Jiyai Shin wins Wegmans LPGA by 7 strokes
June 28, 2009
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP)—Jiyai Shin dedicates each one of her golf victories—make that five in 11 months—to her mother.
The 21-year-old South Korean star, whose mother was killed in a car crash in2004, shot a 1-under 71 on Sunday to win the Wegmans LPGA by seven strokes witha 17-under 271. It was the biggest margin of victory at the tricky, tree-linedLocust Hill course since Patty Sheehan beat Nancy Lopez by nine strokes in 1992.
“I have my mother’s picture in my course book,” Shin said proudly afterpicking up a $300,000 prize that vaulted her to the top of the money list aboveCristie Kerr, In-Kyung Kim and Lorena Ochoa with $1 million.
Kristy McPherson and Yani Tseng each shot a 66, the day’s best score, tosurge into a second-place tie at 10 under. One behind were Japan’s Mika Miyazato(71) and rookies Haeji Kang (71) of South Korea and Stacy Lewis (74), the formerNCAA champion from Arkansas.
First-round leader Sandra Gal (74) of Germany bogeyed the last hole to dropinto a four-way tie for seventh place at 8 under with Kerr (69), MeaghanFrancella (70) and Sun Young Yoo (73).
“I have a lot of tournaments” left to play this year and “maybe I trymore wins,” Shin said. “Still, my goal is rookie of the year.”
Jiyai Shin, of South Korea, ra… AP – Jun 28, 6:57 pm EDT
Shin lengthened her lead over Michelle Wie in the rookie of the yearstandings to 405 points. She also jumped from fourth to first in the RolexPlayer of the Year rankings with 90 points, nine ahead of Kerr.
Shin carried a four-stroke lead into the final round in the Rochester suburbof Pittsford. She never looked in danger of being caught, even when she pickedup two straight bogeys near the close as a downpour produced a flurry of errors.
The $2 million tournament drew 18 of the season’s top 20 money winners.Ochoa, the world’s top-ranked player, and Suzann Pettersen, the runner-up herelast June, were among the absentees.
A multiple winner on the Korean tour, Shin became the first non-LPGA memberto win three events when she reeled in the Women’s British Open last August. Shefollowed with late-season wins in the Mizuno Classic and ADT Championship and,in March, captured the HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore for her first victoryas a tour member.
Shin rolled in an 8-foot birdie putt on No. 1, saved par from 20 feet on No.6 but picked up her first of three bogeys on the next hole when her 7-foot puttcurled left at the cup. She made amends from the same distance for a birdie onthe par-5 No. 8.
Morgan Pressel closed the gap to four strokes with an 8-foot birdie puttbefore the turn, but Shin’s lead swelled to six when she birdied No. 10 from 12feet.
Shin faltered with bogeys on No. 13—where Pressel’s prospects vanishedwith a triple bogey—and on No. 14, where she missed a 4-foot putt. But shebirdied from 9 feet on No. 17.
Lewis, who tied for third at the U.S. Women’s Open last summer, reached 13under at No. 13 but slumped with four bogeys on the last six holes.
“I played well this week but right now it’s pretty tough to take,” Lewissaid.
Tiger Woods’ niece, Cheyenne Woods, made her professional golf debut butmissed the cut by four strokes. Play was delayed for three hours Thursday andnearly five hours Friday. After a sunny interlude Saturday, rain fell steadilyover the last three hours of play.
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Golf-Winners of Travelers Championship (Reuters)
June 28, 2009
June 28 (Reuters) – Winners of the Travelers Championshipsince it was first held as the Greater Hartford OpenInvitational in 1967, following victory by American Kenny Perryin Cromwell, Connecticut, on Sunday (U.S. unless stated):
2009 Kenny Perry
2008 Stewart Cink
2007 Hunter Mahan
2006 Ben Curtis
2005 Brad Faxon
2004 Woody Austin
2003 Peter Jacobsen
2002 Phil Mickelson
2001 Mickelson
2000 Notah Begay III
1999 Brent Geiberger
1998 Olin Browne
1997 Stewart Cink
1996 D.A. Weibring
1995 Greg Norman (Australia)
1994 David Frost (South Africa)
1993 Nick Price (Zimbabwe)
1992 Lanny Wadkins
1991 Billy Ray Brown
1990 Wayne Levi
1989 Paul Azinger
1988 Mark Brooks
1987 Azinger
1986 Mac O’Grady
1985 Phil Blackmar
1984 Jacobsen
1983 Curtis Strange
1982 Tim Norris
1981 Hubert Green
1980 Howard Twitty
1979 Jerry McGee
1978 Rod Funseth
1977 Bill Kratzert
1976 Rik Massengale
1975 Don Bies
1974 Dave Stockton
1973 Billy Casper
1972 Lee Trevino
1971 George Archer
1970 Bob Murphy
1969 Bob Lunn
1968 Casper
1967 Charlie Sifford (Compiled by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by EdOsmond; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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Golf-Perry seals River Highlands win with flawless 63 (Reuters)
June 28, 2009
* Perry holds off Toms and Goydos
* Hot putting display earns 14th PGA Tour title
* U.S. Open champion Glover signs off with a 65
(updates after Perry wins tournament, adds quote)
NEW YORK, June 28 (Reuters) – Kenny Perry held off latecharges by fellow Americans David Toms and Paul Goydos with asuperb putting display to win the Travelers Championship bythree shots in Cromwell, Connecticut on Sunday.
