Fred Couples raises 12th Man flag at Seahawks game

Fred Couples is now two for two in ceremonial roles this year. First, Couples captained the U.S. Presidents Cup team to victory in October, then on Monday night the Seattle native raised the "12th Man" flag prior to the Seahawks demolishing the Saints 34-7 at Seattle's CenturyLink Field. A Seahawks season ticket holder and sports nut who is often seen at NBA games, Couples was thrilled to get the chance to raise the flag, the symbol of...

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No time for forward looking Spieth to reflect on past glory

Jordan Spieth has a great deal of success to reflect upon after delivering a sensational debut season on the 2013 PGA Tour but he would far rather look ahead as he bids to become an even better player. The remarkably composed, 20-year-old American was taught by his father to improve himself at something on a month-by-month basis and he is using that lesson as a template in his rapidly burgeoning golf career. "Each year, I think going back to when I was 12 years old, I've improved as a golfer," Spieth told reporters on a sun-drenched Tuesday...

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Charl Schwartzel seals Alfred Dunhill Championship hat-trick

Former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel won the Alfred Dunhill Championship for a third time on Sunday, successfully defending his title at Leopard Creek. Schwartzel, who won by 12 shots last year, carded a closing 68 to finish 17-under-par, four shots clear of England's Richard Finch, who returned a 70. Simon Dyson, who faces a European Tour disciplinary panel on Thursday following his disqualification from the BMW Masters in October,...

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Rory McIlroy returns to winning ways with victory at Australian Open

Rory McIlroy was doubly satisfied after he claimed his first title in over a year with a dramatic one-shot victory at the Australian Open in Sydney. The Northern Irishman birdied the 18th as Adam Scott bogeyed to bring to an end a miserable run of form. His struggles this year are in sharp contrast to his successes in 2012 when he won five times around the world, including a second major title when he won the US PGA Championship by eight...

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Wayne Rooney plays football golf against Rory McIlroy in new Nike ad

To launch the new Nike Ordem ball, the company produced one of their signature commercial films, pitting Wayne Rooney against U.S. Open and PGA Championship winner Rory McIlroy in a modified game of golf. Rooney uses the Ordem while McIlory uses normal golfing instruments in the showdown, which features a cameo from Ronaldo (the original one). Rooney somehow reaches 9-under par along with McIlory even though he's using a ball that can't fit in...

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European Tour appoints first non-professional chairman

The European Tour has appointed a non-professional golfer as chairman of its board of directors for the first time. Businessman David Williams, 66, succeeds former Ryder Cup player Neil Coles who held the post for 38 years. The appointment is aimed at boosting the Tour's commercial power - Williams has more than 30 years experience in consumer, leisure and retail fields. "We have chosen a chairman who brings a powerful business background,"...

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Rory McIlroy delighted to be winning again in Australia

Rory McIlroy insisted he had put off-course distractions behind him as he celebrated a thrilling one-shot win over Adam Scott at the Australian Open. Scott led by four shots going into the final day, but Northern Irishman McIlroy birdied the last for a 66 to clinch his first win of 2013. "Since the end of September, I have just felt in a better place mentally," said world number six McIlroy.  "Everything has been coming together...

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Charl Schwartzel defends Alfred Dunhill Championship

ALFRED DUNHILL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL LEADERBOARD -17: C Schwartzel (SA)  -13: R Finch (Eng)  -10: S Dyson (Eng), R Fisher (Eng), R Wattel (Fra) South Africa's Charl Schwartzel beat England's Richard Finch by four shots to defend his Alfred Dunhill Championship title at Leopard Creek. Schwartzel, 29, the 2011 Masters champion, led Finch by two going into the final day and shot 68 to end 17 under in Malelane, South Africa. Finch,...

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Tiger Woods denies Jason Dufner's request to reschedule tournament to accomodate Auburn football

Tiger Woods and Jason Dufner at the Presidents Cup during a practice round.  All Jason Dufner wants to do is watch his Auburn Tigers play for the SEC Championship this Saturday against Missouri. The only problem? He's playing in Tiger Woods's tournament, the Northwestern Mutual World Challenge, the same day. So he does what any rabid sports fan would do: Address the tournament host as politely as possible to make the tournament a two-day...

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Rory McIlroy talks to Sky Sports and says patience is key lesson from 2013

Rory McIlroy says being patient is the big lesson he has learned from a tough 2013, but one which has had a happy ending with his first victory coming in the Australian Open. McIlroy has had his well-publicised problems on and off the course this year, but when he talked to Sky Sports at the launch of the new range of Nike clubs he was using he cut an upbeat figure. The 24-year-old admitted to getting down on himself at times during the...

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Thongchai Jaidee and Miguel Angel Jimenez named EurAsia Cup captains

Thongchai Jaidee and Miguel Angel Jimenez have been named captains for Team Asia and Team Europe for the inaugural EurAsia Cup next year. The duo will lead golfers from both continents over three days of Ryder Cup-styled matchplay at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur from March 27-29. Thai Thongchai has won the Asian Tour Order of Merit three times and has 16 professional victories to his name, including five wins on...

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Henrik Stenson given Race to Dubai monthly award

Henrik Stenson has been named Race to Dubai golfer of the month for November. The 37-year-old capped a superb season by secured top spot in the 2013 Race courtesy of victory in the DP World Tour Championship on 17 November. The Swede becomes only the second player, after Welshman Ian Woosnam in 1987, to win three of the monthly awards in a single season. Stenson's performance two weeks ago was hugely impressive as he stormed to a six-shot...

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Stenson hopes wrist will be OK for Sun City on Thursday

World number three Henrik Stenson still has concerns about his long-standing wrist problem as the Swede prepares to return to competitive action at this week's Nedbank Challenge in South Africa. Stenson was troubled by the injury in the last few weeks of the 2012-13 European Tour's season-ending Final Series but managed to finish the campaign on top of the money list. "I have had a specialist looking at it and there are still minor issues but I am hoping to be ok this week," the 37-year-old told the tour website (www.europeantour.com)...

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European Tour Race to Dubai money list

Leading money winners on the 2013/2014 European Tour Race to Dubai on Monday: 1 Charl Schwartzel (South Africa)  287,470 euros 2 Morten Orum Madsen (Denmark)  193,464 3 Richard Finch (England)  172,500 4 Hennie Otto (South Africa)  116,610 5 Jbe Kruger (South Africa)  107,460 6 Ross Fisher (England)  91,020 7 Simon Dyson (England)  83,980 8 Romain Wattel (France)  79,800 9 Alejandro Canizares (Spain)  ...

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Gutted Scott loses Midas touch and 'triple crown'

SYDNEY - World number two Adam Scott was left "gutted" on Sunday after the Midas touch deserted him and he blew a chance to cap the best year of his career with a rare Australian "triple crown" at Royal Sydney. Everything Scott touched had turned to gold since he arrived back home last month for a four-tournament swing that quickly turned into a triumphant celebration of his becoming the first Australian to win the U.S. Masters. Huge crowds thronged the courses as he won the Australian PGA in front of his friends and family on the Gold...

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European Tour Dunhill Championship scores

Scores from the European Tour Dunhill Championship at the par-72 course on Sunday in Malelane 271  Charl Schwartzel (South Africa)  68 68 67 68 275  Richard Finch (Britain)  68 70 67 70 278 Ross Fisher (Britain)  72 65 72 69 Simon Dyson (Britain)  72 69 70 67 Romain Wattel (France)  70 69 68 71 279 Soren Hansen (Denmark)  72 65 71 71 280 Magnus Carlsson (Sweden)  70 72 72 66 Simon Wakefield (Britain)  74...

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