Jamie Donaldson soared up the leaderboard by two eagles

But Donaldson flew up the leaderboard with the help of his second eagle of the day at the par-five last to be right in the mix for not only his first win on the European Tour but their blue riband tournament.

That still made him the highest scorer in his group, though. Compatriot Justin Rose and big-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros both scored 67 to tie with Donaldson and Swedes Richard Johnson and Niclas Fasth.

World number one McIlroy went out of bounds by an inch and threw a club as a two-over-par 74 left him in ping g15 irons danger of missing the halfway cut for a second successive tournament – and possibly losing top spot to Luke Donald.

He crashed out early from the Players Championship in Florida two weeks ago and might need a four-stroke improvement to survive this time.

“You could hit 1,000 balls and never have it happen,” said the 37-year-old Scot, who went on to birdie the par five for a six under 66 and the joint lead with Ireland’s Peter Lawrie, one ahead of Donaldson.

Donald has the chance to join Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie as the only players to make a successful defence of the Tour’s flagship event.

On the shot at the 12th he added: “I was just trying to cut it in, trying to hold it up against the wind and double-crossed it.”

“I don’t know what it hit – maybe a fish. It was a massive break. I don’t think I can say what I would have thought if I had taken six or seven there.”

“I feel like I’m playing pretty well. I just need to go out there and shoot the scores.”

If the 23-year-old does fail to make it through to the weekend Donald will need ‘only’ a top-eight finish to go back to Ping G20 driver number one, but he is aiming much higher after a 68.

He bogeyed the ninth and 10th like McIlroy, but had already had four birdies and two more were to come in the last three holes.

Having started with a 76 last May, the Northern Irishman said: “A bit of deja vu. Two under through seven (he had eagled the fourth), so it’s just pretty disappointing.

McIlroy was the highest in his three-ball too. Ernie Els, the man who toughened up the course two years ago, shot 68 and US-based Scot Martin Laird, runner-up at Sawgrass, had a 73 on his championship debut.

In contrast, Drysdale, 290 places below discount golf clubs him in the rankings, could not believe his luck as his second shot to the final hole went into the water and bounced out again.

McIlroy’s show of frustration, which could result in a European Tour fine, came as he ran up a six on the long 12th.

nice par-three that can stretch from 120 yards to 195 from the tips

From the longest par three to the longest par five, as you stroll up to the 11th tee box. From the back markers, you'll need a 200-plus carry just to reach the fairway on this 601-yard monster. Avoiding the traps off the tee and then again with your layup will be key. Favor the right callaway razr x irons side of the fairway for the best angle to the pin and beware of the bunker laying in the center of the landing area, just 60 yards away. The green is large with a steep ridge in the middle and sand all around. There's good reason why it's rated as the second most difficult hole on the course.

Club selection off the tee is crucial to conquering the 17th hole, as the fairway runs out at the 270-yard mark. Although this hole is over 400 yards in length, a three-metal might be the play. It will leave a slightly longer second, but, better safe than sorry. Your approach must clear another wash that's 80 yards from the green. The putting surface is long and narrow, reaching 38 paces, with three distinct tiers. Just getting on this green does not guarantee par.

Back to the matter at hand. Thirty-six holes of golf, set up for all levels of play, featuring five sets of tees ranging from 4,900 to just under 7,000 yards. In addition, The Boulders has just launched two short courses on both 18s, ideal for the golfer on the go with limited time or the young and inexperienced player, who's not ready for a full 18. Called the "Pebble Tees," the courses feature holes ranging from 60 to 200 yards.

"The South course is most scenic, no forced carries (over desert) from the forward tees, but narrower fairways," added Crawley. A true 'target golf'. The visiting guests prefer the South because of it's beauty."

"For the original owners, I returned callaway diablo edge irons once or twice a year to tweak things," Morrish added. "Mostly this consisted of lowering vegetation in front of the tees that had grown during my absence and blocked views."