The 48-year-old, who began the final round a stroke off thepace, fired a flawless seven-under-par 63 at the rain-softenedTPC River Highlands to clinch his 14th PGA Tour title.
Perry, who needed only 25 putts, birdied four of the lastnine holes on a sun-drenched afternoon to set a tournamentrecord total of 22-under 258.
“It’s hard to talk right now,” an emotional Perry said in agreenside interview after parring the last and raising both armsin celebration before removing his cap.
Toms birdied two of the last four holes for a 65 to finishin a tie for second with 54-hole leader Goydos, who closed witha 67.
American Hunter Mahan, the 2007 champion, signed off with a64 to share fourth place at 17 under with compatriots Ben Curtis(65) and Ryan Moore (64).
A stroke behind the pacesetting Goydos overnight, Perry tookcontrol with three birdies in the first eight holes.
TWO-SHOT SWING
He benefited from a two-shot swing with his birdie at thepar-three eighth after playing partner Goydos bogeyed the holewhen three-putting from 28 feet.
Two ahead of the chasing pack at the turn, Perry tightenedhis grip with further birdies on 10 and 11 where he drainedputts from 16 and 28 feet.
He lipped out with a long-range birdie attempt at the 14thbefore sinking an 11-footer at the 15th to forge three strokesclear.
Although Toms cut the deficit to two with a birdie at thepar-three 16th, Perry responded at the par-four 17th, hitting aseven-iron approach to eight feet and nervelessly holing theputt.
Goydos covered the last four holes in four under aftereagling the 15th but was left to rue missed birdie putts frominside eight feet at the ninth and 17th.
American Lucas Glover, surprise winner of theweather-delayed U.S. Open on Monday, fired a second successive65 to tie for 11th at 14 under.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing byDave Thompson; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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Round 4: Travelers Championship (PGATOUR.com)
June 28, 2009
PERRY SETS NEW SCORING RECORD FOR TPC RIVER HIGHLANDS (6:02 p.m.)—Kenny Perry's final-round 63 gave him a total of 258, which breaks the 72-hole scoring record for TPC River Highlands:
PGATOUR.COM Instant AccessTravelers Championship PGATOUR.COM's The Live Report has all the news and notes from the Travelers Championship, and we'll be providing updates from TPC River Highlands all day long for each round, so check back often. (All timestamps are Eastern Time.) PGA TOUR Shot Tracker | Live Scoring | PGA TOUR Network | Facebook | Twitter | FanZone Lowest 72-hole scores at TPC River Highlands Year Player Score Under Par 2009 Kenny Perry 258 22 under 2000 Notah Begay 260 20 under 2000 Mark Calcavecchia 261 19 under 1999 Brent Geiberger 262 18 under 2008 Stewart Cink 262 19 under
PERRY NOTCHES 14TH CAREER WIN, TAKES FEDEXCUP LEAD (5:56 p.m.)—Kenny Perry easily parred the 72nd hole for a 63, his second win of the year, and his first win in Hartford after 21 years of trying.
Perry's victory of worth 500 points, pushing him into the FedExCup points lead. The victory also makes him a virtual lock for the Presidents Cup team in Harding Park this fall.
Here is a look at Perry's scorecard:
PERRY BIRDIES THE 17TH FOR A THREE-SHOT LEAD (5:42 p.m.)—Kenny Perry rolled in a seven-footer to move to 22 under. With David Toms looking at a likely par on No. 18, it appears that Perry can seal the victory even if he double bogeys the final hole.
GOYDOS BIRDIES, MOVES INTO SOLO THIRD (5:30 p.m.)—Paul Goydos hit his tee shot to seven feet and made the putt, putting him one back of David Toms and three back of Kenny Perry. Perry easily parred the 16th after a safe two-putt.
Goydos is the only player today to go eagle, birdie on the 15th and 16th holes.
