Golf - Latest: US PGA Championship, Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, New York (8-11 August)

[busybeeburns]

Tomorrow is the biggest day in the history of the game... if you believe US television

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWBwasy_h7I]YouTube - Ryder Cup Montage 2010[/ame]

[busybeeburns]

day 3 is a washout!

[busybeeburns]

 

Ryder Cup finale held up by rain at Celtic Manor

 

Sunday's play in the Ryder Cup between Europe and the United States has been suspended until at least 1200 BST because of heavy rain at Celtic Manor.

 

A Monday finish looks increasingly likely with the weather already wiping out seven hours on the opening day.

 

Europe trail 4-6 but currently lead in the two foursomes and four fourballs still to be completed after a battling display on Saturday afternoon.

 

Chief referee John Paramor said: "It looks like we will be playing Monday."

 

The Welsh course was left waterlogged after overnight rain and with play due to start at 0745 thousands of spectators were not allowed to enter the course for safety reasons and left waiting in cars and the park and ride zones.

 

With six matches in the already delayed third session still to finish, followed by 12 singles, stretching into a fourth day looks a certainty which would be an unprecedented move in the tournament's 83-year history. BBC Sport's Rob Hodgetts said: "Rivers of water are running down the 18th fairway and the green is becoming one large pool."

 

With a further statement from the organisers not due until 1100 BST, the players have been swiftly transported back to the hotels from the course.

 

The heavy rain is expected to clear by 1030 BST and Paramor told Sky Sports: "We will probably need an hour or an hour-and-a-half to push some water away from the golf course and make it playable again."

 

It is a hugely frustrating scenario for everybody involved, with the match still delicately poised despite the stirring efforts of Colin Montgomerie's European team on Saturday.

 

Following the rain-hit first day on Friday, Corey Pavin's US team were quickest out of the blocks and led 2½-1½ after the opening fourballs, before extending that to 6-4 in the expanded foursomes session.

 

But as Montgomerie demanded "more passion" from his players, Europe hit back in the fading light on Saturday to be up in all six matches, two foursomes and four fourballs, when play ended at 1845 BST.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/9055351.stm

 

[mc_squared]

Thousands of Ryder Cup fans told to wait in their cars after torrential rain stops play

 

 

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 11:55 AM on 3rd October 2010

 

• Comments (12)
  
• Add to My Stories
  

 

• Play set to resume at 1.30pm, fans allowed in from 11am
  

Tens of thousands of golf fans were today stranded in their cars as the start of the Ryder Cup was postponed until at least 1.30pm following torrential rain.

Up to 50,000 spectators - paying £130 a time - were expected at the golf tournament's finale this morning, but organisers barred them from stepping onto the waterlogged course.

The golf tournament - which was also washed out on Friday - now looks set for its first ever Monday finish.

 

Grey skies: Heavy rain drenched the Celtic manor course overnight - and continued this morning

 

 

Torrential: A worker scurries through the Ryder Cup course holding an umbrella early this morning

 

 

The dedicated golf fans were today forced to wait in their cars or at park and ride zones nearby.

Officials have said the tournament - which saw seven hours of play wiped out due to wet weather on Friday - will almost certainly conclude tomorrow, the first time that has happened in its 83-year history.

Ryder Cup match director Ed Kitson said spectators who had tickets for today's scheduled action would be able to use them if play spills over into tomorrow, and the same would apply for those with season tickets.

There is no chance the tournament will continue until Tuesday as the captains have an agreement that it will end at sunset on Monday, whatever the weather.

If the 28 matches are not completed by sundown - which is 1843BST tomorrow - the results of all the completed matches will stand. Any match not finished and still on the course would be declared a halve no matter what the score.

 

Sodden: Groundstaff drive a buggy through floodwater as play is delayed until at least midday today

 

 

 

Windswept: Workers remove a banner from the side of a grandstand after it was dislodged by the wind today

 

 

 

 

Europe and America's best players were due to start teeing off at 7.45am this morning to finish off some matches delayed by Friday's stoppage.

That would have left the final 12 singles matches to fit in before the end of the day.

But heavy downpours this morning left pools of water on the greens and fairways at Celtic Manor in Newport, South Wales.

Europe star Ian Poulter said on Twitter: 'There will be no golf this morning, official.

'12.00 is the earliest possible restart, but it could be later. Back to bed friends. A nice couple of hours relaxing.'

 

Rain stops play: Empty spectator stands at the first tee today. Fans have been told to wait in their cars or at park-and-ride stops

 

 

Big following: 50,000 spectators are due to attend the Ryder Cup finale today

 

 

 

Organisers Ryder Cup Europe released a short statement as torrential rain continued to batter the course.

'Due to severe adverse weather conditions at the Celtic Manor Resort, the organisers of the 2010 Ryder Cup have deemed the course currently unplayable,' they said.

'The resumption of play has therefore been delayed and a further announcement will be made at 11am. Play will not resume before 12 noon.

'Spectators are advised to remain at home and await further information before travelling.

'For those already at the east and west park and ride venues, or are currently travelling to the event, they are advised to remain in their vehicles.'

The organisers later said play would resume at 1.30pm, with spectators allowed onto the course from 11am.

'Ryder Cup Europe envisage that session three will be completed this afternoon and with that being the case the final session of singles matches will commence at 9.05am on Monday October 4,' they said in a statement.

 

Wet WAGS: Sybil Kuchar, left, wife of Matt Kuchar of the U.S. and Lisa Cink, wife of Stewart Cink, walk around the muddy course yesterday

 

 

Focused: Rory McIlroy, left, and Graeme McDowell of team Europe line up a shot during the Foursome match against Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar of the U.S. yesterday

 

Yesterday ended with USA up 6-4 in the overall standings but with the momentum in Europe's favour, heralding another tense finale.

