The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- Hoey holds off McIlroy to clinch Dunhill title
- Na hits Vegas jackpot with first PGA Tour title
- Ireland down Italy to maintain unbeaten run and qualify as group champs
| Hoey holds off McIlroy to clinch Dunhill title Posted: 02 Oct 2011 05:53 PM PDT ST ANDREWS, Scotland (Reuters) - Northern Irishman Michael Hoey held off compatriot and world number three Rory McIlroy to claim the Dunhill Links Championship title on Sunday. Three birdies in the last four holes at the home of golf for a closing 68 and a 22-under-par total of 266 earned Hoey a two-shot victory over the U.S. Open champion, with Graeme McDowell completing a Northern Irish one two three. "I knew I had to hit the three best shots of my career over the last three holes and I did," a delighted Hoey told reporters. Hoey needed a battling comeback as McIlroy turned on the sort of display that won him the U.S. Open at Congressional in June, producing a spectacular final round 65. McIlroy began the day five strokes adrift of Hoey but his first nine holes to six-under 30, including an eagle-two with a 90-yard pitch-in on the third, took him past the overnight leader. Hoey trailed McIlroy right up the to the 15th, due to missed birdie putts of four and three feet on the 11th and 14th but the lesser-known Ulsterman refused to bow. When Hoey speared in a stunning approach to less than a foot on the 16th he moved back to the top of the leaderboard and a birdie on the last extended his victory margin. It was by far the 2001 British Amateur champion's best success of three European Tour titles, worth $800,000, as the 32-year-old at last realised his potential after many years in the doldrums, including six visits to qualifying school. "There have been points when I have asked myself do I want to continue because it's not nice when you're running out of money," Hoey said. "This has now opened doors to tournaments like world golf championships, events I'd only watched on TV." McIlroy has described Hoey as a player with "supreme talent" and recognised his worth in the final round. "I didn't quite get the job done but Michael played fantastic golf and showed just what he's capable of," he said. "It's nice to be second continue my good run, and it gives me a few more world ranking points to get me a little close to Luke (Donald). But at the end of the day I want to win." McDowell, last year's U.S. Open champion, closed with a 69 to finish four strokes behind Hoey alongside Scot George Murray. It was the first time Northern Ireland has enjoyed a one two three finish on the European Tour. World number one Donald (70) ensured McIlroy would not close the gap on him too much in Europe's money list or the world rankings by finishing tied ninth. |
| Na hits Vegas jackpot with first PGA Tour title Posted: 02 Oct 2011 05:00 PM PDT Oct 2 (Reuters) - Kevin Na kept his cool with a red-hot putter to hold off fellow American Nick Watney and claim his first PGA Tour title with an emotional two-shot victory at the Las Vegas Open on Sunday. South Korea-born Na rolled in a 43-footer to birdie the par-three 17th before parring the last for a six-under-par 65 and a 23-under total of 261 at the TPC Summerlin. The 28-year-old, who had been winless in his previous 210 PGA Tour starts, threw both arms skywards in celebration before removing his cap and embracing his caddie. "Oh wow," a tearful Na said greenside after being told he had finally triumphed in his 211th career start. "I went through a lot. I'd have nightmares finishing second. "I used to tell my mother: 'As hard as I work, when I am going to get my first win?' People said they believed in me more than I think I believe in myself, especially Kenny my caddie. "Every time he was there for me and he believed in me." Tied for the lead overnight with Watney, Na was briefly caught at the top by his playing partner with four holes to play before he tightened his grip on the title with birdies at 15, 16, and 17. World number 11 Watney, bidding to become the PGA Tour's first three-times champion this year, had to settle for second place after closing with a four-birdie 67. Americans Tommy Gainey and Paul Goydos both signed off with 68s to share third place at 18 under. A NA-WATNEY DUEL For most of Sunday's final round, however, the tournament came down to an effective head-to-head between Na and Watney, the two overnight leaders. Na made a red-hot start, birdies at the first and second holes putting him two strokes clear at 19 under. Though Las Vegas resident Watney cut that deficit to one with a long-range birdie putt at the third, Na restored his two-shot cushion by sinking a 20-footer from just off the green at the par-four fourth. Na made his first mistake of the day with a bogey at the sixth, after missing the fairway to the left off the tee, and