Monday, April 30
NCAA women: UCLA, 'Bama, USC top regionals
The NCAA has announced the three 24-team regional fields to be played May 10-12 at three sites around the country. UCLA, Alabama and USC drew the No. 1 seeds.
Rude: Questions you didn't hear in Tiger's fan presser
Hate To Be Rude: Tiger fielded softball questions from his fans on Monday instead of participating in a typical tournament press conference. Here are some, ahem, questions that were left on the cutting-room floor.
McLean closes namesake academy at PGA West
Teaching professional Jim McLean abruptly closed on April 30 his namesake academy at PGA West Golf Club after 16 years of operation.
Stanger (No. 15, 2013) commits to Virginia
Jimmy Stanger of Tampa, Fla., has given a verbal commitment to play for Virginia in the fall of 2013. Stanger also considered Wake Forest, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Liberty, Harvard and Yale.
Peck to miss Texas A&M's postseason
Texas A&M proved it can win the Big 12 Championship without one of its best players. Unfortunately for the 13th-ranked Aggies, they won’t have junior Cameron Peck for the rest of the postseason either.
Dartmouth’s Williamson sets new Ivy standard
Dartmouth’s Peter Williamson has set a new Ivy League standard. Ryan Lavner with the incredible story.
Notes: Webb Simpson says he needs the nerves
PGA Tour notebook: Webb Simpson says he needs to "get a little smarter" to replicate his outstanding 2011 season, while Bubba Watson can't wait to get home.
Player of the week: Luke Guthrie, Illinois
Shot 5-under 67 in Round 3 on the way to a 5-under 283 total and a four-shot victory at the Big Ten Championship, his second consecutive Big Ten title.
Team of the week: Texas A&M
Playing without low scorer Cameron Peck, who was a late scratch because of a back injury, the 13th-ranked Aggies knocked off No. 1 Texas on April 29 to win their first Big 12 Championship in their last try.
Player of the week: Doris Chen, USC
Shot a final-round 68, tied for the best round of the tournament, to win the Pac-12 Championship by one shot over a pair of top-10 golfers, UCLA's Tiffany Lua and Arizona State's Giulia Molinaro.
Team of the week: California
Defeated three of the top 4 teams in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings – No. 1 UCLA, No. 3 USC and No. 4 Arizona State – to win the Pac-12 Championship by a shot over USC on April 29.
Fernandes, Liu win AJGA Vicky Hurst Championship
Rigel Fernandes and Mika Liu, both of Bradenton, Fla. won the AJGA Under Armour®/Vicky Hurst Championship on Sunday at Squire Creek CC in Choudrant, La.
Sunday, April 29
McCabe: Dufner's perseverance pays off
Jason Dufner knocked on the door at the PGA Championship. Then twice in Florida. Then at the Masters. Jim McCabe says Dufner knew all along he'd have his moment.
Cal women edge USC for Pac-12 title
Joanne Lee and Daniela Holmqvist came up big for the California women, making crucial putts on the final hole at Palouse Ridge Golf Club to send the Bears to a one-shot victory at the Pac-12 Championship.
Cal men survive playoff for 1st Pac-12 title
California, No. 8 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings, outlasted No. 7 Oregon in a sudden-death playoff Sunday to win its first Pac-12 Championship in its 50th appearance at the event.
5 Things: Lewis holds off Thompson in Mobile
5 Things: Stacy Lewis won the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic on Sunday for her second LPGA Tour title, holding off hard-charging teen Lexi Thompson by a stroke.
Luke List wins South Georgia Classic
Luke List won the South Georgia Classic on Sunday for his first Nationwide Tour title, closing with a 4-under 68 for a two-stroke victory over Brian Stuard.
5 Things: Dufner picks up first Tour victory
5 Things: Less than a week before he is set to get married, Jason Dufner held off Ernie Els on the second hole of a playoff to win his first PGA Tour title in 164 tries.
Oklahoma wins Big 12 women's title
Despite a 16-over final round, Oklahoma cruised to victory at the Big 12 Championship, overcoming a five-shot deficit after the first round.
Luke Guthrie, Illinois win Big Ten titles
Backed by Luke Guthrie's dominating medalist performance, the Illinois men's golf team held off Indiana to win the Big Ten Championship on Sunday.
Michigan State wins Big Ten women's title
Michigan State cruised to a 10-shot victory at the Big Ten Women's Championship, riding rounds of 298-292-295 at the par-72 Donald Ross Golf Course at French Lick.
Texas A&M holds off Texas for Big 12 title
Jordan Russell and Texas A&M pulled off a minor upset, holding off Texas to win the Big 12 Championship on Sunday, while Baylor's Joakim Mikkelsen won the individual title.
Wiesberger gives Austria rare moment in spotlight
Alistair Tait: Austria's Bernd Wiesberger came out of nowhere to win in South Korea on Sunday, and he might just elevate Austrian golf on the Euro Tour.
Wiesberger wins Ballantine's Championship
Bernd Wiesberger of Austria shot a final-round 4-under 68 to earn his first European Tour victory with a five-stroke win at the Ballantine's Championship on Sunday.
Saturday, April 28
Lewis finishes strong for 2-shot Mobile Bay lead
Stacy Lewis birdied five of her last seven holes Saturday at the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic to regain her second-round lead. Brittany Lincicome trails Lewis by two shots.
Dufner maintains top spot on Zurich leaderboard
Jason Dufner, winless in 163 PGA Tour starts, posted a 5-under 67 Saturday in the third round of the Zurich Classic and leads Graham DeLaet by two shots.
BYU wins Cougar Classic at home
BYU won its own Ping Cougar Classic on Saturday, beating runner-up Colorado State by five shots. The Cougars fielded two teams at the event at Riverside Country Club in Provo, Utah, and the “B” team finished third.
Wiesberger opens five-shot Ballantine's lead
SEOUL, South Korea – Bernd Wiesberger of Austria shot a second-straight 7-under 65 Saturday to open up a five-shot lead after the third round of the Ballantine’s Championship.
Friday, April 27
Lewis leads by one at Mobile Bay LPGA Classic
Stacy Lewis birdied five of her final nine holes for a 5-under 67 and a one-stroke lead Friday after the second round of the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic.
Dufner takes Zurich lead with second-round 65
Jason Dufner will enter the weekend with the Zurich Classic lead after a second-round 65 at TPC Louisiana. He's gunning for his first PGA Tour victory.
Pak sidelined indefinitely with shoulder injury
Hall of Fame golfer Se Ri Pak said Friday that she will be sidelined indefinitely after injuring her left shoulder when she slipped on stairs Tuesday.
Will off-season aid give big schools an edge?
A new wrinkle in the NCAA Amateur Code now permits universities to reimburse players who participate in their national championships. Is it unfair to mid-major programs?
Watson strikes fan in the head with errant drive
Masters champion Bubba Watson has struck one of his fans in the head with a hooked drive.
Wiesberger leads Ballantine's after course-low 65
Bernd Wiesberger shot a course record 7-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead over Marcus Fraser after the second round of the Ballantine’s Championship on Friday.
Notes: A watchful eye on young Ballesteros
It's too early to say if Javier Ballesteros will have the same magic touch as his father, but it looks promising so far.
Thursday, April 26
4 tied for Mobile Bay LPGA Classic lead
Jennifer Rosales birdied five of the first seven holes on the back nine and finished with a 5-under 67 on Thursday in the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic for a share of the first-round lead with Katie Futcher, Lindsey Wright and Caroline Hedwall.
Duke, Tringale share Zurich Classic lead
Ken Duke and Cameron Tringale went on birdie tears to find the top of the Zurich Classic leaderboard on Thursday. Masters champ Bubba Watson is six strokes back.
Ochoa (No. 67, 2013) commits to USC
Danny Ochoa of San Diego has given a verbal commitment to play college golf at USC.
Sharp Park granted stay, postponing lawsuit
San Francisco's legendary municipal golf course, Sharp Park, averted – for now – legal action that threatens to shut it down. But its battle with environmentalists is hardly over.
Ranking possible Arizona coach candidates
When the Arizona Wildcats’ season comes to an end, the 34-year coaching career for Rick LaRose will draw to a close. If Arizona wishes to get back to where LaRose once had the team, it needs an elite name as a head coach.
Rosales rekindles upward mobility in Mobile
Jennifer Rosales is making her first LPGA start of 2012 at the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic. The Filipino, dressed as colorfully as ever, is showing flashes of her former talent.
