Most Recent
Scheffler makes it look easy for 3-shot victory in the Bahamas. Tiger Woods finishes 18th
The Associated Press | Updated Dec. 3 - 3:20 p.m. | Save Story
Scottie Scheffler is golf's best player with the full swing. Now his putting has come around, and he made it look easy in the Hero World Challenge. Scheffler played bogey-free for a 68 to win by three shots. It's his fifth title this year and firms up his No. 1 world ranking. Tiger Woods finished 18th in the 20-man field. He shot 72 but the golf was never the top concern. He hadn't played since the Masters because of ankle surgery. Woods says he felt better each day. He still hopes to play once a month in 2024.
Burmester wins South African Open Championship by three shots for second straight win on home soil
The Associated Press | Posted Dec. 3 - 10:23 a.m. | Save Story
Dean Burmester has shot a 4-under 68 in the final round of the South African Open Championship to secure back-to-back wins on home soil. Burmester started the day two shots off the lead but made six birdies and two bogeys in tricky conditions to finish at 11 under for the tournament. He finished three shots ahead of Italian Renato Paratore, Swede Jesper Svensson and South African Ryan van Velzen. The 34-year-old Burmester now has four European tour victories. He won the Joburg Open by three shots last week.
Niemann beats Hoshino in playoff to win Australian Open. Buhai defends women's title
The Associated Press | Posted Dec. 3 - 8:21 a.m. | Save Story
Joaquin Niemann of Chile beat Japan's Rikuya Hoshino on the second playoff hole to win the Australian Open men's title on a wild final day. Niemann made an eagle at the second extra hole after a number of contenders slipped away on the back nine due to gusting winds at The Australian course. Starting the day four shots back, Niemann produced an excellent final-round 5-under-par 66 to finish at 14-under 271. Min Woo Lee shot 72 and finished in third at 12-under 273. Earlier, Ashleigh Buhai held off a fast-finishing Minjee Lee to become the first woman to win back-to-back Australian Open titles since five-time major champion Yani Tseng in 2011.
Scottie Scheffler builds a 3-shot lead in the Bahamas. Tiger Woods is happy with his recovery
The Associated Press | Posted Dec. 2 - 3:44 p.m. | Save Story
Scottie Scheffler gets another chance to win the Hero World Challenge. Tiger Woods has to settle with being happy about the way he feels. Scheffler made all five scoring putts from outside 12 feet. Two were for eagle. He shot a 65 to build a three-shot lead over Matt Fitzpatrick heading into the final round at Albany. Scheffler has been runner-up each of the last two years in the Bahamas. Woods had a bogey-bogey start and made a few sloppy mistakes on the back nine for a 71. He's happy that his recovery from soreness each day has been good.
Schaper and Van Velzen lead South African Open Championship as home players dominate
The Associated Press | Posted Dec. 2 - 7:59 a.m. | Save Story
Home players have taken over the South African Open Championship in the third round as Jayden Schaper and Ryan van Velzen claimed a share of the lead and Dean Burmester moved into contention to win on back-to-back weeks on the European tour. Schaper shot 5-under 67 and Van Velzen had a 70 to finish a stroke clear of compatriot Louis De Jager (70) on a stifling day in Johannesburg. Burmester won the Joburg Open last week. He shot 65 for the low round of the day by two strokes and was in a six-way tie for fourth place that included overnight leader Jesper Svensson (74).
Min Woo Lee and Rikuya Hoshino share lead after contrasting 3rd rounds at Australian Open
The Associated Press | Posted Dec. 2 - 1:13 a.m. | Save Story
Min Woo Lee made a dramatic birdie on the 18th hole to keep his bid of winning back-to-back titles on track despite a challenging day in the third round of the Australia Open. Lee produced a trademark dazzling chip from the bunker and then rolled in for birdie on the par-5 18th to move back to the top of the leaderboard at 13-under with Japan's Rikuya Hoshino. Lee and Hoshino hold a one-shot lead over Englishman Alex Fitzpatrick and American Patrick Rodgers. Defending champion Ashleigh Buhai of South Africa led the women's field at 12 under. She is three shots clear of two-time major winner Jiyai Shin.
