Confident Snedeker leads by 1 at Phoenix Open

February 27, 2010

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP)—Brandt Snedeker is back to playing like the risingyoung PGA Tour star he was supposed to be.

The 29-year-old Tennessean rolled in his sixth birdie of the day on No. 17and finished at 14-under 199 for a one-shot lead over Scott Piercy going intoSunday’s final round of the Phoenix Open.

Rickie Rickie Fowler watches his putt… AP – Feb 27, 6:24 pm EST Scott Piercy waves to the gall… AP – Feb 27, 6:20 pm EST Brandt Snedeker watches his pu… AP – Feb 27, 6:12 pm EST Brandt Snedeker watches his ap… AP – Feb 27, 6:07 pm EST Brandt Snedeker acknowledges t… AP – Feb 27, 6:01 pm EST Scott Piercy reacts as his put… AP – Feb 27, 5:54 pm EST Rickie Fowler tees off on the … AP – Feb 27, 5:43 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Colombia, … AP – Feb 27, 4:27 pm EST Brandt Snedeker watches his pu… AP – Feb 27, 4:17 pm EST Brandt Snedeker eyes his putt … AP – Feb 27, 4:16 pm EST Ryan Moore drops his club afte… AP – Feb 27, 4:03 pm EST Tom Lehman kisses his golf bal… AP – Feb 27, 3:56 pm EST Tom Lehman chips onto the eigh… AP – Feb 27, 3:52 pm EST Anthony Kim watches the flight… AP – Feb 27, 3:44 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Colombia, … AP – Feb 27, 3:44 pm EST Mark Wilson watches as his chi… AP – Feb 27, 3:43 pm EST Matt Every hits out of a bunke… AP – Feb 27, 3:43 pm EST Rickie Fowler watches as his p… AP – Feb 26, 8:19 pm EST Rickie Fowler tees off on the … AP – Feb 26, 8:15 pm EST Mark Wilson watches his putt f… AP – Feb 26, 7:43 pm EST Mark Wilson tips his visor to … AP – Feb 26, 7:37 pm EST First-round leader Camilo Vill… AP – Feb 26, 7:19 pm EST Ian Poulter, of England, grins… AP – Feb 26, 6:36 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Colombia, … AP – Feb 26, 6:24 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Colombia, … AP – Feb 26, 6:24 pm EST Anthony Kim hits his second sh… AP – Feb 26, 6:19 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Columbia, … AP – Feb 26, 6:19 pm EST Anthony Kim reacts to missing … AP – Feb 26, 6:04 pm EST Tom Lehman hits from the secon… AP – Feb 26, 5:52 pm EST Cameron Beckman pumps his fist… AP – Feb 26, 4:52 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Columbia, … AP – Feb 26, 4:50 pm EST Geoff Ogilvy, of Australia, te… AP – Feb 26, 4:43 pm EST Geoff Ogilvy, of Australia, wa… AP – Feb 26, 4:38 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Colombia, … AP – Feb 26, 4:33 pm EST First-round leader Camilo Vill… AP – Feb 26, 4:29 pm EST 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Snedeker shot a 66 while Piercy had a pair of eagles en route to a 65 in thethird round on Saturday amid a loud, rowdy crowd estimated at just over 121,000.Many were on hand for the party as much, or more than, for the golf tournament.

Rickie Fowler and Matt Every were two back at 12-under going into Sunday’sfinal round. Camilo Villegas, who shared the lead with Mark Wilson after tworounds, birdied the last two holes to finish even for the day and minus-11 forthe tournament.

Wilson, Mark Calcavecchia and Lee Janzen were among nine at 10-under 203.

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Inkster, Miyazato take 2-shot lead in Singapore

February 27, 2010

SINGAPORE (AP)—Juli Inkster and Ai Miyazato each shot 3-under 69 Saturday toshare a two-shot lead after the third round of the HSBC Women’s Champions.

The 49-year-old Inkster led most of the round and finished at 7-under 209.

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The Hall of Famer could become the oldest winner in LPGA history. BethDaniel was 46 when she won the Canadian Women’s Open in 2003.

“I’d say right now I’m definitely the underdog,” said Inkster, who hasn’twon a title since 2006. “I don’t think anybody expects me to win.”

Miyazato, who won the season-opener last week in Thailand, moved into a tiewith a 30-foot putt for eagle on the 16th hole.

“It was a really long putt, but I got a really good stroke and did adown-slope putt, and it was in,” Miyazato said.

