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Wood targets prime condition for Masters

Tiger Woods is focused on getting in top condition for the Masters despite his imminent tilt at a WGC-Mexico Championship title in Mexico.

By Phil Casey, Australian Associated Press
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Tiger Woods admits he already has one eye on getting himself "race ready" for the Masters, even as he tries to win an incredible 19th World Golf Championships title.

Woods ended a five-year winless drought by claiming his 80th PGA Tour title in the Tour Championship last year, but has never made any secret of the fact that major titles are his primary target.

The last of the 43-year-old's 14 majors to date came in the 2008 US Open and although it is 14 years since the last of his four wins at Augusta National, Woods is firmly among the favourites for the green jacket in April.

"Augusta started (being on my radar) probably back in October, November," Woods said on Wednesday in a pre-tournament press conference ahead of the WGC-Mexico Championship.

"Thinking about shots I would need, clubs I'd be using for the event, what kind of swings I have been struggling with or doing well with, especially off uneven lies and then obviously when you get to that event it's about trying to get the speed of the greens.

"They like to change them from Wednesday to Thursday and they get a little quicker and harder.

"Last year's preparation was different and previous years it was non-existent. This year to be able to ramp up a schedule and be able to know what I can do going into the event is a lot more comforting than it has been in previous years because it has been kind of an unknown going into that event."

Woods missed the Masters for the second year running in 2017 and subsequently underwent spinal fusion surgery in a last-ditch bid to save his career.

The gamble paid off and after a tentative return to action in the Hero World Challenge that December, Woods recorded a win and six other top 10s in 2018, including a tie for sixth in the Open Championship and a runners-up finish in the US PGA.

After playing just 24 events between 2014 and 2017, the biggest problem for Woods is now figuring which event to leave out of his schedule.

"It gets very complicated. What I'm trying to figure out is how much to play, how much is too much, how much is not enough and at the end of the day being race ready enough for April.


Stricker named US Ryder captain for 2020

Former world No.2 Steve Stricker will captain next season's US Ryder Cup team with the event to be held at Whistling Straits in his home state of Wisconsin.

By Australian Associated Press
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Steve Stricker will captain the United States at the 2020 Ryder Cup with an emphasis on keeping an open line of communication with players, the former world No.2 said after his appointment yesterday.

Stricker, who turns 52 on Saturday, was clear favourite to succeed Jim Furyk as captain for the biennial event against Europe, which will next be played at Whistling Straits in his home state of Wisconsin.

"Truly, a dream come true," Stricker told a news conference in Milwaukee.

"Truly humbled by this opportunity because I am very passionate about this competition."

After the US were beaten by Europe last year in Paris, Masters champion Patrick Reed, who was dropped for two sessions at Le Golf National, slammed Furyk's decision to break up the partnership he shared with Jordan Spieth and said egos were a problem for the American team.

But Stricker said if a player has the team's best interests in mind then the squad can easily go forward from there.

"I want to make sure that all of these players that make the team know what to expect from me and what I expect from them," said the 12-times winner on the PGA Tour.

"I think communication and being up front with them and knowing what I expect from them is going to be the biggest thing."

Stricker captained the victorious US team at the 2017 Presidents Cup and served as one of Furyk's vice captains at last year's Ryder Cup in Paris where the US team suffered a crushing defeat.

Tiger Woods, who is competing at the opening World Golf Championship event of the year this week in Mexico, said there is nobody more deserving of the US captaincy than Stricker.

In his first act as captain, Stricker named Furyk as the first of his vice captains.

The European Ryder Cup team named Padraig Harrington as their captain in January.

While Europe has captured four of the last five Ryder Cup events, Stricker expressed confidence in the US team's chances of prevailing at Whistling Straits.

"This is a new year, new Ryder Cup coming up. I am looking forward to it, our guys are looking forward to it," said Stricker.


Mexico to go 'crazy' for Tiger: Leishman

Marc Leishman believes this week's WGC-Mexico will be 'off the charts' with fans eager to see Tiger Woods play his first competitive event there.

By Evin Priest, Australian Associated Press
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In-form Australian Marc Leishman is bracing for fan hysteria at this week's World Golf Championship event with Tiger Woods to play his first pro tournament in Mexico.

