Number one golfer Day withdraws over Zika

Golfer McIlroy pulls out of Rio over Zika fears (Reuters)

By Adrian Warner LONDON (Reuters) – Four-times major winner Rory McIlroy has decided to pull out of the historic golf tournament at the Rio Olympic Games in August because of health fears over the Zika virus. “After speaking with those closest to me, I’ve come to realize that my health and my family’s health comes before anything else,” the Northern Irish world number four said in a statement on Wednesday. “Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take.” The 27-year-old McIlroy was due to represent Ireland at the Games and his withdrawal is the latest blow to golf, which is returning to the Olympics for the first time since 1904.

McIlroy opts out of Rio Olympics over Zika concerns (The Associated Press)

”After speaking with those closest to me, I’ve come to realize that my health and my family’s health comes before anything else,” the four-time major winner said in a statement released by his management company. The fourth-ranked McIlroy was scheduled to play for Ireland as golf makes its return to the Olympics for the first time since 1904. The Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) said it was ”extremely disappointed” not to have McIlroy on its team.

Dustin Johnson’s US Open win: right penalty, wrong delivery (The Associated Press)

Danny Willett at Augusta National, Dustin Johnson at Oakmont. At the Masters, it was Jordan Spieth hitting two balls in the water on No. 12 and losing a five-shot lead with a 41 on the back nine. At Oakmont, it was the USGA adding new meaning to the ”toughest test in golf.” Johnson, with a history of failure in the majors, had to play the final seven holes on the hardest course in America without knowing if his score was going to be one shot higher when he finished.

Arnold Palmer still hitting balls, staying busy (The Associated Press)

Arnold Palmer didn’t make a live television appearance at Bay Hill. Just don’t get the idea Palmer is slowing down entirely. The day after the U.S. Open, he drove his golf cart up to the back entrance of his office across from Latrobe Country Club.

Fowler trying to get his game back at Quicken Loans National (The Associated Press)

Rickie Fowler made the most of missing the cut at the U.S. Open and hopes it pays dividends for him at the Quicken Loans National. The sixth-ranked player in the world has missed the cut in three consecutive tournaments, so on Sunday he went back to the drawing board with swing coach Butch Harmon, who helped revitalize his career before. After putting that work in, Fowler expects to get some ”good stuff” going this week at Congressional Country Club.

Dustin Johnson’s US Open win: right penalty, wrong delivery (The Associated Press)

Graham DeLaet pushing for spot at Rio Olympics (CBC)
If Canada’s Olympic golf roster was set today, Graham DeLaet would be going to Rio 2016. But over the past number of weeks, his physical and mental health has been cause for concern.

Thumbs down for South Korean golfer Park’s Rio dream (Reuters)

Park In-bee’s chances of playing at the Rio Olympics golf tournament dimmed further on Tuesday after the South Korean world number three pulled out of an international team event due to a lingering thumb problem. The seven-times major champion, who was inducted into the LPGA’s Hall of Fame earlier this month, has been plagued by injury this season and is without a victory in 10 starts. “Park In-bee notified the LPGA that she will be unable to attend the International Crown due to her left thumb injury,” her management company, Galaxia SM, told Reuters.

USGA takes heat for delay in Johnson’s rule decision (Reuters)

By Mark Lamport-Stokes OAKMONT, Pennsylvania (Reuters) – Sunday’s farcical finish at the U.S. Open, where the victory margin for champion Dustin Johnson was uncertain until a review by rules officials, left tournament organizers in the crosshairs of condemnation. Whether or not the United States Golf Association (USGA) made the right call in docking Johnson a stroke after his ball moved fractionally on the fifth green, the governing body has been widely slammed for not taking action as soon as possible. The USGA’s decision to put Johnson under notice while informing every other player about his possible one-stroke penalty, led to a chaotic conclusion at Oakmont Country Club with no initial clarity about the champion’s final score.

USGA regrets distraction caused by delay on Johnson ruling (Reuters)

By Mark Lamport-Stokes OAKMONT, Pennsylvania (Reuters) – U.S. Open organizers on Monday said they regret “the distraction caused” by their delay in handing champion Dustin Johnson a one-stroke penalty until after Sunday’s final round was completed. The U.S. Golf Association (USGA), however, stood by its decision to penalize Johnson one stroke after the round. USGA officials had raised the question at the 12th hole of whether leader Johnson would or would not be penalized for making his ball move on the fifth green, despite a ruling on site that he was not at fault.

Johnson answers critics in best possible way with Open win (Reuters)
By Mark Lamport-Stokes OAKMONT, Pennsylvania (Reuters) – While soaking up perhaps the greatest pressure he has ever experienced, Dustin Johnson delivered a perfect riposte to criticism of his major credentials with a drama-laden U.S. Open victory on Sunday. “Obviously winning any tournament, there’s a lot of satisfaction, but to get it done in a major, especially when I’ve been so close so many times, it’s just an unbelievable feeling,” said Johnson.

