Vijay Singh defeated Sergio Garcia at The Barclays Sunday for a record fourth victory at the event. The win is also Singh’s second PGA Tour title in four weeks and yet another disappointment for Garcia in a year of high expectations … Cristie Kerr won the Safeway Classic on the first playoff hole Sunday with a 20-foot birdie putt. She finished with a 7-under 65 … Meanwhile, Darren Clarke shot a 4-under 66 yesterday to win the Dutch Open, his second victory of the season. He defeated Paul McGinley by four strokes. Clarke is hoping for a wild card on the European ...

Tiger Woods said in a newsletter yesterday that he will not be hitting the practice tee or green before next year. The 32-year-old Woods had reconstructive surgery on his left knee June 24, after winning the U.S. Open in a playoff … “As far as swinging a club, that’s not going to happen until next year,” he said in the newsletter. “I just don’t have a choice. We simply don’t know what type of swelling there would be or if there would be any residual effects the next day once you start wheeling and dealing on the knee. Everyone’s body reacts ...

Padraig Harrington shot a 4-under-par 66 Sunday at Oakland Hill to win the PGA Championship, his second consecutive major victory after clinching the British Open title last month. Harrington, who defeated Sergio Garcia and Ben Curtis by two strokes, became the first European to win consecutive majors … “I obviously hold a lot of European players who I grew up watching in high esteem,” he told the media. “To believe that I achieved something they hadn’t is very special.” Meanwhile, Curtis’ runner-up finish earned him a place on the U.S. Ryder Cup team next month … “I love Ben Curtis a lot, and ...

Ji-Yai Shin won the Ricoh Women’s British Open Sunday by three strokes after closing with a 6-under-par 66. Playing in her last major, Annika Sorenstam finished with a birdie and a total of 282 to tie for 24th … “I’m going to miss it, no doubt about it,” Sorenstam told the media. “To finish with a birdie was special. There didn’t seem to be any doubt it was going in.” Vijay Singh earned his 32nd PGA Tour title Sunday at the World Golf Championship, giving him the most victories by an international player. Singh closed with a 2-under 68 to hold of ...

A LPGA Tour veteran was atop the leaderboard after round one of the Ricoh Women’s British Open Wednesday. It just wasn’t the person most expected. Juli Inkster fired a bogey-free 7-under 65, putting her a stroke ahead of the field in Sunningdale, England. Annika Sorenstam, who many were looking at to compete in her final major before retirement, finished with a 72. “I always thought I would play about five years and have a couple of kids and retire,” said Inkster, a mother of two teenagers. “I’m kind of unique. I really love the game and I go out and play for ...

Annika Sorenstam wants to end her career with a bang, which would include her 11th major at this week’s Ricoh Women’s British Open, but she doesn’t expect her competitors will make it easy. As she heads into her final major, Sorenstam told The Associated Press that a win this weekend in England would be special. “I would love to win here,” Sorenstam said. “It’s the only major that I haven’t won two or three times. If I could win this week, then I would say I’ve pretty much achieved everything that I possibly can.” The field is stacked against Sorenstam, with competition ...

Even though she isn’t playing in this weekend’s Ricoh Women’s British Open, Michelle Wie can’t seem to stay out of the story. In fact, her not playing is what’s causing the controversy. Several LPGA veterans are questioning why Wie is skipping a major to play in a PGA Tour event, the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open. “I really don’t know why Michelle continues to do this,” Annika Sorenstam told The Associated Press. “We have a major this week and, if you can’t qualify for a major, I don’t see any reason why you should play with the men.” Wie did qualify for the British Open ...

Annika Sorenstam is preparing for her last major, with this week’s Ricoh Women’s British Open at the Sunningdale Golf Club in Sunningdale, England. Sorenstam tells The Independent that her next goal is to start a family. “When you’ve been a part of something for so long of course you care,” she said, “but I don’t want to make this a farewell tour. I’m still focusing on my game.” A three-time winner this season, Sorenstam says she still has a chance at the player of the year title and to finish top of the money list. Meanwhile, Michelle Wie is receiving criticism for her decision ...

