Worldwide Golf May 2017

Worldwide Golf The Middle East’s No.1 Golf Magazine

MAY 2017, ISSUE 192

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FROM THE CHALLENGE TOUR TO THE WORLD’S TOP 20 IN THREE YEARS. THE ENGLISHMAN TALKS ABOUT LIFE AS A GLOBAL PLAYER, X BOX ADDICTION AND HIS HATRED OF THE RANGE!

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Executive Editor

Gary Player Time to end television vigilantes

I

couldn’t have been more pleased to hear that the USGA and the R&A are acting to alter the ruling that denied American Lexi Thompson her victory in the ANA Inspiration, the first Major of the LPGA season.

Lexi was three shots ahead of the field with six holes to play in the final round, heading towards what would likely be her second Major title.

Meanwhile, a Rules official was reviewing a complaint from a television viewer who claimed that Lexi had marked her ball in the wrong place on the 17th green in the third round the previous day.

The Rules official agreed with the viewer’s opinion and subsequently Lexi was penalised two strokes and incurred a further two stroke penalty for signing an incorrect scorecard. She was informed of the penalty having played the 12th hole but battled on to the end of the round but lost in a sudden-death play-off.

Lexi described the incident as a ‘nightmare’ and I have every

sympathy for her. This ridiculous practice only applies, of course, to golfers who are being televised.

So in a field of say 150 players, perhaps only 25 players would be scrutinised by the television cameras.

Dustin Johnson suffered a similar ‘television’ injustice at last year’s US Open and there have been several such instances over the years. This vigilante action ‘trial by television’ should have been outlawed many years ago by the game’s authorities. I can go back to the 1957 Open Championship when a similar occurrence marred Bobby Locke’s victory over Peter Thomson at St. Andrews.

Delighted for Sergio I WAS absolutely delighted to see Sergio Garcia win The Masters in such a determined manner. He’s come close to winning his first Major on a number of occasions but couldn’t quite finish it off. He was unfortunate to make the wrong decision at The Open at Carnoustie in 2007 in taking a

2-iron off the tee at a crucial point but I’ve made similar mistakes myself that have cost me dearly.

We’ve all done it.

Sergio has finished second or shared the runner-up spot in four Majors and finished in the top five on several occasions so it was a question of when he would win a Major – not if.

But Sergio seemed assured that he wasn’t going to miss out this time on The Masters as he battled it out with Justin Rose to win at the first hole of a sudden death play-off. The turning point came on the thirteenth hole when Justin seemed certain to extend his lead but somehow they both walked off the green with a par-5 apiece. Sergio kept his composure and his momentum and when Justin found the trees on the return to 18 Sergio was left with two putts to win but sealed it with his first putt.

It was Sergio’s first Major in his 74th time of asking but I feel it won’t be his last. He showed his ability and his resolve throughout and although he was driving the

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ball well it was his short game that got him over the line. It was good to see two young players using their all-round skill to such great effect and not watching a two-way competition for who could drive the ball the longest distance. It might be an old saying but it is still just as true as it always was – ‘drive for show and putt for dough.’

It was a pleasure to see both Justin and Sergio playing in such a wonderful spirit of sportsmanship and I thought that the manner in which Justin congratulated Sergio on the 18th green was one of the finest sights I’ve seen in golf.

It was also great to see young Wesley Bryan win his first US PGA Tour title at the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head. I had met Wesley, who is a former trick-shot artist, and what a personable individual he is. I telephoned him to congratulated him on his maiden victory. It’s a big moment in your life when you win your first Tour title and I hope Wesley goes on to win many more. ■

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MAY 2017

CONTENTS

42 14

20 32

Cover feature: Tyrrell Hatton

WWG talks exclusively with England’s Tyrrell Hatton as he embarks on his maiden US PGA Tour season. The 25-year-old talks about his Masters debut, settling into a new schedule in the USA, his long-term ambitions and his love of the Scottish links.

The Starter

The European Tour gets into its stride this month as the BMW PGA Championship takes centre stage at a newly tweaked West Course at Wentworth. The cream of the crop are teeing it up, inluding Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Rory McIlroy. Plus, we look back on Miguel Angel Jimenez’s win at the 2008 event and round up all the goings on across the game.

Chris Wood feature

WWG catches up with last year’s BMW PGA Champion Chris Wood as he looks to defend his title against a stellar field. Wood reflects on his Ryder Cup debut at Hazeltine and how he wants to make amends in Paris next year.

Tour News

A look at who’s hot and who’s not on the Race to Dubai and the Road to Oman after some meaty tournaments.

Falcon Golf: The new Golf in Dubai website showcases the best of the emirate and offers the chance to win a dream VIP Dubai Desert Classic trip.

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Columns

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28 31

Pete Cowen

PGA Master Professional Pete Cowen explains why sometimes married life can get in the way for the top stars and is at a loss to explain how Garcia won The Masters putting as badly as he did.

David Howell

European Tour veteran David Howell praises Sergio for finally getting over the line in one of the Majors and turns his attention to one of his favourite events – the BMW PGA Championship.

Greg Norman

The Great White Shark talks about golf’s standing in the wider world and how it needs to adapt quickly if it is to maintain relevance in a fast developing universe.

Rafa Cabrera Bello

The Spanish Ryder Cup star looks at the impact that Falcon Golf is already having in Dubai.

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CONTENTS GEAR

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SRIXON Z65 IRONS

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The new range of irons from Srixon come under the spotlight. They offer a deep undercut cavity, a mid-iron cavity and a full blade to cover all bases.

Pete Cowen takes a look at Matt Fitzpatrick’s swing and explains why one of his star pupils hits the ball so straight...time after time.

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INSTRUCTION

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Stephen Deane, Head Professional at Emirates Golf Club, showcases a chipping and pitching method with a more vertical shaft angle that should give you a more consistent strike.

Craeg Deery, Head Golf Professional at The Track Meydan Golf, explains just how simple it is to successfully escape from a greenside bunker.

THE SHORT GAME - ONE SHOT, THREE WAYS

Michael Bolt, PGA Professional at Trump International Golf Club, Dubai, highlights three different ways to get up and down from off the green – hitting a wedge, an 8-iron or a hybrid.

An in-depth look at why the new wedges from Cleveland are creating a big stir.

ARABIAN GOLF

The UAE Under-15s win gold at the 2017 GGC Golf Championship in Riyadh and all the latest goings on around the region.

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The Worldwide Golf Open signalled the start of the region’s most hotly anticipated charity golf series where a DP World Tour Championship ProAm spot and a host of other sensational prizes await the winners...

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THE VERDURA RESORT

The latest in our series of European Tour Destinations, the Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte hotel, in Sicily is one of Europe’s premier contemporary luxury golf and lifestyle destinations.

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Editor’s Letter

By Alex Gallemore

Make kids golf FREE! S

INCE my last column there seems to be an awful lot more ramblings going on about the multitude of methods to speed up the game, make it more appealing to juniors and to a wider audience.

Whether it’s foot, speed or target golf, the issue of falling numbers in the sport continues to grow. The problem isn’t the game - it’s the overall competition. More sports are now televised and promoted across the world, plus the induction of new extreme sports has grabbed the attention of younger generations.

The idea of speeding up play to make the game more exciting through a variety of fun options are great but the only way to safeguard the game is to appeal to the masses at early age.

The only way to achieve this is to make it FREE, yes FREE to all children under the age of 16. I know some clubs offer this but only if parents are current members of the club. So this system only works for a fraction of the world’s golfing population.

Every golf club in the world should allow FREE junior memberships to youngsters within their local community. The numbers would need to be limited to the capacity of the club and monitored accordingly. This would create demand and a waiting list for most clubs but this is exactly what the game needs. If a junior doesn’t use their membership on a frequent basis, then it should be made available to the next in line on the waiting list.

No doubt many will be thinking this is a great idea, unless you run a golf club as the matter of who pays for this FREE service will quickly arise. The answer is complicated but straightforward - golf pays.

What I mean by that is, the governing bodies such as the

R&A, USPGA, PGA Tour, European Tour and even regional bodies such as the Emirates Golf Federation aid the junior funding programmes worldwide.

The amount of money pumped into the game globally through TV alone runs into billions, not forgetting the vast sums invested by large corporations into Tour events.

Where does all this money currently go? Just look at the prize money for these events and what the players are raking in from sponsorship at the highest level. The balance of what is left over is only known by a limited few but I guess the golfing war chest is pretty deep.

This is not a quick fix but by diverting some of that money to fund a global structured children’s programme, along with support from individual governments would create enough of a budget to get the ball rolling in the right direction.

In America, sponsorship that is linked to a charity is sometimes offset against tax. Even volunteers at US PGA Tour events can claim their time at the event as charitable support for tax relief. It is one of the reasons why the US PGA Tour is so strong financially. If the same tax reliefs were also made available for the support and development of the junior programme, balancing the books worldwide might be an easier task.

The First Tee in American is arguably the closest children’s golf programme in operation but it’s not FREE to all. They offer scholarships and a reduced fee for those who require financial assistance.

There is also a much larger picture than just encouraging youngsters to take up the sport but with financial assistance worldwide it could make the difference for the future of many golf clubs worldwide.

Worldwide GOLF 12

ISSUE No.193 MAY 2017.

Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd. Published in Dubai by: Prografix, PO Box 24677, Dubai, UAE. (Tel) +9714 340 3785.

Editor-in-Chief: Mike Gallemore.

Executive Editor: Gary Player.

Editor: Alex Gallemore. alex@wspglobal.com.

Publisher: Mike Gallemore. mike@wspglobal.com.

General Manager Dubai: Richard Bevan: rick@wspglobal.com.

Editors: Todd Staszko, Scott Grayston, Ashraf Ahmed.

Production/Design Editor: Thameem Rayyan.

Editorial Panel: Gary Player, Mike Gallemore, Alex Gallemore, Richard Bevan, Todd Staszko.

Photography: Getty Images June 2009 SSN 1- 46805671 Approval UAE National Media Council: Ref.816 30/5/2007 Trade Licence No. 1/104375/15280

Printed by: Raidy, Dubai Distributed by: Al Nisr Distribution LLC PO Box 6519, Dubai, UAE 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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The Course

Wentworth Club Cream of the crop head for the classic parkland course

T

HE best players on the European Tour will be met with a new-look West Course at Wentworth for this year’s BMW PGA Championship after yet more tweaks have been made to its layout following the major renovations that took place in 2010.

Ernie Els Design was behind the first raft of changes seven years ago and minor changes were made in the intervening years after a few criticisms of the changes – mostly aimed at the combination of the addition of a brook which guards a new, raised, 18th green.

Players thought the changes, which included bunkers deemed too deep, made the course too tough and so this latest multi-million pound revamp has sought an advisory team which included Thomas Bjørn and Paul McGinley.

“We listened long and hard to the views of the Tour players,” said next year’s Ryder Cup Captain Bjørn. “You have to do that when you have such a big event on a traditional golf course with so much history. The BMW PGA Championship is a fantastic event, one of the best in the world, and now there is a golf course here which is really worth playing, and which is right up there with the very high standard of the event.”

McGinley added: “The players wanted to go back in the direction of the old Harry Colt design.

They wanted the contours on the greens to be softened, and the bunkering to be changed.

"I certainly couldn’t see out of the bunkers before, and not many guys could. So those were the two big things we changed.

“We’ve also put in a sub-air system into the greens which will dry them out and get it back to a firm, fast golf course, which players have always loved playing in the past."

Jeremy Slessor, Managing Director of European Golf Design, added: “The feedback from the Tour players over the last few years was so consistent about what needed to happen.

"Working with Ernie Els and his design team, and working with the advisory group of Thomas, Paul and David Jones, who represented the views of the Tour players, we were able to come up with a cohesive plan which will give the members and the Tour players a much more honest test of golf.”

Work began eight days after Chris Wood had won the 2016 BMW PGA Championship. ■

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Key changes: All 18 greens were stripped of the old turf and re-seeded with a new creeping bent grass, improving both the appearance and playability of the putting surfaces.

Four greens – on the 8th, 11th, 14th and 16th holes – were completely rebuilt.

Five greens – on the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 12th and 15th holes – were partially rebuilt.

Every bunker was redesigned and reconstructed, with 29 bunkers completely removed from play, helping to more closely realign the course with designer Harry Colt’s original vision.

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BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP SET FOR BUMPER EDITION Reigning Open and Olympic winners both signed up; McIlroy, Willett and Westwood also in the star-studded field.

THIS year’s BMW PGA Championship is set to be the biggest ever as a plethora of stars will compete in what is the first event of the European Tour’s new Rolex Series on the revamped West Course at Wentworth. Fourtime Major winner and 2014 champion Rory McIlroy headlines the field and will tee it up with the likes of reigning Open Champion Henrik Stenson and Olympic champion Justin Rose.

“I am a very proud member of the European Tour and I think it’s only right that I should be there,” said McIlroy (pictured right).

“BMW have been a huge supporter of golf for a number of years now and I’m happy to come back to Wentworth. The BMW PGA Championship is the first Rolex Series event and I’m really excited about that. I think it’s a huge thing for the European Tour and I want to be a part of it.”

love to win, and with all the changes I think there is going to be a lot of excitement about the tournament.”

Stenson, who clinched his first Major in stunning fashion at Royal Troon last year, is also looking forward to the Wentworth test.

“It's a classic layout," he said. "We had some quite drastic changes done a number of years back, and now it’s undergone another renovation, so I’m curious to come back

The BMW PGA Championship is the first Rolex Series event and I’m really excited about that. I think it’s a huge thing for the European Tour and I want to be a part of it.”

– Rory McIlroy

'DEARLY LOVE TO WIN IT' Rose will be teeing it up on home soil for the first time since winning Olympic Gold last summer and he’s chomping at the bit to get back to Wentworth. “This is one of my favourite events,” said Rose, who was runnerup at The Masters for the second time last month. “It is the one event I grew up watching as a kid and it’s a tournament I would dearly

and see just how it plays.” Former World Number One Lee Westwood will make his 24th consecutive appearance at the BMW PGA Championship – having not missed the tournament since 1994 – and has finished second on two occasions.

“The BMW PGA Championship is always one of my favourite tournaments and I’m really

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looking forward to going back to Wentworth in May,” said Westwood. “From the pictures I have seen it looks in great condition and I like the look of the changes as well. I think it will be back to its best.”

Westwood’s friend Danny Willett, the 2016 Masters Champion who finished third at last year’s event, is also targeting a victory on a course he’s familiar with.

“It’s a fantastic event and, obviously for me being English, it really is our biggest event we play on home soil,” said Willett.

“You get some great crowds there all week and I’ve been fortunate enough to have had a few good finishes around there.”

Spin Back

May 2008

MECHANIC MIGUEL SPINS AWAY WITH THE BMW

W

HAT makes the game of golf so fascinating and enduring is the vast array of characters who compete at the highest level.

On paper it's a simple sport but the interpretations of how to master it vary from person to person. The mannerisms, candor and behaviour of the elite stars always makes it an interesting spectacle.

Over the past three decades we’ve been blessed with plenty of engaging characters from all over the world, and one player who particularly stands out is Miguel Angel Jiménez.

The Spaniard has been charming the galleries around the globe since the early 1990s and the biggest victory of his career came in 2008 when he clinched the flagship title on the European Tour – the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

For a man nicknamed ‘The Mechanic’ for his love of fast cars, it was fitting that he’d win a BMW-sponsored event and he immediately lit one of his signature cigars in celebration.

