Players went low in Houston; Oosthuizen leads by 2

Humble, TX. - Hot temperatures transformed into hot scoring today in the third round, at the Shell Houston Open.

Hunter Mahan, Carl Pettersson and Louis Oosthuizen went low in round three, to give the fans who have stayed through the heat to see the finish -- A lot to cheer for.

Oosthuizen in the end, would come out ahead, to lead at 17-under after three rounds of play at Redstone Golf Club.

Ryan Palmer vaults into contention in Houston

Humble, TX. - Ryan Palmer started the third round at the Shell Houston Open at five-under after carding first and second rounds of 71 and 68.

The Texas native heated up in is third round, to match the temperatures at Redstone Golf Club.

Birdying the first hole got his round off to a good start, to try and make a move up the leader board.

Two pars on No.3 and No. 4 would lead him to a birdie on the par-five, 4th. Then, his round would really start to catch fire.

Palmer went on to birdie his next four holes, from No. 7 through No. 10 to propel him up the leader board to 11-under.

Els Masters hopes starting to fade

Humble, TX. - Ernie Els, who had a near miss at victory last week, is beginning to see his Masters hopes slipping away, this week at the Shell Houston Open.

Needing a victory to secure a spot at Augusta and to avoid missing the Masters for the first time since 1993. Els is currently five-under and seven shots behind the lead of Jeff Maggert after two rounds at Redstone Golf Club.

It's not that Els is playing poorly this week -- Just others, are going much lower on soft conditions, after pouring rains on Thursday, postponed round one.

Oosthuizen, Davis lead after 2 at Shell Houston Open

Humble, TX. - The rain has quit and the heat came out today in round two of the Shell Houston Open. In both the weather and the players.

Phil Mickelson led the way after round one was completed on Friday, due to the play being suspended for inclement weather on Thursday.

The reigning Shell champion began his second round at seven-under par. He would finish at nine-under and in a tie for third with Tommy 'Two Gloves' Gainey, Greg Owen, JB Holmes and Harris English.

Mickelson shoots to top at Shell Houston Open

Phil Mickeslon completed four holes on Thursday before the horns blasted to suspend play due to inclement weather at the Shell Houston Open.

At that point, the defending champion had birdied two of those holes.

As the first round began again today on Friday at Redstone. It seemed Mickelson had no issues with the overnight delay, and picked up right where he left off.

Beginning his round, well picking up his round from Thursday. Lefty carded a par on the par-four, fifth. He would then birdie three of his next four holes to make the turn at five-under, 31.

Pettersson, Cabrerra leading suspended Shell Houston Open

Humble, TX. - Carl Pettersson and Angel Cabrerra both carded seven-under 65's, before the 2012 Shell Houston Open was suspended due to inclement weather conditions.

The horns blew at 1:27 p.m. (CST) as a big flare up of thunderstorms entered the Houston/Humble, Texas area.

Pettersson got off to a hot start at Redstone, birdying three of his first four holes. Two more birdies on No. 6 and No. 7, would see the Swede make the turn in.

A par to start the back-nine, followed by birdie on No. 11 would get him to six-under par.

Back-to-back birdies on No. 14 and No. 15, saw him go to eight-under par and atop of the leader board.

Pettersson's only slip of his round came at the par-four, 15th. Where his approach shot found the right green-side bunker.

Players to watch at the Shell Houston Open

We are one week away from the PGA Tour's first major of the year and it seems everyone is already looking ahead to The Masters.

Before we get to Augusta National, players like Ernie Els are headed to the Shell Houston Open for one last shot to get into The Masters with a win.

Phil Mickelson; defending champion, head lines a field of major champions. Including three of the four reigning major champions from 2011.

Last year, Shell announced it would renew it's sponsorship of the event for another five years. Making this event the third longest running tournament on the PGA Tour.

As stated before, there are three of the four current major champions in the field this week. Charl Schwartzel (Maters), Darren Clarke (Open Championship) and Keegan Bradley (PGA Champion).

