Tour Report: Wear your school colors Saturday (PGATOUR.com)
January 27, 2012
Stan Badz/PGA TOURBen Crane wore his school colors from the University of Oregon final year on University Day.
LA JOLLA, Calif. – For Saturday’s third round of the Farmers Insurance Open, TOUR pros are encouraged to wear their university colors in support of the “University of Farmers” campaign.
Players wearing their team colors with the lowest third-round score will get a charitable commitment to their school’s golf team.
The player with the low round will win $20,000 to his school’s golf team. Second place will win $10,000 and all players wearing school colors will get at least a $500 commitment to their school’s team.
Overall, Farmers hopes to donate up to $70,000 as element of “University Day."
If a player finishes in the leading three who did not attend a college, a donation in that player’s name will go to the Golf Coaches Association of America to aid cultivate future golf stars.
In additions, fans also are encouraged to wear their school colors and will receive a branded koozie at the Farmers CAT bus on the 17th fairway if they are participating.
CLICK Right here FOR LIST OF TOUR PROS AND THEIR SCHOOLS
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Woods, McIlroy in the hunt in Abu Dhabi
January 27, 2012
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP)—As Tiger Woods completed the second roundwithin two shots of the lead at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, rivals relishedseeing signs of the Woods of old on Friday.
He completed with a three-under 69 to be five beneath for the tournament and tied forfourth, two shots back of surprise Danish leader Thorbjorn Olesen (67).
Woods began slowly and came to life on the back nine, hitting threebirdies more than 5 holes. He dropped a shot on the 16th following an errant drivelanded in deep rough, a single of his two bogeys on the day.
Rory McIlroy from Northern Ire&hellip AP – Jan 27, ten:18 am EST Tiger Wood from US tees of on &hellip AP – Jan 27, ten:17 am EST
Robert Rock from England plays&hellip AP – Jan 27, ten:17 am EST
Rory McIlroy from Northern Ire&hellip AP – Jan 27, ten:17 am EST
Rory McIlroy from Northern Ire&hellip AP – Jan 27, ten:16 am EST
Rory McIlroy from Northern Ire&hellip AP – Jan 27, 10:16 am EST
Tiger Wood from US plays a bun&hellip AP – Jan 27, 10:16 am EST
Tiger Woods from U.S. reacts o&hellip AP – Jan 27, 9:50 am EST
Luke Donald from England plays&hellip AP – Jan 27, 9:50 am EST
Tiger Woods from U.S. reacts o&hellip AP – Jan 27, 9:35 am EST
Tiger Woods from U.S. tees off&hellip AP – Jan 27, 9:35 am EST
Robert Karlsson from Sweden pu&hellip AP – Jan 27, 9:34 am EST
Tiger Woods from U.S. reacts o&hellip AP – Jan 27, 9:33 am EST
Lee Westwood from England play&hellip AP – Jan 27, 8:31 am EST
Martin Kaymer from Germany pla&hellip AP – Jan 27, two:21 am EST
Martin Kaymer from Germany pla&hellip AP – Jan 27, two:20 am EST 1 of 16 Golf Gallery
Nevertheless, playing partners Rory McIlroy (72) and Luke Donald (72) enjoyedwatching up close Woods’ threatening short game and his renowned ability toshape even the most difficult of shots.
“He’s certainly got the ball beneath manage. He appears comfortable. He’sonly had a couple of bogeys in two days,” McIlroy said. “He’s not creating manymistakes and he’s very consistent, his ball flight looks fantastic. Seriously lookingforward to battling more than the weekend.”
After saving par on 18, Woods expressed satisfaction with his round.
“I produced a couple putts right here and there but it was tough out there,” hesaid. “The greens got a small quicker, a tiny bit drier and the rough iscertainly obtaining deeper and more lush.”
Olesen, a runner-up 3 times in his rookie season final year, led at 7under by one particular shot more than 18-year-old Italian Matteo Manassero (65) and NorthernIreland’s Gareth Maybin (70).
Woods was an additional shot back with six other people, which includes McIlroy and RobertKarlsson of Sweden (72).
