Worldwide Golf January 2024 by Worldwide Golf

M I D D L E

E A S T ’ S

N O.1

G O L F

M A G A Z I N E

EST

1999

JANUARY

2024 BALL ROLLBACK

THOMAS BJØRN

WHY WE THINK IT MAKES NO SENSE

ALL SET FOR NEXT CHAPTER

TIGER

Returns HOW HAS HIS SWING CHANGED?

F E A T U R E LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN

FOCUS

SOUTH AFRICAN FLYING HIGH AFTER BACK-TO-BACK WINS

MAURITIUS

WHY YOU SHOULD ADD THIS TROPICAL IS ND TO YOUR GOLFING BUCKET LIST

Worldwide Golf is the Official Media partner to the DP World Tour in the Middle East and the official magazine of the Emirates Golf Federation

+ INTERNATIONAL SWING + TOUR TIPS + PETE COWEN

VOICE OF THE TOUR ABDULLA AL NABOODAH, Non-Executive Director of the European Tour Group

ver the past couple of months, the UAE has hosted the season-finales of both the DP World Tour and Formula One, as well as the COP28 climate change conference, which brought together many of the world’s leaders. Staging such major events underlines the UAE’s status as a global hub across various sectors, including sport, business and tourism. Golf has been a key part of all three since the first Tour event in the region, the Dubai Desert Classic, was played in 1989, and over the last 34 years we have witnessed tremendous growth in our sport throughout the Middle East. At the start of January, key figures from the golf industry, along with business leaders and guests from the world of entertainment and other sport, will gather at Dubai Creek Resort for the Dubai Invitational, a new Pro-Am event which I am proud and honoured to be the host of, and which will also be part of the DP World Tour’s schedule for the first time. Featuring 60 professionals and 60 amateurs, the tournament will be the opening event on the Tour’s new International Swing, and it will begin five consecutive weeks of golf in the Middle East region, followed by the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, the Bahrain Championship and the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. Among the professionals at Dubai Creek will be four-time Major Champion Rory McIlroy, who won his fifth Race to Dubai crown last month having begun the year by claiming his third Hero Dubai Desert Classic title in January. He will be joined by his Ryder Cup teammates Nicolai Højgaard, winner of the 2023 DP World Tour Championship, and Dubai-based Tommy Fleetwood, whose Academy at Jumeriah Golf Estates has been a fantastic addition to the region’s grassroots programme, along with the work of Emirates Golf Federation. To have players of the calibre of Rory, Nicolai and Tommy in the field is undoubtedly a significant boost for the Dubai Invitational, as the event begins a new chapter as an official tournament on the DP World Tour. The Dubai Invitational is, of course, an evolution of The Invitational which was first played in 2007 and which has raised a significant amount of money for charity in the years since. After I took up golf in 2006, I quickly got hooked on the sport and I recognised there was an opportunity to hold a Pro-Am event here in the UAE as the format is ideally suited a place where the worlds of sport and business are already so entwined.

The Pro-Am format is one of the things that makes golf such a unique and special sport, giving amateurs the opportunity to play alongside, and against, the world’s leading professionals in a relaxed but competitive environment. For those unfamiliar with the format, the Dubai Invitational will be a four day, 72-hole stroke play tournament for the 60 professionals, as is normal for most Tour events, However, it will be played concurrently with a three-day 54-hole team Pro-Am, featuring the 60 amateurs each paired with a pro partner to make a team. The ‘team score’ will be the aggregate of the lower of the two team members score on each hole over three rounds from Thursday to Saturday, with the handicap system meaning either the professional or the amateur can contribute. Pro-Ams have been very popular around the world for a long time, giving amateurs the opportunity few other sports can match – the chance to tee it up in competition with the sport’s most talented players, including Ryder Cup players and Major Champions. When I became part of the European Tour group’s Board of Directors in April, I was keen to make the Invitational part of the DP World Tour’s schedule, and I am delighted we have been able to do that bi-annually, alternating with the Hero Cup. It will be a great way to start the 2024 calendar year, which be another significant one for the game of golf. While I have worked closely with many people at the Tour for more than two decades now, over the past eight months, I have had an even deeper insight into the Tour’s operation and governance through my Board position. It has been a busy time, particularly after we signed the Framework Agreement with the PIF and the PGA TOUR at the start of June, but there is a huge amount of experience on the Tour’s Board and the Executive Leadership Team, so I am enthused by what lies ahead. On a personal level, I am pleased I have been able to give the Middle East a voice in the Boardroom and contribute with my own experience from the business world. Many of those involved with shaping golf’s future will be at the Dubai Invitational, so I am looking forward to welcoming them to an event which I hope will have a notable role to play in the game’s landscape for many years to come.

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Contents J A N U A R Y

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14 INTERNATIONAL SWING BEGINS We look ahead to the DP World Tour’s International Swing, which kick starts in the Middle East with five consecutive events.

Features 24 THOMAS BJØRN The Great Dane gives us the lowdown on the next chapter of his career and how he wants to play a part in healing the game following the division in recent years.

30 LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN We caught up with the South African star to ﬁnd out more about his new role as course designer and what he makes of the proposed ball rollback.

34 Columns

34 MARCEL SIEM We pick the brains of the ﬁvetime DP World Tour winner to ﬁnd out how he’s managed to rejuvenate his career.

PETE COWEN

The Master PGA Professional details his plans for 2024, while reﬂecting on Jon Rahm’s move to LIV Golf last month.

38 MATTHIEU PAVON The Frenchman reﬂects on his life-altering breakthrough after securing one of ten PGA Tour cards through the Race to Dubai Rankings last season.

ISSUE No.264 JANUARY 2024 • Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd • Published in Dubai by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd • PO Box 24677 • Dubai, UAE (Tel) +9714 340 3785 Editor-in-Chief: Alex Gallemore • Editor: Thomas Wragg (tom@wspdubai.com) • Publisher: Mike Gallemore (mike@wspglobal.com) • Multimedia Journalist: Will Kent (will@wspdubai.com) • Production/Design: Shamshad Nayakkan • Editorial Panel: Mike Gallemore, Alex Gallemore, Thomas Wragg, Will Kent • Photography: Getty Images • June 2009 SSN 1- 46805671 • Approval UAE National Media Council: Ref.816 30/5/2007 Trade License No. 1/104375/15280 • Worldwide Golf specifies that post-press changes may occur to any information given in this publication and takes no responsibility for goods or services advertised.

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www.golfsuperstore.ae

Contents J A N U A R Y

2 0 2 4

Instruction 44

MASTER YOUR PUTTING TEMPO

SIMPLIFY YOUR CHIPPING

Jude Hobbs, PGA Professional at Emirates Golf Club, demonstrates a simple drill to help you master your putting tempo.

DP World Tour pro James Morrison explains the process he uses to simplify his chipping.

PERFECT YOUR LONG PAR 5S

SWING SEQUENCE

The legendary Annika Sörenstam shares her secret to picking up shots on long par 5s.

Take an in-depth look at Tiger Woods’ swing as explained by pro Jonathan Craddock.

Gear 52

MIZUNO ST-G 440

Does the iconic brand’s most talked about driver in 2024 have the ﬁrepower to compete with the market leaders?

WHY ROLL THE BALL BACK?

It’s hard to believe that the Venti 500 is J-Lindeberg’s ﬁrst golf shoe.

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MAURITIUS

VENTI 500

Worldwide Golf took a visit to paradise to ﬁnd out why Mauritius is a must-visit golﬁng destination.

Find out why we think the proposed rollback of the ball by the R&A and USGA is a big mistake.

QUICK9 64

RICHARD MANSELL The Englishman answers nine weird and wonderful questions.

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Tiger makes golf a better product

n what would typically be a quiet month in the golfing world, December ended up being arguably one of the most newsworthy of the year, with Tiger Woods returning to action, Jon Rahm joining LIV Golf, Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club being announced as a host for a Challenge Tour event this year, and Christo Lamprecht hitting a 418-yard drive! I’ll start with golf’s worst-kept secret finally becoming official in the shape of Rahm joining LIV Golf. It’s a surprising move given his previous comments on the breakaway league, stating that he wasn’t a fan of the format and cares more about his legacy in the game than bumper paychecks. But I guess money talks, and the rumored $600 million fee paid to him to defect from the PGA Tour must have been a pretty hard sum to turn down, no matter what he has previously earned over his hugely successful career. As a golf fan, it’s a huge blow that we won’t see him go up against the game’s best week-in and week-out, but I guess it will add even more prestige to the Major Championships, with those four elite events being the only place currently where we will see the best of the best go head-to-head over 72 holes of pure drama. Having said that, the deal between PIF, PGA, and DP World Tour could pave the way for more opportunities to see these players compete against each other. No one quite knows what this deal will entail right now, but let’s just hope it’s resolved sooner rather than later, so that we can go back to some sort of normality in the golfing world.

CAN TIGER WIN AGAIN? It was great to see Tiger compete once again at both the Hero World Challenge and PNC Championship last month. I watched some of the Hero World Challenge on TV and it did look like he was walking better than he had done for a long while, which was a joy to see, but could he really challenge again on the PGA Tour and at Major Championships? “If I’m able to practice and do the things I know I can do, and prepare, I know I can still do it,” said Woods when asked if he could still win. If anyone else had said this after the injuries and problems off course that this guy has gone through, you’d probably laugh it off, but this is Tiger we are talking about. Remember the magic he gave us by winning the Masters in 2019? It was an incredible fairytale that we all want to relive again even if the chances are very slim given the quality of your Viktor Hovlands, Scottie Schefﬂers, Rory McIlroys and Jon Rahms right now. Maybe just maybe he can give us one more piece of magic to remember for the rest of our lives. If he doesn’t, who cares? We should all just be grateful this incredible player is back on our screens once again. When Tiger is playing, golf is a better product. Period.

