Golf International Magazine Online

July 2008 - Posts

• Lorena Ochoa Set for Women's British Open Defence

  With her powerful sense of competitive pride, Annika Sorenstam knows that none of her rivals will step aside at the Women’s British Open just so she can win her final major. The Swede who dominated women’s golf for a decade is out to win her 11th major before she bows out at the end of the season. “I would love to win here,” Sorenstam said. “It’s the only major that I haven’t won two or three times. If I could win this week then I would say I’ve pretty much achieved everything that I possibly can.” The strongest field ever assembled for the British championship will be trying to keep her from that goal, however. Defending champion Lorena Ochoa is looking for her second major of the year and rivals such as Karrie Webb, Juli Inkster, Se Ri Pak and Laura Davies are also in the field with several newcomers from the United States and South Korea. Paula Creamer has won three titles this season and before Helen Alfredsson won the Evian Masters on Sunday South Korean players had won five of the previous events on the LPGA Tour. With 31 South Koreans facing 31 Americans in a field of 144, Sorenstam hopes it’s a Swede who comes out on top and that she adds to the British Open triumph she captured at Royal Lytham in 2003. Although she admits that she now lacks the motivation to carry on playing and practicing week after week, she said she has not lost her competitive edge. “My expectations are always high. I believe in myself and I know I can play this golf course,” Sorenstam said. “But the competition is tough and you just don’t know. But I’m going to try and stay as competitive as possible.” Ochoa returns as the defending champion, having won her first major at St. Andrews a year ago when the tournament was played for the first time at the home of golf. The Mexican was under some pressure of her own, with critics wondering at the time why the top-ranked player in the world had not yet won a major. “I knew I could do it. It was just a matter of time and I just needed to stay patient,” Ochoa said Wednesday. “It was not for me a lot of pressure and relief, it was more something that I knew was going to happen. I have a lot of faith in my game.” Ochoa had won 12 titles before she went to St. Andrews. Now her record is two majors and 23 titles. “It really put me in a different position as a player and also for other players to see my level of golf,” she said. “And so that’s what I’m trying to repeat this year.” Americans haven’t won any of the last four majors since Cristie Kerr won the 2007 U.S. Open and Creamer appears to be the leading contender in Sunningdale. She said that the par-72, 6,408-yard course has a lush, green appearance with tall trees lining the sloping fairways. That’s far different from the flat, open St. Andrews links from last year. “This golf course is like playing in the States but, at the same time, there’s so many different shots you can play from everywhere,” said Creamer, who hasn’t missed a cut this season and has finished in the top 10 in five of her last six tournaments. “Your creativity and your imagination has to really come out this week.” Leta Lindley, the only other American to win a tournament on the LPGA Tour this season, is also in a field that also includes the only American to have won three British Open titles, Sherri Steinhauer. Morgan Pressel has yet to win a title since last year’s triumph at the Kraft Nabisco, which means her only tournament victory so far is a major. The same also applies to Inbee Park, who won the Women’s U.S. Open, and Yani Tseng, who won the LPGA Championship. But Tseng has had three runner-up finishes this season, including at the State Farm Classic two weeks ago where Michelle Wie, one off the lead with a round to go, was disqualified for failing to sign her card in the second round. Wie hasn’t made it to England, pulling out of qualifying and deciding instead to play on the men’s PGA Tour at the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open in Nevada. Posted Jul 31 2008, 07:51 AM by Golf International with no comments Filed under: Golf International, Michelle Wie, Annika Sorenstam, Lorena Ochoa, Women's British Open, 2008

• Phil Mickelson Optimistic About Season Finale

  Phil Mickelson has a spring in his step as the 2008 PGA Tour regular season enters its final eight weeks with a clutch of high-profile events on the schedule. The American world number two has clinched two titles on the U.S. circuit this year and would dearly love to add a few more to his bulging trophy cabinet. “I’m excited about the next eight weeks,” Mickelson told reporters at Firestone Country Club on Wednesday as he prepared for the opening round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. “We have a great finish for the season and I love all of these tournaments. I love the golf course here in Akron and I love the (next week’s) PGA Championship. Oakland Hills is such a great track. “We’ve got the Ryder Cup and the FedExCup events. All these events are just huge finishing the year. I’ve got a new-found energy, I’ve been practicing hard and I’m excited.” Mickelson has yet to win one of the prestigious World Golf Championship events but he has come close at the Bridgestone Invitational with top-10 finishes in his first four appearances. “This is one of my favorite tournaments,” the three-times major winner said. “It has been historically throughout my career. I love the way the course is set up. “I have not played as well as I would have liked to in this event the last few years and I’m determined to try to change that this week.” Although known for his magical short game, left-hander Mickelson says his form on and around the green has let him down over the last month. “I’ve spent a lot of time chipping and putting this last week,” the 38-year-old said. “I believe my short game is getting back to where I want it to be and I expect to have a good week. Asked why his short game had failed him, the 34-times PGA Tour winner replied: “I don’t know. Maybe more time (spent) on ball-striking. But I feel pretty good about it now so I expect to do well around the greens. “The way the course is set up, there’s a lot of skill involved around the greens because you can hit shots out of the rough and from off the edges. It’s a great setup.” The WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, the third and final WGC event of the year, starts on Thursday. Posted Jul 31 2008, 07:48 AM by Golf International with no comments Filed under: Golf International, Phil Mickelson, PGA Tour, 2008, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

