PGA of America chief executive Seth Waugh has already warned rising young stars against rich offers from upstart Super League Golf, pitching career-building versus a quick money grab.

Waugh said Tuesday his pitch to stay with the PGA Tour format is a simple warning about short-term profits and long-term benefits.

"Particularly for younger players that are going to have a 20-year career out here, I just don't think they're going to be better off in that format than they already are," Waugh said Tuesday.

"I've talked to a bunch of them. You look them in the eye and just say, 'Be careful what you wish for,' because short-term gain feels good for a little while, but long-term gain is what makes lives."

US and European reports have the fledgling group backed by Saudi Arabia interests and pitching a global circuit with players competing in team and solo formats and contract offers from $30 million to $50 million.

Golf Channel reported that representatives from Super League had plans to meet with a few managers of some of golf's top players on Tuesday at Kiawah Island, revealing no names of anyone involved.

Waugh said people should be "very mindful" about the source of the hefty guaranteed paychecks as well as the potential loss of playing in PGA Tour, major and Ryder Cup events for those who join the Super League.

"Money is money, right, and so money needs to have a return and have all those things that are associated with it, but some money is better than other money," he said.

"If the only weapon you have is money, that's what you're going to lead with. I think that's what's going on."

Waugh warned that even past PGA Championship winners, such as 50-year-old Phil Mickelson -- a reported Super League target, would find themselves out of future PGAs and Ryder Cups should they make the jump and lose PGA membership.

Waugh said he didn't see any major problems with the PGA Tour, which started a bonus system for players based upon fame as a way to combat Super League moves.

"I don't think anything is hugely broken, so I'm not sure what the solve is for totally, other than an outside body trying to disrupt and get into the game in a way that I don't think is in the best long-term interest of the game," Waugh said.

"Our view is that the ecosystem of the game works very well. It has never worked better."

US and European tours have tightened their partnership in response to opening moves to establish the Super League.

"Should it be a hostile takeover of the game I think is way too far," Waugh said. "They've created this conversation... change is happening and I think it's healthy change. Is it enough? I'm not sure yet.

"The game is not in crisis. I think the players have never been better served than they are right now."

PGA of America chief executive Seth Waugh has already warned rising young stars against rich offers from upstart Super League Golf, pitching career-building versus a quick money grab.

PGA of America chief executive Seth Waugh has already warned rising young stars against rich offers from upstart Super League Golf, pitching career-building versus a quick money grab. Waugh said Tuesday his pitch to stay with the PGA Tour format is a simple warning about short-term profits and long-term benefits. "Particularly for younger players that are going to have a 20-year career out here, I just don't think they're going to be better off in that format than they already are," Waugh said Tuesday. "I've talked to a bunch of them. You look them in the eye and just say, 'Be careful what you wish for,' because short-term gain feels good for a little while, but long-term gain is what makes lives." US and European reports have the fledgling group backed by Saudi Arabia interests and pitching a global circuit with players competing in team and solo formats and contract offers from $30 million to $50 million. Golf Channel reported that representatives from Super League had plans to meet with a few managers of some of golf's top players on Tuesday at Kiawah Island, revealing no names of anyone involved. Waugh said people should be "very mindful" about the source of the hefty guaranteed paychecks as well as the potential loss of playing in PGA Tour, major and Ryder Cup events for those who join the Super League. "Money is money, right, and so money needs to have a return and have all those things that are associated with it, but some money is better than other money," he said. "If the only weapon you have is money, that's what you're going to lead with. I think that's what's going on." Waugh warned that even past PGA Championship winners, such as 50-year-old Phil Mickelson -- a reported Super League target, would find themselves out of future PGAs and Ryder Cups should they make the jump and lose PGA membership. Waugh said he didn't see any major problems with the PGA Tour, which started a bonus system for players based upon fame as a way to combat Super League moves. "I don't think anything is hugely broken, so I'm not sure what the solve is for totally, other than an outside body trying to disrupt and get into the game in a way that I don't think is in the best long-term interest of the game," Waugh said. "Our view is that the ecosystem of the game works very well. It has never worked better." US and European tours have tightened their partnership in response to opening moves to establish the Super League. "Should it be a hostile takeover of the game I think is way too far," Waugh said. "They've created this conversation... change is happening and I think it's healthy change. Is it enough? I'm not sure yet. "The game is not in crisis. I think the players have never been better served than they are right now."

PGA boss: 'Be careful what you wish for' with Super League

Europe captain Padraig Harrington was pleased to see Rory McIlroy had his "swagger" back at the weekend as he won his first PGA tournament in 18 months and said it bodes well for the Ryder Cup later this year.

Former world number one McIlroy won the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club, his first victory since November 2019, pushing him back up into the top 10 in the world rankings.

"Rory has always been an ebb and flow player," Harrington told reporters at the AT&amp;T Byron Nelson tournament. "When he starts playing well he plays even better.

"The way I look at it is that win last week brings back a bit of that swagger that we all need on the golf course, Rory is a very dangerous player with that. Hopefully he'll be a very dangerous player for at least five more months."

The Ryder Cup will be held at Wisconsin's Whistling Straits from Sept. 24-26 after the biennial competition was postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Europe are the defending champions after beating the United States in 2018.

Europe captain Padraig Harrington was pleased to see Rory McIlroy had his "swagger" back at the weekend as he won his first PGA tournament in 18 months and said it bodes well for the Ryder Cup later this year.

Europe captain Padraig Harrington was pleased to see Rory McIlroy had his "swagger" back at the weekend as he won his first PGA tournament in 18 months and said it bodes well for the Ryder Cup later this year. Former world number one McIlroy won the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club, his first victory since November 2019, pushing him back up into the top 10 in the world rankings. "Rory has always been an ebb and flow player," Harrington told reporters at the AT&T Byron Nelson tournament. "When he starts playing well he plays even better. "The way I look at it is that win last week brings back a bit of that swagger that we all need on the golf course, Rory is a very dangerous player with that. Hopefully he'll be a very dangerous player for at least five more months." The Ryder Cup will be held at Wisconsin's Whistling Straits from Sept. 24-26 after the biennial competition was postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Europe are the defending champions after beating the United States in 2018.

Golf: Harrington glad to see McIlroy's 'swagger' back ahead of Ryder Cup

Tiger Woods posted a photo of himself on crutches on Friday and said his rehab is "coming along" two months after the golf great suffered severe leg injuries when his car careened off a road near Los Angeles and crashed.

The photo on the Instagram account of the 45-year-old American showed him smiling on a golf course with a black and white dog.

"My course is coming along faster than I am," he said, adding a smiling face emoji.

"But it's nice to have a faithful rehab partner, man's best friend."

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Woods sustained compound fractures of his tibia and fibula in his right leg in the early morning crash, which required emergency surgery. He also suffered injuries to his foot and ankle.

Authorities have said that excessive speed was the primary cause of the accident. Woods was not charged with any crime for the one-car wreck.

The injuries have raised concerns over whether Woods will return to competitive golf, with any comeback further complicated by his long history of knee and back problems.

Orthopedic surgeons interviewed by Reuters after the accident said that while the road to recovery will not be an easy one, it is possible for Woods to return to the sport in about a year.

Woods is tied with Sam Snead on the all-time list for wins on the PGA Tour with 82.

The Florida resident also has 15 major championships to his name, his most recent coming at the Masters in 2019, and needs three more to match the record held by Jack Nicklaus.

Tiger Woods posted a photo of himself on crutches on Friday and said his rehab is "coming along" two months after the golf great suffered severe leg injuries when his car careened off a road near Los Angeles and crashed.

Tiger Woods posted a photo of himself on crutches on Friday and said his rehab is "coming along" two months after the golf great suffered severe leg injuries when his car careened off a road near Los Angeles and crashed. The photo on the Instagram account of the 45-year-old American showed him smiling on a golf course with a black and white dog. "My course is coming along faster than I am," he said, adding a smiling face emoji. "But it's nice to have a faithful rehab partner, man's best friend." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tiger Woods (@tigerwoods) × Woods sustained compound fractures of his tibia and fibula in his right leg in the early morning crash, which required emergency surgery. He also suffered injuries to his foot and ankle. Authorities have said that excessive speed was the primary cause of the accident. Woods was not charged with any crime for the one-car wreck. The injuries have raised concerns over whether Woods will return to competitive golf, with any comeback further complicated by his long history of knee and back problems. Orthopedic surgeons interviewed by Reuters after the accident said that while the road to recovery will not be an easy one, it is possible for Woods to return to the sport in about a year. Woods is tied with Sam Snead on the all-time list for wins on the PGA Tour with 82. The Florida resident also has 15 major championships to his name, his most recent coming at the Masters in 2019, and needs three more to match the record held by Jack Nicklaus.

Tiger Woods posts photo of himself on crutches, says rehab is 'coming along'

Hideki Matsuyama won't accept the title as Japan's greatest-ever golfer, but after a quarter-century journey from child novice to historic Masters champion, the usually humble star will accept some praise.

"I can't say I'm the greatest," Matsuyama said. "However, I'm the first to win a major, and if that's the bar, then I've set it."

Matsuyama won the 85th Masters on Sunday, becoming the first Japanese man to win a major title and capping a 25-year dream that started when his father began teaching him the sport when he was only four years old, even switching schools to boost his golf.

While the heroics of 15-time major winner Tiger Woods would catch his attention, Matsuyama recalled Japan's baseball stars having a bigger impact in his youth.

"The people that I admired were mainly baseball players: (Yu) Darvish, (Shohei) Ohtani, (Kenta) Maeda," Matsuyama said of three Japanese stars now on US Major League Baseball clubs.

"As far as golf, not so much. Hopefully now others will be inspired for what happened here today and follow in my footsteps."

Matsuyama's path took him to Tohoku Fukushi University in Sendai, where he honed the skills he used to win the 2010 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship and earn a berth at the 2011 Masters.

<h2>- Amateur dominance --</h2>

In his first trip to Augusta National, Matsuyama won the Silver Cup as low amateur and shared 27th.

In 2011, he won the World University Games title and led Japan's gold medal team. He then won the 2011 Asia-Pacific crown as well and placed 54th at the 2012 Masters, becoming the first amateur to make consecutive Masters cuts since Manny Zerman in 1991-92.

Four months later, Matsuyama was named the amateur world number one. Eight months after that, he turned professional.

Matsuyama shared 10th at the 2013 US Open and cracked the top 50 in the world rankings as a result. In 2014, he won the Jack Nicklaus-hosted Memorial Tournament, the first US PGA win by a Japanese golfer in six years.

With his victory at Augusta National, Matsuyama now has six career US PGA triumphs, matching the total achieved by all other Japanese players on the US tour.

In 2016, Matsuyama captured the WGC event at Shanghai.

A year later, he finished second at the US Open and jumped to a career-high second in the world golf rankings. Also in 2017, Matsuyama won his second title at Phoenix and the WGC event in Akron, but that marked his last victory before an 87-start drought that ended with his green jacket.

<h2>- Quiet but deadly -</h2>

In a bid to snap his win drought, Matsuyama began working with coach Hidenori Mezawa.

"The last three years, there have been different probably reasons why I haven't been able to win," he said.

"I have a coach with me now from Japan. It has been a great help, a great benefit. Things that I was feeling in my swing, I could talk to him about that, and he always gives me good feedback. He has a good eye.

"It's like having a mirror for my swing. We worked hard, and hopefully now it's all starting to come together."

Matsuyama, followed by Japanese media wherever he plays, pulled it all together for one fabulous week.

"I came to Augusta with little or no expectations, but as the week progressed, as I practiced, especially on Wednesday, I felt something again," he said.

"I found something in my swing. And when that happens, the confidence returns. And so I started the tournament with a lot of confidence."

He ended it with something new for his wardrobe and a place for the ages in Japanese sporting history.

And among those happiest for his triumph were his rivals.

"Hideki, not only is he at the top, he's a classy guy," England's Paul Casey said.

"He has got a humble attitude about him," said 2012 US Open winner Webb Simpson.

"Over there he is a big star, but there's a humility to him that is pretty cool to see in someone who has that much attention on him. Yeah, he's handled it well. I mean, it's been a long career already."

South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, warns he is quiet but deadly.

"Hideki is obviously quiet. He's doing his own thing, but it's all down to business when it comes to the golf course," Oosthuizen said.&nbsp;

"He's a fun guy. He's nice being around with. He's all around just a great player."

Hideki Matsuyama won't accept the title as Japan's greatest-ever golfer, but after a quarter-century journey from child novice to historic Masters champion, the usually humble star will accept some praise.

Hideki Matsuyama won't accept the title as Japan's greatest-ever golfer, but after a quarter-century journey from child novice to historic Masters champion, the usually humble star will accept some praise. "I can't say I'm the greatest," Matsuyama said. "However, I'm the first to win a major, and if that's the bar, then I've set it." Matsuyama won the 85th Masters on Sunday, becoming the first Japanese man to win a major title and capping a 25-year dream that started when his father began teaching him the sport when he was only four years old, even switching schools to boost his golf. While the heroics of 15-time major winner Tiger Woods would catch his attention, Matsuyama recalled Japan's baseball stars having a bigger impact in his youth. "The people that I admired were mainly baseball players: (Yu) Darvish, (Shohei) Ohtani, (Kenta) Maeda," Matsuyama said of three Japanese stars now on US Major League Baseball clubs. "As far as golf, not so much. Hopefully now others will be inspired for what happened here today and follow in my footsteps." Matsuyama's path took him to Tohoku Fukushi University in Sendai, where he honed the skills he used to win the 2010 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship and earn a berth at the 2011 Masters. - Amateur dominance -- In his first trip to Augusta National, Matsuyama won the Silver Cup as low amateur and shared 27th. In 2011, he won the World University Games title and led Japan's gold medal team. He then won the 2011 Asia-Pacific crown as well and placed 54th at the 2012 Masters, becoming the first amateur to make consecutive Masters cuts since Manny Zerman in 1991-92. Four months later, Matsuyama was named the amateur world number one. Eight months after that, he turned professional. Matsuyama shared 10th at the 2013 US Open and cracked the top 50 in the world rankings as a result. In 2014, he won the Jack Nicklaus-hosted Memorial Tournament, the first US PGA win by a Japanese golfer in six years. With his victory at Augusta National, Matsuyama now has six career US PGA triumphs, matching the total achieved by all other Japanese players on the US tour. In 2016, Matsuyama captured the WGC event at Shanghai. A year later, he finished second at the US Open and jumped to a career-high second in the world golf rankings. Also in 2017, Matsuyama won his second title at Phoenix and the WGC event in Akron, but that marked his last victory before an 87-start drought that ended with his green jacket. - Quiet but deadly - In a bid to snap his win drought, Matsuyama began working with coach Hidenori Mezawa. "The last three years, there have been different probably reasons why I haven't been able to win," he said. "I have a coach with me now from Japan. It has been a great help, a great benefit. Things that I was feeling in my swing, I could talk to him about that, and he always gives me good feedback. He has a good eye. "It's like having a mirror for my swing. We worked hard, and hopefully now it's all starting to come together." Matsuyama, followed by Japanese media wherever he plays, pulled it all together for one fabulous week. "I came to Augusta with little or no expectations, but as the week progressed, as I practiced, especially on Wednesday, I felt something again," he said. "I found something in my swing. And when that happens, the confidence returns. And so I started the tournament with a lot of confidence." He ended it with something new for his wardrobe and a place for the ages in Japanese sporting history. And among those happiest for his triumph were his rivals. "Hideki, not only is he at the top, he's a classy guy," England's Paul Casey said. "He has got a humble attitude about him," said 2012 US Open winner Webb Simpson. "Over there he is a big star, but there's a humility to him that is pretty cool to see in someone who has that much attention on him. Yeah, he's handled it well. I mean, it's been a long career already." South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, warns he is quiet but deadly. "Hideki is obviously quiet. He's doing his own thing, but it's all down to business when it comes to the golf course," Oosthuizen said. "He's a fun guy. He's nice being around with. He's all around just a great player."

