have fun in this weekend's 18th annual Portland Golf Expo

While it has been a mild winter in Maine, golf has still been a distant memory for your links faithful. That's planning to change in per month or so. Among the best ways to get ready will be the annual Golf Expo on the Holiday Inn Through the Bay in Portland.

The Expo is Saturday from 9 a.m. to five p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free parking is available in the hotel's garage.

There'll be clinics to aid boost your game in many areas, various contests and an all-day raffle for prizes. Free rounds of golf are already offered before on the Portland Golf Expo, however, not for this extent.

"We're handing out near to $100,000 in free golf and merchandise," said Scott Mayer, co-owner from the Portland Golf Expo.

Willowdale Club in Scarborough Ping K15 Irons and Point Sebago Resort in Casco are providing a combined 2,400 rounds of free golf. Early arrivals towards the Expo will win two free rounds as both classes are offering free golf for the first 500 paid admissions over the door on Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. Willowdale will also offer free rounds on the first 500 patrons on Sunday along with the first 200 through the door at noon both days.

Point Sebago will add to its free-round giveaway using the first 250 paid customers inside afternoon at noon Saturday and also the first 250 people on Sunday at 9 a.m. The free golf offers are limited to a single round each for someone at both courses.

Additionally, an admission ticket provides either a year's subscription either to Golf Digest Magazine or Golf World.

Clinicians include Dr. John Hayes III, a Portland chiropractor, which will talk on the way to alleviate back, hip, shoulder and titleist 910H hybrid elbow pain combined with the proper warm-up through exercise and stretching. His clinics are 10 a.m. both days.

John Carey of Cleveland Golf will discuss gap fitting your clubs which means your set covers every one of the yardages. He'll also discuss playing the best ball to optimize your scoring. His sessions are 11 a.m. both days.

Ron Bibeau, a PGA professional, will mention the First Tee of Maine. His clinic times are 1 p.m. both days. The initial Tee of Maine may be the beneficiary with the Golf Expo's silent auction. Also, a percentage of hails from every one of the contests can help support First Tee programs.

The Golf Expo is accepting donations for the First Tee. They can be made via email at: info@portlandgolfexpo.com. Also, all juniors who will be First Tee members are admitted liberated to the Golf Expo. They may be asked to bring their bag tag and other evidence membership.

Other clinics are by PGA professionals Mayer and Jim Fairbanks. Mayer, a PGA teaching professional at Nonesuch River, will talk about the mental part of golf. His sessions are in 2 p.m. both days. Fairbanks, the 2010 Maine Senior PGA champion, will give a clinic discount golf clubs about the scoring shots at 3 p.m. Saturday.

There'll be putting and chipping contests about the Southwest Greens of Maine putting green. Other contests include long drive and nearest the pin about the indoor golf simulators and an electric putting challenge. Patrons can purchase a raffle in the door having a drawing every hour around the hour.

Woods shoots 68, makes cut at PGA National

Still plenty of golf left ?a 36 holes," McIlroy said after a 67 inside breezy, balmy afternoon. "I should just carry on doing the identical things, make an effort to drive the ball inside the fairway and provide myself plenty of opportunities, and attempt and take a few. Since you don't have to make a lot of birdies out here."

Perhaps not, but that has been the recipe for Brian Harman, who shattered the course record by three shots and even flirted with golf's magic number before he'd to stay for par for the 543-yard closing hole to get a 61.

Birdies also helped Ernie els, though insufficient to offset the letter shot to the water about the par-3 fifth to get a double bogey in their round of Mizuno MP-59 Irons 68 that put him seven shots out from the lead.

Rose made five birdies inside a nine-hole stretch in the center of his round and was at 10 under until back-to-back bogeys, among how this program can stop momentum quickly. He finished up at 8-under 132 with Gillis, a 43-year-old journeyman who were built with a 64 which is atop the leaderboard the first time after any round of an PGA Tour event.

"You can't play 36 holes around here and expect to leave without the bruises in any way," Rose said.

McIlroy, who would must win the Honda Classic to change Luke Donald atop the world ranking, was at 7 under along with Dicky Pride, who birdied his last hole for the 67.

Harman, Jimmy Walker (67) and Monday qualifier Titleist 910 D3 Driver  Vaughn Taylor (66) were another shot back.

The cut was at 141, the cheapest since the Honda Classic transferred to PGA National five years ago.

Proof the low scoring came from Harman, the rookie from Georgia who never imagined waiting in the 18th fairway having a possiblity to shoot 59 with an eagle on the par 5. He gave it his best shot, leaving a hybrid in the front bunker to try to have a very reasonable putt. Harman wound up missing a 5-footer coupled with to settle for par, though his 61 still broke the course record by three shots.

"Just one particular crazy days where everything all fits in place," Harman said. "Got away and off to a really hot start and just kept the pedal down all day. It had been awesome."

