Golf (Latest: 77th Masters, Augusta, 11-14 April 2013)

[Sternly]

This one you might not agree...... but isnt fun to watch golf? I might say is even better than play golf, at leat to me. Doesnt give you any excitment golf? Is there anthing better than an evening watching golf?

[dionisio]

yes...i guess :shrug: :D

[Sternly]

Mainly everyone I know hates to watch golf, they say it's bored.......

[dionisio]

they r right...hehe.....que pasa porque no contestas :-o :shrug:


:)

[Sternly]

que malo eres! pense que al fin a alguien le guistaba el Golf. No he recibido nada, por eso no contesto, desde hace unos 15 minutos mas o menos. :shrug:

[dionisio]

que fue lo ultimo que recibiste....si no dejanos regresar a los pm....me gustan mas......... :)

[Sternly]

lo ultimo que recibi fue.......... cuando me preguntste de coldplay creo........

[dionisio]

algo no funciona...hasta te escribi uno en donde te pregunto si estas enojada pues ya no contestabas.... :shrug: ...... :)

[Sternly]

debe ser la pagina........ voy a demandar a Ian!!!! No se si sera problema de mi computador o en general :-o

[dionisio]

creo en general......asi que seguimos con los pm! :D

[Sternly]

será...........

* back to the topic*

[dionisio]

golf makes me sleep......lol

[Sternly]

I think is exciting, not as much as swimming for example, but it is. When th player is gnna hit the ball is so silent, everyone is nervous...... exciting... I just love it! ........... ( veamos si recibes uno ahora, con el sistema antiguo)

[Manders]

i used to play golf with me dad every weekend but we quit......well start again soon :shrug:

[Guy'sChick]

This one you might not agree...... but isnt fun to watch golf? I might say is even better than play golf, at leat to me. Doesnt give you any excitment golf? Is there anthing better than an evening watching golf?

if u mean does it help you go to sleep then i will agree hehe :D but everyone has his own interests so yeah.. midget gold if fun though used to do that when i was younger and someone at school had a party we all went midget golfing hehe

[Manders]

:lol:

[Guy'sChick]

yeah isnt it just the most boring sport? :lol:

[Sternly]

C'mon If you dont like it, its fine, but is not the most boring sport. Cars are bored, the Grand Prix or somenthign like that, that's bored. But golf is not, is clase, is quiet, is for be patient, its exciting, its amazing!

[Guy'sChick]

lol easy tiger :o just giving my own opinion :o :shock: :? :shrug: :roll:

[Manders]

golf is boring to me now that i think about it

[Guy'sChick]

glad someone agrees lol
i think everyone should have their own opinion but sternly shouldnt bite me head off :x

[Manders]

lol well she IS the sports queen and i guess she wouldnt understand why someone wouldnt like a sport :shrug: :shrug:

[Guy'sChick]

Mainly everyone I know hates to watch golf, they say it's bored.......

midget golf is fun tho!
and theonly one i ever enjoyed golf was in themovie happy gilmore!

[Hicksy]

i play golf :)

[Manders]

aww how cute ;)

[Sternly]

lol well she IS the sports queen and i guess she wouldnt understand why someone wouldnt like a sport :shrug: :shrug:

I am not the Sports Queen, is just I have the oportunity to practise diferents sports, thats all.

[Sternly]

i play golf :)

See, someone else likes golf, because I supose you like to play golf, dont you?

[Guy'sChick]

lol well she IS the sports queen and i guess she wouldnt understand why someone wouldnt like a sport :shrug: :shrug:

I am not the Sports Queen, is just I have the oportunity to practise diferents sports, thats all.


yeah i didnt mean to be rude i mean everyone has their own kinda thing and if u like golf thats kewl :D guess i just cant hate something i havent tried yet right :D

[Guy'sChick]

come here and teach me how to play it lol :D

[Sternly]

come here and teach me how to play it lol :D

Sure! I bet you finifh thinking its fun :D

[Manders]

hey sternly ian has firgin blocked my pming system so i cant pm but ill im you kk

[Sternly]

hey sternly ian has firgin blocked my pming system so i cant pm but ill im you kk

ok, just wondered where you were..... :roll: ( Hope I've say it right)

[Sternly]

* Sorry Angie* ... Back to the topic! :roll:

[Guy'sChick]

lol dont be sorry
lol im not the one who made it off topic :shock:
i didnt start about pms :shrug:
but yeah sure back to the subject :roll:

[MrLick]

so are their any golf players in here?

[Reilly]

Yep!

[Jae]

golf is sooo over.

[Reilly]

:thinking:

[MrLick]

I'm joining the golf team at my school, i went to a driving range for the first time in like 9 yrs, i was hitting the balls out to the 200 yard thingy or maybe it was feet im not sure, but im going to play my first actual game of golf soon. any tips?

[Jae]

find something more interesting to do with your time?

[Reilly]

Mrcoo'- You should probably practice more. 200 yards isnt incredibly impressive, its good though! I dunno, I rarely play golf but its a weirdly competitive sport and I love that. Is the game just you and a stick or are you playing someone? Cuz you'll probably get your ass kicked jejeje

Heather- :thinking:

[Jae]

Miceal - :snore:

*yawn* Golf is boring :P

[Reilly]

Everythings boring to you!

[Jae]

Not interesting things :P

[MrLick]

find something more interesting to do with your time?

I have found something interesting to do with my time, its not like im gonna golf everyday or anything.

[About A Girl]

Not interesting things :Pwhy the FUCK are you posting in here in the first place!?


I for one like golf-my dad has a membership to a club and we play together sometimes..haha we have our own cart :D

[-JaK-]

I used to play golf, Then I realised im paying £100 a year for something i've only ever done twice :stunned:

Still, If your gonna join a course, Play a couple around you first then oin the one you find best, Then when competitions come along you'll have no problems and you can give me 20% of the prize money :D

[Me2]

It may look boring, but man is it tough to play that game well. Anybody can suck at golf...being good at it is another story altogether. :(

[roghl]

Yep Golf is one of the most frustrating sports ever invented! :angry:

[Bijeli_Miš]

I like thoose lil' golf cars!

[MrLick]

Any golf watchers or players? i love to play and watch golf.

[MrLick]

Guess no fans. lol

[SrfSnwColdplay]

I love golf. I play and watch.

[SrfSnwColdplay]

Dude you and me are like the exact same person

[Black Rose]

So anyone watching the 36th Ryder Cup hosted this year at the K-Club in Ireland, where the european team are hoping to keep hold of the cup which they won in 2002, and again in 2004.

After day one, the europeans have a 5-3 lead over the americans after 8 rounds, so everything is still to play for.

[mc_squared]

The yanks are getting another whupping!!:rolleyes:

[MrLick]

damnit i forgot about it. It started today, i was looking forward to it. I hope i catch some of it before its over

[mc_squared]

damnit i forgot about it. It started today, i was looking forward to it. I hope i catch some of it before its over

It already is!!:P

[ugadawg5]

USA! USA! Hopefully it will go down to the wire...

[mc_squared]

USA! USA! Hopefully it will go down to the wire...

No chance! Quit while you're behind!!:P

[MrLick]

Ahh C'mon the US has a chance to win.

[mc_squared]

You're already behind today, too!:D

[MrLick]

Fuck

[mc_squared]

Boy, does Tiger suck at Ryder Cup!! He's playing more like a "pussy" than a "tiger"!!:rolleyes:

He's found the water so many times they should issue him with a wetsuit and scuba gear!!:rolleyes:

[ugadawg5]

I think that the U.S. is missing Payne Stewart dreadfully in this event. He was a fiery attitude and one of the best U.S. golfers in '99, a few months before his death. The U.S. team just hasn't played the same since '99.

[mc_squared]

^One man doesn't make a team. Too many of the top U.S. players haven't stepped up to the plate.;)

[ugadawg5]

so you think that without seve in the mid-to-late 80's, the euros would have won their first cups in 30 years? I think not.

[ugadawg5]

Good Lord the U.S. sucks at the Ryder Cup.

[mc_squared]

so you think that without seve in the mid-to-late 80's, the euros would have won their first cups in 30 years? I think not.

I don't know, but the European team always seems to be more of an actual team than the Americans are.
They were also saying on TV today that maybe the US team aren't "hungry" enough, because they're all so well-off and therefore don't have the same motivation as the Europeans.
Fantastic hole-in-one today, too!!:D

[mc_squared]

Good Lord the U.S. sucks at the Ryder Cup.

You can say that again!!:P

[Black Rose]

10-6 :D

We only need 4 points from 12 matches to keep the cup, 4.5 points to win it outright.

[mc_squared]

10-6 :D

We only need 4 points from 12 matches to keep the cup, 4.5 points to win it outright.

The yanks might as well throw in the towel now!!:P

[ugadawg5]

Isn't it funny how Colin and Sergio don't have a prayer in majors but pull this stuff out of their ass during the Ryder Cup?

And how does Phil Mickleson sleep at night with such pathetic play every two years. What a douche.

[MrLick]

Hey now easy on Phil, he's a good golfer.

[General Smut]

Well the yanks are always way better at the singles, so i'd say its still in the balance.

[General Smut]

http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Ryder+Cup

Good read!

[tifosi]

The quote from the American captain that they were expecting points from the stars and the rest of the players to support them and pick up points sums the US team up...

The Europeans have no 'stars'. They are a team. World rankings are irrelevent in this event.

[Black Rose]

Mr Toms will have to pull something special out of the bag to win or draw against mr Montgomerie.

S Cink has all but won against Garcia, being 4 up after 13 holes.

Europe have advantage in 7 of the 12 matches

[Plug_in_coldplaying]

it was yesterday live in tv:o

[Black Rose]

11-7

[Nicko84]

europe should win i think......

[General Smut]

Easy.. Come on guys the sooner you win the sooner i can go out

[Nicko84]

Easy.. Come on guys the sooner you win the sooner i can go out
italian players there......i think no, isn't it?here golf is just a sport for rich people.......

[Black Rose]

12-8 :D

7 out of the 9 remaining matches are in our favour, one is drawn.

[General Smut]

YAY!!! WE'VE WON!!!!! (again)

[mc_squared]

YAY!!! WE'VE WON!!!!! (again)

And EASILY. The yanks got a damn good thrashing!!:P

[Black Rose]

Excellent :D

Once more it proves that the europeans are better at teamwork than those americans.

[zeoir]

haha, go europe

This was probably the first time i watched golf..like really wanted to watch it

[mc_squared]

Did anyone notice that Tiger was absent from the presentation ceremony? Was he sulking??:stunned:

[Black Rose]

No, he was looking for his lucky club which he lost.

[mc_squared]

No, he was looking for his lucky club which he lost.

Oh, yeah - I forgot about that! That was hilarious!! Did you see the look on his face??:laugh3:

[mc_squared]

Europe retain Ryder Cup

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2006/09/woosnamR240906_228x346.jpg (http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2006/09/woosnamR240906_462x700.jpg)http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/nav/enlarge.gif (http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2006/09/woosnamR240906_462x700.jpg)



Europe have won the Ryder Cup for an unprecedented third straight time at the K Club.
Leading 10-6 overnight, Ian Woosnam's side easily collected the four-and-a-half points they needed to seal victory.
Colin Montgomerie, Paul Casey, David Howell and Luke Donald all won to ensure the trophy was retained, leaving Henrik Stenson to hole the winning putt against Vaughn Taylor.
Four years after performing the same role at The Belfry, Montgomerie was tasked with getting Woosnam's side off to the perfect start in the final day's singles.
And Montgomerie, who holed the winning putt in beating Toms at Oakland Hills in 2004, duly delivered with a one-hole victory.
"I'll miss this when it's gone," admitted Montgomerie, who has never lost a Ryder Cup singles match. "That's eight now and I don't know if I am due a ninth.
"We have done fantastic and the crowd have been superb. If you were at all shaky there was no way you would have managed to hit a ball off that first tee."
Stewart Cink had earlier put the first point on the board with a shock 4&3 win over the previously unbeaten Sergio Garcia.
Cink was in simply inspired form, making birdies at four of the first five holes and taking advantage of two bogeys from Garcia to be five up after just seven holes.
Garcia refused to give in and reduced his deficit to three holes at the 10th but Cink then birdied three of the next four as well, the last hole summing up the day. Garcia chipped in for birdie to seemingly keep the match alive, only for Cink to follow him in from 25 feet to seal a 4&3 victory.
Tiger Woods made it three points out of five for the week with a 3&2 victory over Robert Karlsson, and Furyk threatened to claim an improbable half against Casey with an eagle on the 16th.
Furyk also set up a birdie chance on 17 but Casey beat him to it from 25 feet to seal a 2&1 victory and put Europe 12-8 ahead.
It was now simply a question of who would hole the winning putt, and it was a close-run affair. David Howell fired his fourth birdie in a row to beat Brett Wetterich 5&4, and just five minutes later Luke Donald beat Chad Campbell 2&1 to ensure the trophy was retained.
And just seconds later Swedish rookie Henrik Stenson holed the winning putt in beating Vaughn Taylor on the 15th green to spark massive celebrations.
The tears inevitably flowed as Darren Clarke made it three wins out of three by beating Zach Johnson, six weeks to the day since his wife Heather died from cancer.
Woosnam hugged Clarke and told him: "Destiny, destiny."
"This is as good as it gets," Clarke said. "It's been a difficult week but from the minute I made myself available I was determined to get ready and I was.
"It's done a lot for me, people have shown me how much they care for me and how much they cared for Heather, and that means everything. I was trying to keep my emotions in check all the way round the front nine and concentrate on my own game."

[tifosi]

If Carlsberg made Golf Teams.....

[mc_squared]

Monty was immense again. He deserves a knighthood!!;)

[busybeeburns]

another tonking for those across the pond.
ahh :smash:

[Plug_in_coldplaying]

lool,1 bilion people watched it ! :o Tiger Woods disappeared in game,omg

[busybeeburns]

Anyone watching this weekend?

[busybeeburns]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44011000/jpg/_44011005_sergio.jpg
Garcia has tied for fifth at the last two Open championships

Sergio Garcia posted the clubhouse target of six under at the Open with a steady second-round 71 at Carnoustie.
The 27-year-old was two clear at the start of play and with the wind making low scoring difficult, he bogeyed the 4th to slip back to five under.

He also bogeyed the 11th but claimed birdies at the 6th and the 14th to remain six under going to the last.

And despite a wayward second shot that missed the green, he produced a fine up and down to save par.

Garcia's Ryder Cup team-mate Miguel Angel Jimenez enjoyed a good day out on the Angus links.

After his opening day 69 he moved to three under with a birdie at the fourth before successive bogeys at the turn saw him slip back.

But the Spaniard got one back at the par-five 14th then almost holed his tee shot at the par three 16th and tapped in for a third birdie of the day.

His round of 70 puts him just three shots behind Garcia.

American Jim Furyk also fired a one under par round of 70 as he egded closer to contention.

The world number three fired in five birdies and four bogeys, including a dropped shot at the last for the second successive day.

Furyk's compatriot Boo Weekley joined him in the clubhouse on two under after a one over par 72.

Weekley, who is making his Open debut, seems to have adapted quickly to links golf.

"This is the kind of golf course I grew up on," he said. "It wasn't a links but it was fast.

"Out here it's a bump and run course. You have to hit your drive right but sometimes you can hit your drive well and it can still run off into the rough.

"We have still got 36 holes to go so. We have got to hit it a bit better than we did today."

Niclas Fasth is the only player to break 70 so far, the Swede recovering from his opening round of 75 with a two under par 69.

It could have been even better had he not spoiled his card with a double bogey six on the 14th hole.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/6908589.stm

[busybeeburns]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44011000/jpg/_44011311_mickelson270.jpg
Mickelson works out his options after finding sand at the 12th

Three-time major winner and world number two Phil Mickelson is in danger of missing the cut at the Open after a second-round 77 at Carnoustie.
The left-hander was erratic with his driver and carded five bogeys before finding the Barry Burn at the last on the way to a double bogey.

Mickelson is on six over and, with the cut expected at three over, he is unlikely to play this weekend.

England's Luke Donald could also miss out after a 76 put him on four over.

Donald was five off the overnight leader at the start of the day and picked up a birdie at the second to go two under.

But he double bogeyed the 3rd after finding a bunker and three-putting and triple bogeyed the 6th after pulling his drive out of bounds, which Donald blamed on the noise of a club going into the bag of a playing partner.

He dropped another shot at the 10th, then birdied three of the next four holes, but undid that by losing a ball in the bush for another double bogey on the 15th and bogeyed the short 16th.

"I came back well, so I'm disappointed with the finish and this score is not what I wanted," he said. "But I have to believe I can shoot a couple of 66s."

And Donald refused to blame his partner for the distraction at the 6th, saying: "It was just bad timing. These things happen - it was not on purpose."

Mickelson, who was in confident mood after reaching the play-off of last week's Scottish Open, said a poor putting display cost him dearly.

"I didn't play well but I thought was a very fair test," he admitted. "It was a little windy but it wasn't unplayable. There were under-par scores out there and I just didn't putt well enough to have one of them.

"I thought I was playing a lot better than this. I started to play some pretty good golf last week and I don't know why I've putted these greens so poorly.

"They are very good, with a very good texture, and I've seen a lot of guys make putts but I just haven't been one of them."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/6908821.stm

[busybeeburns]

Leaders:
-6 S Garcia (18)
-3 MA Jimenez (18), KJ Choi (12), R Goosen (11), S Cink (5), M Brier (2)
-2 J Furyk (18), B Weekley (18), S Stricker (13), R Beem (2)

Sergio Garcia holds a three shot lead at the Open Championship after firing a second round 71 at Carnoustie.

Garcia is in the clubhouse on six under, three clear of a chasing pack that includes Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Ireland's Paul McGinley endured a poor start to his second round with a bogey at the first and a double bogey at the third hole to slip back to one under.

Tiger Woods doubled bogeyed the first hole after going out of bounds and has fallen back to level par.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/6907742.stm

[busybeeburns]

Garcia only 1 ahead with 9 holes left

[Plug_in_coldplaying]

Does Niclas Fasth play?

[busybeeburns]

no

Romero (Arg) now 2 shots ahead, 4 holes to play :stunned:

[Plug_in_coldplaying]

Andres Romero is quite good player

[mc_squared]

Andres Romero is quite good player

But obviously not good enough. :rolleyes:

[busybeeburns]

Harrington and Garcia playoff :o

[busybeeburns]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44014000/jpg/_44014473_garciaharrington203.jpg
Garcia (left) and Harrington both had chances to win it down the stretch

Sergio Garcia and Padraig Harrington are involved in a four-hole play-off at the Open after Carnoustie once again staged a dramatic final round.

Irishman Harrington had played superbly with an eagle and four birdies and stood on the last tee a shot ahead but found water twice to double-bogey.

Garcia, who had led by four shots, then found sand to bogey the 18th, leaving both players level on seven under par.

Andres Romero had held a two-shot lead but two double bogeys ruined his hopes.

1842: Here comes Harrington, twirling his cap and looking full of beans as he strides onto the tee box. Garcia looks a little more nervous as he shuffles into view, hand stuffed defiantly into his pockets.