Momoko Ueda (68), Sun Young Yoo (71), Hee Young Park (69) and Hee-won Han(71) were two shots back. Cristie Kerr (71) and Suzann Pettersen (72) trail bythree strokes.

Michelle Wie had a 69 to trail the leaders by five strokes, along withdefending champion Jiyai Shin (72) and Karrie Webb (72).

Angela Stanford, who was tied for the second-round lead, had a triple-bogeyon the 11th. She birdied two of her last three holes to stay in contention at 3under with a 74.

Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa—who stumbled to a 79 in the second round—shot a73, leaving her 11 strokes back.

Miyazato said she’s looking forward to playing with Inkster in the finalround.

“Juli is like my idol,” she said. “I feel honored to play with her.”

Inkster last won after sharing a third-round lead at the 2003 Evian Masters.

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Live Report: Waste Management Phoenix Open, Round 3 (PGATOUR.com)

February 27, 2010

Mark Wilson birdied his last four holes to move into a share of the 36-hole lead.

WACKY WEATHER? (6:25 p.m.): It could be an interesting day at TPC Scottsdale—for a variety of reasons.

Live Report essentials PGATOUR.COM's The Live Report has all the news and notes from the Waste Management Phoenix Open, and we'll be providing updates all day long for each round, so check back often. (All timestamps are Eastern Time.) LIVE SCORING: Shot Tracker | Leaderboard | LISTEN: PGA TOUR Network | RESPOND: Facebook | Twitter | FanZone

Not only is the leaderboard loaded with a host of interesting characters, the weather could turn out to be a story, as well. There is a wind advisory from 2 p.m. MT (4 p.m. ET) until midnight which could well impact play as the leaders make the turn.

Southeast winds at 6-12 mph are expected to switch to the south and increase to 15-25 mph. Gusts between 25-40 mph are in the forecast for late in the afternoon and thunderstorms could usher in even stronger winds.

Tee times were moved up about an hour due to the forecast so the leaders will tee off at 10:50 p.m. MT (12:50 p.m. ET). The rain is expected to hold off until after 6 p.m. but should be heavy overnight with an accumulation of nearly an inch.

Temperatures should top out around 70 on Saturday. There is a 50 percent chance of rain on Sunday morning, and the highs will only be in the low 60s.—Helen Ross

Going for the Green Waste Management presents the "Going for the Green" closest-to-the-pin contest. Waste Management will donate $25,000 to Keep America Beautiful in the name of the player who is closest to the pin at the par-3 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale this week. The distance from the hole each day will be added together to reach a cumulative total. Of the proceeds, 50 percent will go to the local Keep Phoenix Beautiful chapter and 50 percent will go to Keep America Beautiful's national Think Green grant. current standingsGoing for the Green — Player Distance Round Zach Johnson 9 feet, 6 inches 2 Joe Ogilvie 15 feet, 1 inch 2 Anthony Kim 17 feet, 6 inches 2 Kenny Perry 18 feet, 1 inch 2 Sam Saunders 20 feet, 10 inches 2 Play TPC Scottsdale TPC SCOTTSDALE: The 162-yard 16th will look a lot different without 100,000 people around, but the experience will still be worthwhile. For a limited time, take advantage of reduced pricing for golf vacation packages with arrival before April 4, 2010. With a savings of approximately $150 per golfer, there is no reason why you would want to pass up the opportunity to escape for some Scottsdale golf and play where the pros played during the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Click here for package information, tee times, more | Book a golf package Live Essentials Follow every shot with our newest application The only place on the Internet for real-time live scoring Listen to expert commentary on the PGA TOUR Network News, notes, stats and analysis during each round

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Inkster, Miyazato lead HSBC Women’s Champions

February 27, 2010

SINGAPORE (AP)—American Juli Inkster and Ai Miyazato of Japan each shot a 69in the third round to tie for the lead at the third round of the LPGA’s HSBCWomen’s Champions.

The 49-year-old Inkster led most of the round and finished at 7-under 209.

Other Popular Sports Stories Tiger conquers another continent NFL players extraordinary act of kindness Stage set for boxings dream fight; will it happen?

But Miyazato, who won last week’s season-opener in Thailand, jumped into atie with the shot of the tournament so far: A long putt for eagle on 16.

Four players are three shots back, including Momoko Ueda of Japan who shot a68.

No. 1 Lorena Ochoa—who stumbled to a 79 in the second round—shot a 73,leaving her 11 strokes back.

Michelle Wie shot a 69 to get within three strokes of the lead. Jiyai Shin,last year’s winner, shot 72 and is also three shots back.