At 425 yards and doglegging to the left, the fifth presents yet another interesting challenge. At the outset, your tee shot must be long and favor the right-center of the fairway. Second, your approach will be uphill to a very difficult green that slopes from back-to- front. Finally, bunkers right and back with a guarding tree left will make this your hardest challenge on the outward nine.

Hard to believe that any hole could play harder than 13. When played from the tips, this hole is a challenge you will love and hate at one and the same time. Ample fairway will be your only saving grace. That leaves you with a difficult approach over a desert canal to a wide, but narrow, green. Be short and your ball will land in a collection area; long and a deep menacing bunker awaits. Making par is certainly one's goal here followed by moving on rapidly but the fact of the matter is that bogey is not so bad.

The longest par-three on the course, the 17th can stretch to 220 yards from the tips. Although it's long, the hole plays downhill to a fairly large green with a huge bunker, featuring a boulder in the center, guarding the right entrance to the surface. If the hole doesn't inspire you, then the sunset will.

Next up is the 409 yard, par four fourth. The landing area off the tee is generous and you'll need a 300-yard plus drive to reach the pond at the end of the fairway. With a successful tee ball, just a short iron should remain to an uphill putting surface that is the longest on the course at 46 paces. Although it's long, the green is quite narrow, so pinpoint control with your approach will be needed.

If you want to take it on, then 255 is your number on the ninth. That's right, a tee shot of 255 or more in the air is required to clear the bunker on this slight, dogleg right. The more conservative discount golf clubs route will be to aim towards the left-center of the fairway, with the saguaro in the distance standing tall in a fairway bunker. From here, it's a medium iron to a two-tiered green that slopes from back to front. A back flag brings extra trouble in play, so play to the center of the green if the pin is up top.

Keegan Bradley is very happy with the trophy

One thing that helped set up Bradley to win that major in a three-hole playoff last August came nearly three months before that, when he got his first professional victory in a playoff at the Byron Nelson Championship.

"I went from an unknown rookie trying to keep his card to winning a PGA Tour event and locking up my future a Taylormade Rocketballz Irons little bit," he said. "I was able to draw on my experience here, especially at the PGA playoff, and this tournament will always be special to me. ... This tournament might have set up my whole career."

Keegan Bradley is back at the Nelson to play as a defending champion for the first time. The opening round is Thursday at TPC Four Seasons with a field that includes Matt Kuchar the week after he won The Players Championship.

"I was done, I had made my decision and Pepsi, my caddie, said, 'Look, I think you should play (Nelson)' - he's never said anything like that in my career," Bradley said. "He said Nelson fits your game better, and sure enough, we came here and won. Pepsi knew something I didn't."

His initial plan last year was to play at Colonial instead of the following week at the Nelson. The Texas two-step was in a rare reversed order, but this year is back to the more traditional schedule with the Nelson preceding Colonial.

Nancy Lopez, the LPGA Hall of Fame member and 48-time winner who this week received the Byron Nelson Prize, said she likes to watch older PGA players like Fred Couples and Ernie Els. But one of the youngsters she pays attention to is Bradley, largely because of her connection with Pat Bradley.

Kuchar, No. 5 in the World Golf Ranking, and 10th-ranked Phil Mickelson are the only top 10 players from that list at the Nelson. Mickelson, a two-time Nelson champion back for the first time in five years, is No. 4 in the FedEx Cup standings, the highest from that ranking. Kuchar is sixth.

"My caddie is from the Dallas area, my instructor is from the Dallas area," Kuchar said. "Staying at the Four TaylorMade R11S Driver Seasons is special, it's beautiful, where you don't have to get in your car. There's a lot of great things about coming to Dallas for me."

At the Nelson last May, Bradley didn't even stay in the resort hotel adjacent to the No. 1 tee near Lord Byron's statue. He went basically unrecognized on the course and wasn't asked to sign many autographs. He was even overshadowed during the final round by the local teenage amateur who was his playing partner.

Beside the extra time with his instructor a month before the U.S. Open, Kuchar's kids that were celebrating with him after he won The Players Championship last weekend like putting on their cowboy boots in Texas.

