Leonard back to defend title

Justin Leonard returns to Memphis to defend his title at the St Jude Classic but will face a tough challenge from two-time winner David Toms.

Toms nearly pulled off an incredible comeback last season to claim a third consecutive win at the tournament but was denied by Leonard.

The pair head the field at the €4m event but each will need to regain early-season form to add another win on the TPC Southwind course.

Defending champion Leonard entered the final round last year with an eight-shot lead but needed a bogey putt on the 72nd hole for a 73 to avoid a play-off with Toms.

Leonard’s win here was his second title of 2005 and he got off to a fast start this season with two top-10 finishes in his first three weeks.

He has struggled since his early success, failing to finish better than 26th since a tie for seventh at the FBR Open in February.

Toms made a run at Leonard here last year with a closing 63 to continue his superb form at the event.

In his last four starts in the tournament, Toms has won twice and finished second and fourth and is 64 under par over that stretch, with 14 of his 16 rounds at 68 or better.

Tim Herron, who snapped a seven-year victory drought with a win at Colonial last week, is also in the field this week.

Mike Reid heads to Oak Tree Golf Club to begin the defence of his Senior PGA Championship title in fine form.

The Champions Tour’s first Major of the season is being played on the 7,102-yard, par-71 course at Oak Tree, which hosted the 1988 PGA Championship and was 87 yards shorter at the time.

Last year, Reid – who won two PGA Tour titles – defeated Jerry Pate and Dana Quigley in a play-off at Laurel Valley Golf Club in Pennsylvania for his first Major championship.

Jimin Kang returns to the Corning Classic to defend her title and is hoping to rediscover the form that helped her earn a first LPGA Tour victory.

The Korean started the final round three strokes behind Karine Icher last year and was a shot off the lead when she came to the 125-yard, par-three 15th, where she fired a nine-iron for her first career hole-in-one.

Kang went on to post a two-shot victory over Meena Lee and 2004 champion Annika Sorenstam.

But she has not come close to picking up win number two this season, struggling to one top 10 finish in 11 events, with her tie for ninth at the Takefuji Classic her only finish better than 31st this season.