Back Off, Golf Haters

Even crazier, Lydia Ko nearly won same tournament a year ago

(NEWSER) - Lydia Ko is just 14 years old, but that didn't stop her from becoming the youngest ever winner of a professional golf tournament earlier today, winning the New South Wales Open in New Zealand by four strokes, reports the AP . The previous record was held by Ryo Ishikawa, who won his first pro title at 15 years, eight months. The previous youngest woman was Amy Yang, who won at 16 years, seven months. It's pretty amazing,'' says the Korean-born Ko. "I don't really know what to say ... I'm really happy and to be part of history is like a miracle." More»

Everyone should be over this slur: Kathleen Parker

(NEWSER) - The latest round of attempts to portray Michelle Obama as an "angry black woman" are enough to make any sensible person angry, writes Kathleen Parker in the Washington Post . Parker says the various political operatives and former staffers she has talked to, including Republicans, "without exception" have all had strongly positive things to say about the first lady. Even if Michelle Obama clashed with Rahm Emanuel , so what? "Who doesn’t butt heads with Emanuel?" asks Parker. More»

A trip to outer space will run you only $200K

(NEWSER) - 'Tis the season for giving, and what better way to show your appreciation for someone then to bestow them with an absurdly lavish gift, presuming you are nestled high up into the 1%. Here are 11 of the most ludicrously expensive gift ideas, courtesy of Time :

• Pacifier, $17,000: Your baby will reign as the queen of daycare with this BabyWit pacifier, which is bejeweled with 14-karat gold and studded with diamonds.
• Space flight, $200,000: Send a friend on an extraterrestrial vacation via Virgin Galactic. The maiden flight is set for 2013.
• Diamond dog collar, $3.2 million: Adorn your pooch with this crocodile leather collar featuring 52 karats of 1,600 hand-set diamonds, from I Love Dogs.
• Personal submarine, $2 million: Celebrate the holidays 1,000 feet underwater in this miniature sub from Hammacher

• Schlemmer.

He finishes in top spot after final birdie at Chevron World Challenge

(NEWSER) - After an excruciating 749 days and 26 tournaments with no wins, Tiger Woods finally came out No. 1 in an 18-man field yesterday at the Chevron World Challenge. His birdie putt on the final hole won the day, causing him to give a fist pump and yell in triumph, the AP reports. "It feels great. Kind of hard for me to elaborate beyond that," Woods said afterward. "I know it's been awhile, but for some reason, it feels like it hasn't." The last time he won was Nov. 15, 2009, 12 days before news of his infidelity broke. Some reactions: More»

'Christmas Quality, Hanukkah Pricing' slogan angers ADL

(NEWSER) - A New York City billboard selling cheap vodka with the slogan "Christmas Quality, Hanukkah Pricing" was taken down after a flood of complaints, including one from the Anti-Defamation League. "In a crude and offensive way of trying to make a point that their vodka is high quality and inexpensive, the billboards evoke a Jewish holiday to imply something that is cheap and of lesser value when compared to the higher value of a Christian holiday," complained the ADL's regional director, saying the ad "reinforces anti-Semitic stereotypes." More»