Tears, cheers and shares rise as Matsuyama victory thrills Japan

Top-ranked defending champion Dustin Johnson has more time to prepare for next week's US PGA Heritage Classic than he really wanted after missing the cut at the 85th Masters.

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy also failed to reach the weekend for only the second time in 13 trips to Augusta National, missing his chance to complete a career Grand Slam for another year.

And four-time major champion Brooks Koepka, who battled to play after right knee surgery a month ago, wasn't among the 54 who reached the weekend at the year's first major championship.

"I worked my ass off just to get here and then to play like this is pretty disappointing," Koepka said.

Johnson and Koepka each cited putting woes as their reason for being done, although Koepka will get weekend physical therapy and Johnson must put the green jacket on the shoulders of the new Masters champion in a Sunday ceremony.

"Mostly just the putter. Six three-putts in two rounds, you just can't do that," Johnson said.

"Didn't drive it great but drove it good enough, and I felt like I never was really too bad out of position. Just the three-putts killed me.

"I just didn't putt very well. My speed was awful. I just left it short from 10 feet there on the last hole. I just didn't have a good beat on the speed the last two days."

Koepka and Johnson both shot 75 to finish on five-over 149 while McIlroy, who did not speak after, was on 150 after a closing 74.

McIlroy has been reworking his swing with coach Pete Cowen and said Thursday he was very much still in a transition process.

"Any time you're working on things with your swing, it's going to feel very different, but it's not as if I haven't done these things before," McIlroy said.

"It's like you get into these bad habits and that feels normal, and then you get it back into position where I've been a million times before and it just feels a little different."

Koepka putting woes were major as well.

"Putter was ice cold. Didn't make any putts," he said. "I don't want to say the speed was off, maybe the reads a little bit. Maybe the start line. A lot of them felt like good putts, and they weren't even hitting the hole.

"They felt good coming off the face, but they didn't even sniff it."

Koepka was pleased he had the stamina to walk 18 holes at hilly Augusta.

"Downhill was tough," Koepka said. "I don't feel as sore as I did yesterday, so I feel better. It's nice to know I can walk 18."

Koepka will play in next month's PGA Championship at Kiawah Island but wasn't sure if he would play a US PGA event before the next major tournament.

"Tough to say," he said. "Just for how it feels, how rehab goes and everything. I wouldn't have been playing for another month if it wasn't (Masters) week. So I'll take a nice long break after this."

Top-ranked defending champion Dustin Johnson has more time to prepare for next week's US PGA Heritage Classic than he really wanted after missing the cut at the 85th Masters.

Top-ranked defending champion Dustin Johnson has more time to prepare for next week's US PGA Heritage Classic than he really wanted after missing the cut at the 85th Masters. Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy also failed to reach the weekend for only the second time in 13 trips to Augusta National, missing his chance to complete a career Grand Slam for another year. And four-time major champion Brooks Koepka, who battled to play after right knee surgery a month ago, wasn't among the 54 who reached the weekend at the year's first major championship. "I worked my ass off just to get here and then to play like this is pretty disappointing," Koepka said. Johnson and Koepka each cited putting woes as their reason for being done, although Koepka will get weekend physical therapy and Johnson must put the green jacket on the shoulders of the new Masters champion in a Sunday ceremony. "Mostly just the putter. Six three-putts in two rounds, you just can't do that," Johnson said. "Didn't drive it great but drove it good enough, and I felt like I never was really too bad out of position. Just the three-putts killed me. "I just didn't putt very well. My speed was awful. I just left it short from 10 feet there on the last hole. I just didn't have a good beat on the speed the last two days." Koepka and Johnson both shot 75 to finish on five-over 149 while McIlroy, who did not speak after, was on 150 after a closing 74. McIlroy has been reworking his swing with coach Pete Cowen and said Thursday he was very much still in a transition process. "Any time you're working on things with your swing, it's going to feel very different, but it's not as if I haven't done these things before," McIlroy said. "It's like you get into these bad habits and that feels normal, and then you get it back into position where I've been a million times before and it just feels a little different." Koepka putting woes were major as well. "Putter was ice cold. Didn't make any putts," he said. "I don't want to say the speed was off, maybe the reads a little bit. Maybe the start line. A lot of them felt like good putts, and they weren't even hitting the hole. "They felt good coming off the face, but they didn't even sniff it." Koepka was pleased he had the stamina to walk 18 holes at hilly Augusta. "Downhill was tough," Koepka said. "I don't feel as sore as I did yesterday, so I feel better. It's nice to know I can walk 18." Koepka will play in next month's PGA Championship at Kiawah Island but wasn't sure if he would play a US PGA event before the next major tournament. "Tough to say," he said. "Just for how it feels, how rehab goes and everything. I wouldn't have been playing for another month if it wasn't (Masters) week. So I'll take a nice long break after this."

No. 1 Johnson, McIlroy and Koepka miss Masters cut

The former US President,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, is quite infamous for being a sore loser, be it in elections or on the golf field. In addition to being in news for his political moves, Trump is also making headlines for one of his favourite hobbies — golf.

Trump has been enjoying his golfing sessions once again, since leaving the White House. However, turns out he is not very fair in that game too.

A recent video circulating on a social media platform that has suspended Trump's account — Twitter — shows Trump cheating on the moss.

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So - here’s Donald Trump giving himself this one yesterday at the Trump National Doral Miami. 
 
As a competitor it’s offensive. Just Putt it out, dude. 
 
If you’ll cheat in golf you’ll cheat at anything...<a href="https://t.co/zQgUcP5LV3">pic.twitter.com/zQgUcP5LV3</a>
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) <a href="https://twitter.com/RexChapman/status/1367615439543615491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Captured at the Doral golf resort in Miami, in the video Trump can be seen walking on the golf course along with the ball. He proceeds to bend and gently put the ball in the hole from a short distance and quickly scoops it out as soon as it enters the hole.

The 'cheating' moment of the former reality TV star was captured by Landon Michelson, a professional golfer, from a distance.

This video has sent Twitterati laughing at how Trump fears losing, even in golf.

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I’d like to see him try this at the Dinah Shore. 🏳️‍🌈 <a href="https://t.co/MJYuHiDHcj">https://t.co/MJYuHiDHcj</a>
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) <a href="https://twitter.com/kathygriffin/status/1367697379344879619?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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<a href="https://t.co/4EwXqeSAWe">pic.twitter.com/4EwXqeSAWe</a>
— MED (@medowlen_78) <a href="https://twitter.com/medowlen_78/status/1367615706829905922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://t.co/4EwXqeSAWe">pic.twitter.com/4EwXqeSAWe</a>
— MED (@medowlen_78) <a href="https://twitter.com/medowlen_78/status/1367615706829905922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Same form he used dragging that Umbrella on AF-1 <a href="https://t.co/qiB6OlKp6Y">pic.twitter.com/qiB6OlKp6Y</a>
— Ed Baier (@beachshoot) <a href="https://twitter.com/beachshoot/status/1367719231219851264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
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My 10 year old pulls off this same move while playing miniature golf.
— DR (@DeanFromCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeanFromCC/status/1367701412117770241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
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his presidency as a golf stroke wow
— wear a mask, you leper™ (@StevesTweetin) <a href="https://twitter.com/StevesTweetin/status/1367614707020959744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The former US President, Donald Trump, is quite infamous for being a sore loser, be it in elections or on the golf field. In addition to being in news for his political moves, Trump is also making headlines for one of his favourite hobbies — golf.

The former US President, Donald Trump, is quite infamous for being a sore loser, be it in elections or on the golf field. In addition to being in news for his political moves, Trump is also making headlines for one of his favourite hobbies — golf. Trump has been enjoying his golfing sessions once again, since leaving the White House. However, turns out he is not very fair in that game too. A recent video circulating on a social media platform that has suspended Trump's account — Twitter — shows Trump cheating on the moss. So - here’s Donald Trump giving himself this one yesterday at the Trump National Doral Miami. As a competitor it’s offensive. Just Putt it out, dude. If you’ll cheat in golf you’ll cheat at anything...pic.twitter.com/zQgUcP5LV3 — Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) March 4, 2021 × Captured at the Doral golf resort in Miami, in the video Trump can be seen walking on the golf course along with the ball. He proceeds to bend and gently put the ball in the hole from a short distance and quickly scoops it out as soon as it enters the hole. The 'cheating' moment of the former reality TV star was captured by Landon Michelson, a professional golfer, from a distance. This video has sent Twitterati laughing at how Trump fears losing, even in golf. I’d like to see him try this at the Dinah Shore. 🏳️‍🌈 https://t.co/MJYuHiDHcj — Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) March 5, 2021 × pic.twitter.com/4EwXqeSAWe — MED (@medowlen_78) March 4, 2021 × pic.twitter.com/4EwXqeSAWe — MED (@medowlen_78) March 4, 2021 × Same form he used dragging that Umbrella on AF-1 pic.twitter.com/qiB6OlKp6Y — Ed Baier (@beachshoot) March 5, 2021 × My 10 year old pulls off this same move while playing miniature golf. — DR (@DeanFromCC) March 5, 2021 × his presidency as a golf stroke wow — wear a mask, you leper™ (@StevesTweetin) March 4, 2021 ×

'Just putt it out': Twitter laughs at Trump's cheat move in golf

England`s Paul Casey claimed his 15th European Tour title after a closing round of two-under-par 70 handed him a dominant four-shot victory at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday. 
 
Casey has previously lifted trophies in the United Arab Emirates with victories in Abu Dhabi in 2007 and 2009 and he made it a hat-trick in the desert at the Emirates Golf Club with a score of 17-under, four clear of South Africa`s Brandon Stone. 
 
The 43-year-old also boosted his chances to make a fifth Ryder Cup appearance in September, with the Dubai triumph tying him with 2018 European captain Thomas Bjorn and current skipper Padraig Harrington for Tour wins. 
 
"It`s very, very special," said Casey, whose latest Tour triumph comes 20 years after his first. "It`s an unbelievable roster (of winners). That`s so cool, I`ve worked so hard. 
 
"I feel like I`ve regained my youth, I mean that sincerely." 
 
Starting with a one-shot advantage, Casey struck two birdies and two bogeys for a level-par 35 on the front nine to extend his lead to three strokes, with Stone bogeying three of his opening seven holes. 
 
Stone recovered with three quickfire birdies on the back nine but Casey never looked in danger as he cruised to victory that will move him back into the top 20 when the world rankings are updated on Monday. 
 
A 15th European Tour title triumph also takes Casey past the tally of three-times Race to Dubai champion Rory McIlroy and makes it 350 tournament wins for English players. 
 
Scot Robert MacIntyre finished third at 12-under after carding four consecutive bogeys in a round of 74, while England`s Laurie Canter and Finland`s Kalle Samooja were tied for fourth a further two strokes behind.

England`s Paul Casey claimed his 15th European Tour title after a closing round of two-under-par 70 handed him a dominant four-shot victory at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday.

England`s Paul Casey claimed his 15th European Tour title after a closing round of two-under-par 70 handed him a dominant four-shot victory at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday. Casey has previously lifted trophies in the United Arab Emirates with victories in Abu Dhabi in 2007 and 2009 and he made it a hat-trick in the desert at the Emirates Golf Club with a score of 17-under, four clear of South Africa`s Brandon Stone. The 43-year-old also boosted his chances to make a fifth Ryder Cup appearance in September, with the Dubai triumph tying him with 2018 European captain Thomas Bjorn and current skipper Padraig Harrington for Tour wins. "It`s very, very special," said Casey, whose latest Tour triumph comes 20 years after his first. "It`s an unbelievable roster (of winners). That`s so cool, I`ve worked so hard. "I feel like I`ve regained my youth, I mean that sincerely." Starting with a one-shot advantage, Casey struck two birdies and two bogeys for a level-par 35 on the front nine to extend his lead to three strokes, with Stone bogeying three of his opening seven holes. Stone recovered with three quickfire birdies on the back nine but Casey never looked in danger as he cruised to victory that will move him back into the top 20 when the world rankings are updated on Monday. A 15th European Tour title triumph also takes Casey past the tally of three-times Race to Dubai champion Rory McIlroy and makes it 350 tournament wins for English players. Scot Robert MacIntyre finished third at 12-under after carding four consecutive bogeys in a round of 74, while England`s Laurie Canter and Finland`s Kalle Samooja were tied for fourth a further two strokes behind.

Casey cruises to victory in Dubai for 15th European Tour crown

England`s Paul Casey carded an eight-under-par 64 in the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic on Saturday and tied the lowest round of the week to go 15-under overall and take a one-shot lead heading into the final round. 
 
Casey recorded six birdies and capped off his day with an eagle on the par-five 18th in an error-free round to jump up five places to lead Scotland`s Robert MacIntyre. South African Brandon Stone is third, a shot further behind. 
 
"To finish off with an eagle was pretty cool," Casey said. "You can never say (the round was) flawless... It was very controlled, challenging at the same time with a little bit of wind here and there. 
 
"The strong asset I have in this game is the way I drive it, the length. The game has gone more and more towards length and I`m fortunate that I`m still able to lean on that strength and compete out here." 
 
Casey is chasing his 15th European Tour title and though he has won at Abu Dhabi twice, the 43-year-old has never won in Dubai. 
 
"I`ve won just down the road but never in Dubai," he added. "I can see the very impressive list of winners, there`s photos of them behind the 18th green. Iconic trophy, iconic event... But there`s a long way to go." 
 
Laurie Canter and 2017 champion Sergio Garcia are tied for fourth, five shots behind Casey, while Finn Kalle Samooja is sixth at nine under after a 71. 
 
Overnight leader Thomas Detry, who carded two bogey-free rounds, recorded two bogeys and two double bogeys to finish with 74, dropping the Belgian down to seventh alongside Justin Rose and Justin Harding.

England`s Paul Casey carded an eight-under-par 64 in the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic on Saturday and tied the lowest round of the week to go 15-under overall and take a one-shot lead heading into the final round.

England`s Paul Casey carded an eight-under-par 64 in the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic on Saturday and tied the lowest round of the week to go 15-under overall and take a one-shot lead heading into the final round. Casey recorded six birdies and capped off his day with an eagle on the par-five 18th in an error-free round to jump up five places to lead Scotland`s Robert MacIntyre. South African Brandon Stone is third, a shot further behind. "To finish off with an eagle was pretty cool," Casey said. "You can never say (the round was) flawless... It was very controlled, challenging at the same time with a little bit of wind here and there. "The strong asset I have in this game is the way I drive it, the length. The game has gone more and more towards length and I`m fortunate that I`m still able to lean on that strength and compete out here." Casey is chasing his 15th European Tour title and though he has won at Abu Dhabi twice, the 43-year-old has never won in Dubai. "I`ve won just down the road but never in Dubai," he added. "I can see the very impressive list of winners, there`s photos of them behind the 18th green. Iconic trophy, iconic event... But there`s a long way to go." Laurie Canter and 2017 champion Sergio Garcia are tied for fourth, five shots behind Casey, while Finn Kalle Samooja is sixth at nine under after a 71. Overnight leader Thomas Detry, who carded two bogey-free rounds, recorded two bogeys and two double bogeys to finish with 74, dropping the Belgian down to seventh alongside Justin Rose and Justin Harding.

