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tour info
Billy Payne, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, has announced that 104 players have been invited to the 2012 Masters. Of those invited, 92 are expected to compete, including six amateurs and 14 first-time participants.
"We are delighted to welcome this impressive collection of players to Augusta National Golf Club in 2012," Payne said. "We are equally enthusiastic to showcase our golf course and the world's best competitors for the enjoyment of golf fans around the globe."
Two opportunities still remain to qualify for an invitation to the 2012 Masters:
-- Win a PGA Tour event that awards a full-point allocation for the season-ending Tour Championship prior to the 2012 Tournament.
-- Finish in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking published during the week prior to the Masters.
The 2012 Tournament will mark the 76th playing of the Masters.
2012 Masters Invitees
Aaron Baddeley (Australia) (15,17,18)
Sang-moon Bae (Korea) (18)
Thomas Bjorn (Denmark) (13,18)
Keegan Bradley (4,15,16,17,18)
Jonathan Byrd (15,17)
Angel Cabrera (Argentina) (1,2,11)
Patrick Cantlay (6-B)
Paul Casey (England) (18)
Kevin Chappell (12)
K. J. Choi (Korea) (5,11,15,17,18)
Stewart Cink (3)
Tim Clark (South Africa) (5)
Darren Clarke (N. Ireland) (3,18)
Fred Couples (1,11)
Ben Crane (19)
Ben Crenshaw (1)
Jason Day (Australia) (11,12,15,17,18)
Luke Donald (England) (11,15,17,18)
Jason Dufner (14,15,17,18)
Simon Dyson (England) (18)
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spain) (18)
Ross Fisher (England) (11)
Rickie Fowler (18)
Harrison Frazar (16)
Jim Furyk (18)
Sergio Garcia (Spain) (12,18)
Robert Garrigus (12)
Lucas Glover (2,16)
Bill Haas (15,16,17,18)
Anders Hansen (Denmark) (14,18)
Peter Hanson (Sweden) (12,18)
Padraig Harrington (Ireland) (3,4)
Charles Howell III (15,17)
Trevor Immelman (South Africa) (1,11)
Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) (Special Invite)
Fredrik Jacobson (Sweden) (15,16,17,18)
Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) (18)
Dustin Johnson (13,15,16,17,18)
Zach Johnson (1,18)
Robert Karlsson (Sweden) (14,18)
Martin Kaymer (Germany) (4,18)
Kyung-Tae Kim (Korea) (18)
* Kelly Kraft (6-A)
Matt Kuchar (15,17,18)
Martin Laird (Scotland) (15,18)
Bernhard Langer (Germany) (1)
Paul Lawrie Scotland (19)
* Randal Lewis (10)
Sandy Lyle (Scotland) (1)
* Bryden Macpherson (Australia) (7)
Hunter Mahan (15,17,18)
* Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) (8)
Graeme McDowell (N. Ireland) (2,18)
Rory McIlroy (N. Ireland) (2,11,18)
Phil Mickelson (1,13,15,17,18)
* Corbin Mills (9)
Larry Mize (1)
Edoardo Molinari (Italy) (11)
Francesco Molinari (Italy) (18)
Kevin Na (15)
Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) (11,17,18)
Sean O'Hair (16)
Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain) (1)
Mark O'Meara (1)
Louis Oosthuizen (S. Africa) (3,18)
Ryan Palmer (11)
Ian Poulter (England) (18)
Alvaro Quiros (Spain) (18)
Chez Reavie (17)
Justin Rose (England) (11,15,16,17,18)
Rory Sabbatini (South Africa) (15)
Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) (1,15,18)
Adam Scott (Australia) (11,15,16,17,18)
John Senden (Australia) (17,18)
Webb Simpson (15,16,17,18)
Vijay Singh (Fiji) (1,15,17)
Brandt Snedeker (11,15,16,17,18)
Craig Stadler (1)
Scott Stallings (16)
# Kyle Stanley (16,19)
Brendan Steele (16)
Henrik Stenson (Sweden) (5)
Steve Stricker (11,15,16,17,18)
David Toms (14,15,16,17,18)
Bo Van Pelt (11,15,17,18)
Scott Verplank (14)
Johnson Wagner (16)
Nick Watney (15,16,17,18)
Bubba Watson (15,16,17,18)
Tom Watson (1)
Mike Weir (Canada) (1)
Lee Westwood (England) (11,12,18)
Mark Wilson (15,17)
Gary Woodland (15,17)
Tiger Woods (1,2,4,11,18)
Ian Woosnam (Wales) (1)
Y. E. Yang (Korea)(4,12,17,18)
* Denotes Amateur
Past champions not expected to participate: Tommy Aaron, Jack Burke Jr., Billy Casper, Charles Coody, Nick Faldo, Raymond Floyd, Doug Ford, Bob Goalby, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Fuzzy Zoeller.
