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Golf
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 13, 2003
BIRDIES
Davis Love won his 15th PGA Tour title at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, winning for the first time since capturing the same tournament in 2001, a span of 24 events and 44 starts.
Mike Weir is off to his best start, adding a tie for third at Pebble Beach to his victory a week earlier at the Bob Hope Classic. Weir had no top 10s in 2002.
Tiger Woods returns to the tour today at the Buick Invitational after offseason knee surgery.
The Champions Tour, for disqualifying Fuzzy Zoeller at the Royal Caribbean Classic. He was trying to help the tour and got burned.
Phil Mickelson finished dead last at Pebble Beach, shooting a final-round 80 that included two double bogeys and triple bogey. Perhaps his equipment was "inferior."
David Duval shot three rounds over par at Pebble Beach and missed the cut, making him for 0-for-2 this season.
"I heard it was said in fun and jest, but until I talk to him, I really don't know. Quite frankly, questioning my equipment is foolish. I'm not going to play with anything that is going to hold me back. My career will be judged by how much I've won." -- TIGER WOODS responding to Phil Mickelson's claim that Woods excels despite playing with "inferior equipment;" they settled the dispute Wednesday
Love hit the longest drive at the 18th hole Sunday (316 yards), setting up a winning birdie. But Love admitted the bounce he got at the 12th hole helped him win the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. His approach to the par 3 sailed over the green -- and struck cameraman Kent Porter of the Santa Rose Press Democrat in the foot. The ball bounced back on the green, 4 feet from the pin, setting up a birdie. "I did get some good breaks," Love said.
In the same Golf Magazine interview in which he referred to Woods' equipment as "inferior," Mickelson also was asked who the best player, for his money, is on tour. Mickelson said it is Clearwater's John Huston. "Without a doubt," Mickelson said. "Johnny Ray Huston makes more birdies on Tuesday than I've ever seen one man make. I'll never forget we were playing John Daly at Augusta in this big match. And we came to 18, and Daly was closed out (on the bet). So he presses (meaning another bet is made) and hits it up there about 3 feet for a 3 (birdie) and thinks he's gotten his money back. Johnny Ray Huston holes his second for a 2. Oh, the look on Daly's face. Oh, oh, oh. Johnny Ray. I played him at St. Andrews in 2000, and he was 12 under through 11 holes. Needless to say, I lost."
Love became the first 54-hole leader since 1993 to win the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Australian Brett Ogle was the last to do so.