Golf: Tiger Woods, despited limited schedule, racks up world ranking points

Along with wins, money and scoring average, another way to measure the strength of a golf season is total world ranking points. Tiger Woods won that category, too, but just barely over Henrik Stenson. A closer look reveals it wasn't really that close.   Woods earned 488.75 points this year, only 3.65 ahead of Stenson. Masters champion Adam Scott was third, more than 100 points behind.   The difference, though, is Woods played only 19 tournaments that awarded ranking points. Stenson played 31. Woods averaged 25.7 points for every...

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Golf in December: Definitely not par for course

Two weeks ago, you were knee deep in snow and planning for a white Christmas.   Today, you can crack open that box of Titleists you found under the tree and play 18.   The year of the wild weather has taken another unpredictable twist, bringing Friday temperatures in the high-40s across the area and the possibility of a balmy 50 today. That means — for at least one day — it's game on at the local links.   "They come out like crazy," said Justin Burrell, assistant manager at the UI Golf Course, "because they have that itch."   Of...

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Maiden Golf Awards Held In Accra

Dr Frimpong president of Ghana Golf Association has disclose to news men that come the next Olympic games , Ghana will participate and battle for medals in golf games , as golf now has officially been included in the Olympics games . The maiden golf awards ceremony was also attended by the the Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori who noted that Golf is a fair, transparent and honest sport with massive potential to inspire integrity and good leadership, therefore it’s ideal for African leaders to take up and play because it can help promote...

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TOC Field at Kapalua Announced

Masters champion Adam Scott headlines the field for next week's Hyundai Tournament of Champions, the first PGA Tour event of 2014 -- although no longer the first event of the season.   The PGA Tour went to a wraparound schedule in October, which means the Tournament of Champions at the Kapalua Resort on Maui will be the seventh event of the 2013-14 season. The format for the 72-hole tournament that begins on Jan. 3 remains the same -- only winners of official PGA Tour events during 2013 are eligible. There were 35 such winners, and 30...

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Golf: Henrik Stenson is looking to break his major duck after a record-breaking year on tour

Henrik Stenson is looking to add a major title to his growing CV after a record-breaking year on both sides of the Atlantic.   The Swede dominated the sport from the summer, chalking up seven top 10s from his final nine events on his way to securing the Race To Dubai title and the FedEx Cup.   Stenson also topped up his bank balance to the tune of 1m euros with victory in the DP World Tour Championship at Dubai November but it his...

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Stenson Becomes Honorary Member of the PGA Sweden National

  On the back of the finest season of his career, World Number Three Henrik Stenson has received Honorary Lifetime Membership of the PGA Sweden National. After finishing runner-up behind Spaniard Sergio Garcia in the Thailand Golf Championship on the Asian Tour, Stenson flew home to his native Sweden to receive the award from Mats Paulsson and Henrik Treschow, respectively the co-owner and chairman of PGA Sweden National, in Malmo. The Lake...

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Royal Trophy: Europe produce stunning fightback to beat Asia at Dragon Lake GC

Jose Maria Olazabal mastermined another epic comeback as Europe beat Asia 8.5-7.5 to win the Royal Trophy.   Asia, the holders, needed to claim just three-and-a-half points from Sunday's eight singles matches to win the trophy again and extended their lead from 5-3 to 7-3 by winning the top two matches.   Kiradech Aphibarnrat beat Paul Lawrie 3&2 in the top match before fellow Thai Thongchai Jaidee defeated Stephen Gallacher...

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Royal Trophy: Asia stay two points clear after Saturday fourballs are shared 2-2

Asia lead Europe 5-3 in the Royal Trophy after Saturday's fourballs in China were shared 2-2.   It means the holders, who won Friday's foursomes 3-1, need three-and-a-half points from Sunday's eight singles matches at the Dragon Lake Golf Club in Guangzhou, China to retain the trophy.   Asia were given the ideal start by Thai duo Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Thongchai Jaidee, who defeated Scots Paul Lawrie and Stephen Gallacher 2&1...