Number after each name indicates the basis of qualification. The Masters Committee, at its discretion, also invites international players not otherwise qualified.
2012 Masters Qualifications:
1. Masters Tournament Champions (Lifetime).
2. U.S. Open Champions (Honorary, non-competing five years).
3. British Open Champions (Honorary, non-competing after five years).
4. PGA Champions (Honorary, non-competing after five years).
5. Winners of the Players Championship (three years).
6. Current U.S. Amateur Champion (6-A) (Honorary, non-competing after 1 year) and the runner-up (6-B) to the current U.S. Amateur Champion.
7. Current British Amateur Champion (Honorary, non-competing after 1 year).
8. Current Asian Amateur Champion.
9. Current U.S. Amateur Public Links Champion.
10. Current U.S. Mid-Amateur Champion.
11. The first 16 players, including ties, in the previous year's Masters Tournament.
12. The first eight players, including ties, in the previous year's U.S. Open Championship.
13. The first four players, including ties, in the previous year's British Open Championship.
14. The first four players, including ties, in the previous year's PGA Championship.
15. The 30 leaders on the Final Official PGA Tour Money List for the previous calendar year.
16. Winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation for the season-ending Tour Championship, from previous Masters to current Masters.
17. Those qualifying for the previous year's season-ending Tour Championship.
18. The 50 leaders on the Final Official World Golf Ranking for the previous calendar year.
19. The 50 leaders on the Official World Golf Ranking published during the week prior to the current Masters Tournament.
information supplied by www.pgatour.com
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Tiger woods
TIGER EFFECT!!!! Talk about your Tiger Effect! When Tiger Woods won the 1997 Masters by a record-setting 12 shots 15 years ago this week, he didn't just make history. He also altered the career paths of players from Hunter Mahan to Rory McIlroy. Tiger Woods' emphatic victory at the 1997 Masters sparked the imaginations of many young golfers. (Getty Images) By Craig Dolch, PGATOUR.COM Contributor
Hunter Mahan wasn’t even 15, yet he already knew he wanted to become a professional golfer. But what happened 15 years ago, when a 21-year-old Tiger Woods won the 1997 Masters by a record-setting 12 shots, helped Mahan’s career pursuit much like a detailed yardage book. It showed Mahan how to get where he wanted to be. “It was an historic day,” Mahan said. “It’s pretty incredible what kind of performance he had at such an early age, because I think he just opened the door for our imaginations to run wild. "Tiger comes out, and I think he opened up a new world for us that we realized there’s nothing stopping you from winning eight tournaments in a year. There’s nothing stopping you from doing that. We are stopping ourselves because we are saying ‘Top 10 is good, that's a good week.’ And he was saying, ‘Well, no, it's not good; I’m better than that.’”
It’s obvious Woods made more than history that week. He also made a, well, major impact on the players of the next generation who would eventually prove to be his greatest competition. Take, for instance, Rory McIlroy. He was just a wee 7-year-old lad growing up in Northern Ireland with a dream to become one of the world’s top golfers.
Fifteen years ago, Woods provided that reality for McIlroy, who now at 22 already has won a major and spent two weeks this spring as the second-youngest (behind Woods) player to become the No. 1-ranked player in the world. McIlroy came within nine holes of winning his first Masters last year, before imploding with a final-round 80. But he showed his mettle when he rebounded to win the U.S. Open by an eye-catching eight shots.
McIlroy says Woods’ masterful performance served as constant motivation for him growing up with a club in his hand.
“Yeah, I remember it quite well, actually,” McIlroy said. “I remember watching it with my dad at home. I think still back in those days, it was the BBC coverage, only covered the back nine I think. But yeah, I remember he went out in 40 on Thursday, went back in 30, shot a couple of rounds of 65 and 66 on Friday and Saturday. Remember I had the tape of it, the video, the Masters tape of 1997 and watched that all the time.
"So, yeah, that did have a big impact on me. That was obviously Tiger’s first major, and he had, you know, announced himself to the world a few months before that, but that was his first major and the sort of iconic image of him coming off the last green and giving his dad a hug; it did a lot for me. I remember it quite well.”
Having turned professional less than a year before the 1997 Masters, Woods had been trumpeted as the game’s next superstar after he won three consecutive U.S. Amateurs and was chosen as the NCAA Player of the Year at Stanford. He did little to diminish this image when he won three of his first eight starts as a professional.
By the time Woods arrived at Augusta National, ticket prices on the secondary market (i.e. scalpers) had skyrocketed. It was as if everyone knew what was coming, and Woods didn’t disappoint.
“He had so much hype and so many expectations going into that event,” said Nick Watney, who was a high-schooler at the time. “To see that performance, I think it propelled golf and it obviously was the kickoff to an amazing career so far. I kind of already knew I wanted to do this for a living, but it was awesome to see.”
For Chez Reavie, golf was not yet his foremost career option. But what he saw that week helped him realize he wanted to become a professional golfer like Woods – if that was possible.
