Costa del Sol Golf

European number one Lee Westwood shrugged off his winless start to the new season following Sunday’s play-off defeat at the Dubai Desert Classic.

The 36-year-old world number four lost to Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, missing two championship putts in the play-off after letting slip a two-shot advantage following a final-round level-par 72 at Emirates Golf Club.

Westwood missed the cut on his seasonal debut in Abu Dhabi following problems with a new set of irons and finished third in Qatar when difficulties with a new driver scuppered his final-round challenge before yesterday’s valiant effort in Dubai.

But he has always regarded the three-event desert swing as his “pre-season” following his energy-sapping end to 2009 before heading to America for this month’s WGC - Accenture Match Play Championship, which begins his lead-up to April’s Masters at Augusta.

“The results, although I would liked to have won last week, don’t really concern me too much,” he said.

“I keep accumulating world ranking points. I’ve done a lot of fitness work over the last three weeks and I feel pretty strong.

“The game still feels a little bit rusty and I’m mentally not quite sharp enough, but I’m hitting the good shots.”

After securing his place in the play-off with a birdie at the 72nd hole in regulation, Westwood looked in command over the first two holes of the play-off with Jimenez twice seemingly in trouble.

But after Westwood missed putts of 10 and 18 feet for a first title of the season which would have pushed him to third in the world, a missed six-foot par putt at the third play-off hole opened the door for Jimenez to record a first win since the 2008 BMW PGA Championship.

Jimenez narrowly missed the water at the first extra hole, then holed out from 12 feet to keep his bid alive on the second after hitting his tee shot into the rough and his approach into the back bunker.

But the Spaniard held his nerve from four feet in near darkness at the third time of asking after Westwood missed from inside six feet.

“The writing was on the wall. Miguel plugs in the front, 99 times out of a 100 that goes back in the water,” said Westwood following his 13th top-10 finish in 16 events.

“And he’s also one of the best bunker players on tour. He still plays one of his poor bunker shots, but holes out to stay in it. That’s one of those things, play-offs can be like that.”

Tags: Abu Dhabi, Costa del Sol Golf, Dubai, Dubai Desert Classic, Emirates Golf Club, European number one, Lee Westwood, Miguel Angel Jimenez// Category Golf News // Add Comment »

Steve Stricker was forced to hold on for victory at the Northern Trust Open after Luke Donald shot a final-round 66.

American Stricker claimed a two-shot win over the Englishman with a one-under-par 70 at the Riviera Country Club and has now climbed to the world number two ranking at the expense of two-time defending champion Phil Mickelson.

The left-hander needed a top-six finish to keep the rank but could only manage a tie for 45th after a closing 73.

The victory for Stricker continued a remarkable turnaround after he lost his PGA Tour card in 2004. He won the tour’s Comeback Player of the Year award in 2006 and 2007, won three titles in 2009 and after three tournaments this year has yet to shoot over par.

“It feels great, this means a lot,” an emotional Stricker told NBC Sports. “I remember where I was and look at where I am now, it doesn’t get any better and I really appreciate it.”

Stricker had taken a six-stroke lead into the final round near Los Angeles and, 12 months after losing a two-shot lead in the same tournament to Phil Mickelson, a nervy start in Pacific Palisades saw Donald cut the lead to two after just five holes.

Birdies at the eighth and ninth put Stricker back on the right track before both he and his rival birdied the 11th and then bogeyed the 12th, Donald’s first dropped shot in 34 holes.

Donald increased the pressure a little more with a birdie at 13 and further still with a four at the par-five 17th to cut the lead to two, but Stricker held his nerve to par the 72nd hole for victory, the Englishman also parring for his third consecutive top-10 finish at Riviera.

“It was hard,” Stricker added. “I aged a lot out there today and it was a grind from the get-go.”

Halfway leader Dustin Johnson also shot a 66 to claim a tie for third place at 13 under with fellow American JB Holmes, who carded a 67.

Newly-appointed US Ryder Cup vice-captain Paul Goydos shot a 65 to claim a share of fifth place alongside compatriots Steve Marino and George McNeill, as well as Argentina’s Andres Romero.

Closing rounds of 73 and 72 saw England’s Justin Rose slip down the leaderboard to three under par and a tie for 37th, while a closing 73 sent countryman Brian Davis to one under and Scotland’s Martin Laird wrapped things up with a 72 to finish at one over par.

