Golf
2011 News

Donald Completes Unique Double
European Tour round-up
December 11 2011
England's Luke Donald finished top of the money list in both Europe and the USA after finishing third in the seaon-ending World Championship in Dubai. He is the first man to achieve the feat. Rory McIlroy, who had to win the event for a chance of topping the money list. Spaniard Alvaro Quiros, the overnight leader, won the title by two shots after a 67 left him at 19 under.

Tiger Roars to Victory
PGA/European Tour round-up
December 4 2011
Toiger Woods broke a two-year tournament win drought with a one-shot victory over Zach Johnson in the World Challenge at Sherwood course in California. Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy chipped in at the last to clinch the Hong Kong Open at Fanling by two strokes from Gregory Havret of France.

United States End 11-Year Dropught
World Cup, Final Leaderboard
-24 United States
-22 England, Germany
Hainan Island, Chn - November 27 2011
Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland gave the United States their first World Cup[ triumph since 2000 by shooting a five-under-par 67 to win by two strokes at the Mission Hills Blackstone course. to finish on 24-under 264 overall, notching the 24th US. win in the history of the tournament. Ian Poulter and Justin Rose had the final day's best round (63) to tie for second with Martin Kaymer and Alex Cejka. Ireland's Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell led by two strokes going into the final round but could only manage a level-par 72 to finish joint fourth. This was the first in the new biennial format for the World Cup. World Cup history

Luiten on the Money
European Tour round-up
November 20 2011
Joost Luiten won the Johor Open, his first European Tour title, with a six-under-par 65 in the final round at Horizon Hills in Malaysia for a one-stroke victory over Sweden's Daniel Chopra.

United States Retain Trophy
Presidents Cup, Final Day
International Team 19-15 United States
Melbourne, Aus - November 20 2011
Tiger Woods beat Australian Aaron Baddeley 4&3 to earn the winning 18th point as Fred Couples' men retained the Preseidents Cup at Royal Melbourne. The US led 13-9 going into the final day singles, but lost the first four matches as Greg Norman's multi-national line-up fought back. Presidents Cup history

Fernandez-Castano Nicks it
European Tour round-up
November 14 2011
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano won the storm-delayed Singapore Open at the second play-off hole. The Spaniard sank a nine-foot birdie putt on the par-five 18th to defeat Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines. Lightning had forced the players off the course in an event that had been shortened to 54 holes by the weather.

Kaymer Takes Champions Crown
WGC Champions Tournament Final Leaderboard
-20 M Kaymer (Ger)
-17 F Jacobson (Swe)
-16 G McDowell (Nir)
Shanghai, Chn - November 6 2011
Martin Kaymer shot an incredible nine-under-par 63 in the final round to win the final WGC event of the year at Sheshan Golf Club. WGC Champions Tournament history

Garcia at the Double
European Tour round-up
October 30 2011
Sergio Garcia made it successive European Tour victories with a one-shot triumph over second-placed Miguel Angel Jimenez at Valderrama in the Andalucia Masters.

Garcia Cruises to Victory
European Tour round-up
October 23 2011
Spanish hero Sergio Garcia was an utterly emphatic winner of the Castello Masters in Valencia, finishing 11 shots clear of the field at Club de Campo del Mediterraneo.

Prodigy Lewis Captures First Title
European Tour round-up
October 16 2011
Tom Lewis won his maiden European Tour title at just the third attempt with a dramatic triumph in the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura. Lewis birdied five of the last seven holes to come up on the rails to beat Spaniard Rafael Bello by two shots.

Slattery Makes it in Madrid
European Tour round-up
October 9 2011
England's Lee Slattery won his first European Tour title with a one-shot victory in the Madrid Masters. Slattery, who has been on the circuit for seven years, pipped Italian Lorenzo Gagli.

Hoey Lifts Links Crown
European Tour round-up
October 2 2011
Northern Ireland's Michael Hoey birdied three of the last four holes to claim the biggest title of his career, the Links Championship,at St Andrews.