“I watched every second of it,” said Reavie, who will be playing in his third Masters this year. “I remember watching it and getting goose bumps. I was so envious, wanting to be that guy but also realizing how much work it’s going to take. That was the coolest thing ever. I wanted to do whatever it takes to be in that position.
“I don’t remember watching a lot of tournaments, but I remember watching that one.”
Don’t we all?
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tour info
 Ernie Els (Getty Images) Ernie Els hopes his local knowledge can help him return to winning ways in this week’s Volvo Golf Champions at Fancourt. The 23-time European Tour winner has gone more than 12 months since his last victory, but insists he is more determined than ever to recapture his best form. information supplied by http://www.europeantour.com “My work ethic and my determination, especially this year, is more than ever because I had such a dismal season last year,” said Els. “So I would like to really turn things around this year and see if I can win some tournaments again. “We have a house down on the beach down there and wish I was there right now, very warm. But it's a wonderful event. “I think all of the South Africans love obviously playing in South Africa, especially in a special event like this, an invitation only event, it gives it a bit more stature. “Yeah, for me and Retief and Louis, when we vacation, we come down here, so we really feel like we are playing at home, so really special for us. “For us South Africans, it's great when The Tour starts here in our summer. We still have a bit of holiday fever down here, so it's nice for us to play golf in South Africa this time of the year.” The 42 year old is under no illusions as to which part of his game needs to improve in order to reenter the winner’s circle. “I'm hitting the ball beautifully,” he added. “Really I'm very happy with my ball striking. I’m still working on the flat stick. Hopefully that behaves itself this week, and I think I can have a very good chance. “I've played this course all December and we were down here for three or four weeks and played a lot of golf around here. I have a good feel for the course and got to get that flat stick going.” Another player going through a lengthy barren spell is Colin Montgomerie. The Scot has not won since 2007, but believes the reduced 35-man field of European Tour winners could play to his advantage. “It's great that we have assembled a fabulous field together down here and this is a great place,” he said. “I've been to this part of the world but I've never been to Fancourt or George before, and it's fantastic, I think we are all saying the same thing. The more fields we have of 35 players, the better I think - provided I'm in it - I think it's a great idea. Saves having to beat another 120 others! 
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#20045 11-time European Tour Winner, Robert Karlsson of Sweden to represent Adams Golf Equipment CompanyTuesday, 10 January 2012 PLANO, TEXAS, January 10, 2012 – Adams Golf is pleased to announce the addition of two-time Ryder Cup member and the 24th-ranked player in the world, Robert Karlsson to its Tour Staff. In 2012, Karlsson will play a split schedule on both the European Tour and the PGA Tour. 
“We are extremely excited to add a player of Robert’s caliber to our tour staff,” said Chip Brewer, President and CEO of Adams Golf. “We feel that his participation on both the PGA and European Tours align perfectly with the direction of Adams Golf as we grow into new markets internationally. His success on both tours will provide the Adams Golf brand with exposure across the globe.” Karlsson is an 11-time winner on the European Tour, a two-time Ryder Cup player and the first Swedish player to have won the European Order of Merit. In 2011, he had three top-10 finishes on the European Tour and three Top 10s on the PGA Tour including a tie for 4th at this year’s PGA Championship. “I am thrilled to join the Adams Golf tour staff and excited about the new clubs in my bag,” said Karlsson. “I am not a player that switches equipment very often; but, the performance of the Adams Golf equipment has me extremely excited. I absolutely love the versatility of the Idea Pro a12 hybrid and was amazed when the testing showed I picked up 18 yards with the Speedline Fast 12 LS driver and 13 yards with the Fast 12 fairway wood. I am convinced that my new association with Adams gives me the best opportunity to be successful on tour and that is what’s most important.” Karlsson, who resides with his family in Charlotte, N.C., will play a full bag of Adams Golf equipment including the new Speedline Fast 12 LS driver and a Speedline Fast 12 fairway wood. He will wear an Adams Golf hat and carry an Adams Golf tour staff bag. Adams Golf (Nasdaq: ADGF), the maker of the #1 Hybrid on Tour, is driven to develop innovative products to allow golfers of all skill levels to enjoy the game of golf. Adams Golf produces and sells golf equipment under the Adams Golf and Yes! Putters brands. For more information, please visit www.adamsgolf.com. or shop.adamsgolf.com. Source: Adams Golf Media Release, powered by the Golfblogger Network
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tour info
KAPALUA, Hawaii -- 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 big lead, and then settling down to win. That's just what Stricker did Monday on Maui, when he won the Hyundai Tournament of Champions with a final round that only looked easy on paper. "I've been there before. It's not a great feeling, either," Stricker said after closing with a 4-under 69 for a three-shot victory over Martin Laird. "It's just the nature of our game. I realize that, and I've gone through it before. It always seems close, and you always have to perform to get it done." Ultimately, that's just what he did. It took only six holes for him to see his five-shot lead dwindle to one. After another mental mistake led to bogey, Stricker stood behind the sixth green staring at the ground, shaking his head, disgusted with himself. It was during that long walk down the seventh fairway, the Pacific Ocean on the horizon, when Stricker reminded himself that at least he