Golf-New dad Mahan withdraws from Bridgestone

Golf-New dad Mahan withdraws from Bridgestone

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July 29, 2013



July 29 (Reuters) - Hunter Mahan has withdrawn from this week's World Golf Championship Bridgestone Invitational to spend more time with his newborn daughter Zoe, the golfer said in a statement on Monday.

Mahan was the 36-hole leader at last week's Canadian Open but withdrew from the tournament when his wife Kandi went into labor. Brandt Snedeker went on to win the event.

Mahan, 31, has two WGC victories among his five PGA Tour titles. He is expected to return at the year's final major, the PGA Championship from Aug. 8-11. (Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Golf-Woodland wins Reno-Tahoe Open

Golf-Woodland wins Reno-Tahoe Open

August 4, 2013








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Aug 4 (Reuters) - American Gary Woodland cruised to an easy win on Sunday at the Reno-Tahoe Open, the PGA Tour's only event using a modified Stableford scoring system.

Woodland, who shot a final round of three-under 69, started the day with a seven-point lead and finished nine clear of his nearest rivals, Jonathan Byrd and Andres Romero of Argentina.

Woodland compiled a total of 44 points for the tournament, where points were awarded for birdies and eagles and deducted for bogeys or worse.

The victory was Woodland's second in a PGA Tour event and sealed a place in next week's PGA Championship. He also won the Transitions Championship two years ago in his rookie season.


"It felt like it was meant to be this week," said Woodland. "I tried to stay calm and really focus on what I was doing."

With a big overnight lead, he was never seriously challenged on the final day, even though he managed only one birdie in his first 13 holes.

He made his only bogey of the tournament on the par-4 17th, but picked up three birdies in the last five holes, including a 58-foot chip on 367-yard, par-4 14th that dropped into the cup.

"I was just trying to get it on the green, let alone go in. It was one of the best shots I've ever hit," he said.

Byrd charged up the leaderboard to finish tied for second on 35 points with a brilliant closing round of 64 that featured seven birdies and an eagle.

"My whole mindset was just to be a little more aggressive and give ourselves chances and just free it up," Byrd said.

"And I was able to do that today getting off to a hot start. (I) just felt like I was off to the races."

Romero (69) was unable to make up any ground on Woodland but leapfrogged Brendan Steele (72), who had been second overnight but bogeyed two of his last three holes on Sunday.

He finished fourth on 33 points, one clear of Dickie Pride and their fellow American David Mathies. (Reporting by Julian Linden in New York; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Woodland wins Reno-Tahoe Open

Woodland wins Reno-Tahoe Open

August 4, 2013







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Gary Woodland of the U.S. watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the PGA …


(Reuters) - American Gary Woodland cruised to an easy win on Sunday at the Reno-Tahoe Open, the PGA Tour's only event using a modified Stableford scoring system.

Woodland, who shot a final round of three-under 69, started the day with a seven-point lead and finished nine clear of his nearest rivals, Jonathan Byrd and Andres Romero of Argentina.

Woodland compiled a total of 44 points for the tournament, where points were awarded for birdies and eagles and deducted for bogeys or worse.

The victory was Woodland's second in a PGA Tour event and sealed a place in next week's PGA Championship. He also won the Transitions Championship two years ago in his rookie season.

"It felt like it was meant to be this week," said Woodland. "I tried to stay calm and really focus on what I was doing."


With a big overnight lead, he was never seriously challenged on the final day, even though he managed only one birdie in his first 13 holes.

He made his only bogey of the tournament on the par-4 17th, but picked up three birdies in the last five holes, including a 58-foot chip on 367-yard, par-4 14th that dropped into the cup.

"I was just trying to get it on the green, let alone go in. It was one of the best shots I've ever hit," he said.

Byrd charged up the leaderboard to finish tied for second on 35 points with a brilliant closing round of 64 that featured seven birdies and an eagle.