Collated final round scores & totals in the USPGA Tour Northern Trust Open, Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, California, United States of America

(USA unless stated, par 71):

268 Steve Stricker 67 65 66 70

270 Luke Donald (Eng) 68 70 66 66

271 Dustin Johnson 64 67 74 66, J.B. Holmes 68 69 67 67

274 George McNeill 70 69 66 69, Steve Marino 70 67 69 68, Paul Goydos 69 72 68 65, Andres Romero (Arg) 65 69 70 70

275 Ricky Barnes 66 71 69 69

276 Kevin Na 72 67 71 66, Kevin Stadler 65 71 69 71, Ernie Els (Rsa) 68 70 70 68, Jason Bohn 69 75 67 65, Alex Prugh 71 69 66 70

277 Marc Leishman (Aus) 71 71 70 65, Ryuji Imada (Jpn) 73 68 68 68, Bo Van Pelt 70 70 69 68, Webb Simpson 70 73 69 65, Y.E. Yang (Kor) 71 70 68 68

278 Charlie Wi (Kor) 72 68 69 69, Jim Furyk 71 70 68 69, Matt Kuchar 69 71 72 66, Kevin Sutherland 69 71 68 70, Scott Verplank 68 74 65 71, Brandt Snedeker 66 72 69 71, Tim Wilkinson (Nzl) 69 67 71 71

279 Rodney Pampling (Aus) 70 70 73 66, John Rollins 71 71 67 70, Michael Allen 69 70 71 69, Robert Allenby (Aus) 72 69 70 68, K J Choi (Kor) 71 72 71 65

280 Michael Letzig 71 72 68 69, Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn) 68 68 72 72, Stewart Cink 71 71 67 71, Bryce Molder 71 68 71 70, Tim Clark (Rsa) 69 72 71 68

281 Charley Hoffman 68 71 70 72, Woody Austin 71 72 70 68, Fred Couples 69 72 72 68, Chad Campbell 70 72 71 68, Justin Rose (Eng) 69 67 73 72, Jimmy Walker 71 72 71 67, Troy Matteson 68 69 74 70, Jonathan Byrd 68 74 71 68

282 Phil Mickelson 72 66 71 73, Rich Beem 74 69 68 71

283 Brian Davis (Eng) 72 70 68 73, Vaughn Taylor 73 70 72 68, Matt Bettencourt 70 74 72 67, Briny Baird 70 72 69 72, D.J. Trahan 72 71 72 68

284 D.A. Points 69 72 70 73, Anthony Kim 71 66 69 78

285 Aaron Baddeley (Aus) 72 72 70 71, Brett Quigley 70 73 72 70, John Merrick 70 72 68 75, Roland Thatcher 68 73 74 70, Martin Laird (Sco) 72 72 69 72, Brenden Pappas (Rsa) 71 68 72 74, Mark Wilson 72 72 72 69

286 Justin Leonard 71 73 71 71, J J Henry 70 73 71 72, Jeff Overton 70 71 71 74, Greg Chalmers (Aus) 71 73 70 72, Ben Curtis 73 68 75 70, Angel Cabrera (Arg) 71 73 71 71, Stuart Appleby (Aus) 71 71 71 73

287 Nicholas Thompson 69 73 74 71

289 Steve Flesch 73 70 73 73, Craig Bowden 69 74 73 73

292 Parker McLachlin 71 73 72 76

294 Kevin Streelman 69 73 74 78

Tags: California, Costa del Sol Golf, Dustin Johnson, Luke Donald, Northern Trust Open, Pacific Palisades, PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson, Riviera CC, Riviera Country Club, Steve Stricker// Category Golf News // Add Comment »

Miguel Angel Jimenez beat Lee Westwood at the third play-off hole to win the Dubai Desert Classic following a thrilling see-saw final day at Emirates Golf Club.

European number one Westwood birdied the last hole in regulation to card a final round level par 72 to join Jimenez at 11-under-par.

Spaniard Jimenez, who began the day holding a one shot lead alongside Westwood, Alvaro Quiros and Thongchai Jaidee, missed a 10-foot birdie chance at the 72nd hole to card his own final round of 72.

Westwood missed championship-winning putts at the first two extra holes, while on both occasions Jimenez had to fight to stay in contention - with a 12-foot par putt the second time around keeping his title hopes alive.

After switching to the par four ninth after two trips up the 18th, Jimenez holed out from four feet to claim his 19th professional title and first since the 2008 BMW PGA Championship, after Westwood had missed his six-foot par putt.

“I feel so proud to win this trophy. I like the golf course, I like the ambience and I like the people and I am very happy,” said the 46-year-old, two-time the Dubai Desert Classic runner-up.

“I made a very good putt on the second hole of the play-off on the 18th that kept me going then I had a putt to win.

“My last win was in 2008 in the PGA and it proves the old guys like me can win.”

Asian number one Jaidee carded a one-over-par 73 final round to finish third by a shot after missing a two-foot birdie putt at the last.

