Stenson Nears Euro Money Title, Leads in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Henrik Stenson closed in on the European Tour money title Saturday, birdieing four of his last five holes for a 5-under 67 and one-shot lead after three rounds of the season-ending World Tour Championship.

The Swede was at 17-under 199 and is trying to become the first player to win the FedEx Cup and European title in the same year.

Victor Dubuisson of France, coming off a victory in Turkey for his first European Tour win, was in second place after a 64. England's Ian Poulter (66) and Spain's Alejandro Canizares (70) shared third place, another three shots back.

Stinson came into the tournament leading the Race of Dubai, although Poulter and Justin Rose are among the players who can still overtake him. Rose was six shots back after a 68.

"There's no point in getting ahead of myself as there's still one more day to go and I have to give it my best," Stenson said. "Victor is playing incredible golf at the moment. I heard the expression that I was the hottest golfer in the world, but he's just jumped up and grabbed that title these last two weeks. So I'm just going to go out there and try to play another solid round."

The points champion will receive $1 million from a $3.75 million bonus pool that counts on the final money list. In September, Stenson won the PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta to take the FedEx Cup title and $10 million bonus.

After Dubuisson pulled even for the lead, Stenson made three straight birdies starting at the 14th hole and sank a tap-in birdie on the 18th. Dubuisson had waited 72 tournaments for his first tour victory and now is in contention for a second.

"I play very well now because I've been practicing a lot, but my energy levels are down and it's been difficult on a few holes today, especially near the end of my round," he said. "But I will do my best tomorrow and tonight I will try to get to sleep early to have a good night and feel good for tomorrow."

Rose was in a similar situation last year, trailing by six shots after the third round. He then shot a final-day 62 only to lose to Rory McIlroy, who birdied his closing five holes.

Poulter, fourth in the Race to Dubai, needs to win the final event and for Stenson to finish outside the top three.

"I think if I shoot 65, it's going to be a good score," Poulter said. "I caught Henrik at one stage today and I'll catch him again tomorrow — don't worry about that."

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Stenson Retains Dubai Lead; Poulter and Dubuisson Chase

DUBAI — Henrik Stenson fired a five-under 67 in the third round of Dubai's $8-million DP World Tour Championship on Saturday to retain a one-shot lead, although Ian Poulter - who can pip the Swede to Europe's money list title - closed to within four shots.

Stenson can win the Race to Dubai, formerly the European Order of Merit, with victory at the tour's season finale, as can Poulter if he prevails over 72 holes at the Earth course and Stenson fails to finish in the top two.

Stenson sank four birdies on the final five holes to move to an aggregate 17-under 199, while Briton Poulter (66) is on 203.

Sandwiched between them is Victor Dubuisson who rattled in 11 birdies as he equalled this year's best round of 64. The in-form Frenchman, winner of last week's $7-million Turkish Airlines Open, is on 200 or 16 under.

England's Justin Rose (68) and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell (68), who could also win the money list with victory in Dubai, are off the pace at 11 and 8 under respectively.

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Westwood's Birdie Splurge Puts Him in Dubai Shake-Up

DUBAI — England's Lee Westwood struck a seven-under-par 65 in the third round of the $8-million DP World Tour Championship on Saturday to give the former world number one a fighting chance of claiming his first European title of 2013.

The 40-year-old, who has managed just one top-10 finish on the PGA and European Tours since June, made five birdies on the front nine and picked up further shots on the 10th and 11th.

But his charge stalled with a bogey on the 12th and he made par on the remaining holes except for a last birdie on 15 to put him on aggregate 11-under par 205.

"I got in my own way a little bit on the back nine, I could have 10-under conceivably, but 65 puts me in with a better chance than when I went off this morning," said Westwood.

"I didn't mind bogeying the 12th, that's a difficult hole, but I hit it close on the 13th and the 16th and missed both."

The world number 23 is among a clutch of British players ruing a disappointing season, with Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald - who are both former world number ones - also winless.

"I've not been playing very well. I've not been hitting it close and not been making anything," said Westwood.

He said his swing has not been "in sync" all year.

"I've been fumbling my way around the golf course, it's something I'm going to work on in the winter," he said.

Westwood, 22 times a winner on the tour, had been a little-noticed figure on the Greg Norman-designed Earth course this week.

He was not in contention to win the Race to Dubai, formerly the European Order of Merit, or among the early pacesetters at the season-ending finale having shot two-under-par 70s in his first two rounds.

"I can build on the momentum that this week has given me," said Westwood.

"I made a good par on the first and then rattled off a few birdies in a row, hitting it close, rolling a few putts in, that 5-10-foot range that I've been missing on the first two days and that got me some momentum."

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Golf Capsules

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Henrik Stenson remained in position to win the European Tour money title, opening a one-stroke lead Friday in the season-ending World Tour Championship.

The Swede had an 8-under 64 to reach 12 under after two rounds on Jumeirah's Earth Course.

Stenson also leads the Race to Dubai standings. The points champion will receive $1 million from a $3.75 million bonus pool that counts on the final money list. In September, Stenson won the PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship to take the FedEx Cup title and $10 million bonus.

Stenson is trying to become the second Swede to top the money list, following Robert Karlsson in 2008.

Stenson had a five-stroke advantage over England's Justin Rose, second in the points standings. Graeme McDowell, third in the points race, was eight strokes behind Stenson.

Spain's Alejandro Canizares was second after a 67.

OHL CLASSIC

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico — Robert Karlsson and Kevin Stadler topped the OHL Classic leaderboard at 12 under when second-round play was suspended because of darkness.

