Sports Horse Racing

CBSSports.com wire Gary Boyd and David Lynn of England and Julien Guerrier of France were tied for the lead at the Johnnie Walker Championship on Friday, completing two rounds at 9 under.

Guerrier shot a 5-under 67, while Boyd and Lynn had 68s. Marc Warren of Scotland (70), Mark Foster of England (67) and George Coetzee of South Africa (68) were two shots back.

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Simon Dyson of England shot a 70 to grab a share of seventh place at 6-under. He is four places outside of qualifying for the European Ryder Cup team and needs to capture the Johnnie Walker to ensure automatic selection for the event at Celtic Manor.

Also at 6 under were Paul McGinley of Ireland (70), Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain (68) and Edoardo Molinari of Italy (68).

Jimenez was a late entry as he looks to secure his place on the Ryder Cup team, while Molinari is hoping a good showing will help him earn a captains pick.

Guerrier, who captured the 2006 British Amateur championship and turned professional right after the 2007 Masters, was inspired by Martin Kaymers recent run to the PGA Championship title.

“I watched Martin Kaymer, 26 years old, make the fantastic title in the U.S. PGA and I said, Hes a good player, but Im a good striker and I can do it,” Guerrier said. “So I try to do it and dont try too much, just play your golf, play your best and go see the flag and play it. Thats all.”

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie missed the cut and will now focus on his Sunday night choice of captains picks.

“I just think its super that everyone is performing to the best of their ability,” Montgomerie said after shooting 71 and 76 to finish at 3 over.

“I cant please everybody, the only way I could do that was to pick 20 players, but I have to leave out some good players, some winners,” the Scott said. “Its a good headache to have.”

Who: Thoroughbreds Ice Box, Fly Down, Super Saver, Rachel Alexandra
What: Horse Racing Betting Tips The Travers, The Personal Ensign
Where: Saratoga
When: Saturday and Sunday, August 28th and 29th

If Super Saver bags The Travers (also known as the Midsummer Derby) tomorrow, he vaults right back into contention for 3YO division honors. The most recent winner of both races was Street Sense in 2007. He got the better of the mighty Curlin in the Derby, but Curlin beat him by a head in The Preakness, and went on to win Eclipse Awards for Horse of the Year as well as 3-Year-Old Male. Prior to Street Sense, you have to go back to Thunder Gulch in 1995 to find a dual Derby/Travers winner, and that colt garnered 3-Year-Old Male honors. With division leader Lookin At Lucky sitting this one out, its Super Savers time to shine.

Super Saver drew the outside post (No. 11) in The Travers, which should suit him well with such a long run to the first turn. Theres plenty of speed signed on, with #1-Miners Reserve, #4-First Dude and #5-A Little Warm expected to slug it out early. That should allow jockey Calvin Borel to find a comfortable spot for Super Saver in mid-pack. With a 2 ?-month break between The Preakness and The Haskell, its not surprising that Super Saver flattened out a bit in his comebacker, getting nosed for third. Im expecting a major move forward here. Note that Super Saver is the only horse in the field to win at 1 ? miles toting 126 lbs., and has been working well at the Spa for leading trainer Todd Pletcher. Ill bet on #11-Super Saver to win and place at odds of 4-1 or better, and key him top and bottom in exactas with the Nick Zito-trained duo of #6-Ice Box and #8-Fly Down. Both Zito runners are much better than theyve shown recently, and should relish the classic distance.

Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra returns to action on Sunday in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga. While its her first try at 1 ? miles, youll remember that she had little trouble dispatching her male counterparts in last years Preakness at the slightly shorter distance of 1 3/16th miles. She faces the red-hot Life At Ten, winner of six straight, including the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Handicap two back at Belmont Park. Life At Ten is a very nice horse, but shes never faced anything like Rachel Alexandra, who appears poised to make a serious run at back-to-back Horse of the Year titles. This mile-and-a-quarter test should provide her with the foundation to tackle all comers in The Breeders Cup Classic in early November at her favorite venueChurchill Downs.

Those are my horse racing betting tips for the weekend. Best of luck and happy gambling!

