Local knowledge: 2013 Valero Texas Open

Local knowledge: 2013 Valero Texas Open











PGA.COM April 5, 2013 4:32 PM


Before all eyes turn to Augusta National and next week's first major of 2013, the Masters, players get one more tune up at this week's Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio.


A solid, international-field including the likes of Rory McIlroy,Charl Schwartzel, Ian Poulter and Retief Goosen are all in the Lone Star State this week.

Priot to the tournament teeing off on Thursday morning, we had a chance to catch up with TPC San Antonio Senior General Manager and PGA Director of Golf Jimmy Terry for a little Q&A.

Terry talked about the tournament's fourth new date in four years, defending champ Ben Curtis and explained why the San Antonio area is among the friendliest you'll find anywhere.

PGA.com: As always, we appreciate you joining us here, Jimmy. First off, you have a new tournament date. Typically after the year's first major, you're now one week before the Masters. How do the folks in San Antonio feel about the new position on the schedule?

Terry:This is our fourth year to host the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio and we have had a different date each year. So moving into a new slot is something we are accustomed to. Moving one week before the Masters is exciting for all of us. Golfers in San Antonio and around the country really start paying attention to golf around the first week of April and hosting the Valero Texas Open that very week will be an opportunity to showcase our club and resort to millions of golfers.

The date also is helping with the strength of the field. Ian Poulter, Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk, David Toms and Charl Schwartzel are just some of the players coming to TPC San Antonio for the first time.

PGA.com: Can you talk a little about your defending champion Ben Curtis? He truly is one of the PGA Tour's good guys. A former Open champion, Ben's win in San Antonio last year was more than 2,000 days after his last victory.

Terry:We are very proud to have Ben Curtis as our defending champion. His win last year was exciting and the putt he made on No. 17 for par in the final round shows what a gutsy player he is. Even though he had not posted a victory in a long time, he showed what a truly quality player he is with a steady performance in the final round in tough, windy conditions. After his win, he continued on to a complete a great season winning almost $2.5 million for the year. In addition to his win in San Antonio, he finished tied for 2nd at THE PLAYERS, tied for fifth at the Wells Fargo Championship, and tied for 11th at the PGA Championship.

PGA.com: For friends of ours who want to travel to San Antonio and are looking for things to do after playing some great golf, can you offer up a few can't-miss places in the area? We've heard a lot about the Riverwalk.

Terry:San Antonio is one of the most friendly and inviting cities in America and has a bit of everything for everyone who visits. The Riverwalk is world renowned for food and fun. My favorite spot to dine on the Riverwalk is Bourdro's. I like the uniqueness of Ocho and the Pearl Brewery area has recently opened some of the best restaurants in the city.

San Antonio has great hot spots like the Hard Rock Cafe, Cowboys Dancehall and you should try the new PHX Lounge, a concept by former UT and NFL player Priest Holmes. If you like history, you must spend some time at The Alamo and in Mission District. Family fun can include Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Sea World and a great water park called Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels. For a little hill country beauty, take a short drive north of San Antonio to The Texas Wine Trail which features about 20 wineries.

I would be remiss if I did not mention our own property. It is a must for stay and play! TPC San Antonio and the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa form one of the most exciting new destinations in America. Once you pull into our drive you will not want to leave.

PGA.com: What's your favorite restaurant in the area? If we go there, what are we ordering?

Terry:How did you know I love food? I have a lot of favorites, many of which are small neighborhood places. Some of my favorites around town are the puffy tacos at La Hacienda, the Quatro Carni Pizza at Trilogy Bistro, and the freshly prepared tableside guacamole at Boudro's. For a great burger you can try Longhorn Cafe, BigZ, Chester's or Chris Madrid's, you won't be sorry with any of these choices.

On property at the JW Marriott San Antonio, you need to try the Bison Meatloaf and Braised Short Rib in Cibolo Moon and you must try the Axis Venison Loin and the 40-day dry aged NY strip in 18 Oaks at the TPC Clubhouse.

PGA.com: Final question for you Jimmy. What has been the highlight of your career as a PGA Professional?

Terry:Wow that is a tough one. Being elected to membership more than 25 years ago was very special to me. As has been the opportunity to serve my Association as a Section Officer and Board Member. Being a PGA Professional has allowed me to experience so much joy. I believe the greatest highlight has been the blessing of becoming friends with so many of my fellow professionals. Not only is golf a game of a lifetime, but the friendships you make through the game and through our Association last as well.