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COURSE

GOLF IN THE CLOUDS Photography: Getty Images

GOLF IN THE CLOUDS

f you’re scared of heights La Paz Golf Club in Bolivia might not be the place for you. Standing at an altitude of 10,650 feet (3,246 metres) above sea level, the South American track is the one of the world’s highest golf courses. Those who do venture up to La Paz’s dizzy heights will be thrilled to learn that they can expect an extra 30 yards to be added to the length of an average 5-iron shot due to the thinness of the air but players are advised to arrive a few days early to acclimatize as well as drinking

plenty of water during the round! The good news is, while you may be struggling for breath, you won’t be weighed down by your clubs as La Paz has no fewer than 150 caddies on hand to help you round. Built in 1912 by British railway workers the plush, perfectly manicured country club course features pristine fairways and greens with an abundance of trees and other greenery dotted around. The layout has been designed to counteract the length advantage gained by the

thin air with the potential for 300 + yard booming drives often tempered by severe doglegs while cunningly positioned greens encourage accuracy rather than power with your irons. And it’s not just the oxygen levels that take your breath away at La Paz, the views are simply specular with the majestic Illimani, the second highest mountain in Bolvia, towering over the course while the unusual lunar landscape has been described as an “odd work of art, like a desert filled with stalagmites.”

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INTERNATIONAL SWING Photography: Getty Images

MIDDLE EAST SET TO KICK START INTERNATIONAL SWING

ome of the best players in the world are set to tee it up in the region to kick off their 2024 season as the Middle East plays host to a newlook Desert Swing, which comprises the first five tournaments on the DP World Tour’s International Swing.

The inaugural Dubai Invitational will kick start proceedings before trips to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic for the 35th time and Ras Al Khaimah Championship for the third consecutive season. The Bahrain Championship will round things

Jan 11-14

off in the UAE, until the Abu Dhabi Championship returns in November, with the DP World Tour visiting the Kingdom for the first time in 13 years, before the pros make the short trip to Doha for the 27th edition of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

Duabi Creek Resort, Dubai, UAE

DUBAI INVITATIONAL The Dubai Invitational launches in Dubai this month, with Dubai Creek Resort playing host to DP World Tour pros, celebrities and amateurs from across the world in this new biennial Pro-Am event hosted by Abdulla Al Naboodah. The Emirati businessman has a proud history of hosting the biggest and best names in the game, having previously launched The Invitational hosted by Abdulla Al Naboodah back in 2007 as a way to thank business associates and clients of the Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group for their efforts. From there, the tournament evolved into the most prestigious ‘invitation only’ charity

Pro-Am in the region, with star names such as Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood all competing over the years. “The United Arab Emirates has played a significant role in the global growth of golf, with its world-class courses and enthusiastic golfing community,” said Abdulla Al Naboodah, who will welcome Rory McIlroy and Nicolai Højgaard to Dubai Creek after the duo confirmed their attendance last month. “The inaugural Dubai Invitational will welcome global business leaders and celebrities from around the world to play alongside some of the world’s top professionals over three days and Rory’s

participation further underscores the UAE’s prominence in the international golfing landscape.” European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald, World Number 14 Tommy Fleetwood, and four-time DP World Tour winner Ryan Fox will also join in the fun, while a host of celebrities are expected to be announced soon. “It’s great to start my 2024 season at the Dubai Invitational,” said Donald. “We always get a lot of support from the fans when the Tour visits Dubai. It’s a cool place to play golf and with the added novelty of this being a brand-new event on the calendar, I’m sure it’s going to be a fantastic experience for everyone.”

COURSE FOCUS

Opened in 1993, Dubai Creek’s Championship Course features an 18hole, par-71 layout originally designed by Karl Litten before its redesign in 2004 led by European legend Thomas Bjorn. Hugging Dubai’s Creek, the 18-hole Championship course and its unique, sail-shaped clubhouse is no stranger to playing host to prestigious events, with the Dubai Desert Classic played there in 1999 and 2000. David Howell and José Cóceres were the respective victors in those two editions, while more recently the next generation of stars were going head-to-head on the desert oasis when the club hosted the 2021 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, which was won by then World Amateur No.1 Keita Nakajima.

DID YOU KNOW?

Dubai resident MG Keyser shot a course record 61 on the first day of the Mena Tour’s Dubai Creek Open in 2017, before Rayhan Thomas, who was born in Dubai, equaled the feat on his then home track the following day. The Indian carded nine consecutive birdies en route to his 61, which tied the world record for an Official World Golf Ranking event.

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INTERNATIONAL SWING Photography: Getty Images

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Jan 18-21

Emirates GC, Dubai, UAE

HERO DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC

he Hero Dubai Desert Classic returns for a milestone 35th edition, with Rory McIlroy aiming to become the first four-time winner of the prestigious event. McIlroy memorably matched Els’ record of three tiles when he lifted the trophy for a third time last year, edging out American Patrick Reed on a dramatic final day over the Majlis Course. “It meant a lot to lift the Dallah trophy for a third time,” said McIlroy. “I’ve enjoyed a lot of success at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic over

the years, so adding another title was the perfect way to start the year. “I love coming to Dubai and the support we get from fans is always special. I look forward to getting back to Emirates Golf Club in January, and hopefully creating a bit of history.” The Northern Irishman will be joined in the field by Champion Golfer of the Year Brian Harman along with Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Cameron Young, who have all confirmed the attendance at the ‘Major of the Middle East’. “I’m excited to tee it up in Dubai for the first time,” said Harman.

“It looks like a stunning venue that has identified great champions. I’d love to add my name to that list.” If he were to add his name to the roll of honour, he would be joining a Who’s Who of golfing royalty. Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie and Seve Ballesteros are just a handful of illustrious names to get their hands on the Dallah Trophy at the longest-running DP World Tour event to be held outside of Europe having started in 1989.

TEE-GATE DRAMA

You could cut the tension with a knife during last year’s Monday finish, following persistent rain, with McIlroy getting the edge over LIV rival Reed after the duo had locked horns at the beginning of the week in what was dubbed as tee-gate. This all came about after Reed was caught on camera throwing a tee at McIlory because he ignored him on the driving range. “Patrick came up to say hello and I didn’t really want him to,” McIlroy said. “From my recollection, that was it. I didn’t see a tee. I didn’t feel a tee. Obviously someone else saw that. But it’s definitely a storm in a teacup. I can’t believe it’s actually turned into a story, it’s nothing. “I was subpoenaed by his lawyer on Christmas Eve. Trying to have a nice time with my family and someone shows up on your doorstep and delivers that, you’re not going to take that well. “I’m living in reality, I don’t know where he’s living. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t expect a hello or a handshake.” Reed responded: “We all know where it came from, being part of LIV. Since my tees are Team Aces LIV tees I flicked him one. It was kind of a funny shot back. Funny how a small little flick has turned into basically me stabbing him and throwing a tee at him. “It’s unfortunate because we’ve always had a good relationship. But it is one of those things, if you’re going to act like an immature little child then you might as well be treated like one.” It was a bizarre affair, but it only added to the excitement of the week.

DID YOU KNOW?

Earlier this year, the tournament became the first golf event in the Middle East and first within the Rolex Series to achieve GEO Certified® Tournament status, demonstrating the event’s leadership among sustainable golf events.

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INTERNATIONAL SWING Photography: Getty Images

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Jan 25-28

Al Hamra Golf Club, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

RAS AL KHAIMAH

CHAMPIONSHIP

he DP World Tour will continue their exciting new chapter in Ras Al Khaimah when the Ras Al Khaimah Championship returns for the third consecutive year. Last year, Daniel Gavins won his second DP World Tour title in the most dramatic of circumstances at the spectacular coastal venue of Al Hamra Golf Club, as he claimed victory by just one stroke after a double bogey on the 72nd and final hole. The Englishman had a threestroke lead on the 18th tee but found the water twice on the

daunting closing hole, however he held his nerve on the green as he made a 25-foot putt to take the title. “It was fantastic to win my second DP World Tour title in Ras Al Khaimah, but I would have liked for it to have been less stressful,” said Gavins. “I’m really pleased with how I kept my composure and made that putt on the last, it’s a moment I’ll always remember and it’s something I’m very proud of.” The Englishman will be joined in the field by fellow DP World Tour winners Rasmus Højgaard,

Pablo Larrazábal and Thorbjørn Olesen, with the former looking follow in his twin brother Nicolai’s footsteps when he tees it up in Ras Al Khaimah, after Nicolai won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2021. “You want to win every time you play a tournament, and my brother and I are very competitive, so it would be special to see both of our names on the same trophy,” said Højgaard. “I really feel as though I had an opportunity to win last year, so I’m hoping to make amends when I return to Al Hamra.”

TESTING FINISH The back nine at Al Hamra Golf Club proved a stern test for the field, with six of the holes after the turn all playing over par across the week. Only the par four 13th and the 14th and 18th - both par fives - played under their number. The week’s collection of the three toughest holes on the Fortinet Threat Score were the par four 12th, par four tenth and par three 17th which yielded only one eagle between them across the four days of competition.

G4D TOUR TO MAKE DEBUT The G4D Tour will travel to Ras Al Khaimah for the first time and will feature eight male players and two female players. This year’s calendar boasts eight tournaments in five different countries, with a revamped format that introduces both Gross and Net tournaments for the first time, to ensure that golfers across a wider spectrum of disabilities can compete for glory. G4D Tour @ Ras Al Khaimah Championship will be a Net event, meaning the leading male and female golfers on the Net World Rankings for Golfers with a Disability (WR4GD) will receive an invitation to compete.

STAT PACK (2022-2023) MOST BIRDIES – 42, ZANDER LOMBARD MOST EAGLES – 6, DAVID LAW MOST BOGEYS – 22, TOM MCKIBBIN

MOST SAND SAVES – 19, PADRAIG HARRINGTON HARDEST HOLE (2023) – PAR-4 10TH, PLAYED AT +0.29 OVER PAR HARDEST HOLE (2022) – PAR-4 12TH, PLAYED AT +0.34 OVER PAR

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INTERNATIONAL SWING Photography: Getty Images

Feb 01-04

Royal GC, Kingdom of Bahrain

BAHRAIN

CHAMPIONSHIP

he DP World Tour is set to return to the Kingdom of Bahrain for the first time in 13 years when Royal Golf Club hosts the inaugural Bahrain Championship at the beginning of next month. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, is known to be a passionate practitioner and enthusiast of this sport, and was a driving force in the DP World Tour making its long awaited return to the Kingdom.