Karlsson played 36 holes Friday, shooting an 8-under 63 in the rain-delayed first round and adding a 67 in the afternoon on Mayakoba Resort's El Camaleon course. The Swede tied for 10th on Sunday in the McGladrey Classic, playing on a sponsor exemption, to earn a spot in the field this week.

Stadler had rounds of 67 and 63 in a 34-hole day.

Only 29 of the 127 players were able to complete the second round.

More than 4½ inches of rain has hit the course since Wednesday afternoon. Because of the wet conditions, players were allowed to use preferred lies in the first two rounds.

Rory Sabbatini and Chris Stroud were tied for second at 9 under. Sabbatini had one hole left when play was suspended, and Stroud had three to go.

AUSTRALIAN MASTERS

MELBOURNE, Australia  — Defending champion Adam Scott birdied two of his final four holes for a share of the lead after the second round of the Australian Masters.

Scott had a 5-under 66 at Royal Melbourne to match fellow Australian Nathan Holman at 9-under 133.

The second-ranked Scott won the Australian PGA on Sunday at Royal Pines in his first home event since winning the Masters at Augusta National. He will team with Jason Day for Australia next week in the World Cup, also at Royal Melbourne, then play the Australian Open the following week at Royal Sydney.

Holman had a 65. Australians Matthew Griffin (65) and Nick Cullen (69) were a stroke back.

American Matt Kuchar (66) was four strokes behind.

Leukemia survivor Jarrod Lyle shot an even-par 71 to make the 36-hole cut in his first tournament in 20 months. He was 1 over, 10 strokes behind Scott and Holman.

LORENA OCHOA INVITATIONAL

GUADALAJARA, Mexico  — Sweden's Anna Nordqvist and South Korea's So Yeon Ryu each birdied the final hole for a share of the second-round lead with Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum in the Lorena Ochoa Invitational

Nordqvist and Ryu shot 5-under 67 to match Phatlum at 9-under 135 at Guadalajara Country Club. Phatlum, the first-round leader in the 36-player event, had a 69.

South Korea's Inbee Park was a stroke back along with Americans Lexi Thompson and Gerina Piller. Thompson had a 64 for the best round the first two days. Piller shot 65, and Park had a 68.

The top-ranked Park swept the first three major championships of the season and has three other LPGA Tour wins this season. She's winless in eight starts since the U.S. Women's Open in late June.

Second-ranked Suzann Pettersen and No. 3 Stacy Lewis were tied for ninth at 6 under.

Pettersen had a 68, and Lewis shot 66.

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Golfer in Mexico nearly gets leg bitten off by crocodile

Ever seen a crocodile on a golf course? If you have then you've likely felt about 1/100th of the emotions these four men felt recently during a round in Mexico.

Great Britain resident Dougie Thomson was hitting his ball out of a bunker at an Iberostar resort course in Cancun when a crocodile sneaked out of the bushes, sank his teeth into Thomson's leg, and dragged him towards the water.

Thomson's buddy Brendan O'Hara tried to save him.

"I didn't think anything about it until I heard him screaming. I just ran over with my 9-iron in my hand and started beating the crocodile about the head.

"It had already dragged him four or five feet towards the water behind the bushes. When I started hitting it, it stopped but it didn't let go of him."

Two other friends, the aptly named Gordon Victory and Martin Botwright, joined briefly thereafter to try and dislodge the beast from Thomson's leg. Botwright took another club to the crocodile while Victory tried to run over it with the cart.

"We didn't have time to be scared, even when its jaws were two or three feet away. I was close enough to smell him – that dirty, rotten, swampy smell," said Botwright.

O'Hara said the aftermath was pretty jarring.

"Dougie was compos mentis throughout, but afterwards he went into shock. I could see the bone in his leg."

Thomson ended up needing 200 stitches in his leg and wasn't real thrilled with the resort owners.

"I'm having my brother look into me taking legal action against Iberostar," he said.

"My leg is a complete mess. It's only by the grace of God I'm alive – and I'm an atheist. If my friends hadn't seen what was happening, I would have just disappeared."

Resort owners said there were warning signs posted.

"We deeply regret this incident and wish Mr Thomson a speedy recovery. The safety of our clients, guests and employees has always been, and will continue to be, of paramount importance to Iberostar."

Remind me to not play golf in Mexico anytime soon.

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Nordqvist, Ryu, Phatlum tied for Ochoa Invitational lead

GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- Sweden's Anna Nordqvist and South Korea's So Yeon Ryu each birdied the final hole for a share of the second-round lead with Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum on Friday in the Lorena Ochoa Invitational

Nordqvist and Ryu shot 5-under 67 to match Phatlum at 9-under 135 at Guadalajara Country Club.

Nordqvist and Ryu played in the same group

"I'm always really happy to play with Anna," Ryu said. "We have so much fun always, so I love it. We pretty much played so well, especially on the back-nine. We hit a really great shot and she made every birdie putt. I was really excited to see her, to see how she is playing."

Nordqvist is winless on the tour since the 2009 LPGA Tour Championship.

"We're only halfway through and, obviously, the best golfers in the world are here so you can't really think about winning or leading the tournament right know," Nordqvist said. "We have two more days, so you have to try to play your game and put low scores out there."

Phatlum, the first-round leader in the 36-player event, had a 69.

"I'm very happy with my score, but the putting not very good," Phatlum said. "I just missed a few short putts."

South Korea's Inbee Park was a stroke back along with Americans Lexi Thompson and Gerina Piller. Thompson had a 64 for the best round the first two days. Piller shot 65, and Park had a 68.

