Worldwide Golf October 2020

T H E M I D D L E E A S T ’ S N O .1 G O L F M A G A Z I N E

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1999

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2020

JUSTIN HARDING

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EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Gary Player: Golf course designers need to look after the planet not destroy it.

DeChambeau can drive nine greens at St Andrews!

We are running out of space and resources. Something has to change and quickly.

T

he importance of golf to the environment is paramount all around the world and the wildlife and birdlife on our golf courses plays an integral role to the atmosphere that nature creates. Golf course designers globally regard the presence of mother nature a vital ingredient for the enjoyment of the game, safeguarding the site by introducing wetlands and woodland.

Nature was at the forefront of the course we created at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club in Abu Dhabi which secured the Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Certified Property Award, so it was a wonderful milestone for us to announce the sighting of an extremely rare migratory bird called the Steppe Whimbrel, recently identified and photographed on the lake at Saadiyat.

My brother, Ian, was a world-leading conservationist and had a passion for wildlife. On my farm in South Africa we have 124 different species of birds and every morning I would call them to feed from my verandah. I’ve always had a special affinity for birds and when I heard that the Steppe Whimbrel had been seen on the golf course, I had goose pimples. I believe that we now have a total of 183 bird species recorded at Saadiyat and the number is increasing.

I recently spoke on television, criticising that trees on golf courses worldwide are being cut down, in some cases trees that have been there for 80 years or more. Thankfully, this would never happen in Britain. We had to lose trees in Britain during the War, but for good reason.

Look at some of the ‘superstar’ golf courses of the world - places like Pine Valley, Augusta National, Royal Melbourne and Wentworth among countless others – they’re tree-lined. But there seems to be a fad at the moment that you’ve got to cut your trees down to let air and sunlight getting to the course.

It’s absolute nonsense. The sun comes from above, and if you want more of a breeze then you just need to thin the trees out a bit, you certainly don’t have to cut them down. What’s happening is pure madness. Those responsible know nothing about nature. They decide to take down the trees because either the architects or green keepers say ‘cut them down’ and they do it. What is happening is an environmental tragedy.

I went to play Tiger Woods’ first public golf course in Missouri as part of The Payne’s Valley Cup to celebrate its opening and it was very enjoyable.

But I must comment on the par-3 19th hole. I have – never seen anything quite so spectacular before.

Both Jack Nicklaus, myself, Tom Fazio, Ben Crenshaw and now Tiger have all built golf courses there at Big Cedar Lodge. It has five courses. I built a 13-hole par-3 golf course, which is really taking off because the people can come in, have breakfast and play 13 short holes – some regular par-3-length and then some around 100 yards - and then they’re off back home in a matter of a few hours. It’s certainly worth seeing. It’s got the whole of the history of the West under the clubhouse! It’s got shark-diving, hunting and fishing. It was good to see Tiger swinging very

nicely. He can still hit it a good distance and he was happy and smiling.

The subject of weight training was discussed and I recalled that I started working out in 1944, when my brother went to War. He gave me a set of weights, and worked out with Frank Stranahan who was second to Ben Hogan at the 1953 Open at Carnoustie. He and I were the only two players doing weights. We were heavily ridiculed but, as the saying goes, ‘he who laughs last laughs best.’

Thank goodness Tiger came along when he did and continued to prove his point. Then along came Rory and a host of others. The golf media blamed players for weight training whenever a player was off form, saying it hampers the way they play golf.

Now, the game has produced Bryson DeChambeau, who has just won the US Open and he’s exercising well. He’s a hard worker and a true gentleman. The golf media have continued to tease him, calling him ‘The Scientist’ but again, who’s laughing all the way to the bank?

There’s nothing worse than someone who thinks they have a superior attitude on a particular subject, because they will meet someone with more knowledge than them and then realise they’re not really that superior.

Admiration for Bryson’s work ethic

I admire Bryson’s work ethic because it’s something I did all my life. I used to stay on the range and practice until dark after finishing a round.

So, there he was on Saturday evening before the final round of the US Open, practicing. I said to my family: ‘He will win tomorrow.’

Bryson certainly looks like he’s got ‘it.’ I can’t say that for sure yet, because only about 14 people in the history of golf have ever had ‘it’, but he’s going to be interesting to follow. He weighs 230lbs now and he says he wants to get to 245lbs for The Masters.

Bryson has a magnificent golf swing. If you break it down into pieces it’s a ten out of ten swing. Very few people understand the basic theory of the game and there are certain things in the swing that are essential, and he has those ingredients. So far, it’s all working well for him, and he has brought golf to another level.

One thing I can be sure of is that in a short space of time, players will be hitting it a long way past where he currently hits it. Sooner than later there are big, strong athletes who might play sports like Rugby or American Football, who will come to golf because of golf’s longevity and the attractive prize-money on offer.

I can predict that we haven’t seen anything yet. Therefore, it’s about time that the people I admire at the R&A and the USGA will have to do something with the golf ball. Because, right now, DeChambeau can drive nine greens at St Andrews – the Home of Golf. It’s frightening to think about. It’s going to make so many great golf courses obsolete. We can’t make them any longer because we’re running out of space and water – and the members don’t want to see their golf courses ruined. ■

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EDITOR’S LETTER ALEX GALLEMORE

Golf ’s mercenaries hold the key to the future

W

ith all sports, the controlling influence on everything is television figures. The higher the number of viewers, the larger the purse and the financial ripples radiate through that particular sport.

So what gets the numbers? Team sports have local support and when an iconic player dons the relevant jersey the global appeal for that team is super-charged.

Manchester City FC were prepared to pay Lionel Messi €700 million before the superstar opted to stay at FC Barcelona – but why? They would have run the numbers on what the elevated global television audience would amount to and how the club would increase their worldwide appeal even further. The same would have applied to the LA Lakers when they signed free agent LeBron James from Cleveland two years ago.

Team sports are easy to fathom, but golf is truly on its own, as golf fans aren’t loyal to a specific club – but they do want to be amazed.

Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus kick-started the whole thing in America and then Seve ignited it in Europe. As those greats of the game faded, golf went on a downward spiral, until Tiger Woods burst onto the scene in the late 1990s Television figures rocketed, thanks to his brilliance and he brought golf into mainstream broadcasting. But with Tiger battling against injury once more, golf’s ‘Golden Goose’ might be on the brink of flying into the sunset. When he failed to play at the 2017 Masters due to injury, the television numbers dropped dramatically, and despite the compelling play-off between Ryder Cup stars Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia, it was down by 21% compared to when Tiger was previously in the field.

The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated many companies around

the world and sponsorship money will be even harder to attract for all sports. So, the importance for brand exposure will be greater than ever and all sports globally will be fighting for many of the same brands.

So where does this leave golf? It’s challenging not merely financially for the Tours but also logistically. Players won’t want to travel much outside their bubbles right now and many of the big names have cut their schedules right back.

This means many televised events outside the Majors are without the household names and, as a result, the television numbers are suffering.

Before COVID the monstrous prize money would attract the big name players, but now those stars need to take a calculated risk.

When they have to take into consideration the cost of flying privately and all the added costs during the event, along with the risk of being tested positive, they could quite easily be hugely out of pocket and be forced to miss other events due to having to self isolate.

As a spectator, I’m not overly concerned about how much prize money they win. It’s just a number. I am more concerned about who is playing, and that seems to be the thought of most golf fans I’ve spoken to. Before Tiger burst onto the scene tournaments attracted fans by paying appearance money to a handful of big names who people wanted to watch.

Those players were more likely to play, as they were guaranteed income and they could make the relevant financial calculations. The prize money wasn’t huge, but it elevated television figures and gave sponsors what they needed. Plus, the fans had household names to watch, while at the same time giving other players the opportunity to shine. For once, the formula to save not just the game of golf but sport itself might be to look backwards and not forwards.

ISSUE No.228 OCTOBER 2020 • 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, Thomas Wragg, Ashraf Ahmed, Jordan Smith • 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 • 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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CONTENTS 12

COLUMN

COLUMN

46

COLUMN

47

49

Starter

Pete Cowen

David Howell

Adri Arnaus

All the latest news from around the global game and we look back ten years to a young Italian’s breakthrough on Tour.

Master PGA Professional Pete Cowen thinks introducing a ball that spins more will curtail the 300+ yard drives.

European Tour stalwart David Howell takes a look at the modern evolution of golf, which Bryson DeChambeau looks to be taking to the next level.

The Dubai-based Spanish ace looks ahead to a busy autumn schedule as he targets another ticket to the DP World Tour Championship.

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Rasmus Højgaard There’s a new kid on the block with 19 year old Rasmus Højgaard making a name for himself with two European Tour wins in his Rookie year. The Dane has big plans for the future but is taking it one step at a time as he aims to emulate his idol, Rory McIlroy.

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32

40

The Masters preview

Sami Välimäki

Justin Harding

With an unprecedented new slot on the calendar, we look ahead to The Masters next month and assess how the course might play and who could come out on top at Augusta National.

We talk to the Oman Open champion about his hopes for Race to Dubai glory after an impressive UK Swing saw him book a maiden Major appearance at the US Open.

South Africa’s globetrotting star talks us through his rise from the Sunshine Tour to European Tour winner, his unconventional putter and a second Masters appearance next month.

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CONTENTS 28

World-class golf returns to Saudi Arabia The Middle East is set to welcome back top level golf in historic style with the announcement that Royal Greens Golf Club in Saudi Arabia will play host to a world-first $1.5million golf week on the Ladies European Tour.

GEAR

52 INSTRUCTION

Enable your mechanics with the JC Flow Allow your body and club to work with natural mechanics with this signature drill by Jonathon Craddock, PGA Professional at Emirates Golf Club.

50

Swing Easy at The Els Club Golfers can get their hands on the hottest products on the market and enjoy a top-class fitting service at the brand new Swing Easy hardware store.

How to play the 3rd hole on the Fire course at JGE Jackson Bell, Teaching Professional at Jumeirah Golf Estates, talks us through the options in playing the tricky 3rd hole on the Fire course.