was still in the lead. And that's where he stayed. He buried a 25-foot birdie putt on the par-3 eighth, hit a pitch to tap-in range for birdie on the ninth to build his lead back to three, and then it was a matter of hanging on. It was the fourth time in his last 35 tournaments that he had at least a four-shot lead at some point in the final round. At least they all had the same outcome. Stricker hit sand wedge to 2 feet for birdie on the 16th to keep a two-shot cushion, then birdied the final hole for the best prize he could ever imagine. Along with the winner's lei draped around his neck, his two daughters -- 13-year-old Bobbi Maria and 5-year-old Isabella -- rushed onto the green to give him a hug. "It was tough," said Stricker, who finished at 23-under 269. "I never let up today. It's always tough trying to win, and it's even more tough when you have a lead like I did. I'm very proud of what I did today. "And it's always cool to get a hug from your family walking off at the end." Stricker held back tears -- they usually flow freely after a win -- perhaps a sign that he's getting used to this business of winning. It was his ninth PGA Tour win since he turned 40, and his eighth title in his last 50 tournaments. He moved up to No. 5 in the world. Perhaps even more satisfying is that four months ago, Stricker felt weakness in his left arm from a lingering neck injury and contemplated surgery. He decided to treat it with therapy and a few cortisone shots, and it turned out to be a good move. A guy whose goal every year is to get back to Kapalua for the winners-only season opener can already make reservations for next year. "I think probably the most underrated player in the world is Steve Stricker," Laird said. Laird closed with a 67, and his birdie on the last hole put him alone in second place, which at least helps him start building world ranking points toward trying to make Europe's Ryder Cup team for the first time. Byrd kept most of the pressure on Stricker along the back nine of the Plantation Course. He was two shots behind when he stuffed his wedge into 4 feet on the 16th, but then Stricker followed with his sand wedge to 2 feet. Byrd's hopes ended when he bogeyed the 17th, then put his approach on the par-5 18th into the bunker and made par. He closed with a 68 and tied for third with Simpson (68). The PGA TOUR got off to a good start, too. There was so much focus at the start of the week on who didn't show up at Kapalua for this winners-only event -- three major champions, all of whom live overseas, along with three players who are recovering from injury. Stricker was the highest-ranked American in the field, and played the best golf. It just didn't always look that way. This was the fourth time in the last two years that Stricker led a big lead turn into some nervous moments on the last day. • At the John Deere Classic in July, he watched a five-shot lead with nine holes to play turn into a two-shot deficit with two holes to play before he rallied to beat Kyle Stanley with an exquisite birdie on the last hole. • At the Memorial in June, he had a four-shot lead at the turn and was still three shots clear with five to play. He held on to win by one. • At Riviera in 2010, his six-shot lead going into the final round was down to two shots after only six holes. Stricker steadied himself and went on to win by two. Monday on Maui was not much different. Byrd made three straight putts early in the round, two of them for birdie, and Simpson in the group ahead made an eagle at No. 5. Stricker settled for pars, which was not a problem as long as he took care of the birdie holes. But he didn't. Stricker three-putted for par from just over 30 feet on the fifth, then hit a fluffy pitch that came up short of the sixth green and let to bogey as Byrd made another birdie for a two-shot swing. Stricker stood at the back of the green while Byrd was making his putt, shaking his head, clearly flustered. It only took six holes for his five-shot lead to shrink to a single stroke, with 12 holes ahead of him. His next birdie putt didn't even come close. But on the hole that has given him fits this week, Stricker hit a pure shot into 25 feet on the par-3 eighth and made it for birdie, then birdied the ninth to regain control. About the leader • Steve Stricker carded a final-round 4-under 69 to move to 23-under 269 and a three-stroke victory over Martin Laird at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. The win is the 12th of his career and comes in his 398th start. Fresh off of an 18th place finish in the 2011 FedExCup, Stricker collects 500 points to take the early lead in the standings over Martin Laird (300 points). • Stricker matches Dustin Johnson for the TOURs second-longest active win streak, with wins in his last four seasons: Phil Mickelson (8 seasons; 2004-11), Dustin Johnson (4 seasons; 2008-11), Stricker (4 seasons; 2009-12). • Stricker is the only TOUR member with multiple wins in each of his last three years (2009, 2010, 2011) and is now one step closer to increasing that number to four. • Stricker played the final five holes in 15-under-par this week. Strickers win comes in his sixth appearance at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and is his fourth-straight top 10 (2nd-2008, T10-2010, T4-2011, 1st-2012). His second-round 63 this week represented his best round at The Plantation Course. • In 72-hole events, Stricker has never lost when entering the final round alone with a lead (7 of 7). The only time he failed to carry the outright lead to victory was at the 90-hole 2009 Humana Challenge (T3) • Stricker shared the 54-hole lead with Byrd and Robert Garrigus at this event last year and finished T4. information supplied by www.pgatour.com
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Tiger woods
January 9 2012Woods to start 2012 at PebbleEnding weeks of speculation, Tiger Woods announced via his website that his 2012 PGA TOUR debut will come at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, which will be played Feb. 9-12.  Woods has not played in the tournament since 2002. He came from five strokes back to win the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in 2000, edging Matt Gogel in the process.