• Michelle Wie Ignores Criticism

  Michelle Wie has heard the criticism of her decision to play in the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open this week instead of attempting to qualify for the Women’s British Open. Like most teenagers, the 18-year-old just wants to have a good time. She isn’t worried about what Annika Sorenstam and other top LPGA players think of her decision, either. “There are going to be criticisms entering this tournament, but at the same time I’m just doing what I feel like I want to do and it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Wie said. Reno sports books have made Wie a 500-1 long shot in the second-tier tournament, which opens Thursday. They aren’t her only doubters. Sorenstam, who failed to make the cut in her only PGA appearance, said at the Women’s British Open earlier this week that if Wie can’t qualify for a women’s major, she has no business playing with the men. David Leadbetter, who has worked with Wie for years, blamed her family for making bad choices and said she has more to lose than gain by playing at Reno this week. David Duval, who has shown signs of regaining some of the form that won him the 2001 British Open, said Wie’s playing on the PGA Tour “has never bothered me in the least.” “The novelty of it seemingly is wearing off a little bit, but you know, more power to her if she wants to try it,” Duval said Wednesday. “I don’t know if the PGA Tour is exactly the place to gain confidence. You can get your head beat in pretty easy out here.” But Wie said she doesn’t care that some are critical of her decision to accept a special exemption to play at the event while the top 50 men are playing at the World Golf Championships in Ohio. This will be Wie’s eighth time on the PGA Tour. She has missed each cut and has only made money playing against men on the Korean Tour at the 2006 SK Telcom Open. “All I’m thinking about is trying to play some good golf. How can I limit the number of bogeys I make? How can I maximize the number of birdies I can make out of this golf course and that’s all I can focus on. I can’t focus on the rest of the field,” she said. “People are going to write hateful stuff about me and that’s fine with me. … Good rounds and low scores can solve everything.” Tournament director Michael Stearns said Wie and her family turned down several invitations to play the tournament before finally accepting late last month. “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion,” he said. “I happen to believe she’s a great player. Who’s on the list here who won a U.S. Publinks at age 13?” Ben Crane is the highest ranked player in the Reno field at 87th and top money winner, ranked 52nd with $1.2 million. Scott McCarron, who is based at the club and coming off his best finish in more than three years with a tie for fifth at last week’s RBC Canadian Open, thinks the Montreux Golf & Country Club’s 7,472-yard course through towering pines and mountain streams fits Wie’s game. “You have to hit it high and far. I’ve watched her and she certainly does both of those,” said McCarron, who welcomed her to Reno. “I think it’s great. It’s creating a bit of a buzz for the tournament.” Wie admitted to reporters that she still gets butterflies before PGA events, but is excited about the opportunity. “It’s almost like right before you go on a roller coaster—like kind of half scared, half really excited, knowing everything is going to be all right,” Wie said. Her practice round during Wednesday’s pro-am was up and down. She birdied three of the first four holes but later added a bogey, four double bogeys and one triple for a 9-over-par 81. She walked off her final hole quickly, but before she left, signed a few autographs and handed her scorecard to a tournament official. “I signed it,” she said with a smile, referring to her disqualification last month at the State Farm Classic when she was just one shot off the lead following the second round but left the scoring area without signing her card. Posted Jul 31 2008, 07:46 AM by Golf International with no comments Filed under: Golf International, Michelle Wie, PGA Tour, 2008, Legends Reno-Tahoe Open, Women’s British Open

• Padraig Harrington Back in Action at Firestone

  Nine days after winning the British Open for the second year running, Padraig Harrington can cement his place among the game’s elite at this week’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Although yet to claim one of the prestigious World Golf Championship (WGC) titles, the Irishman proved at Royal Birkdale he can triumph anywhere against any field. He produced one of the best rounds of his life in strong gusting winds to seal his second major victory and has set his sights on further success in golf’s biggest events. “I do believe I’m getting better with time,” Harrington told reporters after winning his 13th European Tour title. “I’m maturing as a player, as a person. My golf game is improving all the time and I need it to be. “Wins like this help you wait it out, help you say: ‘Keep doing your thing, keep trying to improve, keep working at it, and your days will come.’ “Thankfully what I might be getting good at is making sure those days are the big days, and that’s very important,” added the world number three. Although Harrington has never flourished at Firestone Country Club with just two top-15 finishes in nine starts, he is well aware of the recipe for success on the par-70 layout. “Every year, it’s the same,” the 36-year-old Dubliner said. “It’s a real tough, fair challenge. There’s nothing really on the golf course that nobody particularly likes. “It’s quite long and it is one of the narrowest courses we play of the year. You’ve got to really be a straight hitter to do well.” A notable absentee this week will be world number one Tiger Woods, a six-times champion at Firestone who has won the title for the last three years. Woods is sidelined for the rest of the year while he recovers from reconstructive knee surgery, opening the door for players such as Harrington, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Sergio Garcia. “Now that Tiger is not playing, it gives us all a little bit more of a chance this year,” said rising American talent Anthony Kim, a twice winner on the 2008 PGA Tour. “I think everybody is trying to seize that opportunity. “It’s a great opportunity for us to make a name for ourselves and stamp our name in the golf world,” added the 23-year-old, who will be making his first appearance in a WGC event at Firestone. South African Els has loved the venue since playing there for the first time in 1999 when he finished fifth. “I’ve shot a lot of decent scores on this golf course and despite never having won the tournament I always like my chances coming in,” the three-times major winner said on his official website. Els, Kim and Harrington are among an elite field of 81 vying for the third WGC title of the year. Posted Jul 31 2008, 07:44 AM by Golf International with no comments Filed under: Golf International, Padraig Harrington, 2008, Royal Birkdale, British Open, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

• Phil Mickelson Warms Up At Oakland Hills

  Phil Mickelson spent more than three hours Tuesday dissecting the front nine at revamped Oakland Hills, site of the PGA Championship next week. Mickelson last played at Oakland Hills as a member of the 2004 U.S. Ryder Cup team. Since then, the course has been lengthened by 400 yards, and tougher hazards and landing areas have been added. “We’ve got a lot more work to do,” said Mickelson, who played under the guidance of short-game coach Dave Pelz. Mickelson, ranked No. 2, is attempting to claim his first major since winning the Masters in 2006. This year, he tied for fifth at the Masters, tied for 18th at the U.S. Open and tied for 19th at the British Open. Rick Bayliss, chief operating officer at Oakland Hills, said the tougher design was “more appropriate” to match the skills of PGA Tour players. “It’s a different golf course,” Bayliss said. Adam Scott had never played the course, so he didn’t experience many surprises during his four-hour practice round with Geoff Ogilvy. The fourth-ranked Scott is coming off a 16th-place finish at the British Open. The PGA Championship run Aug. 7-10. “I got a good look today,” the Australian said. “Because it was quiet, we could spend as much time as we wanted out there. I think it’s all about learning the greens a bit. With the greens being so severe, you get a good picture in your mind of what the greens are (like).” Posted Jul 31 2008, 07:42 AM by Golf International with no comments Filed under: Golf International, Phil Mickelson, PGA Championship, Oakland Hills

• Michelle Wie Skips Major to Play Against Men

  Michelle Wie skipped a major to play on the PGA Tour this week. Annika Sorenstam, Helen Alfredsson and Paula Creamer wonder why. After all, Wie has yet to win on the women’s tour and has never made the cut on the PGA Tour. Wie, who is managed by her parents, was listed in qualifying for the Women’s British Open at Sunningdale. But she pulled out and instead has a sponsor’s exemption for the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open at Reno, Nev. It is her eighth PGA Tour event. Sorenstam is playing in her final major before she leaves golf at the end of the season. She is chasing her 11th major and 73rd title. She made a brief foray on the PGA Tour but questioned Wie’s decision to duck a women’s major. “Well, we all have different agendas in life,” Sorenstam said. “I had a wonderful experience and, when I look back on my career, I will always think about that. I think it was really a turning point in my career and as a person. “I really don’t know why Michelle continues to do this. We have a major this week and, if you can’t qualify for a major, I don’t see any reason why you should play with the men.” Alfredsson is coming off a victory at Sunday’s Evian Masters at age 43. She has doubts about the advice that 18-year-old Wie is receiving from her parents. “I feel kind of sad for her,” Alfredsson said. “I think she’s a very good person. I feel sad for the guidance that she seems to not have in the right direction. “She was so good a couple of years ago when she finished second a few times. I’m sure if you put yourself enough times in that position then you can deal with it, and I think it’s how you become better. That’s how you learn to win.” Wie’s last appearance on the LPGA Tour was at the State Farm Classic two weeks ago. She was disqualified for failing to sign her second-round scorecard after being a shot off the lead going into the final round. “I think the exhibition time for her is over,” Alfredsson said. “We have got some great, great players on the LPGA right now. Obviously, Morgan (Pressel) has won and Paula Creamer is a fantastic player and you have a bunch of young Koreans. “I think, if she wants to be a golfer, she should really concentrate on being on the women’s tour and dealing with them and learning to win. Winning is what we are out here for, but I just don’t see the interest really on being on the men’s tour. I thought she had quit that idea but obviously not.” Pressel’s only LPGA Tour victory is a major, last year’s Kraft Nabisco Championship. Creamer has won three tournaments this season and seven in total. “I don’t know why you’d want to pass up playing in a major, especially the British Open here at Sunningdale,” Creamer said. “But she goes a different path and that’s not the path way that I’ve taken.” Posted Jul 31 2008, 07:39 AM by Golf International with no comments Filed under: Golf International, Michelle Wie, PGA Tour, 2008, Legends Reno-Tahoe Open, Women’s British Open