Tiger Woods putts into a bunker and loses ground. Spieth and Scheffler share lead in Bahamas
The Associated Press | Posted Dec. 1 - 2:59 p.m. | Save Story
Tiger Woods looked better in the Hero World Challenge. It's just the finishing stretch that keeps holding him back. Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth share the lead. Woods is 10 shots behind in his first competition since the Masters. Woods had four birdies in seven holes at the start. But he dropped careless shots on the back nine of Albany. None was more surprising than sending a birdie putt off the green and into a bunker on the par-5 15th. Woods says he's rusty. But he hopes each day he gets a little better. Brian Harman is one shot behind.
Nick Taylor's historic eagle now part of 2024 Canadian Open logo
The Associated Press | Updated Dec. 1 - 2:02 p.m. | Save Story
Nick Taylor's epic eagle putt to win the Canadian Open is now part of the tournament's logo for 2024. Taylor made a 72-foot putt on the fourth playoff hole to win in June. He became the first Canadian in 69 years to win the national open of this golf-proud country. The idea came from a pumpkin. Golf Canada's design manager carved a pumpkin for a community event that had a silhouette of Taylor flipping his putter replacing the "i" in Canadian in the logo. Organizers decided to take it one step further. The logo change is for 2024.
Sports on TV for December 2 - 3
The Associated Press | Updated Dec. 1 - 12:35 p.m. | Save Story
(All times Eastern)
Jesper Svensson leads South African Open by 1 stroke after second round
The Associated Press | Posted Dec. 1 - 12:06 p.m. | Save Story
Swedish golfer Jesper Svensson will take a one-stroke lead into the weekend at the South African Open Championship after shooting a 5-under 67. Svensson made seven birdies along with two bogeys in Friday's second round to move to the top ahead of overnight leader Joakim Lagergren, Italy's Matteo Manassero and home favorite Casey Jarvis. Only one player in the top 100 in the rankings is in the field, No. 85 Thriston Lawrence of South Africa. Lawrence is tied for 26th at six shots back. The tournament is the second of three straight events in South Africa to open the 2024 season on the European tour.
Lee leads the Australian Open by 3 shots, moves into a prime position for back-to-back titles
The Associated Press | Posted Dec. 1 - 1:09 a.m. | Save Story
Min Woo Lee has moved into a strong position to win back-to-back titles by taking a three-shot lead halfway through the Australian Open just five days after clinching the Australian PGA Championship. The 25-year-old Western Australian golfer moved to 12 under after a 64 at The Australian Golf Club in the second round. American Patrick Rodgers is tied for second with Connor Syme of Scotland at 9 under. He followed his opening 64 at The Lakes with a 70 at The Australian. Two-time major winner Jiyai Shin leads the women's field at 9 under, two shots clear of defending champion Ashleigh Buhai of South Africa and three ahead of fellow South Korean Jenny Shin.
Tiger Woods has a sloppy finish for a 75 in his return in the Bahamas
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 30 - 3:20 p.m. | Save Story
Tiger Woods made a solid return to golf until he limped home in the Bahamas. That was more about his golf than his fused right ankle. Woods dropped four shots in a three-hole stretch toward the end and shot 75 in the Hero World Challenge. That left him eight shots behind leaders Brian Harman and Tony Finau. Woods' score was better than only two players in the 20-man field at Albany. He attributed his results to being rusty and lacking commitment. The big trouble came on the par-5 15th. He tried to punch out of a bush and made a double bogey.
Jason Dufner and Kevin Chappell among 73 players in LIV Golf Promotions qualifier
Doug Ferguson, Associated Press | Posted Nov. 30 - 12:54 p.m. | Save Story
Former PGA champion Jason Dufner and Kevin Chappell are among 73 players who are signed up for the LIV Golf Promotions qualifier next week in Abu Dhabi. The top three players earn a spot on the LIV Golf rosters for 2024. The PGA Tour has said they would not be suspended for playing in a qualifier but they would need a media release. No one is believed to have received one because of the tight window to apply. Still unclear is what punishment, if any, PGA Tour players would face. Dufner and Chappell received byes into the second round.