TOMS MAKES HIS BIRDIE ON NO. 16 (5:20 p.m.)—David Toms sank his 10-foot putt for birdie on No. 16 to get to 19 under, but Perry birdied the 15th hole to get to 21 under.
GOYDOS EAGLES DURING LIVE@ (5:18 p.m.)—Paul Goydos still only has one birdie all day, but the veteran just picked up two shots with one brilliant putt from off the fringe on the par-4 15th.
Goydos hit a big drive onto the green at No. 15, but his ball rolled into the fringe. Goydos had his caddie take out the flagstick, and Goydos rammed the putt into the hole for fourth eagle of the year.
TOMS CUTS PERRY'S LEAD TO TWO (5:15 p.m.)—David Toms just hit his approach on No. 16 to 10 feet. If he can birdie that hole, it would move him to 19 under, one back of Kenny Perry.
Toms has made only one bogey all week. He's hit every fairway today and has missed only one green.
RYAN MOORE IN THE CLUBHOUSE AT 17 UNDER (5:10 p.m.)—It probably won't be good enough to win, but Ryan Moore closed out a brilliant, bogey-free 64 with a birdie on the final hole. Moore rolled in a 36-footer for birdie on the 18th, which has given up just four birdies all day.
The final hole is averaging 4.226 in the final round, making it the toughest hole on the course. It hardly seems like the hole that Hunter Mahan birdied twice on Sunday—once in regulation, once in a playoff—to win in 2007.
VERPLANK: EXPECT THE FINAL HOLES TO BE TOUGH ON LEADERS (5 p.m.)—We're still about an hour away from conclusion of the Travelers Championship, and while it might appear that Kenny Perry has this thing in the bag, Scott Verplank thinks the final two holes could still make a difference.
Verplank, who shot 62 earlier today, had this to say about the closing holes:
"Well, you know, 15 is what it is. There are going to be big swings there, but the longer guys can get there. I couldn't get there, but long guys can. 16 is your last really good birdie opportunity. Playing down wind.
"The pin's in a pretty accessible front spot. And then 17 and 18, you know, are with the wind in your face. They're a little more difficult holes."
MAHAN MOVES TO 17 UNDER (4:51 p.m.)—Hunter Mahan just rolled in a 16-footer for birdie on the par-3 16th. He's still three shots behind Kenny Perry.
MAHAN MOVES INTO A TIE FOR THIRD (4:35 p.m.)—Hunter Mahan has finished second, first and second here the last three years, and it appears he's got an excellent shot at keeping that streak alive.
Mahan has birdied the 12th, 13th and 14th holes, moving him to 5 under on the day and 16 under for the week, one shot behind second place John Merrick (17 under).
Mahan now heads to our LIVE@ coverage on the 15th hole. He's two under on this hole through the first three rounds.
THIS IS TURNING INTO A ROUT (4:13 p.m.)—Kenny Perry now holds a four-shot lead after rolling in a 28-footer for birdie on the par-3 11th—it's his third birdie in the last four holes. Goydos parred the hole and remains tied for fourth at 15 under.
"Goydos said yesterday someone could come from five back with four to play. Well, he's five back of Perry on 12 right now," Brian Wacker just Tweeted.
TWEETS AS LEADERS MAKE THE TURN (4:07 p.m.)—Our Brian Wacker these updates:
"Another birdie for Kenny Perry after hitting it to 16 feet and hole high at 10. Goydos makes another bogey, sliding it by."
"Bad mojo for PG. After that missed putt, he pulled his tee shot into the trees left on 10. All he could do was chase it near the green."
"Things must be a little stormy in Sunshine Paul Goydos' world after missing the putt on 9. Golden chance to get one back as they go to back."
VERPLANK IN THE CLUBHOUSE AFTER A 62 (3:45 p.m.)—Scott Verplank missed a 16-footer for birdie at the 18th hole that would have tied the course record. He went for it, too: Verplank blew the putt four feet past but made his comebacker for par.
His 8 under 62 is the low round of the day (naturally) and is Verplank's lowest round of the year by three shots.
Verplank's career low round is 61, which came at TPC River Highlands in 2001.
The finish virtually assures Verplank his first top-10 finish since the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, where he was fourth.
Here is a look at his scorecard:
TWO-SHOT SWING AT NO. 8 (3:36 p.m.)—Kenny Perry just hit a mid-iron stiff at the 199-yard eighth (), while Paul Goydos missed the green and failed to get up and down.
Perry has absolutely killed the eighth hole this week at TPC River Highlands:
Trip deuces Final Round Birdie Round 3 Birdie Round 2 Par Round 1 Birdie
MORE COURSE RECORD NEWS (3:31 p.m.)—Scott Verplank is the latest player with a chance to shoot 61 today. He's 8 under on his round after a birdie during our LIVE@ coverage on No. 17.
