The plan of the Caracas mayor to acquire two city golf courses under eminent domain appears to have been shot down by the Venezuela federal government. The two courses – Caracas Country Club and Valle Arriba golf club – have a long history in Venezuela’s capital. Mayor Juan Barreto had said the courses would be used to build homes for the poor. However, yesterday, Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said Hugo Chavez’s government “does not share the decision adopted by the mayor,” according to the Boston Herald.

Greg Norman reiterated his position that the PGA Tour should introduce a drug testing program during a visit to a course he’s designing in Toronto yesterday. Like some other tour players, most notably Tiger Woods, he favors implementing a program now to prevent doping from becoming a problem in the future … Scott Hebert defeated George Bowman to win the Michigan PGA professional championship yesterday, pocketing $7,000. The 37-year-old teaching professional shot a 4-under 68 in the final round … Annika Sorenstam is back playing in the U.S. for the first time since July at the State Farm Classic at the ...

The government of Hugo Chavez may expropriate two popular, historic Venezuela golf courses. The two Caracas courses – Caracas Country Club and Valle Arriba golf club – both more than 60 years of age – would be removed to create up to 50,000 homes for the poor, in the poverty-stricken nation … Meanwhile, it appears Deepdale Country Club will be safe, after a judge ruled that the elite club could not be seized by eminent domain by the city of North Hills, N.Y. …

George Bowman is one shot ahead of Dennis Burns and Jordan Young going into the last round of the Michigan PGA Championship today. A teaching professional, Bowman shot a 4-under 67 … Aussie Adam Scott is moving up the rankings despite going nearly a year without a tour win. Scott, 26, reached number five in the rankings this week. This season he has had eight top-10 finishes … Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith will play in the State Farm Classic Pro-Am Hosted by IBM at The Rail Golf Course today. Smith will compete as a guest of State Farm Insurance … ...

Richie Ramsay, the first Briton to win the prestigious U.S. Amateur tournament in almost 100 years, has decided to hold off on joining the pro tour. By remaining an amateur temporarily, Ramsay will automatically qualify for three of the four majors next year … In this chron.com piece, writer Steve Campbell questions PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem’s assertion that the tour does not need a drug testing program because performance-enhancing substances have not infiltrated pro golf. Campbell points out that Tiger Woods favors testing and that it’s naïve to believe golf’s history as a gentlemanly game will insulate it from doping ...

Some interesting happenings around these parts. First of all, WorldGolf.com is proud to present a look back at Tiger Woods’ 10 years on the PGA Tour, including a timeline and a look at the amazing numbers Woods has put up in a pro career that started a decade ago. Also, at TravelGolf.com, you won’t want to miss Jennifer Mario’s column “A Girl’s-Eye View.” Mario, better known as the author of the first Michelle Wie biography Michelle Wie: The Making of a Champion, describes an interesting phone call she got from Sports Illustrated reporter, and author Michael Bamberger. Bamberger tries to further ...

Will MacKenzie got his first PGA Tour victory yesterday at the Reno-Tahoe Open, shooting a 1-under 71 in the final round. Aussie teenager Jason Day continued his impressive start to the tour with an 11th-place finish … Dean Robertson won his first PGA Tour event since 1999 at the Gleneagles Scottish PGA championship yesterday. Robertson, 35, defeated Craig Lee in a playoff … The new owner of PGA National Resort will invest $25 million into upgrading the club. Walton Street Capital LLC, the real estate fund that bought the resort from E. Llwyd Ecclestone, said it plans to improve the lobby, restaurants, ...

It took four extra holes, but Tiger Woods won his fourth consecutive event and 52nd overall as he defeated Stewart Cink on the fourth hole of a playoff to win the Bridgestone Invitational. The final holes were played through rain as Woods won on the 10-year anniversary of his announcement of turning professional … Lorena Ochoa shot a final-round 65 to post a score of 24-under, good enough for a three-shot victory at the Wendy’s Championship for Children. It was the third victory this season for Ochoa, the leading money winner on the LPGA Tour this year,

Tiger Woods shot a 71 - breaking a run off 11 consecutive rounds in the 60s - to fall one shot behind Ryder Cup teammate Stewart Cink, who fired a blistering 64 to take the lead at the Bridgestone Invitational … Bob Estes and Will MacKenzie enter the final round of the Reno-Tahoe Open tied for the lead, and four shots ahead of third-place John Cook. Australian teen Jason Day is delighting the crowds as he enters the last round tied for fifth at 13-under … Lorena Ochoa shot a 64 to take a two-shot lead into the final round of the ...