Casey storms into Dubai Desert Classic lead heading into final round

World No. 3 Justin Thomas on Wednesday broke his silence and spoke publicly for the first time since losing his Ralph Lauren sponsorship last week due to the controversy of using a homophobic slur publicly.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/novak-djokovic-lashes-out-at-critics-over-australian-open-quarantine-stance-358075" hreflang="en">Novak Djokovic lashes out at critics over Australian Open quarantine stance</a>

While making his first public appearance ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the golfer told reporters: “I’m clearly beyond (not) proud of what I said.”

“It’s humiliating. It’s embarrassing. It’s not me. It’s not a word that I use but for some reason, it was in there and that’s what I’m trying to figure out as to why it was in there.”

On Friday, Ralph Lauren released a statement announcing that they have parted ways with the golfer after the incident. However, the door is open or Thomas to re-join the brand if he “does the hard and necessary work” to grow from the incident.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/major-league-baseball-conducts-baseball-coaching-sessions-online-for-over-75-coaches-357992" hreflang="en">Major League Baseball conducts baseball coaching sessions online for over 75 coaches</a>

“It’s going to be a part of this process or training program or whatever I need to do not only to prove to myself and prove to my sponsors and prove to those people who don’t know who I am but that’s indeed not the person I am,” Thomas said.

Thomas will be participating in the first round at Abu Dhabi Golf Club Thursday morning alongside Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood.

World No. 3 Justin Thomas on Wednesday broke his silence and spoke publicly for the first time since losing his Ralph Lauren sponsorship last week due to the controversy of using a homophobic slur publicly.

World No. 3 Justin Thomas on Wednesday broke his silence and spoke publicly for the first time since losing his Ralph Lauren sponsorship last week due to the controversy of using a homophobic slur publicly. ALSO READ: Novak Djokovic lashes out at critics over Australian Open quarantine stance While making his first public appearance ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the golfer told reporters: “I’m clearly beyond (not) proud of what I said.” “It’s humiliating. It’s embarrassing. It’s not me. It’s not a word that I use but for some reason, it was in there and that’s what I’m trying to figure out as to why it was in there.” On Friday, Ralph Lauren released a statement announcing that they have parted ways with the golfer after the incident. However, the door is open or Thomas to re-join the brand if he “does the hard and necessary work” to grow from the incident. ALSO READ: Major League Baseball conducts baseball coaching sessions online for over 75 coaches “It’s going to be a part of this process or training program or whatever I need to do not only to prove to myself and prove to my sponsors and prove to those people who don’t know who I am but that’s indeed not the person I am,” Thomas said. Thomas will be participating in the first round at Abu Dhabi Golf Club Thursday morning alongside Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood.

Justin Thomas breaks his silence for the first time since losing sponsors

Golf's world number three Justin Thomas has apologised after a homophobic slur was picked up by television microphones at the US PGA Tour's Tournament of Champions on Saturday.

"It's inexcusable," Thomas said. "First off, I just apologize. I'm an adult. I'm a grown man, there's absolutely no reason for me to say anything like that. It's terrible. I'm extremely embarrassed.&nbsp;

"It's not who I am, it's not the kind of person that I am or anything that I do.

"Unfortunately, I did it and I have to own up to it and I'm very apologetic."

Thomas' anti-gay slur stirred a controversy on social media. He uttered it on the fourth hole of his third round in Hawaii after missing a five-foot par putt.&nbsp;

The US PGA Tour is expected to fine Thomas for the remark. "As he expressed after his round, we agree that Justin's comment was unacceptable," the PGA Tour said in a statement.

Thomas finished his round by shooting a five-under 68 and is tied for fifth place with one round to play, four shots back of co-leaders Harris English and Ryan Palmer who are at 21-under par.

(Inputs from AFP)

Golf's world number three Justin Thomas has apologised after a homophobic slur was picked up by television microphones at the US PGA Tour's Tournament of Champions on Saturday.

Golf's world number three Justin Thomas has apologised after a homophobic slur was picked up by television microphones at the US PGA Tour's Tournament of Champions on Saturday. "It's inexcusable," Thomas said. "First off, I just apologize. I'm an adult. I'm a grown man, there's absolutely no reason for me to say anything like that. It's terrible. I'm extremely embarrassed. "It's not who I am, it's not the kind of person that I am or anything that I do. "Unfortunately, I did it and I have to own up to it and I'm very apologetic." Thomas' anti-gay slur stirred a controversy on social media. He uttered it on the fourth hole of his third round in Hawaii after missing a five-foot par putt. The US PGA Tour is expected to fine Thomas for the remark. "As he expressed after his round, we agree that Justin's comment was unacceptable," the PGA Tour said in a statement. Thomas finished his round by shooting a five-under 68 and is tied for fifth place with one round to play, four shots back of co-leaders Harris English and Ryan Palmer who are at 21-under par. (Inputs from AFP)

Golfer Justin Thomas apologises after a homophobic slur at Sentry

Englishman Lee Westwood was crowned Europe`s number one golfer for the third time in his career with a second-placed finish on Sunday behind compatriot Matthew Fitzpatrick, who won the European Tour`s season-ending DP World Tour Championship. 
 
Westwood won the Harry Vardon Trophy again 20 years after he first lifted it, with a steady final-round 68 at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai to go 14-under for the tournament and finish one stroke behind Fitzpatrick, who took home $3 million for his victory. 
 
Westwood won $2 million for finishing at the top of the Race to Dubai leaderboard, while overnight co-leader Patrick Reed lost the chance to become the first American to claim the honour as he ended tied in third place with Viktor Hovland at 13-under. 
 
"It`s been a bizarre season... The European Tour have done an incredible job to pick the season up again from July and have tournaments on every week," Westwood, who made five birdies and had one bogey, said. 
 
"The culmination of it all here, it was a great finish, sat there watching it. Thrills and spills, the Race to Dubai up for grabs and the tournament up for grabs. 
 
"It`s been 20 years since I sat there at Valderrama, to win the Order of Merit as it was then. It`s not getting any easier, I`m not getting any younger." 
 
Westwood said he would love to play in the Ryder Cup again, with the event pushed to next year due to the COVID-19 crisis. 
 
"At some point I`m hoping the captaincy is going to be offered," Westwood added. "I`ve played 10 Ryder Cups, at certain times you have to move into different chapters of your life. If I did qualify, I would give it my all and be ready for it." 
 
Fitzpatrick, who had a share of the lead before the final round, began with birdies on the opening four holes and added a further gain before the turn and finished steadily to seal his first Rolex Series win.

Englishman Lee Westwood was crowned Europe`s number one golfer for the third time in his career with a second-placed finish on Sunday behind compatriot Matthew Fitzpatrick, who won the European Tour`s season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

Englishman Lee Westwood was crowned Europe`s number one golfer for the third time in his career with a second-placed finish on Sunday behind compatriot Matthew Fitzpatrick, who won the European Tour`s season-ending DP World Tour Championship. Westwood won the Harry Vardon Trophy again 20 years after he first lifted it, with a steady final-round 68 at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai to go 14-under for the tournament and finish one stroke behind Fitzpatrick, who took home $3 million for his victory. Westwood won $2 million for finishing at the top of the Race to Dubai leaderboard, while overnight co-leader Patrick Reed lost the chance to become the first American to claim the honour as he ended tied in third place with Viktor Hovland at 13-under. "It`s been a bizarre season... The European Tour have done an incredible job to pick the season up again from July and have tournaments on every week," Westwood, who made five birdies and had one bogey, said. "The culmination of it all here, it was a great finish, sat there watching it. Thrills and spills, the Race to Dubai up for grabs and the tournament up for grabs. "It`s been 20 years since I sat there at Valderrama, to win the Order of Merit as it was then. It`s not getting any easier, I`m not getting any younger." Westwood said he would love to play in the Ryder Cup again, with the event pushed to next year due to the COVID-19 crisis. "At some point I`m hoping the captaincy is going to be offered," Westwood added. "I`ve played 10 Ryder Cups, at certain times you have to move into different chapters of your life. If I did qualify, I would give it my all and be ready for it." Fitzpatrick, who had a share of the lead before the final round, began with birdies on the opening four holes and added a further gain before the turn and finished steadily to seal his first Rolex Series win.

Westwood crowned European number one, Fitzpatrick wins in Dubai

Sportswashing, a player awash with cash and a country's unlikely hero feature in AFP Sport's golf talking points this week:

<h2>- Casey's Saudi flip -</h2>

Paul Casey's decision to play in Saudi Arabia next year has laid him open to charges of hypocrisy after he previously shunned the country over its poor human rights record.

World number one and Masters champion Dustin Johnson will tee up in February's European Tour event in Saudi Arabia alongside US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, Open champion Shane Lowry and other global stars such as Patrick Reed, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Phil Mickelson.

But the big surprise among the 2021 Saudi International entries was England's former world number three Casey, who pointedly refused to play when the tournament began in 2019.&nbsp;

His stance was echoed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, who both turned down reported $3 million appearance fees. "I just don't want to go," said McIlroy at the time, calling it "a morality issue".

Saudi Arabia has hosted a number of high-profile events recently and will hold its first Formula One grand prix next year, bringing accusations of "sportswashing" -- using sport to divert attention away from human rights issues.&nbsp;

Casey, a UNICEF ambassador, told the UK's Independent newspaper in January 2019 that he "would be a hypocrite" if he accepted Saudi appearance money.

But this week the world number 23 defended his U-turn. "This is not a decision I've taken lightly," Casey said in a statement.&nbsp;

"I wasn't comfortable going in the past, but I have always been open-minded and willing to learn. I believe sport has the power to effect change."&nbsp;

<h2>- Johnson's golden 2020&nbsp;-</h2>

Dustin Johnson has pulled out of this week's Mayakoba Classic, the final US PGA Tour event of 2020, meaning a strange but highly successful playing year has come to an end.

The world number one endured some bizarre ups and downs after the sport returned from shutdown in June.

He was forced to sit out two big-purse events after contracting Covid-19, and posted back-to-back rounds of 80 for the first time in his career, but also became FedEx Cup champion and won a small matter of four times -- including the Tour Championship and his first Masters at Augusta, his second major title.

Johnson's tournament winnings since June alone were $8.95 million, and once you throw in the $15 million bonus he received for winning the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup at East Lake in September his on-course earnings soar to an eye-watering $23.95 million in five months.

Most important of all, though, he now has a new green jacket.

<h2>- Pole in Olympic position &nbsp;-</h2>

Christiaan Bezuidenhout won his second European Tour event in South Africa at the weekend but a man who came tied second made almost as many headlines.

Adrian Meronk was bidding to become the first Pole to win on the European tour, and although the 6ft 6in rookie came up short after leading going into Sunday's final round, the 27-year-old has now set his sights on qualifying for next year's Olympics.

That would be some achievement, coming from a country that only has an estimated few thousand golfers in a population of almost 40 million -- a legacy of the days of Soviet control where the sport was frowned upon.

European and US PGA tour events were not even shown on Polish television until two years ago.

"There has been a lot of growth in playing numbers this year in Poland," Meronk told Golf Digest.&nbsp;

"Because of the virus, people have been looking for things to do outdoors. And golf has benefited. New courses are being built.&nbsp;

"If I was to win on the European Tour, it would be huge for golf in Poland. So would making it to the Olympics. I'm in right now through my world ranking," said the world number 195.&nbsp;

"If I was to do well in that, golf would get a lot of publicity."

<h2>- World rankings -</h2>

Top 10s, week beginning November 30, 2020:

Men

1. Dustin Johnson (USA) 13.06

2. Jon Rahm (ESP) 10.42

3. Justin Thomas (USA) 9.62

4. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 7.57

5. Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 7.38 (+1)

6. Webb Simpson (USA) 7.30 (+1)

7. Xander Schauffele (USA) 7.24 (+1)&nbsp;

8. Collin Morikawa (USA) 7.24 (-3)&nbsp;

9. Patrick Cantlay (USA) 6.47&nbsp;

10. Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 6.27

Women

1. Ko Jin-young (KOR) 7.79&nbsp;

2. Kim Sei-young (KOR) 7.38&nbsp;

3. Nelly Korda (USA) 6.59&nbsp;

4. Danielle Kang (USA) 6.40&nbsp;

5. Park In-bee (KOR) 6.18&nbsp;

6. Brooke Henderson (CAN) 5.81&nbsp;

7. Nasa Hataoka (JPN) 5.71

8. Minjee Lee (AUS) 5.25&nbsp;

9. Park Sung-hyun (KOR) 4.99&nbsp;

10. Kim Hyo-joo (KOR) 4.90

Sportswashing, a player awash with cash and a country's unlikely hero feature in AFP Sport's golf talking points this week: - Casey's Saudi flip - Paul Casey's decision to play in Saudi Arabia next year has laid him open to charges of hypocrisy after he previously shunned the country over its poor human rights record.

Sportswashing, a player awash with cash and a country's unlikely hero feature in AFP Sport's golf talking points this week: - Casey's Saudi flip - Paul Casey's decision to play in Saudi Arabia next year has laid him open to charges of hypocrisy after he previously shunned the country over its poor human rights record. World number one and Masters champion Dustin Johnson will tee up in February's European Tour event in Saudi Arabia alongside US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, Open champion Shane Lowry and other global stars such as Patrick Reed, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Phil Mickelson. But the big surprise among the 2021 Saudi International entries was England's former world number three Casey, who pointedly refused to play when the tournament began in 2019. His stance was echoed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, who both turned down reported $3 million appearance fees. "I just don't want to go," said McIlroy at the time, calling it "a morality issue". Saudi Arabia has hosted a number of high-profile events recently and will hold its first Formula One grand prix next year, bringing accusations of "sportswashing" -- using sport to divert attention away from human rights issues. Casey, a UNICEF ambassador, told the UK's Independent newspaper in January 2019 that he "would be a hypocrite" if he accepted Saudi appearance money. But this week the world number 23 defended his U-turn. "This is not a decision I've taken lightly," Casey said in a statement. "I wasn't comfortable going in the past, but I have always been open-minded and willing to learn. I believe sport has the power to effect change." - Johnson's golden 2020 - Dustin Johnson has pulled out of this week's Mayakoba Classic, the final US PGA Tour event of 2020, meaning a strange but highly successful playing year has come to an end. The world number one endured some bizarre ups and downs after the sport returned from shutdown in June. He was forced to sit out two big-purse events after contracting Covid-19, and posted back-to-back rounds of 80 for the first time in his career, but also became FedEx Cup champion and won a small matter of four times -- including the Tour Championship and his first Masters at Augusta, his second major title. Johnson's tournament winnings since June alone were $8.95 million, and once you throw in the $15 million bonus he received for winning the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup at East Lake in September his on-course earnings soar to an eye-watering $23.95 million in five months. Most important of all, though, he now has a new green jacket. - Pole in Olympic position - Christiaan Bezuidenhout won his second European Tour event in South Africa at the weekend but a man who came tied second made almost as many headlines. Adrian Meronk was bidding to become the first Pole to win on the European tour, and although the 6ft 6in rookie came up short after leading going into Sunday's final round, the 27-year-old has now set his sights on qualifying for next year's Olympics. That would be some achievement, coming from a country that only has an estimated few thousand golfers in a population of almost 40 million -- a legacy of the days of Soviet control where the sport was frowned upon. European and US PGA tour events were not even shown on Polish television until two years ago. "There has been a lot of growth in playing numbers this year in Poland," Meronk told Golf Digest. "Because of the virus, people have been looking for things to do outdoors. And golf has benefited. New courses are being built. "If I was to win on the European Tour, it would be huge for golf in Poland. So would making it to the Olympics. I'm in right now through my world ranking," said the world number 195. "If I was to do well in that, golf would get a lot of publicity." - World rankings - Top 10s, week beginning November 30, 2020: Men 1. Dustin Johnson (USA) 13.06 2. Jon Rahm (ESP) 10.42 3. Justin Thomas (USA) 9.62 4. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 7.57 5. Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 7.38 (+1) 6. Webb Simpson (USA) 7.30 (+1) 7. Xander Schauffele (USA) 7.24 (+1) 8. Collin Morikawa (USA) 7.24 (-3) 9. Patrick Cantlay (USA) 6.47 10. Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 6.27 Women 1. Ko Jin-young (KOR) 7.79 2. Kim Sei-young (KOR) 7.38 3. Nelly Korda (USA) 6.59 4. Danielle Kang (USA) 6.40 5. Park In-bee (KOR) 6.18 6. Brooke Henderson (CAN) 5.81 7. Nasa Hataoka (JPN) 5.71 8. Minjee Lee (AUS) 5.25 9. Park Sung-hyun (KOR) 4.99 10. Kim Hyo-joo (KOR) 4.90

Desert storms, Dustin's millions: golf talking points

Robert Streb overcame gusting winds to fire a spotless nine-under 63 to grab a two stroke lead after the second round of the RSM Classic on Friday.

