David Toms made a big comeback at the Colonial

David Toms made a big comeback at the Colonial

David Toms made a big comeback at the Colonial, winning on the PGA Tour for the first time since 2006 with a closing three-under 67 on Sunday for a one-stroke victory over Charlie Wi.A day after blowing a seven-stroke advantage to enter the final round trailing Wi by one, Toms made an eagle with a wedge shot from 83 yards at the par-five 11th hole. He threw his arms into the air and a smile took over his face.Toms, 44, closed with a three-under 67 at Hogan's Alley to get to 15 under. His long-elusive 13th career victory came a week after a playoff loss to K.J. Choi at the Players Championship, his sixth runner-up finish since last winning."That Taylormade R11 Series Become Golf Game Must-Haves just took a lot of guts, that's really all," Toms said. "That's what I got by on today."Wi shot a 69 for his fourth career runner-up finish.After that playoff loss at TPC Sawgrass, Toms had an opening 62 at the Colonial for his best score in 429 rounds -- since a career-best 61 during his last victory at the Sony Open in Hawaii.Suzann Pettersen beat Cristie Kerr, 1-up, to win the Sybase Match Play Championship in Gladstone, N.J., ending a 20-month victory drought. Leading, 1-up, and with Kerr facing a 10-foot birdie attempt, Pettersen curled in a left to-right 15-footer for birdie to seal the victory at Hamilton Farm Golf Club.Ian Poulter beat Luke Donald, 2 and, 1 to win Left-Handed Golfer Also Can Choose R11 Driver the World Match Play Championship, denying his English countryman the top spot in the world ranking. Poulter pulled clear of his Ryder Cup teammate by winning two of the last four holes with birdies in Casares, Spain. The second-ranked Donald would have replaced Lee Westwood at No. 1 if he had won the tournament. ...

The Disappointing Fall of PGA Golfer

The Disappointing Fall of PGA Golfer

The last time Tiger was out of the top 10 was when he was ranked 13th on April 6, 1997.  This was right before winning the Masters.  After that, Woods went on an unprecedented tear, being ranked number one for 623 weeks.There was also a great sense of pride in the fact that Tiger, like a mythical superhero, could show up to a tournament as the only black man out of 150 participants and whip every single player on the course.  I thought that the emergence of Tiger Woods would lead to a wave of  great black golfers, as other inspired young black men took to the course to replicate the efforts of their idol.  As much as he ridiculously described himself to be “caublinasian,” (whatever that means) he struck a mighty blow to one of the Why decide on custom made Fitted TaylorMade R9 Fairway Wood most racist and elitist sports in the world.  The man other golfers traditionally expected to be their caddy was consistently spanking them on the course and asking “who’s your daddy?”But to date, there are no prominent black male golfers other than Tiger himself.   With Tiger’s exit from greatness, the path has been cleared for new, hungrier, young (mostly white and Asian) players to make their mark on the world.  I never thought I’d see the day where my hero had become an also-ran, but I guess nothing lasts forever.On one hand, it probably got a little dull for Tiger to keep investing the amount of time and energy it takes to be the greatest golfer in the history of the world:  You have to practice longer than your competitors, you can’t have as much fun as everyone else, and you’ve got to make sacrifices that most people aren’t willing to make.  I became concerned about Tiger’s career when he decided to get married, for I’ve always felt that relationships sometimes take away time that highly ambitious people can’t commit.At the same time, Tiger may end up falling painfully short of breaking the record that served as the driving force behind his entire career: winning 18 major championships, set by Jack Nicklaus.  It will surely make the white male golf establishment happy to see that the incredibly threatening black guy never quite reached his mark.  By finishing with 14 majors, Tiger may end up painfully close to his goal.  No, I do not think Tiger is going to win another major – his attention seems to have gone elsewhere.