Tiger Woods shot a 31 on the back nine on his way to firing a 64 and taking the lead at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational. Woods enters the weekend one shot up on Davis Love III as he tries for his fourth consecutive victory. Woods managed his 64 despite a final-hole bogey that saw his approach shot end up on the clubhouse roof … Japan’s Yusaku Miyazato did something Tiger, or any other PGA golfer as done, as he scored two aces in the second round of the Reno-Tahoe Open. Bob Estes will enter the weekend as the leader, however. “Drink much ...

Here’s some funny stuff from Jason Gore, after his first round at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, where he’s paired with old friend Tiger Woods: “Yeah, I’ll be nervous again tomorrow. I was nervous this morning. I’m not going to lie to you. It’s a big deal. You’ve got the greatest, probably the most dominant athlete in any sport, let alone our sport. And like I said, I’m not only a professional but I’m also a huge fan of his. Some day I want to grow up and be Tiger Woods. You know, it’s kind of funny to say that about a kid ...

Aussie Adam Scott shot a 7-under 63 at the Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio yesterday, putting him four shots ahead of Tiger Woods. Scott finished third at the PGA Championship … The PGA Tour should introduce a testing program for performance-enhancing drugs, Tiger Woods said at the Bridgestone Invitational yesterday. His statement came a day after PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said such a program was unnecessary … Annika Sorenstam will return to Tulsa Sept. 4-10 to defend her title at the John Q-Hammons Classic. Sorenstam has won the tournament for the last two years.

The PGA Tour does not need to introduce a drug testing program because players are not using performance-enhancing drugs, Commissioner Tim Finchem said yesterday. According to tour regulations, players may not use illegal drugs or prescription medication without a prescription, but they are not tested … Annika Sorenstam is planning to open her first golf academy in about a year at Reunion Resort and Golf Club near Orlando. She and junior golfers from The First Tee of Lakeland, Fla. attended the ground-breaking ceremony Aug. 22 … The PGA of America is cooperating with Jack Nicklaus to upgrade the course at the Vahalla ...

Here’s a record that will be tough to top: Roy Vucinich shot a 59 at the Tri-State PGA’s Christopher J. Seretti Memorial Classic at Montour Heights Country Club in Pittsburgh –four months after his 59th birthday. Vucinich used two eagles and nine birdies to post his score of 13-under. “A round to remember,” Vucinich told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette after slaying the Pete Dye course … Donald Trump’s plans for the world’s greatest golf course in Scotland may be in trouble after “The Donald’s” plans to develop hundreds of homes at the resort was met unhappily … More reasons to dislike Hugo Chavez: A ...

Commissioner Tim Finchem will hold a press conference at 3 p.m. Eastern time today outlining the PGA Tour’s fall schedule. He is expected to announce a new tournament for the Scottsdale, Ariz. area … Tourism Ireland has started an advertising campaign worth millions of dollars in the hopes of attracting golfers from Britain, Europe and the U.S. to Ireland this fall. The campaign, which comes a month before the beginning of Ryder Cup Matches in Dublin Sept. 22-24, will feature television ads promoting 400 of the country’s best courses… A Russian cosmonaut will show off his golf skills in space on Thanksgiving ...

Billy Horschel, a sophomore at Florida, shot a USGA-championship record 60 in the first-round lead of the U.S. Amateur stroke play qualifying at the Chaska Town Course, in Chaska, Minn. Horschel used an eagle and nine birdies to post his score of 11-under … While the recent death of his wife Heather is still the only thing of importance on the mind of Darren Clarke, European captain Ian Woosnam has done his best to make sure the Irishman has no worries regarding the Ryder Cup, giving Clarke one of the Captain’s picks for the Europeans … Sure, Steve Stricker is disappointed he ...

A taxi driver strike in Dublin is expected to create severe transport problems during next month’s Ryder Cup Matches. More than 1,000 drivers voted to strike yesterday, and Tommy Gordon, president of the National Taxi Drivers Union, said it will disrupt the tournament, held Sept. 22-24 at the K Club … Ashley Hoagland got a little closer to reaching her goal of making the LPGA Tour after winning the Hunters Oak Futures Golf Classic Aug. 20. The event, a part of the LPGA’s top development circuit, is Hoagland’s second professional title and puts her at 13th in the Future’s money rankings. ...

Jim Furyk has beaten out Ernie Els and Mike Weir to get a place in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf. Furyk got the spot as an alternate after Tiger Woods won the PGA Championship Sunday … Pat Hurst won the LPGA Safeway Classic yesterday with a 4-under-par 68 in her fifth tour victory. Jeong Jang finished second with a 70 … As part of new security measures, mobile phones and cameras will be off limits for fans at the upcoming Ryder Cup Matches, held at the K Club near Dublin Sept. 22-24.

Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman has named Stewart Cink and Scott Verplank as his two captain’s picks for the U.S. team. 2006 U.S. Ryder Cup Team Tiger Woods Phil Mickelson Jim Furyk Chad Campbell David Toms Chris DiMarco Vaughn Taylor J.J. Henry Zach Johnson Brett Wetterich Stewart Cink Scott Verplank

Tiger Woods went 4-under par over his first nine holes, effectively ending any drama, and won the PGA Championship by five shots over second-place Shaun Micheel … The victory is major No. 12 for Woods, putting him past the great Walter Hagen, and leaving him second all-time behind the Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus … Luke Donald, Mike Weir and Geoff Ogilvy all entered the final round within striking distance of Woods, but all shot over par. The win was Woods’ third PGA Championship title, and his second at Medinah.

Tiger Woods hit 17 of 18 greens and tied the course record at Medinah by shooting a 65, as he goes into the final round of the PGA Championship tied with Luke Donald at 14-under … Woods is trying for his 12th career major, and has history on his side, as he is 11-for-11 when on top of the leaderboard after three rounds … An eclectic leaderboard sees Canadian Mike Weir, Australian Geoff Ogilvy, former PGA champ Shaun Micheel and Spaniard Sergio Garcia within four shots of the lead. With scores going low, Phil Mickelson was one of the players to lose ...

Billy Andrade barely made it into the field of the PGA Championship, but he heads into the weekend tied at the top of the leaderboard with three others at the final major of the year. Andrade, the final player added to the field, is at 8-under along with Luke Donald, Tim Herron and Henrik Stenson … Tiger Woods made it to the weekend with a 12th major in his sites, after shooting a second-round 68 to leave him one shot off the leaders, along with Davis Love III and Aussie Geoff Ogilvy … Among the names to miss the cut were Vijay ...

The big match up of the first day at the PGA Championship saw Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson do what they needed to do to stay in contention, as each shot scores of 69 to leave them three shots off the lead at Medinah … Lucas Glover and Chris Riley hold the lead with one round complete of the final major of the season after shooting 6-under 66s … Davis Love III saw a potentially brilliant round get stuffed after a triple bogey at No. 17. Love finished two shots off the lead with a 68 …

The PGA of America isn’t happy with the lack of rest the Americans will get between the new FedEx Cup and the 2008 Ryder Cup matches that follow the next weekend. The PGA Tour cites TV obligations… Despite not winning any majors at the age of 26, Sergio Garcia told reporters he’s happy with his career to this point…. While Tiger, playing partner Phil Mickelson and Sergio are among the favories at the PGA Championship, others like Jerry Kelly - who is on the outside looking in - are simply trying to sneak into the top ten in Ryder Cup points. John ...

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will be paired together for the first two rounds of the PGA, get your gallery space now… Padraig Harrington has announced all his winnings earned at the PGA this weekend will be donated to cancer research, in honor of of his Ryder Cup teammate Darren Clarke, who lost his wife to breast cancer last week… Billy Mayfair, who underwent surgery for testicular cancer just two weeks ago, will make his comback at the PGA Championship at Medinah in Chicago this week…

After wins in the PGA Championship and Buick Invitational, Tiger Woods was named player of the month for July… Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia had a memorable dual in the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah. Fox Sports recalls some of the major’s most memorable duals, from Tway-Norman, Trevino-Player and more… And as Medinah stretches to a length of over 7,500 yards in order to stay competitive, one newspaper in Canada is speculating the use of steroids on tour…

Have something to say about Tiger Woods, or anything else golf-related? Looking to share your views on golf at the most prominent golf Web site on the Internet today? Would you like to have your own blog and go head-to-head with writers like Chris Baldwin and Tim McDonald, and have your words reach millions of readers a month? Well, now’s your chance as WorldGolf.com presents the “Your Name Here” blog contest! It’s simple to enter, just write a blog entry from 100 to 500 words on any golf-related subject, and e-mail it to: dotwong@worldgolf.com We’ll post your blog entry, instantly giving our ...