CBSSports.com wir Michelle Wie had the second hole-in-one of her professional career Thursday on the way to a 7-under 65 and a three-shot lead after the first round of the Canadian Womens Open.

“It was the first time I had actually seen it go in a tournament,” the 20-year-old Hawaii native said of her ace on the 190-yard, par-3 11th hole. “It was pretty cool. It was surreal. I didnt believe it had actually happened.”

The youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Amateur Championship at age 10, the 6-foot-tall Wie says she has notched eight holes-in-one in her career, but only one other as a pro, in her rookie season at last years LPGA Championship.

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Sarah Kemp of Australia was three strokes back of Wie after her morning-round 68, while defending champion Suzann Pettersen was in third place with a 69.

Rookie Ilhee Lee of South Korea initially ha a mark shared by a group of players.

Wie bogeyed the 12th hole but birdied three of her final six. Wie holds the first-round lead for the second time in her career and first since the 2005 U.S. Open.

Seema Sadekar was the lowest Canadian after shooting a 73.

Wie delivered a second spectacular shot, on No. 17, when she holed out from a greenside bunker for a birdie.

“I just really thought I could make it, and I went up there, really thought about it, just trusted it, and kind of did what I thought it would do,” Wie said.

The Canadian Open is Wies 15th event this season. Shes had three Top-10 finishes, with the best a third at the Tres Marias Championship in May. Her only career victory came at last Novembers Lorena Ochoa Invitational.

Kemp overcame blustery winds during the day to tally six birdies and two bogeys on the par-72, 6,572-yard course.

“My putter, I think, was the 4-under today,” said Kemp, 25, whos in her third season on the Tour. “I holed some really good putts and I just kept it in play.”

After a couple of withdrawals on Wednesday, the 156-player field features 46 of the top 50 players on the money list and all of the top 15 on the Rolex World Rankings.

Most of the worlds top players didnt fare well.

No. 1 Ai Miyazato of Japan was tied for 63rd after shooting a 74, No. 2 Cristie Kerr finished tied for 81st with 75 and No. 3 Pettersen had the best with her 69.

Jiyai Shin of South Korea, is ranked fourth in the world and posted one of the 70s.

No. 5 Yani Tseng of Taiwan was tied for 46th after going 1-over.

U.S. teen sensation Alexis Thompson shot a 71. Thompson turned pro in June at the age of 15, the youngest female to do so.

“Honestly, I think shes unbelievable, just being 15 and doing what she does,” 18-year-old Rebecca Lee-Bentham said. “I had fun out there. It was great playing with her. Shes a great player.”

The $1 million mile and a quarter Pacific Classic has been about star power since Day One and this year will be no different. As for added incentive for the 10 entrants, the winner gets an automatic win and your in ticket to the Breeders Cup Classic.

Best Pal took the inaugural running. The late great Bobby Frankel saddled the next 4 winners.

Dare and Go upset the legendary Cigar to the tune of $81.20 when that runner was seeking to win his 17th straight. Unbeaten Candy Ride cashed in 2003 and Californias favorite son Lava Man won three years later. Last season Richards Kid was coming off a nose beat in a $150,000 stakes but he put it all together in the Classic coming from 2nd to last to post a career best 107 Beyer at 24-1.

Contenders this year include The Usual Q.T. and Unusual Suspect. Ben Cecil has a pair in the field in Crowded House and Isle of Giants while defending champ Richards Kid will be trying to rebound from a recent lost.

Perfect is what The Usual Q. T. has been at Del Mar after 3 starts. He has a super stalk and pounce style and was most impressive winning the Eddie Read going away. Q.T. just may be phoning home from the winners circle.

Unusual Suspect tracked a slow pace but would not go by a game and fast Temple City in the Cougar last month. This guy has been around the block and back but his best days are behind him.

Richards Kid has some things to prove. He obviously needed the Hollywood Gold Cup two back but basically ran around the track in the Cougar.

Kid picked up the tempo in a recent :58.60 bullet work but that is typical of a Bob Baffert trainee. The pro is dependent on a hot pace and a perfect traffic-free trip and thats why he could be a liability at too short a price.