"My whole mindset was just to be a little more aggressive and give ourselves chances and just free it up," Byrd said.

"And I was able to do that today getting off to a hot start. (I) just felt like I was off to the races."

Romero (69) was unable to make up any ground on Woodland but leapfrogged Brendan Steele (72), who had been second overnight but bogeyed two of his last three holes on Sunday.

He finished fourth on 33 points, one clear of Dickie Pride and their fellow American David Mathies.

(Reporting by Julian Linden in New York; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Solheim Cup: Piller, Wie named captain's picks

Solheim Cup: Piller, Wie named captain's picks
The Sports Xchange August 4, 2013The SportsXchange









Morgan Pressel's final-round 76 at the Women's British Open on Sunday cost her more than her second major title - it also kept the 25-year-old off the United States Solheim Cup roster.

With a victory at St. Andrews, Pressel would have secured one of the eight automatic spots for the 13th Solheim Cup, which will be played Aug. 16-18 at Colorado Golf Club in Parker, Colo. But her tie for fourth place left Pressel's fate in the hands of captain Meg Mallon, who chose Gerina Piller and Michelle Wie as he captain's picks.

Piller and Wie will join the top eight players who earned automatic spots: Stacy Lewis, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr,Angela Stanford, Brittany Lincicome, Lexi Thompson, Jessica Korda and Brittany Lang.

"I'm just thrilled to finally have my team announced," Mallon said. "I have 12 players who I am very excited to have on this team. They have all played their hearts out over the last two years."

No. 19 Lizette Salas and Pressel (41) were the two highest-ranked players in the world who will not be on the team.

It will be the third Solheim Cup for Wie, while Piller - a former contestant on Big Break - will make her first.

"I feel a thousand emotions, but I'm just honored to be considered and ecstatic to be picked," Piller said.

The European Solheim Cup Team, led by Captain Liselotte Neumann, was also announced.

The top four players who automatically qualified for the team are: Suzann Pettersen (Norway), Carlota Ciganda (Spain), Catriona Matthew (Scotland) and Caroline Masson (Germany). Based on the Rolex Rankings, the four highest-ranked players not in the top four spots on the points list who qualified are: No. 20 Beatriz Recari (Spain), No. 22 Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), No. 24 Karine Icher (France) and No. 27 Azahara Munoz (Spain).Jodi Ewart Shadoff (England), Caroline Hedwall (Sweden), Giulia Sergas (Italy), and Charley Hull (England) - who will be the youngest competitor in Solheim Cup history at 17 - round out the European Team as captain's picks.

Twiter Mirror proves big hit at PGA Championship

Twiter Mirror proves big hit at PGA Championship

PGA.COM August 6, 2013







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Zach Johnson and Lee Westwood are just two of the player enjoying the Twitter Mirror()



One of the innovative ways that the PGA Championship is bringing major championship golf closer to the fans is the use of a special "Twitter Mirror". This unique device actually comes from Twitter and has been used at many high-profile events including the Oscars, Grammys, the NBA All-Star game and The French Open just to name a few.

The concept is simple. A special set up of the Twitter Mirror is positioned in a high trafficed area and let the players take over. The screen (which has a reflective surface (thus, the Mirror)) has branding on it much like the finished photo so the players know how their image will appear. A countdown clock then begins and as it hits zero, the image is snapped. Upon approval, a "tweet it" button is pressed, and the image goes live via the PGA.com Twitter handle.

Though it's the week of a major, the players seem to be enjoying sharing smiles and some fun to break the tension early in the week. Many have asked that we include their twitter handles as part of the outgoing tweet. Of course, we're happy to oblige.

Come Thursday morning, the business will be all about golf and chasing the Wanamaker Trophy. But for early in the week, it's refreshing to see the players still able to have some fun and give us a sneak peek into their personalities and more social side.

You can see all the Twitter Mirror pictures by following us on Twitter at @PGA_com

or you can see them via our Facebook album at our Facebook page.