Eisenhower Trophy - US gets it for 3rd year

DIVOTS

The US lifted the Eisenhower Trophy for the third successive year, winning an aggregated 407 in the weather-hit World Amateur Team Championships at Rio Mar Country Club in Puerto Rico. Because of heavy rains, play was cancelled for Sunday and the results were based on 54-hole scores.

It was the 13th victory for the US, the only nation to finish in the top 10 in all the 24 Eisenhower Trophy competitions. Their 25-under-par score was nine strokes ahead of silver medallists Spain at 416 and 10 strokes clear of bronze medallists Sweden at 417. India finished 19th and the best Asian result came from Malaysia, tied for eighth.

More than just birdies

Phil Mickelson had a great season this year. He won his first Major at the Masters and finished second on the Money List after Vijay Singh, who crossed the $10 million mark. But more satisfying for 'Lefty' Mickelson has been the $105,600 he helped to raise for the Operations Warrior Foundation.

For the Brave programme, Mickelson contributed $100 for each birdie and $500 for each eagle he hit during the season. He made a total of six eagles and 322 birdies, the second best Tour average this year. With his sponsors "" Ford and Bearing Point "" also chipping in equal amounts, the money totalled over $105,600. The foundation offers college scholarship for the children of the US Special Operations personnel killed in combat.

Japan's strategy

Shigeki Maruyama, Japan's biggest star on the US PGA Tour, is urging his colleagues to turn up in full strength for the next edition of the Dynasty Cup clash against Asia in April next year. Maruyama, a two-time winner on the US PGA Tour, wants to play in the Ryder Cup-style showdown after missing the inaugural clash in which Asia won by nine points.

Qatar Masters

The 2005 Qatar Masters, which will be jointly sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours, will feature 100 top stars of Europe and 44 from Asia. To be held in March, the event will have a $1.5 million prize money besides a magnificent Pearl Trophy. It is the first event in the Middle East to be co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours. The co-sanctioning will promote Qatar as it gets ready to host the Asian Games in 2006.

Bogeyman