Tiger's Absence Sure to Cripple Broadcasters

Phil Mickelson had given chase

(AP) - On another windy, wet and wild day at the British Open, Darren Clarke endured to win the British Open by three shots and give Northern Ireland another victory in one of golf's signature events. Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell have won the last two U.S. Opens. Now, it's the 42-year-old Clarke, who came into the week as an afterthought next to his homeland's rising stars at Royal St. George's. More»

(AP) - Just like that, Tiger Woods was back in control of the US PGA Championship today. Woods took advantage of the shortened par-4 14th and a poor finish by Ross Fisher, needing only two holes to turn a tie into a three-stroke lead. Woods, looking to win his first major of the year, was at 6 under through 14. Fisher and defending champion Padraig Harrington were at 3 under with Lucas Glover (70), Brendan Jones (70) and Vijay Singh (72). More»

(NEWSER) - Tom Watson—yep, that Tom Watson—found himself in an unusual spot today: explaining how on earth he's atop the leader board at the British Open at age 59. “I think there was some spirituality out there," he said after his 5-under-par 65, "just the serenity of it was pretty neat." Watson beat Jack Nicklaus by a stroke in a legendary duel 32 years ago on the same course, notes Bloomberg. More»

Woods' injury absence has let rivals get closer, and he won't return until Feb.

(NEWSER) - Tiger Woods may be the most dominant golfer alive, but his place atop the world rankings is far from secure, Reuters reports. After his incredible US Open victory in June, Woods held a commanding lead over No. 2 Phil Mickelson, but he’s seen that lead dwindle as he recovers from surgery—and he won’t play again until at least February. More»

Even without Garcia, Westwood

(AP) - Even with Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood reduced to the role of spectators, the Europeans cut into a commanding US lead at the Ryder Cup today. The Europeans closed to within 7-5 by winning two matches and halving another. Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry gave the Americans their only outright win of the morning alternate-shot matches, beating Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson 3-and-1. More»