The 33-year-old American, who is gunning for his second win on the PGA Tour, birdied nine holes including his last two to sit 14-under par heading into the weekend, with overnight co-leader Camilo Villegas of Columbia lurking two back.

Streb tied his career-low round on the Plantation Course on Friday and even though the last four winners of the tournament have held the 36-hole lead, he said he did not want to get ahead of himself.

"I don't want to be the one that breaks the streak," he said.

"There's still a lot of golf left, still got to go play and we'll see what happens."

Four-time PGA Tour winner Villegas hit a daring approach shot on his final hole and then coolly converted an eagle putt to follow up his opening round 64 with a solid 66.

"I got a little lucky to be honest," he said of his eagle on the par-five 18th.

"I pushed my drive, it bounced on the cart path. I only had a nine iron so I was able to be a little more aggressive to the pin."

Bronson Burgoon jumped up the leaderboard behind a bogey-free 63 and is three strokes off the lead alongside fellow American Patton Kizzire.

Burgoon has seen disappointing results recently but said the adjustments he made to his game are starting to pay off.

"It's been a struggle for a while," he said.

"I made some changes that I felt like I needed to make to be able to compete out here.

"So for the last six, seven months it's been pretty frustrating, but I'm working towards something and I'm looking forward to the rest of the year and next year."

Robert Streb overcame gusting winds to fire a spotless nine-under 63 to grab a two stroke lead after the second round of the RSM Classic on Friday. The 33-year-old American, who is gunning for his second win on the PGA Tour, birdied nine holes including his last two to sit 14-under par heading into the weekend, with overnight co-leader Camilo Villegas of Columbia lurking two back.

Robert Streb overcame gusting winds to fire a spotless nine-under 63 to grab a two stroke lead after the second round of the RSM Classic on Friday. The 33-year-old American, who is gunning for his second win on the PGA Tour, birdied nine holes including his last two to sit 14-under par heading into the weekend, with overnight co-leader Camilo Villegas of Columbia lurking two back. Streb tied his career-low round on the Plantation Course on Friday and even though the last four winners of the tournament have held the 36-hole lead, he said he did not want to get ahead of himself. "I don't want to be the one that breaks the streak," he said. "There's still a lot of golf left, still got to go play and we'll see what happens." Four-time PGA Tour winner Villegas hit a daring approach shot on his final hole and then coolly converted an eagle putt to follow up his opening round 64 with a solid 66. "I got a little lucky to be honest," he said of his eagle on the par-five 18th. "I pushed my drive, it bounced on the cart path. I only had a nine iron so I was able to be a little more aggressive to the pin." Bronson Burgoon jumped up the leaderboard behind a bogey-free 63 and is three strokes off the lead alongside fellow American Patton Kizzire. Burgoon has seen disappointing results recently but said the adjustments he made to his game are starting to pay off. "It's been a struggle for a while," he said. "I made some changes that I felt like I needed to make to be able to compete out here. "So for the last six, seven months it's been pretty frustrating, but I'm working towards something and I'm looking forward to the rest of the year and next year."

American golfer Robert Streb grabs second round lead at RSM Classic

Professional golfers are really good and Jon Rahm’s ridiculous shot at Augusta on Tuesday once again proves that. Rahm arguably pulled off one of the greatest shots of all time when it comes to golf as social media went crazy over the viral video.

Over the years, it has been a tradition to skip your shot off the water on No. 16 during practice rounds. While many would simply send their shots sinking into a pond, Rahm turned the pond to his advantage and pulled off a magical stroke, which left everyone stunned with many calling it ‘the greatest golf shots of all time’. Rahm skipped his shot off the water for a hole-on-one.&nbsp;

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From pond to pin! Rahm skips to a hole-in-one on No. 16 at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/themasters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#themasters</a> <a href="https://t.co/JNNPWgW9OP">pic.twitter.com/JNNPWgW9OP</a>
— The Masters (@TheMasters) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMasters/status/1326232433373704194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Rahm just did this on the 16th!!!!!<a href="https://t.co/BsY3W2TuEG">pic.twitter.com/BsY3W2TuEG</a>
— Seb Carmichael-Brown (@sebcbrown4) <a href="https://twitter.com/sebcbrown4/status/1326234138014314499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2020</a></blockquote>
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One of the craziest holes-in-one ever. 😱<a href="https://twitter.com/JonRahmpga?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JonRahmPGA</a> skipped in an ace ... on his birthday. 🎈<a href="https://t.co/sV5qhF5CQe">pic.twitter.com/sV5qhF5CQe</a>
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) <a href="https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1326242742889017354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Two hole-in-one’s in two days - Happy Birthday to me! <a href="https://t.co/66dxOr47T7">https://t.co/66dxOr47T7</a>
— Jon Rahm Rodriguez (@JonRahmpga) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonRahmpga/status/1326257618935930880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2020</a></blockquote>
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ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/gritty-mcilroy-ready-to-earn-masters-win-and-finish-slam-342345" hreflang="en">Gritty McIlroy ready to earn Masters win and finish Slam</a>

“Yeah, pretty nice birthday present,” said Rahm, who turned 26 on Tuesday. “Can’t complain. Hit my normal tee shot to two feet and then skipped it and made it, which is the craziest thing, the second hole-in-one of the week.”

It was Rahm’s second ace this week after he made a hole-in-one on the fourth hole on Monday.&nbsp;

“Well, yesterday it was on 4, I hit a 5 iron, and we didn’t know it went in. A couple of people on the green, and we didn’t know until we basically got to the green. But the one on 16 today was visible, so very different. You don’t see people skipping it and actually hitting it on the green very often, and to make it to that back pin, clearly, we were all pretty shocked.”

However, Rahm said he isn’t counting the skip ace in his career aggregate.&nbsp;

“The one on 16 doesn’t really count as an ace. With the one on 4 yesterday, that’s four. Two in competition,” he said.

Professional golfers are really good and Jon Rahm’s ridiculous shot at Augusta on Tuesday once again proves that. Rahm arguably pulled off one of the greatest shots of all time when it comes to golf as social media went crazy over the viral video.

Professional golfers are really good and Jon Rahm’s ridiculous shot at Augusta on Tuesday once again proves that. Rahm arguably pulled off one of the greatest shots of all time when it comes to golf as social media went crazy over the viral video. Over the years, it has been a tradition to skip your shot off the water on No. 16 during practice rounds. While many would simply send their shots sinking into a pond, Rahm turned the pond to his advantage and pulled off a magical stroke, which left everyone stunned with many calling it ‘the greatest golf shots of all time’. Rahm skipped his shot off the water for a hole-on-one. From pond to pin! Rahm skips to a hole-in-one on No. 16 at #themasters pic.twitter.com/JNNPWgW9OP — The Masters (@TheMasters) November 10, 2020 × Rahm just did this on the 16th!!!!!pic.twitter.com/BsY3W2TuEG — Seb Carmichael-Brown (@sebcbrown4) November 10, 2020 × One of the craziest holes-in-one ever. 😱@JonRahmPGA skipped in an ace ... on his birthday. 🎈pic.twitter.com/sV5qhF5CQe — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 10, 2020 × Two hole-in-one’s in two days - Happy Birthday to me! https://t.co/66dxOr47T7 — Jon Rahm Rodriguez (@JonRahmpga) November 10, 2020 × ALSO READ: Gritty McIlroy ready to earn Masters win and finish Slam “Yeah, pretty nice birthday present,” said Rahm, who turned 26 on Tuesday. “Can’t complain. Hit my normal tee shot to two feet and then skipped it and made it, which is the craziest thing, the second hole-in-one of the week.” It was Rahm’s second ace this week after he made a hole-in-one on the fourth hole on Monday. “Well, yesterday it was on 4, I hit a 5 iron, and we didn’t know it went in. A couple of people on the green, and we didn’t know until we basically got to the green. But the one on 16 today was visible, so very different. You don’t see people skipping it and actually hitting it on the green very often, and to make it to that back pin, clearly, we were all pretty shocked.” However, Rahm said he isn’t counting the skip ace in his career aggregate. “The one on 16 doesn’t really count as an ace. With the one on 4 yesterday, that’s four. Two in competition,” he said.

Watch: 'Greatest golf shot of all-time' - Jon Rahm skips to a hole-in-one at Masters

This year's Australian Open Golf Championship was postponed Tuesday because of the coronavirus pandemic but officials said they were hoping to restage the event early in 2021.

Melbourne's Kingston Heath Golf Club had been due to host the 105th edition of the historic championship, the world's fifth oldest professional golf tournament, in November.

But with the country battling a surge in COVID-19 cases and the game's stars facing major tournaments moved to later in 2020, Golf Australia operations manager Simon Brookhouse said they would instead look at a "January to March 2021 window".

The US Masters, originally scheduled for April, will now be played in Augusta from November 12-15.&nbsp;

Coupled with COVID-19 travel restrictions and quarantine measures, that means it would be almost impossible to assemble a world-class field in Melbourne.

"Unfortunately, it is not a simple matter of whether or not we could co-ordinate any international stars to visit," Brookhouse said.

"The uncertainty of the quarantine requirements for any players coming from outside Australia needed to be considered," he said, noting that the restrictions would also impact Australian players currently overseas.

"These are very challenging times for all Australians and the uncertainty the global pandemic has caused makes it very difficult to be definitive in relation to future dates at this time," Brookhouse said.

Australia closed its borders to most international travellers in March to curb the spread of COVID-19, although exceptions have been made for some professional athletes who agree to quarantine for 14 days.

While most of the country has successfully contained the epidemic, Melbourne is struggling to control a second wave of the virus, closing nearly all travel into the city and surrounding Victoria state.

Last year's Australian Open in Sydney was plagued by smoke from unprecedented bushfires. It was won by Australia's Matt Jones.

The postponement means 2020 will be the first year since World War II in which the Australian Open will not be held.&nbsp;

This year's Australian Open Golf Championship was postponed Tuesday because of the coronavirus pandemic but officials said they were hoping to restage the event early in 2021.

This year's Australian Open Golf Championship was postponed Tuesday because of the coronavirus pandemic but officials said they were hoping to restage the event early in 2021. Melbourne's Kingston Heath Golf Club had been due to host the 105th edition of the historic championship, the world's fifth oldest professional golf tournament, in November. But with the country battling a surge in COVID-19 cases and the game's stars facing major tournaments moved to later in 2020, Golf Australia operations manager Simon Brookhouse said they would instead look at a "January to March 2021 window". The US Masters, originally scheduled for April, will now be played in Augusta from November 12-15. Coupled with COVID-19 travel restrictions and quarantine measures, that means it would be almost impossible to assemble a world-class field in Melbourne. "Unfortunately, it is not a simple matter of whether or not we could co-ordinate any international stars to visit," Brookhouse said. "The uncertainty of the quarantine requirements for any players coming from outside Australia needed to be considered," he said, noting that the restrictions would also impact Australian players currently overseas. "These are very challenging times for all Australians and the uncertainty the global pandemic has caused makes it very difficult to be definitive in relation to future dates at this time," Brookhouse said. Australia closed its borders to most international travellers in March to curb the spread of COVID-19, although exceptions have been made for some professional athletes who agree to quarantine for 14 days. While most of the country has successfully contained the epidemic, Melbourne is struggling to control a second wave of the virus, closing nearly all travel into the city and surrounding Victoria state. Last year's Australian Open in Sydney was plagued by smoke from unprecedented bushfires. It was won by Australia's Matt Jones. The postponement means 2020 will be the first year since World War II in which the Australian Open will not be held.

Golf's 2020 Australian Open postponed because of coronavirus

Unheralded Dale Whitnell, a former courier, fired a flawless second round of 64 on Thursday to surge to within a shot of halfway leader Renato Paratore at the British Masters.

The 31-year-old Whitnell, a former Walker Cup team-mate of Tommy Fleetwood, recorded an eagle and five birdies at Close House to climb to 10 under par on the European Tour's return to action.

"I've been working hard on my game and this course suits me because it's a little bit fiddly in places," said Whitnell, who had not earned any money from five events in 2020 before the circuit shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"I'm just trying to go about my business like I normally would and if it's good enough, it's good enough."

Whitnell spent 10 months as a courier driver a couple years ago to support himself while competing on lower-level tours, and claimed his European Tour card from qualifying school last season.

He said he was trying not to think about the first prize of £187,000 ($238,000) and a two-year European Tour exemption, a potentially life-changing breakthrough.

"The peaks and troughs of the golf profession are very interesting. You've just got to try to deal with it the best you can. I love the game, I wouldn't be here if I didn't and my amateur career speaks for itself," said Whitnell.

Italy's Paratore backed up his opening 65 with another bogey-free display, carding 66 after defying soggy conditions in Newcastle.&nbsp;

Justin Harding of South Africa shot the round of the tournament so far with a 63 to sit level alongside Whitnell, while overnight leader David Law is among four players one stroke further adrift.

All players, caddies and officials were tested for COVID-19 before travelling to the venue and again when arriving on site, with no reported positives so far as the European Tour resumed this week behind closed doors.

Face masks are required indoors and social distancing measures observed, although the strict protocols prompted Andrew Johnston to withdraw after nine holes of his opening round.

Johnston, who opened up last year about mental health struggles, said: "Being here and being confined to the hotel and course and not being able to bring my family is ultimately not what I want at this moment.

"I'm struggling to get my head around it all. One minute I'm coming out of lockdown, going out for dinner, and then the next I'm back in lockdown in a hotel room."

