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Spaniard gets European Shot of the Month award



Sergio Garcia's first hole-in-one as a professional has been voted as the European Tour's Shot of the Month for January.The Spaniard's ace topped a poll on the Tour website ahead of Abu Dhabi Golf Championship winner Robert Rock and Graeme McDowell.

Garcia smote a pure seven iron from the tee at the 186-yard 12th hole in the first round in Abu Dhabi, and his ball pitched and spun from the right of the pin and rolled gently into the cup. His achievement earned him a three-night stay at the Emirates Palace every year for the rest of his life, a prize also awarded to McDowell when he emulated the feat at the same hole in the final round.

But it was Garcia's shot that earned 32% of the votes, while Rock polled 26% for his superb approach to 10 feet at the 14th hole from a fairway bunker on the final day. Rock duly converted the birdie putt and went on to earn worldwide recognition as he held off Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy to clinch the biggest victory of his career.  - http://www1.skysports.com/

Despite closing the gap on Luke Donald it will still take a win at this week's Honda Classic for Rory McIlroy to go to world number one.



McIlroy missed the chance to move ahead of Donald when he lost the final of the Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson to American Hunter Mahan.

The 22-year-old Northern Irishman cut the difference between them from 1.45 ranking points to 0.53, but there will be fewer points on offer in Florida - partly because Donald is taking the week off.

Lee Westwood stays at number three after losing his semi-final clash with McIlroy and may have to wait until next week's WGC-Cadillac Championship in Miami for his next opportunity to regain top spot. - http://www.sportinglife.com/

Angela Stanford won the HSBC Women's Champions event in Singapore, emerging victorious from a four-way play-off.



The 34-year-old American claimed her fifth LPGA Tour title after holing a putt at the third play-off hole to see off the challenges of South Korean duo Jenny Shin and Na Yeon Choi, as well as China's Shanshan Feng.

Feng was the first to fall by the wayside in the play-off, being eliminated at the opening extra hole, and Choi's bid for victory came to an end at the players' second attempt at the 18th.That left Stanford and teenager Shin to battle it out for victory and it was the former who took the honours after sinking a three-foot putt for par.

At the start of the final round, Stanford and Shin shared the lead along with Katie Futcher at nine under for the tournament at Tanah Merah Country Club.Shin had looked on course for victory as she held a one-shot lead heading into the final hole when play was suspended for an hour and half due to thunder and lightning.

When the final group resumed, the 19-year-old Shin made a double-bogey six on the last for a one-under-par round of 71 and that left her level with Stanford (71), Choi (68) and Feng (69) on 10 under par and set up the play-off. - http://www.sportinglife.com/

Englishman makes last 16; Watney next up after beating Woods



Lee Westwood finally made the last 16 of the Accenture Match Play Championship at the 12th attempt thanks to a solid victory over Robert Karlsson on Thursday.

Needing to win the title on Sunday to regain the world number one spot from the already-departed Luke Donald, the 38-year-old third seed saw off Karlsson 3&2 in the second round at Dove Mountain near Tucson.

And Westwood does not have to face Tiger Woods to make further progress. The three-time winner missed a six-foot birdie putt on the last and went out to fellow American Nick Watney - the man who has defeated Westwood the last two years. Through to the third round as well are Rory McIlroy, also with a chance to go to number one by winning, and Scots Paul Lawrie and Martin Laird, who now go head-to-head for a quarter-final place. - http://www1.skysports.com/

Woods not worried by comments



American looking to win event in Arizona for a fourth time

Tiger Woods has shrugged off Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano's comments that the former world number one is 'beatable' ahead of their opening-round match at the WGC World Match Play.

The American, who has now recovered from a cold, begins his bid for glory in Arizona against the in-form Spaniard on Wednesday. His opponent has spoken in the run-up to their meeting about his confidence going into the event, insisting that Woods is "probably not at his best", although he did admit he would still be the underdog. The 14-time major champion opted to see the lighter side of the matter when asked for a response, instead saying that he is no longer motivated by the things other players say about him. - http://www1.skysports.com/

Lefty continues to rise after second big week on the US Tour



Phil Mickelson is up to ninth in the world rankings after his near miss in the Northern Trust Open on Sunday.

