The next time you are having a bad day at work, think of Richie Ramsay who lost out on a chance to qualify for this year's US Open after missing a play-off during qualifying at Walton Heath.
The Scotsman should have faced Johan Edfors and Andreas Harto but believed the play-off would have taken place today (Tuesday) due to the other players finishing late after a weather delay.
So Ramsay decided to try and hop on a plane to attend a wedding reception in Belfast, only to miss the flight from Heathrow and then hear that the play-off could be taking place. He never got back in time and Edfors claimed the spot at Congressional.
Ramsay now has to sit and wait as a reserve, but he probably wishes he sat and waited for the conclusion of yesterday's events.
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
PowerPlay - how radical can it be?
I was at Celtic Manor yesterday to witness how the inaugural PowerPlay: IGNITION event turned out and to see for myself if this really is the future for golf.
The assembled golfers were in favour of the format, including Gary Player who stood by the first of his 10 commandments - that 'change is the price of survival', although he conceded that PowerPlay will obviously not threaten the Majors.
Ian Poulter also looked forward to the tournament after having a practice in soggy conditions during the morning pro-am. He said: "Two pins on greens should lead to plenty of volatility between the scores and, obviously, if you power play, there are double points if you make a birdie or eagle, so that in itself should make for some very interesting viewing. It's going to be good for everyone to see how fun this game can be."
Obviously, the promoters were hyping the event as much as possible, as were Sky TV. Any companies launching a new product would do the same.
This was the first to be televised and was something of a trial - but a 15-minute overrun wasn't bad compared to some debut live events I've known. And now the first one has taken place, speed and technical issues can be ironed out for future broadcasts.
Where this goes as a TV format, I'm not sure. The three-hour block is ideal for advertisers in a market where consumers want quick fixes of their favourite sports. But whether a professional tournament series is the way forward, I need convincing.
Yet, I thought the mixing of genders and ages was refreshing (Caroline Hedwell, Paula Creamer and Helen Alfredsson all finished in the top three), and I could envisage PowerPlay as a regular pro-celebrity event for charity. It would be great to see something similar to the old pro-celebrity golf series on our screens with this format.
But most importantly, will this change the way golf is played at ordinary clubs? Will it encourage more juniors to play? And will purpose-built PowerPlay courses be created around the world? Only time will tell, although I would be willing to give it a try if I only had time to play nine holes.
I'm pleased for Peter McEvoy, one of the brains behind this format. I spoke to him almost three years ago in Berlin when he was trying to launch PowerPlay, and to see him contented and relieved after the event yesterday was a nice moment.
The assembled golfers were in favour of the format, including Gary Player who stood by the first of his 10 commandments - that 'change is the price of survival', although he conceded that PowerPlay will obviously not threaten the Majors.
Ian Poulter also looked forward to the tournament after having a practice in soggy conditions during the morning pro-am. He said: "Two pins on greens should lead to plenty of volatility between the scores and, obviously, if you power play, there are double points if you make a birdie or eagle, so that in itself should make for some very interesting viewing. It's going to be good for everyone to see how fun this game can be."
Obviously, the promoters were hyping the event as much as possible, as were Sky TV. Any companies launching a new product would do the same.
This was the first to be televised and was something of a trial - but a 15-minute overrun wasn't bad compared to some debut live events I've known. And now the first one has taken place, speed and technical issues can be ironed out for future broadcasts.
Where this goes as a TV format, I'm not sure. The three-hour block is ideal for advertisers in a market where consumers want quick fixes of their favourite sports. But whether a professional tournament series is the way forward, I need convincing.
Yet, I thought the mixing of genders and ages was refreshing (Caroline Hedwell, Paula Creamer and Helen Alfredsson all finished in the top three), and I could envisage PowerPlay as a regular pro-celebrity event for charity. It would be great to see something similar to the old pro-celebrity golf series on our screens with this format.
But most importantly, will this change the way golf is played at ordinary clubs? Will it encourage more juniors to play? And will purpose-built PowerPlay courses be created around the world? Only time will tell, although I would be willing to give it a try if I only had time to play nine holes.