The 18-year-old Thompson won the LPGA Malaysia last month for her second tour title.

"I just went into today playing fearless and just committed to my lines," Thompson said. "I dropped a few more putts today, and that always helps."

The top-ranked Park swept the first three major championships of the season and has three other LPGA Tour wins this season. She's winless in eight starts since the U.S. Women's Open in late June.

Second-ranked Suzann Pettersen and No. 3 Stacy Lewis were tied for ninth at 6 under.

Pettersen had a 68. The Norwegian player is coming off a successful title defense in the LPGA Taiwan, her third victory in her last five starts and fourth of the season.

Lewis shot a 66.

Michelle Wie had a 73 to drop into a tie for 20th at 2 under. She won the 2009 tournament for the first of her two LPGA Tour victories.

Defending champion Cristie Kerr was 27th at 2 over, following a 77 with a 67.

Tournament host Lorena Ochoa won 27 LPGA Tour titles before retiring in 2010.

"It's been great. I love Mexico," Piller said. "Most people don't know this, but my maiden name is Mendoza. I don't speak much Spanish, but I love the food, love the people and it's just a great tournament. I never got to play with Lorena, but she's been a huge inspiration."

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Tiger Woods on winning 18 majors: 'It takes a career'

Rachel Nichols sat down with Tiger Woods last week in Turkey to talk Lindsey Vonn, his kids, his future, and whether or not he's actually a dork.

Woods was more open than usual (though still fairly buttoned-up) and addressed his recent injury history.

"To finally come out on the other side where I feel more consistent."

He also said that mentally it's taken a while to get back to where he wants to be but that he's finally there.

"I didn't go to the range and say 'I have 10 thoughts I need to work on' it was just warm up, go play."

On why he's continuing to get better as a golfer.

"You start eliminating mistakes as you get older. You learn how to attack a golf course."

I thought the answer about being patient enough to get to 18 majors was really interesting.

"It takes a career. It takes a long time to win a lot of major championships. Since 2008 I've been there with a chance to win half of them."

His comment on how the Internet has affected sports is certainly true.

"The Internet has changed everything and how our sport is looked upon."

Finally he talked about Lindsey Vonn and the training she goes through to get ready for something like the Olympics and compared it to some of his peers.

"You look at some of the guys on tour, they have huge guts and can't breathe when they go up to tee boxes but they can still win golf tournaments."

Vonn recently called Woods "dorky-goofy" and Tiger didn't disagree.

"I do have that nerdy side of me, that's probably why I got into Stanford."

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Rory McIlroy admits he was distracted in 2013

We've always gotten a candid Rory McIlroy and usually had an honest Rory McIlroy but now we get a Rory McIlroy laid bare, and it's not pretty, but it is refreshing.

McIlroy is in Dubai for the final tournament of the European Tour season and he spoke pretty openly for the first time about what affected him off the course in 2013.

"Obviously there have been a few different things to think about and different things occupy your head that really shouldn't. But, you know, it's just the way it is and the position that I am in. It's something that will be sorted out hopefully sooner rather than later," he said.

"So I have got people dealing with that. But it's something, as I said, that shouldn't be in my mind. It's something that I don't really think any athlete or anyone should ever go through.

"I have seen more lawyers offices and more lawyers this year than I care to see in my entire life. It's not something I ever want to go through again and I'm making sure that I won't ever go through it again."

That's what happens when you're on your third management team in as many years.

McIlroy claimed his off-the-course issues -- including the management team switch, rumors of multiple splits with Caroline Wozniacki, a club switch, and a general criticism of his game -- didn't affect him while he was on the course but more so in his preparation.

"There was no specific time when I hit a bad shot because I was thinking of this," said McIlroy. "But as a golfer, you want your mind as clear as possible and it's obviously hard for that to happen when you have other things going on that, firstly, you don't want to happen and secondly you don't think should be happening.

"It has been a distraction. But as I said, I have only seen a fraction of it and I haven't had to deal with it as much as some of the guys around me. It's something that obviously I have not wanted to have in my life."

McIlroy has had to round out his PR game this season as he dealt with the inverse of the issue he had last season.

"It's funny, it's like polar opposites," he said. "I guess I learnt last year how to deal with the hype and deal with people building you up. This year I have had to deal with criticism. So it has been two opposite ends of the spectrum.

"I try to learn from everything that I do. Every year is a learning year. Every year for me is still a new experience. Last year was getting to world No1 and being the dominant player in the world for a while. This year, it has been having to handle criticism and scrutiny."

I have to say, it would be close to impossible to tune everything out. I know these guys are pretty strong mentally but McIlroy's rise was meteoric, and his fall just as spectacular.

Lastly, McIlroy dished on what Tiger has taught him over the last few years.

"It's something that Tiger actually told me last year. He said you have , to remember what got you here in the first place and I think you guys [in the media] know, with Tiger it is 'no' 99% of the time, which is a good thing."

McIlroy would be better for listening to the Woods advice, as long as he doesn't lose his child-like openness with the fans and media. We appreciate that probably more than he thinks.

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Darkness suspends OHL Classic

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico -- Harris English and Robert Karlsson shared the lead Saturday in the rain-delayed OHL Classic when third-round play was suspended because of darkness.

English and Karlsson were 15 under overall with 11 holes left in the round.

English matched the lowest round of his PGA Tour career in the morning with a 9-under 62 on Mayakoba Resort's El Camaleon course. The 24-year-old former Georgia star won the FedEx St. Jude Classic in June for his first PGA Tour title.