Padraig Harrington successfully defended his British Open title Sunday, finishing with a 1-under 69 to defeat Ian Poulter by four shots. Harrington thwarted a historical victory by Greg Norman, who led by two strokes going into the final round. Norman would have been the oldest golfer to win a major … “I did say to him coming down 18 that I was sorry it wasn’t his story that was going to be told,” Harrington told reporters. “I did feel that, but I wanted to win myself. In this game, you have to take your chances when you get them.” Richard S. Johnson ...

Kenny Perry defeated Brad Adamonis and Jay Williamson in a one-hole playoff Sunday to win the John Deere Classic. It was his third PGA Tour win in five starts, and nearly guarantees him a spot in the Ryder Cup Matches in Kentucky, Perry’s home state. The 47-year-old golfer will not compete in the upcoming British Open … Paula Creamer carded a 2-over 73 yesterday to win the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic by two strokes. The win comes just two weeks after Creamer fell from a place near the top the leaderboard at the U.S. Women’s Open, ending up with ...

Anthony Kim shot a 5-under-par 65 Sunday to win the AT&T National by two strokes, becoming the first American under 25 since Tiger Woods to win at least twice in the same year on the PGA Tour. Kim got a congratulatory call from Woods, the tournament host … “He told me to just keep working hard and keep it up, and the sky’s the limit, and there’s no reason to stop now,” Kim told reporters Meanwhile, organizers of the Canadian Women’s Open have given a sponsor’s exemption to Michelle Wie … “Michelle’s global notoriety will no doubt attract a following at Ottawa Hunt ...

Kenny Perry got closer to realizing his Ryder Cup ambitions Sunday with a win at the Buick Invitational. Perry shot a final-round 6-under-par 66 to defeat Woody Austin and Bubba Watson by a stroke. The victory likely guarantees him a spot on the Ryder Cup team, which will go up against Europe at Valhalla in September … “I’m ecstatic,” Perry told reporters. “It really won’t sink in until I’m actually putting on the red, white and blue.” Inbee Park gave a dominant performance Sunday to win the U.S. Women’s Open at Interlachen. Finishing at 19-under 283, the 19-year-old South Korean became the ...

Stewart Cink pushed aside questions about his ability to close out tournaments this weekend. Cink shot a 3-under-par 67 Sunday to win the Travelers Championship. He defeated Tommy Armour III and defending champ Hunter Mahan by a stroke … “I know there has been some talk that I have not been a closer,” Cink told reporters. “They had every right to say that, because I felt the same way myself. So I felt that I had something to prove to myself.” Eun-Hee Ji shot a 5-under 67 yesterday to beat Suzann Pettersen by two strokes at the Wegmans LPGA. This is Ji’s ...

Tiger Woods will miss the remainder of the 2008 PGA Tour season. The 14-time major winner has to have reconstructive ACL surgery on his left knee and rehabilitate a double stress fracture on his left tibia. Woods reportedly defied his doctor’s advice to play in the U.S. Open, which he won Monday in a playoff against Rocco Mediate.

Tiger Woods held off Rocco Mediate, winning the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines with a par on the first playoff hole. Take a look over at Brandon Tucker’s, Kiel Christianson’s, William K. Wolfrum’s, Tim McDonald’s and Chris Baldwin’s (live from Torrey Pines) blogs for the latest U.S. Open U.S. Open commentary.

It took a birdie on hole No. 18, but Tiger Woods caught Rocco Mediate on the final hole, leading them still tied for the lead and both are preparing to tee off in sudden death action for the U.S. Open Title. See Chris Baldwin for more on the U.S. Open.