Bradley is 21st in the FedEx Cup standings and has made 11 of 13 cuts with three top 10s this season. His two missed cuts came in the two weeks before finishing 35th at The Players.

Winning a tournament the magnitude of The Players Championship was about the only scenario Kuchar could have imagined that "could throw a little bit of a wrench" on his plans to be at the Nelson. Still, there was never really any thought of not playing again this week after his fifth top-10 finish in his last seven tournaments.

"When I met Keegan, he was a little discount golf clubs bitty guy, and I didn't know that he played golf at the time. I don't think Pat ever said that she had a nephew playing or was going to go on the PGA Tour," Lopez said. "When I saw him I said, 'That's Pat Bradley's nephew. It has to be.' He looks just like her, or her brothers. ... He's fun to watch."

How Tiger Ruin himself

On Tiger the fierce competitor, he deepens a story we already know. Tiger was intent on being a great physical athlete and revolutionized fitness training for golfers. He was a fiery player intent on winning, yet had an uncanny ability to stay calm and focused at the excruciating moments of highest pressure when he knew how to step on his pursuers' throats. He could be friends with lesser golfers, but played mind games with those who had the greatest talent. When he was at his best, he excelled at every shot in the game.

It is Haney's sketch of Tiger's character that is new. In essence, he says that Tiger was not happy with his success, that he felt he could never live up to expectations, that he was driven to be ping g15 driver not the best golfer (which he was) but to realize his own potential (a place he could never reach). His extraordinary winning record meant that the mountain he had to climb was even higher. He wouldn't let people get close to him—was generally cold and aloof, and couldn't even celebrate his victories.

Haney writes about his own personal history, his lack of friendship with Tiger, the golf swing (hard to follow even for the most crazed golfers), and why he was a better coach than he has been given credit for (insecure and self-serving). Plus: Many players and coaches feel, rightly in my view, that he violated an unspoken promise of confidentiality in discussing details about Tiger's life off the course and away from the practice range. While unflattering, these aren't all that revealing—a few fairly anodyne scenes of Tiger with his ex-wife, comments on his cheapness, stuff about video games he likes. Haney won't be having lunch in golf-town any time soon.

At one point he said to Haney, "With me, nothing is ever good enough." When he had won, he would lose the joy of playing. Just after the humiliation of the sex scandal and after he had made a canned Ping G20 Hybrid apology, he said to Haney that now perhaps, he could rid himself of the burden of others' expectations: "When I play golf again, I'm going to play for myself. I'm not going to play for my dad, or my mom, or Mark Steinberg [his agent] or Steve Williams, or Nike, or my foundation, or you, or the fans. Only for myself."

If Haney is to be believed, it appears that Tiger's paradise lost was due to his unhappiness with his own life, with some impulse that made him do something so colossally stupid as to have serial affairs and make himself vulnerable through text messages to women he couldn't trust and who had every reason to take advantage of his celebrity. I am not trying to absolve Tiger of direct personal responsibility for his acts, which were clearly self-destructive in effect, whatever the motive.

Haney's portrait is necessarily incomplete. He barely discusses the most important influences on his life, the father and mother who enabled a prodigy to find greatness. He admits that Tiger was usually laconic and not very revealing, and they weren't that close. He doesn't quote Tiger's personal friends or golfing colleagues much if at all.

He was, in the end, convinced of his own greatness—and, in Haney's terms, a "stone-cold killer." His record is amazing, not just the 14 major championships, the 72 PGA tournament wins, more than discount golf clubs 20 other wins worldwide, the 48 out of 52 times he has won when he holding or sharing the lead going into the last round, but an astounding percentage of tournaments won from 1997 to 2011—26 percent as compared with Jack Nicklaus' 12 percent (although over a longer period). Although Haney complains that Tiger didn't always listen to him and wasn't always devoted to Haney's practice schemes, he clearly believes in Tiger's golfing genius.