A fresh approach to jumpstart 'New Golf'
A self-appointed 'czar of golf' tosses out some ideas to jumpstart growth of the game.
Former U.S. Junior champ Liu picks Stanford
Sorry, coaches: A former U.S. Junior champion has made his college decision.
Masters obligations make for a worn-out Watson
Being a Masters champion comes with plenty of obligations, which leaves Bubba Watson a tired defending champion in New Orleans.
The scenic route north to Jasper
Icefields Parkway is a 144-mile road that parallels the Continental Divide, connecting the Canadian national parks in Banff and Jasper.
Mountain golf trek: The Canadian Rockies
Golf across the Canadian Rockies is worth the hike. Martin Kaufmann explains.
Collegians invited to inaugural Legends Pro-Am
The top-ranked college players in the country will have the opportunity to compete alongside LPGA legends in July at the Judson Collegiate Invitational and Legends Tour Atlanta Pro-Am.
Dubuisson takes 2-shot lead at Ballantine’s
Victor Dubuisson of France overcame tough scoring conditions to shoot a 4-under 68 and take a two-shot lead after the first-round of the Ballantine’s Championship on Thursday.
Preview: LPGA's Vicky Hurst hosts AJGA event
AJGA Under Armour/Vicky Hurst Championship: As the event gets underway in Louisiana, we chat with Vicky Hurst, as well as tip you off to a few players to watch this weekend.
Wednesday, April 25
Analysis: In Rio, a false start amid all the games
Bradley S. Klein: Squabbling over land and money, not surprisingly, is delaying development of Rio's Olympic course.
Tulsa women capture C-USA title
The Tulsa women's team completed a wire-to-wire victory at the 2012 Conference USA Championship, defeating runner-up Central Florida by 13 shots Wednesday.
Baldry: Sun Young Yoo shows off great personality
Playing the pro-am with Kraft champ Sun Young Yoo shines a light on an electric personality.
2012 Palmer Cup: Team USA roster announced
2012 Palmer Cup: The U.S. will boast plenty of young talent, as well as a few veterans as it travels to Northern Ireland to try and make it three Cup victories in a row.
Hate To Be Rude: Media advice for Bubba
Bubba Watson should take the advice of Al McGuire and Arnold Palmer on dealing with media.
Fantasy Tip Sheet: Zurich Classic
Fantasy Tip Sheet: Bubba Watson is grabbing all the headlines, but it is another former major champion that our panel has its eyes on - Graeme McDowell.
Thompson returns to scene of LPGA collapse
Lexi Thompson's last-round Alabama collapse a year ago could be a painful memory. Instead, the talented Florida teenager turned it into a growth experience.
Catching up with AJGA Gary Woodland winners
We caught up with Thai stars KK Limbhasut and Pailin Ruttanasupagid, winners of the AJGA Under Armour/Gary Woodland Championship, to discuss everything from tournament preparation and game improvements, to playing for ice cream.
Photos: PGA Tour stars don clothing from 1912
Photos: A handful of PGA Tour stars - including Rickie Fowler, Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley - wore clothing from 1912 and used real woods during a charity event on Tuesday in New Orleans.
LET head Armas to step down after season
Alex Armas will hold her head high when she walks away from her role as chief executive of the Ladies European Tour at the end of this year.
WGC event moves to Mission Hills from Shanghai
The World Golf Championship event in China will be hosted this year in Mission Hills. The International Federation of PGA Tours announced the $7 million WGC HSBC Champions will be played Oct. 29-Nov. 4 on the 7,320-yard Olazabal course.
Sharp (No. 70, 2013) commits to Michigan State
Katie Sharp of Kendallville, Ind., has verbally committed to Michigan State for the fall of 2013. Sharp, a junior at East Noble High School, is the No. 5-ranked girls' golfer in Indiana.
Bubba returns to a brand new world
Sean Martin: Beginning this week in New Orleans, where Bubba Watson will make his first appearance as a major champion, life changes for golf's newest star.
Tuesday, April 24
'Tough-love' LaRose will step aside at Arizona
Rick LaRose will end a 34-year stint as head men's golf coach at Arizona this summer. He will shift his focus to fundraising for a new golf practice facility for the Wildcats.
Daly gets late invite to New Orleans
John Daly received a late invitation to play the Zurich Classic this week after Boo Weekley had to withdraw Tuesday because of medical reasons.
South Florida uses rebuilt squad to win Big East
Big East Women's Championship: Behind a strategy of starting a plethora of transfers, South Florida and coach Marci Kornegay picked up their first conference title on Tuesday.
Baldry: Creamer is on a quest to be the best
Paula Creamer long ago crossed a major championship off her to-do list. Now, despite a sluggish start to 2012, she wants the top spot in the women's game.
Memphis claims Conference USA crown
The Memphis men's golf team got a little revenge at the Conference USA Championship. The Tigers, No. 41 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings, held off No. 22 Central Florida by two shots Tuesday.
2012 Palmer Cup: Team Europe announced
2012 Palmer Cup: Team Europe, led by Swedish National Team coach Rickard Lindberg, will feature a roster that could put an end to its two-year losing streak.
Complete coverage: 2012 AJGA/Under Armour
2012 AJGA/Under Armour Series: Follow our complete coverage of four marquee events on the AJGA schedule, with tournament namesakes such as Hunter Mahan, Gary Woodland and Vicky Hurst.
Monday, April 23
Coalition touts golf’s impact before Congress
Gene Yasuda says We Are Golf makes a case touting golf’s economic and “green” contributions.
LPGA teams with Streetwear for apparel line
The LPGA has partnered with Boston-based Streetwear Inc., designating the company as an official licensee of LPGA apparel.
Player of the week: Rachel Rohanna, Ohio State
The sophomore shot 75-69-68 and won by eight shots April 22 at the Lady Buckeye Spring Invitational in Columbus, Ohio.
Team of the week: Auburn
The Tigers survived a tough golf course, a field that included seven top-15 teams and a home team that knew the golf course well in defeating host Arkansas by one shot to win the Southeastern Conference Championship on April 22 at The Blessings Golf Course in Fayetteville, Ark.
Player of the week: Justin Thomas, Alabama
The Crimson Tide freshman shot three 68-67-68 and finished at 7-under 203 on April 22 to win the Southeastern Conference Championship by two shots over teammate Bobby Wyatt and also lead Alabama to the team title at Sea Island Golf Club’s Seaside Course in St. Simons Island, Ga.
Team of the week: Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets finished at 27-under 837 on April 22, had four golfers finish in the top 10 and claimed their fourth consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference Championship at Old North State Club in New London, N.C.
Maginnes On Tap: The Dan Plan
Maginnes On Tap: Dan quit his job to try and find golf excellence, following the theory that talent has little to do with expertise. Dan, have you ever met Bubba Watson?
Q&A: Chris Childers, PGA junior-golf manager
Before the Americans and Europeans duel at Medinah, the world’s best junior players will compete at the eighth annual Junior Ryder Cup on Sept. 24-25 at Olympia Fields (Ill.).
Player of the week: Zachary Olsen
Zachary Olsen, of Cordova, Tenn., shot 7-under 209 (68-68-73) at Sage Valley GC to win the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley by three strokes.
Writing Contest: Win a summer internship
Attention, aspiring golf writers! Golfweek.com is now accepting submissions for its annual National College Writing Contest, which will award four Summer 2012 internships to college journalists across the country. APPLY NOW
Royal Lytham lengthened for 2012 British Open
2012 Open Championship: Royal Lytham & St. Annes has undergone a facelift of sorts prior to this year's championship, now featuring nearly 200 extra yards and moving to a par 70.
Sunday, April 22
Pair of Thai stars win AJGA Gary Woodland titles
KK Limbhasut (boys) and Pailin Ruttanasupagid (girls) used stellar final rounds to capture their respective AJGA Under Armour/Gary Woodland Championship titles on Sunday.
5 Things: Curtis comes up clutch in Texas
5 Things: From Ben Curtis simply not giving shots away, to Matt Every's failure to seize another opportunity to TPC San Antonio wreaking havoc on Kevin Na yet again . . .
Nuutinen, TCU women win Mountain West titles
TCU won the Mountain West Conference Championship - despite a final-round, 13-over 301 - clearing second-place UNLV by six strokes at the par-72 Wigwam Golf Course in Phoenix, Ariz.