McIlroy incurred a two-shot penalty for brushing away sand in front of hisball which sat on the fringe of the 9th.
A group of 5 were at four under, including Sergio Garcia (69), PadraigHarrington (69), and Charl Schwartzel (70).
The prime-ranked Donald (72) struggled with his drives and stood at 1 under,six shots back. No. three-ranked Lee Westwood (72) was par for the tournament,surviving the cut by two strokes.
Not so fortunate was fourth-ranked Martin Kaymer (73), the three-time winnerand defending champion. At 6 over he missed the cut, along with British Openwinner Darren Clark (81), Colin Montgomerie (76), and Branden Grace (73), winnerof the Joburg Open and Volvo Champions in the final two weeks.
Woods had a bogey-no cost initially round but admitted the greens were fooling him.He seemed to sort them out on Friday, generating numerous key putts which includes a10-footer for his final birdie on 15. But he said players “were grindingalong” and that it was anyone’s tournament to win with the leaderboardfeaturing nine players within two shots of Olesen.
The 14-time significant winner was optimistic the modifications in his swing institutedby new coach Sean Foley were beginning to pay dividends.
“Certainly I have much much more expertise inside the technique and I’ve grown tounderstand what Sean desires me to do and how my body is going to do those thingsand produce the numbers he desires me to generate,” Woods mentioned. “If you wouldhave asked me (six to eight months ago) if I would comprehend the method as wellas I do and the numbers I’m making, I almost certainly would have said no. … Now Ido and when we talk, it’s quite uncomplicated.”
Although Woods was the picture of consistency, McIlroy took fans on arollercoaster ride following holding a share of the lead following the initial round.
The U.S. Open champion opened with a bogey and double bogey right after an errantdrive and some shaky placing. He bounced back with three birdies prior to cardinga double bogey on the 9th when he was penalized for brushing away sand in frontof his ball—after Donald spotted the infraction and called him on it.
But rather than get rattled, McIlroy went on to create two birdies on thenext three holes to end at even par.
“Obviously that wasn’t the ideal start off, three more than by way of 3 and I battledback really nicely to get it back to even par following eight,” McIlroy said. “Madea mistake on 9 when I brushed the sand off the green, wasn’t thinking clearlyand a penalty there. Felt like I played the back nine nicely, and even par,thinking about every thing that occurred out there currently, is a decent score.”
Players are allowed to brush away sand on the green but not on the fringe.
The rounds of the day came from Manassero, who enjoyed a bogey-free of charge roundwith seven birdies, and Olesen, who had seven birdies in his initial 12 holes. The21-year-old Dane stated he could scarcely think he was leading such astar-studded field.
“For me it’s really unique. It’s not many years ago I was watching them onTV,” Olesen mentioned. “I know it’s difficult, but I’m trying to preserve playing my owngame and do my greatest.”
Kaymer shrugged off his placing troubles as “a small bit of a rough periodfor me these final couple of days.”
“Expectations were incredibly high,” he mentioned. “When you go to a tournamentwhere you’ve played very nicely in the past, you expect you’re going to besuccessful somehow and it hasn’t occurred this week. It’s OK. I practiced hardin the winter and it will come together at some stage.”
———
Follow Michael Casey on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mcasey1
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Mahan plans big trip in middle of West Coast swing
January 27, 2012
SAN DIEGO (AP)—Hunter Mahan is playing 5 straight tournaments to commence theseason, a West Coast swing that includes a 17,000-mile detour to the MiddleEast.
Mahan is playing the Qatar Masters subsequent week, situated suitable between TorreyPines and Pebble Beach on the golf calendar. It will be his initially tournamentoverseas throughout the PGA Tour season since he was a rookie and played in France.
He stated he was supplied the invitation more than the holidays and had two days toreply. It was a difficult selection for Mahan, who is playing just about every week by way of theMatch Play Championship in Arizona. Not only does he face a round-trip flighthalfway about the world to a course he has in no way seen, Qatar is opposite thePhoenix Open, which he won two years ago.