Major winners headline field at Shell Houston Open

Humble, TX - It's SHO-Time in Houston as the PGA Tour heads to the Lone Star State for the 2012 Shell Houston Open on the Champions course at Redstone Golf Club in Humble, Texas.

This week's event gives players that are not currently heading to The Masters next week, one last shot at victory to punch their tickets to Augusta National.

The winner of the Shell Houston Open winner, if not previously eligible, will receive the final invitation to play in the Masters Tournament, next week at Augusta National.

Win, or no Masters for Ernie Els this week

It's simple for Ernie Els this weekend at the Shell Houston Open. Win, or he will miss The Masters for the first time since 1993.

The 'Big Easy' had himself in prime position last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay
Hill, to punch his ticket to Augusta -- A solo third finish, he was in.

However, a bogey on No. 17 would cost him.

That dropped shot, would turn out to be a very valuable stroke. He would finish fourth.

Tiger ends winless drought with seventh title at Bay Hill

It's tough to remember the last time Tiger Woods won an official PGA Tour event. It was some 923 days ago at the BMW Championship, in 2010.

His win less drought is at an end now, as he went on to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational, for the seventh time in his career.

With this victory, that brings his PGA Tour titles to 72.

How did Woods describe this relief, finally getting back to the winners circles in two years? Very simply.

“Pure joy,” he said.

Coming into Sunday's final round. Woods held a one shot lead over Graeme MCDowell. By day's end, it would be a five stroke victory over the 2010 U.S. Open champion.

Woods finished the event at 13-under par. With a final round score of two-under, 70.

Woods by 1 over McDowell heading to Sunday at Bay Hill

Tiger Woods shared the 36 hole lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill with Charlie Wi. At the end of round three, the 71 time PGA Tour winner would hold a one shot lead over Graeme McDowell.

Neither Woods or McDowell, exactly lit up the course today in round three. As both players carded rounds of one-under, 71.

Though the pair did manage to do enough to be paired together in tomorrow's final round.

Woods, who finished with a clean card during round two, had a few marks on the card today.

Woods, Wi share 36 hole lead at Bay Hill

It's been 30 months since Tiger Woods has been able to look at the leader board and see his name sitting at the top, heading into the weekend at a PGA Tour event.

After carding a second round score of seven-under, 65. He is tied with Charlie Wi at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.

Woods, actually has held a lead heading into the weekend. Though it was not a PGA Tour event. It was at the Australian Open back in November. The week before the President's Cup matches.

Wi, rolled in a birdie putt on No. 18 from some 25-feet away to join Woods atop the leader board at 10-under.

Starting the day off with three straight pars. Woods quickly kicked it into high gear by birdying four holes in a row beginning at the par-five, 4th.

Making the turn out at 32, he would add three more birdies on the back nine. Including back-to-back circles on 16 and 17.

Dufner and Wi tied for the lead at Bay Hill

The last leg of the Florida Swing on the PGA Tour is home to 'The King', Arnold Palmer, and his Invitational event at Bay Hill.

Two are tied atop the leader board after round one, with matching 66's from Jason Dufner and Charlie Wi.

Wi, who has not finished inside the top-25 since his second place finish at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, was the first to post the six-under, 66 score for everyone to chase.

The 40-year old South Korea native carded three birdies in a four hole stretch on the front nine, between holes four and seven before yielding his one and only bogey of the day on No. 8.

Tiger passed health test at Augusta on Sunday

After withdrawing from the WGC-Cadillac Championship two weeks ago at Doral, stating a left Achilles issue.

Tiger Woods, announced to the media in a press conference after his Pro-Am at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, that he actually played Augusta National on Sunday.

Apparently, it was to 'test' the health of his left Achilles before teeing it up on Monday and Tuesday in the Tavistock Cup at Lake Nona.

It passed.

“You guys don’t know, I played Augusta on Sunday,” said Woods. “That’s one of the reasons why I played Tavistock."

“(Left Achilles) felt great at Augusta, and that was the test. I played Tavistock because of that test, and here I am ready to go.”