Joakim Lagergren leads South African Open Championship after first-round 65
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 30 - 9:52 a.m. | Save Story
Swedish golfer Joakim Lagergren has shot a bogey-free 7-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the South African Open Championship. Lagergren is ranked No. 417. He had seven birdies around the Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate including a long one on his 17th hole to move into the outright lead. Casey Jarvis is alone in second place after a 66. Two more South Africans in Jovan Rebula and Louis de Jager are in a share of third place a stroke further back. It's the second of three straight events in South Africa to open the 2024 season on the European tour.
Sports on TV for Friday, December 1
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 30 - 8:00 a.m. | Save Story
(All times Eastern)
Teenage amateur golfer Rachel Lee tied for the lead in the Australian Open women's field
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 30 - 1:02 a.m. | Save Story
Teenage amateur Rachel Lee has finished the first round of the Australian Open in a tie for the lead with American Jenny Shin. The 16-year-old Lee had to hurry to start her round after getting the times confused. She carried momentum to a 6-under 67 at The Lakes Golf Club in a tournament that has men's and women's fields and a two-venue format. Jenny Shin was also 6 under after a 66 at The Australian. The pair had a one-shot lead over two-time major winner Jiyai Shin of South Korea. Cameron Davis led the men's field by a stroke at 9 under after an opening 63 at The Lakes. He's one shot ahead of American Patrick Rodgers.
Luke Donald stays on as Europe's Ryder Cup captain for 2025 after overwhelming backing of players
Steve Douglas, Associated Press | Updated Nov. 29 - 3:44 p.m. | Save Story
Luke Donald is staying on as Europe's Ryder Cup captain for its title defense in 2025 at Bethpage Black. The 45-year-old Donald led the Europeans to a 16½-11½ victory over the United States outside Rome last month. He will be the first to captain Europe in back-to-back Ryder Cups since Bernard Gallacher. He was captain in 1991, 1993 and 1995. Only Tony Jacklin has led Europe to wins at home and away in golf's biggest show. That was at The Belfry in 1985 and then at Muirfield Village in Ohio in 1987. The last team to win a Ryder Cup on the road was Europe at Medinah in 2012.
Tiger Woods returns to play in the Bahamas. European tour splits time in Australia and South Africa
The Associated Press | Updated Nov. 28 - 11:30 a.m. | Save Story
Tiger Woods is back after nearly eight months. He is playing in his Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. That's his first competition since he made the cut and then withdrew at the Masters. It's another stacked field at Albany Golf Club in Nassau. Also, two of the oldest championships in golf are being held this week. The Australian Open is the fifth oldest in golf. It again features two tournaments in one. The Women's Australian Open is held concurrently on the same courses. They're playing for the same prize fund but different trophies. The South African Open is the third oldest in golf.
Tiger Woods sounds more optimistic about his game than a Saudi deal getting done on time
Doug Ferguson, Associated Press | Posted Nov. 28 - 11:06 a.m. | Save Story
Tiger Woods sounds more optimistic about his golf schedule than the PGA Tour getting a deal finalized with Saudi Arabia on time. Woods is in the Bahamas for his first competition since ankle surgery in April. So much has happened since then. The tour struck a deal with the backers of LIV Golf. And Woods joined the tour's policy board. He says he was frustrated by being left in the dark on the Saudi deal and wants to make sure that doesn't happen again. As for his golf, Woods says an ideal scenario would be to play once a month.
Russell Knox has conditional status on the PGA Tour. What that means is still unclear
Doug Ferguson, Associated Press | Posted Nov. 28 - 10:05 a.m. | Save Story
Russell Knox is coming off his worst year in golf at a bad time. He finished 147th in the FedEx Cup. He still has conditional status on the PGA Tour, and players in his spot usually get into 20 or more tournaments. But Knox doesn't know what means for 2024 when the schedule is radically changed. There are eight signature events for the top players. Will that mean more spots are open at the other tournaments? In other golf news, Tiger Woods is playing again and Paul McGinley will be the analyst for NBC. It's a temporary job for now replacing Paul Azinger.