Junior Invitational: Olsen coasts to big win
Junior Invitational: Holding a lead for the first time in an elite junior event, Zachary Olsen played solidly in difficult conditions Sunday and coasted to a breakthrough victory at Sage Valley.
Curtis gets first Tour win since '06 at Texas Open
Ben Curtis won on the Texas Open on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title since 2006, holding off Matt Every and John Huh in a tense back-nine finish for a two-stroke victory.
Sanz, Auburn women win SEC titles in Arkansas
Seventh-ranked Auburn, led by individual champ Patricia Sanz, overcame No. 35 Arkansas by one stroke to win the SEC Women's Championship on Sunday.
Georgia Tech takes 4th consecutive ACC title
Georgia Tech, No. 8 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings, rolled to its fourth consecutive ACC title Sunday at Old North State Club, finishing at 27-under 837.
Oregon cruises past Texas for Aggie Invitational win
In a minor upset, 10th-ranked Oregon cruised past No. 1 Texas and No. 14 Texas A&M for an 11-shot victory at The Aggie Invitational on the par-72 Traditions Golf Club in Bryan, Texas.
Frost and Allen win Legends on Champions Tour
David Frost and Michael Allen shot a better-ball 10-under 62 on Sunday for a 29-under 187 and a one-stroke victory over John Cook and Joey Sindelar in the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf championship.
Indiana leapfrogs Iowa for Boilermaker title
Indiana used a 6-under 282 - the lowest round of the tournament - to overcome an eight-shot overnight deficit to Iowa to win the Boilermaker Invitational on the par-72 Kampen Course at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex.
Ohio State, Rohanna win Lady Buckeye titles
Ohio State, led by junior Rachel Rohanna, cruises to victory at the Lady Buckeye Spring Invite.
Thomas, Alabama win SEC men's titles at Sea Island
Behind medalist Justin Thomas, second-ranked Alabama captured its first SEC Championship since 2008 with a six-shot win over fourth-ranked Auburn.
Kim fires 66 to lead at Gary Woodland Championship
David Kim runs out to a three-shot lead at the AJGA Under Armour/Gary Woodland Championship, while Lilia Vu is part of a three-way tie on the girls side after Round 1.
Fitting philosophy: Mix your sets
Mizuno's Dick Lyons has one simple philosophy on club fitting: "We don't fit by gender, age or handicap. We fit by how you swing the golf club. If mixing the clubs is the best fit, that's what we do."
Tait: Grace wins with new maturity, inspiration
Branden Grace picked up his third win of the European Tour season on Sunday for two simple reasons: His new maturity and inspiration says our Alistair Tait.
Complete coverage: 2012 Junior Invitational
We take you behind the scenes at Sage Valley, the site of the 2012 Junior Invitational. Check out all of our coverage, including features and videos.
Grace wins China Open for third title of 2012
Branden Grace of South Africa shot a final-round 3-under 69 Sunday to win the China Open by three shots and his third victory of the European Tour season.
Westwood defends Indonesian Masters title
Third-ranked Lee Westwood defended his Indonesian Masters title Sunday with a two-stroke victory despite a shaky final round.
Saturday, April 21
Ai Miyazato wins eighth career LPGA title
Japan's Ai Miyazato won the LPGA LOTTE Championship on Saturday for her eighth career LPGA Tour title, birdieing three of the last six holes for a 2-under 70 and a four-stroke victory.
Junior Invitational: Olsen takes 2nd-round lead
Junior Invitational: Oklahoma State recruit Zachary Olsen vaulted into the lead on Saturday, but can he hold off the likes of Robby Shelton and Wyndham Clark on Sunday?
Curtis leads in Texas, eyes first title since '06
Ben Curtis remained in position for his first PGA Tour victory since 2006 despite his first stumbles at the Texas Open, shooting a 1-over 73 on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead into the final round.
Branden Grace leads by 3 shots at China Open
Branden Grace of South Africa shot an 8-under 64 and has a three-shot lead after three rounds of the China Open on Saturday.
Purtzer-Bryant, Frost-Allen share Legends lead
David Frost and Michael Allen birdied nine of the first 13 holes and combined for a 9-under 63 on Saturday for a share of the second-round lead with Tom Purtzer and Brad Bryant in the Legends of Golf.
Westwood leads at rainy Indonesian Masters
Defending champion Lee Westwood birdied two of the first four holes and moved to 13 under at the Indonesian Masters on Saturday before lightning and rain halted the third round.
Junior Invitational: Glover offers advice to players
Junior Invitational: 2009 U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover spoke to the 54 players at this year’s Junior Invitational, offering advice on fitness, goals and practice.
Friday, April 20
Japan's Ai Miyazato takes LPGA Tour lead
Japan's Ai Miyazato shot a 2-under 70 on Friday in difficult wind conditions to take a three-shot lead into the final round of the LPGA LOTTE Championship.
Curtis beats storms, takes Texas Open lead
Ben Curtis shot a bogey-free 5-under 67 on Friday in the Texas Open before storms brought afternoon wind, leaving the former British Open champion two strokes ahead at 10 under when the second round was suspended because of darkness.
Frittelli and White share Byron Nelson Award
Dylan Frittelli of Texas and James White of Georgia Tech have been named co-recipients of the 2012 Byron Nelson Award.
Gleason begins Symetra season at Sara Bay
As Jenny Gleason works toward a full tour card, the path to her dream is more in focus.
Junior Invitational: Sage Valley a tougher test
Junior Invitational: Last year, Nicholas Reach torched Sage Valley to the tune of 20 under. On Friday, the likes of Jonathan Garrick found out that the course is a bit tougher in 2012.
Purtzer, Bryant team up for 1st-round Legends lead
Brad Bryant and Tom Purtzer teamed up for a 12-under 60 to take the first round lead at the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf championship Friday.
Land dispute threatens Olympic course
A land dispute is threatening construction of the golf course for the 2016 Summer Games, when the sport is to be played at the Olympics for the first time since 1904.
Lavner: Proveaux takes rural route to No. 1
Clemson recruit Cody Proveaux is proof that small-town kids can make it big in junior golf, you just need a little improvisation and a lot of heart says our Ryan Lavner.
Westwood shoots 68, holds lead in Indonesia
Defending champion Lee Westwood had four birdies Friday for a 4-under 68 in the second round of the Indonesian Masters, which was suspended by rain and lightning.
Tait: Donald intends to re-focus on short game
Alistair Tait: Luke Donald has dropped from World No. 1 mainly due to his inconsistent short game, which was his staple in 2011. Why? He's been working on his long game.
Australian golfer accused of DUI near Phoenix
Authorities say Australian pro golfer Matthew Giles has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after he crashed his car into a home southeast of Phoenix.
Boyd, Gonnet lead China Open by a shot
Gary Boyd of England and Jean-Baptiste Gonnet of France shared the second-round lead of the China Open after shooting 5-under 67s Friday to move to 11 under.
Munoz, Miyazato share LPGA LOTTE lead
Spain's Azahara Munoz shot an 8-under 64 in blustery conditions Thursday for a share of the second-round lead with Japan's Ai Miyazato in the LPGA LOTTE Championship.
Thursday, April 19
Every shoots course-record 63 in Texas Open
Outshining the few big PGA Tour names in a weakened field, Matt Every made nine birdies in a 9-under 63 for a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Texas Open.
Marathon man: 8 cities, 8 days, 600 holes
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to win a bet? For J. Smith Ferebee, a 32-year-old Chicago stockbroker in 1938, the bet was to play 144 holes – eight rounds – on Olympia Fields’ four courses in a single day, walking the whole way with a caddie.
Book review: The 'Rainman' of golf
When Moe Norman would show up on Tuesday afternoons at the practice range of Canadian Open week, the PGA Tour pros would gather around and watch him. They might be the world’s best players, but they knew they were watching the world’s best ballstriker.
Vail, Colo. offers thrill ride for golfers
No matter the season, an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride awaits in the Rockies retreat of Vail.
Notebook: Ping/Golfweek Preview will return
An old friend returns to the college golf schedule this coming fall and, with match play now part of the NCAA Championship, some changes in the invitation criteria for the Ping/Golfweek Preview have been made.
Foley: Criticism of Tiger is out of hand
Sean Foley says criticism of Tiger Woods is getting out of hand. He says it has reached the point where the tearing down of Woods as a person and a golfer has become too much.
Junior Invitational sports 'PGA Tour atmosphere'
Lance Ringler: The Junior Invitational at Sage Valley brings a 'PGA Tour atmosphere' and 26 of the top 30 junior players to what is quickly being considered the premiere junior event in the country.
