Golf

Golf notes

Mark Calcavecchia's win last week made history.

By Bob Harig,Times Staff Writer
Published March 15, 2007

$20-million man

When Mark Calcavecchia won the PODS Championship on Sunday, the $954,000 pushed him over the $20-million mark, making him the 12th player in PGA Tour history to surpass that total. He ranks behind Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson, Davis Love, Jim Furyk, Ernie Els, David Toms, Justin Leonard, Nick Price, Kenny Perry and Fred Funk. Told of reaching the milestone, he quipped, "Hard to believe: $3-million in debt, and I've won $20-million."

Struggling to make a dime

He may be in the $20-million club, but Justin Leonard hasn't made a dime this year. The 1997 British Open champion is struggling, most recently having missed the cut at the PODS Championship. In 15 rounds, he has not broken 70. It might have something to do with putting. He ranks 167th in putting average and 151st in total putts. He is making less than three birdies per round.

A rare defeat

When Annika Sorenstam lost in a sudden-death playoff Monday at the MasterCard Classic in Mexico, it was a rare defeat for the No. 1 female player. Her playoff record slipped to 15-6 on the LPGA Tour after falling to Meaghan Francella. She had not lost in a playoff since 2003, to Rachel Hetherington at the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic. Three of Sorenstam's six playoff defeats have come against Hetherington.

[Last modified March 14, 2007, 22:59:22]