World Golf News - 09 February 2012

The US PGA Tour travelled to the golfer’s paradise of Scottsdale, Arizona last week where the Phoenix Open was won in style by the American Kyle Stanley. In a final round that saw overnight leader Spencer Levin give up a seven shot lead, reminiscent of Stanley’s final round performance a week earlier at the Farmers Insurance Open, the latter kept his nerves in check as he birdied three holes on the back nine to clinch the title. Second place went to compatriot Ben Crane, with Levin managing to come in third.

After Stanley mounted his charge for the trophy, helped along by sunny afternoon in weather in Scottsdale, a region known for its outstanding golf-friendly climate, he took the opportunity to thank his family for their support both on the day and during his defeat the previous week. Having learnt from his hard experiences at the Farmers Insurance Open, the champion didn’t waste a single opportunity in his hunt for the title.

On the European Tour, the Qatar Masters was won for the second time by Scotland’s Paul Lawrie. Carding a final round score of 65, Lawrie lifted the trophy in Doha for the second time in his career, following his first victory in 1999.

The final round saw Lawrie face off against Australia’s Jason Day, though fans may not have sensed an atmosphere of heavy competition from the easy-going Scotsman who resisted the temptation to make risky shots and stuck to his usual strategy of precision golf, picking up stroke after stroke until the trophy was within reach.

By the time he found himself on the eighteenth green, a par putt was sufficient to secure victory over Day by a margin of four strokes. Sweden’s Peter Hanson tied for second place, with long-hitting American John Daly taking third place.

Golfweather Editorial