Unheralded Dale Whitnell, a former courier, fired a flawless second round of 64 on Thursday to surge to within a shot of halfway leader Renato Paratore at the British Masters.

Unheralded Dale Whitnell, a former courier, fired a flawless second round of 64 on Thursday to surge to within a shot of halfway leader Renato Paratore at the British Masters. The 31-year-old Whitnell, a former Walker Cup team-mate of Tommy Fleetwood, recorded an eagle and five birdies at Close House to climb to 10 under par on the European Tour's return to action. "I've been working hard on my game and this course suits me because it's a little bit fiddly in places," said Whitnell, who had not earned any money from five events in 2020 before the circuit shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. "I'm just trying to go about my business like I normally would and if it's good enough, it's good enough." Whitnell spent 10 months as a courier driver a couple years ago to support himself while competing on lower-level tours, and claimed his European Tour card from qualifying school last season. He said he was trying not to think about the first prize of £187,000 ($238,000) and a two-year European Tour exemption, a potentially life-changing breakthrough. "The peaks and troughs of the golf profession are very interesting. You've just got to try to deal with it the best you can. I love the game, I wouldn't be here if I didn't and my amateur career speaks for itself," said Whitnell. Italy's Paratore backed up his opening 65 with another bogey-free display, carding 66 after defying soggy conditions in Newcastle. Justin Harding of South Africa shot the round of the tournament so far with a 63 to sit level alongside Whitnell, while overnight leader David Law is among four players one stroke further adrift. All players, caddies and officials were tested for COVID-19 before travelling to the venue and again when arriving on site, with no reported positives so far as the European Tour resumed this week behind closed doors. Face masks are required indoors and social distancing measures observed, although the strict protocols prompted Andrew Johnston to withdraw after nine holes of his opening round. Johnston, who opened up last year about mental health struggles, said: "Being here and being confined to the hotel and course and not being able to bring my family is ultimately not what I want at this moment. "I'm struggling to get my head around it all. One minute I'm coming out of lockdown, going out for dinner, and then the next I'm back in lockdown in a hotel room."

Surprise package Whitnell in hunt at British Masters

Golf's Taiwan Masters was cancelled Wednesday because of the coronavirus pandemic, casting doubt over the planned September resumption of the Asian Tour season.

The long-standing, $950,000 tournament was scheduled to tee off at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club from September 17-20, the same week as the rescheduled US Open at Winged Foot.

It was the second of three Asian Tour events announced last month to get the COVID-ravaged season back on track after a six-month suspension.

But the tournament was scrapped because of health and safety concerns and travel restrictions on players living outside Taiwan, the tour announced in a statement.

The Taiwan Masters is one of Asia's oldest continuously played professional golf events, having first been held in 1987, and has been an Asian Tour fixture since it was first sanctioned in 2004.

The Asian Tour, which has been suspended since American Trevor Simsby won the Malaysia Open on March 7, still hopes to return at the $1.181 million Shinhan Donghae Open from September 10-13 in South Korea followed by the $1.4 million Panasonic Open in Japan from September 24.

The last of golf's three leading men's circuits to announce a return to action, the Asian Tour is faced with a complex international schedule that involves players from more than 25 countries crossing borders for each tournament.

The US PGA Tour has already made a successful return, without spectators, and continues this week when Tiger Woods ends his own coronavirus sabbatical by starring at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio from Thursday.

The European Tour resumed in Austria last weekend with a low-key event shared with the second-tier Challenge Tour and will get fully back in the swing with six events in Britain from next week, beginning with the British Masters in Newcastle.

Australia's Wade Ormsby, who won the Hong Kong Open in January, leads the fledgling 2020 Asian Tour Order of Merit but only four tournaments have been completed.

Golf's Taiwan Masters was cancelled Wednesday because of the coronavirus pandemic, casting doubt over the planned September resumption of the Asian Tour season. The long-standing, $950,000 tournament was scheduled to tee off at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club from September 17-20, the same week as the rescheduled US Open at Winged Foot.

Golf's Taiwan Masters was cancelled Wednesday because of the coronavirus pandemic, casting doubt over the planned September resumption of the Asian Tour season. The long-standing, $950,000 tournament was scheduled to tee off at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club from September 17-20, the same week as the rescheduled US Open at Winged Foot. It was the second of three Asian Tour events announced last month to get the COVID-ravaged season back on track after a six-month suspension. But the tournament was scrapped because of health and safety concerns and travel restrictions on players living outside Taiwan, the tour announced in a statement. The Taiwan Masters is one of Asia's oldest continuously played professional golf events, having first been held in 1987, and has been an Asian Tour fixture since it was first sanctioned in 2004. The Asian Tour, which has been suspended since American Trevor Simsby won the Malaysia Open on March 7, still hopes to return at the $1.181 million Shinhan Donghae Open from September 10-13 in South Korea followed by the $1.4 million Panasonic Open in Japan from September 24. The last of golf's three leading men's circuits to announce a return to action, the Asian Tour is faced with a complex international schedule that involves players from more than 25 countries crossing borders for each tournament. The US PGA Tour has already made a successful return, without spectators, and continues this week when Tiger Woods ends his own coronavirus sabbatical by starring at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio from Thursday. The European Tour resumed in Austria last weekend with a low-key event shared with the second-tier Challenge Tour and will get fully back in the swing with six events in Britain from next week, beginning with the British Masters in Newcastle. Australia's Wade Ormsby, who won the Hong Kong Open in January, leads the fledgling 2020 Asian Tour Order of Merit but only four tournaments have been completed.

Asian Tour restart blow as Taiwan Masters golf cancelled

A couple of comebacks and the continued emergence of a bright young star feature in AFP Sport's golf talking points for this week.

<h2>- Woods in top company -</h2>

When Tiger Woods returns to competitive golf for the first time in five months at Jack Nicklaus's Memorial Tournament on Thursday, he will do so in exalted company.

Woods will tee off alongside&nbsp;world number one Rory McIlroy&nbsp;and Brooks Koepka in an eye-catching threeball for the first two rounds at Muirfield Village in Ohio.&nbsp;

Woods needs a sixth victory at the event he last won in 2012 to become the most successful golfer in PGA Tour history, having tied Sam Snead's record 82 wins at October's Zozo Championship in Japan.

The 15-time major winner last played competitively at the Genesis Invitational in February, finishing 68th.&nbsp;

Without Woods since the tour's return from COVID-19 lockdown, the buzz has been all about Bryson DeChambeau and Collin Morikawa, winners of the last two events, and they will go out together alongside defending champion Patrick Cantlay on Thursday.

Big-hitting DeChambeau, the 2018 Memorial champion, is favourite with the bookmakers at 10-1. Woods is priced at a tempting-looking 25-1.&nbsp;

The bookies should note that the last time Woods returned from an enforced layoff, at the Zozo after a 10-week break for arthroscopic knee surgery, he won.

<h2>- Miguel keeps rolling -</h2>

He might be nearer to 60 than 50 but Miguel Angel Jimenez&nbsp;proved he was still one to watch when the European Tour made a low-key return last week.

At the Austrian Open, an event shared with the second-tier Challenge Tour, the 56-year-old rolled back the years to shoot his lowest score since the 2018 Italian Open, a seven-under-par 65 in the second round.

It put the Spaniard into the lead and he finished tied eighth to record his first top 10 since the 2017 Hong Kong Open.

Jimenez has already set the record for the oldest winner on the European Tour three times and he threatened it again at the Diamond Country Club near Vienna, an event won by Scotland's Marc Warren.&nbsp;

Jimenez won the 2012 Hong Kong Open at the age of 48 years, 307 days, before successfully defending it a year later when 49 years and 337 days old.

Not content with that, he won the 2014 Open de Espana for his 21st title at 50 years, 133 days.

The European Tour remains in Austria this week before moving to Britain for the first of six full-field events starting with the British Masters in Newcastle.

<h2>- Collin's a cut above -</h2>

Collin Morikawa only turned pro 13 months ago, but he won for the first time on the US PGA Tour at the Barracuda Championship just eight weeks later and has been so consistent that he now has more wins than missed cuts.

His second tournament victory came at the Workday Charity Open at Muirfield on Sunday where he won a nail-biting playoff against Justin Thomas on the third extra hole.&nbsp;

His reward is a huge jump in the world rankings from 29th to 13th, one place above Tiger Woods, and he is firmly in the Ryder Cup picture for the next edition at Whistling Straits, now shifted to September 2021.

Morikawa's only missed cut came two weeks earlier at the Travelers Championship, and a fortnight before that he had the crushing disappointment of seeing a two-foot putt lip out to lose a playoff to Daniel Berger at the Charles Schwab Challenge.

But he recovered in the best possible fashion with his second win and it is noteworthy that the 23-year-old's&nbsp;streak of 22 straight weekends played to start his professional career is second only to, you've guessed it, Woods.

<h2>- World's top 20 -</h2>

New Official World Golf Rankings updated July 13, 2020:&nbsp;

1. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 8.75&nbsp;

2. Jon Rahm (ESP) 7.85&nbsp;

3. Justin Thomas (USA) 7.67 (+2)&nbsp;

4. Dustin Johnson (USA) 7.49&nbsp;(-1)

5. Webb Simpson (USA) 7.13&nbsp;(-1)

6. Brooks Koepka (USA) 6.73&nbsp;

7. Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 6.24&nbsp;

8. Patrick Reed (USA) 5.85&nbsp;(+1)

9. Adam Scott (AUS) 5.84&nbsp;(+1)

10. Patrick Cantlay (USA) 5.84&nbsp;(-2)

11. Xander Schauffele (USA) 5.45&nbsp;

12. Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 5.12&nbsp;

13. Collin Morikawa (USA) 4.96&nbsp;(+16)

14. Tiger Woods (USA) 4.86

15. Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 4.81&nbsp;

16. Justin Rose (ENG) 4.76&nbsp;(-3)

17. Marc Leishman (AUS) 4.48&nbsp;(-1)

18. Gary Woodland (USA) 4.31 (+1)&nbsp;

19. Tony Finau (USA) 4.29&nbsp;(-2)

20. Matt Kuchar (USA) 4.25 (-2)

A couple of comebacks and the continued emergence of a bright young star feature in AFP Sport's golf talking points for this week. - Woods in top company - When Tiger Woods returns to competitive golf for the first time in five months at Jack Nicklaus's Memorial Tournament on Thursday, he will do so in exalted company.

A couple of comebacks and the continued emergence of a bright young star feature in AFP Sport's golf talking points for this week. - Woods in top company - When Tiger Woods returns to competitive golf for the first time in five months at Jack Nicklaus's Memorial Tournament on Thursday, he will do so in exalted company. Woods will tee off alongside world number one Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka in an eye-catching threeball for the first two rounds at Muirfield Village in Ohio. Woods needs a sixth victory at the event he last won in 2012 to become the most successful golfer in PGA Tour history, having tied Sam Snead's record 82 wins at October's Zozo Championship in Japan. The 15-time major winner last played competitively at the Genesis Invitational in February, finishing 68th. Without Woods since the tour's return from COVID-19 lockdown, the buzz has been all about Bryson DeChambeau and Collin Morikawa, winners of the last two events, and they will go out together alongside defending champion Patrick Cantlay on Thursday. Big-hitting DeChambeau, the 2018 Memorial champion, is favourite with the bookmakers at 10-1. Woods is priced at a tempting-looking 25-1. The bookies should note that the last time Woods returned from an enforced layoff, at the Zozo after a 10-week break for arthroscopic knee surgery, he won. - Miguel keeps rolling - He might be nearer to 60 than 50 but Miguel Angel Jimenez proved he was still one to watch when the European Tour made a low-key return last week. At the Austrian Open, an event shared with the second-tier Challenge Tour, the 56-year-old rolled back the years to shoot his lowest score since the 2018 Italian Open, a seven-under-par 65 in the second round. It put the Spaniard into the lead and he finished tied eighth to record his first top 10 since the 2017 Hong Kong Open. Jimenez has already set the record for the oldest winner on the European Tour three times and he threatened it again at the Diamond Country Club near Vienna, an event won by Scotland's Marc Warren. Jimenez won the 2012 Hong Kong Open at the age of 48 years, 307 days, before successfully defending it a year later when 49 years and 337 days old. Not content with that, he won the 2014 Open de Espana for his 21st title at 50 years, 133 days. The European Tour remains in Austria this week before moving to Britain for the first of six full-field events starting with the British Masters in Newcastle. - Collin's a cut above - Collin Morikawa only turned pro 13 months ago, but he won for the first time on the US PGA Tour at the Barracuda Championship just eight weeks later and has been so consistent that he now has more wins than missed cuts. His second tournament victory came at the Workday Charity Open at Muirfield on Sunday where he won a nail-biting playoff against Justin Thomas on the third extra hole. His reward is a huge jump in the world rankings from 29th to 13th, one place above Tiger Woods, and he is firmly in the Ryder Cup picture for the next edition at Whistling Straits, now shifted to September 2021. Morikawa's only missed cut came two weeks earlier at the Travelers Championship, and a fortnight before that he had the crushing disappointment of seeing a two-foot putt lip out to lose a playoff to Daniel Berger at the Charles Schwab Challenge. But he recovered in the best possible fashion with his second win and it is noteworthy that the 23-year-old's streak of 22 straight weekends played to start his professional career is second only to, you've guessed it, Woods. - World's top 20 - New Official World Golf Rankings updated July 13, 2020: 1. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 8.75 2. Jon Rahm (ESP) 7.85 3. Justin Thomas (USA) 7.67 (+2) 4. Dustin Johnson (USA) 7.49 (-1) 5. Webb Simpson (USA) 7.13 (-1) 6. Brooks Koepka (USA) 6.73 7. Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 6.24 8. Patrick Reed (USA) 5.85 (+1) 9. Adam Scott (AUS) 5.84 (+1) 10. Patrick Cantlay (USA) 5.84 (-2) 11. Xander Schauffele (USA) 5.45 12. Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 5.12 13. Collin Morikawa (USA) 4.96 (+16) 14. Tiger Woods (USA) 4.86 15. Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 4.81 16. Justin Rose (ENG) 4.76 (-3) 17. Marc Leishman (AUS) 4.48 (-1) 18. Gary Woodland (USA) 4.31 (+1) 19. Tony Finau (USA) 4.29 (-2) 20. Matt Kuchar (USA) 4.25 (-2)

Tiger back, Miguel for the ages, Morikawa power: golf talking points

A bulked-up Bryson DeChambeau, who has been knocking on the door since the PGA Tour’s return from a COVID-19 hiatus, finally blew it open as he cruised to victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit on Sunday.

World number 10 DeChambeau, who arrived at Detroit Golf Club riding an impressive streak of six consecutive top-10 finishes, shot a seven-under-par 65 to reach 23 under on the week, three shots ahead of overnight leader Matthew Wolff (71).

DeChambeau, who re-emerged from the break in mid-June packing serious muscle and startling distance off the tee, began the day three shots back of Wolff but wasted little time taking over top spot on the leaderboard.

The American had four birdies through seven holes, and then added another at the par-four 10th where he drained a 22-foot putt to take complete control.

DeChambeau’s lone miscue came at the par-five 14th where he made bogey, which opened the door as Wolff shrugged off a rough front nine and made a late charge.

But DeChambeau finished his round with three consecutive birdies to secure his sixth PGA Tour victory. The win marks DeChambeau’s fourth straight PGA Tour season with a triumph.