"The last three weeks, last two tournaments, my ball-striking has been unbelievable," Harris said after the second round. "Finally, this tournament, my putting has come around. I changed putters and went back to my old Ping putter that I played with in college. Just brought back some good memories."

Karlsson played 36 holes Friday, shooting 63-67. He birdied Nos. 3-5 in the third round.

"It was nice to knock in a few birdies," Karlsson said.

The 44-year-old Swede, an 11-time winner on the European Tour, tied for 10th last weekend in the McGladrey Classic -- playing on a sponsor exemption -- to earn a spot in the field this week.

"It's all good to be here," Karlsson said.

None of the 78 players who made the cut were able to finish the round.

More than 4½ inches of rain hit the course from Wednesday afternoon to Friday afternoon. Because of the wet conditions, players are using preferred lies.

"It's unbelievable, I think, that we're playing golf at all," Karlsson said. "The amount of rain we've had, the golf course should be unplayable. So, to just play is fantastic. It's drying out nicely day by day."

Rory Sabbatini and Kevin Stadler were tied for second at 12 under. Sabbatini completed eight holes in the third round, and Stadler played six.

Alvaro Quiros, Jason Bohn and Chris Stroud were 11 under. Quiros finished 14 holes, Bohn nine, and Stroud eight.

"The course is in spectacular shape considering how much it's rained," Quiros said. "It's tough to think that we can play a four-round tournament with all the rain that we've had. It's playing longer. I had the opportunity to play here in 2008, and it was different conditions back then. I can say that it's just playing longer."

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LPGA Tour team wins championship

HENDERSON, Nev. -- Stacy Lewis shot 7-under 65 to lead the LPGA Tour team to the championship of the 3Tour Challenge on Tuesday.

The LPGA Tour combined for a score of 17 under, edging the Champions Tour by one stroke and beating the PGA Tour by nine strokes.

Lewis (31-34) had eight birdies, including six birdies on the first nine holes at the Rio Secco Golf Club, and one bogey to pace the LPGA Tour toward its first 3Tour win since 2009.

Last year, the LPGA Tour lost a two-hole playoff to the PGA Tour team.

Natalie Gulbis, with four birdies and two bogeys, was next for the LPGA Tour at 2 under.Cristie Kerr, the LPGA's third golfer, didn't have her score count on five holes in this two-player, best-ball format that allowed each team to discard one score per hole.

The LPGA Tour took over the lead for good on the fifth hole, which Lewis and Kerr birdied and Gulbis bogeyed.

Kenny Perry missed a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-4 18th hole that would have sent the match into a playoff with the LPGA Tour team for the Champions Tour Team.

Perry and Bernhard Langer didn't score on all 18 holes for the Champions Tour, who were led by Fred Funk at 4 under.

"As soon as he (Perry) hit that shot in there I kind of saw last year happening all over again," Lewis said. "I immediately grabbed my glove, and I think all three of us had it in our head that we were going to go to a playoff. It was pretty surprising he missed it, but glad to be on the right side of it this time.

"I made six birdies on the front, so it kind of got us off to a really good start. I didn't make as many birdies on the back side, but Cristie and Natalie kind of held me in there. The guys can kind of turn it on, it seems, whenever they want to, so we knew coming out of those last three holes we had to make some birdies."

Billy Horschel paced the PGA Tour team, which also included Boo Weekley and Jason Day, at even-par 72 (36-36). The PGA went 5 over on the par-4 18th hole, where Horschel had a quadruple-bogey and Weekley bogeyed.

The LPGA Tour team received $500,000, the second-place Champions Tour team earned $270,000 and the third-place PGA Tour team got $230,000.

It was the sixth win for the LPGA Tour in the 22 years the event has been held. The PGA Tour has claimed nine titles while the Champions Tour has seven.

"We were so close last year, and the last couple years for that matter," Kerr said. "We came out strong, we came out trying to win it and really got the break of Kenny missing the putt on the last hole or we would have been in another playoff.

"We made so many birdies and they seemed to respond on the back nine really strong, and we didn't get lucky, but we got the break when we needed to."

"We were extra excited (about) the win today because we lost a playoff last year," Gulbis said. "So we were in the mix and lost a playoff to the PGA Tour, and it looked like it was almost going to go to playoff again today. So we're pretty excited to win it."

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Henrik Stenson leads by 1 in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Henrik Stenson closed in on the European Tour money title Saturday, birdieing four of his last five holes for a 5-under 67 and one-shot lead after three rounds of the season-ending World Tour Championship.

The Swede was at 17-under 199 and is trying to become the first player to win the FedEx Cup and European title in the same year.

Victor Dubuisson of France, coming off a victory in Turkey for his first European Tour win, was in second place after a 64. England's Ian Poulter (66) and Spain's Alejandro Canizares(70) shared third place, another three shots back.

Stinson came into the tournament leading the Race of Dubai, although Poulter and Justin Rose are among the players who can still overtake him. Rose was six shots back after a 68.

"There's no point in getting ahead of myself as there's still one more day to go and I have to give it my best," Stenson said. "Victor is playing incredible golf at the moment. I heard the expression that I was the hottest golfer in the world, but he's just jumped up and grabbed that title these last two weeks. So I'm just going to go out there and try to play another solid round."

The points champion will receive $1 million from a $3.75 million bonus pool that counts on the final money list. In September, Stenson won the PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta to take the FedEx Cup title and $10 million bonus.

After Dubuisson pulled even for the lead, Stenson made three straight birdies starting at the 14th hole and sank a tap-in birdie on the 18th. Dubuisson had waited 72 tournaments for his first tour victory and now is in contention for a second.

