Day loses eight relatives to Typhoon Haiyan

Eight relatives of PGA Tour golfer Jason Day were killed by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, including his grandmother, uncle and six cousins.

The typhoon has claimed nearly 4,000 lives, according to CNN.

"I am deeply saddened to confirm that multiple members of my family lost their lives as the victims of Typhoon Haiyan," Day said in a statement released by the PGA Tour Monday. "My family and I are thankful for all who have reached out with their prayers and concern.

"We feel devastated for all who have been affected by this horrific tragedy. While I understand the media's interest in this matter and hope that any coverage can spread awareness to assist with the relief efforts that continue in the Philippines, I hope that all will respect my family's privacy during this difficult time. I will have no further public comments at this time. Please pray for all who have suffered loss. Thank you."

Day, ranked No. 20 on the Tour, is playing in the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne, Australia, this week. Day, who is Australian, is the second-highest ranked player in the tournament, which includes team and individual components. The event begins Thursday.

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Liang over Prom in playoff at first Manila Masters

MANILA, Philippines -- Liang Wen-chong won the inaugural Manila Masters in a playoff Sunday, and then donated half of his earnings to help victims from Typhoon Haiyan.

The Asian Tour staged the tournament despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis in neighboring areas of the Philippines.

Liang birdied the final hole for a 3-under 69 to force a playoff with Prom Meesawat of Thailand. In the playoff, Meesawat found a bunker on the par-5 closing hole. Liang rolled his long eagle attempt to within inches of the cup for a tap-in birdie and the win.

Liang earned $135,000, and said he was giving half of it away to relief efforts.

''Before coming over to the Philippines, I was really affected by what I saw of the damage and victims suffering from the aftermath of the typhoon on television,'' Liang said on the Asian Tour's website. ''I've decided to donate 50 percent of my winnings to do my part and support the relief efforts.''

The Asian Tour decided to go through with the tournament at the Southwoods Golf and Country Club after consulting with local golf associations, authorities and relief agencies. Chief executive Mike Kerr said the tour felt the best way it could help was by staging the competition and supporting aid and relief programs.

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European Tour to review Final Series as big names miss out

DUBAI - The European Tour will review the qualifying rules for its Final Series after 

three of the circuit's most notable golfers failed to compete in the season-ending finale in Dubai, its chief executive said on Sunday.

Struggling to keep up with its richer U.S. rival as more non-American players opt to play primarily in the United States, the European Tour introduced the four-tournament series this year, offering combined prize money of $30.5 million in a similar format to the PGA's FedExCup.

The four Final Series events - two in Shanghai, the Turkish Airlines Open and the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai - were held on successive weekends from late October and players needed to appear at two of the first three to qualify for the finale.

That led South Africans Ernie Els and Charl Schwartzel and Spain's Sergio Garcia to skip Dubai, with Els - a member of the tour for almost two decades - describing the system as "farcical".

Schwartzel, the 2011 U.S. Masters champion, warned he was thinking about his future on the European circuit.

"These three players really want to play in Dubai - we had a rule that stopped them playing here. We are going to try to make sure that doesn't happen again," European Tour chief executive George O'Grady told a news conference in Dubai.

"We underestimated that amount of play that all these players are playing outside the PGA Tour and ourselves."

O'Grady said the tour would review all rules relating to the Final Series, but did not reveal when the Tour would announce any changes or whether these would apply to the 2014 season.

He also highlighted the plight of Joost Luiten, the injured Dutch player who hit his opening tee shot at Shanghai's BMW Masters, the first leg of the final series, before withdrawing so that he could fulfill the two-out-of-three events criteria.

"I want to bring common sense back into our rules if we can," O'Grady added.

The DP World Tour Championship, which ends on Sunday, is the conclusion of the Race to Dubai, formerly the European Order of Merit, to decide the circuit's top prize winner.

O'Grady also announced the Race to Dubai has been extended for four more years to 2017, with the bonus pool increased for next year to $5 million from $3.75 million at present.

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MELBOURNE - World number two Adam Scott stood firm in the face of a fierce charge from Matt Kuchar to defend his home Australian Masters by two strokes on Sunday as the American's challenge crumbled over the closing holes.

Overnight leader by four strokes, U.S. Masters champion Scott had appeared poised to canter to victory on a breezy day at Royal Melbourne, but was forced to grind out the win as Kuchar roared into contention with a scintillating front nine.

After forging two strokes clear by the time he reached the 16th tee, Kuchar fell back into a share of the lead with a bogey on the tough par-four and then handed the initiative to Scott with a double-bogey six after finding sand on the last.

Playing a couple of groups behind the American, Scott was in no mood to give up the two-shot lead he suddenly inherited and was able to soak up the adulation of a massive home gallery when he tapped in a three-foot par putt on the last to seal victory.

"I guess today, sometimes you kind of win a little bit ugly," Scott told reporters after carding a scratchy even-par 71 for a 14-under total of 270 and a winner's cheque worth A$186,000 ($174,100).

"All of the good stuff I'd done in the first three rounds counted for a lot.

"Even though it wasn't the prettiest golf today... I got away with it, but I'll have to learn not to do it next time."

Former world number one Vijay Singh, joint second overnight, was quickly out of the picture after toiling early, leaving the title to be decided by a shoot-out between Scott and Kuchar.

CLUB SELECTION

Having played the famed sandbelt course with aplomb on the opening three days, Scott had trouble selecting the right clubs and ground his way to the turn on even-par as Kuchar soared to four-under for the day.

The 33-year-old Scott stumbled badly on the par-three 14th, his sand wedge off the tee coming up short and burying itself in a green-side bunker.

Faced with a "fried egg" lie, Scott's recovery raced off the green, leading to a double-bogey that handed Kuchar a two-stroke advantage.

"That one was completely on me because (caddy) Steve (Williams) wanted me to hit wedge but I just didn't have the feel for a wedge," Scott said.

Unbowed, Scott bounced back with a birdie on the next hole to put the heat back on Kuchar and was a model of composure as he completed the course with three straight pars.

Wearing the winner's 'gold jacket', Australia's answer to the more prestigious green one given at Augusta, Scott beamed as he pondered his second title in a week following his Australian PGA Championship win at the Gold Coast last week.

Scott has a chance to sweep all three of Australia's marquee tournaments when he lines up at the national Open in Sydney later this month, but will return to Royal Melbourne in a few days to team up with compatriot Jason Day for the World Cup starting on Thursday.

"Come back next week and see me and Jase," Scott urged fans at the trophy presentation. "We'll win the World Cup."

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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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