• Annika Sorenstam Reaches Her Final Major

  When it came time to say she was leaving golf, Annika Sorenstam confided in Tiger Woods. “I told him what my plans are, what I’m going to do and he said, ‘I’m happy you’re at peace with your decision. I wish you all the best,”’ she said Tuesday. “He did tell me that I beat him to this and I said, ‘Well this is the only thing I beat you at.”’ Sorenstam, speaking before her final major at the Women’s British Open, will be quitting golf at the end of the season. Woods is laid up for the rest of the year with a knee injury. “He’s kind of stepped away already,” the Swede said. “I have five more months.” Fully recovered from her long-term back injury, Sorenstam has won three titles this season, has twice been runner-up and has also finished third and fourth. Hardly the results of someone who is quitting. Sorenstam refuses to use the word “retirement,” although she insists she has no plans to return. “No, the door is not closed and that’s why I don’t use the ‘r’ word,” she said. “I said I’m stepping away and all of my sponsors are staying with me. Maybe they are hoping that I’m going to come back.” But Sorenstam says she has lost the motivation that made her the most successful player in women’s golf from the mid-1990s until the emergence last year of Mexico’s Lorena Ochoa and a group of young Americans and South Koreans. “This is not something I thought off during a little coffee break,” Sorenstam said. “It wasn’t one particular day or one particular moment. I think it’s been coming on for a little while and I felt this winter that it was very obvious that my focus wasn’t there. “The motivation wasn’t there and it was very hard to set up goals. It’s very hard to wake up every day and go to every tournament and put pressure on yourself every single day. That’s very hard.” Sorenstam hopes to make it her 11th and final major title Sunday. “My expectations are always high,” said Sorenstam, who has won this event once. “I believe in myself and I know I can play this golf course but the competition is tough. I am going to try and stay competitive as much as possible. If I could win it this week I could say I have achieved everything I possible can.” Sponsors, caddies and fans have tried to persuade her not to quit but no players have. “I haven’t been that emotional,” she said. “There have been a few tournaments where I have choked up coming down the stretch. But if you feel content about something and you know it’s the right reason, I don’t really get that emotional,” she said. Sorenstam is engaged and looking to start a family at age 37. She also wants to develop her own academy, golf foundation and clothing lines. Hosting events are in her plans as well. “I am a very competitive person,” she said. “Coming down the stretch to make birdie to force a playoff or holing a putt to win, there’s a special adrenalin that pumps. I will miss that. I will miss the friends and some of the courses. But I’m planning on taking my competitive drive into the business world. I think I am going to need it.” Posted Jul 31 2008, 07:26 AM by Golf International with no comments Filed under: Golf International, Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam

• Greg Norman Declines PGA Championship Invitation & Commits to Johnnie Walker Classic

  Greg Norman, whose impressive run to a third-place finish at the British Open brought him an invitation to the PGA Championship, has turned down the place in the last major of the year. Norman, 53, said Monday he would forego the tournament at Oakland Hills next week in order to fulfill a previous commitment. Norman was offered an exemption by the PGA of America after his dramatic performance at the British Open, where he held the 54-hole lead before finishing third. Norman followed up that performance with a tie for fifth at the Senior British Open over the weekend and is headed to Colorado for the US Senior Open, which starts Thursday at the Broadmoor. "While I truly appreciate the PGA extending me an exemption for this year's PGA Championship, I have elected to decline in favor of adhering to the professional and personal commitments I made prior to The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale," Norman said on his web site. "I wish the PGA and Oakland Hills all the very best for what I'm sure will be a great week for golf." The PGA Championship will be played August 7-10 at Oakland Hills in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Tiger Woods, the two-time defending champion, will be absent as he continues his recovery from knee surgery. Australian legend Greg Norman is the first golfing superstar to commit to the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic when the event tees off in Perth, Western Australia from February 19 to 22. The participation of former world number one Norman, who two weeks ago rolled back the years at Royal Birkdale and almost secured an incredible third Open Championship title, is an indication that Asia Pacific's premier luxury golf tournament will once again feature a strong field of international stars. NORMAN COMMITS TO JOHNNIE WALKER CLASSIC “Historically the Johnnie Walker Classic, one of Asia Pacific’s most established and popular golf events, has always boasted a high calibre line-up and the participation of Greg Norman is confirmation that we will maintain that tradition in 2009,” commented David Gates, Global Brand Director for Johnnie Walker. “Greg’s presence will give Australian golf fans the rare opportunity to watch their greatest ever golfer in action on home soil alongside a host of other international golfing giants who will be competing in the 18th staging of the event, first played in 1990 at the Hong Kong Golf Club.” Despite cutting back his playing schedule to accommodate his worldwide commitments to his course design and other business interests, Norman’s revival at The Open two weeks ago makes the 53-year-old an excellent example of the personal progress message of “Keep Walking” that lies at heart of the Johnnie Walker brand. Against the odds, Norman dominated the leader board for most of The Open Championship and never gave up as he strived to secure the Claret Jug ahead of the world’s best golfers in conditions that were arguably the most demanding in the history of the Championship. Over the years, Norman has enjoyed a sparkling career that has seen him win over 80 tournaments worldwide including two Open Championships in 1986 and 1993 and spend a total of 331 weeks at the top of the official world rankings. The charismatic golfer, known throughout the world as the ‘Great White Shark’, makes a welcome return to the Johnnie Walker Classic which he won in 1994 at the Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket. In becoming the fourth winner of the coveted Johnnie Walker Striding Man trophy, the towering blond overcame a star-studded field that featured golfing greats such as Bernhard Langer of Germany, who had won his second US Masters the previous year; Zimbabwean Nick Price, who went on to win the Open Championship and the US PGA Championship that same year; American Fred Couples, who had won the inaugural Johnnie Walker World Championship; and Ian Woosnam of Wales, who had been victorious at the US Masters just three years before. “I have always had a great time competing in Johnnie Walker events and particularly look forward to attending some of the spectacular off-course parties that the tournament is well known for,” said Norman, who has supported the Johnnie Walker Classic on a number of occasions over the years plus participating in previous Johnnie Walker events, the Johnnie Walker World Championship and the Johnnie Walker Super Tour. “It will also be a great treat to be competing back on home soil in Australia, especially in Perth which offers great weather, a fantastic championship course at The Vines and a wonderful backdrop for a tournament as prestigious as the Johnnie Walker Classic.” Western Australian Tourism Minister Sheila McHale said the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic would attract more media attention than usual with Australia’s most triumphant golfer headlining the event. “This is why we love to invest in and host prestigious events like the Johnnie Walker Classic – it attracts the world’s best and puts Perth on the international golfing map,” Minister McHale said. “Hosting the tournament is fantastic for all Australian golfing fans – not only can they see their golfing idols in action but they can later play on the same championship course.” Norman can expect tough competition from a host of top international players as the tournament’s unique status of being tri-sanctioned by the European, Asian and Australasian Tours means that the Johnnie Walker Classic always attracts a stellar field. Over the past 18 years the Johnnie Walker Classic has been played in eight different countries and 13 different golf clubs around the Asia Pacific region including China in 2005 and this year, for the first time, India, reflecting the brand’s “Keep Walking” philosophy. It will be the fourth visit to Perth, Western Australia for the event and the fifth time the event has been staged in Australia following its Antipodean debut back in 1997 at the Hope Island Golf Club. Posted Jul 29 2008, 12:44 PM by Golf International with no comments Filed under: Golf International, Greg Norman, Johnnie Walker Classic, PGA Championship Invitation

