Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Sporting Achievement of the Year 2013: Lydia Ko

Lydia Ko has never been to a friend's birthday party. That's part of the sacrifice and the secret of her success.

"When anybody asks me my consistent answer is 'no' because I can't ... they know that golf is really important to me," Ko told the Herald two years ago at the age of 14. School plus 35 hours of practice a week left little time for much else.

On Sunday Ko, 16, registered her first win as a professional at her second start. There will be a record in that - if not the fewest events to claim a title, then the quickest by the youngest. In her wake at the Swinging Skirts World Ladies Masters in Taiwan were the world No5 and No1. As a result, Ko has jumped two places to world No4.

Astounding - but she has astounded ever since her mother, Tina Hyon, ushered the primary school new entrant into the Pupuke Golf Club 11 years ago for lessons.

At 8 she made her tournament debut, at 11 she won the under-19 North Island Championship, at 12 she represented New Zealand, at 13 she was the world's top-ranked amateur, at 14 she won her first professional event, at 15 she won one of the world's biggest events, the Canadian Open, and this year the Year 12 Pinehurst School pupil repeated the feat, beating a field that included the world's top 10 and 96 of the top 100, firing a final round 6-under 64 to win by five shots.

Talent, toil and an ability to defy pressure define her on the course, while a youthful sense of fun wins fans everywhere.

She has forgone US$1 million in prizemoney playing as an amateur. Sunday's cheque brings her earnings as a fledgling pro to $200,000. Suddenly, the missed parties are paying off. Not that Ko measures success in dollars. "I am playing because I love the sport and being out there."
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Thailand Golf Championship: Justin Rose admits US Open win still sinking in

Justin Rose admits that winning the US Open is still sinking in, as he closes his memorable 2013 with an appearance at the Thailand Golf Championship.

World No 4 Rose will make his debut at the Amata Spring Country Club as he looks for the perfect end to a perfect season which saw him lift his maiden major title.

Rose became the first Englishman to win the US Open in 43 years with his brilliant two-shot win at a testing Merion course near Philadelphia.

The 33-year-old had a tough start to his professional career but was then touted for a major win for some time before finally hoisting one of golf's big four prizes.

While that achievement is still sinking in, Rose insists that he is hungry for more titles after feeling the relief at getting the first major under his belt.

"Wining a major, it's still sinking in," Rose admitted. "It's an amazing feeling and a lot of relief. A lot of great players haven't won a major and to get that monkey off my back is fantastic.

"It takes off a lot of pressure. As a kid growing up, I always dreamed of winning a major and it's nice to have that. At this point of my career, it's not time to reminisce; I am motivated to win more."

Emotions

Rose still remembers the high emotions that were running as he sank his putt on the 18th at Merion on Father's Day, as he remembered his late father Ken, who died from leukaemia in 2002.

"To also do it on Father's Day, it was an amazing feeling to share with my late father," Rose added.

"I've seen my good friends Rory and GMac hugging their fathers (after winning the US Open) and I thought I would never feel that. I was surprised how good it felt, I could feel my late dad was with me that day."

A perfect end to 2013 would be for Rose to pick up the title at a star-studded Thailand Golf Championship with the likes of Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler all involved.

Rose spoke at a preview launch hours after landing in Bangkok but was already delighted with how the tournament was shaping up.

"My first 15 hours has been fantastic," Rose added. "We've been treated well, the hotel is fantastic and turning up for a press conference by boat and seeing some iconic landmarks in Bangkok is a perfect way to start the week."
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Garcia sets his sights for Abu Dhabi

Popular golfer Sergio Garcia is confident of his chances against the world's best at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in January.

Despite not winning any titles in 2013, the Spaniard can reflect on a consistent year after eight top-20 finishes in just 12 European Tour starts.

"I've not won a tournament so far this year but in many respects it has been a great season for me. The hard work is paying off and my game has improved on so many levels. I feel a big win is just around the corner," Garcia told the Khaleej Times.

As a player who is renowned for producing some exquisite golf, Abu Dhabi may prove to be the perfect setting for Garcia to achieve something special and prove the Championships maxim of 'expect the unexpected' to be true.

"There is no reason why it can't be in Abu Dhabi. I love starting my season there because I always feel comfortable. The weather, crowds and players make it an extra special event. My form is building nicely, and I would love nothing more than to win against Abu Dhabi's challenging line-up," said the 33-year-old.

The world number 20 hopes he can emulate the almost flawless first round he shot at the Championship last year.
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Tragedy forces Weekley to withdraw



Boo Weekley has pulled out of the Franklin Templeton Shootout following the death of two family members.

