Golf-Woods in ‘competitive shape’ after Masters practice round (Reuters)
March 31, 2011
MIAMI, March 31 (Reuters) – Tiger Woods described himselfas in “competitive shape” for next week’s U.S. Masters afterplaying a practice round at a rain-sodden Augusta National GolfClub earlier this week.
The American world number five, a four-times champion atAugusta National, was surprised by how long the par-72 layoutplayed and noticed subtle changes on the greens at the 11th and17th.
“It was 40 degrees (4.44 degrees Celsius) and the coursewas soaked after three inches of rain the night before,” Woodssaid on his official website (http://web.tigerwoods.com).
“It’s the most grass I’ve ever seen on the golf course. Ifthey use the back tees, they could make it play really long.”
Woods, a 14-times major champion, has not triumphedanywhere since the 2009 Australian Masters but has beenencouraged by his improving form since the start of this year.
“I’m in much more competitive shape, no doubt,” said the35-year-old, who played his Masters practice round this weekwith his good friend Arjun Atwal of India. “I’ve got a goodfeel for what I’m doing and have more rounds under my belt.”
Woods’s game suffered as he tried unsuccessfully to repairhis deteriorating marriage last year while spending less timeat practice than usual.
His divorce from his Swedish wife, Elin Nordegren, wasfinalised in August, and that same month he embarked on thefourth swing change of his professional career, with Canadiancoach Sean Foley.
“Early in the year was disappointing because the conditionsshowed some signs of weakness that I had to work on,” Woodssaid after tying for 24th at last week’s Arnold PalmerInvitational. “Now, it’s feeling very, very good.”
Woods, who won the most recent of his four Masters titlesin 2005, said he noticed several changes to Augusta National,most notably a re-contouring of the 11th and 17th greens.
For the rest of this week, he will complete his Masterspreparations in Albany in the Bahamas because of rainyconditions forecast in Orlando where he lives.
The 75th Masters will be played from April 7-10. (Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Rancho Mirage, California;Editing by Frank Pingue; To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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Tour Report: Phil’s driver: Nothing to see here (PGATOUR.com)
March 31, 2011
Cannon/Getty ImagesPhil Mickelson hit eight of 14 fairways in Round 1.
Turns out Phil Mickelson’s driver might be ok after all, even though he will probably switch to a backup.
Mickelson called a rules official in the middle of his round on Thursday and asked that he be allowed to replace his driver, which had a small crack in it. Of course, that request was denied — it was just a crack — and Mickelson kept using the club.
Mickelson actually reeled off four birdies in five holes to get back in the red after a slow start at Redstone. He capped his off his with a birdie-par finish on two of toughest holes on the course.
"It flew fine there on the end after I thought there might be an issue," said Mickelson, who averaged 316 yards off the tee Thursday. "It flew okay."
"It actually looked like the driver that was made from a stronger titanium. It actually does that, kind of creates a little spider-like crack. It doesn’t affect the performance. I’ll be fine to use it. Sometimes it has that look. The shots I hit after were great. The ball flew very well. There wasn’t an issue, but it just scared me when I looked down and saw it."
MICKELSON’S SCORECARD:
Walker first to hit 8 under
Leave it to native Texan Jimmy Walker to clean up around the Redstone Course. The 32-year-old — winless in 119 starts — just birdied the par-4 sixth — his 15th hole of the day — to get to 8 under.
Walker has already had a big year. He was fourth in both the Northern Trust Open and the Sony Open, and he tied for ninth in the T&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am after shooting 63 in the third round.
Featured Group wraps up round
Phil Mickelson didn’t have his A-game on Thursday at Redstone, but he still found a way to score on some of the toughest holes on the course.
Westwood
Mickelson birdied the par-4, 489-yard 17th after a 316-yard drive, followed by a stuck approach to two feet. He then bunkered his approach on the par-4 18th, but ran in an eight-footer for par.
Lee Westwood had a far more consistent day. The world No. 3 birdied the 18th to polish off a 68 that was easily his best all-around day on the PGA TOUR in 2011. The third member of the group, defending champion Anthony Kim, hit only four fairways but still managed a 72.
Stay tuned for much more later tonight on this group.
SHOT TRACKER: Replay the Featured Group’s day on Thursday
Appleby’s rough adventure
Stuart Appleby has won the Shell Houston Open twice (1999, 2006) but he will be fighting to make the cut after carding a nine on the par-4 fifth.
Appleby smacked his first two tee shots into the water left of the fairway on the 480-yard hole. It’s easy to do — the yardage dares players to cut the corner — but two of Appleby’s drives landed in the lake.
Appleby, hitting five, found the fairway with his fifth shot and eventually holed out for a nine, dropping him to near the bottom of the leaderboard.
Teater catches O’Hern
Second-year PGA TOUR player Josh Teater, who has made only four cuts in 10 tries this year, is on fire at Redstone: He’s birdied two of his last three holes to get to 7 under through 15.
With one more birdie, Teater would break his career low round, set last year at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open (Round 4) and Wyndham Championship (Round 4).
Watch: Mickelson birdies
Phil Mickelson got up-and-down for birdie at the par-5 eighth:
Video: Mickelson birdies
Phil Mickelson birdies the par-5 eighth at Redstone on Thursday.
Photos: The best from Round 1
Cohen/Getty ImagesRyder Cup Captains Davis Love III (left) and Jose Olazabal talk during the first round on Thursday.
See the best images from the first round of play on Thursday at the Redstone Course.
Phil’s driver drama on Thursday
An unusual situation developed in the middle of Phil Mickelson’s round: The world’s sixth-ranked player requested changing his driver during the middle of the round, arguing that it was damaged and unfit for use.
Mickelson
Mickelson’s request to use a backup driver was denied. PGA TOUR rules official Stephen Cox explained the ruling during the Golf Channel’s broadcast:
"Although you could see a blemish, it really needs to be some separation in the clubface," Cox said. "If the club was to deteriorate, we’d take another look at it."
Mickelson, who is 1 over after 10 holes, actually went back to the driver for his tee shot on the par-5 13th. His shot landed in the left rough.
Rule 4.3a of the Rules of Golf state (from USGA.COM):
If, during a stipulated round, a player’s club is damaged in the normal course of play, he may:
(i) use the club in its damaged state for the remainder of the stipulated round; or (ii) without unduly delaying play, repair it or have it repaired; or (iii) as an additional option available only if the club is unfit for play, replace the damaged club with any club. The replacement of a club must not unduly delay play and must not be made by borrowing any club selected for play by any other person playing on the course.
O’Hern fixes problems on greens
Greenwood/Getty ImagesNick O’Hern is trying to regain full status on the PGA TOUR.
Every golfer in the world has been there, and it happened to Nick O’Hern last week. In Round 1 of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he hit the ball great — but took 34 putts. He briefly considered filing for divorce from his trademark long putter, whom he’d been married to for 16 years.
O’Hern needed only 25 putts on Thursday. His 65 is likely to remain the lead against the afternoon groups currently out in force at Redstone.
"After last week on the greens, I thought maybe give the short putter a go. But I’m glad I didn’t," O’Hern said. "It’s natural for anyone to start tinkering if things aren’t going according to plan. I didn’t think I was putting badly, but nothing was going in, so that’s when you probably think maybe a change is on the cards. But as I say, it’s worked out pretty well."
O’Hern is trying to earn enough money to shake his Medical Extension status on TOUR, which he was forced to take after undergoing two knee surgeries after the 2010 PLAYERS.