• Chris Wood Turns Professional

  Golfer Chris Wood turned professional on Monday, just over a week after finishing as the highest placed amateur at the British Open. The 20-year-old Wood tied for fifth with Jim Furyk at Royal Birkdale, seven shots behind winner Padraig Harrington. Wood signed with the International Sports Management group and will receive invitations to European Tour events. “Royal Birkdale was the best week of my life and now I am looking forward to an equally exciting and successful future in the professional ranks,” Wood said. “I played with Darren Clarke yesterday and I’ve spoken to another two professionals, and they’ve all said that I’ll be a better player after a year on the Tour.” Wood, who had his father Richard carrying his bag at the British Open, has already been invited to play at the British Masters at The Belfry. Posted Jul 29 2008, 12:41 PM by Golf International with no comments Filed under: Golf International, 2008, British Open, Chris Wood

• Reavie, Lundberg and Singh Climb Rankings

  Chez Reavie picked up his first PGA Tour victory at the RBC Canadian Open with a final round of one-under-par 70 to finish on a 17-under-par total of 267, three strokes ahead of Tour veteran Billy Mayfair. With this win in his first full year as a PGA Tour exempt player Reavie jumps 178 places in the Official World Golf Ranking to 184th. Sweden's Mikael Lundberg claimed his second Inteco Russian Open title in four years as he carded a final round of 68 for a 21-under-par total at Le Meridien Moscow Country Club and a two-shot victory over Spain's Jose Manuel Lara. Lundberg leaps 171 positions to 179th in the latest Official World Golf Ranking. Jeev Milkha Singh claimed his second title of the season when he stormed to a two-shot victory at the Sega Sammy Cup in Japan on Sunday. The 2006 Asian Tour number one, who triumphed in Austria last month, closed with a blistering six-under-par 66 at the North Country Golf Club to pip overnight leader Sushi Ishigaki by two strokes. It was Singh’s third career win in Japan which should move him closer to his goal of returning into the world’s top-50. Singh entered the week as the 75th ranked player in the world. Singh accumulated rounds of 67, 74, 68 and 66 for a 275 winning total, and earned 30 million yen (approximately US$277,000) This week's other winners were Bill Lunde at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational on the Nationwide Tour and Michael McGeady at the SWALEC Wales Challenge on the European Challenge Tour. Posted Jul 29 2008, 12:37 PM by Golf International with no comments Filed under: Golf International, 2008, Jeev Milkha Singh, Canadian Open, Chez Reavie, Sega Sammy Cup, Mikael Lundberg, Russian Open