1838: Garcia beat Harrington for a play-off at the 2004 Buick Classic, although Harrington won a play-off last week, although it was 'only' the Irish Professional Championship.

1834: The play-off holes are 1 followed by the killer stretch of 16, 17 and 18. Garcia practices a bit of putting while Padraig swings a couple of clubs behind his neck.

"The last three holes are unbelievable - the first 15 are magnificent, but those last three are brutal..."
BBC Sport's Mark James

1828: Stricker pars the last for a 74 and he finishes three under. Garcia lines up his putt, makes a good stroke...but the ball just catches the left-hand side of the hole and lips out. That's a four-hole play-off folks. That looked for all the world as if it was going to nip right at the final moment and drop. Sergio slumps over his putter but he needs to gather himself...and fast - Padraig's already on the tee and awaiting his rival.

1824: Hearty applause as Garcia makes his way to the green, but his family are looking a touch greener than they did a few minutes ago. Decent lie for Garcia and he splashes out to within 10 feet. A 10-footer to win the Open - all you Spaniards start summoning up the spirit of Seve...

1821: Three iron is the club of choice for Sergio and he's going to have to give this some serious welly...it's a bit heavy...no-one's shouting...and he's in the bunker to the front left of the green. He needs to get up and down to win it.


1816: Garcia pulls out a long iron and fizzes his tee shot down the middle at 18. The Spaniard eyes his ball anxiously before exhaling loudly. Just one more good swing and the Open is his. He's got about 245 to the green - I know what I'd do if I was him, pull out a dirty great rescue club and clatter it as far as I possibly could just to avoid a watery grave. Shame I play like an old woman. DiMarco double bogeys the last for a 75 and plus one overall. A 73 for McGinley and he's one under for the tournament. A welcome return to form for the Irishman.


1811: Cink of America taps in for bogey at the last, a round of 70 and four under overall. Padraig has a horror putt at 18 for double-bogey six...but he shows some mongrel and pours it in. He finishes with a 67 for seven under overall and the clubhouse lead. Well done my son. On runs his little boy into the arms of his daddy - lovely touch. Saying that, I hope he's wearing spikes...

1809: Harrington gets his fifth shot to grip and heel just five feet from the cup at 18. Sink that, and Garcia will need a par at the last to win the Open.

1808: Garcia curls his birdie putt at 17 just right of the hole but taps in for par to stay eight under. A grimace from Sergio, but it's his to lose now.

1804: Harrington is forced to wait and watch as Garcia finds the heart of the green with his second. And when Harrington's turn does come, he makes an utter horlicks of it, yanking his third shot into the burn once again. I expect a collective groan to whip in from the Irish Sea and reach me in about 10 minutes.

1759: Garcia can't help having a little smile to himself as he watches Harrington stroll towards the Barry Burn. Harrington has to wait for Garcia and Stricker to boom their drives down the 17th, which they do, before he can cross the water and assess the damage. Garcia and Harrington then cross the bridge in opposite directions - not a peep between them...it's all getting a bit wild west at Carnoustie.

1756: I think I'm about to have a cardiac arrest. Harrington pulls out the big stick at 18, gives it some serious rat-a-tat-tat and his ball bounces halfway across the bridge scaling the Barry Burn before ducking right and into the water. It's Van de Velde all over again, and it appears that the Irishman has just blown the Open Championship. Garcia makes a ballsy clutch putt at 16 to stay at eight under.

1753: Els's birdie putt at 18 slides just by the hole and he taps in for a round of 69 five under overall. He'll still be thinking about that triple-bogey at 6 on Saturday when he's old and slightly infirm. If it wasn't for that, he's be right in the mix.

1750: Harrington fails with his birdie attempt at 17 but that's a solid four and he's off to gird his loins for one last rip at the 18th. Surgical judgement from Garcia at 16 and his putt from off the dancefloor comes up just shy.

1748: Garcia pulls out a four iron at the par-three 16th and finds a hollow to the front left of the green. He'll have a little bitty chip, and he could do without little bitty chips at this stage in his round.


1744: Garcia bends his par putt wide at 15 and he drops back to eight under - one shot behind Harrington. Sixty years since an Irishman last won the Open - Fred Daly at Hoylake. And much as there will be gallons of tears shed if Sergio loses this, Padraig would prove an incredibly popular winner.

1741: Harrington slaps his tee shot down the middle of the 17th - he was down picking up his tee just a few seconds after making contact. Nice touch from Garcia from the edge of the 15th, but he's got a very nasty par putt from 10 feet. Miss that, and he could be toast.


1736: Garcia hits a nervy tee shot down 15 and Padraig's birdie putt misses by a whisker at 16. Sergio pulls out a four iron and attempts to make the 15th green from 268 yards away - never likely to happen and his ball pulls up short. Cink birdies 16 to jump to five under and KJ Choi is in with a 71 and three under overall.

1729: Furyk cards a 71 to finish on two under. Harrington has just unfurled a peach at 16 and he's got a 10-foot putt to reclaim the outright lead. "Touche!", cries Cink, as he somehow slides his tee shot inside that of Harrington.


1725: Ernie saves par at 16 to stay five under, but the South African is now in miracle territory. Harrington's birdie putt at 15 slides by the hole and he stays at nine under. Garcia gives his 100-footer at 14 a fearful rap and leaves himself a brute coming back for birdie...BUT HE'S ONLY GONE AND DRAINED IT! KISS MY FACE SERGIO! The Spaniard joins Harrington on nine under and I feel a playoff coming on...


1720: Jimenez drains a monster for birdie at 18 and he finishes with a 71 for two under overall. McGinley makes eagle at 14 to get back to two under. Garcia, adrenalin shooting through his veins, overclubs at the par-five 14th and he's got a monster putt for eagle coming back. Romero duffs his second at 18 and his challenge looks to be over...unless...unless...

1716: One of the tensest finishes to a major championship ever and Bobby Mackenzie (see below) is comparing aerial views of holes to characters from 80's children's classic Rainbow. Take a break from the funny fags Bobby and concentrate on what's happening in that little box in the corner of your living room. Romero, however, has got his head together and he murders his drive down the 18th.


1712: Romero takes a drop and recovers well - he could escape with a bogey at 17 which wouldn't be too bad at all. And Harrington has snatched the lead! A 10-footer at 14 for eagle and Carnoustie goes wild. The Irishman is nine under, while Romero drops a couple at 17 to slip two shots off the lead. For the love of God, does there have to be a loser!

"Have any of the commentary team noticed that the aerial view of the 18th looks like Zippy?"
Bobby Mackenzie, Elgin, via text


1707: Whoops-a-daisy Martin Hayesy - one false swing from Romero and with that his Open dreams are in tatters...or are they? His second shot at 17 ricochets off the bank of the Barry Burn and out of bounds. Garcia sinks his birdie at 13 to move to eight under, Harrington has a putt for eagle at 14. This is too much, I'm almost weeping into my keyboard.

1704: Romero makes a poor swing off the tee at 17 but gets lucky - he'll have a shot into the green from the wispy stuff. Garcia gives his ball a chill off the tee at the par-three 13th and it comes down six feet from the hole. Birdie chance. Els's chance may have gone - he drills his tee shot at 15 into some cabbage.

1700: I can't quite believe what I'm seeing here - the unheralded Andres Romero has just drained a 30-footer to move to nine under and two shots clear of the field. There will be bookies across the globe chuckling into their piles of cash as I type.

1655: Harrington misses a birdie putt 13 before Els finds the green with his second at the par-five 14th. Els needs one or two miracles to claim the Claret Jug now. It's just not happening for Garcia whose round is hanging limply in the wind at the moment. He pushes his birdie putt wide at the 12th and remains at seven under.

1648: Romero finds some thick stuff off the tee at 15 but dredges up a miraculous recovery to give himself a 15-footer for a third birdie in a row and the outright lead. Els rat-a-tats a three wood down the 14th before Romero takes the tournament by the scruff of the neck with a 30-foot birdie putt at the 15th. The Argentine has the outright lead on eight under. This is bubbling up into a classic Open Championship.

1643: Harrington very nearly curls in his birdie putt at the 12th, but his ball has a look over the edge before top-toeing round the outside. The Irishman remains seven under. Woods also lips out at 18 and he finishes with par, a round of 70 and two under for the tournament. The defending champion manages a smile, but rarely has his game looked so ragged as it has over these last four days. Els drops a shot at 13 after a poor bunker shot and he's now minus five. Garcia's birdie attempt at 10 slides by the hole and he and Stricker tap in for par.

1641: Off comes the cap as Tiger soaks up the applause down the 18th. He's got a short birdie putt to finish on three under, which isn't at all bad considering he appears to have been playing like Jimmy Tarbuck for the last four days.

1636: Stricker drills his second at 11 into the heart of the green and Garcia finds the back left. Els drains a nasty 10-footer at 12 to stay at six under. Harrington is like a man possessed at the moment - his approach at 12 gives him a good chance of a birdie. But he's not the only man frothing like a madman down this final stretch - Romero joins him and Garcia on seven under with a birdie at 14. I get the feeling Sergio's going to get gobbled up here...

"Hello thrill-seekers, I have finally discovered where it's at at Carnoustie - it's right here, right now. This is athletic endeavour from the top drawer. What do I know? I know that Andres Romero's favourite pastime is monocycling and Pelle Edberg likes 'indoor floorball' - a game he invented when he was eight and can only be played in the hallway of his parent's house, with a tennis ball. Good grief, Romero might win this thing."
BBC Sport's Matt Slater at Carnoustie

1629: Stricker makes a clutch putt at 10 to stay at five under, but Garcia drags his birdie putt left - once you start missing...The Spaniard, however, still has the joint lead with Harrington on seven under. Els duffs his second at 12 and he's left with a tricky chip.

1625: That's spunk from Romero - after his travails at 12 he rolls in a 10-footer at 13 to move back to six under. Majestic from Garcia, a sky-high wedge that finishes six feet from the cup.



1622: Garcia whip-cracks his tee shot straight down the middle at 10, but Harrington of Ireland has joined him atop the leaderboard with birdie at 11. Cink birdies 11 to move to four under. Masters champion Zach Johnson is in with a 70 to finish even par for the tournament.

1619: Harrington has the grim look of a man who is about to land his first major - he pings an iron to within four feet of the cup at 11 to set up another birdie chance. Els slaughters his drive down the middle of the 12th.


1616: Garcia rolls his birdie putt to a couple of feet and taps in to stop the bleeding. Romero, meanwhile, misses his bogey putt and slips back to five under. All of which means Garcia has the outright lead again. The wind is up and this is all becoming a bit too much. it certainly is for Stricker who misses his third putt from under four feet to slip two behind Garcia. Els and Harrington are, all of a sudden, looking like likely champions.

1613: Romero has taken a drop at 11 and Els is pacing about grim-faced on the 12th tee behind him as if he's stuck behind four old girls on a municipal in Romford. Romero does eventually flop a wedge onto the green but he's got a monster for bogey.

1608: Garcia gets a break at 9, his drive scuttling through the thick rough and out the other side. Stricker finds the fairway. Harrington rolls a clutch par putt in at 10 to stay one off the lead.

"These really are crisis strokes now for Sergio Garcia. He desperately needs to settle, and settle quickly."
BBC Sport's Mark James

"There's a bank of seriously dark cloud rolling towards Carnoustie. This could come down to who can win in a storm."
BBC Sport's Rob Hodgetts at Carnoustie


1603: Garcia's hands look to be disassociated from the rest of his body at the moment. He fluffs his chip at 8 and that's another shot gone. Stricker makes par to stay six under, but Garcia is now joint leader with Romero. The last time I saw Romero, however, his backside was sticking out of some shrubbery next to the 12th fairway.


1559: Harrington makes birdie at 9 and he's minus six and ghosting through the pack at the moment. Garcia blocks his tee shot at at the par-three 8 and is second shot will be a delicate chip onto the green. Harrington's dander is well and truly up as he marmalises his drive down the 10th. That's not clever from Romero - he pulls out the big stick and plonks his drive into a thicket at 12.


1552: Remarkable from Argentina's Romero - he finds the sand at 11 but holes his escape to move to seven under. What odds this lad winning the thing on Thursday morning? DiMarco double bogeys 8 to drop back to three under and Garcia has dropped another at 7 - his lead is now one and he needs to have a little chat to himself. Like a stock car rattling towards the chequered flag, there are little bits falling off on every corner at the moment.

1546: Garcia is playing with a very naughty ball - despite repeatedly ordering it to "sit", it bounces over the back of the 7th green to leave a tricky chip coming back.


"Garcia needs to calm down a little bit and grind out some holes. He's very excitable at the moment..."
BBC Sport's Sam Torrance



1542: McGinley is back at level after an ugly double bogey at 7. That's his challenge over. Romero is still yomping along, however, as he makes up for a dropped shot at 9 with a birdie at 10 to get back to six under. Garcia pulls his tee shot slightly at 7 and he's in the wisp stuff - no great drama however. Ernie's birdie putt at 9 slides past the hole, but he's out in 33 blows and is three of the lead. Looking a bit murky out there, let's hope the weather doesn't close in and turn this whole thing into a ruddy lottery.

1538: Don't go choking on me Sergio. That was a very nervous stroke for a birdie at 6 and his ball slides four feet past. Another nervy one coming back - the ball wipes its feet before removing its hat and deciding to pop in. Massive save that. Stricker takes a bullet, missing his short one for birdie, and that's another missed opportunity for the American. He remains three off the lead.


1534: America's Hunter Mahan is in with a 65 and he's four under for the tournament. Stricker sticks his third at 6 to within six feet, but Garcia matches him. Tiger is still grinding away behind them - he moves to two under with a birdie at 13.


"One last piece of inane prattle before we concentrate solely on the business end of the tournament. Many of you will remember my deep-fried pizza experience earlier in the week. Just to let you know it has been removed from the menu from the offending chip shop on Carnoustie's Strip! No idea why - perhaps the Americans here have got wind of it and they've sold out. Let's put it this way, it hasn't been removed for the good of Carnoustie's waistlines as it's been replaced with good old chips and cheese."
BBC Sport's TV mole at Carnoustie


1529: Ken Brown pets a tiny, tiny toad next to the 6th fairway, but Garcia and Stricker have got more than miniature amphibians on their mind as they both slap their tee shots down the middle of the 6th fairway. DiMarco moves to five under with a birdie at the 6th.



1523: Garcia misses his lengthy par putt at 5 and that's his first dropped shot since the 11th hole on Friday. Stricker, however, also drops a shot to move into a share of second with Els and Romero. Green taps in for a course record-equalling 64.

1519: Green finds the 18th green with his third and has a 15-footer for a new course record 63. The Aussie gets a big rap from the gallery as he marches onto the dancefloor. Stricker finds the sand with his second at the 5th. Ireland's Harrington birdies the 6th to move to five under.

1516: Els picks up another shot at 6 to move to within four of the lead and Romero is hurtling through the chasing pack - he's also six under after a birdie at 8. Garcia, his ball nestled on the rim of a bunker and his feet four feet below in the sand, can only nudge his second at the 5th down the fairway. Can he hear the big size 12s of Ernie yomping up behind him?


1511: Green needs par at the last for a round of 63 and a new course record. But the Australian finds some cabbage with his tee shot. Woods' challenge is peetering out as he finds sand with his approach at 11. Garcia yanks his tee shot at 5 and he's got a horrible stance on top of a deep pot bunker. Woods fluffs his first escape attempt and that's another bogey for the big man - he's one under and nine off the lead.


1508: Green joins Stricker on six under with a beautifully-judged birdie putt on 17...but Stricker, like a long distance runner taking a peak over his shoulder, slots his birdie putt at 4 to move ahead again on seven under. Garcia makes a solid par to lead by three.

1505: Green unfurls another willowy mid iron at 17 and he's got a birdie putt to move to six under. Stricker's approach at 4 is a doozy to leave him a tiddler for birdie. Garcia is safely on but some distance from the hole. Els's third shot at 6 is a peach and he's got a 10-footer for birdie.

1502: All facets of Garcia's game look tip-top and he murders another drive down the middle of the fairway at 4. Stricker follows suits, but 30 yards behind.


1458: Garcia birdies 3 to move to 10 under - and that's a four shot lead as Stricker pushes his birdie putt wide of the hole. Sergio opening his legs and stretching into the distance. Stewart Cink birdies 4 to move to four under and Argentina's Romero is five under after a birdie at 6.

1455: Stricker plonks his second at the par-four 3rd to within two feet...and Garcia almost trumps him, the Spaniard fizzing his ball past the hole before yanking on the string and bringing it back to within four feet. Woods flops an eight iron at the par-four 10th onto the heart of the green.

1450: Woods is getting a little frustrated as he leaves his birdie putt short at 9. In comes 2003 winner Ben Curtis with a sparkling 65 - that's three under and the clubhouse lead. Broadhurst is pulling up some trees out there - he picks up another shot at 5 to move to five under.

"Preferring the hands-free approach to life on course, I ventured out this morning without an umbrella or hat, happy to accept whatever Carnoustie could throw at me. A friendly steward, staggered at the lack of equipment I had been afforded, suggested a way I could carry an umbrella and still take notes or operate my on-course radio. It involved a double belt and a bit of old pipe, a gizzmo possibly created by flag bearers during the Boer War. With creativity like that, he could get a job in our innovations department."
BBC Sport's Stuart Roach at Carnoustie

1445: Cashmere touch from Garcia, rolling his monster putt up to the hole on the 2nd green. He'll have a Dennis Wise for par - a nasty little five-footer. Stricker makes par and Sergio follows him in. Ballsy. Plenty of noise on the golf desk at work, the Tour de France, Grand Prix and Test match live people sound like they're watching a game of Cluedo. THIS IS WHERE THE ACTION IS FOLKS!

1440: KJ Choi birdies the 4th to get to four under. Stricker gets his approach at 3 to bounce right off a greenside mound and onto the dancefloor. Garcia (apologies) did not find the sand with his tee shot and punches his second onto the front of the green. The Spaniard seems a little bit animated - his caddie could do with putting his arm round him and making a little 'shusssshing' sound in his ear. McGinley makes his putt from off the 3rd green to get back to three under.


1437: Garcia finds a fairway bunker with his tee shot at 2, but it's lying nicely and he'll be able to find the green from there. Plenty of players making their move, none more so than Australia's Richard Green who birdied 13 before curling in a monster at 14 to move to five under. DiMarco birdies 2 to move to four under, but the wind is taken out of Woods' sails as he records a bogey at 8 to drop back to two under.


1433: Stricker and Garcia both make par at 1. You have to think that Garcia needs no better than a 69 to win this, but that's easy for me to say slumped over a keyboard 500 miles away. McGinley of Ireland bogeys the second to slip back to two under.

1430: Garcia rolls his long putt at 1 to within a few feet of the hole - that should be a settling par. Woods finds the sand with his tee shot at the par-three 8th. England's Paul Broadhurst is getting up a head of steam - he's four under after a birdie at 2.


1425: Ernie's on a charge - he rolls in a 10-footer on 3 to move to five under and wihtin four of Garcia. Garcia finds the edge of the green with his second at the 1st and Stricker recovers well from the light rough, finding the heart of the green. England's Rose pours in a lengthy putt at 5 to move to two under.