"I had an ACL reconstruction on my right knee last year. I snapped it about 20 years ago," O’Hern said. "Just wear and tear it was time to get it fixed. I actually had my left knee done at the same time. So I have both knees operated on, went for the package deal and had them both done."
A healthy O’Hern is back to hitting fairways, which he knows he must do to compete on TOUR. He missed only two of them on Thursday.
"The big thing for me on this TOUR is driving the ball. I’m one of the shortest hitters, but I’m usually one of the most accurate," O’Hern said. "I haven’t been accurate at all of late. My game revolves round hitting fairways and therefore I can hit greens and hopefully make putts."
Greenwood/Getty Images John Rollins screamed himself hoarse when his alma mater beat Kansas last weekend. By Melanie Hauser, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent HUMBLE, Texas — Yes, John Rollins has tickets. Heâs going to the semifinals, but, no, he doesnât know what heâll do if he makes the Masters field and Virginia Commonwealth makes the NCAA finals. And […]
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Tour Report: Appleby’s rough adventure (PGATOUR.com)
March 31, 2011
Phil Mickelson didn’t have his A-game on Thursday at Redstone, but he still found a way to score on some of the toughest holes on the course.
Westwood
Mickelson birdied the par-4, 489-yard 17th after a 316-yard drive, followed by a stuck approach to two feet. He then bunkered his approach on the par-4 18th, but ran in an eight-footer for par.
Lee Westwood had a far more consistent day. The world No. 3 birdied the 18th to polish off a 68 that was easily his best all-around day on the PGA TOUR in 2011. The third member of the group, defending champion Anthony Kim, hit only four fairways but still managed a 72.
Stay tuned for much more later tonight on this group.
SHOT TRACKER: Replay the Featured Group’s day on Thursday
Appleby’s rough adventure
Stuart Appleby has won the Shell Houston Open twice (1999, 2006) but he will be fighting to make the cut after carding a nine on the par-4 fifth.
Appleby smacked his first two tee shots into the water left of the fairway on the 480-yard hole. It’s easy to do — the yardage dares players to cut the corner — but two of Appleby’s drives landed in the lake.
Appleby, hitting five, found the fairway with his fifth shot and eventually holed out for a nine, dropping him to near the bottom of the leaderboard.
Teater catches O’Hern
Second-year PGA TOUR player Josh Teater, who has made only four cuts in 10 tries this year, is on fire at Redstone: He’s birdied two of his last three holes to get to 7 under through 15.
With one more birdie, Teater would break his career low round, set last year at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open (Round 4) and Wyndham Championship (Round 4).
Huge weekend looms for VCU’s Rollins
Greenwood/Getty ImagesJohn Rollins screamed himself hoarse when his alma mater beat Kansas last weekend.
By Melanie Hauser, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
HUMBLE, Texas — Yes, John Rollins has tickets. He’s going to the semifinals, but, no, he doesn’t know what he’ll do if he makes the Masters field and Virginia Commonwealth makes the NCAA finals.
And finally? He’s as surprised as anyone about the Rams. Didn’t even pick them in his own bracket.
"What does that tell you?" Rollins said. " You know, I mean, like you say, on Selection Sunday, you kind of understand where everybody came from, but, at the same time, you know, they’ve played great basketball. They beat quality teams and beat them easily.
"So, you know, you can argue until you’re blue in the face both sides of the coin. I’m glad they got picked. The guys were excited. They weren’t even watching the show from what I heard. They were all doing their own thing. Now they were getting text messages and phone calls, what’s going on?
"You know, I think they’ve really used I think the negative comments to their advantage. They really used to it inspire them and really get them motivated to play."
They’ve also inspired Rollins, who, like so many other players in this field – 112 of the 144 to be exact – who need to win the Shell Houston Open to get one final invitation to the Masters. He’s off to a good start after an opening 5-under 67 at Redstone.
"I actually said that at the game against Kansas on Sunday, my caddy (Heath Holt) came and met me down there," Rollins said. "We’re watching the game, and I was hoarse for like a day and a half after the game from all the screaming. This could be exactly what I needed for my golf game. I’m sitting here watching my school, they’re beating Kansas, one of the best programs in the country and they beat them pretty easily.
"And I’m like this is — this could be something that I need to kind of get a little bit of spark under me to get me going and, you know, just kind of maybe wake me up or whatever. To be in the same town is pretty ironic, pretty cool to do that for me to be able to play and them to play.
"So, you know, I’d like to be able to double-dip this week."
Rollins’ best finish at the Masters was a T20 in 2007. But even a really solid week here would be a boost for the VCU alum (class of ’97, Communications), who may have some of the Rams basketball fans following him Friday.
He’s made just three cuts in eight events this year, but things could be changing after some hard work with coach Pat O’Brien. Specifically, they’re trying to free up his putting stroke.
"I’ve always been sort of a I guess you would call it a hitter of putts, not really a smooth, like a Steve Stricker style, real smooth and rhythmic stroke like he’s got," Rollins said. "We’ve really been working trying to get more into that mindset, trying to see the ball, you know, maybe rolling on the greens better, rolling in the hole kind of on a dying — dying balls into the hole rather than being so aggressive like I’ve been in the past.
"It’s been a little difficult. You know, we’ve done okay at times, but the consistency hasn’t been there. I’ve devoted more time to it since it’s been killing me over last year or so. So I’ve really devoted more time to it recently and starting to see some signs."
Kind of like VCU and those three-pointers hitting nothing but net.
Rollins teamed up with the school for a charity pro-am years ago and knows athletic director Norwood Teague well enough that he hit him up for Final Four tickets with a minute to go in the Kansas game. And coach Shaka Smart has come to Rollins’ event.
If he keeps up the current pace, it’ll be seriously tight timing to get to Saturday’s VCU-Butler semifinals since the course is thirtysomething miles – in Houston traffic – away from Reliant Stadium, but … he’ll be there.
"I will be at the game," he said. "I’d like to play well, obviously be leading the golf tournament, but hopefully tee times won’t interfere. Worse case I’ll be coming in sideways for the second half. By the time I get there, maybe the traffic won’t be as bad. I hope I keep playing well tomorrow and put myself in that later tee time for Saturday and just let everybody get there and get in their seats and I can just kind of stroll on in."
As for Monday’s finals?
"I’d like to be heading to Augusta, but, you know, we’re obviously going to have to win here to do that," he said. " But if I don’t and they make it there, you know — it’s the first time ever, so I kind of feel like I should be there.
"I’ve been the last — I’ve been to the Kansas game. If I go to this game and they win, I kind of feel like I got to ride this out now. I don’t want to break anything up, break any streak that they’ve got. I may. It would be fun to stick around and watch a National Championship game. But they got to get through Butler first."
So how does he size up the game?
"I really don’t know much about Butler," he said. " I know they’ve got a great defense. If we can continue to shoot the 3-pointer the way we’ve shot the 3-pointer, I don’t really know that anybody can beat us.
"Our defense is good. They’re playing good. I think our key is still shooting the 3 well to open up the inside game for us. If we can do that, we’re going to be alright."
ROLLINS SCORECARD
Watch: Mickelson birdies
Phil Mickelson got up-and-down for birdie at the par-5 eighth:
Video: Mickelson birdies
Phil Mickelson birdies the par-5 eighth at Redstone on Thursday.
Photos: The best from Round 1
Cohen/Getty ImagesRyder Cup Captains Davis Love III (left) and Jose Olazabal talk during the first round on Thursday.
See the best images from the first round of play on Thursday at the Redstone Course.
Phil’s driver drama on Thursday
An unusual situation developed in the middle of Phil Mickelson’s round: The world’s sixth-ranked player requested changing his driver during the middle of the round, arguing that it was damaged and unfit for use.