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THE JUNIOR MASTERS OPEN GOLF TOUR 2020 - 2021 ROUND 1

ROUND 7

Saadiyat Beach Junior Open

Abu Dhabi City Golf Club Junior Open

31st October 2020

30th January 2021

ROUND 2

ROUND 8

JA Junior Open

Meydan Junior Open

14th November 2020

27th February 2021

ROUND 3

ROUND 9

Abu Dhabi Junior Open

Yas links Junior Open

1st December 2020

27th March 2021

ROUND 4

ROUND 10

Arabian Ranches Junior Open

The ELS Junior Open

5th December 2020

10th April 2021

ROUND 5

ROUND 11

Dubai Hills Junior Open

Address Montgomerie Junior Open

19th December 2020

15th May 2021

ROUND 6

Tower Links Junior Open 9th January 2021

BAL JUNIOR GLO

GOLF RANKINGS

THE FIRS T GLOBAL RANKING JUNIOR TOUR IN THE REGION

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THE PGA TOUR HEADS TO S VEGAS FOR THE CJ CUP

THE COURSE Shawdow Creek Golf Club

C

reated out in the dust on the outskirts of Las Vegas, Shadow Creek Golf Course sticks out on a map much like Emirates Golf Club did back in its early days in Dubai as a green oasis among a desert landscape.

Built in 1990 and owned by MGM Resorts, Shadow Creek got its first taste of hosting competitive golf two years ago when Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson went head-to-head in an 18-hole shootout for $9m.

This year it makes its PGA Tour debut as it stages the CJ Cup – originally scheduled to be played in South Korea – but moved to the USA due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shadow Creek was designed by renowned architect Tom Fazio, and with its dramatic undulation, spectacular waterfalls and deep blue lakes – all framed by a mountain backdrop – he believes it is one of the most unique course experiences in the world.

The par-72 course features an array of memorable holes and has been a fixture on the celebrity circuit for many years, with NBA legend Michael Jordan hosting his Invitational event at the venue for the final four years of its 13 year run.

With so many aesthetic distractions, the course itself offers a solid test and requires plenty of strategic throught.

In their 2018 Thanksgiving shootout, both Woods and Mickelson struggled to go low and ended up tying after 18 holes of match-play with neither one enjoying more than a 1up lead.

Mickelson eventually prevailed on the fourth extra hole.

Water comes into play in the form of creeks or deep lakes on at least eight of the holes while deep bunkers guard elevated greens, making approach play critical if birdies are to be made.

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STARTER

A slice of North Carolina style golf in the Nevada desert.

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SPIN BACK OCTOBER 2010

Manassero’s recordbreaking entrance

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t’s been ten long years since fresh-faced 17 year old Matteo Manassero entered the history books as the youngest ever winner on the European Tour at the CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar.

The teenager had risen to prominence in 2009 after winning the Silver Medal for the lowest amateur at The Open, but it was the following year when he thoroughly emerged as one to watch in the golfing world.

Having turned professional after the Masters in 2010, it only took Manassero nine starts on Tour before he was a winner as he cruised to a four-stroke victory at Club de Campo del Mediterráneo in Castellón.

At 17 years and 188 days old, Manassero beat the previous record set by New Zealand’s Danny Lee, who was 18 years and 213 days old when he won the 2008 Johnnie Walker Classic, and the Italian’s record still stands today.

Manassero would later lift one of the biggest titles in the game at the 2013 BMW PGA Championship – his fourth and to this day last win on the European Tour – and the whispers about future Major triumphs and Ryder Cup appearances started to intensify.

Once labeled by some commentators as, ‘Europe’s next Seve Ballesteros’ thanks to his combination of nerveless talent, youthful exuberance and infectious smile, Manassero found himself at Qualifying School in 2018 and 2019 and both times failed to get past the four-round cut.

He did win a second title before he was 18 – earlier than both Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia achieved the same feat – but his gradual fall from grace since his Wentworth victory has seen him eventually lose his European Tour status.

In 2014, he could only manage two top tens as The Ryder Cup at Gleneagles came and went. The following year things got worse as he only made five cuts in 22 starts, falling to 167th in the Race to Dubai. A

second round 81 at the Irish Open was the start of 15 consecutive missed cuts. He managed one top ten in 2016 – third place at the Hero Indian Open – and in 2018 after, finishing 122nd in the rankings, he found himself out of exemptions and at Qualifying School trying to forge a path back to the Tour.

A card failed to materialise, but he did manage to make 18 starts last year on the back of sponsors’ invites and his status as a former winner of the BMW PGA Championship.

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He made just two cuts and was again at Q-School, trying to fight his way back to the promised land, only to finish 151st out of 153 players. With no status on Tour this year he has been plying his trade on the satellite tours, and last month won for the first time since 2013 on the Alps Tour in his homeland.

Still only 27, he has a lot of time to right the ship. Here’s hoping we get to see that big beaming smile back on the European Tour soon.

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STARTER

QUICK

HITS Welsh pro Amy Boulden won her first professional title at the Swiss Ladies Open for a maiden Ladies European Tour title.

Boulden was LET Rookie of the Year in 2014.

Mark Anderson went bogey-free for all 72 holes at the Safeway Open on the PGA Tour last month, and finished in a share of 36th.

Only 15 players from the 2006 US Open at Winged Foot played in this year’s Major at the New York venue.

Bryson DeChambeau became the 34th consecutive men’s Major champion to come from inside the top 50 in the World Ranking.

He hit just 23 fairways all week, the lowest since Angel Cabrera hit 27 en route to victory at Oakmont in 2007.

Matthew Wolff became the first male player in 139 years to finish in the top four in his first two Major starts. Ned Cosgrove was the last to do it, finishing third at the 1880 and 1881 Open.

GEORGIA HALL REALISES HER AMERICAN DREAM FORMER WOMEN’S OPEN WINNER GEORGIA HALL HAS TICKED OFF THE ‘NUMBER ONE’ GOAL IN HER CAREER BY WINNING A FIRST LPGA TOUR TITLE ON AMERICAN SOIL WITH A PLAY-OFF WIN OVER ASHLEIGH BUHAI AT THE CAMBIA PORTLAND CLASSIC IN OREGON. THE WIN WAS THE ENGLISHWOMAN’S FIRST SINCE SHE CLINCHED HER MAIDEN MAJOR AT ROYAL LYTHAM & ST ANNES TWO YEARS AGO. “IT’S BEEN A COUPLE OF YEARS SINCE I LAST WON. I’VE COME CLOSE A FEW TIMES, I’VE PLAYED SOME GOOD GOLF, BUT TO WIN IN AMERICA DEFINITELY WAS NUMBER ONE ON MY LIST,” SAID HALL. “NOW I CAN TAKE THAT CONFIDENCE AND TRY AND WIN MORE EVENTS FROM HERE.”

Teeing it up

News, Facts and Figures from around the world

Six picks for European Solheim Cup Captain

Jimenez collects tenth senior title Spaniard completes wire-to-wire win in South Dakota

Catriona Matthew will get to select half her team next year

The impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on the women’s golf schedule has caused the Ladies European Tour to alter its qualification process for the Solheim Cup next year. Captain Catriona Matthew, who retains her role after overseeing a sublime win at Gleneagles in 2019, will have now have two qualify from the Ladies European Tour points list and four from the world rankings, and then make six wildcard selections to complete her line-up for the matches next year in Toledo, Ohio,

Mirim Lee clinches maiden Major in California South Korean wins play-off for ANA Inspiration title A birdie on the first sudden-death hole saw Mirim Lee win her first Major title at the ANA Inspiration at the expense of Canada’s Brooke Henderson and home favourite Nelly Korda. The World No.94 chipped in three times and eagled the 18th as a final round 5-under-67 left her in a share of first place and she then finished the job at the first time of asking to deny her more illustrious opponents.

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Miguel Angel Jimenez defeated Steve Flesch by one at the Sanford International to win his tenth PGA Tour Champions title at the age of 56. The Spaniard closed with a 5-under-65 to collect his second piece of silverware this season and celebrated with his customary wine and cigar. “The short period you’re going to be here in this world, you might as well enjoy yourself,” he said afterwards.

USGA considering a rota of venues US Open organisers move offices to ‘anchor site’ at Pinehurst The USGA have moved some of its offices to Pinehurst, N.C., and have committed to play the US Open there five times between now and 2047, leading to speculation that they could put together a rota of venues for America’s national championship, akin to how the R&A organize their Open Championship sites. “We believe, after talking to a lot of our past champions, they communicated a consistent message, saying: ‘We want to go to the best sites, and we want to go there more often,’” said USGA CEO Mike Davis.

STARTER

by Thomas Detry

HOW TO HIT OUT OF DIVOTS The first thing you need to do is assess how deep the divot is and where within the divot the ball is lying. If it has rolled to the back of the divot it’s going to be trickier to play, but if it stands at the front and you can see the whole of the back of the ball then you can get all the club face on it – and that’s a much easier shot.

■ TAKE AS MUCH LOFT AS POSSIBLE When you’re in a divot in the fairway you should not try and be too cute and always try and keep it in play, and using a club with more loft should ensure a good contact and should advance the ball 60-70-80 yards, depending on the lie and circumstance.

I usually opt for something like my 52° gap wedge because it’s not likely that you’ll get it out with a 7 or 6-iron, or something longer.

■ CHOKE DOWN ON THE CLUB Because we’re going to hit more of the ground during the shot, grip a few inches further down the club. Not quite as far down as to touch the metal shaft, but very close to the edge of the grip.

This allows me to have a solid grip to go through the divot.

■ SWING WITH A STEEPER ATTACK Position the ball slightly back in your stance and swing as steep as you can while hitting the ball first. Don’t be afraid to practice if you get a spot on a grassed driving range prior to play – it will help you prepare should the situation ever occur out on the course.

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WORLD ROUND-UPS THE EUROPEAN TOUR’S UK SWING CAME TO A CLOSE AT THE BELFRY AND THEN THE SCHEDULE HEADED SOUTH FOR THREE EVENTS ACROSS SPAIN AND PORTUGAL BEFORE COMING BACK TO THE UK FOR THE DUBAI DUTY FREE IRISH OPEN IN NORTHERN IRELAND. HØJGAARD MAKES HISTORY WITH SECOND TITLE AT THE BELFRY Rasmus Højgaard became only the third teenager to win two times on the European Tour with victory at the UK Championship at The Belfry – and with it he won the UK Swing Order of Merit. The 19-year-old Dane won for the second time inside 15 starts on the circuit with a play-off win over South Africa’s Justin Walters after the pair tied on 14-under-par. Benjamin Hebert and Martin Kaymer shared third place.

COETZEE SIGNS OFF ON WIN NO.5

CATLIN THE MAN IN SPAIN

South African George Coetzee clinched his fifth title on the European Tour - and first in the Northern Hemisphere - with a two-stroke win over Laurie Canter at the Portugal Masters.