Westwood and McIlroy are skipping Sawgrass

Westwood and McIlroy are skipping Sawgrass

The two European stars, world number one Westwood and number six McIlroy, are both skipping Sawgrass this week in a blow to golf's richest event.Their absence has led some to question whether the tournament is being Golf Difficulties Send Romo To Regular Job devalued as European events start to build in stature, but Mickelson has defended its importance.Asked if the £5.8million tournament still had the same prestige in his eyes the 2007 winner replied: "Certainly in my mind it does.This week's event will have even more importance given as, with Westwood's absence, the world number one spot is once again up for grabs.Mickelson has another chance to become world number one for the first time in his career, but he continues to play down the significance of the top spot."It's certainly what R9 Fairway Wood everybody strives for, but it's not really something that's on the forefront of anybody's minds," he added. Luke Donald could also take the number one position by winning and German Martin Kaymer could regain that hour with a top two finish.Mickelson was also quizzed on whether he felt that time was running out on him ever becoming world number one with so many young players now fighting for the title."I don't feel that way," he replied. "And I don't feel that way because I see some things in my game that are starting to get better and better."I really know what it is I'm trying to do on the greens now, my short game has been sharp, my driving has been much better. I feel like I'm driving the ball straighter than I ever have and I'm excited to put that into play."My mindset changes after Augusta. It's not distance any more, it's 'got to get the ball in the fairway'. I see my game getting better, I welcome the challenge and I think that there's a lot of opportunity for me to still have a lot of success here."

Chirkinian is considered an innovator in golf broadcasts

Chirkinian is considered an innovator in golf broadcasts

Chirkinian is considered an innovator in golf broadcasts thanks to things like using on-course reporters, blimp cameras and putting microphones throughout the course. Chirkinian, nicknamed "the Ayatollah," was the first to list a players' scores in relation to par rather than total number of strokes. The 84-year-old found out about his induction this year during the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and passed away three weeks later after Players Appear At Tim Tebow Charity Golf Event a battle with lung cancer. Before he died, Chirkinian taped an acceptance speech, which was played at Monday's ceremony. "I must admit that I have been known to be speechless now and again, but that's a rare thing to have happen," Chirkinian said in the video. "But tonight I am speechless." Chirkinian said he was "humbled" by the honor, which wouldn't have been possible without his talented CBS colleagues. "Looking back at a career that spanned 40 years, I'm amazed at how quickly those years have passed, a lot faster than I hoped they would," Chirkinian said. "I realized golf is more than just a game. It's a way of life."

Later in the ceremony, the Hall of Fame honored another golf great who died this year, Seve Ballesteros, who passed away early Saturday following a lengthy battle with brain cancer. He was 54 years old. Ballesteros, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999, possessed unique charisma and shot-making ability, qualities on display in a tribute video played Monday. His 20-year career included 50 wins on the European Tour and nine victories on the PGA Tour. He won the British Open three times and the Masters twice. Ford won 19 PGA Tour titles, including the 1955 PGA Championship and the 1957 Masters. He played on four United States Ryder Cup teams and was PGA Player of the Year the year he won the PGA. Hutchinson was born in St. Andrews, Scotland and became an American citizen in 1920 when he was 36 years old. He became the first American citizen and first non United Kingdom based winner of the Open Championship in 1921. Hutchinson captured the 1920 PGA Championship and picked up 14 PGA Tour titles. He also won two Senior PGA Championships, including the inaugural one in 1937. Hutchinson passed away in 1977 at the age of 93.Ozaki, whose real name is Masashi, won 94 times on the Japan Tour, which is 40 more than the next closest competitor. He led that circuit's money list 12 times and his last victory came in 2002. Ozaki, 64, still plays some on the Japan Tour and despite rarely playing outside his homeland, he was ranked in the top 10 in the world rankings for almost 200 weeks.

Thomas Aiken lifted his first European Tour title at the Spanish Open

Thomas Aiken lifted his first European Tour title at the Spanish Open

South African Thomas Aiken lifted his first European Tour title at the Spanish Open - an event inevitably overshadowed by the death of three-time winner Seve Ballesteros.