Far from the modern example

of an athletically toned player, Miguel’s old school swing and style makes him an easy player to cheer and his philosophical outlook always makes for interesting interviews.

“What I appreciate the most is that I have spent more than half my life playing on the Tour,” he said. “I've played with Nicklaus and Player, with Palmer, with Seve and I've played with Tiger and Rory – with all different generations.

"I have seen all kinds of golf. I can say that I identify more with the old style than the new. I move the ball left to right and right to left — more like the way of the artist.

"The modern game is more about power. Of course I respect that, too, because it is also an art to hit the ball so far.”

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Jimenez defeated Oliver Wilson in a play-off to clinch the title.

STARTER KERR WINS 19TH LPGA TOUR TITLE IN HAWAII

KO EMPLOYS HER TENTH CADDIE AS A PRO LYDIA KO, who last month turned 20, has gone through 10 caddies since turning professional in 2013 after hiring last year’s Caddie of the Year Peter Godfrey to loop for her. Ko’s most recent caddie was Gary Matthews, who had carried her bag for nine events before being let go.

CRISTIE KERR celebrated her 19th title since 2002 with a three-stroke win over Lydia Ko, In Gee Chun and Su-Yeon Jang at the Lotte Championship last month.

The American has been one of the steadiest players in recent LPGA Tour history, with at least one victory in 12 of the last 16 seasons.

REED FINALLY GETS DIALLED IN

LAHIRI AIMING FOR PRESIDENTS CUP IMPROVEMENT ANIRBAN LAHIRI is desperate to improve his Presidents Cup record and believes he’s ready to hit a purple patch ahead of this year’s event at Liberty National in New Jersey. The Indian went 0-3-0 in his debut two years ago and currently stands in 20th place on the ranking – leaving him well short of the team. “I just want to be playing well enough to justify getting on that team, whether it’s automatic or as a captain’s pick,” he said. “Ultimately, you don’t want to be a passenger on that team and that’s why I’m so motivated because I didn’t make a very good debut.”

WALKER CONFIRMS LYME DISEASE DIAGNOSIS

RYDER CUP star Patrick Reed hasn’t been in contention much this season – a fact that he puts down to some faulty specs in his equipment. While preparing for the Texas Open Reed stated that the lies and lofts in his irons were slightly off – some as much as 2 degrees.

“Right now I feel like 13 clubs in my golf bag are exactly where they need to be. I'm now very comfortable with them and feel like I can do whatever I need to with them," Reed said. Having said that, Reed went on to miss the cut for the third time in succession.

LAST YEAR'S US PGA Champion Jimmy Walker had complained of suffering from severe fatigue over the last few months and has revealed he has been suffering from Lyme disease. "It feels like you've got the flu," said Walker, "it comes and goes in waves and puts you in a bad mood. It's not real fun. I think everybody knows me as a happy-go-lucky guy, smiling, having a good time, but some friends have seen a little decline in that..."

Get well soon, Jimmy.

IAN POULTER LOSES US TOUR CARD AFTER missing four months at the end of last season with a foot injury, Ian Poulter has been playing on a medical exemption but has failed to earn enough in ten starts this year to retain his full playing privileges on the US PGA Tour. Poulter needed just $30,639 at the Valero Texas Open but he missed the cut and left empty handed. “I’ll try and qualify for the U.S. Open, I’ll try and qualify for The Open, I’ll play some events in Europe,” he said.

MONTH BY MONTH ANALYSIS AS ANDREW ‘BEEF’ JOHNSTON TACKLES THE US PGA TOUR A top ten at the Puerto Rico Open was a step in the right direction but BEEF then suffered a missed cut in Houston and finished tied 64 at Hilton Head and T40 in Texas. Currently ranked 173rd on the FedExCup, BEEF needs to mature quickly if he’s to keep his card for next season.

BEEF

WATCH

W Chris Wood celebrates winning a BMW i8 after making a hole-in-one at the 14th during the 2015 BMW PGA Tournament, a tournament he would go on to win the following year.

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FEATURE

CHRIS WOOD

Wood hoping for

Summer another hot

C

HRIS WOOD has been on quite a journey since clinching the third – and biggest – title of his career at last year’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. The 29-year-old from Bristol qualified for a maiden Ryder Cup appearance at Hazeltine last September, and having tasted the experience he is keen to make it a habit. Wood now knows what it takes to compete at the highest level and he’s set his sights on a stretch of events this summer to get back to winning ways after a relatively slow start to his 2017 season. We caught up with him when he returned from his third career start in The Masters.

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M O N T GO M E R I E DU B AI

FEATURE

CHRIS WOOD

“I think I proved to myself that I could play at that level and that I belonged.”

– Chris Wood on his Ryder Cup debut last year

“I HAD never seen anything like it,” reflects Chris Wood on his 2017 Masters campaign, where he missed the cut by just one shot after two days of bizarrely gusty conditions.

“You watch The Masters on TV growing up and it’s always so calm and quiet. The wind was blowing the ball offline on some putts so it was even harder on those greens. To miss the cut by one is disappointing. I don’t think I did a lot wrong and I hit some shots that I wanted to hit and saw the ball react on the greens, so it’s all knowledge that I can store and use, hopefully, next time.”

Wood acknowledges that his 2017 campaign is yet to get up to full steam but he’s hopeful that a return to the scene of his greatest triumph can ignite his season.

“It’s been a strange start to the year,” admits Wood, whose best result so far is a share of 11th at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. “I’ve played well but the results haven’t been there.

“I’ve got into a bit of a routine where my form picks up after the spring because there’s a series of big tournaments in succession that I enjoy – starting with the BMW PGA Championship. After that you’ve got the likes of the HNA Open de France, the AAM Scottish Open and The Open.

It’s a great little run.

FANTASTIC START “I sometimes find myself in a bit of a lull after the Middle East Swing. They are three superb weeks in a row – and I usual take a week to tune-up in Dubai before they begin.

"It’s a fantastic start to the year, but then it’s kind of stop-start a little bit until the European Tour’s mainland events get going in May-June.

"Obviously, you’ve got The Masters and the two World Golf Championships events in spring, but it’s hard to get into a rhythm if you have a week on then a week off, or a week on and then two weeks off before the next event. So I’m looking forward to the summer, starting with the BMW PGA Championship.”

Wood’s win at Wentworth last year was a career-highlight and he’s keen for more success on home soil. “It was amazing to win at Wentworth in front of my friends and family,” he says. “For my other wins in Thailand, Qatar and Austria I was kind of on my own.

"After those wins I was at the airport on my way out of there. That’s the less glamorous side of being a professional golfer that you don’t tend to see! So to win with friends and family around me was something I will savour for a long time.

REALLY DETERMINED “I played really well on the Saturday but only shot 68. I was quite down about my score because I felt it should have been a 64 or 65 and I thought that the tournament had got away from me. It may have had something to do with me coming out on Sunday really determined and playing the front nine in just 29 shots!”

The BMW PGA victory opened several doors to Wood, including an opportunity to get suited up for Darren Clarke’s Ryder Cup team, and he is keen to not let his Hazeltine cameo become a one-off experience.

“I proved to myself that I could play at that level and that I belonged,” says Wood of his first Ryder Cup. “I know I only played two matches but I played well under the pressure and won a point alongside Justin Rose. The next

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ChrisWood assesses the situation before closing out a one-stroke win over Rikard Karlberg at last year's BMW PGA Championship.

CHRIS WOOD’S PUT TING STATISTICS ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR HAVE IMPROVED EVERY YEAR SINCE 2012

installment in Paris is on a proper golf course at Le Golf National and I think the Americans might get a shock when they see the way it will be set-up, as opposed to Hazeltine which was set-up a bit soft. The whole Ryder Cup is massive and it has made me more determined than ever to get into the team again for next year.”

Before qualification begins to earn a spot in captain Thomas Bjørn’s team in Paris, Wood has his sights set on a strong second half of the season and another appearance in the DP World Tour Championship.

“My aim is to finish in the top 20 or top 10 on the Race to Dubai each year and that takes care of qualifying for the event,” he says. “It’s a great tournament and a perfect place to end the season each year.

“The Earth course has matured over the years and we’re playing it each season so we can get to know it a bit better every time we tee it up. It’s great that the event is at the same course each year and I hope they don’t move it around – even though there are plenty of great courses in Dubai.

“I closed with a 65 there last year, which was a nice round to end the Tour’s season so I know I can score well around there. In all honestly, I’m always a little surprised by the scoring. You have to be around the 20-under mark to win, so you’ve got to be aggressive and make birdies.” ■

PUTTS PER ROUND: 2012 : 31.15 2013:30.36 2014: 29.42

2015: 28.89 2016: 28.63

2017: 27.80

MAKING SUMMER GOLF GREAT AGAIN! MEYDANGOLF

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28 May

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Columnist

Pete Cowen Players need regular lives but at a cost?

I

T WAS great to see Sergio put on the Green Jacket at Augusta and my man Thomas Pieters showed the world he’s a Major threat but players these days need to stay fully focused to win. As we all know, as you get older you pick up more responsibilities and in turn distractions.

Thomas was disappointed with fourth place at Augusta National – which is good. He said he could have set himself a higher target, like eight under, and then that might have made the leaders twitchy.

For a first effort in The Masters it was very promising. Thomas has already done enough to earn his Tour card for the US PGA Tour next year so he doesn’t need to chase it, which means he’s not going to The Players Championship at Sawgrass.

He said he’s quite prepared to stay in Europe for a good while, play the Majors and World Golf Championships events, and leave it at that.

He wants to be a world player, he doesn’t want to be just an American PGA Tour player. He’s his own man and he loves the home-life. He’s different to many players I’ve got to know, no doubt about it.

Henrik Stenson wasn’t happy with his game going into Augusta and when you add the effects of the pollen it made for a difficult week for him. He didn’t perform like we know he can.

The demands of married life There has been a lot of media coverage of Rory McIlroy getting married and Sergio is due to tie the knot later this year. It’s great to see the lads happy off the course and Sergio’s fiancé Angela played a vital part at The Masters but my wife always said to me that professional golfers shouldn’t get married – because it’s too selfish a game.

If you want to be the best, there might be the odd occasion where marriage might help you – if you’ve got the right wife and she’s totally supportive. But if you haven’t got the sort of wife who understands the pressure, you can see problems ahead. All of a sudden priorities change. The players can’t go out and practice as much as they need to; they can’t go to the gym as much to keep their fitness up to scratch; kids can get ill and all sorts of family issues can hold back a player’s progress. I’ve seen it happen so many times.

It’s difficult to keep all the plates spinning in the air at once. The Big Three managed it but it was a completely different era. I don’t think you can compare the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and even the early 2000s to what’s happening now. It all changes. Everything changes. If you’re a successful player the demands on your time are even greater, so all of a sudden you’ve got to juggle your life even more.

I’m not saying it’s the be-all and end-all, but it certainly helps the younger guys like Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas. They can be selfish with their time. If you think about it, the player arrives at Augusta with an entourage of 10-12 people to look after – family, friends, business associates. Situations arise. Like “so and so hasn’t got a pass; someone has got lost, can you find a doctor?” How can the player concentrate on the job he’s there to do – his golf?

I think Tony Pickard, who coached tennis player Stefan Edberg, said it best with his one rule – and only rule – and that was no family at the Grand Slams. Edberg won six Slams between ’85 and ’92. Did he get it right? Well, he got it right for Edberg. A Major tennis tournament takes two weeks and you want to minimise the distractions. The fewer distractions you have during a competition, the better. It’s the same for all sports.

Sergio can win more Majors With Sergio breaking through I can see him winning two or three Majors but I still can’t believe how bad he and Rose putted during the final round at Augusta. On the par-5 13th, Justin was just off the back for two. His long putt almost went in for eagle and that would have been game over. But then Garcia holes out from 5 feet for par and Rose misses his birdie putt and makes par. So it goes on. On 16 Garcia misses from 3 or 4 feet? Then Rose missed from 6 feet on 17. They both miss makeable putts on 18. So it’s you miss, I miss. The player who misses fewer putts wins. How often does that happen? You can’t rely on that to happen to win a Major.

It made great viewing because it was so unexpected, especially on the Augusta greens. They were missing and holing putts, and missing and holing putts. It wasn’t as if it was birdie after birdie. However, Sergio’s eagle on 15 was unbelievable. Driver and an 8-iron that hit the flag! He made the putt, sure, but then he missed easier-looking putts on 16 and 18. I wasn’t surprised to see Garcia consistently knock it past Rose. He’s always had an extra gear and he decided to use it. Adrenaline plays its part with a character like Sergio. To go with driver from the off in the final round showed he had a game plan.

And it paid off. It’s great for Dubai as the last two Dubai Desert Classic winners have gone on to win The Masters! ■

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Columnist

David Howell Sergio finally seals it in style

S

ERGIO GARCIA, Masters Champion, Major winner. Six words that I always felt I would be able to say many years ago, although it took a little longer to come to fruition than I expected. But boy did he do it in some style.

Just how Sergio overcame Justin Rose from two shots behind, and in the trees on the thirteenth, I’ll never know. It was inconceivable that things would turn in his favour. With Sergio’s Major history of near misses it looked like another case of coming close but falling short.

However, this was a different Sergio, a calmer more confident Sergio, a happier, more peaceful, more patient Sergio. Those vital factors more than anything else enabled the Spanish sensation to believe that this year could still be different. Sure enough, with five perfect shots in a row: his second to fourteen, the putt for birdie followed by the three that led to an eagle on 15, he was back in the ball game. The rest, as they say, is history.

If you could write the script on how to capture your first Major, something you have been dreaming of for 25 years or more, then this would pretty much be it. You’re in front, you look to have blown your chance, then you come back to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Perfect, just perfect.

I met Sergio for the first time when he was 14. He was playing for the Men’s Spanish side, and he played superbly. Then, when his name was mentioned at the dinner, he rose and made an impromptu speech in perfect English.

If his golf didn’t single him out as someone special then this little human act of saying a few words when it wasn’t required, certainly did.

From that point on I kept track of him. Two years later, whilst only 16 years old, he beat me into third place to win the European Men’s Amateur Championship and his future as a pro seemed assured.

Golf appears to come easy to Sergio, but much like Monty (Colin Montgomerie) I admire the way that for the most part he has kept out of his own way.

Sure, his swing has settled slightly over the years but it’s still pretty much the same motion, yet with ever so slightly less extravagance to it. This has been the key to his longevity at the top. He’s been his own man, stuck to his own feelings and beliefs and his swing has paid him back handsomely.

Every credit should go to his father and coach Victor, too. He has shaped his son’s career from the earliest age, even more so, in some ways, than Earl Woods did for Tiger, who always had a coach to turn

to. Sergio and family have kept it all in house, which makes their success all the sweeter.

I’m unashamedly biased in wanting European players to win Majors.

Now we have back-to-back Masters Champions in Danny Willett and Sergio, we have Thomas Pieters making the game look very simple indeed; and Justin Rose turning more into a Sir Nick Faldo figure as the days roll on. Like Nick, Justin seems to come alive and peak when the Majors come around.

Faldo was the last person I can remember who could do that.

Rory is well and playing like Rory can play. He can produce the sort of golf that, at the drop of a hat, could win you any tournament in the world. So, all in all, European golf is looking really strong indeed.

The European Tour finally heads back to Europe in May when we play in Portugal and Sicily before heading to a newly laid out Wentworth course for the first-ever Rolex series event.

The West course has now had three new facelifts in ten years.