FLASHBACK

The DP World Tour’s last visit to Bahrain came back in 2011, with Paul Casey emerging victorious at the Volvo Golf Champions in what he described as “one of the toughest battles I’ve ever had” after an astonishing 23 changes at the top of the leaderboard on the final day.

Former Ryder Cup Captain Bjorn, who is Denmark’s most successful golfer of all-time with 15 DP World Tour wins to his name, will return to the Kingdom for the first time since finishing in a tie for 44th at the 2011 Volvo Golf Champions. “I am looking forward to returning to Bahrain in February and seeing how the country has changed since my last visit almost 13 years ago,” said Bjorn, who has twice enjoyed success here in the Middle East with victories in the 2001 Dubai Desert Classic and the 2011 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

“The beauty of the DP World Tour is we get to visit so many interesting places and help bring golf to new audiences, and I am thrilled to help to achieve that with the Bahrain Championship. “I would like to thank His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for welcoming us to his Kingdom and I can’t wait to visit early next year.” Dan Bradbury, Alex Fitzpatrick, Yannik Paul and Jordan Smith have also been announced to tee it up at the fourth event on the DP World Tour’s International Swing.

The Englishman arrived at the 72nd hole level with Peter Hanson, but the latter went from rough to sand before missing a par putt from 10ft to gift Casey victory at the Colin Montgomerie-designed Royal Golf Club. “It feels fantastic – the most

important thing to me is winning and that was huge,” said Casey at the time. “The goal is obviously the Majors, but how are you going to win Major Championships if you can’t win regular events?”

DID YOU KNOW?

Royal Golf Club course has undergone extensive upgrades ahead of the Bahrain Championship. Among the key enhancements is the upgrading of a number of greens on the front nine to ensure it is in prime condition to welcome the elite stars of the DP World Tour. “It show you the commitment the board has in the facility reinvest and make those changes,” said DJ Flanders, Executive Vice President of Troon International. “To host this Tour event shows how much Royal Golf Club continues to push quality. It’s a special golf club and one I would recommend to everyone to go and play. Bahrain is great.”

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INTERNATIONAL SWING Photography: Getty Images

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Feb 08-11

Doha GC, Doha, Qatar

COMMERCIAL BANK

QATAR MASTERS

he Commercial Bank Qatar Masters will be the fifth stop on the International Swing - and the last of five in the Middle East – before the Swing concludes in Africa, after the event was added to the calendar last month. The tournament, which hosted its inaugural edition in 1998, has an impressive roll of honour with the likes of Ernie Els, Henrik Stenson and Adam Scott all lifting the impressive Mother of Pearl Trophy over the years. That majestic trophy is arguably the most unique on the DP World Tour, with the silverware considered a symbol of the rich Qatari heritage, as pearl diving and trading have been the mainstay and backbone of the Qatari culture and identity for so long, evoking historical

significance and strong social and emotional bonds amongst Qataris. Just like its name implies, the Mother of Pearl Trophy is unique, strong, resilient, and is a source of pride to those who own and carry it. So who will get their hands on it this year? Currently no players have been announced, but driving the ball long and straight has been the key to success in the past as demonstrated by the previously mentioned trio of champions. “Driving the ball is key as conditions get quite tough and the wind can test your game,” said four-time Major champion Els of the challenge of taking on Doha Golf Club. Els is certainly right about that wind, with gusts notorious for creeping up in the afternoon at

Doha Golf Club and this can quickly become a force to be reckoned with. Morning tee times, in contrast, tend to be more benign in terms of playing conditions. “Wind! Lots of wind! I love playing in Doha. Depending on the conditions, the golf course can play in several different ways,” said Stenson.“There have been times when I’ve hit a sand wedge into the green in one round, and a 4-iron the very next day. If you ask me, I feel wind is probably the greatest test of skill for any golfer.” You heard it from the Iceman himself – if you can play well in the wind, you stand a decent chance of triumphing in Qatar.

JAMIESON DELIVERS IN FINAL COUNTING EVENT

Last year’s Qatar Masters represented the final chance for players to earn their full playing privileges on the DP World Tour for this season.Among those was Scott Jamieson, who started the

week 119th on the Race to Dubai Rankings, with the top 116 securing their card. With the pressure on, the Scot held his nerve as he carded rounds of 65, 72, 66 and 69 to finish in a share of third place with

DID YOU KNOW?

Spaniard Nacho Elvira to jump up to 82nd on the rankings to comfortably keep his card for a 14th consecutive season. Luckily for Jamieson, this year’s event is a lot earlier in the season so the pressure will be off!

A spectacular new double green was built on holes 9 and 18 before last year’s edition, along with all of the greens being completely relayed. The huge new green wraps around the existing lake, bringing the action closer to the clubhouse, enhancing the building’s visibility during play. The work to the putting surfaces was the first of its kind since the course was first constructed in 1996, with the grass on the greens changing to the paspallum ‘dynasty’ species.

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FEATURES

THOMAS BJØRN Photography: Getty Images

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The GREAT

DANE THOMAS BJØRN

OVER THE COURSE OF THREE REMARKABLE DECADES, THOMAS BJØRN HAS UNDENIABLY STOOD AS A TOWERING FIGURE, EXEMPLIFYING THE VERY ESSENCE OF A GENERATION OF EUROPEAN GOLFERS.

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FEATURES

THOMAS BJØRN Photography: Getty Images

Thomas Bjørn won the 2022 MCB Tour Championship

rom claiming victory 23 times as a professional and orchestrating a triumphant Ryder Cup campaign for Team Europe in 2018 to outshining the legendary Tiger Woods at the Dubai Desert Classic, Bjørn has etched his name into golf folklore plenty of times during that period. Now, following the expiration of his exemption on the DP World Tour last season, Bjørn is set for the next chapter of his love affair with the game, as he targets more starts on the Legends Tour, Champions Tour and the odd DP World Tour event here and there, including next month’s Bahrain Championship. Thomas Wragg caught up with the no-nonsense Dane at the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius, to find out what lies ahead, why Scandinavian golf is in such a good place and how the golfing world can come together following years of division. Worldwide Golf: You said you wouldn’t be playing a full schedule this year, so what does 2024 have in store for Thomas Bjørn? Thomas Bjørn: What I said was, I don’t have a full exemption on Tour, so I’m going to still play golf events. I’ll still play a few on the main tour. I want to play a bit more seniors golf going forward, hopefully a little bit in America and a little bit in Europe. But no, I still want to play, but I feel like golf is in a peculiar place at the moment, and the game has to go down a route where it comes together. I think there’s a lot

of things that can be done in the game. I think this is a great game and it has so many great opportunities ahead of it. We just need to be in a world where the people that are in it drive it in the right direction for the sake of the game. And I’ll always go back to it, that’s the most important thing. You know, it seems the game at the moment has gone to a place where it’s all about money and that’s the conversation that everything lands on. But there’s a future for this game and for the professional game. I’m very much a believer that you come into something and you should try and leave it in a better place for the generation that comes after you. I’m not sure that right at this moment in time, we are going entirely in that direction. That’s a conversation that definitely needs to be had amongst the players and amongst the administrators of the game that the professional game is not the game. The amateur game is the game. The game is what millions of people are playing and enjoying golf, but the professional game is a shining light at the top of the pyramid that needs to set the direction of where golf goes. That needs to be in a good place. It’s not a criticism of where the game is. I can see why it’s gone there, because professional sports have gone there over the last 10 years. It was only a matter of time when golf was going to get dragged into that whole conversation, but it’s an important conversation to have. Where do we want this game to go, and how can the

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professional game be the thing at the top of the tree that drags the whole train in the right direction? There’s a lot of things going on at the moment with, you know, what tours and which tours are doing what and then you’ve got the rollback of the ball, and you’ve got all these things going on. It seems to cause nothing but negative conversation. We have more participants in golf than we have ever had. The game at amateur level, at handicap golfers, club golfers is as good as it’s ever been. There’s not enough good conversation about the game of golf. It seems to be that the whole conversation is fairly negative at the moment and that needs to be sorted out. I’d like to be in that conversation because I think that the players need to be in that conversation. The players need to realise where they come from and where they want the game to go. And I think it’s important that somebody stands up eventually and goes, “hang on a second, the game is the most important thing here”. WWG: Do you think some players might have lost sight of that, though, with the crazy amount of money involved? TB: Well, it is silly money, but you can never blame the players because it’s not the players that are offering the money. It’s not the players that are driving this. This has been driven from somewhere else. That’s where professional sports, not just golf, has gone over a long period of time. So, I don’t think the players

Bjørn played an important role at the 2023 Ryder Cup have lost sight. The players are reacting to the environment that’s there, and then they try and make their way with that. And for me, that’s not really where the problem lies. I just think that you’ve got to try and create something that’s sustainable. When you have a professional sport, your competitors are other professional sports, but golf seems to have competitors within the sport, which I don’t think is sustainable. I don’t think that that has a future in the game. I think we’ve got to find a way where we bring the professional game together and it becomes a worldwide sport, and it becomes a worldwide successful sport. I think it’s one of the very few sports that really actually touches every corner of the world as well. I think we lost sight of that. I do think we lost sight of that. I do think it’s a bigger worldwide sport than it’s given credit for. The tours don’t create enough focus on it being a worldwide sport, but that’s always been like that in all the time I’ve played. I remember growing up always watching the South African Open, the Australian Open, the Japan Open, you know, they were great big events an, they’re still great events, but they don’t get the credit that they deserve in the world schedule. Playing those events have been some of my most enjoyable memories. To go to these places and play golf on some great golf courses against great players with a great tradition and history and when those tournaments don’t get

that credit and that recognition anymore, I find that a shame. We’ve created a world where it’s a little bit too simplified.

