Wilson Golf has announced the signing of Russia's top female player.

Just over one week after ending their contract with Karen Stupples the former British Womans Open Champion  club manufacturer Wilson Golf has announced the signing of Russia's top female player Maria Balikoeva. Maria is best known for becoming the first Russian lady to qualify for the Ladies European Tour in 2007.Now 26 years old she has just returned to the Tour after the birth of her first child.

Florida-based Briton Stupples was  hoping her deal with Wilson would remain in place for the 2013 season.
She heads to the Australian Open for her first tournament of the year later this week.

Stupples, who won her only major to date with victory at the 2004 Women's British Open, claimed she had lost her contract because Wilson was moving away from the women's game.
The English star tweeted: "Just got word from @WilsonGolf  that they no longer want to market to women... so they are one and done with me."
The announcement of Balikoeva's deal shows this not to be the case. "It re-affirms Wilson Golf's commitment to the ladies game," said Doug Wright, the company's business director for Europe.

   

Karen Stupples

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OMEGA DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Stephen Gallacher holed an eagle on No. 16 and won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday, overcoming early jitters to beat playing partner Richard Sterne by three shots.

 

PHIL MICKLESON WINS IN PHOENIX

 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Phil Mickelson completed a wire-to-wire victory in the Waste Management Phoenix Open, again flirting with history in a dominating run at TPC Scottsdale.
Mickelson shot a 4-under 67 on Sunday to finish at 28-under 256, two strokes off the PGA Tour record of 254 set by Tommy Armour III in the 2003 Texas Open.

"It's an important one for me, because it's been a while since I won, been a while since I've been in contention," Mickelson said. "I was certainly nervous heading into today. I think the thing I'm most excited about was the way I was able to regain control of my thoughts after a few shots early on that I didn't care for."
Mickelson missed a chance for a 59 in the first round when his 25-foot birdie putt on the final hole caught the right edge of the cup, curled 180 degrees and stayed out. He settled for a 60 and followed with rounds of 65 and 64 to take a six-stroke lead into the final round.

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http://www.pga.com/news/pga-tour/phil-mickelson-wins

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Cheyenne Woods meets kangaroos and koalas!

   

American Cheyenne Woods took some time out after her second round of the Volvik RACV Ladies Masters to meet Australia’s native wildlife at Currumbin Sanctuary just south of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast.
Woods had a fantastic time, commenting: “The Wildlife Park was so much fun!”
“I couldn't believe how big it was and we were able to get up close and personal with the animals.”
“My favourite was definitely the kangaroos.  It was my first time ever seeing one in person and I was surprised at how gentle and friendly they all were!  We had the chance to see a few joeys in the pouches and take a lot of pictures to send back to the States.”
“The Koala was so adorable!  It was almost like holding a baby: he was so small and calm.
“Currumbin was such a great experience. It was truly once a once in a lifetime trip for me. I never would have imagined myself being able to hold koalas and feed kangaroos. The staff were so helpful in teaching us about each animal and leading us around the park.  I would definitely recommend a visit to Currumbin, it's the perfect place to learn about and enjoy the wildlife of Australia at the same time.”
After this week, the talented player heads to New Zealand for the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Open and then returns to Australia for the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open at Royal Canberra Golf Club from 14 to 17 February.
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Ladies European Tour (LET) - Cheyenne Woods meets kangaroos and koalas!

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Kristie Smith on her Australian Lifestyle

  

Kristie Smith earned her maiden professional title in January 2010 at the Royal Canberra Ladies Classic on the Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG) Tour and in 2011 she recorded her first LET victory at the New Zealand Women’s Open. She took some time to answer our questionnaire and shared some photos with us ahead of the LET's opening swing of 2013 down under.
Kristie: where are you born and where is it exactly in the country? Perth, Western Australia.
Tell us more about where you were born. Perth is on the west coast of Australia, some 2104 kilometres away from the nearest city and is definitely Australia’s sunniest capital. We have world class beaches (with the occasional shark attack here & there but nothing to really worry about haha)...We are known around the world to be the “City of Lights” and to be one of the windiest cities in the world to land a plane.
What is the best thing about your country? Our beaches and laid back personalities :-) We’re always good for a Sunday sesh too!  Give some examples of the traditions from your home town/area that you like or love doing. Going to the footy (AFL) to have a pie & coke & watch the West Coast Eagles dominate every week when I’m home :-)
Tell us something about any of your festivities, what do you do and where do you go? I always go to $10 steak night down at the local pub ;-)
Your favourite place and why? I love my home city (Perth)! Beautiful weather, amazing beaches, relaxed atmosphere and family time :-)
Typical food and drinks from your area that you love? I love a lemon, lime & bitters on a hot summers day. Very refreshing! As for food - Perth has some amazing seafood it’s just $50 per kg. RIDICULOUS PRICING!!
If you like cooking, what typical food from your country do you like to cook? Nothing like a good ol’ Aussie BBQ!
Be our travel guide... what places would you recommend us to visit in your country and things to do? Melbourne for the awesome shopping & coffee. Sydney because it’s beautiful & it’s Sydney - maybe go climb the Harbour Bridge & check out the Opera house. Perth for the weather, beaches & maybe go downsouth for a relaxed holiday, there are some great wine regions too. Queensland has some lovely beaches too & pretty chilled out areas. No one really goes to Adelaide, Canberra or Tassie haha! Don’t ask us why Canberra is our capital!
One of the topics that we found regarding the Australians/New Zealand’s is that people there enjoy a laid back and social lifestyle. What’s your typical weekend? Well when I’m home...some sessions with my trainer on the beach, lunch with some mates at a pub that has a good outdoor area, Sunday sessions are always good fun, usually a BBQ on the weekends is a goer!