This one needs to be good and from what I hear, it really is. That’s great news for players and spectators, a classic venue with a rich heritage of professional golf, Wentworth deserves to have its prized asset regarded highly once again.

Every year at the BMW PGA Championship (which David won in 2006) I am reminded that plenty of people in the UK enjoy golf, and in this fast-paced life we now live, plenty of those people also enjoy a nice day out in beautiful surroundings watching what is a sedately-paced game at heart, where much of the skill is not smashing the ball a country mile but caressing the ball skillfully around a course, keeping mentally calm and coping with the intense pressure.

Wentworth needs to be a good, highly-regarded course, because at its heart it’s a wonderful challenge of skill and it bridges the gap between the old-fashioned courses and the new.

Golf needs to remember its roots where it can, a game of skill and not just power, a game of integrity that is often more maddening than enjoyable, and a game that brings like-minded people together.

Just a few of the reasons why I still love the game of golf. ■

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UR Greg Norman Company has joined forces with Verizon to bring innovative technology to the golf industry and change the way people play and view the sport. We have undergone a three-year, in-depth study with Verizon on how this technology can help golf. I’d like to give you an insight into our forthcoming announcement without saying too much, while commenting on some of the problems that are plaguing modern-day golf.

■ Help Grow Golf The golf industry is struggling in many ways and we have a bold vision to make the game more cutting edge. Our primary focus is to provide the golfer with a better experience, introduce new people to the game and help golf grow.

Partnering with a powerhouse company like Verizon opens up a lot of opportunities through their connectivity platform. I think that together, we can really help the industry with Verizon’s technology and our experience and knowledge of the game. We believe we can help golf in many different areas. However, we can’t divulge too much at this stage of what we are going to announce.

We’ve already seen what Verizon’s capabilities are within the wine industry. They have had incredible success improving the yield of grapes and quality of wine using their iOT technology – and that is a big indicator of what we can do from a golf course design perspective. In terms of energy-saving, use of fertiliser, use of irrigation, sustainability, better management can be improved – and that’s all through connectivity!

When we build golf courses today, Toro does a fantastic job with their irrigation system. It’s all computerised with sensors everywhere and it’s great. But let’s take it beyond the irrigation issue. There are many other ways that we can save every golf course a percentage of their maintenance budget. That’s my ultimate goal and we will be revealing all of our ideas in due course.

■ European Tour Innovative Ideas One thing is clear with golf in the situation it is in, in terms of attracting new people to play the sport, we all need to start looking outside the box. It’s good that the European Tour is looking at innovative new ideas. Often you don’t know whether something different is going to work until you try it. There’s no harm in ever trying something new.

This month sees the introduction of the Tour’s GolfSixes tournament in England where teams of two players representing 16 different nations will battle it out for a £1 million purse, one country against another. The six-hole course circles an activity-packed fanzone. Now that really is different and it will be interesting to see what sort of impact it makes.

As far as growing the game of golf, the European Tour has, in all honesty, a hard time. They’re not in such a strong position as the R&A and the USGA and the PGA Tour of America. Their main responsibility is to their constituents, to their Members.

Their role is to look after the prize money and the corporate money coming in. If, in running the Tour successfully, it helps to encourage young kids to go to tournaments and follow their favourite players, then that’s great but the kids are more likely to watch them on TV.

■ Looking to Ski Resorts for Answers Let me give you a prime example of the position golf is in. Go back 25-30 years. I took my two kids to a ski resort in the United States. My son wanted to be a snowboarder, my daughter wanted to be a skier.

Back then, pretty much every ski resort in the United States banned snowboarding. In their mind, they had an image of snowboarders as grungy guys with long hair who didn’t care much about rules and etiquette.

So what happened? The ski resorts went into decline because family holidays were taken elsewhere because one or two members of the family wasn’t allowed to snowboard. When the ski resorts realised what

was happening they decided to allow snowboarding on their slopes.

Accordingly, things changed in the industry almost overnight. Their switch in attitude worked. This is precisely what golf has got to do.

We’ve got to think outside the box and do things differently. The ski resorts had to get out of their old ways of thinking and that’s exactly what golf has to do.

Cricket and the shortened limited-over Twenty20 cricket is another good example for the rest of the world. It’s not a game that’s played in America so it’s a hard analogy to explain to Americans.

I love Twenty20 cricket. I watch it on television when I go home. It’s great fun. It’s over and done with in half a day and there’s always a winner and a loser on the day. It’s a different, faster form of the game.

You can also see some wonderful techniques that you’re not used to seeing in Test cricket. However, in cricket you’ve still got your big international Test matches and in golf you’ll still have the Majors, regardless of any other shortened version of the sport.

Golf is not quick to change, though. When you look at some of the more traditional golf courses in America like Augusta National and Shinnecock Hills, their members most likely have their iPads and smart phones and a PC on their desk but they don’t want their golf club to change. Certain clubs in America are too set in their ways to want to see anything change. They just will not embrace it, and that’s unfortunate.

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Columnist

Greg Norman

Golf has to change with the times ■ Eradicate Slow Play One answer is to speed up the game at both the amateur and professional level in every way possible. We’ve been fighting the cause of eradicating slow play for as long as I can remember but, again, it’s tough to change it.

Drive down any motorway and you may have one or two slow drivers up ahead who are holding up all the traffic on the road but you can’t take 50 fast drivers and drive through them. Slow play has been an irritant on the US PGA Tour for 40 years.

Watch tournament golf on TV any day and you’ll see golfers pulling out their little books with all the arrows marked up, and referring to their yardages and how the greens slope and then discussing the options with their caddies.

I think that golf has got to really test a player’s skill and ban these books from tournaments. Jack Nicklaus ‘invented’ the yardage book but it really has no place in tournament golf. Before yardage books, everyone played by look and feel. If the guys are good enough then they don’t need a yardage book. When I go out to play a round with my son, if we don’t finish within three-and-a-half hours, shame on us.

Golf is something you should play naturally, not by constantly referring to course guides. And it should be fun.

When I nearly won The Open it was raining and blowing a gale for the first two days. I didn’t use a yardage book for 50% of the shots I

played. A practice round should tell you what you need to know about the golf course. It’s far better to look and feel the situation, which will enable you to play the right shot. Remove the use of yardage books and you would speed up the game for the benefit of players and spectators.

■ Thinking Outside the Box I’m a big fan of match play. Many amateurs prefer to play match play instead of stroke play. It’s one thing I always looked forward to, playing in Europe, where there were more match play tournaments. If you had a big match play tournament on the schedule, say four times a year, I believe that would be popular with players and spectators.

Man-on-man match play is certainly more exciting for the players and the fans. The sudden-death element certainly makes it more appealing.

One thing I find far from appealing is the quality of some of the commentating on TV. They’re as boring to listen to as it is to watch boring golfers play. You get that constant monotone voice: everyone hits a great shot, nobody has an opinion, nobody wants to upset the applecart, and everyone’s got the greatest short game in the world.

When I was in the gym watching The Masters on TV last month I turned the sound off and listened to my favourite music and simply cranked up the volume. ■

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Your personal PARA

DISE

Located on the untouched Eastern coast of Mauritius, Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort & Spa is a private hideaway offering luxury surroundings and stunning Indian Ocean scenery.

Embodying sophistication and style, the 200 rooms and suites offer stunning ocean views with direct access to the most prestigious beach on the island. A private island, Ilot Mangénie, is exclusively available to hotel guests, with 3.5 kilometres of pristine beach.

Just off the luxury property’s shores, Ile aux Cerfs is home to one of the best golf courses in the world, overlooking the turquoise lagoon. Shangri-La’s guests can enjoy complimentary green fee at the picturesque Par 72 18-hole championship golf course designed by the famous pro-golfer Bernhard Langer.

From water sports to on-land activities the resort offers a wide range of active experiences that can be custom designed to meet all interests. Gastronomes can enjoy exceptional culinary journeys complemented by a vibrant atmosphere and cutting-edge artistic collaborations.

Coastal Road,Trou d’Eau Douce, 42212, Mauritius Tel : (230) 402 7400 Fax : (230) 402 7500 Email : sltr@shangri-la.com Worldwide GOLF 30 www.shangri-la.com/mauritius

TIGER WOODS RETURNED TO THE ICONIC BURJ AL ARAB DURING THIS YEAR’S OMEGA DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC FOR A PHOTO AND VIDEO SHOOT TO MARK THE ANNOUCEMENT OF FALCON GOLF’S OBJECTIVES IN PROMOTING THE EMIRATE THROUGH GOLF.

Columnist

Rafa Cabrera Bello Falcon Golf already making an impact in Dubai

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T’S great to see the progress already being made since Falcon Golf officially began operating in February with the aim of maximising the opportunities and benefits the sport brings to Dubai. A new ‘Golf in Dubai’ website has been launched that will showcase what the emirate has to offer golf lovers.

There is so much choice, both for tourists and residents here, which makes it a great move to create a centralised online space where people can access all the information they need to get the most out of their time here.

Dubai truly is a world-class golf destination. We have 11 of the finest courses on the planet here and it’s easy to see why golfing icons like Greg Norman, Tiger Woods, Sir Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and Ernie Els chose to work on projects in the city.

The emirate also has three high quality tournaments in the DP World Tour Championship, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, and golf lovers who visit the region can follow in the footsteps of legendary past champions like Seve Ballesteros, Ernie Els, Tiger Woods, Rory McIIroy, Sergio Garcia and Annika Sorenstam by playing at famous venues like Emirates Golf Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates where, like all the clubs in the region, the service and hospitality are second to none.

All the courses are in fairly close proximity to each other so it’s easy to play more than one in a day and if the whole family are not golfers, there is so much to do away from the course with waterparks, theme parks, amazing restaurants, shopping malls – not to mention great beaches where I like to do some surfing when I’m not playing on Tour!

The hotels here are also among the best in the world and some of them, such as the JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort, have courses attached to them so the golfers and the non-golfers can both be happy!

Some of the most famous landmarks in the world are in Dubai such as the world’s most luxurious hotel, the Burj Al Arab, and the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. The images of Tiger hitting balls off the helipad at the Burj Al Arab in 2004 were beamed around the world and I’m sure they played a big role in sparking Dubai’s rise to prominence as a bucket-list destination for golf. He returned to the famous hotel to shoot another iconic video during this year’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic and it’s mind-blowing to think how much the region’s golf scene has developed in the 13 years since his first visit.

The weather conditions here are perfect for most of the year and even in the summer, you can play night golf under floodlights at places like The Track, Meydan and The Faldo at Emirates Golf Club.

We also have one of only two European Tour Performance Institutes at Jumeirah Golf Estates, host venue for our seasonending grand finale, the DP World Tour Championship and many of the players use the world-class facilities at the ETPI during the off-season or when they have a break in their schedule. Players like Rory McIlroy and Amy Boulden call Dubai their ‘home from home’ and as most of you know, I put down roots here last year. It was an easy choice for me to make, just as it was for many other players over the years such as Henrik Stenson, Thomas Bjørn and David Howell.

I read somewhere that economic impact of golf tourism on Dubai is about US$38 million every year. I’m sure that the efforts of Falcon Golf, and their new ‘Golf in Dubai’ website, will help to push that figure even higher.

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RAFA CABRERA BELLO IS A JA RESORTS & HOTELS AMBASSADOR.

GOLFINDUBAI.COM

New website aims to boost

Dubai’s

Golf Tourism D

UBAI HAS AN EMBARRASSMENT OF RICHES WHEN IT COMES TO ITS GOLF OFFERING. SOME OF THE FINEST COURSES AND FACILITIES IN THE WORLD, NEAR PERFECT WEATHER CONDITIONS, TOP CLASS HOTELS AND THREE PRESTIGIOUS PROFESSIONAL TOURNAMENTS MAKE IT THE IDEAL DESTINATION FOR GOLF LOVERS.

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The game’s importance to the region was underlined in February when Falcon Golf, a government entity tasked by the leadership of Dubai with “optimising the benefits golf brings to the emirate”, began operating. And the organisation, headed by former R&A Chief Executive Peter Dawson, has already started making good on its promise with the unveiling of a new website which pulls together on one platform all of the information visitors and tour operators need to know about experiencing golf in the city.

Set to launch at the Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC) in Danang, Vietnam, golfindubai.com provides information on the first-class courses designed by legends including Ernie Els, Sir Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and Greg Norman, as well as details on leisure and practice facilities and wider hospitality offers.

A video of Masters and Omega Dubai Desert Classic champion Sergio Garcia facing India’s Anirban Lahiri in a battle of the big hitters – filmed at Skydive

Dubai with the backdrop of the city’s iconic skyline – gives a sample of the compelling content on the website.

Visitors to the site can also win an extraordinary VIP trip that includes a playing spot in the 2018 Omega Dubai Desert Classic Pro-Am. Key objectives Commenting on the new website, Dawson said: “Driving greater golf tourism is one of the key goals we set ourselves on our establishment, and I’m delighted that just a few months into our operations we have launched a website which for the first time provides one place where Dubai’s fantastic golf offering is showcased in full.

“A coordinated approach between all parties who together make up Dubai’s golf experience will unquestionably pay dividends for all concerned. "golfindubai.com is one important step in our endeavour to rekindle awareness among discerning holiday makers, business travellers and Dubai residents of the enjoyment they all can

have playing or watching golf here. "Not many places in the world can so readily offer the access to walk in the footsteps of champions like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia and Shanshan Feng while playing a round of golf during your holiday or business trip. Dubai can, and thanks to the new website, finding out how has become a lot easier.”

Esteemed golf location His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of DTCM, said: “Dubai is one of the most esteemed golf locations in the world and has much to offer beyond the courses, from incredible hotels and pristine beaches, as well as world-class attractions for all ages, such as Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa and amazing water and theme parks.

“With more courses in the pipeline to complement the world-class choices already available, and initiatives such as this new website, there is huge potential for the sport to help us hit our target of 20 million visitors by 2020.”

Competition PLEASE VISIT GOLFINDUBAI.COM FROM MAY 8TH ONWARDS FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN AN INCREDIBLE VIP GOLF TRIP TO DUBAI AND A SPOT IN THE DESERT CLASSIC PRO-AM. Worldwide GOLF 33

Race to Dubai movers and shakers Garcia in poll position after magnificant Masters

Wiesberger jumps into top ten with Shenzhen win

Sergio Garcia made a huge advance on this year’s Race to Dubai as he span out of Augusta National with a flashy new Green Jacket and a huge haul of Race to Dubai points.

The Spaniard, who won his first Major in a playoff with Justin Rose, collected 1,838,116 points to take his season tally to 2,440,596. Garcia won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in January and now has a lead of just over 800,000 points from Tommy Fleetwood, who also won in the Desert at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

Rose claimed 1,102,870 points for his runnerup spot to move to fourth place in the Race to Dubai with 1,175,686 points for the season while Masters debutant Thomas Pieters picked up 449,317 for his fifth place finish to almost double his tally for the season, while former winner Charl Schwartzel moved into the top ten on the Race to Dubai due to earning 694,399 points for his third-place finish.

Sergio Garcia

Bernd Wiesberger moved up from 13th to sixth in the Race to Dubai after defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a play-off to win his fourth European Tour title, at the Shenzhen International. Wiesberger, whose career-best finish in the Race to Dubai is ninth which he achieved in 2015 and 2016, collected 437,017 points while Fleetwood strengthened his position in second place on the ranking with a haul of 291,347 points. Ross Fisher's third place finish saw him move from seventh to fifth on the ranking while Gregory Bourdy, who shared third place with Fisher, earned 147,626 points to move from 122nd to 53rd on the Race to Dubai.

