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Sunday, February 23, 2014

LPGA: Norqvist extends lead in Thailand

By The Sports XchangeFebruary 22, 2014 9:31 AMThe SportsXchange

Anna Nordqvist briefly lost the lead Saturday, but did not panic with a star-studded list of names trying to chase her down at the Honda LPGA Thailand and will take a four-shot lead into the final round after shooting a 5-under 67.

Nordqvist stands at 11-under as she attempts to win her first LPGA event since 2009.

Michelle Wie, taking advantage of her length on the Pattaya Old Course at Siam Country Club, briefly took the lead as Nordqvist was making the turn, but the Swede who led after each of the first two rounds quickly jumped back out front with a tap-in eagle on the par-5 10th hole.

"Any time you can tap an eagle you're pretty happy," said Nordqvist. "I mean, I watched the leaderboard and saw nobody was really running away," said Nordqvist. "But I knew there were a couple birdies on the back nine, but the wind picked up a little bit so made it a little bit tougher."

Nordqvist steadily pulled away and pushed the lead to four shots with a birdie on the 18th hole, which she had bogeyed in the second round.

She made need all the cushion she can get with No. 1-ranked Inbee Park finding her form in the third round of her first event of the year. Attempting to defend her title, Park also shot a 67 and enters the final round tied with Wie in second place.

"I was like four or five back behind the leader (to start), so last couple days been like a little bit of rusty from five-week break," said Park. "I think just a little bit of everything didn't really work out last two days. I was just trying to work things out and get used to the tournament feeling. That's what I did today."

"I feel like I'm a lot more comfortable and a lot less nervous."

Second-ranked Suzann Pettersen is nine shots off the lead at 2-under, while No. 3 Stacy Lewis fell out of contention with a 73 on Saturday.

Former No. 1 Yani Tseng is in contention following a 66, the low round of the day. She is in a four-way tie for fifth place, six shots behind Nordqvist.

Day beats Dubuisson for WGC Match Play crown

21 minutes ago

Jason Day of Australia plays his second shot on the first hole during the championship match of the World Golf Championships - Accenture Match Play Championship at The Golf Club at Dove Mountain on February 23, 2014 in Marana, Arizona (AFP Photo/Andy Lyons)

Marana (United States) (AFP) - Australia's Jason Dayoutlasted France's Victor Dubuisson Sunday to win the World Golf Championships Match Play crown at the 23rd hole of the final.

Dubuisson erased a three-hole deficit to extend the title match scheduled for 18 holes, hanging on and kept it going with two miraculous shots out of the desert cactus before Day finally sealed it with a birdie.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Jimenez wins 4th Hong Kong title in playoff

December 8, 2013 10:49 AMAP - Sports

Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain celebrates after winning the Hong Kong Open golf tournament in Hong Kong, …

HONG KONG (AP) -- Miguel Angel Jimenez clinched the Hong Kong Open in a playoff Sunday, extending his record as the oldest player to win on the European Tour.

The 49-year-old Jimenez defended the title after sinking an 18-foot birdie on the first playoff hole to beat Prom Meesawat of Thailand and Stuart Manley of Wales.

Jimenez, who improved his record as the oldest player to win on the European Tour to 49 years and 337 days, said ''it just gets better and better. I love Hong Kong and this course.''

It's his fourth title in Hong Kong.

Bjorn rallies with 2 eagles for 65, wins Sun City

By GERALD IMRAY (AP Sports Writer)December 8, 2013 11:47 AMAP - Sports

SUN CITY, South Africa (AP) -- Thomas Bjorn had two eagles in his last nine holes, one brilliant and one a bit lucky, to finish with a 7-under 65 and win the Nedbank Golf Challenge on Sunday.

Overnight leader Jamie Donaldson of Wales lost his three-shot advantage in a final-round 70 and tied for second with Sergio Garcia (65).

Bjorn's victory was hailed by fans in the galleries on No. 18, waving streams of South African flags in late afternoon sunshine on a day dedicated in the country to prayer and reflection following the death of former President Nelson Mandela.

Bjorn's 5-iron into No. 10 set up the first eagle to move past Donaldson. The Dane had his second on No. 14 after his approach hit a bunker and rolled up onto the green.

''They were two big moments,'' Bjorn said. ''Obviously, having two eagles on the back nine on a Sunday doesn't happen very often. The shot into 14 was a bit fortunate, but that's what happens when you win golf tournaments, I guess.''

The $1.25 million winner's check at Sun City marks the 42-year-old Bjorn's biggest prize and his 15th European Tour title.

Tournament members stood for a rendition of the South African anthem at the end of the event.

''I think to the whole world, he was just an inspiration to human beings. He was a great man,'' Bjorn said of Mandela at the trophy presentation. ''To see what one man can do, it's an inspiration to all of us. If we all just did a bit more, this world would be a better place.''

Donaldson was attempting to become the first debut winner at Sun City since Zimbabwe's Mark McNulty in 1986. But he bogeyed No. 9 and couldn't make any more birdies until No. 17.

Garcia dropped a shot on No. 16 after a run of four straight birdies at the end of his front nine, allowing Bjorn to bogey the last at Gary Player Country Club and still win.

FedEx Cup and European money list winner Henrik Stenson was fourth after his 67 in the No. 3-ranked Swede's first tournament back since ending last season as the world's best player.

Brendon de Jonge (66) was fifth and Charl Schwartzel (66) finished sixth, the highest placed South African. Ryan Moore of the United States, another Sun City rookie, was in contention through three rounds before a 73 on Sunday led to a tie for seventh with U.S. Open champion Justin Rose.

Home favorite and three-time champion Ernie Els had to deal with news of Mandela's passing on Thursday and the death of his former psychological coach on Saturday. He finished with a second straight 77 and second from last in the expanded 30-man field.

This is the first year the Nedbank has been part of the European Tour's schedule.

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Follow Gerald Imray at www.twitter.com/GeraldImrayAP

Sunday, February 23, 2014

LPGA: Norqvist extends lead in Thailand

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Wednesday, January 1, 2014

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