BARRIE, Ont. – Another season is in the books for the Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) as the 2014 campaign came to an end Sept. 15 with the year’s final event – the Women’s Four-Ball Championship. Nineteen teams took to the Highlands Course at Horseshoe Resort and at the end of the day it was the team of Katelyn McMahon and Claire Hernandez who captured the title.

The duo posted a 2-under (69) during the round to finish with a three-shot win. For Hernandez, 17-years-old from Palgrave and the Ladies Golf Club of Toronto, it is her second consecutive title at the event and third overall. The former Team Ontario member captured last year’s event with Kennedy Bodfied and the 2010 championship with Alina Rogers. For McMahon, 17-years-old from Brampton and the Brampton Golf Club, it is her first Women’s Four-Ball title.

Finishing second was the team of Komoka’s Alex Amos and Kingston’s Diana McDonald. McDonald, a member of the GAO’s Ottawa Regional Team, and Amos finished the day one-over (72).

Taking the bronze medal was the Thornhill sister duo of Eunice and Ellice Hong. Ellice, a member of the York Regional Team and Eunice carded a three-over 74.

In fourth was the team of Stouffville’s Ivy Steinberg and Toronto’s Kelly Koselek at five-over (76). rounding out the top five in a tie for fifth was the team of Fort Erie’s Linda Burroughsford and Kitchener’s Denise Schaefer along with London’s Sue Postian and Strathroy’s Jane Hedges-McKinnon who both finished at six-over (77).

As for the net division, it was won by the team of Lynne-Marie Fabris and Marianne Vardon at five-under (66).

For the final leaderboard, click here.

First played in 1953, the Ontario Women’s Four-Ball Championship is contested annually and features two-woman teams competing in a better ball format.

BARRIE, Ont. – Another season is in the books for the Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) as the 2014 campaign came to an end Sept. 15 with the year’s final event – the Women’s Four-Ball Championship. Nineteen teams took to the Highlands Course at Horseshoe Resort and at the end of the day it was the team of Katelyn McMahon and Claire Hernandez who captured the title.

The duo posted a 2-under (69) during the round to finish with a three-shot win. For Hernandez, 17-years-old from Palgrave and the Ladies Golf Club of Toronto, it is her second consecutive title at the event and third overall. The former Team Ontario member captured last year’s event with Kennedy Bodfied and the 2010 championship with Alina Rogers. For McMahon, 17-years-old from Brampton and the Brampton Golf Club, it is her first Women’s Four-Ball title.

Finishing second was the team of Komoka’s Alex Amos and Kingston’s Diana McDonald. McDonald, a member of the GAO’s Ottawa Regional Team, and Amos finished the day one-over (72).

Taking the bronze medal was the Thornhill sister duo of Eunice and Ellice Hong. Ellice, a member of the York Regional Team and Eunice carded a three-over 74.

In fourth was the team of Stouffville’s Ivy Steinberg and Toronto’s Kelly Koselek at five-over (76). rounding out the top five in a tie for fifth was the team of Fort Erie’s Linda Burroughsford and Kitchener’s Denise Schaefer along with London’s Sue Postian and Strathroy’s Jane Hedges-McKinnon who both finished at six-over (77).

As for the net division, it was won by the team of Lynne-Marie Fabris and Marianne Vardon at five-under (66).

For the final leaderboard, click here.

First played in 1953, the Ontario Women’s Four-Ball Championship is contested annually and features two-woman teams competing in a better ball format.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Justin Thomas won the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship on Sunday for his first Web.com Tour title, beating Richard Sterne with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff.

Thomas hit a wedge from 75 yards to 2 1/2 feet to set up his winning birdie on the par-4 18th. Sterne blew a late three-stroke lead, then missed a birdie putt in the playoff after leaving his approach 20 feet short.

“I just tried to stay patient today and you have to do that here,” Thomas said. “I don’t want to say it’s a relief to win, but it’s hard to win with the level of play out here. … It means you’re the best that week and you beat everybody you played against. It’s a really cool feeling and it’s tough because it doesn’t happen very often, especially in professional golf.”

