Golf

Spencer Levin opens 6-stroke lead in Phoenix Open - 02/05/2012
Spencer Levin remained in control in the Phoenix Open in front of the largest crowd in tournament history, shooting a 3-under 68 on Saturday to take a six-stroke lead into the final round. The crowd of 173,210 in perfect condition ...

Palmer takes lead in Phoenix - 02/03/2012
Ryan Palmer parred his final hole at dusk for a 7-under 64 and the lead Thursday in the suspended first round of the Phoenix Open. The start of the round was delayed an hour because of frost, and play was suspended because of dark ...

Tiger Woods falls to third as Rock wins in Abu Dhabi - 01/30/2012
Tiger Woods talked all week about his improved ball control — then it let him down in the final round of the Abu Dhabi Championship. Woods resembled the Tiger of old the first three rounds before shooting an even-par 72 on Sunday ...

Levin, Stanley opens with 62s, lead at Torrey; McIlroy leads at Abu Dhabi - 01/27/2012
Spencer Levin and Kyle Stanley knew they had to post low scores on the easier North Course at Torrey Pines to get off to a good start Thursday in the Farmers Insurance Open. It went even better than they expected. Stanley made eag ...

Wagner wins Sony Open - 01/16/2012
Johnson Wagner played bogey-free over the last 12 holes and won the Sony Open for his third PGA Tour title. Six players had a share of the lead Sunday at some point in the final round. Wagner was the only player who stayed there, ...

Stricker hangs on to win PGA Tour opener - 01/10/2012
Steve Stricker always believed experience would go a long way toward winning the PGA Tour season opener at Kapalua. This wasn’t the kind he was thinking about. No other player is more accustomed to building a big lead, blowing a b ...

It wasn’t easy, but Stricker manages to keep a big lead at Kapalua - 01/09/2012
Steve Stricker never looked comfortable at Kapalua until he walked off the Plantation Course with the same five-shot margin that he started with Sunday in the Tournament of Champions. Right when he felt as if he was letting everyo ...

New faces dot PGA opener in Hawaii - 01/06/2012
KAPALUA, Hawaii — Steve Stricker is back on Maui, a familiar place for a guy who has won on the PGA Tour in each of the last three years to qualify for the season-opening Tournament of Champions.

05_woods_1b.ART - 12/05/2011

Choi has 3-shot lead over Woods, Stricker - 12/02/2011
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — K.J. Choi opened with five straight birdies. Tiger Woods looked as good as he did in Australia, making his fourth birdie with a 3-iron to an elevated green on the par-5 fifth that covered the flag.

Woods suffers historic loss in Presidents Cup play - 11/18/2011
MELBOURNE, Australia — The handshake between Tiger Woods and ex-caddie Steve Williams was routine. The loss by Woods and Steve Stricker turned out to be the real drama in the Presidents Cup.

Rest helps American team to feel good - 11/15/2011
MELBOURNE, Australia — Fred Couples got word Monday afternoon that Steve Stricker wanted to speak with him, and the U.S. captain quickly drove away. Moments later, he and Stricker were sharing a laugh on the putting green.

Chalmers captures Aussie Open - 11/14/2011
The loudest cheers were for Tiger Woods. The Australian Open belonged to Greg Chalmers. Chalmers won his national championship for the second time Sunday, closing with a 3-under 69 to hold off a late charge by Woods and a 50-foot ...

Big comeback, big finish lead Kaymer to win HSBC - 11/07/2011
SHANGHAI — Martin Kaymer was five shots behind and going nowhere Sunday, making nothing but pars when he needed much more to give himself a chance in the HSBC Champions.

Bradley shoots 65 to lead in Shanghai - 11/04/2011
SHANGHAI — PGA champion Keegan Bradley cares more about counting birdies than votes. He flew halfway around the world with the intention of winning a World Golf Championship, not any kind of an award.

McIlroy wins tourney on first playoff hole - 10/31/2011
SHANGHAI — U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy won $2 million in the Shanghai Masters on Sunday, beating Anthony Kim with a par on the first hole of a playoff.

