Friday December 5, 2008
Ogilvy on fire, but finds a no-go zone
Professional golfers talk almost reverently of entering "the zone". Some never go there, a few do and Tiger Woods often does.
Australians must chase the pack
The Australian contingent of US PGA Tour hopefuls have some chasing to do after the opening round of final qualifying.
Thursday December 4, 2008
US PGA Tour purses likely to flatten
In golf terms, prize money on the US PGA Tour could be going from a birdie to even par - at best.
Timely reunion reveals a softer side to Daly the hard man
John Daly's life is catalogued in sensational headlines — strong drink, four marriages, a recent spell in a police lock-up — but an incident 13 years ago that made a huge impact on a youngster went unreported.
Wednesday December 3, 2008
Untimely injury forces Scott out
Adam Scott's wretched year continues as he is forced to withdraw from the $1.5 million Australian PGA championship.
Relaxed Ogilvy's running strong
Geoff Ogilvy last played the Australian PGA title two years ago, tied for eighth at 13 under and regards the 6263-metre Robert Trent Jones jnr layout as relatively easy with a premium on a hot putter.
Tuesday December 2, 2008
Scott out of PGA after surfing accident
Top drawcard Adam Scott has withdrawn from this week's Australian
PGA Championship after dislocating his kneecap while surfing.
Sorenstam bids farewell
Swede Annika Sorenstam admits it is "scary" to be leaving a sport that has been her life for 20 years, as the greatest women's golfer in the world calls it quits.
Putter off the wall as Daly keeps his head down
The evidence of John Daly's last visit to Coolum six years ago is gone from the spike bar wall, diplomatically locked away in a cupboard somewhere on the resort.
Monday December 1, 2008
KJ Choi wins at Skins Game, takes home $US415,000
KJ Choi holes an 11-foot birdie putt worth $US270,000 ($A410,430)
on the 18th hole to win the 26th Skins Game with $US415,000
($A630,840).
Allenby's promise ends in tears
Robert Allenby had promised his ailing mother, Sylvia, he would win the Australian Masters for her in what might be a parting gift.
Leaving with sounds of silence
As the players trudged onto the 18th green at Huntingdale for the final time yesterday, you could hear a putt drop.
Pampling stays cool in play-off
Rod Pampling closed his eyes as his direct opponent, Marcus Fraser, played his second shot into the first play-off hole in the Australian Masters at Huntingdale.
Sunday November 30, 2008
Allenby faces up to young gun
Robert Allenby has been at the top of Australian golf for more than 10 years, Michael Sim is 24 and just starting out.
Can Daly still cut it at the game's top level?
Don't get carried away by John Daly's recent round of 62 in Hong Kong.
Cricket could inspire a golf revolution
Golf will join cricket's Twenty20 revolution if a proposal before the PGA Tour of Australasia is adopted.
Saturday November 29, 2008
Allenby soars to Masters lead
Australian Masters favourite Robert Allenby soared into the tournament lead with an albatross during his third round.
Daly's out, but he's in for Open
John Daly made an inglorious exit from the Australian Masters yesterday, missing the cut after a second-round 73.
Whirlwind ends in a course record
Aaron Townsend's opening day of the Australian Masters did not finish until the hooter halted play in the dark.
Friday November 28, 2008
Big hitter tames 'brutal' conditions
Scott Hend has tamed the hothead within. Fortunately, the hot driver that makes him one of the biggest hitters in golf remains.
Huntingdale's bluster has Daly blowin', not smokin'
It was a subdued John Daly who battled the conditions yesterday.
Co-sanctioned event needs new timeslot
The Australian Masters will have to be shifted to a much earlier date in 2009 - possibly as early as October - if it is to remain on the European tour schedule.
Thursday November 27, 2008
Daly in danger of missing Masters cut
The wind blew, the putts slid past the edge of the hole and John Daly had one of his typical "Australian" rounds of golf on day one of the Australian Masters at Huntingdale.
Celebrating a 'damn good idea'
It was a quiet afternoon in The Age sports room in August 1978. The editorial receptionist came over and said: "There's a gentleman to see you."
Big John puffs his way to an optimistic approach
John Daly is professing his main goal is to get his golf game back on track.