We do not often see kangaroos, koalas or kiwis in Europe… How often do you see them? You see kangaroos quite often on golf courses all over Oz... koalas not so much (they’re mainly in the zoo).
Which is the most popular sport in your country? Give us an example of how popular it is. What about golf and women’s golf? What about rugby? Any sport in general is popular in Oz! I would say the main ones people watch are AFL (Aussie Rules), rugby & cricket. I wouldn’t say golf is as popular (especially women’s golf - haha). Rugby I have no interest whatsoever but I know it’s hugely popular!
What are your favourite sports and teams that you support? Do you attend any games? AFL is by far my favourite sport! I support the West Coast Eagles & attend EVERY game I can when I’m home in Oz!

Kristie enjoying outdoors activities

What does horse racing and “The Melbourne Cup” mean to you and your country? It’s a huge day! It’s a day known to stop the WHOLE nation in whatever they’re doing just to watch the 2 minute race...I remember being in primary school & the teachers would all head off to a TV somewhere for 5 mins to watch it haha. Pretty much it’s a big party day for most of the country! You get dolled up, have a few beers and put on a few bets.
What about surfing in Australia? Do you surf, did you surf at school and how good are you? Surfing is very popular in parts of Australia. I actually grew up in one of the biggest surfing towns in the world (Margaret River). We did have surfing classes during school which was always fun but I’m definitely not a surfer these days... haha!
Who is your favourite celebrity/personality/idol from your country that you are really proud of and why? I can’t really pick just one...Love Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Heath Ledger, Lleyton Hewitt god I could go on forever!
Who is your favourite golf player from your country? And sportsmen/women? Favourite Aussie golfer would be John Sendon but Adam Scott is always nice to watch ;-)
What do you miss from home when you come to Europe to play? My family, dogs, trainer and my own bed!
Is there something unusual from your country that you could explain to us? You have to be brought up on Vegemite to like it ;-) Very distinctive taste!
The Aboriginal culture is rich with stories and legends – are you familiar with any? Not familiar with any real stories which is really bad as I am 1/32 Aboriginal...whoops!
What are your favourite Australian sayings? (for example: Arvo – this is short for afternoon. 'Drop by this arvo') G’day mate (hello), no worries (no problem), brekkie (breakfast), you dag (funny person), dunny (toilet), Macca’s (McDonalds).

CHECK OUT MORE INTERVIEWS ON:
Ladies European Tour (LET) - Kristie Smith on her Australian Lifestyle

Ladies European Tour (LET) - Webb Weaves her Magic for No.8 at RACV Royal Pines

   

A Victorious Karrie Webb (Photo: Scott Powick SMP Images) 

Australian Karrie Webb has won the Volvik RACV Ladies Masters for an incredible eighth time and in doing so she equals Sam Snead’s record of winning the same event eight times.
Snead won the Greater Greensboro Open eight times in a run spanning four decades.  Webb first won at RACV Royal Pines in 1998 and her most recent victory was in 2010.
Webb, who started the final round two shots behind teenagers, Su-Hyun Oh and Ariya Jutanugarn, fired a flawless round of five under par 67 to finish at top of the leader board at 13-under-par and two clear of the field at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.
Webb didn’t feel it for the first nine holes and posted her only birdie on the par 5 3^rd to go out in 35.
“I wasn’t feeling it on the front nine, I really hang in there, I didn’t hit a lot of quality shots, but just managed to shot one-under on the front” said Webb after her round.
A great up and down on the par 4 10^th, after an errant drive was the key to her final round: “If I didn’t get up and down there, there would have been no momentum going forward and I would have really struggled to keep up.”
Webb was still trailing the leaders by three with eight holes to play, but the seven-time major champion then stepped it up a gear over the final holes, making a crucial birdie on the par 5 12^th which moved her to 10-under-par.
After Webb made her birdie on the 12^th,  Oh, who was leading, was starting to feel the pressure and a double bogey on the same hole saw her drop back to 10-under-par.  The 12^th wasn’t a good hole for the players at the top apart from Webb: Jutanugarn also bogeyed which resulted in Webb, Oh and Jutanugarn all at 10-under-par.
Webb took the outright lead after she holed her pitch shot from the back of the green on the par 3, 14^th for another birdie.
The reachable par 5 15^th  gave her another birdie opportunity. She reached the green in two and just missed her eagle putt, but tapped in for birdie to move to 12-under-par.
A fantastic up and down from the right side of the par 16^th maintained her momentum and lead before she sunk another 15 foot birdie putt on the 17^th to give herself a three shot lead heading up 18.
Commenting on her eighth win she said: “I am very happy, it never gets old when you get a win, what a way to start the year! I’m very happy.”

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Ladies European Tour (LET) - Webb Weaves her Magic for No.8 at RACV Royal Pines