1422: Here's the last pairing on the 1st tee and if Sergio does lift the Claret Jug this evening, he will do so looking like a giant mint - green shirt and snow white slacks for the Spaniard. Stricker is his partner and he hooks his tee shot just shy of a thicket off the fairway - he should have a shot in. Sergio pulls out a long iron and clips one straight down the middle. Argentina's Romero birdies 4 to move to four under.

1417: Afternoon everyone and here we are at the business end of the greatest show in golf. Don't know about you, but this is what I want on the last day of a major - plenty of birdies and players charging through the field rather than the last man standing affairs that were this year's Masters and US Open. Woods makes par at the par-five sixth to stay at three under.


By Sam Lyon



1416: Ernie Els moves to four under on the second hole with a fabulous putt and the South African is now just five off the lead. Paul Broadhurst, who fed off Els all of Saturday as well, repeats the feat with a fabulous putt of his own and the pair are off and running. And on that bombshell, with little time for tearful goodbyes, I must bid you adieu and hand you over to Ben Dirs for the business end of the day's play. Jubbly.

1413: Paul McGinley is a picture of relaxtion as he strides off the first tee following a fine tee shot. A little murmur among the office, with the diminutive Irishman's new adonis-like build the talk of the town. As one colleague put it - "I thought he was just a little fat bloke?". Apparently not, McGinley is looking fitter than a kwikfit fitter and in good shape to make a move.



1409: Ex-Gladiator Hunter Mahan moves to four under for the day with a birdie at the 11th and he is yet to bogey one today. Over on 18, Rory McIlroy sets himself up for a fitting finish to a fabulous week with a fine second shot that leaves him a few feet from the hole. He doesn't waste the chance and birdies for a round of 72 and he finishes five over - brilliant stuff. The snakebite and black will barely touch the sides for that young man in the 19th hole later.


1404: Ben Curtis is on fire at the moment, drilling in a putt from fully 30 feet for eagle on the 14th and the 2003 Open winner is six under for the day - that's how it's done folks.

"Just been for a walk and by jove I've got a sweat on. Probably because of BBC catering, but nevertheless it's balmy outside and¿...someone's just bought a ice cream! All is right in the world. Just need Sergio to win now. Unbelievably El Nino's been driven from the course this week in a Vauxhall Corsa. No reports yet as to whether it had blacked out windows, dump valves or some Happy Hardcore pumping out of its sub-woofers. Get a proper car Serge."
BBC Sport's TV mole at Carnoustie

1356: Lovely second shot from Els, who sets up an early birdie chance with an approach to within a few feet of the hole. Over on the second, Jim Furyk slides in a lovely birdie to erase his opening-hole bogey and the players are starting to enjoy the brighter weather you feel.

"All this water is doing strange things to people this week. Sergio's frequent comfort breaks have already been the subject of much debate but I've just seen a sight to make my eyes water. A punter, slightly away from the course but in deep rough, clearly decided he couldn't make it to the nearest portaloo and apparently felt the rough was as high as it was in 1999. Suffice to say he wasn't as well covered as he clearly thought he was - a definite two-shot penalty in my book."
BBC Sport's Stuart Roach at Carnoustie

1352: England's best hope of victory here, Paul Broadhurst, spanks his opening tee shot down the middle of the fairway - decent start that. The bigger cheer is for Ernie Els, though, who makes the most of a brief pocket of sun and a lack of wind with a lovely drive. I was a big fan of Mr Els until I was informed that the South African is staying in St Andrews this week and is choppered into Angus every morning. How's that for a carbon footprint huh? Live Earth did not entertain literally dozens of people the other Sunday for the likes of Els to brazenly ignore its message during Open week. I'm outraged, I really am.

1345: An early glance at Sergio Garcia - and the Spaniard is indeed decked out like the Riddler, sporting a green top with white under-warmer thingymajig. Black waterproofs mask the trousers, but personally I'm hoping for white. The office sweep has kicked into swiftly into gear, with pink the early outsider...


1343: "Get in the hole!" For the last time, it's not big and it's not clever folks. If you shout it, all you are doing is signalling what an utter wally you are. Especially if the players are on a par-five tee. Still, Tiger Woods's third on the fourth does just that as he rolls in from eight feet and the American goes two under.



1342: Justin Rose, having bogeyed the first, makes amends immediately with a short birdie putt on the second. Bella Emberg, however, drops a shot on the second and the Swede falls back to one under.


1338: Mark Foster holes out on the 18th with a par and that's a round of 69 for the Englishman - there'll be a few of the leaders who might take that before their rounds get under way. Over on 14, Brian Davis sinks an absolute beauty, drilling in from 30 feet for an impressive eagle.

1332: Another hole ticks by without a birdie for Tiger Woods, the American pulling his long putt on the third inches left and it's par-par-par for him. The weather is improving by the second out there, with the rain now all but stopped it would seem. This is proven by shots of Paul McGinley performing an all-too seductive striptease on the practice range. Dougie Donnelly ploughs forth manfully and engages in a brief interview with the Irishman clutching onto his strides - always the professional.

"Just fulfilled a week-long ambition and strolled for a couple of holes with my new favourite golfer, Boo Weekley, who has now gone up even further in my estimations. Walking up the fifth fairway, he was enjoying the kind of chat with Adam Scott that you would usually see in a Sunday morning club game, when the pair were interrupted by a not unattractive blonde lady waving an Australian flag. "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie; oi, oi, oi" she shouted, drawing a polite wave and smile from the slightly embarrassed Scott. "You got you some love", crowed Boo to his playing partner. Absolute legend."
BBC Sport's Stuart Roach at Carnoustie

1323: Does anyone else find it ridiculously annoying when Gary Lineker affects his best Spanish clear-your-throat hack when pronouncing Miguel Angel Jimenez's name? Yes Gary, we know you used to play for Barcelona, but give it a rest will you. Anyway, the Spaniard tees off nicely and he'll be one of those looking to get a few early birdies to pressure Sergio Garcia. Swede Pelle Edberg (who I have taken to referring to as Bella Emberg), meanwhile, gets off to a flier, sinking a beauty of a putt on the first to go two under.



1318: It'll be a very tricky third shot for Justin Rose at the first after his second shot from the rough finds sand. Ben Curtis on the other hand continues to roll in the birdies, picking up a shot at the 10th to go one under - he can't repeat his 2003 success from way back in the field surely? No is undoubtedly the answer, but I do love a commentator's curse so expect the American to bogey the next.

1311: Over on 13 Rory McIlroy ends a run of six straight pars with a fabulous birdie and he is having a whale of a time out there. Meanwhile, Justin Rose tees off at the first with a little bit of a wayward drive but it looks a decent enough lie off to the left. If you're an F1 fan by the way, you might want to check out the latest goings on from the Nurburgring with Sarah Holt - it's a really rather dramatic start over in Germany, that's all I'll say for all of those taping it for later.

1306: No dream start for Tiger Woods, who rolls his birdie chance at the first wide from 12 feet and that'll be a par. Playing partner Rich Beem kicks his round off with a double bogey - henceforth known as the 'schoolboy's choice' - and he slips back to one over.


1305: Slip up from Lee Westwood at the fifth as the Englishman three putts for bogey to drag him back to one over.

1301: Richard Green and Ben Curtis are showing the rest of the field how birdies can be made - picking up shots at the sixth and eighth respectively to each go three under for the day and Aussie Green, at one under, is the leader out on the course.


"If I was leading I would want it to be bright sunshine. I will have been playing well enough to lead so I wouldn't want conditions intervening and interrupting my rhythm. And Sergio Garcia might well enjoy the best of the conditions later, with the weather already brightening up. It might just be going his way."
BBC Sport pundit Sam Torrance

1256: Massive crowds surround the first tee as usual as Tiger Woods tees off with a straight drive down the fairway. He knows Championship golf inside and out and a fast start from him could well put the cat among the pigeons before Sergio even hits the course.


"The chocolate biscuits are doing the rounds in the studio (no one offered me one) while everyone looks pained at the state of the weather as the threat of being here tomorrow fills everyone with dread. But it is definitely looking brighter. We have been measuring the weather conditions this week in shades of grey and it's bright grey now. Happy days."
BBC Sport's TV mole at Carnoustie


"With the rains coming down, the course and the greens will be soft and while I think that makes the holes a little longer, it makes them a bit easier too. As for my compatriot Sergio Garcia, he is keeping calm, focused and is making his shots every time - with a three shot advantage, if he plays a solid round without silly mistakes, the Championship is in his hands."
Seve Ballesteros on BBC Sport

1243: Little update on a couple of the early home contingent out on the course - Belfast's Rory McIlroy bogeyed five and six but has otherwise impressed with all pars and he lies six over, England's Mark Foster has birdied the last two to go back to five over, while Alastair Forsyth has settled with pars on the last three and he remains 14 over.

1235: The rain is starting to ease a bit now, to the extent that Nick Dougherty has gone down to shirt-sleeves and no waterproof, and Lee Westwood makes the most of the improving conditions to two putt from off the green well and save par on the third. Over on the first, Zach Johnson goes agonisingly close to birdie but his putt lips out and he stays one over for the tournament.

1231: According to your texts it's brightening up nicely in Troon, Dundee and East Kilbride so the rains might just ease off soon. As it is, the green keepers are busy mopping, sopping and generally working their backsides off in the rain in a bid to clear up the growing number of puddles on the fairways and in the bunkers.


1227: Englishman Paul Casey makes the perfect start on the first, rolling home from 15 feet for birdie and he is level par for the Championship. Partner and countryman Nick Dougherty makes par and those two will be hoping to stride up the leaderboard today.

1226: Warm applause on the first tee as a rare old pairing in Masters champion Zach Johnson and US Open champion Angel Cabrera get going. Apparently famed smoker Cabrera will have to defend his title next year without the aid of the tabs as they will be banned on the course - expect a short temper and plenty of chewing gum throughout his rounds at that Championship.


1222: Great start from Lee Westwood, who escapes a bunker brilliantly with his second shot on two and holes out from 12 feet for a fabulous birdie. Australian Richard Green joins him at level par with consecutive birdies on two and three and, despite the dire weather, it's good to see shots are there to be picked up.

1211: Lee Westwood - one over overnight and out of the hunt you would think - secures par at the first, as does playing partner Retief Goosen. Ben Curtis draws himself alongside them with a birdie at the fifth to go two under for the day.

1208: The latest talk from Mark James on BBC commentary is that there could well be a delay if the rains continue as they are... we'll keep you posted.

"Just had a quick word with Hunter Mahan and his caddie before they set off into the pouring rain. "Looking forward to this?" I ask Hunter. 'Well, it could be worse.' 'Really?' 'No, maybe not.' His caddie John Wood was sporting a pair of natty shades, perched on his cap. 'Do you think they'll come in handy today?' I say. 'It's the optimist in me. I'm going to put them on at some point, even if it's only for 10 seconds.'"
BBC Sport's Rob Hodgetts at Carnoustie

1202: Not much, hang on... make that nothing, is going Alastair Forsyth's way today. A bogey at the 14th sees him slip to eight over for the day, 14 over for the tournament, and all of this must be endured amidst near torrential rain. It's about as glamorous as hosting an over-80s disco for the hard of hearing at your local town hall.



"Ice cream van update - call off the hearse! I've seen the windscreen wipers going. Huzzah. But hang on, perhaps that's just a cry for help. If you are reading this ice cream van man/women/rotting corpse on our wonderful BBC Sport mobile service (check it out people) give me one sweep to let me know you are okay, two sweeps for help or three if the weather conditions this week have left you bankrupt."
BBC Sport's TV mole at Carnoustie


1158: Charley Hoffman is displaying no ill-effects from the terrible conditions, birdieing the fourth and the fifth to move to three under for the day, level par for the tournament. A quick glimpse of the ground staff using buckets in an attempt to empty a bunker of four foot of water on the fairway at the 18th. Forget that lads, get your water-wings on and get swimming.

1149: "Not for the first time, I'm with Kenneth on the pin-position conundrum. And I can't help thinking the R&A has got this one wrong. The scoring average on the course is nudging towards five over. What this tournament needs (if it is drama, you're after) is for somebody to make a charge. That ain't gonna happen if you tuck the flags behind bushes on 12% gradients. The rain isn't helping either. This could be all too easy for Sergio - shouldn't grumble, I suppose, I've been asking for a European winner for years and we'll all be in the Kinloch Arms by happy hour at this rate."
BBC Sport's Matt Slater at Carnoustie


1137: I tell you, conditions out there are such that you would almost certainly turn to your mates on the fourth tee and suggest an early pit-stop at the pub if it were you playing. It can be no fun digging around in the rough with rain reducing your well-coiffered mane to a mess. Miguel Angel Jimenez will be chewing nervously on his hair straighteners as we speak.


1132: Woohoo! Up go the cheers on the third as home favourite Ross Bain takes a birdie three to move to two over and that's a steady start from the big guy. Former Open winner Ben Curtis repeats the feat next up and that's a veritable flurry of birdies in relation to what's gone before.

1125: By the way, a few of you may have missed the fact that live golf is available on interactive on BBC so if Gary Lineker, Nick Faldo and Wayne Grady's lazy drawl does nothing for you, press the red button. I won't tell tales.


"The pin positions today will make it hard for the chasing pack to attack. Keep an eye on hole five - that will be very interesting today. If someone can do what Steve Stricker did yesterday then we could be in for an interesting finish. But Sergio knows how to defend; he can attack brilliantly but he can play defensive tee shots when he needs to."
BBC Sport's Ken Brown at Carnoustie




1121: Dustin's brother Charley Hoffman breaks the shackles on the second, taking a birdie to go one under for the day. Meanwhile, Scot Alastair Forsyth and American Sean O'Hair are battling it out for the worst round of the day, bogeying 11 and 12 respectively to go seven over for the day. And another home favourite Sandy Lyle is hot on their heels following a bogey, double bogey and triple bogey from his eight holes so far. The rain is playing absolute havoc.

"Police have found the ice cream seller on the 18th dead. He was covered in sprinkles, chopped nuts and strawberry sauce - they think he has topped himself."
Anon via text



"Here we are, on the final day at Carnoustie, and Sergio sits pretty at the top of the leaderboard. But which Garcia will turn up? Will he be the matador or a pussy cat?"
BBC Sport's Peter Alliss

"Hi Sam, I'm coverage free here in France but wanted to tell you I just dozed off on the settee and had a vivid dream of Sergio in lime green taking his socks off on the 18th fairway and standing staring at his ball in the water for about three minutes."
rambon on 606



1108: Make that no players below-par for the day out on the course - Mark Foster bogeys the sixth to go back to six over. Over on BBC Two Peter Alliss reminisces about the close-and-yet-so-far efforts of Europeans to win majors in recent years. Jean van de Velde, Thomas Levet, Thomas Bjorn, Colin Montgomerie and Sergio Garcia... all of them have been in contention coming down the stretch and all have thrown it away. A timely reminder, if one were needed, that Garcia still has it all to do on this final day.

1102: As my colleague Mark Orlovac - who looks after the top four paragraphs here, the leaderboard and is quite honestly the nicest man in showbiz - points out, Mark Foster is the only man out on the course who is under par for the day so far. That's 28 players out, one player sub-par. It looks like birdies will be at a premium, which is a shame for all you totty-watch enthusiasts out there. Ba dom boom boom... tish!

1054: The wonderfully named Arron Oberholser is now the leading player out on the course, the American kicking off with a par at the first to keep him three over. Rory McIlroy and Scott Verplank keep it nice and easy with pars at the second, but Alastair Forsyth is clearly keen to see as much of the Carnoustie course as possible before getting away later, taking another bogey at eight to fall to 12 over.


1041: Mark Foster's brisk start is interrupted by a bogey on the fifth and that sees him slip back to five over.

"I might have the answer to the question of Sergio's sartorial choice for Sunday. A course insider reliably informs me that he will be in green today. Or will it be his rivals for the claret jug that are green?"
BBC Sport's Stuart Roach at Carnoustie

1032: Big cheers over on the first tee as Rory McIlroy tees off his final round. What a weekend the Northern Irish youngster has had. It matters not that he looks like he's just stepped off the set of Grange Hill, the boy has a big future ahead of him. He comes through the first with a par, as does playing partner Scott Verplank.



"Sunlight. Could somebody remind me what it looks like? That poor ice cream van on the 18th fairway. My heart bleeds for the poor soul operating it. On many occasions when I have been absent mindedly staring out of the window I have thought, what if the person in there had died? How many days would it take before some finally went to order a Cornetto and found a mummified corpse behind the serving hatch? Blimey, I better go and find out - I don't want this on my conscience."
BBC Sport's TV mole at Carnoustie

"Well it would appear Sam's earlier information regarding the weather was straight from the Michael Fish school of weather forecasting. Apparently its now bouncing down."
Vorosh on 606



1027: Alastair Forsyth is struggling to give the home fans much to cheer this morning, taking a double bogey on the par five sixth to slip to four over for the day, 10 over for the tournament. I'm not entirely sure what he did on Friday night to celebrate two impressive rounds at Carnoustie, but it didn't do him any favours. Ten bogeys, a double bogey and only one birdie since then for the Scot - ouch.

"Morning Sam, I'm at work here in Holland. Have been since 0530 your time. My son is at the Grand Prix in Germany, hoping to see Lewis Hamilton take another podium. I've promised to keep him updated on the golf via text, so please keep me updated. Sergio has this one wrapped up Lock, Stock & 750,000."
Mikehuey on 606


1021: Gwan Mark Foster! Fresh from a dip in the pool (what, it's not the same one?), the multi-talented Englishman draws alongside the pack on four over with his second birdie of the day, this time on three. By the way - get Matt Slater and Rob Hodgetts below huh? Like an old married couple they are. I guess that's what a week sharing a room does to two strapping young men.

"Can you tell BBC Sport's Rob Hodgetts at Carnoustie that I have run to Monifieth and back already this morning and will now be heading to the High Street to find out if any players have bought the new Harry Potter book and to get us some Dundee Cake to accompany the tea that I expect to waiting on my desk when I arrive."
BBC Sport's Matt Slater at Carnoustie


1011: Rob Hodgetts is not the only one suffering at the moment - although I can't really comment as I've got the teas in about three times all week while pinching dozens off my colleagues at any and every opportunity - Peter Hanson is doing his best impression of a 12-year-old Scout and rooting out a bogey at every opportunity. The Swede drops a shot for the third hole in a row on seven and he now lies 11 over par.

"Can someone tell me where BBC Sport's Matt Slater at Carnoustie is. It's his turn to get the teas in."
BBC Sport's Rob Hodgetts at Carnoustie




1003: While Luke Donald continues his struggles, barely snatching a par at the second, compatriot Mark Foster kicks his final round off with a birdie and he moves to five over par. He is joined by Anders Henson following the Dane's birdie three at the fourth, but his almost-namesake Peter Hanson is struggling further down the field, dropping his third shot of the day on six to slip to 10 over for the tournament.