Crowded House was a Group 1 winner at 2 but only has one other victory on the slate. Backers have to hope he got a ton of experience out of his Read 4th.

Isle of Giants might have bounced a bit last time but his versatility is interesting as he can win on the front end or come from left field.

Temple City, just down the road from Arcadia, is a sleepy little suburb but there is nothing sleepy about the horse who is a flat out speed ball capable of tracking or leading and prevailing.

Hollywood Gold Cup winner Awesome Gem and San Diego Handicap victor Dakota Phone seem on target for their prospective starts in the Classic.

Gem recently prepped on the turf course where he finished with interest but his trainer is on record as saying he thinks the runner prefers Hollywood Park. And the horse is 0 for 8 at the beach.

Just the fact that Hold Me Back has shown up is important as his trainer Bill Mott does not go gallivanting around the country for fun.

Connections of Dakota Phone were confident going into this fixture. This is what Jerry Hollendorfers assistant trainer Dan Ward had to say about a recent drill.

Ward: He went very well. Everything is going perfect right now for him. Were right on target.

Awesome was far from that in last years Classic when a dull 7th at 17-1 but that happens when a runner has to come from left field.

Dakota Phone has a similar style but he loves this oval and won the prescribed prep in the San Diego in late July. He came from 11 back that day but can be much closer on his best day.

Battle of Hastings ran well to be second to Dakota Phone last time but his trainer Jeff Mullins is in the biggest slump hes ever had in California, this guy has no speed and only at the last moment did Mullins decide to go.

Heres the projected scoop as the race unfolds.

Isle of Giants and Temple City will cut out the splits with The Usual Q. T., Unusual Suspect, Richards Kid and Dakota Phone in the second tier. That will leave the other 4 trying to save ground and hoping for a fast pace.

At the top of the lane, the leaders will start to fell the pressure. Richards Kid and Dakota Phone will get first run but be quickly joined by Awesome Gem, Hold Me Back and Crowded House.

When the smoke clears, Mott, who won this race 2 years ago with shipper Go Between, will watch his synthetic specialist Hold Me Back make the last run and get the money over Awesome Gem and Richards Kind.

Good luck.

That Thunder Road known as the avenue to Monmouth Park in New Jersey has seen a new boss this season and its not Springsteen or Obama but a veteran named Bruce Levine.

Because of the change at Monmouth this year to the elite meet status, Levine has not saddled as many horses as he has in the past but he has seen his share of winners.

From short prices to long prices horse bettors that just isolated his stock at the shore this year cashed a ton of tickets. He was popping at just under 30% from his first 33 starters and nearly 60% ran in the money.

If a horse bettor can kind of get into the head of a trainer, maybe be able to anticipate where that trainer may spot his horses, then this is the type of exercise that can pay huge dividends with hard work.

Bruce Levine is a lucky man, and not just because hes a human win machine. Not many people in this country can turn a hobby into a successful career and enjoy it all the way and its always nice to know when you pluck your money down, you are backing a trainer that knows the game inside and out.

Levines quote in the official New York Racing Association bio says it all, Levin: I always came to the track to play the horses. That was my biggest hobby. Eventually, I found my way to the backstretch and started walking hots.

Born in New York in the winter of 1955, Levine wasnt really bred for the racing game but it found him and he found the sport.

Always attracted to the gambling aspect of the game, Levine was always going to the track to play the horses. He eventually found his way to the backstretch and what was once just a hobby, turned into a way to make a living. Right out of high school, Levine became associated with John Russell and started, like so many, on the bottom rung walking hots.

After a year of so, he started to work for John Campo. This was before Campo became a national figure as his Pleasant Colony won two thirds of the Triple Crown. But Campo had already won the Mother Goose Stakes with Girl in Love and the Wood Memorial with Good Behaving, so he was the consummate New York pro who could teach and nurture Levine through his educational process.

It was this relationship as assistant trainer with Campo that showed Levine all the tools he would need to go out on his own. He did just that in 1979 when he took out his trainers license.