Park leads LPGA Nabisco Championship by one shot

Park leads LPGA Nabisco Championship by one shot










John Reger, The Sports Xchange April 5, 2013 9:30 PMThe SportsXchange



RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. -- Inbee Park shot the best round of the day, a 5-under par 67, to take a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the Kraft Nabisco Championship on Friday. Park, from South Korea, is at 7-under 137.

Second-year pro, Lizette Salas is one stroke behind after posting a second-round 68. Caroline Hedwall of Sweden and Giulia Sergas of Italy are third at two strokes behind.

Park had a 3-under 33 on the front nine, while Salas, playing in the group in front posted a 1-under 35.

Salas heated up on the back nine, making three birdies and almost chipping in on the 17th for another.

The most impressive hole, though, was 18. Salas got into the nearly 5-inch high rough on her second shot. Instead of trying to go for the green on the par-5 finishing hole and safely advanced the ball out, she hit a wedge to 6 feet and made the par-saving putt.

Park kept up her impressive round making three consecutive birdies starting at No. 11 when she hit a sand wedge to 2 feet and made the putt. She then hit 9-iron approach shots on the next two holes to 8 feet and made both of the putts.

The only mistake of the day was on No. 15 when she made her lone bogey of the round, second of the tournament.

Park noticed the wind picked up on the hole that she bogeyed and said that it affected her play the rest of the round.

If the wind bothered Salas, she didn't admit it, though her statistics might have said otherwise. In the second round, Salas hit fewer fairways, 11 to 8, and fewer greens, 13 to 12.

Putting though continued to be a strength for Salas. It was her second consecutive round of 30 putts or less.

Park improved greatly on her first-round 70. In the second round she had 10 of 14 fairways hit, three more than Thursday and had 15 greens in regulation as opposed to 11.

NOTES: One of the biggest turnarounds was Louise Friberg. The Swedish golfer who is at the end of a five-year exemption, shot a first round 71 to get to a tie for 17. She shot a second-round 80 and missed the cut by two. ... Despite a shaky putter, Michelle Wie will be playing this weekend. Wie had 31 and 30 putts and missed a two-footer for par in the second round. ... Jodi Ewart Shadoff played so well in the second round that her husband Adam was going to surprise her and fly out to see her play. However, he ruined the surprise when he posted on Twitter he was at the Houston Airport en route to Palm Springs.

Quality putting gives Park one-stroke lead at LPGA Nabisco

Quality putting gives Park one-stroke lead at LPGA Nabisco










John Reger, The Sports Xchange April 5, 2013 10:20 PMThe SportsXchange


RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. -- Inbee Park shot the best round of the day, a 5-under par 67, to take a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the Kraft Nabisco Championship on Friday. Park, from South Korea, is at 7-under 137.


Second-year pro, Lizette Salas is one stroke behind after posting a second-round 68. Caroline Hedwall of Sweden and Giulia Sergas of Italy are third at two strokes behind.

Park had a 3-under 33 on the front nine, while Salas, playing in the group in front posted a 1-under 35.

"I putted really good out there," Park said. "Especially on the back nine."

Salas heated up on the back nine, making three birdies and almost chipping in on the 17th for another.

"I took advantage of each putt I had," Salas said.

The most impressive hole, though, was 18. Salas got into the nearly 5-inch high rough on her second shot. Instead of trying to go for the green on the par-5 finishing hole and safely advanced the ball out, she hit a wedge to 6 feet and made the par-saving putt.

"In the past, I would have gone for it," Salas said. "I'm comfortable in my short game and I'm not a long hitter so I have to make it up some way, so I've been working hard on that."

It is part of a strategy Salas worked on in the offseason. She changed coaches and worked on thinking better around the golf course.

"I've been working on that with my instructor and making those bad rounds even par or better. I had a not very good round (Thursday), but it was minus 2. I'm keeping it simple and he's been a great help."

Park kept up her impressive round making three consecutive birdies starting at No. 11 when she hit a sand wedge to 2 feet and made the putt. She then hit 9-iron approach shots on the next two holes to 8 feet and made both of the putts.

"I think I'm good at judging the speed and the breaking of the greens," Park said.

The only mistake of the day was on No. 15 when she made her lone bogey of the round, second of the tournament.

