Golf - Netherlands: Luiten beats Jimenez in playoff to win KLM Open

Joost Luiten beat Miguel Angel Jimenez on the first playoff hole Sunday to win the KLM Open for his second European Tour title of the year.

Luiten became the first Dutch winner of his country's national open since Maarten Lafeber in 2003 and the first Dutchman to win twice in a season on the European Tour. He also won the Lyoness Open in Austria in June.

Jimenez made four early birdies to take the lead but Luiten rallied on the back nine at the Kennemer Golf & Country Club, with both making par on the 18th to force the playoff. Jiminez shot a 3-under 67 while Luiten had a 68. Both finished with 12-under totals of 268.

"It was tough. He was playing really, really good, especially on the front nine," Luiten said of the far more experienced Jimenez. "I thought 'I just have to hang in there until the back nine and hopefully I can make a move there,' and luckily it happened."

The players returned to the 18th tee and Luiten made par, while Jimenez hit his drive into the rough right of the fairway, left his second on the fringe and could not hole out in two.

On the back nine, Jimenez missed a birdie putt on the short par-5 12th, while Luiten sank his birdie putt to draw even at 13 under.

But the Spanish veteran, who won this tournament 19 years ago, responded immediately by rolling in a birdie on the 13th and stretched his lead to two strokes as Luiten's par putt slid past the hole.

Luiten birdied the 14th and Jimenez bogeyed the 15th and 17th to drop back level with Luiten and set up the playoff.

Read more: Luiten beats Jimenez in playoff to win KLM Open in Netherlands

Almere-Digest

Golf: Friday's Ryder Cup updates from Medinah

Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson blitzed Medinah Country Club with 10 birdies in just 14 Ryder Cup holes, pushing the United States to a 3-2 lead as the rest of this afternoon’s four-ball matches hit the homestretch.

Scotland’s Paul Lawrie and Sweden’s Peter Hanson never had a chance to settle into the afternoon’s opening match, watching Simpson birdie No.1 and the Americans combine for six straight birdies from Nos. 3-8.

The final score was 5&4, the biggest romp yet in this week’s trans-Atlantic clash.

Read more: Friday's Ryder Cup updates from Medinah

Golf Ryder Cup: Europe's captain Olazabal arrives at Medinah with Ryder Cup - by Dour Ferguson

Jose Maria Olazabal stepped off the plane carrying the Ryder Cup, a familiar sight considering that Europe has won six of the past eight times.

It was who followed the captain off the plane that showed how much the dynamics of this event have changed over the years.

Olazabal flew over from London with only three of his 12 players — Paul Lawrie, Francesco Molinari and Ryder Cup rookie Nicolas Colsaerts. Everyone else was already here.

Five of the Europeans — Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, Peter Hanson, Graeme McDowell and Sergio Garcia — have homes at Lake Nona in Orlando, Fla.

Read more: Europe's captain Olazabal arrives at Medinah with Ryder Cup | savannahnow.com

Golf: 'Bubba Golf' masters the art of impossible play-off shots

'Bubba Golf' is set to become a worldwide phenomenon after Bubba Watson defied decades of conservative golfing wisdom to win the 76th Masters.

Self-taught and free-wheeling, the idiosyncratic Watson produced a stunning hooking wedge shot off pine straw through a gap from deep in the woods on the second play-off hole to set-up a simple two-putt par for victory.

It was good enough to beat South African Louis Oosthuizen's bogey and hand him his first major title, becoming the third lefthander to win a green jacket in the past 10 years.

For more: 'Bubba Golf' masters the art of impossible play-off shots

Golf: Solheim Cup -- Europe reclaims Cup with dramatic win over U.S.

After the Europeans had won the 12th Solheim Cup 15-13, they took the poster of Seve Ballesteros which had been in their locker room down to the 18th green. They wanted everyone to know the extent to which the Spaniard had been their inspiration.

The Americans, meanwhile, were still ruing what had been a wretched start to their day. Instead of having 12 players up and running, they were down a woman after Cristie Kerr got no further than the practice ground.

Kerr, a dogged little performer if ever there were one, had tendinitis in her right wrist, which had first manifested itself Wednesday. She answered Rosie Jones' call to play in all four matches over the first two days and, on Friday night, took anti-inflammatory tablets to ensure she would have no trouble playing one more time.

For more: Solheim Cup -- Europe reclaims Cup with dramatic win over U.S. - espnW

Spain - Golf legend Seve Ballesteros, 54, passed away at his home in Pedreña

Seve Ballesteros, the charismatic Spanish golfer who won the Masters twice and the British Open three times and helped propel Europe’s rise in the Ryder Cup competition with the United States, passed away early Saturday morning at his home in Pedreña northern Spain, where his struggle with brain cancer had gained wide attention in the sports world. He was 54.

In March this year the Buenavista Golf course in Tenerife, the Canary Islands, designed by Seve Ballesteros, was recognized by the German edition of the prestigious magazine "Golf Journal" - as voted by readers of this publication - as the second best golf course in Europe, .

