Annika Sorenstam announces her retirement

ONCE, she was too shy to even try to win a tournament because she was afraid she would have to give a speech. Annika Sorenstam has proven a lot to herself and everyone else since then: playing well in a men's PGA Tour event, winning 10 majors and becoming one of the most dominant players in the history of women's golf.

Now she has proved one more thing: that she has the strength to say goodbye.

Sorenstam, 37, has announced she will retire after this season to pursue other interests. Top of the list is the desire to start a family. "This is something that came from the heart," she said at the Sybase Classic in Clifton, New Jersey.

A winner of 72 women's pro tour events, including three US women's opens, a player who once shot 59 in a competitive round, Sorenstam said she intended to have one last shot at overtaking Lorena Ochoa and reclaiming the world No.1 spot.

"I have other priorities in my life. I have a lot of dreams I want to follow, that I want to live," she said.

Those dreams include spending more time on her golf academy, her charitable foundation, course design business, clothing line and tournament-hosting duties.

Her last event will be the Dubai Ladies Masters in December, after which she will marry fiance, golf agent Mike McGee, in January.

"This is obviously a very difficult decision for me to make, because I love this game very much," she said. "But I know it's the right one. I'm leaving the game on my own terms."

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Car Rental (with room for the golf clubs)

When I travel I almost always rent a car simply because I prefer to drive myself around rather than rely on public transport or taxis and I like to hire a car with room for my golf clubs! One of the best sites when you are looking to rent a car is advantge.com. Their website is beautifully designed and is a pleasure to use. From the site you can choose the dates you need the car, the location and type of car you want to rent. Then you will receive a quote and be able to make a booking - it is that simple! They also have some great specials that are well worth checking out. If you are looking for a great car rental service then I recommend a visit to their website!

Spanish Open - Day 1 Wrap

A stunning putting round earned Swede Martin Erlandsson a course-record 65 and the first-round lead in the Spanish Open on Thursday.

Erlandsson, seeking his maiden win in his fifth full year on the European Tour, needed only 23 putts in a flawless seven-under-par round to beat the previous Real Club record by a stroke.

The 34-year-old sank putts of 40-feet, 25-feet and two from about 18 feet as he carded seven birdies, three to finish, to lead by a stroke from Spaniards Ignacio Garrido and Jordi Garcia.

Gary Clark was a further stroke back.

"I was putting my head off today and I holed a lot of big ones," Erlandsson told reporters.

"I need to get used to being up there (on the leaderboard), avoid putting pressure on myself and make a few good rounds at weekends to take the (next) step," added the Swede, whose best finish was second at the 2005 Welsh Open.

Used Cars

My first car was an absolute beast (not in a good way) and when it finally gave up I was only slightly sad. However, I didn't replace it with a new car as I am a firm believer that cars simply lose too much value and a second hand car is the way to go. Many people think scam, rip off or some other form of negative connotation when they think of used cars, but it doesn't have to be the case.

A used car can save you quite a decent amount of money and if you are careful second hand doesn't have to mean second best. If you are looking for a used car or just want some sound advice BuyYourCar.co.uk is a great resource. The used car search is one of the best I have seen and whether you are looking for a used ford or a hummer you will be able to find it here. You are also given the option of searching for cars available for private sale or through a dealer. The site also has many other useful features including car leasing, reviews, loans and insurance as well as a great section that features advice on avoiding scams. I would certainly recommend a visit to their website!

Resession hurting golf and the sponsors

A visitor to this week's Wachovia Championship in Charlotte might notice the opulence that envelops the Quail Hollow Club, one of the reasons this is among the PGA Tour's most popular stops.

Each and every one of the corporate skyboxes that surround various holes is sold out, giving those companies that purchased them the opportunity to wine and dine clients, employees and friends. The tournament has become so successful in its sixth year that high-end seating was added behind the 16th green and 17th tee. Regular tickets sold out months ago.

A few days spent watching golf in North Carolina would never lead to the conclusion that the country borders on recession, gas prices have hit all-time highs and the American economy is suffering.

