Golf, by TourMiss

Darren Clarke left the Augusta National locker room shaking hands with good friend Lee Westwood saying the next time he sees Westwood it will be wearing a green jacket. The demeanour of two of Europe’s best golfers within the inner sanctum of Augusta could not have been more contrasting. Despite an 18th hole double bogey in a round of 73 Westwood was in an upbeat mode lying one shot from the lead. Clarke could not clear out his locker quicker enough after adding an 81 to his opening round of 73. His ...

Graeme McDowell and former US President Dwight D Eisenhower now have something in common – they both hate Augusta National’s 17th hole. For the second day running McDowell walked off ‘Nandina’ with a bogey five before then dropping a shot at the last in a round of 72 to remain at three over par. McDowell had pared his opening 11 holes before a first birdie of the round at the par three, 12th hole where he put a 9-iron to 15-feet and holed the putt. Moments earlier the former U.S. Open champ ...

Darren Clarke could be facing more than just a groin strain with fears he may be carrying a hernia that would result in surgery. Clarke admitted he was still in considerable discomfort after carding a respectable one over par 73 on day one of the 2012 Masters. Clarke earned a five year return to Augusta National in capturing last year’s British Open title but has struggled appreciably to duplicate his Royal St. George’s winning efforts. Then last week he limped off after two rounds of ...

Lee Westwood’s five under par 67 has now ensured the current World No. 3 has led the Masters on the first, second and third days. The Englishman capped his 13th Masters appearance with four birdies in succession from the fifth hole. His score of 67 ties his lowest ever Augusta National round that he recorded on the opening day of the 2010 Masters. Westwood had previously led the Masters on day two in 2010 while he also went into the last round that year also leading. It now remains to be seen ...

World No. 1 Luke Donald has avoided the scare of being disqualified on the first day of the Masters and with Augusta National officials later accepting the blame. For a good two hours after his round there was suggestions Donald was facing disqualification in signing for a birdie ‘3’ at the par four 5th hole and then handing in a card showing one under par when in fact it was thought he should have signed for a 75.  Augusta National officials indicated near 6pm that ‘an administrative ...

For 17 holes it was turning into a wonderful 37th birthday celebration for Sweden’s Henrik Stenson. The Swede, currently ranked a lowly 171st in the world, was atop of the Masters leader board with a five under par tally on a rain softened Augusta National course. However it horribly came unstuck at the par four 18th with Stenson finding trees with his drive before eventually sending spectators scattering when flew the green. Stenson then played a poor chip putter to some four feet past the ...

Paul Lawrie ended an eight year Masters wait in lighting up Augusta National with two eagles but also remembering his late coach, Adam Hunter. Despite Americans continuing to pronounce Lawrie’s name as  ‘Lowry’, he eagled the par five 13th and 15th holes in a three under par 69  the Masters. It put the Scot into the clubhouse lead when Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, who also had two eagles, posted an ‘8’ at the last in a round of 71. It also was the occasion ...