Players to watch at Arnold Palmer Invitational

The Florida swing continues on the PGA Tour, as the players head to Bay Hill for Arnold Palmer's Invitational at Bay Hill.

This year's event marks the fourth year it has been the last leg of the Florida Swing for the PGA Tour. And who else better to wrap things up in the Sunshine State than 'The King'.

Bay Hill has since gone from a par-70 track the first three years. To now a par-72 course after extensive renovations to the course.

In 2011, the course had a scoring average of 73.203, which ranked second-highest among non-major courses, with a par of 72.

Policy board approves schedule, qualifying changes in 2013

In a press conference today at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem announced that the PGA Tour policy board has given the thumbs up for significant modifications to the current system of qualifying for the PGA Tour.

The modifications or overhaul; if you will, places even more importance and spotlight on the Nationwide Tour, by making it the primary road for a player to earn his PGA Tour card.

With these modifications to the current system, all 50 PGA Tour cards will be earned through the Nationwide Tour.

The new system will have the final three events on the Nationwide Tour season combined with the PGA Tour to determine what players will earn their PGA Tour cards for the following season.

Ryo Ishikawa receives temporary PGA Tour memebership

Japanese golfing sensation Ryo Ishikawa will receive a special temporary membership on the PGA Tour, the Tour announced Monday. For the rest of the 2012 season.

In six starts so far on the PGA Tour season, Ishikawa has made the cut in four of those events.

The Farmers Insurance Open T13, Northern Trust Open T72, WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship T17 and of course his runner-up finish a few weeks back at the Puerto Rico Open.

All and all in 2012, Ishikawa has banked $487,471 in six events so far this season.

Wrist surgery in the future for Edoardo Molinari

Edoardo Molinari has shared that he could be facing surgery later this year, on his left wrist to correct an injury he has been playing with for almost four years.

After finishing the Andalucian Open on Sunday in 11th position. Molinari revealed that surgery may be in his near future to repair his injured wrist.

"The first time I felt pain in my wrist was four years ago when I had tendinitis, but after seeing doctors I've been informed some of the cartilage on top of my wrist has become firm and it needs to be removed," said Molinari.

This new information on his wrist was not made aware to him until returning home from the Middle East, and the European Tour's 'Desert Swing'.

Donald wins Transitions in 4-way playoff

Luke Donald came into the final round of the Transitions Championship six positions out of the lead. After carding a final round 66, he and three others would go to a playoff to decide this year's victor.

Robert Garrigus, Sang-Moon Bae, Jim Furyk and Donald, would all reconvene on the 18th tee, to draw and see who would lead them off in the playoff.

The playoff could have involved as many as six players, or not even needed.

Ernie Els bogeys his final two holes, including missing a short putt on 18 to join the others in the playoff to decide the event.

“I’m pretty hot now, and it’s difficult to talk with a straight head here,” Els said just after his round. “If I take stock, I think I’m playing good golf, and I’ve got to head into the next couple of weeks trying to get a win.”

Players to watch at the Transitions Championship

The PGA Tour moves on in it's Florida Swing with a stop at the Transitions Championship at the Innisbrook Resort on it's Copperhead Course.

The Copperhead course is a par-71, measuring out at 7,340 with some unique differences from most courses the Tour will visit.

Being a par-71, the course still has four par-5's, and five par-3's. A very different setup than most tournament sites the players will tee it up on this season.

Three of the par-3's are on the back-nine. Holes 13, 15 and 17. Of course, No. 17 is the mid point of Copperhead's 'Snake Pit'. Which are the course's three closing holes.

Rory McIlroy's Rise to the Top

With his win at the Honda Classic on March 4, 2012. Rory McIlroy ascended to the No. 1 position in the Official World Golf Rankings. Achieving a dream and goal he set for himself as a young man, back in Northern Ireland.

However, it was more than just the one victory at the Honda Classic that has had McIlroy at the top of every one's list; as quite possibly, the best in the game as of right now.

Since injuring himself at the PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club last August. McIlroy has been on a global tear, racking up top finishes around the world.