Column: The rich new PGA Tour is not about the haves and have nots. It's the haves and have more
Doug Ferguson, Associated Press | Posted Nov. 28 - 9:02 a.m. | Save Story
There's a two-tier system in the PGA Tour. The top 50 in the FedEx Cup are guaranteed to play in eight signature events with their $20 million purses. The rest have to scrap for 10 available spots. But it's not like those players are suffering. The other events still average about $8.5 million in prize money and players still get improved services like cold plunges and special restrooms on the course for their families. They even have a chance to get part of the popularity bonus from the Player Impact Program. But AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson says it's no longer about playing better. It's about playing great.
Japanese golfer Ryo Hisatsune voted rookie of the year on the European tour
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 28 - 5:01 a.m. | Save Story
Ryo Hisatsune has been voted as the European tour's top rookie this season after a memorable year that saw the 21-year-old Japanese player win the French Open and earn dual membership with the PGA Tour. Hisatsune became the first Japanese golfer to receive the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award. He beat a list of contenders that included highly rated Swede Ludvig Aberg. Hisatsune was outside the world's top 200 at the start of the 2023 season. He posted eight top-10 finishes including the win in France and is ranked No. 81 in the world.
Burmester wins Joburg Open by 3 shots ahead of Fichardt to open European tour season
The Associated Press | Updated Nov. 26 - 8:22 a.m. | Save Story
Dean Burmester has shot a 6-under 64 to win the Joburg Open by three strokes in the European tour's season-opener. Burmester made six birdies in a bogey-free round to finish on 18-under 262 for the tournament. Fellow South African Darren Fichardt also shot 64 to finish second, two strokes ahead of defending champion Dan Bradbury in third place. The 2024 season began only four days after the 2023 one finished in Dubai. The event marks the start of three straight tournaments taking place in South Africa and co-sanctioned with the country's Sunshine Tour.
Min Woo Lee serves up a victory at the Australian PGA Championship
The Associated Press | Updated Nov. 26 - 12:17 a.m. | Save Story
gave him a four-shot lead with one hole to play. Marc Leishman made seven birdies in a closing 64 to move into third place at 16 under, one ahead of Curtis Luck.
Thriston Lawrence leads Joburg Open by 3 shots before final round
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 25 - 12:17 p.m. | Save Story
South Africa's Thriston Lawrence will take a three-stroke lead into the final round of the Joburg Open as he tries to reclaim the title he won two years ago. Lawrence led after the first round and he returned to the top of the leaderboard Saturday with a 3-under 67 to go 15 under overall at Houghton Golf Club. He made four birdies to go with one bogey in the third round. South Africans locked out the top six spots. Dean Burmester (68) is Lawrence's nearest chaser at three shots back. The Joburg Open is the season-opening event on the European tour. The 2024 season began on Thursday only four days after the 2023 one finished in Dubai.
Lee leads the Australian PGA Championship by 3 shots from Hoshino of Japan
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 25 - 1:39 a.m. | Save Story
Min Woo Lee has extended his lead to three shots at the Australian PGA Championship after a 5-under 66 to move to 17 under after three rounds. Rikuya Hoshino of Japan surged into second at 14 under after making six birdies on the back nine for a 64. Hoshino is one shot ahead of Curtis Luck (66) and three ahead of Adam Scott. The tournament, a season-opener for the European tour, is being played at Royal Queensland Golf Club, the proposed golf venue for the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane.
Nikhil Rama, a South African who is ranked No. 1,214, leads the Joburg Open after the second round
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 24 - 9:59 a.m. | Save Story
South African golfer Nikhil Rama rose to the top of the leaderboard at the Joburg Open after hitting an 8-under 62 in the second round. The 1,214th-ranked Rama made an eagle and six birdies at Houghton Golf Club in only his 10th European Tour event. He leads Thriston Lawrence by one at 13-under 127 total. The Joburg Open is the season-opening event on the European tour. The 2024 season began on Thursday only four days after the 2023 one finished in Dubai.