"I’m excited to start my PGA TOUR season at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am," Woods said on his website. "AT&T is a great partner to my Foundation, and I’m looking forward to playing in this event. I haven’t been to this tournament lately, but I have a lot of good memories at Pebble. It will be fun going back." Woods’ best memory at Pebble is undoubtedly the dominating, 15-stroke win he took at the U.S. Open in 2000. When the U.S. Open returned to the scenic course nestled on the shores of the Pacific Ocean 10 years later, Woods tied for fourth. "It’s always been one of my favorite spots," said Woods, who ended his 2011 campaign by winning the Chevron World Challenge in December. Woods has played the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am a total of six times. He finished second in his 1997 debut and placed 13th or better on two other occasions in addition to the win. Woods’ first tournament of 2012 will be the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship on Jan. 26. information supplied by www.pgatour.com
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tour info
 Thomas Aiken (Getty Images) Thomas Aiken and Retief Goosen ensured The 2012 Race to Dubai began in style as the two home favourites made stunning starts to the Africa Open. South African Aiken carded a nine under par 64 at East London Golf Club to lead by one from his compatriot Goosen, who earlier hit the first shot of the new European Tour season. The 28 year old Aiken won his maiden European Tour title at last year’s Open de España and posted nine top-ten finishes in 2011, and he maintained that excellent form with two eagles and five birdies in a bogey-free round. The leaders played in the same group and there was little indication of the fireworks to come when Goosen started the day with a bogey at the ninth. But the two-time US Open Champion reeled off five birdies in a row from the 11th, where Aiken eagled. Aiken finished the back nine with a hattrick of birdies, before Goosen sunk a four foot birdie putt at the first. World Number 87 Aiken produced a stunning second to two feet at the par five third and eagled, and Goosen followed him in for birdie. Aiken birdied the fifth, then produced a tremendous bunker shot from 45 yards at the next to leave a tap-in birdie, which Goosen matched to complete the pair's scoring. Another South African, Jaco Ahlers, moved level with Goosen in second place when he sunk a six footer at the seventh for his eighth birdie of the day. “I wasn’t really expecting that after two weeks without touching a club,” said Aiken. “It was a great morning this morning – early start, and the scoring conditions were good.
“It was out there for the taking and luckily I hit some really good shots and made putts.
“I really enjoyed the round today; this is not the longest course, but it bites if you go skew. Anything off the line on this course is pretty much a reload off the tee, which makes it a thinking man’s course.
“There are a lot of risk-and-reward holes – a couple of driveable par fours and tricky par threes – and I think that a lot of new courses lack that challenge.” information by www.europeantour.com
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tour info
 Juvic Pagunsan. Kuala Lumpur, January 4: Asian Tour number one Juvic Pagunsan has set himself a target of winning more accolades in 2012. Pagunsan, the first Filipino to lift the prestigious Order of Merit crown last season despite not winning a tournament, is ready to push himself to the limit in his bid to add to his lone Asian Tour victory achieved in Indonesia in 2007. He said winning the Order of Merit title has fuelled his desire to emulate the success of former Order of Merit winners Thongchai Jaidee, Jeev Milkha Singh and Thaworn Wiratchant, who have a combined 31 Asian Tour titles. “I think I can win more tournaments if I trained harder and push myself to the limit. Winning the Order of Merit will give me that extra motivation to play well and win more tournaments. Hopefully I can win as many titles as Thongchai, Jeev and Thaworn,” said Pagunsan. “There was a time in my career that I thought if I practised hard enough, I would be able to reach the peak (Order of Merit) that Thongchai, Thaworn and Jeev reached. And I did it. I sacrificed a lot. I practised hard and it worked for me,” said Pagunan, whose Merit success came courtesy of four top-10s including a play-off loss at the Barclays Singapore Open. Pagunsan knows he must show better killer instincts to translate title runs into victories. He has four runner-up finishes and 18 top-10s since joining the Asian Tour in 2006. “I’m definitely a much better player now compared to 2006 when I first joined the Asian Tour. You need to be playing with the top players to improve and I’ve played with a lot of top guys and many good players to inspire me to be a better golfer. You need to push your limit to be a better player,” he said. By winning the Asian Tour Order of Merit, Pagunsan will make a dream debut in the 2012 British Open and World Golf Championship-Cadillac Championship in the United States. “If there’s no Asian Tour, there’s no Juvic Pagunsan. There are a lot of tournaments and opportunities for us to go further in our careers. Without the Asian Tour there would be no way I could think of playing in the British Open,” said the 33-year-old. “Everybody wants to play in the British Open and this is my chance to play there. I’m definitely looking forward to it.” However, his Order of Merit triumph did not come without sacrifices as his vigorous training came at the expense of being separated from his family during the 2011 campaign. “I practised in my province and my wife and daughter were in Manila. Even when I was in the Philippines, we could not be together because I needed to concentrate so that was definitely the biggest sacrifice I made,” added Pagunsan, who was also voted the 2011 Players’ Player of the Year. About the Asian Tour As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Rolex (Official Timekeeper), J.Lindeberg (Official Apparel Partner), Starwood Hotels and Resorts (Official Hotels and Resorts), Cityneon (Official Event Overlay Partner), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Supplier), Royal Selangor (Official Trophy Supplier), Singha Beer (Official Beer), BlackBerry (Official Mobile) and Srixon (Official Ball). The Asian Tour has offices in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