Mickelson
Mickelson’s request to use a backup driver was denied. PGA TOUR rules official Stephen Cox explained the ruling during the Golf Channel’s broadcast:
"Although you could see a blemish, it really needs to be some separation in the clubface," Cox said. "If the club was to deteriorate, we’d take another look at it."
Mickelson, who is 1 over after 10 holes, actually went back to the driver for his tee shot on the par-5 13th. His shot landed in the left rough.
Rule 4.3a of the Rules of Golf state (from USGA.COM):
If, during a stipulated round, a player’s club is damaged in the normal course of play, he may:
(i) use the club in its damaged state for the remainder of the stipulated round; or (ii) without unduly delaying play, repair it or have it repaired; or (iii) as an additional option available only if the club is unfit for play, replace the damaged club with any club. The replacement of a club must not unduly delay play and must not be made by borrowing any club selected for play by any other person playing on the course.
O’Hern fixes problems on greens
Greenwood/Getty ImagesNick O’Hern is trying to regain full status on the PGA TOUR.
Every golfer in the world has been there, and it happened to Nick O’Hern last week. In Round 1 of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he hit the ball great — but took 34 putts. He briefly considered filing for divorce from his trademark long putter, whom he’d been married to for 16 years.
O’Hern needed only 25 putts on Thursday. His 65 is likely to remain the lead against the afternoon groups currently out in force at Redstone.
"After last week on the greens, I thought maybe give the short putter a go. But I’m glad I didn’t," O’Hern said. "It’s natural for anyone to start tinkering if things aren’t going according to plan. I didn’t think I was putting badly, but nothing was going in, so that’s when you probably think maybe a change is on the cards. But as I say, it’s worked out pretty well."
O’Hern is trying to earn enough money to shake his Medical Extension status on TOUR, which he was forced to take after undergoing two knee surgeries after the 2010 PLAYERS.
"I had an ACL reconstruction on my right knee last year. I snapped it about 20 years ago," O’Hern said. "Just wear and tear it was time to get it fixed. I actually had my left knee done at the same time. So I have both knees operated on, went for the package deal and had them both done."
A healthy O’Hern is back to hitting fairways, which he knows he must do to compete on TOUR. He missed only two of them on Thursday.
"The big thing for me on this TOUR is driving the ball. I’m one of the shortest hitters, but I’m usually one of the most accurate," O’Hern said. "I haven’t been accurate at all of late. My game revolves round hitting fairways and therefore I can hit greens and hopefully make putts."
Stuart Appleby has won the Shell Houston Open twice (1999, 2006) but he will be fighting to make the cut after carding a nine on the par-4 fifth. Appleby smacked his first two tee shots into the water left of the fairway on the 480-yard hole. It’s easy to do — the yardage dares players […]
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Tour Report: Huge weekend looms for VCU’s Rollins (PGATOUR.com)
March 31, 2011
Greenwood/Getty ImagesJohn Rollins screamed himself hoarse when his alma mater beat Kansas last weekend.
By Melanie Hauser, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
HUMBLE, Texas — Yes, John Rollins has tickets. He’s going to the semifinals, but, no, he doesn’t know what he’ll do if he makes the Masters field and Virginia Commonwealth makes the NCAA finals.
And finally? He’s as surprised as anyone about the Rams. Didn’t even pick them in his own bracket.
"What does that tell you?" Rollins said. " You know, I mean, like you say, on Selection Sunday, you kind of understand where everybody came from, but, at the same time, you know, they’ve played great basketball. They beat quality teams and beat them easily.
"So, you know, you can argue until you’re blue in the face both sides of the coin. I’m glad they got picked. The guys were excited. They weren’t even watching the show from what I heard. They were all doing their own thing. Now they were getting text messages and phone calls, what’s going on?
"You know, I think they’ve really used I think the negative comments to their advantage. They really used to it inspire them and really get them motivated to play."
They’ve also inspired Rollins, who, like so many other players in this field – 112 of the 144 to be exact – who need to win the Shell Houston Open to get one final invitation to the Masters. He’s off to a good start after an opening 5-under 67 at Redstone.
"I actually said that at the game against Kansas on Sunday, my caddy (Heath Holt) came and met me down there," Rollins said. "We’re watching the game, and I was hoarse for like a day and a half after the game from all the screaming. This could be exactly what I needed for my golf game. I’m sitting here watching my school, they’re beating Kansas, one of the best programs in the country and they beat them pretty easily.
"And I’m like this is — this could be something that I need to kind of get a little bit of spark under me to get me going and, you know, just kind of maybe wake me up or whatever. To be in the same town is pretty ironic, pretty cool to do that for me to be able to play and them to play.
"So, you know, I’d like to be able to double-dip this week."
Rollins’ best finish at the Masters was a T20 in 2007. But even a really solid week here would be a boost for the VCU alum (class of ’97, Communications), who may have some of the Rams basketball fans following him Friday.
He’s made just three cuts in eight events this year, but things could be changing after some hard work with coach Pat O’Brien. Specifically, they’re trying to free up his putting stroke.
"I’ve always been sort of a I guess you would call it a hitter of putts, not really a smooth, like a Steve Stricker style, real smooth and rhythmic stroke like he’s got," Rollins said. "We’ve really been working trying to get more into that mindset, trying to see the ball, you know, maybe rolling on the greens better, rolling in the hole kind of on a dying — dying balls into the hole rather than being so aggressive like I’ve been in the past.
"It’s been a little difficult. You know, we’ve done okay at times, but the consistency hasn’t been there. I’ve devoted more time to it since it’s been killing me over last year or so. So I’ve really devoted more time to it recently and starting to see some signs."
Kind of like VCU and those three-pointers hitting nothing but net.
Rollins teamed up with the school for a charity pro-am years ago and knows athletic director Norwood Teague well enough that he hit him up for Final Four tickets with a minute to go in the Kansas game. And coach Shaka Smart has come to Rollins’ event.
If he keeps up the current pace, it’ll be seriously tight timing to get to Saturday’s VCU-Butler semifinals since the course is thirtysomething miles – in Houston traffic – away from Reliant Stadium, but … he’ll be there.
"I will be at the game," he said. "I’d like to play well, obviously be leading the golf tournament, but hopefully tee times won’t interfere. Worse case I’ll be coming in sideways for the second half. By the time I get there, maybe the traffic won’t be as bad. I hope I keep playing well tomorrow and put myself in that later tee time for Saturday and just let everybody get there and get in their seats and I can just kind of stroll on in."
As for Monday’s finals?
"I’d like to be heading to Augusta, but, you know, we’re obviously going to have to win here to do that," he said. " But if I don’t and they make it there, you know — it’s the first time ever, so I kind of feel like I should be there.
"I’ve been the last — I’ve been to the Kansas game. If I go to this game and they win, I kind of feel like I got to ride this out now. I don’t want to break anything up, break any streak that they’ve got. I may. It would be fun to stick around and watch a National Championship game. But they got to get through Butler first."
So how does he size up the game?
"I really don’t know much about Butler," he said. " I know they’ve got a great defense. If we can continue to shoot the 3-pointer the way we’ve shot the 3-pointer, I don’t really know that anybody can beat us.
"Our defense is good. They’re playing good. I think our key is still shooting the 3 well to open up the inside game for us. If we can do that, we’re going to be alright."
ROLLINS SCORECARD
Watch: Mickelson birdies
Phil Mickelson got up-and-down for birdie at the par-5 eighth:
Video: Mickelson birdies
Phil Mickelson birdies the par-5 eighth at Redstone on Thursday.
