Park earns fifth LPGA win of season in playoff

Park earns fifth LPGA win of season in playoff










The Sports Xchange June 23, 2013 8:10 PMThe SportsXchange



ROGERS, Ark. -- Inbee Park won for the fifth time this LPGA season, holing a four-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a playoff with So Yeon Ryu to capture the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship on Sunday at Pinnacle Country Club.

Park, the No. 1 player in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings, improved to 2-1 in her career in playoffs, with the other victory coming two weeks ago at the Wegmans LPGA Championship.

She trailed four players atop the leaderboard by two shots heading into Sunday's final round, but closed with a 4-under-par 67 to finish even with Ryu, her South Korean compatriot.

Park quickly moved into final-round contention with birdies on the sixth, seventh and eighth holes.

After a bogey at the par-3 11th, Park used a birdie on the par-5 14th to move back to 11-under, then closed out with the birdie at the par-5 18th to finish at 12-under 201.

Park then watched as Ryu, playing one group behind, closed her round with an eight-foot birdie putt to close out a 69 and force the third playoff in NW Arkansas Championship history.

After a near perfect drive on the 18th in the playoff, Park's approach was short and left of the green. But her third shot settled four feet from the hole.

Ryu missed the fairway and was forced to lay up short of the green in the playoff. Her approach sailed over the green and her birdie chip slipped past the hole before Park holed the winning putt.

Mika Miyazato of Japan, the opening round leader with a 65, finished one shot back after a closing with a 67. Miyazato had to settle for a par on the 18th hole and wasn't able to join the playoff.

Park's five victories this season on the LPGA Tour include wins in the first two majors this season, the Kraft Nabisco Championship and the LPGA Championship.

She will try for the third straight major victory in the U.S. Women's Open, which starts Thursday atSebonack Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y.

Stacy Lewis, the local fan favorite who was a four-time all-American at nearby University of Arkansas, entered Sunday tied for the lead with Chie Arimura of Japan, Beatriz Recari of Spain and Ryu.

But Lewis struggled to find her groove and finished at 71 to tie for fourth, while Recari and Arimura both shot 72 and tied for seventh.

Golf-Duke gets first PGA win in playoff over Stroud

Golf-Duke gets first PGA win in playoff over Stroud











June 23, 2013 8:55 PM


* Long awaited victory after three times a runner-up

* Stroud forced playoff with chip-in on 72nd hole (Adds details, quotes)

June 23 (Reuters) - Ken Duke notched his first career PGA Tour title in his 187th start by beating Chris Stroud with a birdie on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff to win the Travelers Championship on Sunday.

The 44-year-old became the oldest first-time winner in 18 years when he claimed victory by sinking a two-foot birdie putt after fellow American Stroud's long birdie try trickled just past the hole on the 18th green.

"Worked hard," said Duke, who had been a runner-up three times on the tour.

"I knocked on the door a lot and here we are."

Both players parred the 18th in the first hole of sudden-death before returning to the 18th tee for what turned out to be the decider at the TPC River Highlands course.

Duke became the oldest first-time winner on the tour since Ed Dougherty, who was 47 when he won the 1995 Deposit Guaranty Classic.

Stroud forced the playoff by chipping in from across the green for birdie after sending his approach shot long after blasting a drive of some 340 yards.

"I'm glad I gave myself a chance in the playoffs," said Stroud, who was also chasing his maiden victory. "I wish that I would've won. Obviously, we all want to win. I gave it everything I had."

Duke fired a final-round of four-under-par 66 and Stroud posted 67 to tie on 12-under-par 268.


Graham DeLaet of Canada finished one stroke out of the playoff on 269 after shooting 69.

Another stroke back after a 70 was 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson, who relinquished the lead to Duke with a triple-bogey six on the par-three 16th after finding the water fronting the green with his tee shot.

Watson, DeLaet and Charley Hoffman, who registered 72 for 272, entered the final round tied for the lead at 10 under par.

The leaderboard was jammed at the top for most of the day with a dozen players jockeying for position within two shots of the lead.