Europe's 2006 captain Ian Woosnam - sitting in a Sky Sports commentary booth streaked with rain - told his fellow pundits a Monday finish was now 'looking very likely'.

The second playing delay follows criticism that this year's Ryder Cup was being held too late in the year.

Former tournament captain Tony Jacklin, who now lives in Florida, wrote this weekend: 'To run a golf tournament in Wales at this time of year, when the seasons have changed, was always a non-starter.

'Early October here is a only a few weeks away from winter. I've been over to Britain three times this year and got soaked every time, but by playing so late in the year the risk is much greater.'

 

 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1317297/Ryder-Cup-2010-Torrential-rain-washes-start-finale.html#ixzz11IQaaXmY

[busybeeburns]

fantastic day for Europe! 5.5 out of 6 points available today :D

[busybeeburns]

 

Europe hit back to take Cup lead

 

Europe roared back from 6-4 down to take a 9½-6½ lead over United States going into the Ryder Cup singles.

 

The foursomes pairs of Luke Donald and Lee Westwood and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell got the ball rolling with comfortable wins.

 

In the fourballs, Padraig Harrington and Ross Fisher, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Peter Hanson, and Ian Poulter and Martin Kaymer added to the tally.

 

The Molinari brothers then took a half against Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/9055351.stm

 

[busybeeburns]

More than two inches of rain fell on Celtic Manor between Thursday afternoon and Sunday morning

 

Politics to blame, not Wales

 

Remember this weekend a year ago? Glorious in the valleys, it was. How many times have we heard that said over the past week here at Celtic Manor?

 

Yes, it is perfectly possible to have wonderful weather in early October, as was proved here this time last year. But the truth is, when the days shorten the odds lengthen on that being the case. And so it has come to pass that they played the Ryder Cup here a year too late. Conditions were perfect 12 months ago when they launched the "Year to Go" celebrations at this south Wales course.

 

Now, though, we're looking at a Ryder Cup spilling over into a fourth day for the first time and despite the fine weather of October 2009, it is no surprise at all that the Celtic Manor edition of match should be the first not to finish on time.

 

We've been predicting it from the moment the match was assigned its place in the schedule. Of course, there are no guarantees in September but there is definitely more chance of completing the golf on its assigned dates then than later in the year.

 

Sir Nick Faldo got plenty of stick at the last Ryder Cup. He was even criticised for warning us to "bring your waterproofs" to south Wales. It might not have been the appropriate time to send such a message, but he has certainly been proved right by the miserably soggy scenario at the 2010 match. More than two inches of rain fell on the Celtic Manor course between Thursday afternoon and Sunday morning

 

So who do we blame? It is not enough to say this is pure bad luck because the game's administrators made this situation more likely by moving the match to October. The problem lies in the dysfunctional nature of the way in which the game is run by disparate governing bodies.

 

On this side of the pond the European Tour runs the Ryder Cup and the professional schedule. In America it is different. The PGA Tour runs the schedule and a completely separate body, the PGA of America, administers the Ryder Cup.

 

The match is not the primary concern of the PGA Tour, which has now taken over September with its Fed Ex Cup play-off series. The PGA of America has been forced to let go the traditional weeks where Ryder Cups have been staged.

 

The event does not bankroll the PGA Tour in the way it does its European equivalent. So why should the American Tour be bothered about an event from which it doesn't profit, and that has the capacity to take the limelight from the tournaments that it puts on?

 

The dollar sign is king and tradition and pure sport goes out of the window. The Ryder Cup is professional golf at its most captivating; in no other arena does it stir passions among players and fans in quite the same way, but that's not enough for it to take precedence. The PGA of America's main role in life is to look after the club pros in the US and to organise the US PGA Championship along with the American end of the Ryder Cup.

 

And it needs the PGA Tour on its side for the match to have any chance of flourishing. The European Tour is left as piggy in the middle. Something has to change because we cannot go forward scheduling home Ryder Cups in October. Bear in mind the 2014 match is due to be played at Gleneagles, which is no stranger to bad weather.

 

Too much damage has already been done and the next home match for Europe, at its Scottish venue, has to be given every chance of finishing on time or else the Ryder Cup's credibility is in danger of being washed away.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/iaincarter/2010/10/politics_to_blame_not_wales.html

[busybeeburns]

EUROPE WINS! :D

 

14.5 to 13.5

 

Unbelieveable tension at the end... report to follow!

[busybeeburns]

 

McDowell seals dramatic win as Europe regains Ryder Cup

 

Graeme McDowell held his nerve in the final singles match as Europe clung on to their overnight lead to beat United States 14½-13½ to regain the Ryder Cup.

 

Trailing 9½-6½ going into the delayed finale, the Americans fought back superbly to take the match to the wire.

 

Rickie Fowler won the last three holes to snatch an unlikely half with Edoardo Molinari, leaving Europe relying on McDowell to beat Hunter Mahan.

 

The Northern Irishman birdied the 16th before sealing victory at the 17th.

 

"Graeme [McDowell] was put there [at the bottom of the order] for a very good reason," said victorious Europe captain Colin Montgomerie. "He is the US Open champion and full of confidence and that birdie on 16 was quite unbelievable."

 

It capped an extraordinary four days at the Celtic Manor in south Wales, which was bathed in sunshine for the delayed final day after the rain that had deluged the Usk Valley on Friday and Sunday.

 

The US, who took the singles 7-5, prevailed in three of the four sessions overall, but Saturday's third session - which Europe won 5½-½ - proved vital in the final analysis.

