Tiger Out of the Woods

Tiger Woods says he’s checked out of the clinic where he went to get help dealing with pain medications, adding he will “continue to tackle this going forward”.

“I recently completed an out of state private intensive program,” Woods tweeted. “I will continue to tackle this going forward with my doctors, family and friends. I am so very thankful for all of the support I’ve received.”

The treatment follows the golfer’s arrest in May on a DUI charge after he was found asleep at the wheel in Jupiter, Florida, around 2am. Woods told police he was taking various prescriptions. No alcohol was found in his system.

Woods said in a statement last month that he was receiving professional help to manage his medications and how he deals with pain and a sleep disorder. His agent confirmed that the 14-time major champion, who had back surgery in April, was seeking in-patient treatment.

In June, Woods’s agent Mark Steinberg spoke about the pain Woods has experienced due to his back issues. “Tiger has been dealing with so much pain physically. And that leads to insomnia and sleep issues. This has been going on for a long time. Was the night in question a tipping point? He’s now gone and checked himself into a facility,” he said. “He’s been in pain for so long. He’s had to handle the pain, which then potentially leads to the lack of sleep because you’re in so much pain.”

Woods has not played in a tournament since February. His last victory in a major came in 2008 at the US Open.

TigerWoods #USOpen 

Christy O'Connor Jnr 1946 - 2016

One of the biggest stars of Irish golf, Christy O'Connor Jnr, has died.

The 67-year-old from Galway was best remembered for helping Europe retain the Ryder Cup at The Belfry in 1989 when he fired a stunning shot with his two iron to within feet of the hole.

O'Connor's victory over American Fred Couples helped ensure the contest finished 14-14 with holders Europe therefore retaining the trophy.

The Golf Union of Ireland paid tribute by posting a clip of the memorable shot online and a note describing him as "a gentleman, an iconic figure of Irish golf and a true ambassador".

"He was a pioneer for professional Irish golfers and inspired a generation of players," the organisation said.

O'Connor Jnr's career highlights included two Ryder Cup appearances, 17 professional tournament wins, four wins on the European Tour and two British Open Senior titles.

It is understood he was on holiday in Tenerife when he died.

In his latter years O'Connor Jnr - the nephew of another hero of Irish golf, Christy O'Connor Snr - was heavily involved in designing golf courses.

Tributes began to flood in following news of his death.

O'Connor Jnr was a supporter of Special Olympics and the Irish branch of the organisation described him as one of Ireland's greatest ever talents and a dedicated patron.

The Professional Golfers' Association said: "Sad news that Ryder Cup hero Christy O'Connor Jnr has passed away."

Local politician in Galway, Brian Walsh, said: "A great talent who brought much enjoyment to many and worked quietly to benefit Galway causes."

Michael Ring, Ireland's junior minister for sport, described O'Connor as one of the country's finest golfers and sportsmen.

He also achieved a number of victories on the senior circuit

"He contributed so much to sport in Ireland and was a role model for many Irish golfers," he said.

"Christy was a very talented golfer and everyone involved in Irish sport will be saddened at the news of his passing today."

"I knew Christy personally and he was a model sportsman and a thorough gentleman. He will be greatly missed".

Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley wrote on Twitter: "We've lost a true Irishman, character and golfer - Christy O Connor jnr RIP."

Shane Lowry added: "Very sad news today about Christy O'Connor Jnr. An absolute legend of Irish golf. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones."

Speaking in 2010 about his famous victory over Couples, O'Connor Jnr revealed European captain Tony Jacklin had been one of the few people to have faith in one of his three wild card selections.

"It was the greatest and most emotional moment of my professional life," O'Connor Jnr recalled. "I'd felt terrible at breakfast that morning because of an article writing me off in one of the Sunday newspapers.

"I felt the pressure it put on me was too much. Tony Jacklin, the captain, was brilliant on the final hole. He said on the 18th tee that if I put the pressure on, Fred wouldn't be able to take it.

"Even though I was miles behind him after the tee shots, Jacko didn't lose faith. 'Put it on the green, I've a feeling that something will happen,' he said.