dropped back into a tie for the lead with American Tim Herron at 19 under. Herron, a four-times winner on the PGA Tour whose most recent victory came at the 2006 Colonial Invitational, had birdied four of the first seven holes before losing momentum over the closing stretch on his way to a 69 and joint fifth. Na, however, immediately bounced back with a birdie at the seventh before picking up another shot at the par-five ninth after reaching the green in two and two-putting. Two ahead at the turn, Na was briefly caught by Watney when he bogeyed the par-three 14th after failing to get up and down from a buried lie in a greenside bunker. The long-hitting Watney had rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt at the par-five 13th to get to 20 under overall. Once again, though, Na regained control, sinking a three-footer to birdie the driveable par-four 15th before following up with a two-putt birdie at the par-five 16th to lead Watney by one. He never relinquished his grip as he finished birdie-par to triumph by two strokes. |
| Ireland down Italy to maintain unbeaten run and qualify as group champs Posted: 02 Oct 2011 04:43 PM PDT IRELAND weathered a stiff test in their decisive clash with Italy yesterday before cutting loose in the second half for an eventually dominant 36–6 victory that sent them into the World Cup quarter–finals as group winners for the first time. The winner–takes–all Group C match was a desperately tight forward battle in the first half as Ireland edged a 9–6 lead but they took command after the break as their high–class backline eventually carved try–scoring openings. Captain Brian O'Driscoll finished off the first chance after 48 minutes and winger Keith Earls added a second four minutes later before capping off a stirring second half display with his second try at the death. Ireland won all four group games for the first time, coming after they lost all four of their warm–up Tests, setting up a Wellington quarter–final against Wales. With the prize of a semi–final against a stuttering England or underperforming France dangling tantalisingly, Ireland, who have never before gone beyond the last eight, have a wonderful chance to go all the way to the final. "Delighted with the win," said O'Driscoll, whose on–pitch interview was almost drowned out by the roaring Irish fans. "We knew we needed it and I'm glad we were able to deliver in that second half, ably helped by the best crowd we've played in front of so far. "We owe them a huge debut of gratitude. We knew we were going to have to be patient. Against any team, you have to grind them down and go through the phases. We were good and patient and took our scores clinically." Italy's dreams of a first appearance in the quarters fell at the final hurdle for the third successive tournament as yesterday's setback followed an agonising 18–16 loss to Scotland in 2007 and defeat by Wales in 2003. It was a disappointing exit for coach Nick Mallett, who, after four years in charge, is being replaced by Frenchman Jacques Brunel after the tournament. "I don't have any words in this moment," said an emotional Italian skipper Sergio Parisse. "It's difficult to explain how I feel. I want to thank my team–mates for all the work we have been doing but today we played really badly. "Compliments to Ireland because they showed really good rugby." There was a wonderful atmosphere at the indoor Otago Stadium, which was a virtual sea of green for the final game of the World Cup's group stage. The huge prize at stake helped make for a tight confrontation though and, with little between the sides and every point vital, the mounting tension grew palpable. Ireland edged the first 40 minutes as Ronan O'Gara landed three of his four penalty attempts to Mirco Bergamasco's two from three, but the nearest either side came to a try was when Irish wing Tommy Bowe broke through to touch down under the posts but was called back for a forward pass. Italy lost key prop Martin Castrogiovanni after half an hour and brought on Riccardo Bocchino at flyhalf for the second period but they were unable to gain a foothold and within 12 minutes of the restart, the match was effectively over. O'Gara stretched the lead to 12-6 with his fourth penalty before Bowe carved through the Italian defence with a determined run and switched the ball nicely inside for the evergreen O'Driscoll to score his 45th try in his 116th appearance for his country. Four minutes later, it was Gordon D'Arcy's run that scattered the Italian defence and winger Earls marked his 24th birthday with the second try. O'Gara converted both scores and Earls completed Ireland's 16th successive victory over Italy with his second try in the final minute. – Reuters |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Star Online: Sports To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan