MARANA, Arizona- Relief seemed to ooze out of every pore of Luke Donald's face as he spoke to the golfing media on Sunday after ending a PGA Tour title drought of five years.
The Briton had just won the biggest tournament of his career, a 3&2 victory over German Martin Kaymer earning him the prestigious WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.
"It certainly bothered me," Donald said of his long wait for a third PGA Tour career victory. "My goal every year is to win tournaments. It's a long time since I've tried to play for money, you know.
"My first couple of years, maybe, as a rookie, you think about making your Tour card and making cuts and making enough money to play the next year. But it's been a long time since that."
Donald had not triumphed on the US circuit since the 2006 Honda Classic, although he recorded seven top-10 finishes to end the 2010 season seventh in the money list with earnings of $3.66 million.
"I solely focus on trying to win tournaments," said the Englishman, who will rise to a career-high third in the world rankings on Monday.
"I felt like I hadn't won my fair share for as good a player as I felt I was and could be. It was frustrating to me. Winning in Europe took a little bit off but obviously it was a little bit of a smaller event, not a field like this."
Donald claimed the third European Tour victory of his career at last year's Madrid Masters.
"But to come here and compete against the best players in the world and win the trophy is very gratifying," he added, referring to the elite World Golf Championships (WGC) event that brings together the world's top 64.
Winning objective
Asked what his next objective might be after winning his first WGC title, Donald replied: "Hopefully I gain a lot of confidence from it and I go on to win more events. Every year, the goal is to win tournaments and to try and win majors.
2011年10月29日星期六
who had led much of the tournament
Webb managed to overcome an overnight one-shot deficit to win the tournament by a stroke over Chie Arimura of Japan.
Having been three behind leaving the 10th green, Web was home in 33 to add a 69 to earlier scores of 70, 66 and 70. She had a 13-under total of 275 at the par-72 course.
Arimura, who had led much of the tournament, finished the second, and Tseng finished third.
It was Webb's 37th tournament victory on the LPGA Tour but first since March 2009.
"It feels great," she said. "It was a bit of an up-and-down day so I feel very happy to be slinking away with a one shot win."
"Chie," she said, "handled herself really well and was in with a chance all the way. I know she's won in Japan but today would have been a different feeling. She really toughed it out."
"I am just glad that I finished one shot ahead," Webb said.
Having been three behind leaving the 10th green, Web was home in 33 to add a 69 to earlier scores of 70, 66 and 70. She had a 13-under total of 275 at the par-72 course.
Arimura, who had led much of the tournament, finished the second, and Tseng finished third.
It was Webb's 37th tournament victory on the LPGA Tour but first since March 2009.
"It feels great," she said. "It was a bit of an up-and-down day so I feel very happy to be slinking away with a one shot win."
"Chie," she said, "handled herself really well and was in with a chance all the way. I know she's won in Japan but today would have been a different feeling. She really toughed it out."
"I am just glad that I finished one shot ahead," Webb said.
2011年10月27日星期四
We have some things that we need to work on
The 14-time major champion had won his past five starts at Torrey Pines, including four straight US PGA Tour titles and the 2008 US Open.
He has seven pro victories here in total and had never before finished outside the top 10.
But he departs still in search of his first victory since the Australian Masters in November 2009.
Woods acknowledged he had higher hopes for the week after progress late last year and in the off-season with the swing changes he implemented with coach Sean Foley.
"Absolutely," he said. "I started out hitting it pretty good out here this week. I really did, and it progressively got worse."
He said he would put in some more work with Foley before the Dubai Desert Classic on Feb 10-13.
"We have some things that we need to work on," Woods said. "I can do it on the range, but it's a little different when I've got to bring it out here and I've got to shape the shots."
He has seven pro victories here in total and had never before finished outside the top 10.
But he departs still in search of his first victory since the Australian Masters in November 2009.
Woods acknowledged he had higher hopes for the week after progress late last year and in the off-season with the swing changes he implemented with coach Sean Foley.
"Absolutely," he said. "I started out hitting it pretty good out here this week. I really did, and it progressively got worse."
He said he would put in some more work with Foley before the Dubai Desert Classic on Feb 10-13.
"We have some things that we need to work on," Woods said. "I can do it on the range, but it's a little different when I've got to bring it out here and I've got to shape the shots."