GOYDOS, PERRY TIED AGAIN (3:25 p.m.)—Kenny Perry's lead lasted all of 10 minutes. Paul Goydos poured in a 40-footer for birdie on No. 7 to get to 17 under.
As always we'll upload videos as they happen as post them to our . For video of Perry's birdie on the second hole today, .
NEW LEADER (3:15 p.m.)—Kenny Perry just birdied the par-5 fifth after getting up and down from the bunker. He's the first player to hit 17 under. Paul Goydos remains at 16 under after his fifth par to start the day.
CBS IS ON THE AIR (3:01 p.m.)—Jim Nantz has just opened the broadcast with shots of Lucas Glover (he's 2 under today) and Kenny Perry.
LIVE@ COVERAGE IN FULL SWING (2:58 p.m.)—This tournament promises to go down to the final shot, and our exclusive video stream has been at the 15th and 17th holes all week to document the action.
The pin on the driveable 15th hole is in almost the same spot—back left—as Thursday.
To watch LIVE@, .
WATSON FINISHES BOGEY, PAR (2:50 p.m.)—Bubba Watson's spirited run at the course record ended when he missed the 17th green and failed to get up-and-down, but he's still in the clubhouse at 13 under. Will it be good enough to remain in the top 10? The way guys are scoring so far, it might not hold up.
But a 63 is a 63 any way you look at it. This was the third time this year Bubba's shot 63 or better—he shot a 63 and a 62 (his career low) at the The 50th Bob Hope Classic hosted by Arnold Palmer in January.
Here is a look at Watson's scorecard:
THE GREATEST PITCHER ON EARTH? (2:40 p.m.)—Sandy Koufax played in the pro-am at the Travelers Championship on Wednesday, but it's another great pitcher, Paul Goydos, who has a shot at winning today.
Goydos is one of the best on TOUR with a wedge from 50 yards in, and he just showed us why. As our Brian Wacker (see below), Goydos clipped a tree on the par-4 third hole and had to pitch out, leaving him 40 yards to the green.
Goydos expertly clipped a pitch to three feet to keep a share of the lead with Kenny Perry at 16 under. It's no wonder: Goydos is 14th on TOUR when he has to scramble for par from more than 30 yards out, and when the distance is between 50 and 75 yards, he's especially deadly. That is the main reason he's so good on short par-4s and long par-5s.
Here is a look at Goydos' stats from 50 to 75 yards this year:
PGA TOUR leaders from 50 to 75 yards Rank Rank last week Player Rounds Avg. Distance 1 1 Rick Price 34 5' 4" 2 2 Luke Donald 47 8' 8" 3 3 Jason Gore 40 9' 0" 4 4 Paul Goydos 41 9' 3" 5 5 Kent Jones 41 9' 5" 6 6 Aron Price 50 9' 7" 7 7 Matt Weibring 33 9' 10" T8 T8 Padraig Harrington 38 10' 5" T8 T8 John Rollins 56 10' 5" T8 T8 Nick Watney 50 10' 5"
TWITTER UPDATE (2:30 p.m.)—We gave our Brian Wacker just enough time to grab a bite to eat before sending him back out on the course to follow Paul Goydos and Kenny Perry, where . Some of his early tidbits:
"Goydos' tee shot on 3 was so far left it hit a tree and got knocked down short of the fairway and he couldn't reach the green."
"The breeze has picked up considerably and could play a role on one of the shortest courses on TOUR. Not for Perry though; birdie to tie lead."
"Lots of love for Kenny Perry as he makes his way down 2 and good conversation between he and Goydos, talking economy and other things."
WATSON NEEDS ONE MORE BIRDIE TO TIE COURSE RECORD (2:22 p.m.)—Bubba Watson just hit it to 12 feet on the par-3 16th and made the putt for his eighth birdie of the day, giving him an outside chance to shoot 60 and break the course record of 61, which is held by four players.
THAT'S ONE WAY TO GET A COUPLE SHOTS BACK (2:10 p.m.)—John Merrick's day didn't start too well—he bogeyed the first hole to fall back to 12 under, four shots behind Paul Goydos.
Merrick then holed his pitch shot on the short par-4 second hole from 62 yards out. The eagle moves back to 14 under and in a tie for third with David Toms and Ben Curtis. Curtis birdied his first two holes today.
THE LEADERS HIT THE COURSE; FOLLOW WITH SHOT TRACKER (2:01 p.m.)—The final group of Paul Goydos and Kenny Perry are on the first hole at TPC River Highlands.