Hunter Mahan drives on the fou&hellip AP – Jan 26, 5:52 pm EST Golf Gallery
“It was an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up,” Mahan stated. “I wantedto see if I even liked it more than there, if I wanted to do it again, maybe an AbuDhabi-Qatar swing. There’s a lot of world ranking points proper now. They sort ofown all the huge tournaments, other than the World Golf Championships and themajors.”
Qatar is in the middle of the European Tour’s “Desert Swing,” which startswith Abu Dhabi and concludes with Dubai. PGA Tour players, along with the topEuropean Tour players, are supplied look funds in these events. TigerWoods, K.J. Choi and Jason Day are among the typical PGA Tour members in AbuDhabi this week.
Amongst those who have gone to Qatar in recent years are Steve Stricker andScott Verplank. Woods has been a standard at Dubai. Phil Mickelson played AbuDhabi last year, even though final year it was opposite the Bob Hope Classic.
“It’s a large trip,” Mahan said. “But nowadays, that’s what you have to do.Golf is worldwide. If you want to play against the greatest players … if I go overand play effectively, it’s going to mean a lot much more to me than playing well right here. It’sjust a reality.”
All 3 of those tournaments had a lot more or at least equal ranking pointsthan the PGA Tour events final year.
The only awkward moment for Mahan is the Phoenix Open learned of hisdecision prior to he had a likelihood to tell them. He had to get a release from thePGA Tour before accepting the invitation from Qatar.
Not only is he a past champion in Phoenix, but Ping, his longtime sponsor,is headquartered there.
“It’s unfortunate it got out to them just before we could say anything,” Mahansaid. “It stinks mainly because it is one of my preferred tournaments. I enjoy the 16thhole. I’ve won there. It wasn’t like it was an easy selection. It wasn’t like ano-brainer.”
Mahan stated he doesn’t ever see himself taking up dual membership on the PGAand European tours, and admires players like Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia andJustin Rose who have been performing it for years.
He said how he performs over the subsequent 5 weeks will be far more about his golfthan his travel. After Qatar, he has Pebble Beach, Riviera and the Match Play.
“This is part of the game. This is the life style. You’ve got to travel,”Mahan mentioned. “When you fly more than there, it’s not an excuse. When you fly back,it’s not an excuse. It’s about playing effectively.”
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Golf-Dane Olesen leads as Tiger steals Abu Dhabi show (Reuters)
January 27, 2012
* Woods climbs to inside two shots of the lead
* Olesen sets the pace right after second-round 67 (Updates at end of round)
ABU DHABI, Jan 27 (Reuters) – Former world number oneTiger Woods gave clear evidence he was back to his best aftercarefully plotting his way to a second-round 69 to move withintwo shots of the lead at the Abu Dhabi Championship on Friday.
Young Dane Thorbjorn Olesen (67) set the pace on seven-under137 but it was Woods who made every person sit up and take discover bydisplaying the identical sort of control and precision hedemonstrated while accumulating 14 main victories.
The Abu Dhabi Golf Club is supplying a stern test for astrong field and the 36-year-old American picked up 5 birdiesand two bogeys to join six other players on 139, one behindItalian Matteo Manassero (65) and Briton Gareth Maybin (70).
Also on 5-under 139 after one more sun-soaked day in thedesert had been British quartet Rory McIlroy (72), Richard Finch(71), Paul Lawrie (69) and Robert Rock (70), Swede RobertKarlsson (72) and Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (71).
Early starter Olesen, 22, 1 of the European Tour’s hottestyoung prospects, was dreaming of a maiden victory afterstringing together seven birdies in the first 12 holes on theway to his five-below round.
“It was a bit of a shame to finish with a bogey six at thelast but overall I played truly effectively,” he told Sky Sports.
“It’s genuinely tricky out there, when you hit it in therough it’s tough to get out. You actually have to hit it in thefairway to get it close to the hole,” added the Dane who hadthree second-spot finishes in his rookie campaign final season.
Woods, beset by injuries and private difficulties in the lasttwo years, hinted he was obtaining his ‘A game’ back together bywinning the Chevron World Challenge final month.
That victory in California came in a minor occasion against alesser field but this week’s tournament is laden withworld-class talent, the lineup resembling a important championshipmore than a normal tour occasion.