Wondering what time and channel to set your TV or Tivo or DVR to for today’s U.S. Open playoff between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate: Look no further (courtesy Hookedongolfblog.com): ESPN: Monday 12 pm - 2 pm NBC: 2 pm - 4 pm ET I believe that after 4 p.m. it will go back to ESPN, but if anyone can confirm that would be great. Thanks :)

Tiger Woods sank a 12-foot birdie putt at the end of play at the U.S. Open yesterday to force an 18-hole playoff with Rocco Mediate today. The two finished at 1-under-par 283 at Torrey Pines, making this year the first time since 2004 someone broke par in a U.S. Open. Speaking about Woods’ clutch play on No. 18, Mediate told reporters: “Unbelievable. I knew he’d make it.” Meanwhile, David Dixon earned his first PGA European Tour title this weekend at the Saint-Omer Open. The Englishman carded a final-round 5-under 279 to defeat Christian Nilsson of Sweden by one stroke … “It’s unbelievable ...

The opening-round grouping of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott sucked up much of the attention at the U.S. Open yesterday, but the lead went to two near-unknowns. Kevin Streelman and Justin Hicks, both outside the top 600 in the world rankings, shot 3-under 68 yesterday to go ahead of the pack by a stroke at Torrey Pines. Woods carded a 1-over 72, Mickelson a 71 … “To make two double bogeys and a three-putt and only be four back, that’s a great position to be in, because I know I can clean that up tomorrow,” Woods told reporters. Meanwhile, at ...

Michelle Wie has qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open after scoring low on two golf courses this week. The 2008 Open will be played later this month at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minn … “I think I did pretty well. It feels good to be playing good again,” Wie, who had a lackluster 2007 season, told reporters. In the TravelGolf.com This Week podcast, host Dave Berner talks to TravelGolf.com’s Brandon Tucker about golf in Wales.

Justin Leonard earned his 12th career PGA Tour victory yesterday at the Stanford St. Jude Championship. He nailed a 19-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole to defeat Trevor Immelman and Robert Allenby in a playoff … Yani Tseng became the youngest player to win the LPGA Championship Sunday. Playing in only her third major, the 19-year-old Tseng defeated Maria Hjorth in a four-hole playoff … Meanwhile, Adam Scott has reportedly broken his pinky finger, but that won’t keep him out of this weekend’s U.S. Open. His coach Bruce Harmon said both Scott and Phil Mickelson are still keen on joining ...

The USGA published the top pairings for the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Wednesday. Tiger Woods is grouped with Phil Mickelson and third-ranked Adam Scott the first two days. Only one other time have Woods and Mickelson been paired together at the U.S. Open … At TravelGolf.com, Brandon Tucker writes about the beer and golf haven that is Portland, Ore.

Kenny Perry closed with a 3-under-par 69 Sunday to win his third Memorial title. Tiger Woods is the only other three-time winner at the event Jack Nicklaus built. The win is a big step toward Perry making the Ryder Cup team for the matches in Kentucky later this year … Jay Haas won his second straight Champions Tour title this weekend at the Principal Charity Classic in Iowa. Finishing with a 6-under 65, the win moves Haas into first place on the money list … Meanwhile, on the LPGA Tour, Seon Hwa Lee defeated Karrie Webb in a playoff to win the ...

Michelle Wie is in seventh place at the Ladies German Open after shooting an opening round 4-under-par 68 yesterday. She trails the leader, Nina Reis of Sweden, by four strokes … “I felt l was a little bit Rusty,” Wie told reporters after her round. “But I am happy with how I played today.” On the PGA Tour, Mathew Goggin is the early leader at the Memorial. Goggin carded a 7-under 65 to go one-up on Kenny Perry and Jerry Kelly. Goggin needed only nine putts over his final nine holes … Meanwhile, Scott Strange shot an 8-under-par 63 Thursday to lead the ...

Lorena Ochoa has withdrawn from the Ginn Tribute Hosted by Annika to spend time with her sick uncle. The No. 1-ranked women’s golfer has returned to Mexico, replaced in the field by Eva Dahllof … “I am very sorry to have to withdraw … But my uncle is very ill,” Ochoa said in a statement. “I need to be with my uncle and my family right now.” Meanwhile, Ernie Els has reversed his earlier announcement that he wouldn’t play in the Memorial. Els won the event in 2004 … In the TravelGolf.com This Week podcast, host Dave Berner talks to Chris Baldwin about ...