"I play very well now because I've been practicing a lot, but my energy levels are down and it's been difficult on a few holes today, especially near the end of my round," he said. "But I will do my best tomorrow and tonight I will try to get to sleep early to have a good night and feel good for tomorrow."

Rose was in a similar situation last year, trailing by six shots after the third round. He then shot a final-day 62 only to lose to Rory McIlroy, who birdied his closing five holes.

Poulter, fourth in the Race to Dubai, needs to win the final event and for Stenson to finish outside the top three.

"I think if I shoot 65, it's going to be a good score," Poulter said. "I caught Henrik at one stage today and I'll catch him again tomorrow -- don't worry about that."

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Jarrod Lyle returns from second bout of Leukemia at Australian Masters

MELBOURNE, Australia – When Jarrod Lyle returns to golf after a 20-month layoff at the Talisker Australian Masters, he expects some teary eyes on the tee. His among them. 

Lyle is 32 years old and will be playing his first tournament since his second fight with myeloid leukemia – his first came at 17. This time, he'll have his wife and young daughter with him Thursday when he starts a tournament that he's not sure he's physically ready to finish should he make the 36-hole cut. 

"Just walking to that first tee and teeing the ball up and trying to hit it – that's probably going to be the hardest thing," Lyle said Tuesday at Royal Melbourne. 

"It's just going to let a whole lot of stuff out. Hopefully when that ball flies I can just get on to playing golf and put everything behind me and just get back to the golfer that I am." 

Lyle, then a regular on the PGA Tour, was diagnosed with his second bout of leukemia in March 2012 just before the birth of his daughter, Lusi. Lyle's wife, Briony, became pregnant despite medical advice that Lyle's first bout of cancer and the resulting chemotherapy would leave him sterile. 

With a medical exemption to return to the PGA Tour whenever he feels he's ready – and it might not be until late in 2014 – Lyle has found his second bout of cancer illuminating. 

On the positive side, he knew what to expect, and anti-nausea drugs to counteract the chemotherapy had improved in the 15 years between his illnesses. 

On the downside, because he had the disease once, it was harder to overcome twice. The first time, he spent two to three weeks at a stretch in the hospital. The second time, it often was four or five weeks or more. He's lost weight, and his strength. 

And he's still not out of the usual five-year cancer-free time frame, as he thought he had done as a teenager. 

Briony and Lusi, nearly 2, will be among a big group of friends and family supporting him at Royal Melbourne on Thursday on Friday. And against all odds, maybe the weekend. 

Lyle will tee off just after midday on the first hole Thursday with two veterans to help him along – fellow Australian and 2006 U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, and Brendon de Jonge, the Zimbabwean who represented the International team at the recent Presidents Cup. 

Many of Lyle's fans will be wearing specially designed yellow shirts and hats to support his involvement in the children's cancer charity Challenge. 

When Tiger Woods won the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in 2012, he was wearing a "Leuk the Duck" pin on his cap. The cartoon duck is a mascot for kids who come through the Challenge charity, and Woods wore it out of respect for Lyle, as did many players in the field not long after Lyle's second cancer fight was known. 

"To have the support of all those guys, guys that I am not really close with as well, it is nice," Lyle said at the time. "It is nice to know they still care and want to know how you are going." 

On Thursday, Lyle won't forget that support and knows where his heart will be. 

"I'm going to dedicate this first tee shot to everybody that's done that over the years or over the last 20 months," he said. "Everyone who has got in contact with us and given us support." 

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Suzann Petersen closing in fast on Major end-of-season LPGA awards

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Just more than three months ago, Inbee Park went to St. Andrews with a shot at becoming the first golfer to win four straight majors in one year. She was No. 1 in women's golf by any measure – world ranking, money list – and it wasn't even close. 

But as the LPGA Tour goes into the final two weeks of its season, there's a chance Park won't win any of the major awards. And she might even lose her No. 1 ranking. 

Suzann Pettersen, who had only one win after the Ricoh Women's British Open the first week in August, might have a mathematical chance to overtake Park at No. 1 in the world if she were to win the Lorena Ochoa Invitational this week in Mexico. 

Pettersen is only $93,613 behind on the money list with two events left, including the season-ending CME LPGA Titleholders, which pays $500,000 to the winner. The LPGA player of the year is based on points. Park leads 290-252, but with 30 points awarded for a win, that's not out of Pettersen's range. 

The other big award is the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average. Park has fallen to No. 3 behind Stacy Lewis (69.54) and Pettersen (69.59). 

How did it happen? 

Pettersen got hot. Park did not. 

The 32-year-old from Norway won the Safeway Classic and two weeks later captured the Evian Championship, the fifth major of the year. She also won in Taiwan, giving her three wins in her last five tournaments. Park won for the sixth time this year at the U.S. Women's Open, her third straight major. She has played eight tournaments since then with only one top-10 finish, third place in China. 

Both are playing the final two weeks of the year.

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Stenson nears Euro money title, leads in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Henrik Stenson closed in on the European Tour money title Saturday, birdieing four of his last five holes for a 5-under 67 and one-shot lead after three rounds of the season-ending World Tour Championship.

The Swede was at 17-under 199 and is trying to become the first player to win the FedEx Cup and European title in the same year.

Victor Dubuisson of France, coming off a victory in Turkey for his first European Tour win, was in second place after a 64. England's Ian Poulter (66) and Spain's Alejandro Canizares (70) shared third place, another three shots back.

Stinson came into the tournament leading the Race of Dubai, although Poulter and Justin Rose are among the players who can still overtake him. Rose was six shots back after a 68.