• Bruce Vaughan Claims Win at First Playoff Hole

  American Bruce Vaughan birdied the first playoff hole to defeat countryman John Cook in a sudden death play-off to win The 2008 Senior Open Championship at Royal Troon, on Sunday. Vaughan and Cook both finished the Championship on a six under par total of 278 but it was Vaughan who held his nerve on the first extra hole. The victory was the Americans first Senior tour title. Both Bernhard Langer and Greg Norman had looked poised to mount a serious challenge, especially when Norman birdied five of the first seven holes, but both faltered late on to finish fourth and tied fifth respectively. Cook had opened up a three shot lead with a birdie on The Postage Stamp eighth hole but a double bogey on the 11th and a bogey on the 12th saw that cushion eroded, as memories of his painful defeat to Nick Faldo at The 1992 Open Championship came flooding back. When Vaughan birdied the 16th and Cook missed his par putt on the last, the 22nd Senior Open Championship went into a sudden death play-off, where Vaughan rolled in a 15ft putt to clinch the title his first Senior Major win and first tournament win. For the 51 year old, who carded a final round one under par 70, the emotional victory ended a difficult two years which have included six operations on his troublesome left knee and two partial replacements. His victory was also all the sweeter for the fact he succeeds another man from Kansas – three-time winner Tom Watson – as the Champion and Vaughan admitted it was special to become a Major winner himself and follow in the footsteps of the player regarded as a legend in his home state. He said: “The money's great, because I've had problems with my knee and haven't been able to play much for a long time. You know, I just kind of was biding my time waiting to get out here because I thought I could play out here. “Until you win, you're just another player. To me, it's all about winning and stuff. The money's great, but you know, you only get a few of these. “It is a special win with the players in the field. I mean, look how good Greg played last week. I'm sure it was a little bit of a letdown and stuff for him but he still hung in there and still played good here. Tom Watson as well - you know Tom is legend where I'm from. “In the playoff, I wasn't nervous. I hit three of best shots of the week right there on that hole.” Despite being three strokes behind and seemlingly beaten at one point, Vaughan said he never lost belief that he could get his hands on the trophy. He said: You've got to believe you can. You never give up, or I don't ever give up, anyway. I don't care how many you're back. You know, out here, one bad swing you can make double in a heartbeat out here. Unfortunately that happened there on 11 for John. “I hit three of the best shots I hit in the tournament on 18. I hit a good drive, a good little 5 iron in there, and just centre cut that putt on 18. “Now the tide's turned. He's got to make is putt to extend the playoff. You know, there was a change of events there, because he was way up but I just hung in there.” For Cook the agonising play-off defeat will no doubt recall his defeat to Faldo at The Open Championship at Muirfield 16 years ago when he lost a two stroke lead with two holes to play. He said: “It never entered my mind but I’m sure it will now. It’s disappointing that i got done on the back nine but Bruce won it. Bruce played his heart out. He battled yesterday and battled through the first nine today.” Argentine Eduardo Romero once again missed out finishing five under par settling for third place. Norman had reproduced something akin to the form that saw him almost win The Open Championship a week ago but after five early birdies he dropped a shot on the eighth hole. He reclaimed that shot on the 14th and still looked in contention until a double bogey five on the 17th put pay to his hopes of his first Senior Major Championship victory as he finshed on two under par for the Championship, the same as Watson. He said: “I played very well today. I actually felt like I played better today than I did yesterday and it seemed like the last three days it's slowly improved. I hit a lot of great iron shots, even the one into 17 I hit very well. The golfing gods were just not on my side the last couple of weeks. “I enjoyed the last two weeks on a scale of 1 to 10, probably a 10. I enjoyed every step. From a scoring standpoint, I haven't enjoyed that. I felt like I've played a lot better than what my scores indicated, and just didn't work out.” Senior British Open Championship Scores 278 Bruce Vaughan 68 71 69 70 (Vaughan won at the 1st play-off hole), John Cook 69 71 67 71 279 Eduardo Romero (Arg) 68 73 68 70 280 Bernhard Langer (Ger) 70 71 71 68 282 Gene Jones 70 76 68 68, Tom Watson 70 71 71 70, Greg Norman (Aus) 75 72 67 68 285 Philip Blackmar 74 72 71 68, Costantino Rocca (Ita) 73 73 72 67 286 Andy Bean 69 75 73 69 287 Gary Hallberg 76 69 73 69, Tony Johnstone (Zim) 71 74 71 71 288 Ian Woosnam (Wal) 75 73 71 69, Gary Koch 76 76 70 66, Tim Simpson 75 75 71 67 289 Tom Kite 76 72 71 70, James Chancey 77 73 70 69, Mark James (Eng) 75 73 68 73, Mark McNulty (Irl) 70 72 75 72, Ronnie Black 74 72 75 68 290 Juan Quiros (Spa) 74 78 68 70, Joey Sindelar 70 77 74 69, Jeff Sluman 78 74 70 68, Kiyoshi Murota (Jpn) 75 72 69 74, Eamonn Darcy (Irl) 71 76 74 69, David Merriman (Aus) 74 73 69 74 291 Kirk Hanefeld 69 73 72 77, Mark Wiebe 74 76 71 70, John Bland (Rsa) 71 76 71 73, Wayne Grady (Aus) 74 72 73 72, Tom McKnight 76 76 68 71 292 Mike Reid 73 72 74 73, Jerry Bruner 78 72 70 72 293 Nick Job (Eng) 69 80 72 72, Seiji Ebihara (Jpn) 75 73 74 71, Mark O'Meara 74 75 71 73, John Morse 70 78 69 76, Scott Simpson 75 77 71 70, Mike Goodes 75 74 73 71, Clarence Rose 76 73 74 70 294 Luis Carbonetti (Arg) 72 73 76 73, Scott Hoch 79 73 69 73 295 Denis O'Sullivan (Irl) 75 74 71 75, Tim Conley 73 74 75 73, Jim Lapsley (Nzl) 76 73 76 70 296 Katsuyoshi Tomori (Jpn) 78 73 73 72, Adam Adams 76 71 75 74, Mike Hulbert 75 76 72 73, Angel Franco (Par) 76 75 73 72 297 Isao Aoki (Jpn) 75 73 76 73 298 Craig Stadler 74 74 76 74, Martin Poxon (Eng) 75 75 73 75, Noel Ratcliffe (Aus) 76 75 72 75 299 Ken Green 75 71 74 79, Andrew Murray (Eng) 72 76 74 77, Ross Drummond (Sco) 72 76 75 76 300 Bob Boyd 78 72 72 78, Terry Gale (Aus) 78 74 70 78, Jim Rhodes (Eng) 74 75 75 76 301 Peter Mitchell (Eng) 74 75 73 79, Bertus Smit (Rsa) 76 74 75 76, Jeff Hall (Eng) 73 73 79 76, John Hoskison (Eng) 75 77 72 77, Jon Chaffee 73 75 75 78, Manuel Pinero (Spa) 78 72 78 73 302 Phil Hinton (Eng) 77 75 73 77, Yutaka null Hagawa (Eng) 75 76 77 74 303 Bill null Mccoll (Sco) 76 76 76 75, Pete Oakley 74 77 75 77 305 Tommy Horton (Eng) 80 72 72 81 309 Mike Williams (Zim) 72 79 81 77 Posted Jul 28 2008, 09:07 AM by Golf International with no comments Filed under: Golf International, Bernhard Langer, 2008, Greg Norman, Bruce Vaughan, Royal Troon, Senior Open Championship, John Cook

