WGT Golf News : arnold palmer

WGT GOLF UPDATE: Hunter Mahan Wins By 1 Stroke in 2012 Shell Houston Open

wgtmustang — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 01:04:00 GMT

At the 2012 Shell Houston Open, Hunter Mahan held on to a one-stroke lead over Carl Pettersson during the final four holes and shot a 1-under 71 for the win on Sunday. With this victory, Mahan took over the top spot in the latest FedExCup standings and became the first two-time champion on TOUR in 2012. Additionally, he moved to No. 4 in the world rankings, the first time he's ever been the highest-ranked American.

Pettersson needed a victory to secure a spot at the 2012 Masters Tournament this coming weekend at Augusta National Golf Club, but unfortunately couldn't gain a stroke down the final stretch. He missed a birdie putt from 20 feet away on 18 that could have forced a playoff, and instead made par to finish at 1-under for the day and 15-under for the tournament.

Louis Oosthuizen began the day two strokes ahead of the field, but struggled on the front nine. He shot 6-over through 10 holes before hitting three birdies over the final stretch to save face at 3-over on the day and 14-under for the tournament. Four players took fourth place at 12-under, including Phil Mickelson.

Three-time major champion Ernie Els finished 10-under and fell short in his bid to earn an automatic invitation to this week's Masters tournament. Els needed a victory to avoid missing Augusta for the first time since 1993; however, the Masters could offer a special invitation to Els. Els has played well this year, earning top-five finishes at the Transitions Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational.

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WGT GOLF UPDATE: Tiger Woods Wins Arnold Palmer Invitational

wgtmustang — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:04:00 GMT

Tiger Woods finally broke his career-long, two-and-a-half-year dry spell at Bay Hill Club on Sunday to win the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational. The former No. 1 player in the world last won an official event on the PGA Tour in September of 2009 at the BMW Championship. This week's win was his 7th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and his 72nd career victory. It's also Woods' first win since he and swing coach Sean Foley began working together in the summer of 2010.

Bay Hill was challenging, especially on Sunday with high winds and tough hole locations, resulting in an average score of 2 over par. After three rounds of 69, 65 and a 71, Woods began the tournament on Sunday in the lead at 11-under par, one shot ahead of Graeme McDowell and three shots ahead of Ernie Els and Ian Poulter. McDowell doubled-bogeyed the par-4 first hole to give Woods a three-stroke lead out the gate. McDowell eagled the par-5 sixth hole to make up for his terrible start, but he laid up into a bunker and made bogey on the par-5 12th hole, failing to put pressure on the leader. After losing his tee shots right and into fairway bunkers on the 10th and 15th holes, Woods saved pars with a long two-putt and a par putt from 15 feet. Woods finished with a 2-under par 70, a five-stroke victory over Graeme McDowell, to claim his win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

All facets of Woods' game seemed to be coming together this weekend. This was his first tournament with all 4 rounds under par, and he's consistently hitting fairways and greens, shaping the ball, and making putts, as well as that mental toughness he's been known for. The 2012 Masters Tournament is just 2 weeks away, where Woods has won 4 times and Phil Mickelson 3 times.

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NOTE: Tournament host Arnold Palmer was taken to the hospital before the end of the final round, apparently due to high blood pressure from new medication. He spent the night at the hospital, but is reported to be fine and in no danger.

WGT GOLF UPDATE: Tiger Woods Leads Arnold Palmer Invitational

wgtmustang — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 00:10:00 GMT

As the second round of the annual Arnold Palmer Invitational came to an end today, Tiger Woods rose to the top of the leaderboard with a 7-under 65. Starting today’s round six shots behind first-round leader Jason Dufner, Woods puttied for birdie on every hole and made short work of the par 5s at Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando. A six-time winner of the event, Woods now sits at 10-under overall, just one shot ahead of Dufner and 2010 U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell, who had a 9-under 63 today.

Charlie Wi rolled in a 25-foot birdie putt on his last hole today in the tournament for a 4-under 68 to join Woods at 10-under 134. Justin Rose finished the second round at 6 under, one shot ahead of six players including Webb Simpson, Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia and Vijay Singh.

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