Heather Clarke, wife of golfer Darren Clarke, died early Sunday morning in London, following a long battle with breast cancer. Heather Clarke was 39, and leaves her husband and two children, Tyrone, 8, and Conor, 5. “Heather’s courage and bravery throughout the last two years when she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer has been an inspiration to me. Heather never complained once throughout her ordeal and we will all miss her greatly,” said Darren Clarke via his Web site … Annika Sorenstam birdied the final hole and shot a final-round 65 to hold off Lorena Ochoa and win the Scandinavian TPC ...

A teenager from Hawaii won the U.S. Women’s amateur this weekend, but it wasn’t Michelle Wie. Instead, 14-year old Kimberly Kim became the youngest winner of the Open by coming from behind on the second 18 holes Sunday at Witch Hollow… Dean Wilson outlasted Tom Lehman at the International in Colorado on the 2nd playoff hole for his first tour victory… The International was the last tournament before this week’s PGA Championship…

Lorena Ochoa and Annika Sorenstam are having a battle at the Scandinavian TPC, as they finished Saturday’s third round tied for the lead at 13-under par. Norway’s Suzann Pettersen is two shots back in third place, while calendar girl Sophie Sandolo is having a solid performance, tied for 8th at 7-under … Tom Pernice Jr. has racked up 19 points to hold the lead at The International at Castle Pines Golf Course in Castle Rock, Colo., where rain has been as steady a competitor as any of the players. Patrick Sheehan and Ian Leggett were in the second and third spots ...

For a 16-year-old, Michelle Wie had a tough week that saw her out of contention at the Women’s British Open while getting penalized two shots, followed by a much-debated firing of her caddie, Greg Johnston. Of course, it won’t stop there, as one reader even questions if she’s 16: “All I hear about is that her mistakes are understandable because she is just sixteen years old, but is she? I am hearing rumors that she is older than this. Rumors that state, that in the past, every tournament she had to show a birth certificate in she with drew from ...

Annika Sorenstam is looking to finish the year in style, as she shot a 7-under 66 to go into the second round of the TPC of Scandinavia with the lead. Playing at her home course, Sorenstam’s score broke the course record. Women’s British Open champion Sherri Steinhauer continued her strong play, shooting a 68 at the Bro-Balsta course … Sweden’s Mathias Gronberg led by two points after the first round at The International in a tournament that will be an important battle for Ryder Cup points for U.S. players. Looking for his third victory of the season, Australia’s Stuart Appleby is ...

The Canadian Women’s Open begins today in London. Record crowds are expected, however not in attendance this week are Michelle Wie, Annika Sorenstam and Paula Creamer… At the International in Castle Rock, Phil Mickelson is looking forward to being agressive using the Stableford scoring system, and prepare to defend his PGA Championship next week… The International is without a sponsor this year and is also hoping to land a sponsor next year with a new date…

Everyone is offering their two cents on yesterday’s firing of Michelle Wie’s caddie, Greg Johnston. TravelGolf.com has extended a blog offer to Johnston, hoping to reveal some secrets of the young phenom… Defending CN Canadian Women’s Open champion Meena Lee offers an interesting theory to South Korea’s current dominance of the LPGA Tour: fewer golf courses. Since it’s more difficult to get on one back home, young golfers often spend more time on practice and fundamentals at home… Paul Azinger’s recent withdrawl at the U.S. Bank Championship several weeks ago is receiving criticism. While citing his father’s sugery as the ...

This just in: After a performance at the Women’s British Open that saw her finish tied for 26th, Michelle Wie has fired her caddie, Greg Johnston. Johnston, who has worked with Juli Inkster, has been with Wie since the 16-year-old turned pro last October, and was fired on Monday, according to GolfDigest.com. “I was shocked and surprised, I thought we had a successful year,” Johnston told GolfDigest.com. “And I was extremely disappointed that no one named Wie gave me the news.”

PGA pro Billy Mayfair was diagnosed earlier this week with testicular cancer and has undergone surgery in Arizona. Local favorite Paige Mackenzie is one of three women atop the leaderboard at the U.S. Women’s Amateur after shooting a 69. 16-year old Ming Jung Hur and Margaret Shirley also shot 69s. Only two events remain before the U.S. Ryder Cup team is chosen. Standings have been updated following this past weekend’s Buick Open.