Europe Clinch Dramatic Solheim Success
Solheim Cup
Europe 15-13 United States
Killeen Castle, Irl
September 25 2011
Europe won an  epic victory to regain the Solheim Cup after the United States had been within touching distance of retaining the trophy in rain-lashed County Meath. Suzann Petterson birdied the last three holes to come from behind to beat Michelle Wie on the final green and then Caroline Hedwall won the last two holes to snatch a half point against Ryann O'Toole, who bogeyed both closing holes.Azahara Munoz birdied the 17th to beat Angela Stanford and Europe won for the first time in four matches. Solheim Cup history

Haas Claims Tour Title
PGA/European Tour round-up
September 25 2011
Bill Haas captured the PGA Tour Championship in Atlanta after beating fellow American Hunter Mahan in a play-off. Both finished tied on eight under and then each parred the first two extra holes before Haas parred the third as Mahan made a bogey. Earlier, Kenneth Ferrie won the Austrian Open in Atzenbrugg after a play-off with fellow Englishman Simon Wakefield. It was Ferrie's first European Tour title for six years.

Rose Blooms in Ilinois
PGA/European Tour
September 18 2011
England's Justin Rose sealed his place at the Tour Championship in Atlanta by winning the Western Open. Rose finished with an level-par 71 at Cog Hill near Chicago for a two-shot victory, a third PGA Tour title. In Paris, the Great Britain and Ireland team held off Continental Europe to win the Seve Trophy 15.5-12.5. Europe recovered from an overnight deficit of 11.5-6.5 to level the tie at 11.5 points each.but Paul McGinley's men wrapped up a sixth consecutive win in the tournament when Mark Foster sealed a one-up win over Raphael Jacquelin.

Dyson Goes Treble Dutch
European Tour
September 11 2011
Simon Dyson won the Dutch Open for the third time in six years with a one-shot victory over David Lynn in Hilversum. In Boston, Webb Simpson won a three-way play-off to win the second play-off tournament on the PGA Tour.

Bjorn Again Dane At It Again
PGA/European Tour round-up
September 4 2011
Thomas
Bjorn won back-to-back European Tour titles when a stunning final roudn 62 saw him finish on top in the mountains at the European Masters in Crans Montana, Switzerland. On the PGA Tour, Webb Simpson won the Boston Championship at the second play-off hole against Chez Reavie.

Bjorn Glory at Gleneagles
PGA/European Tour round-up
August 28 2011
Veteran Thomas Bjorn triumphed after a three-way play-off with George Coetzee and Pablo Larrazabal to lift the Scottish PGA Championship title at Gleneagles. In Edison, New Jersey Dustin Johnson won the first of the play-off series events, the Classic, by two shots.

Simpson's Facile Win in Greensboro
PGA/European Tour round-up
August 21 2011
Webb Simpson claimed an impressive three-stroke triumph in the Greater Greensboro Championship in North Carolina. In Celadna, England's Oliver Fisher won his first European Tour title with a two-shot victory in the Czech Open.

Bradley Upsets the Odds in PGA
US PGA Championship Final Leaderboard
-8 K Bradley (Usa), J Dufner (Usa) - Bradley won play-off
-7 A Hansen (Den)
-5 R Karlsson (Swe), D Toms (Usa), S Verplank (Usa)
Atlanta, Usa
August 14 2011
Keegan Bradley lifted the Wanamaker Trophy after beating fellow American Jason Dufner by one shot following a three-hole play-off for the US PGA title at Atlanta Athletic Club. It was Bradley's first appearance in any of the Major championships.
US PGA Championship history

Scott Plots Course to Victory
WGC Invitational Final Leaderboard
-17 A Scott (Aus)
-13 R Fowler (Usa)
-13 L Donald (Eng)
Akron, Usa
August 7 2011
Adam Scott broke the field with four birdies in the final nine holes at Firestone, to card a 65 for an eighth PGA Tiur win. Rickie Fowker, yet toi win a tournament on tour, and World No.1 Luke Donald were Scott's closest pursuers. Meanwhile, Scott Piercy almostt threw away a three-shot lead in the Reno-Tahoe Open, sneaking to victory by one shot from Pat Perez..WGC Invitational history

Simon Shows The Way
PGA/European Tour round-up
July 31 2011
Simon Dyson claimed his fifth European tour title at the Irish Open. Scott Stallings won a three-way play-off with Bob Estes and Bill Haas to claim the Greenbrier Classic.