Luke Donald charges to stunning win at Disney - 10/24/2011
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Under the greatest pressure, Luke Donald delivered his finest performance.

Crane rallies to win McGladrey - 10/17/2011
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Ben Crane knew he was going home Monday to be with his wife for the birth of their third child. He had no reason to believe he would be bringing the McGladrey Classic trophy with him.

Defending champs lead Glenmaura National Invitational - 10/08/2011
MOOSIC - Defending tournament champions Christian Davis and Brian Brown overcame wet grounds and combined to shoot a 3-under 68 Saturday to share the lead after the first day of play at the second Glenmaura National Invitational. ...

Watney, Na lead in Las Vegas - 10/02/2011

Scott holds one-shot lead at Tour Championship - 09/24/2011
ATLANTA — Adam Scott is playing well enough to win the Tour Championship. With a little help, he could win a lot more.

Irene steals the thunder - 08/26/2011

Tiger may play another tour event - 08/23/2011

Simpson claims 1st PGA win - 08/22/2011

Quinney, Gainey share 1st-round lead at Wyndham - 08/19/2011

Tiger is finally running out of excuses OPINION JIM LITKE - 08/12/2011

Tiger’s roar not as loud - 08/09/2011
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Tiger Woods stepped from behind a microphone, thankful to be done with a short interview that felt like an intrusion. He took 23 questions, most of them about his golf, a few others about his left leg, then walk ...

Scott wins 1st World title with Woods’ caddie - 08/08/2011

Weather forces change in format - 08/07/2011
DALLAS – Heavy rain and flooding throughout the course washed away any hope of completing Saturday’s action at the Potentate Tournament at Irem Temple Country Club.

Rookie Stallings wins Greenbrier Classic in 3-way playoff - 08/01/2011
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — PGA Tour rookie Scott Stallings won the Greenbrier Classic on Sunday, sinking a birdie putt on the first playoff hole to beat Bob Estes and Bill Haas.

Browne takes early lead in U.S. Senior - 07/29/2011
TOLEDO, Ohio — Olin Browne eagled two holes in a five-hole span down the stretch and finished with a 7-under 64 Thursday for a two-stroke lead after the opening round of the U.S. Senior Open.

Cochran wins 1st major - 07/25/2011

Calcavecchia, Rinker lead US charge - 07/23/2011
WALTON ON THE HILL, England — Americans Mark Calcavecchia and Lee Rinker had a two-shot lead after the second round of the Senior British Open on Friday.

Tiger loses one of last commodities OPINION Tracee Hamilton - 07/22/2011

Woods gets rid of Steve Williams as a caddie - 07/21/2011
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods fired caddie Steve Williams on Wednesday, ending a 12-year relationship in which he won 72 times worldwide and 13 majors.

Mickelson stays all smiles after letting title slip away OPINION TIM DAHLBERG - 07/18/2011

At least for a day, golfer gets just what he’s owed OPINION TIM DAHLBERG - 07/15/2011
SANDWICH, England — He was always destined to be remembered around here as the guy who threw it away when it mattered most. Nothing Thomas Bjorn could do about that, especially when it looked as if he wouldn’t even play this year ...

TEE TIMES - 07/14/2011
TEE TIMES

A test that could blow away another major for Rory OPINION TIM DAHLBERG - 07/13/2011
SANDWICH, England — The strong wind blowing Tuesday across Royal St. George’s was just another sign that the moonscape masquerading as a golf course on the English coast would offer a vastly different test than the one solved so e ...

Seo on the verge of victory at Women’s Open - 07/11/2011
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Hee Kyung Seo has a chance to carve her own special place in history. Not simply as a U.S. Open winner — but as a U.S. Open winner who won it without hitting a single shot on the final day.

First day halted at U.S. Women’s Open - 07/08/2011
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Instead of teeing it up when she comes back to the Broadmoor, Cristie Kerr’s next shot at the U.S. Women’s Open will be a blast out of the bunker on the front, right side of the seventh green.

