Golf

The 19th hole

By BOB HARIG
Published September 8, 2005

DIVOTS

BOUNCING BACK: Retief Goosen, Jason Gore and Olin Browne all entered the final round of the U.S. Open in June with a chance to win. All left Pinehurst that day wondering what went wrong. Goosen shot 81, Gore 84 and Browne 80. But the trio has done okay since. Gore won three times on the Nationwide Tour to earn a promotion to the PGA Tour. Goosen, the two-time U.S. Open champion who is ranked fifth in the world, won the International on the PGA Tour and won a tournament Sunday in China. And Browne, who shot 59 during U.S. Open qualifying, won the Deutsche Bank Championship on Sunday, his first tour victory in six years.

TOUGH ON HIMSELF: Tampa native Woody Austin never has been one to cut himself a break. In fact, he can sometimes be his own worst enemy. And he said so recently when he was defending his Buick Championship title. "I've always said all along: I've got as much talent as anybody," said Austin, who has two career victories. "I can hit any shot, but I've got a 2-cent brain. I don't have the mental (side of golf). I just wasn't given the mental ability to play this game as well as my physical part, and that's always held me back. But I'm not afraid to admit it. Some guys are afraid to admit it, but I'm not."

"I had had it. Finally, I just (stunk) so bad I couldn't do it anymore. He helped me pull back." - Olin Browne, 46, who won for the first time in six years at the Deutsche Bank Championship, on his decision to consult teacher Jim Hardy less than two years ago.

Hale Irwin, 60, has won 43 times to lead the all-time Champions Tour victory list. His victory Sunday at the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach was his 17th since turning 55, which would be good enough for 15th on the all-time victory list.

[Last modified September 8, 2005, 01:50:14]