“I DO THINK IT’S A BIGGER WORLDWIDE SPORT, THAN IT’S GIVEN CREDIT FOR. THE TOURS DON’T CREATE ENOUGH FOCUS ON IT BEING A WORLDWIDE SPORT.” WWG: One of those corners of the world the game touches is obviously your homeland in Denmark. You were there to witness Nicolai Højgaard’s victory at the DP World Tour Championship in November – how special was that as you’ve always said that both him and Rasmus could go right to the top? TB: They’re amazing, the two of them. Scandinavian golf is in a golden era of players all of a sudden. Viktor Hovland is the driving force, he’s obviously unbelievable. I mean, very few players come around where you’re kind of like, “wow, this is pretty special, you know?” And he is a very, very special, hugely talented young man. And I think Nicolai, Rasmus, Ludvig Aberg and your Vincent Normmans look at this guy and go, “hang on a second, here’s a guy from our neck of the woods, and if he can do it, we can do it.”

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And so there’s a group of guys in Scandinavian golf at the moment that are very talented, hugely successful, and can go a long way. Obviously for me, being Danish, Rasmus and Nicolai are the ones that take a little bit more of my interest. I was just delighted for Nicolai in Dubai. I thought it was a fantastic performance. If you think about it,he’s 22 years old and he’s birdied five of the last six holes to win the tournament. That’s pretty special, to do that on a tricky golf course as well. So, you know, I look at these guys, I see them being very special; they’ve got great futures ahead of them and I’m glad I’m not having to play against them too often! WWG: A few of those guys were part of the victorious European Ryder Cup team in Rome, while you were Vice Captain. How was your experience of that week and what did you make of Luke Donald’s captaincy? TB: It was an amazing week, Ryder Cups are amazing. Obviously they are particularly amazing when the team win. I’ve been part of a lot; seen a lot of captaincies, played in a good few and I’ve captained myself, but you kind of look at them all and I think it’s unfair to try and compare them as it doesn’t really work because environments are created from different circumstances. I thought one of the big moments for Luke’s captaincy was the practice trip to Rome, which in all honesty,I wasn’t really sure if it was going to have an effect.

Bjørn has been a big part in helping the Højgaard twins settle in on Tour But the way the players took to that was amazing. It created an environment during the week at Wentworth where all of a sudden it had already started; they were already together as a team and it worked out very well. I worked very closely with Luke in his captaincy, and when I look back at it, it’s difficult to put your finger on anything that he did wrong. But the great thing about Luke was Luke never pretended to know everything. He was very curious in his way of talking to people. I worked closely with him, but he was always talking to people, he was always trying to figure something out. His captaincy was 99.9 out of a hundred and I think that also leads into him doing it again is the right choice, because that’s what the players want. And why would you not have a captain that the players are so supportive and behind, why would you not choose that? Why would you go down a different route? So I’m delighted. For me, it was a great experience, I enjoyed every minute of it. I enjoyed working with Luke, being in that environment and watching this team come into their own. I felt in Paris and from afar in 2021 that the European team might be heading in a strange direction, as you had this generation of players that were in and around the Ryder Cup for so many years that it didn’t really give an opportunity for these new superstars to form their own path. I felt in Rome that your McIlroys, Rahms and Hovlands could form the team the way that saw it, which created a great environment for the young guys. I think Luke identified that very quickly, that he could play into those three being leaders in

the team room, on the golf course, in their own minds. And I think that that made them so comfortable with each other. Our team rooms are amazing every time. I’ve been in winning team rooms a lot and I was in a losing team room with Daren Clarke in 2016, and that environment was still great. But there was something different about this team in Rome, it’s hard to actually pinpoint what it was. I think it had a lot to do with those top players being extremely comfortable in that environment, as they could then lead both on and off the course. WWG: If you got the call from Luke to take up the Vice Captain role again in 2025 would you accept? TB: I think Luke needs to sit down and obviously look at how he wants to do it. If he thinks that I can help him, then we’ll have to have that conversation. And that’s a big conversation to have. I felt after Paris my Ryder Cup story was done and then I got the call to play a part in Rome and was quite heavily involved. It takes a lot out of you to be a captain, but it also takes a lot for the guys around the captain; you put a lot of things, I wouldn’t say on hold, but that becomes your focus and that’s your path. So we need to have that conversation if that’s the route Luke wants to go. I have a lot of time for him, I think the world of him as a person and I think he was an amazing captain. I would love to be part of a team that could go to New York. Ever since it was announced, we probably feared that one the most of what’s ahead. If you can create an environment where a team could go to New

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York and be competitive and maybe even win it. That would be some feat. WWG: Finally, I know you’re going to be playing at the Bahrain Championship in February. What are your thoughts on Royal Golf Club and how excited are you to head back there for the first time in 13 years? TB: I know they’ve made some changes since we visited in 2011, but I thought it was a good golf course. I’ve played in all the territories that we have played in as a tour in the Middle East. So, obviously Dubai has been the leader and then Abu Dhabi, Saudi, Oman, Ras Al Khaimah and now Bahrain again. Everything has to find a way and then grow from there, I’mjust glad we’re back in the Kingdom. I have fond memories of what it was back then and I’m quite sure in the last 13 years, a lot of things have happened. I’m looking forward to going back there and seeing the progression of the country, the progression of golf in Bahrain and trying to play my part in making the county the next chapter of our story. I’ll go back to it again, but it’s about making the game global. We have an opportunity in our game to touch every country, so we should be going everywhere to play the game. We have played a big role in growing golf in the Middle East, especially in the UAE, and now we have an opportunity to help grow it even further it in Bahrain. That’s the responsibility of the professional game as well, to be able to make sure we leave a footprint on the game and grow it in the places that we are lucky to be invited to play.

FEATURES

LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN Photography: Getty Images

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LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN

COMPLETING

GOLF THERE ISN’T MUCH IN THE GAME LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN HASN’T ACHIEVED. THE SOUTH AFRICAN BOASTS A GOLFING RÉSUMÉ THAT COMPRISES OF COUNTLESS WORLDWIDE WINS, INCLUDING A FAMOUS OPEN TRIUMPH AT ST ANDREWS IN 2010. MORE RECENTLY, HE ALSO OPENED THE DOORS TO COURSE DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE. LET’S JUST SAY, HE’S DONE THE LOT. WILL KENT CAUGHT UP WITH THE FORMER WORLD NUMBER FOUR TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT’S NEXT.

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FEATURES

LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN Photography: Getty Images

Oosthuizen alongside golf course designer Peter Matkovic at La Réserve Golf Links in Mauritius

s we enter 2024, the game of golf has never looked more divisive. LIV Golf, the Tour Oosthuizen now plays on, continues to dominate headlines with seemingly constant controversy. However, the distance discussion remains just as contentious, admittedly with less venom from either side of the argument. But unlike LIV, this debate is nothing new. Whether you agree with the recent USGA and R&A ball rollback proposals or not, it’s a fact the game is played differently to how it was 20 years ago. Augusta National lengthening the 13th for the Masters is proof of just that, and that is not a sustainable solution in the battle of keeping up with modern day advancements in technology and sports science. “I’ve been saying it for a while now, you’re going to run out of space with building golf courses longer and longer,” said Oosthuizen.“I think they need to do a combo with a driver and the ball to bring good, old classic golf courses back to play. “Right now, there are great golf courses that have been unbelievable in the past that you can’t really have big tournaments on anymore because it’s too easy to hit a driver off the tee. I would say it’s a great thing that they’re doing and I would definitely hope that they do the driver as well.”

What is surprising is the plan to also roll back even for the high-handicap weekend warrior. The idea of having different ‘pro’ and ‘amateur’ balls appears to have been scrapped. It’s still to be seen if that’s a wise decision, but I know from my own game and watching others that we still need all the help we can get.

“There are so many things that go into designing. I was astonished with everything you need to think of.” “I mean, how are you going to do it so it’s not the same? It’s going to be a bit difficult if you’re going to do both,” Oosthuizen replied when I asked if the ball should also be rolled back for amateurs.“Whatever they do, they need to do it for everyone. “You need to see where the game is at, at the moment. You need to get the length on the course in the design aspect, but that’s where you get different tee boxes.

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“If they roll back the ball, they’re going to lose a few tee boxes off the back and move everything up. If you design a golf course right, you can move tee boxes around and play the hole as it’s supposed to be played.” But does Oosthuizen hope the decision to roll the ball back mean the game will be played similar to how it was in the early 2000s? “I hope so,” he responded.“I definitely hope so.” The 2010 Open Championwas explaining this to me on the course he co-designed in Mauritius, the newly-opened La Réserve Golf Links at Heritage Golf Club.It’s the first and only contemporary links course in the Indian Ocean, with some truly stunning views from several holes. The smooth-swinging South African teamed up with architect Peter Matkovich to craft the testing layout in the south-west region of Mauritius which recently held the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open on the DP World Tour. The opportunity to craft a course from scratch must surely have opened his eyes to something new in golf, even despite his lengthy and successful playing career to date. “They told me to stay in my business and be a golfer, not a designer,” joked Oosthuizen. “There are so many things that go into designing. I was astonished with everything you need to think of. That’s where

Oosthuizen, right, went on to win the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at La Réserve Golf Links

Peter is a masterclass with all those things. “I don’t want a golf course that plays really easy. From the back tees here, you need to really strike the ball well and find your way around the course. If you’re playing well, you can still make birdies. “I have one more course that we’re almost starting in Namibia. That’s a project that I’m really looking forward to.” Despite his in-depth answers on course design, the 41-year-old wasn’t as forthcoming with his responses when discussing the fractured game at a professional level given his allegiance to LIV. It’s a dark cloud over the entire game at the minute, with us all wishing for a solution. “People can think what they want,” he said when I quizzed him on his thoughts regarding the uneasy state of the game at the elite level. “I think something new was always good.” At the time of our interview, Oosthuizen was also fresh off the back of a win at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, his first triumph in five years. He entered that tournament through one of the national spots,

and he made it count with a two-shot victory at Leopard Creek. “It feels good to be back in the winners’ circle,” he continued. “It’s been a good year. As a team, we played really well on LIV and I played some good golf. I’m very happy with the way we performed and hopefully next year we can do even better. “And with Rahm joining it’s another good player coming to LIV. He’ll be a great asset to have and exciting to play against him.” Amidst this complex landscape of professional golf, Oosthuizen still emerges as a beacon of contemplation and resolve. His dual role now as both player and now course designer reflects a commitment to preserving golf’s essence while embracing its evolution. As he gazed across the expanse of La Réserve Golf Links in front of me, contemplating future projects and possibilities, he remains an enduring figure with a career that now stretches over 20 years long. A veteran of the game but still very much one of the biggest stars in the sport, the ‘Oosthuizen’ name is one that will be long remembered in golf for many more years to come.

