World Golf News - 11 October 2010

On the European tour, the German Martin Kaymer was victorious at the Dunhill Links championship. Claiming his third European title in as many tournaments, the first golfer to do so since Nick Faldo in 1989, Kaymer played a riveting final round in his characteristic high-octane style.

With a final round of 66, including birdies on the 17th and 18th, Kaymer finished three strokes ahead of Danny Willet of England, with fellow-Briton John Parry in third place. This win propelled Kaymer to fourth place in the world golf rankings, while Lee Westwood’s failure to win prevented him from dethroning Tiger Woods as world number one. However, in terms of the golf ranking system Westwood will automatically overtake Woods in November since both players have indicated they will not play any further tournaments this month.

On the US PGA tour, American Heath Slocum won the McGladrey Classic held at St. Simon’s Island near Atlanta, Georgia. Claiming his first victory of this season despite a bogey on the final hole, Slocum showed fans that a consistent approach can pay dividends. In fine late-autumn weather, he birdied the 16th with an impressive 60-foot putt that sent a clear message of his intention to win. This is Slocum’s fourth career win. In second place was fellow-American Bill Haas, whose recent victory at the Viking Classic put him in contention to win. In the end however it was Slocum who lifted the trophy. India’s Arjun Atwal was tied for third with Robert Allenby and David Toms, of Australia and the USA respectively.

In women’s golf, Australia’s Katherine Hull shot a final round of 67 to win the Navistar LPGA Classic. With a birdie on the 17th Hull forged ahead with a one stroke lead over Brittany Lincicome of the USA to claim victory in Prattville, Alabama. This is Hull’s second career win on the LPGA, having won the Canadian Women’s Open in 2008. Third place went to Na Yeon Choi of South Korea, tied with Cristie Kerr of the United States.