Sports on TV for November 27 - December 3
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 24 - 8:00 a.m. | Save Story
Adv25
Cam Smith misses the cut in Australian PGA title defense. Lee leads by a shot from Scott
The Associated Press | Updated Nov. 24 - 2:25 a.m. | Save Story
Cam Smith has missed the cut in his Australian PGA Championship title defense after slumping to 9 over after a 78 in the second round. Min Woo Lee leads the tournament at 12 under at the halfway point and Adam Scott is in second place at 11 under after a 6-under 65 in the second round. Hometown favorite Smith was 2 over after the first round but the 2022 British Open champion only slid further out of contention with a double-bogey, six bogeys and a solitary birdie in the second. He missed the cut by nine strokes. The tournament is being played at Royal Queensland Golf Club, the proposed golf venue for the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane.
Eddie Merrins, the 'Little Pro' who had an enormous influence on golf in LA, dies at 91
The Associated Press | Updated Nov. 23 - 3:14 p.m. | Save Story
Eddie Merrins was known as "The Little Pro" because of his 5-foot-7 stature, certainly not his influence on golf. The longtime pro at Bel-Air Country Club touched everyone from U.S. Open champion Corey Pavin to Fred Astaire and even Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Lawrence shoots 62 to lead by 3 strokes at Joburg Open in first week of 2024 European tour season
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 23 - 8:50 a.m. | Save Story
South African golfer Thriston Lawrence has begun his bid for a second title at the Joburg Open by shooting 8-under 62 to lead by three shots after the first round of the season-opening event on the European tour. The 2024 season began just four days after the 2023 one finished in Dubai. Lawrence maintained his fine form from the World Tour Championship where he finished in a tie for fifth place. Lawrence won the Joburg Open by four strokes in Nov 2021 and has captured three more titles since. He birdied five of his first six holes and picked up three more shots coming home in a bogey-free round.
Bernd Wiesberger returns to the European tour after losing contract on LIV Golf circuit
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 23 - 4:40 a.m. | Save Story
Bernd Wiesberger is returning to the European tour after two seasons in the breakaway LIV Golf series. The tour says the Austrian golfer has had his application for membership for the 2024 season accepted. Wiesberger left to join the Saudi-funded LIV circuit in 2022 but lost his contract for next season after poor results. The European tour says Wiesberger has fulfilled all the financial and sporting sanctions imposed on him for leaving to play on a rival tour. It says his membership ended because he only played in two events in the 2023 season: the Abu Dhabi Championship and the Dubai Desert Classic.
Moscatel leads Australian PGA Championship by 1. Cam Smith's title defense off to a shaky start
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 23 - 1:49 a.m. | Save Story
Joel Moscatel has got over the disappointment of missing out on a DP World Tour card by producing a course record 63 to the lead the Australian PGA Championship on a day when Cam Smith's title defense got off to a shaky start. The 25-year-old Spanish player missed his full card by one shot in the qualifying tournament last week. But on the first day of the European tour season Moscatel finished the first round at Royal Queensland at 8 under. He's one shot ahead of Min Woo Lee. John Lyras is in third place at 6 under after an opening 65. Adam Scott is among a group of six players at 5 under.
LIV Golf to play in Las Vegas during Super Bowl week. The 2024 schedule has no Trump courses yet
Doug Ferguson, Associated Press | Posted Nov. 22 - 10:23 a.m. | Save Story
LIV Golf is going to Las Vegas during the Super Bowl. The Saudi-funded league released the 2024 schedule for its third year. The final two sites have not been announced. So far six of them are in North America and the other six around the world. LIV is going to Las Vegas Country Club for a Saturday finish the day before the Super Bowl. The U.S. portion of the schedule also has three events held the same week as the PGA Tour's $20 million signature events with top fields. New to the LIV schedule are stops in Tennessee and Houston.
