Stenson's key to success (or not): 'Double portions of carrots'

Conventional wisdom finds that success is achieved by digging it out of the dirt, though apparently now it depends on what it is that is dug from the dirt. Carrots, for instance. 

"Eating double portions of carrots in June," Henrik Stenson said, explaining his remarkable resurgence that includes another victory and pot of gold. Stenson won the DP World Tour Championship on Sunday and the European Tour's Race to Dubai, a payday of $2.33 million. Two months ago, he won the PGA Tour's Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup, an $11.44 million payday. 

Stenson was kidding about the carrots, frivolity the prerogative of a man playing so well it's a joke. 

"Massive congrats to @henrikstenson best player on the planet. I tried but the man is playing some serious golf right now," Ian Poulter wrote on Twitter. Poulter, who finished second to Stenson, has played his own serious golf, to no avail beyond his bottom line. As his caddie Terry Mundy noted on Twitter, "62 under par for four weeks and not a trophy in sight!"

Poulter lost ground on Sunday, even with a closing round of 66. Stenson posted his second 64 of the tournament and third in two weeks to win by six.

Golf Digest colleague Stina Sternberg, via Twitter, best defined the magnitude of Stenson's turnabout: "Reminder of what makes Stenson's feat so amazing: 2 yrs ago couldn't win his club championship." 

Indeed, Stenson had not qualified to play in the PGA Championship in 2011, so he opted for his club championship at Sweden's Barseback Golf Club instead. And lost. He finished second to Henrik Hilford Brander. 

Today, he is third in the World Ranking, behind only Tiger Woods and Adam Scott, the latter stubbornly clinging to that spot by winning the Australian PGA and Australian Masters back to back. 

If not carrots, what then has fueled Stenson's resurgence? He cites his work with sports psychologist Torsten Hanson. "When you're a bit out, it's so easy chasing your own tail," Stenson said. "You want something to work for this week. But if we need to work on the swing, for instance, let's give it two, three months work on it, and sooner or later, you get the rewards. That was a big, big part of things, to give myself more time, patience to work on things. Eventually it gets together. 

"This started long, long before this summer. Even if I didn't play good for like two seasons or even more, you don't forget how to play good golf. It's more about putting things together and then all of a sudden you have more experience than you had before. You learn a lot, even when you're not playing good and you can benefit from that at a later stage."

Adam Scott hangs on to win Australian Masters

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Adam Scott successfully defended his Australian Masters title for his second victory in two weeks, scrambling Sunday for an even-par 71 and a two-shot victory over Matt Kuchar at wind-swept Royal Melbourne. 

Scott won the Australian PGA last week in his first event in Australia since winning the U.S. Masters in April. 

American Matt Kuchar, ahead by two strokes with four to play and even with Scott with one to go, double-bogeyed the 18th after taking two shots to get out of a bunker. Kuchar had a 68 to finish second. 

Vijay Singh, one of four players tied for second at the start of play, finished third after a 71, four behind playing partner Scott. The 50-year-old Fijian was attempting to win for the first time since 2008. 

Scott, who finished at 14-under 270, began the day with a comfortable lead, lost it on the back nine, then wrestled it back. 

He will now try to win the so-called Australian Triple Crown at the Australian Open at Royal Sydney in two weeks. Before that, he will partner Jason Day for Australia at the World Cup next week, again at Royal Melbourne. 

Kuchar took the lead when Scott made a double bogey on the 14th as he dealt with a plugged lie in a bunker, while Kuchar in the preceding group made a birdie at the 15th. 

The situation was reversed a hole later when Scott also birdied the 15th and the American bogeyed the 16th. 

Scott had led by four strokes at the start of the round and by five shots late on the front nine. His faltering on the back nine revived memories of the 2012 British Open when he bogeyed the final four holes to lose by a shot, but this time he was able to recover and finish on top. 

"I usually like looking at the leaderboard, but it wasn't enjoyable today," Scott said of the numerous lead changes. "I made a lot of errors, but I managed to hang on despite being a little shaky out there." 

His day got off to an ominous start. His birdie putt from three feet lipped out while Singh had a tap-in birdie to reduce the lead to three, but a Singh bogey on the second restored the four-shot gap. 

While Scott and Singh dueled in the final group, Kuchar, who will team with Kevin Streelman for the United States at the World Cup, moved up the leaderboard. 

The American bogeyed the first hole, but birdies on five of the next eight left him as Scott's closest pursuer. He birdied the 11th and then the 15th to take the lead for the first time in the tournament before his late collapse. 

"It's never fun, the 72nd hole, but it can happen any time," Kuchar said. "I tried on the last hole to stay aggressive and hit a good quality shot and I thought I had. 

