Written by Golf World on Monday 1 February 2016
We examine the courses, check the history books and crunch the numbers to predict who will win golf’s majors in 2016… The Masters, 7th-10th April, Augusta National What’s the course like? Augusta is a tree-lined layout that suits players who move the ball right-to-left through the air, although it isn’t vital. There’s pine straw under the trees and the greens are undulating. What type...
Written by Rob McGarr on Monday 1 February 2016
The Farmers Insurance Open may not be the sexiest sounding tournament in world golf, but it produced some fantastic moments. Here’s our pick of the best… An almost invisible Michael Kim holed a great bunker shot The wind just holed Colt Knost’s putt Nice 184-yard eagle from Freddie Jacobson Danny Lee’s swing is looking better and better, and *almost* paid off perfectly here Ben Crane...
Written by Rob McGarr on Friday 29 January 2016
We grabbed a minute with 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie to discuss greatest shots, dream cars, and what he can knock up in the kitchen… Best ever shot? The 4-iron in the playoff at The Open at Carnoustie in 1999. All I was thinking about was taking it away smoothly. Best ever round? The singles match again Brandt Snedeker at Medinah. It was the most...
Written by Rob McGarr on Monday 25 January 2016
It felt like the 2016 golf season really got underway last week, with Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy going head-to-head at the Abu Dhabi Championship, and neither of them coming out on top, as high top-wearing Rickie Fowler emerged victorious. Here are the highlights from that tournament and the PGA Tour’s naff-sounding CareerBuilder Challenge, won by Jason Dufner, perhaps for...
Written by Rob McGarr on Monday 25 January 2016
Shivering our way to work this morning, the thought of wearing shorts to play golf was little more than a distant dream. For the game’s elite, however, it’s a hot topic. The temperature at last week’s EurAsia Cup in Kuala Lumpur led European captain Darren Clarke to ask permission for players to wear shorts during practice rounds, a request new European...
Written by Stuart Hood on Monday 25 January 2016
Rumours of Ian Poulter’s demise are being greatly exaggerated. Yes, he has not won for over three years. Yes, he has fallen out of the world’s top 50. And yes, he has just turned 40. But this is Ian Poulter. And anyone who knows anything about the Englishman will be aware of two things. First, he plays his best golf...
Written by Rob McGarr on Monday 25 January 2016
There wasn’t much for the Asian team to get excited about during the 2016 EurAsia Cup, as Darren Clarke’s troops dominated proceedings in Kuala Kumpur, strolling to a 18.5-5.5 victory. There was one highlight, though, in the form of Shingo Katayama’s rather distinctive warm-up. He starts his routine hitting balls left-handed, without a takeaway, off a high tee. Despite being a right-hander… After...
Friday 15 January 2016
Ryder Cup star Victory Dubuisson is the highest-profile player to join TaylorMade in 2016. The firm has strengthened its European Tour statt with the addition of the Frenchman, along with Joost Luiten, Fabrizio Zanotti, Pelle Edberg, Joakim Lagergren, John Parry and Nacho Elvira. Dubuisson, who has multiple career victories on the European Tour playing Titleist equipment, turned professional in 2010 after enjoying...
Written by Rob McGarr on Monday 11 January 2016
Jordan Spieth dominated the Hyundai Tournamen of Champions, shooting rounds of 66, 64, 65 and 67 to give him an eight-shot victory and seventh career win. But the 22-year-old Texan wasn’t the only one to hit some tasty shots at the Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii. Watch these beauties and then pick your favourite… Jordan Spieth burnt the edge for an...
Written by Rob McGarr on Monday 11 January 2016
Jordan Spieth’s latest victory, a dominant showing at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, has drawn further comparisons between the 22-year-old Texan and 14-time major champ Tiger Woods. Spieth’s eight-shot victory made him only the second player in PGA Tour history to finish a 72-hole event at 30-under or better, following Ernie Els’ 31-under total at the Tournament of Champions in 2003.
Written by Simon Daddow, Equipment Editor on Friday 8 January 2016
Many golfers take great care in selecting the perfect driver, but plough on with a set of hand-me-down irons they’ve had for a decade. Considering you’re likely to hit your driver a dozen times in a round, at most, and hit 25-40 iron shots, it makes sense to put a lot of care into choosing the perfect irons for your...
Written by Rob McGarr on Wednesday 6 January 2016
A recent National Golf Foundation survey shows that over two-thirds of golfers use a distance-measuring device of some sort. Advocates say it gives them greater confidence, makes the game more enjoyable and, crucially, helps combat slow play. Ironically, the only players able to hit exact yardages consistently are the only ones not permitted to use them. On the PGA and European Tours,...
Written by Rob McGarr on Tuesday 5 January 2016
Shane Lowry’s miracle wedge shot has been voted 2015 European Tour Shot of the Year. Lowry’s shot, played at a crucial moment during the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, received nearly 25% of the votes. “It’s a huge honour to win European Tour Shot of the Year,” says Lowry. “It’s a shot I will never forget. Thanks to everyone who voted. I’m looking forward...
Monday 4 January 2016
Koepka, who is ranked 16th in the World Rankings, turned pro in 2012. The 25-year-old competed at Florida State University before joining the Challenge Tour in Europe, where he won four events. On the 2015 PGA Tour, he was a top-ten finisher in driving distance, won the Phoenix open title and finished T-5 at the PGA Championship. “Nike is an iconic...
Written by Rob McGarr on Monday 21 December 2015
Tiger Woods turns 40 on 30th December 2015. During the last decade, he’s slumped from the dominant player of his generation to 414th in the world, with back operations coming more frequently than tournament wins. Woods, who hasn’t won a Major since 2008, was recently named as on of Davis Love’s assistants for the 2016 Ryder Cup – an honour typically...
Written by Rob McGarr on Thursday 17 December 2015
As 2015 draws to a close, it’s that time of year when we all retire to the drawing room and nestle down in front of an open fire, snifter of whiskey in hand, to reflect on the year’s highs and lows. In our case, that means watching 10 videos the PGA Tour have selected as their ‘shots of the year’ and...
Written by Rob McGarr on Tuesday 15 December 2015
When you watch a lot of golf, it’s easy to think that every hole is a birdie-fest. The top players hit it so far and so pure that most courses seem to have no defence against red-hot scoring. But, sometimes, the holes do come out on top. When it comes to the battle against players, the 17th at St Andrews is...
Written by Rob McGarr on Monday 14 December 2015
The Franklin Templeton Shootout is the PGA Tour’s version of the last day of term, when you’re allowed to bring in your favourite toys and watch largely unsuitable films while your teacher slyly nurses a bottle of whisky hidden in her handbag. The three-day pairs tournament, which comprises a scramble on the Thursday, alternate shot on Friday and better ball on...
Written by Rob McGarr on Monday 14 December 2015
We’re a bit upset that The Open won’t be on BBC anymore. We could cogitate on the pros and cons of that for hours, but one thing is for sure: we will very much enjoy Sky’s generous use of Protracer when the 2016 Open at Royal Troon comes around. We bloody love Protracer. We don’t know what it is, but there’s...
Written by Courses & Travel Editor Kevin Brown on Monday 14 December 2015
The 2022 Ryder Cup will be played at the Marco Simone course in Rome – the first time Italy has staged the bi-annual clash between Europe and the USA. It will be the 44th Ryder Cup and Italy somewhat surprisingly got the vote ahead of Germany and Spain’s bids while Austria were also in the running though very much the outsiders. European...