Yet, there is a sad if unexpected ring of truth to his perspective, however limited. When Eliot Spitzer, another high achiever with a demanding father, went up in flames in a scandal involving prostitutes, the question was whether the cause had been his arrogance and hubris or rather some hard-to-explain, self-destructive impulse. That question remains to this day.

Woods may be missing drive very much

The practice range was lined with millionaires in sherbet-colored shirts and Popeye forearms, but none hit the ball like Woods. Not even Phil Mickelson, whose drives launch at a higher angle and travel farther than Woods’ low stingers.

This disappearing act appears especially acute in Woods, who kids that he is “Ranger Rick.” Woods once was lauded for hitting it “differently,” but that same description no longer is a compliment. He now hits it differently from one shot to the next, his swing Titleist 910 D2 Driver as unsteady as a drunk in an earthquake.

More symbolic of the changing times, Woods looked over his shoulder to see Rory McIlroy playing one group behind. McIlroy, who shot a 70, is the next generation of golfer to gain on the former world’s best player.

A man wearing a Clemson Tigers hat watched the ball start low before rising like a jet at takeoff. It hung in the air longer than gravity deems it should, then landed softly on the target green some 275 yards away.

And yet the potential for positive results remains, if his range game is to be believed. That game was hit-and-miss at yesterday’s Wells Fargo Championship, the upscale PGA Tour event at the Quail Hollow Club. It was Woods’ first tournament appearance since the Masters Mizuno MP-69 Irons ended on April 8. He hit 8 of 14 fairways and struggled on the front nine but managed to grind out a 1-under-par 71 to keep the bleeding to a minimum.

Woods had spent the previous two days working with coach Sean Foley to remove the kinks from a swing — dubbed St. Peter by the smart aleck among us — that kept denying him at the Masters.

Where is Woods’ will to win? A longtime golf writer, whose connection to Woods reaches back decades, contends that there is no fire in the belly. “He no longer has it here,” the scribe said, pointing to his stomach.

One hole later, Woods buried a 23-foot birdie putt to bring “He’s back” bounding through the gallery. And so it went, a decent shot followed by disruption. At No. 7, Woods hooked his drive onto brownish ground — never a good color to land on — but recovered for a birdie.

The first two holes set the pace discount golf clubs for back-and-forth fan reaction to Woods’ erratic play. A chunked sand wedge at No. 1 led to a bogey and a muffled “He’s washed up” from the crowd.
Even as Woods’ played Army golf — “left, right, left” — signs of a new reality entered his vision. Woods, a vocal critic of the longer belly putters that increasingly are used on tour, watched as playing partner Webb Simpson shot a 65 with a belly putter in his bag. Simpson shares the first-round lead with Ryan Moore and Stewart Cink.

Everything about Kim is different

He injured his left knee when he slipped off a paddle board in the Pacific Ocean the weekend before the season opener in Kapalua, and it wound up keeping him out of golf until the middle of March. Then, he suffered a rib injury at the Masters, but played through it the next week at Hilton Head, the only PGA Tour event in his native South Carolina.

"You guys wrote about Freddie (Couples) at Augusta, you expect him to drive through those gates and play well and he loves it there," Glover said. "And that's how I am here. I was here last Sunday and played with some friends, and it was probably the best round I've played Titleist 712 AP2 Irons all year. And I know it was practice, and I know it doesn't matter and nobody cares, but just being here, there's something about it for me."

"They asked me if I wanted to play and my answer was I was too old for that. It was too dangerous," Foster said from the caddie tent, crutches at his side. "I was just there to watch. Before the match, they were kicking the ball around, like I do at home with my boys. I stretched, and as soon as I planted, my knee collapsed. I heard it rip and crack, and I knew I was in trouble."

"It's devastating," Foster said. "Lee is playing as good as he has ever played. I'm just clumsy."

The book on his six years as the swing coach for Tiger Woods reached No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list on April 15 for combined print and ebooks. It reached as high as No. 2 for two weeks Mizuno MP-69 Irons under hardcover nonfiction, and has only fallen to No. 5 this week.