Beth Bader leads LPGA LOTTE Championship
Beth Bader shot a 4-under 68 on Wednesday at windy Ko Olina to take a one-stroke lead over top-ranked Yani Tseng and three other players in the LPGA LOTTE Championship.
England's Baldwin leads China Open by a shot
Matthew Baldwin of England took advantage of calm early conditions to shoot a 7-under 65 Thursday and lead the China Open by one stroke after the first round.
Westwood shoots 65 to lead Indonesian Masters
Defending champion Lee Westwood shot a 7-under 65 Thursday to take a two-shot lead after the first round of the Indonesian Masters.
Hate To Be Rude: Allen finds himself on top
Hate To Be Rude: Michael Allen, who knows what it’s like to play for survival, finds himself on top of the Champions Tour.
Bubba exemplifies importance of club-fitting
James Achenbach: There is not a better example of customized, personalized fitting than Masters champion Bubba Watson.
Wednesday, April 18
Ki Taek Lee (No. 13, 2013) commits to Arizona State
Ki Taek Lee has joined Nicolo Galletti in committing to play college golf at Arizona State beginning in the fall of 2013.
Charity golf event canceled after Petrino's downfall
A charity golf tournament that bears the name of fired Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino will be canceled.
Golfweek’s Best: Canadian Classic 2012
Take a look at Golfweek's Best Canadian Classic courses. All were built prior to 1960.
Golfweek’s Best: Canadian Modern 2012
Check out Golfweek's Best Canadian Modern courses, all of which were built after 1960.
Fantasy Tip Sheet: Valero Texas Open
Fantasy Tip Sheet: A week after Swede Carl Pettersson won for the first time since 2010, a pair of fantasy panelists believe Fredrik Jacobson could make it back-to-back Tour wins for Sweden.
No lingering Masters disappointment for Hanson
Peter Hanson says he holds no lingering disappointment from finishing third at the Masters and is keen to tee off in the Volvo China Open this week.
Indy shows potential to become regular Tour stop
Indianapolis golf fans are going all in for this year's BMW Championship. Organizers say ticket sales for the city's biggest men's golf tournament since the 1991 PGA Championship have already surpassed last year's total.
Ryder Cup captain Love learns from past leaders
Davis Love III is prepared for the lobbying and politics that come with being America's Ryder Cup captain. He's also ready to learn more about those U.S. players he may pick for the team in September.
Pettersson won't leave family to chase Ryder Cup
PGA Tour notebook: Carl Pettersson could be No. 10 in the Ryder Cup standings, but his lack of Euro Tour membership and his commitment to his family will keep the Swede away from Medinah.
Tuesday, April 17
Toy Box Notes: Pettersson likes more driver spin
With all the talk about high launch and low spin with today’s drivers, RBC Heritage winner Carl Pettersson has a different point of view.
O'Neal revives game during trip to Morocco
Tim O’Neal’s career has been resurrected in the unlikeliest of places.
UCLA tunes up with Pacific Coast win
Some would say the Pacific Coast Intercollegiate constituted a pretty good preview of the Pac-12 Women's Championship later this month. If so, then UCLA has to feel pretty good about its chances.
Galletti (No. 12, 2013) commits to Arizona State
Nicolo Galletti of Pleasanton, Calif., has given a verbal committment to play college golf at Arizona State.
Scioto CC to host 2016 U.S. Senior Open
Scioto Country Club in Upper Arlington, Ohio will host the 2016 U.S. Senior Open, aligning itself with the course's centennial celebration.
Masters champ Watson WDs from Wells Fargo
Masters champion Bubba Watson has withdrawn from the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow.
Nicklaus hasn't forgotten his most magical shots
Now 72 years old, Jack Nicklaus jokes that he can't remember what happened yesterday. Yet he's never forgotten what it was like to hit the most famous shots of his illustrious career.
Monday, April 16
Player of the week: Brianna Espinoza, Colorado State
The Rams senior shot 8-under 208 (68-68-72) and won by five shots April 11 at the Wyoming Cowgirl Classic, where only two golfers were under par in the 24-team field.
Team of the week: Duke
The Blue Devils might have started a new streak at the ACC Women’s Championship with a 10-shot victory over rival North Carolina on April 15 in Greensboro, N.C. Duke, which won the ACC title for 13 consecutive years from 1996 to 2008, had been dethroned the past three seasons by Wake Forest (2009, ’10) and North Carolina (2011).
Player of the week: Nate McCoy, Iowa State
The Cyclones senior shot rounds of 68-65-69 to post a school- and tournament-record 14-under 202 total for a six-shot victory April 15 at the Hawkeye-Great River Entertainment Invitational.
Team of the week: Texas
The top-ranked Longhorns outdueled five top-10 teams from the Pac-12 Conference to take a four-shot victory April 15 at the 66th Western Intercollegiate in Santa Cruz, Calif.
Player of the week: Sierra Sims
Sierra Sims, of Austin, Texas, shot 5-over 184 (74-78-32) at Gleneagles CC in Plano, Texas, and won the the girls division of the Under Armour/Hunter Mahan Championship in a two-hole sudden-death playoff.
Player of the week: Ryan Burgess
Ryan Burgess, of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., shot 6-over 182 (75-70-37) at Gleneagles CC in Plano, Texas to win the boys division of the Under Armour/Hunter Mahan Championship by 3 strokes.
Sunday, April 15
5 Things: Pettersson wins Heritage behind putter
5 Things: Carl Pettersson cruises to victory behind his hot putter; players choose to play Harbour Town without driver in hand; and another change at No. 1.
Texas stares down Pac-12 at Western
No. 1 Texas outdueled a gauntlet of top-10 teams from the Pac-12 Conference to take a four-shot victory Sunday at the 66th Western Intercollegiate. It was the Longhorns' seventh victory of the season.
Burgess, Sims win AJGA Hunter Mahan titles
Hunter Mahan Championship: Ryan Burgess holds on for his first AJGA victory while Sierra Sims holds off Summar Roachell to win for the second straight week.
Hawkeyes edge rival at home event
The Hawkeye-Great River Entertainment Invitational came down to a two-team race between two in-state rivals, with the Iowa men's team prevailing on its home course Sunday by two shots over Iowa State.
Pettersson cruises to victory at RBC Heritage
Carl Pettersson had another fast start and finished with a 2-under 69 for a five-shot victory over Zach Johnson on Sunday in the RBC Heritage.
Kent State men win fourth title of season
Behind by 16 strokes after the first round, the Kent State men battled back to win the Robert Kepler Intercollegiate on Sunday, clearing SMU by a stroke.
Duke women win ACC Championship
After a three-year hiatus at the top, the Duke women’s team once again is the Atlantic Coast Conference champions.
N.C. State men win for first time since 2010
North Carolina State picked up its first win of the season, taking the Wolfpack Spring Open behind a 5-under 283 final round to overcome first-round leader Lamar.
Allen wins Encompass Insurance Pro-Am
Michael Allen won the Encompass Insurance Pro-Am on Sunday for his second Champions Tour title, closing with a 3-under 68 for a three-stroke victory over Kenny Perry.
AJGA's pace-of-play focus will help college game
The AJGA takes pace of play very seriously. As the nation's top juniors are being trained to play faster, hopefully that will be carried over to the collegiate level.
Idle McIlroy leapfrogs Donald into top ranking
For the second time this year, Luke Donald has fallen out of the world's top spot in favor of Rory McIlroy.
5 Things: Oosthuizen rebounds with Malaysia win
5 Things: Louis Oosthuizen shows his resolve with three-shot win in Malaysia, while Stephen Gallacher continues to try and find a putting stroke to match his impressive long game.
Saturday, April 14
Future Razorbacks take control at Mahan event
Summar Roachell charged to the top of the Under Armour/Hunter Mahan Championship leaderboard with a future Razorback teammate at her side.
Allen takes 5-shot lead at TPC Tampa Bay
Michael Allen shot a 4-under 67 on Saturday to take a five-stroke lead after the second round of the Champions Tour’s Encompass Insurance Pro-Am.
Pettersson holds 1-stroke lead at RBC Heritage
Carl Pettersson couldn’t have had a better time with Colt Knost at the RBC Heritage. He hopes to have as much fun when the two play again on Sunday.
Ferreira finding success after total game revamp
Julie Williams: Jordan Ferreira traveled from Washington to Texas to compete in the AJGA's Under Armour/Hunter Mahan Championship.
