PGA TOUR
Farmers Insurance Open
Dates: Feb. 5-8
Venue: Torrey Pines Golf Course (North Course, South Course), La Jolla, Calif.
The biggest story of the week at Torrey Pines, perhaps even the biggest story of the year so far, was the withdrawal of Tiger Woods after 11 holes. Woods cited back problems coming up with a catch phrase, citing problems getting his “glutes activated” which had fed golf jokesters plenty of new butt joke material.
Meanwhile the tournament continued on, despite fan and media interest. When the final regulation hole was completed, four golfers stood tied for first place: J.B. Holmes, Harris English, Jason Day, and Scott Stallings.
It took two extra holes for Jason Day to capture his third win on Tour. Day will move to 4th in the world golf rankings and should be one of the top favorites coming into the 2015 Masters.
LPGA TOUR
Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic
Dates: Feb. 5-8
Venue: Ocean Club Golf Course, Paradise Island, Bahamas
Paradise in the Bahamas…
The LPGA Tour is full of rookies with great potential. One said rookie carded her first LPGA Tour win on the first hole of a playoff against Sun Young Yoo and Ariya Jutanugarn. South Korean Sei Young Kim was nervous over the birdie putt, but kept control and dunked it for the victory.
“Just before the last putt I was super nervous, but I was fine.”
Fine indeed.
CHAMPIONS TOUR
Allianz Championship
Dates: Feb. 6-8
Venue: Broken Sound Club (Old Course), Boca Raton, Fla.
Paul Goydos needed to birdie the last hole in the Allianz Championship to close out the victory. That, opportunity surfaced on a final round day where as many as nine players had a share of the lead.
A fine chip on the finishing hole left an easy birdie for Goydos, who collected a winner’s check of just over a quarter million dollars. Not bad for a three day weekend of golf with some “senior” players. The win marked Goydos’s second on the 50-and-over tour.
EUROPEAN TOUR
Maybank Malaysia Open
Dates: Feb. 5-8
Venue: Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (West Course), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
LAHIRI, Anirban Lahiri captured his first European Tour victory in Malaysia by overcoming a five shot deficit in the final round.
That fantastic run and consequent victory vaults Lahiri into a great position in the golf world, from being out of the Masters picture to in. That move comes as a result of moving from #73 in the world rankings to #40.
Top 50 also qualifies Lahiri for some other large events, such as the World Golf Championships.