Tseng makes History
Women's British Open Final Leaderboard
-16 Y Tseng (Twn)
-12 B Lang (Usa)
-11 S Gustafsson (Swe)
Carnoustie, Sco
July 31 2011
Yani Tseng became the youngest player (at 22) of either sex to win five majors when she retained her British Open title with a comfortable victory over Bittany lang and Sophie Gustafsson on the East coast of Scotland.Women's British Open history

Noren Succeeds in Sweden
European/PGA Tour round-up
July 24 2011
Swedeon's Alex Noren claimed a home victory in the Scandinavian Masters in Stockholm. Noren, who won by seven shots, had recorded a 63 in the third round to set a new course best at Bro Hof Slott. In Vancouver, Sean O'hair was victorious at Shaughnessy Country Club in the Canadian Open, defaeying Kris Blanks in a play-of to notch a fourth PGA Tour title of his career.

Clarke Joins List of Ulster's Champions
The Open Championship final leaderboard
-5 D Clarke (Nir)
-2 D Johnson (Usa), P Mickelson (Usa)
-1 T Bjorn (Den)
Sandwich, Eng
July 17 2011
DarrenClarke joined fellow Ulstermen Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy as a major championship winner after coming home in front in Kent. Three of the last five majors have been won by the trio from the six counties. Clarke's final round of 70 in difficult weather conditions saw him home, the first Open champion from the UK for 12 years and the first from Northern Ireland for 64 seasons. Later, Chris Kirk won the PGA Tour's Mississippi Classic by one shot from Geoirge McNeill and Tom Pernice Jnr in Madison. The Open Championship history

Ryu Rules After Epic Play-Off
US Women's Open Final Leaderboard
-3 S Y Ryu (Kor), H K Seo (Kor). Ryu won play-off.
-1 C Kerr (Usa)
 Level A Stanford (Usa)
Colorado Springs, Usa
July 11 2011
So Yeon Ryu lifted the US Open after a dramatic three-hole aggregate play-offf against fellow South Korean He Kyung Seo at The Broadmoor. Ryu parred the first but then birdied the next two to win the play-off by three shots. US Women's Open history

Donald Asserts Status
European/PGA Tour round-up
July 10 2011
England's Luke Donald strengthened his position at the top of the world rankings with a four-stroke victory in the Scottish Open in Inverness, Scotland. The event was reduced from 72 to 54 holes after rain washed-out the third day's play.In Silvis, Usa, Stave Stricker won the Deere Run Classic for a third consecutive year.  

Watney's National Triumph
European/PGA Tour Round-up
July 3 2011
Nick Watney gave American golf something to shout about by shooting a final round 66 to win the National Tournament by two shots from KJ Choi at Newtown Square in Pennsylvania. Earlier Thomas Levet was another home winner at the Open de France in Paris. Levet pipped England's Mark Foster and Dane Thorbjorn Olesen by one stroke.

Tseng So Far in Front
LPGA Championship Final Leaderboard
-19 Y Tseng (Twn)
-9 M Pressel (Usa)
-8 C Kerr (Usa), P Creamer (Usa), S Pettersen (Nor)
Pittsford, Usa
June 26 2011
World No.1 Yani Tseng annihilated the field in the second women's major of the season to win by an extraordinary 10-shot margin at Locust Hill. Her 19 under par total equalled the record for a top female event and her victory at the age of 22 means that she is the youngest person (man or woman) to win each of the majors. Morgan Pressel was a distant third, with Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer and Suzann Pettersen making up the placings. LPGA Championship History

Larrazabal Wins Spanish Battle
European/PGA Tour Round-up
June 26 2011
Pablo Larrazabal edged a play-off with fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia that covered five sudden-death holes to claim the Munich International title. Overnight leader Mark Foster ended tied for third, two shots back at 14 under, alongside Scott Jamieson, Retief Goosen, George Coetzee and Joost Luiten.
In Cromwell, Connecticut Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson won for the first time on the PGA Tour when he finishhed the River Highlands event one shot clear of American pair Ryan Moore and John Rollins on 20 under.