Abu Dhabi champion Martin Kaymer (70) and Challenge Tour number one Edoardo Molinari (71) finished fourth at nine under par, with Rory McIlroy and Alvaro Quiros a further shot adrift.

McIlroy produced a valiant defence of his maiden title but could only manage a 73, while Quiros needed to eagle at the last to earn a play-off but found the water and carded a final-round 75.

Gregory Bourdy (68), 2007 champion Henrik Stenson (68) and 60-year-old eight-time major winner Tom Watson (68) completed the top 10 at six under par.

After Westwood had briefly held a two-shot lead midway through the front nine before shipping a double-bogey, Jimenez and Quiros both moved one clear on the back nine.

But after back-to-back bogeys halted Quiros’ challenge, Jimenez added a second birdie of the day at the 17th to set the clubhouse lead.

Needing a birdie at the last, Westwood aggressively drove the final green to set up his crucial fourth gain of the day after seeing a birdie chance lip out two holes earlier.

At the first play-off hole after driving the green over a lake, Westwood saw a curling 10-foot birdie putt for the title stop on the edge of the cup, while Jimenez battled to save his par after his approach came within an inch of dropping into the water at the front of the green.

Jimenez again looked out of the hunt on the second play-off hole after an uncharacteristic wayward tee shot before hitting his third shot into the back bunker.

But with Westwood within inches after leaving an 18-foot putt for the title just short having again set himself up with another aggressive second shot approach into the par five, Jimenez held his nerve to hole a 12-foot par putt.

The play-off switched to the par-four ninth and despite finding rough off the tee, and like Westwood failing to find the green in two, Jimenez converted his up and down to deny the Englishman claiming a win which would have lifted him to third in the world.

Collated final round scores & totals

(Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72):

277 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 70 67 68 72 (Miguel Angel Jimenez won at the third play-off holes), Lee Westwood 72 65 68 72

278 Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 70 66 69 73

279 Martin Kaymer (Ger) 71 70 68 70, Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 68 70 70 71

280 Rory McIlroy 68 70 69 73, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 69 69 67 75

282 Tom Watson (USA) 73 70 71 68, Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 74 70 70 68, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 76 69 69 68

283 Ross Fisher 70 72 70 71, Paul Casey 69 71 70 73, David Horsey 71 73 70 69, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 70 68 70 75

284 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 68 72 70 74, Christian Nilsson (Swe) 70 71 69 74, Oliver Wilson 72 74 67 71, Thomas Bjorn (Den) 71 73 69 71, Richard Green (Aus) 69 74 71 70

285 Robert Rock 70 74 69 72, Chris Wood 72 74 68 71, Graeme McDowell 72 68 70 75, Paul Waring 74 72 67 72, Gareth Maybin 73 68 72 72, Soren Hansen (Den) 71 72 73 69, David Lynn 72 71 70 72

286 Peter Hanson (Swe) 73 69 70 74, Francesco Molinari (Ita) 7175 73 67, Alexander Noren (Swe) 68 74 69 75, Darren Clarke 71 70 72 73

287 Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 71 74 70 72, Richard Bland 74 67 74 72, David Drysdale 72 74 72 69, Stephen Gallacher 73 71 67 76, Anders Hansen (Den) 69 73 70 75, Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) 74 70 71 72, Metteo Manassero (Ita) 69 72 71 75

288 James Kingston (Rsa) 75 67 71 75, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 68 70 76 74, Marcel Siem (Ger) 71 70 75 72, Nick Dougherty 72 74 73 69, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 71 72 72 73, Kenneth Ferrie 74 72 71 71

289 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 70 71 76 72, Seung-yul Noh (Kor) 72 74 69 74, Damien McGrane 73 73 71 72, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 74 72 68 75, Tano Goya (Arg) 73 72 70 74, Mark Foster 74 72 71 72, Pablo Martin (Spa) 71 73 73 72

290 Robert Jan Derksen (Ned) 74 71 71 74, Stephen Dodd 68 69 76 77, Shiv Kapur (Ind) 74 71 71 74, Ross Bain 72 71 73 74, Bradley Dredge 72 71 74 73

291 Brett Rumford (Aus) 73 73 72 73, John Bickerton 73 70 76 72, Simon Dyson 71 74 75 71, Thomas Levet (Fra) 73 73 74 71

292 Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 74 70 73 75, Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 73 71 70 78, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind) 77 69 70 76, Johan Edfors (Swe) 72 71 70 79, Paul Broadhurst 72 72 71 77

294 Jeppe Huldahl (Den) 75 68 72 79

295 Erik Compton (USA) 73 73 76 73

299 Hennie Otto (Rsa) 76 67 77 79

Tags: Alvaro Quiros, Costa del Sol Golf, Dubai Desert Classic, Emirates Golf Club, Lee Westwood, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Thongchai Jaidee// Category Golf News // Add Comment »

Padraig Harrington was left to rue a bogey on his penultimate hole as he missed the halfway cut by a stroke at the rain-affected Northern Trust Open in Pacific Palisades.