Phil Mickelson shot a 2-under-par 68 yesterday to win the Crowne Plaza Invitational. He finished with a nine-foot birdie putt for the victory, but it was the previous shot – a 140-yard wedge from heavy rough – that defined the tournament for “Lefty.” Mickelson had to hit under one tree and over another, the ball striking branches as it ascended … “Just lucky,” Mickelson told reporters. “I’m as surprised as anybody I was able to make a 3 from over there.” Jay Haas closed with a 4-over 74 yesterday at Oak Hill Country Club to win the 69th Senior PGA Championship. It ...

Ryuji Imada won the AT&T Classic Sunday after Kenny Perry found the water on the 73rd hole. This is the first PGA Tour victory for Imada, who lost the same tournament in a playoff last year with Zach Johnson … Lorena Ochoa shot a 1-under 71 yesterday to win the Sybase Classic. It is her third straight LPGA Tour victory … “It was a tough day, but I did it,” Ochoa told reporters. “I think that was what was important.” Meanwhile, Andy Bean closed with a 2-under 70 to win the Champions Tour’s Regions Charity Classic Sunday. Bean defeated Loren Roberts for his ...

Annika Sorenstam said Tuesday she is retiring from professional golf at the end of this season. The 37-year-old Swede, who said she’d been thinking about retiring “for a while,” has won 72 LPGA Tour titles in her career. The Dubai Ladies Masters will be Sorenstam’s last event … “I have made a decision to step away from competitive golf after this season,” she told reporters at a press conference. “Obviously this was a very difficult decision for me to make because I love this game so much. But it’s the right one. I’m leaving the game on my terms.”

Sergio Garcia won The Players Championship in a playoff with Paul Goydos this weekend for the biggest win of his career. The win is particularly special to Garcia after his playoff loss last summer in the British Open … “It feels like a major, and it tests you like a major,” Garcia said. “I’m so thrilled to be here standing with this trophy.” Annika Sorenstam appears to be returning to form after a 2007 LPGA Tour season hobbled by injury. Sorenstam finished with a 5-under-par 66 Sunday to win the Michelob Ultra Open. She beat four other players by a whopping seven ...

Sergio Garcia shot a 6-under-par 66 yesterday to take a two-stroke lead at The Players Championship. The 28-year-old Spaniard is going for his first win in three years … “I’m just looking forward to keep doing the same things – keep hitting the ball well, keep chipping well and keep putting well,” Garcia told reporters. “And then hopefully, by the end of the week, we’ll be where we are supposed to be.” Meanwhile, Masters champion Trevor Immelman had to withdraw from the event with an illness … Michelle Wie struggled yesterday in her first LPGA Tour event since February. She shot a 4-over ...

Anthony Kim finished with a 3-under-par 69 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., for a five-shot win over Ben Curtis at the Wachovia Championship Sunday. Defending champion Tiger Woods wasn’t in the field, still recovering from knee surgery, but Kim channeled Woods in his dominance: the 22 year old beat the tournament record by three strokes … “I’m a little bit numb right now, but that walk up 18 was the best feeling of my entire life,” Kim told reporters. “I’ll never forget that feeling. I had chills going up and down my spine. I want to recreate that as ...

After initially blowing a three-shot lead in the final round of the EDS Byron Nelson Championship, Adam Scott came through with a pair of birdie putts on the 18th green Sunday to pull out a victory over Ryan Moore on the third playoff hole. It was Scott’s sixth career victory … “I kind of got away with it, I think, today,” Scott told reporters. “A bit lucky, and certainly the putt on the third playoff hole was pretty lucky to go in.” Darren Clarke won the Asian Open yesterday with a 30-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, defeating Robert-Jan Derksen by ...