Coetzee had won three times in his homeland and once in Mauritius and finally came good on European soil with weekend rounds of 66-66 for a 16-under-par winning score. Tommy Fleetwood finished in a share of third place alongside Joakim Lagergren.

American John Catlin wrapped up his first European Tour title in style at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters with a 2-overpar winning score. In tough conditions at Valderrama, Catlin didn’t make a single birdie in a final round 75 but dug deep to win ahead of Martin Kaymer by one, with the German narrowly missing out on a first win since 2014 for the second week in succession.

HIGGO IN DREAMLAND

CATLIN DOUBLES UP WITH CLUTCH IRISH OPEN WIN

In just his seventh start on the European Tour, South Africa’s Garrick Higgo clinched his first title with a stunning bogey free final round 7-under-par 65 to win the Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos. The left-handed 21-year-old dropped just three strokes all week as he won by one ahead of Spain’s Pep Angles with George Coetzee and Andrew Wilson in a share of third place.

John Catlin made it two wins in the space of a month with a two-stroke win over Aaron Rai at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. Catlin closed with a superb 64 at Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort, with three birdies in the final four holes to clinch the title as England’s Rai faded with a bogey on the par-5 18th hole. Catlin becomes just the third American to win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, following Ben Crenshaw and Hubert Green in 1976 and 1977.

US PGA Tour News

Stewart Cink

The PGA Tour’s 2020/21 season got underway just a few days after Dustin Johnson clinched the FedExCup at East Lake and there was a familiar face back in the winner’s circle after an 11 year wait as Stewart Cink clinched the Safeway Open in California. Cink’s last win came at the 2009 Open Championship when he defeated Tom Watson in a play-off at Turnberry and he came up clutch again with a birdie on the 18th to win at Silverado Resort by two ahead of Harry Higgs. At 47 years old Cink is the oldest winner on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson won at Pebble Beach last year aged 48. From California the Tour

headed overseas to the Dominican Republic where Hudson Swafford won his first title in three years at the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship. The American holed a crucial eight-footer for

Hudson Swafford

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par on the final hole to seal a onestroke win over Tyler McCumber with Mackenzie Hughes in third and Nate Lashley in fourth place.

The win was Swafford’s second on the PGA Tour.

Race to Dubai 2020 The race is hotting up Rasmus Højgaard made his way into the top five of the Race to Dubai Rankings after finishing the UK Swing on a high with victory at the ISPS HANDA UK Championship. The Dane came from five strokes back on a dramatic final day at The Belfry to finish level with Justin Walters on 14 under par before holding his nerve in extra holes to win his second event of the season and the mini Order of Merit. Walters jumped up 101 places to 55th with his runner-up finish while Benjamin Hebert and Martin Kaymer jumped up to 36th and 37th respectively after they

George Coetzee secured a fifth European title – and his first in Europe – after a brilliant display at the Portugal Masters saw him shoot up to 25th in the Race to Dubai Rankings. The South African posted a superb

George Coetzee

Rasmus Højgaard

finished tied third.

John Catlin claimed a maiden European Tour title with a wire to wire victory at the Estrella Damn N.A. Andalucía Masters to rocket up 101 places to 35th in the Rankings.

The American began the day with a two stroke advantage but saw the lead change hands throughout the afternoon at Real Club Valderrama, with Catlin finally shaking off two-time Major Champion Kaymer with a par at the last to win by a single shot. The German moved up to 23rd in the Rankings after narrowly missing out on a first title in six years while Wil Besseling and Antoine Rozner both jumped into the top 50 after sharing third with Justin Harding.

Martin Kaymer

bogey-free final round 66 to keep the chasing pack at bay with Englishman Laurie Canter finishing two shots behind. Canter moved up 44 places to 44th while compatriot Tommy Fleetwood finish a shot further back as he moved up to sixth in the Rankings.

The European Tour welcomed a second maiden winner of the month at the Open de Portugal with Garrick Higgo shooting a stunning bogey-free seven under par final round to surge up the Race to Dubai Rankings. The South African finished one stroke clear of Pep Angles at Royal Obidos to secure the life-changing victory which saw him jump up to 81st from 182nd in the Race

finished in a share for eighth to jump up to 30th and 20th respectively while Viktor Hovland shot up 58 places to 64th after finishing tied 13th. Catlin secured a second victory of the month at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open after overturning a four-stroke deficit at Galgorm Castle Golf Club to jump up to 14th in the Race to Dubai. The American quickly moved up the leaderboard as he made the turn in three under par before gaining two more strokes coming home to finish two ahead of Aaron Rai. The Englishman’s runner-up finish moved him up to 63 places to 50th and a step closer to qualifying for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship while Jazz Janewattananond and Maverick Antcliff made surges up the Rankings with a tied third finish.

Louis Oosthuizen

to Dubai. Angles surged up 130 places to 145th while Coetzee moved up one more spot to 24th after finishing third alongside Andrew Wilson.

Louis Oosthuizen climbed up to third in the Rankings after the former Champion Golfer of the Year finished third at the US Open.

The South African was the highest finishing European Tour member at Winged Foot, finishing eight shots behind winner Bryson DeChambeau to move up from seventh in the Race to Dubai. Tony Finau and Rory McIlroy

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John Catlin

BOMB & GOUGE

IS BRYSON USHERING IN A NEW ERA?

O

n a day when no other player broke par, Bryson DeChambeau produced one of the finest final-round displays in recent Major championship history as he bludgeoned his way to US Open victory at Winged Foot with a combination of big hitting and deftness around the greens.

The new-look DeChambeau signed for a closing 3-under-par 67 to win by six shots ahead of playing partner Matthew Wolff for his first Major title. With a total of 6-under-par 274, DeChambeau was the only player in the field to finish under par. Prior to this year the American, who made his Ryder Cup debut two years ago, hadn’t cracked the top ten in a Major, but after a finishing in a share of fourth at the US PGA Championship in August he continued his progress to follow Collin Morikawa as a first-time Major winner in 2020. Lets look at some of the key takeaways fromNick a marathon week in New York.

Taylor

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CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS ● DeChambeau is the first US Open champion to make an eagle in the final round in more than 80 years. The last player to do it was Ralph Guldahl in 1937. He made eagle on the eighth hole at Oakland Hills en route to a 2-shot win over Sam Snead. ● With two eagles on the week, DeChambeau joined Tiger Woods in 2008 as the only US Open champions in the last 40 years to make more than one across the four days. ● DeChambeau hit only 23 fairways for the week, the fewest by a US Open champion since those statistics started being tracked 40 years ago. ● He also averaged 325.6 yards off the tee, the highest distance ever measured by a US Open winner. ● Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and now Bryson DeChambeau - they are the three players who have captured an NCAA individual title, a US Amateur and a US Open. ● In his bid to become the youngest Major champion since Tiger Woods in the 1997 Masters, Matthew Wolff finished in second place. ● At 21 years, 5 months, 6 days old, Wolff is the youngest runner-up in the US Open since Jack Nicklaus in 1960 (age 20).

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● With a win, Wolff would have been the first player to win on his US Open debut since Francis Ouimet at Brookline, 107 years ago to the day. ● Louis Oosthuizen finished in third place for his sixth career top-three finish in a Major. ● Since 2010, the year Oosthuizen won The Open, only four players have had more top threes in the Majors: Phil Mickelson (8), Jordan Spieth (8), Dustin Johnson (7) and Rory McIlroy (6). ● Both Tiger Woods (+10) and Phil Mickelson (+13) missed the cut, marking the first time that the pair have both missed the weekend in the same US Open. ● In four career US Open starts, Xander Schauffele hasn’t finished outside the top 6. His results read: T-5, T-6, T-3, 5. ● 2016 winner Dustin Johnson finished in a share of sixth for his 19th career top ten in a Major. His win at Oakmont four years ago remains his lone Major triumph. ● Will Zalatoris finished alongside Johnson in sixth for his first career Major top-ten and his prize money eclipsed the total he had earned on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2020. His finish makes him exempt for next year’s championship at Torrey Pines.

The Masters: But not as we know it 12 NOVEMBER – 15 NOVEMBER AUGUSTA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB

S

ince 1945, The Masters has always been played during the first full week of April and has typically come to signal the end of a winter and the start of the Major season with the US Open, Open and US PGA traditionally held in the following few months. That tradition has been ripped up by the coronavirus pandemic and this year’s Masters has been shuffled forward to November, meaning there will be just a five month gap between the Green Jacket being handed to the 2020 and 2021 winners, with next year’s event set for April.

At this year’s tournament there will be no blooming azaleas or flowering blossoms, instead the course will be framed by brown, orange and red hues as the leaves on the towering pine trees begin to change colour before eventually falling.

The average temperature and rainfall figures for November are eerily similar to that of April, with the temperature just a few degrees lower.

However, the prevailing winds in autumn tend to come from the colder north, whereas in the spring they make their way up from the warmer south. This will create many headaches for players with past experience of Augusta as club selection and strategies may change to factor in the different wind directions and cooler temperatures. Indeed, the northerly wind - which blows into the players on the first hole – will make three of the par 5s play into the wind. That could mean that fewer players will be able to reach on holes 8, 13 and 15 in two shots, and attempting it will be riskier, especially on the back nine with water coming into play up at the green on 13 and 15. The most recent Masters to be played in very cold and wet conditions was the 2007 edition, won by Zach Johnson with a score of 1-over-par. It was the first over-par winning score at Augusta National in four decades and Johnson famously laid-up on every par 5 en route to victory.

One thing officials will want in their course set-up is firm and fast greens – the only real defence the layout has. Their Sub-Air system in the greens will be working overtime should it rain consistently and they may cut back the first cut of rough to allow off-line drives to run into trouble instead of being held in the longer grass before the ball reaches the trees in the pine straw or water hazards.

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A Masters with no fans?

“It’s going to make a big difference to all of us,” Woods said. “It has so far out here week-in and week-out on Tour. We just don’t have the same type of energy and the distractions. At Augusta National, you have all those roars that would go up if somebody did something, somewhere, and then you’d go scoreboard watching and try to figure out what’s going on. There aren’t a lot of big leaderboards out there, so that will be very different.”

When Woods first travelled to Augusta to play a practice round in 1995, he said it was “eye-opening” to see just how much room there was on the course when it wasn’t lined with 40,000 spectators.

“When you put 40,000 people on such a small piece of property – I know there’s no rough, but it gets confined,” he said. “But this will be very different. This will be a fun Masters, and I’m looking forward to defending.”

TIGER WOODS

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THE PLAYERS

The field for The Masters in its original April dates was fully set, with 96 players invited to play, and officials confirmed that it will remain exactly the same for the rescheduled dates in November.

