Choi moves into second place, four shots behind the leaderAUGUSTA, Georgia (AP) ― The birdie putt from the back of the green. The raised left arm, holding the putter high. The right fist slamming downward when the ball disappeared, followed by a cheer that rocked Augusta National.It was the defining moment for Rory McIlroy late Saturday afternoon at the Masters.And it was loud enough to rattle Tig

Tiger no longer the betting favorite at AugustaAUGUSTA, Georgia (AP) ― On the far end of the course Wednesday, near the only palm tree at Augusta National, Lee Westwood rolled long putts across the fourth green as he practiced alone on a quiet afternoon before the Masters.Spotting two familiar faces in the crowd, he looked over with a grin and said, “Lost? Bar closed?Through the pines and dogwoods

Korea’s veteran golfers seek strong finish at the MastersTwo South Korean veteran golfers at the Masters Tournament here this week said that they’re eyeing a high finish at the season’s first major championship.After finishing nine holes of practice at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, Yang Yong-eun said he is seeking a “top-10” finish.“The wind was blowing hard today and I was just checking

HUMBLE, Texas (AP) ― Phil Mickelson feels pretty confident about his game heading into the Masters.The defending champion at Augusta outdueled Scott Verplank on Sunday to win the Houston Open by three shots, his first victory since earning his third green jacket last April.And it comes with a notable distinction.The win moved Mickelson’s world ranking to No. 3, while Tiger Woods dropped to No. 7.

RANCHO MIRAGE, California (AP) ― Yani Tseng got a good laugh when she walked past the pond where she celebrated her Kraft Nabisco Championship victory last year by leaping into the water ― and then remembering she doesn’t know how to swim.Tseng survived that traditional plunge and swam all the way to the world No. 1 ranking after winning the LPGA Tour’s first major of the year at Mission Hills in

Sandra Gal holds off Shin on the 18th to capture Kia ClassicINDUSTRY, California (AP) ― Sandra Gal won the Kia Classic to become the second German winner in LPGA Tour history, beating second-ranked Shin Ji-yai with a 2-foot birdie putt on the final hole Sunday.The 25-year-old Gal made the winning putt after Shin’s 5-foot birdie attempt caught the right edge and spun out.“It was big pressure, she w

Korean recovers from slow start to finish with a 3-under 70INDUSTRY, California (AP) ― Second-ranked Shin Ji-yai shot a 3-under 70 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over Sandra Gal after the third round of the Kia Classic.Shin, the South Korean star who has eight LPGA Tour victories, had a 15-under 204 total on the Industry Hills Golf Club course at Pacific Palms. Gal, from Germany, also shot

ORLANDO, Florida (AP) ― Spencer Levin is atop the leader board after the opening round for the third time this year, so that’s nothing new. It was his score Thursday afternoon at Bay Hill that surprised him and everyone else.In warm, blustery conditions on a course that allowed only three rounds in the 60s and the most rounds in the 80s in nearly two decades, Levin had a 6-under 66 and a three-sho

Mindy Kim finishes four shots behind leaderPHOENIX (AP) ― The LPGA Founders Cup came down to a chipping contest.Karrie Webb saved par on the par-4 18th with a chip from the front fringe and a 3-foot putt. About 20 minutes later, Brittany Lincicome also ended up in the fringe short of the green. Her chip ran 10 feet past the hole and she missed the par putt.That gave Webb her second straight victor

PALM HARBOR, Florida (AP) ― Japan’s biggest golfing star Ryo Ishikawa wishes he could fly home to see his family and find ways to help a country devastated by an earthquake and tsunami, that now faces concerns over a nuclear meltdown.The 19-year-old realizes there is little he can do but try to play his best golf.Ishikawa is in the middle of a three-tournament stretch at the Transitions Championsh

Cadillac Championship to be only 10th competitive round of yearDORAL, Florida (AP) ― Tiger Woods is hitting some of his best shots when no one is watching.That’s typically the case when Woods tries to build a new golf swing, and his third major swing change is no exception. Put him on the practice range at home in Isleworth and he says he goes through long stretches of hitting the ball how he want

Tiger Woods, the former No. 1 golfer in the world, is scheduled to visit South Korea next month for a youth golf camp, his corporate sponsor announced Tuesday.Nike Golf Korea said Woods will come to South Korea on April 14 as part of the company’s “Make It Matter” youth clinic series covering Asia. Woods will first go to China in early April, after the April 7-10 Masters, and then make a stop here

Tiger Woods, former No. 1 golfer in the world, is scheduled to visit South Korea next month for a youth golf camp, his corporate sponsor announced Tuesday.Tiger Woods at the AT&T National golf tournament.(AP)Nike Golf Korea said Woods will come to South Korea on April 14 as part of the company's "Make It Matter" youth clinic series covering Asia. Woods will first go to China in early April, after

Fresh off her first victory of the 2011 season, South Korean female golfer Park In-bee said she has her sight on a bigger goal.“This year, I would like to be among the top 10 players of the world,” Park said after winning the Daichi Orchid Ladies Golf Tournament in Okinawa over the weekend. It was the first event of the 2011 Japan LPGA Tour, and Park overcame a three-stroke deficit to win by three