But golf is certainly not above such issues, even if everything looks perfect at Quail Hollow...

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CD rates

Saving money was drilled into me as a kid and my parents made sure I learned the value of a dollar from an early age. Since I was young I have had a good part of my savings in a high interest certificate of deposit (CD) account earning interest. CD accounts are offered by major banks and financial institutions and pay you interest for your money you deposit and that money is locked down for a specific amount of time (that you choose). Basically, the longer the term you deposit your money for the higher the interest rate and your money makes money!

I know this all sounds great, but the problem is that there is so many of these accounts offered by many different financial institutions and the rates can vary up to a whole percent or two. Fortunately, there are some fantastic sites like eMoneyCentral.com that collects all of the information and provides an overview of the current CD rates and where they are being offered. They also offer information on the latest savings rates and checking rates. With this information you can find the best places to invest your money with federally insured banks and credit unions. If you have some money to save or would like to start I would recommend a visit to their website!

Golf drug testing is put on hold

Anti-doping bosses have backed the Open's organisers over the decision to delay introducing drugs tests, but want golf to go further in policing itself.

The R&A had to scrap plans to screen every player this year as some tours have not implemented drugs policies.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) agreed with the R&A's decision but warned the sport against complacency.

"No sport is immune to doping and anti-doping measures protect the game's integrity," a Wada spokesman said.

"It would be helpful for all golfers if each of the tours had the same rules, the same prohibited list and the same education activities.

"We expect the players themselves will see the sense in such harmony and look forward to its development."

The R&A had hoped the 2008 Open would be the first major to implement drugs tests but was forced to postpone them until 2009 when it realised players from tours without adequate doping education programmes had already qualified.

Drug testing on the PGA and European Tours, world golf's two richest circuits, starts in July. But the Asian, Australian and South African tours - who have all already held Open qualification events - have not yet agreed their anti-doping plans...

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Home Security

Yesterday I was watching a documentary about a man wanting to insure himself against being hit by a golf ball when walking his dog and the method the insurance company uses to decide the cost of the policy (it was a slow day). Whilst that example may seem a little extreme insurance is one of life's necessities and homeowners insurance is probably at the top of the list importance wise. It insures our things against burglary, fires and natural disasters (always check the policy). However, even with a good insurance policy it is still important to make sure we pay attention to home security as this can prevent anything bad from happening in the first place.

Adam Scott Wins the Byron Nelson Championship

Adam Scott felt he needed to make a statement by winning Sunday. He did, though, not quite the way he wanted to do it.

After blowing the three-stroke lead he carried into the final round, Scott made a 9-foot birdie putt on No. 18 to force a playoff, then made a 48-footer playing it again on the third playoff hole to beat Ryan Moore in the EDS Byron Nelson Championship.

"In the end, I think (the statement) was to myself, I could actually win it when things weren't going my way," Scott said. "But it wasn't quite the statement I had in mind. I would have liked to have gone out there and have played like Ryan played and won by a few."

Still, Scott made the clutch shots when he needed them for his sixth PGA Tour victory after cutting short his post-Masters trip home to Australia so not to waste his good play there.

Playing the 18th hole for the third time in less than an hour, the second time in the playoff, Scott hit his tee shot into a fairway bunker to the right. But he got his approach to the front of the green, then rolled the putt over two ridges and into the cup.

"I got away with one today," said Scott, at No. 10 in the world the highest-ranked player in the Nelson field. "A bit lucky."

This week in golf

LPGA TOUR

Ginn Open

Site: Reunion, Fla.

Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.

Course: Ginn Reunion Resort (6,505 yards, par 72).

Last year: Brittany Lincicome beat Lorena Ochoa by a stroke for her second tour title, closing with an even-par 72 in windy conditions. Ochoa finished with a 77.

PGA TOUR

Verizon Heritage

Site: Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.

Course: Harbour Town Golf Links (6,973 yards, par 71).

Purse: $5.5 million. Winner's share: $990,000.