Tenerife has become increasingly popular as a European golf destination among German tourists who now outnumber British players who, until now, have traditionally been the most numerous. Last year Tenerife welcomed many golfers from all over the world including 54,000 German golfers, an increase of 11.5% over 2009, compared to 50,000 from the UK.

Seve Ballesteros was not only a great sportsman, but also a great EU "golf ambassador", who created respect and recognition for European Golf on courses all over the world.

EU-Digest

Golf: O'Meara sees dramatic rise of European golf - Ashley Hammond,

PGA Tour golfing veteran Mark O'Meara said he could see the rise in European golf coming, but claims the US has what it takes to fight the trend with or without Tiger Woods.

There are just four Americans in the top ten to Europe's six, this on top of the Ryder Cup win last year paints a worrying picture for the American game's fading dominance.

O'Meara said, "I certainly think it's been coming, no question about it; 20, 25 years ago the US players had tended to dominate the top ten. But you know I can see over the last 15-20 years it's certainly become more of a global game... The European Tour has been no exception to that with the success the European Team had in the Ryder Cup, the confidence of coming over and playing a lot in America."

For more: gulfnews : O'Meara sees dramatic rise of European golf

Golf: Europe claim one-two in world rankings

Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer - an eight-shot winner in Abu Dhabi today - now top the World Golf Rankings, the first time two Europeans have been there since Nick Faldo and Bernhard Langer in July 1993. Tiger Woods falls out of the top two for the first time since October 2004.

Holywood-man Rory McIlroy has also shot up the rankings from 12th to seventh, joining Portrush's Graeme McDowell in the top ten. Kaymer, 26, relegated Woods to world number three when he successfully defended his Abu Dhabi title and captured the event for a third time in four years.


For more: RTÉ Sport: Europe claim one-two in world rankings

Golf: Europe Wins Ryder Cup

The American team almost overcame a 9½-6½ deficit on the first-ever Monday finish in the 83-year history of the Ryder Cup. But Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland beat Hunter Mahan in the final match to give the Europeans the needed 14 ½ points for them to regain the cup.

The Americans were trying to win the Ryder Cup for the first time on foreign soil since 1993. And they almost did. On the 16th hole, McDowell sank a slick downhill putt to go 2-up in his match with Mahan. At this point, the cup hung in the balance, with the score tied at 13 ½ to 13 ½.

The 35,000 fans on hand for the rain-delayed competition at Celtic Manor in Wales went ballistic. The huge gallery swarmed the fairways and greens and the European players and sprayed them with champagne, tossing out shirts and caps and memorabilia.

For more: Europe Wins Ryder Cup - Cybergolf

Golf: Ryder Cup 2010: Inspired Europe leading US 9.5 to 6.5 have victory in their sights

"I have always said it takes 12 to try to win a Ryder Cup. And all 12 on that course today performed brilliantly," he said. "And in my time, and it's been, what, 20 years since I first started playing in the Ryder Cup, I truly believe that was one of the greatest days for European golf that we have had. To turn a two-point deficit into a three-point lead was quite amazing today."

For more: Ryder Cup 2010: Inspired Europe have victory in their sights | Sport | The Guardian

Golf: Rain wreaks havoc at Ryder Cup; USA leads in two matches - by Steve DiMeglio

Rain showers, cool weather and strong winds wreaked havoc on Friday's opening day of the 38th Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. So much so that Mother Nature's dark side has forced a change in the schedule.

A suspension of play lasting more than seven hours at the waterlogged Twenty Ten Course in the Usk Valley forced Ryder Cup officials from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean to consider a variety of options to ensure completion of the match-play competition between the USA and Europe.

For more : Rain wreaks havoc at Ryder Cup; USA leads in two matches - USATODAY.com

Golf: European Ryder Cup team ready to mop up at Celtic Manor

If the European team are to have a cutting edge at the Ryder Cup, then captain Colin Montgomerie knows they will depend on a good performance by the man dubbed the heir to Tiger Woods. 

Rory McIlroy might be be playing in the competition for the first time but the man with the most distinctive locks since Miguel Angel Jiminez' ponytail is key to European hopes.

Yes, the past few years have seen him play such scintillating golf that many seasoned observers believe he has the game to be the best in the world and a multiple major winner.

For more: BBC News - Ryder Cup team ready to mop up at Celtic Manor: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Golf - Paul McGinley: 'It's very important we win the Ryder Cup again'

 My views are very strong," Paul McGinley says as, in his role as a vice-captain of the European Ryder Cup team, he displays the conviction his players will need if they are to wrest back the trophy from the United States in less than three weeks. "We're a European team. We're a European Tour. And even though a lot of our players are playing in America we have to draw the line. We need to finish the qualification for a European team on European soil."

Earlier this summer McGinley predicted a handsome European victory, but he sounds more cautious now. "A couple of months ago we were quite clear favourites – but things have changed. We have been hurt by Lee Westwood's injury. There's no doubt about that. It's going to be an unknown factor until Lee turns up that week and we see how he feels, having not competed since the Open. That's a disappointment for Europe.Earlier this summer McGinley predicted a handsome European victory, but he sounds more cautious now. "A couple of months ago we were quite clear favourites – but things have changed. We have been hurt by Lee Westwood's injury. There's no doubt about that. It's going to be an unknown factor until Lee turns up that week and we see how he feels, having not competed since the Open. That's a disappointment for Europe.

