ASH, England – Defending champion Graeme McDowell’s comeback fell short, while Henrik Stenson rallied from three holes down with success at the World Match Play Championship on Thursday.

McDowell fell to Mikko Ilonen of Finland 2 and 1 in their second pool match at the London Club.

It was only McDowell’s third defeat in 18 matches in the event.

Ilonen raced to 4 up after 10 holes before McDowell fought back with birdies on 11, 13 and 15 to be 1 down. But Ilonen, the Irish Open champion, birdied the 17th to seal the win.

“It feels very good to beat a player of Graeme’s quality,” Ilonen said.

Only their pool leader Joost Luiten of the Netherlands, and Victor Dubuisson, remain unbeaten going into the last round of pool play on Friday, to determine the quarterfinalists.

Stenson, the top seed in the 16-man event, produced a startling finish of eagle-birdie-birdie to overcome Francesco Molinari of Italy 2 and 1. Molinari carded 7 under but Stenson went 8 under over the last nine holes, not leading the match until his second-to-last birdie on 16.

There was a measure of revenge for Stenson, after Molinari knocked him out of the event a year ago in Bulgaria.

“I gave Francesco a couple of early gifts being 3 down after four. That really was not in the plan but I didn’t give up,” Stenson said.

“To be eight under from nine onwards meant for another good day. Considering I came here not having touched a golf club for nearly two weeks, I will take that.”

Pablo Larrazabal holed a chip shot from the rough for birdie at the last hole to defeat Stephen Gallacher 1 up.

Larrazabal birdied the opening two holes to race ahead, but Gallacher then birdied the third, fifth and sixth holes to take the lead.

The duo halved the next five holes before Larrazabal won the 13th and claimed victory at the last.

Dubuisson was never behind Shane Lowry of Ireland, claiming a 3 and 2 victory at the 16th hole.

Luiten was 4 up through 11 holes en route to beating Alexander Levy of France, last week’s Portugal Masters winner, 4 and 3.

Ryder Cup-winning hero Jamie Donaldson won 4 and 3 against Jonas Blixt of Sweden, American Patrick Reed won his first match in the event, 2 and 1 over 2006 champion Paul Casey of England, and George Coetzee of South Africa remained in quarterfinal contention by beating 2013 runner-up Thongchai Jaidee 2 and 1.

TORONTO – Nike Golf innovation begins with the golf athlete in mind – always. Nike engineers and designers took the inspiration and insights from Nike athletes to drive the technology of Nike’s new Vapor Speed and Vapor Flex fairway woods, which will be available starting January 30, 2015.

“Athlete insights drove significant chassis refinement in the Vapor fairway woods.” said Nate Radcliffe, Director of Engineering for Nike Golf. “Our athletes wanted tighter but forgiving leading edges, fuller profiles and added ball speed.  We’ve delivered that with the synergy of our FlyBeam and compression channel technologies.”

The Vapor Speed fairway woods have a 25% larger footprint with a lower and deeper Centre of Gravity (CG) than previous Nike models.

“Athletes including Tiger Woods requested larger face profiles in fairway woods, but it was vital that we do that without compromising ball speed or optimal launch conditions,” said Radcliffe.  “We successfully modified the chassis by sloping the crown to lower the CG which optimized launch characteristics across the family.”

Like the new Vapor drivers, the Vapor Speed fairway woods feature Nike’s new FlyBeam-reinforced Covert Cavity Back design, a re-engineered Compression Channel and a NexCOR face – all combining to stabilize the chassis, maximize ball speed and promote longer and straighter distance. The low CG provides a high launch with a lower-spin flight.

The Vapor Flex fairway woods highlight the same technologies found in the Vapor Speed on a more compact chassis, except the Vapor Flex has added Nike’s FlexLoft 2 adjustability system, allowing the golf athlete the functionality of five lofts and three face angles within 15 different settings.

The new, improved FlexLoft system is five grams (30%) lighter without compromising function, which leads to a centre of gravity that is up to 2mm lower on the Vapor Flex fairways. The redistribution of mass creates more stability, better launch conditions and faster swing speeds. Another benefit of FlexLoft 2 is its forward and backward compatibility. Golfers with previous generations of Covert can use shafts with the original adaptor in the new head or vice versa.