WHO WILL CHALLENGE? As is the case with most Major championships, you can expect a current member of the top 50 of the World Ranking to prevail. It’s been almost decade since a player ranked outside the top 50 won a Major – the last was Keegan Bradley on his US PGA debut in 2011. With cooler conditions and a potentially softer course, all the signs point to another big hitter walking away with a Green Jacket. Experience counts at Augusta – it’s been over 40 years since a debutant won The Masters – but with the both Collin Morikawa and Matthew Wolff full of confidence after their recent Major exploits, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see either one of them slip into a nice new Jacket come Masters Sunday this year.

Last year’s Masters leaderboard read like a Who’s Who of the current top players in the game – Woods, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele, Jason Day, Francesco Molinari, Tony Finau, Jon Rahm and Rickie Fowler all finished in the top ten. You could throw a dart at any of these players as potential candidates.

Not forgetting the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Patrick Reed, Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, Tommy Fleetwood, Gary Woodland, Hideki Matsuyama... it’s all set to be another fascinating week of elite golf.

RIPE FOR A BRYSON BLUDGEONING Last year Bryson DeChambeau shared the first-round lead with a 66 but didn’t break 70 over the last three rounds, stumbling home into a tie for 29th. This year Bryson is in a better place – physically and mentally having joined the elite with a first Major title at the US Open and is feeling good about his chances. “Length is going to be a big advantage there,” he said. “I know that for a fact. It’s always an advantage pretty much anywhere, but I’m going to try and prepare by testing a couple things with the driver and I’m not going to stop.

We’re going to be messing with some head designs and do some amazing things to make it feasible to hit these drives maybe 360, 370 (yards). Maybe even farther.”

DeChambeau won the low amateur honours back in 2016 but he’s a different player four years later. What can officials at Augusta do to combat Bryson’s prodigious length? We shall see...

2016

WATCH THE CLOCK No, we don’t mean to check how long it takes Bryson DeChambeau to deliberate over each shot as he goes in search of back-to-back Majors – set your watches because the final round of this year’s Masters will finish earlier than usual in a bid to avoid clashing with the midafternoon NFL fixtures. The plan is for the winner of the Green Jacket to be crowned between 2pm ET and 2:30pm. Last year Tiger Woods was putting out to win at around 2pm as the times were brought well forward to avoid incoming inclement weather which had been forecast.

ALL EYES ON TIGER

With three Major wins needed to match Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18, many feel winning a few more editions of The Masters represents Tiger Woods’ best shot at reaching the Golden Bear’s tally. Woods won his 15th Major last year – and his fifth Green Jacket – but it remains to be seen if the rescheduled November date for this year’s event will be beneficial for him as the cooler temperatures will not help his ageing physique. The modern day icon - who won his first Masters in 1997 - will have nothing else on his mind beyond getting his preparations right for a November Masters. Then he’ll likely shut down over winter to prepare for the 2021 edition in April.

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THE MASTERS QUICK

FACTS

Jack Nicklaus has the most Masters wins, with six.

Nicklaus became the oldest player to win a Masters, at 46 years, 2 months and 23 days in 1986.

No previous round at The Masters has ever been played later than April 15th.

Magnolia Lane extends from the entrance gate to the clubhouse. The large magnolia trees that line both sides of the yard road date back to the late 1850s.

Every hole is named after a plant or shrub found on that particular hole and an estimated 80,000 plants have been added since the course was built in the 1930s.

THE CHAMPIONS

DINNER

While there might not be much mingling on the clubhouse veranda, this year’s Champions Dinner is slated to go ahead as usual on the Tuesday of tournament week. “I’ll be there,” said 1971 Champion Charles Coody. “Augusta National is going through all the steps and protocols to make it as safe as they possibly can, and everyone will be following their guidelines. I turned 83 in July and I don’t know how many of these I have left. It’s not something I plan to miss.”

Meanwhile, 1979 winner Fuzzy Zoeller has revealed that the annual Par-3 Contest, held the day before the opening round of The Masters, will not take place and isn’t sure himself if he will travel to the event. “I’m one of those high-risk deals,” Zoeller said. “I had my heart surgery last year and I’m being very, very careful here. I might just eat dinner at home to be safe.”

Zoeller’s absence would mark the first time he’s not appeared in Augusta

The 1989 Champions Dinner and Nick Faldo enjoying his fish and chips in 1997 since winning the event on his debut. “I don’t know what the heck to do,” he said.

“From my understanding, we’ll have to be tested at home and then tested again on the grounds at Augusta. It’s a lot of work to go to one dinner, but then again, we’re talking about a very special dinner.”

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Tiger Woods is hosting the dinner and his menu includes steak and chicken fajitas, along with sushi and sashimi. Threetime winner Nick Faldo served up a traditional plate of Fish & Chips at the 1997 Champions Dinner.

SAUDI SET FOR

ADIES L DOUBLE-HEADER

The stunning Royal Greens Golf Club at King Abdullah Economic City

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ARAMCO SAUDI LADIES INTERNATIONAL The Middle East is set to Held within a safe bio-secure environment welcome back top level golf in in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) on historic style with the announcement the Red Sea coast near Jeddah will be Saudi that Royal Greens Golf Club in Saudi Arabia’s third and fourth professional golf Arabia will play host to a world-first tournaments in less than two years. The $1.5million golf week on the Ladies country held the debut Saudi International European Tour. powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers The $1 million Aramco Saudi Ladies in 2019, with Northern Ireland’s Graeme International presented by Public Investment McDowell winning 2020’s hosting in January.

Fund, taking place Thursday 12th – Sunday November’s consecutive tournaments take 15th November, will mark the first LET event to women’s golf into another new territory and will take place in the Kingdom before the $500,000 see players compete for what will be the LET Saudi Ladies Team International will see season’s biggest purse after only the British professionals and Scottish Open. and amateurs Alexandra compete side by Armas, Ladies side for the first European Tour, time from 17th – CEO, said: “We 19th November are extremely on the same excited to be course. part of history in Among the bringing the firststars of ladies ever professional game making women’s golf the trip to KSA event to Saudi is Golf Saudi Arabia and we are Ambassador thankful to their Amy Boulden, commitment to who secured deliver not one but her maiden two tournaments, title at the VP in what has been Bank Swiss a difficult year for Ladies Open in golf.

Majed Al Sorour September.

“We are always CEO Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation “I’m very proud looking to grow to represent the game in new Golf Saudi at the markets and add first Ladies professional golf tournament in to our schedule and we are confident that the Kingdom,” said Boulden. “I’ve seen firstthe Saudi Ladies International and the Saudi hand how passionate they are about growing Ladies Team International will be a fantastic women’s golf and sport in KSA. It’s an exciting experience for our players.” time and it’s amazing to see this commitment Originally planned for March, the four-day towards women’s golf.”

Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented

“Our vision is to grow golf across the Kingdom, and make it both accessible and enjoyable to all men, women and children.”

Amy Boulden (centre) hopes to inspire more young Saudis into playing golf

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ARAMCO SAUDI LADIES INTERNATIONAL

The women’s week of golf will take place from November 12th on the Jeddah Coast

“To throw their weight behind two events in one week is a really significant gesture from a country I know is passionate about growing golf, and I can’t wait to get out there playing.”

by PIF will be the Ladies European Tour’s debut event in Saudi Arabia. It will attract more than 100 of the world’s best female golfers, and with a $1million prize fund will be the third highest paying event on the 2020 schedule.

COMMITMENT TO WOMEN’S GOLF The format of the Saudi Ladies Team International will be revealed in upcoming weeks, with the three-day event set to feature professional players teaming-up with amateur golfers, together competing for a share of a $500,000 prize-fund.

His Excellency Yasir O. Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of the Saudi Golf Federation and tournament organiser Golf Saudi, said: “As we all know the first half of this year has been extremely trying on businesses, organisations and nations worldwide, with sport affected greatly. However, we are thankful to both PIF and Aramco – who are equally determined to give elite level sport the platform to continue to flourish, both here in Saudi Arabia and abroad, and never more so than now – which makes us proud to be throwing our full weight behind both the Saudi Ladies International and the Saudi Ladies Team International.”

Wales’ Boulden, who will be taking part in both of events, added: “This type of commitment to women’s golf is really amazing to see at this time. It’s given players another massive week to look forward to competing in and allows us to take the game we love to a new country where we can play on what is a truly incredible golf course with one of the most picturesque views you’ll see on Tour.

“To throw their weight behind two events in one week is a really significant gesture from a country I know is passionate about growing golf, and I can’t wait to get out there playing.”

The 27-year-old, who enjoyed a glittering

Amy Boulden

VP BANK SWISS LADIES OPEN WINNER

amateur career, bagged her first LET victory since joining the Tour in 2014 with a threestroke victory over Australia’s Stephanie Kyriacou at Golfpark Holzhausern last month.

After getting that monkey off her back she’s relishing kicking on to the crucial final stretch of the season which will see her stop off in the UAE for the Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic at Emirates Golf Club from 4th – 6th November en-route to Saudi.

SAUDI VISION 2030 “I felt like my game was trending in the right way even though my results weren’t showing that,” said Boulden who was voted BBC Young Sports Person of the Year in 2008, the same year she became Welsh Girls champion and was part of a record three Home International winning teams. “I’ve been putting in a lot of work over the last year and it’s nice to see that I’m on the right track with what I’m working on.

“I think I can take a lot of confidence in getting that first win. I feel my game is in a good place, and over the next few weeks I’m going to get myself as best prepared I can.

The eagerly anticipated tournaments at Royal Greens Golf Club mark the return of

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large-scale international sporting events to Saudi Arabia, with the country’s Vision 2030 seeking to utilise world-class live sport as a means of inspiring their next generation.

Golf and golf tourism are also considered massive growth markets for the country, which is now home to courses designed by the likes of Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus.

Majed Al Sorour, CEO Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation, said: “Our vision is to grow golf across the Kingdom, and make it both accessible and enjoyable to all men, women and children. One of our key initiatives for this is hosting tournaments capable of drawing the world’s best players as a means of inspiring the next generation of young Saudis and Saudi golfers, so it is a great honour to be taking our next step on that journey by welcoming the Ladies European Tour to the Kingdom for October’s debut Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF and the Saudi Ladies Team International.”

