Written by Rob McGarr on Tuesday 5 July 2016
It’s often easy to assume that tour players are oblivious to conversations that centre around them. For several months now, there has been plenty of talk about Jordan Spieth’s pace of play. Spieth has been put on the clock numerous times, and was lucky to escape a penalty at this year’s Masters, where he took more than two minutes to...
Written by Rob McGarr on Monday 4 July 2016
Justin Thomas shot a disappointing final-round 76 to finish T-33 at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, but before that, things were really going his way. His 1-under 69 on Friday was helped by a rare eagle on the 667-yard par-5 16th at Firestone Country Club, set up by a 414-yard drive. “I was just happy to hit the fairway,” said Thomas. “I hit...
Written by Rob McGarr on Monday 4 July 2016
18 years and 386 starts. That’s how long 42-year-old Greg Chalmers has had to wait for his first PGA Tour victory. To put that into context, the Ford Focus hadn’t even been released when Chalmers made his PGA Tour debut. We were all still watching films on VHS, as DVD had only just been invented. There was no such thing...
Written by Rob McGarr on Friday 1 July 2016
The Greenbrier Classic, due to start on Thursday 7 July, has been cancelled due to severe flooding. The Old White TPC, host course for the tournament, suffered extensive damage during the flooding caused by record levels of rainfall throughout West Virginia. “We are heartbroken by the devastation that the residents of West Virginia are experiencing at this time and the reports of...
Written by Rob McGarr on Thursday 30 June 2016
We all know that the money available at the top tier of golf is little short of ludicrous. Win a PGA Tour event and you’ll likely take home a cheque for over $1 million. If it’s a big tournament, your prize could be almost double that. The prize for finishing last at this week’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational was set at $50,500. That...
Written by Michael Catling on Wednesday 29 June 2016
Every sport fan loves a fairytale and we got two in the space of two days. The world number 607 winning the Quicken Loans National at Congressional and Iceland beating England. The latter probably wasn’t quite as welcome, but Billy Hurley III’s hometown victory will take some beating as the best story in golf this year. Not that any fantasy managers were able to...
Written by Rob McGarr on Wednesday 29 June 2016
Golf’s return to the Olympics is not really going to plan. With less than a fortnight until the cut-off point for qualification, eligible golfers are falling over themselves to withdraw. With world number four Rory McIlroy and world number one Jason Day both out, attention has turned to world number two Jordan Spieth, and things do not sound overly promising… “Right...
Written by Rob McGarr on Wednesday 29 June 2016
It’s easy to knock Colin Montgomerie. His moody on-course demeanour hasn’t always endeared him to fans, but his passion for the game of golf has never been in question. At the age of 53, many golfers would have long since given up on the rigours of Open qualifying and accept that 21 appearances would be their lot. Not Monty. Having not played...
Written by Rob McGarr on Tuesday 28 June 2016
At the beginning of May, Rory McIlroy shared his belief that players should do their bit to represent their country in the Olympics. “It’s a week,” said McIlroy at the time. “You know, go play four rounds really competitively and try to win a gold medal.” McIlroy, unlike several players who had openly stated that they didn’t value the prospect of a...
Written by Rob McGarr on Tuesday 28 June 2016
It seems to be peak season for withdrawing from the Olympics. Every player that withdraws is bad news for the game of golf as it makes its return to the Olympics after a 104-year hiatus, but when it’s the world number one, it’s an even bigger – if unexpected – blow. “It is with deep regret I announce that I will...
Written by Rob McGarr on Monday 27 June 2016
Tiger Woods is currently 40/1 to win The Open at Royal Troon, which starts in under three weeks’ time. We wouldn’t advocate betting your life savings on it, especially as Tiger has just admitted he’s not sure if he’ll even be able to play competitive golf in 2016. “I don’t know,” said Woods, when asked if there’s a chance he won’t...
Written by Rob McGarr on Monday 27 June 2016
Henrik Stenson had to play 36 holes in one day after rain delays affected the BMW International Open in Germany, but the experienced Swede wasn’t fazed, shooting a 67 in the morning and following it with an afternoon 71 to win by three shots. 40-year-old Stenson’s performance was even more impressive considering it came just a week after injury forced him...
Written by Rob McGarr on Saturday 25 June 2016
The list of players withdrawing from the Olympics continues to grow. World number four Rory McIlroy is the highest ranked player to announce his withdrawal, but we wouldn’t be at all surprised to see world number one Jason Day follow suit in the very near future. “I’m going to make my decision when it comes time to, but I really haven’t...
Written by Rob McGarr on Friday 24 June 2016
The list of golfers withdrawing from the Olympics continues to grow. After the quickfire double of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, world number 11 Branden Grace has also released a statement saying that he won’t be making the trip to Rio. “After serious consideration, it is with regret that I have decided to withdraw myself from the Olympic competition due to the...
Written by Rob McGarr on Thursday 23 June 2016
Thanks to greedy bankers and dodgy government, most people in their twenties today won’t retire until they’re about 119. When you’re a multi-millionaire golfer, however, you can decide to hang up your clubs whenever you want. Jason Day, world number one since March, says he’ll consider packing up when he hits 40. “When I get to 40, I’m going to re-evaluate everything...
Written by Rob McGarr on Thursday 23 June 2016
Rory McIlroy’s announcement that he would not be traveling to Rio to compete in the Olympic Games meant Team Ireland would consist of world number 12 Shane Lowry and world number 73 Graeme McDowell. It didn’t take long for McDowell to follow McIlroy’s announcement with a similar one of his own, however. “I woke yesterday morning to the news that Rory McIlroy had...
Written by Michael Catling on Thursday 23 June 2016
Amateur golfers are being offered the chance to compete alongside several legends of the game when the Willow Senior Golf Classic begins on August 26 at Hanbury Manor, a Marriott Golf and Country Club, in Ware, Hertfordshire. The alliance-formatted event – the first of its kind on the European Senior Tour – allows club golfers to put their skills to the test alongside several...
Written by Michael Catling on Wednesday 22 June 2016
No sooner has the world of golf come to terms with the farcial ending at the US Open, the action now splits across both Tours once again as the countdown to the Open Championship begins at the Quicken Loans National and BMW International Open. Sadly, there are no bonus points on offer this week, but there’s still plenty to play for if...
Written by Rob McGarr on Wednesday 22 June 2016
Rory McIlroy has announced that he will not be competing in the Olympics in Rio this year, due to concerns about the Zika virus. “After much thought and deliberation, I have decided to withdraw my name from consideration for this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero,” said McIlroy. “After speaking with those closest to me, I’ve come to realise that my...
Written by Rob McGarr on Tuesday 21 June 2016
Golf can be a cruel mistress sometimes. It’s tough at the top, where one mistake can cost you a major championship, but at least those players are fit and well to fight another day. 31-year-old Jason Palmer is not so fortunate. Palmer came to our attention a couple of years ago when he won The Foshan Open and followed it with a second-place...