The Race to Dubai trophy Bernd Wiesberger celebrates his victory in China.

Molinari makes inroads after ending long trophy drought

Justin Rose

Charl Schwartzel

The fast-finishing Edoardo Molinari made a jump up 76 positions in the Race to Dubai after defeating Ireland’s Paul Dunne in a play-off at the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco. The Italian eagled the last in regulation and then won in sudden death with a par to seal his first win since 2010. Molinari earned 416,660 points to move from 90th to 14th and give himself a superb chance of qualifying for this year’s DP World Tour Championship – a tournament he hasn’t qualified for since 2014. Dunne, who is still seeking his first European Tour title, collected 277,770 points for his runner-up position and that moved him up from 66th to 20th in the Race to Dubai.

Third-placed Paul Waring boosted his chances of a first appearance at the DP World Tour Championship by moving up from 48th to 28th in the Race to Dubai while four-placed finishers Lasse Jansen and Victor Dubuisson moved inside the top 50 and top 100 respectively.

For all DP World Tour Championship hospitality enquiries please contact Julie Letherby – Hospitality Manager: jletherby@europeantour.com; +971 5673 59852

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Edoardo Molinari

Evans on top in Turkey

Maiden win results in big Road to Oman move

R

YAN EVANS sealed his maiden European Challenge Tour victory at last month’s Turkish Airlines Challenge to make an early mark on this year’s Road to Oman – moving up to second place.

The Englishman scored a memorable fourstroke win over Tapio Pulkkanen after rounds of 66-66-64-71 saw him post a 21-under-par total. The duo were paired together in the final round and a timely piece of advice from Evans’ father proved key to his victory.

“I tried not to think of the situation and just play golf,” said the man from Corby. “My dad texted me last night saying, ‘play the course, not the man,’ and that’s just what you have to do, try to forget what Tapio was doing and play the course as well as you can – I’m so pleased to go round under par today.

“We were both quite a bit ahead of everyone else and the back nine isn’t easy in this wind but unless we had a disaster, one of us was going to win it. I just had to keep myself ahead without trying to make it a match play – it was more, if he puts it in the middle of the green, I’ll put it in the middle of the green. Just play sensibly.

“We were both in the same situation. Neither of us had won on the Challenge Tour before, but to be fair we both played really well today because

dropping shots out there today in that wind was easy.

“I bogeyed 15, he birdied it, and that’s suddenly a two shot swing to him and my lead was only one shot again. My birdie putt on 17 was huge. I got up there and just fancied it, hit a great putt, and that made me a bit more chilled going down the

last.” Evans’ closing 71 was one of only five under par scores in the final round, while France’s Julien Guerrier also managed a 71 to finish in third place on 15-under-par. Irelands Ruaidhri McGee moved up eight places into fourth with a closing 71 while Spain’s Borja Virto also posted a strong final round 71 to move up 14 places into a share of fifth place.

Quiros looking to jump-start his career on the Challenge Tour

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ITH six titles on the European Tour, including three in the Middle East, Alvaro Quiros has suddenly found himself competing on the Challenge Tour after losing his card last year.

The Spaniard, a former DP World Tour Championship winner, is preparing for a full schedule of Challenge Tour events with the main aim of getting his playing rights back at the top table of European Golf.

“My game wasn’t good enough last year,” admitted the 34-year old. “I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but unfortunately I’ve had to come back to the Challenge Tour – and I only say ‘unfortunately’ because the last ten seasons I’ve been lucky enough to play on the European Tour. My plan is to play the Challenge Tour for the whole season. I may get some invites on to the European Tour but most of the time I will be playing here and hoping to find the game to get back up onto the European Tour again for the 2018 season.”

Quiros is no stranger to the Challenge Tour, but it is 11 years since the man from Madrid earned his European Tour card with an 18th place finish on the 2006 rankings and he admits that a lot has changed on the Tour since then.

“What I really remember about being on the Challenge Tour in 2006 was just very nice times,” he said. “That year there were quite a few Spaniards on the Tour

and that was a lot of fun for us. Some of us got our cards, some of us didn’t, but we were all in a big group and that makes your life easier on tour. Now I barely know anyone! But in time I’m sure I will be able to make some connections, with the Spanish guys and with everyone else.

“I have realised that the Challenge Tour has changed a lot. The events are certainly bigger. I don’t think we even had yardage books ten years ago. Now it’s exactly the same as the European Tour.

“Another thing is caddies. So many players have caddies now, whereas in 2006 almost nobody did.

I get the impression that it has become a lot more professional as a tour.”

Quiros is ready to embark on a new chapter in his career after five years of steady decline. “I’ve been training very hard,” he said. “The last five years have been tough because in 2012 I tried to change a couple of things in my technique to improve, and suddenly I started to go backwards, the opposite of what I was trying to achieve. That’s a very difficult thing to process, to be honest.

Last year I was keeping myself working so hard – harder than ever – and I lost my European Tour card for the first time in my career.

“I changed my coach after Q-School in November and it looks like I’m getting a little bit better, though I don’t have everything in position yet. But now that I’m closer to playing better golf, the important thing is to increase my confidence.”

Alvaro Quiros Career Timeline 2004 Turns Professional

2007 Wins first Tour title in South Africa 2006 Earns European Tour card

2009 Wins the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters

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2011 Does a Dubai double at the Desert Classic and the DP World Tour Championship

2016 Loses his European Tour card and heads back to the Challenge Tour

Garcia’s Masters Magic

In Numbers ARNIE, PAR-3 CONTEST, TIGER, WORLD NO.1, PROBLEM.

THIS YEAR’S MASTERS WAS ONE OF THE BEST IN RECENT MEMORY THANKS TO AN ENGAGING SUNDAY SHOWDOWN BETWEEN TWO FUTURE HALL OF FAMERS FROM EUROPE.

DEFEATED JUSTIN ROSE ON THE FIRST PLAY-OFF HOLE WITH A BIRDIE BECOMES THE THIRD WINNER FROM SPAIN, FOLLOWING BALLESTEROS AND OLAZABAL, WHO BOTH WON TWO GREEN JACKETS

5

JOINS TIGER WOODS, JACK NICKLAUS, PHIL MICKELSON AND BEN CRENSHAW AS THE FIFTH PLAYER TO WIN THE LOW AMATEUR AND THE GREEN JACKET

“I felt very calm, I felt very at ease. To be able to join Jose and Seve as Masters champions from Spain, it's unbelievable.”

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6

BECOMES THE SIXTH FIRSTTIME MAJOR WINNER IN SUCCESSION IN A RUN THAT BEGAN WITH JASON DAY AT THE 2015 US PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

7

GARCIA IS SEVENTH PLAYER FROM CONTINENTAL EUROPE TO WIN A MAJOR

14

GARCIA MADE 14 BIRDIES DURING THE WEEK – INCLUDING THAT CRUCIAL ONE IN SUDDEN DEATH TO SEAL VICTORY

17 22 37

THE NUMBER OF EUROPEAN VICTORIES AT AUGUSTA SINCE BALLESTEROS WON HIS FIRST IN 1980.

PREVIOUS TOP TEN FINISHES IN 73 MAJOR STARTS BY GARCIA

BECAME THE OLDEST FIRST-TIME WINNER OF THE MASTERS SINCE ANGEL CABRERA (39) IN 2009

89

BOTH THE CADDIES OF GARCIA AND LAST YEAR’S WINNER DANNY WILLETT WORE THE NO. 89 ON THEIR BIB. THE NUMBERS ARE GIVEN IN ORDER OF PLAYERS REGISTERING FOR THE TOURNAMENT. JACK NICKLAUS ALSO HAD 89 WHEN HE FAMOUSLY WON IN 1986

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“It was hard not to root for Sergio.”

Graeme McDowell

“I’m not sharing my locker at the moment, and I hope that I get to do it with you.”

A text of encouragement on the eve of the tournament from two-time winner and close friend José Maria Olazábal.

“I think we've always known that Sergio is an emotional kind of guy on and off the golf course, and when it's all clicking, he's one of the best in the world. I think that this is going to set up just a really, really happy and wonderful year for him.”

Justin Rose

"I feel encouraged if nothing else. I feel comfortable on the golf course, like every time I tee up I've got a chance to win. I've had four top tens in a row here. Top tens aren't what I'm looking for but, at the same time, the ups and downs I've had here in the past don't seem to be quite so up and quite so down. it seems a little more steady and that can only bode well for the future."

Rory McIlroy after finishing in a share of seventh place. The Ulsterman needs to win The Masters to complete the Grand Slam.

Six of Garcia's nearest Major misses 4th

2nd

3rd

1999 US PGA Championship

2002 US Open

2006 US PGA Championship

5th 2nd 2nd 2007 Open Championship

2008 US PGA Championship

2016 US Open

Tour News Date: March 22 - 26 Event: World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play Venue: Austin Country Club, Austin, Texas

Date: March 23 - 26 Event: Puerto Rico Open Venue: Coco Beach Golf Club, Puerto Rico

POINTS MAKES HIS POINT IN PEURTO RICO JOHNSON MAKES IT THREE OUT OF THREE Dustin Johnson underlined his status as the current best player in the world by holding off a spirited fightback from rising Spanish star John Rahm to win the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play for his third win in three starts. Johnson, who won the Genesis Open in February and then the WGC-Mexico Championship in March, was in imperious form all week, never trailing against any of his opponents in seven matches. The American clinched a 1-up victory over Rahm in the final for his 15th title on the US PGA Tour and fifth World Golf Championship event. Bill Haas won the third-place play-off match, 2&1 against Japan's Hideto Tanihara.

Date: March 30 -April 2 Event: Shell Houston Open Venue: Golf Club of Houston, Humble, Texas

D.A. Points shot a final-round 66 to clinch a two-stroke victory over Retief Goosen, Bryson DeChambeau and Bill Lunde at the Puerto Rico Open. The American finished on 20-under-par to collect his third US PGA Tour title and his first since the 2013 Shell Houston Open.

Pos. Name 1 2 3

Score

Total

USA RSA

-20 -18

268 270

Bryson DeChambeau USA

-18

270

D.A. Points Retief Goosen

Country

Date: April 13 - 16 Event: RBC Heritage Venue: Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

HENLEY BIRDIE BLITZ BRINGS 3-SHOT WIN

BRYAN DOES THE TRICK FOR FIRST WIN

Russell Henley shot a superb closing round 65 to win the Shell Houston Open by three strokes from South Korean Sung Kang.

Henley, whose last win came at the 2014 Honda Classic, made ten birdies to seal an impressive victory with Rickie Fowler finishing in a share of third place alongside Luke List.

Wesley Bryan clinched a one-stroke win over England's Luke Donald to collect his first title on the US PGA Tour at the RBC Heritage.

Bryan, a former trick-shot artist, carded rounds of 69-67-68-67 to win ahead of Donald, whose third round 72 left him too much ground to make up on the Sunday. Former amateur stars Patrick Cantlay and Ollie Schniederjans finished in a share of third place

Pos. Name 1 2 3

Russell Henley Sung Kang Rickie Fowler

Country USA KOR USA

Score

Total

Pos Name

-20 -17 -16

268 271 272

1 2 3

Wesley Bryan Luke Donald Patrick Cantlay

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Country USA ENG USA

Score

Total

-13 -12 -11

271 272 273

WORLD ROUND-UPS Date: April 13 - 16 Event: Trophee Hassan II Venue: Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, Rabat, Morocco

Date: April 20 - 23 Event: Valero Texas Open Venue: TPC San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas

SEVENTH HEAVEN FOR EDOARDO MOLINARI Edoardo Molinari won his first title in seven years after romping up the leaderboard with a final round 5-under-par 68 and then dispatching Ireland's Paul Dunne in a play-off at the Trophee Hassan II. The Italian eagled the last to post the clubhouse lead of 9-under and later Dunne held his nerve to match it with a birdie of his own on 18. However, the Irishman missed a 6-foot par putt on the opening play-off hole to hand Molinari the title.

Pos. Name 1 2 3

Edoardo Molinari Paul Dunne Paul Waring

Country ITA IRL ENG

CHAPPELL WALKS OFF WITH FIRST WIN Kevin Chappell produced a moment of magic as he birdied the last hole to win his first US PGA Tour title, at the Valero Texas Open by one stroke from fellow American Brooks Koepka. Knowing he needed birdie for victory, Chappell knocked his approach shot to eight feet and calmly drained the putt before celebrating wildly with his caddie.

Score

Total

Pos. Name

-9 -9 -8

283 283 284

1 2 3

Country

Kevin Chappell Brooks Koepka Kevin Tway

USA USA USA

Score

Total

-12 -11 -9

276 277 279

Date: April 20 - 23 Event: Shenzhen International Venue: Genzon Golf Club, Shenzhen, China

WIESBERGER PIPS FLEETWOOD IN SHENZHEN PLAY-OFF Austrian Bernd Wiesberger birdied the first extra hole of a playoff to win his fourth European Tour title at the expense of Tommy Fleetwood at the Shenzhen International. Wiesberger began the final round with a three-stroke lead over Fleetwood but the Englishman shot a sensational best-of-the-week 63 to set the clubhouse target at 16-under-par. Wiesberger made clutch par-saves on holes 12 and 17 and then made par at the last to force a play-off. There had only been two birdies on the 18th hole all day but Wiesberger produced a moment of magic, hitting his approach from the bank of a lake to within five feet of the pin before making the putt to take the title. England's Ross Fisher finished in a share of third place alongside France's Gregory Bourdy on 15-under-par.

Fleetwood Pos. Name 1 2 3

Bernd Wiesberger Tommy Fleetwood Ross Fisher

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Country AUT ENG ENG

Fisher Score

Total

-16 -16 -15

272 272 273

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FEATURE

T YRRELL HAT TON

Making the Major league T

YRRELL HATTON hit the headlines worldwide in 2016 with a series of outstanding performances that moved him swiftly into the sport’s elite. Currently ranked 16th in the world, Hatton started to build momentum last June with a tie for fifth place in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open before going on to share seventh place at the European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

He continued his successful run with a two-week spell on the Scottish links as he followed his runner-up finish at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart in Inverness with a fifth place finish at The Open at Royal Troon.

His next outing was at the US PGA Championship at Baltusrol and a top ten finish there cemented his status as one of Europe’s rising stars.

At this point, the members at his home club at Harleyford, where 30 of them had put in £250 each to enable him to play on the EuroPro Tour and later on the European Challenge Tour, were seeing their investment proudly pay dividends as Hatton flew the club’s colours with pride.

It was only a matter of time before Hatton nailed his first victory and he did so in fine style at St Andrews at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. He carded a record third round 62 to pull away from the field and backed it up with a closing round of 66 to secure his first win and a cheque for €711,000.

It wasn’t his largest payout in 2016. He had saved the best for last at the DP World Tour Championship, where a second-placed finish behind Matt Fitzpatrick added a further €811,000 to his Race to Dubai account. With his 2016 prizemoney earnings in the books he made a flying start to this season on the Desert Swing with a share of third place at the Dubai Desert Classic before moving Stateside to test himself on the US PGA Tour.

Hatton quickly silenced any doubters with top-five finishes at the Honda Classic and the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida before making his Masters debut.

We caught up with Hatton shortly before he teed it up at Bay Hill to discuss his breakout year, his fondness of the Middle East and why he’s not a big fan of the practice range!



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FEATURE

T YRRELL HAT TON

How much time do you spend on the range?