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The South African won the 2010at St Andrews by seven shots

FEATURES MARCEL SIEM

Photography: Getty Images

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FEATURES MARCEL SIEM

Photography: Getty Images

Siem returned to the winners circle at last year’s Hero Indian Open

veteran of the game, but still only 43 years old, Marcel Siem enjoyed a fantastic season last year which nearly culminated in him clinching a PGA Tour card. It wasn’t to be in the end, but 2023 was a season full of highs for the German. Will Kent caught up with the five-time DP World Tour winner to pick his brains into how he’s managed to rejuvenate his career, while also getting his views on all things related to the game of golf. WWG: What a year you had last year, Marcel! But first of all, how come you’ve now decided to call Mauritius your home? MS: I love this place. We’ve lived here since January last year already, and I really fell in love with the island. I’m ambassador for Heritage Golf Club and have been for a number of years, and I spend a lot of winters here, Christmas and New Year’s. I just got so familiar with everyone. The people are so nice and so friendly, especially the villa owners as well. We just decided to move. I always

wanted to live on the golf course. You know, it’s too cold in Germany in the wintertime and I think my golf recently showed that was a good decision because I’m fit 12 months a year, literally. WWG: Your Mauritius move seems to have coincided with an uplift in form. What exactly has been the key to seeing better results? MS: Definitely being able to practice every day, living golf a bit more. You know, I wake up at 5.30am, go to the gym, go early to the range, and then play 18 holes, then by 11am I’m done. Finished with my work. I can see the kids and my wife. You know, I think the quality of life, the work and life balance is fantastic here. That helped me a lot, especially the way I work with my life coach, not being so hard on myself, enjoying life a bit more, and letting the ‘feel’ come out of you. I think it’s very important. Whatever job you do, you have to enjoy it, otherwise you will never perform, and I think that was it. And my coach, he got my swing back as well, so we shouldn’t forget that.

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WWG: Did you feel like a great season was just around the corner, or did the success of 2023 come as a bit of a surprise? MS: I never really lost the confidence that I’ll be back to playing like I was in 2012, 13, 14. A lot of stuff happened in my private life and I think that the year I went back to the Challenge Tour I proved myself, you know, getting my card there, which is not easy with all the young lads.I was by far the oldest guy there, and that was a nice confidence boost. And The Open in 2021, performing like this in front of the crowd, it showed me I can still do it. I was really keen on coming back and yeah, I knew was something in the pipeline but didn’t expect with the qualifying school category to have such a solid year straightaway. WWG: Many people regard you as one of the veterans on the DP World Tour with over 500 starts. How have you managed to stay at the top level for so long? MS: It’s definitely fitness level. You need to love the sport otherwise you will give up at

Siem turned pro in 2000 and made his DP World Tour debut in 2001

one stage because you will have some injuries here and there.I mean, that’s in sports, that’s normal. You just have to work through it. You need a very, very good team, which all believe in you. I have very, very good guys around me and I think that’s needed. If you look at Bernhard Langer, I mean, he’s my idol. This guy is unbelievable. I speak not that much to him, but three, four or five times a year, and he’s so fit. I think that’s the only way to do it. WWG: You came close to securing a PGA Tour card last year, but unfortunately fell short. Are you using that near-miss as motivation for 2024? MS: Yeah, for sure. That was always my dream and I’m quite happy now that it didn’t work out because we just moved here to Mauritius. To get the card there, then you have to do another move again. I think settling in here in Mauritius, getting everything ready, and then getting the PGA Tour card would be better. I think that’s a great thing, that’s our plan

and what we want to achieve. And I’m not sad anymore. In Dubai at the DP World Tour Championship, I was injured. I couldn’t really give 100% so I think I didn’t look too happy that week. But I’m really proud and happy about the season this year, so it’s all good. WWG: The DP World Tour goes to Bahrain next year for the first time in over 10 years, how cool is it for guys like yourself to play in new territories so often? MS: I love that. I’ve never been to Bahrain, so I definitely want to go. I love to go to new places, especially when you’re on Tour for how many years now? 22 years. So, it’s nice to go to places like the Belfry, and Wentworth is awesome, but I always look forward to seeing new venues. It’s really cool. WWG: Professional golf looks quite fractured at the moment, especially with Jon Rahm’s recent move to LIV Golf. What’s your take on the whole situation?

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MS: It’s a tough question, nobody really knows where it’s going. I didn’t expect Jon Rahm to go to LIV Golf, to be honest. But it is what it is. I think we all have to sit down after the festive season, though, and see where it goes. It’s a tough one. It’s for all of us to say ‘it’s cool,it’s not cool, we hate it, we love it,’ it’s very difficult for all of us. WWG: And finally, what’s your take on the plans to roll back the ball for both amateurs and professionals? MS: I feel very sorry for manufacturers, like Titleist and Callaway, because they put so much work into designing golf balls and getting it better and better. On the other hand, I think it could play to my hands. I’d like to shape the ball. I don’t like that every ball goes straight. So, I’m okay with that. But like I said, I feel sorry for four for these companies because it’s going to cost them a lot of money.

FEATURES

MATTHIEU PAVON Photography: Getty Images

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MATTHIEU

PAVON PGA TOUR

Bound

PAVON’S ASCENT TO THE TOP LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL GOLF HAS BEEN A GRADUAL YET DETERMINED PROGRESSION SINCE TURNING PROFESSIONAL IN 2013. THIS YEAR, HIS DEDICATION AND SKILL PROPELLED HIM INTO THE TOP 100 OF THE WORLD RANKINGS FOR THE FIRST TIME, UNDERSCORING HIS GROWING STATURE IN THE SPORT.

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FEATURES

MATTHIEU PAVON Photography: Getty Images

The Frenchman’s win in Madrid for his first DP World Tour title

rguably more important than his recent rise into the top 100 of world ranking was his finish on the Race to Dubai. Through that, the Frenchman secured his 2024 PGA Tour card after an outstanding season which saw him clinch his first DP World Tour title at the acciona Open de España. The 31-year-old’s triumph was followed by two more top-ten finishes, culminating in a notable fifth-place tie at the DP World Tour Championship. In hindsight, these results were vital in opening a doorway to new opportunity. Now, transitioning to the next chapter of his career in the States, Pavon reflects on his life-altering breakthrough with Will Kent, offering insights into his evolving journey. WWG: What a great end to the year for you, 15th on the Race to Dubai. Did you feel like a strong finish like that was coming, or did the great form in 2023 take you by surprise?

MP: It was on the horizon for me. Before my win it was a really good year for me stats wise. With my team we were all very happy. It was the best year I had played so far on Tour. I’d had top tens before earlier in my career too, but only in the smaller tournaments. I was really waiting to have a big week and it came in Madrid. It looks like everything clicked together, and I surfed on that momentum for the last few tournaments of the year. WWG: You also earned yourself a PGA Tour card for 2024. Has your life changed much because of this, or do you expect it to in the coming months? MP: Yes, it’s going to change. There are many things to handle and to deal with. As I said, it’s a little bit like first day in a new school. You have a lot to learn. You’re going to discover a new world, and it’s going to be great. I can’t wait to learn and to see what positive experiences are waiting for me.

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WWG: Have you sought the advice of any PGA Tour stars about what it takes to make it over in America as well? MP: I talk to Billy Horschel a little bit. He’s a guy who comes and plays on the DP World Tour, so I try to reach out to him. I talked to him a little bit and asked to share some rounds together, some of his time, because he’s a very experienced guy. Billy has been very kind and I’m sure we will share some time over there on the PGA Tour. WWG: What are your main goals now for 2024? MP: We’ll see. This is a discussion I plan to have with my team. It’s going to exciting year for sure, as it would be nice to get to play in four Majors. But it won’t be next year, except if I start the year very well and get myself into the top 50 players in the world. But yeah, that’s the logical thing for me to progress to next. I’m top 100 in the world now so let’s try to reach the top 50.

Pavon first graduated from the Challenge Tour back in 2016

WWG: And your schedule to start the year, what does that look like? Will we be seeing you in Ras al Khaimah again, a course you play so well on? MP: I know I’ll be playing the first three tournaments on the PGA Tour. And for Ras al Khaimah, I finished third once, and had the lead this year. It’s a place where I play great, but to be fair this year, I’m going to be very focused on the PGA Tour so I won’t be there unfortunately. WWG: What did you make of Jon Rahm leaving the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf? MP: It’s sad that Jon left. For me, he’s the best player in the world right now. I love

that guy, I love the way he plays and what he brings to the game. But now, when you have offers like this, it’s hard to say no. It’s just sad to see some of the greatest players in the game going to LIV and not being on the PGA Tour where I can’t compete with them next year. At the same time, it leaves some spots for me and I’ll try to sneak in. WWG: What is your opinion on plans to roll the ball back? MP: I don’t think we had to do this. I’m not a big fan of the decision. The highest ranked person decided for us, they should have asked the players first. There are many professionals on all the Tours across the

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world, and I think it would have been nice to talk with the players and let us decide. WWG: If you don’t agree with the plans, how do you think the game needs to tackle the topic of players supposedly hitting it too far now? MP: If it keeps going with distance then maybe we change things. I think the way the ball goes right now it’s very good and perfect for me. It’s a nice combination of distance and control. You can see low scoring, but not tremendously low in many big tournaments. I think it keeps the tournaments fun. I do think it will be same with a different ball, but I don’t have a clear picture of what it will be playing every shot 15 yards shorter.