I'm pleased for Peter McEvoy, one of the brains behind this format. I spoke to him almost three years ago in Berlin when he was trying to launch PowerPlay, and to see him contented and relieved after the event yesterday was a nice moment.
Sunday, 29 May 2011
PGA win puts Donald on top of the world
Luke Donald continued his fine run of form to beat Lee Westwood to the BMW PGA title at the first extra hole after an enthralling day at Wentworth, and leapt to the top of the world rankings at the same time.
It was probably fitting that the world's top two ranked players ended up head to head in one of the European Tour's flagship events, much hyped this week as overtaking The Players' Championship in tournament stature.
Yet the actual conclusion to this championship was a damp squib for Westwood. Coming down the par-5 18th for a second time, both players had laid up with their second shots to leave themselves short pitches to the green. Donald's ball responded superbly, landing at the back of the green before spinning back towards the pin.
Westwood played a similar shot but his ball 'bit' too much, spun back too far on an unforgiving green and ended up in the water. Seven strokes were ultimately played by the Worksop man before Donald - free of pressure - rolled his putt in for a birdie.
The new world number one has had a great year with 10 top-10 finishes (including two victories) from the 11 worldwide tournaments he has played in the 2011 calendar.
The next step for Donald and Westwood must be to try and win a so-far elusive Major.
It was probably fitting that the world's top two ranked players ended up head to head in one of the European Tour's flagship events, much hyped this week as overtaking The Players' Championship in tournament stature.
Yet the actual conclusion to this championship was a damp squib for Westwood. Coming down the par-5 18th for a second time, both players had laid up with their second shots to leave themselves short pitches to the green. Donald's ball responded superbly, landing at the back of the green before spinning back towards the pin.
Westwood played a similar shot but his ball 'bit' too much, spun back too far on an unforgiving green and ended up in the water. Seven strokes were ultimately played by the Worksop man before Donald - free of pressure - rolled his putt in for a birdie.
The new world number one has had a great year with 10 top-10 finishes (including two victories) from the 11 worldwide tournaments he has played in the 2011 calendar.
The next step for Donald and Westwood must be to try and win a so-far elusive Major.
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
The three-putt - a golfer's nightmare
For the millions who walk the world's fairways day in, day out, golf can provide some great highs and frustrating lows.
There are numerous instances when the shaft of a golf club appears to be the perfect instrument to take out one's anger with a quick snap across the thigh, but one in particular stands out for me.
No, it's not a shank off the tee; it's not a topped shot with a long iron from the fairway; and it's not a fluffed chip from just off the green. My bete noire is the dreaded three-putt.
For a mid- to high-handicapper, the short game is where most shots are leaked so it is vital to at least two-putt at most on as many greens as possible. However, for many amateur golfers, putting is probably the least practised skill.
I for one am guilty of not treating this game within a game with the respect it is due and constantly walk off a course believing my score could have been lower for the want of more care and attention on the greens.
But the three-putt happens to us all, and that is why I have so much sympathy for David Toms. The American lost his Players Championship play-off against K J Choi this weekend after three-putting the notorious par-3, 17th at Sawgrass.
Naturally, most of us have never had the pressure of putting for a Tour title, but all golfers have experienced Toms' misfortune. And that is what makes golf such an engaging sport. Yes, we can marvel at the top pro's great shots, but we also understand their feeling of frustration and dejection when they get it wrong - because we have done the same so many times ourselves.
There are numerous instances when the shaft of a golf club appears to be the perfect instrument to take out one's anger with a quick snap across the thigh, but one in particular stands out for me.
No, it's not a shank off the tee; it's not a topped shot with a long iron from the fairway; and it's not a fluffed chip from just off the green. My bete noire is the dreaded three-putt.
For a mid- to high-handicapper, the short game is where most shots are leaked so it is vital to at least two-putt at most on as many greens as possible. However, for many amateur golfers, putting is probably the least practised skill.
I for one am guilty of not treating this game within a game with the respect it is due and constantly walk off a course believing my score could have been lower for the want of more care and attention on the greens.