Follow this group all day with Shot Tracker by .
BUBBA STILL REELING OFF BIRDIES (1:39 p.m)—With the leaders minutes away from teeing off, Bubba Watson has packed on two more birdies to get to 7 under for the day and 13 under for the week.
Bubba actually had a good eagle try on the short par-5 13th—he had 188 yards to the flag and stuffed his approach shot to 18 feet, but his putt slipped just by the cup.
BUBBA OFF TO HOT START (1:05 p.m.)—One of the players making a move from the morning tee times is Bubba Watson, who lost ground with a third-round 70 that included 34 putts.
Watson has hit every green so far in the final round, and his five birdies have pushed him into a tie for ninth at 11 under.
Watson has quietly enjoyed a solid year in 2009. He is 39th in FedExCup points and is in solid position to qualify for all four events of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.
To follow Watson with Shot Tracker, .
SOME QUIPS FROM GOYDOS (12:45 p.m.)—Paul Goydos has about the best dry wit of anyone on earth. Some of his gems this week at TPC River Highlands:
On playing against Kenny Perry and David Toms: "They have a lot of experience winning. I have a lot of experience playing."
On how easy the course has been playing this week: "If Kenny or David or anybody else goes out and shoots 59 or something, there's not a whole lot I can do about that except try to shoot 59 myself."
On how he likes being in the last group: "You know, you're the last people to finish. So you know where you finished right when you get done. You don't have to worry about waiting around."
On his foot slipping on the 14th hole on Saturday: "I actually had my foot slip on my tee shot. I don't know if they got that on the TV or not, but I almost fell down."
On TPC River Highlands: "I like these par 70 courses, let's start with that. It's easier to shoot in the 60s."
AND NOW, INFO ABOUT OUR FINAL GROUP TODAY (12:30 p.m.)—The overnight leader, Paul Goydos, is one of the shortest hitters on TOUR. Kenny Perry, the Kentuckian who has made a living for 20 years by hitting the ball right to left, is one of the longest hitters.
Goydos has thrived on TOUR with his mid-iron and wedge ability. Perry has overpowered courses with his driver while hoping his putter knocks in enough 10-footers to go low.
The two really couldn't be any different, but yet, very much the same. Both are family men who share a quick wit. Both saw their games disappear for awhile before recent successes. Goydos' win at the Sony Open in 2007 was his first victory in nine years; Perry stunned the golf community last summer when he broke through with three victories in five starts.
Note we posted yesterday in this space: You might remember the last time Goydos and Perry played together in the final group. It was a little over a year ago at the 2008 THE PLAYERS Championship—the one that Goydos lost in a playoff to Sergio Garcia. Perry shot an 81 that day and finished tied for 15th.
Tale of the Tape: Goydos vs. Perry Contrasts abound between the games of Paul Goydos and Kenny Perry: Category Goydos Perry Age 45 48 Height 5-9 6-2 Home state California Kentucky Career victories 2 13 Driving distance 274.0 yards 291.3 yards FedExCup points 68th 8th Final Round Scoring Average 71.0 70.86
OUR TWEETER FOLLOWING GARCIA, BEEM (12:20 p.m.) — Our Brian Wacker of Rich Beem and Sergio Garcia. Some highlights from his Tweets:
"Garcia, playing the 14th, just flashed a "5" – either for 5 holes to go or his 5-hour flight to London, where he'll go to Wimbledon."
"Garcia just bombed his tee shot down the left side of No. 10, hittng it to the last tree on the left, easily 50 yards past Beem."
"First Sergio, now his caddie … bathroom break No. 2 for this group."
"There's been a chill in the air all morning and clouds are lingering. Ditto for Sergio and some loose shots—he's bunkered off 7 green."
Groups We're Watching Tee time Players 2 p.m. ET, No. 1 
Paul Goydos and Kenny PerryGoydos is gunning for his first win since '07, and Perry has a shot at his second trophy of '09. 1:20 p.m. ET, No. 1 
Hunter Mahan, Anthony KimMahan hasn't finished worse than second here the last three years, and Kim's game has finally reappeared. 12:40 p.m. ET, No. 1 
Lucas Glover, Zach JohnsonThe U.S. Open champ shot a second 65 on Saturday, and Zach Johnson is always worth keeping an eye on. Live Essentials PGATOUR.COM's The Live Report has all the news and notes from the Travelers Championship, and we'll be providing updates from TPC River Highlands all day long for each round, so check back often. (All timestamps are Eastern Time.) PGA TOUR Shot Tracker | Live Scoring | PGA TOUR Network | Facebook | Twitter | FanZone
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Lonnie Nielsen rallies to win at En-Joie
June 28, 2009
ENDICOTT, N.Y. (AP)—Lonnie Nielsen was as amazed as anybody.