FedEx Cup points: 25,000. Winner's share: 4,500.

Last year: Boo Weekley won his first PGA Tour title, chipping in on the final two holes to hold off Ernie Els by a stroke.

PGA EUROPEAN TOUR/ASIAN TOUR/CHINA GOLF ASSOCIATION

Volvo China Open

Site: Beijing.

Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.

Course: Beijing CBD International Golf Club (7,321 yards, par 72).

Purse: $2.2 million. Winner's share: $367,740.

Last year: Austria's Markus Brier won at Shanghai Silport, finishing with a 4-under 67 for a five-stroke victory.

Call your loved ones

When you are a long way from home and feeling a bit down there is nothing like making a call home to your friends and family. This is especially true if you happen to be living in a completely different country. Unfortunately international calls can be expensive and this often restricts the amount of time you can talk with your loved ones. However, there is a great site offering cheap international prepaid phone cards, which allow you to call your loved ones with much cheaper rates than the major phone companies like at&t, sprint etc. This means that you will be able to talk longer to your friends and family without being worried about the cost.

The prepaid phone cards website is well designed and easy to use and they offer many different cards for the many countries in the world. They also deliver the card and PIN instantly online after purchase. The site also lists the minutes you can talk to each country with certain cards so that you can find the best deal available. They also have a great page which explains how to use a prepaid phone card and how they work. If you have loved ones overseas and are looking for a great deal on a prepaid phone card then it is worth paying a visit to the website.

Another push for golf at the Olympics

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem offered his support Tuesday for golf to become an Olympic sport, an endorsement that could give golf its strongest chance since it was dropped from the Olympic program more than 100 years ago.

"While there remain questions to be answered and issues to be resolved, I believe the time is now right to move forward," Finchem said on a blog he posted on the tour's Web site.

Because the International Olympic Committee requires seven years for a sport to be added, the earliest golf could be part of the Olympics is 2016. The IOC will meet next year to vote on a host for the 2016 Games and decide whether to include additional sports.

Any bid would have to come through the International Golf Federation, which the IOC recognizes as golf's ruling body for the Olympics. It is run jointly by USGA executive director David Fay and Royal & Ancient Golf Club chief executive Peter Dawson.

Golf last was played in the Olympics in 1904, with Canadian George Lyon winning the gold medal.

It almost was part of the Atlanta Games in 1996 - at Augusta National, no less - until IOC member Anita DeFrantz and others criticized the club's all-male membership, and the fact it had only recently taken a black member.

The last attempt for Olympic golf came in 2005.

"It failed for a pragmatic reason," Fay said. "It's not going to succeed unless the professional tours are behind it. We haven't had the professional bodies express support for it since Atlanta."

Finchem said golf as an Olympic sport would promote growth around the world. And while he mentioned that golf already has four majors, three World Golf Championships and The Players Championship, he thought there was room for golf in the Olympics...

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Social networks

On the Internet social communities or networks are all the rage and the 3GB community is fairly new to the market. Once registered you can meet up with old friends, listen to MP3's of the latest chart toppers, share your photos, chat and make friends with other people from your area or around the world. If you are interested in social networking you can join 3gb community www.3gb.biz via the link.

Ochoa wins Corona Championship.

Lorena Ochoa didn't have much trouble with the course or the competition at the Corona Championship.

After entering the final round with a seven-stroke lead Ochoa carded a 4-under-par 69 for a total of 25-under-par 267 and an 11-stroke victory in the $1.3-million LPGA Tour event at Tres Marias Residential Golf Club.

Ochoa, who posted three consecutive 66s to start the tournament, easily her third consecutive victory and fourth in five events this year. Top prize was $195,000 U.S.

With the victory, Ochoa qualified for the LPGA Hall of Fame, though she can't be inducted until she finishes her 10th tour season in 2012.

"It was an amazing week," Ochoa said. "I did enjoy myself a lot.... I guess I can say I'm in the Hall of Fame now."

At 26 years four months 29 days, Ochoa is the second- youngest player to gain Hall of Fame honours.