For information about Golf Saudi and the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF and the Saudi Ladies Team International, please visit: www.golfsaudi.com/en-us/ladies-international/

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DREAMING

BIG E

arlier this year, Sami Välimäki burst onto the golfing scene with an impressive play-off victory over Brandon Stone at the Oman Open in just his sixth European Tour start. The win came off the back of a busy 12 months for the Finn, who had been playing on the Pro Tour before conquering the notoriously difficult Qualifying School at the third time of asking at the end of last year. Now, in the top ten of the Race to Dubai, he’s aiming for a strong end to his brilliant breakthrough season with glory at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship. Thomas Wragg caught up with the 22-year-old to get the lowdown on his rapid rise, last month’s Major debut and his Ryder Cup dream.

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Worldwide Golf: Before you turned professional you completed mandatory military service in Finland. How did you find that experience?

Sami Välimäki: I always knew it would have to be done due to it being mandatory in Finland as long as you are healthy and capable. You either have to serve six months or a year, but you don’t find that out until a few months in.

I was fortunate to only have to do six months and it was really highly disciplined with strict timings on going to sleep and waking up. I learned a lot of things there, including how to use a rifle which was interesting. Overall, I have some really good memories from the experience.

WWG: You won your first professional event after just two outings on the Pro Tour in 2019.

How much confidence did that give you, knowing you could compete at a higher level?

SV: I didn’t expect to win as soon as that, because I thought it would take a while to get my ‘A’ game back after completing military service. I was really pleased that I got the win as early as I did because my goal at the beginning of the season was to finish inside the top five at least three times. I felt relaxed after that and obviously it helped me on the way to three more wins that year.

SAMI VÄLIMÄKI

“I think those four victories on the Pro Tour really gave me the confidence that I could win an event if I’m in the hunt but I didn’t expect to be in that position as early as I was.”

WWG: Those four wins sealed your spot on the European Challenge Tour the following year but you opted to give Qualifying School a shot.

How confident were you of gaining your card after such a great season on the Pro Tour?

SV: That was actually the third time I had tried to conquer Qualifying School, so it was always in my mind to play it, no matter what happened on the Pro Tour. I’ve always wanted to get onto the European Tour as quickly as possible, so to finish inside the top 25 at Q-School and skip a year on the Challenge Tour was a bonus. Having said that, it was pretty difficult playing all those rounds at Q-School. You have to play really good golf consistently and have a strong mental game to see you through.

WWG: It didn’t take you long to get your hands on some European Tour silverware for the first time with your victory in Oman coming in only your sixth start. Were you confident that you would win on the European Tour as early as you did?

SV: I think those four victories on the Pro Tour really gave me the confidence that I could win an event if I’m in the hunt but I didn’t expect to be in that position as early as I was.

VÄLIMÄKI WON IN JUST HIS SIXTH EUROPEAN TOUR START AT THE OMAN OPEN

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SAMI VÄLIMÄKI

I really enjoyed playing at Al Mouj Golf. It’s a great course with a tricky setup which made it a really good challenge. Before the play-off began in Oman I knew I was going to win – I was very confident with my game and knew I was ready to take up the challenge. It was a relief after I had won because it gave me a category on the Tour for a few more years and the flexibility to arrange my schedule.

WWG: How have you found playing without fans since the European Tour returned, following the hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

SV: I’ve never really played in a golf tournament where you have thousands of fans stretching along the fairways so I don’t think I realised it as much as some of the other guys on Tour who have played in numerous big events. However, it still feels disappointing that no one is watching us as we want to entertain them and inspire them to get out on the golf course and enjoy themselves.

Hopefully, they can get back as soon as it is safe to do so. Aside from there being no fans, it has also been difficult adapting to all the new protocols that surround the tournaments.

I played three tournaments in a row recently and you’re just confined to your hotel room which isn’t easy, especially when you’re in a big city and you can see everyone else living their lives. But we’re grateful to be back playing and if that means we have to miss out on a few things for the time being, then so be it.

WWG: How have the other Finn’s helped you settle in on Tour?

SV: Many of them are really good friends. I didn’t know them before this year, so I wasn’t sure how they would take to me, but they’ve been a massive help and we have a great relationship out on Tour. They’ve definitely made it easier for me adjusting to life on Tour and they are always willing to lend a hand if I need any advice.

WWG: Back-to-back top six finishes at the Celtic Classic and Wales Open saw you finish inside the top ten of the UK Swing Order of Merit. Did you think you would be playing Major Championship golf as quickly as you did?

SV: Making it to a Major was a big goal of mine, but I didn’t think I was going to make it happen so soon. I was aiming for US Open Qualifying and trying to make it that way, or try to get into the PGA, but the virus made a big difference to those plans. When I started playing in the UK Swing it wasn’t even on my mind, but I played two really good weeks in Wales to get in, so earning a place in the field for my first Major was a big bonus. It was also nice to have the opportunity to give back to the community with the European Tour donating money to my chosen charity, Tampere Children’s Clinic, for finishing inside the top 10 of the Mini Order of Merit. I haven’t had the opportunity to do it much in my career so to make a big donation to something that means a lot was a big deal for me.

THE FINN MADE HIS MAJOR DEBUT AT LAST MONTH’S US OPEN ATER FINISHING SEVENTH IN THE UK SWING’S MINI ORDER OF MERIT

“Making it to a Major was a big goal of mine, but I didn’t think I was going to make it happen so soon.

I was aiming for US Open Qualifying and trying to make it that way, or try to get into the PGA, but the virus made a big difference to those plans.”

SAMI VÄLIMÄKI WWG:How did you find playing Winged Foot’s West Course?

SV: It was hard because the fairways were very firm, so even when you hit a good drive it would end up in the rough almost every time! I didn’t play very well which was disappointing.

I was expecting a little more from my game.

I didn’t feel nervous when I teed off but I got a little more anxious over the first two days, although it’s the first Major I’ve played in, so it’s all part of the learning experience.

WWG: You’re currently ranked inside the top ten on the Race to Dubai Rankings.

How excited are you to get out to Dubai and

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compete in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship?

SV: I’m sure it’s going to be a great experience and I hope they add more events in Dubai before the DP World Tour Championship. I have played in Dubai before and really enjoyed the weather and the fantastic facilities on offer. My goal is to make it to the top of the Race to Dubai Rankings and get inside the world top 50 so I can get in all the bigger events across the world. From there I want to be competing in next year’s Olympic Games and The Ryder Cup. To be the first Finnish player to represent Europe in The Ryder Cup would be really special for me.■

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RASMUS HØJGAARD

RASMUS HØJGAARD

NEW KID ON

THE

BLOCK

A

fter a whirlwind 10 months since earning his Tour card at Qualifying school, Rasmus Højgaard is regarded as one of the best teenagers in planet golf right now. At the age of just 19, the Danish starlet is already a two-time European Tour winner and has climbed into the top 70 of the Official World Golf Ranking, thanks in part to a string of success at the UK Swing where he finished inside the top six in each of the four events he played.

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BY THOMAS WRAGG

HØJGAARD WON IN JUST HIS SECOND EUROPEAN TOUR EVENT AT THE AFRASIA BANK MAURITIUS OPEN IN DECEMBER 2019

H

øjgaard’s path to professional golf began at just four years old when his father decided that heading to the local golf club was a good way to spend more time with Rasmus and his twin brother, Nicolai, who is also a professional golfer. His love for the game quickly grew and 11 years later he first came to prominence when he won the Danish International Amateur Championship.

“My parents had a big influence on me getting into golf as they both played the game,” said Højgaard. “We used to play a lot at our local club and when I was around ten years old I realised that I was pretty good and played my first tournament, which I won and Nicolai came second. From then on, we’ve kept pushing each other. We’ve always had a friendly rivalry and are competitive in everything we do, from football to handball and golf.

“Winning the Danish International Amateur Championship was a massive boost for me. I had a good start to the season back in 2016 when I was 15 but I didn’t really know what level I could compete at until I won that tournament. It was huge and that pretty much kick- started my career.”

“Winning the Danish International Amateur Championship was a massive boost for me. I had a good start to the season back in 2016 when I was 15 but I didn’t really know what level I could compete at until I won that tournament.”

RASMUS HØJGAARD Two years later, Højgaard created Danish history by representing the national team that won the Eisenhower Trophy for the first time, before going on to represent Europe at the Junior Ryder Cup later that month.

“Being part of the victorious Danish team at the Eisenhower Trophy for the first time in history was very special,” he says. “It’s the biggest team competition you can play in as an amateur and to be a part of it with Nicolai will be something I will never forget.”

The following year Højgaard turned professional, following in the footsteps of fellow Danish players Lucas Bjerregaard and Thorbjørn Olesen in playing on the Nordic Golf League. He quickly turned his attention to the

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European Challenge Tour later that season and despite a number of top ten finishes, narrowly missed out on promotion to the European Tour after finishing 21st on the end of season rankings. But Højgaard didn’t want to wait another year for a shot at playing with Europe’s elite and chose to take on competing at Qualifying School. The decision paid off with a tied fifth finish, sealing the Dane’s ticket to battle with the big boys.

“Qualifying School is such a difficult competition,” he says. “After four days you think to yourself that the tournament is over but then you realise that you have two more days to go! The last two days are, arguably, the toughest, because you’re drained of energy at that point. But you get a second wind when you think what is at stake, so you just grind it out.”

Højgaard wasted no time in making the golfing world aware that there was a new kid on the block after winning just the second European Tour event of the season at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open. The ice-cool Højgaard belied his experience on Tour as he kept his cool to see off Renato Paratore and Antoine Rozner in a play-off to become the third youngest winner in European Tour history.

RASMUS HØJGAARD

“Winning that event felt weird,” he says.

“Going into Mauritius I didn’t know what my expectations were at that point, because it was the last tournament of the year. I wanted to just enjoy the event and then take a nice vacation. But then, suddenly, I played well, got myself into contention and pulled it off.

“I was very nervous at the final hole before the play-off, but when I got into the play-off I thought to myself, ‘I have got nothing to lose here, just go out, give everything I’ve got and see what happens.’ The win was a little surprising but at the same time it confirmed that I am good enough to compete at this level.”

UK SWING GLORY Eight months later, Højgaard was earning plaudits once again with a string of fine performances on the European Tour’s restart – the UK Swing. Having played four events out of six, he topped the mini-Order of Merit with three top six finishes followed by a second title at the ISPS Handa UK Championship, thanks to another play-off triumph over Justin Walters.

“I have been asked a few times about why I played so well in the UK Swing and I don’t really have an answer!” he says. “During our time away from the European Tour I didn’t really practice that much for the first two months. It was more about relaxing, spending time with family and friends and all the things that I would take for granted when I’m on the road.