"Well everyone knows that I played the shot of my life, a two iron from 235 yards that finished four foot from the hole. I guess you could say I did put it on the green and something did happen. I remember looking up to the sky with my arms outstretched and tears ran down my face.

"It was unforgettable."

#RIP

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Tiger Takes Time to Talk

Tiger Woods says he has a “fantastic” relationship with his ex-wife and he has taken steps to explain to his two children what happened to their marriage.

In a rare and extensive interview with Time magazine, Woods also shared the same sentiments about his future that he did Tuesday at the tournament he is hosting in the Bahamas. He still wants to play golf at the highest level, though he is resigned that it might not happen if the nerve damage in his back doesn’t allow for it.

The world’s former No1 player was interviewed by Canadian golf author Lorne Rubenstein at Woods’ new restaurant in Florida. They covered topics ranging from his greatest joy on the golf course to chipping sessions with Seve Ballesteros to his family.

Woods, who turns 40 on December 30, says he has told eight-year-old Sam and six-year-old Charlie that his parents don’t live in the same house because “Daddy made some mistakes.”

“I just want them to understand before they get to the internet age and they log on to something or have their friends tell them something,” Woods said. “I want it to come from me so that when they come of age, I’ll just tell them the real story.

“And so, that’s part of the initiative – ‘Hey, it was my fault, too. I was to blame’ – and so I’m taking initiative with the kids,” he said. “I’d rather have it come from me as the source. And I can tell them absolutely everything so they hear it from me.”

In the meantime, Woods said he is stressing to his children that they have two parents who love them.

His marriage crumbled at the end of 2009 when he was exposed for having multiple extramarital affairs, and Elin Nordegren divorced him the following August. Woods endured leg injuries in 2011, got back to No1 in the world with eight victories in 2012 and 2013 and has been in a free fall because of back injuries since.

He had surgery to alleviate a pinched nerve the week before the 2014 Masters and has had two more procedures in the same spot over the last three months.

“One, I don’t want to have another procedure,” Woods told the magazine. “And two, even if I don’t come back and I don’t play again, I still want to have a quality of life with my kids. I started to lose that with the other surgeries.”

Asked what he would have done differently before and after the scandal in his personal life, Woods said he would have had a more open, honest relationship with his wife.

“Having the relationship that I have now with her is fantastic,” he said. “She’s one of my best friends. We’re able to pick up the phone, and we talk to each other all the time. We both know that the most important things in our lives are our kids. I wish I would have known that back then.”

Woods last played on August 23 when he tied for 10th and thought the pain he experienced was from his hip. Instead, it was a recurrence of his back problems. The uncertainty of his health has led to plenty of speculation that his career might be over.

“Put it this way. It’s not what I want to have happen, and it’s not what I’m planning on having happen,” Woods said. “But if it does, it does. I’ve reconciled myself to it.”

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Red Shirt Sunday Tiger is Back

Tiger Woods walked toward the 18th green Sunday as he had done over the last 30 months on the PGA TOUR, with one big difference. There was no mistaking that smile.

"Pure joy," he said.

Woods finally brought the buzz back to the very thing that made him famous -- winning.

Two weeks after another injury scare, Woods looked dominant as ever in that bright red shirt to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. It was his first PGA TOUR victory since an incident at the end of 2009 led to one of the greatest downfalls in sports.

And with the Masters only two weeks away, Woods looks more capable than ever of resuming his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus in the majors.

Woods closed with a 2-under 70 and won by five shots over Graeme McDowell,earning 500 FedExCup points and moving to No. 7 in the process.

"I think he really just kind of nailed home his comeback," McDowell said. "Great to have a front-row seat watching maybe the greatest of all time doing what he does best -- winning golf tournaments."

Woods had gone 923 days and 27 TOUR events since he last posed with a trophy, and it showed.

Kneeling to look at his line as he waited his turn to putt on the 18th, Woods tapped his putter on the ground and could barely contain a grin, knowing that the longest PGA TOUR drought of his career was about to end. When he tapped in for par, he clenched his fist, screamed out, "Yeah!" and hugged his caddie, Joe LaCava.