A week after winning at Pebble Beach, Mickelson sank a 26-foot birdie putt on the final green to tie fellow American Bill Haas at Riviera. Keegan Bradley followed him in from 13 feet to make it a three-way play-off, but Haas grabbed the title with a 45-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole.

Mickelson climbs from 11th to ninth, while Haas is up to a career-high 12th from 22nd and USPGA champion Bradley moves from 26th into the top 20 for the first time at 19th - just ahead of Tiger Woods. Although neither Rory McIlroy nor Lee Westwood played last week, the Northern Irishman returns to number two.

Latest leading positions in the world golf rankings:

1 Luke Donald 9.26pts,
2 Rory McIlroy 7.80,
3 Lee Westwood 7.80,
4 Martin Kaymer
5.96, 5 Steve Stricker 5.68,
6 Webb Simpson 5.17,
7 Jason Day 5.11,
8 Adam Scott 5.10,
9 Phil Mickelson 5.05,
10 Dustin Johnson 5.03,
11 Charl Schwartzel 4.86,
12 Bill Haas 4.68,
13 Graeme McDowell 4.42,
14 Matt Kuchar 4.37,
15 Nick Watney 4.26,
16 Sergio Garcia 4.16,
17 KJ Choi 4.14,
18 Brandt Snedeker 4.00,
19 Keegan Bradley 3.96,
20 Tiger Woods 3.77.

Lindsey Wright held her nerve to claim victory in the the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women's Open near Christchurch.



The Australian holed a four-metre birdie putt on the last to claim victory by a single stroke from compatriot Jessica Speechley and American Alison Walshe.

Those two were sat in the clubhouse when Wright came down the last, sealing her victory impressively with birdie to finish 10 under. Rachel Jennings was the closest of the English challengers finishing four shots off the pace in a tie for eighth after carding a 68 today.

"It's unbelievable. It's still sinking in," Wright told the LET's official website. "I putted really well all day and the last six holes I was really nervous "I haven't been in this position for a while and I thought to myself 'I can win this.' "I looked at the leader board and saw Alison Walshe up there and Speechley at nine-under and thought 'no, I can make this putt. Just keep your head down, just hit a great putt. "My caddy was more shocked that I was I think." - http://www.sportinglife.com/

World number one finishes strongly to edge out Miyazato by one



Yani Tseng successfully defended her Honda LPGA Thailand title as she produced a superb closing round of 66 to beat Japan's Ai Miyazato by a single stroke.

Miyazato, who had held a two-shot overnight lead, battled bravely throughout but was unable to hold off the world number one. Tseng made her intentions clear at the opening hole of the day as she produced a stunning eagle that instantly wiped out Miyazato's advantage. A birdie at the third saw her assume the lead for the first time and, by the time she added another at the seventh, she had pulled four clear of her nearest rival.

But Miyazato responded impressively on the back nine and clawed her way to within one shot of the leader as they headed down the par-five 18th. The Japanese player did all she could with a birdie, but Tseng closed out victory with an exquisite third shot to two feet which ensured she too made a decisive birdie. An emotional Tseng said of her approach afterwards: "That was my shot of the week at the 18th. I knew I had to get it close because Ai had a birdie lined up. I didn't want it to go to a play-off." Korea's Shin Ji-Yai - who briefly pulled level with Tseng following a birdie at 17 - had to settle for third place after a bogey down the last saw her finish two back, while compatriot Amy Yang ended in fourth a further three shots adrift. - http://www1.skysports.com/

South African assumes one-shot lead heading into final round



South Africa's Jbe Kruger shot a 66 to ensure he will take a narrow one-shot lead into the final round of Avantha Masters in New Delhi.