"There's no point in getting ahead of myself as there's still one more day to go and I have to give it my best," Stenson said. "Victor is playing incredible golf at the moment. I heard the expression that I was the hottest golfer in the world, but he's just jumped up and grabbed that title these last two weeks. So I'm just going to go out there and try to play another solid round."

The points champion will receive $1 million from a $3.75 million bonus pool that counts on the final money list. In September, Stenson won the PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta to take the FedEx Cup title and $10 million bonus.

After Dubuisson pulled even for the lead, Stenson made three straight birdies starting at the 14th hole and sank a tap-in birdie on the 18th. Dubuisson had waited 72 tournaments for his first tour victory and now is in contention for a second.

"I play very well now because I've been practicing a lot, but my energy levels are down and it's been difficult on a few holes today, especially near the end of my round," he said. "But I will do my best tomorrow and tonight I will try to get to sleep early to have a good night and feel good for tomorrow."

Rose was in a similar situation last year, trailing by six shots after the third round. He then shot a final-day 62 only to lose to Rory McIlroy, who birdied his closing five holes.

Poulter, fourth in the Race to Dubai, needs to win the final event and for Stenson to finish outside the top three.

"I think if I shoot 65, it's going to be a good score," Poulter said. "I caught Henrik at one stage today and I'll catch him again tomorrow - don't worry about that."

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Robert Karlsson, Harris English share OHL Classic lead

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico — Harris English and Robert Karlsson shared the lead Saturday in the rain-delayed OHL Classic when third-round play was suspended because of darkness.

English and Karlsson were 15 under overall with 11 holes left in the round.

English matched the lowest round of his PGA Tour career in the morning with a 9-under 62 on Mayakoba Resort's El Camaleon course. The 24-year-old former Georgia star won the FedEx St. Jude Classic in June for his first PGA Tour title.

"The last three weeks, last two tournaments, my ball-striking has been unbelievable," Harris said after the second round. "Finally, this tournament, my putting has come around. I changed putters and went back to my old Ping putter that I played with in college. Just brought back some good memories."

Karlsson played 36 holes Friday, shooting 63-67. He birdied Nos. 3-5 in the third round.

"It was nice to knock in a few birdies," Karlsson said.

The 44-year-old Swede, an 11-time winner on the European Tour, tied for 10th last weekend in the McGladrey Classic — playing on a sponsor exemption — to earn a spot in the field this week.

"It's all good to be here," Karlsson said.

None of the 78 players who made the cut were able to finish the round.

More than 4½ inches of rain hit the course from Wednesday afternoon to Friday afternoon. Because of the wet conditions, players are using preferred lies.

"It's unbelievable, I think, that we're playing golf at all," Karlsson said. "The amount of rain we've had, the golf course should be unplayable. So, to just play is fantastic. It's drying out nicely day by day."

Rory Sabbatini and Kevin Stadler were tied for second at 12 under. Sabbatini completed eight holes in the third round, and Stadler played six.

Alvaro Quiros, Jason Bohn and Chris Stroud were 11 under. Quiros finished 14 holes, Bohn nine, and Stroud eight.

"The course is in spectacular shape considering how much it's rained," Quiros said. "It's tough to think that we can play a four-round tournament with all the rain that we've had. It's playing longer. I had the opportunity to play here in 2008, and it was different conditions back then. I can say that it's just playing longer."

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Lexi Thompson leads Lorena Ochoa Invitational

GUADALAJARA, Mexico  — Lexi Thompson took the third-round lead on Saturday in the Lorena Ochoa Invitational, positioning herself for a second tournament victory in four starts.

The 18-year-old Thompson shot a 5-under 67 in rainy conditions to reach 13-under 203 at Guadalajara Country Club. She had a one-stroke lead over South Korea's I.K. Kim.

"The rain definitely affected us somewhat, but I teed off a little bit later with the delay," Thompson said. "Controlling my yardages out here is pretty big and playing consistently. My irons were a lot closer today, and I dropped a few longer putts."

Thompson won the 2011 LPGA Navistar Classic at 16, and took the LPGA Malaysia last month for her second tour title. She protected third-round leads in both victories.

"It gives me confidence going into tomorrow, but I know there's a lot of great players right behind me, and I know I have to play well," Thompson said. "I know I have to shoot another 4 or 5 under tomorrow. I'm just going to go out with the same attitude and just commit to every shot."

After opening with a 72, she had a 64 — the best round of the week in the 36-player event— Friday to pull within a stroke of second-round leaders Anna Nordqvist, So Yeon Ryu and Pornanong Phatlum.

Kim, who won the event in 2010, birdied the final two holes for a 67 and had only 22 putts in the round.

"I really like this golf course," Kim said. "I have a good feeling for the course, and I've been practicing. It's just nice to see the result."

Third-ranked Stacy Lewis was third at 11 under after a 67.

Ryu was another stroke back after a 71. Nordqvist and Pornanong each shot 72 to remain 9 under.

Top-ranked Inbee Park, No. 2 Suzann Pettersen and Lizette Salas were 8 under. Pettersen had a 70, Salas shot 71, and Park 72. Michelle Wie, the 2009 winner, was 7 under after a 67.

Tournament host Lorena Ochoa won 27 LPGA Tour titles before retiring in 2010

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R2D contenders

We take a look at what the nine contenders to win the European Tour's Race to Dubai title need to do this week

Henrik Stenson: The man everyone must catch at this week's Race to Dubai finale

The Race to Dubai reaches its climax this week with the DP World Tour Championship bringing the curtain down on the European Tour season.