Photos: The best from Round 1
Cohen/Getty ImagesRyder Cup Captains Davis Love III (left) and Jose Olazabal talk during the first round on Thursday.
See the best images from the first round of play on Thursday at the Redstone Course.
Phil’s driver drama on Thursday
An unusual situation developed in the middle of Phil Mickelson’s round: The world’s sixth-ranked player requested changing his driver during the middle of the round, arguing that it was damaged and unfit for use.
Mickelson
Mickelson’s request to use a backup driver was denied. PGA TOUR rules official Stephen Cox explained the ruling during the Golf Channel’s broadcast:
"Although you could see a blemish, it really needs to be some separation in the clubface," Cox said. "If the club was to deteriorate, we’d take another look at it."
Mickelson, who is 1 over after 10 holes, actually went back to the driver for his tee shot on the par-5 13th. His shot landed in the left rough.
Rule 4.3a of the Rules of Golf state (from USGA.COM):
If, during a stipulated round, a player’s club is damaged in the normal course of play, he may:
(i) use the club in its damaged state for the remainder of the stipulated round; or (ii) without unduly delaying play, repair it or have it repaired; or (iii) as an additional option available only if the club is unfit for play, replace the damaged club with any club. The replacement of a club must not unduly delay play and must not be made by borrowing any club selected for play by any other person playing on the course.
O’Hern fixes problems on greens
Greenwood/Getty ImagesNick O’Hern is trying to regain full status on the PGA TOUR.
Every golfer in the world has been there, and it happened to Nick O’Hern last week. In Round 1 of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he hit the ball great — but took 34 putts. He briefly considered filing for divorce from his trademark long putter, whom he’d been married to for 16 years.
O’Hern needed only 25 putts on Thursday. His 65 is likely to remain the lead against the afternoon groups currently out in force at Redstone.
"After last week on the greens, I thought maybe give the short putter a go. But I’m glad I didn’t," O’Hern said. "It’s natural for anyone to start tinkering if things aren’t going according to plan. I didn’t think I was putting badly, but nothing was going in, so that’s when you probably think maybe a change is on the cards. But as I say, it’s worked out pretty well."
O’Hern is trying to earn enough money to shake his Medical Extension status on TOUR, which he was forced to take after undergoing two knee surgeries after the 2010 PLAYERS.
"I had an ACL reconstruction on my right knee last year. I snapped it about 20 years ago," O’Hern said. "Just wear and tear it was time to get it fixed. I actually had my left knee done at the same time. So I have both knees operated on, went for the package deal and had them both done."
A healthy O’Hern is back to hitting fairways, which he knows he must do to compete on TOUR. He missed only two of them on Thursday.
"The big thing for me on this TOUR is driving the ball. I’m one of the shortest hitters, but I’m usually one of the most accurate," O’Hern said. "I haven’t been accurate at all of late. My game revolves round hitting fairways and therefore I can hit greens and hopefully make putts."
Stricker comes in from the cold
Cohen/Getty ImagesSteve Stricker is making his first start since the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship.
By Melanie Hauser, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
HUMBLE, Texas – Snow on the ground. Temperature hovering in the 30s. No golf courses open for miles. And miles. Maybe a couple of states worth.
So what’s a golfer to do? Steve Stricker built a putting green in his basement. Undulations built up on the cement slab. Green carpet that’s slick. Almost as slick as the greens here at the Shell Houston Open.
What does it run on the Stimpmeter? “It’s pretty fast,’’ he grinned.
Good enough to keep him pretty sharp, even if he’s got about a 20-foot limit on lengths.
"Actually, you know, my carpet [has] imperfections," he said. "It rolls perfect. These greens (at Redstone) are just like my carpet. I mean, they’re so good. The speed is pretty similar, too. Mine may be a touch slower, but it’s pretty quick and, you know, it’s just getting the feel … Out here I got to do some lag putting from 30, 40 feet just to get the feel."
Which explains why he flew in Sunday and spent most of Monday working on his chipping and putting. And, why he came into the week with few expectations.
It doesn’t explain, however, his opening 5-under-par 67 at the Shell Houston Open.
"It was a good start,’’ he said. “I mean the weather is perfect, perfect today, hardly any wind. You know, going out there after I’ve been here the last three days with some little bit windier conditions, you knew scoring was going to be better today, and it looks like it is and the course is in great shape.
"So, guys are going to make some putts and take advantage of these calm conditions today, and I was just fortunate enough to get off to a good start, hit the driver well and hit a lot of greens in regulation and gave myself some chances."
And, he dropped four birdie putts in a row – 12 through 16 – before dropping a shot coming in.
"Those are holes you really kind of need to take advantage of, too,’’ Stricker said. “Maybe not so much the par 3, what is that, 13 — no, 14, but you have a short iron in at 12, par 5, 13, and then another par 5 at 15. You know, you go into that stretch thinking you’re going to get some birdie opportunities, and, you know, I hit some good wedges in there and hit a good 4-iron at 14 to about 8 feet and made some good putts. They’re all in that 5-to-10-foot range. So that was a good stretch and kind of got me going."
Not that Stricker needs much urging here. He didn’t play here last year, but he had three top-11s in the previous four times he’s played here, including a third in 2006.
"Well, it’s hard to tell because I come from Wisconsin this time of year and I don’t really know where my game is at,’’ he said. “I come down here early. Got here Sunday night. I played a bunch of holes on Monday over on the tournament course, then over on the other course. So it’s kind of always a wait-and-see, no expectations for me when I come out of the cold weather, and this is no different.
"So I just try to do as best as I can, play hard, you know, see what I’ve got at the time, and today was pretty good. I drove the ball well which sets up a lot here, you can drive it well, and, you know, that’s half the battle and I gave myself some opportunities.’"
And, yes, like everyone else, he has an eye toward next week’s Masters.
"Yeah, very much so," he said. “I can even feel like you’re getting — I feel like I’m even on edge a little bit thinking about next week and a little uneasy. You’re trying to figure out where your game is at. You know, for me I’m kind of cramming, you know, trying to play this week, see where I’m at, you know, see what I need to work on, see what’s doing — see what I’m doing well, but you always have that in the back of your mind.
"It’s a good test here this week, too. There’s a lot of water. It makes you focus. The greens are quick like next week, so there’s some similarities there that help you prepare for next week as well.’"
Kind of like that basement putting green got him ready for this week.
Stricker’s scorecard:
Your open thread: Shell Houston Open
As Golf Channel hits the air for their broadcast (3-6 p.m. ET), discuss who you think will make a move on Thursday at Redstone. Leave your comments in the space below.
How tough is Redstone playing?
With its signature brutal ending (twin 490-yard par-4s), the Redstone Tournament Course is usually neck-and-neck with TPC Four Seasons as the tougher course in the Texas Swing. But Round 1 is playing a little easier for the field.
With manageable wind on Thursday, the field is averaging 72.171 strokes per round. In 2010, the course played at 72.596 over the four days, making it the 14th toughest course on TOUR (out of 54).
Here’s how the four courses in Texas played in 2010:
Course/ParTournamentStroke AverageRank on TOURTPC Four Seasons/70HP Byron Nelson70.79012thRedstone/72Shell Houston Open72.59614thTPC San Antonio/72Valero Texas Open72.35317thColonial C.C./72Crowne Plaza Colonial68.45141st
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Tour Report: Tiger practices at Augusta, Bahamas (PGATOUR.com)
March 31, 2011
Tiger Woods practiced earlier this week at Augusta National, where he played with Arjun Atwal.
