News & Neuigkeiten » past two years.ROSTER PROBLEMS: Martin has no

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. -- Mackenzie Hughes figured he was down to his last chance to stay alive in a four-man playoff Monday morning in the RSM Classic.The Canadian rookie with pluck and a pure putting stroke poured in an 18-foot par putt from off the 17th green at Sea Island, and that last chance turned into his first PGA Tour victory when the other three players all missed from 10 feet or closer.I made the putt of my life right there, Hughes said.He calmed his nerves and came up clutch in the 42-degree chill, becoming the first PGA Tour rookie in 20 years to go wire-to-wire for his first victory. The final day of a long year on the PGA Tour brought a most unlikely finish.Hughes had a chance to end it Sunday night until his 10-foot birdie putt in the dark on the 18th hole turned away. The next morning, he was the only player who was never on the green at the par-3 17th until his ball was in the cup.Blayne Barber, Henrik Norlander and Camilo Villegas narrowly missed their par putts to extend the playoff.Hughes was watching from off the green, and the prospect of winning became more real with each putt that missed -- first Barber, then Norlander. When Villegas missed his 7-footer, Hughes dropped his putter, turned his back on the green and knocked off his cap as he rubbed his head in disbelief.If I didnt make, I thought I was probably out, Hughes said. Before I hit it, the thought was, Just make them think about it. Put this putt in first, and if you can be the first guy in, put the pressure back on them. And thats what happened.The victory sends the 25-year-old Canadian to the Masters. One of his most vivid golf memories as a kid in Ontario was watching Mike Weir win the green jacket in 2003.He was texting me last night a little bit, Hughes said. Its pretty cool to have a guy like that to lean on for advice.Billy Horschel was eliminated from the five-man playoff on the first extra hole Sunday night when he narrowly missed a birdie putt then shockingly missed a 2-foot putt. Hughes putts so well it was mildly surprising when he missed his 10-foot putt on the second playoff hole.It ate at me a little bit knowing that I had 10 feet to win it, he said. But I came out here to try to clear my mind, tell myself that I have a one-in-four chance.The odds looked worse when his 4-iron bounded over the green and down a steep slope. Making the pitch shot even more difficult was that the pin was 15 feet from the back edge and the green ran quickly away from him. His pitch was a few feet from being perfect, but instead it stopped short of the green.Norlander was in the front bunker, while Barber was left of the green and Villegas was just over the back. Barber and Villegas used putter for their second shots.The last rookie to go wire-to-wire for his first win was Tim Herron at the 1996 Honda Classic. Hughes started this week with a 61, and he led after every round until he was posing with tournament host Davis Love III with the trophy.Hughes, who closed with a 69 and finished at 17-under 265, capped a memorable fall season.He began his rookie season by playing the final two rounds with Phil Mickelson and tying for 13th at the Safeway Open. Mickelsons caddie Jim Mackay said in a text message Saturday night, I really like his moxie, hes got guts.In his only week off this fall, Hughes and his longtime girlfriend from Kent State, Jenna, were married. They planned a honeymoon in the offseason, and now he gets to plan a schedule that includes Kapalua, Augusta National and the PGA Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he lives.Hughes earned $1.08 million.Villegas and Norlander do not have full PGA Tour cards, and a victory would have changed that. Villegas got into the field as a past champion, while Norlander has no PGA Tour status and received a sponsors exemption.Villegas had made every big putt, from his birdies on the 16th and 17th in regulation to his 6-foot par putt on the 72nd hole to join the playoff to another tough 4-foot putt in the dark Sunday night to stay alive. He missed from 7 feet Monday.I just pushed it a tiny bit, Villegas said. But once again, Im proud of myself. We want to win a golf tournament, so you go with a little bittersweet, but youve got to look at the positive and keep moving forward. Cheap Saucony Shoes China . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead. Cheap Balenciaga Shoes China . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. http://www.cheapshoeschinaonline.com/ . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. Cheap Shoes From China Fast Shipping . -- Stanfords Kevin Danser knelt on one knee and hardly moved on the sideline as Michigan State celebrated its Rose Bowl victory and his Cardinal teammates made their way to the locker room. Cheap Ecco Shoes China . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina guard Sindarius Thornwells prime goal this season is qualifying for the NCAA Tournament -- and hes not giving up on it because most of the guys he played with last year are gone.I think that we still have the potential to make the tournament, Thornwell said.Thornwell and the Gamecocks thought they had done enough a year ago to get there with a 15-0 start, going 11-7 in Southeastern Conference games and finishing the regular-season 24-9.But on selection Sunday South Carolina was remembered more for the text it initially -- and mistakenly -- received from the NCAA saying it was in instead of breaking 12-year tournament drought.We were older last year. We had been together last year for three years, said Thornwell, South Carolinas top returning scorer at 13.4 points a game. I was kind of easier for us last year.That team featured all-SEC first-team selection Michael Carrera, plus front court seniors in Mindaugas Kacinas and Laimonas Chatkevicius, all three who were seniors. Thornwell was picked for the league all-defensive team and Duane Notice was picked as the SEC sixth man of the year.Now, Notice joins Thornwell as the leaders of a team with only two other players in P.J. Dozier and Chris Silva with significant experience.This year, us older guys have to work harder and the team is going to move a little different and play a little different with the younger guys and us older guys being all guards, Thornwell said. I think we still have the same type of potential, its just that the game will be played a little different.Different is good, fifth-year coach Frank Martin said. The returners are players whove learned Martins approach and can share it with newcomers.Theres a confidence level about the older guys that I like a lot, but theres also a realistic approach to what they do every day, Martin said. They stay humble and they stay commmitted to the work.dddddddddddd They keep the young guys on edge.---Some other things to watch for at South Carolina this season:DOZIERS RISE: Martin said sophomore point guard PJ Dozier was worn down as a freshman (he started 28 games) and needed a break from basketball last spring. Dozier has come back stronger and better prepared and Martin said hes poised to take a big step forward with the Gamecocks. The McDonalds All-American averaged 6.7. points, 3 rebounds and 2.1 assists last season.FRONT COURT CONCERNS: With the loss of four front-court players 6-foot-7 or taller, South Carolina will be in need of some gang rebounding. Martin has liked the play of Chris Silva, a 6-9 forward who he said was rebounding in practice as well as anyone hes coached. Four of the five tallest Gamecocks are first-year playes.MARTINS STAY: South Carolina took away concerns of Martin looking elsewhere with a four-year contract extension that ties him to the school through 2021-22 season. Martin has gone from 28-38 his first two seasons to 42-25 the past two years.ROSTER PROBLEMS: Martin has not had the easiest time retaining players during his stay. Just before the Gamecocks NIT opener last March, five players were suspended and three were arrested. Four expected returnees (Marcus Stroman, Jamall Gregory, Eric Cobb and Raymond Doby) left the program leaving Martin relying on untested first-year players this season.NEW FLOOR: The Gamecocks will play on a new floor at Colonial Life Arena, one designed to be shock absorbent. The flooring features power shock pads that should give players more cushioning when playing or working out. The surface replaces the one that was put in nearly a decade ago.---Online:More AP College Basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org ' ' '