Ireland’s three-time major winner was making his seasonal debut at Riviera Country Club near Los Angeles in California and opened his account with a first round of one-over-par 73.

His second round got off to an encouraging start on a rainy Friday with two birdies but as the day wore on four bogeys followed. A birdie at the 16th had given Harrington some hope only for play to be brought to a close on Friday night with the Irishman on two over par with two to play.

More bad weather followed overnight with Riviera having to soak up more than three inches of rainfall by this morning, and the resumption of play was twice delayed further for the 41 players hoping to complete their second rounds.

The wait did Harrington no favours and he bogeyed the 17th on the way to a 73 to slip to three over and heading out of the tournament.

Scotland’s Martin Laird went in the other direction, though, having been three over after bogeying the sixth hole, his 15th, when play was halted.

Laird resumed this morning with a birdie to get to two under and he held on for second 72 in succession to make the cut on two over.

The third round was set to get under way with more rain forecast at Riviera but with Justin Rose having got into contention with a four-under-par 67 in the second round, leaving him four shots off the lead held by Steve Stricker and the still-to-finish Dustin Johnson when play was brought to a premature halt.

Johnson returned on Saturday and birdied the final hole to take the outright halfway lead at 11 under, his 67 aided by a hole-in-one at the 199-yard, par-three sixth.

Argentina’s Andres Romero was set to start his third round in third place at eight under following a 69, with Rose’s 67 putting him in a tie for fourth at six under alongside Kevin Stadler, who shot a level-par 71, Tim Wilkinson (67) and Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa (68).

Rose’s compatriot and Ryder Cup team-mate Luke Donald finished with a one-under 70 in a group at four under that also included American Brandt Snedeker (72), South Africa’s Ernie Els (70) and defending champion Phil Mickelson.

Mickelson enjoyed a much a better day in the rain than he had on Thursday when he had shot a one-over 72. The world number two got his bid for a third Northern Trust Open title in a row back on track with a 66 to leap into a tie for 13th.

Tags: California, Costa del Sol Golf, Los Angeles, Northern Trust Open, Pacific Palisades, Padraig Harrington, Riviera Country Club// Category Golf News // Add Comment »

Steve Stricker moved five shots clear at the rain-hit Northern Trust Open before third round play was suspended due to darkness at Riviera Country Club.

Stricker was four-under par through 14 holes before play was suspended. On a combined 14-under, Stricker leads Luke Donald, JB Holmes and Andres Romero by five shots.

Romero, playing in the same group as Stricker, was 1-under through 14. Donald and Holmes were able to finish their rounds, Donald carding a five-under 66 and Holmes a 67.

Stricker and Romero elected to mark their balls on the 15th green when play was called due to darkness. Stricker had a 37-foot birdie putt and Romero was just off the back of the green.

“It was a good day,” Stricker said. “I don’t know what kind of lead I have, but I still have to come out and play my own game and make sure that I do the things that I’ve been doing the previous three days.”

Fifteen golfers will return early on Sunday to complete their round before the final 18 holes gets underway.

“It’s not a huge advantage just because we’re all going to be back out here early (Sunday) anyways,” Stricker said. “I would have loved to have finished though, it’s going to be a long day.”

Donald and Holmes have the luxury of sleeping in, having completed their rounds, though they both know they will have to make up ground quickly to pressure Stricker.

“I’m sure (Stricker) will play a solid round,” Donald said. “I would have thought I’d need to shoot something very low to have any chance, but again I’ll be trying to play the course more than anything.”

Saturday began with 41 players finishing their second round, though the start was delayed for 90 minutes because of rain.

One of those who had to finish his second round was Dustin Johnson, who had a chip-in birdie at the 18th to claim the second round lead at 11-under par.

However, after a birdie on the first, Johnson began to slip down the leaderboard with a double bogey on the third and another dropped shot at the next hole. He had a birdie on the 10th but it was sandwiched between two more bogeys to leave him three over for the round.

Stricker was quick to take advantage with birdies on the first, sixth, eighth and 10th to open up the five-stroke lead.

Tags: Andres Romero, Costa del Sol Golf, JB Holmes, Luke Donald, Northern Trust Open, Steve Stricker// Category Golf News // Add Comment »

Tournament officials at the WGC-Accenture Match Play have been unable to confirm speculation that Tiger Woods is set to return to golf at the Arizona event in 12 days’ time.

