5 Things: Low numbers return in Fort Worth
Call it a Dallas re-run, only set in Fort Worth. But one week after warm temperatures and benign wind enabled the PGA Tour chaps to open with silly low numbers at the HP Byron Nelson Championship, similar conditions greeted players at Thursday’s opening round of the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.
Notes: Fitness coach fills in as caddie for Wagner
For the first time in . . . well, perhaps forever . . . Johnson Wagner carried a yardage book at the Open Championship International Final Qualifying at Gleneagles -- mostly due to his unique and inexperienced caddie.
Kaymer picks up first top-10 finish since 2010
At 8 under, Martin Kaymer finished joint fifth at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. Though that doesn’t create headlines, here’s something surprising: It’s his first top 10 in an official PGA Tour stroke-play event since winning the 2010 PGA Championship.
Echavarria embodies 'have clubs, will travel' attitude
Andres Echavarria has been racking up the frequent-flyer miles as he attempts to work his way into the U.S. Open, Open Championship and onto the Web.com Tour.
Clark consults legal counsel after anchoring ban
Tim Clark confirmed news that probably won’t come as a surprise to officials at the PGA Tour, U.S. Golf Association and R&A. “We do have legal counsel,” he said. “We’re going to explore our options. We’re not going to just roll over and accept this.”
Gleneagles' 17th wreaks havoc in Open qualifier
The par-3 17th hole wreaked havoc on the field at the Open Championship qualifier at Gleneagles Country Club in Plano, Texas -- eventually helping decide the final three spots on Monday.
Bae withdraws from Open Championship qualifier
Having gone 72 grueling holes in vintage Texas heat and wind to secure his first PGA Tour win, Sang-Moon Bae chose not to play 36 more to try and secure an Open Championship spot on Monday.
5 Things: Leaders move forward Saturday at Nelson
You’ve seen plenty of scratchy third rounds, right? Well, Saturday wasn’t one of those days at the HP Byron Nelson Championship as Keegan Bradley held onto his lead and those in the lead groups continued to play well. Here are 5 Things you need to know.
Notes: Schedule forces players' tough choices
It's easy to get a sense of why the great players tread carefully with their schedules - so many great tournaments, so little time. Plus: Players on courses they love and courses they don't, and more in this week's notes.
McDowell offers scouting report on Merion
Heralded and beloved as Merion is, it's becoming quite obvious that the majority of players know very little about the course. Graeme McDowell recently looked back at a preview round he played there.
Wittenberg's coach finds challenges as caddie
As Casey Wittenberg's swing coach, Adam Schriber chose to get some work done up close and personal. He caddied for him at The Players Championship.
Third-round finish turns to positioning instead of posturing
Maybe it was a concession to Mother’s Day or perhaps they decided to focus on the golf, not the rhetoric, but after they completed three-and-a-half holes to finish their third rounds of The Players Championship, Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia did not arm wrestle, kick-box, or spar.
Bad play early by leaders, allows others to shine
As if seeing Jeff Maggert re-appear at The Players Championship for the first time in 10 years or so wasn’t enough of a surprise, how about the suddenly shoddy play by your leaders? Having spent the better part of two days making birdie upon birdie, the top 12 names on the leaderboard through 36 holes found the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass a much different animal in Saturday’s third round.
Notes: Notables who missed the cut at The Players
It’s all about the marquee names who decided to stick around for the weekend of the 2013 Players Championship, guys like Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood and Adam Scott, Matt Kuchar and Hunter Mahan. But before we give the weekend stage to those who are here, how about a few notes on those who aren’t.
McIlroy-Scott-Stricker trio takes spotlight again
Wedge games certainly aren't a problem for Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott and Steve Stricker during the second round. From there, each has different tweaks to their game plan.
McCabe: Sawgrass still has deceptive teeth
TPC Sawgrass is playing easy? Really? Don't tell Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose or Nick Watney that -- they won't be sticking around for the weekend.
Scott, McIlroy, Stricker as good as advertised
Masters champion Adam Scott shot a 3-under 69 to open the Players Championship while playing partner Rory McIlroy is among the leaders with a 6-under 66.
Despite addition of green jacket, Scott sticks to plan
Nearly a month removed from his Masters victory, Adam Scott has managed as gentle a re-entry into the PGA Tour atmosphere as possible.
Notes: Wells Fargo event deserved better than WDs
At some point, aren’t we justified to ask our athletes to do the right thing? Much has been made of the handful of PGA Tour members who didn’t do any of that last week, choosing instead to sulk about shoddy greens at Quail Hollow Club and withdraw.
Notes: Guan to hang around Texas a while
Tianlang Guan, the 14-year-old amateur from China making a splash on PGA Tour, will head to Texas for the Byron Nelson Championship and a U.S. Open qualifier.
Scott earns top spot in respected Aussie trio
As amateurs in 1999, Aaron Baddeley and Brett Rumford earned prominent wins in Australia against the pros. Yet a young Adam Scott lurked as perhaps the best of the three.
Horschel's win puts bow on hot streak
BIlly Horschel's recent stretch of standout play, which in truth is a culmination of what he’s been doing since last season, has vaulted him from 236th in the world rankings to 49th.
Els mystified by improvement on par-5s
While Ernie Els rarely embarrasses himself on par-5s during the Masters, his standout play on those holes this year was an unusual success.
Notes: McDowell's win pays off in more than one way
Buoyant as it always is for a sponsor to see the winner wearing its logo – as Graeme McDowell was at the RBC Heritage – this was one of those cases that can be chalked up to a wonderful twist of fate.