Duke took advantage of a lucky bounce at the par-four 10th, when he pulled his approach shot into the trees left of the green but the ball rattled around and bounced out onto the green to set up his five-foot birdie putt.

"I got an unbelievable break on 10," acknowledged Duke, who had only one top 10 this season from 18 starts - a tie for eighth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

"I knew it was going to be tough and that this guy wasn't going to give up. The main thing was, I didn't give up."

Watson, who won here in 2010, had trouble pinpointing his short irons but stayed ahead by making several par-saving putts.

He led by one shot coming to the 171-yard 16th but his tee ball landed on the bank and plopped into the lake. From the drop area, he flew his 125-yard shot through the green, hit a poor chip and two-putted for triple-bogey.

Duke, who turned professional in 1994, became emotional when asked about the improvements he had made since turning to swing coach Bob Toski for help.

"I wouldn't be here without him, no question. I talked to him this morning, and he said 'it's about time for you to win'," Duke said, breaking up. "And I did." (Reporting by Larry Fine in New York; Editing by Mark Meadows)

A Lesson Learned: Persistence pays off

A Lesson Learned: Persistence pays off











Bob Toski, PGA June 23, 2013 8:58 PM


Note: Ken Duke, 44, captured his first PGA TOUR victory Sunday in the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn., making a two-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole to defeat Chris Stroud.
Since his youth, Duke has been a student under PGA Golf Professional Hall of Famer Bob Toski of Boca Raton, Fla., who also is a member of the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame. The PGA of America caught up with Toski shortly after Duke's victory. The legendary teacher offered his perspective on his relationship with Duke and what the amateur golfer may take away from having witnessed Duke's march to victory.

The phone hasn't stopped ringing after Ken Duke won the Travelers Championship. I'm very happy for him. It really is a milestone for me. I'm 86 and Ken's 44. I guess it shows you that two old farts can get it done.

I talked to Ken last night and then again this morning. I said, "If you can get a 64, you will win. I felt that 14-under would win, and anything below might be in a playoff. Well, he shoots a 66, is tied at 12-under-par, and then makes a birdie in the playoff. That' 13-under after it's all said and done, right?

I've been with Ken when he was 4 years old, and now he's 44. I have seen him go through so much, and the golf ball doesn't know how old you are and doesn't care. What you witnessed with Ken was a study of perseverance. How many amateur golfers would strive to do what he has to improve? He had his share of physical problems, but he kept working and working.

I can't tell you the technical things that will work, because you have to be with me on the lesson tee. What I can tell you is that you have to learn the fundamentals and apply them at all times -- the right grip, the right posture, and putting the ball in the right position.


Ken was never a great driver of the ball. He pushed his drive on 18 in regulation into the left rough and was able to save par. I would tell him at his setup that he was aiming left and swing to the right. If all amateurs could understand that know where you are swinging, you would be much better off. So, if you aim right, swing to the right.

How can you learn the proper way to aim to a target? I'll tell you. You head straight to the putting green.

Start by stroking in a two-foot putt in a straight line. You concentrate on that, and start moving back to a longer putt, then a chip, a pitch, moving back through your irons and then to your driver. You learn that you keep all clubs square to the line of play.

That concept was introduced by (World Golf Teachers Hall of Famer) Seymour Dunn in 1922 ("Golf Fundamentals"). You learn that it all begins with a straight line. You will find that your aim will be better. I cannot guarantee that you will be playing golf like a professional like Ken Duke, but you may see a difference.

Golf-Spieth, Castro share lead at weather-hit Congressional

Golf-Spieth, Castro share lead at weather-hit Congressional










June 28, 2013 7:13 PM


June 28 (Reuters) - American teenager Jordan Spiethsurged into an early tie for the second-round lead at the weather-interrupted AT&T National before play was suspended for the day at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland on Friday.

The 19-year-old Spieth, playing on a sponsor's exemption this week, fired a five-under-par 66 in relatively calm conditions on a challenging layout to finish at seven-under 135, alongside overnight leader Roberto Castro, who carded a 69.

South Korea's Lee Dong-hwan was at five under after shooting a seven-birdie 66, level with Argentina's Andres Romero, who still had five holes to complete.

