Written by Kevin Brown at the WM Phoenix Open on Thursday 31 January 2013
Reigning US Masters champion Bubba Watson has hit out at former Augusta victor Vijay Singh over his admission about using deer antler spray, an illegal substance. Watson warmed-up for his tilt at this week’s Waste Management Phoenix Open by taking a major swipe at the vastly experienced Fijian, also in the Phoenix field. “I think we should check them for mental problems...
Written by Jake O'Reilly on Friday 25 January 2013
Henrik Stenson and four fellow European Tour golfers edged Al Sadd youngsters 8-7 in a fun-filled football penalty shootout after Thursday’s second in Qatar. Stenson and fellow Swede Alexander Noren, Spaniards Pablo Larrazabal and Rafa Cabrera-Bello, and towering Englishman Chris Wood each took two penalties. Al Sadd’s goalkeeper Mohammed Jamal faced shots from both sets of players, including his teammates. The youngsters...
Written by Joel Tadman on Tuesday 22 January 2013
Fairway bunkers aren’t viewed by Tour Pros as difficult hazards to get out of, simply because the goal during the swing is exactly the same as from the fairway – to strike the ball first. Too often, amateurs attempt to get the ball out by adding loft with the weight set back, but this tends to cause them to strike the...
Written by Jake O'Reilly on Thursday 17 January 2013
Ernie Els, Justin Rose, Jason Dufner and Matteo Manassero have taken part in a unique target challenge on the 6th green of the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club on the eve of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. The professionals teamed up with sporting legends; Gavin Hastings, Gareth Edwards, Jonathan Davies and Tim Henman for a made for TV event that saw pairs scored in a...
Written by Jake O'Reilly on Thursday 17 January 2013
World number one Rory McIlroy got his Nike career off to disappointing start at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, firing a three-over-par 75. Playing alongside Tiger Woods and three-time Abu Dhabi winner Martin Kaymer, the Northern Irishman racked up two double bogeys, a bogey and only two birdies during a tough day. His troubles began on the par-3 15th – his 6th...
Written by Jake O'Reilly on Wednesday 16 January 2013
Irishman Paul McGinley has been announced as the new European Ryder Cup captain for the 2014 match at Gleneagles. He has made three winning appearances on the team – including holing the winning putt at The Belfry in 2002 – and continued his overall unbeaten streak when he was Vice Captain to both Colin Montgomerie at Celtic Manor and José Maria Olazábal at...
Written by Jake O'Reilly on Wednesday 16 January 2013
During his press conference in Abu Dhabi new Team Europe captain Paul McGinley paid tribute to his “hero” and soon-to-be rival, Tom Watson. He said: “Tom Watson is a guy that I wouldn’t say I know very well, but I know him reasonably well from time together in practise rounds.” “I know he has an affinity not just with the Scottish, but with...
Written by Jake O'Reilly on Wednesday 16 January 2013
New Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has described how he was overwhelmed and humbled by the reaction of the tour players who backed his bid to lead Team Europe at Gleneagles. As the race for the 2014 Ryder Cup captaincy hotted up between bookie’s favourites McGinley and Scot Colin Montgomerie, the Irishman’s hopes were boosted by a number of players though the...
Written by Jake O'Reilly on Wednesday 16 January 2013
At the press conference where he was unveiled as the new Ryder Cup captain for 2014, Paul McGinley has confirmed he will do something to honour Seve Ballesteros again at Gleneagles. While talking about his captaining apprenticeships, McGinley said: “There is a really good infrastructure on The European Tour, it is the Seve Trophy, it is the Vivendi Trophy and I would...
Written by Jake O'Reilly on Tuesday 15 January 2013
Rory McIlroy has once again reiterated his desire for Irishman Paul McGinley to lead Europe’s Ryder Cup team in 2014 ahead of today’s captain announcement. In an interview with TG columnist Andrew Cotter, the new Nike staffer said: “I’d love McGinley to get it. I think he deserves it.” He went on to add: “Hopefully the committee make the right decision because most of the players who...