Park noticed the wind picked up on the hole that she bogeyed and said that it affected her play the rest of the round.

"When the wind picked up it was tough out there," Park said. "The last four holes I made all pars and I'm really happy with that."

If the wind bothered Salas, she didn't admit it, though her statistics might have said otherwise. In the second round, Salas hit fewer fairways, 11 to 8, and fewer greens, 13 to 12.

Putting, though, continued to be a strength for Salas. It was her second consecutive round of 30 putts or less.

"I've worked really hard on minimizing my mistakes," Salas said. "I've minimized them to where I can still hit the green and not be in trouble."

Park improved greatly on her first-round 70. In the second round she had 10 of 14 fairways hit, three more than Thursday and had 15 greens in regulation as opposed to 11.

Park has two top 10s at this event and is confident she has enough experience to win at Mission Hills.

"I think it's good to be ahead because you're in better position than anybody else for the weekend," Park said.

NOTES: One of the biggest turnarounds was Louise Friberg. The Swedish golfer who is at the end of a five-year exemption, shot a first round 71 to get to a tie for 17. She shot a second-round 80 and missed the cut by two. ... Despite a shaky putter, Michelle Wie will be playing this weekend. Wie had 31 and 30 putts and missed a two-footer for par in the second round. ... Jodi Ewart Shadoff played so well in the second round that her husband Adam was going to surprise her and fly out to see her play. However, he ruined the surprise when he posted on Twitter he was at the Houston Airport en route to Palm Springs.

Argentina's Cabrera in position for a second green jacket

Argentina's Cabrera in position for a second green jacket











PGA.COM April 13, 2013 6:55 PM

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Starting with his back nine on Friday, Angel Cabrera birdied nine of his next 19 holes with only one …


By PAUL NEWBERRY, AP National Writer


AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) -- Tiger Woods dropped two strokes at the Masters before he even hit a shot Saturday. At least he's still in the tournament.

Woods got a reprieve at the Masters when he was given a two-shot penalty for a bad drop but avoided a more serious sanction -- disqualification.

"I took a drop that I thought was correct and in accordance with the rules," Woods said on Twitter. "I understand and accept the penalty and respect the committee's decision."

Still, the ruling stirred up plenty of debate on social media. Some fellow golfers claimed Woods got special treatment and others noted it came one day after 14-year-old Guan Tianlang was penalized a stroke for slow play, nearly causing him to miss the cut.

Some even called for Woods to withdraw.

"I think he should WD. He took a drop to gain an advantage," tweeted David Duval, once Woods' top rival.

"I guess Tiger is BIGGER than golf. Any other person in the world gets DQ'd. Gotta keep those TV ratings going right?" added Kyle Thompson, who plays on a lower-level tour.

Hunter Mahan, who missed the Masters cut, praised the decision.

"I like this ruling because he took an illegal drop but no official brought it to his attention," Mahan tweeted.

Still in the game, Woods birdied the very first hole. But he couldn't keep the momentum going, making the turn with an even-par 36 after a 2-foot try at the par-5 eighth spun all the way around the cup -- and came out.

Woods was five shots behind 2009 champion Angel Cabrera and Australians Jason Day and Marc Leishman. Day stayed at 6 under with seven straight pars to start the third round, while Leishman and Cabrera joined him at the top with birdies at the eighth.

Day, the runner-up in his Augusta debut two years ago, acknowledged the burden that comes from trying to be the first Australian to win a green jacket.

"Obviously, there's a lot of pressure on my shoulders, being from Australia and no Australian has ever won the event," Day said Friday. "They have been very, very close, but I've just got to try to get that out of my mind and just plug away."

Five players were at 4 under, including Steve Stricker, Jason Dufner and another Aussie, Adam Scott. Fifty-three-year-old Fred Couples dropped back after a double-bogey at the seventh, when his tee shot barely missed the fairway and he flew his approach into the bunker behind the green.

Tim Clark made the biggest charge among the early players, shooting a 5-under 67 that left him at 3-under 213.

The penalty against Woods made it harder for him to win his fifth green jacket. Instead of starting Saturday's third round three strokes off the lead, he faced a five-shot deficit.

The problem began after Woods' third shot at the par-5 15th struck the flag stick and ricocheted back into the water. He took his penalty drop two yards behind where he hit the original shot, which was a rules violation.