Playing the four-event Web.com Tour Finals for PGA Tour priority after wrapping up a tour card with a top-25 finish on the Web.com regular-season money list, Thomas earned $180,000 to jump from fifth to third with $470,470 with one event left.

The 21-year-old former Alabama player shot a 1-under 70 to match Sterne at 6-under 278 on Ohio State’s Scarlet Course.

“It’s crazy,” Thomas said. “I feel like of all the chances I had, it’s crazy how this one kind of worked out, but sometimes that’s how it happens. I believe everything happens for a reason and it just happened to be my week.”

Thomas, from Louisville, Kentucky, also earned a spot next year in the Memorial Tournament at nearby Muirfield Village. He was the 2012 college player of the year as a freshman and led the Crimson Tide to the 2013 NCAA title.

Sterne, from South Africa, bogeyed Nos. 15-17 and parred the 18th for a 70. Sidelined for four months after hip surgery in March, the six-time European Tour winner and 2013 Presidents Cup player was playing for the 10th straight week. He three-putted the par-4 15th to start the slide.

“I struggled all day to roll the 30-, 40-footers up close and I came up short couple times. I thought, `This time, just give it a little bit more.’ And it rolled on 5, 6 feet past,” Sterne said. “That was the first short putt I missed all day.”

Sterne earned $108,000 for a Finals total of $111,800, more than enough for a PGA Tour card. He got a spot in the series as a non-PGA Tour member who would have been between 126th and 200th in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup standings.

Sean O’Hair (67) and South Korea’s Whee Kim (69) tied for third at 5 under.

The top 25 players on the Web.com regular-season money list are competing against each other for PGA Tour priority, with regular-season earnings counting in their totals and the final leader getting a spot in The Players Championship.

Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz, already fully exempt on the PGA Tour as a three-time Web.com winner this season, leads the list with $515,403. Canada’s Adam Hadwin, the Chiquita Classic winner last week, is second with $499,667.

The other players – Nos. 26-75 from the Web.com money list and Nos. 126-200 in the FedEx Cup standings – are fighting for another 25 cards based on their earnings in the four tournaments. If a player from the top 25 on the Web.com regular-season list leads the series but doesn’t top the Web.com list, he will cross over to the Finals list and get a full exemption.

Hadwin tops the standings with $206,000, Thomas is second with $193,833, and Hotel Fitness Championship winner Bud Cauley is third at $180,000.

The Web.com Tour Championship is next week in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

LONDON, Ont. – Ryan Williams of Vancouver was named the Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Year on Sunday at the Sunningdale Golf & Country Club, finishing as the top Canadian on the 2014 PGA TOUR Canada Order of Merit and earning a $10,000 prize courtesy of Freedom 55 Financial.

The 33-year old finished with $40,945 in earnings on the season, highlighted by three top-10 finishes including his win. Williams finished 6th overall on the Order of Merit and is exempt into the finals of the 2014 Web.com Tour Qualifying School.

“This was Freedom 55 Financial’s second year presenting the TOUR Championship of Canada at Sunningdale Golf Club. We’re fortunate to be working with a partner like PGA TOUR Canada who have given so many aspiring young players an opportunity to move on to PGA TOUR success,” said Mike Cunneen, Senior Vice-President, Freedom 55 Financial. “As a Canadian organization that believes in inspiring freedom and confidence for the future, it was a privilege to recognize young Canadian golfers on the Tour with the Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player Award, and help them achieve their goals and dreams. We look forward to doing this again next year.”

“We’re thrilled to see Ryan Williams put on a great performance this season to be named Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Year,” said PGA TOUR Canada President Jeff Monday. “Our thanks and gratitude go out to Freedom 55 Financial for all their support of PGA TOUR Canada, including these awards. Thanks to them, some of our best and brightest players are able to take a big step forward in achieving their goals and dreams.”

“To have a great Canadian organization like Freedom 55 Financial support me as I continue to chase my dream is an incredible honour,” said Williams. “As Canadians looking to make our way to the game’s highest level, knowing that we have an extra award to play for each week means a lot.”