“I thought I played properly these days,” said late starter Woods. “Imade a couple of putts here and there but it was difficult outthere.
“The greens are a little bit quicker, a small bit dryer andthe rough appears to be receiving deeper and much more lush so itcertainly puts a premium on driving the ball in the fairway.”
Woods’s game from tee to green was a lot the similar as it wason Thursday when he fashioned two birdies and 16 pars.
Twenty four hours later, although, he showed a meaner streakon the greens.
“I got much more committed to it,” said Woods, referring to hisputting. “Once I read the greens I believed I’d just play andtrust it.”
Woods’s marquee three-ball with McIlroy and world number oneLuke Donald was followed by one particular of the largest galleriesassembled at a tournament in the Middle East.
Guidelines BREACH
The fans had a lot to watch simply because exactly where Woods was rocksteady, McIlroy gave a spectacularly inconsistent performanceand Donald seemed as though he was playing in as considerably sand asgrass.
World number 3 McIlroy mixed six birdies with two bogeysand two double-bogeys, the most notable coming at the ninthwhere he committed a guidelines breach by working with his hand to sweepsand away on the fringe of the green.
The 22-year-old Northern Irishman put it down to a lack ofknowledge and a loss of concentration.
“Luke mentioned, ‘I don’t feel you can do that,’ and then I waslike, ‘Oh no, I can’t, can I?’, and it turned a four into asix,” explained McIlroy soon after incurring a two-shot penalty.
Triple significant winner Padraig Harrington enjoyed a welcomereturn to form, shooting a 69 to join Spanish duo Sergio Garcia(69) and Jose Manuel Lara (70), U.S. Masters champion CharlSchwartzel (70) and Briton Richie Ramsay (71) on 140.
Lee Westwood, ranked second in the world, located it tough tocope with a niggling neck injury and could only manage a 72 for144, level par while Donald (72) was on 143.
Germany’s Martin Kaymer, winner here 3 of the past fouryears, missed the cut soon after the world number four carded a 73for 150. (Writing by Tony Jimenez in London, editing by Alastair HimmerTo comment on this story: sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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Padraig Harrington in mix in Abu Dhabi
January 27, 2012
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP)—After going winless in 2011, 3-timemajor winner Padraig Harrington is sensing a victory is just around the corner.
Harrington shot a three-under 69 Friday in the second round of the Abu DhabiGolf Championship. His 140 total has left him in a tie for ninth location so far,only 3 strokes behind clubhouse leader Thorbjorn Olesen in a tournament thatfeatures the globe’s four top rated-ranked players and Tiger Woods.
“I’ve been telling you it’s coming for a very good although,” stated Harrington, wholast won in November 2010 at the Johor Open. “So I’m usually optimistic but I’mseeing some fantastic signs out there. I’m obtaining a excellent strike on a lot ofshots and as I stated, I seem to be rolling the ball nicely so just type of haveto get used to it now and run with it.”
Harrington said he has began working with Dave Alred, who was creditedwith helping No. 1-ranked Luke Donald find his existing form. Describing his roleas a practice coach, Harrington said he was “trying to get the most significant transferfrom the practice round to the golf course.”
“He’s producing me more diligent in my practice,” Harrington mentioned. “As Isaid all through final year, I felt I played properly in practice and just by no means tookit to the golf course. He’s all about taking your practice to the golf course.Actually we time the practice, we count the balls. There’s a lot of things …it’s actually putting a lot more precision into the practice.”
Winning in Abu Dhabi would be particularly satisfying for the 40-year-oldIrishman, who led going into the second round final year but was disqualified forsigning an incorrect card immediately after a slow-motion replay revealed that his ballmoved ever so slightly immediately after he replaced his marker.
The Royal & Ancient and USGA have because decided to revise the rule so thatplayers who learn of a violation after they sign their cards can be penalizedwithout disqualification.
Harrington stated he was specially content with his putting Friday in what hecalled a “solid round.” At one point, Harrington had 4 birdies in a row andclosed out the round with 5 birdies and two bogeys.