Walking off the green, Woods extended his black cap for a sweeping wave toward the gallery.

"It's not like winning a major championship or anything," Woods said. "But it certainly feels really good."

The question two weeks ago was when he could play again. Now, it's whether he can get back to being the player who once ruled golf. It was the 16th time in his career that Woods has won by at least five shots, and it was the largest margin of victory on the PGA TOUR since Rory McIlroy won the U.S. Open by eight.

Woods downplayed the significance of Sunday, pointing out on more than one occasion that he considers it his second win since 2009. He counts the Chevron World Challenge last December, when he went birdie-birdie to beat an 18-man field of top-50 players.

But this was significant -- a PGA TOUR event with a full field, and a strong field at that. And with a performance so clean that he was never seriously challenged on the back nine.

"I've gotten better, and that's the main thing," Woods said. "I've been close for a number of tournaments now. And it was just a matter of staying the course and staying patient, keeping working on fine-tuning what we're doing. And here we are."

The only thing missing was the host himself.

Palmer's blood pressure increased during the final round from new medications, and he was taken to the hospital about 15 minutes before the tournament ended as a precaution. Alaistair Johnston, vice chairman at IMG and his longtime business manager, said Palmer would be kept overnight. "Nobody is overly concerned," he said.

Woods goes to No. 6 in the world, returning to the top 10 for the first time since May 22.

"Heading home now and I can't stop smiling. Thanks to Otown fans and everyone watching for all the love. Get well soon, Arnie," Woods tweeted about three hours after his win.

He finished at 13-under 275 for his 72nd PGA TOUR win, one short of Nicklaus for second place on the career list. But that's not the record Woods wants. He has 14 majors, four short of the Nicklaus standard, and he tries to end a four-year drought at the Masters, which starts April 5.

"I am excited, no doubt," Woods said. "I'm looking forward to the momentum I've built here."

It was the first time Woods had all four rounds under par since he returned from his personal crisis at the 2010 Masters.

McDowell made a 45-foot birdie putt and a 50-foot eagle putt early in the round to try to stay close, though he was never closer than two shots after starting with a double bogey. He closed with a 74.

Ernie Els failed in his bid to get into the Masters. The three-time major champion started the final round three shots behind, but twice missed par putts inside 3 feet and shot 75. He would have needed a two-way tie for second to crack the top 50 in the world. Instead, he tied for fourth and moved up only four spots to No. 58. He will have to win the Shell Houston Open next week to avoid missing the Masters for the first time since 1993.

This day belonged to Woods, as it used to at Arnie's place.

Only two weeks ago, Woods was taken off the course at TPC Blue Monster in the middle of the final round with tightness in his left Achilles tendon, the same injury that caused him to miss three months last year, including two majors. It turned out to be a mild strain, and Sunday was the eighth straight day that Woods played golf -- starting with a practice round last Sunday at Augusta.

LaCava called him that Sunday night at Doral, after Woods had spoken to doctors, and said "you could hear the relief."

Injuries have been the story for Woods in recent months but the win at Bay Hill, his record seventh in the event, puts the chatter back on golf.

"He was a man on a mission today," LaCava said. "He was pretty jacked up. He was out there to prove himself."

Woods won against a full field for the first time since the Australian Masters on Nov. 15, 2009. He has not been the same since then, and players began to wonder if his mystique could ever return.

This was a step. A big step.

Woods renewed his reputation as golf's greatest closer, winning for the 38th time in 40 attempts when he had the lead going into the final round.

It was McDowell who took down Woods in a shocker at the end of 2010 by rallying from four shots down to beat him at the Chevron World Challenge, something long considered unthinkable. And it was McDowell, speaking for so many others on TOUR, who suggested last August that the red shirt on Sunday was not as intimidating as once was.

McDowell was as formidable as ever. He couldn't keep up.

The former U.S. Open champion gave Woods a big cushion on the opening hole when his approach buried so badly in the bunker that only the top half of the ball could be seen. He blasted out through the green into another bunker and made double bogey. That gave Woods a three-shot lead, and McDowell never got closer than two the rest of the way.