After clinching victory by two strokes, Aiken immediately dedicated his triumph to one of the greats of the game."It's been a sad week with Seve passing away," he said. "I definitely want to dedicate this win to him with it being his home Open  How Can You Enhance Your Golf Level and what he gave to his home fans and to golf."The 27-year-old from Johannesburg, playing his first tournament after a seven-week lay-off, shot a closing 70 at El Prat near Barcelona to beat Dane Anders Hansen by two.Aiken took the first prize of almost £295,000 - way more than Ballesteros earned for his three Open victories combined - with a 10-under-par total of 278."I don't think it's quite hit home yet," he added. "I've been waiting for this for a long, long time and I've been knocking on the door. I'm ecstatic."With all the players again wearing black ribbons in memory of the Spanish superstar, Aiken became the fifth South African to win on the circuit already this season. Masters champion Charl Schwartzel is among them, of course.He resumed two in front and doubled that with birdies at the second and sixth.He added another on the short 11th and after failing to get up and down from sand at the 223-yard 13th he came straight back with a further birdie.Three-putting the 15th cut the gap to three again and when he drove into sand down the 17th the outcome was still far from certain.However, Aiken, six times a winner in his home country, saved par and finished with another.Playing partner Hansen, never able to pile on the pressure, birdied the par-five last to push Scotland's Scott Jamieson and Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal into joint third.Welshman Phillip Price and France's Gregory Havret both bogeyed the 18th to drop into a tie for fifth with Scot Paul Lawrie, England's Simon Dyson and David Horsey and Havret's compatriot Romain Wattel.Jose Maria Olazabal, mourning the loss of his great friend and ex-cup partner Ballesteros, managed only a 77 and fell outside the top 50 on eight over.

Is golf around the corner at Metamora Fields Golf Club?

Is golf around the corner at Metamora Fields Golf Club?

Abnormally wet weather in 2009 and '10, coupled with record rainfall so far this spring, has pushed back the grand opening of central Illinois' newest golf course. But the endless rain has not dampened the optimism of a family who dove head first into the golf industry when analysts and feasibility studies cautioned against it."As soon as the sun pops out," Brinkman said. "We're going to hop on it and hopefully get it done. But until I see the first golfers on the first hole, I don't think it will seem real to me."The driving range at Metamora Rory McIlroy Said Masters Is In Past Fields - a 25-station, bentgrass hitting area - was scheduled to open May 4. The front nine could be open for play in early JuneAnd the entire 18 holes?"Well, that's a moving target," said Dan Budzius, general manager of the facility. "We have a grand opening set for July 11, but if this rain keeps rolling it will be a little tougher to manage that."We'll have to see once we finally get seed in the ground."More than half the golf course is completed and nearly ready for play. But four holes - Nos. 10, 11, 12 and 17 - are behind schedule and might not be playable until late summer.

Even though the grand opening of the golf course - initially projected for 2010 - will likely be a year behind schedule, the clubhouse already is a powerful economic engine for the development. Budzius said weddings are already booked well into 2012, and that the restaurant served more than 800 guests for brunch on Easter Sunday.

If the quality of the product and operations on the inside are any indication of what to expect outside, it should be a good year for Metamora Fields."The Rings, D.A., Steve, Turf Solutions Group ... they all want the perfect product coming out of the ground when we open," Budzius said. "Because the first impressions are so important, impactful and, of course, memorable."In this case, we've had great success with the clubhouse. And when we open the range, that will be a great experience. When we open nine holes, people will see the quality is there. When we finally get all 18 open, we think that same feeling and experience goes through all 18."There's no doubt the product is very, very, very good. It's just a matter of finally being able to have the opportunity, from a weather perspective, to showcase that."