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tour info
Darren Clarke hails 'golden era' for European golfPage last updated at 16:49 GMT, Tuesday, 3 January 2012 Open champion Darren Clarke believes European golf is experiencing another "golden era". The 43-year-old won his first major last summer while fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy triumped at the US Open and England's Luke Donald finished on top of the money lists. "Golf over here is very strong at the moment," Clarke said. "It's like the sort of dominance we had in the late 80s and early 90s, we're back to that golden era." Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer and Jose Maria Olazabal were regulars in the world's top 10 during that period and, fast forward to 2011, four Europeans occupied the top four spots in the final week of the year. Donald and McIlroy are joined by England's Lee Westwood and Germany's Martin Kaymer, who won the 2010 PGA Championship, in the top four. "We're incredibly fortunate," added Clarke, who ended a 20-year wait to land his first major, at Royal St George's, last July. "You look at Rory and the way he's been playing, and what he did at the US Open. "And you've got Luke, who finished number one in the money list in the United States and Europe. I don't think that will be done again. What Luke achieved was monumental." The Northern Ireland player, who has played in four Ryder Cup-winning teams, and was a victorious vice-captain in 2010, said it was only a matter of time before world number two Westwood would join the elite. "My good mate is knocking on the door - he'll win a major, or majors, sooner rather than later," he added. Another friend Clarke believes will again be challenging for the big prizes is Tiger Woods. The former world number one and 14-time major winner, who fell as low as 58 in the rankings in November, broke his two-year winless streak by taking the Chevron World Challenge in December. However, Woods is still without a PGA Tour win since November 2009. "I spoke to him after he won the tournament - he was obviously delighted," said Clarke, who became an OBE in the New Year Honours list. "The game needs Tiger. You remember the excitement he brought to the game when he first came on the scene. "I'm looking forward to him taking on the likes of Rory, Lee and Luke in 2012. As talented as Tiger is, he won't be far away from his best." WORLD TOP 10 - 1991WORLD TOP 10 - 20111. Ian Woosnam (Wal)1. Luke Donald (Eng)2. Nick Faldo (Eng)2. Lee Westwood (Eng)3. Jose Maria Olazabal (Spa)3. Rory McIlroy (NI)4. Seve Ballesteros (Spa)4. Martin Kaymer (Ger)5. Greg Norman (Aus)5. Adam Scott (Aus)6. Fred Couples (US)6. Steve Stricker (US)7. Bernhard Langer (Ger)7. Dustin Johnson (US)8. Payne Stewart (US)8. Jason Day (Aus)9. Paul Azinger (US)9. Charl Schwartzel (SA)10. Rodger Davis (Aus)10. Webb Simpson (US)
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Rory McIlroy plans to wait until he has to make a decision before he declares which nation he would play for in the 2016 Olympics. HOLYWOOD, Northern Ireland -- Rory McIlroy has decided not to declare which team he would represent in the Olympics until he has to. Two years ago, the 22-year-old said it would be Great Britain and Northern Ireland if he qualifies for golf's return to the Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. But all Northern Irish citizens can opt for Ireland, and the U.S. Open champion now says he doesn't know. "Basically, if I am going to be very honest, which I usually am, whatever I say is going to upset someone," he said. "So I may as well just say I don't know and wait until four or five years' time, whenever I have to make a decision." If he is in the world's top 15 at the cut-off point, McIlroy would be guaranteed a place in the 60-strong Olympic field and he is certainly looking forward to the possibility. "It would be a huge honor to represent your country," he said. "It would be a great achievement to win a gold medal. "As the Olympic Games come closer, I think the excitement will build for it and people will get into it more and I think it's great for the game of golf that it's now become an Olympic sport," he added. "It will spread the game all over the world and make it recognised in different countries, which can only be good. information supplied by www.pga.com
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Expert Picks: Who will be top 5 in FedExCup?Luke Donald is a popular pick for 2012 FedExCup champion. Jan. 3, 2012
By PGATOUR.COM staff MORE FEDEXCUP: 10 Who could earn a first top-10 | Potential East Lake first-timers | Impact rookies Prior to this week's start of the 2012 season, we've asked our experts who they think will occupy the top five spots in the FedExCup standings prior to the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola, and who their pick is to win the FedExCup. Here are their predictions: AMANDA BALIONIS, Host, PGA TOUR Today 1. Rory McIlroy 2. Luke Donald 3. Tiger Woods 4. Zach Johnson 5. Hunter Mahan Prediction: McIlory is coming off a breakthrough season in 2011 with his memorable victory at the U.S. Open. With his mental game figured out, the young Northern Irishman has the talent to be the most consistent player on the PGA TOUR this season.