For more: Paul McGinley: 'It's very important we win the Ryder Cup again' | Sport | The Guardian

Golf Ryder Cup: Americans hold no fears for European Ryder Cup star Edoardo Molinari

Edoardo Molinari last night told America's golfing gods he fears no one. Europe's on-form star insists he'd even relish a Ryder Cup showdown with Tiger Woods because the game is easy to him right now.

Molinari will tee up at Celtic Manor next month af ter last week's stunning Johnnie Walker success impressed skipper Colin Montgomerie enough to hand him a wild card And the Ital ian sensat ion insists he won't let Monty down.

Molinari, who is joint second at the European Masters after a second-round six-under 65, said: "At the moment I don't fear anyone because when you play well, this game can be so easy.

For more: Americans hold no fears for European Ryder Cup star Edoardo Molinari - The Daily Record

GOLF: Europe's Ryder Cup team - by Karl MacGinty

Edoardo Molinari made it impossible for Colin Montgomerie to leave him out of the Ryder Cup side with his phenomenal performance at Gleneagles yesterday.

The young Italian's sensational victory at The Johnnie Walker Championship also helped copper-fasten Padraig Harrington's wild card for Celtic Manor.

For more: In Pictures: Europe's Ryder Cup team - Golf, Sport - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Golf: Peter Hanson Boosts Ryder Cup Hopes With Victory in Golf's Czech Open - by Peter-Joseph Hegarty

Peter Hanson of Sweden beat Ireland’s Peter Lawrie and Gary Boyd of England in a playoff to win golf’s Czech Open today and move into the automatic selection places for Europe’s Ryder Cup team.  Hanson won with a birdie at the second extra hole after the three men ended on 10-under par 278 at Celadna. The Swede had slumped to a 2-over par 74 in the final round, with Lawrie and Boyd scoring 66 and 68.

With one event left, Hanson rises to eighth in Europe’s Ryder Cup points. Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain is in ninth, the final automatic spot, and England’s Paul Casey drops to 10th. The match with the U.S. takes place at Celtic Manor, Wales, on Oct. 1-3.

For more: Peter Hanson Boosts Ryder Cup Hopes With Victory in Golf's Czech Open - Bloomberg

Golf: Ryder Cup problems mounting up for Europe's Montgomerie

Just when it seemed everything — woeful form of Tiger Woods included — was pointing to Europe winning back the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in October, nobody can be quite so sure any more.

Lee Westwood is injured, Henrik Stenson and now Ian Poulter sick, captain Colin Montgomerie has personal troubles and there is the real possibility one of four more stars — Padraig Harrington, Justin Rose, Luke Donald and Paul Casey — might have to be omitted.

For more: Ryder Cup problems mounting up for Europe's Montgomerie - Golf, Sport - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Golf: McDowell returns to action in America

Graeme McDowell returns to action in America for the first time since his historic US Open Championship victory in June when he heads a strong European Tour contingent at this week’s WGC – Bridgestone Invitational.

The Northern Irishman has enjoyed a whirlwind six weeks since he became the first Briton to win the US Open in 40 years – one of several high profile European Tour successes on the other side of the Atlantic this year.

With Ian Poulter and Ernie Els having already captured the Accenture Match Play and CA Championship respectively in the first half of the season, McDowell will attempt to make it three wins out of three for European Tour Members – of which there are 45 in this week’s field - in World Golf Championship events in 2010.

For more: McDowell returns to action in America - European Tour

CNN: Golf - Eastern Europe's golf revolution

For the complete report from CNN.com click on this link

Golf - Eastern Europe's golf revolution

Golf was considered a sport of the capitalist elite and banned in Eastern Europe under the rule of communist regimes -- but in the 20 years since the Berlin Wall has fallen there has been a renaissance of the game in the region. With rising disposable income and an increasing interest in leisure pursuits, a growing number of courses, more television coverage and availability of EU funds, the future of the industry in Eastern Europe is bright. Bulgaria is one country where the sport is on the up. Eight years ago there were no golf courses but --to fulfil the increasing domestic demand and as a means to attract tourists to the region -- the country could be set for a boom in golf development. Kancho Stoychev, vice president of Bulgarian Golf, believes that despite there being only 200 registered players in a country whose population is eight million there is set to be an explosion of interest in the sport.

Golfweeek: Golf - Europe repeats as Palmer Cup champ

For the complete report from Golfweek click on this link

Europe repeats as Palmer Cup champ

Europe won its second straight Palmer Cup on Friday, defeating the Americans 13-11 at Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver, Colo. The two sides split morning four-ball action with two points apiece, and the Americans rebounded somewhat to win afternoon singles, 4.5-3.5. However, it wasn't enough to overcome a three-point deficit to begin the day. Indiana's Jorge Campillo went 4-0-0 for the European squad and capped off his run by opening the afternoon singles with a 2-and-1 win over Alabama's Bud Cauley. Europe won last year's matches, 14-10. The series is now 6-6-1 in the team competition.