Freshman leads Chico to EALN golf title

Freshman leads Chico to EALN golf title

Highlighting the Panthers was freshman Tyler Collier, who after carding a 78, finished with a season total of 290 to win the individual crown. "As the season went on I started playing better and started feeling better about myself," said Collier, who was masterful on the final nine holes, where he shot a 35. "I really didn't think about the pressure. I just played my game and didn't let it get into my head. On the back nine today I was making a lot more putts that I usually don't make. On the front nine I wasn't making putts or hitting fairways. Watson Talk About Tiger’s Swing I fixed my driver a little bit too and tried not to hook it so much. I was just trying to hit it so far and it wasn't working out obviously. On the back nine I just tried to hit the fairway." After securing the league championship, Chico coach Kevin Wisdom had high praise for his team, which boasted the top three individuals in Collier, Kurt Kitayama (301) and Sean McGowen (308). "I'm really, really proud of them," Kitayama, who has committed to play for the UNLV golf team next year, recorded the low score on the day with a 73. He also played a crucial role in earning the league crown as he delivered a 36 on the last nine holes. Helping to seal the deal for Chico was Taylor Manna's 79 and Josh Martin's 39 on the back nine. Martin's score was a personal season best. "We lost the front nine to a really good PV team. Our hats go off to them," Wisdom said. "Dave Crawford is a great coach and he's done a really good job with them. We were fortunate enough to have a few rolls go our way on the back nine. It could've easily have been PV that won league." All-league went to the six golfers who produced the lowest season totals. In order, those golfers were Collier, Kitayama, McGowen, Andy Lazos (PV), Cole Chavez (PV) and Nick Schwabauer (Shasta). Honorable mentions included Pleasant Valley's Justin Chambers and Brady Stilwell, Shasta's Johnny Catrucco and Manna. Enterprise's Sean Greenhood and Taylor Greenhood rounded out the list. While the league championship eluded the Vikings, Crawford was still pleased with his team's overall performance. "Today, that's a solid score," he said. "We're happy with the score. We just got beat on the back nine by a team that played better. I'm not disappointed by the score that they shot. Of course we wanted to win and second place doesn't feel so good. But we got beat. We didn't hand it to them." Crawford focus now is on the Northern Section Division I Finals, which take place next week at Tuscan Ridge Golf Club.

McIlroy's best performance in his career

McIlroy's best performance in his career

"I'm fine. It was a great chance to win a first major, but it's only golf at the end of the day. No one died," McIlroy said as he prepared to defend his title starting Thursday in the Wells Fargo Championship. "I can't come off and sulk and say, 'Oh, this is the worst day of my life.' Because a bad day on the golf course is better than a good day in the office."I'm very happy with my life, very happy with what's going on, very happy with my game. And there are three more majors this year and hopefully dozens more that I'll play in McIlroy Brings Good Memories To Charlotte my career."The last major, however, was a nightmare. At 21, McIlroy was trying to become the second-youngest winner of the Masters and took a four-stroke lead into the final round. He still led by one heading to the 10th tee despite a 1-over par 37 on the front. But proving once again that the Masters doesn't truly begin until the back nine on Sunday, McIlroy shot 43 on the inward nine and fell into a tie for 15th."I don't think I was ready," McIlroy said. "I hit the ball really well that week, the best probably I've ever hit it. It was more mental than anything else, just trying to handle the situation better. Not rushing. Hopefully I'll deal with it better the next time that I'm in one of those situations. I displayed a few weaknesses in my game that I need to work on.

"Don't listen to you guys," McIlroy said Norman told him. "From now on, don't read golf magazines, don't pick up papers, don't watch the Golf Channel. But it's hard not to. Obviously you want to keep up to date with what's going on. But you can't let other people sort of influence what you're thinking and what you should do."I've taken my own views from what happened a few weeks ago and moved on, and that's the most important thing."Tapping into fonder memories helps, too. Last year at Quail Hollow, McIlroy blew away the field by four shots, closing with six consecutive 3s on his card and shooting a back-nine 30. That final round came rushing back to McIlroy as soon as he arrived at the course on Monday.

Golf betting preview and picks

Golf betting preview and picks

In 2009, the “Green Mile” was the second-toughest closing stretch on tour with a scoring average of plus-0.374 over par and last year it was the toughest at plus-1.008 over par.The last event before THE PLAYERS features five of the Top 10 in the World Golf Rankings as well as 12 of the Top 25 players in the world, highlighted by Martin Kaymer, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Paul Casey, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Jim Furyk and Nick Watney. TaylorMade R9 SuperTri-Top Drivers for Pros The field also includes 12 of the 17 different winners on the tour so far this year. This is slowly becoming one of the bigger stops on tour that is not a major, despite taking place the week before the so-called fifth major tournament.

