Ogilvy too tough in match play
Geoff Ogilvy has been better than anyone in match play over the last four years.
One of these days, he might find out if that includes Tiger Woods.
Even without the world's No. 1 player around, Ogilvy finished off a remarkable weekend at Dove Mountain on Sunday in Marana, Ariz., with a 4-and-3 victory over Paul Casey to win the Accenture Match Play Championship for the second time in four years.
He played 66 holes on the weekend in 25-under par.
He never trailed the final 63 holes of this event, mowing down teenage sensation Rory McIlroy and Stewart Cink on Saturday and never giving Casey a chance in the title match.
"The thing I'll remember is I beat some really good players, and I beat them well," Ogilvy said. "I played better and better during the week. Every round, I played better, which doesn't often happen in golf."
He saved his best against Casey, building a 3-up lead after the morning round, then pouring it on.
"This afternoon, three birdies in the first eight holes and I still lost two holes," Casey said. "Geoff was exceptional."
Cink defeated Ross Fisher in the consolation match with a birdie on the 18th hole for a 1-up victory.
A tournament that began with so much buzz over Woods' return from knee surgery ended with a newfound appreciation for the skill and composure of Ogilvy, who ran his career record to 18-3 in match play.
Woods is 40-12-1 in his professional career.
Ogilvy was asked if he was the best in the world at match play.
"This week I probably was. Last year, I was the 33rd best match-play player in the world," he said, referring to a first-round loss. "But I have played well in this tournament in the last few years. I'm obviously one of the better match-play players."
He was quick to note, however, that Woods won three straight U.S. Junior Amateur titles and three straight U.S. Amateurs. He also knew at the start of the week that Woods was in his quarter of the bracket.
"I think I would do OK," he said. "Hopefully, we can do it one day, for sure."
Ogilvy won his third World Golf Championship - he will defend his title in two weeks at Doral in the CA Championship - the most of any player besides Woods, who has won 15 of these elite events.
Ogilvy closed out the match with a 6-foot birdie on the 15th hole. He won $1.4 million and moved up to No. 4 in the world ranking with this third victory in his last seven starts. He started the year with a wire-to-wire win at Kapalua, and won late last year at the Australian PGA Championship.
Honda LPGA Thailand: Lorena Ochoa won the Honda LPGA Thailand for her 25th career title, overcoming an early deficit and pulling away for a 3-stroke victory at Pattaya, Thailand. The top-ranked Mexican star, 3 strokes behind playing partner Paula Creamer at the start of the round, shot a 6-under 66 on the Siam Country Club's Plantation Course. Ochoa finished at 14-under 274 - shooting 71-69-68 the first three days - and earned $217,500 for her second straight season-opening victory. South Korea's Hee Young Park shot a 65 to finish a career-high second.
Mayakoba Golf Classic: Mark Wilson won the Mayakoba Golf Classic for his second PGA Tour title, shooting a 2-under 68 for a 2-stroke victory over J.J. Henry at Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Wilson, also the 2007 Honda Classic winner, had a 13-under 267 total on the El Camaleon course and earned $648,000. Henry also finished with a 68. Kevin Streelman (64) and Heath Slocum (67) tied for third at 10 under.
Indonesia Open: Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee won the Indonesia Open for his record 11th Asian Tour title and first European tour win in four years, closing with a 3-under 69 for a 2-stroke victory at Bali, Indonesia.
Moonah Classic: Australia's Alistair Presnell won the Moonah Classic, birdieing the 18th hole for 4-under 68 and a 1-stroke victory over Peter O'Malley in an event sanctioned by the Australasian and Nationwide tours at Fingal, Australia.