lingzi
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CASARES, Spain—Big-hitting Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts defied fierce winds and
a battling Graeme McDowell to capture the World Match Play Championship on
Sunday, boosting his chances of making Europes Ryder Cup team. Dan Hampton Jersey . Colsaerts won a
painstakingly slow final 1 up in southern Spain to claim his second European
Tour title and earn a winners check of C700,000 ($900,000), taking him above C1
million in prize money for the second straight season. McDowell, the 2010 U.S
Open champion and seeking a first title since December of that year, bounced
back after falling 1 down three times on the front nine but cut a frustrated
figure on the long closing stretch with his errant iron play constantly letting
him down. Colsaerts established a two-hole lead after No. 16 and although his
advantage was halved when he three-putted the next to indicate the pressure he
was under, he parred the last to win one of the most prestigious titles on the
calendar. “I cant feel anything at the moment,” he said. “To have my name next
to so many major winners is a dream come true.” The victory lifted Colsaerts
into 10th place in the Ryder Cup points table—the last automatic spot for the
European team—but perhaps more importantly demonstrated to team captain
Jose Maria Olazabal his prowess at match play ahead of the September contest
against the United States in Medinah near Chicago. It would be Colsaerts first
appearance for Europe and would cap a successful season in which he has grabbed
seven top-10 finishes in 11 events—the most of any player so far. “Its always
been a dream of mine to play in a Ryder Cup,” Colsaerts said. ” I know I am well
placed but theres still a long way to go.” Colsaerts is the longest hitter on
tour—overtaking Alvaro Quiros of Spain in that department this season—and
his power and distance off the tee came in handy all week on the long Finca
Cortesin course, but especially on Sunday when winds blew as strong in the
afternoon as 30mph. It forced both finalists to constantly back off from their
shots, meaning their round took more than 4 1/2 hours. Organizers had earlier
taken all four semifinalists off the course because of the threat of lightning,
causing a suspension of an hour. Stamina ended up proving just as important as
skill. Having come from 4 down after four holes in his semifinal against Paul
Lawrie to eventually win at the second playoff hole, the 29-year-old Colsaerts
—whose grandfather played basketball and water polo for Belgium at the 1920
Olympics—was never behind in a final that lacked star quality. “The
conditions were brutal—you had to grind it out,” Colsaerts said. “These two
games today really killed me.” After going 2 up on No. 13 and with an ideal
closing stretch for a heavy hitter, Colsaerts looked in good shape but McDowell
birdied the next before his opponent three-putted on the long par-4 No. 15.
However, McDowells momentum was checked when he hooked his second shot on No. 16
left, annoying him so much that he threw his fairway wood to the ground. He
missed a 12-foot putt for a half and left himself 2 down with two to play. “The
elements played a huge part,” McDowell said. “Im disappointed that they probably
came out the winner today rather than the two players. “They really played into
his hands the way he drove the ball. Hes got a great wind game and hes a
fantastic talent. I got beat by the better man.” Colsaerts breathed new life
into the match when he three-putted No. 17 to reduce his lead 1 up. But the
par-5 last has been the Belgians friend this week and after he hit another
booming drive, McDowell overhit a wedge to the green leaving Colsaerts two putts
to become the first Belgian to win twice on the European Tour. Colsaerts only
emerged from his group after a playoff victory on Friday over Charl Schwartzel
—which he nearly missed after taking a nap following his second group match.
McDowell was taken to the last by home favourite Rafael Cabrera-Bello in their
semifinal and showed signs of fatigue against Colsaerts, who beat him at the
quarterfinal stage here in 2011. Matt Forte Authentic Jersey . The Dodgers
centre fielder was placed on the 15-day disabled list following the game because
of a strained left hamstring. Kemp had played 399 consecutive games, the longest
active streak in the majors. Andre Ethier homered in Kemps absence as the
Dodgers won their fifth straight. Robbie Gould Elite Jersey . Power was deeply
in debt eight years ago, certain he was headed home to Australia to join the
family business because he couldnt afford to continue chasing his racing dreams.