Sports on TV for Thursday, November 23
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 22 - 8:10 a.m. | Save Story
(All times Eastern)
Sports on TV for November 27 - December 3
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 22 - 8:00 a.m. | Save Story
Adv25
Tiger Woods and son Charlie to play in PNC Championship again
Doug Ferguson, Associated Press | Posted Nov. 22 - 6:28 a.m. | Save Story
Maybe the reason Tiger Woods is returning to competition next week in the Bahamas is to prepare for what really matters: The father-son appearance in the PNC Championship. Woods and 14-year-old Charlie are confirmed to be play the PNC Championship for the fourth straight year. It's the only tournament he hasn't missed since 2020. They were runner-up in 2021. The 36-hole event starts Dec. 16 in Orlando, Florida. New to the 20-team field of major champions and their relatives is Steve Stricker. He'll be playing with daughter Izzi, a high school state champion in  Wisconsin.
A new European tour season starts in Australia and South Africa
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 21 - 5:52 a.m. | Save Story
The European tour goes from the end of the season to a start of a new one in the span of four days. The 2023-24 season starts this week with two co-sanctioned tournaments. The Australian PGA is at Royal Queensland and features defending champion Cameron Smith and Adam Scott. The Joburg Open is in South Africa and has a weaker field. The PGA Tour and LPGA Tour won't play again until their next season starts in January. At stake for some players is trying to finish in the top 50 in the world ranking to get in the Masters.
Azinger and NBC don't renew contract. Now the question becomes who's next in the booth
Doug Ferguson, Associated Press | Posted Nov. 21 - 5:49 a.m. | Save Story
Nothing ramps up speculation in golf like an opening in the broadcast booth. Paul Azinger and NBC failed to reach an agreement on a new contract. Still to be determined is who's next. Justin Leonard has suggested he's happy playing again. David Duval says he would listen if NBC called, but he hasn't heard anything. Brad Faxon and Paul McGinley are other names that have surfaced. Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry took their Ryder Cup celebration to their Florida homes and shared a night with European captain Luke Donald and another of their neighbors, Michael Jordan.
Column: From Lubbock to sudden stardom, Swedish star Aberg not easily distracted. Even by LIV
Doug Ferguson, Associated Press | Posted Nov. 21 - 5:46 a.m. | Save Story
Lubbock, Texas can seem like a lifetime ago for Ludvig Aberg. His last day at Texas Tech was on May 29. Since then, the Swedish star has won on the European tour and the PGA Tour and played in the Ryder Cup. He's the first player in the Ryder Cup who has never played in a major. That's coming in April at Augusta. Aberg is polished and poised and keeps golf and his life simple. He doesn't get distracted by much. That includes LIV Golf. The Saudi-funded league approached him in the spring of 2022. Aberg wasn't swayed.
Jordan Spieth to finish Rory McIlroy's term on PGA Tour board
The Associated Press | Updated Nov. 20 - 1:22 p.m. | Save Story
Jordan Spieth is replacing Rory McIlroy on the PGA Tour policy board and will finish out the term that runs until the end of next year. McIlroy was the first international player elected to the board. He said last week he no longer felt he had the time and energy to serve his final year of what has been a period of turmoil on the PGA Tour. Commissioner Jay Monahan announced the move to players. Spieth was the unanimous choice of the five other board members. He now joins Tiger Woods, Patrick Cantlay, Charley Hoffman, Webb Simpson and Peter Malnati.
TGL to postpone tech league until 2025 because of dome damage to Florida arena
Doug Ferguson, Associated Press | Posted Nov. 20 - 10:05 a.m. | Save Story
The new tech-infused TGL golf league of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy is postponing its debut by one year. TGL says damage to dome portion of the arena at Palm Beach State College can't be repaired in time for the planned Jan. 9 debut. Instead of rushing to have a partial schedule next year, owners and other key partners think it's best to wait until 2025 to get it right. Woods and McIlroy are co-founders in TMRW Sports. That's the entertainment group that created TGL for 24 top players in an indoor arena. McIlroy says the delay will help them return stronger.
