There are comparisons to be drawn between two of sport's greatest fallen idols in recent years: Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong, writes Alan Goldman.

World golf's new year gets into full swing in Abu Dhabi this week with the two top-ranking players - Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods - opening their accounts.

Dustin Johnson ended a windy week with a wild ride yesterday that carried him to the first win of the PGA Tour season.

World and Olympic rowing champion Mahe Drysdale will be swapping his oars for a set of golf clubs at February's NZPGA Championship in Queenstown.

This will forever be remembered as the year in which a sporting legend was brought down. American Lance Armstrong, cancer survivor and multiple Tour de France winner, was crushed by an inquiry into doping.

Lydia Ko's 2012 season was so spectacular that eventual golf superstardom and riches almost seem a formality.

Auckland, Waikato, Wellington and Bay of Plenty have secured the four semifinal places at the women's interprovincial golf tournament after a dramatic day at the St Clair Golf Club in Dunedin.

New Zealand golfer Michael Hendry claimed the clubhouse lead during the wind-marred final round of the Australian Open at The Lakes.

Peter Senior, 53, held his nerve in "near impossible" conditions to become the oldest Australian Open golf champion.