Freedom 55 Financial established the Canadian Player of the Week award in 2013 to recognize top Canadian players on PGA TOUR Canada. At each PGA TOUR Canada tournament, Freedom 55 Financial presented this award to the Canadian player who had the lowest total score. Winners also received $1,500 to use toward attaining future goals. Below are the winners of the award in 2014:

PC Financial Open – Eugene Wong (North Vancouver, BC) – Tied for 2^nd
Bayview Place Island Savings Open presented by Times Colonist – James Allenby (Langley, BC) – Tied for 4^th
Syncrude Boreal Open presented by AECON – Ryan Williams (Vancouver, BC) – 4^th
SIGA Dakota Dunes Open presented by SaskTel – Ted Brown (Peterborough, ON) – Tied for 7^th
The Players Cup – Matt Hill (Sarnia, ON) – Tied for 2^nd
Staal Foundation Open presented by Tbaytel – Ted Brown (Peterborough, ON) – Tied for 7^th
ATB Financial Classic – Cory Renfrew (Victoria, BC) – Tied for 4^th
Forces and Families Open – Greg Machtaler (Summerland, BC) – WON
The Great Waterway Classic – Michael Gligic (Burlington, ON) – 4^th
The Wildfire Invitational presented by PC Financial – Michael Gligic (Burlington, ON) – 2^nd
Cape Breton Celtic Classic presented by PC Financial – Beon-Yeong Lee (Montreal, QC) – Tied for 3^rd
TOUR Championship of Canada presented by Freedom 55 Financial – Ryan Williams (Vancouver, BC) – WON

LONDON, Ont. – After the TOUR Championship of Canada presented by Freedom 55 Financial was captured by Vancouver’s Ryan Williams, Joel Dahmen wrapped up PGA TOUR Canada Player of the Year honours at the 2014 season’s final event. The 26-year old Dahmen, who led the Order of Merit wire-to-wire and finished the season with $80,992 in earnings, is one of five players who earned status on the Web.com Tour in 2015.

Dahmen, who won two of the first three events on PGA TOUR Canada this season at the PC Financial Open and the Syncrude Boreal Open presented by AECON, finished $20,873 ahead of No. 2 Matt Harmon and will be fully exempt on the Web.com Tour next season.

“It’s a goal at the beginning of the year but you have to take it one tournament at a time and then set some goals along the way. To finally accomplish it feels great,” said Dahmen. “To win two right off the bat – I had a bullseye on my back for a long time. I had a huge lead most of the year. I had a good finish, second in Calgary, I finished second right after the RBC Canadian Open – and that set me apart. So I had to refocus a few times and gather things. It’s a big relief right now.”

Williams, a 33-year old in his sixth season on PGA TOUR Canada, carded a final round 68 to reach 14-under par and win by one over fellow British Columbian and travelling roommate Adam Cornelson along with Minnesotan Clayton Rask. The win moves him to No. 6 on the Order of Merit, earning an exemption into the final stage of Web.com Tour Q-School.

“I wish there were more tournaments left on this tour,” said Williams. “A lot of hard work, I’ve been out on this tour for six or seven years, my best finish was last year, second place. I had a putt to force a playoff on the last hole (at the Cape Breton Celtic Classic) and thankfully, I had a putt today to win a tournament. A lot of hard work and a lot of people to thank, but this is very rewarding to me.

Williams began the day two shots off Rask’s 54 hole lead, and after a turning in even par on the front nine, turned on the jets with four birdies coming in. After Cornelson, playing in the group ahead, made bogey following a wayward drive, and Rask couldn’t convert a par putt after missing the green long, Williams needed just a two-putt from 35 feet to secure his first PGA TOUR Canada victory.

“I was a little in shock. I had to ask my caddie Rob if that was the winning putt,” admitted Williams.  “I was trying not to get ahead of myself too much. I was just trying to make the putt and see what happened from there. I knew where I stood, I was just trying to take the pressure off myself.”

Joining Dahmen on the Web.com Tour next year will be Harmon, a 29-year old from Grand Haven, Michigan, 25-year old Timothy Madigan of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, 33-year old Brock Mackenzie of Seattle, Washington and 22-year old Greg Eason, a rookie from England.