Three share the lead at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship after the first round. Ryan Moore, Mathew Goggin and Eric Axley all shot 3-under-par 67 Thursday. Jesper Parnevik is only one-shot back after carding a 68 in blustery conditions on the redesigned host course … Paula Creamer shot a 3-under-par 68 Thursday to lead the inaugural Stanford International Pro-Am. Annika Sorestam, who called the opening round “silly tough,” is only one stroke back … Meanwhile, Peter O’Mailey has the early lead at the Asian Open after shooting a 5-under 67 in Shanghai yesterday. Henrik Stenson is in a group of four players ...

Boo Weekley successfully defended his Verizon Heritage title this weekend, defeating Anthony Kim and Aaron Baddeley by three strokes. Weekley finished with an even-par 71 at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island, S.C., to earn his second PGA Tour victory and a $990,000 winner’s check … Word No. 1 women’s golfer Lorena Ochoa continued her dominance of the LPGA Tour Sunday. Ochoa won her fourth straight victory at the Ginn Open … “I’m very grateful. It’s been a blessing, you know,” she told reporters. “But I know that bad times will come. It’s just the way life is. I’m just ...

Tiger Woods had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee yesterday, keeping him off the PGA Tour for up to six weeks. This is his second operation on the same knee in five years … Woods will likely miss The Players Championship but has said he’ll be back for the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines … “I made the decision to deal with the pain and schedule the surgery for after the Masters,” Woods said. “The upside is that I have been through this process before and know how to handle it. I look forward to working through the rehabilitation process and getting ...

Trevor Immelman held off Tiger Woods to win the Masters Sunday. The win earned the 28 year old, who only four months ago was lying in a hospital bed after having a tumor removed from his diaphragm, his first major title and a $1.35 million pay check. While mounting a strong comeback, Woods wasn’t able to capitalize on several key opportunities, finishing second for the fifth time in a major. He’ll have to wait until 2009 for the calendar Grand Slam he said was “easily within reason” on his Web site earlier this year. “I learned my lesson there with ...

Justin Rose opened with a 68 yesterday at Augusta National Golf Club to share the first round lead at the Masters with Trevor Immelman. Failing to card a birdie all day, Tiger Woods finished with an even-par 72. Defending champion Zach Johnson shot 70, and two-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson carded a 71 … Woods didn’t appear concerned about his slow start: “I played a lot better than what my score indicates,” he told reporters. “I kept myself in the tournament. I’m right there.” Meanwhile, Fred Couples’ opening round 76 might send him packing before the weekend at the Masters for the ...

The Masters begins today at Augusta National Golf Club. Zach Johnson is the defending champion, but Tiger Woods is going to be tough to beat as he pursues the first win major in his quest for the Grand Slam this year. Geoff Ogilvy is also a player to watch, coming off a three-week hot streak that saw him win at Doral and tie for second at the Houston Open … In the TravelGolf.com This Week podcast, host Dave Berner talks to Brandon Tucker about Tiger Woods’ temper.

Lorena Ochoa won her second major Sunday at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. The Mexican golfer finished with a 5-under-par 67 for a five-stroke victory … “Nothing can stop her,” said World Golf Hall of Fame member Se Ri Pak. Johnson Wagner earned two major career firsts at the same time Sunday: his first PGA Tour title and his first Masters invitation. Wagner’s two-stroke win at the Houston Open gives the 28-year-old golfer a spot in the Masters this week … “Sounds funny, you know, even saying it,” Wagner said. “I don’t care if I shoot 90 both days and miss the cut. I’m ...

Australian golfer Adam Scott overcame illness to shoot a course-record 9-under-par 63 yesterday for a piece of the lead at the Houston Open. Scott, the defending champion, is tied with Johnson Wagner, who matched the Aussie’s 63 on the Tournament Course at Redstone in Humble, Texas, late in the day … At the Kraft Nabisco Championship, Lorena Ochoa is a shot behind leader Karen Stupples after shooting a 4-under-par 68 yesterday at Mission Hills Golf Course. Stupples, who’s getting back into competition less than a year after having her first child, carded a bogey-free round … In other LPGA Tour news, Michelle ...