The 40-year-old American has lost his grandfather and an uncle in the past 10 days and tournament organisers have confirmed he will skip the event as a result.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Boo during this difficult time," tournament director Taylor Ives told pga.com. "We know he was very close with both of these gentlemen. Without question he needs to be with his family at this time."

Sweden's Freddie Jacobson will replace Weekley in the tournament at Tiburon Golf Club and he will team up with two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen.

The tournament kicks off on Friday and host Greg Norman, Jonas Blixt, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Jason Dufner and Dustin Johnson are among the other players who will take part.
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Rankings boost for Johnson

World Challenge champion Zach Johnson has cracked the world's top 10 for the first time in his career.

Johnson overcame a four-shot deficit to deny Tiger Woods on Sunday, claiming the win in a thrilling play-off.

Coming as it did after his BMW championship victory a month ago, it has lifted the 37-year-old to his highest-ever world ranking.

Johnson moves up from 16th to ninth, with Brandt Snedeker dropping down to 10th and Australian Jason Day falling out of the top 10 altogether.

European victories for veterans Thomas Bjorn and Miguel Angel Jimenez this past weekend also saw them make significant gains.

Bjorn's Nedbank Challenge win moves him from 34th to 25th, while Jimenez' fourth Hong Kong Open title sees him rise ten places to 38th.


World Rankings:

1 Tiger Woods (USA) 12.34pts
2 Adam Scott (Aus) 10.00
3 Henrik Stenson (Swe) 9.01
4 Justin Rose (Eng) 7.53
5 Phil Mickelson (USA) 7.44
6 Rory McIlroy (NIrl) 6.82
7 Matt Kuchar (USA) 6.47
8 Steve Stricker (USA) 6.04
9 Zach Johnson (USA) 5.71
10 Brandt Snedeker (USA) 5.52
11 Jason Day (Aus) 5.50
12 Graeme McDowell (NIrl) 5.28
13 Jason Dufner (USA) 5.28
14 Ian Poulter (Eng) 5.26
15 Dustin Johnson (USA) 5.02
16 Luke Donald (Eng) 4.87
17 Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 4.82
18 Jim Furyk (USA) 4.81
19 Sergio Garcia (Spa) 4.68
20 Keegan Bradley (USA) 4.54
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Thailand Golf Championship: Henrik Stenson looking for one more win

Henrik Stenson is squeezing the last few drops of energy out of himself as he looks to end a memorable year on a high in his final start of 2013 at the Thailand Golf Championship.

The 37-year-old made history as he captured both the FedEx Cup and Race To Dubai after a sparkling summer as he powered up to World No 3 in the golf rankings.

The Swede also picked up the Golf Writers Trophy as a result of his efforts and his remarkable rise back to the top of the golfing world means he is now one of the ones to beat in 2014.

Before he kicks off his new year though and bids to add a maiden major victory to his growing CV, Stenson will take on one final challenge in Thailand.

After an emotional and draining last few months, Stenson admits that he is almost running on empty but will try to squeeze out four more rounds of golf in search of a closing victory to end the year in style.

"I've had the season of my life obviously," said Stenson. "I've played some great golf from the summer onwards, and this is my last event of the year, so I hope to finish off with some good playing here.

"It's been a big year for me and it's going to take some great golfing to match that going forward."

Big finish

Stenson arrived by boat at the Royal Thai Navy Hall located on the banks of the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok ahead of the star-studded event being held at the Amata Spring Country Club.

Stenson took his career tally to 16 wins with three victories this year along with top three finishes at the Open Championship and US PGA Championship.

After a break, Stenson finished fourth at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa last week and although drained he fancies a win in his debut at the Thailand Golf Championship.

"We're kind of running on fumes at this stage, but I'll try and squeeze another good four days out of myself and my game, and try and challenge these boys for the title," Stenson added.

"I've played at Amata Spring a couple times in the past. So, at least I know the course pretty well."
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Els mourns coach's passing

Ernie Els said he was devastated after being informed of the passing of sports psychologist Jos Vanstiphout on Friday.

The 62-year old Belgian worked with many high-profile golfers throughout his career as a "mind coach", with notable champions like Els and fellow South African Retief Goosen topping the list of players who he helped achieve greater heights.

Goosen had Vanstiphout to thank for his US Open victory in 2001, when he beat Mark Brooks in an 18-hole play-off having three-putted from 12 feet on the final green in regulation.

Els, however, was his most famous pupil and he lauded the mentor for the contribution he made to his career.

