Tour golfer update
Accenture Match Play Championship
After washing out the Nissan Open, the rain managed to give the organizers of the WGC Match Play Championship a few headaches. But at least they completed all the matches.
In the event, the much-awaited showdowns between the leaders of the world rankings never happened. Instead, David Toms defeated Chris DiMarco in a rather one-sided final, 6 and 5. Earlier in the tournament, Messers Singh, Woods and Mickelson were put out by Jay Haas, Nick O'Hern and Toms respectively.
Elsewhere in the world...
While the cat's away, the mice will play. With the top players enjoying the cut and thrust of Match Play, those lower down the rankings had the chance to pick up a few dollars and points at the Chrysler Classic of Tucson.
Geoff Ogilvy made the most of his moment, winning a playoff against Kevin Na and Mark Calcavecchia, over $500,000 and his first title on the PGA Tour.
The LPGA Tour finally kicked off for 2005 at the SBS Open at Turtle Bay. All eyes were on a possible duel between youngsters Michelle Wie and Paula Creamer. Wie won that one, finishing T2 to Creamer's T40. The tournament went to Jennifer Rosales, who coped best with windy conditions.
On the Champions Tour, it was a return to normal service, as Hale Irwin took home the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am for his second win this year.
Monday, February 28, 2005
After washing out the Nissan Open, the rain managed to give the organizers of the WGC Match Play Championship a few headaches. But at least they completed all the matches.
In the event, the much-awaited showdowns between the leaders of the world rankings never happened. Instead, David Toms defeated Chris DiMarco in a rather one-sided final, 6 and 5. Earlier in the tournament, Messers Singh, Woods and Mickelson were put out by Jay Haas, Nick O'Hern and Toms respectively.
Elsewhere in the world...
While the cat's away, the mice will play. With the top players enjoying the cut and thrust of Match Play, those lower down the rankings had the chance to pick up a few dollars and points at the Chrysler Classic of Tucson.
Geoff Ogilvy made the most of his moment, winning a playoff against Kevin Na and Mark Calcavecchia, over $500,000 and his first title on the PGA Tour.
The LPGA Tour finally kicked off for 2005 at the SBS Open at Turtle Bay. All eyes were on a possible duel between youngsters Michelle Wie and Paula Creamer. Wie won that one, finishing T2 to Creamer's T40. The tournament went to Jennifer Rosales, who coped best with windy conditions.
On the Champions Tour, it was a return to normal service, as Hale Irwin took home the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am for his second win this year.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Nissan Open
The PGA Tour schedules the tournaments nicely to keep one step ahead of the weather. But it doesn't always work, and the Nissan Open proved to be mostly a washout, with rounds 3 and 4 cancelled.
A shame, too, as it was gearing up for some nice storylines after round 2. Colin Montgomerie was right up there tied for fifth and looking for his first US win. Q-school winner Brian Davis was tied for third. And there was much hope for one of those Tiger runs, with Woods just four strokes off the lead.
In the end, it came down to a playoff between the two round 2 leaders Chad Campbell and Adam Scott, which the latter won. He took home official prize money, but not an official tournament win (that's the rules when play is reduced to 36 holes).
With all the world's rain seemingly centered on California, the other top tournaments passed by without a glitch.
On the Champions Tour, Mark James won the ACE Group Classic, edging Hale Irwin and Tom Wargo by two shots.
On the European Tour's tour of the world, Thongchai Jaidee repeated his victory of last year in the Carlsberg Malaysian Open.
Monday, February 21, 2005
The PGA Tour schedules the tournaments nicely to keep one step ahead of the weather. But it doesn't always work, and the Nissan Open proved to be mostly a washout, with rounds 3 and 4 cancelled.
A shame, too, as it was gearing up for some nice storylines after round 2. Colin Montgomerie was right up there tied for fifth and looking for his first US win. Q-school winner Brian Davis was tied for third. And there was much hope for one of those Tiger runs, with Woods just four strokes off the lead.
