World Golf News - 10 May 2011

On the US PGA Tour Lucas Glover claimed his first victory since the 2009 US Open when he won the Quail Hollow Championship on Sunday. In a final round that saw Glover pitted against former team mate Jonathan Byrd in a playoff, a single stroke separated the two from victory or loss. After making an impressive putt on the first playoff hole, Glover clinched the title to cheers from the crowd. Byrd congratulated his former teammate in commendable style, revealing the camaraderie that exists between the two young golfers. South Africa’s Rory Sabbatini was in third place.

On the European Tour, South Africa’s Thomas Aiken was victorious on an emotional forth day at the Spanish Open. With Spain in mourning over the death of golfing legend Seve Ballesteros, a sentiment echoed in all corners of the golfing globe, the young South African dedicated his first victory on the European Tour to the Spanish great. Ballesteros passed away on Saturday following a prolonged battle against brain cancer. In a sombre but focussed final round, the South African weathered several challenges from Denmark’s Anders Hansen to lift the trophy. A saddened but enthusiastic crowd cheered Aiken on and his dedication of the trophy to Ballesteros did much to both lift their spirits and heighten their memory of the former world number one.

On the Champions Tour Tom Lehman continued his victorious streak, winning the Regions Tradition in a playoff against Peter Senior. On the second hole of the playoff, Lehman sunk a solid par putt to claim victory. In a turn of events, Lehman’s 20 foot putt made it cleanly into the hole while Senior’s shorter putt missed. Lehman’s putting had not been remarkable during the tournament as he himself later commented, but last-minute focus won the day as he clinched the title.