Reports in an Australian newspaper suggested the world number one was ready to return to golf for the first time since a car accident in late November which led to revelations of extra-marital affairs and an admission of “trangressions” in Woods’ personal life.

World number one Woods announced in early December that he was taking an indefinite leave from the sport to focus on becoming “a better husband, father and person” and the American has not been seen in public since.

The PGA Tour were still in the dark today on a possible Woods return with the tour’s senior communications director Laura Hill telling Press Association Sport: “We have had no indication of when or where Tiger Woods will make his return to the PGA Tour.”

The Match Play event at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain near Tucson was the venue for Woods’ return from a lengthy injury 12 months ago.

“We don’t know anything officially yet, but wouldn’t that be nice?” the tournament’s executive director Wade Dunagan told the Arizona Daily Star.

“It would mean we’d get Tiger on his return two years in a row. Very cool.

“The main question is, ‘Do I know anything you don’t?’ The answer is ‘no’.

“We’re still a little bit in the dark. I can’t confirm or deny anything, because I don’t know.”

The tournament has a limited field open to the top 64 golfers in the world rankings and players wanting to compete have to confirm their entry by next Friday, February 12, five days before the event begins.

Woods left it until a day before the deadline before announcing his return following knee surgery last year but his participation could also be clouded by the fact that tournament sponsor Accenture was one of the first companies to end their endorsement deal with the 14-time major winner when the allegations surrounding his personal life surfaced.

There was no immediate response to requests for a comment from Woods’ management company IMG.

Tags: Arizona, Costa del Sol Golf, Dove Mountain, Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Tiger, Tiger Woods, Tucson, WGC-Accenture Match Play, world number one// Category Golf News // Add Comment »

European number one Lee Westwood promised to take an aggressive approach in the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic after claiming a share of the lead on Saturday.

The world number four dropped just one shot in a four-under-par 68 to join Spanish duo Alvaro Quiros and Miguel Angel Jimenez and Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee in a four-way tie at 11 under par.

A frustrated Westwood was one over after six holes of his third round but fought back and had a chance to snatch the outright lead at the last but missed a long eagle putt.

“Any time I’m in contention that gets me buzzing and excited,” said Westwood.

“I’ll play aggressively, I won’t do anything stupid, but I’ll shoot at the flags that need to be shot at.

“If I keep playing the way I am and get off to a quick start I’m going to have a chance coming down the last nine holes.”

Defending champion Rory McIlroy heads the chasing pack after a 69, with Marcus Fraser (70) and Challenge Tour number one Edoardo Molinari (70) on eight under and Abu Dhabi champion Martin Kaymer lurking a further shot adrift after a bogey-free 68.

Last week in Qatar Westwood headed into the final round just one shot adrift but was left frustrated with a new driver and was forced to settle for third.

But a week later the 36-year-old is much more confident of success after blazing a flawless seven-under-par 65 on Friday, his best score in 50 rounds at Emirates Golf Club.

“It will be a bit of a birdie-fest if it stays like this,” he added.

“Hopefully there will be a bit of wind, but all I’m going to do is try and do what I did at the Dubai World Championship and go out and shoot the lowest score of the final day.”

Overnight leader Jaidee missed a string of chances on the back nine after briefly establishing a four-shot lead and was forced to settle for a 69.

“I am not disappointed I am not in the lead outright. I will just play my own game,” said the 40-year-old former paratrooper. “I have a good chance, but it is very close.”

Quiros finished with back-to-back birdies to card the joint lowest score of the day with a flawless 67.

“It is going to be very tough to win with the players at the top of the leaderboard, it’s not only in my hands. I want to shoot 10 under, but someone could shoot 11 under,” said the big-hitting 27-year-old.

“I’m hitting a lot of great shots but I’m hitting a lot of bad shots, but I’m very lucky because I was able to recover. I have to be more consistent.”

Jimenez, who began the day a shot adrift of Jaidee alongside Westwood, picked up four shots over his final eight holes to sign for a four-under-par 68 following a sublime display of iron play.

“I kept my concentration and focused on what I was hitting well and waited for the birdies to come,” the 46-year-old said. “And that puts me in contention with all of these young guys.”

Italian amateur Matteo Manassero continued to flourish with a 71 pushing the 16-year-old British amateur champion to four under, with 60-year-old eight-time major winner Tom Watson two shots further back after ending his third round 71 with a double bogey.

