Baboon Steals Food at Nedbank Golf Challenge

Here's a fun video clip to watch on your Friday afternoon.  During Golf Channel’s second round coverage of the Nedbank Golf Challenge today, cameras captured entertaining video of a baboon stealing food near the 15th green at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa.

 

Golf Channel’s weekend coverage of the Nedbank Golf Challenge continues Saturday at 9 a.m. ET and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET.

CME Group Titleholders Final Round - Notes & Quotes

On Na Yeon Choi wins the CME Group Titleholders

Golf Channel / CME Group Titleholders Final Round Notes and Quotes
TwinEagles Golf Club
Naples, Fla.
Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012

On Na Yeon Choi’s victory
Golf Channel analyst Judy Rankin: “She has step by step put it all together. She is a very complete player. If you watched her this week, you know that she is a very composed player. That has to bode well for a young woman who still has not even hit the prime of her golf life.”

Golf Channel on-course reporter Jerry Foltz interviewed Na Yeon Choi following her victory 
Choi, on her win: “I had a lot of confidence today, especially with this golf course. I like this golf course. I enjoyed it with my group today. I finished strong this season and I’m really satisfied.”

Choi, on winning the two biggest first place checks on the 2012 LPGA Tour season (CME Group Titleholders and the U.S. Women’s Open): “I am really happy with how I played this season. I won my first major tournament and even this tournament is very big to me.”

Inbee Park Interview with Tom Abbott
2012 Vare Trophy (lowest scoring average for 2012) and 2012 LPGA Money winner Inbee Park sat down with Golf Channel’s Tom Abbott during the tournament broadcast to talk about her season:

Park, on her turnaround in 2012: “Earlier in the season, I wasn’t rolling the ball great. I just couldn’t find the right putter and the right stroke for me. After Wegmans, the putter just starting rolling really good and I was really confident with my putter. I think that was the difference.”

Park, on which trophy means more to her: “They are both really important and they both mean a lot to me. I think the Vare Trophy is the tougher trophy to win because even the last tournament I had to push myself to play good, and until the last round I couldn’t be relaxed. This tournament felt so long, longer than the whole season. That tells me a lot.”

Sun Young Yoo Penalized for Improper Drop

I don't know how many of you caught the CME Group Titleholders second round coverage on Golf Channel Friday.  There was an unfortunate situation where player Sun Young Yoo was penalized one stroke for an improper drop.  What is your take on this type of rule violation? Rules are rules? or should there be some leniency?  Have a look and decide for yourself...

Here's a look at the reaction and analysis from Golf Channel's Rich Lerner and Judy Rankin...

Stacy Lewis Wins her Fourth Tournament of the Year

Three Consecutive Closing-Hole Birdies Puts Lewis Within Reach of 2012 LPGA Tour Player of the Year Honors

Mizuno Brand Ambassador Stacy Lewis captured her LPGA-leading fourth victory of the 2012 season by winning the Mizuno Classic at Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club in Shima, Japan.  Staking her claim atop the short list of 2012 LPGA Player of the Year contenders, Lewis shot an 11-under 205 for the 54-hole event, winning by one stroke.  With this latest victory Lewis remains second on Rolex Rankings, the highest ranked American Golfer on the LPGA Tour, and looks to earn LPGA Player of the Year honors, becoming the first American to do so in 18 years. 

Displaying the poise and consistency she has shown all year, Lewis secured her fourth title of the season with the help of her Mizuno JPX-800 Pro irons, MP T-11 wedges, MP-650 fairway wood, JPX-825 Hybrid and JPX-800 driver.  Lewis started the final round with a seven-shot deficit, but consecutive birdies on the final three holes earned her a thrilling one-shot victory. 

“We’d like to congratulate Stacy on her LPGA-leading fourth victory of the season,” said Dick Lyons, Vice President and General Manager, Mizuno USA Golf.  “Throughout her ambassadorship with Mizuno, she has been humble and genuine, and we are thrilled to watch her develop into one of the best players on the LPGA Tour.”

Mizuno delivers outstanding innovations and high-performance technologies for serious golfers of all skill levels.  With groundbreaking design technologies and processes like Grain Flow Forging Technology, Mizuno has earned the trust of golfers at every level.  For more information on Mizuno’s complete line of golf equipment, visit www.mizunogolf.com.