Notebook: A look at the season's best players
With postseason just around the corner, it's time to think about Player of the Year. Lindy Duncan leads that race. College notebook
Play suspended in Malaysia; Oosthuizen leads
A thunderstorm suspended play at the Malaysian Open for the second straight day, with Louis Oosthuizen holding on to a one-shot lead halfway through his third round.
Friday, April 13
Fleisher leads Encompass Insurance Pro-Am
Bruce Fleisher shot a 6-under 65 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead over Michael Allen and Chien Soon Lu after the first round of the Champions Tour’s Encompass Insurance Pro-Am.
Knost takes 2-shot lead in RBC Heritage
Colt Knost shot a 6-under 66 on Friday to take a two-stroke lead over Carl Pettersson after the second round of the RBC Heritage.
Preview: AJGA Under Armour/Hunter Mahan
A week after a T-12 finish at the Masters, Hunter Mahan kicks off the AJGA Under Armour/Hunter Mahan Championship at Gleneagles Country Club.
Tait: The 72 Club isn't meant for snails
It’s that time of year again, when a bunch of us get together to play 72 holes in one day at Littlestone GC.
Jerry Rice struggles in Nationwide event
Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice was 8-over par after eight holes Thursday when first-round play was suspended because of darkness in the Nationwide Tour's TPC Stonebrae Championship.
Pair of South Africans share lead in Malaysia
Hennie Otto and Jbe Kruger reached 9 under Friday to share the clubhouse lead at the Malaysian Open before the second round was suspended two hours early because of a threat of thunderstorms.
Boyne partners with Forest Dunes
Boyne, the northern Michigan resort operator, will be booking rounds at Forest Dunes Golf Club through its golf packages as part of a partnership with the Roscommon, Mich., course.
Raven Golf Club engages families with programs
Gene Yasuda: Phoenix’s Raven Golf Club engages parents, kids with creative programs
Harbour Town, May River deliver high times
Martin Kaufmann: Harbour Town and May River deliver high times in the Lowcountry
Thursday, April 12
Campbell, Taylor, Knost share RBC Heritage lead
Chad Campbell used a fast start, and Vaughn Taylor and Colt Knost had strong finishes to share the first-round lead at 4-under 67 in the RBC Heritage on Thursday.
Heritage notes: Gay's caddie takes on gator
RBC Heritage notebook: Brian Gay's caddie takes on a 6-foot gator that wouldn't go away while John Daly takes on Harbour Town with surprising success.
Notebook: Breaking new ground in Long Beach
Men's college notebook: Long Beach State sees steady improvement pay off with a top-40 ranking after hot start to the spring season.
McCabe: Harbour Town a unique challenge
How best to describe the splendor of Harbour Town Golf Links? Even the players who play poorly still love the experience. Jim McCabe explains why.
Darren Clarke gets married on Bahamian beach
British Open champion Darren Clarke has married his fiancee Alison Campbell in a small beach wedding in the Bahamas.
Hate To Be Rude: A Masters for the ages
Hate To Be Rude: Bubba Watson’s thrilling victory at Augusta ranks among golf’s most significant major championships. Where does it rank in the all-time top 20 major moments?
Schwartzel (64) takes 1-shot lead in Malaysia
Charl Schwartzel of South Africa shot an 8-under 64 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the Malaysian Open.
Full coverage: Women's conference championships
Conference play has begun, and we will be monitoring championships around the country right here. Check back daily for news, results and photos as college postseason gets underway.
Full coverage: Men's conferences
Conference play has begun, and we will be monitoring championships around the country right here. Check back daily for news, results and photos as college postseason gets underway.
Wednesday, April 11
Woods to play at Quail Hollow in early May
Tiger Woods is taking a three-week break before returning to golf at the Wells Fargo Championship.
Equipment makers KO counterfeiters’ websites
More than 175 websites engaged in the sale of counterfeit golf equipment were shut down Wednesday, the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group announced after a preliminary injunction was issued in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Fantasy Tip Sheet: RBC Heritage
Fantasy Tip Sheet: Ernie Els didn't get an invite to the 2012 Masters, failing in multiple chances to automatically qualify in March. Our fantasy panel thinks he'll respond with an RBC Heritage victory.
Just short at Masters, Oosthuizen plays Malaysia
Four days after losing the Masters in a playoff, Louis Oosthuizen will try again, far from the azaleas of one of the citadels of golf.
PGA chief Steranka to depart at end of '12
PGA chief executive Joe Steranka, who has championed industry collaboration and led efforts to grow the game, is resigning at the end of 2012, capping a 25-year tenure with the association.
This week in the world of golf . . .
This week in the world of golf includes the PGA Tour's RBC Heritage at Hilton Head, S.C.
Tuesday, April 10
Ping to market limited number of pink drivers
Even before Bubba Watson won the Masters with a pink Ping driver, there was demand for the club. Soon a limited number will be available to the public, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity.
Central Florida women earn 2nd title
The Central Florida women’s team shot a final-round 4-over 292 to rally from a four-shot deficit at the start of the day and edge Texas Tech at the Knights and Pirates Invitational, a victory that virtually assures that UCF will earn its first NCAA postseason berth in three years.
Balicki: Memories of a young Bubba Watson
A number of years ago, before he made his way to the PGA Tour, Bubba Watson was playing the Nationwide Tour’s Rheem Classic at Hardscrabble Country Club in Fort Smith, Ark.
Olazabal speeds leaving Masters, gets $621 ticket
Speeding between the Masters and his next tournament cost Jose Maria Olazabal $621 when a Georgia deputy sheriff clocked the golfer at 97 mph on a rural highway.
Toy Box Notes: Ping finishes 1-2 at Augusta
The Masters playoff matched two longtime Ping staff players – Bubba Watson and Louis Oosthuizen.
Houston Open won't precede Masters in 2013
The Shell Houston Open won’t have its coveted spot on the PGA Tour calendar as the lead-in to the Masters, something that’s been in place since 2007.
Maginnes On Tap: Sergio still has plenty of time
Maginnes On Tap: Sergio Garcia's major frustrations bubbled up this week at Augusta National. But the Spaniard still has plenty of time to pick up his first major title.
Monday, April 9
Edwin Watts acquires Utah retail chain
Continuing its expansion to the western U.S., Edwin Watts Golf Shops announced the acquisition of Uinta Golf, a five-store chain based in central Utah.
Good weather helps February rounds-played
Spurred by warmer temperatures and less rain, rounds-played in the U.S. jumped 10.1 percent in February compared with the same month a year ago.
Would-be sandbagger runs afoul of Augusta cops
A Masters patron was arrested Sunday after unsuccessfully attempting to steal a cup of sand from Augusta National, according to The Augusta Chronicle.
Love to be outside the ropes for a while
A rib injury might keep Davis Love III, the U.S. Ryder Cup captain, off the PGA Tour until next month.
Schwab (NR, 2013) commits to Vanderbilt
Matthias Schwab of Schladming, Austria has given a verbal commitment to play for Vanderbilt beginning in the fall of 2013.
Bubba to 'Feherty': Augusta suits my game
On a recent episode of Golf Channel's 'Feherty,' Bubba Watson sounded prophetic about the Masters.
Player of the week: Lindy Duncan, Duke
The Blue Devils junior, No. 1 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings, won the individual title at the Bryan National Collegiate with a 4-under 212 total, two shots ahead of North Carolina-Greensboro freshman Fanny Cnops.
Team of the week: Tennessee
The Lady Vols outlasted Duke in a playoff Sunday to win the Bryan National Collegiate in Greensboro, N.C., their second victory of the season.
Player of the week: Joey Petronio, North Florida
The Ospreys freshman won the individual title at the Gary Koch Intercollegiate, finishing at 8-under 208, two shots ahead of teammate Sean Dale and Alabama’s Hunter Hamrick.
Team of the week: North Florida
The Ospreys had three of the top four individual finishers and dominated a strong field with a wire-to-wire victory in the Gary Koch Intercollegiate held April 7-8 in Tampa, Fla.
Player of the week: Maria Torres
Maria Torres, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, shot 2-over 212 (72-70-70) at Innisbrook Resort & GC’s North Course to win the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Junior at Innisbrook hosted by Sean O’Hair by three strokes.
Player of the week: James Yoon
James Yoon, of Bradenton, Fla, shot 1-over 214 at Innisbrook Resort & GC to win the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Junior at Innisbrook by two strokes.