In his last 13 world-wide starts, he has finishes of: 3rd, T4, T4, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 4th, Win, 11th, 2nd, 5th, 2nd and 3rd.

An average finish of 3.61.

Not bad for a 22-year old, seemingly at the top of his game and sport, at such a young age.

Rose holds off charges to capture WGC at Doral

Justin Rose was a group ahead of the leader Bubba Watson when the final round of the World Golf Championship-Cadillac Championship teed off at Doral on Sunday.

The three-time PGA Tour winner would have to make up more than his fair share of strokes today. Against more than one player to take home his first WGC title.

54 hole leader Watson gave away strokes early and often to not only his playing partner Keegan Bradley, but to Rose as well who was in front of him already on-course.

Rose came out with a birdie on No. 1 to get his round under way. He would add another circle to his card before his first slip of the day.

The Englishman bogeyed the par-four, 6th. Making the turn at one-under, 35.

Tiger Woods withdraws from WGC-Cadillac Championship

Tiger Woods has withdrawn from the World Golf Championship-Cadillac Championship at Doral after playing 11 holes in the final round.

Woods, who was +3 on the day changed his shoes at the turn from black Nikes, to the white Nikes, we have seen him wear since returning to golf full time after injuring his left knee at the 2011 Masters.

Beginning the day at 9-under par at Doral, Woods carded no birdies, eight pars and two bogeys before withdrawing after 11 holes.

After changing shoes at the turn. Woods was visibly limping and favoring his left side. The same side his knee injury was on last season.

Watson takes lead into Sunday at Doral

The third round at the World Golf Championship-Cadillac Championship showed that when the wind is down at Doral, the Blue Monster loses some of it's bight.

Second round leader Bubba Watson, had an interesting go of it today in very favorable conditions.

The freakishly long Watson, who carves shape out of seemingly every shot. Bounced a shot off of a fan in the gallery, then banged one over a green into a tower. On his way to carding a five-under par, 67.

Taking a three shot lead over Keegan Bradley and Justin Rose into the final round on Sunday.

Watson fires 62, leads after 36 at Doral

Pink shaft and all, Bubba Watson fired a second round score of 10-under 62, to vault to the lead at the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral Golf Resort & Spa.

The 62 was also Watson's career low round, since joining the PGA Tour in 2006.

His performance today, took him to 12-under overall. One shot ahead of Justin Rose, who fired an 8-under round himself today. And two ahead of Adam Scott, who finished at 10-under.

Though it was Watson's 62 that stole the show in Miami in round two.

Dufner, Scott lead after one at Doral

Howling winds and very adverse conditions were present all day at the TPC-Blue Monster at Doral for the first round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship.

Adam Scott, playing in only his sixth round of 2012, is tied for the lead with Jason Dufner after the two carded six-under, 66's.

The pair share the lead, two strokes better than Thomas Bjorn and Charl Schwartzel, at four-under par.

Scott began his day on the back nine at Doral. And this is where he did the most damage.

Ryo Ishikawa receives special invite to Masters

Ryo Ishikawa, the 20-year old Japanese golfing super star has received a special invitation to compete at the Masters.

This will be the second time this honor has been given to Ishikawa.

In 2009, the then 17-year old Ishikawa was given this same invitation to compete at Augusta National. Making him the second-youngest ever, to tee it up at the Masters.

Billy Payne, Augusta National chairman said, Ishikawa will help increase interest in Japan as well as throughout Asia.

Players to watch at the WGC-Cadillac Championships

With a very climactic ending last week at the Honda Classic, the list of players to watch at the World Golf Championship-Cadillac Championship should come as no surprise.

The PGA Tour has a split week this week, as the top players in the world will be competing at Trump National at Doral. With everyone who did not qualify for this event, will be in Puerto Rico at the Puerto Rico Open.

The TPC Blue Monster will play host to the 74-man filed, for the fifth year. The field will boast the entire top-50 players in the Official World Golf Rankings this week.