“It’s been a tremendous season with an incredibly high level of play,” said PGA TOUR Canada President Jeff Monday. “We can’t wait to see these players move on to the next level and make an impact there as they continue their journey to the PGA TOUR.”

Players 6-10 earn spots into Final Stage
In addition to The Five earning status on the Web.com Tour, players finishing 6-10 on the Order of Merit earn an exemption into the final stage of Web.com Tour Q-School, led by Williams in the No. 6 spot. Following Williams were No. 7 Nate McCoy of West Des Moines, Iowa, No. 8 Josh Persons of Fargo, North Dakota, No. 9 Wes Homan of Cincinnati, Ohio and No. 10 Mark Silvers of Savannah, Georgia.

Players finishing 11-20 earn an exemption into the second stage of Web.com Tour Q-School.

Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Year

In addition to his win, Ryan Williams finished as the highest Canadian on the Order of Merit and was named Freedom 55 Financial Canadian Player of the Year, earning a $10,000 prize. Williams was also recognized as Player of the Week and earned a $1,500 prize.

London community embraces Golf in Schools program

Eighteen schools across London and Southwestern Ontario were adopted into the Golf in Schools program in honour of the season-ending event on PGA TOUR Canada. The program introduces elementary and high school students to the game of golf through their physical education program at the school.  Click here for the full story.

ATLANTA – Billy Horschel capped off the best three weeks of his career with the biggest payoff in golf.

Horschel pulled away from a self-destructing Rory McIlroy early, and then holed two clutch putts that felt like $10 million to hold off Jim Furyk on the back nine at East Lake. He closed with a 2-under 68 for a three-shot victory in the Tour Championship to capture the FedEx Cup.

Horschel’s career earnings were just over $4.5 million coming into the year.

He collected $11.4 million in one day – most of that the $10 million FedEx Cup bonus – with an incomparable run through the playoffs.

The 27-year-old from Florida was runner-up in Boston, a winner in Denver and he cashed in big in Atlanta. Horschel was No. 69 when the playoffs began a month ago. No one had ever won the FedEx Cup starting lower than No. 19.

He epitomized what these playoffs offered – one month for anyone to get a hot hand. Horschel shot in the 60s his last 12 rounds.

“He was clutch when he needed to be,” McIlroy said. “He played the best golf this week and I’m happy for him.”

The only boos Horschel heard all day was doing the Gator chomp walking off the 18th green before a host of Georgia fans.

The timing was great for Horschel – not so much for the American team going over to the Ryder Cup in two weeks. U.S. captain Tom Watson made his three picks after Horschel’s runner-up finish in the Deutsche Bank Championship.

Now the hottest hand in golf – he should move up to No. 14 in the world – will be watching from home. Horschel figures to be plenty occupied. His wife is expecting their first child, a girl, in two weeks.

Furyk closed with two bogeys for a 69 and his fourth runner-up finish this year. He has not won since the Tour Championship four years ago. McIlroy never recovered from three straight bogeys around the turn, and three late birdies only helped him pick up some FedEx Cup cash. He closed with a 71 and wound up No. 3 in the FedEx Cup, which is worth an additional $2 million.

Chris Kirk, who started the Tour Championship atop the FedEx Cup standings, closed with a 68 and tied for fourth with Justin Rose (69) and Jason Day (69). Kirk wound up second in the FedEx Cup and earned a $3 million bonus.

Horschel finished at 11-under 269.

McIlroy will have to settle for a season worth more than $10 million – two major championships and the undisputed No. 1 player in golf. Whatever hopes he had of his first FedEx Cup ended early. He hooked his tee shot into the water on the par-3 fifth and made double bogey to fall three shots behind.

Needing to start picking up ground on the 600-yard ninth hole, he blasted his drive so far right that it wound up a foot away from the out-of-bounds fence of the practice range. There was no way out. With his caddie and a rules official ducking in the holly bushes, McIlroy slashed out with a wedge over the bushes and through a gap in the trees that only he saw. Next, he had a mobile TV truck lowered to ground level to get his third into the fairway. But his wedge came up short, and he made bogey.

