PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem has said the tour could institute a performance-enhancing drug testing program as early as next year. Finchem updated the Player Advisory Council on the tour’s progress Monday … “We believe now that we’ll complete work on a policy this year, and the elements of the policy could very well be executed during ‘08,” Finchem told the media at the Deutsche Bank Championship. The LPGA Tour will have a new event in Singapore next year, the HSBC Women’s Champions. The event will be held Feb. 28-March 2, with a field of 78 players … Meanwhile, Marc Warren shot an ...

At ESPN.com the experts handicap the field at the Deutsche Bank Championship, the second event in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs that begins tomorrow at TPC Boston. Tiger Woods, who skipped The Barclays last week, is the overwhelming favorite among the group of experts. He will be paired with Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh in the opening round … Colin Montgomerie is getting married again. He proposed last weekend to Gaynor Knowles, the Scottish golfer confirmed Aug. 28 … “We are just thrilled and looking forward to the future,” Montgomerie said in a statement. “We have not yet made any ...

Ernie Els has withdrawn from the Deutsche Bank Championship, the second event in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs, citing family reasons. Els will return to competition at the PGA Tour Championship in Atlanta … “I have been on the road now for almost eight weeks, and it is important that I return home, where my children will be preparing their return to school,” Els said in a statement. “I regret having to miss such a prestigious and important tournament, and I wish everybody there an enjoyable and successful week.” In the TravelGolf.com This Week podcast, host Dave Berner talks to Brandon ...

GolfDigest.com writer Ron Sirak ponders whether Barclays champion Steve Stricker winning the FedEx Cup playoffs would be good or bad for the PGA Tour. It really depends on how he would do it, Sirak says. If Stricker gets another title in the remaining weeks, that would be a meaningful victory, but if he won the points race by finishing second in the next three events, “that would be pretty unsatisfying.” … Ross Fisher won the Dutch Open Sunday. He shot a final round 3-under-par 67 to defeat Dutchman Joost Luiten by one stroke … LPGA Championship winner Suzann Pettersen shot a 4-under ...

Steve Stricker won the The Barclays yesterday, his first PGA Tour title in more than six years. Stricker closed with a 2-under-par 69 to defeat K.J. Choi by two strokes at the first event of the FedEx Cup playoffs. Rory Sabbatini finished third at 13 under … Lorena Ochoa earned her third consecutive LPGA Tour title at the Safeway Classic yesterday. The world’s No. 1 women’s golfer finished with a 71 for a five-stroke victory over In-Bee Park. Ochoa is taking a month off … “They keep saying, ‘You should play, you can do four in a row,’” Ochoa told the media. ...

Steve Stricker goes into the final round of play today at The Barclays, the first event of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs, with the lead. Stricker made a run of birdies Saturday for a 6-under-par 65 at Westchester Country Club and a one-stroke lead over K.J. Choi … World No. 1 women’s golfer Lorena Ochoa is going for her third consecutive victory at the Safeway Classic. The Mexican golfer shot a 66 yesterday for a one-stroke lead over Sophie Gustafson … Annika Sorenstam announced Saturday she is getting married to long-time boyfriend Mike McGee. This will be Sorenstam’s second marriage. She ...

Rory Sabbatini shot an 8-under-par 63 yesterday to lead The Barclays, the first event in the inaugural FedEx Cup playoffs. The South African has a one-shot lead over Rich Beem and K.J. Choi … There is a tie for lead after the first round of the Dutch Open. Jean-Baptiste Gonnet and Taichi Teshima each went 6-under for a course record 64. Gonnet is fresh off a second place finish at the Scandinavian Masters … “Last week was very good and to follow that with a low round is very positive,” Gonnet told the media. “But my goal is to get a victory ...

Tiger Woods’ decision to skip the first event of the PGA Tour FedEx Cup, The Barclays, has disappointed tour Commissioner Tim Finchem … “Obviously, I’m disappointed with his decision,” Finchem said at a news conference yesterday. “It’s not a decision that I like to see him make, candidly, any week of the year, but he doesn’t play them all. … From the standpoint of the sponsors here, the fans in New York, it’s certainly a negative. You know, I would like to see it the other way.” Woods has said his body is “spent” after winning the Bridgestone Invitational and PGA Championship ...

The European Solheim Cup team made yesterday its wild-card selections: Maria Hjorth, Linda Wessberg and Iben Tinning. Hjorth tied for second at the Women’s British Open at St. Andrews and is leading the European money list. The United States is the defending Solheim Cup champion … At GolfCourseRealty.com, Chris Baldwin writes about Niagara-on-the-Lake, which is becoming a sought after second home spot as the Niagara Falls region takes off as a golf destination.

