Tiger Woods fires first round 74 at Quail Hollow

It's obvious there's some rust on Tiger's game, namely his driving. Tiger could only muster finding a mortal 4 of 14 fairways, missing both right and left in the first round.

Asked after the round if he was heading to the practice tee, he responded with "the hell with it" showing his frustration.

We'll see what Friday's round brings.

Cheers,

Rd. 1 Highlights from Quail Hollow

Tiger and Elin on a one-way trip to divorce court

As Tiger Woods and wife Elin Nordegren continue to live their separate lives, the notion of divorce is imminent.

"It's 100 percent happening," a source told UsMagazine.com. "It's going to take a long time to go through. [But Elin] will go through with it."

Before she boarded a flight to Sweden on Monday with the couple’s two children, Nordegren and her mother reportedly met with a lawyer to discuss divorce proceedings.

"It's going to take a long time to go through," said the insider. "[But] she will go through with it. She is all about being a mom. She will do it slowly and carefully."

With his estranged wife out of the country, Woods stayed behind and "partied like a rock star" Monday night at a Nickelback concert in Orlando, Fla., TMZ reports.

Nordegren, 30, and her children – daughter Sam, 2, and son Charlie, 14 months – are reportedly in Stockholm to visit family.

During the trip, the former model may likely pay a visit to the $3 million home in Vaxholm which she purchased in December.

"She is definitely planning on spending a lot of time there – they are gutting it," the source said of the private-island estate, which is said to be under "nonstop construction."

"She and the kids are going to be spending most of the summer there," the source added. "Without Tiger."

Courtesy: NYDailyNews.com

Quail Hollow Championship preview

J. Bohn goes wire-to-wire at Zurich in New Orleans

Well Jason Bohn won his second PGA Tour title on Sunday going wire-to-wire. Bohn's last win came in 05' at the now extinct BC Open.

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans really didn't have any star power in the field, Sergio Garcia being the highest ranked player at 23 in the world.

And speaking of Sergio...another disappointing outing from the once promising and fiery Spaniard. Garcia went 73-69-72-76 to tie for 70th.

All the big boys will return however next week at Quail Hollow, so stay tuned for highlights.

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John Daly withdrew from Zurich after making the cut

John Daly withdrew during the third round of the Zurich Classic on Sunday because of an injury.

Daly wrote on his Twitter page that he had "no choice" to pull out despite finishing 12 holes of the third round at the weather-delayed tournament.

He said the injury stemmed from his piriformis muscle.

"[B]asically my hip dropped an inch on swing & escalated to my back nerve & dropped me to my knees," Daly wrote.

Playing on a sponsor's exemption, Daly made the 36-hole cut Saturday on the number. He was one-over par and 15 shots off the lead when he withdrew.

Third and fourth rounds to finish today at Zurich

Bohn leader in New Orleans with a sizzling 65 in round one

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Davis recieves outpouring of praise after calling penalty on self

Since his remarkable act of sportsmanship in a playoff for the Heritage Classic at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina on Sunday, the e-mails of congratulation have kept pouring in from anyone who was inspired by his actions beside the 18th green at Harbour Town Golf Links.

"I've gotten more congratulations this week than when I've won," Davis told reporters on the eve of Thursday's first round of the New Orleans Classic in Avondale, Louisiana. "It's a weird feeling.

"E-mails started flooding in from people -- not necessarily golf fans, just ordinary people who heard what had happened and just wanted to say congratulations and thanks for being honest and following the spirit of the game.

"The last two days have been humbling," added the 35-year-old Englishman, who is based in Florida. "I've received a lot of messages from school teachers, parents, children.

"Most of the e-mails are parents saying: 'I'm using you as an example to my kids about doing the right thing.' It's been a very nice couple of days to be honest."

Davis cost himself the chance to win his first PGA Tour title shortly after he had rolled in a 17-foot birdie putt on the 72nd green to force a playoff with American Jim Furyk.

Furyk ending up winning at the first extra hole when Davis was assessed a two-stroke penalty for making contact with a loose impediment in a greenside hazard when playing his third shot.

On his backswing, the Englishman barely clipped a dry reed with his club before splashing out to 30 feet and he immediately called over a rules official to clarify the situation via television replay.

Having been penalized, Davis went on to miss his long-range putt and conceded the title to Furyk, who was six feet from the cup after three shots at the par-four 18th.