Nike Vapor Speed Fairway Woods

Specifications:  3W: 15° (RH/LH); 5W: 19° (RH/LH):  MRC Fubuki Z 60 shaft: X, S, R, A, W
Cdn MSRP: $230.00

Nike Vapor Flex Fairway Woods

Specifications: 3W: 13° – 17° (RH/LH); 5W: 17° – 21° (RH/LH): MRC Diamana S+ Blue Board 70 shaft: X, S, R
Cdn MSRP: $280.00

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – The decision to put down grass on the contested 2016 Olympic golf course amid continued legal wrangling could prove to be a costly mistake, a Rio de Janeiro public prosecutor warned on Wednesday.

The public prosecutor’s office is taking on the city government and the golf course developer in a lawsuit that contends environmental rules were breached in building the course, which had been billed as one of the highlights of the Rio Games.

Marcus Leal told The Associated Press that the two sides are in a 30-day negotiation period aimed at resolving their differences. But if they fail to reach an agreement, a judge would then rule on the matter. Should the judge end up siding with the public prosecutor’s office, it could mean that the grass that’s currently being laid might have to be ripped out, Leal said.

“The end result could be a large financial loss (for the developer),” Leal said. “Should our demands be approved, we will obviously require the restoration of the environment. Meaning what? More investments for the developer in removing the non-native vegetation – the grass. If he already invested a fortune in putting down the grass, he’s going to have to pay another to remove it.”

Leal said he hoped it wouldn’t come to that, adding that he believed a deal was possible. But he placed the onus for any possible agreement squarely on the city and the developer, Fiori Emprendimentos.

Golf will be back at the Olympics after a 112-year absence, but the legal wrangling over the course has taken the gloss off the sport’s return.

The course has been plagued by delays dating back almost five years. Much of the controversy arises because the course is being built in a nature reserve, situated amid some of the most expensive real estate in suburban Rio; an area known as Barra da Tijuca.

“In entering into any dialogue, we know that the possibility of a deal depends on yielding on one point or another,” Leal said. “Our problem is finding a point on which to yield. ”We are already at the outer limit of what we consider our margin of manoeuvr in this matter. I think that a deal, which I consider possible, will depend much more on the efforts of the city and of Fiori.“

Leal and his team have asked the developer to move the course to allow for a wildlife corridor 400 metres (400-yards) wide that would link the two sides of the nature reserve. The city and the developers contend such changes are impossible and instead offered to move three of the holes and replace the native vegetation in other areas along the edges of the course.

Leal said both sides were carrying out technical studies to determine whether such a proposal would go far enough to preserve the area’s native fauna.

Leal acknowledged how sensitive the case was, particularly given the time constraints.

An Olympic test event is slated to be held late in 2015 or early 2016. Any further delays on course construction could imperil the test event and again raise questions about Rio’s preparations.

It will also underscore the fact that the city already has two courses, one of which has hosted major professional events. Many have suggested the new course has little to do with golf and more to do with real estate speculation.

“I think it’s not an easy matter to decide,” Leal said.

HONG KONG – Jyoti Randhawa shot a 6-under 70 Thursday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Hong Kong Open.

Angelo Que (65) was in second place, one ahead of group of nine others at 66 that included four-time major champion Ernie Els.

Els, who turns 45 on Friday, was playing in his first tournament during a month-long Asian swing which will also take him to Macau and China.

“I missed three very makeable putts on the back nine and that hurt a little bit,” Els said after carding six birdies and two bogeys.

The Hong Kong Open is sanctioned by both the European Tour and the Asian Tour and is being played for the second time on the European Tour calendar.

Four-time champion Miguel Angel Jimenez (72) struggled with the after-effects of food poisoning. The 50-year-old Spaniard won the Hong Kong Open in 2004, `07, `12 and `13.

“I was cramping badly and was very sick. I had been vomiting and going out all night. I couldn’t even sleep,” said Jimenez, who is bidding to join Tiger Woods, Tom Watson and Bernhard Langer as the only people to have won the same tournament five times.