Lorena Ochoa continued her hot streak and defended her title Sunday at the Safeway International. She won for the second time in three shots this season on the LPGA Tour. Ochoa was a fan favorite at the Arizona tournament held at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club. A big, enthusiastic gallery, complete with three huge Mexican flags, cheered on Ochoa, who dominated with a seven stroke victory (22-under 266 for the tournament). “It was very nice to see the support and feel the love. They care so much,” she said. “They know that I play not only for me but for all ...

The chronic wrist injury that prompted Michelle Wie to withdraw from this week’s Safeway International will likely keep her out of competition until the second week of May, according to recent media reports. The Stanford freshman, who took a leave of absence from the university this spring to focus on competition, aggravated the injury during a practice session earlier this month, according to Wie’s managers at the William Morris Agency, as reported by ESPN.com … At TravelGolf.com, Senior Writer Chris Baldwin profiles Todd Edwards, general manager of Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club in Gulf Shores, Ala.

Thwarting Tiger Woods’ six-month winning streak, former U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy won the CA Championship yesterday. The now four-time PGA Tour winner carded a final round 1-under-par 71 to defeat Retief Goosen, Jim Furyk and Vijay Singh by a stroke. Woods finished in fifth place at Doral, a course Woods has won on each of the past three years … “As players, it’s nice to see somebody else lift a trophy for a change,” Goosen told reporters. Woods said Ogilvy had fortune on his side. “People don’t really understand, you need to have something happen, a positive thing happen to you out ...

Weather caused a three-hour rain delay at the CA Championship in Doral, Fla., Sunday, forcing a continuation on Monday. That’s good news for Tiger Woods, who will likely see his seven-tournament win string end at the conclusion of the competition. Woods sits at five back of leader Geoff Ogilvy (17 under through nine holes) with seven holes remaining. Ogilvy holds a two-shot lead over Jim Furyk and Vijay Singh. Furyk was 15 under through 10, while Singh played nine holes. Retief Goosen and Graeme Storm were three shots back. Adam Scott is at 13 under, tied with Steve Stricker. Play was ...

A long putt for birdie on 18 secured the Arnold Palmer Invitational title for Tiger Woods, cementing his fifth straight PGA Tour win. The title, Woods’ 64th, tied him with Ben Hogan on the tour’s career list. The 25-footer pushed Woods ahead of challenger Bart Bryant and led to a celebration, which included Woods backpedaling as the ball closed on the hole, followed by him throwing his hat down and letting out a roar. “I was like, ‘How in the hell did he get my hat?’” Woods said after caddie Steve Williams handed him his hat. “Evidently, it came off. I need ...

Fred Couples shot a 5-under-par 65 at the Bay Hill Club yesterday to share the first round lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational with J.J. Henry. Tiger Woods struggled to an even-par 70 but had nothing but compliments for Couples, who has struggled recently with back problems … “It’s good to see Freddie up there,” Woods told reporters. “He might have got a little shot of confidence now that he’s [Presidents Cup] captain and that kind of freed things up. It’s good to see him up there playing.” Meanwhile, John Daly didn’t show up to the event’s pro-am Wednesday, a day after ...

Swing coach Butch Harmon has ended his short-lived professional relationship with two-time major winner John Daly, citing issues related to Daly’s ongoing drinking. Harmon, formerly Tiger Woods’ coach, said he has worked three times with Daly but that ultimately Daly isn’t committed to golf … “My whole goal for him was he’s got to show me golf is the most important thing in his life,” Harmon told reporters from Las Vegas. “And the most important thing in his life is getting drunk.” The decision came after Harmon heard of Daly’s behavior at the PODS Championship, where the golfer reportedly spent a lengthy ...

Sean O’Hair earned his second career PGA Tour title Sunday with his win at the PODS Championship. O’Hair shot a final round 2-under-par 69 Sunday for a two-stroke victory. The victory won him a place in the Masters and an invitation to the World Golf Championship at Doral … Bernhard Langer defeated Jay Haas in a playoff at the Toshiba Classic Sunday. Langer, winner of the 1985 and 1993 Masters, has now won twice on the Champions Tour. His first victory came last year at the Administaff Small Business Classic in Texas … In the TravelGolf.com This Week podcast, host Dave Berner ...