Nielsen shot a 9-under 63 on Sunday, vaulting past second-round leader FredFunk with an impressive five-hole flourish at the start, and won the Dick’sSporting Goods Open by three shots over Funk and Ronnie Black.
Trailing Funk by three shots entering the day, Nielsen started with fourbirdies and an eagle and pulled away on the back side to win for just the secondtime on the Champions Tour.
“What a start! I never dreamed I would start like that,” Nielsen said. “Ihad a lot of breaks go my way.”
The victory came a day before his 56th birthday. The only other tournamenthe had won—the 2007 Commerce Bank Championship on Long Island—came two daysafter he celebrated his 54th.
“This is the time of year I start to play,” said Nielsen, whose bestprevious finish this year was a tie for third at the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Amin April.
Nielsen finished at 21-under 195, a record in the three-year history of theevent and three shots better than Eduardo Romero’s winning total a year ago.
“I’ve never had a week like that,” Nielsen said.
It was the fourth straight finish of seventh or better for Funk (69), whowas bidding to become the first player to win a PGA Tour event and a ChampionsTour event on the En-Joie Golf Club course. He won the B.C. Open in 1996 atEn-Joie.
“You wouldn’t dare dream that (Nielsen’s start),” Funk said. “I didn’thave the run of birdies I needed. It’s disappointing. I would have liked to havescared him.”
Black (66) had not won in 498 starts—484 on the PGA Tour and 14 on theChampions Tour, a span of 24 years, 11 months and 13 days since capturing the1984 Anheuser Busch Classic.
Playing in the group ahead of Funk, Nielsen began his round with birdie,birdie, eagle, birdie, birdie—and suddenly had a two-shot lead. His 60-footputt at the par-5 third had to go over a ridge and he hit it too hard, but itbounced off the back of the cup and somehow dropped in for eagle.
“That might have saved me two shots. It was a huge confidence-builder,”said Nielsen, who had watched in amazement when his 25-foot putt on the firsthole broke back right a foot from the hole and dropped into the cup. “That ballhad no reason to do what it did. I was off and running.”
It was down to Nielsen and Funk after that.
Nielsen birdied No. 4 and went for the green with a hybrid on his secondshot at the 565-yard, par-5 fifth, statistically the easiest of the day. Theball landed in a greenside bunker and Nielsen blasted to 5 feet and made birdiefor a two-shot lead.
Nielsen parred the next six holes, while Funk made birdies at Nos. 5 and 6,curling in a perfectly paced 10-foot putt to tie for the lead. But the touchthat produced 17 birdies in rounds of 64 and 65 the first two days wasn’t thereagain, and Funk failed to make another birdie.
“I watched Fred make my jaw drop yesterday,” Nielsen said. “You know it’shard to maintain that over three days.”
If Nielsen hadn’t yet figured it was his day, he had to be reassured on theclosing two holes. His tee shot at the par-3 17th hit in the rough and caromedback onto the green and he made par. Then his tee shot at 18 hit a tree alongthe right side and ricocheted back onto the fairway and he managed to score hisfinal birdie of the tournament and finish a second straight round without abogey.
Nielsen, who played the PGA Tour from 1978-83 without much success, is acontributor to Golf for Injured Veterans Everywhere, and he was convinced thatwas a big reason he finished with 24 birdies and one eagle. He donates $50 foreach birdie and $500 for each eagle.
“It helps give them a place to play, makes them feel part of societyagain,” Nielsen said. “I felt I needed to do something. I think it’s a bigreason I won. I could feel them pulling for me.”^Divots: Romero was the only player in the field with two eagles. Funk had 20birdies and Black had just one bogey. … Nielsen’s 63 is the lowest final roundby a winner on the Champions Tour this year.
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Ishikawa wins Mizuno to qualify for British Open
June 28, 2009
TOKYO (AP)—Japanese teenager Ryo Ishikawa closed with a 1-over 73 on Sunday towin the Mizuno Open on the Japan Golf Tour and qualify for the British Open nextmonth.
It was the first victory this year for the 17-year-old Ishikawa, and it cameat the right time. The top four players not already exempt for the British Openearned a spot in the field July 16-19 at Turnberry.
“I’m thrilled to have qualified for the British Open,” he said. “Therewere some tense moments today but it all worked out in the end.”
He took a quintuple-bogey 9 on the 12th hole, then rebounded with a chip-infor eagle on the 16th. He closed out his round with a birdie to finish at13-under 275, three shots ahead of David Smail of New Zealand.