 

Ian Poulter, Luke Donald and Miguel Angel Jimenez all delivered victories on Monday for Europe, with Rory McIlroy and Edoardo Molinari contributing half-points.

 

But Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, Jeff Overton, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Zach Johnson all won for the US, leaving the outcome in the hands of McDowell and Mahan.

 

McDowell led by three early on but slipped to 1up with three to play after driving into heavy rough left of the green and duffing his chip shot on the 15th.

 

But he recovered brilliantly to hole a nailbiting 15-foot putt to win the 16th, bringing a huge roar from the packed galleries.

 

Mahan could not respond on the 17th, leaving his chip just short of the green and conceding the hole to spark wild celebrations among the majority of the 35,000 fans present.

 

Montgomerie had loaded his line-up with strength at the top, but Lee Westwood, the team's talisman over the first three days, was unable to deliver the start the hosts had hoped for.

 

The Englishman rattled in successive birdies at four, five and six to take the lead but Stricker, one of the United States' strongmen, surpassed him with four in a row from the ninth to level the match on the 12th.

 

Westwood then found the water with his tee shot on 13 to fall behind, and despite salvaging a half on the next with a great bunker shot, a 20-footer from Stricker on the 15th put him two up with three to play and he sealed victory on the 17th.

 

Dustin Johnson, pointless after three matches, then swiftly added a second point for the US as he crushed USPGA champion Kaymer 6&4 in the fourth match.

 

Poulter, Europe's rabble rouser-in-chief, had confidently declared beforehand he would deliver a point, and was true to his word against Matt Kuchar, who had previously won two points out of three.

 

The Englishman rattled in a 35-foot putt on the third, chipped in from the fairway on the 11th to go 4up and rattled in another putt from distance on the 13th before delivering the coup de grace on the 14th, by which time he was six under par.

 

That was more than enough to deliver Europe's first point of the day, and his third from four matches to become his team's leading points-scorer.

 

Donald joined him on that tally half an hour later, holding his nerve under great pressure from Jim Furyk to win the match on the 18th.

 

The Englishman was 3up by the sixth and holed a series of superb putts but despite being six under par, found himself only one up with two to play.

 

But Furyk found the bunker with his approach shot on the last and Donald, safely on the green, had the luxury of two putts to seal victory.

 

That was the second match to finish on the 18th, McIlroy having secured a vital half against Stewart Cink in a match the American might easily have won.

 

The Northern Irish tyro made a flying start with birdies on the first two holes, but Cink won the next three before McIlroy levelled, as he did again on the 12th after Cink had regained the lead on the eighth.

 

McIlroy found the water on 13 to fall behind, but Cink missed a three-footer on the 15th to leave it all square again.

 

McIlroy suffered further let-offs at the 17th and the last, when he failed to get out of the greenside bunker with his first attempt.

 

Cink had a 12-footer to win the match which slipped narrowly by, leaving McIlroy with a nasty five-footer to halve the match.

 

"I have had three great matches with Stewart this week and a half was probably what we both deserved," he said. "I wouldn't have said this a year ago but this is the best event in golf."

 

After Donald had increased Europe's lead to 12-9, Jimenez extended it with his first Ryder Cup singles victory at the fourth attempt.

 

The veteran Spaniard chipped in from a bunker on the eighth to go ahead and rattled off four birdies in his last seven holes to beat Bubba Watson 4&3.

 

But rookie Overton gave the Americans hope by turning round his match with Ross Fisher, who suffered a disappointing end to his first Ryder Cup.

 

Birdies at the first and third gave the Englishman an ideal start but Overton levelled on the 12th and four bogeys in his last five holes saw Fisher slip to a 3&2 defeat.

 

Woods swiftly wrapped up his match with Francesco Molinari, despite the Italian going 2up after two holes.

 

The world number one, who had struggled with his game in Wales despite earning two points in the company of Stricker, holed a 20-footer on the sixth and had levelled matters by the turn.

 

Woods' putter was running hot and he finished eight under for his last 10 holes, including an eagle on the 12th and a monster 50ft putt on 13 before sealing a 4&3 win.

 

With the score 13-11, Europe were relying on Edoardo Molinari, leading his match with Fowler, and McDowell - up in the final match against Mahan - to get to the 14½ points needed for victory, with Phil Mickelson dispatching Peter Hanson 4&2 and Padraig Harrington struggling against Zach Johnson, eventually losing 3&2.

 

Fowler, three down with three to play, sealed a remarkable comeback with a 20-foot putt on the last to steal a half from the older Molinari.

 

But McDowell, who won his first major at the US Open in June, sealed a superb contest to deliver Europe's fourth victory in the last five Ryder Cups, and sixth in the last eight.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/9056244.stm

[busybeeburns]

 

 

 

 

 

[mc_squared]

Just watched the highlights. What an incredible finish! The most tense and exciting ever!:cool:

[busybeeburns]

best sport in the world, bar none!

[busybeeburns]

Masters 2011: Mickelson primed for Masters defence

 

 

Masters 2011: Mickelson primed for Masters defence

 

Phil Mickelson will start as hot favourite to defend his title when the 75th Masters begins on Thursday.

 

The 40-year-old three-time champion won last week and has 13 top-10 finishes in his 18 appearances at Augusta.

 

Before Mickelson's win in Houston, the year's first major was being billed as one of the most open in recent years.

 

Europe has six players in the world's top 10, including the top-two ranked players - Germany's Martin Kaymer and Lee Westwood of England.

 

The last European to win at Augusta was Jose Maria Olazabal in 1999 but in Kaymer and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, the continent has the reigning USPGA and US Open champion respectively.