Que, who is from the Philippines, shot his first bogey-free round of the year.

“I putted like a maniac,” Que said. “My first birdie putt was a 40-footer and after than things just fell into place.”

Canada’s Richard T. Lee opened with a 3-over 73 and was tied for 115th after the opening-round.

INCHEON, South Korea – Haeji Kang shot a 5-under 67 on Thursday to take a two-stroke lead over five players, including three fellow South Koreans, after the first round of the LPGA’s KEB-Hanabank Championship.

Lee Il-hee and defending champion Amy Yang shot 69s along with another South Korean, Mirim Lee. Australian Minjee Lee and Catriona Matthew of Scotland were also tied for second on the wind-swept Ocean Course at the Sky72 Golf Club.

“I think looking back on my game overall today, I did very well,” Kang said. “Especially in the first nine holes, there were a couple of risks of actually bogeying some holes but I was able to stop and save with my putting.”

There were eight golfers tied for seventh another shot back, including No. 4-ranked Suzann Pettersen of Norway and American Brittany Lincicome.

Second-ranked Inbee Park, who could move to No. 1 with a win in the absence of top-ranked Stacy Lewis of the United States, was a further shot back with a 71. Park married swing coach Gi Hyeob-nam on Monday in Seoul.

“Whenever I go to a tournament, I’m just very quiet and just doing my own thing,” Park said. “This week I really tried to approach it the same way. Obviously it was a busy week and I didn’t get in a practice round.”

Lincicome was pleased with her round given the tough conditions.

“Obviously nobody can prepare for the wind that was today,” she said. “But I think today was more just staying calm and knowing that scores were not going to be super low and just try to be patient.”

No. 3 Lydia Ko of New Zealand shot 73.

Eight of the top 10-ranked players are competing in the South Korean event.

U.S. Women’s Open champion Michelle Wie opened with a 76. She’s making her first start since withdrawing during the first round of the Evian Championship in September after reinjuring a stress fracture in her right hand.

Women’s British Open winner Mo Martin had a 78 in her return from a thumb injury. Fellow American Paula Creamer shot 81.

Martin played her round in a splint because of her injury and said she had to adjust her grip.

“I had no expectations today,” Martin said. “I knew I was going to have to work back into tournament mode. I was going to have to see how my thumb held up. It’s going to be a process.”

SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda – Martin Kaymer is making a habit of beating Bubba Watson in head-to-head situations, even at an exhibition of major champions in Bermuda.

Kaymer won the PGA Grand Slam of Golf on Wednesday by surviving a wild day of lead changes. The U.S. Open champion won on the first playoff hole at Port Royal by making a 10-foot birdie and then watching Watson miss his birdie putt from 4 feet.

“I was surprised that he missed it,” Kaymer said after closing with an even-par 71. “Obviously, you don’t want to win a golf tournament that way, but I’ll take it.”

British Open and PGA champion Rory McIlroy closed with a 75 and was eight shots behind. Jim Furyk, the alternate in this 36-hole event for the year’s four major champions, had a 73 and was another shot behind.

Watson, the Masters championship, shot 69.

Kaymer chipped in for eagle on the 16th hole at Gleneagles to beat Watson in the Ryder Cup in another European victory. They also met in a playoff in the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, which Kaymer won on the last hole when Watson hit into the water.

Another shot into the water cost Watson at Port Royal.

The stress didn’t end when the Grand Slam was over.

With Hurricane Gonzalo quickly approaching, the PGA of America chartered a flight to get its entire crew off the island. Officials were making sure the four players could get their flights out before the Category 4 storm arrived. It was expected to be near Bermuda early Friday, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

The final round was so wild that Kaymer’s three-shot lead after seven holes was gone three holes later. He quickly rebuilt a three-shot lead after 12, only for Watson to pick up a shot on each of the next three holes, leaving them tied going to the par-3 16th.

That’s when it turned in Watson’s favor – but only for a minute. The Masters champion made birdie and took a two-shot lead when Kaymer made bogey. But on the par-5 17th, Watson hit into the water for a bogey, and Kaymer made birdie.