“This is a little emotional for me because I did do something a little different, I changed my body, changed my mindset in the game and I was able to accomplish a win while playing a completely different style of golf,” said DeChambeau.

“And it’s pretty amazing to see that and I hope it’s an inspiration to a lot of people that if they set their mind to it, you can accomplish it. It just takes a lot of hard work.”

Wolff, who was seeking his second PGA Tour title, struggled early and was three over after 10 holes, five shots off the pace, and seemingly out of contention until the par-four 12th where he made the first of four birdies over a six-hole stretch.

Wolff had a chance to move to within one shot of DeChambeau but his 14-foot eagle putt at the penultimate hole stopped just short of the cup.

Kevin Kisner (66) finished five shots back of DeChambeau in third place while former Masters champion Danny Willett (66) was among a group of four golfers a further two shots back.

A bulked-up Bryson DeChambeau, who has been knocking on the door since the PGA Tour’s return from a COVID-19 hiatus, finally blew it open as he cruised to victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit on Sunday.

A bulked-up Bryson DeChambeau, who has been knocking on the door since the PGA Tour’s return from a COVID-19 hiatus, finally blew it open as he cruised to victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit on Sunday. World number 10 DeChambeau, who arrived at Detroit Golf Club riding an impressive streak of six consecutive top-10 finishes, shot a seven-under-par 65 to reach 23 under on the week, three shots ahead of overnight leader Matthew Wolff (71). DeChambeau, who re-emerged from the break in mid-June packing serious muscle and startling distance off the tee, began the day three shots back of Wolff but wasted little time taking over top spot on the leaderboard. The American had four birdies through seven holes, and then added another at the par-four 10th where he drained a 22-foot putt to take complete control. DeChambeau’s lone miscue came at the par-five 14th where he made bogey, which opened the door as Wolff shrugged off a rough front nine and made a late charge. But DeChambeau finished his round with three consecutive birdies to secure his sixth PGA Tour victory. The win marks DeChambeau’s fourth straight PGA Tour season with a triumph. “This is a little emotional for me because I did do something a little different, I changed my body, changed my mindset in the game and I was able to accomplish a win while playing a completely different style of golf,” said DeChambeau. “And it’s pretty amazing to see that and I hope it’s an inspiration to a lot of people that if they set their mind to it, you can accomplish it. It just takes a lot of hard work.” Wolff, who was seeking his second PGA Tour title, struggled early and was three over after 10 holes, five shots off the pace, and seemingly out of contention until the par-four 12th where he made the first of four birdies over a six-hole stretch. Wolff had a chance to move to within one shot of DeChambeau but his 14-foot eagle putt at the penultimate hole stopped just short of the cup. Kevin Kisner (66) finished five shots back of DeChambeau in third place while former Masters champion Danny Willett (66) was among a group of four golfers a further two shots back.

Golf: DeChambeau muscles his way to three-shot victory in Detroit

US President Donald Trump has stirred up fresh controversy on Saturday after he left the White House for his golf course in Virginia amid the coronavirus situation in the country.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oxfords-covid-19-vaccine-trial-has-50-chance-of-success-says-project-leader-300677" hreflang="en">Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine trial has 50% chance of success, says project leader</a>

A photo resurfaced of Donald Trump wearing typical golf wear of white polo shirt and white baseball cap and was seen departing the White House.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-records-1127-coronavirus-deaths-in-24-hours-johns-hopkins-300667">US records 1,127 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours: Johns Hopkins</a>

The United States recorded a further 1,127 deaths from COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing its total to 97,048 since the global pandemic began, as per&nbsp;tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.

The country has also officially logged 1,621,658 cases of the virus, far more than any other nation, the tracker kept by the Baltimore-based university showed at 8:30 pm, the report added.

Trump's coronavirus task force coordinator, Deborah Birx, told a White House briefing on Friday that Americans over this Memorial Day weekend should "be outside, play golf, play tennis with marked balls, go to the beach - but stay six feet apart!"

Meanwhile, the global number of novel coronavirus cases has passed 5.25 million with more than 339,000 deaths, according to a tally from official sources compiled by an agency.

US President Donald Trump has stirred up fresh controversy on Saturday after he left the White House for his golf course in Virginia amid the coronavirus situation in the country.

US President Donald Trump has stirred up fresh controversy on Saturday after he left the White House for his golf course in Virginia amid the coronavirus situation in the country. Also read: Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine trial has 50% chance of success, says project leader A photo resurfaced of Donald Trump wearing typical golf wear of white polo shirt and white baseball cap and was seen departing the White House. Also read: US records 1,127 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours: Johns Hopkins The United States recorded a further 1,127 deaths from COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing its total to 97,048 since the global pandemic began, as per tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. The country has also officially logged 1,621,658 cases of the virus, far more than any other nation, the tracker kept by the Baltimore-based university showed at 8:30 pm, the report added. Trump's coronavirus task force coordinator, Deborah Birx, told a White House briefing on Friday that Americans over this Memorial Day weekend should "be outside, play golf, play tennis with marked balls, go to the beach - but stay six feet apart!" Meanwhile, the global number of novel coronavirus cases has passed 5.25 million with more than 339,000 deaths, according to a tally from official sources compiled by an agency.

Donald Trump goes to play golf as US nears 100,000 deaths due to COVID-19

Golfers based outside the United States will face a 14-day quarantine before they are able to compete on the US PGA Tour when the circuit resumes play next month, tour officials said Wednesday.

Britain's Matthew Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood and Italy's Francesco Molinari are among around 25 golfers who would need to move quickly to arrive in time for the US PGA's planned June 11 return at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas.

Despite moves by the tour to help players and caddies based outside US borders return for events, the 14-day quarantine will be in force and those coming over from Britain would face another two-week isolation when they return across the Atlantic Ocean.

"We're working with the federal government to facilitate the return of players and caddies who are currently residing outside of the United States, and we're optimistic that's going to occur," said Andy Levinson, tour vice president of tournament administration.

"We're optimistic we'll be able to facilitate their return prior to our return to competition."

Helping players return doesn't mean the players could escape two weeks of quarantine, however, as a protective measure due to the coronavirus pandemic that shut down most sports, including the US PGA Tour, in March.

"That is currently in place, and it is likely to continue, so it's imperative that those constituents that we have that need to come back in the United States do so at least two weeks prior to our return to competition," Levinson said.

It's uncertain how many of the 25 players Levinson said are outside US borders would even want to return for events given the isolation required.

The tour outlined its coronavirus safety rules for its return, with at least the first four events to be played without spectators.

Coronavirus testing and daily temperature taking will be part of plan, devised in consultation with medical experts and government leaders in tournament host sites.

Nasal swab tests for the deadly virus would start when players and caddies perform a pre-travel screening test. They would be tested again when they arrive at event lodging.

When they arrive at the course each day, players and caddies will face health questions and thermometer readings before they can enter.

If a player's temperature is above 100.4 Fahrenheit (38 Celsius)&nbsp;on any day, he will be given a coronavirus test.

With up to two days needed for results, golfers will be able to only practice and play -- observing social distancing protocols -- while awaiting results. They would be banned from other course facilities.

Any player who tests positive for the virus must immediately quarantine for at least 10 days. If a player tests positive after making the 36-hole cut, he will be paid last-place prize money.

Medical privacy laws prohibit virus test results being made public, but players withdrawing for unknown reasons will come under scrutiny for such a situation.

And contact tracing will be used to try and contain any other possible positive tests.

"We're not going to play if we can't do it in a safe and healthy environment," PGA Tour chief of operations Tyler Dennis said.

The John Deere Classic at Sylvis, Illinois, on July 9-12 is the first possible event on a revamped US PGA schedule that could be open to fans.

<h2>- No handshakes allowed -</h2>

PGA staff, including rules and scoring officials, security, select clubhouse, tournament and volunteer staff, trainers and coaches will be permitted at the event. No family members will be allowed on site.

The tour will provide face masks and disinfectant wipes and cover test costs for players, caddies and essential staff.

Players will retrieve golf balls from holes and are urged to remove and replace their own clubs from the bag.

Caddies can rake bunkers and tend flagsticks but must use sanitary wipes on the equipment after doing so.

And there will be no handshakes after the round. Courses will be roped off for safety reasons even without spectators.

A player and caddie would share a cart back to the clubhouse if players are pulled off the course due to bad weather approaching.

A tour-hired charter flight will carry players and caddies between tournaments, but they have virus tests within 24 hours of departure. Only those who test negative can board the plane.

Golfers based outside the United States will face a 14-day quarantine before they are able to compete on the US PGA Tour when the circuit resumes play next month, tour officials said Wednesday.

Golfers based outside the United States will face a 14-day quarantine before they are able to compete on the US PGA Tour when the circuit resumes play next month, tour officials said Wednesday. Britain's Matthew Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood and Italy's Francesco Molinari are among around 25 golfers who would need to move quickly to arrive in time for the US PGA's planned June 11 return at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas. Despite moves by the tour to help players and caddies based outside US borders return for events, the 14-day quarantine will be in force and those coming over from Britain would face another two-week isolation when they return across the Atlantic Ocean. "We're working with the federal government to facilitate the return of players and caddies who are currently residing outside of the United States, and we're optimistic that's going to occur," said Andy Levinson, tour vice president of tournament administration. "We're optimistic we'll be able to facilitate their return prior to our return to competition." Helping players return doesn't mean the players could escape two weeks of quarantine, however, as a protective measure due to the coronavirus pandemic that shut down most sports, including the US PGA Tour, in March. "That is currently in place, and it is likely to continue, so it's imperative that those constituents that we have that need to come back in the United States do so at least two weeks prior to our return to competition," Levinson said. It's uncertain how many of the 25 players Levinson said are outside US borders would even want to return for events given the isolation required. The tour outlined its coronavirus safety rules for its return, with at least the first four events to be played without spectators. Coronavirus testing and daily temperature taking will be part of plan, devised in consultation with medical experts and government leaders in tournament host sites. Nasal swab tests for the deadly virus would start when players and caddies perform a pre-travel screening test. They would be tested again when they arrive at event lodging. When they arrive at the course each day, players and caddies will face health questions and thermometer readings before they can enter. If a player's temperature is above 100.4 Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) on any day, he will be given a coronavirus test. With up to two days needed for results, golfers will be able to only practice and play -- observing social distancing protocols -- while awaiting results. They would be banned from other course facilities. Any player who tests positive for the virus must immediately quarantine for at least 10 days. If a player tests positive after making the 36-hole cut, he will be paid last-place prize money. Medical privacy laws prohibit virus test results being made public, but players withdrawing for unknown reasons will come under scrutiny for such a situation. And contact tracing will be used to try and contain any other possible positive tests. "We're not going to play if we can't do it in a safe and healthy environment," PGA Tour chief of operations Tyler Dennis said. The John Deere Classic at Sylvis, Illinois, on July 9-12 is the first possible event on a revamped US PGA schedule that could be open to fans. - No handshakes allowed - PGA staff, including rules and scoring officials, security, select clubhouse, tournament and volunteer staff, trainers and coaches will be permitted at the event. No family members will be allowed on site. The tour will provide face masks and disinfectant wipes and cover test costs for players, caddies and essential staff. Players will retrieve golf balls from holes and are urged to remove and replace their own clubs from the bag. Caddies can rake bunkers and tend flagsticks but must use sanitary wipes on the equipment after doing so. And there will be no handshakes after the round. Courses will be roped off for safety reasons even without spectators. A player and caddie would share a cart back to the clubhouse if players are pulled off the course due to bad weather approaching. A tour-hired charter flight will carry players and caddies between tournaments, but they have virus tests within 24 hours of departure. Only those who test negative can board the plane.

Up to 25 golfers face 14-day quarantine before US PGA return

The PGA Tour is changing its qualification guidelines for next season by allowing more golfers to retain their eligibility status even if they had an off season in 2019-20.

Normally golfers who don't finish in the top 125 of the FedEx Cup standings will lose their PGA spots for the next season.

But because of the shortening of the 2019-20 season due to the Covid-19 outbreak, organizers are now allowing exempt players to retain their playing status for 2020-21 regardless of where they finish.

The Tour has revised its schedule and is due to resume play on June 11 with an invitational event in Fort Worth, Texas.

"This eligibility update, contingent upon the planned restart of the season at the Charles Schwab Challenge the week of June 8, was deemed the best and most equitable solution for the membership," a Tour spokesman said in a news release on Thursday.

The Tour also decided to not have the top players from the development Korn Ferry Tour earn promotions to the PGA. Their positions will be filled by players who fell from the top 125.

Also, eligibility for the Tournament of Champions, normally limited to event winners from the prior year, will be altered for next year.

In addition to all 2020 winners, non-winners who finish in the top 30 of the FedEx Cup playoff points list and who qualified for the 2020 Tour Championship will be able to compete in the Tournament of Champions.

The PGA Tour is changing its qualification guidelines for next season by allowing more golfers to retain their eligibility status even if they had an off season in 2019-20.

The PGA Tour is changing its qualification guidelines for next season by allowing more golfers to retain their eligibility status even if they had an off season in 2019-20. Normally golfers who don't finish in the top 125 of the FedEx Cup standings will lose their PGA spots for the next season. But because of the shortening of the 2019-20 season due to the Covid-19 outbreak, organizers are now allowing exempt players to retain their playing status for 2020-21 regardless of where they finish. The Tour has revised its schedule and is due to resume play on June 11 with an invitational event in Fort Worth, Texas. "This eligibility update, contingent upon the planned restart of the season at the Charles Schwab Challenge the week of June 8, was deemed the best and most equitable solution for the membership," a Tour spokesman said in a news release on Thursday. The Tour also decided to not have the top players from the development Korn Ferry Tour earn promotions to the PGA. Their positions will be filled by players who fell from the top 125. Also, eligibility for the Tournament of Champions, normally limited to event winners from the prior year, will be altered for next year. In addition to all 2020 winners, non-winners who finish in the top 30 of the FedEx Cup playoff points list and who qualified for the 2020 Tour Championship will be able to compete in the Tournament of Champions.

PGA alters playing status guidelines due to coronavirus

Sporting events that fell victim to coronavirus!

The Olympics going ahead in Tokyo this year is "highly unlikely", the boss of Asian golf told AFP, and proceeding as planned could cost players the chance to qualify.

The International Olympic Committee said this week it was "fully committed" to holding the Games from July 24 despite the coronavirus pandemic, but acknowledged there was no "ideal" solution as pressure mounted for a postponement.

Asian Tour Commissioner and CEO Cho Minn Thant confirmed that all tournaments across the continent had been suspended until at least the end of May, in line with the US PGA and European Tours.

"I think everyone right now is more in a state of shock, just trying to figure out what they do with themselves," said Cho, speaking by telephone from Asian Tour headquarters in Singapore.&nbsp;

With the prospect of scarcely any competitive golf before the Olympic rankings qualifying cut-off on June 22, Cho said it would be harsh on players from unheralded golf nations.

"Our plan initially was to have about 16 or 17 tournaments before the Olympic cut-off," Cho said. "Today, we probably have only about four or five Asian Tour players eligible for the Olympics."

<h2>- Olympics 'highly unlikely' -</h2>

On current rankings, only Thailand's Jazz Janewattananond and Gunn Charoenkul, the Indian pair of Rashid Khan and Udayan Mane plus Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines would represent the Asian Tour in the 60-strong Tokyo field.