Collated third round scores & totals

(Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72):

205 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 70 67 68, Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 70 66 69, Lee Westwood 72 65 68, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 69 69 67

207 Rory McIlroy 68 70 69

208 Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 68 70 70, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 70 68 70

209 Martin Kaymer (Ger) 71 70 68

210 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 68 72 70, Christian Nilsson (Swe) 70 71 69, Graeme McDowell 72 68 70, Paul Casey 69 71 70

211 Alexander Noren (Swe) 68 74 69, Stephen Gallacher 73 71 67

212 Peter Hanson (Swe) 73 69 70, Ross Fisher 70 72 70, Anders Hansen (Den) 69 73 70, Metteo Manassero (Ita) 69 72 71

213 James Kingston (Rsa) 75 67 71, Gareth Maybin 73 68 72, Paul Waring 74 72 67, Oliver Wilson 72 74 67, Darren Clarke 71 70 72, David Lynn 72 71 70, Johan Edfors (Swe) 72 71 70, Robert Rock 70 74 69, Stephen Dodd 68 69 76, Thomas Bjorn (Den) 71 73 69

214 Chris Wood 72 74 68, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 68 70 76, Tom Watson (USA) 73 70 71, Richard Green (Aus) 69 74 71, David Horsey 71 73 70, Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 74 70 70, Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 73 71 70, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 74 72 68, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 76 69 69

215 Richard Bland 74 67 74, Jeppe Huldahl (Den) 75 68 72, Seung-yul Noh (Kor) 72 74 69, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 71 72 72, Paul Broadhurst 72 72 71, Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 71 74 70, Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) 74 70 71, Tano Goya (Arg) 73 72 70

216 Robert Jan Derksen (Ned) 74 71 71, Shiv Kapur (Ind) 74 71 71, Soren Hansen (Den) 71 72 73, Marcel Siem (Ger) 71 70 75, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind) 77 69 70, Ross Bain 72 71 73

217 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 70 71 76, Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 74 70 73, Damien McGrane 73 73 71, Pablo Martin (Spa) 71 73 73, Kenneth Ferrie 74 72 71, Mark Foster 74 72 71, Bradley Dredge 72 71 74

218 Brett Rumford (Aus) 73 73 72, David Drysdale 72 74 72

219 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 71 75 73, Nick Dougherty 72 74 73, John Bickerton 73 70 76

220 Hennie Otto (Rsa) 76 67 77, Simon Dyson 71 74 75, Thomas Levet (Fra) 73 73 74

222 Erik Compton (USA) 73 73 76

Tags: Alvaro Quiros, Costa del Sol Golf, Dubai Desert Classic, Lee Westwood, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Rory McIlroy, Thongchai Jaidee// Category Golf News // Add Comment »

A hole in one from Dustin Johnson helped the overnight leader regain the initiative from Steve Stricker at a rainy Riviera Country Club in the second round of the Northern Trust Open.

Big-hitting Johnson had shot an opening seven-under-par 64 on Thursday to lead by a stroke from Argentina’s Andres Romero and fellow American Kevin Stadler.

But as he waited to get his second round under way at Pacific Palisades near Los Angeles, world number three Stricker had moved to the top of the leaderboard.

Stricker fired a seven-birdie, one-bogey 65 to take the clubhouse lead at 10 under, with Stadler shooting a level-par 71 to finish at six under alongside Tim Wilkinson, who had carded a 67.

Johnson, though, soon made inroads with birdies at the par-five first and the par-three fourth and moved into the outright lead when he aced the 199-yard, par-three sixth.

Romero was trying to keep pace with Johnson and he had got to eight under after two birdies in his first seven holes, while England’s Justin Rose was going well, four under for the day and six under for the tournament after 11 holes.

A further shot back was compatriot and Ryder Cup team-mate Luke Donald, also starting from the 10th tee and two under for his round after seven holes. That got him to five under alongside Americans Anthony Kim (66), Steve Marino (67) and Ricky Barnes (71), with JB Holmes and Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa on the same mark after their front nines.

Defending champion Phil Mickelson enjoyed a much a better day in the rain than he had on Thursday when he had shot a one-over 72. The world number two got his bid for a third Northern Trust Open title in a row back on track with a 66 to leap to four under alongside fellow American Brandt Snedeker (72) and South Africa’s Ernie Els (70).

Mickelson credited a late-night chat with both his swing coach Butch Harmon and putting coach Dave Stockton for turning his fortunes around.

“I felt like I wasn’t far off after yesterday’s round, even though the score didn’t reflect it,” Mickelson said. “I had a good conversation with Butch and Dave Stockton last night, and I think it settled in today.

“I was able to make the last adjustment and it felt great. I hit the ball much better and putted much better.”

Mickelson had taken 32 putts in his opening round, but needed just 26 in the second.

“I’d been a fraction off on the greens and catching lips but it was a good talk with Stockton and that last bit of fine tuning, a little adjustment, and it all seemed to click today.