Two more bogeys later, including another three-putt at the 10th, he was five shots behind and out of the mix.

By then, it was a two-man race between Horschel and Furyk.

Horschel won by not losing. He raced a 50-foot putt nearly 8 feet by the hole on the 13th, and calmly sank the par putt to keep a one-shot lead. Furyk, playing in the group ahead of Horschel, got up-and-down for birdie on the par-5 15th to tie for the lead, only for Horschel to get up-and-down from a bunker to regain it.

The key moment came at the 16th, where Horschel drove into the trees, pitched out to the fairway and came up about 30 feet short on his third shot. Right when it looked as if he might blink first, Horschel drained the par putt to stay in front.

Ahead of him, Furyk came up well short of the 17th green and missed a 12-foot par putt. Horschel was already on the 18th tee when he watched Furyk three-putt the par-3 18th hole for another bogey. He put another shot in the middle of the green, taking away all the drama from the finish.

Not that it mattered to him.

Horschel is young enough – this is only fourth full year on the PGA Tour – that $10 million still matters. He conceded on Saturday that it would be hard not to think about it. Along with the bonus ($9 million in cash), Horschel gets a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour.

LONDON, Ont. – While the stars of PGA TOUR Canada will vie for the championship title and the Top-5 exemption to the Web.com Tour, the real winners of the TOUR Championship of Canada presented by Freedom 55 Financial will be the hundreds of children introduced to the game of golf through the event’s community legacy campaign.

In all, 18 schools within the London area will receive the Golf in Schools program in the honour of this week’s season-ending event on the PGA TOUR Canada season at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club in London, Ont.

Golf Canada along with presenting sponsor Freedom 55 Financial and PGA TOUR Canada announced in June that the Golf in Schools program would serve as the official charity of the TOUR Championship of Canada presented by Freedom 55 Financial.

In establishing a community legacy for the TOUR Championship, Golf Canada invited area golf clubs throughout London and Southwestern Ontario to participate in a campaign to adopt schools to be a part of the Golf in Schools program. In all, seven golf clubs and groups adopted schools and Golf Canada topped up the donations to bring the program to a total of 18 schools in Southwestern Ontario.

“We’re thrilled with the response we received from area golf clubs and community supporters to get behind the Golf in Schools program,” said Golf Canada’s Chief Championship Officer Bill Paul. “Knowing that hundreds of students in the London area will be introduced to the game of golf in the name of TOUR Championship is a fitting way to celebrate the signature event on PGA TOUR Canada.”

Earlier this week, PGA TOUR Canada players Nate McCoy and John Catlin visited a local area school to present the Golf in Schools equipment package and learning resource to the Grade 7/8 class at St. Marguerite d’Youville. The duo assisted PGA of Canada professional Brian Gallant from Fire Rock Golf Club in delivering a 75 minute Golf in Schools lesson outside in the school yard.

“Freedom 55 Financial is a big supporter of young athletes and helping individuals achieve their goals and dreams,” said Mike Cunneen, Senior Vice-President, Freedom 55 Financial.  “Bringing golf into our schools will not only help expose more children to the sport, but also promotes health and physical well being.”

The following London area golf clubs and community organizations took part in the Golf in Schools adoption program in the name of the TOUR Championship of Canada, presented by Freedom 55 Financial:

• City of London Golf Services, London, Ont. (four elementary schools)
• The Oaks Golf Club, Delaware, Ont. (elementary school)
• West Haven Golf & Country Club, London, Ont. (elementary school)
• Sawmill Creek Golf Resort & Spa, Camlachie, Ont. (elementary school)
• [Craigowan] Oxford Golf & Country Club, Woodstock, Ont. (high school)
• London Hunt & Country Club, London, Ont. (elementary school)
• Sunningdale Golf & Country Club, London, Ont.

Golf in Schools – which is currently offered in more than 2,225 elementary and close to 230 high schools across Canada – provides children with a basic introduction to golf through the Canadian school physical education curriculum. The program, which is endorsed by Physical Health and Education Canada (PHE Canada), is conducted by Golf Canada in partnership with the PGA of Canada and the provincial golf associations.

