MELBOURNE, Australia — Being with his ex-caddie was the least of Tiger Woods‘ worries today.
Woods and Steve Stricker didn’t make a birdie, didn’t win a hole and matched the record for biggest loss in Presidents Cup history.
Adam Scott and K.J. Choi were relentless at Royal Melbourne, making enough birdies and letting Woods and Stricker self-destruct in a 7-and-6 victory in alternate-shot play. Only one other match went 12 holes since the Presidents Cup began in 1994 — David Frost beat Kenny Perry by the same score in 1996.
Woods and Steve Williams exchanged a firm, businesslike handshake on the opening hole, and that was about all the drama in what might be the final chapter of this bitter split between player and caddie.
The biggest early swing came in the match involving Americans Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson, who were 2 down after three, but won three holes in a row to take a 1-up lead over Ernie Els and Ryo Ishikawa and went on to a 4-and-2 victory in the opening match of the day. The Americans held a 3 1/2-1 1/2 lead with one match remaining.
Meanwhile, instead of his traditional PGA Tour start in San Diego, Woods has agreed to play in the Jan. 26-29 Abud Dhabi HSBC Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, along with No. 1 Luke Donald and defending champion Martin Kaymer.
Eight charged in Ramos kidnapping
CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan authorities formally charged eight suspects in the kidnapping of Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos last week. Prosecutors said the charges include kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, using a stolen vehicle and criminal association. Those charged include six men accused of directly participating in the abduction, as well as a 59-year-old woman and 74-year-old man who are charged as accomplices for allegedly providing food to the group.
• Los Angeles Dodgers attorneys filed a complaint in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, alleging lawyers for Fox Sports Net West, which runs the Prime Ticket regional sports network, violated the automatic halt to litigation against a debtor in bankruptcy by sending a letter to the Dodgers’ financial adviser.
• New St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny is keeping most of Tony La Russa‘s coaching staff.
Mark McGwire and Dave Duncan are staying on for 2012, but first-base coach Dave McKay and bench coach Joe Pettini were dropped from their positions.
Footnotes.
St. Louis Blues forward Chris Stewart was suspended three games for shoving Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall into the boards from behind during Tuesday night’s game. Stewart will forfeit $46,621.62 in salary.
• Natalie Wisneski, the former chief operating officer of the Fiesta Bowl, has been indicted on charges of filing false income tax returns for the bowl game.
• Former Olympic gymnastics coach Don Peters, accused of sexually abusing two athletes in the 1980s, has been banned for life by USA Gymnastics and his place in the federation’s Hall of Fame revoked.
The Associated Press