Im It provided Levine with his first winner when he got the job done at Aqueduct. That runner also gave Levine his first important stakes when he won the Grade 3 Grey Lag Handicap in 1982.

What are the best angles to consider when betting Levine horses now?

First of all, hes solid with comebackers, claimers, and if he enters in a stakes, its to win and not get a slice.

In the last 5 years hes popped with 22% of his starters coming off a layoff of 180 days or more.

Not known for his work with juveniles, he can get sophomores to fire at first asking and they usually get bet. He doesnt move his horses from surface to surface often and is much more potent on the drop than on the raise with claimers.

Blinkers off is a clever Levine move to the tune of 24% the last 5 years.

One of his most potent moves is when he cuts back from a route to a sprint. Again, the number is 24% the last half a decade.

With maidens, his signature move is when he enters a maiden claimer with a runner that has been racing in Maiden Special Weight company. He is 30% with this ploy the last 5 years with a median price of 5-2.

Levine was lucky enough to turn a hobby into a career. And the career flourishes.

Augusta Chronicle

Forget the discussion about Corey Pavin and Tiger Woods. If you were selecting the European team on Sunday night, would you take Padraig Harrington as a captains pick?

ELLING: Its darned-near impossible to envision a Ryder team without Monty, Paddy and Sergio on the active roster, isnt it? Monty running the show, Sergio went home to lick his wounds after a washed-out year and Harrington is about the fifth-best Irish player in the world at the moment. Harrington sealed his superstar status with a win at the PGA Championship 53 weeks ago for this third major in two years … and he hasnt won since. Harrington points out that he has a slew of top-10 performances in that time, which is fine if you are Jeff Overton or Matt Kuchar, and not one of the half-dozen most notable figures in the game. Only Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have won more career majors among active tour players than Paddy, but at the moment, its hard to envision him being picked over equally worthy potential captains selections like Paul Casey, Luke Donald, Justin Rose or Edoardo Molinari, who have all won in the past two years. You could have won a bunch of beer nuts in January by offering odds that the victory total for Paddy, Tiger and Phil Mickelson would stand at one with four starts left before the Fall Series.

MICHAUX: The simple answer is no. Im as big a fan of Harrington as anyone, but this isnt much of a debate. Im trying to figure out what the big deal is. Its not like Harrington is some kind of vital cog to European success in this event. The last Ryder Cup match Harrington won was a 1-up victory against a 50-year-old Jay Haas in 2004. Yeah, thats right. The guy is 0-7-2 in the last two biennial installments, including a team-worst 0-4-1 in the friendly confines of The K Club in Ireland. His career winning percentage in five Ryder Cups (.400, 7-11-3) is actually worse than Tiger Woods (.440, 10-13-2), and everybody criticizes Woods for underachieving. So unless Harrington wins this week, he should sit this one out and work on his game. Montys toughest call will be leaving one of the following off his invite list: Rose, Donald or Molinari. If it were me, Id probably pass on Donald, who isnt the most inspiring player. With Molinari, you have the option of pairing him with his brother in a reprisal of their World Cup glory. Rose made a pretty formidable partnership with Ian Poulter last time.

No changes were made to the FedEx Cup format this year, which doesnt mean it cannot be improved. Seems like we do this every year, but each one of you gets to make one big FedEx fix. Have at it, fellas.

ELLING: Heres one I have not lamented before, but its worth noting. For some inexplicable reason, whenever those who qualify for the first-round FedEx event dont pl short FedEx fields get even shorter because player withdrawals are not replaced. Already, Corey Pavin, Sergio Garcia and Paul Goydos have skipped The Barclays for various reasons, which means the field stands at 122. No big deal? Well, last year, veteran Heath Slocum started the first-round FedEx event at No. 124 in points and beat Tiger, Ernie Els, Steve Stricker and Paddy in the most star-strewn Sunday leaderboard of the year. So clearly, players hovering around the last qualifying spot have the firepower to make upsets happen. Upsets make things interesting. The FedEx even NASCAR so lets not make them even smaller. At Nos. 126-28, Jeff Quinney, Chris Stroud and some guy named Mike Weir would have made the Barclays field if alternates were used to fill out the top 125. Instead, they are serving a forced, four-event break.