"C'mon Sergio! Natural heir to the sadly retired Seve. Just hope he gets the wardrobe right."
Dunc via text

"The Beard Liberation Front has been on to us again, banging on about the scarcity of facial hair at the Open once more. Apparently, it's got something to do with the forces of conservatism that run golf. Anyway, with so few beards on show, the BLF has been forced to run a "clean-shaven" contest. It's a straight shoot-out between Els and Stricker. We'll let you know."
BBC Sport's Matt Slater at Carnoustie



0952: Luke Donald - embarrassingly my tip before the tournament began - gets his fourth round under way with a bogey at the first and that is now five bogeys in a row for the Englishman. It would appear he really went all out on his honeymoon with Diane Antonopoulos. Well you would I suppose.



"The rain is hammering down on the roof of the media tent and looks pretty set in for the day. Watching the first two groups tee off earlier, all nine over or above, I couldn't help wondering how enthused they were about the next four hours, which basically amounts to a fruitless, sodden hack around in the murk."
BBC Sport's Rob Hodgetts at Carnoustie

0939: As well as stuffing my face with legal narcotics this morning, I've also been suffering all manner of comments about the pastel blue cardigan I'm wearing. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but all the cool kids of Essex are wearing 'em right? And it's slightly golf-esque as well so I feel I have logic and the Dagenhamistas on my side. Have it. Out on the course, Sandy Lyle and Thomas Bjorn kick off with pars at the first, while Alastair Forsyth is slipping away a bit following a bogey on two.



0931: Right, apologies for the rather subdued start to the day's proceedings but, frankly, I needed two teas and a bacon-sausage baguette to get me going. Despite the fact that I was in bed before 2200 BST last night - that's not right is it? Is that the onset of old age? Or an indication that my house-mates bore me rigid? Who knows. Anyway, it's a pretty subdued start out on the course as well, American Kevin Stadler the front-runner out among the holes at the moment on six over after birdieing four.

0923: South African Trevor Immelman has got off to a steady enough start, birdieing two and taking pars at one, three and four, but Mark O'Meara's birdie start was erased by a dropped shot at the third. Scotland's Alastair Forsyth kicks off his round with a par.

"The pick of the opening pairings has to be O'Meara and Immelman. Let's hope, with the pressure off and the weather favourable, they can give us early risers something exciting to follow."
Gary Clare via text

0911: "The big chat in town last night concerned Sergio's last-day wardrobe. Would he go for the Spanish-themed colour scheme of Saturday, Real Madrid white or shamelessly play to the galleries in blue and white with tartan tam o'shanter and ginger fright wig? Any of those would be preferable to last year's "I'm a lemon" ensemble. Others wondered how many spectators the players could knock over today."
BBC Sport's Matt Slater at Carnoustie

For more from the one and only Mr Slater, check out 606 and get chatting...

0901: Mark O'Meara's not the only one making a charge - England's Jon Bevan roars back to just 11 over with a birdie three at the third. Come on son, keep the faith and all that. Fredrik Andersson Hed's problems continue, however, the Swede bogeying the same hole to slump to the same score. At least they will both be done early enough to catch 'Flog it!' on BBC Two later. If that can be seen as a bonus of course.



0849: Mark O'Meara gets his Open charge firing, shooting a birdie at the first to leap up to eight over - only 17 more shots to be made up on Garcia's overnight mark, then.

0838: Fredrik Andersson Hed does not get off to the ideal start, struggling to shake off the Sunday morning blues and taking a bogey five at the first. There is already a decent amount of die-hards out in force at Carnoustie, though whether they've just arrived or whether they have been here all night dancing on the laughing juice is not clear as yet.

"I would love to see Sergio win his first major, he is a great player and was brilliant in the Ryder Cup. That said it is far from over. Bring it on."
happydon on 606

"Eight non Major winners in the first 9 places on the leaderboard. 2007 is becoming the year for first time Major winners. Tiger is having a year off."
Golfbug on 606



0827: A little look at the weather - it's forecast to be bright with only the odd shower, so there should be plenty of birdie opportunities out there.

0815: And so it all comes down to this. Europe has been starved of a major winner since 1999 - Scot Paul Lawrie's own triumph on this Carnoustie course - and here we are, with just 18 holes remaining... and Sergio Garcia is on the brink.

The Spaniard, yet to break his major duck, has enjoyed four top 10 finishes on the tour this year but has not secured a victory in almost two years. Still, in true Europhile fashion, Garcia certainly has the backing of the British masses and wouldn't it just be great to see the 27-year-old do it. I only hope he puts his parrot-esque red and orange outfit of Saturday to one side today - should he win he won't want to be looking at pictures of himself dressed like a wally in 10 years time.

England's Jon Bevan and Swede Fredrik Andersson Hed will get us started at 0820, with the main players not due out until later in the day. In the meantime don't forget to get your texts (81111) and chat on 606 coming in. If only to assure me I'm not the only nutter up bright and breezy at stupid o'clock on Sunday morning...



http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/6910510.stm

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Leaders:

-7 P Harrington, S Garcia [playoff]
-6 A Romero
-5 R Green, E Els
-4 H Mahon, S Cink
-3 B Curtis, M Weir, KJ Choi, S Stricker

[Plug_in_coldplaying]

Who win Ian?

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Padraig Harrington has taken the early advantage in his play-off with Sergio Garcia at the Open at Carnoustie.

Spaniard Garcia dumped his ball in the sand at the first of the four-hole play-off, allowing Irishman Harrington to snatch a two-shot lead.

The players had finished a dramatic final round level on seven under.

Harrington led by one but found water twice to double-bogey the 18th, only for Garcia to also drop a shot when just needing a par to win the title.

[busybeeburns]

Who win Ian?Garcia or Harrington

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http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44014000/jpg/_44014586_harringtonsmiling.jpg

Ireland's Padraig Harrington ended Europe's eight-year wait for a major by beating Sergio Garcia in a four-hole play-off to win the Open at Carnoustie.
Garcia was four shots clear at one stage on a dramatic final day while Andres Romero also had a two-shot lead.

Harrington led by one at the 18th but found water twice to double bogey, only for Garcia to also drop a shot when needing only a par to win the title.

Harrington, 35, edged home in the play-off, winning it by one shot.

1942: Padraig struggles to get his words out as he chats to the BBC's Hazel Irvine - Lord alone knows what Sergio must feel like, but Padraig provides us with a hint: "If I had lost that, I don't think I would have been able to play competitive golf again." Ouch. Anyway, that's me done - it's been truly epic and I hope you, like me, loved every minute of it.

1936: Garcia rolls in his par putt and Harrington needs to putt his...and in it goes! Harrington is Ireland's first Open winner for 60 years and Europe's first for eight! Absolutely gutting for Garcia, jubilation for Padraig. Out comes the Irish flag and Fred Daly will be beaming down at him from up on high. I'm choking up, I'm actually choking up, although I'm not sure it's because Padraig's won or Sergio's lost.

1934: Harrington curls his monster par putt four feet by but he's in pole position here - he should drop that in to win it. Garcia's birdie putt just misses to the right, another slight lip, and it looks like the game is up for the Spaniard.

1932: Young Silver Medal winner McIlroy looks on from the edge of the green - stick this in the memory bank, young fella, you could need it one day.

1930: Not the cleverest of approaches from Harrington - he's on in three but he's got 35 feet to the hole and is outside Garcia's second. It's dustbin lid time for Padraig.

1927: Harrington does opt to lay-up with a seven iron and he's got 105 yards to the front of the green with his third. The door is ajar, can Garcia rip it off its hinges? He doesn't quite do that, but he does loosen the screws somewhat with a doozy of a six iron to within 20 feet of the hole. This is sport at its most compelling and the Carnoustie faithful are lapping up every last morsel of drama.

1925: Harrington, thinks Sam Torrance, is going to struggle to find the green with his second. He's got 268 to the flag and 243 to the front of the green - he may choose to pull out a short iron and lay-up. Garcia, on the other hand, despite finding rough with his tee shot, can get on in two.

1920: What will Harrington pull out at 18? It's a hybrid by the look of things. He has a long chat with his caddie before re-teeing and having another look. The Irishman gets over the ball and finds green, green grass with his tee shot. Garcia, who has taken iron on this hole the last few days, pulls out the big dog from his quiver and hammers his tee shot into the rough to the left of the fairway. He's still alive however and he's got a good angle into the green.

1916: Harrington's walk to the 17th green is almost like a victory march, the Irishman twirling his hat and soaking up the cheers like a conquering hero. Garcia putts...and it's in all the way...but it stays just left of the hole. I, and most of my colleagues, thought that was dropping. Harrington stands over his ball for what seems like an age...and he doesn't give it enough, the ball wriggling off to the left. A reprieve for the Spaniard, he would have been toast had that gone in. Harrington two ahead going to the last play-off hole - the dastardly 18th.

1912: Harrington is grinding Garcia down here - an absolute peach of an approach at 17 and he's got a birdie putt from 10 feet. Get inside that, Sergio...he can't, although it's not a bad shot, his ball fading into the green to within 20 feet of the hole.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/6910510.stm

[mc_squared]

Pluck of the Irish - Harrington holds nerve to beat Sergio in dramatic shoot-out at Carnoustie

Last updated at 00:35am on 23rd July 2007 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/i/commentIconSm.gif Comments (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/golf.html?in_article_id=470084&in_page_id=1955&ct=5#StartComments)
Padraig Harrington held on tight to The Open Championship trophy last night — and admitted that he might have given up golf altogether if he hadn't won.
The 36-year-old sparked memorable scenes after becoming the first golfer from the Republic of Ireland to win one of the four majors, following an amazing fourhole play-off against Sergio Garcia, who saw his three-shot lead evaporate on a day of high drama.
Scroll down to read more:

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/07_02/padraigwinG2207_468x668.jpgGet in there: Padraig Harrington putts successfully at the 18th


Read more...

A Spanish stroll for Sergio (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/golf.html?in_article_id=469943&in_page_id=1955)
The Open: Day 3 leaderboard (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/golf.html?in_article_id=469743&in_page_id=1955)
Claret spilt as Woods defends Claret Jug (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/golf.html?in_article_id=469971&in_page_id=1955)
Late crash spoils Poulter's day (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/golf.html?in_article_id=469952&in_page_id=1955)
Sergio ready to rule as Tiger loses grip (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/golf.html?in_article_id=469900&in_page_id=1955)
So-safe Garcia turns into Faldo (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/golf.html?in_article_id=469904&in_page_id=1955)
Rose driven by Lawrie memories (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/golf.html?in_article_id=469982&in_page_id=1955)
McIlroy targets top 10 (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/golf.html?in_article_id=469939&in_page_id=1955)
The Open: Final round tee-off times (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/golf.html?in_article_id=469998&in_page_id=1955)
But it nearly went horribly wrong at the infamous 18th at Carnoustie. Needing a par four to win during regulation play, the Irishman ran up a double bogey after putting two balls into the Barry Burn.
Dubliner Harrington said: "If I had lost I don't know what I would have thought golf again. It would have been very hard to take.' However, he was given a let-off when the Spaniard, needing a par four of his own to win, ran up a bogey five.
Harrington went on to win the play-off by one shot and said: "This is unbelievable for me when you think when I started out as a professional I only thought about a journeyman's career.
"There were a lot of people who had more faith in me than I had in myself. It is wonderful to sit here after proving them right."
Harrington became the first European to win a major since Paul Lawrie triumphed at the same Scottish venue in 1999 — and couldn't resist a little dig at Nick Faldo, who had speculated earlier in the week on whether the drought was because the top players were all too 'chummy'.
"You can be a nice guy and win, and it is a very good thing to aspire to," said Harrington. No one enjoyed his win more than long-time coach Bob Torrance.
"Next to Sam (his son) winning the Ryder Cup this is the greatest moment I've enjoyed in golf," the Scot said. "Padraig is the hardest working guy I've ever worked with and I've always wanted to coach an Open champion. No one deserves it more than him."

A despairing Garcia was left to rue the bogey on the 18th hole which cost him his first major title.

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/07_02/sgarciaG2207_468x301.jpgAll eyes on the prize: Garcia feels the pressure

"I still don't know how that putt missed," he said. "It's tough because I don't feel like I did anything wrong, I didn't miss a shot in the playoff, I hit unbelievable putts that just did not want to go in.
"That's the way it goes. I guess it was just not meant to be.
"Every time I get in this position I never have any room for error. I should write a book on how not to miss a shot and not win a play-off."

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/07_02/p79graphicDM2307_468x516.jpg

[mc_squared]

And he will henceforth be known as the "H"-Pod!!:D

[mc_squared]

Garcia proves a graceless loser

22:07pm 23rd July 2007 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/i/commentIconSm.gif Comments (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/columnists/columnists.html?in_article_id=470429&in_page_id=1951&in_author_id=346#StartComments) http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/columnists/derek_lawrenson.jpg
The history of major championship golf is filled with such a litany of gracious losers that it strikes a discordant note when one resorts to a self-pitying whine.
For three days at The Open, Sergio Garcia had invited comparisons with Seve Ballesteros. On the fourth he turned into Arsene Wenger.
Scroll down to read more:
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/07_02/SERGIo230707_468x418.jpgAnguish: Garcia shows his despair after missing his putt to win The Open

"I could write a book on all the great shots I hit in the play-off to shoot one over," he moaned. Well, you were tempted to add: "Why not do us all a favour and take a decade off to write it?" Garcia has always had trouble accepting the vicissitudes of the game. People rightly go on about his terrible putting preventing him from winning a major. But it's that lack of humility that is also holding him back.
It prevented Colin Montgomerie winning the majors he should have done during his prime years and it is threatening to do the same to an arguably even greater talent in Garcia.
During his early years the spats with officials and such-like were put down to growing pains. But he's 27 now, and at that age you shouldn't be doing things like spitting into the hole, as he did disgustingly in Miami in March, after yet another putt failed to drop.
During his regrettable "Why me?" sermon in Sunday's aftermath, he alluded to the fact that a higher being always seemed to have it in for him.
"I'm not only having to compete against all the other players in the field," he said. How can you expect to win if you go around carrying that attitude?
Garcia has 13 top-10 finishes to his name in majors but this is the one that will take real character to get over. This was the one that had his name written on it.
The facts are that, on a day when people were shooting 64s and 65s, he had to shoot 72 to win. For all the putts that didn't drop, you couldn't help but think he would still have closed out the deal with a more humble acceptance that, in links golf, there are days when you get the bad breaks.
Now the pressure, of course, is going to be intense the next time he is in contention, and the burden will only grow with every major he doesn't win.
It was like this with Phil Mickelson, who had a similar humility problem. He thought he was so good he could take on ridiculous shots. It was only when he learned a few basic lessons in course management that it all fell into place.
Let's hope Garcia drops the attitude problem and his career progresses along a similar path, for nobody likes to see such an obviously gifted player continually falling short.
In the build-up to last week's Open I spent some time with Justin Rose, who had been watching a video of the most crushing loss of Ballesteros's career, the 1986 Masters at Augusta.
This was the one he was desperate to win following the death of his father, but it all came to an end with a four iron into the water at the 15th.
Rose said: "What struck me was the dignified way he coped with adversity, the courteous way he still acknowledged everybody, and accepted his fate."
When he's finished with the tape, perhaps he could pass it on to Garcia.
CARNOUSTIE SAFE ON THE OPEN ROTA
With two Open Championships under its belt since its return to the rota after a 24-year absence in 1999, Carnoustie seems to have established itself as the venue with the curious mix of providing the best finishes played out against the worst atmosphere.
The crowds were dramatically down on Hoylake last year, for which the sharp contrast in the weather can only partly explain.
Scores of empty seats in the grandstands were visible even on some of the closing holes on Sunday until the dramatic denouement.
With the drop in revenue running well into seven figures in comparison to last year, no wonder fears were raised about whether Carnoustie and its remoteness is sustainable as an Open venue.
Happily, Peter Dawson, chief executive of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, laid such worries to rest. "We believe Carnoustie is one of our strongest venues and we will be back if they will have us," he said.
One place The Open will not be going back to is the island of the winner. It couldn't be held in the Irish Republic, R&A director of championships David Hill said, because "it is referred to as The Open Championship played in Great Britain".
Royal Portrush in the north, while technically in the United Kingdom rather than Great Britain, staged it in 1951 but couldn't cope with the championship's modern sprawl.
SO MUCH has been written about the bad speeches during the Association of Golf Writers' dinner at Carnoustie last week that it might be timely to mention one of the good ones. Following a moving oratory from his star pupil, Padraig Harrington, Bob Torrance stood up and was presented with an outstanding services to golf award.
Bob had never given a public speech in his life and was plainly terrified. Yet the few words that followed clearly demonstrated that the best speeches are always those that come from the heart.
"This is one of the proudest moments of my life," he said. Little could he have known that six days later he would be savouring one still prouder.
DICK POUND, head of the World Anti-Doping agency, has reiterated the slurs of Gary Player on the subject of drugs in golf, saying there are players out there using them but, of course, naming no names.
Just one thought. You know the way players go mental if anyone is remotely suspected of cheating, as they did with Colin Montgomerie in Indonesia a couple of years ago? Given their apoplectic reaction to that act, do you not think we would have heard if there were any suspicions regarding drug cheats?

[ccsraj]

BECHAM ALWYS MAKE FOR U.K

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http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44402000/jpg/_44402206_tw270.jpg
Will Woods be able to fit this piece of silverware in his trophy cabinet?

FINAL LEADERBOARD
(GB & Ire unless stated):
-14 T Woods (US)
-13 M Kaymer (Ger)
-12 E Els (SA), L Oosthuizen (SA)
-10 G McDowell, H Stenson (Swe)

Tiger Woods produced a brilliant run of birdies to win the Dubai Desert Classic by a shot after starting his final round four strokes behind Ernie Els.

Overnight leader Els played an uneven round and needed a birdie on the last to force a play-off with the American.

But his second shot on the par-five 18th plunged into a lake, handing the title to the world number one.

Woods played his last nine holes in six under par to finish with a 66, one shot ahead of Martin Kaymer on 13 under.

The talented 23-year-old German, a winner in Abu Dhabi last week, finished brilliantly, making birdie, birdie, eagle over the last three holes for a final round of 66.

Els's bogey six at the last saw him finish with a one-under 71 on 12-under, where he shared third place with fellow South African Louis Oosthuizen.

It was Oosthuizen who provided all the excitement early in the day.

The 25-year-old, who started his round on Sunday six shots off the pace in a tie for 17th, birdied the first three holes, before tearing into the back nine.

Oosthuizen went eagle, par, birdie, birdie, birdie from the 10th to briefly hold the outright lead at 13-under.

But a bogey six at the last effectively ended his chances.

That left the contest a straight battle between Els and Woods, and the American appeared to have burnt his bridges when dropping back to eight-under with a bogey five at the ninth.

He produced some electric golf over his final nine holes, however.

Starting his run with a birdie four at the 10th, he added three more at 12, 13 and 14, before parring 15 and 16.

Over the closing two holes his putter took on magical qualities.

After overcooking his chip at 17, he faced an uphill putt for birdie from the fringe which he sank to a roar of approval.

He looked likely to have to settle for a par-five at the last, when booming his five-wood approach into thick rough at the back of the green and barely reaching the green with his third shot.