WILL 2024 BE THE YEAR IT ALL COMES TOGETHER?

ollowing on from last month’s column, when Rahm was the man, it certainly got people taking after he moved over to LIV Golf for an estimated figure close to $600 million, but has it improved or worsened the current situation? Firstly, you need to understand that figure is not paid upfront and goes straight into his pocket. He also needs to build and manage a team with that money and over an agreed period of what could be five years or more. People might be upset of his switch to LIV, but not many players will argue with him for making the switch. It’s a life changing amount and you are only an injury away from your professional career ending, so it’s a smart move to future proof no matter what business you are in. Staying with LIV Golf, it was interesting to see that Oosthuizen and Burmester have both won four out of the opening six events on the 2024 DP World Tour schedule. This highlights the importance of why the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the Tours need to sort the current situation out with LIV based players, as we want to see the best players in the world teeing it up against each other. Ironically, Oosthuizen and Burmester could continue their winning streak but still miss out on playing at the Masters Tournament, the US Open and other high-ranking events. This is where golf fans all over the world are missing out and I just don’t get it. It appears fine for PIF to support and develop the ladies’ game but the moment they started to attract the stars on the PGA Tour to LIV Golf the barriers went up and communication broke down. Maybe if the PIF tried to buy the European Tour and a large stake in the PGA Tour things might have been different. All these billions being invested in golf by the PIF has brought a fresh lease of life and interest into the game, which was losing not gaining fans.

Home-from-home.

Who has the answer?

No one has the answer right now as to how the whole thing is going to play-out, but money is being thrown about, as both sides juggle for ultimate control of the professional game. It’s not just the Saudi’s getting the cheque book out to buy support. The PGA TOUR PIP league didn’t

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appear to reward those that increased social media awareness or value, but it could easily be seen to reward the big-name players that remained loyal to the Tour in 2023. Although Rahm did collect an additional $9,000,000 by finishing third in the league just moments before he jumped ship to LIV Golf. As I say, who knows where it will all end up and that even applies to myself. Right now, I have little to no players on the DP World Tour. Victor Perez has just picked up an injury and we are waiting for the MRI scans to come back. But he will be looking to play a full PGA Tour schedule and his first event on the DP World Tour might be the Scottish Open in July. Danny Willett might not return to action after recovering from his operation until March, which leaves Harrington as my only remaining player, and he will be mixing things up on all Tours in 2024. That leaves me looking after my players at LIV Golf and out of their 14 events I will probably attend 10, so 2024 could be my quietest year to date. You will still see me on the range in Dubai for the Desert Classic with my team at Emirates Golf Club. It’s one of my favourite events of the year and on one of the best courses the players tee it up on during the whole season. Some might argue that I’m bias due to having my academy there, but it is one of the main reasons why I have it there. Over the past decade Emirates Golf Club has become a home from home, plus I’d rather be standing on that academy range in January with the sun on my back, than hand picking balls in the driving rain at home in England. n

INSTRUCTION

PUTTING TEMPO Photography: Will Kent

JUDE HOBBS

PGA PRO & PUTTING SPECIALIST AT EMIRATES GOLF CLUB @JUDEHOBBSGOLF

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MASTER YOUR PUTTING TEMPO

he most common thing I see with golfers and their tempo when they’re on the putting surface is when they bring the putter back it’s very short and slow. That causes the need for a high accelerated and long forward stroke. When a player has that pattern, it takes the feel out of the putter head. What I’d like you do is focus on building up a bit more power on the backswing, and slowing down into the ball on the downswing. Here’s a drill to help that: SET UP: Begin by setting up to the ball in your usual stance. BACKSTROKE: Execute a more dynamic backstroke than usual, with a bit more power. BALL CONTACT: Strike the ball, maintaining your newfound tempo. POST-IMPACT MOTION: Here’s the crucial part—after hitting the ball, continue swinging the putter back and forth without pausing.

Watch Jude explain this simple drill in greater detail by scanning the QR code to the right!

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By prolonging the motion post-impact, you’ll naturally quicken the backswing while easing into a slower downswing. This alteration facilitates a smoother and more controlled stroke. This drill should help give feedback into how quickly your stroke should be over a putt on the actual course. Practice is key here though, and I’d recommend starting without a ball, focusing solely on the motion. Gradually incorporate this technique with real putts. Pay attention to the sensation of a brisker backswing and a more measured forward stroke. Remember, achieving a balanced tempo in your stroke can significantly elevate your game. It’s about finding that sweet spot between power and control. With consistent practice using this drill, I’m sure you’ll notice a remarkable improvement in your putting.

LOOK OUT FOR THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf Worldwide.Golf

INSTRUCTION

PERFECT LONG PAR 5S Photography: Getty Images

PERFECT LONG PAR 5S With 10-time Major winner ANNIKA SÖRENSTAM

n a second shot into a long par five where I can’t reach it in two, I’m not going to hit a full three wood. I’ll usually grab one of my hybrids and try place it to where I can hit my favourite distance for my third shot. My favourite would be a shot with a full shot with my 60 degree wedge, so I’m aiming to finish my second shot 80 yards from the flag. You really don’t have to do a lot of changes as far as the swing goes, but I do move the ball a little bit more forward in my stance because I’m sweeping it more than I would with a wedge, for example. Even though I have a long target in mind I always pick something in front of me, like a foot or so. I like to line up my club face first, and then I like to step in with my body, because I know a lot of people come in and they put their feet first, and the last thing they align is their club. It’s really important to go behind, line up the club to a little spot, maybe a second look at the target, and then go.

DID YOU KNOW?

One of the most surprising aspects of Annika Sörenstam’s career is her brief but ground-breaking entry into men’s professional golf. In 2003, she accepted an invitation to play at the Bank of America Colonial on the PGA Tour, becoming the first woman in 58 years to compete in a PGA Tour event. Her participation drew significant attention globally, challenging traditional gender boundaries in golf and sports in general. This bold move remains a historic moment in the sport, showcasing her skill, determination, and willingness to break barriers.

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INSTRUCTION

SIMPLIFY YOUR CHIPPING Photography: Getty Images

SIMPLIFY YOUR CHIPPING WITH DP WORLD TOUR PRO JAMES MORRISON

tend to play most of my chip shots with one club, my lob wedge, and move things around slightly to play different shots. If I can’t chip it well with one club, I’m not going to be able to chip it well with four clubs. I try to stick to one club, even with a chip and run. The first thing to do when chipping is to try and read the green. I try and stick to my strengths and try to hit a low draw spinner when I can around the greens. When it’s a slightly longer shot, I try to take as much trouble out of play as possible. I’m talking about up slopes and side slopes, so with a longer chip shot I’m looking for one bounce and stop. For this shot, I play the ball slightly back, square face and slightly little low draw to spin it in there. For me, it’s all about feel and you learn how to feel distances. I try and add a little bit of technique in there too. You see a lot of amateurs get out of connection and that’s where the duff and thin come in. A simple way to practice this is to put a glove under my right arm pit, and that just allows that little bit of connection whilst attaching that to a feel to how far it’s going to go. If the glove comes out, you know you’ve disconnected. This drill gives the feeling of connection and keeps the speed at the bottom of the arc, then I can spin it.

LOB SHOT TIP

My go-to is all about speed. I’m all about a load of loft at the start, and then just be confident with the speed. In a sense, you feel like you’re going to hit it long, but actually, because you’ve got lots of loft at address, the ball’s going to fly lovely and high and very soft. That’s all I work on, confidence, speed and lots of loft.

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INSTRUCTION

SWING SEQUENCE Photography: Getty Images

BY JONATHAN CRADDOCK PGA PROFESSIONAL, Peter Cowen Academy

TIGER WOODS

SWING SEQUENCE Tiger Woods looks set to return to the world of professional golf in 2024, and I cannot wait to see him back. It’s well-documented the 15-time Major champion has struggled with injuries, but this latest comeback carries hope. He recently told the press he plans to play a tournament a month this year, which is great news for

1 Tiger’s ability to attract a crowd is second to none, and he’s certainly changed the face of the sport with physical and mental prowess. Following all his injuries, the American can still rip It. This is down to his knowledge of the movement. He’s not only a great player but he studies the golf swing.

fans. We also saw a glimpse of him in action at the 2023 PNC Championship, and he can clearly still play great golf. However, his biggest battle is the challenge of walking 72 holes, and his swing has also changed. Let’s take a look a what he still does so well in his movement.

He’s always stood over the ball in such a commanding way, arms hanging from the shoulders, lower abs and glutes engaged. He starts the movement with a disciplined one-piece takeaway which has always been his hallmark move. Note how the club moves up and out above the ball as the left side of the body lowers.

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Clubhead remains in front of his hands as the body spirals around and up. Tiger maintains control with the clubface pointing downwards. Tiger’s clubface points towards four o’clock; many golfers reading this may have it towards the sky or two o’clock at this moment.

4 Here, the right arms start to fold and the wrists start to set. Look how Tiger’s clubface is almost on the back of his neck at this point, one might call this steep. That said, it would be worth considering what shot shape he is trying to produce here.

7 Tiger pressures the ground really well. This is where he can sometimes be his own worst enemy leaving the arms and club behind as he spins the body action. If this happens, it would lead to misses right and left. This is not the case here though as Tiger moves into a powerful position.

10 Effective energy transfer in golf hinges on body separation. The swing involves a blend of body pull and push forces, prompting the inquiry: push or pull first? Despite its scientific semblance, golf’s intricacies find explanation in physics and geometry. Tiger aligns his body action with arm, hand, and club motion, helping to maximise power.

The 48-year-old has always been able to maintain such leverage with the extension of the left arm from the left shoulder. As he does this, make sure to pay attention to how his left knee has movement downwards in the opposite direction to the right side to load and stretch the spiral.

Tiger’s lower half has begun his transition with the reverse action of the lower half. We can see here how the visibility of the left thigh from this angle is beginning to reduce, indicating the reversing spiral of the lower half to instigate his transition.

In my prior discussion, Tiger’s intentions are evident, harmonising with his movements. Essential tip: Choose your target, shot shape, and practice the corresponding movement for the desired result. Home practice of specific movement drills are vital.

Look at the room between his hands and left hip, and how the left leg has pushed the ground to create room for the arms and club to pressure the ball. His lower half is spiralling around and up, but we can still see a little of the left arm showing the separation between each segment.

Tiger holds posture wonderfully. In the previous slide note how the right hip is lower than the left and the footwork is rather steady as the energy moved from the ground through the body to create the balanced finish position. Belt buckle pointing at target and shoulders to the left.