Sunday soundbytes: Best quotes from final round
From Fred Couples' impression of Bubba Watson to Adam Scott's plans to buy post-round drinks, here is what the players were saying after Sunday's final round.
Sunday, April 8
Lavner: Bubba plays his own brand of golf
Ryan Lavner: From imaginative shots out of the straw to win the Masters to taking chances no one else will consider, Bubba Watson can simply play golf his own way.
5 Things: Watson's work on greens leads to jacket
5 Things: Bubba Watson was trending toward victory Sunday, but it was his work around Augusta's greens that led him to the green every player dreams about: the jacket.
Golf's new folk hero stars on a wild Sunday
Bubba Watson, golf's new folk hero, starred Sunday in the greatest (golf) show on earth.
Watson wins Masters on second playoff hole
Behind an unbelievable second shot on the second playoff hole, Bubba Watson defeated Louis Oosthuizen to win the Masters and his first major championship.
Notes: Garcia stands by self-critical comments
Masters notebook: Sergio Garcia says he meant it when he said he wasn't good enough to win a major, claiming he would need to get 'lucky' to do so.
Tiger caps off his worst professional Masters
The Tiger Woods who showed up at Augusta National this week is not the player with whom Masters patrons are familiar. This Tiger remains a work in progress.
Baylor women win 3rd title of season
Led by individual medalist Jaclyn Jansen, the Baylor women's team notched its third victory of the season Sunday at the BancorpSouth Rebel Intercollegiate.
Tennessee wins Bryan National in playoff
Tennessee outlasted Duke in a playoff Sunday to win the Bryan National Collegiate. It’s Tennessee’s second win of the season.
North Florida earns big win at Gary Koch
North Florida won its fourth title of the season Sunday at the Gary Koch Intercollegiate.
Coaches will determine lineup for NCAA match-play
This year’s NCAA championship will mark the fourth anniversary of the addition of match play. And this year, at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, there will be another change.
Wood (No. 4, 2014) commits to Duke
Adam Wood, the No. 4 ranked player in the 2014 class, has given a verbal commitment to play college golf for head coach Jamie Green at Duke.
Mickelson is the heavy favorite in Las Vegas
Las Vegas oddsmakers have made Phil Mickelson the clear favorite to win on Sunday, with a 5/4 line. Current leader Peter Hanson is a 7/2 favorite.
Achenbach: Augusta National is Lefty's house
James Achenbach: On this Easter Sunday, fans were skipping church for a more tantalizing form of athletic worship at Augusta National. This is the Church of Phil.
Saturday, April 7
Garcia: 'I'm not good enough' to win a major
After carding a 3-over 75 on Saturday, Sergio Garcia tells Spanish reporters: 'I'm not good enough' to win a major championship.
Third-round leader Hanson plans to retire in '16
Peter Hanson has a chance to win his first major on Sunday, holding a one-shot lead at the Masters. He needs to cash in while he can if he sticks to his plan of retiring after the 2016 Olympics.
2012 Masters: Final-round pairings and tee times
The tee times and pairings for the final round at the 76th Masters:
Woodland toughs it out despite wrist injury
Jeff Babineau: Gary Woodland should have withdrawn after nine holes because of an injured wrist. But he refused. He was determined to finish what he started on Saturday.
McIlroy among players humbled by Augusta
Rory McIlroy entered Saturday's round as a favorite, but left without much of a chance. It's another story of falling prey to Augusta's bite.
The Achie Awards: The Masters, Round 3
Matt Kuchar might be four shots off the lead in Augusta, but that doesn't mean he can't earn an Achie Award for Mr. Popularity.
Couples' third round kills shot at Masters glory
Fred Couples' hopes for middle-aged Masters glory ended Saturday with a third-round 75.
Mickelson takes risks, and it pays off
Sean Martin: Phil Mickelson doesn't do conservative. And, on Saturday, his style of play led him to a 6-under 66 that puts him in Sunday's final group looking for a fourth Masters title.
5 things: Hanson, Mickelson steal the spotlight
Phil Mickelson (pictured) and Peter Hanson lit up Augusta National on Saturday and will be paired together in Sunday's final group. Mickelson trails Hanson by one. 5 things
Masters Tracker: Round 3 from Augusta
Peter Hanson shot the round of the week Saturday, a 7-under 65, for the overnight lead at the Masters. Phil Mickelson is close behind. Masters Tracker.
Notes: Snedeker's hot putter leads to 68
Notebook: Brandt Snedeker knows exactly why he was able to shoot a 4-under 68 and leap into contention on Saturday at Augusta National: His putting.
Dream win by Mahan could end nightmare
Hunter Mahan has tried to exorcise his Ryder Cup demons by winning golf tournaments. Maybe a green jacket will help everyone else forget too.
Palmetto: Myers Park wins championship
Palmetto HS Golf Championship: Myers Park High won the Palmetto High School Golf Championship by 16 strokes, shooting 10-over 298 at at The Legends Resort's Parkland Course. Providence Academy junior Christian Chican earned medalist honors with a 71.
Cal wins fourth title of the season at Thunderbird
California won the ASU Thunderbird Invitational on April 7 for its fourth win of the season. The Golden Bears also set a tournament record with their final-round 10-under 274.
Tiger shoots 72 but says he's not out of it
Whether he was trying to convince himself of it or not, Tiger Woods says that he still has a chance on Sunday despite his even-par 72 and 3-over total.
Enso represents new frontier in club fitting
Golf club fitting has come a long, long way from the days of trial and error. But in today's era of launch monitors and swing analyzers, the Enso from Fujikua represents the new frontier.
Friday, April 6
2012 Masters: Saturday's tee times and pairings
The tee times and pairings for Saturday's third round at the 76th Masters at Augusta National:
Palmetto: Love IV making a name for himself
Palmetto High School Golf Championship: Davis "Dru" Love IV grew up following his dad - Davis Love III - at the biggest tournaments in the world, including the Masters. Now, the Alabama-bound star is making a name for himself.
Behind the numbers: Round 2 at Augusta
By the numbers: The 18th hole might be tough, but Matt Kuchar and Phil Mickelson seem to have figured it out over the first two days.
Notes: Bradley struggles to 77 in 2nd round
Notebook: Keegan Bradley struggles in the second round at the Masters while former champ Trevor Immelman makes the cut on the number.
Most amateurs make Masters cut since 2003
Kelly Kraft and Patrick Cantlay extended their stays in the Crow’s Nest, while Hideki Matsuyama continued to impress at Augusta National. Three amateurs made the cut at the Masters, the most since 2003.
Rude: Tiger relapsing into old problems
Jeff Rude: Tiger's back? Not by the looks of his dismal performance in Augusta over the first two rounds, where he looked more like a circus act than a contender.
5 Things: Dufner getting used to the lead
5 Things: Jason Dufner at the top of the leaderboard isn't new. If he is there at the end of the final round, that would be the breakthrough he is seeking.
Babineau: Lefty simply loves Augusta National
Jeff Babineau: Phil Mickelson says he loves playing Augusta National and he knows he can get away with some loose shots, although he didn't have many errant shots on Friday.
Masters Tracker: Round 2 from Augusta
It will be a bit chilly with a chance of showers as players take the course for Round 2 at the Masters on Friday. Stay tuned for updates throughout the day with our Masters Tracker!
The Achie Awards return: Masters, Round 2
For his seemingly never-ending youth, Masters prowess and, yes, flexibility, Fred Couples comes up first on Friday's installment of the Achie Awards.
Couples feels 'young when he gets here'
Sean Martin: At 52, Fred Couples isn't supposed to be tied for the 36-hole lead. But he is. And he says it is because "I feel like I'm very young when I get here."
Notebook: Maryland's best season of the decade
Freshman Juliet Vongphoumy has helped lead Maryland through its best season this side of 2000. Is this the year the Terrapins make the national championship? College notebook
McCabe: Beware of Augusta's 18th
Jason Dufner bogeyed the final hole Friday at Augusta National, but the carnage there was worse for others. An appropriately demanding finishing hole, 18 has ruined many a Masters scorecard.
Hometown Howell in the mix at Augusta
In his eighth start, Augusta native Charles Howell III is in position for his best finish in his hometown event.
Augusta's stance on members does game no favors
Alistair Tait says Augusta National, as a private club, can do as it pleases. But as one of golf's stewards, it needs to do much more.
2012 Masters: Friday's tee times and pairings
Check out Friday's tee times and pairings at the 76th Masters at Augusta National:
Thursday, April 5
Behind the first-round numbers at the Masters
Now for a little of this and a dash of that regarding numbers from the opening round of the Masters on Thursday.