Both made par on the 18th in regulation, and then returned to No. 18 for a playoff.

“It felt like nobody really wanted to win around the turn,” Kaymer said.

Kaymer won $600,000, while Watson earned $400,000.

Watson missed four good birdie chances on the front nine until he finally converted on No. 8. That was the start of 10 straight holes in which neither player tied a hole with a par. Over the last 12 holes, Kaymer and Watson combined for eight birdies and seven bogeys.

Watson saved his most costly mistake for the playoff hole.

“I hit great putts. They just didn’t want to go in this week,” Watson said. “That’s how golf is sometimes.”

ASH, England – Defending champion Graeme McDowell and Victor Dubuisson began the World Match Play Championship with comfortable wins on Wednesday, three weeks after teaming up as one of Europe’s top pairings in the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

McDowell had a 3-and-2 victory over Alexander Levy, who won the Portugal Masters on Sunday, and Dubuisson beat Pablo Larrazabal by the same score in the first of three group matches at The London Club in southeast England.

“Historically in this event the last couple of years I have been getting off to slow starts and you don’t want to put yourself in the hole against good players,” said McDowell, who was 4 up after 10 holes against Levy in the first match of the day. “So a good start for me was key. … I got going with the putter and was able to build a winning lead.”

Henrik Stenson, at No. 5 the highest-ranked player in the 16-man field, halved his match with George Coetzee of South Africa. Two other members of Europe’s Ryder Cup winning team, Stephen Gallacher and Jamie Donaldson, lost to Shane Lowry and Paul Casey, respectively.

Patrick Reed, the U.S. team’s top points scorer in Gleneagles, opened with a 2-and-1 loss to Jonas Blixt.

Reed won 3 1/2 points in the Ryder Cup in his first appearance in the competition.

Blixt went ahead with a birdie at No. 7 and was never behind after that.

“It was one of those days where both of us played pretty solid, but at the end of the day I didn’t really make anything,” said the Texas-born Reed.

Other players to start with wins were Joost Luiten and Thongchai Jaidee, who lost to McDowell in last year’s final.

The second matches of the round-robin stage will be played Thursday.

McDowell and Dubuisson won both of their foursomes matches in Gleneagles. They carried their good form over to The London Club, which is staging the 50th anniversary edition of the World Match Play.

McDowell, who lost in the 2012 final to Nicolas Colsaerts, was 2 up after five holes and 3 up through seven before winning another hole on No. 10.

“There are no easy matches out here and we always say that in match play as there are 16 quality players here this week – and especially being up against a guy coming off a victory last week,” McDowell said.

Dubuisson, who reached the final of the Match Play Championship in Arizona in February, was never behind against Larrazabal and was 3 up after nine holes.

Coetzee, ranked No. 89 and a late injury replacement for Thomas Bjorn, birdied the last hole for a half point against Stenson at the end of a fluctuating match in which neither player was more than 1 up.

“I am bit of a dark horse this week, I guess, as I was maybe going to go to South Africa to play a Sunshine Tour event,” Coetzee said. “But when I got the call, I was obviously excited and nice to be here and nothing to lose.”

The top two players from each of the four groups advance to the quarterfinals on Saturday. The semifinals and final are on Sunday.

The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association has announced the 2014 CCAA Golf All-Canadians.

The student-athletes, who are selected by their conference based on performance and contribution to the sport and their team, were honoured at a banquet during the 2014 PING CCAA Golf National Championships in Quebec City.

Here are the 2014 men’s golf All-Canadians:

Matt HaddadVIU Mariners, PACWEST Haddad won the PACWEST individual title by six strokes. Well-known for his strong putting, Haddad averaged four birdies per round. His average round this season was 72.5, the best in his five-year career at VIU. Haddad, who appeared at the 2010 and 2012 PING CCAA Golf National Championships, has been the Mariners captain the last two seasons.

Connor O’DellUFV Cascades, PACWEST O’Dell placed second overall in the PACWEST individual standings. He was victorious at the Kwantlen Invitational. O’Dell was the highest-ranked performer for the Cascades, who captured their third straight conference championship. In his third year of eligibility, O’Dell was not only UFV’s top golfer but a terrific veteran leader for the No. 1 ranked Cascades.