Mickelson's caddie tending
SAN DIEGO - Bubba Watson tempered his celebration when he rolled in a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole on Sunday at Torrey Pines, knowing Phil Mickelson could still make eagle on the par-5 closing hole to catch him.
It played out just as Watson imagined, right down to Mickelson's caddie tending the pin on the eagle attempt.
There was just one twist - Mickelson wasn't anywhere near the green.
In a surprising decision that gave way to brief drama, Mickelson laid up on the 18th hole and had to settle for a birdie when his lob wedge from 72 yards away stopped 4 feet short of the hole.
The winner of the Farmers Insurance Open turned out to be Watson, who made clutch putts on the final two holes for a 5-under 67 and was sitting in the scoring trailer at the end, oblivious to how the final hole played out.
"I don't know how close he hit it. I don't know what he made on the hole," Watson said. "I just know that I won, because that's all I was worried about. If he makes it, I'm getting ready for a playoff. So I'm trying not to get too emotional. I realize it's Phil Mickelson. He can make any shot he wants to."
Just not this one.
So ended a bizarre week along the Pacific bluffs. A lefty won at Torrey Pines, just not the one Mickelson's hometown gallery wanted to see. Mickelson, the ultimate risk-taker of his era, opened himself up to criticism on the final hole because - get this - he played it safe.
As for Tiger Woods?
It played out just as Watson imagined, right down to Mickelson's caddie tending the pin on the eagle attempt.
There was just one twist - Mickelson wasn't anywhere near the green.
In a surprising decision that gave way to brief drama, Mickelson laid up on the 18th hole and had to settle for a birdie when his lob wedge from 72 yards away stopped 4 feet short of the hole.
The winner of the Farmers Insurance Open turned out to be Watson, who made clutch putts on the final two holes for a 5-under 67 and was sitting in the scoring trailer at the end, oblivious to how the final hole played out.
"I don't know how close he hit it. I don't know what he made on the hole," Watson said. "I just know that I won, because that's all I was worried about. If he makes it, I'm getting ready for a playoff. So I'm trying not to get too emotional. I realize it's Phil Mickelson. He can make any shot he wants to."
Just not this one.
So ended a bizarre week along the Pacific bluffs. A lefty won at Torrey Pines, just not the one Mickelson's hometown gallery wanted to see. Mickelson, the ultimate risk-taker of his era, opened himself up to criticism on the final hole because - get this - he played it safe.
As for Tiger Woods?
2011年10月25日星期二
Australian team mate and closest rival Mark Webber crashed out
MONZA, Italy - Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel had his second successive Formula One world championship almost sealed and delivered after winning the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday.
The 24-year-old German, who had started on pole position for the 10th time in 13 races, stretched his overall lead to a mighty 112 points after Australian team mate and closest rival Mark Webber crashed out.
With only 150 points remaining to be won from the last six grands prix, Vettel has now won eight races this season and can clinch the title at the next one in Singapore on Sept 25 if results go his way.
McLaren's Jenson Button finished runner-up for the third season in a row at Monza with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, last year's winner from pole, giving the sea of red-shirted fans something to cheer about with third place at his team's home race.
Vettel, who took his first Formula One win at Monza with Red Bull's Italian-based sister team Toro Rosso on 2008, let all the emotions flood out on his return to the podium. He now has 284 points to double world champion Alonso's 172 and Button's 167.
"When you stand up there you feel so blessed. It doesn't happen to many people," said Vettel who swerved across to the pit wall with one finger raised as he crossed the line.
"This circuit means a lot to me...obviously the first one was very special but to be back here...incredible," he gasped. "I really had a very, very good race car and a fantastic day today
"It's the best podium in the world. The only thing that could make it better is probably wearing a red suit."
On a sweltering afternoon in the royal park near Milan, Alonso had the home fans leaping in excitement at the start by seizing the lead, roaring past Vettel with one wheel on the grass, from fourth place on the grid.
The Spaniard held his advantage for the first four laps thanks to the safety car, which had to be deployed immediately after Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi lost control of his HRT, skidding across a corner and slamming into Vitaly Petrov's Renault.
Germany's Nico Rosberg was also caught in the mayhem, retiring his Mercedes on the spot.
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The 24-year-old German, who had started on pole position for the 10th time in 13 races, stretched his overall lead to a mighty 112 points after Australian team mate and closest rival Mark Webber crashed out.