“Certainly a small bit far better into the groove but my irons, possibly I wasbetter off the tee currently,” Harrington mentioned. “Showed a lot of good signs. Irolled the ball truly nicely these days. Practically every putt I took, I gave the hole arun. Definitely scared it a handful of instances. So, yeah, I was happy with that.”
But Harrington isn’t finding ahead of himself, understanding he nonetheless will needseveral good rounds this weekend to give him a legitimate chance of winning.
“Eight-beneath par, if it’s only 1 guy, it’s not too far behind,”Harrington said. “But if there’s a entire six or seven guys or eight or nineguys on 6-, 7-, 8-below par, 4-beneath is a little bit of function to do.”
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Levin, Stanley take advantage of easier course
January 27, 2012
SAN DIEGO (AP)—The scoreboard at Torrey Pines for the Farmers InsuranceOpen was filled with names followed by “NC” in parentheses.
That stands for the North Course.
It could as nicely have meant “no contest.”
Spencer Levin, with a single crucial shot out of a bunker that altered his outlook,shot a 29 on the back nine for a ten-below 62, matching his ideal score on the PGATour. Kyle Stanley played his final seven holes in 7-below par, closing with an8-iron into the par-five 18th green for eagle and a 62 that was his lowest score intwo years on the PGA Tour.
Bill Haas made a double bogey and nevertheless shot 63, courtesy of his 11 birdies.
It was no surprise Thursday that the top rated 12 players on the leaderboard allplayed the North Course, which is 604 yards shorter than the South Course, siteof the 2008 U.S. Open. When the toughest test in golf came to Torrey Pines, theNorth Course was applied for parking, practice areas and corporate tents.
“I played the pro-am on the North Course yesterday. There were just a lotof birdie opportunities out there, so I knew there was a good score—maybe not10 (below), but I’ll take it,” Stanley said.
The initial-round leader nearly usually is on the North Course. Tournamentsaren’t won on the opening day of this tournament, although they can easily belost. That’s why Rod Pampling was pleased with his 64, and when asked if thetournament actually doesn’t commence till Saturday when players have been aroundboth tracks, he replied, “I guess. But you can surely take yourself out ofit.”
The common score on the North was 69.24. The typical score on the South was72.85.
The finest score from the South was Marc Turnesa at 66.
Phil Mickelson, meanwhile, went south on the South. The 3-time championand San Diego favored believed his game was rounding into form when he came homefrom the Humana Challenge. Rather, he hit into 11 bunkers, missed a 3-footbirdie putt on the final hole and signed for a 77. It was his highest score atTorrey Pines due to the fact a 78 in the third round of 2005.
“Obviously, I produced some poor swings just in the incorrect spot and so forth,”Mickelson said. “I felt like my game was prepared heading in, and I don’t knowwhat to say about the score. Simply because it was pathetic.”
A year ago, the fairways were pinched in and the rough was unusually high onthe North Course, helping to make up for the 604-yard distinction between the twocourses. Based on the scores, that’s no longer the case.
Pampling, Vijay Singh, Josh Teater and PGA Tour rookie John Huh were at 64,with Huh generating 3 eagles. Camilo Villegas and Justin Leonard had been amongthose at 65.
Of the 54 players who shot in the 60s, only 13 of them had been on the SouthCourse. One of them was Paul Goydos, who doesn’t buy into the theory that withtwo vastly distinct courses, the tournament really doesn’t start till Saturdaywhen every person has played both.
“Ten beneath is leading the tournament, and anybody who says differently isfull of it,” Goydos mentioned. “I looked at the leaderboard.”
He would argue that some players simply have better vibes on the differentcourses. What might be a large distinction to 1 player might be much much less toanother.
“All I know is that I’m six shots back and I’ve got to deal with it,” hesaid.
One factor that left small room for debate—the climate could not be anymore gorgeous for late January along the Pacific coast, a day of endlesssunshine and warm temperatures that produced even the South play a tiny shorter.
Levin noticed only one particular huge transform in his game, and that was putting the ballin play. That produced rather the distinction, for hit set up short irons and plentyof birdie possibilities.