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Asia move into 3-1 lead after opening day of foursomes competition at Royal Trophy

  Asia moved into a 3-1 lead over Europe after the opening day of foursomes competition at the seventh edition of the Royal Trophy.   The two highest-ranked players on the Asian team, Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, set the tone for the hosts at the Dragon Lake Golf Club's Asian Games Course in China as they cruised to a 5&3 victory over Scottish duo Paul Lawrie and Stephen Gallacher. The Thai pairing were always...

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YE Yang explains decision to drop himself from Asian team for Royal Trophy

  Asia captain YE Yang has defended his decision to leave himself out of his team for this week's Royal Trophy against Europe.   The South Korean was Asia's hero last year, partnering compatriot KT Kim to victory in a tense play-off after the teams had finished level at 8-8.   The former PGA champion was set to be a playing captain this year, but he believes his form over the past 12 months has not been good enough to justify...

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Jose Maria Olazabal backs Europe to overpower Asia at Royal Trophy

  Jose Maria Olazabal is determined to complete a captaincy treble this week as Europe take on Asia in the Royal Trophy.   The Spaniard was at the helm for the Ryder Cup "Miracle at Medinah" last year, and he was also the winning captain in the Seve Trophy in October.   But his two stints as Royal Trophy skipper have both ended in defeat, and he has warned Asian counterpart YE Yang to expect a backlash at Dragon Lake in China.   Olazabal...

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Henrik Stenson has been named the European Tour Golfer of the Year

Swedish star Henrik Stenson has been named the European Tour Golfer of the Year for 2013 after capturing the major money titles on both sides of the Atlantic.   Stenson capped a memorable comeback year by winning the season-ending DP World Tour Championship to clinch the Race to Dubai title having already banked a $10m bonus in the United States with victory in the FedEx Cup.   Henrik Stenson Age: 37 Professional wins: 16 Current Ranking:...

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Abu Dhabi Golf Championship: Henrik Stenson to make 2014 bow in tournament

The world No 3 has a great record in the United Arab Emirates having won the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai last month as well as the 2006 Qatar Masters and the 2007 Dubai Desert Classic.   "2013 finished on a high in the UAE and it would be great if 2014 started on a high in the UAE," said the Swede.   "The country was a fantastic home for us for eight years and I've always enjoyed playing here."   Stenson finished...

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France's Victor Dubuisson secures Masters place for first time in career

The Frenchman is one of 14 non-qualified players to secure a place in the year's first major championship after the final Official World Golf Rankings of the season were published.   Dubuisson hit form with a vengeance at the end of the 2013 season which included his first European Tour title at the Turkish Airlines Open in November.   He went on to finish third behind Henrik Stenson in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship...

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Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose leading candidates for European Tour award

Stenson capped a memorable comeback year by winning the season-ending DP World Tour Championship to clinch the Race to Dubai title having already banked a $10m bonus with victory in the FedExCup.   Rose lifted only one trophy this year, but that was the US Open title at Merion where he became the first Englishman to win the tournament since Tony Jacklin in 1970.   Stenson's achievements were remarkable considering he was ranked only...

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Bernard and Lesley Gallacher launch heart awareness campaign

The former Ryder Cup captain suffered a cardiac arrest during a function at the Marcliffe Hotel in Aberdeen in August. The 64-year-old insists he owes his life to the quick treatment he received after collapsing, which included the use of a defibrillator that had been installed at the hotel. Gallacher and his wife Lesley have now launched a major campaign to raise awareness of the need to have defibrillators close to hand in a bid to increase...

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Late surge boosts Steve Saunders

LA QUINTA, Calif, -- Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament, birdieing his final four holes on PGA West's TPC Stadium Course for a 5-under 67. The 25-year-old Saunders, from Fort Collins, Colo., had a 17-under 199 after 54 holes in the six-day, 108-hole event that will determine player priority rankings for the Web.com Tour season. "I was just pretty steady all day today and gave myself a lot of opportunities," Saunders said. "I made a 30-footer for birdie on 17 and then hit it in the fairway...

