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.
WGC-Cadillac leaderboard full of top names
Low scores atop Doral leaderboard don't tell story for whole field after first round of WGC-Cadillac Championship.
Clark's zeal for anchoring helps sway Tour
Tim Clark broke his monthslong silence on the proposed ban on anchoring and shed light on the presentation he gave at a PGA Tour players' meeting Jan. 21 to preserve the stroke.
No excuse: McIlroy apologizes for WD at Honda
Apologies and regrets offered, Rory McIlroy would like to leave his role as a soap opera actor and return to his position as the world’s top-ranked golfer.
Notebook: Perspective tempers Horschel's bad day
Billy Horschel might have shot 81 on Saturday, but the struggles of Tucker Anderson - son of his coach Todd Anderson - have the young up-and-comer realizing that life shouldn't be taken for granted.
Heart of a champion spans generations
If watching film of Jack Nicklaus’ unforgettable 1986 Masters win never grows old, there is a remarkable way to enhance the experience: Watch Jack Nicklaus watch scenes of that glorious victory.
McCabe: Wind changes complexion of PGA National
The wind was a huge factor in Saturday's third round at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., says Brendan Steele and Tiger Woods.
EverBank new sponsor for Tour stop at Innisbrook
Sewing up the only loose end to its schedule, the PGA Tour announced that EverBank will serve as presenting sponsor of the Tampa Bay Championship.
Quietly, Grace continues to rise in worldwide prominence
Branden Grace, who fired a 5-under 65 on Thursday at the Honda Classic to take a share of the early lead, has moved up 241 spots in the Official World Golf Rankings in the past 15 months.
Notebook: It's back to earth for Shane Lowry
One day you’re good enough to beat Rory McIlroy on a World Golf Championship stage. A few days later, you take a back seat to Darron Stiles at a place called Mayacoo Lakes Country Club. Ah, the life of Shane Lowry.
Finchem: Tour opposes anchoring ban
The PGA Tour has gone public with its opposition to the U.S. Golf Association and R&A's call for a ban on the anchored stroke.
Poulter displays typical match-play brilliance
Ian Poulter continued his match play magic Saturday at Dove Mountain, beating Tim Clark and Steve Stricker to advance the the semifinals of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.
Grit, wedge game power Clark past Olesen
Tim Clark made up for his lack of power with plenty of grit to defeat Thorbjorn Olesen on Friday and advance to the third round of the WGC-Accenture Match Play.
Notebook: Round 1 will need a third day to complete
Lost in the tremors of that shocking one-two punch – losses by both Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods – is that the first round of the Accenture Match Play Championship will need a third day to complete.
Van Pelt, Garcia advance after false start at WGC
Bo Van Pelt needed just one 8-iron and one putt from 45 feet on Thursday to make his win over John Senden official at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Call it another strange effect of Wednesday's snowstorm.
Golf an afterthought on an unforgettable day
Wednesday will be entered into the record books, an unforgettable day filled with snow, not golf, and it was left for one and all to hope that some heat arrives so that the golf tournament can achieve a semblance of order.
Manassero, 19, has 'mannerly,' yet 'fierce' persona
Matteo Manassero has a baby face that appears better suited for the school yard than the golf course, he removes his hat on command, thanks everyone for everything, and nods hellos to nearly everyone in sight.
Notes: Billy Harmon rides roller coaster at Riviera
Billy Harmon has known John Merrick for 10 months and Bill Haas for many years. Needless to say, Harmon's emotions were up-and-down on Sunday at the Northern Trust Open.
McCabe: Gallacher, Poulter on different golf spectrums
No tournament starts with a bigger bang than this week’s WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, because 32 of the 64 players will be packing their bags Wednesday afternoon. Take a closer look at Stephen Gallacher, who will be playing Ian Poulter in the first round.
Snedeker withdraws from Match Play with sore ribs
Less than 48 hours removed from a brilliant victory at Pebble Beach, Brandt Snedeker has withdrawn from the WGC-Accenture Match Play, citing sore ribs that have plagued him since the Humana Challenge.