A beautiful week awaits field at Pebble Beach - 02/09/2012
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — In what Robert Louis Stevenson called “the most felicitous meeting of land and sea,” the sea was winning Wednesday at Pebble Beach.

Wilson captures Challenge - 01/23/2012
LA QUINTA, Calif. — Mark Wilson made a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole to win the Humana Challenge on Sunday, beating Robert Garrigus, John Mallinger and Johnson Wagner by two strokes in a dramatic dusk finish to the wind-delayed tournament.

Toms and Villegas lead at Humana Challenge - 01/20/2012
A little extra time off this winter left David Toms and Camilo Villegas feeling fresh for the Humana Challenge. Toms and Villegas shot 9-under 63 to top a leaderboard dotted with impressive scores in the opening round Thursday.

Having nearly quit, Frazer treasures coveted Masters invite - 01/05/2012
KAPALUA, Hawaii — Christmas arrived a day early in Dallas at the home of Harrison Frazar. His wife walked into the house holding the mail that Saturday, fighting back tears as she handed him an envelope from Augusta National, both of them knowing it could be only one thing: His invitation to play in the Masters.

Tiger clinches Presidents Cup for Americans - 11/21/2011
MELBOURNE, Australia — The winning point for Tiger Woods. A perfect record for Jim Furyk. And validation for U.S. captain Fred Couples.

He looks ahead and not behind - 11/16/2011
MELBOURNE, Australia — The motto for Tiger Woods these days is to move forward, and that covers a lot of territory.

Lyle leads field in Sydney; Tiger finally looking sharp - 11/11/2011
SYDNEY — Tiger Woods played his first bogey-free round in nine months, a big development in any tournament he plays. It nearly got lost Thursday in the Australian Open, which featured an albatross from Adam Scott and another meltdown for John Daly.

Tour commissioner Finchem has eye on Asia, South America for 2015 - 11/09/2011
SYDNEY — The only two continents where the Presidents Cup has not been played are Asia and South America, which is likely to change when the next one goes overseas in 2015. And while Asia appears to have more appeal, South America might be more critical.

Epstein ready for fresh problems - 10/26/2011
CHICAGO — Theo Epstein knew it was time to move on, even though it meant leaving the team he loved. After nearly a decade as general manager in Boston where he won two World Series titles, Epstein decided change would be a good thing.

Bradley has lead in FedEx finale - 09/23/2011
ATLANTA — Keegan Bradley and Jason Dufner atop the leaderboard in Atlanta should sound familiar.

Underdog Ogilvy still in contention - 09/22/2011
ATLANTA — Just being among the 30 players at the Tour Championship should be enough for Geoff Ogilvy.

After big win, Thompson hopes to be tour regular - 09/21/2011
Golf’s latest female phenom has no interest in teeing it up with the guys.

Mickelson leaning toward belly putter - 09/02/2011
NORTON, Mass. — Two drivers at the Masters. No drivers at the U.S. Open.

No dominant contenders for player of the year - 08/24/2011
EDISON, N.J. — If the PGA Tour really wanted to put a positive spin on the playoffs, it could claim that three of the four FedEx Cup champions were voted player of the year.

Wyndham offers last chance - 08/18/2011
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Wyndham Championship has attracted one of its best fields, partly out of desperation from some players.

Bradley has Couples in tough spot - 08/17/2011
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Until winning the PGA Championship, the coolest thing in golf that happened to Keegan Bradley during his amazing rookie season was getting a phone call from Fred Couples in May after he won his first PGA Tour event.

Once fearless, Tiger looks lost - 08/16/2011
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The kid standing behind 15-year-old Tiger Woods on the tee at Torrey Pines was two years older and already a hotshot himself on Southern California’s rough-and-tumble amateur golf circuit the first time he saw the look.

Drama runs deep in Dixie - 08/12/2011
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Steve Stricker stood a mere 10 feet away from the lowest round ever in a major, a captivating moment at any other championship.

