Golf

Golf: News and notes

By Times staff, wires
Published October 4, 2007

Ouch, Woody

Woody Austin is one of three Americans who will play in the HSBC World Match Play Championship, Oct. 11-14, for the second straight year and the Tampa native figures he'll get roasted by the British press for turning down his exemption to the British Open, but turning up in London for the richest prize in golf. The explanation is simple - and included a dig at Tiger Woods. Had he played July's British Open, that would have been nine straight weeks for Austin, who said he was worn out: "I had a valid reason. We have a guy who is tired after two weeks when he only plays 15 tournaments a year and he's flying around on his corporate jet. And I get lambasted for not wanting to play nine in a row?"

LPGA update

The tournament in California is the final full-field event of the year, with the top 90 on the money list earning full exemptions for next season. ... Nineteen of the top 20 players on the money list are in the field, including Brittany Lincicome of Seminole at No. 10 with $828,724... . No. 9 Angela Park is taking the week off after tying for third Sunday to clinch the Louise Suggs rookie of the year award. Park has six top 10s, and the 20-year-old Brazilian native is ninth on the money list with $847,933. ... Lorena Ochoa needs to finish sixth or better to become the first $3-million woman.

Area events

A tournament to benefit Casey's Place Animal Sanctuary is scheduled for Oct. 21 at the Eagles Golf Club in Odessa. The cost for the afternoon scramble is $95. Call Debra McPherson at 727 492-8600. ... There is a Military Officers Association of America event scheduled for Oct. 26 at Cove Cay Country Club in Clearwater. Registration is $65. Call (727) 421-8873 or (727) 799-9275.

Your turn

I waited 50 long years for an ace. I had run over the hole, spun back toward the hole. And I had hit the flag stick many times, but the ball had never gone into the cup until Dec. 31, 2002, on the Dunes Course on the 13th hole. Shooting 100 yards with my pitching wedge onto the green with my Titleist, the ball turned left and into the cup (I did not see it drop, but my playing partners did). Two days later at Timber Pines Hills Course, hole No. 2, I shot 180 yards with a 4-iron and my Titleist. It turned left and dropped into the hole. Again, I did not see it drop, but my playing partners did. The last day of 2002 and the second day of 2003 will stay with me forever. Just a note, I called Titleist for both shots. They took all the information and said they would get back to me - I'm still waiting.

Jim Tymon

Spring Hill

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[Last modified October 3, 2007, 20:42:06]