Major hurdle: Breaks finally fall Dustin Johnson’s way (The Associated Press)

Dustin Johnson already has shown he can take a punch. Four months ago, he was playing the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in his regular pairing with Jordan Spieth, good friends and complete opposites. Spieth already had the Masters and a U.S. Open that he won last year when Johnson three-putted from 12 feet on the final hole at Chambers Bay.

Watson says he’s 100 percent committed to playing Olympics (The Associated Press)

Bubba Watson says he’s 100 percent committed to playing in the Olympics in August, assuming he qualifies for the team. The two-time Masters champion was in Connecticut on Monday promoting the Travelers Championship, which will be played the week before the Olympic tournament.

Oakmont triumph lifts Johnson up to third in rankings (Reuters)

(Reuters) – Dustin Johnson’s maiden major triumph at the 116th U.S. Open at Oakmont on Sunday lifted the American back into the top three of the world golf rankings for the first time since his Chambers Bay meltdown of a year ago. Big-hitting Johnson sits behind Australian Jason Day and compatriot Jordan Spieth, who retained their spots. Former world number one Rory McIlroy, who missed the cut at Oakmont, dropped one place to fourth, and moved out of the top-three for the first time since July 13, 2014, the week before he won the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.

US Open: Johnson breaks a rule and his championship drought (The Associated Press)

OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — Dustin Johnson didn’t understand the rule.

Lowry gutted at blowing U.S. Open chance (Reuters)
Shane Lowry was left to rue the major that got away on Sunday after blowing a four-stroke lead at the U.S. Open, and while the Irishman learned a valuable lesson from a chaotic final round at Oakmont Country Club he doesn’t know what it is yet. “I just kept on hitting it 25, 30, 35 feet (from the cup).

Even Jack Nicklaus thinks the USGA messed up the U.S. Open (Yahoo Sports)

USGA officials should be on their knees praying to the golf gods that the 116th U.S. Open didn’t come down to a single stroke.

USGA keen to explain handling of Johnson penalty confusion (Reuters)

The United States Golf Association (USGA) defended its management of a penalty controversy with new champion Dustin Johnson in the final round of the U.S. Open on Sunday. Johnson was penalized a stroke after the USGA deemed the player was responsible for making his ball move on the fifth green, even though a walking official with the American’s group absolved the player of any wrongdoing. When Johnson reached the 12th tee, Jeff Hall, USGA managing director of rules and competition, visited the 31-year-old to inform him that he could be assessed a penalty and that the matter would be discussed after the round.

Johnson wins U.S. Open amid rules controversy (Reuters)

By Mark Lamport-Stokes OAKMONT, Pennsylvania (Reuters) – Long-hitting American Dustin Johnson, seeking major redemption after several near-misses in recent years, won the 116th U.S. Open on Sunday amid high drama and initial uncertainty over his victory margin. In pursuit of his first grand slam crown, the world number six played clutch golf under intense pressure at brutally difficult Oakmont Country Club, finishing in style as he sank a five-foot birdie putt at the last. “Feels good, feels really good, feels well deserved,” an emotional Johnson told reporters after finishing three shots in front of fellow Americans Jim Furyk (66) and Scott Piercy (69), and Irishman Shane Lowry (76).

Landry, US Open’s ‘Cinderella boy’ comes unglued in final (The Associated Press)

By the time the final round was over, what began like a story line cribbed from the movie ”Caddyshack” – ”Cinderella boy about to become the U.S. Open champion!” – turned into an all-too-familiar, crash-and-burn tale from more than one final round of a major championship. ”I’m taking this as a positive,” Landry said after signing for a 78. Landry was playing in his first U.S. Open in his first year on the PGA Tour.

US Open at a glance (The Associated Press)
OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — A brief look at the final round of the U.S. Open Suynday at Oakmont Country Club:

U.S. Open penalty confusion defused by Johnson win (Reuters)

The final round of the U.S. Open was thrown into an almost farcical state of confusion on Sunday over a penalty controversy but Dustin Johnson made it a moot question by rolling to victory by three strokes. U.S. Golf Association (USGA) officials raised the question at the 12th hole of whether leader Dustin Johnson would or would not be hit with a one-stroke penalty for making his ball move on the fifth green despite a ruling on site that he was not at fault. With Johnson leading by just one stroke for much of the back nine, the state of the competition was an open question until Johnson stretched his lead to four strokes at the end, crowning his first major victory with a birdie at the 18th.

Key hole at the US Open (The Associated Press)
OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — A look at the key hole Sunday at the U.S. Open:

Lowry “bitterly disappointed” after late US Open collapse (The Associated Press)

Shane Lowry stood on the 18th green for an awards presentation at the U.S. Open, just how he planned. It’s where Lowry stood, however, that will stick with the affable Irishman for a while. While Dustin Johnson donned the gold medal, held the trophy and got the kiss from the girl after exorcising some very real major championship meltdowns of his own while conquering Oakmont in the final round Sunday, Lowry rubbed his beard and tried to smile through the anguish.