In the end, it came down to a playoff between the two round 2 leaders Chad Campbell and Adam Scott, which the latter won. He took home official prize money, but not an official tournament win (that's the rules when play is reduced to 36 holes).
With all the world's rain seemingly centered on California, the other top tournaments passed by without a glitch.
On the Champions Tour, Mark James won the ACE Group Classic, edging Hale Irwin and Tom Wargo by two shots.
On the European Tour's tour of the world, Thongchai Jaidee repeated his victory of last year in the Carlsberg Malaysian Open.
Monday, February 21, 2005
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
It was the day of the lefthanders on Sunday, as Phil Mickelson and Mike Weir took the two top spots at the tournament.
The field wasn't the strongest you'll see this year, but you can only beat what's in front of you. And Mickelson did just that, even threatening to lap the field when he led by as many as nine strokes early in the final round.
The season is certainly shaping up for some major confrontations between the big four. Although Vijay Singh isn't following the script right now...failing to make the cut in this tournament.
Elsewhere on the leaderboard, it was nice to see Paul Goydos do well, coming in T4, after missing most of last season on medical grounds. And Tim Clark got a lot of votes in our 2004 poll for the fan-friendliest male golfer, so nobody will begrudge him sharing that 4th place with Goydos.
Elsewhere in the world, the inaugural Women's World Cup of Golf returned Japan, Korea and the Philippines in first to third place. The United States finished 14th, just behind Finland.
In "Europe", Niclas Fasth won the Holden New Zealand Open in a playoff with Miles Tunnicliff. The latter's ball hit a young girl on the first playoff hole, sending her to hospital on a stretcher.
Monday, February 14, 2005
It was the day of the lefthanders on Sunday, as Phil Mickelson and Mike Weir took the two top spots at the tournament.
The field wasn't the strongest you'll see this year, but you can only beat what's in front of you. And Mickelson did just that, even threatening to lap the field when he led by as many as nine strokes early in the final round.
The season is certainly shaping up for some major confrontations between the big four. Although Vijay Singh isn't following the script right now...failing to make the cut in this tournament.
Elsewhere on the leaderboard, it was nice to see Paul Goydos do well, coming in T4, after missing most of last season on medical grounds. And Tim Clark got a lot of votes in our 2004 poll for the fan-friendliest male golfer, so nobody will begrudge him sharing that 4th place with Goydos.
Elsewhere in the world, the inaugural Women's World Cup of Golf returned Japan, Korea and the Philippines in first to third place. The United States finished 14th, just behind Finland.
In "Europe", Niclas Fasth won the Holden New Zealand Open in a playoff with Miles Tunnicliff. The latter's ball hit a young girl on the first playoff hole, sending her to hospital on a stretcher.
Monday, February 14, 2005
FBR Open
Sunday's plaudits went to long-time local resident Phil Mickelson, who walked away with the tournament and $936,000 with a Tiger-like 5 stroke win over his nearest rival.
Mickelson's victory is his first since the Masters, and sets up the rest of the year for a 4-way battle for the Player of the Year award between him and the other members of the big 4: Singh, Woods and Els.
In all the excitement over Leftie's victory, it's worth noting Kevin Na's performance. He finished tied for second with Scott McCarron, which is pretty good for a 21-year old.
Elsewhere in the golfing world, Craig Parry won the European Tour's Heineken Classic in Australia, beating Nick O'Hern on the fourth hole of a playoff.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Sunday's plaudits went to long-time local resident Phil Mickelson, who walked away with the tournament and $936,000 with a Tiger-like 5 stroke win over his nearest rival.
Mickelson's victory is his first since the Masters, and sets up the rest of the year for a 4-way battle for the Player of the Year award between him and the other members of the big 4: Singh, Woods and Els.
In all the excitement over Leftie's victory, it's worth noting Kevin Na's performance. He finished tied for second with Scott McCarron, which is pretty good for a 21-year old.
Elsewhere in the golfing world, Craig Parry won the European Tour's Heineken Classic in Australia, beating Nick O'Hern on the fourth hole of a playoff.
Monday, February 07, 2005