“I had some putts for birdies rather of pars, and type of added up to agood score,” Levin mentioned.
The turning point came when Levin thought he may produced bogey. He drove intothe bunker on No. 7, leaving him an uphill shot to a tricky green, blockedpartially by a tree.
“I was thinking I wouldn’t have a shot. I was thinking it’s most likely goingto be a bogey, and I’ll go back to even (par),” Levin stated. “I cut an 8-ironaround and go on the appropriate side of the green and hit a 20-footer—it probablybroke 10 feet—and I produced it. So it felt like at least a one particular-shot swing.”
He followed with a birdie on the par-5 ninth, and producing the turn at three underinstead of 1 below changed every little thing for him.
Haas, coming off a sluggish start in Kapalua and the California desert, wasat 8 under with four holes to play when he missed the green well to the suitable onthe picturesque, downhill, par-three sixth hole. His long pitch from the roughdidn’t reach the green, he chipped some 15 feet past the hole and created doublebogey.
That produced him upset.
He completed with two strong birdies, which eased the sting and could lead tosome momentum on Friday.
“I would like to be ten or 11 below,” Haas mentioned. “But to get more than that andfinish with two excellent birdies, I was pleased with that.”
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Golf-Mickelson dumbfounded after woeful Torrey Pines start (Reuters)
January 27, 2012
(Corrects year of Mickelson’s worst score in last para)
SAN DIEGO, Jan 26 (Reuters) – Phil Mickelson, anunabashed fan of Torrey Pines exactly where he has triumphed threetimes, was entirely perplexed following battling to a five-more than-par77 in the opening round of the Farmers Insurance Open onThursday.
In near-great scoring circumstances on the South Coursepicturesquely laid out on bluffs above the Pacific coastline,Mickelson mixed seven bogeys with two birdies to finish a gloriousday of sunshine a distant 15 strokes off the lead.
He had a golden opportunity to finish his round with twoconsecutive birdies but missed a 3-foot putt at the par-five18th to match his second highest score at an occasion he has played23 times.
“I had some great days of practice and I was ready to play,”a dumfounded Mickelson told reporters. “I don’t know whathappened. I just wasn’t in a position to concentrate.
“Obviously, I produced some bad swings just in the incorrect spotsand so forth, but I felt like my game was ready heading in. Idon’t know what to say about the score since it was pathetic.”
Asked why he had difficulty in focusing, Mickelson replied:“I just didn’t put the ball exactly where I wanted to and see itclearly. I ended up creating a lot of swings exactly where I missed theball in the wrong spot.”
Mickelson, who lives in nearby Rancho Santa Fe, had highhopes for this week, having tied for 49th at the HumanaChallenge on Sunday at La Quinta exactly where he enhanced right after openingwith a two-over-par 74.
“It’s a little disappointing that the very first round right here andthe initially round last week have been so poor, simply because I feltreally prepared and sharper than I have in a lengthy time starting theyear,” said the 4-instances important champion. “So to shoot thosenumbers, I don’t get it.”
Mickelson, who this week is competing in his second PGA Tourevent of the year, faces an uphill process to make the cut but hewill at least have the less difficult North Course to negotiate inFriday’s second round.
“There is an opportunity tomorrow to go seriously low over onthe North if you play properly,” the 41-year-old stated. “I birdied 17today and I believed I had a birdie on 18, but I missed thatlittle one there.
“That would have gotten me to a point exactly where I thought if Icould have shot six or seven beneath par on the North, I’d atleast get right here for the weekend and make some momentum.”
Mickelson’s worst score at the Torrey Pines occasion was a 78in the third round in 2005. (Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in San Diego Editing byFrank Pingue To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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REFILE-Golf-Woods is fit and happy, says McIlroy (Reuters)
January 25, 2012
(Fixes slug)
ABU DHABI, Jan 25 (Reuters) – Tiger Woods is fightingfit and incredibly happy with his game going into this week’s AbuDhabi Championship, globe quantity three Rory McIlroy stated onWednesday.
U.S. Open champion McIlroy practised with the former worldnumber one on Tuesday and will play with the American andcurrent quantity one Luke Donald in the opening two rounds.