• Helen Alfredsson Gains First Win in Five Years

  Helen Alfredsson won the Evian Masters in a playoff Sunday, earning her first LPGA Tour title in five years by defeating rookie Na Yeon Choi at the third extra hole. The 43-year-old Swede made a three-foot birdie in the third round of the playoff at the par-5 18th, while the 20-year-old Choi, of South Korea, parred the hole. Alfredsson had a 67 in the final round, Choi shot a 66 and overnight leader Angela Park closed with a 71 as all finished at 15-under 273. The 19-year-old Park was eliminated in the first round of the playoff at No. 18 when her birdie attempt rolled around the lip of the cup and stayed out. Alfredsson also won Evian in 1994 and ‘98, but has battled a series of injuries and had not won a tournament since the 2003 Longs Drugs Challenge. “Someone is looking after me for (Evian) to be my next win,” she said. “All my friends are here. It is a very emotional place for me.” Alfredsson’s 2007 season was sabotaged by long-standing back and hamstring problems and her ranking dropped below No. 100. A runner-up finish at the U.S. Women’s Open last month brought her back to No. 42 and she will climb higher when the next rankings are published Monday. The win at Evian, Europe’s richest women’s tournament with a purse $3.25 million, was her sixth on the LPGA Tour and earned her $487,500 and a place in the season-ending ADT Championship. “The money is not important,” Alfredsson said. “The satisfaction of winning and making putts, there is no money in the world that can pay for that. Having memories and having to go through what I have gone through and coming out on top in the end.” Alfredsson’s chances of winning looked bleak when she made a bogey at the 13th hole, leaving her five shots behind Choi, who was at 17 under and threatening the Swede’s course record of 63 set Friday. Choi had seven birdies and a bogey on the front nine and took the outright lead at 14-under with a birdie at No. 9. She went up by four strokes after another birdie at 13. “I thought my course record was going to fly out of the window,” Alfredsson said. But Choi dropped shots at 15 and 16, while Alfredsson made a 10-foot birdie putt at the par-3 17th and then left her eagle putt at No. 18 close enough for a birdie that drew her even. Park started the day at 14 under, but dropped two shots on the front nine. She made birdies at 11 and 16 to close in on Choi and had a long eagle attempt at No. 18 that would have won the tournament. She had to settle for a birdie, but the 2007 rookie of the year failed to repeat the feat in the first round of the playoff. Park’s drive left her wide on the fairway, forcing her to lay up short of the green with her second shot. She chipped to within 12 feet but missed the putt. “I was a little nervous and my ball faded to the right. I had no shot to the green,” said the Brazilian-born American, who was looking for her first Tour win. “I don’t want to be negative about anything. That’s not who I am. I am going to be out here for 10, 15 years and I don’t think I’m going to let one tournament get me down.” Jin Joo Hong of South Korea shot a 67 to be fourth at 13 under, two behind the leaders. Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa, who led after a first-round 65, shot a 68 to place fifth another shot back. The 26-year-old Mexican has never won at Evian, but has five top-five finishes. Annika Sorenstam, the champion in 2000 and ‘02 who plans to retire at the end of the season, shot 68 in her final round at Evian. The 37-year-old Swede started the day 11 strokes back, but pulled to within five of the lead by reeling off six birdies in the first 12 holes. Her challenge faded with three straight bogeys beginning at 14. Her farewell to Evian was marked with a ceremony immediately after her round to dedicate the grassy scoreboard area as Annika Sorenstam Square. “This was very special, a nice surprise,” Sorenstam said. “I feel like a big part of the Evian family. I will always be here in spirit, for sure.” Sorenstam’s final competitive event in Europe—and final major—is the British Women’s Open at Sunningdale, England, starting Thursday. 273 Helen Alfredsson (Swe) 72 63 71 67 (Alfredsson won after three-hole sudden death play-off), Na Yeon Choi 71 67 69 66, Angela Park (Bra) 66 68 68 71 275 Jin Joo Hong 71 69 68 67 276 Lorena Ochoa (Mex) 65 73 70 68 277 Shi Hyun Ahn 69 69 69 70, Cristie Kerr 70 66 72 69, Hee Young Park 70 69 70 68 278 Paula Creamer 70 69 69 70, Juli Inkster 67 69 69 73 279 Sun Young Yoo 74 68 69 68, Eun Hee Ji 71 71 67 70, In Kyung Kim 68 68 75 68, Candie Kung (Tai) 66 70 67 76 280 Ji-Yai Shin 72 73 68 67, Meena Lee 67 69 73 71 281 Giulia Sergas (Ita) 71 74 70 66, Natalie Gulbis 69 71 72 69, Annika Sorenstam (Swe) 71 69 73 68 282 Young Kim 68 71 74 69, Laura Diaz 67 73 71 71, Suzann Pettersen (Nor) 67 74 69 72, Christina Kim 72 70 73 67 283 Becky Brewerton 72 72 71 68 284 Ya-Ni Tseng 70 70 70 74, Sun Ju Ahn 66 74 73 71, Morgan Pressel 69 72 72 71, Karrie Webb (Aus) 72 75 71 66 285 Momoko Ueda (Jpn) 70 69 74 72, Amy Yang 68 73 70 74, Diana D'Alessio 73 71 71 70, Song-Hee Kim 69 72 74 70, Hye Jung Choi 73 73 74 65 286 Lindsey Wright (Aus) 72 73 69 72, Jimin Kang 71 71 72 72, Maria Hjorth (Swe) 73 69 72 72, In-Bee Park 69 72 74 71 287 Linda Wessberg (Swe) 69 71 74 73, Wendy Doolan (Aus) 77 68 74 68, Teresa Lu (Tai) 71 71 71 74, Angela Stanford 67 72 78 70, Hee-Won Han 72 74 76 65, Sophie Gustafson (Swe) 73 70 74 70, Katherine Hull (Aus) 72 72 74 69 288 Ji-Young Oh 70 71 75 72, Pat Hurst 74 73 70 71, Hwa seon Lee 69 75 76 68 289 Se Ri Pak 70 76 70 73, Jane Park 74 74 71 70, Trish Johnson 70 75 71 73, Jeong Jang 74 73 72 70 290 Ai Miyazato (Jpn) 74 72 70 74, Carin Koch (Swe) 73 74 69 74, Sarah Lee 71 73 74 72, Brittany Lang 73 73 73 71, Rebecca Hudson (Eng) 72 72 71 75 291 Mhairi McKay (Sco) 72 74 69 76, Karine Icher (Fra) 74 70 72 75 292 Rachel Hetherington (Aus) 75 71 75 71, Meaghan Francella 70 72 76 74, Julieta Granada (Par) 72 73 75 72 293 Mi-Hyun Kim 71 73 73 76, Sherri Steinhauer 72 74 74 73 294 Sophie Giquel (Fra) 71 76 77 70 295 Nicole Castrale 74 74 74 73 296 Minea Blomqvist (Fin) 74 69 76 77 297 Emma Zackrisson (Swe) 72 75 78 72 298 Martina Eberl (Ger) 75 72 78 73 299 Catrin Nilsmark (Swe) 70 73 81 75 301 Laura Davies (Eng) 71 77 73 80 Posted Jul 28 2008, 09:04 AM by Golf International with no comments Filed under: Golf International, 2008, Evian Masters, Na Yeon Choi, Helen Alfredsson