"Given the amount of golf that was left to be played, we were hopeful that more players from nations like Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines would have the opportunity to get into the Olympics over the next two or three months," said Cho.&nbsp;

"Obviously, that's not going to happen.&nbsp;

"I can understand why they would want to push forward with the Olympics -- there'd be huge revenue ramifications on the economy of Japan --&nbsp;but it seems highly unlikely now in my opinion."

Cho said that he hadn't yet heard of any players suffering financial hardship but acknowledged that a long layoff could have an impact.

Players such as the world number 39 Jazz, last year's Asian Tour order of merit winner, will remain in the US where he had been due to play a full schedule before a debut at the now-postponed US Masters next month.

"I keep in contact with quite a few players and a lot of them are comfortable," Cho said.&nbsp;

"I feel for the guys who just came through qualifying school and they've probably played one or two events in their life.

"It's very different to having a bad season where you're missing cuts, but you still have got the opportunity to compete.&nbsp;

"Right now you're deprived of the opportunity to compete. That's a whole different ballgame."&nbsp;

<h2>- Calendar shift -</h2>

The Asian Tour can play all-year round, which means the crisis could lead to a permanent shift in the Asian golfing calendar to a wraparound season played from September to April.

"A tour like Europe's going to have a lot harder time rescheduling events. Theirs is a very short golf season," Cho said.&nbsp;

"I'm hoping that we can continue golf this year, whether it be July, September, October or November. It will definitely help mitigate the potential downside.

"If we could start between July and October, it means we will probably go through to April. We've been planning a wraparound season for the longest time but never really formalised it.

"We're talking to sponsors and promoters. They're definitely ready to go. They're prepared to stage events whenever the world is ready to get back to normal."

The Olympics going ahead in Tokyo this year is "highly unlikely", the boss of Asian golf told AFP, and proceeding as planned could cost players the chance to qualify.

The Olympics going ahead in Tokyo this year is "highly unlikely", the boss of Asian golf told AFP, and proceeding as planned could cost players the chance to qualify. The International Olympic Committee said this week it was "fully committed" to holding the Games from July 24 despite the coronavirus pandemic, but acknowledged there was no "ideal" solution as pressure mounted for a postponement. Asian Tour Commissioner and CEO Cho Minn Thant confirmed that all tournaments across the continent had been suspended until at least the end of May, in line with the US PGA and European Tours. "I think everyone right now is more in a state of shock, just trying to figure out what they do with themselves," said Cho, speaking by telephone from Asian Tour headquarters in Singapore. With the prospect of scarcely any competitive golf before the Olympic rankings qualifying cut-off on June 22, Cho said it would be harsh on players from unheralded golf nations. "Our plan initially was to have about 16 or 17 tournaments before the Olympic cut-off," Cho said. "Today, we probably have only about four or five Asian Tour players eligible for the Olympics." - Olympics 'highly unlikely' - On current rankings, only Thailand's Jazz Janewattananond and Gunn Charoenkul, the Indian pair of Rashid Khan and Udayan Mane plus Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines would represent the Asian Tour in the 60-strong Tokyo field. "Given the amount of golf that was left to be played, we were hopeful that more players from nations like Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines would have the opportunity to get into the Olympics over the next two or three months," said Cho. "Obviously, that's not going to happen. "I can understand why they would want to push forward with the Olympics -- there'd be huge revenue ramifications on the economy of Japan -- but it seems highly unlikely now in my opinion." Cho said that he hadn't yet heard of any players suffering financial hardship but acknowledged that a long layoff could have an impact. Players such as the world number 39 Jazz, last year's Asian Tour order of merit winner, will remain in the US where he had been due to play a full schedule before a debut at the now-postponed US Masters next month. "I keep in contact with quite a few players and a lot of them are comfortable," Cho said. "I feel for the guys who just came through qualifying school and they've probably played one or two events in their life. "It's very different to having a bad season where you're missing cuts, but you still have got the opportunity to compete. "Right now you're deprived of the opportunity to compete. That's a whole different ballgame." - Calendar shift - The Asian Tour can play all-year round, which means the crisis could lead to a permanent shift in the Asian golfing calendar to a wraparound season played from September to April. "A tour like Europe's going to have a lot harder time rescheduling events. Theirs is a very short golf season," Cho said. "I'm hoping that we can continue golf this year, whether it be July, September, October or November. It will definitely help mitigate the potential downside. "If we could start between July and October, it means we will probably go through to April. We've been planning a wraparound season for the longest time but never really formalised it. "We're talking to sponsors and promoters. They're definitely ready to go. They're prepared to stage events whenever the world is ready to get back to normal."

Asian golfers could lose out if Olympics go ahead: Tour chief

Former world number one amateur Nick Taylor bent but did not break, surviving an error-strewn stretch and whipping winds to win the Pebble Beach Pro-Am by four strokes in California on Sunday.

Taylor set up victory with a chip-in birdie at the 15th hole and was flawless down the stretch to become the first Canadian to win the storied event on the Monterey Peninsula.

<h6><img alt="Cup" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2acfde9b-3fb1-469d-90a1-de0c5d05e622" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_85.jpg" /> 
Nick Taylor raises the trophy for winning the AT&amp;T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links| Reuters</h6>

Despite dropping four shots in four holes from the 11th, a two-under-par 70 was enough to fend off Phil Mickelson, in the process becoming the event's first wire-to-wire winner since Mickelson 15 years ago.

"Pebble Beach, I couldn't ask for a better place to have my second win," Taylor told PGA Tour Radio after finishing at 19-under 268 for his second PGA Tour victory in his 160th career start.

"I haven't been in contention as much as I'd like to be but I feel like my game has been really good the last year and hopefully this is a springboard for great things," said the 31-year-old.

Among his rewards will be a first invitation to Augusta National for the Masters in April. He was inspired to pursue golf seriously after watching compatriot Mike Weir win there in 2003.

Despite the comfortable final margin on Sunday, it was not easy for Taylor, who had to go head-to-head with gallery favourite Mickelson.

Mickelson, seeking a record sixth Pebble Beach victory, pulled to within two shots after Taylor double-bogeyed the par-five 14th, but that was as close as the American got on the back nine after having previously fallen five shots behind at the turn.

"That middle stretch on the back nine is really tough," Taylor said.

"Fourteen is a brutal hole. You're just trying to not make a disaster. I made a seven but it almost settled me down a bit.

"Phil made six and I only lost one off the lead but that chip in (at the 15th) was massive to get it back to three."

Mickelson faded to shoot 74 and finish third as fellow American Kevin Streelman (68) grabbed second place.

Former world number one amateur Nick Taylor bent but did not break, surviving an error-strewn stretch and whipping winds to win the Pebble Beach Pro-Am by four strokes in California on Sunday.

Former world number one amateur Nick Taylor bent but did not break, surviving an error-strewn stretch and whipping winds to win the Pebble Beach Pro-Am by four strokes in California on Sunday. Taylor set up victory with a chip-in birdie at the 15th hole and was flawless down the stretch to become the first Canadian to win the storied event on the Monterey Peninsula. Nick Taylor raises the trophy for winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links| Reuters Despite dropping four shots in four holes from the 11th, a two-under-par 70 was enough to fend off Phil Mickelson, in the process becoming the event's first wire-to-wire winner since Mickelson 15 years ago. "Pebble Beach, I couldn't ask for a better place to have my second win," Taylor told PGA Tour Radio after finishing at 19-under 268 for his second PGA Tour victory in his 160th career start. "I haven't been in contention as much as I'd like to be but I feel like my game has been really good the last year and hopefully this is a springboard for great things," said the 31-year-old. Among his rewards will be a first invitation to Augusta National for the Masters in April. He was inspired to pursue golf seriously after watching compatriot Mike Weir win there in 2003. Despite the comfortable final margin on Sunday, it was not easy for Taylor, who had to go head-to-head with gallery favourite Mickelson. Mickelson, seeking a record sixth Pebble Beach victory, pulled to within two shots after Taylor double-bogeyed the par-five 14th, but that was as close as the American got on the back nine after having previously fallen five shots behind at the turn. "That middle stretch on the back nine is really tough," Taylor said. "Fourteen is a brutal hole. You're just trying to not make a disaster. I made a seven but it almost settled me down a bit. "Phil made six and I only lost one off the lead but that chip in (at the 15th) was massive to get it back to three." Mickelson faded to shoot 74 and finish third as fellow American Kevin Streelman (68) grabbed second place.

Golf: Canadian Nick Taylor outplays Mickelson to win at Pebble Beach

Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Reed headed to a playoff after finishing tied at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/woodland-maintains-lead-mcilroy-in-pursuit-in-hawaii-188493">Tournament of Champions</a> in Hawaii on Sunday.

Thomas had one hand on the trophy with a one-shot lead at the par-five 18th but hooked his three-wood second shot into a penalty area and could not find his ball in the waist-high tropical grass.

He ran up a bogey for a four-under-par 69, while <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/golf-tiger-woods-to-sit-out-saturday-fourballs-at-presidents-cup-268043">Schauffele</a> reached the green in two shots, only to three-putt for par and a round of 70 when a birdie would have won it at the Kapalua Plantation course on the island of Maui.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/presidents-cup-internationals-stun-us-to-lead-presidents-cup-4-1-267935">Reed</a> was already in the clubhouse after a round of 66 when he suddenly found himself heading to the playoff with his two fellow Americans at 14-under-par 278.

Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Reed headed to a playoff after finishing tied at the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii on Sunday. Thomas had one hand on the trophy with a one-shot lead at the par-five 18th but hooked his three-wood second shot into a penalty area and could not find his ball in the waist-high tropical grass.

Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Reed headed to a playoff after finishing tied at the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii on Sunday. Thomas had one hand on the trophy with a one-shot lead at the par-five 18th but hooked his three-wood second shot into a penalty area and could not find his ball in the waist-high tropical grass. He ran up a bogey for a four-under-par 69, while Schauffele reached the green in two shots, only to three-putt for par and a round of 70 when a birdie would have won it at the Kapalua Plantation course on the island of Maui. Reed was already in the clubhouse after a round of 66 when he suddenly found himself heading to the playoff with his two fellow Americans at 14-under-par 278.

Golf: Thomas, Schauffele, Reed in playoff at Tournament of Champions

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/justin-thomas-wins-bmw-championship-by-three-strokes-over-cantlay-244021">Justin Thomas</a> survived a "disaster" at the 72nd hole before beating Patrick Reed and Xander Schauffele in a three-way playoff at the PGA Tour's Sentry Tournament of Champions in windswept <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pictures%3A-lava-fissures-in-hawaii-135117">Hawaii</a> on Sunday.

Thomas clinched victory with a three-foot birdie at the third extra hole, the par-five 18th, at the Kapalua Plantation course on Maui.

Schauffele was eliminated at the first hole of sudden death while Reed fell two holes later as the 26-year-old Thomas earned his 12th PGA Tour victory.

He had one hand on the trophy with a one-shot lead playing the final hole of regulation but hooked his three-wood second shot into a penalty area and could not find his ball in the waist-high tropical grass.

He made a bogey for a four-under-par 69, while Schauffele had a three-putt par, missing a seven-footer for the win, and carded 70.

They fell into a playoff with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/golf-reed-moves-clear-as-woods-surges-in-bahamas-266577">Reed</a>, who earlier shot 66, at 14-under 278.

"For some reason I was supposed to win this week," Thomas said in a greenside interview after sinking his winning putt in semi-darkness.

"I got very, very lucky to even have that putt. I got very fortunate, but I also stuck to my process and tried to stay positive.

"Through 15 holes it was one of the best rounds I've ever played. I was in such control, tee to green, putting beautiful, my irons were awesome and then 18 was a disaster. It worked out so I can't complain."

Reed three-putted the second extra hole from the fringe and then missed an eight-foot birdie at the third playoff hole, his mood hardly helped when a spectator screamed "cheater" as his ball slid by the hole.

Reed has been in the spotlight since being hit with a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie in a waste bunker during last month's Hero World Challenge in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-dorian-pounds-bahamas-inches-towards-florida-coast-247403">Bahamas</a>.

Schauffele, who had been on the verge of successfully defending his title, said: "I should have won it.

"I know it, everyone knows it. I should have closed it out and didn't.

"I kind of did everything I was supposed to until the last moment.

"I know I'm good enough to hang with the best. I just need to be a little smarter when the time is right and I would have closed it out."

Justin Thomas survived a "disaster" at the 72nd hole before beating Patrick Reed and Xander Schauffele in a three-way playoff at the PGA Tour's Sentry Tournament of Champions in windswept Hawaii on Sunday.

Justin Thomas survived a "disaster" at the 72nd hole before beating Patrick Reed and Xander Schauffele in a three-way playoff at the PGA Tour's Sentry Tournament of Champions in windswept Hawaii on Sunday. Thomas clinched victory with a three-foot birdie at the third extra hole, the par-five 18th, at the Kapalua Plantation course on Maui. Schauffele was eliminated at the first hole of sudden death while Reed fell two holes later as the 26-year-old Thomas earned his 12th PGA Tour victory. He had one hand on the trophy with a one-shot lead playing the final hole of regulation but hooked his three-wood second shot into a penalty area and could not find his ball in the waist-high tropical grass. He made a bogey for a four-under-par 69, while Schauffele had a three-putt par, missing a seven-footer for the win, and carded 70. They fell into a playoff with Reed, who earlier shot 66, at 14-under 278. "For some reason I was supposed to win this week," Thomas said in a greenside interview after sinking his winning putt in semi-darkness. "I got very, very lucky to even have that putt. I got very fortunate, but I also stuck to my process and tried to stay positive. "Through 15 holes it was one of the best rounds I've ever played. I was in such control, tee to green, putting beautiful, my irons were awesome and then 18 was a disaster. It worked out so I can't complain." Reed three-putted the second extra hole from the fringe and then missed an eight-foot birdie at the third playoff hole, his mood hardly helped when a spectator screamed "cheater" as his ball slid by the hole. Reed has been in the spotlight since being hit with a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie in a waste bunker during last month's Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. Schauffele, who had been on the verge of successfully defending his title, said: "I should have won it. "I know it, everyone knows it. I should have closed it out and didn't. "I kind of did everything I was supposed to until the last moment. "I know I'm good enough to hang with the best. I just need to be a little smarter when the time is right and I would have closed it out."

Golf: Justin Thomas survives 'disaster' to win Tournament of Champions playoff

Delhi’s Shamim Khan coasted to a comfortable three-shot win at the Kensville Open 2019 Presented by TATA Steel PGTI, an Rs. 40 lakh event, played at the Kensville Golf &amp;amp; Country Club near Ahmedabad from November 28 to December 1.

The experienced Shamim, the overnight leader by two shots, posted a tenacious two-under-70 in the final round to emerge as the wire-to-wire champion with a winning total of 13-under-275.

Khan thus lifted his 15th trophy on the TATA Steel PGTI which also accounted for his overall 17th professional win.

Pune-based Udayan Mane, the only player besides Shamim to return four sub-par rounds during the tournament, came up with the last round of 71 to secure the runner-up spot at 10-under-278.

Shamim Khan (66-68-71-70), who held the lead in all the three previous rounds, enjoyed his best day with the putter as he sank five birdies at the cost of three bogeys. The 41-year-old stretched his lead to three shots at the turn having made two 20-feet birdie conversions on the front-nine.