“When we knew what the schedule was going to look like I could plan my practice routine and how to prepare for the various events. Two and half weeks before the tournaments started I got into ‘grind mode.’ I felt good before going into the UK Swing and I was confident. It was all about staying patient and giving myself a good chance.

“I was excited to be back playing after such a long time off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Being in the tournament bubble was okay for me and I was playing well, so I didn’t really think too much about it, but I do miss going out and having dinner. I would spend most of my

HØJGAARD AND BENJAMIN POKE MADE IT THROUGH QUALIFYING SCHOOL LAST YEAR

time in a room by myself and would struggle to kill time, so I’d be on my computer for four hours straight! Still, I can handle it. If I had to do it six weeks in a row then I might struggle but doing it for a few weeks was not really a problem.”

Højgaard’s mini-Order of Merit victory earned him a spot in last month’s US Open, just two years after he turned professional. Despite missing the cut it was a new experience for the youngest pro in the field and one he will become all-too-familiar with if he continues his rapid rise up the rankings. He also had the opportunity to learn from one of the game’s greatest players during a practice round with four-time Major winner and Højgaard’s golfing idol, Rory McIlroy, sharing a few tips at Winged Foot’s West Course.

“I was excited when I got to Winged Foot but I knew it was going to be a hard week on a really tough course,” he says. “When the big names started to show up I was interested to see how

RASMUS AND HIS TWIN NICOLAI CELEBRATE THEIR HISTORIC EISENHOWER TROPHY TRIUMPH

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they practiced and played, so that was pretty cool! It’s very different from playing in Europe.

It was very new for me and I must admit I didn’t feel as comfortable as I do playing on the European Tour. But I think that’s normal for something you are trying for the first time.

‘REALLY COOL EXPERIENCE’ “I wouldn’t say I enjoyed the experience because of the way I played but I did enjoy playing nine holes with Rory before the tournament got underway. Rory has always been my favourite golfer since I started playing and he probably is the best player in my era. I was a little nervous but he’s such a nice guy and was very natural when we got to the first tee.

“I was a bit curious about his experiences when he was my age and wanted to know about his transition from Europe to the PGA Tour and how he handled it and what difficulties he had. It was a really cool experience.”

McIlroy also won his first European Tour event when he was a teenager at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic before going on to become the global superstar that he is today. Could Højgaard be on the same path to success as the Northern Irishman, having both won at such a young age? There’s certainly a long way to go and Højgaard is taking things one step at a time, despite his enormous talent.

“Rory’s had a great career and he still has a lot of years in front of him,” he says. “He’s definitely an inspiration because he’s the ultimate professional. My goal at the moment is to get inside the world’s top 50. For me, it’s easy to say ‘my aim is to win this and that and to be World No.1,’ but for me it works better that I keep changing my goals as I reach them.

“For now, it’s all about getting into the top 50 and how I can achieve that. I need to improve certain things in my game, and that is definitely working better for me than just saying that I want to be the best golfer or win a Major.” ■

JUSTIN HARDING

GOLF’S

BY THOMAS WRAGG

G LO B E T R O T T I N G

When Justin Harding teed off at the European Tour’s South African Open at the beginning of 2018 he was ranked 716th in the Official World Golf Ranking. Fourteen months later the South African had enjoyed a meteoric rise into the world’s top 50 and made his Augusta National debut, while breaking his European Tour duck in the process at the Qatar Masters.

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JUSTIN HARDING

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HARDING SECURED ASIAN TOUR SILVERWARE AT THE FIRST TIME OF ASKING WITH VICTORY AT THE INDONESIAN OPEN IN JULY 2018

THE FOLLOWING WEEK HARDING MADE ASIAN TOUR HISTORY BY BECOMING THE FIRST MAN TO WIN IN HIS FIRST TWO STARTS ON THE CIRCUIT

AN IMPRESSIVE FINAL ROUND 66 SAW THE SOUTH AFRICAN PICK UP EUROPEAN TOUR SILVERWARE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE 2019 QATAR MASTERS

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JUSTIN HARDING

T

he 34-year-old is now a global player and has finished inside the top ten in 12 countries, including four wins, in the year leading up to his European Tour breakthrough.

For a long time, Harding was anything but a world name as he rarely ventured away from his home country’s Sunshine Tour until he hit a purple patch with back-to-back wins at the Investec Royal Swazi Open and the Lombard Insurance Classic.

With his confidence at an all-time high he headed over to the Asian Tour’s Indonesian Open, where he won by one stroke, before sealing the Royal Cup in Thailand the following week, becoming the first man to win his first two Asian Tour events.

“Getting on to the European Tour is difficult,” said Harding. “The qualifying process and the expense in travelling around the globe from South Africa, is something you can only afford if you’re playing well, and I never seemed to be at my best at that particular time of the year. It just wasn’t happening for me. I had the opportunity of going to play in Indonesia so I just went for it.

SURGING UP THE RANKINGS “I had a good little run there and winning the first event on the Asian Tour came as quite a surprise, even though I’d been playing nicely.

The win in Indonesia was pretty awesome and to double that with the victory in Thailand was really special.

“My game had become a lot more consistent, which came from a better understanding of my golf and what I can and can’t do on a golf course. I was controlling my emotions better and putting myself in contention more. There are a multitude of reasons why I was performing so well – and I’m trying to remember these things again.”

A third-place finish on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit later that year sealed his ticket onto the European Tour and Harding immediately hit the ground running with an impressive tied seventh finish at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. Two months later, he had well and truly earned his place on the international golf scene with a final round 66 securing his maiden European Tour title at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, which catapulted him to the cusp of the OWGR top 50.

“It was hugely satisfying for me to get that win in Qatar,” he says. “It was vindication for a long stretch of seriously good play. Golf is purely momentum-based. If you take enough confidence into each round then you’re bound to play well, you just pretty much need to get out of your own way. Having won in South African and Asia, the next step was Europe and to achieve that now means I can compete against these guys, which is very rewarding.”

Having finished in a share of second at the Magical Kenya Masters the following week, Harding had cracked the top 50 and qualified for an invite to mix it with the very best over the hallowed turf of Augusta National. Buoyed by his memorable 12 months’ success, Harding was one of the stars of the week after finishing tied 12th on his debut to earn his spot in this

“My game had become a lot more consistent which came from a better understanding of my golf and what I can and can’t do on a golf course, controlling emotions better, putting myself in contention more. There are a multitude of reasons for how well I was performing. I’m trying to remember these things again!”

JUSTIN HARDING

HARDING IMPRESSED ON HIS MASTERS DEBUT WITH A TIED 12TH FINISH AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL LAST YEAR.

year’s Masters, further announcing himself to the golfing world.

MAIDEN MASTERS “I had a brilliant experience and that was obviously helped by a decent finish and playing well from Thursday through to Sunday - but I handled my emotions well all week,” he says. “I found good speed control on the

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greens early on in the week and just rolled with it. Statistically I had an unbelievable week on the greens. I had watched the Masters a few times on TV and with that you play the golf course in your mind a few times - you know where to hit it, it was just a matter of handling the nerves and executing the golf shots.

“I think it’s going to be bizarre this year as

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JUSTIN HARDING

we are playing in November but I haven’t really looked into how the golf course will play. The important thing is what is the course going to be like. It’s going to be weird and no-one really knows, so there are a lot of question marks involved.”

Harding’s emphatic surge up the rankings was partly in thanks to his brilliance on the greens last season. It’s easy to spot the seventime Sunshine Tour winner out on the course as he uses the rare and unconventional Odyssey Broomstick putter as his weapon of choice, which saw him rank second in Putts Per Round and seventh in Putts Per Greens in Regulation on the European Tour last season.

‘EERIE AND QUIET’ “I initially used the Broomstick putter as a training aid,” he says. “It was working well for me and I was holing putts so well I took it into competition. I’ve used it exclusively for the last couple of years now. Before that, my putting was on and off, depending on results.

Last year my putting stats were great on the European Tour and PGA Tour so it worked well – but it’s been a bit naughty this year!”

Since golf’s temporary hiatus due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Harding’s form has been a mixed bag with top three finishes at both the Betfred British Masters and the Andalucía Masters sandwiching four finishes outside the top 40 on the UK Swing.

The lack of fans helped Harding prepare for those events but last month’s US Open at the notoriously tough set-up at Winged Foot ‘just didn’t feel right.’

“It was a bit odd not having any fans there,” he says. “It was a strange atmosphere. Playing on the European Tour without the fans had been helpful in terms of preparation but, at the same time, an event like the US Open

HARDING’S UNCONVENTINAL ODYSSEY BROOMSTICK PUTTER HELPED HIM ON THE WAY TO BEING RANKED SECOND IN PUTTS PER ROUND ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR IN 2019

needs crowds, especially New Yorkers! I really enjoyed the rowdy crowds at Bethpage last year. It can be a bit eerie and quiet. There were a couple of groups that had set up stands in their own yards, and they got loud, but it’s where golf is at the moment.

“You have to compliment the European Tour and all of the tours for getting the show back on the road. They’ve done a great job. The bubble is a stringent policy but it’s necessary for the European Tour to continue. The PGA Tour is doing it a little bit differently but all of their events are in the same country. To get things up and running in the current climate is an unbelievable achievement.

“Certainly, the players are thankful for it.

We will probably continue like this for the rest of the year. We all accept the situation, but, hopefully, we can get some fans back next year.”

Harding now turns his attentions to the second UK Swing, which includes two Rolex Series events, before flying stateside for this year’s delayed Masters. With plenty of Race to Dubai points on offer, Harding will be aiming to collect his fair share as he looks to seal a spot in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship for the second year running.

“The DP World Tour Championship is another of those events that you earn the right to play,” he said. “Once you get there you know that you’ve earned your place as one of the guys. The golf course is challenging, it’s tough and you need to execute your game over each of the 18 holes. It lends itself to the bombers, but you have to get it around on the greens. It’s a good test. The event and its sponsors are huge for the growth of the game and the Tour. Without sponsors like them, the Tour and players could not survive.” ■

SPRINGBOK SPIRIT WHO WOULD MAKE UP YOUR DREAM SOUTH AFRICAN FOURBALL? “I’d choose to have a little betterball game around Leopard Creek with Oliver Bekker, George Coetzee and Branden Grace.”

WHO IS THE GREATEST SOUTH AFRICAN GOLFER AND WHY? “For me, it’s Ernie Els. He was World No.1 for a short period before Tiger Woods really rose to prominence and he won so many titles all over the world – there were a lot of titles that he didn’t win because Tiger got in the way!”