• Chez Reavie Captures First PGA Tour Title

  The Small Unit came up big in the Canadian Open. Chez Reavie, proudly sporting an Arizona Diamondbacks logo on his light blue shirt, won the national championship Sunday for his first PGA Tour title, closing with a 1-under 70 in near-perfect conditions for a three-stroke victory over Billy Mayfair. “Oh, man. I’m just so excited,” Reavie said. “I don’t think a lot of people understand when you’re growing up and you’re practicing and you’re working so hard, this is, obviously, your goal. But there are no guarantees.” At a generously listed 5-foot-9, the 26-year-old former Arizona State player picked up the Small Unit moniker in a joking reference to Randy Johnson, the 6-foot-10 Diamondbacks pitcher known as the Big Unit. Also in contrast to Johnson, Reavie relies on finesse rather than power. The short-hitter was on the mark in the wire-to-wire win at rain-softened Glen Abbey, hitting 44 of 56 fairways and 54 of 72 greens in regulation. The accurate play was a big factor, with the players allowed to use preferred lies in the fairways all four days. “It was crucial to hit fairways so you could lift and clean your ball and place it in a good lie, especially when you don’t hit it as far as some of the other guys do,” Reavie said. “So, it really played into my hands. “It was like the U.S. Open out there. The rough was long and the greens were tough. I guess that’s a good, style of golf for me, putting a premium on hitting fairways.” Playing for the sixth straight week, Reavie finished at 17-under 267. He earned $900,000 and spots in the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and PGA Championship the next two weeks along with the 2009 Masters. After entering the week with career earnings of $746,414 in 27 PGA Tour starts and 52 Nationwide Tour events, he was amazed when told that he had made $900,000. “How much? $900,000. That’s unbelievable, really,” the 26-year-old PGA Tour rookie said. “Yeah, wow! That’s all I can say is wow to that.” Mayfair, also a former Arizona State player, shot a 68. “He’s a good kid and a hard worker,” Mayfair said. “I’m really happy for him.” Sean O’Hair (68) and Steve Marino (70) were 13 under, and Canadian star Mike Weir (69) was another stroke back along with Nicholas Thompson (69) and Scott McCarron (71). “I enjoyed it. I played well this week,” said Weir, skipping the WGC event next week after a tiring two-week stretch at the British Open and Glen Abbey. “It has been exhausting,” Weir said. Anthony Kim, a two-time winner this year, began the round a stroke back, but followed his third-round 64 with a 75 to tie for eighth at 11 under. The 23-year-old American would have moved into the top 10 in the world rankings with a victory. “I played terrible,” Kim said. After finishing off a third-round 68 early Sunday to take a one-stroke lead, Reavie got off to a slow start in the afternoon with bogeys on Nos. 1 and 3. He birdied No. 4 and broke away from the field in the middle of the round. Reavie made a 9-foot birdie putt on the par-4 ninth after Kim holed a 15-footer. “When I made it right on top of him, I killed his momentum,” Reavie said. The winner then made a 30-footer on No. 10 to get to 17 under—three strokes ahead of Kim and four in front of McCarron. On the downhill par-4 11th, Reavie escaped with a par after barely clearing swollen 16-Mile Creek from an awkward stance in a right-side fairway bunker. Chipping from deep rough between the creek and green, he hit his third shot to 1 1/2 feet. Kim bogeyed the hole after missing the fairway, leaving Reavie four shots clear. Reavie three-putted for bogey on the par-5 13th, then made four straight pars before putting a fitting end to his breakthrough week with a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th, his second birdie of the day on the hole. “I didn’t feel comfortable until I hit my third shot on the green on 18,” said Reavie, the eighth first-time winner this year and 10th champion in his 20s. Reavie returned early Sunday to finish the final two holes of the third round. He two-putted for par on 17 and regained the lead with a tap-in birdie on 18. “I just changed my shoes and went right back to my hotel and took a nap for an hour and a half,” Reavie said. “Then I woke up, took a shower, and did the exact same routine I do every morning, even though I had already done it once before, just to get in the same flow.” Reavie played 33 holes in 13 under Friday, shooting 65-64 for a three-stroke lead after the completion of the suspended second round Saturday morning. Two longs days later, he was looking forward to taking the mound for the ceremonial first pitch at a Diamondbacks game. “We’ve talked about it already,” Reavie said. “We’ll see. I’ve got to work on my fastball first, but I’ll definitely hit the mound.” Posted Jul 28 2008, 09:00 AM by Golf International with no comments Filed under: Golf International, 2008, Canadian Open, Chez Reavie, Billy Mayfair

• Greg Norman Struggles at Troon

  Four days after nearly making history at the British Open, Greg Norman labored to a 4-over 75 Thursday in the opening round of the Seniors British Open to finish seven shots behind co-leaders Bruce Vaughan and Eduardo Romero. In sunny conditions at Troon, Norman bogeyed six of the first 10 holes and was 6 over before he finally birdied the par-4 13th. He birdied the final hole with a pitch to 3 feet. “Things just weren’t going my way early on,” Norman said. “I just had to hang in there and guts it out the best I could. The ball just wasn’t rolling my way.” The Australian said windy conditions, similar to the British Open, had an impact on his game. “I got to the first tee and I never played this golf course in this wind before,” Norman said. “I didn’t feel that confident with some of the tee shots.” The 53-year-old Norman led the British Open at Royal Birkdale with nine holes to play Sunday and appeared on course to become the oldest winner of a major before he finished third behind Padraig Harrington. While Norman struggled, playing partner Tom Watson made every green and missed only one fairway in a bogey-free 70. Andy Bean, John Cook and Kirk Hanefield and Nick Job were one shot off the leaders. Vaughan made eight birdies for a 3-under 68 on the links course. But his round was hampered by a double-bogey and a triple. He recovered from the 7s on the sixth and 12th holes to play the last six at 3-under par. “It was either feast or famine,” Vaughan said. “Outside of those two hockey sticks (7s), it was a good round.” Romero had only one bogey, driving into a fairway bunker at the par-5 sixth hole. Romero captured his second Seniors tournament three weeks ago at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open at Endicott, N.Y. He lost a playoff to Loren Roberts at the Senior British championship two years ago at Turnberry. “I feel strong, I feel good and I feel happy,” said the Argentine, whose highlight was a 15-foot birdie putt at the 17th. “I think this is my week. I love this tournament and I am in good form, especially my putting.” Watson was pleased with his round. “I don’t think I have made all 18 greens ever in my life,” said Watson, a three-time Senior British Open winner. “I am very happy. I shot a good round of golf in unusual conditions with the wind changing direction.” Vaughan, in his second season on the Champions Tour, said he would be pleased to win his first tournament on a links course used regularly for the British Open. “I love coming over here,” he said. “I wouldn’t want a steady diet of it, but it’s great to come over here to play these kind of golf courses.” Craig Stadler hit a hole-in-one at the “postage stamp” eighth hole—the shortest in the history of the British Open—winning 123 bottles of wine, one for every yard, as a prize from a sponsor. Stadler used a pitching wedge to the front of the green and the ball bounced twice before rolling in. The ace happened after he birdied the seventh. Stadler finished with a 74. Senior British Open Championship Scores 68 Bruce Vaughan, Eduardo Romero (Arg) 69 Nick Job (Eng), Andy Bean, Kirk Hanefeld, John Cook 70 Bernhard Langer (Ger), Joey Sindelar, Gene Jones, Tom Watson, John Morse, Mark McNulty (Irl) 71 Tony Johnstone (Zim), Eamonn Darcy (Irl), John Bland (Rsa) 72 Mike Williams (Zim), Luis Carbonetti (Arg), Andrew Murray (Eng), J A Fraser (Sco), Ross Drummond (Sco), John Ross 73 David Ogrin, Jeff Hall (Eng), Tim Conley, Mike Reid, Sam Torrance (Sco), Costantino Rocca (Ita), Adrian Morrow (Irl), Jon Chaffee 74 Juan Quiros (Spa), Craig Stadler, Vicente Fernandez (Arg), Wayne Grady (Aus), Ronnie Black, Peter Mitchell (Eng), Philip Blackmar, Denis Durnian, Mark O'Meara, Mark Wiebe, Nobumitsu Yuhara (Jpn), Pete Oakley, Jim Rhodes (Eng), Tomohiro Maruyama (Jpn), David Merriman (Aus) 75 Mike Hulbert, Mike Goodes, Ken Green, Sandy Lyle (Sco), Isao Aoki (Jpn), Martin Poxon (Eng), Mark James (Eng), John Hoskison (Eng), Greg Norman (Aus), Seiji Ebihara (Jpn), Andrew Reynolds (Eng), Gordon J Brand (Eng), Denis O'Sullivan (Irl), Ian Woosnam (Wal), Scott Simpson, Kiyoshi Murota (Jpn), John Mctear (Sco), Tim Simpson, Yutaka null Hagawa (Eng) 76 Gary Hallberg, Ian Brotherston (Sco), Tom Kite, Jim Lapsley (Nzl), Noel Ratcliffe (Aus), Bill Longmuir (Sco), Tom McKnight, Bill null Mccoll (Sco), Bertus Smit (Rsa), Adam Adams, Clarence Rose, Angel Franco (Par), Gary Koch 77 Phil Hinton (Eng), Martin Gray (Eng), James Chancey, Jose Rivero (Spa), Carl Mason (Eng), Bob Gilder 78 Brady Exber, John Mcdonald (Sco), Jerry Bruner, Ray Carrasco, Bob Boyd, Katsuyoshi Tomori (Jpn), Donnie Hammond, David Good, Manuel Pinero (Spa), Antonio Garrido (Spa), Terry Gale (Aus), Jeff Sluman, Tony Allen (Eng), David j Russell (Eng), Simon Owen (Aus), Des Smyth (Irl) 79 Buddy Harston, Guillermo Encina (Chi), Tim Giles (Eng), David a Russell (Eng), Scott Hoch, John Chillas, Andrew Hall (Eng), Bill Lockie (Sco), Jimmy Blair, Torsten Giedeon (Ger), John Harris, Motomasa Aoki (Jpn) 80 Giuseppe Cali (Ita), Tommy Horton (Eng), T.c. Chen (Tpe), Bobby Lincoln (Rsa), Horacio Carbonetti (Arg), Gordon Townhill (Eng), Arthur Pierse (Irl), Ron Streck, Steve Martin (Sco), Bob Cameron (Eng), Peter Teravainen, Peter Dahlberg (Swe), Maurice Bembridge (Eng) 81 Gary Player (Rsa), Tony Price (Wal), Bruce Heuchan, Harumitsu Hamano (Jpn), Bob Charles (Nzl), Shigenori Mori (Jpn) 82 Joel Hirsch, Domingo Hospital (Spa), Jimmy Heggarty (NIrl) 83 Garry Harvey (Sco), David Downie (Sco), Steve Stull, Robin Clark (Eng), Ossie Moore (Aus) 84 Steve Prendergast (Irl), Mike Gallagher (Eng), J.p. Morgan (Eng) 85 Robert Fox (Eng), Niall Lavin (Irl) 87 Paul j Mckellar (Sco), Stewart Graham (Eng) Posted Jul 25 2008, 07:36 AM by Golf International with no comments Filed under: Golf International, 2008, Greg Norman, Eduardo Romero, Bruce Vaughan, Seniors British Open