McIlroy Simply a Class Apart
US Open Final Leaderboard
-16 R McIlroy (Nir)
-8 J Day (Aus)
-6 K Chappell (Usa), R Garrigus (Usa), L Westwood (Eng), Y E Yang (Kor)
Bethesda, Usa
June 19 2011
Rory McIlroy shot a 69 for a record-breaking 16-under-par total of 268 to clinch his first major championship by the huge margin of eight shots at Congressional in Maryland. The Ulsterman led all the way, setting a string of unprecedented figures. He is the youngest US Open champion for 88 years. US Open history

Razor Sharp Frazer
PGA/European Tour Round-up
June 12 2011
Harrison Frazar (Usa) won his maiden PGA Tour title when he edged out Sweden's Robert Karlsson at the third hole of a play-off for the St Jude Classic in Memphis. The duo had finished on -13, five shots clear of the field. In Turin, England's Robert Rock achieved his first European Tour triumph after a nine-year wait with a one-shot victory in the Italian Open. Rock's 21-under-par total was just too good for fellow countryman Gary Boyd and Dane Thorbjorn Olesen.

Stricker Lifts Memorial Trophy
PGA/European Tour Round-up
June 5 2011
Steve Stricker claimed a one-shot victory over fellow Americans Matt Kuchar and Brandt Jobe at the conclusion of the rain-delayed Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Usa. Stricker came home 16-under. At Celtic Manor in Newport, Sweden's Alex Noren won the Wales Open by two shots from Frenchman Gregory Bourdy and Dane Anders Hansen after carding a four-round tally of nine-under-par.

Donald Wins Number One Shoot-out
PGA/European Tour round-up
May 29 2011
Luke Donald became the new world No.1 after winning a dramatic play-off in the British PGA Championship at Wentworth against the previous top dog in the rankings, Lee Westwood. Donald parred the 18th, while Westwood found the water with his approach shot. In Irving, Texas rookie Keegan Bradley won the Byron Nelson Championship after emulating Donald with a play-off victory. Like Donald, Bradley patrred the 18th while his opponent, Ryan Palmer, found water. It was Bradley's first PGA Tour victory, his aunt Pat Bradley was a legend on the LPGA circuit.

Poulter Powers to Matchplay Glory
PGA/European Tour round-up
May 22 2011
Ian Poulter beat fellow Englishman Luke Donald 2&1 in the World Matchplay Championship final in Casares, Spain, Donald would have replaced Lee Westwood as world no.1 if he had won. In the Madeira Islands Open, Northern Ireland's Michael Hoey finished two shots clear of Chris Gane and Jamie Elson to lift his second European tour title, while in Fort Worth, Texas David Toms made up for the previous week's disappointment at the Players' by claiming the Colonial crown by one shot from Korea's Charlie Wi.

Choi Joy at Sawgrass
The Players Championship Final Leaderboard
-13 K Choi (Kor), D Toms (Usa) - Choi won play-off
-11 P Goydos (Usa)
-10 L Donald (Eng), N Watney (Usa)
Pontevedra Beach, Usa
May 15 2011
KJ Choi secured the Players Championship, golf's fabled "5th major" after a play-off on the famous short 17th at Sawgrass with former US PGA champion David Toms. Choi got his par, while Toms could only manage a four.

Clarke Back on Winners Rostrum
European Tour
May 15 2011
Darren Clarke broke a three-year victory drounght by claiming the Mallorca Open at Son Servera. The Ulsterman won by three shots from third round leader Chris Wood and David Lynn to win on the European tour for the 13th time but his first trophy since August 2008.

Tributes to Seve as Aiken & Glover Triumph
European Tour/PGA Tour round-up
May 8 2011
SouthAfrican Robert Aiken dedicated his Spanish Open victory to the late Severiano Ballesteros, who died the day before. It was Aiken's first European tour title. In Charlotte, Jonathan Byrd threw away a four-shot lead in the Quail Hollow Championship, to tie with fellow American Lucas Glover. In the play-off, Glover parred the first hole while Byrd bogeyed.

Westwood Maintains Top Ranking
European Tour/PGA Tour round-up
May 1 2011
England'sLee Westwood retained his No.1 world ranking with a second win in as many weeks, at the Seoul Championship in South Korea. Westwood finished one shot ahead of Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez following a five-under-par final round 67. He had won in Indonesia seven days before. In the New Orleans Classic, Bubba Watson edged out fellow American Webb Simpson in a play-off.