“Even though conditions were much more difficult I played a lot better.”

With the halfway cut mark hovering around the one-over-par mark but conditions and scores worsening as the afternoon wore on, some of the later starters were having to be mindful of making the weekend’s play.

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington was one of those as he bid to shake off some rust in his first tournament of the year. The three-time major winner had opened with a 72 and started his second round well with two birdies in his first three holes but he was soon back at one over following bogeys at the fourth and ninth.

Martin Laird of Scotland was faring worse, three over after eight holes playing the back nine first, two over for the day.

Tags: Dustin Johnson, Northern Trust Open. Caosta del Sol Golf, Riviera Country Club, Steve Stricker// Category Golf News // Add Comment »

Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee carded a bogey-free second round of 66 to claim a one-shot halfway lead at the Dubai Desert Classic.

World number four Lee Westwood fired a flawless 65 in his best ever showing in 50 rounds at Emirates Golf Club to head the chasing pack at seven under, alongside early pacesetters Stephen Dodd and Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Evergreen Spaniard Jimenez carded seven birdies in a 67, while Wales’ Dodd remained in contention with a bogey-free 69.

World number 59 Thongchai, who posted two European Tour victories last season, is reaping the benefits of long hours spent on the putting green to fine tune the weakest aspect of his game.

“I played very consistently, it was a solid day,” said the 40-year-old former paratrooper.

“I hit 13 greens in regulation and missed just five fairways. I am very confident because my putting is getting better, that’s why my game is getting better.”

Defending champion Rory McIlroy (70), Edoardo Molinari (70), Alvaro Quiros (69), Australia’s Marcus Fraser (68) and Charl Schwartzel (70) are all well placed at six under, with a two-shot gap to Paul Casey (71), Graeme McDowell (68) and Jeev Milkha Singh (72).

Westwood is still not fully satisfied with his new driver after cracking the face of his previous club in Qatar, but continued his love affair with Dubai following his superb World Championship success at the end of last year.

After earning a share of the lead with an excellent up and down from the rough after driving the short par-four 17th, the 36-year-old missed a 10-foot birdie chance at the last after a poor tee shot forced him to lay up.

He was briefly tempted to try to carry the lake guarding the front of the green, but after a warning from caddie Billy Foster and seeing player partner Henrik Stenson find the water, opted to play safe.

“I think we have had the hardest conditions over the first couple of days in the morning and then the afternoon but you try and make the best of whatever is thrown at you,” said Westwood, who opened with a 72.

“And if you come out on the right end of that obviously it gives you a massive confidence boost and it’s a big pat on the back.

“It’s the goal all the time to get into contention and keep testing yourself and getting accustomed to being under pressure.”

McIlroy had earlier looked in ominous form, the world number nine briefly establishing a three-shot lead following a run of four consecutive birdies around the turn.

But the 20-year-old, who claimed his first and only career title to date with a wire-to-wire victory 12 months ago, found water at the last to card a double-bogey and round of 70.

“I am still happy where I am heading into the weekend. Apart from the mistake at the last it was another really good day’s work. I putted really solidly, made a few birdies around the turn and also could have made a few more,” said McIlroy.

“There is a little bit of a sour taste in the mouth after the last hole. I had not made a mistake all day and to do it at the last was disappointing, but if I make two birdies in the first two holes tomorrow all is forgotten.”

Italian amateur Matteo Manassero carded a 72 to comfortably beat the cut at a second successive European Tour event, while eight-time major winner Tom Watson is two shots further back after a 70.

Colllated scores (Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72):

136 Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 70 66

137 Stephen Dodd 68 69, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 70 67, Lee Westwood 72 65

138 Rory McIlroy 68 70, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 68 70, Marcus Fraser (Aus) 70

68, Edoardo Molinari (Ita) 68 70, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 69 69

140 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 68 72, Graeme McDowell 72 68, Paul Casey 69 71

141 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 70 71, Richard Bland 74 67, Christian Nilsson (Swe)

70 71, Gareth Maybin 73 68, Metteo Manassero (Ita) 69 72, Marcel Siem (Ger) 71

70, Martin Kaymer (Ger) 71 70, Darren Clarke 71 70

142 Peter Hanson (Swe) 73 69, James Kingston (Rsa) 75 67, Anders Hansen (Den)

69 73, Alexander Noren (Swe) 68 74, Ross Fisher 70 72

143 Hennie Otto (Rsa) 76 67, Jeppe Huldahl (Den) 75 68, Soren Hansen (Den) 71

72, Tom Watson (USA) 73 70, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 71 72, John Bickerton 73 70,

David Lynn 72 71, Johan Edfors (Swe) 72 71, Ross Bain 72 71, Richard Green (Aus)