 

England's Luke Donald has an impressive record at Augusta with a best of third place in 2005, and has won in the United States this season - while countryman Justin Rose has led at some stage on all four days of the tournament and also brings some confidence from recent third and fifth places in PGA Tour events.

 

Former world number one Tiger Woods, now ranked seventh, is seeking a fifth Green Jacket but has been struggling for form after last year's divorce and programme of swing changes under new coach Sean Foley.

 

Woods, though, was fourth on his reappearance last year following a spell out of the game after a sex scandal and there are some, including former coach Hank Haney, who think he will feature prominently this week because of his knowledge and liking for the course.

 

Woods's last victory at Augusta was in 2005 and he won the last of his 14 major titles in 2008.

 

A new breed of young Americans are also capturing the headlines for their big-hitting, putting prowess and confident approach.

 

Nick Watney was seventh last year and is the form player on the PGA Tour, while Dustin Johnson went close in both the USPGA and US Open last year and has also had some good results this season. Bubba Watson lost in a play-off to Kaymer in the 2010 USPGA but left-handers are thought to have an advantage on certain holes at Augusta and could also feature.

 

"I've always felt that this tournament has a lot of players that are playing well heading in," said world number three Mickelson.

 

"Guys gear their game for this and it can be one of the toughest tournaments to win because so many guys are playing well. And I think that as a player, I would never discount any single player in the field."

 

But Mickelson is the name at the top of most people's shortlist to add to his Masters tally following last year's emotional win, which came a little under a year after his wife and mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

 

"I have enjoyed and felt great on this golf course even before I won here," said Mickelson, who also triumphed in 2004 and 2006.

 

"It's something I've come to love with all my heart and I feel very fortunate and it means a lot to me to have won here and be able to come back and be a part of this tournament."

 

Woods, who has been passed by Mickelson in the rankings for the first time since 1997, discounted the fact that he had lost the favourite tag.

 

"Doesn't matter," he said. "You still have to play the golf tournament, right? We all have an opportunity. So just go out and play and see where it adds up."

 

Woods now finds himself at something of a crossroads in his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus's record of 18 major titles but remains adamant that it is still his goal.

 

"I absolutely want to do it," he said. "That's the benchmark and gold standard in this sport."

 

Of his swing changes, Woods said: "It's taken a long time to develop the patterns and know what the fixes are. I'm finally starting to shape the ball both ways and being able to fix it if I don't. It's just a totally different philosophy from what I was doing before."

 

Mickelson will begin his defence at 1348 local time (1848 BST) in the company of Australian Geoff Ogilvy and US amateur Peter Uihlein.

 

Woods tees off at 1041 ET (1541 BST) with McDowell and Australian Robert Allenby, while Westwood will resume his quest for a maiden major title two groups earlier at 1019 ET (1519 BST) with Kaymer and another in-form American, Matt Kuchar.

 

Westwood, who also finished second in last year's Open Championship, admitted his recent reconnaissance trip to Augusta was a chance to put last year's near miss behind him.

 

"I got rid of all the memories a week last Sunday," said Westwood, who has rectified some recent putting problems after a lesson with his dad. "If it all clicks into place this week, I know if I'm on my game, it's good enough to win."

 

The weather for the week is set to be fine with increasingly warm temperatures in contrast to the storms and high winds that hampered practice on Tuesday. The drying conditions should make the course play fast, evening up the perceived disadvantage for the shorter hitters.

 

"You don't have to be a big hitter to win here," said Mickelson, who has been having treatment for arthritis.

 

"You have to play away from your weaknesses to your strengths. So if you're not the longest hitter your strength needs to be wedge play, take advantage of the par fives and miss the par fours in spots where your short game can give you an advantage."

 

Four-time champion Arnold Palmer, 81, and record six-time winner Nicklaus, 71, will perform the honorary starter duties at 0740 ET (1240 BST) before the first group of Jonathan Byrd, England's Ross Fisher and Sean O'Hair get the tournament under way at 0745 ET (1245 BST).

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/12989929.stm

[busybeeburns]

 

 

McIlroy & Quiros set Masters pace

 

Masters round one leaderboard: -7: R McIlroy (NI), A Quiros (Spa) -5: YE Yang (Kor), KJ Choi (Kor)-4: M Kuchar (US), Ricky Barnes (US)-3: R Fisher (Eng), B Snedeker (US), S Garcia (Spa), C Schwartzel (SA), T Immelman (SA), G Ogilvy (Aus), G Woodland (US)Selected others: -2: P Mickelson (US), P Casey (Eng)-1: T Woods (US)Level: L Westwood (Eng), L Donald (Eng)+1: S Lyle (Sco), J Rose (Eng)+2: M Laird (Sco), G McDowell, (NI), I Poulter (Eng)+5: P Harrington (Ire)+6: M Kaymer (Ger), I Woosnam (Wal)

 

Rory McIlroy lit up Augusta with a stunning 65 and was joined late on by Alvaro Quiros for a share of a two-shot lead after the first round of the Masters.

 

The Northern Irishman and the Spaniard raced to seven under ahead of South Korean pair Yang Yong-Eun and KJ Choi.

 

American duo Matt Kuchar and Ricky Barnes are four under with England's Ross Fisher and Spain's Sergio Garcia in a group on three under alongside Gary Woodland, Brandt Snedeker, Charl Schwartzel, 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman and 2006 US Open winner Geoff Ogilvy.

 

Defending champion Phil Mickelson ended two under, while former world number one Tiger Woods carded a one-under 71 and 2010 runner-up Lee Westwood fired a 72.

 

England's Westwood, who was clearly disappointed with his putting, said: "It's how my game is at the moment. If you can't hole it out from four feet, you're going to struggle, aren't you?"