I’d rather get on course to practice instead of spending hours on the range. I will warm up before I go out to play a tournament but that’s it. I wouldn’t get back on the range after a round.

Tell us about your coach, I guess he knows you well? And what do you work on?

As you know, my coach is my dad. We keep things simple and haven’t really changed anything in my swing for about eight years or more. If things don’t feel right we just go back to the basics, which tend to be alignment and ball position.

My dad’s philosophy is: “The swing and equipment go hand in hand, one must complement the other to achieve the best results.

Coaching should only be given when the player needs it, only ever reacting to what the ball is doing. Work backwards, starting with the basics, good basics and the right equipment equals the best you can be.”

So how was The Masters?

It was a great experience. Spinning balls across the lake with Danny (Willett) was amazing fun, as it’s always great to have a laugh on course when you can. Though it was slightly different over the first two rounds, as the conditions were brutal and just didn’t play anything like the practice days – but that’s golf. When you see top players who know the course inside out start to struggle, you know it’s going to be tough.

You appear to be settling in to life on the US PGA Tour and have picked up some great results early on. How have you been able to settle in so quickly?

I love it out here. The sun is nearly always shining and the courses are always set up so well, especially the greens. They are always fast and true, which really suits my game. I’ve also based myself in Orlando, so it’s easy get to events. To be up there in the final group with Rickie Fowler at the Honda Classic was a great experience and gave me a huge buzz. That’s what it’s all about. To then tie with Rory in fourth place at the Arnold Palmer Invitational just boosted my confidence a little more.

Tyrrell Hatton holds the trophy with his girlfriend Emily Braisher on the Swilken Bridge on the 18th hole after winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at The Old Course, St. Andrews.

Would you look to base yourself on the US PGA Tour like Paul Casey?

Not at all. I’m a European Tour player and always will be. But I’m happy to play on both Tours and I can make my schedule work.

After Hilton Head I will head back home to play the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. I’ve not played it since the changes to the course, so I’ll have five days to get to know the course again.

It’s also great to be back home and not staying in an hotel room.

Having your mates shouting for you at a tournament is brilliant support. After Wentworth it’s the HNA Open de France, played at the venue for the 2018 Ryder Cup, and that’s a tournament we all have our sights on. Then it’s the Scottish Open at Dundonald Links, an event I came so close to winning last year. That’s ideal preparation for The Open the following week at Royal Birkdale.

You mentioned your dislike for bad weather but you did well in Scotland in 2016.

I can play in poor conditions. Don’t forget I’ve been playing in the UK since I was five years old. I just prefer to stay dry as much as possible these days! The great thing about links golf is that regardless of the conditions the greens are normally fast and true and that brings out the best in my game. To tie with Sergio and Rory in fifth place at The Open and then go on to win the Alfred Dunhill at St Andrews shows I’m not just a fair weather golfer.

Would you say that your short game was the main reason for your success?

I’ve always been confident around the greens ever since I first started playing and that’s never changed. The main thing that has helped is my ability to remain patient and enjoy the game. Before my win at the Alfred Dunhill I had been knocking on the door a few times but I didn’t get frustrated. I just knew that if I kept on

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Danny Willett and Tyrrell Hatton having fun spinning balls across the lake at Augusta last month.

knocking, one day soon the door would open. It’s also the team around me who are instrumental in my success. Off the course, my girlfriend Emily has been a rock, together with my Dad and my manager. It really helps to have great people around you, especially when you are away from home.

On the course, it’s great to have Ricey (Chris Rice) caddying for me. He’s a plus two golfer and he’s represented Lancashire, so he knows how a player thinks. With eight years experience on Tour he’s caddied for the winners of The BMW International twice and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship so he also knows what is required to get the job done at the highest level.

What do you do to relax when you’re not playing golf?

Between events when I’m at home I like to see my friends, play a bit of Xbox or watch movies. When I’m away it’s just chilling out in the hotel room, really. If I’ve had an early tee time during a tournament I’ll usually have a little power nap at the hotel in the afternoon and listen to music. I still manage to play Xbox, mainly FIFA or Call of Duty online sometimes with my friends back home.

What does The Race to Dubai mean to you as a player?

To have the top 60 players on the European Tour all together at the end of the season is pretty special and it’s an event you aim to be in.

Luckily, I’ve made it there for the last three years.

Have you been able to do anything fun in Dubai away from the course?

I’ve been go-karting which was fun and I managed to make sure I didn’t injure myself. I’ve recently gotten into tennis so that’s quite good for some down time – as long as it’s not raining!



Have you got a favourite course in the Middle East?

I think the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, (above) home of the DP World Tour Championship, is my favourite visually, as I’ve had some good results there. But the Majlis at Emirates Golf Club is right up there as well.

What does Dubai mean to you as a player?

I just love it out there. The golf courses are always in fantastic condition. I used to watch the Desert Classic as a little kid and I’d even pretend to be ill to miss school so I could watch it. To be able to play in the event is pretty special and one I really enjoy coming back to.

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FEATURE

T YRRELL HAT TON

In the bag Irons

I put the Ping i200 irons straight in play. I was using the ‘I’ series before these. I just really like how they come off the face. They launch higher with less spin and also on the miss-hits the gapping is a lot tighter. So you still get it close to the pin when you haven’t hit it so well. I’ve got the gapping between each club set at 12 yards, which are perfect numbers for my game. I also like the smaller heads in the shorter clubs and the larger heads in the longer irons, which also give a little bit of forgiveness.

Driver

G Series. I switched to that at the Irish Open last year and it’s been great. I’ve always played a Ping driver since I got on Tour. I just like the way the ball comes off the face and they are very forgiving, which is very important, especially for the driver.

Putter

Hybrid

I’ve got a G Series rescue.

I usually struggle with rescues as I hit it slightly towards the toe. Most rescues have a lower spin so they go left but the G series is the best rescue club I’ve ever had and I don’t think I will be changing it any time soon.

I’m using the Ping Vault Olso. I put this in play in the first week of the Alfred Dunhill. It was a great week picking up my first win and we’ve had a good relationship since then. I really like the way it feels off the face and it’s more consistent than my previous putter.

Wedges

I’ve got the Ping Glide 2 wedges in play. They feel really soft off the face and from a feel factor that’s what I really like.

They also spin a lot which is definitely a good thing.

Hatton

Best Tip Keep things simple. Golf is complicated enough!

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EQUIPMENT IR ONS

Z65 irons

Forged feel for

all golfers

T

he new Srixon Z65 irons give players of all levels a classic look and forged feel that will help them ooze confidence out on the course. It is an evolution from the Z45 range from last year that has had some subtle improvements to make a great iron even better. All three models use Srixon’s Tour V.T. sole designed to reduce turf resistance and improve shot dispersion. They also have 5% larger grooves and double-laser milled faces that bring greater consistency to spin rates in more varied conditions, giving greater distance control.. eGolf Megastore Retail Manager and PGA Professional, Stuart Barber, visited the new Trump International Golf Club, Dubai to test out the different model of irons and discuss how they can suit everyone from the traditionalist to the distance, forgiveness-seeking crowd.

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GOLF GEAR

Z565 This model has a deep undercut cavity with classic clean looks. However, it has the thickest top line of the three models and slightly more offset meaning it is aimed at the mid handicapper market. Srixon have used a high strength SUP-10 steel face that creates faster ball speeds on well struck shots and maintains ball speed on shots not finding the center of the face, making them long and forgiving. The sound of the strike is slightly higher pitched than the rest of the lineup but the feel is definitely that of a high quality forged iron.

The lofts on the Z565 are the strongest out of the three so it’s going to produce the most distance however in testing it also flew the highest - a testament to its low centre of gravity.

It gives you a great forged feel combined with the forgiveness and power of a much larger clubhead. Expect to see these in the bags of everyone from 15 handicappers to Tour Pro’s as they feel soft, inspire confidence and are as long as any other model in this category.

Z765 – Mid cavity iron

The Z765 is aimed at the lower handicapper. There’s no undercut cavity with this type of iron as this is more in line with the blade look, it has a thinner top line and classic looks. There’s less forgiveness than the Z565 but there’s more workability and control thanks to the reduced offset and slightly weaker lofts (1 degree). The biggest problem for better players will be choosing between the Z765 and the Z965, the appearance at address is almost identical. The head shape and size blends perfectly with the Z965 suggesting that a combination of the two modes is pehaps the best way to maximize performance with forgiveness.

Z965 – Full blade

This is the jewel in the lineup. This is the iron we all want to play but it’s the toughest to hit. This bladed model looks awesome with the cleanest lines and smallest head out of the three. It has the weakest lofts yet its design enables players to have the workability and control that they would desire out of a club of this design. In testing despite having the weakest lofts it actually launched the lowest out of the three models thanks to its traditional bladed design.

As far as modern blades go, the Z965 performs up there with any other blade in today’s market.

In summary, Srixon’s Z65 range is packing a punch well above its price tag. The shaft offerings across all three models is also fantastic with little or no upcharge for KBS, Nippon, Dynamic Gold and Project X shafts to name but a few. The entry 565 offers a blend of looks and forgiveness that isn’t easily found in this category as well as being a forged iron. It makes for a strong contender against any manufacturers offerings. The 765 and 965 blends classic looks with some modern innovation to produce Tour quality irons that can’t be ignored if you are in the market for a high performance bladed iron.

YOU CAN TRY OUT THESE AWESOME SRIXON IRONS FOR YOURSELF AT EGOLF MEGASTORE AL QUOZ AND EGOLF MEGASTORE AL WASL WHERE THEIR PGA TRAINED CUSTOM FITTERS CAN OPTIMISE THEM FOR YOUR GAME.

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EQUIPMENT DRIVER

0811X

Draw your

Weap on L

ast month, Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG) unveiled their latest driving missile launcher onto the market – the 0811X driver. Worldwide Golf headed down to the Trump International Golf Club, Dubai, to catch up with the eGolf Megastore team and speak to PXG Middle East Brand Ambassador, Alex Riggs, about the groundbreaking new driver that he has recently added to his bag.

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GOLF GEAR

ALEX RIGGS: , PXG MIDDLE EAST

WWG: What are your initial thoughts and feedback of the club?

Alex Riggs: We’ve had a really strong headwind here today at the Trump International Golf Club, Dubai. What I noticed is that the ball flight is so much flatter into the wind, we don’t get those occasional ones that would jump up and float in the sky. The new 0811X however, would keep piercing and fly on the fairway.

WWG: Talk us through about the shape of the head and how it suits you?

AR: It has a confident shape to it.

When I set this thing on the tee it looks forgiving to me. I like how the golf club lies on the ground and I like how the face looks. It is clean to the eye.

WWG: One of the things that everyone has said about the club is the noise it makes. Just describe it and give us some technical information as well.

AR: I noticed that the sound of the 0811X has a powerful, deep sounding thud to it. It’s not as high pitched as other drivers sound which is due to what they have done in the sole plate of the club where they’ve added thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), the same proprietary compound they utilise in the 0311 irons. Its a sound that you’ve never heard before in a driver and is noticeable instantly. Adding TPE into the sole also allowed PXG to redistribute weight to move the CG which helps them to considerably lower spin off the face.

WWG: How does sound influence your feel?

AR: Sound really plays a big role in feel. What we hear in terms of contact when we strike the ball is going to give us a lot of feedback as to whether the strike is a heel, toed or centered one. I do find that this is an important part of the experience of hitting the driver. If you like the sound you’re going to like the feel.

WWG: With the shape, have you noticed any difference in terms of forgiveness from the 0811 model?

AR: Both drivers are very forgiving and have got great distance. I do find that the 0811X tends to fly a fraction flatter and spins considerably less.

WWG: Similar to the 0811 model, you can see that this driver is extremely adjustable. Personally, are you someone who tinkers and do you have advice for someone who is a bit of a tinkerer and how to get the right settings?

AR: I am not much of a tinkerer when it comes to changing the settings of a driver. I like to have it fit, and once fit just stick with it. If you are someone who does intend on changing the settings I would suggest that you visit your local PXG Fitter, have an expert fit you and then trust it.

WWG: Why should people add the PXG to their bag?

AR: If you are looking for a golf club that is a step ahead and not afraid to push the technology boundaries, then PXG is the brand for you.

ALEX RIGGS, PXG MIDDLE EAST BRAND AMBASSADOR

AVAILABLE AT EGOLF MEGASTORE OR ENQUIRE FOR FITTINGS AT THE ELS CLUB, SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB, ABU DHABI GOLF CLUB, TRUMP INTERNATIONAL DUBAI, YAS LINKS GOLF CLUB, JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES AND AL HAMRA GOLF CLUB.

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PXG.COM | + 971 4 228 5770

AVAILABLE NOW AT EGOLF MEGASTORE & SELECT UAE & GCC ON-COURSE FACILITIES. Worldwide GOLF 52

EQUIPMENT WEDGES

CLEVELAND’S RTX-3

GOLF GEAR

WEDGES MAKING A SPLASH

T

he new RTX-3 wedges from Cleveland are causing a stir but why? The main selling point is the club’s ‘Feel Balancing Technology’ which basically shifts the centre of gravity closer to the middle of the face, or the ‘impact zone’ which decreases vibration and maximises the club head’s stability during contact. But what exactly does that achieve we hear you ask? In a nutshell, it improves feel and control and tightens shot dispersion, or in other words - whether you hit one off the centre of the face or not, the ball is more likely to land where you intended it to!

V SOLE GRINDS

V-LG

V-MG

There are also three grind options which feature a V shape with more leading edge bounce to help get the club head through the turf faster at impact. The idea of this is to promote a crisper feel and more consistent head speed for increased spin and control.

The V-LG is the narrowest low bounce sole suitable better players who want more control over shot shaping, the V-MG has mid bounce which will suit a wide range of players and turf conditions, and the V-FG is a forgiving full sole design with trailing edge relief for higher handicappers.

V-FG

NEW ROTEX FACE The final piece in the jigsaw is a new ‘Rotex Face’ which combines three innovations to maximize spin with more consistency.

New Tour Zip Grooves featuring a deeper, narrower U shape with a sharp edge radius improve contact, lower the chances of hitting a flier from the rough with a lowerlofted wedge and maximise spin control and consistency from deeper greenside lies with higher-lofted wedges. A new Loft Specific Rotex Micro-milling Pattern increases friction and is directionally enhanced by loft: low lofts (46°-52°) have a circular pattern oriented straighter toward the leading edge to accommodate full shot performance. High lofts (54°- 64°) feature a pattern angled toward the toe to match swing path on open-face shots for optimal greenside performance. Optimal Laser Milling between the grooves adds friction and increased spin on greenside shots.

TOUR ZIP GROOVES

588 RTX 2.0

RTX-3 588 RTX 2.0

HERE’S WHAT CLEVELAND’S STAFF PLAYERS HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE NEW RTX-3 WEDGES: “They feel great. Good turf interaction, nice divots!”

Russell Knox,WGC-HSBC Champions winner.

LOFT-SPECIFIC ROTEX MICROMILLING PATTERN

“It looks like you can really spin it. It’s consistent on open-face shots from tight lies and good out of the bunker too.”

Smylie Kaufman, Shriners Hospital for Children Invitational winner.

LASER MILLING

“You can’t have too much bounce if it’s in the right place.

It’s so easy to get this sole through the turf.”

William McGirt, The Memorial winner.

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OPEN Thursday, 18 May 2017

a

WIN!