Donald Denied Number One Tag
PGA & European Tour round-up
April 24 2011
England's Luke Donald had the chance to achieve No.1 spot in the world rankings for the first time wrenched away from him in a dramatic play-off defeat to American Brandt Snedeker in the Heritage Tournament at Hilton Head. If Donald had prevailed he would have usurped fellow countryman Lee Westwood in the global standings but Snedeker pipped him at the second sudden death hole, after a superb seven-under-par 64 put him into the head-to-head with Donald,
In Chengdu, Nicolas Colsaerts became just the second Belgian, and the first for 37 years, to win a European PGA Tour event when his excellent -24 total was enough to win the China Open by four shots from the second-placed quartet of Spaniard Pablo Martin, Kiwi Danny Lee, Dane Soren Kjeldsen and Irishman Peter Lawrie,

Manassero and Steele Pull Through
PGA & European Tour round-up
April 17 2011
Teenage Italian sensation Matteo Manassero edged out Frenchman Gregory Bourdy by one shot to win the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur. It was Manassero's second European Tour win. In San Antonio, PGA Tour rookie Brendan Steele held off fellow Americans Kevin Chapple and Charley Hoffman to clinch the Texas Open, aslo by a single shot.

Schwartzel Storms to Green Jacket
The Masters
Final Leaderboard
-14 C Schwartzel (Rsa)
-12 A Scott (Aus), J Day (Aus)
Augusta, Usa
April 10 2011
Charl Schwartzel birdied each of the final four holes of the demanding Augusta National course to clinch his first major championship, the third South African to win a green jacket. Adam Scott and Jason Day, who were bidding to become the first Australian to win the tournament tied for second. Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who led after each of the opening three rounds, was four shots ahead overnight and went into the back nine still one clear, had a disastrous run to finish with an eight-over-par 80 to finish 10 adrift. No American holds any of the four major titles for the first time in 17 years. Masters history

Lewis Completes Her Mission
LPGA Mission Hills Championship
Final Leaderboard
-13 S Lewis (Usa)
-10 Y Tseng (Twn)
-4 K Futcher (Usa)
Mission Hills, Usa
April 3 2011
Stacy Lewis notched her first women's major as she emphatically won the first of the 2011 season thanks to a three-under-par final round in tough, windy conditions in California. World No.1 and defending champion Yani Tseng, who had led Lewis by two shots after three rounds, could only shoot a two-over-par 74 on the final day.
Mission Hills Championship history

Lefty Leaves Others Toiling in Texas
Houston Open
Final Leaderboard
-20 P Mickelson (Usa)
-17 S Verplank (Usa), C Kirk (Usa)
Humble, Usa
April 3 2011
Masters champion Phil Mickelson warmed up for Augusta with a convincing victory in the last PGA Tour event before the season's first major. The left-hander recorded a seven-under-par 65 in his final round, a target too hot for compatriots Scott Verplank and Chris Kirk.

Horsey Rocks in Morocco
Trophee Hassan II
Final Leaderboard
-13 D Horsey (Eng), R Davies (Wal), J van Zyl (Rsa)
Horsey won play-off
Agadir, Mor
April 3 2011
DavidHorsey was a winner for a second time on the European PGA Tour after vanquishing defending champion Rhys Davies and Jaco van Zyl in a three-way play-off at the Royal Course. Horsey had a hole-in-one at the second during his final round.

The Laird Of Bay Hill
Arnold Palmer Invitational
Final Leaderboard
-8 M Laird (Sco)
-7 S Marino (Usa)
-6 J Rose (Eng), M Leishman (Aus), D Toms (Usa)
Orlando, Usa
March 27 2011
Martin Laird claimed the second PGA Tour title of his career with a superb finish at Bay Hill, to hold off the challenge of the charging Steve Marino.

Lawrie Ends Win Drought
Open de Andalucia
Final Leaderboard
-12 P Lawrie (Sco)
-11 J Edfors (Swe)
-10 F Aguilar (Chl)
Malaga, Esp
March 27 2011
Overnight leader Paul Lawrie claimed a first European PGA Tour for nine years, but only after falling three shots behind over the front nine of the final round.