Memorable wins

IT was a case of what might have been for England's Justin Rose, but what better way to quickly erase the memory of his final day nightmare at the Travelers Championship than to go out the following week and win; something that the in-form Rose achieved with a one-shot victory at the AT&T National.

Having waited 161 events to clinch his first title on the PGA Tour, Rose duly made it two in the space of three outings, following his triumph at The Memorial Tournament in Ohio last month.

The 29-year-old had started the fourth round in Pennsylvania with a four-shot cushion - a similar position to where he had been just a week ago. On that occasion Rose was three clear going into last Sunday's final round at the Travelers Championship - only to card a 75 and end up in a tie for ninth.

His success means it is the third time in four years that the winner of The Memorial has gone on to claim the AT&T event in the same season. It also earns him a late exemption for the upcoming Open at St Andrews vindicating his decision not to travel to qualifying, but I'm sure it will come as a huge relief.

Meanwhile, Tiger Woods ended a frustrating week on a four-over total of 284 after signing for a 71. The world number one's one-over score on Sunday means it is the first time in a non-major PGA Tour event that he has failed to break par in all four rounds since the 1999 Bay Hill Invitational.

Welcome to golf. There are days when you can feel like you have hit the ball absolutely atrociously and for some reason end up shooting a good score. Other days you can feel like the ball is on the end of a string and yet you come off to sign for your score pondering how it wasn't far better! Tiger had one of those weeks and the putts just did not go in.

In Europe, veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez survived a final hole horror story to win the French Open at the first play-off hole.

The 46-year-old, who began the day two shots off the pace, had a two-shot lead playing 18 but put his second in the water and took a double bogey for a 67. However, he still managed to scrape into a play-off and second time around he made no mistakes, holing out for a par in sudden death to oust Alejandro Canizares and Francesco Molinari.

Rory McIlroy carded a fine 66 and was fourth, while Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter were joint 18th at four-under, all trying to play their way into form for St Andrew's.

For Jimenez it is a timely boost to his Ryder Cup hopes and his second victory of the season, following his success in Dubai, will shoot him up the rankings and into contention for Captain Colin's team. When he first wrote down his 'fantasy final 12' for the team, I'm sure the Spaniard would have been towards the top of the list, not least for his dependability as well as his popularity.

An international galaxy of golfing stars will shine on Loch Lomond Golf Club this week as The Barclays Scottish Open kicks off a mouth-watering three-week spell in the country which gave the game to the world. World number two Phil Mickelson and previous winner Ernie Els headline the preliminary to the Open Championship on one of the world's most beautiful and picturesque courses.

With The Open Championship at St Andrews and The Senior Open Championship at Carnoustie to come over the next fortnight, golf fans in Scotland and across the world will be spoilt for choice as they watch stars of the past, present and future compete over three of the country's most celebrated layouts.