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HOW WELL DO YOU GET ALONG WITH THE OTHER SOUTH AFRICAN’S ON TOUR? “The majority of us get on with each really well. We’re all from different parts of South Africa and grew up in different areas but a lot of us played junior golf together so it’s nice having that little community on Tour.

It’s the same with the Spanish and the Italians.

It’s a nice little atmosphere.

You don’t want to lose to anyone but we all root for each other and it’s always nice to have a South African winner, even if it’s not yourself.”

COLUMN

DAVID HOWELL The greats have decaticated their lives to the game.

DeChambeau Does it Differently Bryson’s dedication leads him to take the scientific route to success

I

’D LIKE TO BOAST that it was me, your humble Worldwide Golf Columnist who was known globally as the most dedicated golfer on the planet. But alas I think we all recognise that it was the other WWG Columnist, the mighty Gary Player, who was renowned as the fittest, most determined golfer of his era. Whilst some may have been more gifted, no one will work harder than me, was his mantra. Nine Majors and a lifetime as part of the Big Three along with Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, was his reward, quite some feat, no doubt about that.

Of course, all players who elevate their game to the level of Tour player don’t do it on talent alone. Every one of them has dedicated their life to the pursuit of being the best golfer they can be; they have done the 10,000 hours; they have sacrificed in other areas of their life to make it onto the Tour - that’s just a given. Dedication is a pre-requisite to becoming a Tour-pro, but from that point on, some players are able to go that extra mile, to live a life so one- dimensional that nothing will stand in their way of the pursuit of their dreams.

Sir Nick Faldo gave his life to golf for 30 years, letting nothing come in his way in his search for greatness. No stone was left unturned; hours spent grinding away were second to none, of that there was no doubt; and from that, I know from experience also comes a sense of entitlement. When it comes to the crunch that, too, can make a difference.

Tiger factor

Then Tiger hit the scene. He was more talented, had more natural ability, and he was more focused than any golfer has ever been before.

His destiny was decided by the age of ten, not by anyone else but by himself. Jack Nicklaus’s records were there to be beaten, and Tiger embarked on a journey that no other player had dared to tread, truly aiming for the stars.

Let me be clear, I have been on Tour for twenty-five years, and I can’t think of many players who have a ‘laissez faire’ attitude towards their careers. Everyone is trying their best, they are embarking on their chosen career path in the best way they see fit for them. They are investing in coaches and physios and personal trainers, phsycologists, nutritionists and, if you feel like I do right now, probably neurologists!

But, once in a while someone comes along and does something totally different, and boy is Bryson DeChambeau doing things differently. Imagine the strength of mind it takes to be inspired by the world’s best players, watching them on television, dreaming of joining them as teenagers do, to want to be one of them, but to also think: “Do you know what, I think there’s a better way to go about playing this game.”

To be the only player using the same length shafts in his irons is an incredible statement in itself. The inquisitive mind that Bryson clearly possesses is a strength, but eschewing decades of wisdom that says ‘this is how golf is played’ is quite something. Most people are trying to copy their idols, but the new US Open Champion is only copying one thing from the greats that have gone before him, and that is total and utter immersion in the game.

He has taken preparation to a new level, one that not many will be able to follow, but his ‘scientific’ approach is one that has only really been made available as science in other areas has improved.

Trackman and Flightscope provide the numbers and Shotlink took statistical data to a new level on the PGA Tour 15 years ago. Mark Brody then interpreted those stats differently and started to paint a different and clearer picture for everyone to contemplate. Titleist, at their TPI centre in Carlsbad, California, mapped out the golf swing as a Kinetic chain 20 years ago, power generation became a focus because movement experts started to understand where the power comes from.

Green books and protein shakes

Green reading books came along after the advent of a machine that can scan the greens and produce the book. And, of course, the club manufacturers have taken things to a new level, too. Let’s face facts: Putting on three stone in muscle in just four months is an incredible feat, probably only possible due to the science that has gone into those protein shakes that have made their way into Bryson’s hands, along with lots of old-fashioned toil in the Gym, ‘the blood, sweat and tears’ as he eloquently put it.

So the science of golf has been improving, and Bryson has put it all together in a truly exceptional way. He is a product of our times and has earned the respect of just about every player I have spoken to. He has done something different, and been successful at it, and this makes him as deserving a Major winner as we have had for a long time.

I played at Winged Foot 15 or so years ago when Australian Geoff Ogilvy emerged the winner. In fact, I played alongside him over the first two days. His short game was sensational and, strangely, I remember commenting to my caddy that if Geoff could start hitting it a little better over the weekend then he might have a chance – turns out I was right about that one.

I myself made 18 birdies that week, and 6-over-par won the tournament, which meant all I had to do was play the other 54 holes in 23 over par, a feat you might imagine was more than doable.

Alas, I don’t write today as a former US Open Champion, just another golfer who couldn’t work out how to get the ball up and down around those dastardly Winged Foot green complexes. ■

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COLUMN

PETE COWEN Forget lengthening courses, bring back the spinning ball. That will sort them all out!

Slash and Gouge He might not be the fastest, and he goes about things in his own unique style, but Bryson DeChambeau has found a way to get the job done.

S

INCE Bryson DeChambeau overpowered Winged Foot my phone has been going crazy with people asking me if this is the new look of the game. I’ve answered this question many times over the last four decades, ever since Jack Nicklaus drove through the back of the 18th at St Andrews.

Distance will always give players an advantage. Jack was the first to highlight this and Tiger backed it up. Bryson has always had speed. He hasn’t all of a sudden guzzled 600g of protein a day and smashed the gym to pick up blistering ball speed. He was registering close to 190mph ball speed at The Open last year. Since then his added bulk has enabled him to apply more force and absorb the energy required to pound the ball the way he does.

US Open rough wasn’t as challenging as it looked

So, what happened at the US Open was that he proved he is a thinker. The rough looked deep on television, for sure, but what you couldn’t see was the fact that the grass was so long it folded over on itself. This meant the balls we not sinking into the base of the rough and enabled players to make a relatively clean contact. We threw close to 100 balls round some greens and not one made its way to the base of the rough. Bryson took full advantage of that and was able to use his length in the air to take the course on.

It’s not a new technique as Tiger and Jack have demonstrated throughout the years. It was just that Bryson had the game to carry it off and, as usual, he had made the calculations.

I can’t see many players deciding to bulk up like Bryson. Possibly Rory might add a few more pounds to take him on but you either have the genetic speed or you don’t. You can enhance the speed through the right techniques, but the base is normally a gift you are born with.

Now, you will no doubt be thinking that Bryson will not be able to achieve the same results round Augusta in November, but I believe he will find a way. He’s not just long with the driver but he’s accurate with it, so the Masters committee will find it hard to protect the course against someone with that kind of ability, and a solid short game to go with it. They tried to Tiger-proof it after he demolished the field in 1997 but lengthening the course just plays into the hands of the big hitters.

Driving is no longer an artform

Technology has a lot to answer for. Back in the 1970s and 80s players shone in particular aspects of the game. Players became known as drivers; iron players; short game specialists and putters.

Today, everyone drives the ball great. Some are longer than others but when the Tour average is more than 290 yards, driving has been mastered by most players in the field. There will always be a Jack; a Tiger; or a Rory in the field. But they are a limited few.

So how do you future-proof the Majors – or even the professional game – from the whole field from turning iconic courses into a drive, pitch and putt? It’s simple– bring back the high-spinning ball like the balata. The higher the ball speed, the higher the spin and we will see many players reloading off the tee.

You couldn’t tee a balata up and let it fly on full throttle. They had a mind of their own and loved to wander when misstruck ever so slightly.

Bring back the reload

Golf is just made to look too easy by the professionals and the high-spinning ball will bring them back down to earth. They will not only be standing on a tee box figuring out carry distances but also paying attention to the trouble left and right. ■

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COLUMN

y r a i D our

A D R I

A R N A U S

T

Adri Arnaus has risen through the ranks of tour golf at sensational speed. He won the Alps Tour Order of Merit in 2017, while still an amateur, after two victories including the tour’s season-ending grand final. He then repeated the feat by winning the Challenge Tour finale in Ras Al Khaimah in 2018 to take second place on the Rankings and gain promotion to the European Tour. His maiden campaign on the Race to Dubai was also a success after he secured a place at the seasonending DP World Tour Championship following three runner-up finishes throughout 2019.

FTER a busy summer playing in the States and then the European Tour’s UK Swing, it was nice to spend some time away from golf for the majority of September before heading to Northern Ireland for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

I’m very intense and demand a lot of myself when I’m playing so I wanted to reflect on the ‘new normal’ and have some time with my friends and family after the Wales Open. It can get frustrating being inside the COVID-19 bubbles when playing in tournaments, so it was nice to get away from that for a little bit and head out onto the course with some of my friends which is always a lot of fun.

I also went to my home club, Moia Golf Club, where we hosted the third edition of a golf tournament that is held under my name.

I have such a great group of people who follow me through my golfing journey so this is my way of saying thank you to them. The club has a lovely nine hole course and my dad is also the president so it’s great for me to spend time with those that are close to me and give something back to them for all their support.

Having spent the first few weeks of September relaxing, I felt ready to get out to tournament golf again at Galgorm Castle for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. Being a resident in Dubai it’s great to see a huge company like Dubai Duty Free are still backing the European Tour despite everyone’s struggles right now due to the

A

Adri Arnaus in action at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open last month.

ongoing pandemic. I felt very relaxed heading into the event and we had a fun start to the week with the ‘Kids Club Challenge’ where I managed to pitch it within 10 feet of the hole with a child’s seven iron. I didn’t feel like many players would beat me – but it turned out that a few of them had some good skills with the little clubs! I felt I played well on the first day but I let it slip away on the final couple of holes which I carried into the start

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of round two, but I always thought I could turn it around and a birdie and eagle on my final two holes was a nice way to ensure I made the cut. It was really important to me to get four rounds under my belt and to finish off with a five under par 65 was a brilliant end to a really good week.

I’m edging nearer to the top 50 of the Race to Dubai and sealing my spot in the DP World Tour Championship, which is definitely one of my main goals for this strange season. I want to finish as high on the Rankings as possible and we have some big events coming up including the BMW PGA Championship which has plenty of points on offer. I’m also going to be heading out to Italy later this month and then to Cyprus which is a place I’ve never been to before, so I’m really keen to check it out as I’ve heard lots of good things.