Australia's Karrie Webb became the youngest, at 25 years seven months two days, when she qualified by winning the U.S. Women's Open in 2000.

Pure Air

There is nothing like the pure air of a country golf course, but when we come home to the city there are many air pollutants that can effect our health on the streets and inside our homes. When I had my first child I decided to get an air purifier and I have noticed an improvement in our health already. Air purifiers work by removing the pollutants and allergens (the things that cause allergies) from the air, which can lead to better health.

Trevor Immelman wins Masters

AS IF the nerves and pressure of securing the first major title of his career were not enough to contend with, the addition of a gusting wind and quickening greens at Augusta yesterday made life devilishly complicated for Trevor Immelman as he became the first South African in 30 years to win the Masters.

The slippery conditions were so treacherous that the 2008 tournament resembled a giant game of snakes and ladders in which every advance seemed to be countered by a calamity of tumbles. Immelman, who had coped with the lead or a share of the top spot since Thursday, was steadier than any of his rivals on a day when par was glorious.

Signing for 75 and 280, eight under par, Immelman even had enough leeway near the end to survive a few wobbles and close out the competition. His nearest rival, Tiger Woods, finished three shots adrift. The measure of the South African's achievement was that he became the first player since Seve Ballesteros in 1980 to lead the Masters from first to last.

"It was so tough," recalled the new champion. "I was trying to be tough myself and hang in there. There was a disaster waiting to happen around every corner. I got a message from Gary Player who told me to believe in myself. That meant so much."...
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Golf cart quotes

Once I asked my golfing partner about the greatest invention in golf expecting him to answer with something like graphite shafts, titanium drivers or on course toilets he answered with golf carts. Thinking about it myself they are an extremely useful invention with many advantages over the traditional way to get around the course (walking for those that are wondering). They have the ability to speed up play, allow older or injured persons to travel around the golf course and are usually run on battery power which is great for the environment! Of course golf cart type vehicles are not only used for transporting golfers, they can be used to traverse large campuses like a University, transporting cargo or people over short distances, towing and just about anything else where a small utility vehicle would be needed.

If you are looking for a golf cart, or have purchased one before, you will know it can sometimes be difficult to find exactly what you are looking for and at the price you want to pay. Unlike cars there are few choices when it comes to golf cart dealerships and this often means paying more for the golf cart than we would like. Fortunately, there is a great online resource that finds you the type of golf cart you are looking for at the right price.

Golf Carts price quotes offer a fantastic golf cart quotes service free of charge with absolutely no obligation to purchase after you receive the quotes. They will get quotes on new and used golf carts from a variety of dealers. To receive a quote on a golf cart you will need to fill in an easy form with 15 questions about your wants and needs so that the dealer can come to you with an accurate quote. You will be asked about the type of cart, whether you want a new or used, when you want to buy, what the vehicle will be used for, what terrain you are driving on, your choice between gas or electric golf carts and more similar easy questions. You are also given the opportunity to list any special features or additional needs you may have. Once you have completed this easy form, up to four dealers will call you via telephone with their best quotes.

The website also features some great golf cart buying advice and a guide to golf carts which will help you make the correct choice for your needs.

This is a fantastic service and if you are looking to purchase a golf cart or utility vehicle and want the best price available I would recommend visiting the golf carts price quotes website.

The Masters - Day 3 Wrap

Trevor Immelman and Brandt Snedeker were supposed to fade Saturday at the Masters, but instead they flourished.

Phil Mickelson was supposed to lurk on the leader board, but instead he limped almost entirely out of contention.

And Tiger Woods? Well, Tiger gave the fans at Augusta National something to roar about on a few occasions. He shot four-under-par 68 to climb within six shots of the lead and set the stage for today's final round.

Immelman birdied three of his last six holes and shot three-under-par 69. That put him at 11-under 205 and increased his lead to two shots over Snedeker, who rallied from potential disaster with three straight bogeys at Amen Corner. Snedeker birdied three of his last five holes for a 70.

