Professional golf tours

Golf: Ilonen takes early lead at Wentworth

Agence France-PresseMay 23, 2013 10:46

Finland's Miko Ilonen was the early pacemaker as the European PGA Championship started at Wentworth on Thursday. Ilonen shot a five-under par 67, finishing with three birdies in his last five holes, to go into a two-shot lead over Italy's Matteo Manassero who was round in 69, Scotland's Scott Henry and Keith Horne from South Africa who went to the turn in 32. Illonen, a two-time winner on the European Tour, was second in the China Open at the start of the month but in ten visits to Wentworth had a best finish of 15th.

McIlroy tight-lipped on management split

Thomson ReutersMay 22, 2013 15:49

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - World number two Rory McIlroy refused on Wednesday to confirm reports he had parted company with his management group, Horizon Sports. Close friend and fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell suggested at last week's World Match Play Championship in Bulgaria that McIlroy had split with Horizon.

European Tour-S Koreans

Yonhap News AgencyMay 22, 2013 01:30

SEOUL, May 22 (Yonhap) -- Governing bodies of men's professional golf in South Korea and Europe have agreed to stage qualifying events here that will allow local players to compete overseas, officials said Wednesday.

European Tour-S Koreans

Yonhap News AgencyMay 21, 2013 21:00

Kaymer on receiving end of Ryder Cup jibes in U.S

Thomson ReutersMay 21, 2013 15:33

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Martin Kaymer's popularity has gone down a notch on the other side of the Atlantic after he holed the winning putt for Europe in last year's Ryder Cup against the United States, he said on Tuesday. The 28-year-old German, who spends a lot of his time on the U.S. PGA Tour, explained that some Americans had turned against him following his exploits in Illinois in September.

More picks means McGinley has some wriggle room

Thomson ReutersMay 21, 2013 08:02

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - European captain Paul McGinley was given a "little bit of wriggle room" after being granted an increase in wildcard selections from two to three players for next year's Ryder Cup match against United States. The Irishman asked the European Tour for the change to make sure all bases would be covered for the 2014 edition of the biennial event in Scotland.

Golf: US Open door opens for Thongchai

Agence France-PresseMay 20, 2013 12:45

Thongchai Jaidee's disappointment in losing out in the final of the Volvo World Match-Play Championship has been eased knowing he will qualify for next month's US Open in Pennsylvania. Jaidee was at Varna Airport in Bulgaria early Monday when he checked the updated World Rankings following this week's European Tour event and the PGA Tour event in Texas.

Golf: McDowell claims World Match-Play title

Agence France-PresseMay 20, 2013 06:15

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell defeated Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee 2 & 1 in the final of the Volvo World Match-Play in Bulgaria on Sunday McDowell, capturing his second tournament victory in three events, was 2 down after four holes before pulling ahead at the 14th hole against the 43-year old Thongchai on the Thracian Cliffs course. McDowell, the current world number eight, who was also runner-up in last year's Match-Play in Spain, collected a first prize cheque of 800,000 euros. str/nr/dj

S Korean-PGA Tour win

Yonhap News AgencyMay 20, 2013 03:30

SEOUL, May 20 (Yonhap) -- Bae Sang-moon captured the HP Byron Nelson Championship on the PGA Tour on Sunday in Texas, becoming the third South Korean golfer to win on the most prestigious men's golf circuit. At TPC Four Seasons Resort in Irving, Texas, Bae shot a 1-under 69 in the final round for a four-round total of 13-under 267, beating Keegan Bradley of the U.S. by two strokes. The 26-year-old South Korean took home US$1.17 million for his efforts.

Golf: South Korea's Bae captures first US PGA title

Agence France-PresseMay 19, 2013 18:45

South Korea's Bae Sang-Moon won his first US PGA title on Sunday, firing a one-under par 69 to win the $6.7 million Byron Nelson Championship by two strokes over American Keegan Bradley. In windy conditions at the TPC Four Seasons Resort course, the 26-year-old South Korean finished on 13-under 267 to hold off 2011 PGA Championship winner Bradley, who shot 72, with 2011 Masters winner Charl Schwartzel third on 270. "This course was really tough," Bae said. "The winds were very stong but I did very well."