"It was 40 degrees, and the course was soaked after three inches of rain the night before," Woods said on his website, TigerWoods.com, "It’s the most grass I’ve ever seen on the golf course. If they use the back tees, they could make it play really long."
Woods, a four-time winner of the Masters, also noticed some changes to the course, including the re-contouring of the 11th and 17th greens.
Rainy weather in Orlando prompted Woods to go to Albany in the Bahamas to practice the rest of the week.
"I’m in much more competitive shape, no doubt," said Woods, who tied for fourth a year ago after a five-month hiatus. "I’ve got a good feel for what I’m doing and have more rounds under my belt."
Woods has yet to line up practice rounds next week but said he will definitely play with Atwal.
The forecast for next week at Augusta National looks good with temperatures in the mid-70s to low-80s with possible thunderstorms on Tuesday and Saturday.
Tiger Woods practiced earlier this week at Augusta National, where he played with Arjun Atwal. "It was 40 degrees, and the course was soaked after three inches of rain the night before," Woods said on his website, TigerWoods.com, "It’s the most grass I’ve ever seen on the golf course. If they use the back tees, […]
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Golf-Sizzling putter helps Gal into early tie for Nabisco lead (Reuters)
March 31, 2011
By Mark Lamport-Stokes
RANCHO MIRAGE, California, March 31 (Reuters) – Germany’sSandra Gal, wielding a red-hot putter, charged into a share ofthe early lead in the opening round of the Kraft NabiscoChampionship on Thursday.
Just four days after winning her first LPGA title at theKia Classic, Gal totalled only 20 putts as she fired a sizzlingfive-under-par 67 on a scorching spring day at Mission HillsCountry Club.
The 25-year-old German chipped in for birdie at thepar-four fourth before ending her round level with Japan’s MikaMiyazato, who rattled up five birdies in a flawless display.
Chie Arimura, also of Japan, eagled the par-five second enroute to a 68 in the opening women’s major of the year whiletwice champion Karrie Webb of Australia and American ReilleyRankin carded matching 69s.
“I’m happy with my start,” a beaming Gal told reportersafter mixing seven birdies with two bogeys. “At the beginning,I struggled a little bit with my irons and just made a fewup-and-downs.
“Then I just happened to roll a few putts in and got morecomfortable as the round went on.”
Gal, who came from one shot behind to beat South Koreanworld number two Shin Ji-yai by a stroke at last week’s KiaClassic, holed out from 15 yards with a 58-degree lob wedge atthe fourth.
“There was a lot of break in it so I had to stop it quicklyand trickle it left-to-right,” she said. “It was just a smallfluff shot. It definitely helps you to do that early in around.”
THANKFUL GAL
Gal was thankful for an early teeoff time on a calm day inthe California desert where the temperatures peaked at 96degrees (35.55 degrees Celsius) and the course began to playfaster and firmer.
“It was pretty hot out there but we had an early startwhich was nice,” the six-foot (1.83 metres) German said. “Thegreens, as the day went on, got firmer and firmer.
“I had quite a few shots that actually went over thegreens. So that’s something to consider for tomorrow for sure,”added Gal, who has an afternoon teeoff for Friday’s secondround.
Taiwan’s world number one Yani Tseng launched her titledefence at Mission Hills with a 70 and was envious of thesuperb putting display by her playing partner Gal.
“She seemed really confident today and she was making lotsof putts,” Tseng said. “I really need to putt like her. Ithought I could see the line, but my speed was a little off.
“I shot two under, which is not bad, but it was tough outthere. It was so hot and there was no wind. I had an umbrellaout there.”
Korean Shin, Norway’s Suzann Pettersen and Americans PaulaCreamer and Michelle Wie were among the day’s late starters. (Editing by Frank Pingue; To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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Tour Report: O’Hern fixes problems on greens (PGATOUR.com)
March 31, 2011
Greenwood/Getty ImagesJohn Rollins screamed himself hoarse when his alma mater beat Kansas last weekend.
By Melanie Hauser, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
Yes, John Rollins has tickets. He’s going to the semifinals, but, no, he doesn’t know what he’ll do if he makes the Masters field and Virginia Commonwealth makes the NCAA finals.
And finally? He’s as surprised as anyone about the Rams. Didn’t even pick them in his own bracket.
"What does that tell you?" Rollins said. " You know, I mean, like you say, on Selection Sunday, you kind of understand where everybody came from, but, at the same time, you know, they’ve played great basketball. They beat quality teams and beat them easily.
"So, you know, you can argue until you’re blue in the face both sides of the coin. I’m glad they got picked. The guys were excited. They weren’t even watching the show from what I heard. They were all doing their own thing. Now they were getting text messages and phone calls, what’s going on?
"You know, I think they’ve really used I think the negative comments to their advantage. They really used to it inspire them and really get them motivated to play."
They’ve also inspired Rollins, who, like so many other players in this field – 112 of the 144 to be exact – who need to win the Shell Houston Open to get one final invitation to the Masters. He’s off to a good start after an opening 5-under 67 at Redstone.
"I actually said that at the game against Kansas on Sunday, my caddy (Heath Holt) came and met me down there," Rollins said. "We’re watching the game, and I was hoarse for like a day and a half after the game from all the screaming. This could be exactly what I needed for my golf game. I’m sitting here watching my school, they’re beating Kansas, one of the best programs in the country and they beat them pretty easily.
"And I’m like this is — this could be something that I need to kind of get a little bit of spark under me to get me going and, you know, just kind of maybe wake me up or whatever. To be in the same town is pretty ironic, pretty cool to do that for me to be able to play and them to play.
"So, you know, I’d like to be able to double-dip this week."
Rollins’ best finish at the Masters was a T20 in 2007. But even a really solid week here would be a boost for the VCU alum (class of ’97, Communications), who may have some of the Rams basketball fans following him Friday.
He’s made just three cuts in eight events this year, but things could be changing after some hard work with coach Pat O’Brien. Specifically, they’re trying to free up his putting stroke.
"I’ve always been sort of a I guess you would call it a hitter of putts, not really a smooth, like a Steve Stricker style, real smooth and rhythmic stroke like he’s got," Rollins said. "We’ve really been working trying to get more into that mindset, trying to see the ball, you know, maybe rolling on the greens better, rolling in the hole kind of on a dying — dying balls into the hole rather than being so aggressive like I’ve been in the past.
"It’s been a little difficult. You know, we’ve done okay at times, but the consistency hasn’t been there. I’ve devoted more time to it since it’s been killing me over last year or so. So I’ve really devoted more time to it recently and starting to see some signs."
Kind of like VCU and those three-pointers hitting nothing but net.
Rollins teamed up with the school for a charity pro-am years ago and knows athletic director Norwood Teague well enough that he hit him up for Final Four tickets with a minute to go in the Kansas game. And coach Shaka Smart has come to Rollins’ event.
If he keeps up the current pace, it’ll be seriously tight timing to get to Saturday’s VCU-Butler semifinals since the course is thirtysomething miles – in Houston traffic – away from Reliant Stadium, but … he’ll be there.
"I will be at the game," he said. "I’d like to play well, obviously be leading the golf tournament, but hopefully tee times won’t interfere. Worse case I’ll be coming in sideways for the second half. By the time I get there, maybe the traffic won’t be as bad. I hope I keep playing well tomorrow and put myself in that later tee time for Saturday and just let everybody get there and get in their seats and I can just kind of stroll on in."
As for Monday’s finals?