Ishikawa won for the third time in his career, and the second time as a pro.He became the youngest winner of a sanctioned tour when he won the MunsingwearOpen KSB Cup at 15 two years ago.
Ishikawa missed the cut this year at the Masters, where he was given aspecial invitation. He also has received an invitation to the PGA Championshipin August at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota.
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Inside the course: Congressional Country Club (PGATOUR.com)
June 28, 2009
The TOUR heads to the Washington D.C. area. this week for Fourth of July in the Nation's Capital at Tiger Woods' AT&T National. Learn more about the host, Congressional Country Club.
Fast facts Director of Golf Michael V. Giuffre Original architect Devereut Emmet (1924) Course redesign Rees Jones (1989) Par value 70 Number of TOUR events as host venue 3 (including 2009) Course ranking Ranked 27 (out of 54) in difficulty on the PGA TOUR in 2008 Yardage history 7,255 (2007'09) Grass Bentgrass (tees, fairways, greens); Kentucky Bluegrass, Bermudagrass, perennial ryegrass, fescue (rough); Poa annua (greens) Tournament Stimpmeter 12 ft Sand bunkers 102 Water hazards 5 Course tour Click here Course record 
PlayerTom Pernice Jr.Peter Lonard Year20082008 Round2nd4th FinishT9T12 Holes-in-oneThere have been two aces recorded at Congressional Country Club Player Hole Year Corey Pavin 10 2008 Kevin Stadler 13 2007 2008 RankingsMost Difficult Hole 
Another converted par 5, this elevated tee overlooks a tight landing area that slopes from left to right. Bunkers frame the right side. Any second shot requires great accuracy to negotiate the connected water hazards on the right and the bunkers on the left. 2008: 0 eagles, 27 birdies, 250 pars, 83 bogeys, 23 double bogeys, 5 others.Easiest Hole 
Few players will reach this green in two shots, if for no other reason than the drive must be hit into the face of a hill. On the second shot, players should avoid the bunkers on the right, while on the approach, stay clear of a huge bunker left and trees along the right.2008: 3 eagles, 128 birdies, 239 pars, 17 bogeys, 1 double bogey and 0 others. Congressional Country Club2008 rankings Last two years Hole Par Yards Avg. score Rank Avg. score Rank 1 4 402 3.899 15 3.921 4 2 3 232 3.209 3 3.248 16 3 4 455 4.044 8 4.058 11 4 4 427 4.07 7 4.128 12 5 4 407 3.918 14 3.961 5 6 4 518 4.247 2 4.270 17 7 3 174 2.951 13 2.978 7 8 4 354 3.755 17 3.790 2 9 5 602 4.863 16 4.850 3 10 3 218 3.144 5 3.169 14 11 4 489 4.307 1 4.355 18 12 4 415 4.008 9 4.010 8 13 3 187 2.959 11 2.973 6 14 4 454 4.149 4 4.221 15 15 4 439 3.954 12 4.049 10 16 5 579 4.704 18 4.742 1 17 4 437 3.985 10 4.045 9 18 4 466 4.09 6 4.130 13 Course origins Congressional Country Club was established in 1924. A group of legislators met in 1921 and decided the best way to break down the barrier between them and the country was through the formation of a country club and to invite, as co-members, professional businessmen from around the country. Today, the club membership is more family oriented. Some of the original founding members include Calvin Coolidge, Warren Harding, Woodrow Wilson, William H. Taft, Harvey S. Firestone, William C. Carnegie, William Randolph Hearst and Walter P. Chrysler. The club has quite a history with tournament golf, playing host to the 1964 U.S. Open, 1976 PGA Championship, Kemper Open from 1980-1986, 1995 U.S. Senior Open and the 1997 U.S. Open. Congressional will also host the 2009 U.S. Amateur and the 2011 U.S. Open. —Source: Golf Course Superintendents Assocation of America Tournament course history Course Location Years Congressional Country Club Bethesda, Md. 2007-present This week's Kodak Challenge hole 
HOLE: The par-4, 466-yard 18th at Congressional Country ClubLAST YEAR: The 18th played to a stroke average of 4.090, with players recording 1 eagle, 55 birdies, 254 pars, 65 bogeys, 12 double bogeys and 1 other.DESCRIPTION: Congressional's signature hole sets up perfectly for a long, right-to-left tee shot. Anything too far right could find trouble as well as a thick grove of cedars. Bunkers right of the green combined with water on three sides make the second shot a test of courage. (Click here for Congressional tour)
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Perry wins Travelers Championship with record 258
June 28, 2009
CROMWELL, Conn. (AP)—There was no Masters-style meltdown Sunday for KennyPerry.