But he put up a good fight. McDowell took a free drop from a sprinkler head, going from the rough to the fringe, and holed a 45-foot birdie putt after Woods was already in tight for birdie.

Woods hit a towering 3-iron from 267 yards over the water on the par-5 sixth, and before he could attempt his eagle putt from just outside 15 feet, McDowell made his from 50 feet.

Woods was in total control of all aspects of his game, the final two holes of the front nine showed it. Woods hit an 8-iron from 182 yards that cleared the bank by a few yards and rolled within 4 feet for birdie on No. 8. And on the next hole, McDowell missed a 4-foot par putt to fall four shots behind.

McDowell missed three putts inside 10 feet early on the back nine -- one of them for par -- and then was merely along for the ride.

"He's going to be a force at Augusta," said Ian Poulter, who shot 74 and finished third.

Tiger Returns to Familiar Territory

Tiger Woods a comfortable lead Saturday, he walked off the 18th green at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard as close as he has ever been to ending 30 months without a PGA TOUR victory.

He had a one-shot lead, and no one in golf has a more formidable record as a frontrunner.

He was hitting the ball so well that Woods had the putter in his hand for a birdie attempt on 38 consecutive holes.

And he was at Bay Hill, where he already has won six times.

"If you're in the lead, you've done some good things," Woods said after recovering from a late double bogey for a 1-under 71. "That's how I've always looked at it. And it's a nice position to be in."

Better yet would be posing with Palmer in a trophy presentation.

But there's still one round to go before that happens, and a familiar face alongside him in the final group.

Graeme McDowell, the former U.S. Open champion who rallied from four shots behind to beat Woods in the Chevron World Challenge at the end of 2010, made two birdies and one bogey in a round of 71.

"There's a fair bit of expectations on Tiger," McDowell said. "He's looking to complete the comeback tomorrow, because there's no doubt he's playing great. He's got the ball under control. But he's got to go out there and try to win tomorrow, the same way I do and a lot of other players that have got the opportunity to win."

It will be the 40th time Woods has taken the lead into the final round on the PGA TOUR. He has failed to win just twice, one of those times as a 20-year-old in his third start as a pro.

Woods was more interested in winning for the 72nd time on TOUR than the 30 months it has taken to get to this point.

"I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I'm looking forward to getting out there and playing and competing again," Woods said. "As far as what it would mean? It would mean No. 72. Not a bad number, either."

Woods last won a PGA TOUR event at the BMW Championship on Sept. 13, 2009. He won in Australia two months later to close out his season, but his life changed forever a short time later in perhaps the most spectacular downfall of any athlete.

That all seems to be such a distant memory, even two weeks ago when he withdrew in the middle of the final round at TPC Blue Monster with tightness in his left Achilles tendon.

Woods cut a more familiar figure Saturday.

"It was a solid day," said Woods, who was at 11-under 205. "Just happened to have one little fluke thing where a kid passed out."

He had a four-shot lead after a birdie on the 13th hole when he made what he called his one bad swing, pulling his tee shot into a buried lie in the bunker on the 14th for a bogey.

On the 15th tee, an 18-year-old passed out and a woman screamed when she saw it -- all while Woods was in the middle of his swing. He was too far along to stop, and hooked his tee shot out-of-bounds near a swimming pool.

That led to a double bogey, and McDowell tied him for the lead with his birdie on the 17th. Woods, however, hit a daring shot out of the fairway bunker and over the water to 20 feet for a two-putt birdie on the 16th to regain the lead.

Woods was runner-up at the Honda Classic three weeks ago when he closed with a 62, though he never had the outright lead. He was in the second-to-last group at Pebble Beach, though he closed with a 75 and watched Phil Mickelson rally for the win.

He will be alongside McDowell, who last August was asked whether Woods' mystique had eroded. Woods had not played for three months because of leg injuries, and McDowell was asked if that red shirt meant anything.

"That's his trademark," McDowell said. "Really, I think that's all it is right now. What it means to him is obviously a different thing. What it means to the rest of us ... it's not really something to be intimidated by anymore."