Woods, the winner of a record 18 WGC titles, confirmed last week that he would tee up in the elite 72-player tournament in Mexico City.

The WGC-Mexico - which has a field featuring 46 of the world's top 50 golfers - was first held in Mexico City in 2017 after shedding its old identity as the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Florida.

Bumper crowds flocked to host course Club de Golf Chapultepec to get a glimpse of stars such as Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy.

But with 14-time major winner Woods present this week, Leishman expects the atmosphere to be electric.

"It's going to be crazy; that's the only way you can put it," Leishman told AAP.

World No.16 Leishman made his debut in Mexico City last year.

Since then, the Victorian has added a fourth US PGA Tour title to his resume and cemented his status among the world's top 20 with sustained excellence.

In seven starts on the US tour this season Leishman has five times finished in the top four, including his fourth placing in Los Angeles on Sunday.

"It was crazy for us last year, and no-one really knew who I was,"said Leishman.

"I just had golf clothes on and people were asking me for my autograph.

"With Tiger, it's going to be off the charts and it's a great thing for the event."

Club de Golf Chapultepec provides an added challenge of altitude with the course sitting 7800 feet above sea level.

Experts and players estimate the golf ball travels 20 per cent further due to the decreased air density.

Chapultepec is also regarded as a strategic layout with plenty of trees, small and quick poa annua greens and dog-legged holes.

"I enjoy the challenge of playing at altitude and judging how far the ball goes," Leishman said.

"I really like the golf course. Hopefully I can play well and post another top five or a win or be nice."

With Jason Day and Adam Scott skipping the event, world No.28 Cameron Smith was the only other Australian to qualify via the top 50 on the rankings.

However, Jake McLeod and Matt Millar secured starts by finishing in the top two on the Australasian Tour's 2018 money list.

Smith picked the brains of defending WGC-Mexico champion Mickelson while playing in his group at last week's PGA Tour event in Los Angeles.

"I was talking to Phil about the course; he said it was pretty funky but if I spent a little bit of time getting to know the distances, I would be fine," Smith said.


'Slow' Holmes wins in LA as Scott tumbles

JB Holmes has won the PGA Tour's Genesis Open after playing partners Justin Thomas and Adam Scott imploded in the final round.

By Australian Associated Press
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Adam Scott refused to blame Genesis Open winner JB Holmes' slow play after squandering a big chance to claim his first US PGA Tour victory in nearly three years.

Instead, former world No.1 Scott lamented poor driving and putting that cost him dearly on the final day at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles.

Scott played in the final group alongside Holmes and Justin Thomas during a final day when the trio played 34 holes due bad weather earlier.

They took a lamentable five and a half hours to play the last round but, with strong winds, weren't put on the clock by officials.

Holmes fired a one-under-par 70 - the only player in the group to shoot under par - and finished at 14-under for a one-shot win from 54-hole leader Thomas (75).

Scott's 76 sank him to a share of seventh at eight under, overtaken by Marc Leishman (68) who was the leading Australian, tied fourth at 11 under.

Searching for his first win since March 2016, Scott was within one of the lead after seven holes.

But he then missed six consecutive putts inside 10 feet, starting at the par-4 eighth, which he bogeyed.

Hitting just six of 14 fairways in the round, Scott also bogeyed the ninth before four more bogeys on the back nine.

Holmes is known as one of the tour's slowest players and was criticised on the TV broadcast and social media.

But Scott said it had little effect on his own result.

"Look, we know he's generally a slow player and when you get conditions like this, everyone turns into a slow player," Scott said.

"It wasn't affecting (me). Slow play is never going to change; I think until television and sponsors say, 'no more money,' slow play isn't going to change."

Holmes defended his 5.5-hour round, insisting the $US1.3 million winner's cheque and blustery conditions were reasons for being deliberate on every shot.

"Well, you play in 25-mile-an-hour winds and see how fast you play ... (especially) when you're playing for the money and (FedEx Cup) points we are," he said.

"I've been slow in the past (but) I've gotten better; there are times when I'm probably too slow, but I was never even close to being on the clock all week."

Event host Tiger Woods was among those who struggled on Sunday.