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Wilson ties Villegas with late run in Phoenix

February 27, 2010

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP)—Mark Wilson shares the lead with Camilo Villegashalfway through the Phoenix Open after birdies on the final four holes of thesecond round.

Villegas slipped into a tie at 11-under 131 after 36 holes when he missed a14-foot putt for par on the 18th Friday. The 28-year-old Colombian tied thetournament first-round record with a 9-under 62 on Thursday.

Rickie Rickie Fowler tees off on the … AP – Feb 26, 8:15 pm EST Mark Wilson watches his putt f… AP – Feb 26, 7:43 pm EST Mark Wilson tips his visor to … AP – Feb 26, 7:37 pm EST Ian Poulter, of England, grins… AP – Feb 26, 6:36 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Colombia, … AP – Feb 26, 6:24 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Colombia, … AP – Feb 26, 6:24 pm EST Anthony Kim hits his second sh… AP – Feb 26, 6:19 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Columbia, … AP – Feb 26, 6:19 pm EST Anthony Kim reacts to missing … AP – Feb 26, 6:04 pm EST Tom Lehman hits from the secon… AP – Feb 26, 5:52 pm EST Cameron Beckman pumps his fist… AP – Feb 26, 4:52 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Columbia, … AP – Feb 26, 4:50 pm EST Geoff Ogilvy, of Australia, te… AP – Feb 26, 4:43 pm EST Geoff Ogilvy, of Australia, wa… AP – Feb 26, 4:38 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Colombia, … AP – Feb 26, 4:33 pm EST First-round leader Camilo Vill… AP – Feb 26, 4:29 pm EST Defending champion Kenny Perry… AP – Feb 26, 4:23 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 16; 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Eleven players are within two shots of the lead.

Anthony Kim, Ryan Moore and Rickie Fowler are one shot back at 10-under 132.

Tom Lehman is in a group of six at 133.

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Sarah Kemp leads New Zealand Women’s Open golf

February 27, 2010

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP)—Sarah Kemp of Australia has shot a 74 in windyconditions to lead the New Zealand Women’s Open by one shot after three rounds.

Kemp is at 6-under 210.

Former U.S. Open champion Laura Davies was in second after a 71 on Saturday.Davies was one of only 15 players to shoot a sub-par round as strong winds sweptthe Pegasus course.

Becky Brewerton of Wales was in third place after a 71, two behind. Fourplayers, including first-round leader Marianne Skarpnord (75) of Norway, weretied for fourth, three shots back.

Diana D’Alessio of the United States, who led by a stroke after the secondround, shot 79 and was four strokes behind.

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Tiger Woods dropped by Gatorade (Reuters)

February 26, 2010

* Latest corporation to walk away after sex scandal

* Partnership with Tiger Woods Foundation to continue

LOS ANGELES, Feb 26 (Reuters) – Golfer Tiger Woods wasdropped by sports drink brand Gatorade on Friday, the latestcorporate sponsorship he has lost since details of hisadulterous affairs surfaced late last year.

“We no longer see a role for Tiger in our marketing effortsand have ended our relationship,” a spokeswoman for PepsiCo’sGatorade said.

“Our partnership with the Tiger Woods Foundation willcontinue. We wish him all the best.

Gatorade decided before the sex scandal that it would dropits “Tiger Focus” drink.

AT&T and Accenture already have dropped their sponsorships,while Gillette has distanced itself from Woods, who isbelieved to be the world’s wealthiest athlete.

He is estimated to have earned $100 million annually inendorsement deals before his confession on Dec. 11 of“infidelity” and his subsequent televised apology.

Other sponsors, such as Electronic Arts, have moved aheadwith endorsement plans. The games publisher will introduce thenext version of its Woods console game in June. (Reporting by Lisa Baertlein; Editing by Gary Hill)

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Golf-Wilson birdies final four holes to share lead (Reuters)

February 26, 2010

* Wilson’s late birdies transform “so-so” round

* Villegas shares lead after last hole bogey

* Kim shoots a 65 to tie for third (Adds quotes)

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona, Feb 26 (Reuters) – American MarkWilson birdied his last four holes to grab a share of the leadwith Camilo Villegas after the second round of the Phoenix Openon Friday.

Wilson capped his brilliant run with a 24-foot birdie puttto finish with a five-under 66 and join overnight leaderVillegas on 11-under for a total 131 after the Colombianstumbled with a bogey on the last hole to card a 69.