Play was suspended at 2:44 p.m. ET (1844 GMT) due to the threat of lightning and an attempt late in the day for the action to resume had to be aborted as storm clouds once again swept across the area.

The second round will continue on Saturday morning before the cut is made and the players then begin the third round in threesomes with a two-tee start, officials said.

Spieth, competing on a limited PGA Tour schedule this year as a special temporary member, was delighted with his bogey-free display, highlighted by five birdies in his first nine holes.

"I hit 18 greens ... I was very solid from tee to green," the former University of Texas standout told Golf Channel. "I put myself in great positions off the tee and was able to hit my mid-irons a little better than yesterday.

"Every opportunity I get (being) in contention, I learn a little bit each time," said Spieth, who has posted four top-10s in 13 starts on the 2013 PGA Tour, his best finish a tie for second at the Puerto Rico Open.

"I felt the nerves on the back nine but was able to still strike the ball well."


COLLEGE MEMORIES

Spieth, who turned professional in December, has yet to win his first PGA Tour title but hoped to draw on memories of his college success while bidding for victory at Congressional over the weekend.

"I just need to approach it like the last tournament that I won, and I am thinking back to college and just the way that I was able to win out there," the 19-year-old recalled.

"Obviously I don't know what it's like to win on the tour yet, but I just can't really think about that. I am only halfway through the tournament."

Castro, like Spieth seeking a maiden victory on the PGA Tour, was happy to remain in contention after following his opening 66 with a 69.

"Just got to keep going, and I was able to do that today," the flame-haired 28-year-old told reporters. "It feels good to play two rounds under par. It's a very hard golf course."

Americans Cameron Tringale (67) and James Driscoll (69) were at four under, a stroke better than SwedeDavid Lingmerth, who was among a group of four players after firing a best-of-the-day 65.

Australian world number four and Masters champion Adam Scott, the highest-ranked player in the field, was a distant nine strokes off the pace after returning a 71.

The cut was projected to fall at two-over 144 with former PGA Tour winners Charley Hoffman, Aaron Baddeley, K.J. Choi and Hunter Mahan among those in danger of missing out. (Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank Pingue)

Spieth, Castro share lead at weather-hit Congressional

Spieth, Castro share lead at weather-hit Congressional










June 28, 2013 7:19 PM

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Jordan Spieth of the U.S. watches his second shot on the ninth hole during the first round of the Wells …


(Reuters) - American teenager Jordan Spieth surged into an early tie for the second-round lead at the weather-interrupted AT&T National before play was suspended for the day at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland on Friday.

The 19-year-old Spieth, playing on a sponsor's exemption this week, fired a five-under-par 66 in relatively calm conditions on a challenging layout to finish at seven-under 135, alongside overnight leader Roberto Castro, who carded a 69.

South Korea's Lee Dong-hwan was at five under after shooting a seven-birdie 66, level with Argentina's Andres Romero, who still had five holes to complete.

Play was suspended at 2:44 p.m. ET due to the threat of lightning and an attempt late in the day for the action to resume had to be aborted as storm clouds once again swept across the area.

The second round will continue on Saturday morning before the cut is made and the players then begin the third round in threesomes with a two-tee start, officials said.

Spieth, competing on a limited PGA Tour schedule this year as a special temporary member, was delighted with his bogey-free display, highlighted by five birdies in his first nine holes.

"I hit 18 greens ... I was very solid from tee to green," the former University of Texas standout told Golf Channel. "I put myself in great positions off the tee and was able to hit my mid-irons a little better than yesterday.

"Every opportunity I get (being) in contention, I learn a little bit each time," said Spieth, who has posted four top-10s in 13 starts on the 2013 PGA Tour, his best finish a tie for second at the Puerto Rico Open.

"I felt the nerves on the back nine but was able to still strike the ball well."


COLLEGE MEMORIES

Spieth, who turned professional in December, has yet to win his first PGA Tour title but hoped to draw on memories of his college success while bidding for victory at Congressional over the weekend.