"I’d like to be heading to Augusta, but, you know, we’re obviously going to have to win here to do that," he said. " But if I don’t and they make it there, you know — it’s the first time ever, so I kind of feel like I should be there.
"I’ve been the last — I’ve been to the Kansas game. If I go to this game and they win, I kind of feel like I got to ride this out now. I don’t want to break anything up, break any streak that they’ve got. I may. It would be fun to stick around and watch a National Championship game. But they got to get through Butler first."
So how does he size up the game?
"I really don’t know much about Butler," he said. " I know they’ve got a great defense. If we can continue to shoot the 3-pointer the way we’ve shot the 3-pointer, I don’t really know that anybody can beat us.
"Our defense is good. They’re playing good. I think our key is still shooting the 3 well to open up the inside game for us. If we can do that, we’re going to be alright."
Rollins’ scorecard:
Stricker comes in from the cold
Cohen/Getty ImagesSteve Stricker is making his first start since the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship.
By Melanie Hauser, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
HUMBLE, Texas – Snow on the ground. Temperature hovering in the 30s. No golf courses open for miles. And miles. Maybe a couple of states worth.
So what’s a golfer to do? Steve Stricker built a putting green in his basement. Undulations built up on the cement slab. Green carpet that’s slick. Almost as slick as the greens here at the Shell Houston Open.
What does it run on the Stimpmeter? “It’s pretty fast,’’ he grinned.
Good enough to keep him pretty sharp, even if he’s got about a 20-foot limit on lengths.
"Actually, you know, my carpet [has] imperfections," he said. "It rolls perfect. These greens (at Redstone) are just like my carpet. I mean, they’re so good. The speed is pretty similar, too. Mine may be a touch slower, but it’s pretty quick and, you know, it’s just getting the feel … Out here I got to do some lag putting from 30, 40 feet just to get the feel."
Which explains why he flew in Sunday and spent most of Monday working on his chipping and putting. And, why he came into the week with few expectations.
It doesn’t explain, however, his opening 5-under-par 67 at the Shell Houston Open.
"It was a good start,’’ he said. “I mean the weather is perfect, perfect today, hardly any wind. You know, going out there after I’ve been here the last three days with some little bit windier conditions, you knew scoring was going to be better today, and it looks like it is and the course is in great shape.
"So, guys are going to make some putts and take advantage of these calm conditions today, and I was just fortunate enough to get off to a good start, hit the driver well and hit a lot of greens in regulation and gave myself some chances."
And, he dropped four birdie putts in a row – 12 through 16 – before dropping a shot coming in.
"Those are holes you really kind of need to take advantage of, too,’’ Stricker said. “Maybe not so much the par 3, what is that, 13 — no, 14, but you have a short iron in at 12, par 5, 13, and then another par 5 at 15. You know, you go into that stretch thinking you’re going to get some birdie opportunities, and, you know, I hit some good wedges in there and hit a good 4-iron at 14 to about 8 feet and made some good putts. They’re all in that 5-to-10-foot range. So that was a good stretch and kind of got me going."
Not that Stricker needs much urging here. He didn’t play here last year, but he had three top-11s in the previous four times he’s played here, including a third in 2006.
"Well, it’s hard to tell because I come from Wisconsin this time of year and I don’t really know where my game is at,’’ he said. “I come down here early. Got here Sunday night. I played a bunch of holes on Monday over on the tournament course, then over on the other course. So it’s kind of always a wait-and-see, no expectations for me when I come out of the cold weather, and this is no different.
"So I just try to do as best as I can, play hard, you know, see what I’ve got at the time, and today was pretty good. I drove the ball well which sets up a lot here, you can drive it well, and, you know, that’s half the battle and I gave myself some opportunities.’"
And, yes, like everyone else, he has an eye toward next week’s Masters.
"Yeah, very much so," he said. “I can even feel like you’re getting — I feel like I’m even on edge a little bit thinking about next week and a little uneasy. You’re trying to figure out where your game is at. You know, for me I’m kind of cramming, you know, trying to play this week, see where I’m at, you know, see what I need to work on, see what’s doing — see what I’m doing well, but you always have that in the back of your mind.
"It’s a good test here this week, too. There’s a lot of water. It makes you focus. The greens are quick like next week, so there’s some similarities there that help you prepare for next week as well.’"
Kind of like that basement putting green got him ready for this week.
Stricker’s scorecard:
Your open thread: Shell Houston Open
As Golf Channel hits the air for their broadcast (3-6 p.m. ET), discuss who you think will make a move on Thursday at Redstone. Leave your comments in the space below.
How tough is Redstone playing?
With its signature brutal ending (twin 490-yard par-4s), the Redstone Tournament Course is usually neck-and-neck with TPC Four Seasons as the tougher course in the Texas Swing. But Round 1 is playing a little easier for the field.
With manageable wind on Thursday, the field is averaging 72.171 strokes per round. In 2010, the course played at 72.596 over the four days, making it the 14th toughest course on TOUR (out of 54).
Here’s how the four courses in Texas played in 2010:
Course/ParTournamentStroke AverageRank on TOURTPC Four Seasons/70HP Byron Nelson70.79012thRedstone/72Shell Houston Open72.59614thTPC San Antonio/72Valero Texas Open72.35317thColonial C.C./72Crowne Plaza Colonial68.45141st
No letdown for Leishman
It looks like Marc Leishman is going to get another shot at a last-minute Masters invite.
Leishman
Leishman, who finished third last week in the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, is 3 under for the day after an eagle at the par-5 13th. It’s a nice comeback for Leishman, who double-bogeyed the sixth hole when he drove out of bounds.
Leishman is trying to get back to Augusta National for the second year in a row. He qualified in 2010 as a second-year TOUR player after playing in all four events in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.
Fun fact: There are two Marcs in the top 10 right. The other? Marc Turnesa.
MARC LEISHMAN: Scorecard | Shot Tracker TOUR INSIDER: Five players looking to punch a last-minute ticket to Augusta
Mahan: Fear the beard
Noted San Francisco Giants fan Hunter Mahan polished off a 70 in the morning at Redstone, then tweeted this picture (below), depicting Giants closer Brian Wilson.
The Giants kick off their 2011 season on Thursday against Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium.
Mahan, a favorite this week and next week at Augusta National, tied for sixth at Redstone in 2009 and tied for fifth in 2007.
HUNTER MAHAN: Scorecard | Shot Tracker
Featured Group tees off
HOUSTON — This marquee threesome certainly got hot at the right time last year.
That’s why Anthony Kim is defending his title at the Shell Houston Open this week and Phil Mickelson will do the same next week at the Masters.
In fact, the three men who are paired together in the first two rounds at Redstone Golf Club went on to finish 1-2-3 at Augusta National — with Lee Westwood three shots behind Mickelson in second and Anthony Kim another shot further off the pace. For more about the featured group this week, click here.
SHOT TRACKER: Track ‘em live SCORECARDS: Mickelson | Westwood | Kim
Morning Movers: Round 1
Amanda Balionis delivers exclusive video of opening-round action from the Shell Houston Open at Redstone featuring Fred Couples, Hunter Mahan and Matt Kuchar:
Watch: Morning Movers
Fred Couples was off to a solid start in the morning wave on Friday at Redstone.
O’Hern also making comeback
You haven’t heard a lot about Nick O’Hern in the last year or so. The man perhaps best known for beating Tiger Woods in the 2007 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship has been battling knee issues for years, and it finally came to a head last summer.
O’Hern played in the 2010 THE PLAYERS Championship and was done for the year after injuring his knee during the event.
O’Hern
He came back for the 2011 PGA TOUR opener but hasn’t finished in the top 25 in eight tries this year.
