Western Oregon Journal

TIGER WOODS WINS THE MASTERS IN PLAYOFF

Professional golfer Tiger Woods won his first major in his last 11 tries and his ninth overall after defeating Chris DiMarco in the first hole of a sudden death playoff at The Masters on Sunday, April 17. Woods has been in something of a slump for the past two and a half years, but broke out of it during four days of rain-filled play and delays at Augusta National in Georgia. Woods' last major victory was at the 2002 U.S. Open.

Woods was visibly emotional after emerging victorious on Sunday, which he attributed to the fact that his father, Earl, was not in attendance. Earl Woods, who remained in his hotel room, missed seeing his son win a major for the first time ever due to illness. Woods rallied from four-down during the conclusion of the third round on the final day to take the lead, made a miraculous chip shot--already being called the stuff of Masters legend--on the 16th hole for a two-stroke lead, then lost it when he shot poorly over the last two holes and DiMarco rallied to force the playoff. Woods won his fourth green jacket with a 15-foot birdie on the playoff hole.

LANCE ARMSTRONG ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM CYCLING

Lance Armstrong, the world's premiere cyclist, announced in a press conference on Monday, April 18, that he will retire from professional racing after this summer's Tour de France no matter the outcome. Armstrong has been one of the most dominant cyclists of any era, having won a record six-straight Tours. He is shooting for his seventh this summer. The Tour lasts three weeks and ends July 24.

Armstrong, 33, stated that the reason for his retirement does not revolve around the accusations he has faced of using performance-enhancing drugs, which have dogged him since his rise to the top of the cycling world. Rather, he wants to spend more time with his three children, as he finds it increasingly more difficult to spend time away from them, which he has needed to do for his training and racing.

Armstrong has inspired millions of people worldwide, not just for his dominance of cycling, but also for his personal courage and perseverance. All six of his Tour wins came after recovery from testicular cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 1996.

CHANGES TO "MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL" ANNOUNCED

"Monday Night Football" is being revamped, beginning in the 2006 season. An announcement was made on Monday, April 18, that the popular show on ABC will move to ESPN, staying under the Walt Disney Co. ownership. The show has been an anchor for the ABC network for the past 35 years.

NBC paid approximately $600 million a year for a six-year deal that will allow it to take over the games on Sunday nights that ESPN previously owned. NBC has not televised NFL games in six years. Sunday night broadcasts will begin at 4 p.m. Pacific time, with kickoffs starting at 5:15 p.m. The NFL will also have the ability to shift more meaningful games to the evening telecast from the afternoon during the last seven weeks of the season. NBC will also televise the Super Bowls of 2009 and 2012.

ESPN's games will begin at 5:40 p.m. Pacific. Start times on both networks are earlier than in the past.

NDEREBA WINS FOURTH BOSTON MARATHON

Catherine Ndereba of Kenya won her fourth Boston Marathon on Monday, April 18. The four victories are a record for the women. "Catherine the Great," as she is affectionately known, covered the 26.2-mile course in two hours, 25 minutes and 13 seconds. The 2004 Olympic Marathon silver medallist defeated her nearest rival, Elfenesh Alemu of Ethiopia, by 1:50, coming from nearly a quarter mile behind at the halfway point. Alemu also competed in last year's Olympic marathon, finishing fourth. The top American woman was Emily Levan in 12th place with a time of 2:43:14.

Hailu Tegussie, also from Ethiopia, won the men's race in a 2:11:45 and picked up $100,000 for the victory. He defeated Kenya's Wilson Onsare by 36 seconds. The American men had a positive showing and were led by 2004 Olympian Alan Culpepper's fourth place finish in 2:13:39, the highest showing for an American man since David Gordon's similar fourth place in 1987. Additionally, the Americans placed another runner in the top 10 when California's Peter Gilmore finished 10th in 2:17:32, and Ryan Shay also placed 11th in 2:18:17.

After years of suffering low finishes and slow times in important national and international events such as the Olympic Games, World Championships and important marathons (especially in the marathons), U.S. distance running seems to be on the rise. Americans appear to be buoyed up by and building on last summer's success: Deena Kastor surprised many when she ran to the 2004 Olympic Marathon bronze medal under a sound come-from-behind strategy and pure guts in the Athens heat, while Mebrahtom Keflizighi pulled out a shockingly delightful silver in the men's race.

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