For Woods, it had been dependent on showing up in the gas and slamming around the brakes.

Woods stuffed a technique inside 3 feet for birdie, then had to scramble for bogey. He bounced a tee shot off a spectator and turned that into discount golf clubs birdie, and then hit his next tee shot in the water for double bogey. He closed with two birdies.

Woods take his coach unprofessional

Now it's really a book which is planning to be released by his former coach, Hank Haney, who taught Woods for six years in which the former No. 1 golfer on earth won six major championships and 31 PGA Tour titles whilst turning up a slew of top-10 finishes.

Woods caused it to be clear in January right after the book's publication date was announced he was lower than thrilled using the idea. He described it "disappointing'' and felt Haney was "unprofessional.'' He also said he wouldn't see the book, nor would he discuss it.

But his agent, Mark Steinberg, didn't just crack open the threshold to help expand questions. He blew it open having a statement blasting Mizuno MP-58 irons Haney, especially for his experience of Woods' fondness for that Navy SEALs.

Haney wrote in the book, that has been excerpted by GolfDigest, that he was interested in the training Woods was doing and just how it would affect his surgically repaired knee with his fantastic overall round of golf. And he suggested that Woods seriously considered giving up his top spot amongst gamers for life inside the military.

Given Woods' previously mentioned stance concerning the book, questions regarding it during Wednesday's news conference with the Honda Classic were unlikely -- until Steinberg's statement that at least suggested Haney was off base.

Everybody has got the proven fact that Woods feels a trust was breached, that a coach he confided in over several years might reveal proprietary secrets or perhaps discount golf clubs off-the-cuff conversations.

Though the reaction from his agent this week suggested that possibly the record should be set straight. Asked where his disappointment level is now that some excerpts happen to be released, Woods wouldn't bite

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A later follow-up question about the same subject: "Well, I've already brought up it, so sorry.''

Then things got a lttle bit testy when a question asked specifically about the Navy SEALs comments. "I've already commented on Mizuno MP-68 Irons everything,'' Woods said. Pressed, Woods said: "I've already commented about the book.''

The exchange ended testily as Woods told the questioner, "You're a beauty'' and added, "Have a pleasant day.''

Reliable advice, Nicklaus had few media sessions, if any, like this in the past.

Love your golf game

Novices and experienced golfers alike perused aisles of golf products that promised to improve their game or perfect their swing.

Buckets of clubs, stacks of shoes and crates full of golf balls drew people trying to find a deal about the latest in golf wear and equipment.

Corona Del Mar residents Mike Ping G20 Hybrid Lamp, 63, and his son Miles, 8, were looking for a couple of shoes on Sunday.

Miles ran barefoot down the aisles searching the piles of shoe boxes stacked taller than him. He picked tan-and-white FootJoys.

"These shall be his first set of golf shoes," Mike Lamp said. "They didn't make sure they are in the size so far."

Miles started golfing at 4 after begging his dad to take him out on the ping g15 driver course. After their try with the game at Yorba Linda Country Club, Miles was hooked.

"I want to see the length of time I could hit the ball and the way close I could get it," Miles said, lacing up his new shoes.

Together with products, the expo also offered tips from PGA professionals concerning how to improve the golf swing technique, a trendy station with the event, specifically for those newer on the game.

Tustin resident Iris Molina, 19, saw improvement straight away.

Molina started golf six discount golf clubs months ago after her aunt and uncle convinced her to try the experience.

"It's fun," she said, "It's family. Each of them play."

Molina stepped up to the mat and took her first swing.

The instructor made some minor tweaks and walked her over the swing: head down, arm straight and lead while using hips.

Woods received the second-loudest cheerkfc123456

Fern ndez-Casta?o said ahead of the match which he considered Woods beatable, which seemed a few rubbish loads less than trash talking considering Woods have not won the state run event in many than 2 yrs. The comment drew a terse rejoinder from Woods ?a ?¡ãI feel he‘s beatable, too a and seemed to initiate a chill that the 70-degree temperatures couldn't thaw.

For the front nine, the one interplay between them was when Woods picked certainly one of Fern¡§¡éndez-Casta?o’s tees up and running and handed it to him.

They exchanged a handshake and Callaway RAZR Hawk  Driver pleasantries after the match. Woods attributed the possible lack of interaction on their see-saw battle.It was only the type from the match, Woods said. ?¡ãIt only agreed to be like, boy, it had been tough.

Woods received several putting tips during Tuesday‘s practice round from Steve Stricker, who described an alignment problem and that he was taking his putter back much inside.

Stricker, a 2-and-1 winner over discount golf clubs Kevin Na, said Woods was putting better towards the end of Tuesday‘s round. But on Wednesday, Woods began where he previously left off at Pebble Beach, missing several putts inside five feet.