Khan dropped two bogeys on the back-nine after finding a tree on one hole and a hazard on the other, but he still managed to close out the match with two birdies even as the others were unable to catch up with him.

Shamim’s first title after a one-year gap earned him prize money worth Rs. 6,46,600 that pushed him up from 30th to 14th place in the TATA Steel PGTI Order of Merit.

Khan, known to have one of the smoothest golf swings in Indian golf, said, “This win really raises my confidence as it was achieved with a double-digit total score on a difficult course. In fact, only two players, Udayan and me, had a double-digit total this week. That reflects the tough scoring conditions at Kensville.

“I wasn’t having a great season until I arrived in Ahmedabad. But I feel that I can now carry this form into the last three events of the season,” added Shamim, the only man with career earnings in excess of Rs. 4 crores on the PGTI.

Udayan Mane (69-67-71-71), lying two off the lead in tied second after round three, shot a 71 on day four that featured three birdies and two bogeys. Mane, who began the day with a bogey on the first hole, was looking good for a late surge when he picked up birdies on the eighth, ninth and 11th. But Udayan’s bogey on the 15th put paid to his hopes as he conceded an almost unassailable four-shot lead to Shamim.

“I wasn’t having a great season until I arrived in Ahmedabad. But I feel that I can now carry this form into the last three events of the season,” added Shamim, the only man with career earnings in excess of Rs. 4 crores on the PGTI.

Udayan Mane (69-67-71-71), lying two off the lead in tied second after round three, shot a 71 on day four that featured three birdies and two bogeys. Mane, who began the day with a bogey on the first hole, was looking good for a late surge when he picked up birdies on the eighth, ninth and 11th. But Udayan’s bogey on the 15th put paid to his hopes as he conceded an almost unassailable four-shot lead to Shamim.

Delhi’s Shamim Khan coasted to a comfortable three-shot win at the Kensville Open 2019 Presented by TATA Steel PGTI, an Rs. 40 lakh event, played at the Kensville Golf &amp; Country Club near Ahmedabad from November 28 to December 1.

Delhi’s Shamim Khan coasted to a comfortable three-shot win at the Kensville Open 2019 Presented by TATA Steel PGTI, an Rs. 40 lakh event, played at the Kensville Golf &amp; Country Club near Ahmedabad from November 28 to December 1. The experienced Shamim, the overnight leader by two shots, posted a tenacious two-under-70 in the final round to emerge as the wire-to-wire champion with a winning total of 13-under-275. Khan thus lifted his 15th trophy on the TATA Steel PGTI which also accounted for his overall 17th professional win. Pune-based Udayan Mane, the only player besides Shamim to return four sub-par rounds during the tournament, came up with the last round of 71 to secure the runner-up spot at 10-under-278. Shamim Khan (66-68-71-70), who held the lead in all the three previous rounds, enjoyed his best day with the putter as he sank five birdies at the cost of three bogeys. The 41-year-old stretched his lead to three shots at the turn having made two 20-feet birdie conversions on the front-nine. Khan dropped two bogeys on the back-nine after finding a tree on one hole and a hazard on the other, but he still managed to close out the match with two birdies even as the others were unable to catch up with him. Shamim’s first title after a one-year gap earned him prize money worth Rs. 6,46,600 that pushed him up from 30th to 14th place in the TATA Steel PGTI Order of Merit. Khan, known to have one of the smoothest golf swings in Indian golf, said, “This win really raises my confidence as it was achieved with a double-digit total score on a difficult course. In fact, only two players, Udayan and me, had a double-digit total this week. That reflects the tough scoring conditions at Kensville. “I wasn’t having a great season until I arrived in Ahmedabad. But I feel that I can now carry this form into the last three events of the season,” added Shamim, the only man with career earnings in excess of Rs. 4 crores on the PGTI. Udayan Mane (69-67-71-71), lying two off the lead in tied second after round three, shot a 71 on day four that featured three birdies and two bogeys. Mane, who began the day with a bogey on the first hole, was looking good for a late surge when he picked up birdies on the eighth, ninth and 11th. But Udayan’s bogey on the 15th put paid to his hopes as he conceded an almost unassailable four-shot lead to Shamim. “I wasn’t having a great season until I arrived in Ahmedabad. But I feel that I can now carry this form into the last three events of the season,” added Shamim, the only man with career earnings in excess of Rs. 4 crores on the PGTI. Udayan Mane (69-67-71-71), lying two off the lead in tied second after round three, shot a 71 on day four that featured three birdies and two bogeys. Mane, who began the day with a bogey on the first hole, was looking good for a late surge when he picked up birdies on the eighth, ninth and 11th. But Udayan’s bogey on the 15th put paid to his hopes as he conceded an almost unassailable four-shot lead to Shamim.

Shamim Khan coasts to three-shot win at Kensville Open 2019 Presented by  TATA Steel PGTI

United States captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/golf-reed-moves-clear-as-woods-surges-in-bahamas-266577">Tiger Woods</a> has decided to sit out Saturday morning's fourball matches against the Internationals at the Presidents Cup.

Justin Thomas, whose partnership with Woods at Royal Melbourne has helped keep the United States in touch with the Internationals, has instead been paired with Rickie Fowler.

The US&nbsp;pair will face Australian Marc Leishman and China's Li Haotong, who has been handed his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/presidents-cup-internationals-stun-us-to-lead-presidents-cup-4-1-267935">Presidents Cup</a> debut by captain Ernie Els on the third day of the biennial competition.

Woods has decided to stick with the misfiring combination of Patrick Reed and Webb Simpson, sending them out for a third time despite defeats in the first two days, to face Japan's Hideki Matsuyama and Taiwan's CT Pan.

Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, whose Friday win over Adam Hadwin and Joaquin Niemann helped the United States hold the Internationals to a 6.5-3.5 lead, take on South Korea's Im Sung-jae and Abraham Ancer in an all-rookie match.

Tony Finau is back in the US&nbsp;line-up after being rested on Friday and will partner Matt Kuchar against Australian Adam Scott and An Byeong-hun of South Korea.

The pairings for Saturday afternoon's foursome matches have yet to be announced.

United States captain Tiger Woods has decided to sit out Saturday morning's fourball matches against the Internationals at the Presidents Cup. Justin Thomas, whose partnership with Woods at Royal Melbourne has helped keep the United States in touch with the Internationals, has instead been paired with Rickie Fowler.

United States captain Tiger Woods has decided to sit out Saturday morning's fourball matches against the Internationals at the Presidents Cup. Justin Thomas, whose partnership with Woods at Royal Melbourne has helped keep the United States in touch with the Internationals, has instead been paired with Rickie Fowler. The US pair will face Australian Marc Leishman and China's Li Haotong, who has been handed his Presidents Cup debut by captain Ernie Els on the third day of the biennial competition. Woods has decided to stick with the misfiring combination of Patrick Reed and Webb Simpson, sending them out for a third time despite defeats in the first two days, to face Japan's Hideki Matsuyama and Taiwan's CT Pan. Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, whose Friday win over Adam Hadwin and Joaquin Niemann helped the United States hold the Internationals to a 6.5-3.5 lead, take on South Korea's Im Sung-jae and Abraham Ancer in an all-rookie match. Tony Finau is back in the US line-up after being rested on Friday and will partner Matt Kuchar against Australian Adam Scott and An Byeong-hun of South Korea. The pairings for Saturday afternoon's foursome matches have yet to be announced.

Golf: Tiger Woods to sit out Saturday fourballs at Presidents Cup

American golfer<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/golf-reed-moves-clear-as-woods-surges-in-bahamas-266577"> Patrick Reed </a>has denied cheating in a tournament last week and hit out at International team players for saying he had, as a little edge entered proceedings on Tuesday ahead of the Presidents Cup.

Reed received a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie when he moved sand with his practice swing on Friday at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hero-world-challenge-patrick-reed-takes-sole-lead-in-round-2-266723">Hero World Challenge </a>in the Bahamas. The incident has dominated the run-up to the biennial contest, which begins on Thursday.

Cameron Smith was quoted in Australian media as saying Reed had been "cheating the rules" and some of his International teammates said the American had exposed himself to some flak from the crowd through his actions.

Former Masters champion Reed fired back at a news conference on Tuesday, saying "cheat" was inaccurate because he had not seen the sand move and the officials concurred that he inadvertently improved his lie.

"It's not the right word to use," he said. "If you do something unintentionally that breaks the rules, it's not considered cheating...

"If you're intentionally trying to do something, that would be considered cheating, but I wasn't intentionally trying to improve a lie or anything like that...

"It's just wrong, it's just not right."

United States captain Tiger Woods on Monday said he had spoken to Reed about the incident and was keen to draw a line under it as he looked to extend the Americans' seven-match winning streak at the Presidents Cup.

The 15-times major champion sank the winning putt the time the contest was last held at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/golf-reed-wont-dial-down-the-passion-at-presidents-cup-261792">Royal Melbourne</a> in 2011 when the Australian crowd was criticised by some Internationals for being over-awed by the Americans.

Reed suspected the row was being used by the Internationals to ensure that it did not happen again.

"Of course they are going to speak out because they want to get their crowds going and get on their side. That's the name of the game," he said.

Reed said he hoped any banter with the crowd remained respectful and that the row over his violation had made him more determined to win.

"It goes from wanting to beat those guys to it now turning personal, so it's going to be a fun week," he said.

American golfer Patrick Reed has denied cheating in a tournament last week and hit out at International team players for saying he had, as a little edge entered proceedings on Tuesday ahead of the Presidents Cup.

American golfer Patrick Reed has denied cheating in a tournament last week and hit out at International team players for saying he had, as a little edge entered proceedings on Tuesday ahead of the Presidents Cup. Reed received a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie when he moved sand with his practice swing on Friday at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. The incident has dominated the run-up to the biennial contest, which begins on Thursday. Cameron Smith was quoted in Australian media as saying Reed had been "cheating the rules" and some of his International teammates said the American had exposed himself to some flak from the crowd through his actions. Former Masters champion Reed fired back at a news conference on Tuesday, saying "cheat" was inaccurate because he had not seen the sand move and the officials concurred that he inadvertently improved his lie. "It's not the right word to use," he said. "If you do something unintentionally that breaks the rules, it's not considered cheating... "If you're intentionally trying to do something, that would be considered cheating, but I wasn't intentionally trying to improve a lie or anything like that... "It's just wrong, it's just not right." United States captain Tiger Woods on Monday said he had spoken to Reed about the incident and was keen to draw a line under it as he looked to extend the Americans' seven-match winning streak at the Presidents Cup. The 15-times major champion sank the winning putt the time the contest was last held at Royal Melbourne in 2011 when the Australian crowd was criticised by some Internationals for being over-awed by the Americans. Reed suspected the row was being used by the Internationals to ensure that it did not happen again. "Of course they are going to speak out because they want to get their crowds going and get on their side. That's the name of the game," he said. Reed said he hoped any banter with the crowd remained respectful and that the row over his violation had made him more determined to win. "It goes from wanting to beat those guys to it now turning personal, so it's going to be a fun week," he said.

Golf: I did not cheat, says Reed, as Presidents Cup gets personal

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/golf-reed-wont-dial-down-the-passion-at-presidents-cup-261792">Patrick Reed</a> edged into a three-shot lead at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas on Thursday as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/natural-selection-tiger-woods-picks-himself-for-presidents-cup-260726">Tiger Woods</a> bounced back into contention after a lacklustre opening round.

Former Masters champion Reed carded a second consecutive six-under-par 66 to finish the second round at 12 under for the tournament at Albany Golf Club.

After strong winds which buffeted the course on Wednesday, Reed was among several players who took advantage of less hostile conditions to post a low-scoring round.

The American started slowly, picking up two birdies over the front nine to reach the turn at two-under for the round.

Back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th holes were followed by two more on 14 and 15, and although a bogey on the 16th followed, Reed recovered with a birdie on the last.

"I feel good," Reed said afterwards. "I feel like the game's a lot clearer than it was earlier this year. I'm giving myself opportunities and the putter's working."

US Open champion Gary Woodland, who had shared the first-round lead on Wednesday, posted a three-under-par 69 to finish the day alone in second place at nine-under.

Sweden's Henrik Stenson and Spain's Jon Rahm shared the third spot on eight under, four off the lead.&nbsp;

Stenson moved up the leaderboard after a five-under-par 67 while Rahm shot a six-under-par 66.

Tournament host Woods meanwhile came back strongly after his disappointing 72 on Wednesday, hitting a bogey-free 66.

Also watch:&nbsp;Tiger Woods: Return of the Winning Machine

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Woods' round burst into life on the back nine, with the former world number one snaring an eagle three on the par-five 11th to launch his charge down the stretch.

Woods followed it with birdies on the 12th, 14th and 16th holes to finish on six under after 36 holes, six shots back from Reed.

"Yesterday was tough with the wind blowing, especially with the putts," Woods said. "But today was a little less windy, the ball was flying and I got after it.

Woods, who will captain and play for the United States at the <a href="wionews.com/sports/natural-selection-tiger-woods-picks-himself-for-presidents-cup-260726">Presidents Cup</a> next week in Australia, is confident about his chances heading into the final two rounds.

"I didn't really do anything poorly today," he said. "I just want to keep creeping my way back. I'm right there.&nbsp;

"Few shots back but at least I've got a chance going into the weekend."

Patrick Reed edged into a three-shot lead at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas on Thursday as Tiger Woods bounced back into contention after a lacklustre opening round.

Patrick Reed edged into a three-shot lead at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas on Thursday as Tiger Woods bounced back into contention after a lacklustre opening round. Former Masters champion Reed carded a second consecutive six-under-par 66 to finish the second round at 12 under for the tournament at Albany Golf Club. After strong winds which buffeted the course on Wednesday, Reed was among several players who took advantage of less hostile conditions to post a low-scoring round. The American started slowly, picking up two birdies over the front nine to reach the turn at two-under for the round. Back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th holes were followed by two more on 14 and 15, and although a bogey on the 16th followed, Reed recovered with a birdie on the last. "I feel good," Reed said afterwards. "I feel like the game's a lot clearer than it was earlier this year. I'm giving myself opportunities and the putter's working." US Open champion Gary Woodland, who had shared the first-round lead on Wednesday, posted a three-under-par 69 to finish the day alone in second place at nine-under. Sweden's Henrik Stenson and Spain's Jon Rahm shared the third spot on eight under, four off the lead. Stenson moved up the leaderboard after a five-under-par 67 while Rahm shot a six-under-par 66. Tournament host Woods meanwhile came back strongly after his disappointing 72 on Wednesday, hitting a bogey-free 66. Also watch: Tiger Woods: Return of the Winning Machine × Woods' round burst into life on the back nine, with the former world number one snaring an eagle three on the par-five 11th to launch his charge down the stretch. Woods followed it with birdies on the 12th, 14th and 16th holes to finish on six under after 36 holes, six shots back from Reed. "Yesterday was tough with the wind blowing, especially with the putts," Woods said. "But today was a little less windy, the ball was flying and I got after it. Woods, who will captain and play for the United States at the Presidents Cup next week in Australia, is confident about his chances heading into the final two rounds. "I didn't really do anything poorly today," he said. "I just want to keep creeping my way back. I'm right there. "Few shots back but at least I've got a chance going into the weekend."

Golf: Patrick Reed moves clear as Tiger Woods surges in Bahamas

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