Notebook: Snedeker is 'confident,' not 'cocky'
Brandt Snedeker always has been confident in his skills on the course, says Toby Wilt, a longtime friend and fellow Vanderbilt alumnus. And he has stories to back up those claims . . .
Notes: At Pro-Am, Gretzky has ice in his veins
Even at 52 years old and 14 years into retirement, there’s still a semblance of what made Wayne Gretzky The Great One.
Lefty barely into Sunday at Pebble after triple at 18
Phil Mickelson is out of contention at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am after a third-round 73 that included a triple-bogey at No. 18.
Notes: Jacobson, Goosen return from back ailments
After battling back ailments late in 2012, Fredrik Jacobson and Retief Goosen are in contention at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
Hurley loses sponsor exemption after arrival
Billy Hurley, his wife and two kids had made the trip to Pebble Beach after being offered a last-minute exemption. But tournament officials discovered he wasn’t officially a PGA Tour member and thus wasn’t eligible for the exemption.
Notes: Phil hardly fazed by 5-shot deficit at AT&T
Notes: Phil Mickelson may be five shots behind leaders Hunter Mahan and Russell Knox after the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, but he hardly seem fazed after Thursday's 1-under 69.
Westwoods look to rekindle pro-am magic of 2000
It might be 13 years later and a different tournament, but the combination of Lee Westwood and his father, John, will be a pro-am pairing to watch this week at Pebble Beach.
Notebook: Celebrating the last victories for Palmer, Wright
Next Monday will mark the 40th anniversary of Arnold Palmer’s last victory on the PGA Tour and if that isn’t a somber thought, then consider that the 40th anniversary of Mickey Wright’s final LPGA Tour win will arrive April 15.
McCabe: Legends turn out to help one of their own
Icons. Legends. Heroes. Call them what you like, but on this day, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player were even more. They were deliverers of goodwill to a family that believes in miracles.
Blixt: 'Living a dream,' minus the skates
Sweden's Jonas Blixt is from a remote and rural area of 16,000 residents, but his game is putting his corner of the world on the map.
Legends will play pro-am to aid Quigley family
Notebook: Forget your four majors, the Players Championship, and all the numbers-crunching gurus who will try and sell you “strength-of-field” data. We have come across what we think will be the most impressive gathering of 2013.
Notes: Beem taking the long road back to the PGA Tour
Rich Beem, who failed to earn his full-time PGA Tour card at Q-School in December, will be making trips to India and Panama as he looks to earn his way back onto the big tour.
Notebook: Rookies sizzle at Sony Open
From Russell Henley's victory to Scott Langley's impressive T-3 finish to the likes of Scott Gardiner, David Lingmerth and Henrik Norlander, the rookies showed well at their first PGA Tour tournament of the season.
5 Things: Rookies lead the way; DJ WDs at Sony
Rookies Russell Henley and Scott Langley sit one-two halfway through the Sony Open, but they weren't the only stories Friday in Honolulu. Here are 5 Things you need to know from the day that was.
Golf Channel pulls off impossible to broadcast Sony Open
With the Hyundai TOC running 24 hours behind due to horrible weather, NBC (and Golf Channel) had its work cut out for it trying to get set up for the Sony Open. Yet, somehow, when you turned on your TV Thursday night, no one could notice the difference.
Notes: Lee took Choi's tough assessment to heart
After playing a practice round at the 2012 U.S. Open, K.J. Choi was blunt with Dong-Hwan Lee: "You hit it like a woman." Lee didn't take offense to it, he went home and worked harder.
Notes: Harmon says Johnson best when he 'rips it'
Coach Butch Harmon says he loves it when Dustin Johnson hits driver nearly everywhere. "Best club in his bag," says Tiger Woods' former coach. Johnson agrees, saying he gets in trouble when he tries to "steer it."
Preview: Can aging U.S. triumvirate still triumph?
Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker and Jim Furyk combined for a total of two PGA Tour victories in 2012, posing the question: Can they regain their old form?