• Lorena Ochoa Leads the Evian Masters with Flawless 65

  Lorena Ochoa shot a 7-under par 65 Thursday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Evian Masters. The 26-year-old Ochoa started with a birdie on the first hole and added six more on the back nine in a bogey-free round. Ahn Sun-ju, Candie Kung and Angela Park trailed by one stroke. “I’m just glad I’m at the top,” Ochoa said. “I had a slow start. I made birdie on the first hole and didn’t give myself a lot of birdie chances. I had a break on 10 and 11. I got really good confidence and started feeling good over the ball and the putting.” Park, a 19-year-old Brazil-born South Korean who gained United States citizenship last month, began with eight pars before she birdied six of the final 10 holes. Annika Sorenstam had four bogeys in her round of 71, six shots off the lead. Ochoa arrived at Europe’s richest women’s tournament—$487,500 goes to the winner—after a three-week break since finishing 31st in the U.S. Women’s Open. The Mexican star is a six-time winner on the LPGA Tour this season. “I have my goal for the second part of the season,” Ochoa said. “I’m very motivated to continue playing good and I’m glad I got a good start.” Laura Diaz (67) shared third place, finishing with birdies on five of the last eight holes. Like Ochoa, the 33-year-old American took a short break before Evian. She arrived in the French lakeside resort with a rib injury inflicted by her toddler son, Robert. “My son injured my right rib the Saturday before last and I was forced to withdraw from the Jamie Farr Classic,” Diaz said. “I took a whole week off and didn’t hit a ball until I got here. I didn’t even know if I was going to play.” Juli Inkster and Angela Stanford, Meena Lee and Suzann Pettersen also shot 67s. Kim In-kyung, Kim Young and Amy Yang were another shot back, while defending champion Natalie Gulbis—who played with Ochoa Thursday—led a group at 69. Sorenstam, the 2000 and 2002 Evian champion, played with Helen Alfredsson and Catrin Nilsmark in an all-Swedish trio of former winners. “Today I left a few shots out there,” Sorenstam said. “I felt good about everything, then I wasn’t able to close. “We have a lot of holes to go. I have a good strategy. I know how to play this course.” Evian Masters Scores 65 Lorena Ochoa (Mex) 66 Sun Ju Ahn, Angela Park, Candie Kung (Tai) 67 Juli Inkster, Meena Lee, Angela Stanford, Laura Diaz, Suzann Pettersen (Nor) 68 Young Kim, In Kyung Kim, Amy Yang 69 Linda Wessberg (Swe), Natalie Gulbis, Shi Hyun Ahn, Morgan Pressel, In-Bee Park, Song-Hee Kim, Hwa seon Lee 70 Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer, Ji-Young Oh, Ya-Ni Tseng, Se Ri Pak, Momoko Ueda (Jpn), Meaghan Francella, Catrin Nilsmark (Swe), Trish Johnson, Hee Young Park 71 Laura Davies (Eng), Giulia Sergas (Ita), Annika Sorenstam (Swe), Eun Hee Ji, Jin Joo Hong, Sarah Lee, Teresa Lu (Tai), Jimin Kang, Mi-Hyun Kim, Na Yeon Choi, Sophie Giquel (Fra) 72 Lindsey Wright (Aus), Karrie Webb (Aus), Hee-Won Han, Becky Brewerton (Gbr), Helen Alfredsson (Swe), Julieta Granada (Par), Christina Kim, Rebecca Hudson (Eng), Ji-Yai Shin, Emma Zackrisson (Swe), Sherri Steinhauer, Mhairi McKay (Sco), Katherine Hull (Aus) 73 Carin Koch (Swe), Diana D'Alessio, Sophie Gustafson (Swe), Maria Hjorth (Swe), Brittany Lang, Hye Jung Choi 74 Minea Blomqvist (Fin), Sun Young Yoo, Jane Park, Pat Hurst, Karine Icher (Fra), Gwladys Nocera (Fra), Jee Young Lee, Ai Miyazato (Jpn), Nicole Castrale, Jeong Jang 75 Paula Marti (Spa), Rachel Hetherington (Aus), Catriona Matthew (Sco), Martina Eberl (Ger), Bo-Bae Song 76 Joanne Mills (Aus), Nikki Garrett (Aus) 77 Wendy Doolan (Aus), Ashleigh Simon (Rsa), Na On Min (Jpn), Silvia Cavalleri (Ita), Brittany Lincicome, Reilley Rankin 78 Lotta Maria Wahlin (Swe), Anna-Lise Caudal (Fra) 79 Louise Friberg (Swe) 80 Tao-li Yang (Chn), Bettina Hauert (Ger), Lisa Hall (Eng), Leta Lindley Posted Jul 25 2008, 07:32 AM by Golf International with no comments Filed under: Golf International, Annika Sorenstam, Lorena Ochoa, Angela Park, 2008, Evian Masters, Ahn Sun-ju, Candie Kung, Laura Diaz