Amy Yang captures her first American LPGA title and cashes in on $2 million
The Associated Press | Updated Nov. 19 - 3:40 p.m. | Save Story
Amy Yang is the Race to CME Globe champion and $2 million richer for it. Yang holed out for eagle on the 13th fairway to take the lead. She finished with two straight birdies for a 66. That gave her a three-shot victory over Nasa Hataoka and Alison Lee. The 34-year-old from South Korea won for the fifth time on the LPGA Tour. But it was her first victory on U.S. soil. Her other LPGA wins were in South Korea and Thailand. Hataoka was tied for the lead until she lipped out a short par putt on the 16th hole to fall behind.
Ludvig Aberg with another 61 wins at Sea Island to cap amazing 6 months as a pro
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 19 - 3:03 p.m. | Save Story
Ludvig Aberg capped off a six months he won't forget. He won the RSM Classic with a 61-61 weekend for his first PGA Tour title. This follows a win on the European tour, and a winning debut in the Ryder Cup in Rome. Not bad for a 24-year-old Swede who was still finishing his final year at Texas Tech just six months ago. Aberg set the PGA Tour record for lowest weekend at 122. He also tied the PGA Tour's record for 72-hole tournaments at 253. Mackenzie Hughes shot 60-63 on the weekend and still finished four shots behind.
Paul Azinger out as NBC golf analyst as 5-year contract not renewed
Doug Ferguson, Associated Press | Updated Nov. 19 - 8:03 a.m. | Save Story
Azinger, Roger Maltbie and Gary Koch.
Nicolai Hojgaard produces big finish to win season-ending World Tour Championship
The Associated Press | Updated Nov. 19 - 7:49 a.m. | Save Story
Nicolai Hojgaard has claimed the biggest title of his career after running off five straight birdies down the stretch to overhaul Tommy Fleetwood and win the season-ending World Tour Championship on the European tour. The 22-year-old Dane delivered a clinic in iron play to pick up birdies from Nos. 13-17 and shoot 8-under 64 to finish on 21-under par. Fleetwood was playing in the final group. He bogeyed No. 17 so had to eagle the par-5 last hole. His third shot settled beyond the flag and Hojgaard celebrated in the scoring hut. Hojgaard has won a tournament for three consecutive years on the European tour but this was easily his biggest and earned him $3 million.
Hataoka, Yang share lead at LPGA finale with $2 million on the line
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 18 - 3:48 p.m. | Save Story
Nasa Hataoka and Amy Yang are on a record scoring pace at the CME Group Tour Championship. Yang shot a 64 on Saturday. Hataoka had a 65. They are tied for the lead at 21-under par. That's just two shots away from the 72-hole record at the LPGA finale. The more important number is $2 million. That's how much the winner takes home on Sunday. They are three shots ahead of Alison Lee. Xiyu Lin was another shot behind, while Women's PGA champion Ruoning Lee and two-time major winner Minjee Lee are five back going into the final, lucrative round.
Aberg keeps pace with a 61 and leads season-ending RSM Classic by 1 shot
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 18 - 2:44 p.m. | Save Story
Ludvig Aberg had a brilliant stretch of four birdies and an eagle. He needed every one of them just to keep pace on a remarkable day of scoring at the RSM Classic. The Swedish star shot 61 and has a one-shot lead over Eric Cole. Cole also had a 61. Another shot behind was Mackenzie Hughes. He narrowly missed a 15-foot birdie putt on the last hole and had to settle for a 60. Scoring was so good at Sea Island that nine players shot 63 or lower. Aberg and Cole are going for their first PGA Tour titles.
Matt Wallace birdies every hole on back 9 in Dubai and matches European tour best
The Associated Press | Updated Nov. 18 - 7:37 a.m. | Save Story
Matt Wallace has birdied every hole on the back nine at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai. Wallace equals a European tour mark with his nine straight birdies. He ties another mark with 12 birdies in one round. It adds to a 60. They don't count as official records because of preferred lies. Wallace had a shot at only the second 59 on the European tour with an iron in hand on the par-5 closing hole. But he fanned it into the bunker. His sand shot finished inches away for a birdie. Wallace said "that was fun" as he walked off the course.