Perry shot 63 to finish with a tournament-record 258 and win the TravelersChampionship by three strokes over Paul Goydos and David Toms, two other golfersin their 40s.
The 48-year old Perry, whose bogey-bogey finish at Augusta kept him fromwinning the Masters in April, tied a course record with a 61 Thursday and ledafter each of the first two rounds here. But, he trailed by a stroke to Goydosheading into the final round.
He responded by shooting a 32 on the front nine and was up by five strokesheading to the par-4 15th.
Goydos, 45, made a 20-foot eagle putt from the fringe on 15 and birdied 16.But he missed his birdie putt on 17 to the right.
Perry birdied 15, and put the tournament away by making birdie on 17 afterhitting a 164-yard approach to within 8 feet.
“Everyone kind of asks about the Augusta hangover deal,” he said. “Iguess I kind of shoved that aside a little bit. So that makes me feel prettygood.”
Perry acknowledged he was thinking about the Masters as he played the backnine, and told himself to play aggressive.
“I knew that I had to keep making birdies,” he said. “I wasn’t going tolet up. I wasn’t going to play defensive golf. I learned something from thatmistake.”
Goydos said he felt he needed to shoot a 63 to win the tournament, butdidn’t start playing well until the 15th hole.
“I don’t want to run and hide from that,” he said. “He played like a guywho’s won 14 times. I played more like a guy who’s won twice, especially earlyin the round.”
Goydos made a 40-foot putt on the seventh hole, but gave two shots back whenhe bogeyed the par-3 eighth. Perry hit his tee shot to within 3 feet of the pin,and made birdie.
He went four strokes up by sinking a 16-foot birdie on the 10th, whileGoydos had another bogey.
Perry takes home just over $1 million with the victory, and has now won fivetimes in just over a year, the most of any player on tour. He has 12 top-10finishes over that span while making every cut. His 258 is tied for fourth-best72-hole score in Tour history. It beats the old tournament record of 259 set byTim Norris is 1982.
The win also moves Perry to the front of the FedEx Cup standings. It was his14th career victory, and he said he’s hoping to get 20 wins before he retires.
“It’s a pretty unrealistic goal,” he said. I just kind of threw thatnumber out there to see everyone’s eyes roll into the back of their heads.”
Toms, 42, shot his third 65 of the tournament to finish tied with Goydos at19-under par. He missed a 12-foot birdie putt on 17, after making birdies at 15and 16 to put himself into contention.
“I didn’t get off to the kind of start that I felt like needed to putpressure on the guys that were ahead of me,” Toms said. “I really felt like Ineeded to get under par pretty quickly to at least give them something to thinkabout and ultimately just got too far behind on the back nine.”
Ben Curtis, Ryan Moore and Hunter Mahan all finished two strokes behindGoydos and Toms to tie for fourth at 17-under.
“You’d probably think that anywhere from 15 to 20-under would probably winit. I watched the scoreboard a little bit. You got to kind of focus on whateverybody’s doing, to see what kind of shots you have to hit.”
Scott Verplank shot a round-best 62 Sunday, one off the course record thathe shares, and finished tied for ninth place at 15-under par.
“I knew I’d shot 61 here a few years ago, so obviously you know, I can getit going on this golf course,” he said.
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Funk holds lead at En-Joie
June 27, 2009
ENDICOTT, N.Y. (AP)—Fred Funk has held on to the first-round lead at theDick’s Sporting Goods Open.
Funk shot an 8-under 64 on Friday, but a four-hour rain delay prevented 24players from completing the round until Saturday morning.
Jeff Roth was one of them, and he finished at 6 under to tie Jay Haas andLonnie Nielsen for second.
Tom Kite, D.A. Weibring, Gary Hallberg, Andy Bean and Mike Hulbert were tiedfor fifth at 5 under.
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Cheyenne Woods misses cut at Wegmans LPGA
June 27, 2009
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP)—Tiger Woods’ niece has missed the cut in her professionalgolf debut, shooting a 2-over 74 in the second round of the storm-disruptedWegmans LPGA.
Cheyenne Woods finished at 5-over 149—four strokes above the cutline. The18-year-old was in the event on a sponsor exemption.
Woods and 70 other players completed their second rounds at the Locust Hillcourse in suburban Rochester on Saturday morning after play was interrupted bythunderstorms for nearly five hours Friday.
Morgan Pressel picked up two birdies to grab second at 10 under, one behindJiyai Shin. Stacy Lewis was in third at 9 under, one better than KristyMcPherson.
Michelle Wie, Mindy Kim and Germany’s Sandra Gal, the first-round leader,were tied at 7 under.
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