With only 150 points remaining to be won from the last six grands prix, Vettel has now won eight races this season and can clinch the title at the next one in Singapore on Sept 25 if results go his way.
McLaren's Jenson Button finished runner-up for the third season in a row at Monza with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, last year's winner from pole, giving the sea of red-shirted fans something to cheer about with third place at his team's home race.
Vettel, who took his first Formula One win at Monza with Red Bull's Italian-based sister team Toro Rosso on 2008, let all the emotions flood out on his return to the podium. He now has 284 points to double world champion Alonso's 172 and Button's 167.
"When you stand up there you feel so blessed. It doesn't happen to many people," said Vettel who swerved across to the pit wall with one finger raised as he crossed the line.
"This circuit means a lot to me...obviously the first one was very special but to be back here...incredible," he gasped. "I really had a very, very good race car and a fantastic day today
"It's the best podium in the world. The only thing that could make it better is probably wearing a red suit."
On a sweltering afternoon in the royal park near Milan, Alonso had the home fans leaping in excitement at the start by seizing the lead, roaring past Vettel with one wheel on the grass, from fourth place on the grid.
The Spaniard held his advantage for the first four laps thanks to the safety car, which had to be deployed immediately after Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi lost control of his HRT, skidding across a corner and slamming into Vitaly Petrov's Renault.
Germany's Nico Rosberg was also caught in the mayhem, retiring his Mercedes on the spot.
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while Fabio Capello is manager
LONDON - Michael Owen says he would rather force his way into the Manchester United team than wait for an England recall because he does not expect to play for the national side again while Fabio Capello is manager.
Owen, 31, England's fourth highest international scorer with 40 goals from his 89 internationals, re-ignited the debate about his future with two goals against Leeds United in a League Cup tie on Tuesday when he made his first appearance of the season.
However, the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle United forward said that he no longer expected to be part of Capello's plans but would never say, as many players have done, that he did not want to play for the national side.
"I was in every squad for over a decade and all of a sudden it stopped one day," he told Sunday's Observer newspaper.
"I would never turn my back on it, but obviously there's a scar there that still hurts a bit. But I don't get upset now when I'm not in the squad, like I used to.
"If I got a call-up I'd be there within five minutes.
"Fabio Capello picked his first squad and I was on the bench. I thought: 'This might be a sign that he doesn't fancy me.' The next time I wasn't in the squad, and that's just been that."
Owen earned global recognition during the World Cup in France in 1998 when, as an 18-year-old, he scored a brilliant individual goal against Argentina. He scored consistently for his country until his last appearance in 2008 and only Bobby Charlton (49 goals), Gary Lineker (48) and Jimmy Greaves (44) have scored more for England.
Of more immediate concern to him now, though, is getting a regular place for United, but he admitted that was tough too, with Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Dimitar Berbatov and Danny Welbeck all in contention.
"In many ways that's what harms your chance of a place - the fact we are so bloody good. The strikers are just fabulous," he said.
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Owen, 31, England's fourth highest international scorer with 40 goals from his 89 internationals, re-ignited the debate about his future with two goals against Leeds United in a League Cup tie on Tuesday when he made his first appearance of the season.
However, the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle United forward said that he no longer expected to be part of Capello's plans but would never say, as many players have done, that he did not want to play for the national side.
"I was in every squad for over a decade and all of a sudden it stopped one day," he told Sunday's Observer newspaper.
"I would never turn my back on it, but obviously there's a scar there that still hurts a bit. But I don't get upset now when I'm not in the squad, like I used to.
"If I got a call-up I'd be there within five minutes.
"Fabio Capello picked his first squad and I was on the bench. I thought: 'This might be a sign that he doesn't fancy me.' The next time I wasn't in the squad, and that's just been that."
Owen earned global recognition during the World Cup in France in 1998 when, as an 18-year-old, he scored a brilliant individual goal against Argentina. He scored consistently for his country until his last appearance in 2008 and only Bobby Charlton (49 goals), Gary Lineker (48) and Jimmy Greaves (44) have scored more for England.
Of more immediate concern to him now, though, is getting a regular place for United, but he admitted that was tough too, with Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Dimitar Berbatov and Danny Welbeck all in contention.
"In many ways that's what harms your chance of a place - the fact we are so bloody good. The strikers are just fabulous," he said.
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