MICHAUX: We can talk about alternatives or the value of full fields until were blue in the face, but the PGA Tour isnt listening unless TV makes demands or FedEx questions whether it wants to re-up as the deep pockets behind this boondoggle. Its silly to claim that this is the crowning achievement for a full season of toil when a guy like Slocum can swoop in from nowhere in the last month and win the whole thing with a couple of timely victories. I like the idea of a season-long points race, but the whole playoff concept simply doesnt work in golf. The best thing about the series is that it brings together many of the top players for a cluster of events at a time of year when the fields used to be dead. It would be even better if three of the four major winners this year werent excluded. They should let any major winners automatically qualify for this thing and keep the fields full all the way until the Tour Championship. That would at least make each week more intriguing and keep everyone guessing until the end.

At the risk of sounding like we are picking on Tiger, when we arent, who is the No. 1 player in golf right now?

ELLING: We could have filled the entire Shotgun Start debate space with this query. Or perhaps, used no space at all. Right now, in the mens game, the world No. 1 spot sho pretty much vacated, abdicated, invalidated. Woods sits precariously atop the world rankings, as he has for the last five years, but hes nowhere near the best player in the game at the moment. So, who is? Its not No. 2 Phil Mickelson, who has blown nine straight chances to unseat Woods and hasnt gotten the job done, even with Woods moving backwards. World No. 3 Lee Westwood, who is the inarguable No. 1 in terms of consistency at big events and the reigning Euro Tour money leader, is home on the couch with a calf injury, hoping merely to return in time for the Ryder Cup. It would be a shame if Mickelson ascends to No. 1 mostly because Woods is losing points. Although in his eyes, having never been atop the world list, Lefty might take it however it comes. Somebody ought to take over the slot with a victory. At least in the LPGA, where a half-dozen players are slugging it out for the top spot, players like Japans New No. 1, Ai Miyazato, are winning and moving up. Yeah, I just made an LPGA reference. Sue me.

MICHAUX: Im inclined to believe that the world rankings are closer to correct than were giving them credit. If the criteria is which player stands the best chance to step up and contend to win a major event, your own calculations of the “Summative Slam” reve Phil edging Tiger only because Westwood withdrew from the contest. The two-year window of the ranking system isnt about what have you done lately. Despite its flaws, its still a fairly good measuring stick at the top end. Outside those top three, the guys I wouldnt want to have to beat right now are Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson. If Rory learns to putt, he will soon be the toughest force in golf. And if Johnson can iron out the wrinkles in his course management, hes the most powerful young American at the moment. How cool would it be to have a best-ball match at the Ryder Cup pitting McIlroy and Martin Kaymer against Johnson and Bubba Watson. It would be a version of the PGA playoff we lost out on when Dustin grounded his club and McIlroy missed his final birdie putt.

CBSSports.com wire reports
Aug. 23, 2010

Divorced. Single dad. Golf game still to be determined.

And so, after nine months of turmoil over his extramarital affairs, now begins the next chapter in the life and times of Tiger Woods.

In a hearing that lasted no more than 10 minutes in a Florida judges chambers, Woods and his Swedish-born wife officially divorced Monday.

“We are sad that our marriage is over and we wish each other the very best for the future,” Woods and Elin Nordegren said in a joint statement released by their lawyers.

Related Info Analysis Steve Elling
How will it affect Woods play? Hard to say, but it cant possibly be any worse. Read >> Related links Woods, Nordegren issue statement on divorce TMZ.com: Woods-Nordegren divorce papers

The divorce was granted shortly after 2 p.m. in Bay County Circuit Court in Panama City, Fla., about 375 miles from their Isleworth home outside Orlando, where Woods drove his SUV over a fire hydrant and into a tree on Thanksgiving night. That set off shocking revelations that sports biggest star had been cheating on his wife through multiple affairs.

Woods life and golf game have been in disarray ever since.

He and Nordegren were married Oct. 5, 2004, in Barbados and have a 3-year-old daughter, Sam, and an 18-mont were not disclosed. They said only that they will “share parenting” of their two children.