About Mizuno USA

Mizuno USA, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mizuno Corporation, one of the largest specialty sporting goods manufacturers in the world. Mizuno USA, Inc. manufactures and distributes golf, baseball, softball, running, track & field, and volleyball equipment, apparel, and footwear for North America.  Mizuno USA, Inc. is based in Norcross, Georgia.

Golf Shows on TV

Looking for some entertaining golf shows to watch?  Here's are some short previews of a few of the great golf shows airing Tuesday evenings on the Golf Channel...

Big Break Greenbrier - Tuesdays 9 PM ET


Chasing the Dream - Tuesdays 10 PM ET


Our Longest Drive - Tuesdays 10:30 PM ET

Annika Sorenstam - Driver Tip

Here's a quick video tip from Annika Sorenstam on how to hit the ball farther and more accurately off the tee.  Have a loo...

Woods and McIlroy Set For Match Play Duel in China

The Ryder Cup may not represent the only time Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods go head-to-head in a match-play event this season, after all.

McIlroy and Woods, Nos. 1 and 3 in the world ranking, respectively, are set to play in a one-day Duel at Jinsha Lake exhibition in China on Oct. 29, McIlroy confirmed Wednesday on “Morning Drive.” The event was announced by organizers on Wednesday.

The Duel will be held in Zhengzhou, the capital of the central province of Henan.

“It should be a lot of fun,” McIlroy said on “Morning Drive.” “It’s the first time I’ve ever done something like this with Tiger.”

Not surprisingly, the timing of the event worked out with each of their schedules. The Duel will be held the Monday after both the CIMB Classic in Malaysia (an event Woods already has committed to play) and the BMW Masters in Shanghai (where McIlroy is scheduled to appear).

It was reported Tuesday on GTC that Woods and McIlroy will be grouped together in next week’s FedEx Cup playoff event, the Barclays. But never have two of the most famous golfers in the world faced off in a match-play event.

A Blueprint For The Consistent Golf Swing And How To Get One - Part 2

It was a good swing!
I've been helping an old friend improve her golf swing so she can enjoy playing weekend golf with her new husband. After convincing her that a consistent golf swing doesn't just happen without an investment of some time and energy, I prepared a solid and doable course of practice sessions that would fit even her busy schedule. It's so user-friendly that just about anyone who wants to play better golf can handle the load.

A few weeks later she ran excitedly into the Pro Shop looking for me. She had followed the lesson plan as prescribed and then joined her husband for their first round of golf together. Beaming from ear to ear, she reported, "I remembered everything. I took my time, planted my feet, relaxed, focused, took a deep breath, and swung the driver just like I'd been doing for the past two weeks. When I felt the club connect with the ball and heard a sharp 'crack,' I felt such a thrill that I could hardly contain myself and keep my head down. When I finally looked up, I could see the ball sailing straight down the fairway!"

She and her husband gaped at the ball as it bounced once, bounced again, and finally rolled to a stop almost 150 yards away. Suddenly there was a 'Whoop!' from her husband and then he was lifting her off her feet and swinging her around shouting, "You hit it! You really hit it!" She was pleased at his reaction but she was not so happy when they approached her ball, which was only a few yards from his, and he said, "Bet you can't do that again." But she showed him that her great drive wasn't a fluke with a second wood shot, almost as long and just as straight, leaving her with a perfect lie about 100 yards from the green of the long par-5 hole.

When she approached the third shot, she was really nervous because she had been practicing with her woods and now she was faced with an iron shot. "But," she said, "I got focused and I just started my swing. I didn't hit it quite hard enough to make the green but it went straight! I couldn't believe it and neither could my husband. He was so impressed, he asked to see my plan."

The plan I gave her consisted of three parts:

1. Consistency - What it is and why it works.
2.  Practice Makes Consistent - Why consistency is perfect.
3. Consistent Tips That Work Consistently

1.  Consistency - What it is and why it works.
Consistency is the art of repeating the same helpful actions to achieve the same desirable results. That sounds a lot like the definition of insanity: repeating the same actions and expecting different results. Many people classify golfers as somewhat insane for chasing a small white ball over hills and in and out of lakes, traps, and deep forests through heat, rain, and even snow. While this behavior is fairly consistent for many occasional golfers, it can only be considered insanity if they continue to make the same mistakes and expect their shots to land in fairways and on greens.