 

Luke Donald, bidding to become the first player to win the curtain-raising par-three tournament and the Masters in the same year, also ended level par with fellow Englishmen Paul Casey two under, Justin Rose one over and Ian Poulter two over.

 

Of the fancied Americans, Nick Watney shot 72, Bubba Watson carded 73 and Dustin Johnson ended with a two-over 74 alongside Northern Ireland's US Open champion Graeme McDowell and Scotland's Martin Laird.

 

"As long as you are not over 74 you're still in the tournament," said BBC TV commentator Ken Brown. "It's an uphill climb but it's still not impossible."

 

World number one Martin Kaymer, who has yet to make the cut in three visits to Augusta, amassed a six-over 78.

 

The 21-year-old McIlroy, who is playing in his third Masters, is the youngest ever first-round leader, beating the previous best of Seve Ballesteros who was 23 when he led in 1980.

 

The 2010 European Ryder Cup star birdied the second, third and fourth holes and added a further birdie at the ninth to go out in 32. He picked up more shots at the 11th, 14th and 15th and missed an eight-footer for birdie on the last.

 

McIlroy finished 20th on his Masters debut in 2009 and missed the cut last year, but he has finished in the top three in three of the last five majors.

 

He led the Open after a sizzling 63 in the first round at St Andrews last year but he followed it with a second-round 80 on a day when a vicious wind forced a suspension in play.

 

But after carding his first round in the 60s at Augusta the world number nine has vowed to apply the lessons he learned at the home of golf.

 

"I'm not taking anything for granted," he said. "It's a good start but that's all it is. I didn't really put a foot wrong - that's what you need to do here and that's what you need to do in major championships is limit your mistakes.

 

"Today I didn't have any. I felt I made a good up-and-down at the first to sort of get my round going and after that I played really solid golf, hitting the ball where I wanted to and picking my targets and committing to them.

 

"I know better than anyone else what can happen after you lead in the first round of a major. St Andrews is going to be big on my mind but I've learned from it and I'll be better prepared to go out and shoot a good score."

 

The big-hitting Quiros, 28, bettered his previous best round at Augusta by 10 shots after making steady progress through his round and ending with a birdie on the 18th.

 

Despite being known for his lengthy drives, Quiros conceded: "Obviously, the best club in my bag was the putter."

 

Earlier, McIlroy was in danger of being upstaged by Yang, known as YE, who became the first Asian-born male to win a major when he landed the 2008 USPGA title. At that tournament he also became the first to overhaul Woods on the final day of a major tournament.

 

The 39-year-old Yang drew level at seven under with McIlroy after 16 holes but then bogeyed the final two, while the 40-year-old Choi, who tied for fourth last year, climbed to five under after firing five birdies in the last six holes.

 

"It's typical of a Korean course, so if you are on a good day, I think it's to our advantage," said Yang who finished in a tie for eighth last year.

 

"I saw myself in the leaderboard tied with the leader and I guess I got a little bit overzealous in the last two holes.

 

"It's a bit disappointing to finish off two bogeys in a row and go back down two behind the leader, but at the same time there is still a lot of golf left."

 

Choi, who birdied all four par fives, added through a translator: "You have to really focus to be able to hit the greens.

 

"They are very sloping. I feel comfortable because I know where to hit the ball on the green and where to attack the fairways."

 

World number three Mickelson, bidding for a fourth Green Jacket, struggled off the tee and was forced to rely on his short game to get him out of trouble.

 

"I missed it in spots I could get up and down. I scrambled well," said Mickelson, who opted to go with just one driver despite saying earlier in the week he would carry two with him.

 

"I let four or five birdie opportunities slide so I'm going to have to capitalise on those. It's just OK I didn't shoot myself out of it but I didn't make up ground on the field."

 

Four-time champion Woods, who has been struggling to bed down a swing revamp, picked up just three birdies but was encouraged that his putting, once one of his greatest strengths, was coming back to form.

 

"I hit a lot of beautiful putts," said Woods, who came fourth last year after five months out of the game. "And they were just skirting the edge, so hopefully they will start going in."

 

Despite being six shots behind McIlroy, Woods was optimistic for the rest of the week.

 

"I would rather be where Rory's at. But, hey, it's a long way to go," said Woods, who won the last of his 14 major titles in 2008 and has not tasted success in any tournament since November 2009.

 

"We have a long grind ahead of us. The temperature's supposed to warm up and I'm sure they will start making the pins a little more difficult as the week goes on.

 

"I'm right there in the ball game. We've got a lot of golf ahead of us."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/13007436.stm

[busybeeburns]

 

Masters 2011: Rory McIlroy leads by two at Augusta

 

Masters round two leaderboard: -10: R McIlroy (NI)-8: J Day (Aus)-7: KJ Choi (Kor), T Woods (US)-6: G Ogilvy (Aus), A Quiros (Spa), -5: YE Yang (Kor), R Barnes (US), F Couples (US), R Fowler (US), L Westwood (Eng)

 

Rory McIlroy moved into a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the 75th Masters after carding a solid 69.

 

The 21-year-old's three-under-par round lifted him to 10 under on an absorbing second day at Augusta.

 

McIlroy's playing partner Jason Day of Australia, fired a stunning eight-under-64 to climb to second place.

 

Tiger Woods roared into contention with a 66 to move into a tie for third at seven under with South Korea's KJ Choi who shot a two-under-par 70.