Babineau: Top guns stumble on Day 1
Jeff Babineau: The game's top guns - Mickelson, Woods, McIlroy and Donald - all stumbled out of the gate. That and other observations from Thursday at Augusta National . . .
Vegas likes Westwood's chances in Masters
Englishman Lee Westwood, the first-round leader at the Masters, has been installed by Las Vegas oddsmakers as the favorite.
Dufner quickly becoming a sure bet on Tour
Jim McCabe: Jason Dufner put in plenty of work ahead of the Masters, and it paid off in a major way with a 3-under 69 that left him two shots off the lead.
5 Things: Westwood takes one-shot lead
5 Things: Lee Westwood overcame tough hole locations to take a one-shot lead into the second round, while Rory McIlroy made some late noise.
Masters Tracker: Round 1 from Augusta
It's Thursday at Augusta National and Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player have officially kicked off the tournament. Stay up-to-date with news at Augusta with our Masters Tracker.
Rude: Tiger escapes a 'loose' first round
Jeff Rude: Tiger Woods hit the ball all over the course on Thursday, and somehow managed to shoot 72. That 'might have won him the tournament,' says a certain former coach.
Notes: Jimenez succeeds in Tiger's shadow
Miguel Angel Jimenez shines in Tiger's shadow, while early-week storms created a soggy Augusta National, but the greens are holding off the low scores some players predicted. Notes
Stenson's 18th a tale of Augusta horror
Augusta National's 18th hole was a nightmarish experience for Henrik Stenson in Round 1.
The annual Achie Awards: Masters Round 1
Phil Mickelson was the recipient of two first-round awards from James Achenbach. One was admirable, the other dubious.
Amateur hour: Cantlay, Matsuyama impress
Patrick Cantlay and Hideki Matsuyama are from opposite ends of the world, but on Thursday, they both impressed the world that is the Masters. Sean Martin
Lawrie posts two eagles in opening round
Despite a recent bout of bronchitis, Paul Lawrie, in his first Masters appearance since 2004, jumped into the early mix with two eagles during Thursday's opening round.
Clark shakes off the rust with 73 at Augusta
Augusta National is hardly the place to bring a rusty game, but on a wet Masters Thursday, Tim Clark was happy to be in the field. Jim McCabe explains why an opening 73 made Clark smile.
Rater's notebook: Conestoga Golf Club
Conestoga turns stark desert terrain into strategic test. Rater's notebook
Notebook: Cowboys must rustle up strong finish
Because of the .500 rule in men's golf, Sean Einhaus and his Oklahoma State teammates are in jeopardy of missing NCAA postseason. College notebook
O'Meara WDs with ailing back, ribs
Mark O’Meara, the 1998 Masters champion, withdrew from the 76th Masters with an injury to his back and ribs.
Achenbach: Big Three recapture Masters glory
James Achenbach: The Big Three not only kickstarted the Masters on Thursday but continue to recapture true Masters glory.
Augusta’s greens: Secrets to magic carpet ride
Bradley Klein: The rain has taken some of the bite out of Augusta National’s notoriously tricky greens. But the course's SubAir equipment might bring some of that bite back.
Video: Foley talks Tiger, winning, Masters
Instructor Sean Foley has had a great two months, with three of his clients winning - Tiger Woods, Hunter Mahan and Justin Rose. An interview with the game's hottest teacher . . .
Wednesday, April 4
Callaway sells Top-Flite to Dick’s Sporting Goods
Citing a desire to concentrate on its core businesses, Callaway Golf announced April 4 the sale of its Top-Flite brand to Dick's Sporting Goods.
In this issue: April 6, 2012
Inside the April 6, 2012 issue of Golfweek:
Martin: Eve of Masters is life like it should be
The eve of the Masters harkens back to an earlier place, when life was lived at a slower pace.
Rude: Augusta's message contradicts itself
Jeff Rude: Billy Payne addressed the media on Wednesday, deflecting questions about potential female membership, but he did talk about growing the game. Shouldn't they go hand-in-hand?
Leukemia-stricken legend caddies for O'Meara
Paul Henderson needs no introduction in hockey circles, as he led Team Canada to glory in 1972. On Wednesday, the leukemia-stricken star got another thrill: Being Mark O'Meara's caddie at the Par 3 Contest.
Par 3 Contest yet another Masterful moment
Ryan Lavner: The Augusta National tradition that is the Par 3 Contest showcases why the Masters is so intimately special for everyone involved.
McDowell tries new methods at the Masters
Graeme McDowell has a dubious record at the Masters. His new approach: Take Augusta National for what it is.
Chairman: No comment on female membership
Chairman Billy Payne was peppered with questions about female membership during a Wednesday news conference, but cited Augusta's long-standing policy of not discussing potential candidates.
Weekly top 5: Augusta is so last week
Sure it's Masters week, but where college golf is concerned, the most excitement took place last week in Augusta, Ga. Lance Ringler
Notes: Augusta doused with heavy overnight storm
Masters notebook: An already-soft Augusta National became even more so Wednesday after an inch and a half of rain fell overnight in the area.
Maginnes On Tap: Augusta is Mickelson's turf
Maginnes On Tap: Phil Mickelson's finesse at Augusta National could help him overtake Tiger Woods in green jackets.
McIlroy creeps closer to Tiger in updated odds
Las Vegas is still favoring Tiger Woods this week at the Masters, but Rory McIlroy has crept a bit closer to the four-time champion.
Macpherson takes his own route to Masters
Bryden Macpherson left the University of Georgia in February, went home to Melbourne to get his swing right and will now have a chance to take on Augusta National.
2012 Masters: Our staff predictions
2012 Masters: We have plenty of experts on the ground in Augusta, so who do they like to don the green jacket come Sunday? Check out our Masters picks.
Tuesday, April 3
5 Things: The Tiger & Rory Show at Augusta
5 Things: Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods packed the media room for their scheduled press conferences, but one seemed to walk away on Tuesday with more obstacles than the other.
Shockers claim their third consecutive crown
The Wichita State men's golf team won last month's UCF Rio Pinar Invitational, and the Shockers haven't looked back since.
Cantlay tries to keep mindset simple at Masters
Top amateur Patrick Cantlay has seen success at every level of golf, but will face a different beast on Thursday: Augusta National. And he plans to treat it like any other day.
McCabe: Masters mystique is alive and well
Jim McCabe: With no cell phones or distractions, Augusta National presents what many other corners of the golf world can't offer: a chance to simply enjoy the game itself.
McIlroy will be tested with Cabrera pairing
In 2011, Rory McIlroy says that Angel Cabrera's speed on the course threw him off his own game. He'll get a chance to prove he's learned from that in the first two rounds in 2012.
Handing out Tuesday's Masters awards
Ready for a laugh or two? Our Jim Achenbach hands out his daily awards, with a special tip of the cap to Keegan Bradley and Lee Westwood for some laugh-out-loud moments.
Rude: All systems go for Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods revealed some bad news for the rest of the field on Tuesday: His game is headed in the right direction. And this time, our Jeff Rude says, you can believe him.
Soft Augusta? Mickelson sees 'birdie-fest'
With more rain in the forecast, Phil Mickelson says experience at Augusta National may mean very little this week because everyone will be able to attack soft greens.
Toy Box: Mahan wins two titles with Ping
Toy Box notes: Hunter Mahan won for the second time in 2012 at the Shell Houston Open. He won with the same Ping clubs he had in his bag for his victory at the WGC-Accenture Match Play in February.
Monkey glands? Yep, it's on the menu
Monkey glands? Yep, it's on Charl Schwartzel's Champions Dinner menu. Um, yummy?
Donald trying to fly under radar to win Masters
Luke Donald says he has two advantages over the field: His short game and the fact that he can go about his own business. Still, a win on Sunday would change a lot for the current World No. 1.
Fashion Q&A: Bill Draddy, Zero Restriction
We all know the saying: April showers bring May flowers. And that means sometimes the gung-ho golfer has to put up with wet conditions
Player of the week: Shannon Brooks
Shannon Brooks of Vienna, Va., shot 8-under 141 (77-64) at Hunting Hawk GC in Glen Allen, Va. to win the Peggy Kirk Bell Girls’ Golf Tour Richmond Classic by five strokes.
Pairings and tee times announced at Masters
Tiger Woods will tee off at 10:35 a.m. on Thursday, while Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy will take to the tee more than three hours later. Check out the pairings and tee times.
