Golf Digest/Buick Championship: After two weeks of punishing competition at the US PGA Championship and WGC Invitational, Tiger Woods and the rest of the world's top players are taking time off ahead of the 11-event PGA Tour fall finish.
There will, however, be no rest for those looking to secure spots on next year's Tour with this week's Buick Championship at the TPC at River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, offering a good chance for ranking points.
Kenny Perry, who was tied with Woods for the lead going into the final round of the WGC Invitational last week, will be one of the favourites to win the $4.3-million event having moved up to number 10 in the rankings.
Perry will be anxious to atone for his final-round collapse that led to a fall from a two-shot lead after eight holes to finishing in a tie for sixth as Woods claimed a fifth title of the season.
At 17 and 18 respectively, South African Tim Clark and Dungannon's Darren Clarke are the only other members of the world's top 20 this week at the River Highlands.
The duo are part of a strong international contingent who have stayed on in the US rather than head to Germany for the BMW International this weekend. Lee Westwood, who had a third-round seven-under 63 at the WGC, has also decided to stay on, while Peter Lonard will lead an Australian charge that includes Robert Allenby and Steve Elkington.
Woody Austin ended a nine-year title drought with his play-off victory over Tim Herron 12 months ago and he is back to defend his crown.
EUROPEAN CHALLENGE TOUR: Irish Amateur champion Rory McIlroy made a hugely impressive Tour debut at the Morson International Pro-Am Challenge in Manchester yesterday, carding a one-under-par 69 to lead the Irish challenge at the €150,000 event.
Colm Moriarty was the next best Irishman (two over par) in the field led by England's Matthew Morris, who carded a course-record seven-under-par 63. Justin Kehoe, David Higgins and Tim Rice are respectively three, four and five over, with Northern Ireland's Ricky Elliot on seven over par.