Column: Johnson wins one the USGA tries to take away (The Associated Press)

Maybe Dustin Johnson is smarter than the average golfer after all. The prevailing wisdom – fueled by a pair of previous 18th-hole miscues – was that if he ever did win a major championship, someone else would have to give it to him. What played out on a steamy day at Oakmont Country Club was as much about redemption as it was winning.

Dustin Johnson wins US Open at Oakmont for first major title (The Canadian Press)

OAKMONT, Pa. – Dustin Johnson had everything going his way Sunday in the U.S. Open.

Sei Young Kim wins Meijer LPGA Classic in playoff (The Associated Press)

Sei Young Kim won the Meijer LPGA Classic on Sunday for her second victory of the year, beating Carlota Ciganda with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff. ”I just tried to focus on my game and just try and stay patient.

Kim Sei-young wins playoff for second LPGA win of season (Reuters)

(Reuters) – South Korean Kim Sei-young overcame a bogey at the 72nd hole to beat Carlota Ciganda on the first playoff hole at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan on Sunday. Kim nailed a 109-yard approach shot from the left rough to barely three feet for a near tap-in birdie on the first extra hole, while Ciganda failed to get up-and-down for par after the Spaniard’s second shot finished over the 18th green at the Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids. Kim began the final round one stroke behind 54-hole co-leaders Chun In-gee of South Korea and American Lexi Thompson.

Jackie Stoelting wins second straight Symetra Tour event (The Associated Press)
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Jackie Stoelting won consecutive Symetra Tour events for the second straight year Sunday, taking the Four Winds Invitational by a stroke.

U.S. Open confusion over possible penalty on leader Johnson (Reuters)

The final round of the U.S. Open was thrown into an almost farcical state of confusion on Sunday over whether back-nine leader Dustin Johnson would or would not be hit with a one-shot penalty for making his ball move early in his round. Johnson was leading the championship by one stroke when he was informed on the 12th tee by a U.S. Golf Association official that he might be penalized after the round despite being cleared on the spot of the possible infraction on the fifth green at Oakmont. “We put him on notice that, based on what we saw, the actions may lead to a penalty stroke.” Officials informed the other contending golfers on the course that Johnson might be penalized.

James Driscoll wins Web.com Tour’s Nashville Golf Open (The Associated Press)

James Driscoll won the inaugural Nashville Golf Open on Sunday for his second Web.com Tour title, closing with a 5-under 67 for a three-stroke victory. Brian Campbell was second after a 69. The final top 25 at the end of the regular season will earn PGA Tour cards.

Day Four at the U.S. Open (Reuters)
Latest news from the weather-hit 116th edition of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club on Sunday (all times GMT): 1900 KOEPKA CHARGES INTO CONTENTION Long-hitting American Brooks Koepka has charged into contention with an astonishing run, picking up eight shots in eight holes from the fourth, courtesy of six birdies and an eagle at the par-four 10th, where he holed out from 108 yards. At level par, he is only three strokes out of second place, though seven behind leader Shane Lowry, who has yet to tee off. 1730 BIRDIE-BIRDIE START FOR OOSTHUIZEN South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen, who tied for second in last year’s U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, moves up the leaderboard with birdies on the first two holes in Sunday’s final round.

Australian Hend wins Queen’s Cup in Thailand by a stroke (Reuters)

(Reuters) – Big-hitting Australian Scott Hend overcame a two-shot deficit to win the Queen’s Cup in Thailand by a stroke on Sunday for his ninth title on the Asian Tour. Hend carded a final-round four-under-par 67 for a total of 15-under 269 to finish ahead of home talent Gunn Charoenkul, who hit a bogey-free 66 on Sunday. Overnight leader Prom Meesawat could only manage a 72 in the final round which gave him a share of the third spot at the Santiburi Samui Country Club in the Koh Samui island.

The Latest: Unknown Andrew Landry in last group at U.S. Open (The Associated Press)

The world’s 624th ranked golfer is in the final group for the final round of the U.S. Open. Andrew Landry drilled a 45-foot birdie putt on the 18th green early Sunday morning to finish off an even-par 70 that left the Texan 3 under for the tournament and four shots behind leader Shane Lowry. The 28-year-old Landry, a PGA Tour rookie, put up a 4-under 66 to take the first-round lead and has hung in there at daunting Oakmont.

Lowry adds 2 birdies and builds 4-shot lead at US Open (The Associated Press)

Shane Lowry began the final day of the U.S. Open by making two birdies to tie an Oakmont record, post the best score of the third round and build a four-shot lead going into the last round Sunday afternoon. ”That’s one of the best rounds of my career right there,” Lowry said. Lowry was at 7-under 203, the best 54-hole score in nine U.S. Opens at Oakmont, and matching Tom Watson’s score from the 1978 PGA Champion.