Print this page  |  Close Window

PGATOUR.com news services

Pierre Fulke of Sweden has retired after an 18-year career in which he played on Europe's Ryder Cup-winning team in 2002 and won the 2000 Volvo Masters on the European Tour.

"I'm not tired of golf, but I'm tired of the tour and all travel," Fulke told the Swedish Golf Federation's Web site. "It feels good to sleep in my own bed."

The 36-year-old Fulke won the first of his three European Tour events at the 1999 Lancome Trophy in Paris. His most successful season was in 2000 when he finished 12th in the Order of Merit after winning the Scottish PGA Championship and the season-ending Volvo Masters in Spain.

"Now it's time to explore other areas in golf. I'm involved in several new projects in Sweden as a course designer," said Fulke, who has played only one round since April last year after injuring his side.

GETTING BETTER: Oliver Wilson believes he has made good progress from his last playoff defeat, even after suffering the same heartache at the Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand on Sunday.

"The last time I was in a playoff, I didn't do myself justice in the last round and made some mistakes," Wilson admitted of his playoff loss to Paul Casey in the 2006 Volvo China Open.

"I felt more comfortable this time and mentally I did everything I could. So from that perspective I am quite happy, although obviously disappointed with the final outcome," he added. "I hope it won't be long before I am back in this sort of position."

Wilson carded a final-round 71 on Sunday to join Anton Haig and Richard Sterne at 13 under par and force overtime at the Johnnie Walker Classic. Both Wilson and Sterne missed long birdie putts on the first playoff hole before Haig drained his from 10 feet for the victory.

"I had my chances and didn't take them," Wilson said. "It was easy from the middle of the fairway both in regulation play and in the playoff on the 18th and I didn't get the ball within 20 feet. That was disappointing."

BANKING ON BARCLAYS: The Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond will continue to be sponsored by Barclays for a further six years, tournament officials have announced. In addition, the prize money this July is being increased by $975,000 to $5.85 million.

The winner's check of $975,000 is four times the amount Denmark's Thomas Bjorn collected at the inaugural tournament in 1996.

Barclays took over as title sponsor in 2002 as part of an initial five-year agreement. The company also sponsors The Barclays tournament in Westchester, N.Y., which is part of the PGA TOUR's new FedExCup playoff series, as well as the Barclays Singapore Open.

The agreement ensures that the Barclays Scottish Open will remain at the renowned Tom Weiskopf-Jay Morrish course at Loch Lomond Golf Club in the week immediately preceding the British Open through 2012.

Copyright 2007 PGATOUR.com. All rights reserved.