Tiger Woods commits to Bay Hill

Tiger Woods announced via his website on Monday that he intends to play the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in two weeks time.

The event will be held March 22-25 at Bay Hill Club & Lodge.

Woods will be going for his seventh victory at Arnie's event. Including four straight from 2000 through 2003.

And who can forget the dramatic 25-foot putt he drained on the 18th green in 2009 to best Sean O'Hair by one stroke for the 'W'.

Everyone looking up at new No. 1, Rory McIlroy

On a day that saw Tiger Woods shoot his lowest round in a final round of a PGA Tour event, 22-year old Rory McIlroy bested the field, and now sits atop the world golf rankings. As the best golfer in the world.

The youngster who goes by 'Rors' heard roars coming from the galleries in front of him, as Woods went deeper and deeper en route to shooting an eight-under, 62.

The charge was answered by McIlroy, who finished off the 2012 Honda Classic with a one-under 69 and claimed his post, at the top of the World Golf Rankings.

Rookie Harris English in the mix at Honda Classic

22-year old Harris English is the same age as Rory McIlroy, who he will be paired with; along with Tom Gillis, in the final round of the 2012 Honda Classic.

Though the two share the same age. Their careers are in two entirely different places heading into Sunday.

McIlroy of course has a shot to become the No. 1 ranked player in the world. And is the reigning U.S. Open champion.

English on the other hand, is playing in just his sixth PGA Tour event since turning pro.

The Georgia native has played in five events so far in 2012 on the PGA Tour. Making the cut in all five events.

McIlroy closer to the No. 1 ranking at the Honda Classic

With a chance to become the No. 1 ranked player in the World with a win. 22-year old Rory McIlory carded a four-under par, 66 to take a two stroke lead heading into the final round of the 2012 Honda Classic.

The young Northern Irishman entered moving day one shot off of the lead of veteran Tom Gillis. Who finished at one-under par on his round, and will be paired with McIlroy and young Harris English in tomorrow's final round.

Heavy winds and severe weather conditions are expected tomorrow in and around the Palm Beach Gardens, Florida area.

Rose, Gillis knoted at the Honda Classic

On a day at PGA National Brian Harman flirted with a 59, only to come up two strokes short to break the course record. Two players sit tied atop the 2012 Honda Classic leader board at eight-under par.

Tom Gillis and Justin Rose.

The Englishmen Rose began his day on the back-nine of the Champions course in round two.

With lower scores seemingly coming from the morning wave players. The 31-year old held that standard up.

Rose carded four birdies on the back-nine (his front) en route to going out in 31. Two of those birdies were on No.'s 15 and 16. Two holes in the much publicised, 'Bear Trap'.

When asked about PGA National not yielding low scores traditional like the ones we saw today. Rose responded, " I think when it blows around here, what I like about it is, par holds its position nicely and if you do go go out and play really, really, well you can make big inroads."

Brian Harman breaks course record at Honda Classic

Golfs immortal number is of course, 59. In round two of the 2012 Honda Classic at PGA National's Champion course. Brian Harman was flirting with that very feat.

Beginning his day after posting an opening round score of a three-over, 73. Harman knew he had to go post a solid number to be around for the weekend.

He did, just a tad better than that for himself.

Woods recalls father's tips on putting

Some of Tiger Woods' biggest victories over the years have come by the face of his putter.

Now it seems the almost magic of the putts, have become the one thing Woods struggles with, week in and week out.

The putts that Woods use to be known for making, have turned into the putts that burn the edges of the cup.

What can be done to fix this in Tiger's eye?

He'll return back to the basics of his youth. To what his late father, Earl Woods, taught him to do.

Love is all aces at the Honda Classic - Leads by one

Davis Love III is the 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup captain, though he looked more like he wants to be a player than just a captain after his first round at the Honda Classic.

The 47-year old began his opening round in Pal Beach Gardens, Florida, opening with four straight pars.

He then promptly went to two-under after jarring his tee shot on the par-three, fifth for an ace.

Not a bad way to quickly get to two-under in a tournament.