 

Spain's Alvaro Quiros, who led overnight with McIlroy, slipped back to six under par after a one-over-par 73, alongside Australian Geoff Ogilvy (69). Masters 2011: Rory McIlroy leads by two at Augusta

Page last updated at 23:29 GMT, Friday, 8 April 2011 00:29 UK

E-mail this to a friendPrintable version By Rob Hodgetts

 

BBC Sport at Augusta

 

McIlroy found the going a little harder on day two at Augusta Masters round two leaderboard: -10: R McIlroy (NI)-8: J Day (Aus)-7: KJ Choi (Kor), T Woods (US)-6: G Ogilvy (Aus), A Quiros (Spa), -5: YE Yang (Kor), R Barnes (US), F Couples (US), R Fowler (US), L Westwood (Eng)Selected others: -4: L Donald (Eng), R Fisher (Eng), S Garcia (Spa)-2: P Casey (Eng), P Mickelson (US)-1: I Poulter (Eng), M Laird (Sco)Level: J Rose (Eng)+5: P Harrington (Ire)+9: S Lyle (Sco)+11: I Woosnam (Wal)

Rory McIlroy moved into a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the 75th Masters after carding a solid 69.

 

The 21-year-old's three-under-par round lifted him to 10 under on an absorbing second day at Augusta.

 

McIlroy's playing partner Jason Day of Australia, fired a stunning eight-under-64 to climb to second place.

 

Tiger Woods roared into contention with a 66 to move into a tie for third at seven under with South Korea's KJ Choi who shot a two-under-par 70.

 

Spain's Alvaro Quiros, who led overnight with McIlroy, slipped back to six under par after a one-over-par 73, alongside Australian Geoff Ogilvy (69).

 

ROB HODGETT'S BLOGContinue reading the main story

While McIlroy remained impervious and edged two clear, the chasing pack, like a Tour de France peloton leaving the lone breakaway out in front, massed ready for the sprint

Read more here

Last year's runner-up Lee Westwood (67), South Korean YE Yang (72), Americans Ricky Barnes (71), Rickie Fowler (69) and 51-year-old 1992 champion Fred Couples (68) are all tied at five under.

 

"I feel like I've got it under control," said world number two Westwood. "I just need to be a bit more consistent and I can shoot a low score.

 

"I had a five-shot lead going down 11 last year, so I know how quickly a lead can evaporate. My record shows that I've got the hang of Majors over the last few years."

 

Englishmen Luke Donald and Ross Fisher and Spaniard Sergio Garcia are among those on four under after rounds of 68 and 71 respectively, while defending champion Phil Mickelson carded a 72 for two under. McIlroy, who has finished third in the last two majors, becomes the second youngest second-round leader after Woods, who was 21 years three months and 14 days old in 1997.

 

The Northern Irishman carded three birdies in an outward 33, and made his first bogey of the tournament on the short 12th after catching the front bunker but he got the shot back with a birdie on the par-five 13th to come home in level-par 36.

 

The 23-year-old Day, playing in his first Masters, fired five birdies in a homeward 31 to climb from a tie for 31st after round one.

 

"We just sort of fed off each other and the crowd got behind us and it was a lot of fun," said McIlroy, who also played with Fowler. "I played nicely on the front nine but I didn't hole so many putts on the back nine. But I can't complain - I'm in the lead going into the third round of the Masters."

 

Woods fired six birdies in eight holes from the eighth and missed a six-footer on the short 16th which would have been four in row as he surged up the leaderboard. A stunning second on 18 set up another birdie as he stepped up his bid for a fifth Masters and 15th major title.

 

"I'm right where I need to be," said Woods, who last won at Augusta in 2005 and last won a major in 2008. "I kept staying patient. I was trying to get under par at the turn and piece together a good back nine and I got a bit hot.

 

"[The par save at] 11 was huge. It was a big putt to make. I closed the gap to three and hopefully I can piece together another good round [on Saturday]."

 

Mickelson mixed four bogeys with four birdies in a scrappy round that left him needing to go low on Saturday to have a chance of clinching back-to-back Green Jackets for the first time since Woods in 2001-02.

 

"I left too many shots out there," said three-time winner Mickelson. "You know, there were six chances, up‑and‑downs, which I normally would make. Fortunately, I'm not in that bad a spot.

 

"These next two days are my favourite two days of the year, the weekend of the Masters. To be a couple under par you can make up a lot of ground out here. I was able to do it last year on Saturday, and I'm going to have to make a good run tomorrow, too."

 

Choi, who finished tied fourth last year, bogeyed the last but said: "I think my demeanour is still good."

 

Paul Casey also took 72 to end two under alongside 2008 champion Trevor Immelman (73) and big-hitting American Dustin Johnson (68).

 

Two more Englishmen Ian Poulter (69) and good friend Justin Rose (71) both birdied three of the last six holes to finish one under and level par respectively, while Scottish debutant Martin Laird was also one under after a 69.

 

Fancied Americans Bubba Watson (71) and Nick Watney (72) finished level par with South Africa's Ernie Els one over after a 70.

 

The cut, to include the top 44 players and ties and those within 10 of the lead, came at one over, meaning world number one Martin Kaymer, Ireland's three-time major champion Padraig Harrington, third-place last year Anthony Kim and US Open champion Graeme McDowell all missed the cut.

 

Kaymer (72) ended six over and has now missed the cut in all four of his Masters appearances, while Harrington, who has been suffering with a sore neck, added a 72 to his opening 77 to finish five over.

 

Northern Ireland's McDowell made a triple bogey at the short 12th after failing to find his ball in the bank behind the green and ended with a 73 for three over.