The tournament is played June 18-24, the week after the U.S. Open.

He also has early commitments this year from other top names such as Anthony Kim, Vijay Singh, Padraig Harrington and Webb Simpson.

"It is always good to win no matter where you play and even though it was my first-ever victory here in Spain the feeling of winning is always the same," he said.

Larrazabal expects to see Javier Ballesteros, who tied for 14th in Barcelona, one day competing on the European Tour.

However, a final-round 71 left Larrazabal in a share of third and three strokes from South African Thomas Aiken.

"We've always been very stingy on these special exemptions," he said. "In general, we don't want to give up any special exemptions unless there's a compelling reason."

Grube said the tournament's strategy of courting up-and-coming golfers has paid off as those golfers' careers have discount golf clubs progressed and they have remained loyal to The Travelers.

"I think any time you come somewhere you've had success, it gives you that little bit of confidence — even if it's been a strange year for you," he said.

He tied for fourth, then won his first U.S. Open a year later at Oakmont. As for that tree?

He said he likely would be out for six to eight weeks, and that's the best-case scenario. That could force him to miss the U.S. Open and British Open.

"But then the Spanish Open is always a special week for all the Spanish players and after winning last week in Barcelona, it would be wonderful now if I could win here in Seville."

"Javier is a great young guy and while he doesn't have the magic of Seve, he has something there that is quite special," Larrazabal said. "He shot 65 the first day to be just one behind me.

learn to unclutter your mind in John Hastings' Natural Golf Academy

None of what they are told is worthless but together it can build into a tangle of thoughts, all jostling for attention when the player addresses the ball. Too often, the result is confusion.

He starts by telling his pupils why they find the game so difficult: They think too much, they try too hard, they are too tense and they use too much force.

Taking the stress out of their game, making them aware of the ability they have within them, is the basic aim of the Natural Golf Academy at the St Andrews Major golf club.

He returned to Wales in 1980 and became head professional at Llantrisant Golf Club. During his three years there TaylorMade RocketBallZ Driver he won the South Wales Professional championship and became course record holder at Llantrissant with a 65 which still stands today.

But,’ he says, ‘ the approach has to be simple and I honestly believe that much of the modern way of teaching is making a simple game difficult.’ There’s strong element of Buddhism in his theme of relaxation and inner harmony but he has a thorough technical background, gained not only as a professional player in European tournaments but as a teaching pro in Germany and France.

His experience has convinced him that the answer lies in the natural approach instead of filling minds with various advice. The swing should be one easy movement and not the result of a sequence of thoughts.

Golfers spend most of their playing lives absorbing a multitude of tips, advice and information on how to play the game better.

'I am swinging more naturally and hitting the ball better but what I haven’t mastered yet is the consistency necessary to bringing in a good medal card.

In 1984 he moved to Germany to become head pro at one of the country’s leading sports hotels and then spent five years teaching at Baden- Baden, Germany’s third oldest golf club. In 1989 he moved to Titleist 712 CB Irons France to be head teaching pro at the Bernhard Langer Academy in Strasbourg, Alsace.


His natural golf philosophy has been developing for over 20 years and he has been rewarded by seeing definite improvement in both beginners and low-handicap players alike.

Hastings was born in St Athan in 1955 and was assistant pro in the mid-1970s and Bristol and Clifton golf clubs and then later at Cardiff golf club. In 1975 he won the Welsh Assistants championship and then went to America where he teamed up with US Masters champion Craig Stadler.

Of course, there are certain basics like grip and stance that have to be right and there’s technique to be learned.

Among his many pupils is Penarth journalist Peter Corrigan who, for the past 14 years, has been describing his discount golf clubs adventures as a bad player in a column called The Hacker in the Independent on Sunday. He has recently transferred this to the website www.thegolfinghacker.com ’No professional in the world would welcome the sight of me looming up for a lesson,’ says Corrigan.

'I am an out and out 28 handicapper and I have trouble even playing to that. But there is no doubt that John’s methods are having a dramatic effect on my game.