His 72 dropped him to six-under, tied for 15th, after the 14-time major winner had rocketed into contention with a third-round 65.

Australians Aaron Baddeley and Cameron Smith signed for rounds of 73 and 74, respectively, to finish at even par.


Future of golf's Super 6 Perth uncertain

The World Super 6 Perth has been staged for the past three years but there's no guarantee the tournament will earn a contract extension.

By Justin Chadwick, Australian Associated Press
   

The European Tour is keen for the World Super 6 Perth to continue next year but the tournament's future hinges on Tourism WA.

The $1.6 million event has just completed its original three-year deal.

The quality of this year's field was widely panned due to its lack of drawcards, with world No.55 Tom Lewis the highest-ranked player.

The European Tour tri-sanctions the World Super 6 along with the Asian Tour and Tour of Australasia.

But whether Tourism WA wants to allocate funding for a contract extension looms as the decisive factor for the tournament's future.

PGA of Australia chief executive Gavin Kirkman will conduct a series of meeting with the WA Government over the coming weeks to discuss the tournament's future and whether it met its objectives this year.

Players have enjoyed the format of the experimental tournament, which features three rounds of traditional stroke play before it converts to match play.

The match play segment pits players head-to-head in a series of six-hole shootouts, with the last man standing crowned the winner.

Ben Cowen, the European Tour deputy chief operating officer, rated the World Super 6 Perth a success.

"We've done a bit of innovative stuff over in Europe and this has been a ground breaker for us down here as well," he said.

"Certainly from the European Tour's perspective, it would be great to keep an event here in Western Australia."

Kirkman hopes Tourism WA has seen the value the tournament has brought to the state.

A decision on the tournament's future is set to be made in the coming months.

"The format is good. The players like it. And the broadcast is telling a good story for golf," Kirkman said.

"We would love to come back and deliver more tournaments. The event's still growing and that's what excites us every year."

Kirkman said the tournament will consider moving to a November or December time slot if it made it easier to attract better players.

West Australian Min Woo Lee, who has finished fifth at the past two World Super 6 Perth's, said he'd love to come back every year to play the event.

Kiwi Ryan Fox, who won this year's tournament by beating Adrian Otaegui in the final, is also keen for the tournament to continue.

"I think there's a lot of interest in this tournament because of the format," he said.

"Golf's got 600-something stroke play events per year. It's good having a point of difference."


Kiwi Ryan Fox wins Perth Super 6 golf

New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox has won his first European Tour event, beating Spain's Adrian Otaegui in the World Super 6 match play final in Perth.

By Justin Chadwick, Australian Associated Press
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Kiwi Ryan Fox has notched the biggest win of his golfing career after coming up trumps at the World Super 6 Perth - but it's ruined his wedding joke.

Fox thrashed Spaniard Adrian Otaegui in the match play decider on Sunday, winning the six-hole shootout with two holes to spare,

The win was Fox's first triumph on the European Tour, earning him a handy $258,330 payday.

It's his first tournament win since 2016, when he won on the secondary Challenge Tour.

Fox is getting married next month, and revealed his win in Perth has affected some of his plans.

"This win has actually killed one of my speech jokes," Fox said.

"I was going to run my speech as a golf (victory) speech and say I haven't done one in a while.

"My mates were giving me a bit of stick about that, but they can't give me that anymore, which is quite nice.

"It's been 10 years in the making getting married. And now I've got some practice kissing a trophy as well, which was nice."

Fox, whose dad Grant Fox was a World Cup-winning All Black, was forced to give up rugby after a series of concussions growing up.

The 32-year-old is currently ranked 85th in the world, but has his sights set on cracking into the top 50.

Local hope Min Woo Lee was eliminated in the quarter-finals, but still came away satisfied.

Lee beat France's Gregory Bourdy in the opening round, before edging past tournament favourite Thomas Pieters in the round of 16.

The 20-year-old West Australian held a one-up lead against Otaegui early in their quarter-final shootout.

But Lee faded from that point, with the Spaniard finishing two-up.

It meant Lee finished in a tie for fifth - his second top-10 finish in a European Tour event since turning professional last month.

"It's daunting. It's only six holes. It happens really quick," Lee said.

"I'm pretty proud of how I handled myself."

