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Stenson evokes memories of Baker-Finch at Colonial

PGA Tour competitor Henrik Stenson answered the "boxers or briefs" question in full view of the gallery -- and photographers -- during Thursday's opening round of the WGC-CA Championship in Miami. Seeking to avoid soiling his clothes on hole No. 3, Stenson stripped down to his skivvies to play a shot from a messy, muddy lie at the par-4 hole.

His decision brought back memories of Ian Baker-Finch at the 1993 Colonial. Baker-Finch waded into the water at No. 13 wearing a golf shirt and dark blue boxer shorts to play a shot from a greenside lake in an effort to save par. Baker-Finch took bogey and, ever since, the Colonial incident has been referred to as his "bogey in boxer shorts."

Stenson also took bogey on Thursday at Doral Golf Resort. But not in boxers. Or briefs. He's clearly a combo guy. And he opted to leave the shirt behind as well. It made for some ... uh, interesting photos. 

Hit the link below to check out an 8-frame action sequence shot of Stenson in his  white boxer/briefs ... Just be forewarned: it's definitely PG-13 material.

 http://msn.foxsports.com/golf/pgStory?contentId=9328820#sport=Golf&photo
> =9328434

_ Jimmy Burch
 

Sabbatini, Pavin join Nelson field

Fort Worth resident Rory Sabbatini and Corey Pavin, the 2010 U.S. Ryder Cup captain, have committed to play in the HP Byron Nelson Championship, May 18-24 in Irving.

Both players added their names to the commitment list today. Sabbatini, the 2007 Colonial champ, is No. 40 in the world golf rankings. Pavin, a Dallas resident, is a two-time Colonial champ (1996, 1985).

_ Jimmy Burch

Saginaw's Angela Stanford moves back atop LPGA season earnings list

Angela Stanford finished in a tie for third at today’s HSBC Women’s Champions event in Singapore, but moved back atop the LPGA Tour season earnings list in the process.

Stanford, a Saginaw resident and former TCU golfer, closed with a 73 at Tanah Merah Country Club’s Garden Course to finish at 8-under par for the event, three strokes behind winner Jiyai Shin, an LPGA rookie. Shin fired a closing 66 for the three-stroke victory.

Stanford, 31, earned $106,010 by finishing in a tie for third and boosted her season earnings total to a tour-best $322,571.

For Stanford, it marked the ninth consecutive event in which she posted a top 10 finish. Included are three victories, including one in the SBS Open at Turtle Bay, the season-opening event on the 2009 LPGA Tour.

In all nine events, Stanford has finished in a tie for seventh or higher. The breakdown:

2008 Tournament                                                               Finish
Bell Micro LPGA Classic                                                    Win
Samsung World Championship                                           T3
Longs Drugs Challenge                                                       2nd
Kapalua LPGA Classic                                                       T4
Lorena Ochoa Invitational by Banamex and Corona Light        Win
ADT Championship                                                              6th

2009 Tournament
SBS Open at Turtle Bay                                                       Win
Honda LPGA Thailand                                                          T7
HSBC Women’s Champions                                                 T3

_ Jimmy Burch

Adam Scott to defend title at 2009 Byron Nelson Championship

Adam Scott, the No. 19 player in the world golf rankings, committed today to defend his title at the HP Byron Nelson Championship, May 18-24 in Irving.

Scott joins a field that also includes verbal pledges from Colonial champ Phil Mickelson, Chad Campbell, Justin Leonard, Ryan Palmer, J.B. Holmes, Hunter Mahan, Colt Knost, Sean O’Hair, Tommy Armour III, Briny Baird, Matt Bettencourt, Harrison Frazar, Charley Hoffman, Ted Purdy, Webb Simpson and Brandt Snedeker. In addition, Nelson officials have extended sponsor’s exemptions to Rich Beem, Michael Schachner, Shigeki Maruyama and Jesper Parnevik.

_ Jimmy Burch

Heralded amateur Danny Lee joins Colonial field

Danny Lee, an 18-year-old amateur who became the youngest golfer to win a European Tour event on Feb. 24, has accepted a sponsor’s exemption to compete at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, May 25-31 in Fort Worth.

Peter Ripa, Colonial tournament director, confirmed Lee’s addition to the field this afternoon. Lee, a native of New Zealand, also is the reigning U.S. Amateur champion and will compete in the 2009 Masters.

Lee, 18, became the youngest champion in European Tour history with his Feb. 24 victory at the Johnnie Walker Classic. Lee (18 years, 213 days) broke the previous mark of Dale Hayes (18 years, 290 days), winner of the 1971 Spanish Open.

_ Jimmy Burch

Colonial, Rangers offer crossover ticket promotion

Officials with the Texas Rangers and the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial have joined forces to create a “Balls and Spikes” promotion that offers a one-day ticket to each sporting event, along with a commemorative cap, for $50.

The package includes a one-day ticket to the Colonial tournament (May 28-31), valid for Friday through Sunday rounds, and a Lexus Club Box ticket to any Rangers’ home game in June. Also included is a Rangers’ cap with a Colonial logo on the side.

Packages must be purchased online at www.texasrangers.com or by calling 972-RANGERS.

_ Jimmy Burch