Golf deeper than ever, and most are at Sherwood

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) Tiger Woods won five times on the PGA Tour this year. And while it's not the first time he has won that often, Woods put it into context Wednesday when he called today's tour as tough and deep as he can remember.

Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson won multiple times, including majors. Henrik Stenson became the first player to win the FedEx Cup and the Race to Dubai. Missing from the equation was Rory McIlroy, who started at No. 1 and only last week picked up his first win.

Woods says it's different from a generation ago when golf was loaded at the top. Now he says there are more players than ever capable of winning big events.

Most of them are at his World Challenge, which starts Thursday.

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Trio share Dubai lead

Spanish pair Carlota Ciganda and Mireira Prat shared the first round lead with Sweden's Pernilla Lindberg at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters after a trio of five-under-par 67s at Emirates Golf Club on Wednesday, while defending champion Shanshan Feng suffered a disappointing opening round.

Fresh from winning the LPGA Titleholders championship, World number four Feng mixed five bogeys with one birdie in her four-over 76.

Pornanong Phatlum of Thailand was solo fourth, just one stroke behind the leaders, with Germany's Solheim Cup star Caroline Masson alone in fifth on three-under-par.

World number three Stacy Lewis of the US, who is making her first appearance in Dubai, kept herself in the frame as one of seven players in a share of sixth on two-under 70 along with English pair Charley Hull and Laura Davies.

Hull was riding high at four-under-par with a hole to play, but four-putted on the 18th green. Darkness called an early halt to the first round on a day when early fog led to a 30-minute delay to the start of the play.

Prat, 24, from Barcelona, won the LET Access Series Order of Merit last week earning her full card for the 2014 LET and feels relaxed, as though her first visit to Dubai is a prize.

The second year LET member had five birdies and said: "I putted really well. I think I missed three shots and I recovered very well to make par so I'm very happy.

"I know I have my full card for next year and it was my goal for this year, so I think there is no pressure here and maybe that's the key. I was very confident at the start and played very well and was relaxed. It's the first day of a four day tournament so I'm going to keep focused and do things like I did today and we'll see what happens."

Rated as one of the favourites, Lewis drove the ball well, but felt whatever she did right was derailed once she got on the greens. "It was a bit frustrating out there. I hit the ball well, but just couldn't make any putts. I think the longest putt I made was six or seven feet. My speed was a little off on the greens.

"I feel like the course is playing hard enough that no-one's going to run away and shoot a great score. The greens are firm and fast and you've got to play smart. I feel like I'm still in it. We've got three more days and if I can make some putts I'll be there."

Two groups, containing six players, will finish their first rounds at 7.10am on Thursday morning while tee times for the second round are unchanged.

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Elite field set for Woods challenge

Several of the world's top golfers will be in action at Tiger Woods' Northwestern Mutual World Challenge this weekend.

The 18-man field reads a bit like a who's who of golf at the moment: Woods himself, Rory McIlroy, Steve Stricker, Justin Day and Lee Westwood, to name just a few.

In fact all the players competing at Sherwood Country Club are ranked inside the world top 30 and it's no wonder England's Westwood is so pleased that he got an invite.

"Sherwood is a lovely place to come to, and California this time of the year is a great place to play," the world number 24 told Reuters.

"There only being 18 players, you know you have to be at the top of the world rankings to play in the event."

Asked what he felt is the best thing about qualifying for the event, he replied: "I think the exclusivity really, that and Sherwood."

World number one and host Woods feels this is one the best fields that he has put together for his charity event.

"It's the deepest and strongest field that we've had possibly ever," the American said. "It's going to be a great week, one that everyone is going to enjoy. I'm really looking forward to it."

One player in particular who can't wait for the first tee on Thursday is world number 22 Jordan Spieth after he was a late addition to the event following Brandt Snedeker's injury enforced withdrawal.

"I'm very excited," Spieth, who won the John Deere Classic in his rookie season this year. "I got in by an unfortunate way, I guess.

"Obviously, we're wishing the best to Brandt to be healthy. This is actually the second time he's let me into an event. He let me into the (2012) US Open back at Olympic Club, so I owe him a Christmas present.

"I was very, very excited to get the call that I was in (the field) here and I needed to get my game ready quickly, because I was a little rusty getting some of it off."