But the three-putt happens to us all, and that is why I have so much sympathy for David Toms. The American lost his Players Championship play-off against K J Choi this weekend after three-putting the notorious par-3, 17th at Sawgrass.
Naturally, most of us have never had the pressure of putting for a Tour title, but all golfers have experienced Toms' misfortune. And that is what makes golf such an engaging sport. Yes, we can marvel at the top pro's great shots, but we also understand their feeling of frustration and dejection when they get it wrong - because we have done the same so many times ourselves.
France wins 2018 Ryder Cup bid
The European Tour has resisted a late emotional pull to hand the 2018 Ryder Cup to Spain in honour of the late Seve Ballesteros, and instead awarded the 42nd staging of the tournament to France.
This is the second time that the European-hosted competition will be held outside of Great Britain and Ireland, after Valderrama in 1997, and is a superb boost for the sport in France - a nation with some wonderful, but relatively unknown golf courses.
The 2018 Ryder Cup will be held at Le Golf National in Versailles, just outside of Paris - the regular venue for the French Open. The Albatross course is an inland links-style layout which has previously been ranked the third best European championship course by European Tour professionals.
Apart from Spain, the French bid also defeated strong presentations from Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands.
This is the second time that the European-hosted competition will be held outside of Great Britain and Ireland, after Valderrama in 1997, and is a superb boost for the sport in France - a nation with some wonderful, but relatively unknown golf courses.
The 2018 Ryder Cup will be held at Le Golf National in Versailles, just outside of Paris - the regular venue for the French Open. The Albatross course is an inland links-style layout which has previously been ranked the third best European championship course by European Tour professionals.
Apart from Spain, the French bid also defeated strong presentations from Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands.
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Severiano Ballesteros (1957-2011)
The word genius is easily attributed to sportsmen and women, but for Seve Ballesteros, who passed away today, genius transcended into a fully-fledged legend.
The cavalier and flamboyant Spaniard broke the mold of professional golf and introduced a whole new generation of players and fans across Europe to the game. Indeed, along with the likes of Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle, Seve helped sow the seeds of success that the European Tour now enjoys.
From learning to play golf with an old 3-iron on a beach to winning five Majors (two Masters and three Open Championships), Seve's story is truly one of a great champion.
Among his many achievements, he enjoyed 87 career victories; he was the first European to win the Masters in 1980; he won 20 points from 37 Ryder Cup matches over eight tournaments, and was the victorious European captain at Valderrama in 1997.
At his peak, Seve's brand of golf was something other professionals could only aspire to match, while the viewing public marveled at, and warmed to, his swashbuckling approach - a style I'll never forget.
On his passing, Seve leaves a lasting legacy to European and world golf that will always be remembered.
The cavalier and flamboyant Spaniard broke the mold of professional golf and introduced a whole new generation of players and fans across Europe to the game. Indeed, along with the likes of Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle, Seve helped sow the seeds of success that the European Tour now enjoys.
From learning to play golf with an old 3-iron on a beach to winning five Majors (two Masters and three Open Championships), Seve's story is truly one of a great champion.
Among his many achievements, he enjoyed 87 career victories; he was the first European to win the Masters in 1980; he won 20 points from 37 Ryder Cup matches over eight tournaments, and was the victorious European captain at Valderrama in 1997.
At his peak, Seve's brand of golf was something other professionals could only aspire to match, while the viewing public marveled at, and warmed to, his swashbuckling approach - a style I'll never forget.
On his passing, Seve leaves a lasting legacy to European and world golf that will always be remembered.
Friday, 6 May 2011
Seve suffers
It's sad news to hear the family of Seve Ballesteros announce that the great Spaniard's neurological condition has severely worsened.
Since suffering his brain tumour in 2008, Seve has fought his greatest battle and we all hope he pulls through this latest setback, despite the bleak outlook.
Since suffering his brain tumour in 2008, Seve has fought his greatest battle and we all hope he pulls through this latest setback, despite the bleak outlook.
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