Emotional Tiger finally speaks
Golf story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:06:09GMT

Tiger Woods has finally spoken to the media after taking an indefinite break from the sport following his personal issues that came to light in November.It was the first time he has faced the public after his infidelities were uncovered and he has admitted that, although he plans to return to the sport, he has no immediate desire to return.He was speaking to a select audience of family and friends at TPC Sawgrass in Florida on Friday and spoke in detail...

Casey leads British charge
Golf story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:06:07GMT

British trio Paul Casey, Ian Poulter and Oliver Wilson have all won through to the last eight of the WGC Accenture Match Play in Arizona.Casey, last years runner-up and seeded sixth, is leading the charge after beating Brian Gay 54 and now faces 2009 Open champion Stewart Cink in the quarter-finals.He said after his win: "I didnt see that one coming - I thought it was going to be very close when I was behind after three. But it caught my...

Poulter sinks Garcia to reach final
Golf story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:06:05GMT

Englands Ian Poulter has made it through to the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play in Arizona.Poulter had edged through to the semi-finals with a one-hole victory over Thailands Thongchai Jaidee in the last eight, but he was in imperious form against Sergio Garcia.The Spaniard could do little to prevent Poulter recording a 76 victory, with the Spaniard having seen off another Englishman, Oliver Wilson, in the quarters by a 43 margin.Poulter will play the eventual winner of Paul Casey and...

Landmark victory for Poulter
Golf story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:06:03GMT

Ian Poulter has moved up to fifth place in the world after the biggest win of his career at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.Poulter defeated fellow Englishman Paul Casey 42 in the final in Arizona to win his first event on American soil.The eight-time European Tour winner was four up on his compatriot after a strong start to the 36-hole final at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club.Casey refused to lie down and reduced the deficit to two down during the early stages...

Woods named decades top athlete
Golf story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:50:19GMT

Troubled Tiger Woods has been voted Athlete of the Decade in an Associated Press Poll, finishing clear of Lance Armstrong and Roger Federer.Woods received 56 of the 142 votes cast, with more than half of the ballots being returned after last months car crash at Woods Florida mansion.That incident led to a chain of events which resulted in the 33-year-old apologising for "infidelity" and vowing to be a "better person".Woods, who has won 64 tournaments in the decade, including 12 majors,...

Finchem upbeat on Woods fall out
Golf story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:50:18GMT

The head of the PGA Tour believes there is still a lot of goodwill towards Tiger Woods despite the world number ones recent transgressions.Commissioner Tim Finchem also thinks that the sport will be able to survive Woods self-imposed indefinite absence from the game.He said: "Im not suggesting that his popularity level is going to soar again - I dont know where thats going to be."I think people generally are going to want him to succeed. Theyre going to want him to...

More sponsorship woe for Woods
Golf story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:50:16GMT

Tiger Woods is facing up to another major sponsorship blow following reports that Swiss watch maker Tag Heuer is to stop using his image in their advertising campaigns.Woods recent admission of marital infidelity has tarnished his image and the world number one has already seen two other major sponsors - Accenture and Gillette - reveal that they intend to reduce their involvement with him.Now Tag Heuer has confirmed its intention to move away from the troubled golfer. "We recognise Tiger Woods...

Ramsay secures Pearl Valley win
Golf story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:50:14GMT

Scotlands Richie Ramsay emerged victorious at the South African Open, edging out Indias Shiv Kapur at the first play-off hole at Pearl Valley.Ramsay shot a superb final round 65 to reach 13-under par, with Kapur recording a 67 to force a play-off for the final title of the 2009 European Tour calendar year.Eventually Ramsay was to prevail, recording a birdie four when he and Kapur played the 18th hole for the second time in the day.Denmarks Anders Hansen finished in third...

Van den Berg sets the pace
Golf story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:39:51GMT

Ulrich Van den Berg is the early leader of the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa, the first tournament of the new 2010 season.The 34-year-old South African impressed with an opening round of 65 at Leopard Creek, one shot clear of Swedens Pelle Edberg.Edberg no longer has a full European Tour card but earned a place in the opening event of the new season thanks to his 132nd-place finish in the 2009 campaign.Birdies at five of the last seven holes lifted...

Martin surges ahead in SA
Golf story by sport.co.uk, Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:39:49GMT

Spains Pablo Martin shot a superb 63 on day two of the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa to take a four-shot lead at the halfway stage of the tournament.The 23-year-old recorded eight birdies at Leopard Creek, before an eagle on the final hole gave him a big lead going into the weekend, with Martin on 13-under par.Martins nearest challengers are home favourite Ernie Els and Italys Edoardo Molinari, who are both nine-under par following rounds of 67 and 69 respectively.A...