There is a four-way tie for lead at the U.S. Amateur at the Olympic Club of San Francisco. Kyle Ellis, Kyle Dickey, Nathan Tyler and Andy Mickelson all shot 68s in foggy conditions yesterday … Mikko Ilonen won the Scandinavian Masters Sunday, closing with a 2-under-par 68 to defeat Martin Kaymer by two strokes. It was the second European Tour victory for Mikko, a former British amateur champion … In the TravelGolf.com This Week podcast, host Dave Berner talks to Rand Jerris about the renovation of the United States Golf Association’s museum and archives, Golf House.

Brandt Snedeker shot a 9-under-par 63 yesterday for a two-stroke victory at the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, N.C. The rookie scored the best round of the tournament en route to winning his first PGA Tour title. He takes home a $900,000 paycheck and moved up 17 places to No. 9 on the FedEx Cup points list … World No. 1 women’s golfer Lorena Ochoa earned her second consecutive victory at the Canadian Women’s Open yesterday. She shot a 2-under 69 to defeat Paula Creamer by three strokes. It is Ochoa’s fifth title of this season … Meanwhile, Mark McNulty won The Tradition ...

Jeff Overton shot a 6-under-par 66 Saturday for a three-stroke lead at the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, N.C. At 18 under par, Overton is looking for his first PGA Tour title … “It’s better than being three shots back, but I don’t’ think 18 under’s going to win the golf tournament,” Overton told the media. “So we can’t go out there [Sunday] and just play bad. We’ve got to go out there and have a good, solid round of golf.” Meanwhile, world No. 1 women’s golfer Lorena Ochoa shot a 7-under-par 64 yesterday to go four strokes ahead of the field at ...

Will MacKenzie shot an 8-under-par 64 yesterday to take the first round lead at the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, N.C. He has a one-shot lead over Lucas Glover, Steve Marino, Brian Davis and Jeff Overton … Mike Reid and Mark McNulty share the first round lead at The Tradition, having both shot 6-under 66s yesterday at the Champions Tour’s fourth major of the season. They are ahead of David Edwards by a stroke … Scott Strange leads the Scandinavian Masters after an opening round 6-under 64. Strange, the first alternate in the event, had seven birdies and one bogey to go one ...

The CN Canadian Women’s Open kicks off today at Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, Alberta. Top American women’s golfer and U.S. Open champion Cristie Kerr will try to defend her title against Michelle Wie, world No. 1 women’s golfer Lorena Ochoa and Brittany Lincicome … At TravelGolf.com, Brandon Tucker writes about the Royal Links Golf Club in Las Vegas, which pays tribute to the famous British Isle links courses by recreating 18 of the British Open’s best holes.

Tiger Woods announced yesterday plans to design his first American golf course in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, N.C., at a community called The Cliffs at High Carolina. There is no deadline for completion, and Woods said the beautiful land will dictate the design … “Even an idiot can’t mess this up,” he told the media. “I think I’m a little above that.” Stephen Ames and Masters champion Zach Johnson will compete in the 25th Skins Game on Thanksgiving weekend. Fred Couples will also play in the event, held on the Celebrity course at Indian Wells Golf Resort … Davis Love III ...

Phil Mickelson will play in his first Asian Tour event at the Singapore Open later this year. Mickelson will compete against Ernie Els, Adam Scott and U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera in the $4 million event, held in November. Scott will be going for his third consecutive Singapore Open title … In the TravelGolf.com This Week podast, host Dave Berner talks to Kiel Christianson about the southern Illinois golf trail.

U.S Presidents Cup team captain Jack Nicklaus selected Lucas Glover and Hunter Mahan as captain’s picks today. They join their 10 teammates: Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson, Zach Johnson, Charles Howard III, David Toms, Scott Verplank, Steve Stricker, Stewart Cink and Woody Austin … The International team, led by Gary Player, comprises Ernie Els, Adam Scott, Vijay Singh, Geoff Ogilvy, Rory Sabbatini, K.J. Choi, Retief Goosen, Angel Cabrera, Trevor Immelman and Stuart Appleby. Player also selected Mike Weir as a wild card and Nick O’Hern as a captain’s pick … The Presidents Cup will be played Sept. 27-30 at Royal Montreal.

Catriona Matthew shot a 4-under-par 68 yesterday to win the Scandinavian TPC. She defeated Laura Diaz and Sophie Gustafson by three shots … “I’m absolutely delighted,” Matthew told reporters. “I struggled a bit at the turn, but the birdies on 12 and 13 helped to settle me down.” Sergio Garcia was disqualified from the PGA Championship last weekend for signing an incorrect scorecard after the third round. Boo Weekley, Garcia’s playing partner, mistakenly wrote down a four for Garcia on the 17th hole instead of a five, and Garcia signed the card without first checking to see if it was accurate … At ...