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Amateurs, I’d like to see you extend your postshot routine by holding the finish position for longer. It’s an isometric contraction, enhancing muscle structure and fostering strength, crucial for balance, consistency, and power. Observe Tiger and Rory as exemplars of enduring finish positions for optimal results.

GEAR

THE REVIEW

ST-G MIZUNO 440cc DRIVER

Before TaylorMade and Callaway start shouting about their latest 2024 drivers, we decided to review something a little different and a brand packed with history but overlooked in the Middle East, Mizuno. Famed for making arguably one of the best tour iron ranges but never stood out in regard to metal woods, therefore we decided to put their current ST-G driver to the test and see if the iconic brand’s most talked about driver in 2024 has the fire power to compete with the market leaders.

The ST-G is a 9.5o head that can be adjusted down to 7.25o and up to 11.75o

Why select the smaller 440cc ST-G head for the review? Simply based on looks and performance compared to the larger ST-Z and ST-X, plus having a slightly higher than average swing speed. My issue with drivers has been optimising spin rates and the Tour style heads have always addressed this issue. The question I want to know is how the ST-G performs in terms of distance, dispersion and feel. It’s got the looks, but aesthetics has no impact on a score card. Sound & Feel Even after the first couple of warm up drives the feel is different than the other leading drivers. It’s quieter and softer off the face but that also meant you fail to get that dramatic energy feel at impact. The whole face felt a little numb, as the soft feel made it hard to detect if you flushed it off the face or slightly missed it towards the toe. Having said that I prefer this feel

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and sound over the deafening crack and hard face from some of the competitors. Performance It came as no surprise to see that I was 15 yards down over my current Titleist TSR2 gamer when it came to carry distance and 20 yards shorter on over all distance. The ball speed was only slightly lower, which was a surprise, and after tinkering with the adjustable weights I managed to get my spin rate to a respectable 2,600 rpm but the launch was a little low. I’m sure with a custom fit and aftermarket shafts I could have got more out of the ST-G, but then you are upping the budget and bringing other leading drivers into the equation. Dispersion It did not help I was trying to step on most of the drives to see how close I could max out in terms of carry and overall distance. This meant the dispersion was way off the mark, but that was my problem not the STG. Once I calmed down and swung at 75% the dispersion was tight, but you could apply that to most drivers out there. Verdict Performance is fair but the looks are outstanding. It’s a niche driver for a golfer that isn’t too concerned with distance but understands the benefits of being able to tinker with the head weighting track and loft settings to dial in their required ball flight.

BY ALEX GALLEMORE

It’s hard to believe that the Venti 500 is J-Lindeberg’s first golf shoe

J.LINDEBERG DIPS ITS FEET INTO THE FOOTWEAR MARKET J.Lindeberg has been around for a while now, and if you are as old as me, you might have come across the brand in the 1990s when Jasper Parnevik was peacocking the fairways with the Swedish designer’s name on his chest. At the time his clothing was more like a fashion line than your conventional Pringle wool knit, so when I received the press release from Lindeberg announcing their first golf shoe, my first thought was disbelief, and I had to check if the release was accurate. It did not take long to find that all their other shoes in the past was a collaboration with Ecco and the Vent 500 shoe is their inaugural stride into the competitive footwear market. The look At 500 yards away, you can tell that they are designed by J.Lindeberg. Maybe that is where the Vent 500 name came from, though I doubt it. The running shoe style is subtly different to anything else on the market and the chunky sole is what first gets your attention. Underneath the sole is marketed as having year-round grip in all conditions and the spikeless outsole uses nubs in the shape of the J. Lindeberg logo.

Comfort The looks might grab your attention but there is plenty of performance and comfort built in. The shoes includes an Ortholite+ insole for extra cushioning and energy return, while the upper uses an innovative hex-texture mesh for added looks and water resistance. Verdict If you want the shoe to complete your J.Lindeberg look they are only available at the moment in black and white, with further colours coming in the Spring. We’ve not been able to test them, but at first glance our concern would be support and stability during the transition in the down swing. The high chunky sole might create unwanted additional ankle roll as you start to turn through impact. It will also be interesting to see if their sponsored player, Viktor Hovland, starts to wear them during tournaments, as that would answer any concerns we might have over support. All in all, a great fun-looking shoe that certainly grabs attention.

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GEAR

EQUIPMENT NEWS

Golf fans tune in or go to watch the likes of Rory drive it miles, not to see him putt.

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BY ALEX GALLEMORE

Roll back the ball ... but why?

Technology and physical evolution has seen the Tour driving distance average exceed 300 yards, but it is the power game that attracts crowds and what fills buckets on ranges the world over.

he age-old topic of rolling the ball back has returned and this time things appear to be more official by the R&A and USGA who are looking to implement changes in 2028 but I just don’t understand the logic. The golf ball rollback is designed to limit the hitting distances of the likes of Rory and company by changing the way golf balls are manufactured and tested. Under the new proposals, golf balls struck at a robot-controlled swing speed of 125 mph – up from 120mph – must not exceed 317 yards to conform. The revision effectively keeps the ‘Overall Distance Standard’ (ODS) consistent, despite increasing swing speed by 5 mph. In addition to swing speed, the current testing conditions for spin rate and launch angle will be revised to 2200 rpm and 11 degrees, from 2520 rpm and 10 degrees respectively. These criteria are based on extensive analysis from the tours over several years and are intended to ensure that the ODS (remaining unchanged at 317 yards with a 3-yard tolerance) continues to represent the ability of the game’s longest hitters. The change is expected to ‘roll the ball back’ by 15 yards for the game’s longest hitters, bringing us back to the late 90s. With the average driving distance on the PGA Tour being 300 yards, the 15-yard rollback represents a reduction in driving distance of 5%. Shorter hitters on the men’s professional tours are expected to see a reduction of approximately 9 to 11 yards, with elite female players seeing a five to seven yards reduction to their overall distance. This is all a load of nonsense. Golfers are not robots and not many Tour players strike the centre of the face on a driver time after time. In addition, players tend to spin the ball at different rates and launch angles. Therefore, you cannot apply a generic structured formula to the golfing world that differs so dramatically.

THERE ARE 66 MILLION GOLFERS IN THE WORLD AND NEARLY ALL PLAY FOR ENJOYMENT ... SO HOW WILL MAKING IT HARDER IMPROVE THE FUN AND GROW THE GAME?

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We have done our own in-house test and found it’s not the ball that needs limiting but the equipment. We were able to hit a 1960s balata 307 yards with a modern driver and the dispersion wasn’t affected greatly either. Modern drivers are designed to be forgiving across the face and keep the ball as straight as possible. Switch the modern 460cc driver for a Persimmon and you have a completely different story. Forget distance, keeping the ball on the fairway is a work of art. But why are they wanting to turn the clock back on evolution? There are around 66 million golfers in the world and more than 99% play for enjoyment. Will they enjoy the game more in 2028 when they can’t hit the ball further? I think we all know the answer. In addition, most people go to watch events to see Tour players like Rory drive it miles, not see them putt. Just look at the stars that draw crowds, they all have one thing in common, distance. Golf is now an athletic power sport so give the fans what they want. If the R&A and USGA want to protect courses, make them more challenging. You hear complaints about St Andrews being made redundant due to driver distance, but no one is burning up Sunningdale, as a drive slightly offline there will have you knee deep in gorse bushes. 2028 is a way off, so I wouldn’t start to worry just yet, as we all know anything can happen in this game.

Robotic testing on an Iron Byron machine is not a fair representation of the average Tour professional, let alone the amateur game.

TRAVEL

MAURITIUS Photography: Getty Images

SWINGING IN PARADISE: A GOLF ODYSSEY IN MAURITIUS NESTLED IN THE HEART OF THE INDIAN OCEAN, SURROUNDED BY TURQUOISE WATERS AND ADORNED WITH PRISTINE BEACHES, MAURITIUS IS A DESTINATION THAT BECKONS GOLF ENTHUSIASTS TO EXPERIENCE THE PERFECT FUSION OF LUXURY AND SPORT.

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LEGEND GOLF COURSE

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TRAVEL

MAURITIUS Photography: Getty Images

LINKS GOLF COURSE

eyond its renowned beaches and vibrant culture, this tropical paradise has quietly emerged as a haven for golfers seeking an unforgettable blend of challenging courses set against breathtaking backdrops. I was lucky enough get a first-hand taste of this last month after receiving an invitation to the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius, the season-ending Legends Tour event, at the stunning Constance Belle Mare Plage resort. Spanning 2 kilometers of pristine white sandy beach, this hotel epitomizes paradise. First impressions hold significant weight, and the welcome at the resort was nothing short of exceptional. As I stepped out of the car arranged by the hotel for my airport transfer,

a receptionist greeted me with a delightful smile, and I was promptly handed a refreshing welcome drink, setting the tone for an unforgettable stay. My room was delightful, boasting stunning vistas of the Indian Ocean from the terrace, a huge bathroom, walk in wadrobe, and was arguably bigger than my apartment in Dubai – how the other half live! I should mention, as an avid football fan, I was pleasantly surprised to learn the TV in my room included the Super Sports package, meaning I could watch my beloved Arsenal in their top of the table clash against Aston Villa from the comfort of my room. But after the result, the less said about that the better. Throughout the week I sampled many of the delightful restaurants on site – the resort

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has seven different eateries in total – from delicious fresh seafood at the beachside Lakaze restaurant and gourmet burgers at Deer Hunter to a sublime spread at La Citronelle’s buffet and tapas, paired with maybe one too many wines, at Blue Penny Cellar. They were all so good, I ended the week a few kilograms heavier than when I arrived. Oh well, you only live once and all that! LEGEND & LINKS Now to the serious stuff, the golf. The resort has two courses, the Legend Golf Course and The Links Golf Course, with the seniors ending their season on the former. It’s doesn’t come as any surprise to find the Legend is the harder of the two courses. Interwoven through mangroves

The stunning Constance Belle Mare Plage wasn’t a bad place to work from for the week!

and trees, its lack of length still poses a challenge for players who try to take the course on from off the tee and rewards those who favour accuracy. The greens aren’t particular generous so you need to pay close attention to your yardages. The front nine is marginally the easier of the two nines with slightly wider fairways, so make sure you seize the opportunity to iron out any tee shot issues you may have and don’t be worried about the odd mulligan. The back nine is more dramatic as you navigate the mangroves off the tee, and sometimes with your approach shots. Have your phones and cameras to hand for the picturesque par-3 17th that plays into the wind, so it’s always worth that extra club to save your ball from an early bath.