Kruger - who is looking to secure his first European Tour title - heads a trio of players in second at 10-under-par; long-time leader Peter Whiteford of Scotland, France's Jean-Baptiste Gonnet and experienced German Marcel Siem. But a bunched leaderboard also sees six players within two shots of the lead at nine-under - including Ireland's Paul McGinley and Marc Warren of Scotland - and five more just a further stroke adrift.But a bunched leaderboard also sees six players within two shots of the lead at nine-under - including Ireland's Paul McGinley and Marc Warren of Scotland - and five more just a further stroke adrift.

Kruger's rise to the top of the field came on the back of a third round at the DLF Golf and Country Club that included two eagles, two birdies and not a single dropped shot. His first eagle came courtesy of a 20-foot putt at the par-five sixth, with the second arriving when he holed a putt from off the green for a two at the driveable 15th. Whiteford, who led after 18 and 36 holes, had to settle for a level-par 72 and was joined by Siem and Gonnet who shot 68 and 69 respectively. - http://www1.skysports.com/

Europe legend will not captain Solheim Cup team next year



Annika Sorenstam has turned down the chance to lead the European team in the Solheim Cup next year. The 10-time major champion retired in 2008 having taken part in eight cup events against the United States.

"The Solheim Cup has been an important part of my career and I hope to one day lead the European team," she said. "After working with captain Alison Nicholas (of Britain) and her team this past year as vice-captain I saw first-hand the incredible amount of work and dedication it takes to be the captain. "With my young family, foundation, businesses and other commitments I have already made to try and help grow the game, I simply cannot provide the necessary time." Meg Mallon will captain the United States for next year's match in Parker, Colorado after succeeding Rosie Jones. Europe regained the trophy with a 15-13 victory in Dunsany, Ireland. - http://www1.skysports.com/

Morbey to carry the bag for Open champion this month



Darren Clarke has enlisted caddie Paul Morbey as he looks to halt a woeful run of form.

The Ulsterman reached the pinnacle of his career last summer with victory in the Open Championship at Sandwich. But he has failed to register a single top-10 finish since then, slumping to 54 in the world rankings.

He finished in a tie for 20th at the Volvo Golf Champions tournament in South Africa last month but subsequently missed the cut in Abu Dhabi before parting company with John Mulrooney, who was on the bag at Sandwich. Morbey, who enjoyed huge success with former Masters champion Ian Woosnam, will team up with Clarke on a temporary basis starting with next week's Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona. "Darren and I go back a long way so I've known him for ages and I'm looking forward to the three-week spell," said Morbey, who now caddies for young Englishman Danny Willett. - http://www1.skysports.com/

Lee berates his performance on the greens after Dubai loss



Lee Westwood admitted he threw away a golden chance of victory in a nightmare closing round at the Dubai Desert Classic. Westwood chose not to speak to reporters after Sunday's struggles which saw him lose out by a shot to Rafael Cabrera-Bello.But on Twitter on Monday morning he declared his "16-hour sulk" over and said: "Well tossed that one away nicely! Carnage on the greens! Managed not to break or smash anything post round!

"Waved the putter at it 33 times. Not even good enough for the monthly medal with form like that. "Have now given Billy (caddie Billy Foster) approval to slap me (within reason!) if I don't run the ball at the hole with pace over the next three weeks!" Westwood was the third-round leader at the Emirates Club and two shots ahead when he sank a 40-foot eagle putt from short of the green at the second hole. But he then bogeyed the fifth and his only birdie came when he missed a chance for another eagle from under 10 feet on the long 13th. That brought him back level with Cabrera-Bello and Scot Stephen Gallacher, but while he missed putt after putt over the closing stretch the Canary Islander birdied the 17th. Westwood did go back to world number two ahead of Rory McIlroy by finishing joint runner-up with Gallacher - McIlroy was in a tie for fifth - but neither is playing this week and under the two-year ranking system they are likely to swap places again going into next week's Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona. - http://www1.skysports.com/

Another near-miss in the desert for Westwood



Spaniard Rafael Cabrera-Bello shot a closing bogey-free 68 to win the Dubai Desert Classic by a shot from Lee Westwood and Stephen Gallacher.