The U.S. Women’s Amateur begins this morning at Pumpkin Ridge in Oregon. Local favorite Rebecca Kim is among the favorites … Laura Baugh, the youngest player to win the U.S. Women’s Amateur told Florida Today she thinks Michelle Wie may be rushing things. “I never played a tournament (just) to make the cut,” Baugh said. “She has the potential to be the greatest women’s player that ever lived. Can she beat (Tiger) Woods? No,” Baugh told Scott Brown … David Edwards won the 3M Championship, his first Champions Tour title, holding off Craig Stadler and Brad Bryant … Bulgaria is beginning to market itself ...

American Sherri Steinhauer has won her third British Open, shooting an even-par 72 to finish 7-under at Royal Lytham. She is the second oldest player to win a major in women’s golf, behind Fay Crocker (45 years) … Annika Sorenstam shot an uncharacteristic 44 on the back side to finish at 7-over … Meanwhile, Tiger Woods tees off shortly to try and capture his 50th win on tour. Tiger is almost automatic when leading final rounds. The only exception? His first Sunday in the driver’s seat.

At 43, Sherri Steinhauer has just won one time since 1999, but she heads into the final round of the Weetabix Women’s British Open in the lead at 7-under par following a third-round 66 … Steinhauer will be looking to win the Women’s British Open for the third time in her career, previously taking home the title in 1998 and 1999 (Click here to see her bio, but caution, it is in PDF so it may slow you down) … Juli Inkster has fought off two double bogeys and heads into her final two holes of the third round in a group ...

Crazy things are happening at Royal Lytham and St Annes at the Women’s British Open. Morgan Pressel was putting up one of the best rounds of the day, heading to the par-4 No. 17 at 4-under. Then she put up an 8. And then a 7 … Michelle Wie was looking to sneak up the leaderboard, but a two-shot penalty for making contact with moss on the ground prior to a shot at No. 14 gave her a second successive 74, leaving her 10 shots off the lead heading into the weekend … Juli Inkster has continued to set the pace, ...

Tiger Woods started with a bang at the Buick Open with birdies on his first five holes, finishing with a 66, but was overshadowed by Canadian Mike Weir who fired a 63 in taking the first round lead. Weir goes into the second round one shot up on defending champion Vijay Singh … Juli Inkster cooled a bit during her second round, but kept the lead as she was out early at the Women’s British Open. Inkster was even par for her second, remaining at 6-under par … Annika Sorenstam has done what’s she’s needed to do to position herself at the ...

Juli Inkster got off to a sizzling start at the Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes, playing her first 11 holes in 6-under to take an early lead. Italy’s Silvia Cavalleri has the best score in the clubhouse thus far at 3-under … Annika Sorenstam, Lorena Ochoa, Pat Hurst and Laura Davies were all positioning themselves well in the first round, as with some holes left to play yet, all were under par … Michelle Wie struggled early finished a 2-over par after birding No. 18, while Karrie Webb labored home with a 4-over-par 76 … The Ladies Golf Union ...

The Rolex Rankings have caved to critics, as they changed their ranking system, with Michelle Wie taking the biggest plunge. Based on calculations made with the new system, if they were released now, Wie would drop from second to seventh. Annika Sorenstam would remain on top, followed by Karrie Webb … At least one golf ball retailer is interested in getting its hands on this Nato “golf ball” communications facility … After an emotional British Open, Tiger Woods played a little golf with Jerome Bettis and says he’s feeling much looser now, thank you ….

Golf Digest’s Ron Sirak takes a look at the Weetabix Women’s British Open and notes how seven women are still in contention for winning player of the year honors, including Karrie Webb, Lorena Ochoa, Annika Sorenstam and Si Re Pak … Speaking of women golfers, the Tuesday Metropolitan Women’s Golf Association has shown it can stand the test of time in Ohio, as it has recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. Anna Eucker hás been there for 44 of those years … In Grand Blanc, Mich., PGA stars are preparing for the Buick Open at the Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club ...

One of Canada’s most storied names in golf, Allan Balding, died Sunday after a long bout with cancer. Balding was the first Canadian to win a PGA Tour event. The Donald Ross-designed Rackham Golf Course in metro Detroit is up for sale, and local officials don’t want it to end up in the hands of developers.