"I just need to approach it like the last tournament that I won, and I am thinking back to college and just the way that I was able to win out there," the 19-year-old recalled.

"Obviously I don't know what it's like to win on the tour yet, but I just can't really think about that. I am only halfway through the tournament."

Castro, like Spieth seeking a maiden victory on the PGA Tour, was happy to remain in contention after following his opening 66 with a 69.

"Just got to keep going, and I was able to do that today," the flame-haired 28-year-old told reporters. "It feels good to play two rounds under par. It's a very hard golf course."

Americans Cameron Tringale (67) and James Driscoll (69) were at four under, a stroke better than SwedeDavid Lingmerth, who was among a group of four players after firing a best-of-the-day 65.

Australian world number four and Masters champion Adam Scott, the highest-ranked player in the field, was a distant nine strokes off the pace after returning a 71.

The cut was projected to fall at two-over 144 with former PGA Tour winners Charley Hoffman, Aaron Baddeley, K.J. Choi and Hunter Mahan among those in danger of missing out.

(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank Pingue)

Golf-Korean Park moves two ahead at U.S. Women's Open

Golf-Korean Park moves two ahead at U.S. Women's Open










June 28, 2013 7:38 PM



* Park fired a 68 to take control at Sebonack

* Leads by two in pursuit of third major this year (Updates at end of day)

June 28 (Reuters) - South Korea's Park Inbee moved a step closer to her third major victory this year when she seized a two-shot lead in the weather-interrupted second round of the U.S. Women's Open in Southampton, New York on Friday.

Shortly before play was suspended for the day as fog enveloped the challenging Sebonack Country Club layout, the in-form Park rolled in a birdie putt on the 18th green to complete a four-under-par 68.

That left the Korean world number one at nine-under 135, two ahead of compatriot Kim In-kyung, who had played well for a 69 earlier in the day despite gusting winds and several tough pin positions.

American Lizette Salas was at four under after shooting an even 72, level with England's Jodi Ewart Shadoff, who was two under for the round with three holes to complete when the siren sounded to halt the action.

The cut was projected to fall at five-over 149 with Taiwan's former world number one Yani Tseng, third-ranked Norwegian Suzann Pettersen and reigning Women's British Open champion Shin Ji-yai of South Korea among those destined to miss out. (Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank Pingue)

Golf-McDowell wins French Open by four shots

Golf-McDowell wins French Open by four shots










July 7, 2013 1:40 PM


July 7 (Reuters) - World number nine Graeme McDowellheld off the challenge of South Africa's Richard Sterne to win the French Open by four shots at the tough Le Golf National on Sunday.

The pair were joint leaders at five-under following the third round, with several other contenders within striking distance at the 2018 Ryder Cup venue.

Yet Northern Ireland's McDowell, the 2010 U.S Open champion, and Sterne both birdied two of their first six holes to ensure they were in prime position to keep their rivals at a distance.

McDowell bogeyed the par-four seventh, only his fourth of the week, but picked himself up to birdie the ninth and 10th as Sterne began to falter.

The South African fell away after the turn, bogeying the 12th, 16th and 17th.


McDowell hit a superb birdie on the 17th to add a final flourish and add to his wins at the RBC Heritage in South Carolina and the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Bulgaria.

He ended with a four-under 67 and winning total of nine-under 275.

McDowell, who missed the cut at last week's Irish Open in what has been a year of fluctuating results for the Ryder Cup stalwart, moved to second behind Justin Rose in the Race to Dubai rankings.

"It's very special after the last couple of months," McDowell told the European Tour website (www.europeantour.com).

"It's been a bit of a battle. It's been a funny year. My game has not felt far away most weeks but I have missed a lot more cuts than normal and missing cuts hurts.

"It certainly motivated me a lot the last few weeks. The U.S. Open was a tough one to take and missing the cut in Ireland last week.

"It made me more hungry to want to be in positions like I was this afternoon."

Sterne, also a winner on the tour in 2013, finished the round on even par and five-under for the tournament, while Spain's Eduardo de la Riva and England's Graeme Storm were tied for third a shot further back. (Reporting by Josh Reich; editing by Toby Davis)