The "Consistency/Insanity Defense." As crazy as it sounds, the qualities needed to achieve consistency are the very same ones - commitment and determination. The difference lies in what you choose to repeat to achieve the expected result. If your actions will not contribute to an excellent swing, then you fall in the insanity camp because you continue to produce the same poor swing with the same poor results.

On the other hand, if you are repeating actions that result in long, straight drives, as well as deadly accurate chips and putts, then you are on your way to consistency.

2. Practice Makes Consistent
Whatever I tried to achieve in my life, I heard the same advice from my parents: Practice makes perfect. As I have grown up and found a measure of success in many endeavors, I have proven them almost right. I say "almost right" because I discovered that, no matter how long and consistently I practice, I am incapable of perfection.

Consistency is not perfection but it is as close as we can get to it. It means performing the same actions the same way every time and I soon discovered that I am capable of consistency. As I worked on my own golf swing, I found that the proper actions produced the desired results. Repeating those actions over and over produced those results consistently.

Practice is the consistent repetition of an action; so, practice not only "makes consistent," it is consistency itself. Therefore, to be a consistent golfer takes practice, practice, practice.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Address the tee properly (Repeat 20 times twice a day)
- Stand straight without hunching your shoulders
- Plant your feet slightly further apart than your shoulders
- Flex your knees and adjust your weight on your feet until balanced
- Relax your shoulders, shake out your arms and let them fall at your side

Grip the club properly (Repeat 20 times twice a day)
- Lay the club head next to the tee and relax with it loosely in one hand
- Place the other hand on the grip
- Adjust your grip until comfortable

Swing the club
- Address the tee and grip the club as practiced
- Swing smoothly and firmly with your arms and shoulders
- Follow through completely with your head down and eye on the tee
- Videotape and analyze - make adjustments as needed

Swing the club properly (Repeat 20 times four times a day)
- Pay attention to the feel of the proper swing
- Make sure each swing feels the same
- Videotape your last set of swings to be sure your swing is consistent with the beginning

Hit the ball
- Place a ball on the tee and address the ball properly
- Forget that there is a ball in front of you and just swing as practiced
- After the ball has left the tee, complete your swing and then look up
- If the ball didn't go where you intended, adjust your swing
- Once your swing is effectively hitting the ball, repeat 20 times as many times a day as you can

3. Consistent Tips that Work Consistently
These tips are from golfers who have worked long and hard to perfect their golf swing. While most of them are still aiming for the perfection that will never come, that doesn't keep them from trying.

- Get it right. Repeat your swing until it feels right and natural.
- Practice, practice, practice - in your back yard, your basement, even your garage.
- Ask for and pay attention to good feedback.
- Develop a positive attitude. Reward yourself for good shots and look for ways to improve the bad ones.

One final word to the wise: Most golfers whine and complain about their scores, their poor strokes, and their high handicaps. Instead of beating yourself up when you hit poorly, reward your good play consistently. Whenever you hit a green or the middle of the fairway, congratulate yourself and then swing again the same way. If it feels the same, remember it and then do the same thing again and again until it feels natural. It may sound like the road to insanity, but it is the only way to consistency at its best.

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This article was written by Keith Matthews.  Keith is keen to share more of his golfing tips and experience so sign-up for his free weekly emails at TopGolfTipsHQ.com.

A Blueprint For The Consistent Golf Swing And How To Get One - Part 1

What's your style?
When you step up to the tee and "address the ball," do you say, "Ready or not, here I come?" When you lift the club from your shoulder and start pulling it back to begin your swing, do you shout with glee, "Watch out ball, I'm going to knock you into the next county?"

If this describes your golf game, you are not alone. Many of the best started out with such a "slash and burn" approach; but the best wisdom is that golfing is all about finding your own style - your rhythm, your best stroke, and your natural swing. This takes time and hard work even for a natural-born professional golfer like Tiger Woods.

As an expert, I get questions from a lot of weekend golfers who think they should be able to play like Tiger. I got one call from an old friend who told me that her new husband loves golf and wants her to join him in his weekend golf games. She said, "I took a semester of golf in college and I NEVER hit a good shot the entire time. I topped, pulled, sliced, shanked, and dubbed my way to every cup on every hole. I'm sure I had the highest score of anybody in the class - maybe even a course record. I'm a killer at miniature golf but the golf swing eludes me. I need serious help!"