Just a five-minute shuttle ride from the resort but standing on the first tee you could be in another country at the Links Golf Course. Using the volcanic topography to full effect the course is poles apart from the Legend. The wide-open rolling fairways are inviting for golfers who enjoy opening their shoulders and letting it fly. The undulating hilly landscape leaves you with a number of elevated approach shots to generous greens but don’t get too confident as the back nine has a couple of treacherous holes over water that can catch you out. EXCURSIONS If you ever get tired of playing golf – believe me, you won’t – the team at Constance Belle Mare Plage are on hand to keep you entertained with a wide range of activities

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from a visit to their huge wine cellar and a dip in one of the many pools to scuba diving from the boathouse and a full body massage in the spa. I went on the snorkeling trip to discover the fascinating multicoloured world of the Indian Ocean beneath the crystal-clear waters. It was the ideal way to start the day and I’d highly recommend making a booking with the team – if you’re on the half board, full board or all-inclusive package it’s inclusive with your stay, which is a nice touch. I also went swimming with dolphins over the other side of the island, which again was a real bucket list experience. There’s something about seeing majestic creatures in their natural habitat that gives me a real buzz, so it was well worth the 5am alarm to capture them in the flesh.

TRAVEL

MAURITIUS Photography: Getty Images

Baker finished on 15 under par to win December’s MCB Tour Championship Mauritius With all the stunning scenery around me, I could have been forgiven for forgetting that there was a golf tournament to report on! And what an event it turned out to be with former Ryder Cupper Peter Baker clinching the season-long Order of Merit in style by birdieing the final hole for a one-shot win at the MCB Tour Championship – Mauritius. Baker and Adilson da Silva had started the final round one off the lead, with both men in the hunt for the John Jacobs award, but it would be the former who took the title after securing a fourth win of the season with four birdies in the final six holes. “It’s absolutely fantastic,” said the Englishman, who hit a memorable second shot to within 10ft on the par-5 18th. “It’s something I didn’t think of at the start of the year, but after three wins it put me in a

brilliant position. Adilson had a fantastic year as well, and winning last week. I’ve put a lot of time and effort in because I knew it would go all the way to the wire. Even this week, I said to my wife, I think we need to win this because he’s going to be right there. I was trying to win the tournament because I thought that was needed. “I hit a good drive on 18 and I saw Patrik Sjoland miss a putt on the green that I thought was probably for birdie. I knew we were tied so I thought it was birdie to win the tournament. We play to win tournaments and I’ve probably never hit a better five-wood than that, it was all over it. I’m really pleased with that shot.” Baker was also quick to heap praise on former Masters Champion Ian Woosnman for his help across the year.

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“He’s really supported me and we talk a lot,” he said. “He’s blunt, as you can imagine, which is great, that’s how we are. He’s really encouraged me throughout the year. I had a lot of help from Michael Welch at home in Shropshire, as well. You need that support. It’s a tough game, so I’m very appreciate of all the help I’ve had.”

FINAL THOUGHTS

The tournament brought the week to a fantastic end and I certainly won’t be forgetting Mauritius in a hurry. From the fivestar hospitality given by Constance’s staff to the memorable trip swimming with dolphins and the beautiful courses literally right on my doorstep, it’s safe to say I’m already looking at when I can return as soon as possible!

TAKE YOUR PICK DESPITE NOT BEING THE MOST RECOGNISED GOLFING DESTINATION, YOU’D BE A FOOL TO THINK THAT CONSTANCE BELLE MARE PLAGE IS THE ONLY PLACE TO PLAY GOLF ON THIS BEAUTIFUL ISLAND.

ILE AUX CERFS GOLF CLUB Designed by two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer, Ile Aux Cerfs Golf Club is an 19 hole course which lies on the east coast of Mauritius, which is only is reachable only by a boat shuttle from its private jetty or by a scenic helicopter ride. The spectacular golf course covers 38 hectares of the iconic Ile aux Cerfs Island with the holes snaking along the preserved tropical flora and fauna of the island, boasting naturally in the undulating topography with volcanic rock outcrops, lakes and gullies. All 19 holes have views of the ocean – some with glimpses across clearings through the trees; others by coming close to the shore.

AVALON GOLF ESTATE Avalon is an open, rolling layout designed by Peter Matkovich that is surrounded on all sides by breath-taking views. To the south is the ocean, where early starters can catch the rising sun as they start their game. A peek in the opposite direction provides a view of the majestic mountains that surround Grand Bassin – the largest natural lake in Mauritius, which was created by a now-extinct volcano. The elevated nature of the course means that low clouds and cooler, breezy conditions are often to be expected. This was incorporated into the course’s design, with Matkovich creating a perfect balance of holes playing both with and against prevailing winds. Very few trees line the course, adding to its feeling of openness and playability, while numerous Tree ferns supplement the local flora and add a soft theme to the unique layout.

HERITAGE GOLF CLUB Nestled alongside a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Heritage Golf Club is the only 45-hole golf destination in the Indian Ocean. Featuring the lush, elegant Le Château Golf Course, consistently voted the Indian Ocean’s Best Golf Course, and the dramatic new La Réserve Golf Links, designed by Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen. The latter took over from the former hosting the DP World Tour’s Mauritius Open last month, with the course inspired by the wild open spaces of the great seaside links.

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ARABIAN GOLF CLUB NEWS

Photography: Provided

ELS CLUB

ABU DHABI CITY GOLF CLUB

Korea shine at National Day event

At one of the club’s biggest tournaments of the year, Jeon Gil Jeon, J.J Lee, Young Gyun Cho and Seongja Bae, representing Team Korea, secured victory in the UAE National Day Tournament after banking an impressive 94 points to claim the ﬁrst place. Saleem Baji, Chandra Sen Hada, Uttam Singh and Ashok Mishra, representing India, ﬁnished second on a countback, with Chris Neurinski, Adam Kiri, Lyle Gates and Stephane Blanchard, representing Canada,settled for third.

Larsson wins Club Championship

Adrian Larsson was crowned Men’s Club Champion at the Els Club after rounds of 73 and 75 saw him beat Barry Pavic by two strokes in the 36-hole event at one of the Dubai’s most loved courses. In the Ladies event, Adele McKelvey got her hands on the trophy for the third time with rounds of 81 and 83, while Colin Cordery and Nicola Milton were crowned champions of the Men’s and Ladies Handicap Cup respectively. SHARJAH GOLF & SHOOTING CLUB

AL HAMRA GOLF CLUB

Festive fun in Sharjah

Ramli Sulaiman, Amiya Ranjan, Sami Butt and Sharjah’s Vice Captain Shaheen Butt posted a superb score of 57 to be crowned Festive Scramble champion after the quartet saw Club Captain Moiz Khan, Aamir Inam, Irfan Izhar and Arshad Khan, who scored 57.5. Ota Sebesta, Hayder Nashie, Ali Idress and Eugene Degan completed the top three with a score of 58. TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GOLF CLUB, DUBAI

El Chaib crowned Ladies Open champion

Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s Lara El Chaib secured victory in the Ladies Open after posting a brilliant 68, which included coming home in 31 and carding six birdies. Jamie Rolyn Camero, from the Els Club, ﬁnished two back in second spot, while Emma Malsher triumphed in the Net Division after overcoming Airi Nakagawa on a countback with both players carding 69.

Guinee holds nerve at Black Tee Challenge

Dave Guinee overcame Mike Pugliese and Ruvelin Govender to be crowned Black Tee Challenge champion, with the members taking on the Gil Hanse-designed track at its full length. In the Blue Tee Challenge, Aoife Kelly successfully defended her title with a gross score of 73, while Scott Sally secured victoy in the Net Division from the Black tees after posting an impressive 67. Julie Goodall was the ﬁnal winner of the day, posting 77 to emerge victorious in the Net Division from the Blue tees.

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Tis the season to be jolly at Al Hamra

The dynamic team of Jae Woong Lee, Mi Young Kim, Duckjin Hong and Jung Hee Lee were victorious in the ﬁnal members appreciation event of the season, with the club celebrating in style by hosting a thrilling 9-hole scramble followed by a delicious Sunday roast dinner. The quartet of Francois Du Toit, Russell Arnott, Stephen Muscarella and Prakash Pelathrody ﬁnished second while Chan Young Lee, Soohyun Ha, Young Hoon Jung and Jungil Lee completed the top three.

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QUICK NINE

RICHARD MANSELL Photography: Getty Images

IN THE

QUICK 9

BAG

RICHARD MANSELL DP World Tour Professional

Miss a putt, or miss a fairway? Fairway, depending what’s there

Favourite course in the world?

The Old Course is my favourite in the world, and Fancourt Links in South Africa is incredible!

Pineapple on pizza is… Horrendous. It’s never been a thing.

Lose all your hair, or gain 50% more? Gain, because then you could get it cut.

What about your favourite course in America? Atlanta Athletic Club is awesome.

Last time you lost a ball? I can’t remember! IRONS: 4 & 5 iron – Titleist CB 620 Forged 6 iron to PW – Titleist MB 620 Forged

Favourite childhood TV show? The Suite Life of Zack & Cody

IRON SHAFTS: Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X

If you could ask Tiger one question, what would it be? I think I’d freeze. This is a question I need to give some good thought to.

FAIRWAY WOODS: 5-woodTSi 3 with VentusBlue shaft 3-wood TSi with VentusBlue 7X shaft DRIVER: TITLEIST TSI 3 PUTTER: Odyssey 2-Ball Eleven Tour Lined

Messi, or Ronaldo? Messi

WEDGES: 58 (M grind), 54 (S grind) and 50 degree (F grind) Titleist VokeysOdyssey Stroke Lab Tuttle

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