ROB BOLTON, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy Columnist 1. Jason Day 2. Nick Watney 3. Adam Scott 4. Webb Simpson 5. Luke Donald Prediction: While the vagaries of the Playoffs preclude a hearty endorsement, especially this early in the season, Day's propensity to contend so frequently and stay hot for an extended period of time are factors too strong to ignore.
CHRIS DUNHAM, PGATOUR.COM Producer 1. Tiger Woods 2. Jason Dufner 3. Trevor Immelman 4. Matt Kuchar 5. Luke Donald Prediction: This is a difficult pick because your top five will likely be your players who get hot in the Playoffs and the champion may or may not come from those five. If Tiger Woods makes it back to East Lake this year, I think he'll be the man to beat.
MIKE McALLISTER, PGATOUR.COM Managing Editor 1. Phil Mickelson 2. Rory McIlroy 3. Tiger Woods 4. Jason Day 5. Luke Donald Prediction: Phil loves Bethpage Black and will win The Barclays and get a top-5 seed going into East Lake. That will set up the biggest payday of his career.
HELEN ROSS, PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents 1. Luke Donald 2. Dustin Johnson 3. Webb Simpson 4. Matt Kuchar 5. Steve Stricker Prediction: He doesn't have the length of a Dustin Johnson but Donald does everything else extremely well. His consistency will be rewarded after third-place finishes the last two years.
JOHN SCHWARB, PGATOUR.COM Producer 1. Luke Donald 2. K.J. Choi 3. Nick Watney 4. Gary Woodland 5. Bo Van Pelt Prediction: The Englishman is due, maybe overdue, to add some big-time hardware to those money titles and No. 1 rankings.
RYAN SMITHSON, PGATOUR.COM Producer 1. Luke Donald 2. Dustin Johnson 3. Tiger Woods 4. Hunter Mahan 5. Phil Mickelson Prediction:If he hit the ball 10 yards further off the tee, Donald might win seven times a year. Will be world's best player for at least a couple more years.
JOHN SWANTEK, Host, On the Tee 1. Rory McIlroy 2. Luke Donald 3. Nick Watney 4. Gary Woodland 5. Matt Kuchar Prediction: The sky is the limit for the 2011 U.S. Open champion, who will distinguish himself as the TOUR's best player in 2012.
ANNE SZEKER, PGATOUR.COM Producer 1. Tiger Woods 2. Luke Donald 3. Adam Scott 4. Dustin Johnson 5. Jason Day Prediction: No doubt Donald is going to have another stellar year, but I think this is the season Woods turns the corner once again gets a hold of his third FedExCup trophy.
BRIAN WACKER, PGATOUR.COM Producer 1. Luke Donald 2. Steve Stricker 3. Phil Mickelson 4. Webb Simpson 5. Tiger Woods Prediction: Donald has finished in the top 3 in the final standings each of the last two years. In 2012, he'll add another trophy to the mantel: His first FedExCup title. information supplied by www.pgatour.com
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Ramsay McMaster, recognised as one of the leading authorities in the world on golf specific physiotherapy, died suddenly on December 29 at the age of 49.
In a career spanning more than 20 years Ramsay worked with thousands of golfers to better prepare their bodies for golf.
Elite professional players, aspiring amateur golfers and players seeking advice and rehabilitation from golf injuries sought the advice of Ramsay and his team of expert physiotherapists, myotherapists and fitness trainers at the world renowned Melbourne Golf Injury Clinic.
His love for the game of golf originated in the land of his birth, Scotland. His passion for the game was easily identified at an early age when he played 81 holes in one day at his home club of Bridge of Allan at the age of 14 years. His passion for the sport continued when he migrated to Australia and established the world’s first golf injury clinic in the city of Melbourne.