Wallace birdies the entire back 9 in Dubai and leads European tour finale
The Associated Press | Updated Nov. 18 - 7:22 a.m. | Save Story
Matt Wallace has birdied every hole on the back nine at the DP World Tour Championship. That equals a European tour best and gives the Englishman a 60 at Jumeirah Golf Estates. It also gives Wallace a one-shot lead over Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland going into the final round of the European tour finale. Wallace had 12 birdies for the round. That equals another European tour feat. Fleetwood and Hovland each had a 66. Nicolai Hojgaard faltered down the stretch and closed with two birdies. He went from the lead to three shots behind. Jon Rahm is five back.
Alison Lee rides her hot streak and shares the lead with Nasa Hataoka at LPGA finale
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 17 - 4:16 p.m. | Save Story
Alison Lee shouldn't have any doubts about her game now. She's one of the hottest players in women's golf and showed it Friday in the CME Group Tour Championship. Lee shot a 64 with four birdies on her last five holes. That gives her a share of the lead with Nasa Hataoka going into the weekend of the LPGA finale. At stake is $2 million to winner. Lee has two runner-up finishes and a win in Saudi Arabia in her last three starts. She used to have doubts about her game. This year, she's been getting messages of support from Fred Couples.
Ludvig Aberg powers to a 64 and leads RSM Classic by 1 shot at Sea Island
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 17 - 3:17 p.m. | Save Story
Ludvig Aberg already has won on the European tour. Now he has a chance to pick up his first PGA Tour victory. The 24-year-old Swede shot a 64 on Friday to build a one-shot lead in the RSM Classic going into the weekend. He had a pair of two-putt birdies on the Seaside course at Sea Island Golf Club, one of them on a 394-yard par 4 where he hit over a marsh. Aberg leads by one over Eric Cole, Sam Ryder and Denny McCarthy. Matt Kuchar was among those another shot behind. This is the last PGA Tour event of the season.
McIlroy stalls, Hovland soars and Hojgaard leads by 2 shots at World Tour Championship
The Associated Press | Updated Nov. 17 - 10:00 a.m. | Save Story
Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood are part of a group of the marquee players moving into contention at the season-ending World Tour Championship. Rory McIlroy isn't among them after a day when he said he was "stuck in neutral." McIlroy shot an even-par 72 in the second round and was languishing in 34th place in the 50-man field. Rahm, Hovland and Fleetwood all had 66s on the Earth Course to be in a good position heading into the weekend. Nicolai Hojgaard had a back nine of 30 containing four birdies and an eagle to shoot 66 and lead on 11-under par. Hojgaard is two shots clear of a five-man group including Hovland and Fleetwood.
Sports on TV for November 18 - 19
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 17 - 8:10 a.m. | Save Story
(All times Eastern)
Sports on TV for November 20 - 26
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 17 - 8:00 a.m. | Save Story
Adv18
Ruoning Yin, Nasa Hataoka share lead with 63s at LPGA season finale in Florida
The Associated Press | Updated Nov. 17 - 5:37 a.m. | Save Story
Ruoning Yin wasn't feel very good about her game before she teed off in the CME Group Tour Championship. She felt a lot better after nine birdies for a 63. That gave her a share of the lead with Nasa Hataoka after the opening round. At stake is $2 million for the winner. It doesn't matter how any of the 60 players finished in the Race to CME Globe. Whoever wins the tournament gets the big money. Lilia Vu shot 70 and Celine Boutier had a 69. They have their own race for the points-based LPGA player of the year.
Cameron Young, Eric Cole, Davis Thompson among early leaders at the rainy RSM Classic
The Associated Press | Posted Nov. 16 - 4:46 p.m. | Save Story
The final PGA Tour event of the season is off to a soggy start at the RSM Classic. Cameron Young is among the 65 players who finished before dark. He birdied his last two holes for a 6-under 66. That ties him for the lead with Eric Cole and Davis Thompson. They all played the Plantation Course. Matt Kuchar had a 5-under 65 on the Seaside course. British Open champion Brian Harman had a 1-under 71. But this was all about staying dry. There was an hour delay at the start and a 2 1/2-hour delay in the afternoon.