American Charles Howell III, a double winner on the PGA Tour, applauded the action taken by Davis.

"In watching it, I didn't see a rules infraction at all," Howell said. "It's bizarre in the fact that you have to go to a high-speed camera and slow it down to find one.

"With the adrenalin and the nerves, I'm surprised he even felt he touched that twig. That's what was amazing. It took him away from the chance to win his first golf tournament."

For Davis, the situation became bizarre when he swiftly moved from the bitter disappointment of registering his fourth runner-up spot on the PGA Tour to a feeling of happiness.

"It's probably the first time in my career, or in any golfer's, where (you) lost in a playoff and actually drove home more positive than when you left," he said.

"It's been a good experience for me, and it's been great for the game of golf that we do call rules infractions on ourselves. It's just part of the game."

Courtesy: Reuters

Tiger commits to 2010 Players

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Ending several weeks of anticipation, Tiger Woods announced Wednesday that he would compete in THE PLAYERS Championship.

"This is our event, and it always attracts one of the best fields of the year," said Woods on his website. "It's a tournament everybody wants to win."

Woods' commitment adds to what annually is -- top-to-bottom -- the strongest field in golf. Masters champion Phil Mickelson, who ranks No. 2 to Woods in the Official World Golf Ranking, committed to THE PLAYERS last week.

"We are thrilled to add Tiger Woods to THE PLAYERS Championship field and really appreciate the fact that he gave us advance notice so we can generate additional excitement here in the community," said Jay Monahan, Vice President and Executive Director of THE PLAYERS. "This is a huge boost for what was already shaping up to be an incredible week for our fans on site and those watching around the world. The addition of the world's No. 1 player will only enhance THE PLAYERS, and we look forward to welcoming Tiger -- and what we hope will be record crowds -- to TPC Sawgrass."

Players have until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 30 to commit to the tournament.

Woods ended a five-month layoff at the Masters where he tied for fourth. THE PLAYERS will mark Woods' second straight tournament -- he said last Tuesday that he will play in next week's Quail Hollow Championship. He also announced on his website that he will play in the AT&T National, July 1-4, at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa.

Woods won THE PLAYERS in 2001, a year after he finished second to Hal Sutton in a stirring Sunday duel at TPC Sawgrass. He shot 14 under on the Stadium Course to beat Ponte Vedra Beach resident Vijay Singh by a stroke.

The world No. 1 has played in 12 PLAYERS and has four top-10 finishes. Woods tied for eighth last year but finished seven strokes behind Henrik Stenson. That was his first top-10 since his 2001 victory.

Courtesy: PGA Tour

Queen of the LPGA, Lorena Ochoa retires crown at 28

The 28-year-old Ochoa confirmed her decision in a short statement after media reports in Mexico said she was about to step away from the game.

Ochoa said she would hold a press conference on Friday to explain her decision.

"Lorena Ochoa confirms her retirement from the LPGA, as news reports in some media have said today,'' her statement said.

"The reasons and more details on the matter will be given by Lorena personally in a press conference on Friday in Mexico City. Lorena will share this news of a new stage in her life with her sponsors, family members and friends.''

The newspaper Reforma said on Tuesday that Ochoa was retiring to concentrate on her family and charities.

Ochoa was married in December to Andres Conesa, the CEO of Aeromexico airline.

He has three children from a previous marriage.

She was set to play next week in the Tres Marias tournament in Morelia, west of Mexico City. It was not clear if she will play there or if it will be her last tournament.

Courtesy: Herald Sun

Furyk misses cut at Masters, wins at Verizon Heritage in bizarre playoff

Want to talk about all-time bounce backs. Jim Furyk missed the cut last week at the Masters by a boatload and comes out this week and wins the Verizon Heritage. He may not have won a green jacket but he can add a slick looking red plaid one to his wardrobe.

Furyk's second win of the year was anything but routine though. During a playoff, fellow competitor Brian Davis called a two stroke penalty on himself gift wrapping the win to Furyk.

Check out the video with Casey Black to get the full scoop.

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He took the words right out of his wife's mouth

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Faddy Golf makes debut in 2010 PGA Tour Annual

Here's the ad we have running in the 2010 edition of The PGA Tour Annual Canadian Edition that can be found from coast to coast.

Let us know what you think of it...