After a call from a television viewer, Augusta National reviewed the drop before Woods signed his card and found nothing wrong. Woods later said he was trying to drop it behind the original spot. His interview prompted the club to review it again and Woods was given a two-shot penalty. That put him at 1-over 73 instead of 71 for a 1-under 143 total.

Signing an incorrect scorecard generally results in disqualification, but Woods was saved by a new rule -- announced at the Masters two years ago -- that allows a player to stay in the tournament if a rules dispute was based on television evidence.

Fred Ridley, chairman of the competition committees, said there was never any talk of booting Woods from the tournament because the club had initially cleared him of wrongdoing before he signed his card. Essentially, Augusta National took the blame.

Ridley also disputed any notion that the ruling would have been different for a lesser player.

"I can't really control what the perception might or might not be," Ridley said. "All I can say is that unequivocally this tournament is about integrity. Our founder, Bobby Jones, was about integrity, and if this had been John Smith from wherever, he would have gotten the same ruling because it is the right ruling under these circumstances."

The decision grabbed more attention than any shot so far at this Masters. Woods not only is the No. 1 player and golf's biggest star, he had won two straight tournaments coming into the Masters. He was the overwhelming favorite to win, ending a five-year drought in the majors, and capture the green jacket for the first time since 2005. With 14 major titles, he trails only Jack Nicklaus with 18.

Golf is the only sport where TV viewers act as rules officials. If they see a violation and it turns out to be true, a player must be penalized.

Woods, however, indicted himself by explaining how he took the drop.

"I went back to where I played it from, but went two yards further back and I tried to take two yards off the shot of what I felt I hit," Woods said Friday after he signed for a 71. "And that should land me short of the flag and not have it either hit the flag or skip over the back. I felt that was going to be the right decision to take off four (yards) right there. And I did. It worked out perfectly."

He hit that fifth shot to about 4 feet and made the putt for bogey.

Rules 26-1 says that if a player chooses to go back to his original spot, the ball should be dropped as "nearly as possible" to the spot where it was last played. Photos and video shows his ball dropped at least a yard behind his previous divot.

Rule 33 states that disqualification can be waived at the committee's discretion. However, a decision that accompanies this rule says that the committee would not be justified to waive the DQ if it was a result of the player's ignorance of the rules or if he could have reasonably discovered his mistake before signing his scorecard.

©2013 by STATS LLC and Associated Press.

Tracking Moving Day at the Masters

Tracking Moving Day at the Masters
Matt Kuchar, Tim Clark Move Up Leaderboard with Strong Saturday Rounds











Mark McLaughlin April 13, 2013 7:39 PM




COMMENTARY | Looking past the Tiger Woods penalty drop controversy, several players took advantage of perfect weather on moving day at the Masters to get into position for yet another memorable final round.


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Tiger took advantage of avoiding a DQ to post his first under-par back nine of the tournament and put himself in a dangerous spot just four strokes back of leaders Brandt Snedeker and Angel Cabrera. But he wasn't the only one to make his mark on Saturday.

Matt Kuchar, who came in as a favorite based on his steady improvement in the biggest events, moved into solo sixth place, three back of the lead, with a sterling 3-under-par 69. Kuchar tied for the low score among the afternoon groups by avoiding big numbers.

Kuch sprinted out in 33 on the front nine then steered clear of the bogey train on the final two holes that derailed the likes ofJason Day, Fred Couples and Steve Stricker.

As I wrote earlier this year, Kuchar's biggest assets are his sunny demeanor and reliable putting stroke. Add to that the experience of career best T3 at the Masters last year and the good vibes of solid showings as an amateur here and he should be poised in the crucible of the back nine on Sunday.

Clark Gets Busy on Moving Day

The Australian contingent at the Masters is once again on a quest to end their proud country's winless streak at the year's first major. This year's contenders Jason Day, Adam Scott, and Marc Leishman, may be hoping for a little of the magic that has graced the recent play of the competitors from South Africa.

Tim Clark is the latest South African to make a push for a green jacket. Clark fired a 5-under-par 67 on moving day Saturday to get within striking distance of the lead. Clark holed a bunker shot on the par-3 4th hole to start a streak of four straight birdies. He birdied the par-5 13th and nearly aced the par-3 16th before bogeying the 18th to close his round.

Clark has made a career out of a terrific short game. He's one of the game's best from 100 yards in and effectively wields a broomstick-style putter. And he is no stranger to Augusta National with 11 career starts. Clark holed out from a bunker on the 18th in 2006 to finish second to Phil Mickelson.