 

Spain's two-time winner Jose Maria Olazabal, the new European Ryder Cup captain, ended six over, Scotland's 1988 winner Sandy Lyle finished nine over and Wales' 1991 champion Ian Woosnam was 11 over.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/13021559.stm

[busybeeburns]

McIlroy extends lead at Masters

 

 

McIlroy extends lead at Masters

 

Masters round three leaderboard: -12: R McIlroy (NI)-8: A Cabrera (Arg), Kj Choi (Kor), J Day (Aus), C Schwartzel (SA)-7: L Donald (Eng), A Scott (Aus)-6: B Van Pelt (US)-5: F Couples (US), R Fisher (Eng), G Ogilvy (Aus), T Woods (US), B Watson (US)Selected others: -4: M Laird (Sco)-3: P Mickelson (US), L Westwood (Eng)-2: I Poulter (Eng), -1: J Rose (Eng)+2: P Casey (Eng)

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy will take a four-shot lead into the final round of the Masters as he continues his quest to win a first major title.

 

McIlroy, 21, carded a two-under-par 70 to move to 12 under, four clear of 2009 Masters champion Angel Cabrera, Charl Schwartzel, KJ Choi and Jason Day.

 

England's Luke Donald (69) is on seven under with Australia's Adam Scott (67).

 

Tiger Woods (74) finished five under, while defending champion Phil Mickelson (71) moved to three under.

 

England's Ross Fisher (71), left-handed American Bubba Watson (67), 51-year-old Fred Couples (72), the 1992 champion and Australian 2006 US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy (73) are also at five under. McIlroy, who will be 22 next month, would become the second youngest Masters champion after Woods won at 21 years, three months and 14 days when he captured the first of his four Green Jackets and first of 14 major titles in 1997.

 

"It's a great position to be in," said McIlroy."I stayed patient. I'm really happy with the way I stuck to my gameplan and it paid off in the end. I feel comfortable with my game, with the way I've prepared and all of a sudden I finally feel comfortable on this golf course."

 

McIlroy edged to 11 under with a birdie on the short fourth but handed it back immediately at the tough par-four fifth as playing partner Day took over the lead with a birdie. Day dropped two quick shots to slip back but when McIlroy bogeyed the 10th he found himself in a three-way lead with Day and Choi.

 

The South Korean quickly dropped two shots though and Day bogeyed the long 13th as McIlroy made a birdie to re-establish a two-shot lead.

 

Both birdied the par-five 15th, and when Day bogeyed the par-three 16th McIlroy had a three-shot lead over the Australian and clubhouse leaders Cabrera and Schwartzel. McIlroy advanced to 12 under with a 33ft putt on 17 and parred the 18th to put him in sight of a first major title on only his third visit to Augusta. The average for a Masters winner is six trips to Augusta before a first win.

 

Masters debutant Day, 23, a winner on the PGA Tour last year, is bidding for his first major title and the chance to become the first Australian to win at Augusta, after Greg Norman finished second three times (1986, 1987, 1996).

 

Choi, 40, placed third in 2004 and fourth last year and is also bidding for his first major, while Cabrera beat Kenny Perry in a play-off for his second major title two years ago.

 

"Obviously I'm playing my 12th Masters, I've won here before, it's very special," said the 41-year-old Cabrera.

 

"You've got to see how it evolves, how everybody is playing, how the weather is, and depending on that, then you start making decisions on what kind of strategy you're going to use."

 

World number four Donald, who was third in 2005, said: "It's put me in a good position, I've still got a great chance, which is always the goal at Majors to be in contention and have a chance."

 

Woods struggled to get going and missed a golden chance to make up ground when he found the 15th in two. But a three-putt par kept him at six under and a scrappy finish, saving par well on 17 and bogeying 18, dropped him back into the pack.

 

"I'm pleased with the way I played. I just made nothing," said Woods. "I also had a couple of three-putts out there so not very good. I'm going to have to put together a good front nine and see what happens."

 

Scottish debutant Martin Laird ended in a group on four under after a second 69, while England's Lee Westwood, last year's runner-up, carded a two-over 74 to slip to three under, with countryman Ian Poulter (71) two under and Justin Rose (also 71) one under.

 

"I really don't think I can give you my thoughts," Westwood told reporters afterwards. "I'd turn into Wayne Rooney if I attempted to do that."

 

Spain's Sergio Garcia enjoyed something of a resurgence from his recent slump and climbed to six under with three birdies on the front nine but he bogeyed the 10th and 12th either side of a double bogey on 11, while two more dropped shots on the 14th and 18th saw him finish on one under.

 

"Well, a disappointing day," he said. "I tried hard, but I don't know, just my head kind of went out on nine and I just couldn't recover. But it's been the same all week. It's a work in progress and we need to get better at it.

 

"There's been some good positive things and unfortunately today it's been a really bad nine and there's nothing you can do about that."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/13027378.stm

[busybeeburns]

Rory's had a bad start to his final round, will he capitualate? Tiger is on the move...

[mc_squared]

Rory's had a bad start to his final round, will he capitualate? Tiger is on the move...

 

......................ready to pounce?:rolleyes:

[MartinFan]

Stick with it Rory!!! He's pulling all his putts today, the nerves are setting in. Tiger's roars can be felt all over the course!!! It's exciting this final round!!!!!

[busybeeburns]

Rory completely fell apart, worse than Greg Norman in the 90's! :o

[busybeeburns]

Schwartzel wins dramatic Masters

 

 

Schwartzel wins dramatic Masters

 

Masters final leaderboard: -14: C Schwartzel (SA)-12: J Day (Aus), A Scott (Aus)-10: T Woods (US), G Ogilvy (Aus), L Donald (Eng)-9: A Cabrera (Arg)Selected others: -5: J Rose (Eng), L Westwood (Eng)-4: R McIlroy (NI)-3: M Laird (Sco)-1: I Poulter (Eng), P Mickelson (US)+1: P Casey (Eng)

 

South Africa's Charl Schwartzel emerged from the pack to clinch his maiden major title on an absorbing final day at the 75th Masters.