Is pressure of majors heartfelt or simply external?
Some Tour pros acknowledge that the majors have the richest histories, but feel that the media creates an atmosphere where you can’t be considered great without having at least one on your resume.
Summerall, 82, voice of Masters and 'friend of golf'
Pat Summerall forever will be remembered as the “voice of the NFL,” but he was beloved and respected for the way in which he delivered golf into our homes for nearly 30 years.
Notebook: Harrington practices in shadows
Padraig Harrington is a staple late in the afternoon during Masters practice days, and he says it's to gain experience in the shadows. Plus: A previous Tiger Woods penalty ruling at Augusta, some major contenders and more.
Olesen's performance in majors earns respect
Finishing tied for sixth at last week's Masters, Thorbjorn Olesen has been top 10 in seven of 20 tournaments – including a T-9 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes and a T-27 at the 2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.
Tiger's edge on Augusta's back nine fades again
For his first 15 years at Augusta, Tiger Woods posted a sub-par back nine on 35 of his 60 chances – but has done so just twice in eight back-nine trips the last two Masters.
Appleby overjoyed with Scott's Masters win
Chances are, given his unassuming nature and dignified demeanor, Adam Scott has chosen to sit back somewhere not to bask in the glory – it is not the man’s style – but to savor the sense of accomplishment.
Tiger's penalty elicits competitors' reactions
The “Harrington Rule” arrived too late to save the Irishman in Abu Dhabi. When asked whether he had any thoughts on Tiger Woods being spared a similar fate at the Masters, the Irishman shook his head no.
Augusta's 15th transforms overnight to bite the field
All those crystal-makers who were forced to work overtime to produce those beautiful goblets that were needed after Thursday’s record-breaking day of eagles at Firethorn, Augusta National’s vaunted par-5 15th? They got to take a breather Friday.
Garcia drives late push to finish line, joins lead
After making a brilliant up-and-down at the par-4 17th to help cement a bogey-free 66 and get into a share of the Masters lead, Sergio Garcia smiled. And, yes, he remembered that it wasn’t this way a year ago at Augusta National.
No. 1 with a bang: Augusta's 'Tea Olive'
The first hole at Augusta National is a challenge not to be taken lightly; yet the glory of Tea Olive is consistent with the rest of Augusta’s holes: If you get it into the fairway, you just feel you can take a shot at certain Masters hole locations.
Masters moment: Great pal outside the ropes
An encyclopedic golf mind provided thoughts and opinions worth sharing from chairs at a bend in the par-5 No. 13 fairway – and a familiar perspective for one golf writer.
Notebook: Tiger's skip shot, Beem's invite, more
“Listen, I love golf,” 2002 PGA Championship winner Rich Beem said of accepting his Par-3 Contest invite, “and the Masters is special.” Plus: Tiger Woods' skip shot at Augusta, and more.
Masters 2013: They'll take their shots, and others'
Yet another example that the Masters is unlike any other tournament: Many players make sure they try and duplicate memorable shots from previous tournaments.
Masters blog: 5 thoughts on Nicklaus, amateurs and more
It’s becoming an annual affair, these international players having lunch to pick Jack Nicklaus’ brain before the Masters. Charl Schwartzel in 2011, Rory McIlroy last year, Nicolas Colsaerts this year.
Masters 2013: Watson is ultimate mystery man
Bubba Watson can charm and confound. He wields a pink driver yet often shies from attention. He runs hot and cold. One year after his signature victory at Augusta, he returns as a misunderstood champion.
10 years ago, Mattiace was dashed by destiny
Ten years after a career-defining loss at Augusta, Len Mattiace finds strength in the experience.
Clarke withdraws from Masters with hamstring injury
The Masters field, already the slimmest of the major championships, was reduced by one Monday when former Open Champion Darren Clarke withdrew.
Masters 2013: Getting to know George Coetzee
To get you ready for the 2013 Masters, we are breaking down the amateurs and first-timers that will play at Augusta National starting on Thursday, April 11. Today's installment: George Coetzee.
Notes: Academy at Redstone pays tribute to 'a special man'
The Dave Williams Golf Academy is referred to as "The Gateway to Success" - and it holds true, paying tribute to a coach who won the NCAA Championship 16 times.
Notes: Qualifying for Augusta tough as it gets
Qualifying year after year has proven difficult for many, as of what could be termed “serious” contenders for this year's Masters, only 17 of them teed it up at Augusta National in 2003.
Snedeker feeling 100 percent despite missed cut
After a second straight missed cut, the once-hot Brandt Snedeker enters his break before the Masters without an explanation for his woes. But he vows to be ready for the season's first major.
Back on familiar ground, Casey aims for redemption
Already back on the path to success in European competition, Paul Casey returns to the place where he peaked on the PGA Tour, looking for another big step forward.
Notes: Don't think Tiger without thinking Rory, too
Surely, Tiger Woods is at the forefront of golf fans' minds after his winning week in Orlando -- but this week, thoughts turn to Rory McIlroy in Houston.
Masters buildup: Remembering rains of 2003
The Masters rainout of 2003 is memorable for several reasons – while the Florida Swing on the PGA Tour produces hints that Augusta is just around the corner, and Tiger Woods bears down on Bay Hill.
Notes: Paddy begins intense buildup to Augusta
Padraig Harrington will keep a busy travel schedule from here to Augusta. Come this time of year, all thoughts turn to the quest for a green jacket.
McDowell feeling good at WGC-Cadillac
The last time Graeme McDowell's game and attitude were in sync like this? The 2010 U.S. Open. Feeling good, McDowell finds himself in contention at Trump Doral.
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