PROFESSIONALS

AED 5,000 + GOLF BREAK A M AT E U R S

G O L F

S E R IGEOSL F2 0S1 E7 R I E S 2 0 1 7

DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP PRO-AM

Timings: 11:00am Registration 1:00pm Shotgun Start - Individual Stableford 6.30pm - BBQ & Drinks Included

Top 3 Amateurs and Top Professional progress to the Grand Finale* *Recognised handicap required to participate in the Grand Finale

Price:

Non EGF Members: AED 625 EGF & Troon Executive: AED 595 Els Club Members: AED 295 Professionals: AED 295

May 18 DHL Open

May 19

Links Group Open

To book a space, please email info@sixteen-10.com

September 14

DSA Open - On Majlis

October 26

Grand Finale on Fire

For more information visit www.swingagainstcancer.com

SWING SEQUENCE BY PE TE CO WEN

1

2

5

6

Matt Fitzpatrick

I’m going to analyse Matt Fitzpatrick’s swing with a fairway wood in this month’s issue.

Matt had a fantastic season last year, winning two tournaments including the prestigious DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Matt has a very simple golf swing but it’s effective because he hits the ball very, very straight every time.

– Pete Cowen, Master PGA

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3

4

7

1. When you see his swing, you see a little bit of an idiosyncratic movement but the posture is great and the arm hang is good. One thing we always work on together is a solid posture.

5. In the fifth picture you can see the shaft again on plane in a great delivery position. From here, Matt can slam the club down and exit left and that is why he hits it so straight.

2. In the second photo the takeaway is nice and wide, keeping the club slightly outside the hands - maybe a little bit too far out for my liking.

6. In the sixth picture, the hips and the shoulders are open nicely and the ball is gone. I can confidently predict that he has hit it dead straight again as he usually does, as he maintains a fantastic position through impact.

3. In the third photo his shoulders sit down the plane of the swing and the shaft angle is in the right position.

4. At the top in the fourth photo, it looks like he has laid it off a little bit but his arm position is great to slam down, as the club comes out in front of him.

7 & 8. In the seventh picture, Matt has a controlled followed through with the body that evolves into a balanced finish in the last photo.

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8

Conclusion Matt has a very simple golf swing that makes the game look so easy‌ You’ll see this swing helping the young Yorkshireman achieve even more success in the years to come.

INSTRUCTION

SHORT GAME ONE SHOT, THREE WAYS

WIT H P GA P R O F E S S IO N A L M I C H A E L B O LT

I

MPROVING YOUR SHORT GAME IS WITHOUT A DOUBT ONE OF THE QUICKEST WAYS TO SEE YOU LOWER YOUR SCORES. MANY AMATEURS LOSE SHOTS THROUGH POOR DECISION-MAKING AND ARE FIGHTING AN UPHILL BATTLE BEFORE THEY HAVE EVEN TAKEN HOLD OF THE CLUB. Here, we are at the back of the green on Hole 16 at Trump International Golf Club, Dubai. The shot we are tackling in this scenario sees us facing a delicate chip from the back of the green from a very firm tight lie. The undulations leave us with a decision to be made with a number of different potential landing points.

This is a challenging situation we often find ourselves on courses in the UAE, especially here at Trump International Golf Club where the Bermuda Tiff Gran grass is mowed extremely short to promote tight and firm surrounds and approach areas.

1

2

58° WEDGE

3

8 IRON

19° HYBRID

More often than not in this scenario many players will reach straight for their most lofted club (1) and try to land the ball on the green. If played correctly this can be extremely effective. However, the margin for error is dramatically decreased making it a potentially risky choice.

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SHOT #1: CLUB CHOSEN 58° WEDGE

We have plenty of loft on the club and are concentrating most on creating a positive strike. The initial set up position is key for this shot and will directly impact your ability to achieve the strike pattern:

Set up with the weight favouring the left side.

Ensure to rotate the left shoulder on the way back, holding the left wrist angle you created in the backswing. This will allow you to achieve a steep angle of attack into the ball whilst utilising the bounce and loft of the club.

Forward press the hands to create the left wrist angle shown. This will enable the left arm and shaft to work as one lever through impact.

Rotate the upper body aggressively through the shot.

Creating speed this way will allow you to minimise hand and wrist involvement, improving the chances of striking ball before turf and achieving the desired trajectory.

SHOT #2: CLUB CHOSEN 8 IRON

Here we are aiming to advance the ball forward into the slope and let the ball roll down toward the hole.

The difficulty here is the vision and judgement required. The ball will gather speed as it rolls toward the hole so a solid strike is needed to control the ball speed and trajectory from impact.

Set up with the weight favouring the left side.

SHOT #3: CLUB CHOSEN 19° HYBRID Here we are very much trying to recreate a putting action. The loft of the hybrid will help the ball roll on the slightly longer approach surface before it reaches the green.

Take your normal putting grip, making sure to grip down the shaft with your right hand. This will provide more control of the clubhead.

Hands again are forward pressed creating the desired shaft angle and left wrist angle.

From here a gentle rock of the shoulders is required.

There will be minimal lower body movement and the hands will return as close to their initial set up position through impact.

Let the shoulders control the stroke with no wrist hinge or breakdown in wrist angles.

Aim to eliminate all lower body movement.

Concentrate on keeping the ‘V’ shape in the arms, maintaining the angles created in the set up position, with the shoulders controlling the stroke and achieving the desired trajectory.

In summary there is no set way to play any given short game shot. Your club and shot choice should be made after a complete assessment of the external factors that could affect the result. Consider your lie, visualise different trajectories and how the ball may react on its route to the hole. Most importantly make the shot as manageable and easy as possible and commit to your choice.

WATCH THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf

Make the same stroke as your putting action, aiming to have the large sole area of the club lightly brush the ground through the impact area.

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IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOTS COVERED HERE WE WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO SEE YOU AT THE TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GOLF ACADEMY SOON.

INSTRUCTION

KEEP IT

VERTICAL

IN THIS MONTH’S ARTICLE, WE WILL KEEP IT SIMPLE AND REVISIT THE METHOD OF PITCHING OR CHIPPING FROM A MORE VERTICAL SHAFT ANGLE TO STAY ON PLANE AN D IMPROVE CONTACT.

BY STEPHEN DEANE, HEAD PROFESSIONAL, EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

Summer Packages with The Dubai Golf Academy at Emirates Golf Club I-10518 WWG STRIP AD – EGC.indd 1

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1

2

You will notice I've created a simple reminder station with some alignment rods, which will help assist and develop the perfect setup and takeaway.

3

4

Try and avoid the setup and take away positions shown in pictures 3 and 4. From here you're much more reliant on your hand eye coordination and natural ability to strike the ball. This can cause consistency problems and break down under pressure!

You can clearly see a three-inch gap between the top of the curve alignment stick and club shaft.

As I take the club away from the ball in an upward motion, you can see that the gapping between the shaft and curve alignment stick is maintained.

A great drill to help build the correct feelings and mechanics is to flip the club around and draw a circle away from the ball with the grip end.

Without the weight of the clubhead, the motion feels easy, natural and controlled. A great way to help not only your short game but your overall swing!

PUT WHAT WE'VE DISCUSSED INTO PRACTICE AND WATCH THE ATTACHED VIDEO OR VISIT US HERE AT THE ACADEMY FOR A MORE DETAILED EXPLANATION. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING AN IMPROVEMENT IN YOUR GAME.

5 WATCH THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf

• Enhance your game with a range of summer lesson packages • Prices start from AED 250 • Available between 14th May and 1st October 2017 Please call +971 4 417 9845, email emiratesacademy@dubaigolf.com or visit www.dubaigolf.com

#emiratesgc

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4/26/17 2:43 PM

INSTRUCTION

‘YOU SPEND MORE TIME IN THE SAND THAN

DAVID

HASSELHOFF!’ O

NE OF THE GREATEST MOVIE QUOTES OF ALL TIME? HAPPY GILMORE JUST HAD ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RELEASE DATE. THE COINCIDENCE IS THAT WAS ALSO PROBABLY THE LAST TIME YOU HIT A GOOD BUNKER SHOT… READ ON FOR SOME SIMPLE TIPS ON HITTING CONSISTENT AND PIN-SEEKING GREENSIDE BUNKER SHOTS.

by CRAEG DEERY Head Golf Professional, The Track Meydan Golf

It's only fair to acknowledge that there are a few differing techniques when it comes to teaching bunker shots. The average club golfer can end up a little confused with the body angles, alignment of the feet and clubface angle combination. By the time they’ve worked that all out, their playing partners have putted out and left the green without them!

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I like to teach it clearly and keep the stance in the bunker square and parallel to target line and ball. Open the face of the club slightly and then take your grip on the club (effectively gripping weak to the clubface). A simple change in your hand position by dropping the hands a couple of inches lower enables the ball flight to still come out straight even with the additional loft you’ve added to the clubhead.

This is created by something called face plane tilt, but we don’t have to worry about that – let’s leave that to the manufacturers. Remember to hold your hands a little lower and flex the knees slightly more (a nice hamstring test for you!) and here you are in a fantastic set up position ready to splash the sand and slide the club underneath the ball before you can say "Phil Mickelson".

Ball position should be slightly forward from centre, let’s say around 2 inches, combined with the wide stance and digging your feet into the ground, we now have a solid set-up position to enable us to take a wide swing and try to let the club shallow out to get the club sliding underneath the ball. You must make sure to take plenty of sand! A great practice tip would be to draw a line in the sand a couple of inches behind the ball.

The second fault would be trying to create too steep an angle of attack and digging deep into the bunker. This will deloft the club and lead to a lack of height and therefore control of the shot. Review where the club is entering the sand and best of luck with your practice. You’ll be off ‘the beach’ in no time…

A common fault we see as Teaching Professionals is when the player either tries to ‘scoop’ the ball out with the club shallowing out far too early. This tends to lead to either hitting way behind the ball and leaving the golf ball in the bunker or catching it thin and hitting the longest sand wedge shot you’ve ever hit as it sails past not only the green but into the nearest villa!

WATCH THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf

IF YOU WANT TO DEVELOP YOUR GOLF SKILLS EVEN FURTHER, HEAD DOWN TO THE TRACK, MEYDAN GOLF FOR A LESSON WITH CRAEG. HIS EMAIL IS CRAEG.DEERY@MEYDANGOLF.COM

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ARABIAN GOLF News from the leading clubs in the region

THE PLAYERS LINE UP AHEAD OF THE WORLDWIDE GOLF OPEN THE FIRST EVENT IN THE 2017 SWING AGAINST CANCER GOLF SERIES

SWING AGAINST CANCER GOLF SERIES

GETS UNDERWAY T he 2017 Swing Against Cancer Golf Series got underway in fitting fashion with the Worldwide Golf Open at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club as Clark Francis and Purna Sharma took the respective spoils in the amateur and pro divisions.

H.E. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Thani, the Deputy Chairman of the much loved venue, is also a Board Member of Friends of Cancer Patients, the official charity partner of the series which aims to raise funds and awareness to fight back against one of the world’s deadliest diseases. So it was a highly appropriate club for the first of six qualifiers running throughout the year leading up to the grand final, the Mike Clark Golf Day, at Jumeirah Golf Estates on October 26th.

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PRO WINNER PURNA SHARMA (LEFT) AND AMATEUR WINNER CLARK FRANCIS

THE VOKEY WEDGE NEAREST THE PIN CONTEST PROVED A BIG HIT AT THE WORLDWIDE GOLF OPEN Each hole of the Peter Harradine-designed nine-hole track was played twice, using different tees on each round and Francis, playing off a 9 handicap, put in an impressive performance to emerge victorious with 37 Stableford points followed by Eugene Labuschagne who took second place ahead of Craig Moorfield on a back nine countback after both players scored 35 points.

All three have won through to the star-studded Mike Clark Golf Day where they will compete for the ‘money can’t buy’ golf experience of a spot in the Rolex Pro-Am for the DP World Tour Championship, hospitality tickets to the tournament, an invitation to the players’ beach party, a twonight stay at Atlantis, The Palm and a golf lesson with renowned PGA Master Professional Pete Cowen.

PROUD “I’m very proud to win the opening event in the Swing Against Cancer Golf Series and get through to the grand final after a great day out with my colleagues,” said Francis.

“This cause is something that is very close to our hearts and our company does its best to support cancer charities so we are delighted to be involved.

This is a great initiative by Worldwide Golf and Sixteen10 and I would like to congratulate them on such a wonderful event. Now I have a chance to win at the pro-am at the DP World Tour Championship and possibly stay in the Atlantis which should be marvelous!”

SIXTEEN10 Sharma, who works as a Club Technician for Pro Sports International, official distributors for Ping and Titleist and one of the Swing Against Cancer Series Gold Sponsors, turned on the style to emerge top of the pile in the pro division after shooting 2-over 74. He will compete with the other pro qualifiers for a 5-star golf holiday and a AED 5,000 winner’s cheque at the Mike Clark Golf Day. “I’m very happy with the result and looking forward to the final,” he said. “It’s a great series for a very good cause so I’d encourage other local pros to get involved.”

Reza Sazegar, Managing Director of Sixteen10, coorganisers of the Swing Against Cancer Golf Series, won Nearest the Pin on hole 8/17 of the nine-hole course to claim an executive health check provided

by Mediclinic while he turned provider for the Longest Drive

contest on hole 7/16, donating a US Open flag signed by Rory McIlroy to winner Andrew Dancox.

“It’s been a fantastic day and a great turnout at Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club,” said Sazegar. “We could not have asked for more. Hopefully the momentum will build for the next qualifier at The Els Club on May 18th.”

VOKEY WEDGE Titleist also ran a Nearest the Pin contest on hole 3/12 with each player testing their short game using a Vokey wedge which was also the prize, won

by David Gross.

Martin Duff, Director of Golf at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club, who also got involved by playing in the pro division, said: “The event is a great concept and we are delighted to host the opening qualifier of the series. It has been a great success and I can tell that everyone has enjoyed it. The variety of the prizes, the format, and the fact that people are coming from all over the country to play, with different standards; professionals, high handicappers and ladies as well, is great. I’m sure it will go from strength to strength and I hope we make a lot of money for this great cause.”

WHAT THE SPONSORS SAID:

DSA ARCHITECTS

David Riley, Senior Associate: “We are very pleased and proud to be associated with this event. We took part last year at the Montgomerie and from there we got more involved. We have got many clients lined up to take part as well and personally I’m very keen about this cause because my wife is recovering from cancer from five years ago, so anything to do with cancer charities I am all for it!”

MULTIPLEX

Petar Mladenovic Executive Director, New Business: “My golf should have been a lot better! But obviously we are here for a great cause and also to enjoy ourselves. It is a noble charity and us as Multiplex are a big company in terms of reaching to charities and cancer is one of our big charities that we like to sponsor.”

TITLEIST

Geoff Hunter, General Manager, Pro Sports International, Official Distributors: “We’re delighted to be supporting the Swing Against Cancer Golf Series. It’s a terrible disease that has touched most people – either directly or within their family – so we’re proud to be involved and looking forward to the rest of the events.”

ARABIAN GOLF LOCAL NEWS P67

LADIES INTERCLUB FINAL

W

ith the dust barely settled on the Worldwide Golf Open, the second event in the Swing Against Cancer Golf Series was hosted at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

This time it was a ‘ladies only’ affair with the Inter-Club Final doubling up as a SACGC qualifier as over 100 players battled it out over the National Course where Cindy Lee Pridgen took the spoils in the pro division with a score of 36 Stableford points. In the amateur division Glory Xavier emerged victorious with 37 points followed by Christiane Sprunck on 35, Martha Wong on 34 and Michelle Larter on 33.