Woods has tumbled down the world rankings following personalproblems and injuries over the past two years but he won theChevron World Challenge in December to climb back up to 25th.
“He seems like he’s happy with anything – I know he’sdefinitely content that he feels like he’s back to 100 percentfitness, which is fantastic for him,” McIlroy told reporters.
“He hit a lot of great shots out there, so I believe he’sworked tough in the off-season and looks like his game is inpretty great shape.
“It’s undoubtedly not a quiet way to commence the year. You areplaying with two of the very best golfers in the world in the firsttwo days and up against a single of the strongest fields that will beassembled this year,” mentioned McIlroy.
Globe number two Lee Westwood, who won tournaments in SouthAfrica and Thailand at the end of last year, will play withdefending champion Martin Kaymer of Germany and Spaniard SergioGarcia in the first two rounds.
“The most pleasing factor was about four weeks prior to thatI began working with Phil Kenyon, my new placing coach,”Westwood said.
“To shoot 62 around Sun City and 60 and 64 about the coursein Thailand you need to have to commence creating a couple of 15-footers, whichI’ve been missing for the previous 17 years,” he joked.
Westwood stated his improved putting really should increase his chancesof winning his initial major title this year.
“I consider it’s extremely tough to win a major without having producing afew (putts) that are surprising or bonuses, so if I can startrolling in a couple of 25-30-footers that’s clearly going to make amassive difference,” he mentioned.
“The distinction with Phil is that my practice is a lot morestructured and based around drills to make positive that I do thesame factor more than and more than once again.
“It aids your whole game. It provides you confidence and ifyou begin making putts that you have not been making it takesthe pressure off your lengthy game.” (Writing by Ed Osmond, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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Local Knowledge: 2012 Farmers Insurance Open (PGA.com)
January 25, 2012
Breathtaking La Jolla, Calif., is the spot the PGA Tour this week, as players head to Torrey Pines for the Farmers Insurance Open.
The tournament is played over two courses for the first two rounds – the birdie-friendly North Course and the brutal, but storied South Course, which hosted the spectacular 2008 U.S. Open duel among Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate.
In 2011, lefty Bubba Watson outlasted the neighborhood favored, "Lefty," Phil Mickelson for the win.
Mediate, Watson and Mickelson will all be at Torrey Pines this week. Woods – a seven-time winner at Torrey as a skilled – will not. He's instead playing on the European Tour this week in Abu Dhabi.
Prior to the tournament teed off, we caught up with one of our preferred PGA Skilled's in the company, Torrey Pines Director of Golf Joe DeBock for a little Q&A.
PGA.com: Thanks for joining us, Joe. Let's go back to 2011 for a minute. Two of the most preferred lefties in the game—Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson—battling it out down the stretch with Watson coming out on best. Could you have asked for a greater finish?
DeBock: No, it could not have been superior unless you're Phil Mickelson. Phil had his caddie tend the pin for him on his third shot from 72 yards away on the final hole to try and tie Bubba Watson. He was trying to make the shot and came pretty darn close too! Phil hit just behind the hole, spinning it back towards the hole, but came up just brief. What a finish. Phil sure knows how to put on a show.
PGA.com: Definitely any tournament that ends on a par-5 hole is going to lend itself to some dramatic finishes. But, what is it in certain about No. 18 at Torrey Pines South Course that practically never fails when it comes to closing drama?
DeBock: A score of three to 6 is often a possibility on the 18th hole right here at Torrey Pines. If you are two or three shots off the lead, there's a chance. The par 5 is reachable with two great shots for the guy trying to make 3. If you're a leader, playing safe hitting your third shot into this green can be tricky. From time to time it can spin back into the pond. You just by no means know with this finishing hole and I think that's what makes it so fantastic.
PGA.com: Can you tell us a small about the weather expected for this week? It's always critical for guys to make their birdies on the North Course. Is there a specific wave that will have an benefit this week due to that weather?