What's more, there promises to be a thrilling finale at the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai with no fewer than nine players in with a chance of being crowned as Europe's No 1.

Currently leading the way is Henrik Stenson, with the Swede having enjoyed a stellar campaign that has seen him re-establish himself at the game's top table.

A Race to Dubai title (or an Order of Merit in old money) would cap a remarkable season for the 37-year-old who, just a few years back, had dipped as low as 621st in the world after a dramatic loss of form and fitness.

But Stenson is by no means guaranteed to walk away victorious this week, with an $8 million prize fund offering his pursuers a chance to overtake him at the last.

The men chasing down the Swede are... Justin Rose, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Jamie Donaldson, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Thongchai Jaidee, Richard Sterne and, following his maiden European Tour triumph in Turkey last weekend, Victor Dubuisson.

We take a look at all the possible permutations heading into this week's event and find out who needs what to clinch that prized No.1 spot.

Race to Dubai standings

1) Henrik Stenson 2,379,195

2) Justin Rose 2,165,727

3) Graeme McDowell 2,057,395

4) Ian Poulter 2,035,289

5) Jamie Donaldson 1,787,159

6) Gonzalo F-Castano 1,559,462

7) Thongchai Jaidee 1,464,747

8) Richard Sterne 1,457,146

9) Victor Dubuisson 1,444,070

10) Thomas Bjorn 1,407,780

1. Supposing Stenson does the bare minimum and finishes in last place this week, what would his rivals need to do...

Justin Rose - needs fifth or better

Graeme McDowell - needs third or better

Ian Poulter - needs third or better

Jamie Donaldson - needs second or better

Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano - Needs to win

Thongchai Jaidee - Needs to win

Richard Sterne - Needs to win

Victor Dubuisson - Needs to win

2. Supposing any of the nine contenders wins this week's event...

If Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose or Graeme McDowell win the DP World Tour Championship, they will win The Race to Dubai

If Ian Poulter wins - Stenson needs to finish second

If Donaldson wins - Stenson and Rose need second

If Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano wins - Stenson needs seventh, Rose top three, McDowell and Poulter top two

If Jaidee wins - Stenson needs 19th , Rose fourth, McDowell and Poulter top two

If Sterne wins - Stenson needs 23rd , Rose fourth, McDowell, Poulter and Donaldson top two

If Dubuisson wins - Stenson needs 31st, Rose fourth, McDowell third and Poulter and Donaldson top two

McDowell: In the hunt

3. Supposing the leading contenders place at this week's event...

If Rose is second - Stenson will have to win to clinch the Race to Dubai

If Rose is third - Stenson has to finish seventh or better

If Rose finishes fourth - Stenson needs 18th or better

If Rose finishes fifth - Stenson needs 53rd or better

If McDowell finishes second - Stenson needs third or better

If McDowell finishes third - Stenson needs 24th or better

If Poulter finishes second - Stenson needs third or better

If Poulter finishes third - Stenson needs 38th or better

If Donaldson finishes second - Stenson needs 24th or better

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OHL Classic: Robert Karlsson and Harris English share lead as bad light stops play

Robert Karlsson: Swede shares lead in Mexico

Robert Karlsson remained on track to complete his leg of a Swedish double this weekend by retaining a share of the lead after the third day of the OHL Classic at Mayakoba.

The 44-year-old, who won the European Order of Merit back in 2008, was on 15 under after seven holes of his third round when darkness halted play in Mexico.

He will return to the El Camaleon course on Sunday as his compatriot Henrik Stenson looks to wrap up victory in the DP World Tour Championship and secure the Race to Dubai.

Third-round leaderboard

(US unless stated)

-15 R Karlsson (Swe) (7 holes)

-15 H English (7)

-12 R Sabbatini (Rsa) (8)

-12 K Stadler (6)

-11 A Quiros (Spa) (14)

Karlsson is three under for his round so far after three successive birdies from the third which put him alongside American Harris English who has also birdied three of his seven holes so far.

English, who won the St Jude Classic in June for his first PGA Tour title, had earlier posted a superb nine-under 62 when completing his second round, equalling the lowest round of his career.

The pair are three shots clear of South African Rory Sabbatini who is on 12 under after eight holes, the same score as American Kevin Stadler who had shared the overnight lead with Karlsson.

Spain's Alvaro Quiros is making a third-round charge after six birdies in a flawless 14 holes took him to 11 under and joint-fifth place with American duo Jason Bohn and Chris Stroud.

Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke is in a tie for 44th place on four under and is one under after 13 holes of his third round.

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Rory McIlroy throws weight behind possibility of Ireland hosting USPGA Championship

Rory McIlroy gives his thoughts on the prospect of the US PGA being staged outside of the States, possibly in Ireland.

Rory McIlroy has thrown his weight behind the possibility of an Irish venue hosting the USPGA Championship in the future.

PGA of America chiefs announced recently that they were looking into the idea of staging the season's fourth major away from US shores.

With Bethpage Black in New York having already been selected to host the tournament in 2019, the earliest such a scenario could come about is 2020.

But it has now emerged that Northern Ireland could be a real contender to be selected for the honour with PGA of America president Ted Bishop claiming that Royal Portrush could be an ideal venue.

McIlroy - who has close links to the Irish lay-out having broken the course record there as a teenager - admitted he has held informal talks with the PGA of America top brass and has given a thumbs-up to their plans.

"I didn't speak to Ted about Portrush in particular, but he's always been a fan of Ireland as a venue," the world number six told Sky Sports after his third round at the DP World Tour Championship.

Totally different

"I think it's a great thing, it's something totally different and totally out of leftfield.