Johnson withdraws from Masters due to injury
Dustin Johnson withdrew from the Masters due to back pain, which flared up after he picked up a jet ski at his home in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Our Alex Miceli says that this isn't a new problem for Johnson.
2012 U.S. Open: Play our Fantasy Pick 'Em and win!
Want to win prizes from Cobra/Puma? Big Green Egg? Golf Pride? EA Sports? SeeMore Putters? Well, then you have to play our Fantasy Pick 'Em Challenge! Click here to pick!
Notes: Westwood says it isn't two-horse race
Masters notebook: Lee Westwood says don't count on the Masters being a two-horse race, while Charl Schwartzel sets the Champions Dinner menu.
McIlroy says his game is in a 'great place'
Rory McIlroy laughed off his 2011 Masters collapse on Tuesday, and says he no longer looks at Augusta National as a place where he might win. He simply expects to win.
Monday, April 2
2012 Masters: Breaking down Tiger vs. Phil
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have combined for seven victories in the Masters. So who plays Augusta National better? Here are the numbers:
Notes: Kaymer's ace a sign of change in fortune?
Masters notebook: Martin Kaymer picked up a hole-in-one on Monday, and he is hoping that it is a sign that his luck is changing at Augusta National, where he never has made the cut.
Aussies lament likely Tour conflicts
When the PGA Tour rolls out its anticipated schedule changes in the fall of 2013, the Aussies will face a quandary: play the season-opening U.S. events or return Down Under for their country’s version of major championships (Australian Open, Australian PGA and JBWere Masters).
McCabe: No one way to prepare for the Masters
Adam Scott and Nick Watney try to treat Masters week like any other. Scott Stallings can't practice enough. Tiger and Phil have their own traditions. Does anyone have the secret? Nope.
Senden could be 2012's Masters surprise
John Senden could record the first win by an Australian in the history of the year's first major.
2012 Masters: The Monday awards go to . . .
Jim Achenbach: The Masters is all about tradition. Continuing an honored tradition that started, well, last year, here are Monday’s award winners from the Masters.
RBC extends sponsorship of Canadian Open
Canada’s largest bank solidified its extensive investment in the PGA Tour, lengthening its title sponsorship of the RBC Canadian Open through 2017.
Golf 2.0 bolsters player-development staff
Golf 2.0, the PGA of America-led initiative to grow the game, continues to build its field staff to help golf facilities in key markets attract players.
Lewis, 54, oldest to make a Masters debut
Randal Lewis won the U.S. Mid-Amateur to earn a spot in the Masters field, and is taking advantage of his first opportunity to play Augusta National.
Las Vegas makes Tiger the favorite at Masters
The final odds - which can be updated - came out of Las Vegas last night and Tiger Woods at 9-2 is a slight favorite over Rory McIlroy at 5-1 to win the 2012 Masters.
Player of the week: Jennifer Kirby, Alabama
The Crimson Tide junior opened play at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic with a 6-under 66 and then backed that up with rounds of 72-71 to win her first college title.
Team of the week: UCLA
The Bruins won for the fifth time in eight starts with a 12-shot victory over Arizona State at the Ping/ASU Invitational.
Player of the week: Julien Brun, TCU
The Horned Frogs freshman posted rounds of 68-65-69 against a field of many of the nation’s top college players to win the Insperity Augusta State Invitational.
Team of the week: Oregon
The Ducks won a pair of titles last week, claiming its own Duck Invitational on March 27 and the U.S. Intercollegiate hosted by Stanford on April 1.
Kent State sets record in Irish Creek win
The Kent State men’s team shot 12-under 272 in Sunday’s final round of the Irish Creek Collegiate, giving the Golden Flashes a school-record 27-under 825 total and handing head coach Herb Page his 75th career victory.
LSU rallies past Iowa to win at home
Austin Gutgsell shot 7-under 65 in the final round of the LSU National Invitational on Sunday to win his second college title and lead the LSU men’s team to a two-shot victory over Iowa at its home event.
Sunday, April 1
5 Things: Yoo wins Kraft Nabisco in playoff
Five things: The list of players who had the opportunity to win the Kraft Nabisco is too long to count on one hand, but in the end, Sun Young Yoo captured the victory in a sudden-death playoff against I.K. Kim.
Serenity reigns on Sunday before the Masters
The Sunday before the start of Masters week remains a study in serenity like no other golf day of the year. Not only are players taking in practice rounds, but also the merchandise.
Yoo wins Kraft Nabisco after Kim's 1-foot miss
Sun Young Yoo won the Kraft Nabisco Championship with an 18-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole, earning her first major title after I.K. Kim missed a 1-foot putt on the final hole of regulation.
Oregon men win U.S. Intercollegiate
Oregon, No. 12 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings, had just enough to hold off No. 5 USC by a shot at Stanford Golf Course and earned its fifth victory of the season and their second in six days.
Complete coverage: 2012 Masters
Check out our wall-to-wall coverage of the 76th Masters, scheduled to take place from April 5-8 at Augusta National Golf Club.
TCU'S Brun wins, while Texas outlasts hosts
TCU's Julien Brun captured medalist honors - his third win of the season - while Texas and Dylan Frittelli outlasted Augusta State in a playoff at the Augusta State Invitational.
No. 1 Bruin women win at ASU
Three UCLA players finished in the top 3, leading the top-ranked Bruins to a 12-stroke victory over host Arizona State at the Ping/ASU Invitational.
Kirby, Alabama sweep Liz Murphey titles
Alabama’s Jennifer Kirby won her first college title, and teammates Stephanie Meadow and Brooke Pancake also finished in the top 6 on Sunday to lead the second-ranked Crimson Tide to a 12-shot victory over host Georgia at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic.
Mahan wins in Houston for 2nd title of season
Hunter Mahan shot a 71 Sunday to win the Houston Open, edging Carl Pettersson by a stroke. The victory moved Mahan up to No. 4 in the world rankings, the first time he's ever been the highest-ranked American.
Tait: Olesen's win highlights up-and-coming Vikings
Thorbjørn Olesen’s win at the Sicilian Open could be the first of many for the Denmark native.
McCabe: Patience paid off for Schwartzel
Young South African Charl Schwartzel, quietly confident from a steady climb up golf’s ladder, felt it in his gut: His Augusta moment was there to seize.
Olesen holds off Wood to win Sicilian Open
Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark shot a 69 to win the Sicilian Open by 1 shot on Sunday, holding off England’s Chris Wood, who equaled the course record with an 8-under 64 in the final round.
2012 Masters: Key facts and figures
Key facts and figures for the 76th Masters, set for April 5-8 at Augusta National Golf Club.
Key anniversaries at the 2012 Masters
A look at some of the anniversaries this year at the 76th Masters, to be played April 5-8 at Augusta National Golf Club.
The par-3 12th is Augusta's short little terror
2012 Masters: The shortest hole at Augusta National is in the heart of Amen Corner, 155 yards of sheer hell. Jack Nicklaus called the tee shot on No. 12 the toughest on the entire golf course.
Nine issues in golf going into the Masters
Nine issues that have helped shape golf this year during the road to the 2012 Masters.
4 Caddie: 30 things to know for a Masters Pool
Golfweek’s own Forecaddie, the game's intrepid, sleuth-like Man Out Front, offers 30 betting tidbits that surely will help you don the champion's green jacket on your block:
Green with envy? Don’t be. Augusta is unique
Bradley Klein: The beauty you see on the TV screen from Augusta National during the Masters is real. It just doesn’t travel well to your home course.
Tait: Major hopes expand for South Africans
Since the days of Bobby Locke and Gary Player, South Africans’ title quests have begun in the British Isles. A new generation of frequent fliers expands those major hopes.
Player is the blueprint for a golf globetrotter
Gary Player is busier now than he was in his playing days, spending his time on golf course design and being a golf ambassador.
Next stop for amateurs: Magnolia Lane
From Patrick Cantlay (above) to Kelly Kraft to Hideki Matsuyama, there are a handful of amateurs looking to make an impression at the Masters.
2012 Masters: Hole-by-hole, with flyovers
A hole-by-hole look at Augusta National, site of the 76th Masters to be played April 5-8, with famous shots played at each one, and where each hole ranks in difficulty since 1934:
Spieth lands spot in Valero Texas Open
Texas freshman Jordan Spieth has received a sponsor exemption to the Valero Texas Open, tournament officials told Golfweek.
