75-68-75-283
T22 Pablo Acuna-Alejandro Villavicenc, Guatemala 69-76-66-72-283
24 Lu Wen-teh and Lin Wen-tang, Taiwan 68-74-69-72-284
25 Bradley Dredge-Richard Johnson, Wales 69-77-68-71-285
26 Kim Hyung-tae, Bae Sang-moon, South Korea 68-70-71-78-287
27 Oscar Serna-Daniel DeLeon, Mexico 66-77-71-74-288
28 Miguel Martinez-Raul Sanz, Venezuela 71-74-75-74-294
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