In the end, the final day turned into a showdown between two of the best golfers in the world.  Only it was Ernie Els, not Tiger Woods, battling Phil Mickelson for the HSBC Champions.  Right from the get-go Tiger seemed off his game, and his score of 72 was proof of that.  On the front nine Mickelson pulled away from his old foe, pulling ahead of Woods by six strokes, and finishing with a 3-under 69 on the day, good for 17-under and the win. Phil Mickelson (Image: Zuma Press) But after vanquishing Woods, “Lefty” had another challenger to contend with–South African Ernie Els.  After an impressive 30 on the front nine, Els snagged the outright lead on No. 14. Mickelson, on this day anyway, was not to be denied.  After a... [Read more]

Phil Mickelson grabbed the lead after three rounds at the HSBC Champions, after a torrid finish to his round of 67.  “Lefty” made an outstanding three birdies over his final five holes to go from a two-stroke deficit to a two-stroke lead over Tiger Woods and Nick Watney.  Woods, the second round leader, made birdie on No. 10, but that was it for his round, finishing with a 2-under 70, leaving him at 12-under for the tourney. Phil Mickelson (Image: Zuma Press) Expect the photogs to be out in full force on Sunday, with the ideal final pairing of Mickelson and Woods.  The two haven’t been in the final group together since 2005, at the now famous “Duel at Doral.” Nick Watney is tied with Woods at 12-under, after... [Read more]

There may have been 70+ players teeing off in the first round of the HSBC Champions tournament, but the throngs of Chinese fans were really there to see only two players–Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.  And even though neither of the superstars was at the top of the leaderboard, neither disappointed the fans.  But the first day, at least, belonged to Nick Watney, who fired an 8-under 64, good for a two stroke lead over a group of three golfers, including Ireland’s Shane Lowry. Tiger Woods checks the wind during the opening round of the HSBC Champions. (Image: Zuma Press) Woods finds himself three strokes back after an opening round 67.  American Anthony Kim and England’s Paul Casey posted scores of 67 as well. Mickelson... [Read more]

Doug Barron became the first PGA player ever suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs, violating the tour’s policy on PED’s that came in to effect July 1, 2008.  If you’re wondering who the heck Doug Barron is, you’re not alone.  He’s only played on the developmental Nationwide Tour four times  this year, and the PGA tour but once, where he failed to make the cut.  Obviously the PED’s weren’t helping much. Doug Barron (Image: Zuma Press) It’s unknown, at this time, what exactly Barron was busted for taking, or why.  A few PGA pros came to Barron’s defense, saying the the golfer has suffered from multiple health problems over the years, and the positive test may be related to medicine... [Read more]

It was deja vu all over again for Robert Allenby, after the Australian was beat once again by American Anthony Kim, this time at the World Match Play Championship.  This time there was no accusations of Kim’s alleged partying the night before the match, as Allenby had done earlier this month when the two squared off at the Presidents Cup.  But the result was the same, as Kim advances to Sunday’s final against Ross Fisher.  Fisher made the final after handling Masters champ Angel Cabrera. Anthony Kim (Image: Zuma Press) As was to be expected, there was a bit of contention between Kim and Allenby during the round.  Allenby was a put out by Kim’s refusal to concede many short putts to the Australian.  In match play, short... [Read more]