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Stenson and Rose off to Thailand

Henrik Stenson of Sweden will aim to win the Thailand Golf Championship before turning his focus on securing a major title in 2014.

After enjoying an incredible season by becoming the first player to win the US PGA Tour's FedEx Cup and the European Tour's Race to Dubai, Stenson said his goal now would be to lift a first major championship trophy.

"A major championship is obviously the one thing missing on my result roll. I'm going to try my hardest. It's one of the tougher things to achieve. That's why they call it a major championship; they're the biggest events against the strongest fields on some of the toughest courses," said Stenson.

He will headline a star-studded field at the immaculate Amata Spring Country Club on the outskirts of Bangkok from December 12-15 where the other top stars include defending champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, who successfully defended his Alfred Dunhill Championship title last weekend on home soil, US Open champion Justin Rose of England, former Masters Tournament winner Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler of the United States.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, the current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, Thongchai Jaidee, a three-time Asian Tour number one, Liang Wen-chong of China, India's Gaganjeet Bhullar, winner of the Indonesia Open last week, and Scott Hend of Australia will also feature in the US$1 million Asian Tour event.

Ranked third on the Official World Golf Ranking, Stenson believes there was still room for improvement in his game as he strives to become an even accomplished player.

"It's about continuing to develop my game, trying to become better and hopefully I can prepare well and put myself in good position at any of those Majors going forward, and that's what makes you win golf tournaments; being up there on Sunday afternoon, the more times you can put yourself in contention, the more times you will win," he said.

"That's what I've done so many times this year by playing solid, good golf, and then I managed to win my fair share, as well, as a consequence of that."

Stenson played at the Amata Spring course several years ago and vividly remembers the challenging par three 17th island green which is the signature hole on the course as it boasts the only floating island green in Asia.

"I think one of the key features is the island green. That's one thing that you don't forget easily. As always you've got to drive the ball well and be able to place your iron shots in good positions. It has a good variety, some challenging holes and some easier ones where you can make some fireworks happen hopefully," said Stenson.

Considering his achievements this year, Stenson will be one of the top contenders at the Thailand Golf Championship but he will not take the challenges from the Asian Tour stars lightly.

"I've played a lot in Asia over my career. I've seen the development in certain new places and also in the ones that were kind of up and about in the golf game when I came out on Tour, I played my first year in 2001," the Swede added.

"I think that one of the big markets and one of the big future developments, places in the world, is definitely in Asia. And with golf becoming an Olympic sport, I think that really will help grow the game in Asia and we will see more and more on every tour that we are getting Asian players coming out and making a mark and playing at a competitive and high level, and that's great for the game of golf."

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Guan not feeling any pressure

A lot of eyes will be on Guan Tianlang this weekend, but the teenager insists he's comfortable ahead of the Hong Kong Open.

It has already been a season to remember for the Guangzhou golfer as he made history in April when, at the age of just 14, he became the youngest player to make the cut at the Masters at Augusta National.

Guan will make his third European Tour appearance this week - besides the Masters, he also took part in the China Open as a 13-year-old - but don't expect him to be bothered by the spotlight.

"I'm going to enjoy the week and shoot some low scores," he told reporters. "I don't feel the pressure at all as I'm still doing the things that I've been doing and I feel comfortable.

"I've not set any targets for myself but if I can put four good rounds together I'll be happy," he added.

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Simon Dyson to learn fate at disciplinary pannel

Simon Dyson will discover on Thursday whether he faces further punishment following his disqualification from the BMW Masters in October.

The English golfer, who is facing a possible ban from the European Tour, was joint second after 36 holes at Lake Malaren when he was disqualified for signing for an incorrect score in the second round.

The 35-year-old failed to add a two-shot penalty to his card after an incident on the eighth hole, when he touched the line of his putt after marking his ball, appearing to flatten a spike mark.

Having reviewed the incident, senior European Tour officials concluded that an investigation into an alleged "serious breach" of the Tour's code of behaviour was required.

Dyson will appear before a three-person disciplinary panel, chaired by Ian Mill QC, at Wentworth on Thursday morning.

According to the publication 'Who's Who Legal: Sports & Entertainment 2013', Mr Mill is "quite brilliant" and his "sports dispute track record is second to none."