Last Updated: Sunday, 3 February 2008, 13:09 GMT

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Late surge gives Woods Dubai win

Will Woods be able to fit this piece of silverware in his trophy cabinet?
FINAL LEADERBOARD
(GB & Ire unless stated):
-14 T Woods (US)
-13 M Kaymer (Ger)
-12 E Els (SA), L Oosthuizen (SA)
-10 G McDowell, H Stenson (Swe)


Tiger Woods produced a brilliant run of birdies to win the Dubai Desert Classic by a shot after starting his final round four strokes behind Ernie Els.

Overnight leader Els played an uneven round and needed a birdie on the last to force a play-off with the American.

But his second shot on the par-five 18th plunged into a lake, handing the title to the world number one.

Woods played his last nine holes in six under par to finish with a 66, one shot ahead of Martin Kaymer on 13 under.

The talented 23-year-old German, a winner in Abu Dhabi last week, finished brilliantly, making birdie, birdie, eagle over the last three holes for a final round of 66.

Els's bogey six at the last saw him finish with a one-under 71 on 12-under, where he shared third place with fellow South African Louis Oosthuizen.

It was Oosthuizen who provided all the excitement early in the day.

The 25-year-old, who started his round on Sunday six shots off the pace in a tie for 17th, birdied the first three holes, before tearing into the back nine.

Oosthuizen went eagle, par, birdie, birdie, birdie from the 10th to briefly hold the outright lead at 13-under.

But a bogey six at the last effectively ended his chances.

606: DEBATE
So, what of Tiger's round? Awesome! So much for the 'can't win a tournament if not leading on the final day' tag that has dogged him

northwalestaff

That left the contest a straight battle between Els and Woods, and the American appeared to have burnt his bridges when dropping back to eight-under with a bogey five at the ninth.

He produced some electric golf over his final nine holes, however.

Starting his run with a birdie four at the 10th, he added three more at 12, 13 and 14, before parring 15 and 16.

Over the closing two holes his putter took on magical qualities.

After overcooking his chip at 17, he faced an uphill putt for birdie from the fringe which he sank to a roar of approval.

He looked likely to have to settle for a par-five at the last, when booming his five-wood approach into thick rough at the back of the green and barely reaching the green with his third shot.

I just got to the green and the putt went in. It's the ideal start to the year going two for two

Tiger Woods

But he then settled over a steep downhill, left-to-right putt from about 20 feet which trickled into the middle of the cup.

Looking back over the last two shots of his round, Woods said: "I could have put that chip right back in the water at 18.

"You have to make your mistakes short and if I leave it short just hit it up and try to make par.

"Then I just got to the green and the putt went in. It's the ideal start to the year going two for two."

Woods had won the previous Sunday in California's Buick Invitational, his first tournament of the year after a 10-week winter break.

His grandstand finished meant Els had to play the last three holes in one-under to force a play-off.


The South African parred 16, then hit a wild drive well right on 17, a short par four and a hole he had birdied on each of the previous days.

The result was another par, so Els had to birdie the last.

He hit a good tee shot, but with the green seemingly in range in two, found his approach swallowed up by the water in front of the green.

By then failing to get up and down in two from the drop zone, Els relinquished second spot to Kaymer, whose bid for a Ryder Cup berth is progressing well.

Els, beaten by Woods in a play-off in Dubai in 2006, said: "The second shot at 18, it was right where I wanted it, but I could see a gust got it in the air and it didn't have much of a chance in the end. But it was really right at it."

Kaymer refused to look as far ahead as the Ryder Cup, but added: "I heard from my manager that I can play at Augusta [the Masters] now and that's unbelievable too."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/7224965.stm

[busybeeburns]

FINAL ROUND LEADERBOARD
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44384000/jpg/_44384535_scott270getty.jpg
Scott collected 11 birdies during a magnificent round

-20 A Scott (Aus)
-17 H Stenson (Swe)
-15 C Schwartzel (SA
-14 J Edfors (Swe)
Selected others:
-13 L Westwood
-11 C Montgomerie
-10 N Dougherty, S Garcia (Sp), D Howell

Australia's Adam Scott produced a dazzling 11-under-par 61 to win the Qatar Masters for the second time.

Scott, who began three behind overnight leader Johan Edfors, birdied the first five holes and never looked back.

The 2002 champion opted for safety at the last where a par-five left him 20 under for a sixth European Tour title.

Henrik Stenson (65) was runner-up on 17 under, with England's Lee Westwood (65) fifth on 13 under and Scot Colin Montgomerie (69) one shot further back.

It was a good week for both the Britons, but neither they nor anyone else was able to live with Scott whose opening four-three-two-three-three burst helped him reach the turn in 30 shots.

A hat-trick of birdies from the 10th tightened his grip on the tournament and raised the prospect of him equalling the European Tour record for the lowest final round by a winner.

The 27-year-old needed to birdie the last to match Jamie Spence's 12-under-par 60 at the 1992 European Masters.

But he chose to lay up short of the water and sand guarding the front of the green and had to settle for a par after his pitch was off-line.

Sweden's Edfors ended fourth after a 70, while Stenson, the 2006 champion, had to settle for a second runner-up spot in the event after starting the day in third place. Sergio Garcia (67) tied for seventh with six others.

"Stringing off five in a row and then to keep it going was good. It put pressure on the others," said Scott. "Henrik did everything right. He deserved to win the tournament. It's hard for the guys who were leading."

Scott was the world number eight at the start of the week, but will move up three places on Monday when the new rankings are announced.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/7211876.stm

[tifosi]

dunno, depends whether he can get it past duty free. Thet only allow 200 ciggies, a litre of spirits and a couple of polo shirts!

S:dozey:

[busybeeburns]

After that lot its only half full :stunned:

[winigwl]

you see what tiger did today? he's just 10 times better than everyone

[busybeeburns]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44449000/jpg/_44449296_woods270.jpg
Push him, push him!

Tiger Woods sounded an ominous warning to his rivals with talk of a perfect season after cruising to a sixth consecutive tournament victory.

The world number one said he had never sustained better form, and he now plans to win every event he competes in for the remainder of the 2008 season.

"This is the best stretch I have ever played," Woods said after winning the WGC Match Play Championship.

Asked if he could win every tournament from now, he said: "That's my intent."

Woods, who will bid for his 14th major title at the Masters in April, added that he felt his game was "a work in progress".

"I have a better understanding of how to play the game and how to fix my game, and have a lot more shots than I've ever had," said the 32-year-old.

"I'm going to have to work on a few things but I'm very pleased at the progress that I made this week.

"The ability to adapt and figure things out on the fly is something I'm very proud of."

Woods has long believed he is playing better golf than he did during his golden run from late 1999, when he triumphed seven times in 11 majors.

Stewart Cink, beaten 8&7 by Woods in the final of the Match Play, said: "He's playing better now than he was then. You just don't see very much sloppiness out there.

"He's really learned how to stay within himself. He regulates himself and his heartbeat. It's really impressive and it's paying off for him."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/7262824.stm

[MrLick]

Golf is a good sport, fun to watch and more fun to play.

[busybeeburns]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44463000/jpg/_44463801_e_els_body_ap_203.jpg
Els ended his wait for a victory on American soil in Florida

FINAL LEADERBOARD
(GB & Ire unless stated):
-6 E Els (RSA)
-5 L Donald
-4 N Green (Aus),
Selected others:
-2 B Davis
Level J Rose

Ernie Els staged a final-round comeback to beat England's Luke Donald by a stroke and claim the Honda Classic.

The South African fired four birdies on his way to a round of 67 to finish six under in Florida for his win first on American soil in nearly four years.

Donald, who shared the lead after the third day, mixed four bogeys with three birdies and failed to sink a chip at the 18th to force a play-off with Els.

Australian Nathan Green finished third, a shot adrift on four under.

"I'm so excited," said Els, whose last win in America was the Memorial in June 2004. "It's been a long time coming.

"I'm really relieved because it's been a tough ride for everyone, but ultimately you have to believe you can do it."

When the final round began, 25 players were within five shots of the lead, which was shared by Donald, Matt Jones and Mark Calcavecchia on six under.

But Els, accompanied around the course by his sports psychologist, was the only one amongst that group to make a break after he started the day three shots back.

Els, 38, made four birdies in the first seven holes and a neat nine straight pars eventually gave him the outright lead.

He and Calcavecchia had shared the lead at the 15th but the American's shot hit a bunker and the ball rebounded onto a rock ledge across the green.

Calcavecchia tossed the ball into the water and made a double bogey to concede the lead. He ended up finishing tied for fourth.

Donald came closest to challenging Els and got within one with a birdie at the 16th then took aim at the 17th, getting the ball to stop in the fringe after a daring shot over the water.

But his birdie attempt there failed; and he again failed to hole out a birdie chip from just off the green at the last to end his hopes of a play-off and a second Honda Classic title in three years.

England's Brian Davis, who led at the midway mark, shot his second straight 73 and finished in a five-way tie for seventh.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/7274191.stm

[busybeeburns]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44837000/jpg/_44837839_claret_jug226gi.jpg
Royal Birkdale will host golf's most prestigious tournament this week

The 137th Open Championship starts at Royal Birkdale on Thursday with the 156-man field chasing the Claret Jug in the absence of Tiger Woods.

The world number one, who has won two of the last three Opens, is recovering from knee surgery, making this year's event one of the most open in years.

Sergio Garcia starts as favourite, but defending champion Padraig Harrington is a doubt because of a wrist injury.

Britain's challenge will be led by Justin Rose and Lee Westwood.

Much has been made of Woods's absence this week, with suggestions from some quarters that the eventual winner will always have an asterisk next to his name because the game's dominant player was missing.

But Phil Mickelson, the world number two, is keen to draw a line under the debate and insists the focus now is on those players competing at Birkdale.

"I've practised hard, I've developed a good game plan and I am excited to compete against whoever is in the field," he said.

Mickelson, 38, is the top-ranked player in the championship but the left-hander's Open record is poor. His best finish was third at Troon in 2004 but he missed the cut last year.

Garcia, on the other hand, has finished in the top five for the last three years, has had six top 10s in his last seven Opens and is a man in form after victory in the prestigious Players Championship in America earlier this year.

The exciting Spaniard was devastated after missing a putt to win in regulation play and then losing to Harrington after four extra holes at Carnoustie last year.

But the 28-year-old insists he is not scarred by the experience and is confident he can clinch a maiden major on Merseyside this week.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44837000/jpg/_44837924_garcia282afp.jpg
Garcia would be a popular champion at Birkdale

"There are a lot of worse things than losing a major in a play-off," he said. "There were a lot more positives than negatives that week.

"But I love this major. I love the golf courses, and then the crowds and the history of the tournament is unbelievable.

"And I feel like my game is as good as it's ever been."

Harrington, who hurt his wrist in winning the Irish PGA title last weekend, was forced to cut short his final practice round on Wednesday and claimed he would have pulled out altogether this week if it had not been The Open.

Rose, meanwhile, returns to the course that made his name when he finished fourth as a 17-year-old amateur when The Open was last held at Royal Birkdale 10 years ago.

The 27-year-old is the reigning European number one and perhaps Britain's best hope of a first major winner since Scotland's Paul Lawrie claimed The Open in 1999.

Pushing him to become the first Englishman to win The Open since Nick Faldo in 1992 will be Westwood, who came so close at the US Open, only to miss out on the play-off between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate by one shot.

The Englishman leads Europe's Ryder Cup standings after a consistent season but his best Open finish was fourth in 2004.

Of the international challengers, South Africa's Ernie Els is widely tipped as a likely contender this week.

The 38-year-old world number five was fourth last year, third in 2006 and won at Muirfield in 2002. He has had a total of 10 top 10s in 17 Open appearances since his debut in 1989.

But though the two-time US Open champion has won on the PGA Tour this season, there are question marks over whether he is the major force he once was.

Australia's Geoff Ogilvy, the world number three, and fourth-ranked compatriot Adam Scott also have lively chances to emulate countrymen Peter Thomson, who won the Open at Birkdale in 1954 and 1965, and Ian Baker-Finch, the 1991 winner.

Argentine Angel Cabrera, the 2007 US Open winner, is another name touted as being suited to the conditions, while rising US star Anthony Kim is attracting much media attention.

The par 70, 7,173-yard Royal Birkdale layout has been lengthened by 155 yards since American Mark O'Meara won in 1998, with the changes mainly to bunkering and mounding to tighten the course and make it a more strategic test.

"This is the toughest Open course that I've played," said South Africa's Masters champion Trevor Immelman.

The weather will play a major factor as it always does on links courses and the forecast is for blustery conditions with some rain, clouds and sunny spells for the next few days, clearing up on Sunday.

With only Woods and in-form American Kenny Perry, who chose not to attend, absent from the world's top 50, the winner will have earned his cheque for £750,000, possession of the Claret Jug for a year and a place in history.

"I just hope they've taught the engraver how to put an asterisk on the trophy," said Ogilvy, with tongue firmly in cheek.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Royal Birkdale yardages:


1st: 450 yards, par 4
2nd: 421 yards, par 4
3rd: 451 yards, par 4
4th: 201 yards, par 3
5th: 346 yards, par 4
6th: 499 yards, par 4
7th: 178 yards, par 3
8th: 457 yards, par 4
9th: 414 yards, par 4
10th: 408 yards, par 4
11th: 436 yards, par 4
12th: 184 yards, par 3
13th: 499 yards, par 4
14th: 201 yards, par 3
15th: 544 yards, par 5
16th: 439 yards, par 4
17th: 572 yards, par 5
18th: 473 yards, par 4
Total: 7173 yards, par 70

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/7509983.stm

[MrLick]

Tiger will never cease to amaze me. He won the U.S. open on a broken leg. Old news but still amazing.

[busybeeburns]

Cost him the rest of the season though.

[MrLick]

True and it will also cost the PGA and the tv stations because when Tiger is not playing the rating go way down. The man is truly amazing.

[Ambergris]

Camilo Villegas, a Colombian golfist... there's in the news he did good in his debut... dunno where...


Golf is quite boring :wacky:

[mc_squared]

Camilo Villegas, a Colombian golfist... there's in the news he did good in his debut... dunno where...


Golf is quite boring :wacky:

Quite??:dozey:

[heresjohnny]

Golf is amazing. its the purity of the game that attracts me. im only 16 and love it :). i can go out there and just concentrate on each and every shot without a care in the world. i consistently shoot mid 70's so if i hit a bad shot i have been known to get a little angry lol. been playing for around 7 years and have already broken i think 9 clubs lol. latest one i hit against a tree. dad wasn't very happy. but yea that Tiger guy is good lol. John Daly fan myself.

[Tnspieler1012]

U.S. Open final round anyone? anyone!?

[MrLick]

One of my friends wants me to start golfing with local businessmen, I should probably practice first.

[Tnspieler1012]

Just remember to always top it off the first tee. They like that, less pressure.

[winigwl]

i wonder who'll win. go michelson!

but i'd have my money on glover. more experienced than barnes.

[Tnspieler1012]

Barnes self destructed, Glover is also 3+ and although he's hanging on, he's only managing to save pars. Mickelson is pretty much the only guy with any momentum, although Fisher might hang around.

[busybeeburns]

Glover was hardly mentioned until probably the 13th 14th holes, and when he won there was hardly any crowd reaction at all! This is the fecking US OPEN!

[mc_squared]

Glover was hardly mentioned until probably the 13th 14th holes, and when he won there was hardly any crowd reaction at all! This is the fecking US OPEN!

Maybe nobody knew who he was!!:P

[Tnspieler1012]

Not sure what your commentators are like over there but he got loads of attention here. He would've gotten a whole lot more applause if Mickelson and Duval hadn't come so incredibly close. Its like when Ogilvy won at Winged Foot. The crowd was too heartbroken by Mickelson's and Colin Montgomerie's collapses to give him any appreciation, although he was already in the clubhouse by then.

If Glover had won by five strokes, he would've been a celebrated underdog, but for Mickelson to come so close and meltdown for his fifth time and still never have won a U.S. Open, and for Duval to go from 1st to 882nd in the world and then to tie for the lead here...the fact is nobody wanted Glover to win, while he did shoot the lowest score the crowd felt the other guys deserved it more.
Sort of the same when Cabrera won the Masters, after Kenny Perry melted down during the round of his life. Nobody wants to see that.

[mc_squared]

So is Mickelson's nickname "Choker"??:stunned:

[Tnspieler1012]

Heh, well he did call himself 'such an idiot' after winged foot. What's sad is the press simply wouldn't shut up about it. Every poor round he played after that was attributed to the trauma and stress left over from that final hole. If he had demons following him, the reporters certainly made sure he knew about them. :dozey:

[Tnspieler1012]

anyone following the open? Tom Watson is defying logic.

[Nicko84]

he's 59 :D
italians are doing well...

[busybeeburns]

I'm watching! I'll be glued in front of the telly tomorrow cheering on the English pair, but if Tom wins I'll be just as happy!

[Tnspieler1012]

thanks for the edit oh righteous Moderator...I mean Admin....I mean site owner...I mean kaiser... :thinking:


:D

[Nicko84]

i mean pope ;)

[busybeeburns]

I went round a whole course yesterday without losing a single ball! :D

[Tnspieler1012]

nice! was it a links course? I should think lost balls are lot more common in britain than America for that reason. I played this morning and beat my dad 38-40 in nine holes. :D

[busybeeburns]

yes, with sheep and water and out of bounds and everything!

[Tnspieler1012]

Its been deadlocked for the last five holes. Watson isn't putting well, and Westwood is really confident but he keeps getting into trouble. Anyone's tournament.

[but a dream]

Playoff between Watson and Cink.

[busybeeburns]

Cink and Watson playoff, why oh why did TW hit it that hard from the fringe :o

[Tnspieler1012]

My Dad was freaking out, but I was sure it would be an easy up and down. The putt was extremely tentative and didn't even come close.

This is seriously feeling like dejavu, remember the masters? Kenny Perry tries to become oldest major champion, chokes up on 18, loses playoff to Cabrera who no one wanted to win.

Even the U.S. Open was a cinderella story gone bad.

[Tnspieler1012]

Watson got up and down!

[Tnspieler1012]

I physically cannot watch anymore...

[but a dream]

Watson looks so defeated already.

Damn.

[but a dream]

dp.

[busybeeburns]

Anyone watching the WGC Bridgestone Invitational which starts tomorrow? 49 of the top 50 players in action and Tiger looking for his 4th straight win. Important event going into next weeks USPGA major!

[busybeeburns]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46215000/jpg/_46215782_yanga466.jpg
Yang was two strokes behind Woods going into the final round

South Korea's Yang Yong-Eun became the first Asian-born male winner of a major championship when he beat Tiger Woods to clinch the USPGA title at Hazeltine.

The 37-year-old was two shots adrift of overnight leader Woods but held his nerve to card 70 to the American's 75 to win by three on the final green.

Yang's victory ended Woods's run of winning all 14 of his major titles when leading going into the final round.

England's Lee Westwood and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy tied for third.

The pair were five strokes adrift on three under after rounds of 70, with US Open champion Lucas Glover (74) a shot further back.

Defending champion Padraig Harrington, level with Yang at the start, blew his chances with a quintuple-bogey eight on the par-three 8th.