Tiger Woods won the 2007 PGA Championship Sunday at Southern Hills, shooting a final round 69 to finish two better than Woody Austin. Woods’ 13th major golf championship came as the field in Tulsa - accustomed to Woods never giving up a Sunday lead - charged at him. South African Ernie Els made the biggest move of the day, shooting a final round 66. The Big Easy at one point managed to get it to 6-under-par for the tournament, one off of Woods at the time, before a costly bogey at No. 16 brought him back. Woods made it intersting, making bogey ...

John Daly is a surprise contender at this week’s PGA Championship. The 41-year-old golfer shot a 3-under-par 67 yesterday on a course he had not seen in 13 years while smoking cigarettes and guzzling Diet Pepsi … “It actually works,” he told the media after his round. Annika Sorenstam is three shots back after the first round of the Scandinavian TPC. Minea Blomqvist is in the lead after a 4-under 68 … At MyrtleBeachGolf.com, Bill Wolfrum writes about Barefoot Resort & Golf, one of Myrtle Beach’s best multi golf course facilities.

ESPN.com’s Jason Sobel says Stewart Cink may finally get that elusive major at the PGA Championship, which starts today. Cink blew a chance to reach a U.S. Open playoff at this week’s host course, Southern Hills, six years ago after missing an 18-inch par putt. He’ll be looking for a little redemption this week and fits the profile of the year’s other major winners … U.S. Ryder Cup team captain Paul Azinger announced his assistant captains at a press conference at Southern Hills yesterday. Azinger made the unusual move of selecting two past captains, Raymond Floyd and Dave Stockton, along with ...

Temperatures are expected to exceed 100 degrees throughout the PGA Championship this week, and tournament officials have issued an excessive heat warning. The heat index, a combination of air temperature and humidity, is expected to reach 110 … Meanwhile, ESPN.com’s Bob Harig says Tiger Woods will be hungry for his first major of the year at the PGA Championship. Woods has only had three other seasons in his professional career without a major … “Golf-wise, it’s been pretty good, but not great,” Woods recently said of 2007. “If all you win is a major, then it’s a great year. I just think ...

Steve Flesch shot a final-round even-par 72 to win the Reno-Tahoe Open Sunday by five strokes. It is Flesch’s third PGA Tour victory and his first in more than two years … “It was a tough two years, but I’m glad to be back in the winner’s circle,” Flesch told the media. D.A. Weibring won the 3M Championship last weekend with a final round 5-under-par 67, his first victory since the 2005 Bruno’s Memorial Classic. Jay Haas finished a shot back at 9-under … In the TravelGolf.com This Week podcast, host Dave Berner talks to author Matthew Dunn about his new book, “Bingo ...

World No. 1 women’s golfer Lorena Ochoa proved she could win the big ones Sunday, earning her first major championship title at the Women’s British Open. Ochoa, who tied for second at the U.S. Women’s Open last month, finished at 5-under-par in the historic event, the first women’s professional tournament to be played at the Old Course at St. Andrews … “It’s a long way, 24 majors, and finally I have this [trophy] here, and I think it’s for a reason and I couldn’t be more happy,” she told the media. “I believed I would win this tournament Monday, when I ...

Hunter Mahan shot a 3-under-par 67 at the Bridgestone Invitational yesterday for a share of the lead with Paul Casey and Rory Sabbatini. Mahan has been on a roll lately, with four top-10 finishes in a stretch that also included his first PGA Tour victory … “I’m just playing golf,” the 25-year-old Mahan told the media. “It’s just exciting to play this good, to feel like I’m finally reaching my potential and finally playing the way I can. Just going out there and letting go.” Meanwhile, Tiger Woods also had a good day, shooting a 68 to go one off the lead ...

World No. 1 women’s golfer Lorena Ochoa went into the clubhouse at St. Andrews with a two-stroke lead at the Women’s British Open today. Ochoa shot a six-under-par 67 … Brittany Lincicome is tied for fifth, and Michelle Wie is tied for 16th in a group that includes Annika Sorenstam. This is the first time that a women’s professional event has been played at the Old Course at St. Andrews.

The Bridgestone Invitational kicks off today, but it’s uncertain whether a bad back will keep Canadian Open champion Jim Furyk from competing at full form in one of his favorite events of the year … “I’m very stiff right now, don’t have a lot of movement in my upper back and then into my neck,” Furyk told the media Wednesday, adding that he hadn’t decided yet whether he would play the event. Alessandro Pissilli of Italy has been suspended for failing a drug a test. The Italian Olympic Committee announced yesterday that Pissilli tested positive for the diuretic Finasteride at the ...