Dyson's disqualification came in the first of the inaugural Final Series events at the end of the 2013 season. He did not play in either of the following two tournaments, thereby ending his chances of finishing in the top 60 on the Race to Dubai and qualifying for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

Procedure

The six-time European Tour winner returned to action at the start of the 2014 season in November, finishing joint 52nd in the South African Open and then joint third in the Alfred Dunhill Championship last week.

Dyson's only comment on the incident came via a statement released by his management company on October 31, which read: "I have been informed of the procedure being put in place by the Tour following my actions during the second round of the BMW Masters in Shanghai last week and am perfectly happy to co-operate with the investigation by the independent disciplinary panel.

"I would like to say at this stage that I have never deliberately broken the rules either on this occasion or in the past. It was only after I was shown the replay of my action after marking the ball on the eighth green during the second round that I realised what I had done and that I was in breach. I immediately accepted that I should be disqualified.

"My action was in no way a deliberate act with the intention of breaking the rules. It was simply an accidental mistake which I have no reservations in apologising for and particularly to my fellow professionals and the Tour for any inconvenience and embarrassment unintentionally caused."

If Dyson is found guilty of a serious breach of the Tour's code of behaviour, sanctions range from "a reprimand, a censure, a fine, a suspension of membership, a suspension from participation in one or more tournaments or for a given period, or expulsion from the European Tour, or otherwise as the panel shall determine."

Dyson will have 28 days in which to appeal the verdict.

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Northwestern Mutual World Challenge: Graeme McDowell seeking third win in event

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell will look to continue his brilliant record in the Northwestern Mutual World Challenge in California this week.

McDowell finished second on his debut in the tournament in 2009 and then won it in both 2010 and 2012.

However the former US Open champion faces a tough task this week as 10 of the 18 competitors in the event, which benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation, have won at least one major title.

Those 10 players include tournament host Tiger Woods and McDowell's compatriot Rory McIlroy, who finally claimed his first victory of 2013 in the Australian Open last week.

Woods is the 5/2 favourite with Sky Bet, with McIlroy an 11/2 chance and McDowell quoted at 11/1.

PGA Tour rookie of the year Jordan Spieth - a 22/1 shot - is the lone debutant in California after replacing the injured Brandt Snedeker.

Spieth, who is now 20, became the first teenager in more than 80 years to win on the PGA Tour when he defeated Zach Johnson and David Hearn in a play-off for the John Deere Classic in July.

Spieth is now targeting success in major championships and he said: "I know what it feels like right now down the stretch at a tour event. I have a feeling it will be a little different kind of pressure in a major championship.

"Nobody knows what it's like unless you've been in it. The only way to get better is to put myself there and learn from the experiences."

The Tiger Woods Foundation announced last month that the event will mark its 16th year in 2014 by relocating to Orlando's Isleworth Golf and Country Club.

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Nedbank Golf Challenge: Martin Kaymer looking to defend title in Sun City

Defending champion Martin Kaymer heads to this week's Nedbank Golf Challenge once again needing a victory to avoid a winless year.

And the German faces a tough task at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City as the event, which used to feature only 12 players, has been expanded to a 30-man field and officially features on the European Tour for the first time in its 33-year history.

Former world No 1 Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Ernie Els and US Open champion Justin Rose are all competing along with new European No 1 Henrik Stenson.

"I enjoy coming here because it's the last tournament of the year and you can put everything into it," said Kaymer.

"Last year was my last chance, this year is my last chance, so I like being under pressure. It would be nice to finish as high as possible and a victory would be the ultimate."

Stenson won the Nedbank title in 2008 and lost a play-off to Robert Allenby the following year.

The 37-year-old Swede is returning to action for the first time since winning the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai after withdrawing from the South African Open to rest the wrist injury which had plagued him throughout the Final Series.

Stenson has undergone numerous MRI scans and has been taking anti-inflammatory pills, joking that he has spent "more time in the ice bucket than a bottle of Moet & Chandon over the last month".

Stenson is Sky Bet's 11/4 favourite with Charl Schwartzel next in the betting at 5/1 ahead of Rose at 7/1, while Kaymer is a 12/1 chance along with Garcia.

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