Ernie Els ended a nearly four year winless drought on the PGA Tour yesterday with a victory at the Honda Classic. Els shot a 3-under-par 67 to defeat Luke Donald by a stroke for his first PGA Tour title in 48 starts … “It’s been a long time coming,” Els told reporters. “It has to feel even sweeter, you know, losing so many tournaments and one now going my way.” Meanwhile, Lorena Ochoa continued proving her dominance on the LPGA Tour this weekend with a command victory at the HSBC Women’s Champions. Ochoa defeated Annika Sorenstam by 11 strokes in her first ...

Luke Donald shot a 64 yesterday to take the first round lead at the Honda Classic. His bogey-free round at PGA National puts him ahead of Brian Davis by one stroke. Donald won the Honda Classic two years ago at nearby Mirasol … Lorena Ochoa has started her 2008 LPGA Tour strongly. She shot a 6-under-par 66 yesterday to take the lead at the HSBC Women’s Championship … “It was one of those days that I was getting the ball and making good contact especially, had a lot of birdie chances,” Ochoa told the media. “It was a great start.” Meanwhile, Shamim Khan ...

So far so good for Lorena Ochoa. The top-ranked LPGA golfer kicked off her 2008 season with six birdies at the inaugural $2 million HSBC Women’s Champions tournament in Singapore on Thursday. Ochoa shot six birdies and took a one-stroke lead. Ochoa had no bogeys to finish with a 66 at the event at Tanah Merah Country Club. American Paula Creamer and Japan’s Ai Miyazato shared second, one stroke behind Ochoa. Former No. 1 Annika Sorenstam had three birdies and two bogeys to finish with a 71 and in a share of 19th place. In Gurgaon, India, a former caddie had pros screaming, ...

Greg Norman is letting bygones be bygones with the PGA Tour, agreeing this week to be captain of the International team at the Presidents Cup. Norman joins Fred Couples as the first captains who have competed in the matches. Norman has butted heads with PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem for more than a decade over the World Golf Championships. He’s also challenged the tour over its finances. The Presidents Cup will be held in October 2009 at Harding Park in San Francisco. “I think what’s happened in the past is in the past,” Norman said. “If you sit on a board of any ...

Phil Mickelson is out of the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship after losing to Stuart Appleby of Australia yesterday. Appleby carded nine birdies to defeat Mickelson 2 and 1, preventing a much wished for final showdown between Mickelson and Tiger Woods … Meanwhile, Michelle Wie shot an opening-round 3-under-par 69 yesterday to go five shots off the lead at the LPGA Tour’s Fields Open. Jeong Jang is ahead of the field after an 8-under 64 … Commenting on her play, Wie told reporters: “You know, I don’t really feel like I have to prove myself to anyone. I just was really proud of ...

Tiger Woods made a late comeback in the first match of the Accenture Match Play Championship yesterday to defeat J.B. Holmes. Woods carded three straight birdies and an eagle on the 17th to pull ahead by a stroke with one hole left to play. Holmes missed his birdie putt on 18 to tie, giving Woods the victory … “I just kept saying I could win in regulation,” Woods told the media. “That’s what I’ve always done, even if I’m 2-down with three to go or 3-down with five to go or whatever it may be.” Michelle Wie said Tuesday before the LPGA ...

Phil Mickelson shot a final round 1-under-par 70 yesterday to win the Northern Trust Open. The two-shot win over Jeff Quinney earned Mickelson the 33rd victory of his career. Mickelson first played at Riviera when he was 17, as an amateur … “The fact I haven’t won this and it has taken me so long to win makes it that much more special,” Mickelson told the media. Annika Sorenstam earned her first LPGA Tour title since 2006 at the SBS Open this weekend. She closed with a 3-under 69 Sunday for her 70th career LPGA Tour victory … “It’s great to win tournaments, ...