World Number One Tiger Proves He's The Host With The Most


Maryland (July 6): In the end, the statistics spoke for themselves. With his one-stroke win in the AT&T National, Tiger Woods secured his third victory of the season. He also picked up the number one spot in the FedExCup race and his 68th career PGA Tour win, just five away from Jack Nicklaus. He also proved that he's in fine fettle for an assault on the Open Championship at Scotland's Turnberry next week in the penultimate Major championhip of 2009. At Congressional, Woods' 13-under aggregate of 267 was one ahead of Hunter Mahan, who carded a stunning 62. Defending champion Anthony Kim, with whom Woods played, had to settle for third.

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Ishikawa Earns His Place On Captain Norman's 'Watch' List


Orlando (July 4): Ryo Ishikawa is more than just a blip on Greg Norman’s radar screen. “He’s definitely got my attention,” the Presidents Cup International team captain told Asian Golf Monthly. “I will be keeping an eye on him – and many other players – over the summer.” Ishikawa’s stunning victory last week at the Gate Way To The Open Mizuno Open Yomiuri Classic, where he demonstrated extraordinary mettle for a 17-year-old by rebounding from a quintuple-bogey nine late in the final round, secured the Japanese prodigy a spot on Norman’s Presidents Cup 'watch' list. “His win last week moved him to 25th in the International Team standings,” Norman said. “That’s already quite an accomplishment for someone so young.”

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Below-Par Harrington Admits He's Running Out Of Time


Paris (July 2): Padraig Harrington admits he needs a good performance at this week's Open de France ALSTOM to reignite his confidence ahead of his bid for an historic third successive Open Championship title. The Irishman, a three-time Major winner, admits he has been considerably below-par recently, as evidenced by the fact that he's missed the half-way cut in the last four events in which he's competed. Harrington said: "If I'm going to play well in the Open it's got to start now. I'm running out of time. I'm always optimistic and I still believe I am going to be ready. But, then again, I thought I would be ready for the US Open."

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Teenage Sensation Ishikawa's Fortunes On The Upswing Once More


Singapore (June 30): Whichever way you wish to look at it, Ryo Ishikawa has been a major winner this past week. In the bigger picture, the 26 million yen (about US$260,000) he collected for winning the Gate Way To The Open Mizuno Open Yomiuri Classic is small fry. Arguably the main honour that was bestowed upon the 17-year-old sensation as a result of his third Japan Golf Tour career triumph was a starting place in next month's 138th edition of the Open Championship at Turnberry in Scotland. Another by-product of his dramatic victory at the Yomiuri Country Club in Hyogo Prefecture is that he has regained his place among the elite top-100 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

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Exceptional Shin Reigns Supreme At Locust Hill


New York (June 29): Shin Ji-yai's exceptional talent shone through once more during her comprehensive seven-shot triumph in the 33rd Wegmans LPGA event at Locust Hill Country Club. In a week that was plagued by rainy skies and inclement weather delays, Shin stayed tough throughout to record the largest winning margin of the year on the LPGA Tour. The diminutive Korean earned the first-place cheque for US$300,000. The payout pushes Shin across the US$1 million mark in career earnings, and enables her to take over the top spot on the LPGA Tour's Official Money List. However, if you ask Shin about her goals for this year, modesty prevails. Shin, who posted her first win as a member of the LPGA Tour in this year's HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore, said: "Still my goal is Rookie of the Year. Yes, I am number one on the Money List now, but I have a lot of tournaments yet. My goal is still Rookie of the Year."

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Brunei Grasps The Nettle In Promoting 'Green Theme'


Bandar Seri Begawan (June 26): Promoting environmental awareness will be a focal point at next month's US$300,000 Brunei Open. The fifth edition of the Asian Tour's Brunei Open will take place at the award-winning Empire Hotel and Country Club from July 30 to August 2. Since its inauguration in 2005, Asia’s best players and spectators have been captivated by the lush and serene surroundings within the par-71 Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course which in general reflects the Sultanate’s reputation for its rich natural heritage. As part of efforts to promote the 'Green Theme', this year’s Brunei Open will include several activities involving the Asian Tour stars and spectators.

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