West Australian Matt Jager was knocked out by Irishman Dunne in the round of 16 after narrowly missing a couple of clutch putts.

Australian Brett Rumford took out the inaugural World Super 6 in 2017, while Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat won it last year.

But with the tournament's initial three-year contract now completed, there's no guarantees the event will be handed an extension.


Korda wins Women's Australian Open golf

American golfer Nelly Korda has won the Women's Australian Open in Adelaide by two shots from South Korea's defending champion Jin Young Ko.

By Steve Larkin, Australian Associated Press
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Golfer Nelly Korda says she finally has equal bragging rights with her elite sporting family after winning the Women's Australian Open.

Korda's two-shot victory on Sunday in Adelaide not only delivered her second LPGA Tour title.

It also added to her high-achieving family's incredible stretch of sporting success in Australia.

Her father Petr is an Australian Open tennis champion; older sister Jessica won the Australian Open golf tournament seven years ago; and younger brother Sebastian claimed the Australian Open boys' tennis title last year.

"I'm just happy to finally be a part of the club," Korda said after coolly carding a five-under 67 final round at the Grange Golf Club to win at 17 under.

"There's maybe something in the air here. We love coming down under and we really enjoy our time here.

"I just got off the phone with my dad and he's like 'well, congratulations, you're part of the Korda slam now'."

Petr and mother Regina - also a pro tennis player who represented Czechoslovakia at the 1988 Olympics - watched their daughter's triumph from their home on the west coast of Florida.

Jessica, currently sidelined from the LPGA Tour because of a wrist injury, watched from Florida's east coast. And Sebastian tuned in from Turkey moments before he played a Futures Tour match.

"When I was left out (of winning in Australia) they didn't try to rub it in too much," Korda said.

"Now that we all have a win down here, it's going to be really special ... obviously there was pressure but I think I finally carved my own way."

Korda held off South Korea's fast-finishing defending champion Jin Young Ko, who twice snuck within two shots while posting the day's low round, eight-under 64.

Ko finished 15 under with Taiwan's Wei-Ling Hsu third at 12 under.

The best-placed Australians were Hannah Green and Sarah Kemp, who finished eight under to tie for 10th.

Compatriot Minjee Lee finished seven under while five-time winner Karrie Webb, after shooting five-under in the opening round, finished three under for the tournament.


Rising golf star Min Woo aims for top 50

West Australian Min Woo Lee knows it will be a long shot to crack into the world's top 50 this year, but he wants to give it a go anyway.

By Justin Chadwick, Australian Associated Press
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Rising Australian golf star Min Woo Lee has set his sights on cracking the world's top 50 this year after producing another promising display at a European Tour event.

Lee finished a tie for fifth at the World Super 6 Perth on Sunday after reaching the quarterfinal stage of match play.

It was his second top-five finish from just three European Tour events since turning professional last month.

His latest result means he can now play in the Oman Open, starting on February 28.

Lee rocketed from 970th in the world up to 360th after finishing fourth at the star-studded Saudi International earlier this month.

That tournament featured four of the world's top five players.

Lee knows a top-50 ranking this year will be an almighty challenge, but he's not going to die wondering.

"I know top 50 is a long shot, but I'm going to try," Lee said.

"I'm just happy it (my game) is coming together. I'm proving to myself and proving to others that I can actually play."

Lee, the younger brother of LPGA star Minjee Lee, was the hometown favourite at the World Super 6 Perth.

The Royal Fremantle product beat Frenchman Gregory Bourdy in the opening round of match play, before eclipsing tournament favourite Thomas Pieters in the round of 16.

Lee held an early lead over Spaniard Adrian Otaegui in their six-hole quarter-final battle.

But with Lee taking too much time to take his shots, stewards put the clock on him to speed him up.

Lee struggled from that point, losing three of the last four holes to bomb out.

"No controversy. I guess I was just taking too long," Lee said.

"I had the same routine as two rounds ago and I didn't get timed then, so I don't know what's going on."

Lee says he will enjoy some beach time over the next week before flying to Oman.


Scott has PGA leader Thomas in his sights

Adam Scott is one shot behind leader Justin Thomas after play was concluded early in their third round at the PGA Tour's Genesis Open in Los Angeles.

