Monday, July 19, 2010

Injured Tiger adds British Open to his Golf Plans



ORLANDO, Florida - Tiger Woods added the British Open to his planned golf schedule in a posting Monday on his website even though there was no update on the neck injury which has him sidelined indefinitely.

Woods could become the first player in 150 years of British Open golf to win the title three times at St. Andrews, the legendary Scottish course where this year’s edition of the championship will be staged July 15-18.

Woods, who won at St. Andrews in 2000 and 2005, kept two other previously announced events on his planned schedule - next month’s US Open at Pebble Beach and the US PGA National near Philadelphia two weeks before the British Open.

An inflamed neck joint forced Woods to withdraw from the final round of the Players Championship eight days ago. Woods said on his website that a full recovery is expected but when he would return will depend on how fast he heals.

Woods has not said he will play in the Memorial, the Jack Nicklaus-hosted June event where Woods is the defending champion.
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Golf: McDowell Wins US Open Golf Championship



PEBBLE BEACH, California, June 20, 2010 (AFP) - Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell won the US Open golf championship on Sunday, beating France's Gregory Havret by one shot to become the first European in 40 years to lift the trophy.

McDowell carded a three-over par 74 on Pebble Beach Golf Links for an even par total of 284.

Havret, a qualifier ranked 391st in the world, played alongside Tiger Woods in the penultimate group ahead of McDowell and posted a 72 for 285.

The last European player to win the US Open was Tony Jacklin in 1970. Not only did McDowell break that drought, he became just the third Irishman to win a major title, along with Padraig Harrington and Fred Daly. Daly, who won the 1947 British Open, was also from Northern Ireland.

"I've dreamed this all my life," McDowell said. "Two putts to win the US Open.

"I can't explain how I feel right now. It's amazing."

South Africa's Ernie Els finished third with a 73 for 286. Woods and Masters champion Phil Mickelson shared fourth place on 287 on a day when the lovely par-71 Pebble Beach layout showed its teeth.

Overnight leader Dustin Johnson saw his three-shot lead evaporate with a triple-bogey seven at the second hole. He collapsed to an 82.

Havret delivered an impressive performance in his first US Open. But McDowell clung to a one-stroke lead over the last four holes and Havret couldn't find a birdie that he needed at the last.