More information about the Golf in Schools program including the school adoption program is available by clicking here.

The TOUR Championship of Canada presented by Freedom 55 Financial is the season-ending event on the PGA TOUR Canada schedule. Hosted at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club in London, Ont., the event includes the top 60 players on the PGA TOUR Canada with the top-five players at the conclusion of the championship earning status on the 2015 Web.com Tour.

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France – South Korean teenager Hyo-Joo Kim beat Australian veteran Karrie Webb by one shot on Sunday to win the Evian Championship and become the third youngest major winner at 19 years, 2 months.

Kim trailed the 39-year-old Webb by one shot heading into the final hole. But she turned the tables with a birdie from 12 feet out, and Webb then missed a chance to force a playoff when a difficult attempt for par from the same distance drifted left of the hole.

Kim led Webb by one shot overnight and they both posted 3-under rounds of 68 in perfect playing conditions, with no clouds or wind to disrupt them.

“I was flying like a bird,” Kim said.

Webb was looking to win her eighth career major and first since Kraft Nabisco in 2006 – the year she also won Evian before it became a major.

“Obviously wasn’t meant to be. I believe in fate a little bit, and I wasn’t meant to win,” Webb said. “I hit a lot of good putts this week. Probably the one on the last was the poorest I hit all week.”

Kim, who finished on 11-under 273, had already set a record for lowest round in any major with a 61 on Thursday.

Only Morgan Pressel and Lexi Thompson – both from the U.S. – have won majors at a younger age than Kim, who is studying physical education at Seoul university.

She seemed to take it all in her stride.

When Webb’s putt rolled wide, Kim removed her glasses slowly and then walked up to Webb, giving her a small hug.

Webb finished ahead of three other South Koreans. Ha-Na Jang and Mi-Jung Hur were tied for third at 9 under, with Na-Yeon Choi in fifth another shot back. Defending champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway was one behind her and former champion Paula Creamer of the U.S. placed seventh at 6 under.

Meanwhile, Michelle Wie, who pulled out during the first round because of a recurrence of her right index finger injury, won the inaugural Rolex Annika Major award.

Named after retired Swedish great Annika Sorenstam, it honors the player with the best overall record in the five majors. Wie won the U.S. Women’s Open and finished second at the Kraft Nabisco.

Webb looked certain to clinch her 42nd LPGA title with two holes to play.

Kim’s approach on the 16th almost rolled into the water, leaving her a difficult uphill par putt from the fringe, which she missed as Webb took the lead with a par from 4 feet.

Webb missed a long birdie chance on the 17th and was way short, giving her a difficult par putt from six feet. Taking her time, she showed good composure to hold.

But that composure left her on the last. Webb’s second shot on the final hole took her too wide and slightly off the green.

“I don’t know what hit me actually,” Webb said. “Just probably a rush of adrenaline with the belly wedge. The putt was obviously a lot faster than I thought, too. Then hit a very poor putt after knowing I had to make it for a playoff.”

About 30 feet from the pin, Webb chose to chip and almost made an improbable birdie as the ball rolled just past the hole, but then carried on downhill for about 12 feet.

Kim punched the air after making her birdie.

“If I missed this hole, I would lose,” she said.

Webb was certainly impressed.

“The shot is definitely very mature,” she said. “I left the foot off the pedal a little bit. But she still had to make it.”

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France – South Korean teenager Hyo-Joo Kim beat Australian veteran Karrie Webb by one shot on Sunday to win the Evian Championship and become the third youngest major winner at 19 years, 2 months.

Kim trailed the 39-year-old Webb by one shot heading into the final hole. But she turned the tables with a birdie from 12 feet out, and Webb then missed a chance to force a playoff when a difficult attempt for par from the same distance drifted left of the hole.

Kim led Webb by one shot overnight and they both posted 3-under rounds of 68 in perfect playing conditions, with no clouds or wind to disrupt them.

“I was flying like a bird,” Kim said.