Should he continue to his torrid play and breakthrough for the win, Clark will join countrymen Charl Schwartzel (2011) and Trevor Immelman (2008) in making the most of the rare opportunity to close the deal at Augusta.

Bubba Golf On Display

Bubba Watson continued his adventurous Masters' title defense on Saturday. Watson, who made the cut on the number, was the first player to tee off and ambled around Augusta National in a brisk three and a half hours.

Early on, Bubba looked poised to play himself back into contention. Following birdies on his first three holes, he added another on the par-4 10th to move to 4-under for the day and even par for the tournament.

But a double bogey on 11 and a sloppy bogey on the par-5 13th after hitting a short-iron approach derailed Bubba's momentum. He finished with a 2-under-par 70 and stands 2-over through three rounds.

Bubba's third round included six birdies, two bogeys and a double. That's tame compared to his second-round scorecard. The long-hitting lefty did not make a par from the 6th through the 16th hole Friday, tallying six birdies in the stretch that were offset by four bogeys and a double.

Mark McLaughlin has reported on the PGA Tour for the New York Post, FoxSports.com, Greensboro News & Record, and Burlington (N.C.) Times-News. He is a past member of the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association. Follow him on Twitter@markmacduke.

Guan shoots 77, says 'I played pretty good'

Guan shoots 77, says 'I played pretty good'











PGA.COM April 13, 2013 8:12 PM

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Guan tianlang and partner Thorbjorn Olesen got around in about four hours on Saturday.(Getty Images …


By Nancy Armour, Associated Press


AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Guan Tianlang had plenty of adult supervision at the Masters.

Rules officials kept a close eye on the 14-year-old on Saturday, a day after a penalty for slow play nearly kept him from playing the weekend, as he shot a 77.

The youngest player to make the cut at the Masters said he was never put on the clock, but he was told at least twice on the back nine at Augusta National to pick up his pace.

"I didn't think he played slow. I think he played pretty quick, actually," said Thorbjorn Olesen, Guan's playing partner. "He's 14, and there's a big crowd following him, so it's pretty difficult for him. I think he's handled it really, really good."

The Chinese teen was penalized for slow play on the 17th hole on Friday. The one-stroke penalty left him at 4 over for the tournament, and he had to wait until the very last group finished to learn that he could stick around for the last two rounds. He wound up making the cut on the number after Jason Day missed birdie putts on the 17th and 18th holes.

"Probably 6:30 I went back home and watched TV and relaxed," he said. "I did watch the tournament finish."

Asked if he was nervous, Guan said, "A little. I am pretty excited after the round is finished and I get to play with all the top players on the weekend."

Conditions at Augusta National are notoriously tricky, even in perfect weather, and it often takes golfers years before they're familiar with the course's quirks. Guan has relied heavily on the advice of his caddie, Brian Tam, who is a regular caddie at Augusta National. And sometimes Guan is overly cautious.

On the 14th hole, for example, he tossed some grass in the air twice to test the wind, grabbed a club and took a few practice swings before changing his mind. He grabbed another club and took a couple more practice swings before finally hitting his shot.

Afterward, a rules official told him he was 6 minutes over on that hole alone, and he needed to speed it up.

Yet Guan and Olesen finished their round in about 4 hours -- just about right. They weren't close to the group in front of them, but there also was a sizeable gap between them and the group behind them. Guan and Olesen had already teed off on 17 before the next group, Peter Hanson and John Huh, reached the 15th green.

"The weather is good today and we played in twosomes," Guan said. "So we played fast."

Guan didn't seem to be bothered that rules officials want to know his whereabouts at all times.

"It's just a great week for me, and I really enjoy it," he said. "People here are nice, and I learned a lot from the top players. I think I played pretty good rounds these three days."

A good-sized gallery followed him from hole to hole, including little kids who ran ahead of their parents to stake out spots. Fans already feel they're on a first-name basis with him, as they are with Tiger, Rory and Phil, calling him, simply, "The Kid."

"His composure and the poise he's shown, it's amazing," said Bill Armstrong, one of the fans following Guan. "This is huge. It's a global thing right here."

Heady stuff for a kid whose mother still packs him snacks for the course.

"I didn't think of it too much" before, Guan said. "But I'm really happy, and I really appreciate that they're watching me here."