The three were locked on 17-under-par with two holes to play but Cabrera-Bello rolled in a nine-foot birdie putt on the 17th to edge ahead. World number three Westwood took a one-shot lead over Cabrera-Bello into the final round and after making a 35-foot eagle putt on the second to go two clear, he looked on course to win. But the Englishman struggled with his putting the rest of the way, missing several birdie chances on the back nine, most notably an eight-footer at 17.Westwood and Gallacher both had a chace to force a play-off on the par five 18th. But after a superb drive, Westwood hit a poor chip which rolled well past the hole and he was then short with a 25-foot birdie try. Gallacher then also had a putt for a play-off but missed from 15 feet. That gave victory to the 27-year-old world number 119, who earned a cheque for €315,531 and a two-year European Tour exemption. Westwood had won twice in his last five starts coming into this week, but he has now finished runner-up in Dubai for the third time. - http://www1.skysports.com/

Westwood storms one clear

Englishman hits the front with third-round 67 at Dubai Desert Classic 


Lee Westwood will take a one-shot lead into the final 18 holes of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic after carding a five-under-par 67 in the third round at Emirates Golf Club. The 38-year-old Englishman sits on 15-under-par at the head of a packed leaderboard in the Middle East, where 11 players are separated by just three shots. On Sky Sports European Tour Golf 2012 Dubai Desert Classic: Day Four February 12, 2012 11:00pm Remote Record The world number three, who teed off in a tie for seventh, made three birdies in his opening four holes as he swept into top spot. Westwood, who is yet to drop a shot on the back nine all week, drained three birdies in four holes after the turn and finished off with five straight pars to secure a narrow advantage. He is seeking a third title in his last six starts, having left fields for dead in South Africa and Thailand at the end of last year. "It's not like I've forgotten how to win," Westwood told Sky Sports. "I've won 30-odd times, so I'm used to knowing what to do when I'm leading. "I played nicely again. I got off to a good start with three birdies in the first four, hit a lot of quality iron shots and rolled the ball well on the green." 





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Irishman believes Woods can beat record of 18 majors



Padraig Harrington believes that Tiger Woods will surpass Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 majors. Woods looked a certainty to go past Nicklaus when he took his tally to 14 by winning the US Open at Torrey Pines in 2008. But he's drawn a blank since after battling with injuries and being put through the media grinder after the sex scandal which cost him his marriage. "I'd be still backing him to beat Jack's record, absolutely. If he turns up and plays well, he's going to win. He's in the position that he knows his best game is a winning game." Harrington on Woods Quotes of the week However, Woods has been in good health for the last few months and has also started to bed in a new swing after switching coaches from Hank Haney to Sean Foley. The American ended a two-year winless streak by capturing the limited-field Chevron World Challenge in California last year and started his 2012 season by finishing third in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. Having watched Woods progress, Harrington now believes Tiger's quest to catch Jack will be successful. "I've played with him and the way he hits the golf ball, there wouldn't be very many players who wouldn't want to hit the golf ball like him," said the Irishman. - http://www1.skysports.com/


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Dane says Euro Tour hoping to expand into other Gulf states



Tournament committee chairman Thomas Bjorn says European Tour officials would like to launch a second 'Desert Swing'. This week's Dubai Desert Classic is the final leg of the tour's annual three-week stint in the Middle East that also takes in the Abu Dhabi Championship and the Qatar Masters. But Bjorn reckons there is scope to expand. "We hope places like Oman and Kuwait and maybe Saudi Arabia can also be hosts of European Tour events," said the Dane, who won three times on Tour last season. "That would be the tour's dream, that we could have an extended tour in the Middle East maybe two times a year ... preferably have a swing at the beginning of the year and a swing at the end of the year." Bjorn is a past winner of two of the three current Desert Swing events and says they are hugely popular."Abu Dhabi at the moment probably gets the strongest field but this event (the Dubai Desert Classic which started in 1989) has the history," said Bjorn. - http://www1.skysports.com/





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