Nordegren, who for years tried to stay in the background, was captured on video by celebrity websites eating lunch or picking up her daughter from school.

“We love Elin, and we are so proud of the grace and strength she has shown during this difficult time,” her father, Thomas Nordegren, a talk show host at national broadcaster Swedish Radio, told the Associated Press. “We know that she will come out of this even stronger and has a bright future in front of her.”

The divorce was finalized by Bay County Circuit Judge Judy Pittman Biebel during a 10-minute hearing in a conference room in her chambers, according to Biebels judicial assistant, Kim Gibson. Woods and Nordegren were present, along with their lawyers, Gibson said.

“I dont comment on active cases,” Thomas J. Sasser, Woods divorce attorney, said. Asked why they chose to file in Panama City, Sasser said it was a joint decisi includi referred all questions to the statement.

Woods agent, Mark Steinberg, declined to comment when asked if the couple had a prenuptial agreement or terms of the settlement. “Were not commenting beyond what was in the release,” he said.

Nordegrens mother, Barbro Holmberg, also declined to comment.

Nordegren, who once worked as a nanny for Swedish golfer Jesper Parnevik, asked to have her maiden name restored as Elin Maria Pernilla Nordegren.

The sordid sex worth millions of dollars, and he lost his stature the gold standard in sports endorsements. A month after the scandal became public, Woods spent two months in therapy at a Mississippi clinic with hopes of saving his marriage.

“While we are no longer married, we are the parents of two wonderful children and their happiness has been, and will always be, of paramount importance to both of us,” they said in the statement. “The weeks and months ahead will not be easy for them as we adjust to a new family situation, which is why our privacy must be a principal concern.”

Some of the court documents indicated that Woods had to focus on his marital woes as well as his golf this summer.

He completed a four-hour course on “Parent Education and Family Stabilization” on July 10, the day before he left to play the British Open. He had won the previous two times at St. Andrews by a combined 13 shots, but this time finished 13 shots behind in a tie for 23rd.

The couple signed a marital settlement agreement on July 3 and July 4, the weekend of the AT&T National outside Philadelphia, where Woods failed to break par in a PGA Tour event for the first time in 11 years.

Nordegren completed her four-hour program through FloridaParentingClass.com on Aug. 16, the day after Woods tied for 28th in the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. It was the first time in nearly seven years he had finished out of the top 20 in consecutive majors.

Documents also show that the children lived at th and that Nordegren had moved out to a nearby residence since then.

Woods is to play this week at The Barclays, his first tournament as a single man in nearly six years. He needs a good performance just to get out of the first round of the FedEx Cup playoffs, which he won the previous two times he played, and he also is trying to show he is worth picking for the Ryder Cup, where wives take on a visible role.

Since returning to golf at the Masters, Woods has not come close to winning a tournament. He tied for fourth in the Masters and in the U.S. Open, both times taking himself out of contention early in the final round.

One example of how the impending divorce has affected him came last month when he played in a charity pro-am in Ireland, which ended on Tuesday. Instead of staying overseas to practice on links courses, Woods flew home to Florida for six days to see his children and then returned to Scotland for the Britis in his professional career. His last victory came at the Australian Masters on Nov. 15, his last trip before his serial infidelity was uncovered.

CBSSports.com w Many players came to the Wyndham Championship for a push into the PGA Tours playoffs.

Not Arjun Atwal. He was playing for his spot on tour.

Atwal won by a stroke Sunday at Sedgefield Country Club, becoming the first Monday qualifier to win on the tour in 24 years.

After leading or sharing the lead after each of the first three rounds, Atwal shot a 3-under 67 in the final round. He or, more than double the amount he previously earned this year, the reason why his future on tour had been in jeopardy.

“I told my caddie, Weve got nothing to lose this week. Just go out there and try and win it,” Atwal said. “Guys are going to be out there trying to secure their FedEx Cup spots or whatever. Weve got nothing. I dont have a card. I dont have anything. Just go out there and free-wheel it, and thats what I did this week.”

Hes the first Indian-born player to win on tour and the first to win both the qualifier and the tournament that follows since Fred Wadsworth at the 1986 Southern Open.