“I’m thrilled to have qualified for the grand final in the Swing Against Cancer Golf Series,” said Pridgen. “This is a great way to bring people together and to raise money and awareness of cancer. I lost my mother to cancer almost 10 years ago now so this charity event hits close to home for me.”

Meanwhile in the Inter-Club Final, Abu Dhabi Golf Club took the overall spoils with 241 points from The Address Montgomerie Dubai with 228 and Jumeirah Golf Estates with 218. The best performing team on the

day was Emirates Golf Club with 260 points.

“It’s brilliant to have the support of Sandy Meyer from Women’s Golf Middle East and all the lady players here supporting the Swing Against Cancer Golf Series whilst competing for great prizes from some of our sponsors such as Ping, who gave away

a brand new fitted pink driver,” said Reza Sazegar, Managing Director of Sixteen10, co-organisers of the Swing Against Cancer Golf Series along with Worldwide Golf. “I’m sure this is a platform that we can use to grow awareness for our charity partner, Friends of Cancer Patients.”

GET INVOLVED AT THE DHL OPEN R

egistration is now open for the third event in the Swing Against Cancer Golf Series, the hotly anticipated DHL Open taking place at The Els Club on Thursday May 18th.

At the conclusion of the event three more amateurs and one professional will qualify for the Mike Clark Golf Day, set to feature former England rugby captain Mike Tindall and several other celebrities, with a DP World Tour Championship pro-am spot and a host of other fabulous prizes up for grabs.

“We are proud to partner with such a worthwhile and professional series that covers great networking and branding opportunities whilst supporting such an important charity,” said Elliot Santon, Regional Marketing Director, DHL. On the day there will again be lots of other amazing prizes up for grabs – a fitted Scotty Cameron putter, Seawings flights, signed golfing memorabilia, an executive Mediclinic Health Check and more.

Following the golf there will be a private BBQ with drinks to continue the party and fundraising through the evening.

“Cancer is an indiscriminate disease that profoundly effects the lives of millions of

people around the world each and every day, so we at The Els Club are delighted to be involved in such a worthy cause and play a part in creating awareness and by raising funds for cancer research,” said Chris Brown, General Manager at The Els Club.

“The Els Club has been involved in many charity events over the years and it’s always uplifting to see the enthusiasm and generosity of all involved and contribute to making these events an overwhelming success. I’m sure all those taking part in the Swing Against Cancer Golf Series will have a lot of fun over the qualifying stages and we wish all players the best of luck.”

To register your interest please email: info@sixteen-10.com; info@worldwidegolfme.com or members can contact the club directly.

Links Group Open Following hot on the heels of the DHL Open will be the Links Group Open at Dubai Creek Golf on May 19th where another three amateur spots and one pro spot in the Mike Clark Golf Day will be up for grabs.

To register for this event please contact the club directly.

E M I RATES GOLF F EDER ATIO N AL EMADI LEADS U-15 NATIONAL GOLF TEAM TO GCC CHAMPIONSHIP GOLD GOLD was the colour as the UAE Under-15s team clinched the top prize at this year’s GCC Championship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last month.

Leading the way was Rashid Al Emadi who captured the Gold Medal in the Individual Category as he helped his team to victory thanks to rounds of 85-87-85 for a total of 257. In addition to the success for the Under-15s the UAE Under-18s finished in fifth place.

After a month of practice at the Jumeirah Golf Estates European Tour Performance Institute (JGE -ETPI) the teams’ hard work paid off. During their time at the JGE-ETPI the teams worked on “Development of Short Game and Scoring” while preparing mentally for championship golf.

“My short game practice over the past few weeks really helped,” said Rashid. “My driver was working well but it was the focus around the greens that made the difference this weekend. I’d like to thank my team-mates and coaches for pushing me to do well. We are so happy to have won this medal for the UAE and I can’t wait to share this with my friends and family.”

Another solid performer for the Under-15s was Obaid Al Heloo as he won the Bronze Medal in the Individual Category with rounds of 90-89-84 for a total of 263. Rounding off the team was Khaled Al Mutawa who finished eigth in the Individual Category with rounds of 95-93-92 for a 280 total.

Mohammed Al Hajeri, Mohammed Abdulla Saeed, and Rashid Al Qubaisi represented the Under18s team, finishing in fifth place in the Individual Category, and missing the top three by just three

strokes was Mohammed Al Hajeri with rounds of 79-81-78 for a total of 238.

Mohammed Saeed Abdullah finished in 13th place and Rashid Al Qubaisi finished in 14th place for the UAE Team in the Individual Category. The Under-18s team gold medal went to Bahrain with Saudi Arabia taking silver.

“The Emirates Golf Federation is very proud of our

teams,” said National Team Manager and Emirates Golf Federation Secretary General, Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi. “All of these boys are a product of the National Junior Development Programme and this shows that our pathway and programmes will continue producing young talent. This is just the start for these boys. We are looking to keep them focused and continue to develop their skills.”

E M I RATES GOLF CL UB ALISON MUIRHEAD SEALS THE LADIES AMATEUR OPEN HOME player Alison Muirhead shot an excellent 1-under-par 71 on the Majlis course to win this year’s Emirates Ladies Amateur Open, successfully defending her title by finishing three clear of Cheng Kim Chiang from Arabian Ranches.

In third place was Chantal El-Chaib from Abu Dhabi Golf Club with a 76 while in the Net Division the top three players were all home members.

Leading the way was Martha Wong as she defeated Hyeonji Kang on a countback with third place going to Lady Captain Maura Duggan.

SPAIN CLAIM VICTORY IN THE LADIES NATIONS CUP

GUPTAS TRIUMPH ON VIPEN SETHI’S SUCCESSFUL CAPTAIN’S DAY THIS year’s Captain’s Day saw Rohit Gupta and Jayshree Gupta combine to score 43 points to win the team event, which was held on a day to celebrate the new reign of Club Captain Vipen Sethi.

Finishing one point back were Suresh Shewakramani and Kurup Devanand as they defeated the pair of Kuttan Malattiri and Elizabeth Agha on a countback.

The day started in traditional fashion, with the Captain hitting the ceremonial opening drive on the first hole, and competitors were invited to guess the length of the Captain’s drive. There were two correct guesses, with Yana Jamieson and David Waite both correctly guessing 217 yards – no mean feat in the strong winds of the day.

THE Spanish duo of Monica Palao and Gema Blanco shot a superb Pairs Betterball score of 44 to win by one ahead of the Netherlands pairing of Ingrid Lind and Thea Hendrickx. The Netherlands duo sealed second place ahead of the Korean team of Hyun Kyung Bae and Young OK Kim by virtue of a better back nine countback.

SANJAY DHANDSA CROWNED CLUB CHAMPION

SANJAY Dhandsa emerged victorious over a tightly packed field to win this year’s Club Championship title with a 4-over-par total over two rounds on the Faldo and Majlis courses.

Dhandsa came out on top of a field of 55, defeating Rohit Gupta and Kooros Daneshvar by three strokes after he followed a 74 with another solid knock of 74 to take the spoils. Seven players were within three strokes of Dhandsa’s lead going into Day Two on the Majlis and Dhandsa stayed firm as many of the players fell back on the more difficult Majlis course.

In Division ‘A’ Surjit Namli topped the pile with scores of 71-69 for a 4-under total and a one-shot win over Rajinder Razdan while in Division ‘B’ Tauseef Khan shot a level-par total to win by two from Wookhwan Kim.

ARABIAN GOLF LOCAL NEWS P69 D U B AI CREEK GOL F C LUB MIRZA THE BLACK TO BLACK CHAMPION MIKI Mirza shot a superb round of 2-over-par 73 to win the Titleist Back to Black Men’s Open by three strokes from Bayhaan Lakdawala and Edoardo Galeppina.

Warren Panting shot a net 73 to clinch the net title by virtue of a better back nine over Jordan Ryan with Yasser Refai third, one stroke back.

SAVAGE ON TOP IN THE MEDAL KEVIN Savage clinched the fourth OMA Emirates Medal Championship of the year after a superb 3-under-par 68 earned him a two-stroke victory.

Coming out on top in Division ‘A’ was Ishwar Jodha with a countback win over fellow members Shezad Lakdawala and Ashok Sindhu after the trio all returned a net 71 while countback was also needed to crown a winner in Division ‘B’. Emerging victorious was Ashok Kumar as he downed Colm O’Farrel and Ashok Ahuja while the best gross prize on the day went to Bayhaan Lakdawala with a 72.

THREE MORE PAIRS BOOK THEIR FINAL PLACE IN LINKS GROUP THE seventh edition of this season’s Links Group Pairs event took place last week and saw three more pairs qualify for the Grand Final later this month.

A fantastic performance from Robert Platt and Ole Bernard Sealey saw them book their spot with a 45-point haul while the two other pairs to qualify were Julian Danby and Richard Hughes and Matthais Trinler and Fahd Chaudhry.

D U B AI CREEK GOL F C LUB EDDIE RAMAGE AND ELLI OSCHMANN CLINCH RIVOLI MEDALS EDDIE Ramage and Elli Oschmann clinched the Men’s and Ladies’ respective gross prizes in last month’s Rivoli Medal. Ramage won via a countback over Peter Lane after both players has shot a 75 while Oschmann carded an 82 for a four-stroke win over Heather Totten.

In Division ‘A’ Chris Miller shot a 71 to win by one from Chris Burkill while in Division ‘B’ a 68 was good enough for Mark Barge to win by one from Bard Poulsson. The Ladies Net Division saw Nicola Breeze win on a countback over Sheila Alban after both tied on 72.

THE ADDRESS MONTGOMERIE DUBAI

PAUL PITMAN TRIUMPHANT IN MONTGOMERIE CLUB CHAMPINSHIP Paul Pitman won the Club Championships’ Men’s Gross at the Montgomerie Golf Club carding 156, while Chris Roberts came in second with 164.

Quentin Morel won the Men’s ‘A’ Net category as he defeated Farhan Yaqub on a countback for a net 149.

Alan Salem claimed the Men’s ‘B’ Net title after carding a 143. Second place went to Simon Ford as he scored a net 149 on a countback.

The Men’s ‘C’ Stableford title was won by John Norton after racking up 68 points, while Rupprecht Queitsch collected 66 points to finish runner-up.

Young Cho was victorious in the Ladies Gross category as she carded net 164 while Kerry Fitzpatrick scored a net 179 to take second place.

Elizabeth Samuel won the Ladies Net title with a 135 and Sam Salem came second with a 146.

Anne Marie Queitsch secured the Ladies ‘B’ Stableford title after scoring 64 points, while Oksana Hess came in second with 60 points.

GREAT FUN IN MASTERS PAR-3 EVENT

TOM FREER AND EMMA ROOMS ‘DODGE’ THEIR OPPONENTS

THE Par-3 Academy hosted a ‘Masters Par-3’ event to coincide with The Masters and the fourplayer team that came out on top with a gross 21 were Ed McDonald, Max Rauch, Paul Bryson and Bryan Gray. The Trackman Long Drive Challenge was won Richard Chudzynski, Chris Valentine and Christiano Integlia. In addition, there was a rare hole-in-one on the fifth hole by Tom Treacy.

TOM Freer won the Men’s Division and Emma Rooms clinched the Ladies Division in the recent Dodge Challenge Individual Stableford competition. Freer compiled 41 points to win by one from Matthew Derrick with Giovanni Galeppini in second, one point further back, while Rooms scored 40 points to seal a three-point win from Antonia Galeppini.

THE TRACK, MEYDAN GOLF HARRADINE MASTERS MEYDAN TO TAKE MEN’S OPEN TITLE MICHAEL Harradine finished top of the pile ahead of some of the region’s leading amateur talents with a superb nine stroke victory at this year’s AGMC Men’s Open.

Harradine opened with a course-record 69 and followed it with a level-par 72 to finish well clear of Steven Kelbrick, Nathan Fisher and Ahmad Skaik.

In the Net Division Krishiv Tekchandani took the spoils with a 148 total ahead of Rakesh Shah.

ABU DHABI CITY GOLF CLUB

YAS LINKS ABU DHABI CROMBIE CLINCHES AUDI MEDAL ALASTAIR Crombie shot a superb gross 73 to win the recent Audi Medal while Irju Choi clinched the top spot in Division ‘A’ with a net 72, three clear of Charles Hardy.

The spoils in Division ‘B’ went to John Sommers with an excellent net 68, four shots ahead of Neil Santer.

SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB GRAHAM BIRNIE AND EMILY SIEGEL CROWNED CLUB CHAMPIONS

THIS year’s Club Championship was played over a breezy weekend with a field of 98 players teeing off, and coming out on top were Graham Birnie and Emily Siegel thanks to two solid displays. Birnie shot rounds of 76 and 75 for a 151 tally while Siegel won the title for the fourth consecutive year, firing rounds of 79 and 84 for a 163 total.

PAYNE WINS BLACK TEE PRO’S SIMON Payne won the Pro’s Competition during last month’s Black Tee Challenge with a superb course-record round of 78 in tricky, windy conditions. The team prize went to Sam Markram, Mick Fuerste, Theuns Webb and Craig Hanson who combined to score 74 points.

▶

SHARJAH GOLF AND SHOOTING CLUB FISHER LANDS HIS FOURTH NATHAN Fisher clinched his fourth Malaysia Truly Asia Club Championship title, sealing a 9-stroke victory with a two-day total of twounder-par 142.

Fisher, who won the event in 2012, 2013 and 2015, opened with a superb gross 69 and produced a second-round 73 to hold off John Mills, defending champion Paul Nightingale and Mike Robson.

Max Hibbert won the Net Division by 8 shots, shooting 69 and 65 for a 134 total. Overnight leader Mukti Rai fell back on the second day to a level-par total score while Ben Mulvaney posted scores of 72-70 for two-under and finish runnerup. Rising star Jamie Camero won the Ladies Division by seven strokes from M.Y. Cho.

ROY HOLMES DEFIES THE RAIN TO WIN ON A rare rainy day in Sharjah, Roy Holmes clinched the Unitechnik Medal with a countback win over Adam Smith. The pair both compiled 34 Stableford points in the tough conditions but Holmes’ superior back nine tally saw him take the spoils. Smith missed out on the overall prize but took the honours in Division 1 while Raymi Van Der Spek came out on top in Division 2. Mike Robson won the Gross Division with a haul of 33 points.

DAVID MURPHY TAKES THE CENTRO MEDAL IN STYLE DAVID Murphy clinched the recent Centro Medal in rollercoaster fashion after bouncing back from a clutch of

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early bogeys with two late net eagles for a net 34 over the nine holes and a one-stroke win over M.Y. Cho.

CONARES GOLF SOCIETY LEAGUE

Clockwise from left: The Indian Expats (green shirts), the Happy Hookers, Sport2Business (2) (white shirts) and the winning KEGS (yellow shirts) pictured at the completion of the 2016/17 Conares Golf Society League.

KEGS DOMINATE TO WIN CONARES GOLF SOCIETY LEAGUE FINAL THE KEGS team (below) took control after gaining some early momentum and sealed a 6-0 whitewash against the Sport2Business (2) team to win the 2016/17 Conares Golf Society League final last month.

Match one saw Chris Redley and Mike Townsend win a 5&4 match against Michael Lennon and Peter Donaldson and that set the tone for what was to come.

In the second match Alastair Wooley and Marc McCallum clinched a hard-fought 2-up victory over Shiraaz Joosub and Ron Barden, which earned them the overall title.