Expectations for Tiger change headed into PGA Championship - 08/11/2011
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Even as he took the high road Wednesday in a nasty split with his longtime caddie, Tiger Woods lowered his standard of success on the eve of the PGA Championship.

Taking a big swing at Tiger - 08/10/2011
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Steve Williams says he meant no harm.

Hot-Lanta greets PGA golfers, fans - 08/09/2011
JOHNS CREEK, Ga.— For those outside the ropes, there are fans atop the bleachers and misting stations to cool down. For the players, there are buckets filled with cold, bottled water at every hole.

Tiger passes the test in return with an impressive 3-wood shot - 08/05/2011
AKRON, Ohio — Tiger Woods appeared to face a big test Thursday in his return to golf.

Finding his growl - 08/04/2011
AKRON, Ohio — Add another list of numbers to show how much has changed in the world of Tiger Woods.

Tiger is ready to roar again - 08/03/2011
AKRON, Ohio — Tiger Woods was on the practice range just as the sun began to rise Tuesday over Firestone, his first time on a PGA Tour golf course in nearly three months.

European Tour taking a divot out of PGA’s prestige - 08/03/2011
AKRON, Ohio — There was a time when Martin Kaymer couldn’t get to America fast enough.

Browne gets major win - 08/01/2011
TOLEDO, Ohio — After a stoic week, Olin Browne finally let loose.

Langer still finding a way back - 07/28/2011
TOLEDO, Ohio — Bernhard Langer enjoyed his time spent at home while he rehabbed a thumb injury.

‘Normal bloke’ reigns as the champion at Royal St. George’s - 07/18/2011
SANDWICH, England — No matter how long it grows or even how quickly, the list of major champions from the tiny country of Northern Ireland just wouldn’t feel complete without Darren Clarke.

One common bond - 07/15/2011
SANDWICH, England — Thomas Bjorn and Tom Lewis have nothing in common except for the unlikely position they shared Thursday atop the leaderboard at the British Open.

McDowell recovers, stays in contention - 07/15/2011
SANDWICH, England (AP) — A pick-me-up from his caddie and a favorable change in weather helped Graeme McDowell remain in the hunt at the British Open after a horror start to his first round.

Rugged start, solid finish for Rory - 07/15/2011
SANDWICH, England — For the first time in 11 months, Rory McIlroy walked off the 18th green in the early stages of a major championship and did not see his name atop the leaderboard.

Stricker is suddenly in new universe - 07/14/2011
SANDWICH, England — Steve Stricker can appreciate better than most how the British Open is unlike any other major.

Americans are afterthought as Open tees off - 07/14/2011
SANDWICH, England — Tiger Woods is back home, nursing a sore leg. The rest of American golf isn’t doing so well, either.

R&A will review Northern Ireland as site NOTE BOOK - 07/14/2011
SANDWICH, England — The last time the British Open was held outside Britain was 60 years ago, when Max Faulkner won at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. The Royal & Ancient has been asked over the years if it would ever go back.

U.S. Open winner McIlroy becomes golf’s main attraction - 07/13/2011
Rory McIlroy slipped into his seat without great fanfare Tuesday, his presence detected by a sudden burst of camera shutters when the photographers realized the star of this British Open had arrived.

Curtis reflects on 2003 win - 07/12/2011
SANDWICH, England — Ben Curtis never gets too worked up about anything.

South Koreans shine at U.S. Open - 07/12/2011
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — As she stood on the 18th green drenched in champagne, holding a trophy and wearing a mile-wide smile, there was no doubt about it: So Yeon Ryu is the brightest star on a South Korean golf roster that has more than its share of them.

U.S. Open features a generation gap - 07/07/2011
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — One is a 13-year-old, getting ready for eighth grade, spending the start of her U.S. Open week wondering if she should be asking these players for autographs or playing beside them.

Injuries mean Woods won’t be part of British invasion - 07/06/2011
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Those “minor” injuries to his left leg now have kept Tiger Woods from playing in two majors.