Webb was looking to win her eighth career major and first since Kraft Nabisco in 2006 – the year she also won Evian before it became a major.

“Obviously wasn’t meant to be. I believe in fate a little bit, and I wasn’t meant to win,” Webb said. “I hit a lot of good putts this week. Probably the one on the last was the poorest I hit all week.”

Kim, who finished on 11-under 273, had already set a record for lowest round in any major with a 61 on Thursday.

Only Morgan Pressel and Lexi Thompson – both from the U.S. – have won majors at a younger age than Kim, who is studying physical education at Seoul university.

She seemed to take it all in her stride.

When Webb’s putt rolled wide, Kim removed her glasses slowly and then walked up to Webb, giving her a small hug.

Webb finished ahead of three other South Koreans. Ha-Na Jang and Mi-Jung Hur were tied for third at 9 under, with Na-Yeon Choi in fifth another shot back. Defending champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway was one behind her and former champion Paula Creamer of the U.S. placed seventh at 6 under.

Meanwhile, Michelle Wie, who pulled out during the first round because of a recurrence of her right index finger injury, won the inaugural Rolex Annika Major award.

Named after retired Swedish great Annika Sorenstam, it honors the player with the best overall record in the five majors. Wie won the U.S. Women’s Open and finished second at the Kraft Nabisco.

Webb looked certain to clinch her 42nd LPGA title with two holes to play.

Kim’s approach on the 16th almost rolled into the water, leaving her a difficult uphill par putt from the fringe, which she missed as Webb took the lead with a par from 4 feet.

Webb missed a long birdie chance on the 17th and was way short, giving her a difficult par putt from six feet. Taking her time, she showed good composure to hold.

But that composure left her on the last. Webb’s second shot on the final hole took her too wide and slightly off the green.

“I don’t know what hit me actually,” Webb said. “Just probably a rush of adrenaline with the belly wedge. The putt was obviously a lot faster than I thought, too. Then hit a very poor putt after knowing I had to make it for a playoff.”

About 30 feet from the pin, Webb chose to chip and almost made an improbable birdie as the ball rolled just past the hole, but then carried on downhill for about 12 feet.

Kim punched the air after making her birdie.

“If I missed this hole, I would lose,” she said.

Webb was certainly impressed.

“The shot is definitely very mature,” she said. “I left the foot off the pedal a little bit. But she still had to make it.”

ATLANTA – Greg Norman is recovering from a chain saw accident that nearly cost him his left hand, but not his sense of humor.

“At least I can still play tennis,” Norman told The Associated Press by phone Sunday morning.

Norman, the Hall of Fame golfer and entrepreneur, was cutting back trees in his South Florida home when the weight of a branch pulled his left hand toward the chain saw. He said the blade hit him just below where a person would be wearing a wrist watch. He said doctors told him it missed his artery by a fraction of an inch.

“Thank God the blade wasn’t running full speed or it would have taken my hand off,” Norman said. “I handled everything as calmly as I could. There is no major damage. There is nerve damage, but no muscular damage. They fixed me up and here I am.”

He posted a photo on Instagram from the hospital bed of his heavily bandaged left hand protected by a large piece of purple foam.

The Shark woke up Sunday to more than 200 comments on Instagram, and news stories from America to Australia.

“I just didn’t expect when I posted that Instagram that it would explode like that,” Norman said.

Oddly enough, Norman had posted another Instagram a week earlier standing next to a tree and holding a chain saw. “Time to trim the sea grapes today. Never ask someone to do something that you can do yourself. Love to work!”

Norman said he would do it again.

“When I’m on a ranch, I love to run the bulldozer, the grader, whatever. I like doing stuff. I never ask anybody to do that for me if I can do it myself,” he said.

Norman posted another Instagram on Sunday morning, standing in front of the tree without a shirt while giving a thumbs-up with his right hand. His left hand was protected by the purple foam the size of a small waste basket.

Norman said he would have to keep the foam for at least a few days and would be in a sling for a few weeks before starting rehab. The 59-year-old Australian was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001. He hasn’t played competitively in two years.

“There’s a little tingling in my fingers, which is better than no fingers at all,” he said.