US TOUR: Ernie Els has always felt at home in Hawaii and is in confident mood as he bids for a third consecutive title in this week's Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu.
The world number three has fired 16 consecutive sub-70 rounds at the tournament's permanent venue, never finishing worse than fifth in the opening, full-field event of the PGA Tour season.
"It's a beautiful spot and three wins in a row here would be pretty special," the 35-year-old South African said. "The good thing is, from the way I played at last week's Mercedes (Championships in Hawaii), I feel confident about my game in general.
"For the first week of a new season, my game felt like it was in good shape.
"I led the birdie stats, making 26 in all, which is a very positive sign," added Els, who tied for third last week with Tiger Woods in the US Tour's season-opener at Kapalua.
Woods has opted to miss the event before returning to competition in the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines Golf Course later this month. But world number one Vijay Singh, US Open champion Retief Goosen and US Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman are among the big names who will tee off in today's opening round.
Also taking part is 15-year-old prodigy Michelle Wie, who narrowly failed to make the cut in last year's event after firing a second-round 68.
Wie will certainly feel a little apprehensive at Waialae Country Club as she attempts to become the first female to make the cut in a men's PGA Tour event, but so too will Britain's Paul Casey.
Ryder Cup player Casey (27), will be playing his first event in the US since his much-publicised attack on American sports culture last November.
SENIOR TOUR: The European Seniors Tour will launch its 14th season with the now traditional "Caribbean Swing" on the islands of Barbados and Tobago in March.
A brand new venue will be The Heritage at Killenard, Co Laois, for the AIB Irish Seniors Open.
The venue for the tour's richest event, the Senior British Open, has yet to be announced. It has been at Royal County Down, Turnberry and Royal Portrush the last three years.
BRITISH OPEN: All will not be what it appears when golf's greatest players stand on one particular tee during the British Open championship at St Andrews in July.
In rebuilding 94 of the 112 bunkers on the Old Course, it was decided to hide one more of them from view.
The face of the trap guarding the green at the driveable par four 12th has been lowered eight inches and the area above it turfed over so that, like others on the hole, it becomes invisible from the tee.
Head greenkeeper Euan Grant said: "Like the Road Bunker (on the 17th), which has been extended by three feet, this was a matter agreed between the Links Trust Green Sub-Committee and the Royal and Ancient Club.
"They wanted us to play with the golfer's mind. He will know there is plenty of trouble down there on the fairway, but he won't be sure exactly where it is."