The Aussie, a left-hander who has used a long putter for years, is 6 under after 15 holes on Thursday at Redstone. He has the lead outright; Steve Stricker briefly reached 6 under before a bogey on the 16th.
O’Hern needs a big week. He has to earn $312,690 to retain full status on TOUR after being forced to take a medical extension.
NICK O’HERN: Scorecard | Shot Tracker
Greenwood/Getty Images John Rollins screamed himself hoarse when his alma mater beat Kansas last weekend. By Melanie Hauser, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent Yes, John Rollins has tickets. Heâs going to the semifinals, but, no, he doesnât know what heâll do if he makes the Masters field and Virginia Commonwealth makes the NCAA finals. And finally? Heâs as […]
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Ishikawa to give 2011 earnings to Japan victims
March 31, 2011
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP)—Ryo Ishikawa first made people take notice becauseof his golf. He won his first Japan Golf Tour event as a 15-year-old amateur,won the money title at 17 and last year became the first player to shoot 58 on amajor tour.
His latest eye-opening feat brought attention to his heart.
Wanting to do his part to help victims of the earthquake and tsunami thatdevastated his native Japan, Ishikawa decided to donate his entire tournamentearnings this year—plus a bonus for every birdie he makes—toward reliefefforts.
“I don’t view this as pressure to perform, but it will instead be extramotivation for me,” Ishikawa said Friday in an email to The Associated Press.“I always believe in myself, but because I am playing for the people of Japan,I feel like I will be playing with a greater purpose this year.”
Ishikawa, who at 19 already has nine wins on the Japan Golf Tour, was thirdon Japan’s money list last year with just over $1.82 million.
He also has pledged about $1,200 (100,000 yen) for every birdie. He led theJapanese tour last year with 341 birdies, which would amount to over $400,000.
Even in a sport driven by charity, Ishikawa’s generosity caught theattention of his colleagues.
“It’s the most unbelievable gesture ever, isn’t it?” Geoff Ogilvy saidFriday. “I saw it fly past last night on Twitter and I thought, ‘Ah, that’snice.’ About five minutes later I said, ‘Hang on a minute. All his prize money?’Which is ridiculous for anybody, but for someone who’s 19 to have that level ofthought for others … it’s amazing.”
Ishikawa was playing the Cadillac Championship at Doral on March 11 when heawoke to news of the earthquake and tsunami, and saw horrific images of thedestruction. He finished off a 65 in the first round, then struggled the rest ofthe week.
He missed the cut at the Transitions Championship and Arnold PalmerInvitational, then headed to Augusta, Ga., this week to meet up with his familyand get ready for the Masters. Ishikawa is from Saitama, about 300 miles awayfrom the area hardest hit by the tsunami.
Ishikawa said he has spent most of his money on making life easier forhimself, from building a short-game practice facility near his house to buyingfitness equipment.
“I feel fortunate to be in a position to afford such things, but I knowthat my success is a result of the support of so many people,” he said in theemail. “While golf is my profession, and I want to have a long and successfulcareer, there are things that are more important. And the people of Japan aredealing with life and death issues as a result of the earthquake and tsunami.
“I feel it is my turn to give back in whatever way I can to support thepeople who have been so supportive of me.”
Known earlier in his career as “Bashful Prince,” Ishikawa has become theface of golf in Japan. He played 34 times last year, including one stretch of 20tournaments in 22 weeks, because the tour and sponsors lean so heavily on him.
Ogilvy is among those who understand the level of attention Ishikawagenerates in Japan. He was playing the Taheiyo Masters toward the end of 2007when he saw a horde of photographers rushing across the practice green, camerasover their heads to snap pictures. Ogilvy asked who they were following and wastold, “This is the kid who’s going to save the Japanese Tour.”
“He’s probably close to being the most famous sportsman in Japan,” Ogilvysaid. “He’s the Tiger Woods of Japan. And a lot of people will see what he’sdone. It’s another sign of how grown up he is.”
Ishikawa played for the International team in the Presidents Cup two yearsago in San Francisco. He went 3-2, with the two losses coming against theundefeated tandem of Woods and Steve Stricker.
“I spent a week with him at the Presidents Cup,” Ogilvy said. “You don’tlearn a person in a week. But it doesn’t surprise me. You spend time with himand realize that he’s a good guy. This isn’t a PR thing. He must feel verystrongly about his country.”
Word of his gesture began to filter through the golf industry Thursday nightand Friday.
“Ryo’s unselfish pledge to donate all his worldwide prize money this year… is an indication of the maturity this 19-year-old has demonstrated on andoff the golf course since he burst onto the international golf stage,” PGA Tourcommissioner Tim Finchem said.
“That’s unbelievable. I haven’t heard of anybody doing that,” Strickersaid from the Houston Open. “It’s a great testament to what kind of kid he is.It obviously touches him pretty deeply.”
“It warmed my heart that he is the type of character we thought he was, andhe continues to display it,” said Gerald Goodman, who offered Ishikawa hisfirst PGA Tour exemption two years ago at the Transitions Championship.“Athletes from Japan are rallying to help their country. But to give it all?That’s something.”
The hardest part for Ishikawa was being patient in deciding what he shoulddo. Jumbo Ozaki, who is to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in May,suggested that Japanese players donate 20 percent of their earnings.
Ishikawa decided to go even further.
“I wanted to help right away, but I discussed with my staff and family overthe past three weeks and came up with the idea,” Ishikawa said. “A number ofother Japanese athletes announced their support right away, and I felt a bit ofpressure of jump in quickly. But I wanted to take the time to figure out how Icould help best.
“I believed right away that it was the right thing to do and am verymotivated to not only raise money for the people of Japan, but hopefully alsoencourage them as the country recovers.”
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Golf-Masters-Past champions at Augusta National (Reuters)
March 31, 2011
March 31 (Reuters) – U.S. Masters champions ahead of the2011 tournament to be played at Augusta National Golf Club inAugusta, Georgia from April 7-10 (U.S. unless stated): 2010 Phil Mickelson 2009 Angel Cabrera (Argentina) 2008 Trevor Immelman (South Africa) 2007 Zach Johnson 2006 Mickelson 2005 Tiger Woods 2004 Mickelson 2003 Mike Weir (Canada) 2002 Woods 2001 Woods 2000 Vijay Singh (Fiji) 1999 Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain) 1998 Mark O’Meara 1997 Woods 1996 Nick Faldo (Britain) 1995 Ben Crenshaw 1994 Olazabal 1993 Bernhard Langer (Germany) 1992 Fred Couples 1991 Ian Woosnam (Britain) 1990 Faldo 1989 Faldo 1988 Sandy Lyle (Britain) 1987 Larry Mize 1986 Jack Nicklaus 1985 Langer 1984 Crenshaw 1983 Seve Ballesteros (Spain) 1982 Craig Stadler 1981 Tom Watson 1980 Ballesteros 1979 Fuzzy Zoeller 1978 Gary Player (South Africa) 1977 Watson 1976 Raymond Floyd 1975 Nicklaus 1974 Player 1973 Tommy Aaron 1972 Nicklaus 1971 Charles Coody 1970 Billy Casper 1969 George Archer 1968 Bob Goalby 1967 Gay Brewer, Jr. 1966 Nicklaus 1965 Nicklaus 1964 Arnold Palmer 1963 Nicklaus 1962 Palmer 1961 Player 1960 Palmer 1959 Art Wall, Jr. 1958 Palmer 1957 Doug Ford 1956 Jack Burke, Jr. 1955 Cary Middlecoff 1954 Sam Snead 1953 Ben Hogan 1952 Snead 1951 Hogan 1950 Jimmy Demaret 1949 Snead 1948 Claude Harmon 1947 Demaret 1946 Herman Keiser 1945 No tournament 1944 No tournament 1943 No tournament 1942 Byron Nelson 1941 Craig Wood 1940 Demaret 1939 Ralph Guldahl 1938 Henry Picard 1937 Nelson 1936 Horton Smith 1935 Gene Sarazen 1934 Smith (Compiled by Mark Lamport-Stokes; Editing by Frank Pingue; Toquery or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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Golf-Masters-Memorable moments at Augusta National (Reuters)
March 31, 2011
By Mark Lamport-Stokes
RANCHO MIRAGE, California, March 31 (Reuters) – The U.S.Masters, the season’s opening major and the only one staged atthe same venue, has produced countless moments to savour sinceit was first launched at Augusta National Golf Club in 1934.