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Mickelson wins the Masters in heroic fashion

This was a great Masters from start to finish. Sunday was a classic, with amazing shot after amazing shot. Billy Payne has brought the Masters back to being the most exciting golf tournament on the planet.

Check out the following videos to see everything that happened on Masters Sunday...culminating in a magical Mickelson victory.

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photo: Squire/Getty Images

Phil talks to the media after winning his third green jacket

Highlights of round four at the Masters

Mickelson talks about his sizzling 67 in round three

Mickelson goes eagle, eagle, birdie on back nine to get into final group at the Masters

Tiger two back of lead at the Masters

Poulter, Westwood leading heading into the weekend at Augusta

Tiger's thoughts on his first round back

Couples, Mickelson, Watson, Woods all on the first page of the leaderboard at Augusta

What a day of golf. The leaderboard after the first round at the Masters has something for every golf fan on the planet. Get caught up with Casey Black on this historic day at Augusta.

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Tiger Woods new Nike commerical

What do you think of Nike's new Tiger commerical featuring the voice of his late father Earl?

Let me know.

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Masters Preview

Great video to get you caught up on the Masters before the biggest golf tourney in the existence of the game begins tomorrow morning.

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Tiger Woods full length press conference

Here's Tiger's full length press conference from Augusta that aired today, pretty much everywhere.

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Footage of Tiger playing practice round at Augusta

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Woods seen at Augusta practicing, chatting with friends, and getting in a quick nine

Tiger Woods arrived without warning on a lazy Sunday afternoon at Augusta National, as quiet as it will get for him the rest of the week at the Masters.

He greeted two reporters whom he had not seen in five months with a playful jab. When he strolled onto the new practice range, no one stopped what they were doing. He chatted with Paul Casey before hitting balls, Jim Furyk when he was done. But when he was looking for a game and ran into Mark O'Meara, the enormity of the week began to sink in.

They have never shared such a long embrace before playing nine practice holes.

"I haven't seen him since July," said O'Meara, whom Woods once leaned on as a 20-year-old rookie trying to find his way.

"Listen, I love the kid. I understand what happened and it's not a good thing that has happened," O'Meara said. "It doesn't take away from the fact that he's my friend and I care for him. It's like I told him out there, 'This is the place where you belong. This is what you love to do.' And he does. He loves to compete and play. So it's good to have him back.

"The game needs him back, and it's good for him to be back."

Woods has not been seen in public, except for a televised apology, since his middle-of-the-night car accident Nov. 27.

Woods played the back nine, then met with Masters chairman Billy Payne before leaving the club.

It all changes when he returns.

The gates open at 8 a.m., sending some 30,000 people onto the grounds at Augusta National. For Woods, the toughest part of the week might be at 2 p.m. Monday when he holds his first press conference.

Interest is so high that the club has limited seating to one reporter for each news outlet, with only a few exceptions.

"He'll figure it out," O'Meara said. "He's pretty tough."

O'Meara was surprised to see Woods on Sunday at the Masters, and he wasn't alone. There was no commotion on the range when he arrived, and Casey was stunned to see Woods standing behind him.

"It's where I'm used to seeing him," Casey said, choosing to keep their conversation private. "All of a sudden he appeared behind me. He was all business as usual -- hit 10 balls and go play."

Most of the players have not seen him since he won the JBWere Masters on Nov. 15, or played in Shanghai the week before. Furyk had not seen him since they celebrated a Presidents Cup victory on Oct. 11.

"He's probably here a little earlier than normal," Furyk said. "I've never seen him here on a Sunday. Generally, it's nice to have him back and I can't wait until he's out here and I don't have to answer any more questions about him."

Reporters and photographers are not allowed on the golf course, and it wasn't long before Woods vanished down the steep hill of the 10th fairway and toward Amen Corner at the far reaches of Augusta National. It was warm and bright, and it was rare to see Woods hitting balls with sunglasses on.

Woods has created a huge void of information by being in seclusion and in therapy from the accident until he spoke to family and friends Feb. 19 at PGA TOUR headquarters in Florida.

There will be awkward times for many. Woods was friendly with plenty of players, but not terribly close with any of his peers. He has beaten them routinely over the years while piling up 82 victories worldwide and 14 majors.

Now, it's time to get introduced to a Woods no one knew.

As for his golf? Stay tuned.