Wooley and McCallum were cruising towards

victory at 3-up on the 15th but they then lost the next two holes to set up an interesting finale on the 18th.

Joosub and Barden could have forced a play-off and kept the trophy within reach had they won the final hole, but it wasn’t to be as Wooley and McCallum took the 18th to seal the Championship.

Sport2Business (2) won their semi-final match against the Indian Expats in superb fashion to reach the final, but couldn’t replicated their form against an inspired KEGS unit.

The KEGS team sneaked past the Happy Hookers in a play-off to earn a shot against

Sport2Business (2). They have been a part of the Golf Society League since Day One but as yet have never taken the Championship – until now.

The third place match between Indian Expats and the Happy Hookers was another wellcontested event with the experience of the Expats shining through over the last few holes to take both games.

In the Captain’s, Sponsors and Patrons Challenge, which ran alongside the Final, Andrew Thom took the overall title with an impressive haul of 39 Stableford points, closely followed by Gurbax Singh on 38 and Ryan Glenn from the KEGS on 37.

ARABIAN GOLF LOCAL NEWS P73 AL AIN EQUESTRIAN, SHOOTING & GOLF CLUB

GOLF DXB

ROBERT HORRIDGE FINALLY GETS HIS HANDS ON CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE SCRATCH player Robert Horridge shot a superb gross score of 143 (72,71) to win this year’s Club Championship by eight shots from defending champion Wajahat Chaudhry with Mihail Bucataru finishing third on 155.

Doug Angus won the Net Title with a five-stroke win over Bader Miles with David Miles finishing third, while in Division ‘A’ Justin Jones clinched a two-stroke win over Ronan Barrett.

The Division ‘B’ prize went to Phil Miller as he edged out Nathan Robin by virtue of his better second round score of 66. Youngster Sakura Kawakami signed for rounds of 81 and 86 as she eased to a second consecutive Ladies Club Championship title. Kawakami opened up a 14-stroke lead going into day two and eventually wound up winning by 24 shots from Karen Gladish.

Charmaine Bakker sealed the Ladies Net title with a 143 total, two clear of Lady Captain Hye Sook Jee.

JOSH HILL RUNS AWAY WITH THE FALDO SERIES TITLE BY 19 SHOTS THREE consecutive rounds under par was more than enough for +2 handicapper Josh Hill of Jumeriah Golf Estates to win this year’s Gross title in the Faldo Series Middle East Championship.

Rounds of 68, 68 and 69 at Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club earned him the Boys Under-16 title by 19 shots from Max Cashmore.

Solid scores of 69, 74 and 71 gave Arkesh Bhatia a five-shot win over Emarati golfer Abdullah Al Qubaisi in the Boys Under-21 event while the Boys Under-18 title went to Denmark’s Mikkel Mathiesen with a 209 total, two clear of Hoshi Yadav.

The Girls Under-16 title went to Sahana Paravantavida as she closed out a three-shot win over home player Sakura Kawakami, while the Under-21 prize was clinched by Anastasia Bakal as she overcame Alison Muirhead by four strokes.

The overall Net Prize on the day went to Italian Luca Guida with a 199 while the Boys Net title went

BY TOM GREEN

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to Oliver Watters, three clear of Daniel Whittaker.

The Girls’ Net prize went to Tatyana Mogire, six shots ahead of Hyeon Ji Kang.

MAX BURROW DIGS DEEP TO WIN THE MEN’S OPEN BY ONE SHOT MAX Burrow shot a superb final round 68 to post a 141 total and seal a narrow one-stroke win over Steven Kelbriek in this year’s Men’s Open. Third place went to Denmark’s Mikkel Mathiesen while in the Net Division Konstantin Varga left the field in his wake as he followed an opening 66 with a 59 to

SUMMER IS COMING…

win by 13 shots from fellow ARSGC member Gerry Madden with Laurent Truquet taking third place.

In Division ‘A’ Adam Zahri took the spoils with a 141 tally, three clear of Sam McDowell, while in Division ‘B’ Phil Miller clinched a one-stroke win over Wayne Turner.

DOHA GOLF CLUB

e can all feel it. The weather is hotting up and no doubt, like me, you’re all avoiding those midday tee times like the plague. It’s never a good sign when you come off the driving range having hit a few balls and already look like you’ve played 36 holes.

It’s this time of year I always get involved in some late night golfing. I know this sounds obvious but find yourself a good night golf course and enjoy a few holes in the relative cool of the evening. We’re based at Meydan Golf, so if I’m hitting balls you can bet that I’m taking advantage of their floodlit course and range. Setting that alarm clock for the first tee of the day can also be a good tactic but I find that in Dubai it can still stay humid in the mornings, so night golf is the way forward for me.

Ramadan is also a great time to improve your golf game with early finishes from work. Be sure to download the worldwide golf app to get a free lesson with us at Golf DXB and we can make a plan to have your game in shape for the summer months. Come June your game will be in great shape ready to hit the courses and make the most of the fantastic summer golf offers available across the UAE. Look out for The Track, Meydan Golf’s wildcard offer aswell, which is a real winner and great location for both day and night golf!

AYLA GOLF CLUB, JORDAN MIKKEL MATHIESON CHARGES TO PRIMEPOWER VICTORY MIKKEL Mathieson was in great touch as he sealed last month’s PrimePower Medal with a gross 70 for a net 68. The 16-year-old carded four birdies, and an eagle on the driveable par-4 16th, on his way to victory. In Division ‘2’ Richard Bolton carded a net 69 to win while David Barker emerged victorious in Division ‘3’.

RICK BARTLETT WINS THE ‘MASTERS’ MONTHLY OPEN RICK Bartlett rallied to win last month’s Monthly Open – played on the same weekend as The Masters at Augusta – with a level par 72 which included three birdies. France’s Jean Paul Arcidiacano took second place after losing on a countback to Bartlett with third place going to Mark McGee. The Ladies Division was won by Cherehzade Boocha Pedder with a net 69, six strokes clear of Nguyen Thi Chau Anh.

AKL GOES LOW TO WIN THE JORDAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP RACHID AKL was crowned the 2017 Jordan Open Champion after carding a gross total of 241 over three days of play at Ayla Golf Club, Aqaba, Jordan. The field was divided into 3-day and 2-day entrants, with players competing for the Gross and Net honours playing three rounds, and the Stableford competition played over two. The Stableford title was won by Iyad Shehadeh with a 65-point haul, four clear of Luisa Sartor with Javiee Canseco third with 52 points.

Taking the honours in the Net event was Salim El Zein with a convincing victory by 12 strokes ahead of Omar El Jamil.

Verdura Resort Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte hotel, is one of Europe’s premier contemporary luxury golf and lifestyle destinations, the host venue of the new European Tour event, The Rocco Forte Open – Verdura, from May 18 - 21.

Destinations

Courses

LE GOLF NATIONAL FRANCE

THE DUTCH THE NETHERLANDS

MAXX ROYAL BELEK GOLF RESORT TURKEY

BLACK MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB & RESORT THAILAND

DIAMOND COUNTRY CLUB AUSTRIA

MOUNT JULIET ESTATE IRELAND

PGA CATALUNYA RESORT SPAIN

ALBATROSS GOLF RESORT CZECH REPUBLIC

JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

BOM SUCESSO PORTUGAL

LIGHTHOUSE GOLF & SPA RESORT BULGARIA

TROIA RESORT PORTUGAL

SAUJANA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB MALAYSIA

CONSTANCE BELLE MARE PLAGE MAURITIUS

LONDON GOLF CLUB UNITED KINGDOM TERRE BLANCHE HOTEL SPA GOLF RESORT***** FRANCE

LINNA GOLF FINLAND QUINTA DO LAGO PORTUGAL ESTONIAN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB ESTONIA KUNSÄNGEN GOLF CLUB SWEDEN

Destination Under Development

MARCO SIMONE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB ITALY

ROSSINGTON HALL UNITED KINGDOM

GOLF CLUB ST.LEON-ROT GERMANY

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www.europeantourproperties.com

About European Tour Properties European Tour Properties is a network of world class golf venues, all of which have a close relationship with the European Tour, one of the game’s leading global sporting organisations.

Our internationally-recognised network currently spans Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia.

We are proud to present a collection of Member Venues that all boast the hallmark of tournament quality and which offer extensive off-course facilities guaranteed to provide a memorable golfing experience for members and visitors alike.

Many of them are close to famous cities and all offer a wealth of golf, leisure and accommodation choices. For those seeking the ultimate golfing lifestyle, a number of our Member Venues offer elegant and secluded real-estate opportunities.

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e m a G r u o Y e Rais with the ion t a r e d e F f l irates Go

Em

Emirates Golf Federation membership is now just

AED 600

Discounted Individual Membership Fee

AED 1,050

Discounted Couple Membership Fee

• An official USGA handicap recognized worldwide • Ability to enter to play in club events and competitions requiring an official handicap • An online handicap management system - Golferscard.ae • Discounted green fees at UAE Golf Clubs • Membership Benefits Program with special offers from partners of the EGFGolfer’s Insurance • Insider volunteer opportunities and special ticket offers at Professional Golf tournaments held in the UAE *Only applicable for new adult members

www.egfgolf.com | info@egfgolf.com

www.europeantourproperties.com

L

OCATED on the southern coast of Sicily and set in 230 hectares of stunning landscape overlooking the Mediterranean, the Verdura Resort offers golfing guests and families a 5* facility, two 18-hole championship courses and a 9-hole par-three course, all designed by world-renowned golf architect Kyle Phillips.

In addition, there is an award-winning 4,000sqm spa, six tennis courts, a 60m two-tiered infinity pool, numerous watersports, one football pitch, a 170sqm fully-equipped gym, four restaurants, five bars and a collection of running trails through olive and lemon groves. There is a 1.8km stretch of private coastline to enjoy, too!

The East Course is ranked as one of the finest in continental Europe while its beautiful West Course provides the ideal complement and features one of the most memorable finishes anywhere in the world with the final four holes set alongside the Mediterranean.

The courses are matched by outstanding practice amenities, including a double-ended driving range and an excellent golf academy.

New European Tour Event The resort plays host to the new European Tour event, The Rocco Forte Open – Verdura, from May 18-21, and is the latest addition to the European Tour Properties portfolio.

Taking place a week before the BMW PGA Championship, which heralds the start of the new Rolex Series on the European Tour, The Rocco Forte Open – Verdura is set to feature some of the top-ranked players in Europe as they put the finishing touches to their preparations for the summer ahead in Europe.

Within just a short time, the stunning resort, has firmly put itself on Europe’s golfing map, with its new status as a European Tour Destination entirely complementing its forthcoming status as a tournament host.

For further information visit: www.roccofortehotels.com/verdura-resort

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STAY AND PLAY IN BAKU Only 2½ hours from Dubai “Baku is a great place to visit for golfers and non-golfers alike with lots of fantastic outdoor restaurants and cafés and the famous Boulevard promenade which runs alongside the Caspian shore.” phil jones, gm,dreamland gc

T

hroughout the majority of the Middle East, the looming summer months spark a certain amount of trepidation among all but the most robust golfers.

Searing temperatures and smothering humidity mean that most of us confine our rounds to either early mornings or late afternoons. Many of us pack the clubs away altogether and only dust them off when we’re travelling to some far flung international destination.

But did you know that there is a destination reachable in only 2½ hours from Dubai (2 hours 50 minutes from Doha) where the mercury rarely surpasses 35˚C even at the height of summer and it’s possible to play until the sun sets at around 8.30pm. Throw into the mix, world-class golf and five-star hotel luxury at affordable prices and it

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becomes clear that Baku in Azerbaijan is a real hidden gem.

Dreamland Golf Club has partnered with the exquisite Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers to offer a weekend stay and play package not to be missed by Middle East golfers. Situated close to downtown, Baku’s luminous shopping and restaurant scene, the Fairmont offers a fully-equipped health club, spa by ESPA, exquisite dining and rapturous views – it’s one destination non-golfers will be equally keen on.

This option offers golfers the chance to play Dreamland Golf Club’s wonderful 18-hole Cynthia Dye designed championship course.

The package can is tailored to include daily transfers from the Fairmont Flame Towers Baku, Golf Cart Hire, and Complimentary use of range balls with hire clubs available.

COMPETITION

A TWO NIGHT TWO ROUND STAY AT THE FAIRMONT FLAME TOWERS BAKU IS PRICED AT: Single Double

With flight options leaving the UAE each Thursday, enjoy tee times Friday and Saturday morning, before returning on an afternoon flight. For those wishing to make the most of Baku’s outdoor restaurant and café culture why not stay an extra night and return on the scheduled Sunday flights.

“I think many people in Dubai and places like Qatar don’t realise how close Azerbaijan is and how much more bearable the temperature is for golf, especially during the summer,” said Phil Jones, General Manager, Dreamland Golf Club.

“There’s also a lot going on and Baku is a great place to visit for golfers and nongolfers alike with lots of fantastic outdoor restaurants and cafés and the famous Boulevard promenade which runs alongside the Caspian shore.

“Of course we also have the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in June which is a wonderful event and attracts a lot of visitors.”

What’s more, Worldwide Golf readers are being given the exclusive chance to win one of these awesome packages as well as return flights from Dubai by entering our competition.

TRAVEL TIPS Daily flights to Baku with Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) www.azal.az and Fly Dubai www.flydubai.com

540 USD 820 USD

THE AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX On Sunday 25th of June Baku will host the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Combine your golf stay with watching what is guaranteed to be an exciting battle on the city’s street circuit, www.bakucitycircuit.com

For stay and play package offers please contact info@dreamlandgolfclub.com or view www.dreamlandgolfclub.com

COMPETITION

FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A STAY AND PLAY PACKAGE INCLUDING

• Two night stay at the Fairmont Flame Towers Baku • Two rounds of golf at Dreamland Golf Club including Cart & Club Hire • Two return flights from Dubai International Airport

SIMPLY ANSWER THIS SIMPLE QUESTION: BAKU HOSTED ITS INAUGURAL F1 GRAND PRIX IN 2016, ALTHOUGH NOW RETIRED NAME THE DRIVER WHO WON THE COUNTRY’S FIRST RACE IN 2016?

TO ENTER VISIT: WORLDWIDE.GOLF *Offer valid from 1st of July 2017 – 30th October 2017 –based on two people sharing a twin room accommodation

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5

FIVE THINGS

THINGS YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME…

R oss Fisher

AGE: 36 FROM: ASCOT, ENGLAND TURNED PROFESSIONAL: 2004 PROFESSIONAL TOUR WINS: 5

M Y C UR R E N T CAR I S LOUD E N O U G H TO S E T O F F OTHER CAR AL AR M S !

I LOV E PLAYI NG V IDEO GA M ES A ND MY FAVOU R IT E H AS TO BE F IFA . I MOSTLY P LAY ONLINE A ND MY SON A ND DAU GH T E R QUITE ENJOY GIV ING M E A G A ME AS WELL .

I AM G O O D F R I E ND S W I T H N E W LY PR O M OT E D B R I GHTO N & HOV E AL B I O N ’ S G OAL K E E PE R , DAVI D STO C K DAL E . O U R DAU G HT E R S US ED TO G O TO S C HO O L TO G E T HE R .

I H AT E M A R M IT E I CA N’ T STA ND IT !

I F I WAS N OT A G O L F E R I WO UL D LOV E TO S E LL S U PE R CAR S. I A M A PE T R O L- HE AD A ND M Y F I R ST CAR WAS CITROEN IX

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