McDowell is aware how well Woods is playing, and how dominant Woods can be in the game. His focus was on a Bay Hill course that was dry, firm and reminiscent of some U.S. Open setups.

"The golf course is going to be the main competitor tomorrow," McDowell said.

Ernie Els rekindled his hopes of getting into the Masters with six birdies in a round of 67 that left him only three shots behind. Ian Poulter had a 68 and also was tied for third, while Charles Howell III (68) and Sony Open winner Johnson Wagner (69) were four behind.

Els is No. 62 in the world and needs to crack the top 50 after Sunday to get an invitation to Augusta. He could get there by finishing alone in third place -- provided Matteo Manassero doesn't win in Morocco on the European Tour, or Howell doesn't finish alone in second place at Bay Hill.

It gets complicated with the world ranking, even without a calculator. Els hasn't even bothered to do the math.

"I know I've got to finish ... really, almost winning. I've got to almost win, or something like that," Els said. "But if I'm in, I'm in. And if I'm not, I'm just glad my game is coming around. Whatever happens, I feel like I can have a good year now. I feel like the hard work is starting to pay off."

Els rolled in a 30-foot birdie putt on the ninth hole for a 32 on the front, getting him into the picture. His lone lapse came on the 15th, and he did well to escape with bogey. His ball was sitting slightly down in a fairway bunker, and Els hit the lip with his approach, the ball coming back into the sand. He blasted the next out onto the green and two-putted.

But he birdied the 16th, got up-and-down from a front bunker on the 17th, and knocked in a 15-foot birdie on the 18th. Even then, he was five shots behind against Woods, his longtime nemesis and a six-time at Bay Hill.

"I don't want to talk too badly about Tiger, but hope he makes a couple of bogeys and I have a bit of a chance tomorrow," Els said.

He laughed -- and he got his wish.

Charlie Wi was tied with Woods for the 36-hole lead, but not for long. He started off pushing his shots to the right, made three bogeys out of the gate and fell back. Wi wound up with a 76 and was five shots behind.

He wasn't the only one.

Jason Dufner, who turned 35 on Saturday, had a birthday to forget. After driving into the water on the par-5 sixth and making double bogey, he followed with three straight bogeys for a 42 on the front nine. He shot 77.

Bubba Watson was hanging around until he three-putted from just outside 3 feet for double bogey on the 11th. Doral winner Justin Rose twice made bogey on par 5s in a 74. Vijay Singh and Sergio Garcia each shot 75.

McDowell was the only player who never left the lead pack, even though he made only two birdies. He got some help from Woods in the final hour, however, and now gets another shot at him.

"The atmosphere is going to be fantastic out there tomorrow, due to him being in the mix," McDowell said.

2012 Bay Hill Leaderboard

Donald Named in PGA Short List

Luke Donald could become the first British golfer to win the PGA Tour Player of the Year award after he was named on a five-man shortlist.

Americans Keegan Bradley, Bill Haas, Webb Simpson and Nick Watney are also in the running.

Tour professionals vote for the winner, with Donald already assured of the PGA Tour money list title.

The Englishman, who has won two events and enjoyed 14 top-10 finishes, is favourite to lift the players' award.

Luke Donald also won the Vardon Trophy on the PGA Tour this year for the lowest adjusted scoring average

Donald has already won the PGA Player of the Year award for 2011, a more statistically-based award, presented by the PGA of America.

Since its inception in 1990, the PGA Tour Player of the Year prize - also known as the Jack Nicklaus Trophy - has been claimed by the PGA Player of the Year on all but two occasions.

One of those to miss out on the double was Donald's fellow Englishman Nick Faldo, who failed to win the players' vote in 1990, while Corey Pavin missed out 12 months later.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington won both during his successful season in 2008, when he also won the USPGA Championship and the Open Championship.

Tiger Woods has been the Tour's most successful player, winning both awards 10 times apiece.

Bradley has also been nominated for the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award alongside Chris Kirk, Charl Schwartzel, Scott Stallings, Brendan Steele and Jhonattan Vegas.