During the 1935 edition, Gene Sarazen holed out with afour-wood for an albatross (three-under-par) at the par-five15th, the famous “shot heard round the world,” to set up anunlikely playoff victory over fellow American Craig Wood.
Sarazen set the pattern for a tournament that is frequentlythe most exciting and unpredictable of the four majors. Withits immaculate layout and picturesque surroundings in a blazeof spring colour, it is always the most spectacular.
This year’s championship runs from April 7-10. Followingare some of the most memorable moments of all time at theMasters:
- – - -
1935
Playing the 500-yard 15th in the fourth round, Sarazen wasthree shots off the lead when he hit his tee shot down theright of the fairway.
Facing 235 yards to reach the pin with his second, he tookout his four-wood and struck his ball over water protecting thefront of the smallish green and into the hole for a rarealbatross (double eagle).
The miracle shot, probably the most famous single stroke ofall time in golf, pulled him level with fellow American Wood.Sarazen went on to win the title by five strokes the followingday, after a 36-hole playoff, for his only green jacket.
- – - -
1957
American Doug Ford led by a shot playing the last hole inthe final round but seemed on the point of self-destructionwhen he hooked his approach into a greenside bunker. His ballwas virtually buried in the sand yet, from an upslope in thefront of the bunker, he managed to blast out on to the green.
Remarkably, the ball landed 10 feet from the pin beforerolling into the hole for an unexpected birdie three and Fordwon the title by three strokes from Sam Snead.
- – - -
1967
Twice champion Ben Hogan relived memories of his gloryyears while putting together a superb six-birdie back nineduring the third round at the age of 55.
Winner of the Masters in 1951 and 1953, Hogan picked upshots at 10, 11, 12, 13 and 15 before sinking a tricky downhillputt from 25 feet for his sixth birdie of the day at the last,and a round of 66.
Although Arnold Palmer and Tony Jacklin were among thenames challenging at the head of the field, Hogan’s brillianttwo-hour display on Augusta’s back nine attracted huge crowds.
He made the halfway cut by three shots with scores of 74and 73. Although he slipped to a 77 on the last day, hefinished in a tie for 10th, nine strokes behind winner GayBrewer.
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1974
Gary Player was renowned for his fighting qualities, inmajor championships and in matchplay golf, and he frequentlyproduced the decisive shot at just the right time.
The diminutive South African, who led the tournament by onestroke after 70 holes, effectively clinched his second Masterstitle when he rifled a nine-iron approach to within nine inchesof the flag at the par-four 17th.
He followed his tap-in for birdie with a par four at thelast for a closing 70 to finish two strokes clear ofsecond-placed Dave Stockton and Tom Weiskopf.
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1986
Five-times champion Jack Nicklaus trailed leader GregNorman by four strokes going into the final round but, afterfalling further behind after the first seven holes, he turnedthe tournament on its head with a stunning back nine of 30.
Annoyed with himself after dropping a shot at the short12th, Nicklaus charged to a record sixth Green Jacket byfinishing birdie-par-eagle-birdie-birdie-par with the galleriespressing in from all sides.
The 46-year-old ‘Golden Bear’ effectively sealed hismagical win with a birdie putt at the par-four 17th and aclosing 65 left him on nine-under-par 279, one clear of Normanand American Tom Kite who shared second place.
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1988
Standing on the 72nd tee, Britain’s Sandy Lyle needed abirdie three at the last to clinch victory or a par to takeAmerican Mark Calcavecchia into a playoff.
The Scot then pulled his one-iron off the tee into the leftfairway bunker and, with 140 yards to the pin, any reasonablechance of a recovery seemed out of the question.
Lyle, though, had a good lie and hit a brilliant seven-ironover the sand at the front of the green 20 feet past the pin,from where the ball screwed back to within 10 feet.
He calmly sank the birdie putt, becoming the first Britishplayer to claim the prized green jacket.
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1992
Fred Couples finally lost the tag of being the best playernot to have won a major when he triumphed by two strokes overRaymond Floyd. However, he owed his breakthrough victory to amoment of good fortune at the par-three 12th.
Couples’s tee shot at the 155-yard Golden Bell holenarrowly cleared Rae’s Creek to land on the bank of the greenbut his ball seemed destined to roll back into the water.
However there were just enough blades of grass to arrestthe ball’s downward path and Couples, standing no more than afoot from the water, was able to hit a great pitch into thegreen and salvage his par. He went on to card a closing 70,finishing the tournament at 13-under-par 275.
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1997
Tiger Woods became the youngest Masters winner of all timewith a record 12-stroke victory but had to survive a severetest of his nerve at the par-five eighth.
His approach shot on this uphill hole finished pin-high butwell to the left and he had to negotiate a tricky lie within aclump of trees behind some huge mounds that guarded the green.
Any error could have meant a two- or three-shot swing atthe top of the leaderboard. Woods, having reviewed his options,hit the ball into the mound and watched it bounce upwardsbefore rolling to within a couple of feet of the hole.
The easy tap-in for a birdie four maintained his momentumas the 21-year-old American swept to a runaway victory overKite in only his third Masters.
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2001
On April 8, Woods made golfing history when he coolly sanka 15-foot birdie putt at the 72nd hole to become the firstprofessional to hold all four majors at the same time.
Almost deafened by the crescendo of applause fromspectators crammed around the green, the world number onesigned off with a second successive 68, his 72-hole total of16-under 272 leaving runner-up David Duval two shots adrift.
The 25-year-old Woods had won his sixth career major, and asecond Masters title, at the spiritual home of American golf.
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2004
Phil Mickelson, playing his 12th Masters, holed an 18-footbirdie putt at the last to clinch the first major of his careerafter an epic battle with Ernie Els down the stretch.
South African Els, who closed with a 67, led by two strokeswith five holes to play but the left-handed American overhauledhim with a brilliant inward nine of five-under 31.
Spurred on by cheering galleries, Mickelson birdied two ofthe last three holes to become the second successiveleft-hander to claim the cherished green jacket after 2003champion Mike Weir.
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2010
Six years after landing his first major title, Mickelsonclinched his fourth—and a third green jacket at AugustaNational—after a spectacular display of golf in highlyemotional circumstances.
He birdied four of the last seven holes, narrowly missingan eagle at the par-five 13th where he struck a sublimesix-iron from 207 yards through a four-foot gap between twopine trees to just three feet, before winning by three shots.
Roared on by huge galleries in dazzling sunshine, Mickelsonclosed with a flawless five-under-par 67 before walking off the18th green for a tearful embrace with his wife Amy, who wasdiagnosed with breast cancer the previous year. (Editing by Frank Pingue; To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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