Steve Flesch shot 69 and was in third at eight-under. Paul Casey shot 32 on the front nine but collapsed on the back nine with a 37 and was at seven-under.

Next was Woods, alone in fifth place at five-under. While Woods has never won a major while trailing after the third round, his competitors are far from comfortable.

"Who is the guy in fifth place?" joked Snedeker. "Oh, Tiger Woods. Yeah, that guy.

"Yeah, I'm sure he's going to be a factor. His name is going to be on the leader board somewhere tomorrow. It's going to be there on the back nine."

If Woods' back-nine charge Saturday was any indication, he could have a good chance. He made one birdie on his first nine holes, then stormed to three birdies on the back and made a big par save on the 18th hole, hitting an eight-iron off the pine straw and through the trees that reached the green.

"I got a lot of work to do tomorrow," Woods said. "Obviously, with the conditions are supposed to be pretty blustery tomorrow and a little cooler. And again you got to hang in there and be patient out there because it doesn't take much to make a high number out here."

Mickelson could attest to that. He began the round three shots off the lead and finished nine shots back at two-under after a 75...

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American golf courses

Having a quality online golf resource can be a big advantage and offer some great features only available online. If you are an avid golfer like me the American golf website is one such website that should be on your bookmark list. They provide a really great service and offer tee times for many parts of the country including, but not limited to, San Diego tee times, New York tee times and la tee times.

The tee time booking service is available online and it is as simple as choosing an area, a course, the number of golfers and a time. Then the automated service will search for tee times within your selected parameters. If there is a tee time available you are shown the time and date together with the green fees. You are then able to book the tee time online after you have accepted their terms and conditions. This service is easy to use and you will never be charged a service fee for using the online tee time booking service.

The website also features information on many public golf courses and country clubs throughout the United States including many great california golf courses. This information covers a quality description of the course, green fees, course amenities, yardage and par details and much more. They even have directions so that you will never get lost on your way to a new golf course again. You can also sign up to receive golf course email specials which can save you a few dollars when playing your favorite courses. There is also a fantastic list of event venues and services offered by the golf courses and is perfect if you are looking to plan a wedding, tournament, social or corporate event.

You can also sign up for a golfers club through the website which offers discount green fees, early twilight access, merchandise discounts and more. If you are looking for golfing instruction you will also find listings of the golf learning centers including details of the courses and pricing information. Signing up for a golfers club or golf instruction at a learning center is easy and can be completed online.

The site also features a pro shop that offers gift cards that are accepted like cash throughout the listed courses. You can also order personalized Titleist golf balls with a three lines customizable message. Also included in the pro shop is some awesome looking Callaway eye wear and Titleist golfing accessories.

Whether you are looking for, golf course information, online tee time bookings, golf lessons or anything else golf related the American golf website should be on your bookmark list.

The Masters - Round 2 Wrap

Twelve months ago, Trevor Immelman left the Masters with an intestinal parasite that caused him to lose 20 pounds off his slender frame.
Now he's halfway to a possible green jacket.
Tiger Woods owns four Masters trophies, but no one would blame him for reaching for the antacid with the mountain left for him to scale this weekend.
Immelman's second consecutive 4-under-par 68 was good enough for a one-shot advantage Friday, grabbing the clubhouse lead even before Woods could be summoned to the first tee.
Back-to-back birdies to end his round left Immelman at 8-under 136, the lowest 36-hole Masters total in three years.
"Yeah, this year is special," said the South African, who has just one bogey through his two tours of Augusta National. "To shoot two 68s in the first two days is probably beyond my expectations, so I'm pretty thrilled right now."
Brandt Snedeker stayed one stroke off Immelman's pace after his own 68, also carding birdies on his final two holes. Two-time champion Phil Mickelson was another two shots back in a tie for third with England's Ian Poulter (69) and Steve Flesch, whose 67 was the week's best.
Woods found himself seven shots back after a 1-under 71, the 11th straight Masters round in which he's failed to break 70.