"The thing about Royal Melbourne is you can really pay the price for just being off if you play aggressively. It's certainly a rough way to end it but that's kind of the nature of the game." 

Jarrod Lyle, playing in his first tournament in 20 months since his recovery from his second bout of leukemia, finished with an 8-over 79, including bogeys on his final three holes. He didn't expect to make the cut. 

At the 18th, the large gallery applauded, even playing partner Michael Long, as Lyle walked gingerly around the green. 

"I played five days in a row, including the pro-am, and the last nine holes I started to feel it," Lyle said. "I got around, and it's not the end I wanted. But it's better than I thought it would be: three good rounds and one shocker, that's golf."

Lexi Thompson wins Lorena Ochoa Invitational

GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) Lexi Thompson won the Lorena Ochoa Invitational on Sunday for her second victory in her last four starts, birdieing the final hole to beat Stacy Lewis by a stroke. 

The 18-year-old Thompson made a 5-foot putt on the par-5 18th, then won when Lewis missed her 5-foot try. 

"To have Lorena Ochoa give me the trophy on the 18th green, it's so memorable and honorable," Thompson said. "She's been such a huge role model to me. Just to play in her event, it's an honor and to be here and to see her. It is a great honor to win this event and have her give me the trophy. It means a lot to me." 

Ochoa won 27 LPGA Tour titles before retiring in 2010. 

Thompson closed with a 3-under 69 to finish at 16-under 272 at Guadalajara Country Club. She won the 2011 LPGA Navistar Classic at 16, and took the LPGA Malaysia last month for her second tour title. 

Thompson two-putted for the victory. 

"First off, I had like a 50- to 60-footer for the first one, which was interesting getting up there within a few feet," Thompson said. "You know on the second putt, that's what it all came down to thinking I can make it and went up to it confidently. Just knock it in." 

The third-ranked Lewis, a three-time winner this year, had a 68. 

"I knew I had to make it," Lewis said about her birdie try on the final hole. "I had a good line on it, just with these greens, those downhill putts are the hardest ones to make. I hit a good putt. I hit it where I wanted to. It just didn't go in." 

So Yeon Ryu was third at 13 under after a 69. 

Top-ranked Inbee Park finished fourth at 11 under to wrap up the points-based player of the year award with one event left. She is the first South Korean player to win the award. 

"I said all year, there should have been at least two or three girls that already won the award, but nobody really did it," said Park, who shot 69. "It's just really hard to believe and I'm just very lucky I won." 

Lewis birdied Nos. 12-14 to take a one-stroke lead, but dropped into a tie with Thompson with a bogey on the par-3 17th. 

"Stacy is an amazing player," Thompson said. "I knew she could make a run at me any time during that round. When she made the two-shot swing on me, I think on No. 12, it brought it back to all squared. I knew I had to make birdies on top of her because she gets on a roll and she doesn't stop. She's an amazing player and played great today."

Power Rankings: ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf

If you've been curious how the return of golf in the Olympics in 2016 will unfold, this week's ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf will provide a solid taste. The biennial competition will still declare a champion team of two representing their country, but the emphasis in the 57th edition of this event is on the individual competition over 72 holes.

Sixty golfers qualified via a series of updated criteria. Just one-eighth of the $8 million purse is reserved for the team component of which 26 partnerships will be chasing. Eight countries are represented by only one golfer and will not compete for the team prize.

The famed Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia hosts for the fourth time. For this competition, the Composite Course will be played just as it was for the Presidents Cup and the Talisker Masters. It features 12 holes from the West Course and six holes from the East. The amalgamation tops out at 7,046 yards and plays as a par 35-36=71.

Rain cannot be ruled out during any of the four days scheduled. Clouds are expected to prevent the temperature from hitting 70 degrees. Winds will be light to moderate.

The rankings below reflect the unique format of the World Cup.