Woods was chasing a 15th major title and a record-equalling fifth USPGA title but unlike in previous majors he failed to hole putts when they really mattered and was unable to pull clear.

Yang, who was ranked 110th in the world before the event, claimed his single PGA Tour victory at the Honda Classic at Riviera earlier this year, but was best known for holding off Woods at the HSBC Champions event in China three years ago.

"I knew the odds were against me. I tried to be the least nervous I have ever been and went for broke," said Yang, speaking through a translator. "I've sort of visualised this quite a few times - playing against the best player in the history of golf, playing with him in the final round in a major. I have always dreamed about this."

Woods, who has won 70 career titles including five this season and two in the last two weeks, said: "It was a fun battle. He played beautifully. He did everything he needed to do.

"I played well enough the entire week to win the championship. I hit the ball great off the tee, hit my irons well. I did everything I needed to do except for getting the ball in the hole. You have to make putts, I didn't do that."

This is the first year Woods has not won at least one major since 2004 and the second time he has finished as runner-up to a surprise winner at Hazeltine. Despite ending with four birdies he lost out to Rich Beem when the USPGA was last held there in 2002.

Woods led at eight under at the start of the day, but dropped back to join the improving Yang at seven under after the 4th.

On the next hole, Yang was back alongside Harrington at six under but the Irishman collapsed when he fired his tee shot and a subsequent chip into the water to the right of the 8th.

Woods dropped back alongside Yang at six under after a bogey on the 8th, though the pair still had a two-shot lead over Soren Kjeldsen. But the Dane soon fell back, and entering the back nine Woods and Yang were in a virtual two-horse race at the front.

The world number one pulled ahead again with a birdie on the 11th, only to rejoin his playing partner at six under again after 12.

But Yang, known as "YE", charged into the lead when he chipped in from short of the green for an eagle two on the 14th.

Woods's birdie at the same hole restricted the deficit to one stroke but the swing changed the complexion of the round and the American was unable to get back in front.

Still one ahead going up the 18th, Yang fired to six feet while Woods found the thick fringe grass and took three to get down. Yang stroked in his putt for birdie to clinch the giant Wanamaker Trophy and celebrated by hoisting his golf bag aloft.

Harrington ended at level par after a round of 78, reminiscent of the way he finished the final day of the WGC event last week when leading Woods late on before finding water and running up a triple bogey.

Glover got to six under and within one of the lead after the 5th, while Sweden's Henrik Stenson was the only other player alongside Kjeldsen to reach four under on the final day.

The pair ended with rounds of 75 and 74 respectively to finish on one under alongside Germany's Martin Kaymer and South Africa's three-time major champion Ernie Els.

Yang joins Angel Cabrera (Masters), Glover (US Open) and Stewart Cink (Open Championship) as the 2009 major winners.

The previous best performance by a South Korean in a major was KJ Choi's third in the 2004 Masters tournament.

Formerly, the best Asian results in a major were Taiwan's Huan Lu-Liang, who finished runner-up in the 1971 Open, Japan's Isao Aoki, who placed second in the 1980 US Open and Taiwan's Chen Tze-Chung (TC Chen) who also tied for second at the 1985 US Open.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8204549.stm

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46215000/jpg/_46215823_yangtiger766.jpg

[Tnspieler1012]

It was a great tournament. Yang's chip in was amazing, and even though he kept giving Woods chances, Tiger just never took advantage.

[busybeeburns]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47597000/jpg/_47597061_woods_getty_282.jpg

Tiger Woods drawn with Matt Kuchar and KJ Choi

Tiger Woods has been paired with Matt Kuchar and KJ Choi for the first two rounds of the Masters at Augusta.

They will form the 31st and penultimate grouping on Thursday with a late tee-time of 1842 BST, returning on Friday to start their second round at 1535.

World number one Woods, 34, has not played since November last year.

He has spent much of the intervening time hidden from the public gaze following a string of damaging revelations about his private life.

Woods has publicly apologised for cheating on his wife, Elin, who will not be with him at Augusta.

But the moment he announced three weeks ago that he was making his comeback in the Masters he was installed as favourite for a tournament he has won four times. Woods faced both the fans and the press on Monday but is still trying to put his family life back together.

On Monday, he also denied he had ever used human growth hormone or performance-enhancing drugs and promised to give his "full co-operation" to the federal authorities investigating controversial doctor Anthony Galea.

Galea first treated Woods during his eight-month recovery from knee surgery in 2008-09, and again when he tore his Achilles tendon 16 months ago.

One of his adversaries over the opening two rounds at the Masters will be South Korea's Choi, a 39-year-old who is a seven-time winner on the PGA tour, having amassed nearly $21m in prize money.

The other is Florida-born Kuchar, who is in excellent form this year with four top-10 finishes. The 31-year-old has won more than $9m on the tour.

"I like playing with big crowds," said Choi. "It's funny, I sort of had a feeling that it would be cool if I was paired with Tiger and it happened. I like playing with big crowds. I will probably play more aggressive. "It's important that the gallery realise what's going on. To take what happened outside the golf course and bring it inside the golf course, I don't think that's right. I believe they're educated and will respect the game of golf."

Among those hoping to deny Woods a fairytale victory this week are Ireland's Padraig Harrington, a three-time major winner.

Harrington said: "I like to show form and be getting into contention before I get to any tournament, especially a major. I'm comfortable with my form. It's not too far away, my game is pretty strong. I ain't playing for second place."

He said it was important for players not to be distracted by the inevitable focus that will be directed towards Woods.

"Most players may react even worse if he gets on the leaderboard, they'll think 'oh, he's back stronger than ever'. A lot of people are trying to make out that players aren't going to put up on such a pedestal but I actually think if he comes back playing well players will think he's invincible."

Harrington is partnered with Open champion Stewart Cink and South African Charl Schwartzel.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8605327.stm

[busybeeburns]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47587000/jpg/_47587642_-21.jpg

Tiger Woods was applauded by fans as he concluded his practice round at Augusta National ahead of the Masters.

The fans showed their appreciation of an approach shot to within 10 feet of the flag on the 18th hole.

It was the first time he has played in public in almost five months after the furore surrounding his private life. Playing partner Fred Couples said: "We are buddies. The reception was awesome and I think he is fine. I love the way he plays - he's still the best."

Around 500 watched Woods tee off at the Augusta National on Monday. The 34-year-old had played a practice round behind closed doors on Sunday.

Couples added: "My goal (today) was not to talk to Tiger about his life, but to learn how to play this course. "His intimidation factor is always there. Guys are intimidated by the way you play golf."

Woods was not drawn as he walked off the course when a reporter asked for an interview, only responding: "I've got a press conference, haven't I?"

Woods will appear at that full news conference for the first time since admitting to several extra-marital affairs at 1900 BST. During his round, Woods gratefully acknowledged occasional shouts of encouragement from the gallery.

Woods chipped in twice from off the third green, but may find his engagement with the press later on Monday more challenging.

The news conference will be attended by 180 specially accredited journalists.

Since the revelations over his private life were made public, he has given two five-minute interviews to separate American television broadcasters. Woods will tee off in his first tournament for five months on Thursday. The American arrived at Augusta without prior notice on Sunday, along with about a dozen players, on the new practice range.

He chatted with Britain's Paul Casey and began hitting balls before heading to the course for a practice round. "It's where I'm used to seeing him," said Casey. "All of a sudden he appeared behind me. He was all business as usual - hit 10 balls and go play."

Fellow American Jim Furyk added: "He's probably here a little earlier than normal. I've never seen him here on a Sunday. Generally, it's nice to have him back and I can't wait until he's out here and I don't have to answer any more questions about him."

Woods is seeking to win his fifth Masters title on his return after the scandal surrounding his private life erupted late last year. He crashed his car into a fire hydrant and a tree near his Florida home on 27 November, an incident that led to a storm of publicity about his private life.

In February, he admitted being unfaithful to his wife Elin while making a tearful public apology. Wood's last tournament appearance was on 15 November - when he won the Australian Masters. "We need to stand behind him," PGA Tour stalwart Kenny Perry said.

Other golfers believe Woods will return to the sport fully focused as he bids to capture the five major titles he needs to surpass the record of 18 currently held by Jack Nicklaus. "He has made a mistake and he has come forward and really taken full responsibility," said close friend and former Masters champion Mark O'Meara. "Now that he has come clean and he is trying to get better, you have to respect that. You don't respect what happened, but we have to let the guy move forward."

Woods has had seven top-three finishes from 15 starts at Augusta and those who have witnessed his practice sessions in the build-up to this year's event have been impressed. "He's hitting it longer than before," Indian Arjun Atwal observed. "I don't see anybody hit the ball like he does," said American John Cook. "That's vintage. I don't see anybody beating him."

Perry, joint runner-up to Angel Cabrera at Augusta last year, said: "I think he's going to come back and play great. "He has got a little bit of a chip on his shoulder. I think it's going to make him stronger."

Woods has admitted he is wary of the reception he will receive from the galleries but former US Open champion Retief Goosen said: "I don't think he's going to be the bad guy. He's going to be 99.9% the good guy. "There's only going to be that 0.1% that is going to make comments. That's probably going to make him feel a little bit like the rest of us."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8602535.stm

[Reilly]

I know it's early days, but Tom Watson has this championship all wrapped up. It's over.

[mc_squared]

Has anyone shouted out "Get in the hole!" to one of Tiger's shots yet?:rolleyes:

[Reilly]

He tee's off in another hour and 40mins, if someone does shout that I think only a really childish person would see it like that. Or a child, them too.

[Tnspieler1012]

Was about to bump this thread, then saw its already been bumped. Anyone been watching? I always underestimate Couples and Watson.

[Reilly]

Watson's already won it, basically.

[TechnicolorGreenEyes]

I don't watch Golf, but I hope Tiger wins (if it's even possible) then has sex witha prostitute on the green with his fist raised above his head in a celebratory manner.

Can't stand the overreaction to what he does in his own time.

[busybeeburns]

Was about to bump this thread, then saw its already been bumped. Anyone been watching? I always underestimate Couples and Watson.Mickelson's looking strong, as does Westwood. I expect them to be there or there abouts, and I hope I'm wrong but I don't think the oldies will hold on to the end.

[busybeeburns]

In fact Westwood's just taken a 2 shot lead and Poulter now 3rd. Good day so far for the Brits!

[Tnspieler1012]

Tough finish for Couples, three straight bogeys. I was expecting Poulter to do well, supposedly Westwood practiced harder for this masters than any before, but since he's been a bit off on the regular tour, I did expect much from him.

Anyway, no one's safe so long as Tiger keeps playing the way he is.

[Reilly]

Hmm, guess I should stop joking about Watson having it sewn up. On -3 now. :sad:

I haven't seen too much live action, saw Tiger miss out on a few Eagles yesterday, and a few other birdies, could easily be up with Westwood right now if a few of those just dropped in.

[a_face_of_light]

I don't watch Golf, but I hope Tiger wins (if it's even possible) then has sex witha prostitute on the green with his fist raised above his head in a celebratory manner.

Can't stand the overreaction to what he does in his own time.

Agreed.

[Tnspieler1012]

Hmm, guess I should stop joking about Watson having it sewn up. On -3 now. :sad:

I haven't seen too much live action, saw Tiger miss out on a few Eagles yesterday, and a few other birdies, could easily be up with Westwood right now if a few of those just dropped in.
nonetheless, yesterday was the first time Tiger's had two eagles in one round at the master's. And that's with missing a ten foot eagle try on the 13th. In his early days he always went into sunday with the lead, but in the last five years, he's come back to win after sometimes nearly missing the cut.

[Tnspieler1012]

I concur about the overreaction btw. What do you guys think of the new nike ads?

[Reilly]

Ad'S?

I've only seen the one with Tiger staring in the camera and his father's voice questioning what he's thinking.

I also agree that I'm sick of commentators mentioning 'the controversy' between every shot, but with ad's like this I don't really blame them.

[busybeeburns]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47620000/jpg/_47620457_westwoodpoulter.jpg

Poulter and Westwood lead Masters

English duo Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter will take a two-shot lead into Saturday's third round of the Masters at Augusta.

The pair ended eight under, two shots clear of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, KJ Choi, Ricky Barnes and Anthony Kim, with YE Yang another shot adrift after a sunny but breezy second day in Georgia.

First-round leader Fred Couples, 50, and fellow veteran Tom Watson, 60, both dropped back to three under alongside Dane Soren Kjeldsen (71) after rounds of 75 and 74 respectively.

Westwood, who is chasing a maiden major title after thirds at the USPGA and Open last year, eagled the second and reached 10 under after 13 holes to lead Poulter by two.

But the world number four dropped two shots at the 14th after tangling with the trees and pine needles down the left, before clawing a shot back at the 15th only to bogey 18 for a 69.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8612534.stm

[busybeeburns]

the race for the green jacket is really hotting up, Mickelson and Westwood are really making their move!

[Tnspieler1012]

Mickelson goes -5 in 3 holes. Poulter is +3 for his last 2. and Couples is -3 for holes 14 and 15.

[Black Rose]

Damn golf meaning I'm missing this week's episode of have i got a bit more news for you *anrgy*

[busybeeburns]

:lol: I guess Mickelson's magic is not really news for you tonight no?

[Black Rose]

I don't like golf, regardless if it's magical or not :P

It's even taken up the evening BBC HD programming :(

[busybeeburns]

Fred Couples and his plimsoles making an early charge in the final round!

[busybeeburns]

Oh my, Lee Westwood looks like he's fucked everything up. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory!

[busybeeburns]

If Mickelson wins you can look back to the approach shot on the 11th. What a shot through the trees!

[busybeeburns]

Looks like its all Mickelson's!

[busybeeburns]

And Mickelson wins it! I Hope the 11th approach shot surfaces on youtube!

[Tnspieler1012]

:thinking: Nice play-by-play :P

Would've contributed, but I was out finding the only t.v. on campus that had it on.

[Reilly]

I can't believe I fucking missed this (For a really stupid reason too). I just saw him getting the green jacket, bullshit.

I did see the shot from behind the tree to a few feet from the pin. Amazing.

[busybeeburns]

Perhaps that reason wasn't procrastinating in the Lounge slagging off how this place is run, was it?

[Reilly]

Seeing as I wasn't on the forum during it, no, it wasn't.

[busybeeburns]

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48370000/jpg/_48370606_rory_pa.jpg

The Open 2010: Rory McIlroy fires in 63 to lead Open

Rory McIlroy left the world's best trailing in his wake as he scorched around the Old Course in 63 to lead after the first round of the 2010 Open at St Andrews.

The 21-year-old Northern Irishman lived up to his billing as one of the main contenders to lift the Claret Jug as he matched the best score in major history to finish nine under, two clear of South African Louis Oosthuizen. American John Daly, the 1995 Open champion at St Andrews, rekindled former glories with a six-under 66 to share third alongside Scotland's former Ryder Cup star Andrew Coltart, England's Steven Tiley, Wales' Bradley Dredge and Peter Hanson of Sweden.

World number one Tiger Woods and third-ranked Lee Westwood ended five under alongside a group of players which also included defending US PGA champion YE Yang and 2009 US Open winner Lucas Glover. Phil Mickelson, the world number two, struggled to a one-over 73 alongside Ireland's three-time major champion Padraig Harrington.

Woods's playing partner Justin Rose came into the tournament high on confidence after two recent wins in America and signed for a two-under 70, while 2002 Open champion Ernie Els took 69 and Graeme McDowell, who won his first major title at the US Open last month, shot 71. McIlroy, who has never scored worse than 69 in eight previous rounds over the Old Course, took advantage of still morning conditions, which were in stark contrast to Wednesday's windy wash-out, to fire seven birdies and an eagle.

"It gives me a little bit of a buffer going into the next three days, whatever weather comes our way," said McIlroy, who also squandered a makeable birdie chance on 17.

"I love St Andrews and I'm coming in here with a lot of great memories. If I had one course to play this would be it."

McIlroy, who won his maiden US PGA Tour title earlier this season, became the 22nd player to shoot 63 in a major championship and the first in the Open since Nick Faldo and Payne Stewart at Royal St George's in 1993.

Oosthuizen, 27, who won his first European Tour title in March, started three-and-a-half hours after McIlroy but still found conditions to his liking as he reached eight under before falling back on the 17th.

The 44-year-old Daly, who last won a tournament in 2004, admitted the Old Course brings out the best in him after going out in 31 in a stunning exhibition of driving. "I feel my game is coming around. When I'm hitting my driver the way I am now it brings confidence," said the American. Daly, who has battled weight problems, as well as gambling and alcohol addiction, has missed the cut in eight of the 12 Opens he has played in since winning at St Andrews 15 years ago. But the 1991 US PGA champion said: "It's just a special place, it's my favourite course all over the world.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8826796.stm

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You'll need :cool3: for John Daly's pants:

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YouTube- Round 1 Highlights British Open Championship 2010

[Tnspieler1012]

St. Andrews official board: PLAY SUSPENDED DUE TO HIGH WINDS LOL

[busybeeburns]

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48382000/jpg/_48382499_westwood.jpg

The Open 2010: Louis Oosthuizen takes halfway lead

South African Louis Oosthuizen escaped the strong winds that wreaked havoc on day two to race into a five-shot halfway lead in the Open at St Andrews.

The 27-year-old fired a five-under-par 67 in calm but wet morning conditions to reach 12 under as first-round leader Rory McIlroy was blown off the course and crumbled to a round of 80, 17 shots worse than his opener.

The 50-year-old Mark Calcavecchia, the 1989 Open champion, also carded a 67 to climb into second, while English pair Lee Westwood and Paul Casey were tied for third on six under after rounds of 71 and 69 respectively. Another Englishman Steven Tiley was also six under after 10 holes before play was stopped at 2145 BST.

Tiley, 27, is one of 30 players who will have to finish his second round on Saturday after more than an hour was lost from 1440 BST because of 40mph gusts causing balls to move on the greens. The projected cut stands at two over but it could change following those finishes.

World number one Tiger Woods battled to a 73 to end four under to keep alive his hopes of a 15th major title and third Open in a row at St Andrews.

"It was certainly one of the tougher days I've ever played," Woods said. "We had to grind it out, gut it out."

But Woods's playing partner Justin Rose, twice a winner in America in recent weeks, collapsed to a 77 for three over and is unlikely to feature in the final two rounds.

US Open champion Graeme McDowell shot 68 for five under alongside a large group which included 51-year-old Tom Lehman, the 1996 Open champion, two-time US Open winner Retief Goosen and popular Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Phil Mickelson, the world number two, carded 71 for level par alongside England's world number seven Luke Donald (73), European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie (71) and world number four Steve Stricker (74).

Ernie Els carded 79 for four over and Padraig Harrington took 77 for six over to also miss the cut.

In an emotional goodbye on the Swilcan Bridge, the 60-year-old Tom Watson, the five-time winner who finished runner-up 12 months ago, brought an end to his Open Championship career at St Andrews following a 75 which left him four over.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8830619.stm

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YouTube- Round 2 Highlights British Open Championship 2010

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http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48393000/jpg/_48393916_009817843-1.jpg

The Open 2010: Woods battles on as winds hit St Andrews

World number one Tiger Woods was relieved to be still in contention as treacherous conditions hit St Andrews on day two of the Open Championship.