Written by Jake O'Reilly on Tuesday 15 January 2013
New Nike posterboy Rory McIlroy has taken a break from his busy schedule to meet a camel and drink some coffee. Under the watchful eye of a ‘Hero’, the defending Race to Dubai champion, accompanied by 14 time major winner Tiger Woods and world number five Justin Rose, joined locals for a traditional coffee pouring ceremony ahead of the HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. The trio are...
Written by Jake O'Reilly on Friday 11 January 2013
Billy Payne, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, has announced that Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant and Japanese star Ryo Ishikawa of Japan have accepted invitations to compete in this year’s Tournament, bringing the current field up to 85. The field will include 21 different nationalities, 16 Masters debutants and six amateurs. “Through our established qualifications, and invitations to select international players not otherwise qualified, we...
Written by Jake O'Reilly on Wednesday 9 January 2013
Dustin Johnson shot a closing 68 to win the wind-battered Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Hawaii by four shots from fellow American Steve Stricker. High winds reduced the first event of the season to playing 36 holes on Monday and 18 on Tuesday, but Johnson – who didn’t set foot on the course during either of the brief trial starts – was...
Written by Jake O'Reilly on Tuesday 8 January 2013
World number four Justin Rose and world number nine Jason Dufner are among the highest-ranked players to confirm their participation for the January Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club. Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup captain José Maria Olazábal will also compete alongside Ryder Cup colleagues Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer and defending champion Paul Lawrie. Rose impressed on his last visit to the Middle...
Written by Jake O'Reilly on Tuesday 8 January 2013
Rory McIlroy’s expected switch to Nike has moved a step closer with the announcement from the Jumeirah Group that it will not be renewing its sponsorship deal with the Northern Irishman. The world number one is believed to have earned around £4.4m from a five-year deal with the Dubai company. The news comes after Titleist and Oakley also ended relationships with the player late...
Written by Jake O'Reilly on Monday 7 January 2013
2010 Open Champion Darren Clarke and 2009 Masters winner Angel Cabrera are among four major winners set to tee it up in a new golf league in India next month. The league, that could also feature Michael Campell, Rich Beem and David Howell, will be modelled on the format used in the country’s Twenty20 cricket league. It is the brainchild of Indian...
Written by Jake O'Reilly on Monday 7 January 2013
After Thursday, Friday and Saturday were battered by wind at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, play finally got underway on Sunday, only for it to be postponed again after only an hour. High winds were again the cause, this time measuring at 48mph. The plan now is to play 36 holes from split tees on Monday and 18 on Tuesday to ensure...
Written by TG staff writer on Thursday 3 January 2013
Former Ryder Cup Star and three time European Tour winner Peter Baker has been unveiled as the latest addition to the team at Champions of Golf, the full-service golf management agency run by brand agency Champions (UK) Plc. As one of the European Tour’s most respected and popular players, Baker will take on responsibility for providing support and care to all...
Written by TG staff writer on Monday 31 December 2012
Two-time Phoenix Open champion Phil Mickelson, Masters champion Bubba Watson, fan-favourite Rickie Fowler, 2010 WM Phoenix Open champion Hunter Mahan and 2012 defending tournament champion Kyle Stanley are among the first commitments to the 2013 Waste Management Phoenix Open. The 2013 Waste Management Phoenix Open will be played the week of January 28 – February 3 at the TPC Scottsdale.
Written by Jake O'Reilly on Monday 31 December 2012
Watch the videos below to see TG’s Features Writer Kit Alexander and Instruction Editor Joel Tadman make their predictions for next year’s key categories. 2013 promises to be another showcase year for golf, how will Rory McIlroy adjust to his new equipment and the pressures of being world number one? Will Tiger Woods add to his major collection? Can Luke Donald,...