Justin WoodLethbridge Kodiaks, ACAC Wood captured the individual title at the 2014 ACAC Men’s Golf Championships. He was named the Kodiaks MVP for 2013-14. In his two seasons at Lethbridge, Wood has led the Kodiaks men’s team to back-to-back silver medals at the ACAC Championships. Wood, whose goal is to play college golf in the United States, once scored a hole-in-one on a par 4.

Barrett BellandMacEwan Griffins, ACAC Belland finished second in the ACAC order of merit rankings in 2014. He was the South Regional individual champion with rounds of 75 and 68 and placed fourth at the North Regional. Belland led the Griffins to ACAC Championships in 2013 and 2014. Aside from being a great leader, Belland’s strength is his mental approach to the game.

Michael RizzettoMohawk Mountaineers, OCAA Rizzetto led from start to finish to capture the 2014 OCAA individual gold medal by one stroke with rounds of 71-72-74. He has led the Mountaineers to back-to-back OCAA Division II gold medals. This season, Rizzetto tied for first at the Fanshawe Invitational (lost in a shootout) and finished second at the Niagara Invitational.

Brennan SmithSt. Lawrence Vikings, OCAA Smith placed third at the OCAA Championships with consistent rounds of 74-73-73. He won the St. Lawrence College tri-campus tournament and also had victories in the Kingston City Championship, the Whig Standard Eastern Ontario Championship and the Catarqui Club Championship. Brennan’s work ethic is a great example for his teammates to follow.

David HuxhamJohn Abbott Islanders, RSEQ Huxham, in his second year at John Abbott College, placed in the Top 5 in all four RSEQ tournaments this fall, including a first-place finish. Huxham was named the Islander Athlete of the Week on Sept. 29. His veteran leadership and positive attitude helped guide a young John Abbott team to a third-place overall finish in the RSEQ.

Hugo BernardAndré-Laurendeau Boomerang, RSEQ Bernard led the Boomerang to a 27-stroke victory at the RSEQ Championships. André-Laurendeau was victorious in all four RSEQ events. The well-disciplined Bernard fired rounds of 68 and 69 to capture the provincial individual title as well. He was victorious at the first collegiate tourney (3-under 69) and placed in a tie for first in the second event (2-under 70).

Brett WilsonHolland Hurricanes, ACAA Wilson led the Hurricanes to the ACAA men’s championship title with the second-lowest aggregate score. In three years of varsity golf at Holland, Wilson has appeared at the PING CCAA Golf National Championships every season. The former ACAA individual champion was also a recipient of the National Scholar Award for 2013-14.

Eric LockeHolland Hurricanes, ACAA Locke was the Athlete of the Year at Holland College in 2013-14. He has been a member of the ACAA team champions in all three of his seasons at Holland. Locke also captured the individual championship in 2012 and 2014. He is a natural leader who is a true student of the game. Locke, the Hurricanes captain, received the National Scholar Award in 2013-14.

Here are the 2014 womens’ golf All-Canadians:

Jennifer WoodsUFV Cascades, PACWEST Woods won the PACWEST individual title by 10 strokes. She placed first at the UBC Okanagan tournament with matching rounds of 79 to win by nine shots. Woods is the leader and anchor for the Cascades, who successfully defended their PACWEST title with a 26-shot victory.

Carolyn LeeOkanagan Heat, PACWEST Lee led a young Heat women’s team to a second-place finish in the PACWEST. Individually, Lee finished second overall in the PACWEST; she was victorious at the Douglas College tournament. Lee, who puts academics ahead of varsity golf as a priority, was rewarded with the Scholar Award in 2013-14.

Lisa ReidLethbridge Kodiaks, ACAC Reid was victorious at the 2014 ACAC Women’s Championship. She also captured three MJT events in 2014. Reid also finished second in Cities. Her goal is to graduate from business with honours and go on to play golf at a college in the United States.