Woods shot a one-over-par 73 to finish on four under - eight shots behind clubhouse leader Louis Oosthuizen. "It was certainly one of the tougher days I've ever played," Woods said. "We had to grind it out, guts it out. The ball was oscillating on the fairways. You just had to deal with it and be very patient."

Woods, who is aiming to win his 15th major and fourth Open title, fired three birdies and four bogeys on a day when the winds reached over 40mph. Play was halted for 65 minutes while Woods was set to putt on the first green, and a round that began at 1420 BST did not finish until over seven hours later.

He ended on a high as he came close to holing a sensational tee shot at the par-four 18th, before having to settle for birdie.

Woods's rival Phil Mickelson, the world number two, said he needs to shoot "six or seven under" on both remaining days of the Open to put himself in championship contention.

The 40-year-old is at level par after shooting a 71 on Friday.

"I've had a poor deal on weather, but I've also played poorly," reflected Mickelson, who opened with a 73. "I need to shoot six or seven under and need conditions conducive to do so."

The four-time major winner holed a birdie at the last that at the time looked like he would need to confirm his place for the weekend.

Mickelson, who is 12 shots behind leader Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa, revealed that despite the conditions, St Andrews was "very playable".

"You can play the ball along the ground or in air, the greens are huge and the fairways are wide. You're always in play at this course," the American continued.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8829919.stm

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http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48393000/jpg/_48393832_009818061-1.jpg

The Open 2010: Tom Watson plays final St Andrews round

Five-time champion Tom Watson said he would not return to play another Open Championship at St Andrews after carding a 75 to miss the cut on Friday.

The 60-year-old American, who never won the Open at St Andrews, ended on four over par after a day of high winds. "This golf course was tough," said Watson, who lost in a play-off against Stewart Cink at Turnberry last year. "She was naked on Friday, but she put on her boxing gloves and just hit us with all she had."

As he made his way to the 18th green in fading light, Watson paused to salute the appreciative crowd and bent over to kiss the Swilcan Bridge just as old friends and rivals Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus had done in previous years.

"I think the main thing was the respect I have for the way the game is played over here," Watson said of his reception by the crowd, "the respect that the people have for their game.

"The Scots invented golf and they love the game with a passion unlike any other people. I enjoy that. "This is not my last Open Championship. I intend to play some more, but it's my last Open Championship at St Andrews. "I thought of Arnold on the bridge, I thought of Jack on the bridge, and their last Opens were both right here at St Andrews. "My last Open is not right here, the good Lord willing. I have a few more years left thanks to the R&A's special exemption for me."

Thanks in large part to Watson, the Royal and Ancient now allows past champions to play the Open until they are 65.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8830865.stm

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http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48398000/jpg/_48398327_009823085-1.jpg

Oosthuizen maintains lead in Open

South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen held his nerve to retain the lead ahead of England's Paul Casey going into the final round of the 2010 Open at St Andrews.

Oosthuizen led by five shots after round three and withstood another breezy day to take a four-shot lead over Casey into Sunday's finale on the Old Course.

The 29-year-old Oosthuizen carded 69 to reach 15 under as Casey emerged as his nearest challenger with a splendid 67.

Germany's Martin Kaymer shot 68 to finish third on eight under with England's Lee Westwood (71), Sweden's Henrik Stenson (67) and Spain's Alejandro Canizares (71) eight shots back and American Dustin Johnson (69) nine behind.

Oosthuizen, who missed the cut at his previous thee Open appearances, dropped a shot at the first but picked up birdies on seven, nine, 16 and 18.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8831624.stm

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The Open 2010: Tee-off times for final round

Tee-off times for Sunday (all times BST)

0725 Richard S Johnson (Swe)

0735 Thomas Aiken (SA), Ian Poulter

0755 Danny Chia (Mal), Scott Verplank (USA)

0805 Colin Montgomerie, Hirofumi Miyase (Jpn)

0815 Peter Senior (Aus), Edoardo Molinari (It)

0825 Heath Slocum (USA), Steven Tiley

0840 Toru Taniguchi (Jpn), Darren Clarke

0850 Vijay Singh (Fij), Y.E. Yang (Kor)

0900 Trevor Immelman (SA), Andrew Coltart

0910 John Senden (Aus), Simon Dyson

0920 Kyung-Tae Kim (Kor), Colm Moriarty

0930 Rickie Fowler (USA), Matt Kuchar (USA)

0940 Tom Pernice Jnr. (USA), Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn)

0950 Bradley Dredge, Alvaro Quiros (Sp)

1005 Marcel Siem (Ger), John Daly (USA)

1015 Simon Khan, Marc Leishman (Aus)

1025 Zane Scotland, Steve Stricker (USA)

1035 Hunter Mahan (USA), Soren Kjeldsen (Den)

1045 Graeme McDowell, Robert Allenby (Aus)

1055 Stewart Cink (USA), Mark Calcavecchia (USA)

1105 Tom Lehman (USA), Fredrik Andersson Hed (Swe)

1115 Bo Van Pelt (USA), Jeff Overton (USA)

1130 Adam Scott (Aus), Kevin Na (USA)

1140 Phil Mickelson (USA), Stephen Gallacher

1150 Luke Donald, Steve Marino (USA)

1200 Charl Schwartzel (SA), Peter Hanson (Swe)

1210 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Sp), Ignacio Garrido (Sp)

1220 Tiger Woods (USA), Lucas Glover (USA)

1230 Camilo Villegas (Col), Ross Fisher

1240 Robert Rock, Jin Jeong (Kor)

1255 Robert Karlsson (Swe), Shane Lowry

1305 Sergio Garcia (Spa), JB Holmes (USA)

1315 Rory McIlroy, Ricky Barnes (USA)

1325 Retief Goosen (SA), Sean O'Hair (USA)

1335 Nick Watney (USA), Dustin Johnson (USA)

1345 Lee Westwood, Alejandro Canizares (Sp)

1355 Henrik Stenson (Swe), Martin Kaymer (Ger)

1405 Paul Casey, Louis Oosthuizen (SA)

[busybeeburns]

Paul Casey and Louis Oosthuizen matching each other, only a few holes to go!

[busybeeburns]

9th: Eagle for Oosthuizen, birdie for Casey

[busybeeburns]

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48402000/jpg/_48402744_009827399-1.jpg

2010 Open: Oosthuizen cruises to victory at St Andrews

South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen turned the Open Championship into a procession as he romped to a seven-stroke victory over Lee Westwood at St Andrews.

The 27-year-old clinched his maiden major title with a composed display of front-running after taking the lead on Friday.

Oosthuizen began the final day four strokes clear of Paul Casey and carded a 71 to finish 16 under around the Old Course.

Westwood picked up two shots in a round of 70 to edge into second on nine under, with Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy (68), Sweden's Henrik Stenson (71) and England's Casey (75) in a tie for third on eight under.

World number one Tiger Woods, who was aiming to win a third successive St Andrews Open, was unable to make up any ground and ended well adrift on three under after a level-par 72 that included double bogeys on the fourth and seventh.

Oosthuizen had missed the cut in his previous three Open appearances, but he rarely looked troubled as he cruised to an unexpected victory.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8832469.stm

[busybeeburns]

didn't realise until today he lives just down the road from me!

[mc_squared]

didn't realise until today he lives just down the road from me!

You live in Sith Ifrica now?:rolleyes:

[busybeeburns]

He lives in the NW of England!

[busybeeburns]

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48645000/jpg/_48645659_tig466.jpg

Tiger Woods slumps as Retief Goosen leads in Ohio

Tiger Woods continued to struggle at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational with a round of 72 to end day two on six over, 13 shots behind leader Retief Goosen.

South African Goosen fired a four-under 66 to lead American duo Justin Leonard and Phil Mickelson by a single shot. Mickelson will replace Woods as world number one with a win or top-four spot or if Woods finishes out of the top 37. England's Lee Westwood was also in the hunt for the top of the rankings, but withdrew on Friday with a calf injury.

Westwood, runner-up in two majors in 2010, would have secured top status with victory in Ohio and Woods finishing outside the top two. However, after the current number one followed up his opening round of 74 - his worst ever round at Firestone Country Club - by matching his second-worst round, a 72, Mickelson will now be favourite for the world's top ranking.

Woods, a 14-time major winner and seeking a record eighth win in Ohio, hit only three of 14 fairways in his second round and sits tied in 72nd position having carded five bogeys and three birdies. With just over a week remaining until the eight automatic qualifiers are finalised for the US Ryder Cup side, these are testing times for the man who has been ranked number one for 249 weeks. "Of late I've been driving the ball so much better," was all he said before leaving the course quickly on Friday evening.

Two-time US Open champion Goosen followed up his opening 67 with a 66 that included six birdies and two bogeys which puts him in a strong position to push for his first PGA Tour victory of the year. "I'm happy with the round," the 41-year-old Goosen said after missing only three fairways off the tee. "I've not done so well around this course in the past, so it's nice to play well for two rounds and see how I can do on the weekend."

Mickelson overcame a double-bogey at the 14th to bag a pair of birdies in the last four holes, while first-round leader Bubba Watson carded a 71 to sit two strokes off the pace at five under, level with compatriot Bo Van Pelt (68) and Swede Peter Hanson (66).

Australian Adam Scott (70), Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez (67) and Britain's Paul Casey (68) were all close behind at four under. The field in the event, which has no halfway cut, includes the top 50 players in the world.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8894194.stm

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http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48631000/jpg/_48631026_tiger466.jpg
Woods is battling hard to avoid losing his world number one status

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8890816.stm

[busybeeburns]

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48650000/jpg/_48650124_woods466.jpg

Tiger Woods slumps to worst finish of career in Ohio

Tiger Woods suffered the worst result of his career as he ended the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational 18 over par.

His final round on Sunday included three birdies, six bogeys and two double-bogeys, leaving him 27 shots off leaders Ryan Palmer and Sean O'Hair. Woods' five-year reign as world number one will come to an end if Phil Mickelson places fourth or better.

Mickelson begins his final round on five under par - four shots behind the leaders, and two behind fourth spot. Woods' final round slump ends a dismal week which saw him card 74, 72, 75 and finally 77.

The Firestone Country Club had previously been a happy stomping ground for Woods, who has won seven out of his 10 competitions played here - part of a record total of 17 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational wins.

Yet this year his combined total of 298 is a massive 39 shots higher than the record he set for the course 10 years ago. Only Sweden's Henrik Stenson kept Woods from finishing in last place. "Shooting 18 over par is not fun," Woods said. "I don't see how it can be fun shooting 18 over, especially since my handicap is meant to be zero. It's tough. I need to hit the ball better, I need to chip better, I need to putt better. It has been a long year."

After the third round, the troubled American admitted that Mickelson will probably leapfrog him in the world rankings. "If Phil plays the way he's supposed to this weekend, then he'll be number one," Woods said.

And Woods told reporters that if he did not improve his form he would not play in October's Ryder Cup. "Not playing like this. Definitely not playing like this," he conceded. "I wouldn't help the team if I'm playing like this. No-one would help the team if they're shooting 18 over par. But I think I can turn it around, we have lots of time between now and then."

As it stands, Woods sits ninth in the US Ryder Cup List, meaning unless he can perform well enough at the USPGA Championship to rise into the top eight he will miss out on automatic Ryder Cup selection. He would then have to rely on US captain Corey Pavin's additional four selections to be given a place. The USPGA Championship begins on Thursday in Wisconsin.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8895966.stm

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Hunter Mahan wins Bridgestone Invitational victory

Hunter Mahan hit a final-round 64 to earn a two-shot victory at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio.

Mahan ended on 12 under par finishing ahead of Ryan Palmer with Retief Goosen and Bo Van Pelt a shot further back.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy and Irishman Padraig Harrington were seven shots off the lead on five under par.

World number one Tiger Woods had a miserable final round of 77, ending 18 over par, but rival Phil Mickelson could only hit 78 to end on three over.

Mickelson's score meant he missed on the chance of surpassing American compatriot Woods as the world number one.

But despite Woods and Mickelson's failings, the day belonged to American Mahan who held his nerve to hit six birdies and no bogeys in a faultless round that saw him earn victory.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8896197.stm

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http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48671000/jpg/_48671531_009949556-1.jpg
Woods was edged out by Yang at the 2009 USPGA championship

Tiger Woods draws holder YE Yang at USPGA championship

Tiger Woods has been drawn alongside defending champion YE Yang and former winner Vijay Singh for his opening two rounds at the USPGA Championship.

South Korean Yang became the first Asian-born golfer to win a major last year when he edged out Woods.

Woods needs a good performance at the event, which begins on Thursday at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin.

The world number one is currently outside the automatic qualification places for the Ryder Cup.

Woods is 10th in the standings, with the top eight qualifying automatically for the team to face Europe at Celtic Manor on 1-3 October and the American Ryder Cup ratings to close after the USPGA.

He goes into the last of this year's majors having just endured his worst finish as a professional, ending the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at a shocking 18 over par.

However, United States captain Corey Pavin will have four wildcard picks available.

Elsewhere at the USPGA, the winners of the three previous majors this year will tee off together, with Masters winner Phil Mickelson, US Open champion Graeme McDowell and Open winner Louis Oosthuizen in a group together.

Lee Westwood, who withdrew from the tournament with a calf injury after the second round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, will be replaced by Kevin Sutherland, who will tee-off with Ernie Els and Dustin Johnson.

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie will play alongside Koumei Oda and Matt Kuchar, while Pavin will join a group with Ian Poulter and Camilo Villegas.

Padraig Harrington, the 2008 champion, lines up alongside Davis Love III and John Daly.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8899328.stm

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Watson & Molinari set USPGA pace

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD: -4 B Watson (US), F Molinari (Ita), M Kuchar (US)*, E Els (SA)*, N Watney (US)* -3 J Day (Aus), R Moore (US), C Howell III (US), G Fernandez-Castano (Sp)*, D Clarke (NIre)*, S Khan (Eng)*
Selected others:-2 M Laird (Sco), S Lowry (Ire)*, -1 T Woods (US), R McIlroy (NIre)*, P Mickelson (US)*, +3 P Harrington (Ire), +6 S Garcia (Sp)

Bubba Watson and Francesco Molinari shared the clubhouse lead after day one of the USPGA Championship. They were joined at four under by Ernie Els, Matt Kuchar and Nick Watney who were left out on the course with holes to play when bad light curtailed play.

Play had begun more than three hours late because of early fog. Meanwhile, Tiger Woods was menacingly positioned three shots off the lead after a 71 while Darren Clarke led the UK challenge on three under.

Clarke will resume his first round at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, on the 14th after narrowly missing a birdie putt on the 404-yard 13th which would have seen him join the five players at four under.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8910324.stm

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Tiger Woods off to solid start at USPGA Championship

Tiger Woods gave an indication he was ready to resume his quest for major titles with a competitive first round at the USPGA Championship in Wisconsin.

The world number one, joint 78th out of 80 at last week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, was three under after only four holes at Whistling Straits. He had to settle for a one-under round of 71 but was pleased with his efforts. "I felt like I had control of the ball for most of the day, especially my trajectory," he said afterwards. I got off to a quick start and all of a sudden I felt like I could shoot something in the 60s, but it didn't quite happen."

Woods, needing a top-15 finish to have a chance of qualifying automatically for the Ryder Cup, took a share of the lead when a hot putting streak gave him birdies at three of the first four holes.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8910291.stm

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First round photos from the USPGA at Whistling Straits

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48718000/jpg/_48718993_range_ap_766.jpg
The start of the final major of the year, the USPGA Championship, is delayed as heavy fog hangs over Whistling Straits, leaving players waiting on the driving range for their rounds to begin

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48718000/jpg/_48718994_datrahan_ap_766.jpg
American DJ Trahan takes advantage of the fog delay to indulge in a little bit of last-minute visualisation, or maybe enjoy a brief snooze, as the wait continues in Wisconsin

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48718000/jpg/_48718995_taylor_ap_766.jpg
Play finally gets under way after a three hour, 10 minute delay but early starter Vaughn Taylor of the United States still has to deal with less than ideal conditions as he tackles the first hole

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48720000/jpg/_48720681_ob_woods_ap766.jpg
Woods struggles to maintain his fast start but a birdie on the ninth, his last hole played, sees him go into the second round on one under after his first under-par round since The Open at St Andrews

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48721000/jpg/_48721161_mickelson_getty766.jpg
Four-time major winner and world number two Phil Mickelson shows miraculous powers of recovery to be one under after day one. The 2005 champion birdies 10 and 11 before the hooter intervenes

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48721000/jpg/_48721229_rory766.jpg
And one of those players is Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy - seen here with playing partner Adam Scott of Australia. McIlroy fought back from being three over after four to finish one under after 13

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8909915.stm

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McIlroy pursues Watney in USPGA

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy is hoping to mount a serious challenge to leader Nick Watney as the final round of the USPGA gets under way at Whistling Straits.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/default.stm

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Sergio Garcia loses his temper at the USPGA


YouTube- Sergio Garcia loses his temper

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Settled in folks, could be a long night, leaderboard is verrry tight

1 Johnson US -11 1
1 Watney US -11 1
3 Day Aus -10 2
3 Kaymer Ger -10 2
3 McIlroy NI -10 1
6 Johnson US -9 3
6 Liang Chn -9 2
8 Kuchar US -8 5
8 Dufner US -8 3
8 Furyk US -8 3
11 Mickelson US -7 16
11 Points US -7 6
11 Villegas Col -7 6
11 Watson US -7 4
11 Elkington Aus -7 3

[Tnspieler1012]

been watching for the last hour and a half, couldn't be more exciting with so many players at the top.

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Watney has just capitulated, after leading by 3 he's dropped those 3 shots and is now also in the water on the 7th after hitting the rocks from the tee :o

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the wind on this course is causing chaos all over!

[Tnspieler1012]

triple for Watney. Mcilroy would be killing if he could make a putt.

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Kaymer looks strong and where's Elkington come from!

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ouch, Bubba Watson got himself into position, and then he hits a tee shot right up against the 80 degree bank!

[Tnspieler1012]

Good save from Bubba, Elkington's gonna drop a stroke, go Mcilroy!

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McIlroy and Dustin J are going to have a job getting a birdie on the last two holes. My bet is a playoff between Watson and Kaymer, but this has been one of the best majors in recent years and it aint over yet!

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having said that Dustin J has just made a miraculous hack from the heavy rough!

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Zack Johnson and Elkington both now out of running

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Dustin J has made a 2 at the 17th! He leads!

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Kaymer joins Bubba at -11

All in the hands of Dustin now! He needs a par to win on the 18th

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and he gets a bogey! Playoff between Dustin J , Watson and Kaymer! WoW!

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scratch that, Dustin has been D/Q for grounding his club in a "bunker"!

[Josh42]

Such a load of bullshit. Technically, he lost, but what the fuck. It's a fucking technicality. I hate sports in which you can lose off of such a stupid rule. He wasn't cheating...he didn't do anything that helped his lay (lie?)...yet he loses because it's "technically" a hazard. He didn't lose because he got beat by a better golfer, he lost because of a very small, minor technicality.

