Tiger Woods undergoes second laser eye surgery

From WorldGolf.com News Services

Tiger Woods admitted that following the Masters, he underwent laser surgery for his eyes for the second time. Woods had previously had the procedure in 1999, following the Ryder Cup.

Just like in 1999, Woods won the first time out after the procedure. In 1999, he won the Disney Classic, while this year he won the Wachovia Championship. After eight years, Woods, who admits to having terrible natural eyesight, the time was ripe to get the procedure done again.

"My vision started slipping," Woods told reporters after The Players Championship. "I was getting headaches from squinting all the time."

In 1999, the Disney Classic was the second of six consecutive tournaments Woods would go on to win. While Woods won at Wachovia, his finish of T-37 was his worst since missing the cut at the 2006 U.S. Open.

Darren Clarke injured

Darren Clarke, who in 2006 lost his wife Heather to cancer, withdrew from the Irish Open due to a hamstring injury that kept him out of both the Wachovia Championship and The Players Championship.

Clarke has said that his doctor advised him that he could aggravate the injury if he played, and the Ryder Cup star will be looking to make his return for the upcoming European Tour flagship tournament, the BMW PGA Championship.

He said doctors told him he could aggravate the injury if he tried to play.

PGA Professional National Championship heading to Georgia

In 2008, the PGA Professional National Championship will be held in Georgia for the first time since 1979, as the National Championship field will compete at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Ga. on June 19-22, 2008.

The Championship, which brings together 312 contestants from the PGA of America's 41 nationwide sections, will be played on both Reynolds Landing and Great Waters, which also will be host for the final two rounds of the Championship. All four rounds of the event will be televised by the Golf Channel.

"It is with a great deal of pleasure that our Association's National Championship will showcase its finest playing professionals at Reynolds Plantation," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "The PGA Professional National Championship has a tradition of providing both spectacular and challenging venues which have produced outstanding Champions for four decades. Through its world-class facilities, we are delighted that Reynolds Plantation has partnered with our Association to bring the attention of the country to this Championship."

Reynolds Plantation will also be in the spotlight in 2007, as its Oconee Course will host the 22nd PGA Cup on Sept. 21-23. The event is a Ryder Cup-style competition between a U.S.Team of PGA professionals vying against a team from Great Britain & Ireland.

May 16, 2007