"He hit the ball pretty good today," O'Meara said. "He's been practicing the last three or four weeks. He's good to go. It's going to be a different thing for him. But if anyone can handle it, he can."

Courtesy: PGATOUR.COM

Cheers,

Kim wins the Shell Houston Open in a sudden-death playoff

Monday's mean leaning back in your chair a watching Monday Backspin with C.B.

Enjoy,

Anthony Kim and Bryce Molder lead going into the final round at Shell Houston Open

Casey Black breaks down all the Saturday action before final round coverage begins.

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Lorena Ochoa set to retire in 2012

Ochoa, 28, has hinted that her competitive career may not extend much beyond 2012, her 10th year as a card-carrying member of the L.P.G.A. Tour, after which she will be eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame.

If that is true, Friday at the Kraft Nabisco Championship was a snapshot for the memory album. With a two-under-par 70 on the Dinah Shore course at Mission Hills Country Club, Ochoa moved into a tie for second at six-under 138 with Karen Stupples of Great Britain and the American Cristie Kerr, who recorded the low round of the day, a 67. Song-hee Kim is the leader at seven-under 137.

When it was suggested that Ochoa put too much pressure on herself in the majors, she did not disagree. “You only have four chances,” she said, “and you like to win them, so sometimes the frustration if you miss a shot or if you have a bad round is a little bit more than usual.”

Off the course, Ochoa’s life was undergoing wholesale changes. She moved from her hometown, Guadalajara, Mexico, where she lived with her parents and siblings, to Mexico City, where she is shuttled around by a driver in a bulletproof car.

In December, Ochoa was married to Andrés Conesa, the chief executive of Aeromexico, and became a stepmother to his three children, ages 8 to 13, from his first marriage. It was a rocky transition. Conesa’s divorce initially raised eyebrows in Ochoa’s family of staunch, churchgoing Catholics, but they have looked like one large, happy extended family this week.

Courtesy: The New York Times/Karen Crouse

Cheers,

Mickelson posts a 76 on day two at Shell Houston

Mickelson fires a 3-under 69 in 1st round of the Shell Houston Open

Pettersen starts out hot at the Kraft Nabisco

Suzann Pettersen opened with a 5-under 67 to take the first-round lead in the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the first major of the year on the LPGA Tour.

Playing one month after withdrawing from an event in Australia because of a hip injury, the Norwegian took advantage of calm morning conditions on the 6,702-yard layout at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif. After carding two birdies and the rest pars to make the turn at 2-under 34, Pettersen tacked on another three birdies on the back nine for a 33.

She leads reigning No. 1-ranked Lorena Ochoa by a stroke. Karrie Webb is among several players (with some still completing their rounds as this story was posted) in a tie for third at 69. Defending champion Brittany Lincicome started off with a 2-under 70. Michelle Wie was another stroke back at 71 in a tie for 16th.

One of the stories of the tournament is the disqualification of three players before Thursday's opening round began. The group included seven-time LPGA Tour winner Helen Alfredsson, three-time winner Maria Hjorth and third-year player Shanshan Feng. Each was DQed for missing Wednesday's pro-am.

Feng, who showed up late for her tee time, was immediately removed. Alfredsson and Hjorth were alternates for the pro-am and were next in line to participate after Patty Sheehan withdrew. Tour officials attempted to reach Alfredsson, the 1993 Kraft Nabisco champion, and Hjorth, but were unsuccessful and both were disqualified. Michelle Redman eventually filled the available pro-am spot.

All three appealed the decision, but the LPGA Tour said the disqualifications would not be overturned. "It's something that has been in place for a long time," said Tour spokesman David Higdon. "These players all know the policy."

Amy Alcott, another former Kraft Nabisco champion, withdrew from her 8:30 a.m. pro-am tee time, as well as from the tournament. Seon Hwa Lee replaced her in the pro-am event, according to Golfweek.

After her round, Pettersen met with reporters and discussed her day.

MODERATOR: We are here with Suzann Pettersen a bogey-free round. 5-under par today, leader in the clubhouse. Can you take us through your round a little bit?

SUZANN PETTERSEN: It was a very good solid round of golf. I could not ask for a better start. A very good warmup today. I felt better than I did yesterday, and had a few good bounces out there. But obviously feeling very good with my driver, which helps around this place, and making a few putts, very stress-free golf today.

Courtesy of ASAP Sports

Cheers,