"If it were to happen it would be great, but I know Ted is a big fan of Ireland and I know Pete Bevacqua, who is CEO of the PGA of America, is a big fan so maybe one day it could happen."

McIlroy shot a 68 in Dubai on Saturday to finish seven strokes behind tournament Henrik Stenson, but insists he has not totally given up on the possibility of emerging triumphant.

"I finished well, I finished strongly which was important especially after making bogey on 14... hitting it into the water which was pretty disappointing," he added.

"It was another day when I gave myself plenty of chances, but I still feel like I left a couple out there.

"It's not a bad position going into tomorrow, it looks like the guys aren't getting too far ahead... but I'll need to shoot something a bit lower tomorrow to have a chance."

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DP Tour Championship: Henrik Stenson retained a one-stroke lead after three rounds

Henrik Stenson retained a one-stroke lead heading into the final round of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

The Swede, who will be crowned European No 1 should he follow through with victory on Sunday, had a quiet start to his third round before picking up four shots in the last five holes to card a 67.

Henrik Stenson remains in pole position in World Tour Championship after round three and has no intention of letting that slip.

Stenson had been caught on 16 under par by Frenchman Victor Dubuisson, who continued to ride a wave of confidence earned by winning in Turkey last week by shooting a 64.

But Stenson - looking to become the first man to win the FedEx Cup and Race to Dubai in the same season - edged back in front by getting up and down from the back of the 18th to remain on course for victory.

Ian Poulter, who could still become European No 1 provided Stenson is no better than third, returned a 66 to sit alongside Alejandro Canizares four off the lead, while Miguel Angel Jimenez is on his own on -12 after a second successive 66.

Lee Westwood and Justin Rose lie six shots off the pace after recording rounds of 65 and 68 respectively.

Third round leaderboard

GB&Ire unless stated

-17 H Stenson (Swe)

-16 V Dubuisson (Fra)

-13 I Poulter

-13 A Canizares (Spa)

-12 MA Jimenez (Spa)

-11 L Westwood

-11 J Rose

However, Westwood walked off a disappointed man after he had raced to the turn in 31 shots, before birdieing the 10th and 11th as well.

But he dropped a shot at the 12th and could then only find one more birdie, struggling to make par at the final hole after finding water off the tee.

Rose - along with Graeme McDowell the only players capable of overhauling Stenson in the standings - was going nowhere until he picked up four shots in a homeward 32, similarly Luke Donald was back in the pack until reeling off four successive birdies to finish in 67, a further shot back, alongside Rory McIlroy.

Mark Roe explains why it is so difficult to read the greens out at the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.

Swede Stenson knows that he has his destiny in his own hands.

"I am trying to avoid all that," the 37-year-old said. "I know I can win the Race to Dubai even if I don't win here, but why not try my hardest to win this tournament? If I do I know that both trophies are coming home with me.

"The guys are going to try their best to attack but if anything it makes me try even harder.

Lee Westwood shot 65 in the third round of the DP World Tour to keep him in contention at the top of the leaderboard.

"They are the ones that need to overtake me so I am trying to stick to my game plan. It's working so far so I don't see any point changing."

Ian Poulter still believes he can overhaul Stenson to win the tournament from four back, although he would need the Swede to drop out of the first-two for him to win the race to Dubai.

"I'm right there. I'm hunting," said Poulter. "If I can get off to a decent start tomorrow, it's going to be a fun back nine. If I play like I did today, 62 is realistic."

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Paul McGinley would be delighted to see the PGA Championship staged at Portush

McGinley backs PGA changes

Paul McGinley would support any move by the USPGA to take

Paul McGinley would support any move by the USPGA to take the final major event of the year on the road.

Talk has recently centred upon the possibility of the PGA Championship behind held outside of the United States every five years, in acknowledgment to the game's increasingly global appeal.

Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland has been mentioned as a possible venue and although the prospect pleases the upcoming Ryder Cup captain, he was also quick to temper enthusiasm.

"If they are thinking about taking the PGA out of America and taking it around the world every five years, I'm all for that," he said.

"Whether it comes to Ireland or whether it goes to China, or Africa or Dubai we'll have to wait and see.

"As everyone knows, these days hosting an event there's massive logistics involved in so many ways.

"It's early days, as much as we'd all love to see it in Europe, or maybe even in Portrush, it's premature to think it's definitely going to happen."

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DP Tour Championship: Henrik Stenson knows that destiny is in his own hands in Dubai

Henrik Stenson is focused on securing the Race to Dubai by winning the season-ending DP World Tour Championship on Sunday.

The Swede can emulate countryman Robert Karlsson and become European No 1 even if he doesn't go on to win in Dubai.

But with a one-stroke lead going into the final round Stenson knows that he has destiny in his own hands.

"I am trying to avoid all that," the 37-year-old said. "I know I can win the Race to Dubai even if I don't win here, but why not try my hardest to win this tournament? If I do I know that both trophies are coming home with me.

Henrik Stenson remains in pole position in World Tour Championship after round three and has no intention of letting that slip.

"It's a great achievement to be the one who wins the most money throughout the year and I would love to emulate Robert. The guys are going to try their best to attack but if anything it makes me try even harder.

"They are the ones that need to overtake me so I am trying to stick to my game plan. It's working so far so I don't see any point changing."

Ian Poulter still believes he can overhaul Stenson to win the tournament from four back, although he would need the Swede to drop out of teh first-two for him to win the race to Dubai.

"I'm right there. I'm hunting," said Poulter. "If I can get off to a decent start tomorrow, it's going to be a fun back nine. If I play like I did today, 62 is realistic."

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