69 74, Bradley Dredge 72 71

144 Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 74 70, Robert Rock 70 74, Stephen Gallacher 73 71,

Thomas Bjorn (Den) 71 73, Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) 74 70, David Horsey 71 73,

Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 73 71, Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 74 70, Pablo Martin (Spa) 71

73, Paul Broadhurst 72 72

145 Felipe Aguilar (Chi) 71 74, Robert Jan Derksen (Ned) 74 71, Shiv Kapur

(Ind) 74 71, Tano Goya (Arg) 73 72, Simon Dyson 71 74, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 76

69

146 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 71 75, Chris Wood 72 74, Seung-yul Noh (Kor) 72

74, Damien McGrane 73 73, Erik Compton (USA) 73 73, Oliver Wilson 72 74, Paul

Waring 74 72, Nick Dougherty 72 74, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 74 72, Kenneth Ferrie

74 72, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind) 77 69, Brett Rumford (Aus) 73 73,

David Drysdale 72 74, Mark Foster 74 72, Thomas Levet (Fra) 73 73

The following players failed to make the cut:

147 Richie Ramsay 71 76, Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 75 72, Colin Montgomerie 71

76, Francois Delamontagne (Fra) 74 73, Peter Lawrie 77 70, Shaun Micheel (USA)

77 70, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra) 80 67, Gonzalo Fdez-Castano (Spa) 74 73,

Michael Hoey 75 72, Ross McGowan 75 72

148 Mikko Ilonen (Fin) 74 74, Joost Luiten (Ned) 75 73, Nicolas Colsaerts

(Bel) 72 76, Mark Brown (Nzl) 78 70, Oliver Fisher 75 73, Anthony Wall 73 75,

Marc Warren 77 71, Paul Lawrie 73 75, Niclas Fasth (Swe) 75 73, Rafael Cabrera

Bello (Spa) 76 72, Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 75 73

149 David Howell 76 73, Phillip Price 75 74, Seve Benson 74 75, Anthony Kang

(USA) 77 72, Jose-Filipe Lima (Por) 76 73, Scott Hend (Aus) 77 72, Shane Lowry

75 74, Fabrizio Zanotti (Par) 77 72, Oskar Henningsson (Swe) 76 73

150 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 78 72, Alastair Forsyth 77 73, Jamie Donaldson

80 70, Ariel Canete (Arg) 73 77, Sam Little 76 74, Graeme Storm 72 78

151 Danny Lee (Nzl) 74 77, Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg) 74 77, Scott Strange (Aus)

77 74, Todd Hamilton (USA) 74 77

152 Christian Cevaer (Fra) 75 77, Steve Webster 76 76, Gary Orr 73 79, Darren

Fichardt (Rsa) 76 76, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa) 75 77, Mark O’Meara (USA) 77 75,

Anirban Lahiri (Ind) 78 74, Barry Lane 74 78, Gregory Havret (Fra) 75 77

153 Richard Finch 80 73, Michael Jonzon (Swe) 74 79, Ignacio Garrido (Spa) 74

79, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra) 76 77, Pablo Larrazabal (Spa) 76 77

154 Arjun Atwal (Ind) 77 77, Rafael Echenique (Arg) 75 79, Danny Willett 79

75

155 Michael Campbell (Nzl) 81 74

157 Gary Lockerbie 80 77, Thomas Aiken (Rsa) 77 80

158 Mikael Lundberg (Swe) 80 78, David Dixon 80 78

161 Wayne Westner (Rsa) 74 87

162 Miki Mirza (UAE) 81 81

163 Stephen Deane 82 81

Tags: Costa del Sol Golf, Dubai Desert Classic, Emirates Golf Club, European Tour, Lee Westwood, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Paul Casey, Rory McIlroy, Stephen Dodd, Thongchai Jaidee// Category Golf News // Add Comment »

Europe skipper Colin Montgomerie will wait until much later in the year to name his Ryder Cup vice-captains.

“There will be nothing announced … until at least after the British Open (in July)… because I want to give everybody an opportunity to qualify for the team,” Montgomerie said after carding a one-under 71 in the Dubai Classic first round.

Corey Pavin, skipper of the US holders, appointed Tom Lehman, Paul Goydos, Jeff Sluman and Davis Love III as his deputies on Wednesday.

The Ryder Cup will be held at Celtic Manor in Wales in October.

Tags: British Open, Celtic Manor, Colin Montgomerie, Corey Pavin, Costa del Sol Golf, Davis Love III, Jeff Sluman, Monty, Paul Goydos, Ryder Cup, Tom Lehman, vice-captains, Wales// Category Golf News // Add Comment »