Korean Teenager Noh Set Fair For Fame And Fortune, Say Big-Name Stars
15/11/08

Singapore (November 15): Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy has joined the ever-growing fan club of fellow teenager Noh Seung-yul of Korea who has made an instant impression on the Asian Tour during his debut season. The 19-year-old McIlroy, one of the most promising players in world golf, won the head-to-head battle of the young guns with Noh in the second round of the Barclays Singapore Open but was quick to acknowledge the Korean's special talent. "He is a very impressive player," said McIlroy, who finished 36th on the Order of Merit after his first full year on the European Tour.

> FULL STORY

Zhang Sounds The World Cup Battlecry For Hosts China
11/11/08

Shenzhen (November 11): Chinese star Zhang Lian-wei believes he and partner Liang Wen-chong can launch a title challenge at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup on home soil later this month. Zhang, who is credited for China’s rapid rise in the game over the past decade, feels they can improve on last year’s 11th place finish when the 28 nations chase for honours at Mission Hills Golf Club from November 27 to 30. “I believe that this year will be much better than 2007. Liang has more power in his game now. He has also gained a lot of experience in the past year after playing in the Majors and other big tournaments around the world,” said Zhang.

> FULL STORY

HSBC Champions: Spaniard Sergio Swoops In Sudden-Death Play-Off In Shanghai
10/11/08

Shanghai (November 10): Sergio Garcia displayed skill and stamina in equal measures to emerge victorious in a dramatic play-off in the weather-hit US$5 million HSBC Champions. The Spaniard defeated England's Oliver Wilson on the second hole of sudden-death at the Sheshan International Golf Club. It was a thrilling conclusion to a tournament that was extended into a fifth day due to the abandonment of the second round on Friday. With his victory, Garcia will rise to second in the Official World Golf Ranking, ahead of Phil Mickelson, the 2007 HSBC Champions winner who tied for eighth today.

> FULL STORY

Stellar HSBC Champions Field Sets New Benchmark For Asia
04/11/08

Shanghai (November 4): Arguably the greatest field of world-class golfers ever assembled in Asia has gathered together in China’s financial centre this week for the 2008 HSBC Champions. The stellar line-up is spearheaded by the defending champion and world number two Phil Mickelson and the undisputed star of the golf world this year, Padraig Harrington, the winner of two Major titles in 2008. Seven of the world’s top eight active golfers are competing at the Sheshan International Golf Club from November 6-9 in a tournament that brings together winners from all over the world. Among them are two of the sport’s hottest young stars Anthony Kim and Camilo Villegas, both two-time winners on the US PGA Tour this season, and the majority of Europe’s Ryder Cup team, including Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson.

> FULL STORY

Candie's Eagle Swoop Sets Up Sweet Seoul Success
02/11/08

Seoul (November 2): The eagle landed for Candie Kung. The Chinese Taipei star holed out with her lob wedge approach for what proved to be a decisive eagle-three that set her on the path to victory in the Hana Bank Kolon Championship. By sinking her lob wedge from 76 yards on the 545-yard, par-five ninth hole, she broke away from a pack of players at four-under-par to earn the US$240,000 winner's cheque from the total purse of US$1.6 million. For Kung it was her fourth career title on the US LPGA Tour, but her first win since 2003. “I've been pretty close a few times this year and I'm just happy to be back and finally get a win before the season ends,” said Kung, who pulled her left hamstring in the shot prior to her eagle.

> FULL STORY

'I'm Stepping Aside, Not Retiring,' Says Sorenstam
29/10/08

Suzhou (October 29): Annika Sorenstam today said she's keeping the door open and not completely retiring from competitive golf. The 38-year-old Swede said the terminology she used was: 'I'm stepping aside'. She said she did not use the word 'retiring'. Speaking after conducting a short clinic at the Sushou Taihu International Golf Club, the venue for this week's Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open, Sorenstam said: "This means I could make a comeback to competitive golf if I get the itch to come back. "But for the time being, I'll be out of mainstream golf events as I look forward to my marriage in January and do the many things I plan to do – teaching golf, organising golf tournaments, golf course designing and so forth. I'm all excited about the new chapter ahead of me beginning next year." she said.

> FULL STORY