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Probation, fine for shooting golfer

RENO, Nev. -- A Reno man has been placed on probation and fined $1,000 for shooting a golfer whose errant ball broke a bedroom window at his home. Jeff Fleming was put on probation Thursday for up to five years at a sentencing hearing in Washoe County District Court. The 53-year-old Fleming faced as much as 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine after he earlier pleaded guilty to a felony charge of battery with a deadly weapon. Fleming's attorney, Larry Dunn, said Thursday his client fired his shotgun at the golfer from some 50 yards away...

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Tax breaks power PGA Tour giving

The PGA Tour's nonprofit business model has allowed it to avoid paying up to $200 million in federal taxes over the past 20 years, and its tournaments -- designed to benefit local charities -- operate in ways that fall short of acceptable charitable practices, an "Outside the Lines" analysis of IRS data finds. The tour's charitable giving is a centerpiece of its golf events, tournament telecasts and website. The professional golf organization touts nearly $2 billion in donations over 75 years. Yet that philanthropy has been bolstered by...

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Jimmy V event ending after 20 years

CARY, N.C. -- The golf tournament developed to honor the late Jim Valvano's efforts to fight cancer is coming to an end after 20 years. Organizers with The V Foundation announced in a statement that they are giving up the tournament to focus local efforts elsewhere, including a new partnership with the Rock 'n' Roll Raleigh Marathon. The foundation says it is looking for runners to join its charitable team in the marathon, scheduled for April 13. In its 20 years, the golf weekend drew about 500,000 spectators and raised about $13.5 million...

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Cinks lead Father/Son Challenge

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Stewart Cink and son Connor birdied three of the last five holes Saturday for an 11-under 61 and a one-stroke lead in the Father/Son Challenge. Stewart Cink made an 8-foot birdie putt on the final at Grande Lakes in the scramble event. "We were a really good team out there," Stewart Cink said. "We had fun and fed off each other. This was a good time for us to spend together and it turned out today was a really good day of chemistry." Steve and Sam Elkington were second. Jack and Gary Nicklaus shot 63. The 73-year-old...

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Matt Kuchar, Harris English up by 4

NAPLES, Fla. -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English took a four-stroke lead Saturday in the Franklin Templeton Shootout, playing the back nine in 9-under 27 in the better-ball round for a 12-under 60. Kuchar and English were 20 under the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort's Tiburon course. They opened with a 64 on Friday in modified alternate-shot play. The team event ends Sunday with a scramble. Retief Goosen and Freddie Jacobson were second after a 61. The teams of Ian Poulter-Lee Westwood and Charles Howell III-Justin Leonard were tied for third...

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Van der Walt wins Mandela tourney

DURBAN, South Africa -- Dawie van der Walt shot a 4-under 66 Saturday to win the Nelson Mandela Championship by two shots, giving the tournament a South African victory in a week when the country bids farewell to its former president. Van der Walt finished with a three-round total of 15-under 195 as the sun eventually shone on the final day of the rain-shortened event. It was his second European Tour victory. England's Matthew Baldwin (68) and Spain's Jorge Campillo (68) were tied for second. Even before the rain disrupted the first two...

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Phil Mickelson recalls the last time he tossed a golf club in anger

Phil Mickelson takes a walk down memory lane after his induction into the Phoenix Open Hall of Fame. Phil Mickelson has earned his stature as one of the most popular golfers on the PGA Tour, in no small part because of his affable nature. Turns out, fans can thank Phil’s father for his son’s aversion for throwing clubs à la Tiger Woods, Henrik Stenson and, no doubt, a few other players who toil in relative anonymity. "One time I banged...

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Top 25 golf stories of 2013, No. 7: Jason Dufner steals show from Tiger and Phil, wins PGA Championship

It was a breakout summer for one of golf's best characters, who picked up a career-defining win at Oak Hill in August. The summer was dominated by old hands Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson re-ascending to the top two spots in the world, but the year in golf also featured some new names emerging as superstar personalities, perhaps none bigger than Jason Dufner. The lumpy deadpan Auburn fanatic had made a dent on the world golf scene before...

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