Sydney Johnson-ParkerMacEwan Griffins, ACAC Johnson-Parker finished second in the ACAC order of merit rankings. This is her second CCAA All-Canadian Award. She was also honoured in 2012. Johnson-Parker has been the foundation of the Griffins team which has won ACAC team championships in each of the last four seasons.

Lorelle WeaversNiagara Knights, OCAA Weavers won an individual silver medal at the OCAA Championships. The three-time female Athlete of the Week at Niagara was victorious at the Durham and Fanshawe Invitationals. At Fanshawe, she fired a career-best 70. Weavers finds a great balance between being respectful and encouraging others while still being a determined competitor.

Adrienne D’AlessioHumber Hawks, OCAA D’Alessio has won back-to-back OCAA individual gold medals. At this season’s provincial championships, she led from start to finish and capped off her great performance with a hole-in-one.  D’Alessio, a very humble and thankful athlete, led the Hawks to a third-place showing in the team event.

Noémie OuelletteChamplain St. Lawrence Lions, RSEQ Ouellette finished in the Top 5 in all five RSEQ events. She was victorious in two of the events with rounds of 73 and 74. Ouellette, in her first season at Champlain St. Lawrence, became a well-respected leader on a Lions team that is ranked No. 3 in the CCAA.

Océane JacquesChamplain St. Lawrence Lions, RSEQ Jacques was incredibly consistent in provincial play this fall. In four RSEQ events, she finished second twice and third two times. The Champlain St. Lawrence rookie has great drive and determination.

Jaylene Holmes-TangHolland Hurricanes, ACAA Holmes-Tang’s rookie season at Holland College was one to remember. She captured the ACAA individual championship. In September, she was victorious at all three ACAA events. Holmes-Tang brought a quiet and determined focus to the ACAA golf scene this fall.

For the second straight season, Chris Bertram is the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association’s Coach of the Year in golf.

The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades coach for both men’s and women’s teams received the award at the 2014 PING CCAA Golf National Championships in Quebec City.

“Chris has great vision, dedication and an unwavering love of varsity golf,” said CCAA golf convenor Albert Roche. “He is a class act, illustrating that nice guys can finish first.”

This week, Bertram’s men’s and women’s teams also look to repeat as National Champions after dominating the event in 2013. UFV enters the event with both No. 1 CCAA rankings.

“Chris has been the driving force behind last year’s national successes as a coach at UFV and continues in his leadership role, stepping forward to secure the bid to host golf nationals in 2015,” said Roche.

This season, Bertram guided both the men’s and women’s teams to PACWEST championships for the second straight season. It was the third consecutive provincial gold for the men’s squad. After four tournaments, the Cascades men’s team finished 13 shots clear of Camosun College, while the women’s team placed 26 strokes ahead of UBC Okanagan.

The 2014 season was a busy one for Bertram; he was a member of the coaching staff for Canada’s Women’s contingent at the World University Golf Championships in Switzerland. In addition, he has also served as the interim Athletic Director at UFV. The 2015 season promises to be just as eventful for Bertram as the Cascades host the National Championships.

Bertram has also been voted the top golf coach in the PACWEST in four of the last five years.

OTHER NOMINEES

ACAC: Medicine Hat College’s Trevor Moore guided the men’s and women’s Rattlers to five Top-3 finishes in ACAC play this season. The men’s team’s third-place showing at provincials earned them a berth to the National Championships.

OCAA: Durham College’s Tyler Martin led the Lords to a third-place finish at the OCAA Championships, one year after the team placed 8^th in Division II. Now, they’re the No. 8 ranked team in the CCAA. In conference play this season, the Lords captured the team title in their own tournament, the DC Open, and placed third at the Fanshawe Invitational.

RSEQ: Benoit Lemieux guided Cégep André-Laurendeau to a sweep of all four events in Quebec in 2014. Lemieux’ team captured the RSEQ title with a 27-stroke victory and they enter the National Championships as the 7th ranked men’s team in the CCAA.

ACAA: Holland Hurricanes coach Blair MacPhail led the men’s team to their ninth straight ACAA Championship. The Canes enter the National Championships as the No. 5 ranked team in the CCAA. MacPhail also guided Eric Locke (men) and Jaylene Holmes-Tang (women) to individual titles.