David Toms (64) was 19 under. John Mallinger and Michael Sim shot 62s to match John Rollins (65) and Justin Leonard (65) at 18 under.

For a few dizzying moments late in a low-scoring day, seven players shared the lead at 18 under.

Atwal, who carried a three-stroke lead into the final round, was at 19 under for most of the day but bogeyed the par-3 12th a few minutes before Lucas Glover bogeyed 14 and Toms, Rollins and Leonard all birdied No. 16.

“It just kept changing,” Atwal said. “Everybodys tied for the lead at a certain point.”

Atwal reclaimed the lead with a birdie on No. 14, Leonard birdied No. 17 and Toms birdied No. 18 to join them at 19 under. Leonard dropped back a stroke after running into trouble giving him more than enough chances to settle things himself.

Wyndham Championship Final scores and earnings

Atwal made his move on the par-3 16th, plopping his tee shot 6 feet from the flagstick and sinking his birdie putt to move to 20 under. He followed that with consecutive pars, sinking a 7-foot putt on No. 18 before dropping his putter and extending his arms upward in jubilation after closing out his first tour victory.

“I was thinking about going to the [driving] range, but when he got to 20 under and they said he had a 15-footer on 17, I just went in the clubhouse and tried to cool off,” Toms said. “I was ready to go to the range, if need be, but good for [Atwal]. I know its tough to get that first victory. … Im sure that he was battling some nerves, and to pour it in from 6-8 feet on that last hole was pretty impressive.”

Glover (67) finished at 17 under, and Webb Simpson (63), Chris Riley (64), Scott Piercy (68) and second-round co-leader Brandt Snedeker (69) were one stroke behind him.

Atwal, who has won on the European, Asian and Nationwide tours, certainly has been through plenty during the past few years.

The player perhaps best known for his practice rounds with Tiger Woods is ineligible for the playoffs and lost his tour card last month because he was too low on the money list when his minor medical exemption ran out. That came after he said he returned too soon following weightlifting injuries to both shoulders.

Three years ago, a driver trying to race him down an Orlando street died in a crash. Atwal was cleared of any wrongdoing, although the yearlong investigation took an emotional toll.

Glover made five consecutive birdies, sinking four putts from 14 feet or beyond, to catch Atwal, then briefly had the lead all to himself with a birdie on No. 9 that put him at 20 under. That didnt last long: He sent his drive on No. 10 into the rough and three-putted for bogey, and slipped out of contention after he was 3 over on the back nine.

“I didnt make anything coming in,” Glover said. “Dont win doing that.”

The Wyndham marked the last chance for players to pick up points for the playoffs that begin next week in New Jersey.

Michael Letzig, who arrived at Sedgefield at No. 125 on the points list, finished 14 under move to 118th place, solidifying his spot in The Barclays.

“The goal is to give myself another tournament to play,” he said. “Im in, so (Ill) see what happens.”

Others werent so fortunate. Mallinger started at No. 163 on the points list, but initially figured a final round that included six birdies and an eagle was good enough to propel him into next week. But when others joined him in a tie for third on the leaderboard, he slipped to 132nd place in the standings and finished roughly 40 points out of the playoff picture.

Jeff Quinney, who arrived at No. 127, only moved up one spot on the list and finished about 3 points shy of making the postseason field with his 12 under.

“I could have taken care of my own business today,” Quinney said.

Who: Thoroughbreds Devil May Care, Blind Luck, Gio Ponti
What: Horse Racing Betting Tips The Alabama, The Arlington Million
Where: Saratoga, Arlington
When: Saturday, August 21st

East meets west this Saturday when the top two 3YO fillies in the country, Devil May Care and Blind Luck, square off in Saratogas Grade 1 Alabama. Meanwhile, in the nations mid-section, the teak tough Gio Ponti takes on all comers in The Arlington Million. Outsiders had better bring their running shoes.