 

The 26-year-old fired a closing 66, including birdies on the last four holes, to reach 14 under and beat Australian duo Jason Day (68) and Adam Scott (67) by two shots at Augusta.

 

American Tiger Woods (67), England's Luke Donald (69) and another Australian, Geoff Ogilvy (67), tied for fourth at 10 under with Argentina's 2009 champion Angel Cabrera (71) nine under.

 

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, 21, who led for three rounds, collapsed on the back nine and carded a round of 80 to end four under.

 

Schwartzel becomes the third South African to win the Masters on the 50th anniversary of Gary Player's breakthrough win for a non-American at Augusta. Player also won in 1974 and 1978, while Trevor Immelman triumphed in 2008.

 

"It was such an exciting day, with all the roars," said Schwartzel. "The atmosphere was just incredible."

 

His victory means that for the first time since 1994, none of the four majors are held by an American. He joins countryman Louis Oosthuizen, who won the Open last July, Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell (US Open) and Germany's Martin Kaymer (US PGA).

 

Schwartzel, who was tied 30th on his debut last year, is a six-time winner on the European Tour and climbs to 11th in the world rankings.

 

The Johannesburg-born player started the final day tied second with Cabrera on eight under, four strokes off McIlroy's overnight lead.

 

But he made an electric start to the fourth round, chipping in from off the green for a birdie at the first and holing his second from the fairway for an eagle at the third hole to reach 11 under and share the lead with McIlroy, who bogeyed the first.

 

However, Schwartzel slipped back to 10 under at the fourth, where he would remain until his final birdie barrage.

 

McIlroy slipped further back at the fifth but recouped the stroke at the seventh and still led by one from Schwartzel, Cabrera, KJ Choi and Woods after the ninth.

 

But when McIlroy endured a nightmare spell of triple-bogey, bogey and double bogey from the 10th, the tournament was wide open.

 

Scott became the first player to reach 12 under after a birdie on the 16th but could only par his way home.

 

"It's just disappointing that I didn't win when I held the lead with a few holes to go," said the 30-year-old.

 

"I'm usually a pretty good closer. I didn't do a bad job but Charl was better. It was an incredible finish. I'm proud of the way I played but I'm disappointed that I didn't get it done when I was right there at the end."

 

Scott's playing partner Day birdied four of the last seven holes, including the last two to jump up to a tie for second with his compatriot.

 

However, he said: "You can't do anything about a guy who birdies the last four holes of a tournament.

 

"If you want to go out and win a tournament, that's how you do it.

 

"Obviously we fell short a little bit but it just shows how good Australian golf is right now."

 

At one stage it had looked like it was going to be Woods's day. The former world number one began the final round seven shots behind but four birdies in the first seven holes hinted at a potential charge up the leaderboard.

 

When he then eagled the eighth hole to get to 10 under and post a front nine score of 31, the momentum seemed to be behind him.

 

But he squandered birdie chances on the par-five 13th and par-three 16th when it looked like he was about to surge clear and had a good chance of an eagle on the 15th but could only make a birdie as he finished tied for fourth for the second straight year at Augusta.

 

"I got off to a nice start there and posted 31," he said. "And then on the back nine, I could have capitalised some more.

 

"I should have shot an easy three or four under on the back nine and I only posted even. I didn't putt well and hit one loose iron at 13.

 

"[but] this entire weekend I hit it good, so that was a nice feeling. I had to be committed to my spots and I did that all week."

 

His search for a 15th major continues as he looks to chase Jack Nicklaus's record of 18.

 

Australia's search for a first-ever Green Jacket must wait another year. Scott and Day both challenged until the very end to match Greg Norman, who managed three second-placed finishes at Augusta.

 

Ogilvy made five birdies in a row from the 13th to get to 10 under and tie with Woods and Donald, who birdied four of the last six but then bogeyed the 17th to end any hopes he had of a first major. Donald's fourth place finish sees him move up to third in the world rankings.

 

Reigning champion Phil Mickelson never threatened as he shot 74 to finish well down the field.

 

Lee Westwood shot a closing round of 70, featuring four birdies and a double-bogey at the short 12th after finding water, to finish in a tie for 11th with compatriot Justin Rose, who carded a 68.

 

Ross Fisher finished on four under, with Scotland's Martin Laird a shot further back on his Masters debut.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/13030745.stm

[busybeeburns]

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/e9ivcbf37ZA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[mc_squared]

Rory completely fell apart, worse than Greg Norman in the 90's! :o

 

Biggest golf choke of all time?:stunned:

[busybeeburns]

US Open: Luke Donald eyes maiden major at Congressional

 

 

US Open: Luke Donald eyes maiden major at Congressional

 

Luke Donald says he would swap his world number one ranking for Phil Mickelson's haul of four major wins.

 

England's Donald, 33, begins his US Open campaign on Thursday after 15 top-10 finishes in his last 16 tournaments. Still without a major trophy, Donald said: "Being number one is a great achievement, but I would love to take his majors and number of victories.

 

"I'll continue to feed off all the good things that got me to number one and hopefully I can add to my wins."

 

Donald will begin his quest for a first major title at 1306 BST on Thursday in the same group as world number three and compatriot Lee Westwood and another former number one Martin Kaymer of Germany at the Congressional County Club in Bethesda, Maryland.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/13776350.stm

[busybeeburns]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRehzvxqRyk]YouTube - ‪McDowell Ready to Defend Title‬‏[/ame]