Wilson started the day three strokes behind Villegas andfell back with a bogey on his first hole, but recovered with abirdie on the third to make the turn at even par.

“Today I three-putted the very first hole but stayedpatient, made a great save on the next and then I just birdiedthe last four holes,” Wilson told reporters.

“I kind of turned a so-so round, probably what would beabout 15th place, into tied for the lead now with those lastfour birdies.”

After shooting a bogey-free 62 to match the tournament’sfirst round record on Thursday, Villegas was less controlled inhis 69, which featured three birdies and three bogeys and aneagle on the par-five 13th.

“It’s tough to shoot 9-under in one day. To do it two daysin a row, it’s even harder obviously” said Villegas.

“Am I disappointed the fact that I didn’t go low-low today?No. You just want to stay in the tournament. I mean, after agreat first day, you just want to keep plugging, keep stayingthere and give yourself a chance come Sunday afternoon.”

Three Americans are tied in third place a stroke back at10-under par. Anthony Kim, who started on the back nine, shot a65, making birdies on six of his first nine holes.

Ryan Moore carded an eight-birdie 66 marred by a doublebogey, and Rickie Fowler shot 67 to join Kim in third.

Ian Poulter, who won the WGC-Accenture Match PlayChampionship last week, recovered from his opening round 72 tocard a bogey-free 63 and finish four strokes adrift of theleaders.

(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario; Editing byIan Ransom and Nick Mulvenney; To query or comment on thisstory email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Golf-Wilson birdies final four holes to take share of lead (Reuters)

February 26, 2010

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona, Feb 26 (Reuters) – American MarkWilson birdied his last four holes to grab a share of the leadwith Camilo Villegas after the second round of the Phoenix Openon Friday.

Wilson started the day three strokes behind Villegas andfell back with a bogey on his first hole, but recovered with abirdie on the third to make the turn at even par.

After shooting a bogey-free 62 to match the tournament’sfirst round record on Thursday, Villegas was less controlled inhis two-under 69, which featured three birdies and three bogeysand an eagle on the par-five 13th.

Three Americans are tied in third place a stroke back at10-under par. Anthony Kim, who started on the back nine, shot a65, making birdies on six of his first nine holes.

Ryan Moore carded an eight-birdie 66 marred by a doublebogey, and Rickie Fowler shot 67 to join Kim in third.

Ian Poulter, who won the WGC-Accenture Match PlayChampionship last week, recovered from his opening round 72 tocard a bogey-free 63 and finish four strokes adrift of theleaders.

(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario; Editing byIan Ransom; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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The Daily Wrap-up, Round 2: WM Phoenix Open (PGATOUR.com)

February 26, 2010

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP)—Mark Wilson shares the lead with Camilo Villegas halfway through the Waste Management Phoenix Open after birdies on the final four holes of the second round.

Villegas slipped into a tie at 11-under 131 after 36 holes when he missed a 14-foot putt for par on the 18th Friday. The 28-year-old Colombian tied the tournament first-round record with a 9-under 62 on Thursday.

Eleven players are within two shots of the lead.

Anthony Kim, Ryan Moore and Rickie Fowler are one shot back at 10-under 132.

Tom Lehman is in a group of six at 133.

INSIDE THE ROPES WITH THE PGA TOUR NETWORK PGA TOUR Network correspondent Michael Collins offers these observations from Thursday. Listen to PGA TOUR Live coverage on XM 146/SIRIUS 209 or right here at PGATOUR.COM.

Well after the heartstring-tugging story of Braxton Marquez, who shot 74 in Round 1, he went out in Round 2 and shot 65 to not only make his smile down on him from heaven—he's going to be playing on the weekend. (For a full story on Braxton, click here.)

As for what the guys can look forward to Saturday… With rain expected overnight and wind gusts forecast at over 30 mph, we're gonna be playing split-tee threesomes. Don't expect scoring to be anywhere near as good as we've seen the last two days , even with softer greens.

You know that stuff I said yesterday about the 16th not being as good now that it's enclosed? I do stand by that statement with 2,000 seats and only 5,500 for general admission?! C'mon y'all, it's the people's hole. At least give half to the people.

That being said, after hanging out with the ASU kids left of the tee box and checking out the "cheat sheet" they have compiled for this year's tournament, the energy and excitement at this hole is still better by far than anything in the golf world. Heck, Brian Gay ran over and threw headcovers to the crowd, and then his wife came up to me and said, "Guess he's coming out of his shell?!" That hole will make you do that.