Rob Hillman, The European Tour’s Director of Physiotherapy, said: “Everyone at The European Tour is deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Ramsay last week. Ramsay was well known to the members of the European Tour Physiotherapy Unit, with whom he collaborated on numerous occasions over the past ten years. All of us enjoyed his vibrancy, enthusiasm and expertise when working to improve physical performance in golf at the very highest level.
“Many European Tour members enjoyed the benefit of his knowledge and passion and few will forget his infamous training sessions on the sand dunes. Ramsay was liked by all and will be greatly missed by all that knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Caroline and children Zander and Edie at this very difficult time.” Ramsay McMaster - a Tribute information supplied by www.europeantour.com
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Donald makes magic, takes titles in Disney duel Luke Donald shakes hands with another Donald after winning the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Luke Donald was at a loss for words. No matter, he let his golf game do the talking on Sunday at the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. On a day when nothing less than victory would satisfy the Englishman, Donald went out and fired a phenomenal 64 that included six straight birdies on the back nine to win for the second time this season and capture the PGA TOUR money title, as well. Donald came from five strokes off the pace to win by two, and the Brit did it while playing Sunday, as he had the first three rounds, with the man he was trying to unseat at the top of the money list, Webb Simpson. So Donald was reminded of the task at hand on every tee and every green, and the veteran responded with one of the most stirring performances of his career. "Obviously I came here and I told you guys on Wednesday that the goal was to win," Donald said. "Nothing was really going to be good enough other than that. I think this is probably one of the most satisfying wins of my career just because of that. It was kind of do or die." And while the ballots won't go out until this week, the emphatic victory may have added definition to the race for PGA TOUR Player of the Year honors. Donald now has joined a group of seven players with two wins this season, with perhaps only one other, Keegan Bradley's victory at the PGA, as dramatic as Sunday's performance at Disney. He's got 14 top-10s in 19 starts and that consistency was rewarded with a third-place finish in the FedExCup. "I think I've answered everyone's questions," the world No. 1 said. "Obviously coming into this week I felt like Webb was probably favorite, you know, based on he was ahead of me on the money list and he was ahead of me in wins this year. Obviously, I've drawn level on wins and I've gotten ahead on money. Feel like I've answered all the questions thrown at me." At least one of his peers, Joe Ogilvie, seemed to agree. About the time Donald was struggling to lift that heavy bronze trophy with Mickey Mouse tending the pin and Goofy caddying, Ogilvie tweeted: "With a win today and in this fashion, @LukeDonald may go from ? for player of the year to unanimous vote getter for POY...WOW what a back 9" Donald isn't done, either. Of course, first there's the not-so-little-matter of the impending birth of his second daughter in the next two weeks -- his wife Diane jokingly tweeted that the couple should name her Minnie. Then he'll play in Sun City, Dubai and Australia in successive weeks with the trip to the Middle East an important one where, not unlike his visit to Disney, another money title is on the line. Donald currently leads the European Tour's Race to Dubai by more than 1.3 million Euros. No one has ever won the money titles on both sides of the Atlantic, and the 33-year-old acknowledged that he might add a European Tour event should anyone close the gap -- just like he did in deciding to play at Disney when Simpson overtook him in the penultimate tournament. Sunday was just another clutch performance in a career year for Donald. The only box the Northwestern grad hasn't ticked is to win a major, but he did manage to mow down Lee Westwood in a playoff at Wentworth and in the process replace him as No. 1 in the world. "In a way, there was a little bit more on the line this week," Donald acknowledged. "Obviously I felt like if I hadn't won Wentworth, I felt I was playing well enough that I would have got to No. 1 in the world at some point. ... "But I think having this amount on the line this week and coming up and shooting 30 on the back nine on Sunday, finding the shots when I needed to, you know, really will mean a lot to me and to all the people that I work with." Sunday's victory was Donald's first in stroke play on the PGA TOUR in more than five years but it had a mano-a-mano feel worthy of his win over Martin Kaymer earlier this year at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship. He and Simpson were tied through 12 holes even as Donald was in the midst of pouring in those birdie putts. The American just couldn't keep pace, and neither could anyone else in the field. "We both kind of had our moments playing great golf this week," said Simpson, who started the final round one shot ahead in their personal duel. "He did his at the end when it counts. We had a blast out there. Kind of a tiring week playing together every day and thinking about all that's going on. I'm glad it's over. He played great." Donald said he's "very, very excited" about his golf right now, even as he's winding down a long campaign. He'll have five weeks to savor the victory though, and he knows Sunday won't be the last time someone brings bring up the fairytale nature of a rare win well-accomplished when everything was on the line. "It's a little bit ironic, I suppose, that Donald Duck was handing me the trophy (and) every morning I was riding into Disneyland (and) I think the banner says: Where dreams come true or, Where dreams are made," Donald said with a smile. "... I suppose if I ever have to bring the children back here, at least it'll have some good memories for me -- even if I'm having to wait in all those lines." information supplied by www.pgatour.com
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