By Evin Priest, Australian Associated Press
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Adam Scott is hoping to make an early move on a marathon final day as he contends for his first US PGA Tour victory in almost three years.

Australia's former world No.1 will go into Sunday in outright second place, just one shot behind leader Justin Thomas, at the rain-affected Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles.

The pair are playing in the final group and must return to finish the third hole of their third round before playing a further 33 holes.

The 38-year-old Scott has more US tour wins (13) to his name than 25-year-old Thomas (nine) but he hasn't triumphed since March, 2016.

His ranking is No.33 while Thomas is world No.4.

Big-hitting Thomas is a prolific front runner.

But Scott, who won the 2005 event at Riviera when it was shortened to 54 holes due to severe rain, has made just one bogey in 38 holes this week.

The Australian ranks first in the field for scrambling and fifth for strokes gained in putting.

"I've managed to scramble well this week and I'm going to have to do that all day tomorrow," Scott said.

"If I can have some good (play) in between, it will go a long way.

"It's a big day; a lot of golf. It's a great day to get your rhythm early and make a move."

Scott will resume at 12-under par, one shot ahead of third-placed Americans Patrick Rogers and JB Holmes, who is also in the final group.

Scott and Thomas were tied at 11 under after two rounds but Thomas took sole possession of the lead with an eagle at the par-5 first hole when they returned to resume play late on Saturday.

"I hope so," Scott said when asked if the overnight wait to resume the third round could hurt Thomas's momentum.

"The main thing was not to make any errors; the worst thing I could have done is bogey (the second hole) when he made eagle (on the first) and then wait (12 hours), so I'm happy with what I did out there."

Event host Tiger Woods had crowds roaring with a huge move on Saturday.

The 14-time major winner reeled off three birdies and an eagle in his first four holes of the third round before three pars left him at six under.

Woods will resume the third round on his eighth hole, the par-5 17th, on Sunday.

Australia's Marc Leishman is tied with Woods at six under, while Aaron Baddeley (two under) and Cameron Smith (one under) round out the Australian contingent who made the 36-hole cut.


Min Woo Lee fearless at Perth golf event

Despite missing out on a top-eight seeding, rising Australian golfer Min Woo Lee is still confident of giving the title a good shake at the World Super 6 Perth.

By Justin Chadwick, Australian Associated Press
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Rising Australian golfer Min Woo Lee hopes his rivals will be a little scared of him during the match play round at the World Super 6 Perth tournament.

Lee made the 24-man cut for the final round after shooting a two-under-par 70 on Saturday, bringing his overall tally to seven under.

The 20-year-old, having turned professional only last month, already has a fourth-placed finish at a European Tour event to his name.

Lee hails from Western Australia and knows Lake Karrinyup well.

He gained a huge slice of confidence from last year's World Super 6 when he finished in a tie for fifth while still an amateur.

In Sunday's match play, players will go head-to-head in a series of six-hole elimination shootouts.

The top eight players have earned a bye in the first round - a luxury Lee missed out on after dropping a shot on Saturday on his final hole.

But Lee is still confident of causing damage on Sunday, especially with his home crowd cheering him on.

"No fears," Lee said of his rivals.

"I know I did well last year. I love this course. Hopefully, they're scared of me.

"That was probably one of the highlights of last year (playing here).

"It was really fun playing in front of a crowd, and lots of pressure coming in. That's what we play for. I love it."

Sweden's Per Langfors topped the leaderboard after three rounds at 10 under, with Ireland's Paul Dunne, Norway's Kristoffer Reitan and Australian Brad Kennedy one stroke further back.

Drawcard Thomas Pieters finished at eight under to secure a top-eight seeding.

On paper, a first-round bye in the sudden-death match play round might seem to be a big advantage.

But Dunne isn't so sure.

"Obviously, you don't want to have to play the first round because you might lose," Dunne said.

"But if you were to play the first round and win, it would be an advantage, because you've played the six holes already, you've seen the pins and you're in the middle of your round."

The World Super 6 Perth has a $1.6 million prize pool, with the winner also granted a one-year exemption on the European Tour.

A win for Lee would be an enormous boost to his fledgling career.