Power Rankings: World Cup -- singles

Rank Player   Comment Adam SCOTT Third appearance; first since 2002. Returned from six-week break to win first two legs of the Aussie Triple Crown by an aggregate six shots. Jason DAY Event debut. Remains committed despite loss of eight family members to Typhoon Haiyan. Emotional component could fuel special week at home. Matt KUCHAR Won (with Gary Woodland) in his debut in 2011. Chased a T7 at The McGladrey Classic with a solo second at Royal Melbourne on Sunday. Ryo ISHIKAWA Event debut. Played 2011 Presidents Cup. A T2 in Japan last week is his fifth top 10 in eight starts dating back to the Web.com Tour Finals. Victor DUBUISSON Event debut. Finished sixth in the Race to Dubai on the strength of a torrid finish. Won in Turkey and then placed third at the DP World. Miguel Angel JIMENEZ Making field-high 14th appearance. In 18 starts following broken leg in January, posted five top 10s, including T8 at Race to Dubai finale. Graeme McDOWELL Fourth consecutive appearance. Ended recent slump with a solo third at the WGC-HSBC Champions. Tied for 17th in Dubai on Sunday. Francesco MOLINARI Sixth appearance; 2009 champ. Solo 13th at the DP World Tour Championship. No worse than a T25 in his last five starts. Hideto TANIHARA Third appearance. Fresh off a one-shot win (over teammate Ryo Ishikawa) on the Japan Golf Tour. Top 15s in his last three starts. Vijay SINGH Third appearance (2001, 2002). Since a solo second at Frys.com, he's added a T23 at the Shriners and a solo third at the Talisker Masters.

Power Rankings: World Cup -- teams

Rank Country Players Comment Australia With Adam Scott's current form, Jason Day's recent tragedy and the home crowd supporting, it's their trophy to lose. Japan Both Ryo Ishikawa and Hideto Tanihara are in fantastic form. Will be attempting to give Japan its third title in the event (1957, 2002). United States Defending champion Matt Kuchar joins forces with first-timer Kevin Streelman. Americans won the last time Royal Melbourne hosted (1988). Sweden Peter Hanson has two top 10s in his last three starts. First-timer Jonas Blixt quietly placed 12th at the DP World Tour Championship. Italy Francesco Molinari teams with first-timer Matteo Manassero. Remainder of the top 10 (in order): France, Ireland, Spain, Thailand, Germany.

Fall events should have major impact on 2013-14 FedExCup race

With the 2013 portion of the PGA TOUR Season now concluded, let’s examine the impact those six tournaments might have on the 2014 FedExCup race.

The sheer volume of additional FedExCup points will add a new wrinkle to our conventional ways of thinking. The thresholds that have been used since the current points system was established in 2009 will have to be increased. It’s always been a tricky proposition predicting how many points it would take to qualify for the top 125 and the various levels throughout the FedExCup Playoffs, and things are even more complex this season.

Consider the additional points available to the winners. In 2013, there were five majors/THE PLAYERS Championship (600 points to each winner), three World Golf Championships (550 points each), 25 TOUR events (500 points to each winner) and three additional events (300 points each) for a total of 18,050 points.

For the 2013-14 season, add an World Golf Championships event, five TOUR events and subtract one of the additional events for a total of 20,800 points. That’s roughly a 15 percent increase in total available points for the winners.

Now take that 15 percent increase and add to the various thresholds from last season. Here’s what you get:

Projected points needed to advance in the 2013-14 Playoffs

Threshold 2013 Season 2013-14 Projection Top 125 after PGA TOUR Season 369 points 424 points Top 100 after The Barclays 527 points 606 points Top 70 after Deutsche Bank Championship 823 points 946 points Top 30 after BMW Championship 1,556 points 1,789 points

After the 2013 Wyndham Championship, the final event to qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs and secure full exemption on TOUR for the next season, Erik Compton had 422 points, good enough for 117th place in the FedExCup standings. It was the first time Compton had qualified for the Playoffs and, given his inspirational story of overcoming two heart transplants, made him a worthy recipient of the inaugural PGA TOUR Courage Award. 

But based on the above projections with the 15 percent increase, those 422 points would not be good enough to make the Playoffs this year.

Now let’s take a look at those players who have started strong in the first six events.

Jimmy Walker, who won the Frys.com Open for his first TOUR title, will go into the 2014 calendar year as the FedExCup leader with 684 points. Walker has never qualified for the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola in his 10-year career, and he knows as well as anyone how difficult it is to amass enough points to make it to East Lake. A few months ago, he came to the 72nd hole at the BMW Championship needing just one more birdie. He made par and did not advance, although he did finished in a career-high 36th in the FedExCup.

But after winning at CordeValle, he finished tied for 12th at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, then added a sixth-place finish at the CIMB Classic. Based on the projections, not only should Walker qualify for the Playoffs, he’s likely secured a spot inside the top 100 who will play the Deutsche Bank Championship. But he still has a lot of work to do to reach East Lake.

Three other players inside the top 10 in the FedExCup standings also have never advanced to the TOUR Championship: Chris Kirk (5th), Jason Bohn (7th) and Brian Stuard (8th). Like Walker, none of them have guaranteed spots, but thanks to their strong play in the first six events, they’ve improved their chances in this wrap-around season.