What's your dream?
When I asked my friend about her dream, she said that she just wanted to hit the ball without her husband laughing at her. I told her that every golfer I know feels the same way but that there are bigger dreams to chase on a golf course. There is the elusive "hole-in-one," as well as brilliant putts, perfectly placed fairway shots, and the "winged creatures of golf" - birdies, eagles, and double eagles. Of course, then there's the "holy grail" of golf - a low handicap or, better still, no handicap.


What's your goal?
So, I asked my friend the standard question I pose to all those who seek out my help: what do you want to achieve on the golf course? Straighter drives, more accurate chips and putts, lower scores/handicaps, or just an enjoyable outing with your husband on the links - what's your goal?

Every professional golfer from Sam Snead to Phil Mickelson had a goal when they got started. It may not have been to win the US Open but I guarantee they all had one goal in common: to play better golf. No matter how much they knew about the game, they all found out quickly that there is one basic skill that you must master - the golf swing. Whether driving the fairway, chipping from a sand trap, blasting out of a lake, getting out of the woods, or putting brilliantly, you must swing the golf club. The speed, path, and final destination of your golf ball are all direct results of how you do that.

What's your first step?

My friend's next eager question was: "So what do I do first?" but her smile faded when I answered: "Get serious.You have to develop a consistent golf swing."

"I don't have time to do that," she said. "Can't I just go out and hope for the best? Maybe I'll be lucky and actually hit the ball." I shook my head and told her about my uncle. He was a weekend golfer who was also a member of a weekly bowling league. He was well-known on the lanes for his completely lucky 7-10 split conversion - something he always dreamed of doing. Known affectionately as "Mr. Lucky," he was also famous in the 19th Hole of his home golf course for this shot.

After a decent drive off the 18th tee, he had ended up just off the green in two, not too far from the cup; but the ball was sitting just under a mis-placed divot. He took one look at his bad lie and flailed at the half-buried ball with one desperate swipe with his sand wedge. It exploded out of its spot and took wings! He shoved his club back in the bag thinking that he'd need an iron to get the ball back to the green. Just as he looked up, though, he saw his ball hit the flag squarely and drop like a stone into the cup. Mr. Lucky ended up with the low score for the foursome even though, he said, "It was the worst shot I made all day."

My friend grinned, "So, I can just take a swing and hope I get lucky like your uncle." It took some fast talking to convince her that good golf is not a matter of luck and that she would never enjoy playing without practice. I finally quoted Arnold Palmer, who said, "It's a funny thing, the more I practice the luckier I get" and she agreed to give it a try.

What's next?
Several weeks later we met at the golf course for her next step, which was to analyze her golf swing. She was sure that it must be awful but when I watched her swing, I saw that she was strong and had an easy-going way with the club. So I videotaped her and she was surprised to see how easily she handled it. As we watched, I pointed out to her the basic components of a golf swing and how she could improve hers:

- Address the Ball - Good posture 

- Firm Grip - No white knuckles
- Smooth Swing with Arms and Shoulders
- Golf is not a dance - no swaying or tip-toeing
- Golf is not a performance - no flourishes
- Backswing - not an "upswing" that reaches for the stars
- Downswing - more of a "frontswing" that doesn't chop wood
- Follow-through - smooth and firm
- You're not in Fenway Park - don't "punch it"
- Don't look up - the ball will go the same way if you're watching or not
- Consistency - whatever you do well, do again - and again - and again...

What will make your swing better?
Without a doubt, the key to a better golf swing is consistency. I assured my friend that every golfer - amateur, pro, once-a-week, occasional - can swing better and more effectively and that what it takes to actually play better and improve your scores and your enjoyment is simple - Be Consistent.

She was still hesitant as I knew she was thinking about her busy schedule and wondering where she would find the time to practice, practice, practice. So I assured her that a simple regimen of lessons and practice was doable, even for her crazy schedule, and would help her to focus on her swing, to develop a consistently effective and natural stroke that would at least keep up with her husband's game.

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This article was written by Keith Matthews.  Keith is keen to share more of his golfing tips and experience so sign-up for his free weekly emails at TopGolfTipsHQ.com.

