L.A. Times - Golf

Teeing up the British Open

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Golf's best convene in Scotland this week with (guess who) Tiger Woods the oddsmakers' favorite -- unless you're betting on top geezer.

The British Open gets underway Thursday. Here's some inside information heading into the tournament:

Turnberry has a mystique all its own

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

A 19th-century lighthouse and Robert the Bruce's castle are only two of the things that make the site of this week's British Open special.

Hugging spiteful coastline along with 14th-century castle ruins and a 19th-century lighthouse, within view of an island that's a volcanic-rock bird sanctuary with 36,000 gannets, and mysterious enough that even Tiger Woods had never seen it, here is Turnberry, the British Open rotation's estranged beauty.

Bivens ousted as LPGA commissioner

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Marsha Evans, a retired Naval officer, will be acting commissioner. Tour hopes to find permanent replacement this year.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Carolyn Bivens resigned as LPGA Tour commissioner today, bowing to pressure from players who were upset about the organization's economic woes and her leadership.

Eun Hee Ji wins U.S. Women's Open on final hole

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Her 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th gives her a one-stroke victory over Kung; third-round leader Kerr is third.

Mickey Mouse was listening to Eminem on her iPod as she warmed up on the practice putting green Sunday morning. Candie Kung walked by and made note of the familiar scene.

Stricker stays the course and wins

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

All around him, players were making runs at the lead.

Rory McIlroy goes for the glory

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

At 20, youngster from Northern Ireland has already come a long way and he sees no reason why he can't contend at the British Open.

Around noon Saturday in a golf dreamland by a sapphire lake, a teenage boy's mouth went agape, and clearly the world had made another of its patented accelerations.

Cristie Kerr keeps her cool and the lead at U.S. Women's Open

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

She shoots a one-over 72 while Paula Creamer falters at Saucon Valley.

Last week, Cristie Kerr defused the LPGA's commissioner frenzy by encouraging questions about her budding winemaking business. Asked how she's unwinding after each grueling round at Saucon Valley Country Club, Kerr didn't miss a beat.

Steve Stricker moves up with a 61

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

He ties the course record but still is three shots behind Darron Stiles at the John Deere Classic.

Steve Stricker vaulted into second place at the John Deere Classic, tying a course record and matching the lowest score of his career with a 10-under-par 61 Saturday that left him three strokes behind Darron Stiles through two rounds at Silvis, Ill.

Cristie Kerr has U.S. Open lead

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

After a woozy start, she goes on a birdie binge. Three U.S. golfers are the only players under par after two rounds.

Cristie Kerr began her U.S. Women's Open round Friday feeling lightheaded, possibly because of a pre-round cardio workout or bit of dehydration. She played three holes before taking a practice swing that finally grazed the ground.

Lee Janzen earns share of lead in John Deere Classic

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

He's tied with Darron Stiles after shooting a seven-under 64 in the opening round.

Lee Janzen stirred some memories and was tied with Darron Stiles for the lead after firing a seven-under-par 64 in the first round of the John Deere Classic on Thursday.