I hit a number of bad putts, I’m not going to deny that, said Woods, who were built with a tough time reading the greens. ?¡ãI talked myself beyond probably 2 or 3 putts that, you realize, I hit it of course, if I'd go with my first instinct, I might make it.

The putt he had on 18 to get rid of the match has not been easy, but Woods didn't attempt to make it harder than it was. ?¡ãJust trust it and find out what are the Callaway Razr X Tour irons results, he was quoted saying. And I poured it within.

Woods received the second-loudest cheer during the day‘s first-tee introductions after the former University of Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson, who walked as a possible honorary observer with Watney, a 5-and-4 winner over Darren Clarke.

Yani Tseng won Honda LPGA Thailand on Sunday again

Tseng's victory here last year was the very first of many in 2011. She proceeded to get seven 2011 LPGA Tour victories and 12 wins worldwide, including two majors - the LPGA Championship and Women's British Open. The 23-year-old already has 33 worldwide victories in all.

"I was really nervous. I mean I played great on the front nine, but (about the) back nine it was somewhat tough," said Tseng, who had previously been in tears after clinching the title.

"I feel a lot more pressure entering this coming year. This past year, once i started, I became nothing. I became just inside five on the planet, however i was lacking 12 wins or perhaps the world number one title. After recently, I am world # 1 and I had 12 wins which pressure keeps going on and also on."

South Korea's Jiyai Shin shot a 67 in order to complete third.

Tseng started in the perfect fashion, eagling the ping g15 irons par-five first, while her playing partner Miyazato birdied the same hole, leaving them tied at 15 under.

Tseng then took charge having a birdie at the par-four third, adding two more with the par-four sixth and par-four seventh. That superb front nine showing gave her a three-stroke cushion on the turn.

A birdie from Shin in the 10th and taylormade burner superfast 2.0 driver bogey from Tseng in the same hole saw the Korean pull to within one shot of the lead. Tseng regained her advantage using a birdie in the par-three 12th, but surrendered it again having a bogey on the par-four 13th.

Like Shin, Miyazato then pulled to in a shot from the lead following a birdie on the par-four 15th, but Tseng matched Miyazato's birdies at 17 and 18 to seal the win.

The 18th, specifically, was a nervy affair. After Miyazato's approach gave the impression to guarantee a specific birdie, Tseng, leading by one, produced a great third shot to go out of her only inches to get a birdie and the victory.

"I mean that was a terrific shot. I'd say it absolutely was the shot for the day, the shot of every week," said Tseng.

"It is a lot of pressure, particularly discount golf clubs with Ai hitting it so close. I understand she would make birdie, therefore i told myself I have to get close and attempt to keep making birdie."

"Of course, Yani is number one, so I knew it wouldn't be easy today," said Miyazato. "I type of expected her to play this way."

Tseng is ready for better swing in Australia’s Open

Tseng started 2011 with a title in the Women's Australian Open and went on to win an overall of 12 tournaments, including two majors and 7 for the LPGA Tour to complete with all the No. 1 ranking by a wide margin.

The 23-year-old Taiwanese golfer started be prepared for the 2012 Australian tournament - which on Thursday kicks off a three-week Asian swing prior to the LPGA Tour moves to U.S. soil the following month in Arizona - by watching how Sergio garcia TaylorMade RocketBallZ Driver and Co. handled Royal Melbourne Golf Club's Composite course throughout the Presidents Cup in November.

``I watched many holes and ... I learnt so much from the tv screen,'' she said Tuesday. ``I know which places you best not go and the process to play. It solved pretty much.

``You are going to work with a large amount of imagination to experience on this course.''

Her nine holes Monday gave her an even better appreciation with the layout at Royal Melbourne, which is hosting an expert women's tournament the very first time.

``It was pretty tough. The greens were fast. I will be very excited i can't wait to visit out finally, enjoy yourself,'' she said in comments reported Taylormade Rocketballz Irons Tuesday by Australian Associated Press. ``We have a good field now plus a great golf course.

``The course just isn't long but you need to be very focused. Every shot. Should you just miss-focus using one shot, you can get in big trouble. Immediately will likely be as being a major course. You should be smart, patient and concentrate on every shot.''

Six with the best women are competing now, with all the tournament included with an expanded LPGA schedule after increasing the prize money to $1.One million.

No. 2-ranked Suzann Pettersen, No. 4 Cristie Kerr, No. 7 Jiyai Shin, No. 9 Stacy Lewis with no. 10 Brittany Lincicome are inside 156-player discount golf clubs field for that LPGA's 2012 opening event, as well as seven-time major winner Karrie Webb, that's shooting for her fifth Australian Open title.

All of them are chasing Tseng, who may have won back-to-back LPGA Player of the season awards.

``I also have a good beginning within Australia, hopefully it will likely be a good beginning for the year,'' Tseng said. ``Last year ends. I have been previously working real hard within the offseason to switch my swing a lttle bit, to make it more consistent. I do believe I am ready for this year.''