DeBock: The climate is supposed to be in the 70s for all 4 days of the tournament. However, you never ever know with Torrey Pines. At times when the weather gets warm at our courses, the heat has a way pulling or sucking in fog which has happened over the years. All in all I would anticipate fantastic weather and low scores. With low scores a possibility, beginning on the North Course I really feel offers you an advantage. The North Course can play 3-4 shots easier then the South. Mentally, I think it assists to get off to a good start off.
PGA.com: I'm certain you're pleased with the fantastic field you have assembled this week. On the other hand, is it a tiny disappointing to not have Tiger Woods there taking into consideration his unbelievable record at Torrey?
DeBock: Yes, I'm definitely shocked that he's not playing here. He won a Junior World Title here at Torrey when he was 16, won six times here on the PGA Tour and a single U.S. Open Golf Championship. That is eight Championships right here at Torrey Pines, all of which I personally watched and saw. Any PR decision says you play Torrey. I guess we'll see how it functions out for Tiger at the end of the week.
Nonetheless, we have ten main championship winners playing this week, plus all the new guns that are hot.
PGA.com: Final question for you, Joe. What's your outlook for the week? What do you think the fans can expect?
DeBock: The fans can expect wonderful weather, golf courses in tip-top shape and views that are just awesome. The golf will be thrilling it usually is right here at Torrey Pines and getting two courses the initially two days makes for uncomplicated watching as it spreads players around.
My outlook for the week, getting been right here for 24 years, is to observe and get to know all these new younger, up-and-coming future greats. I have had terrific moments with numerous of the past Champions such as Phil Mickelson, Mark O'Meara, Davis Enjoy, Craig Stadler, John Daly, Scott Simpson and Tiger Woods, but now the guard is altering and has changed. The names might start seeking unique.
Watch out for the names like Bubba Watson, Rickie Flower and the Dustin Johnsons of the globe. I look forward to getting terrific moments with them as nicely!
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Tour Report: Injured Tebow no-go for Pebble (PGATOUR.com)
January 25, 2012
Stan Bdaz/PGA TOURTim Tebow played in the pro-am of the 2011 FedExSt. Jude Classic.
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM
Tim Tebow will not be able to play in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am due to injuries sustained in the Denver Broncos’ loss to the New England Patriots in the NFL playoffs two weeks ago, according to the Monterey Herald.
Officials had been holding a spot in the field for the quarterback.
"Due to the injuries, it looks like he’s a no-go," tournament director Steve Worthy told the newspaper on Tuesday.
Tebow suffered multiple injuries to his chest in the 45-ten loss.
The quarterback opposite Tebow in that game, Tom Brady, is nonetheless expected to play. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is also in the field and will be paired with Tiger Woods, who is playing in the tournament for the initially time since 2002.
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Fowler switches to Cobra Puma clubs
Photo courtesy of Cobra Puma Golf.
Rickie Fowler is identified for being attired head-to-toe in Puma clothing and now his golf bag will feature a similar appear with Fowler officially switching to Cobra Puma’s new AMP clubs, which he’ll use in his season debut at this week’s Farmers Insurance Open.
"I am so excited to have the Cobra sticks in my bag and be a full portion of the Cobra Puma Golf team," Fowler mentioned in a release. "I’ve been hitting the AMP driver wonderful I’m receiving a lot far more distance and the orange details look really fresh.”
As noted, Fowler will play the AMP driver, which characteristics E9 Face Technologies with dual roll, Advanced Material Placement and Adjustable Flight Technology. He’ll also use the AMP 3-wood and AMP Pro prototype irons. Particulars on the clubs will consist of flashes of Fowler’s trademark orange.
The AMP Driver and the AMP irons had been each featured in this year’s edition of Golf Digest’s Hot List.
"Rickie’s focus, determination and performance combined with his stand out style and joy for the game make him a excellent match for Cobra Golf," mentioned Bob Philion, President of Cobra Puma Golf, in a statement Monday. "He has had a tremendous effect in the golf sector over the past handful of years and his influence continues to develop. As we continue the revitalization of Cobra globally, Rickie Fowler will be instrumental in bringing our core DNA to life by getting grounded in efficiency whilst bringing an edgy, unique personality and style to life. He will help us introduce the new Cobra Golf to a new group of buyers."
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