Can Pregnant Women Play Golf

Catriona Matthew won the 2009 HSBC LPGA Brasil Cup while five months pregnant. Myra Blackwelder played in the 1987 Kraft Nabisco--a major championship--when she was nearly seven months pregnant, tying for 33rd. And with her due date just five weeks away, Blackwelder finished 16th in an LPGA event in Florida. Nancy Lopez, Juli Inkster, Laura Diaz and Hee-Won Han all played LPGA events while pregnant. For women who played golf before they got pregnant--and not just tour players--continuing to play is just par for the course.

Benefits

Golf is great exercise for a pregnant woman, especially if you walk. Low-impact golf works your core and helps improve your stability and balance, which is compromised during pregnancy, according to Pregnancy Today. MayoClinic.com recommends pregnant women exercise every day, which can help prevent excessive weight gain, reduce the chance of gestational diabetes and increase strength and endurance in preparation for labor. In addition, being outside and exercising can be a real mood lifter, which can be very helpful during this emotional roller coaster.

Warnings

As your body changes and your ligaments loosen, your balance decreases and the risk of falls increases. This is especially tricky on a golf course, which has hills, valleys, gouges in the ground and tripping hazards (tee box markers, distance markers, rakes and grounds crew equipment). Whether you’ve been playing golf for years or are new to the sport, get your doctor's approval before grabbing the clubs. And as always, stretch before hitting your first drive of the day.

Precautions

The baby’s safety is of utmost importance, so it’s vital to stay hydrated. The demands on your body require more liquids, so drink plenty of fluids. Preterm labor, constipation, fatigue and even miscarriage can result from dehydration, according to the American Pregnancy Association. A pregnant woman should drink eight to 12 glasses of fluid a day, even more if you’re exercising, the APA says. Heat can also raise medical issues for you and the baby, so avoid playing when it's hottest. And if you fatigue easily or you’re nearing the end of your term, consider a cart instead of walking.

Considerations

With your pregnant body changing practically by the day, you may have to adjust your game. If you’re a “grip-it-and-rip it” gal, you may need to change your mantra to slow and easy, which could actually improve your game. Teeing up your ball, marking your putts and grabbing the ball out of the hole will become more awkward as your belly grows. If you use a belly putter, forget about it--you’ll need to use a shorter one. And before you start your round, map out all the bathroom locations.

Insight

Get your rounds in while you can, because it will be more difficult to hit the links after your baby arrives. You’ll be too exhausted, fatigued and feeling out of sorts for a while after giving birth, and golf will be the last thing on your mind. But if you do get a chance to break away from the baby to golf and enjoy some “me time,” bring your breast pump so you can pump in the locker room after your round.

Avoid Common Golf Injuries

Nathan Bruneau, MScPT, of Concept Physiotherapy, has provided us with the following insight.

The majority of golf injuries relate to the back. Men tend to injure themself most commonly in their Lower Back, Elbow (Golfer's or Tennis Elbow), and Shoulder, whereas Woman are likely to injure a wrist or their back.

If you injure yourself, it's likely that it will take approximately 5 weeks to recover. If you seek early treatment, you are more likely to make a full recovery, according to a study by McNicholas et al (1999).

Here is a link that Nathan has referred us to in order to avoid missing any time on the golf course.
http://www.fitforegolf.com/warm-up.html

The better you treat your body now, the longer you will be able to golf.

Golf Humor at Work

A golf fan decided to bring his sense of humor to the field while watching tournament. Someone on you tube was kind enough to post this video of a wisecracker yelling 'Mashed Potatoes' after professional golfers tee off.

PGA – Who are your top 10?

It’s that time of year. The summer heat is pounding away in the Okanagan, and I’m basking in the AC, choosing my top ten picks for the PGA.
Think about it like this. There are 156 competitors, of which only 70 will be considered as ‘low scoring'. From there, we essentially undergo two final rounds of play that will separate the men from the little girls.

Who are my top ten choices for advancement?

1.     Daly, John – Dardanelle, Ark.

2.     de Jonge, Brendon – Matthews, N.C

3.     Furyk, Jim – Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

4.     Garcia, Sergio –Castellon, SPAIN

5.     Mickelson, Phil – Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

6.     Ogilvy, Geoff – Melbourne, AUSTRALIA

7.       Woods, Tiger – Hobe Sound, Fla.

8.       Day, Jason – Wexford, AUSTRALIA.

9.       Cairns, Brian – Walled Lake, Mich

10.   Chalmers, Greg – Sydney, AUSTRALIA

My choices, 1-7, are in Alphabetical order, and I suspect them to at least make it into the final two rounds of play, and hopefully, one of them will win. These are classic golfers that I have grown up watching, and some of them have decent game, but have been flying under the radar in the last few big tournaments. Although de Jong is not someone I have followed for years, he’s still going to make my top 10 because he is so young, and has had ample time to work on his game since 2010. Tiger Woods hasn’t been on his game lately, but let’s face it, he’s someone we like to watch, and we keep waiting for him to show us that same talent that we were so enthralled by during his win at the Masters in 1997.