As mentioned, Rory McIlroy (+1,200) was a runaway winner at Quail Hollow a year ago and he seems to be ready to defend his title. He contended and ultimately finished third behind Matteo Manassero in the Malaysian Open, which was the week after the Masters. He has moved to a career-high sixth in the latest OWGR, ahead of Tiger Woods and the positives he took from Augusta will help him moving forward.Bubba Watson (+2,500) won in New Orleans last week and it can be tough for a player to compete, let alone win, for two straight weeks. He does have the temperament, however, to keep riding the momentum and confidence he gained at TPC Louisiana. He finished T-22 at Quail Hollow last year after finishing T-2 two years ago. He leads the tour in greens hit, so his accuracy is a big asset here. Rickie Fowler (+3,000) is an interesting choice this week because of his age. The last three winners here have been 20, 26 and 22 years old so he fits the mold of another young gun looking to tame Quail Hollow. He played here last year and finished sixth, eight shots behind McIlroy and four shots behind Mickelson. He was in the running last week before a Sunday 73 knocked him down to T-26.

Westwood make a macth with Reds

Westwood make a macth with Reds

It was the 38-year-old Worksop player's 35th tournament victory, 21 of which have come on the European Tour, and confirmed and extended his lead at the top of the World Rankings.Westwood, who usually plays the last round of a tournament in a red shirt, is a life-long Forest fan and their 5-1 trouncing of Scunthorpe was just the tonic he The Golf Tips To Pitch Closer needed before teeing off in the last round, three shots behind the leaders."When I turned on the TV on Sunday morning and saw that Forest had won 5-1, it helped and got me in good spirits," he said.His one-shot victory in the Balantine's looks like having another good return as the sponsors are now looking at a special whisky blend with Westwood's name on it."It's going to be nice to have a special Lee Westwood blend," said the European Ryder Cup star, who celebrated with a victory glass of champagne.Westwood shot a last round 67, the best score of the day, to pip fellow Ryder Cup star Miguel Angel Jimenez by one shot.

The pair had dinner and shared a bottle of red wine the night before and Jimenez said to Westwood 'see you in the play-off tomorrow'."Thank goodness that didn't happen because, the last time we were in a play-off, Miguel beat me," said Westwood.

"I'm proud of the way I played because it was tough out there and coming here off a win in Indonesia, it's not easy getting refocused."But the more experience you get the easier it is to do it and if anything, this was an old man's performance."I just hung around the field and got my head in front at the line."Westwood finished ahead of Jimenez who was in the final pair and he watched the Spaniard play the last hole on television.He said: "I watched him play the last from the 15th green. It's more nerve-racking watching than it is out there playing, because you have a bit of control when you're out there playing."But I know now how my wife and kids feel when they watch me at home on TV. It must be pretty nerve-wracking for them.

Different Comments On Bubba Won PGA Tour

Different Comments On Bubba Won PGA Tour

Gary Van Sickle, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: I don't see Bubba winning a U.S. Open, but I like the fact that he's capable of almost any surprise. Would love to see him do it. David Dusek, deputy editor, Golf.com: Congressional, probably not, because Bubba's short game is still a little suspect. But depending on the weather, Royal St. Sergio Has Long Way To US Open George's isn't entirely out of the question. (Wouldn't it be awesome for a guy named Bubba to be named Champion Golfer!) I think Watson's best shot for a major this year will be at Atlanta Athletic Club in August.Alan Shipnuck, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: He won't win a U.S. Open, but he's dangerous at the other majors. Atlanta in August with soft greens and one of the longest major championship setups ever could be highly favorable to Bubba.Farrell Evans, writer-reporter, Sports Illustrated: Bubba is admittedly a head case, so who knows how he might react under that kind of pressure? Also, 20 other players have the same qualities that make him dangerous — long off the tee, good shotmaker, putter and scrambler. But he's definitely a real contender and a great personality for the tour.Jim Herre, managing editor, SI Golf Group: Bubba may be the No. 1 American at this moment. Not sure how I feel about that. His game is so unorthodox; is it built for the long haul? He's definitely entertaining to watch.Jim Herre, managing editor, SI Golf Group: Bubba may be the No. 1 American at this moment. Not sure how I feel about that. His game is so unorthodox; is it built for the long haul? He's definitely entertaining to watch.