The Big Easy credited Vanstiphout for helping him win his first Open Championship crown in 2002 and said that their relationship was based on honesty.

"It's really devastating for me," Els said.

"He meant so much to my career. We really connected and there was a genuine love for each other there."

While admitting that there were times when they did not see eye to eye, Els described Vanstiphout's approach as unique.

"He gave me the absolute honest truth at exactly the times when I really needed it," said Els.

"The biggest one was obviously Muirfield in 2002 and he took me to one side and was just all over me.

"He just told me to pull my finger out of my backside in no uncertain terms and told me to do what he had trained me to do.

"He taught me to think in a certain way and was so good for me. He really helped me win that Open, no question. We probably won 25 tournaments together in a short period.

"I will never forget the time I shot 60 at Royal Melbourne. I walked on to the range and he is all over me again. I said 'what?' and he looked at me and he said 'you know and I know that you should have shot 58'!

"That was the way he was and he knew me very well and was one of the only people who could say that to me.

"He didn't have the education but he understood the psychology of how things worked and he gave that to me.

"I will be forever grateful to him for that. He changed my life and I am really going to miss him. I know you shouldn't have regrets but I regret not seeing him before he left us."

Vanstiphout's health deteriorated after he broke his hip in a fall from a ladder two years ago, and he had recently been struggling with breathing difficulties.

He is believed to have suffered a heart attack on Friday.

"It's really tough. I was hoping that he would have pulled through but he had gone downhill since the accident," added Els.

"Hopefully he is in a good place right now because he was a fighter. He had a lot of bravado but deep down he was a genuine, genuine man."
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Yet another award for Stenson


Sweden's Henrik Stenson's outstanding performances this year saw him walk away with the prestigious Golf Writers' Trophy.

As the first player to win both the FedExCup and the Race to Dubai in the same season, the 37-year-old world number three received more votes than US Open Champion Justin Rose and Liselotte Neumann's Solheim Cup team who came in third.

"I think when you look at what others achieved like Justin and the Solheim Cup team it does make it mean that little bit more," said Stenson.

"It's a huge honour and a great reflection on the year I had.

"I'm looking forward to getting a few of these trophies I've won into the summer house in Sweden. It has been such a great year that I can have a few in Europe and a few in my house in America.

Stenson raced to a six-shot lead at the DP World Tour Championship to confirm his Race to Dubai superiority while we also won the Deutsche Bank Championship and the Tour Championship in the FedExCup play-offs.

"What a great thrill it is going to be over Christmas to sit by the fire with my family and take stock of the season, look at trophies such as this one and reflect on the year of my life."
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Zach Johnson's win at World Challenge lifts him into world's top 10 for first time

Zach Johnson's thrilling victory at the World Challenge has seen him crack the world's top 10 for the first time.

Johnson produced a remarkable comeback at Sherwood Country Club on Sunday as he made up a four-stroke deficit on tournament host Tiger Woods before edging out the World No.1 in a play-off.

It was a second victory in his last five starts with the 37-year-old having walked away with the BMW Championship title back in September's FedEx Cup play-offs.

That sparkling form has resulted in Johnson breaking new ground with the 2007 Masters champion climbing from 16th to ninth in the latest round of world rankings.

The American replaces Jason Day in the top 10 with the Australian dropping down to 11th spot.

European veterans Thomas Bjorn and Miguel Angel Jimenez also made significant strides after their wins in South Africa and Hong Kong respectively.

Bjorn, who clinched the Nedbank Challenge by two shots, moves from 34th to 25th, while Jimenez, who claimed the Hong Kong Open for a fourth time, rises ten places to 38th.

World Rankings: 1 Tiger Woods (USA) 12.34pts, 2 Adam Scott (Aus) 10.00, 3 Henrik Stenson (Swe) 9.01, 4 Justin Rose (Eng) 7.53, 5 Phil Mickelson (USA) 7.44, 6 Rory McIlroy (NIrl) 6.82, 7 Matt Kuchar (USA) 6.47, 8 Steve Stricker (USA) 6.04, 9 Zach Johnson (USA) 5.71, 10 Brandt Snedeker (USA) 5.52, 11 Jason Day (Aus) 5.50, 12 Graeme McDowell (NIrl) 5.28, 13 Jason Dufner (USA) 5.28, 14 Ian Poulter (Eng) 5.26, 15 Dustin Johnson (USA) 5.02, 16 Luke Donald (Eng) 4.87, 17 Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 4.82, 18 Jim Furyk (USA) 4.81, 19 Sergio Garcia (Spa) 4.68, 20 Keegan Bradley (USA) 4.54
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