Picks 8-10 are my ‘Wild Card’ picks. Jason Day, 25, has shown some promise, and he is someone I think we’ll see a lot more of over the next few years. Brian Carins, Club Pro from Michigan with a good short game, and Greg Chalmers, winner of the Australian open in 2011.

It’s interesting to note that there are no Canadians currently listed as playing, although one Canadian is on the Alternate list.

Good luck to all players, and may the best take the cup.

http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/

LPGA Women Who Played on the PGA Tour

While there is no rule against women playing in PGA Tour events, only a few have attempted the feat and, as of 2012, no female golfer has succeeded in finishing a men’s tour event. Several women in the early 21st century did make headlines by competing against the men, but the first to try it was Babe Didrikson Zaharaias in 1938.

Babe Zaharias
A tremendous all-round athlete, Babe Didrikson Zaharias was a basketball star, and won two gold medals in track and field at the 1932 Olympics. She then enjoyed a highly successful golf career, winning 55 tournaments. She also helped found the Ladies Professional Golf Association in 1949 and was later inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. She first qualified for a men’s professional golf tournament, the Los Angeles Open, in 1938. She played the event again in 1945, becoming the first woman to make the 36-hole cut in a men’s tour event. She did not make the tournament’s third-round cut, after shooting a 79.

Annika Sorenstam
Annika Sorenstam was one of the greatest golfers in LPGA history, winning 72 tournaments. In 2003, she was invited to play in the 2003 Colonial in Ft. Worth, Texas, receiving a sponsor’s exemption to the PGA Tour event. With a couple of exceptions she received a positive reaction from the male pros, and was greeted enthusiastically by fans on the course. Sorenstam shot a 1-over-par 71 in the first round, during which she tied for first in driving accuracy but was 84th in driving distance, averaging 269 yards. She shot 74 the second day and missed the cut. "I came here to test myself,” she said after the tournament. “I'm proud of the way I was focusing and proud of the decisions I made and that I stuck to them. And that's why I am here. I wanted to see if I could do it." Sorenstam received more invitations, but declined to compete in any more PGA Tour events.

Suzy Whaley
Club pro Suzy Whaley won the 2002 Connecticut Section PGA tournament, which qualified her to play in the men’s 2003 Greater Hartford Open. Whaley’s accomplishment was controversial because she played from the forward tees in the sectional. In effect, she played a 6,239-yard course while the men’s course was 6,938 yards long. The PGA of America later ruled that golfers must play from the back tees to qualify for tour events. But Whaley was permitted to play -- from the men’s tees -- in the Hartford event, where she shot 153 for two rounds and didn’t make the cut.

Michelle Wie
As a teenager, Michelle Wie was determined to compete with male golfers. She played in eight PGA Tour events between 2004 and 2008 but didn’t make any cuts. In her first try, at the 2004 Sony Open in Hawaii, the 14-year-old Wie shot even-par 140, including a second-round 68, the lowest score ever posted by a woman in a PGA Tour event. Wie also tried to qualify for the 2006 men’s U.S. Open, at age 16. She shot 68 in the first round of a qualifying tournament, but soared to a 75 in the second round for a 36-hole total of 143, five shots shy of reaching a playoff for one of the 18 available spots.

Els takes British Open 2012

Ernie Els wins the British Open 10 years and a day from his last win of this tournament.

His final put on 18 was the kind television viewers sit on the edge of their seat for.

Adam Scott, initially taking the lead by a significant margin, fell victim to 4 bogies in a row. His final bogie on the 18^th determined the one stroke lead that dubbed Els the official champion.

During his acceptance speech, Els thanked family and supporters, and made a comment about blowing off an event in Canada to see his family. One can only wait to see what type of media reaction follows.

Be sure to check out the Leaderboard on the official website: http://www.theopen.com

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