Devil May Care (morning line favorite at 7-5) enjoys the home-court advantage against Blind Luck (8-5), who must ship in from her Del Mar base. The Todd Pletcher-trained Devil May Care also boasts a perfect 2-for-2 mark over the Saratoga strip, while Blind Luck makes her first appearance locally. One thing characterizes all of Devil May Cares five victories shes had the lead at the top of the stretch, and in all but one instance, increased her margin at the finish. That spells trouble for a come-from-the-clouds type like Blind Luck. As for the 1 ?-mile distance of the Alabama, I cant help feeling that Blind Lucks pedigree (grandsire Carson City was a sprinter) may pose a problem in her first attempt going this far. Havre de Grace (4-1) was nosed by Blind Luck last out in The Delaware Oaks, but she too has Carson City in her bloodlines (maternal grandsire). Ill bet on #2-Devil May Care to win, and use her in a straight exacta over #4-Blind Luckpretty chalky, but I cant see it any other way, barring horrendous racing luck.

The Arlington Million looks equally chalky, as turf champ Gio Ponti faces nine runners whose accomplishments dont quite stack up. Marsh Side is a multiple Grade 1 winner, but he seems to be at his best going a mile-and-a-half at Woodbine. None of the foreign invaders (Debussy, Tazeez and Summit Surge) are true Group 1 types overseas, and should be considered for minor awards only. General Quarters (8-1) won the Grade 1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs three back, but disappointed recently in The Arlington Handicap at the Arlington Million distance of 1 ? miles. Just as Well (3-1-2-0) and Rahystrada (2-2-0-0) have done well on the Arlington sod, and are playable underneath in the exacta. Ill bet on #6-Gio Ponti to win and key him over #4-Just as Well and #7-Rahystrada in the exacta.

Those are my horse racing betting tips for the weekend. Best of luck and happy gambling!

Sometimes you dont have to wait till the weekend to turn Blue into Green so well try to do just that Friday night at Del Mar in the Sandy Blue Handicap.

Ten California-bred sophomore fillies will go a mile on the grass trying to earn the main portion of the $75,000 purse.

Lets examine them from the rail out.

Sweet Hanni, who will carry 113 pounds, will be making her stakes debut and is coming off an even try in $80K optional land. In the good hands of Vlado Cerin, she will likely have to track and attempt to out kick them late.

Conniption beat 11 foes to start her career in England packing 126 pounds, is proven at this distance and is exiting the best races as she was beaten less than 2 lengths in the Grade 2 San Clemente last time. She totes 10 pounds less then her debut assignment today.

Go Forth North is in light at 112 after just breaking her maiden and the best thing she has going for her is her red-hot trainer in A. C. Avila.

Warrens Jitterbug finally got up last time but is only 2 for 12 with 7 slices in her career as she is burdened with a 114-pound package this time.

Got an Itch is proven fresh, is proven on grass and the way she won a stakes in Arizona at 7 and a half furlongs suggests shell get this distance under 114 pounds.

Fortunia got a feel of the surface last time and was never comfortable when rank and forced to steady. This miss is assigned the same weight as Conniption.

La Nez, the highweight at 118 although she has never won on grass, was game in her sprint score last time in the $100K Fleet Treat. She has limited speed as she is out to prove her 6-1 upset last time was no fluke.

The pews will be filled with backers of True Religion, who is pushing the envelope as a 113-pound entrant who was just crushed in her first try vs. winners.

Sandy Cheeks will be making her 4th start of the time, this time under 114 pounds and she has a right to be making an impact late.

Excellent News got anything but last time when she hopped in the air as the beaten chalk. She was third in her only turf try but is a stakes winner and she has some semblance of speed.

This fray is wide-open so well take a shot at a price. Excellent News will take some money off her troubled trip last time, and so will La Nez.

Droppers like Conniption and Fortunia will be somewhat highly regarded but could be under valued on the tote.

As the race unfolds look for Sweet Hanni to be sent hard from the fence chased by Excellent News and Got an Itch. At the top of the lane the closers will be looking for room but Got an Itch will get first run on the group after getting a perfect 3-hole trip to prevail in a close photo at about 10-1 under Alonso Quinonez, whos 5 winners this meeting averaged over $40.

Why not take that Green and buy a margarita.

Good luck.