So has 2008 FedExCup champion Vijay Singh. In 2013, the World Golf Hall of Fame member posted only one top-25 finish and missed the Playoffs for the first time in his remarkable career. The 50-year-old has already enjoyed two top-25 finishes this season, including a runner-up at the Frys.com Open. Singh is in 10th place with 346 points, but will likely need two more top-25 finishes to earn a spot back in the Playoffs.

Of all the previous FedExCup champs, Singh is in the best shape coming out of the Fall events. The only other former champ inside the top 125 is Bill Haas, who is 59th. Meanwhile, two-time champion Tiger Woods, 2010 winner Jim Furyk and defending champion Henrik Stenson will go into the new year with zero points.

A year ago, that might not have been a big deal. When Woods made his 2013 debut at the Farmers Insurance Open, he was 538 points behind then-leader Brian Gay. Woods won the event, claimed the 500 points and moved into the fourth place after winning at Torrey Pines.

But when Woods tees off this year, he will be at least 684 points behind and possibly more, depending on how others perform in the events prior to Tiger’s season debut. Theoretically, Woods could face a deficit that’s twice as large (if not larger) than last year.

Of course, if Woods wins five events again like he did in 2013, his Playoffs status will take care of itself. But the wrap-around schedule has created some intriguing scenarios; only time will tell what the inaugural fall in the FedExCup era will truly mean.

Michelob ULTRA and PGA TOUR extend sponsorship

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. and ST. LOUIS – The PGA TOUR and Anheuser-Busch, which has participated in the TOUR’s Official Marketing Partner program since 1994, today announced a multi-year sponsorship that will see Michelob ULTRA continue as the “Official Beer of the PGA TOUR.”

Michelob ULTRA continues to maintain a strong presence on the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Web.com Tour, activating at more than 55 tournaments through the support of its wholesalers.

“As one of our longest-tenured sponsors, Michelob ULTRA has introduced a number of successful programs and advertising campaigns built around the TOUR relationship,” said Jay Monahan, Chief Marketing Officer of the PGA TOUR. “Next year marks the 20th anniversary of our relationship with Anheuser-Busch, and we’re delighted that it also marks the beginning of our new agreement.”

“The PGA TOUR has been one of our premier sponsorships for nearly two decades, and we are thrilled to have Michelob ULTRA continue as its official beer sponsor,” said Blaise D’Sylva, Vice President, Media, Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Anheuser-Busch. “We will continue to leverage Michelob ULTRA’s sponsorship to grow our brand by connecting with beer drinkers through dozens of marquee events every season.”

Over the years, Michelob ULTRA has utilized the PGA TOUR relationship to launch consumer promotions such as the ULTRA Foursome, a four-day trip to four of the nation’s top golf courses, and to entertain retailers through premium hospitality facilities. Key activations at tournaments currently include the Michelob ULTRA 19th Hole, a patio hospitality space, and the newly introduced Michelob ULTRA Build-A-Bar, a high-end, 40-foot beer selling station featuring plasma screens and a rooftop viewing area.

As part of the renewal, O’Doul’s will continue to serve as the “Official Non-Alcohol Brew” of the PGA TOUR” as well.

AT&T renews sponsorship of Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

DALLAS — One of the most iconic events in golf will continue to add to its legacy. The PGA TOUR, Monterey Peninsula Foundation and AT&T announced today that AT&T has renewed its longtime sponsorship of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am through 2024.

AT&T has sponsored the tournament since 1986. Only one other PGA TOUR event has a longer-lasting sponsorship.

“We’re proud to continue the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am’s commitment to charities for years to come,” said Cathy Coughlin, AT&T global marketing officer and senior executive vice president. “It’s a great event for the community, our customers and our brand.”

Since the tournament began in 1937, it has raised more than $110 million for charities. The next AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am will take place Feb. 3-9, 2014. PGA TOUR golfers, celebrities and business leaders will team up to compete for a $6.6 million purse.

“We’re delighted to announce this 10-year extension with AT&T, whose sponsorship has played such a vital role in the growth and overall impact of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am,” said Tim Finchem, PGA TOUR commissioner. “Beyond its popularity among players, celebrities and fans, the tournament has a history of making a meaningful difference in the community by contributing more than $110 million to deserving programs. With AT&T’s commitment, the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am is assured of continuing its wonderful tradition of entertaining and giving back.”

The AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am is expected to broadcast to more than 945 million households in more than 225 countries and territories. As title sponsor, AT&T receives significant brand exposure in network and cable broadcasts, promotional spots and news coverage, involvement in press conferences and media events, and in-market promotional rights and technology integration throughout the tournament.