http://www.chicagobearsgears.com/brandon-marshall-jersey/
.J. Burnett off the 15-day disabled list and the right-hander is slated to start
on Saturday night against St. William Perry Jersey . Details of Scotts
injury werent immediately available but Eskimos head coach Kavis Reed said the
actions taken by both Edmontons training staff and ambulance officials were on
the side of caution with the injured player. D.J. Moore Jersey . —David Beckham sent in
crosses that led to two first-half goals and then curled home a corner kick for
a goal of his own to help the Los Angeles Galaxy open CONCACAF Champions League
play with a 5-2 victory over El Salvadors Isidro Metapan on Thursday
night.WINNIPEG—The Winnipeg Blue Bombers played for pride Saturday and ended
their CFL season with a morale boosting 19-11 win over the East Division leading
Montreal Alouettes. It was also their last game at Canad Inns Stadium. Both
teams played backup quarterbacks, Montreal because they chose to sit Anthony
Calvillo and Winnipeg because Buck Pierce was hurt for the third time this
season. The result leaves the Bombers at 6-12, tied on points with Hamilton but
ahead thanks to the series edge, leaving the Tiger-Cats in last place in the
CFL. The win cost the Bombers first pick in the 2013 CFL draft but coach Tim
Burke wasnt complaining. “It feels really good to get a win, obviously, and I
think its a good positive step for next year,” he said. He had good things to
say about both quarterbacks but singled out Justin Goltz, who came in for the
fourth quarter and scored the go-ahead touchdown. “You could see his athletic
ability. He can run, he can throw, hes a big guy, I think hes got a really good
future. . . “I think there were some real positives in his performance and
enough to say to yourself boy, we really want him back.” With Pierce missing 11
games this season and failing to finish others because of injury, the Bombers
are taking a hard look at what to do with the quarterback position for 2013. The
Alouettes still finish first in the CFL East Division at 11-7 but quarterback
Adrian McPherson failed to capitalize on the 10-0 first quarter lead he built in
his first start this season. “Im really disappointed we didnt get the win,” he
said. “I didnt feel too bad, especially for someone who hasnt played in so long.
. . Ill go back watch the film and see how I can try and get better.” Winnipeg
cornerback Jovon Johnson, who set up Goltzs touchdown with a 71-yard punt
return, said the win was important for a team that has struggled. “We talked
about it before the game. . . Our season for next year starts today,” he said.
“Right now it just means were headed into the right direction, going out with a
win, hopefully we can carry over some momentum from that and bring it back for
next year.” Goltz replaced Alex Brink in the fourth quarter after Brink
completed 17-of-26 pass attempts for 173 yards and one interception. McPherson
scored one touchdown and was also his teams leading rusher with 102 yards. Brink
and McPherson both handle wildcat plays for their teams aand Brink was second on
the Bomber rushing list at 58 yards. Brian Urlacher Blue Jersey. “I think I played
well tonight. We executed, we moved the football, we had only one or two and
outs,” Brink said. “For the team to go out on a high note going into the
off-season, obviously with the stadium closing, to send it out with a victory is
huge.” Burke wasnt happy that his team got off to another slow start, although
this time they managed to find their feet and stage a comeback. Sean Whyte
kicked a 17-yard field goal to put Montreal on the board at 4:10 of the first
quarter on the Alouettes opening drive. McPhersons touchdown made it 10-0 about
six minutes later. Justin Palardys 24-yard field goal a few seconds into the
second quarter got Winnipeg on the board and the Bombers picked up two singles
on a missed field goal and a punt to trail 10-5 at the half. The second half was
all Winnipeg as Montreal managed only a single and Winnipeg got another field
goal, Goltzs touchdown and a single. The Bombers lost their best receiver in the
third quarter when rookie Chris Matthews was crushed to the turf by Montreals
Kryies Hebert. He was out cold and took a few minutes to regain his feet but
said after the game he felt fine. He also added another 55 yards to his total
for the season, brining him to 1,192, good enough for sixth in the CFL. An
announced crowd of 26,807 fans got a second chance to say goodbye to Canad Inns
Stadium Saturday but it looked like a few ticket holders may have decided to
stay home on an overcast day with temperatures hovering just above freezing. The
stadium, known simply as Winnipeg Stadium for most of its existence, is just a
year shy of its 60th birthday. It was feted last year, when the Bombers thought
they would be playing this season at Investors Group Field, located at the
University of Manitoba. Construction delays have plagued the project, which has
yet to be finished. This was also the Canadian Football Hall of Fame game
honouring this years inductees. The players are quarterback Damon Allen, who
played with four CFL teams winning three Grey Cups, 14-season all-star Bombers
receiver Milt Stegall, Saskatchewan offensive lineman and kicker Jack
Abendschan, Montreal running back Eric Lapointe and the late linebacker Tyrone
Jones, who also played in Winnipeg. The builders are B.C. Lions and Toronto
Argonauts owner David Braley and former University of Calgary coach Peter
Connellan. ’ ’ ’
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