Bullshit.

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Rules are rules. And the PGA and course organisers made it very clear at the start of the competition that any sand on the course was classed as a bunker. Even to the extent that it was rule 1 on the introductory sheet and it was posted over all the mirrors in the locker room. Golf being a very traditional game has very strict rules including when and when not to ground the club and I'm glad to see that it was enforced to the letter!

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http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48749000/jpg/_48749617_kaymer466.jpg

Kaymer wins controversial USPGA

Germany's Martin Kaymer clinched his maiden major title when he beat American Bubba Watson in a play-off for the USPGA at Whistling Straits.

The pair ended tied on 11 under and the 25-year-old Kaymer edged the three-hole play-off by one shot in Wisconsin. But there was controversy when Dustin Johnson, who missed a putt to win, was then docked two shots for grounding his club in sand on 18 to end nine under. Rory McIlroy and Zach Johnson were 10 under, while Tiger Woods was two under.

Kaymer becomes the third first-time major winner in a row after Louis Oosthuizen won the Open and Graeme McDowell triumphed in the US Open, and the sixth in the last seven majors. And he becomes only the second German major winner after Bernhard Langer won the Masters in 1985 and 1993.

In the play-off, Kaymer and left-hander Watson exchanged birdies on the first two holes before the American found trouble on the 18th.
e dunked his second shot into a creek short of the green, took a drop and then hit into a bunker beyond the green. Despite nearly chipping in, he ended with a six.

Kaymer, after consulting Scottish caddie Craig Connelly, laid up short with his second before firing to 12ft from where he took two putts to clinch the title and seal his debut on the European Ryder Cup side. "In the regular round I felt a lot of pressure, especially on the last four or five holes," said Kaymer, who won the fifth of his previous European Tour titles earlier this year. "In the play-off I was very calm and confident. I just thought, 'don't make any stupid mistakes'. "It was an amazing feeling on 18 with two putts to win - that felt pretty cool. I don't realise what has just happened - I just won my first major and I am just on Tour for four years. I have goosebumps."

Watson, who won his maiden PGA Tour title earlier this season, was disappointed but insisted qualifying for his first US Ryder Cup team was some consolation. "I made the Ryder Cup, so that's all I care about," said Watson.

But the finale will be remembered for the controversy that befell Dustin Johnson. Leading by one going down the last, the 26-year-old carved his tee shot into the crowd on the right, before grounding his club as he addressed his second shot on a patch of trampled sand.

The Whistling Straits course on the shores of Lake Michigan has about 1,200 bunkers, many of which are little more than pieces of sandy waste ground. But the PGA of America put a notice in the locker room all week to remind players that every patch of sand was to be treated as a bunker regardless of its location, and the rules of golf state that players must not ground their club in a bunker.

Johnson fired through the green but chipped back on to six feet and had a putt to win the title. It was only afterwards that his indiscretion was pointed out. "It never once crossed my mind I was in a sand trap," said Johnson, who led the US Open by three shots going into the final round at Pebble Beach in June, only to crash to a round of 82. "The only worse thing that could have happened is if I had made that putt on the final hole. I just thought I was on a piece of dirt where the crowd had trampled it down. Obviously I know I can't ground my club in a bunker but I should have looked at the rules sheet a little closer."

One of the rules of golf is that players will incur a two-stroke penalty if they ground their club in a sand or water hazard. This means they must not allow their clubhead to touch the ground before striking the ball.

Johnson had emerged from the pack with a birdie on 17 after an absorbing final round that saw a host of players sharing the lead at some stage. American Nick Watney led by three at the start of the day but he quickly fell away and amassed a round of 81, ironically in the final group alongside Johnson. Kaymer made a fast start and birdied two of the first four holes to join Watney and Dustin Johnson in the lead on 11 under before stretching out to 12 under after 10 for a two-shot lead over Australia's 47-year-old Steve Elkington, the 1995 USPGA champion.

But in a fascinating back nine, Watson, McIlroy and Elkington all joined Kaymer in the lead at some point until Johnson looked to have snatched control on 17. Kaymer holed a long putt on 18 for a round of 70 to join Watson (68) in the clubhouse on 11 under before Johnson's adventures began on the last.

McIlroy, who was third last year and also came third at the Open last month, set up a host of birdie chances but could not gain any momentum and hit three birdies and three bogeys for a level-par 72. "It was just a weird day," said the 21-year-old. "I'll take the positives from it. It wasn't the result I wanted, but it's a learning experience."

Zach Johnson, the 2007 Masters champion, ended alongside McIlroy after a 70 as namesake (but no relation) Dustin Johnson slipped back to join Elkington (71) and American Jason Dufner (71) at nine under. Mickelson, the 2005 USPGA winner, surged up the leaderboard with a 67, one of only four men to break 70 all day, to join England's Paul Casey and Simon Dyson on six under.

Masters champion Mickelson needed to finish fourth and hope one of a number of scenarios played out to have a chance of overtaking Woods and ending his 270-week reign as world number one. "Winning a major makes the year special," said Mickelson. "I was trying to get a little greedy and see if I could get a second one. Unfortunately, I didn't play good enough golf. Had a fun week, though. I really enjoyed my time here."

Woods needed to finish inside the top seven to have a chance of making the US Ryder Cup team automatically but ended in a tie for 28th after a 73. "I hit the ball so good starting and then I lost it. Nine and 10 hurt quite a bit," he said. And on Ryder Cup selection? "I'd like to make the team but obviously I will have to rely on [captain] Corey Pavin for a pick. I'm going to go home and practice."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8916112.stm

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Tiger Woods misses US Ryder Cup team qualification

Tiger Woods failed to qualify for one of automatic spots on the US Ryder Cup team when the selection race ended after the USPGA on Sunday. The world number one tied for 28th at Whistling Straits to finish 12th in the Ryder Cup standings with the top eight receiving a place on the US team.

Woods will now have to rely on one of four wildcard picks on 7 September. USPGA runner-up Bubba Watson sealed his debut in third place, but Anthony Kim and Lucas Glover also missed out. Masters champion Phil Mickelson topped the standings from WGC Bridgestone Invitational winner Hunter Mahan as Watson, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, Jeff Overton and Matt Kuchar made up the eight who qualified for the 1-3 October match at Celtic Manor.

Kim, who missed three months after thumb surgery, 2009 US Open champion Glover, 2007 Masters winner Zach Johnson and world number one Woods were next in line and are now in the hands of captain Corey Pavin.

Watson climbed 15 spots with his play-off loss to Martin Kaymer in the USPGA and becomes one of four rookies on the team along with Johnson, Overton and Kuchar. "I've wanted to play the Ryder Cup my whole life," said Watson. "I've made many a putt when I was eight and 10-years-old to win the Ryder Cup. So why would you not want to play for your country?"

The 34-year-old Woods, whose world has been turned upside down after a sex scandal, is struggling to recreate the form that has won him 14 major titles and has not clinched a major since June 2008. After taking five months out to address issues in his private life at the start of the year, he made an encouraging return when he finished tied for fourth at the Masters and again at the US Open.

But the rest of his year has been poor by his standards, including missing the cut at Quail Hollow, withdrawing from the Players Championship and suffering his worst four-round result in a PGA Tour finish at Ohio last week.

His private life has remained under intense scrutiny and he has also struggled with injuries but his most visible problems have been with his game, driving erratically and putting badly. He has sought the help of Canadian swing coach Sean Foley after former guru Hank Haney quit in May, and while he believes he is making some early improvements he admits it remains a work in progress.

"I asked him to take a look at my swing this week and give me some ideas of what he sees," Woods said. "I like some of the things he had to say about my golf swing and where I needed to go. I like the direction because I was able to hit the shots that I used to be able to hit feel wise. As far as working down the road, I'm sure I'm going to see him a little bit more. I still want to pick his brain a little bit more."

Although it is considered a foregone conclusion that Woods would be offered a wildcard, Pavin said this week that he was not guaranteed a place because he wanted to be fair to all the players in contention.

"Well Corey texts me a lot so, I'm sure he'll be texting me or calling me and I'm sure we'll be talking," Woods said. "I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully, Corey will pick me on the team."

And he joked: "I think I've got a chance of maybe helping out in singles."

Woods has played in five Ryder Cups beginning at Valderrama in 1997 but missed out in 2008 after knee surgery, when the US team won for the first time since 1999 and recorded its largest margin of victory since 1981.

The European team qualification for the nine automatic slots ends at the Johnnie Walker Championship on 29 August after which captain Colin Montgomerie will name three wildcards.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8916134.stm

[Josh42]

Rules are rules. And the PGA and course organisers made it very clear at the start of the competition that any sand on the course was classed as a bunker. Even to the extent that it was rule 1 on the introductory sheet and it was posted over all the mirrors in the locker room. Golf being a very traditional game has very strict rules including when and when not to ground the club and I'm glad to see that it was enforced to the letter!

Of course it should be enforced; I'm simply pointing out the fact that it's the only sport in the world in which you can lose off of a technicality, which makes me loathe it (competitively, it's still great to play for fun).

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http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/47947000/jpg/_47947022_firsttee_huw.jpg

2010 Ryder Cup in numbers

Wales is ready to stage the 38th Ryder Cup in the first propose-built Ryder Cup course at Celtic Manor. Golf is usually a game all about keeping the high numbers off your scorecard - but for the 2010 Ryder Cup organisers it seems that the bigger the number the better the spectacle.

Here is BBC Sport's at-a-glance guide to the 2010 Ryder Cup in numbers:-

1 Ryder Cup trophy.

2 opposing captains.

3 dormouse crossings have been built for the 2010 Ryder Cup.

9 new holes on the Twenty Ten course, nine revamped and remodelled holes from the old Wentwood Hills championship course.

16 million spent by the Celtic Manor on redeveloping the Twenty Ten course and clubhouse, making it the first purpose-built course in Ryder Cup history.

20 kilometres of rope to cordon off the Twenty Ten course.

24 players making up the European and American team at the 2010 Ryder Cup.

27 million pound spent on 'legacy infrastructure' by the Welsh Assembly Government.

49 planning conditions were adhered to in Twenty Ten course and clubhouse build.

80 live cameras on course plus 60 microphones will bring viewers and listeners the best of the action.

90 kilometres of TV fibre cable to 30 outside broadcast vehicles for 50 different broadcasters of the 2010 Ryder Cup.

120 is the length in metres of new bridge to practice ground.

320 golf buggies will be used on-course by TV/catering/ground workers/sponsors and team members over the Ryder Cup weekend.

333 rooms at the Celtic Manor hotel.

600 telephone lines have been installed for the Ryder Cup.

850 TV staff will work the 2010 Ryder Cup.

1,000 accredited media will attend Celtic Manor.

1,400 acres of Usk Valley covered by the Celtic Manor.

1,500 on-course grandstand seats for the anticipated 45,000-a-day spectators.

1,500 kilogrammes of Welsh cheese will be sold over the week at the Celtic Manor

1860 was when the first Celtic Manor house was built by South Wales coal mine owner and first coal millionaire Thomas Powell.

1980 was when Terry Matthews bought the former manor house and Celtic Manor maternity hospital.

3,290 is the amount of days between Wales being awarded the 2010 Ryder Cup and staging the Ryder Cup's first day.

7,378 is the length in yards of Celtic Manor's Twenty Ten course.

8,000 hospitality meals will be served each match day of the 2010 Ryder Cup.

20,550 car parking spaces for spectators to the Ryder Cup.

30,000 toilet rolls will be used by guests to the 2010 Ryder Cup.

45,000 bin liners will be used over the week to dispose of the rubbish at Celtic Manor.

50,000 latex gloves will be used by the 300-strongarmy of cleaners at the 2010 Ryder Cup

55,000 breakfast rolls will be eaten by spectators at the 2010 Ryder Cup.

500,000 litres of water will be used each day at Celtic Manor.

620,000,000 households will watch the 2010 Ryder Cup in 195 countries around the world.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/9016737.stm

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Nine years in the planning, 2010 Ryder Cup is days away

The 2010 Ryder Cup has been nine years in the planning, but now the action is just days away.

Wales is bracing itself for the glare of a worldwide audience it has never known before as an estimated two billion people around the world will be watching Newport between 1 and 3 October.

The flags are flying, the bunting is up and the M4 roadworks have disappeared (for now) as a 1,400 acre area of the Usk Valley will be beamed into approximately 62 million households in 195 countries for three days.

Wales has hosted FA Cup football finals, a Rugby World Cup and Heineken Cup finals and an Ashes Test cricket match, but these have been nothing like a Ryder Cup.

Golf's matchplay showpiece is third only to the football World Cup and Olympics as the most-watched sporting event on the planet, so Newport is to be the centre of the sporting universe for one weekend only.

And it is not surprising that the Celtic Manor's imaginatively named Twenty Ten course has been undergoing a golfing make-over akin to a Gok Wan special for the past five years.

Wales, Newport and the Celtic Manor have spent every one of the 3,290 days in between winning the 38th Ryder Cup bid and a ball being hit in anger to prepare for more than three days of golf - it is a chance for Wales to showcase itself to the world.

Since Wales won the bid in September 2001, moves have been afoot to strip down Wales' poor golfing image, infrastructure and appeal and rebuild it into a dynamic, attractive and popular golfing destination.

The 2010 Ryder Cup has been a catalyst in helping Wales live up to its marketing slogan of 'Golf as it Should Be' and now with the event about to tee off, all that work is coming to fruition - even if the disruption locally proves frustrating at times.

Gok himself might even say Wales now looks good naked, but the 2010 course itself is anything but bare and basic.

The transformation from a tranquil 18 holes to a course fit for a Ryder Cup and ready to welcome Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood, Phil Mickelson and the world's finest golfers has been quite extraordinary.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/49199000/jpg/_49199774_captains_huw.jpg
US captain Corey Pavin goes head to head with Europe's Colin Montgomerie

Construction of the temporary city around the Celtic Manor began in July - and in the 10 weeks since some 15,000 seats have been installed as 20 grandstands are available to spectators.

Approximately 20km of rope and five thousand white stakes now caress the course, with approximately seven miles of crowd control barriers being used around the site.

About 300 buses will ferry 45,000 punters a day in and out, and once they arrive they will devour 20,000 portions of fish & chips, 5,000 bottles of bubbly, 132,000 pints of beer, 10,000 bottles of wine and 1500kg of Welsh cheeses.

And if you're not one of the lucky ones to be there, then the next best place to watch the action is in your front room.

An estimated 80 live cameras - plus 22 hi-tech 3D cameras - will beam pictures into approximately 620 million households via 50 different broadcasters who will have 850 TV staff working on the event.

Meanwhile, some 1,000 accredited media will pore over every on-course move as 100 courtesy cars will ferry the players and VIPs around the manor while 320 golf buggies will be in operation as 7,000 staff will hope to stage an event fit for sporting and celebrity royalty.

But the most important statistics of all are low in the single figures.

Two teams playing for one thing - the Ryder Cup - and despite all the stats, figures, and numbers, that is the only thing that will count to captains Corey Pavin of America and his European counterpart Colin Montgomerie.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/49199000/jpg/_49199947_manor_up_huw.jpg
The Celtic Manor was awarded 39th Ryder Cup host in September 2001

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/9022114.stm

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Video preview

YouTube - Ryder Cup

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Raining in Atlanta, nice for the ducks! Play suspended in the Tour Championship

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Jim Furyk wins the lot! $12m richer with the Tour Championship trophy and Fed-ex trophies :o

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http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/49262000/jpg/_49262902_010279225-1.jpg
US captain Pavin and Europe captain Montgomerie prepare for battle on Friday

Ryder Cup 2010: Players banned from tweeting

The Europe and United States Ryder Cup teams have been banned from tweeting until after the end of the tournament. Both US captain Corey Pavin and his counterpart Colin Montgomerie, who said tweeting could cause "trouble", confirmed their decision on Monday.

Four players in Europe's team and five from the US side actively use Twitter. "Tweeting and social network sites can get one into trouble," said Montgomerie ahead of the Ryder Cup which begins at Celtic Manor on Friday. The Europe players who will have to refrain from posting their thoughts are US Open winner Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Rory McIlroy and Francesco Molinari.

The players from the US team that tweet, include Stewart Cink, Rickie Fowler, Zach Johnson, Hunter Mahan and Bubba Watson.

The ban appears to have not come into effect yet, with McDowell, McIlroy and Poulter among the golfers still tweeting.

Recently, cricketers Kevin Pietersen and Dimitri Mascarenhas were both fined for rants on Twitter.

Footballers Jozy Altidore and Darren Bent have also been in trouble for ill-advised public comments, while swimmer Stephanie Rice lost a sponsorship deal and was forced to make a public apology for an allegedly homophobic comment on Twitter. "The team has come to a consensus not to do it," said fellow tweeter Pavin on the temporary ban. "It can be a little bit distracting sometimes, and I think it is important to focus on the Ryder Cup and playing in the matches. We've decided to not tweet this week, but a week today I am sure tweeting will be all over the place."

Montgomerie added: "We are in the same boat. I think it's important we focus on the job in hand this week. We are here to try regain the trophy that Corey has brought back for us. We have to focus on that job, and as Corey rightly says, on Monday 4 October, yes, you will find the team probably on social network sites, but not until then."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/9036588.stm

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Jim Furyk scooped almost $12m before joining up with the US Ryder Cup team

YouTube - Furyk cashes in

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Ryder Cup 2010 Practice Day Preview - Golf - 29-09-10

YouTube - Georgie Thompson - Ryder Cup 2010 Practice Day 2 Preview - Golf - 29-09-10 HD 720P

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http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/49317000/jpg/_49317623_010295721-1.jpg
McDowell and McIlroy are friends on and off the course

Ryder Cup 2010: Friday fourballs pairings revealed

The Ryder Cup pairings for Friday's fourballs matches have been revealed.

Europe's Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer will open against the United States pair of Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson at 0745 BST.

Northern Ireland duo Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell face Matt Kuchar and Stewart Cink.

Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker play Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher before Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington take on Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton.

More to follow.

[mc_squared]

I wonder how many loose women Tiger's got lined up to see him through the competition.................. :rolleyes:

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US edge rain-affected first day

United States bounced back on a rain-hit first day of the Ryder Cup which finished with no fourballs completed.

The US are up in two, all square in one and down in one against Europe.

Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar lead Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell while Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton are up on Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald.

Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher are tied with Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker, while Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer lead Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson.

Europe were up in three out of the four Friday fourballs matches before the relentless rain, which was present when Johnson teed off at 0745 BST, had finally called halt to play at 0943 BST.

However, the US fought back shortly after the 1700 BST resumption but, as a result of the seven hours lost, the format of the competition has been altered.

The opening foursomes will play to a finish when the action resumes at the planned starting time of 0745 BST on Saturday.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/9051373.stm

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http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/49329000/jpg/_49329226_010310794-1.jpg

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/49330000/jpg/_49330906_010311734-1.jpg

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/49334000/jpg/_49334623_010312997-1.jpg

[mc_squared]

Lee Westwood looks like a right pikey in that photo!:P

[busybeeburns]

First point to Europe :) but not looking so good in the other 3 matches :(