It’s going to be an exciting end of the year for us golfers on the European Tour with lots of rumours about more events being added to the schedule to fill the gap between The Masters and the DP World Tour Championship. I think Dubai would be a great destination for more events with the vast range of fantastic courses in such a small space – and the fact that the weather is going to be a great temperature for 18 holes. It’s been a while since I’ve been back to the place I now call home so I’m really looking forward to getting back out there after hopefully playing my way in to the DP World Tour Championship. ■

GET FITTED AND HIT THE RANGE

SWING EASY AT THE ELS CLUB

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GEAR

T

he Els Club have opened up their brand new ‘Swing Easy’ hardware store which gives golfers in the region access to the hottest and latest products from the biggest brands in the market along with offering a top-class fitting service.

The new store, which can be found on the driving range, offers a great range of deals for seasoned veterans to beginner golfer on products from Callaway, Titleist, Mizuno, Ping and TaylorMade.

The great location of the Swing Easy hardware store makes it the perfect destination for golfers to experience the first-class fitting service on offer. With the club’s driving range adjacent to the new store, golfers will have the opportunity to get fitted by one of the store's Custom Fit Specialists, ensuring you have the right equipment in your hands by testing it out on the range.

“Come and see us down at our brand-new Swing Easy store to get your hands on some of the hottest products on the market,” said Alex Mickleburgh, Store Manager and Custom Fit Specialist.

“We’ve got a great team down here who are always on hand to help out and offer the bestin-class fitting service for anyone looking to buy one of our products. People don’t often realise the importance until they get fitted and our team will always offer the best service to make sure you get the equipment that is perfect for you.”

For more info: Email: alex@prosports.ae Phone: +971 50 229 8506

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ENABLE YOUR NATURAL MECHANICS BY

JONATHAN CRADDOCK

PGA GOLF PROFESSIONAL DG PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT golfcoachjc

WITH THE JC FLOW

I

f I had a dollar for every time I heard a golfer say they struggled with consistency, I’d be very wealthy!

But on a serious note, I usually follow that comment with the question, ‘why do you think that might be?’ Often the answer is linked to one plane of motion such as weight shift (lateral) or turning of the hips/ shoulders (transverse) – both of which prompt frequent misconceptions.

Let’s say, for argument’s sake, the golf swing is two seconds long and the downswing is less than half a second – how much time does it take to transfer the weight from the rear to front foot, or turn the hips? How much should we transfer the weight and at what point do the hips turn? How much do we turn? Should I also turn the upper body with the lower?

Whilst this is happening, what is happening to the swing path, or the clubhead or in fact the upper body vs the lower? Where is the balance? Why do I early extend?

Why is my club casting? And my favourite – how much should I lag the golf club? I’m pretty sure many readers have played with many of these thoughts!

The answer quite easy… casting and early extension are caused by misleading tuitional points, namely weight shift and sequencing to turn the hips first.

Lag of the golf club is in fact inevitable, yet the term is often misunderstood which causes players to increase the amount of dragging or pulling during transition in the downswing as opposed to using the correct

natural forces. If a player is trying to master any of the aforementioned points my advice would be: STOP, today.

Quite honestly, manipulated movements are hard to replicate without practice and at that point all that is being worked on is timing over mechanics. If timing works for a short time it will inevitably break down at some point. I bet every golfer reading this article has made a swing with minimal-to-no thought yet has produced a bullet, due to moving pressure correctly from the body out to the club and from the club back to the body.

At the Peter Cowen Academy we use tour tested, proven signature drills to enable a golfer to increase their power and consistency through building the correct movement patterns.

The movement should be natural and individualised. Gone are the days where the senior golfer needs to give up power or distance! I will increase all golfers’ yardages and, more importantly, reduce injuries with improved efficiency by reducing poor outdated mechanics.

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INSTRUCTION

THE DRILL The JC Flow drill allows the body and the club to work with natural mechanics. The body has to accelerate and decelerate correctly, moving energy out to the golf club whilst inevitably realising the pressure transfers needed – NOT WEIGHT SHIFT. Start with the simple internal/external hip warm up followed by the ladder drill to build the movement incrementally. Once the ladder is built and your body feels warm, move into the JC Flow. The Flow consists of placing balls approximately two clubheads apart and moving the swing back and through whilst correctly maintaining the distance to the next strike by moving the feet correctly within

the swing. Start with the balls in a line and measure yourself on the rhythm and balance you can maintain. The more you do this drill the more you can rely on your body’s natural swing mechanics, reducing thought, just do it I say!

To increase certain pressures, you can place the balls on either diagonal toward or away from target, the Flow will need to be altered subsequently changing the acceleration deceleration phases.

Golf is easy, but misinformation makes the swing hard to replicate. Don’t think, use natural forces and mechanics to allow your swing to Flow. Everyone can and should grip it and rip it. See you on the lesson tee.

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Check out the video for a more in-depth view of the drill. Or if you want to check your mechanics, why not visit the Peter Cowen Academy Dubai and find out at first hand why his players are the most successful on Tour.

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WATCH THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf Worldwide.Golf

3 Hole rd

FIRE COURSE JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES BY

JACKSON BELL,

TEACHING PROFESSIONAL JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES

jacksonbell01

F

rom the elevated members’ tee, the bunkers will suddenly catch your eye – tricky bunkers placed left and right of the fairway and all in driving distance. As well as the bunkers, you have trees and out of bounds left to try and negotiate.

So where do I hit my tee shot? For me, the best shot here is a club short of the bunkers so they are taken out of play immediately.

From here you will also be on the higher part of the fairway so you’ll have a better view of the undulating green.

Now, the approach shot is far from easy.

With the green guarded by numerous deep bunkers at the front and sloping massively from front to back with fall offs left and right it’s a daunting task. Accuracy is key and if I have anything more than a 9-iron I always aim for the front half of the green as it kicks down before it stops, which should mean it finds its way to the centre of the green.

For the ‘big hitters’, once you get your nerves out the way of OB left and trees left, you will have the brave carry of 275 to clear the fairway bunker up the right.

If you manage this, the ball will generously kick right to left and find the middle of the fairway. From here you’ve no more than a ‘flick’ into the green. Easy? No - the second shot is blind so line and distance control are key and watch out for all those slopes waiting to kick your ball left and right. Be sensible, hit the middle of the green, take four and run!

EXPERIENCE THE FIRE COURSE AT THE BEST RATES BY BOOKING ON THE ‘VIYA’ MOBILE APPLICATION

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INSTRUCTION

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AL HAMRA GOLF CLUB SET TO HOST REGION’S

BIGGEST JUNIOR AMATEUR EVENT

T

he Middle East’s biggest organiser of junior golf tournaments, Golf Events Management, is delivering on its promise to bring world class amateur events to the United Arab Emirates with the announcement that the new UAE World Amateur Junior Golf Championship will be held at Al Hamra Golf Club from December 9 - 12.

T

he UAE World Amateur Junior Golf Championship will open up an opportunity for some of the best junior amateur golfers from around the world to compete in a World Amateur Golf Rankingsanctioned event.

Amateur players up to the age of 19 will go head-to-head over the immaculate Peter Harradine-designed course, which has previously hosted the stars of the European Challenge Tour for their Grand Final in 2018, over four days with separate competitions for boys and girls.

As well as competing for highly soughtafter WAGR points, the tournament also

offers players a chance to secure their spot on the Global Junior Golf Ranking and the Junior Scoreboard Ranking, which allows amateurs to check their position amongst players from more than 80 countries worldwide.

The new tournament is a first-of-its-kind in the country and will be held annually due to a collaboration between Golf Events Management, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) and Al Hamra Golf Club.

Paul Booth, General Manager of Al Hamra Golf Club said: “Al Hamra Golf Club is delighted to again partner with Golf Events

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Management, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and Troon, to deliver the first Official World Amateur Golf Ranking Junior Championship in the country, we are especially pleased to showcase the wonderful Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

“This new annual event will give young talented golfers worldwide, the opportunity to test themselves against other aspiring golfers.”

The announcement of the tournament is another big step for Golf Events Management’s Managing Director, Abedallah Shana’ah, in giving amateur golfers a taste of top-class events in the region.

UAE WORLD AMATEUR JUNIOR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

From L-R: Christopher Hewett (Vice President- Hospitality, Al Hamra Village), Paul Booth (Al Hamra Golf Club, General Manager), Raki Phillips (RAKTDA CEO), Ali Kalbat (Golf Events Management, General Manager), Abedallah Shana’ah (Golf Events Management, Managing Director).

only in the region but also in the world, and we’re delighted that RAKTDA and Al Hamra Golf Club share our vision of delivering world class amateur events to the region.

“The partnership with RAKTDA will showcase Ras Al Khaimah as one of the main

international destinations for golf, offering an abundance of fantastic facilities for players and tourists.

“It also allows us to develop and market the UAE as one of the main destinations for golf in the world.”

Ali Kalbat, General Manager of Golf Events Management: “This competition will offer the best young golfers in the region a chance to compete against their counterparts globally, and we will be sure to market this event to the entire region, positioning it to become one of the biggest events in junior golf.

“We are so proud that we are the first national company to establish an event of this high standing within the region, in cooperation with our main partners RAKTDA and Al Hamra Golf Club. We will continue to develop this event to become one of the best and biggest

not only in the region but in the world.

“The main goal of this event is to introduce juniors to a professional golfing environment, help potential players to compete in high-class ranked events with their counterparts from across the world and to lead juniors to the path of professional golf.”

Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority: Shanah’ah set up the Junior Open Masters Tour in 2018, the only global ranking junior tour in the region, in a bid to help players become recognised on the world stage. With the UAE World Amateur Golf Championship being officially sanctioned by the WAGR he is well on his way to that goal.

“We are proud to host an event of this scale in cooperation with the highest golf ranking organisation in the world for amateurs and other junior global ranking organisations,” said Shana’ah, who will also serve as Tournament Director. “The UAE World Amateur Junior Golf Championship will be one of the major tournaments for juniors, not

“RAKTDA is increasing its focus on the sports and adventure tourism event segment with the introduction of a range of outdoor events that take advantage of the diverse natural landscape.

“This includes world-class events such as; the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, which welcomed more

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than 5,000 runners in February, Tough Mudder and Desert Warrior, in addition to several hiking challenges and events in Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest peak.

“We are pleased to welcome young golfers and their families to Ras Al Khaimah, which is truly a great place to combine watching sport with an exciting stay.”

ARABIAN GOLF SHARJAH GOLF AND SHOOTING CLUB

SAUDI GOL F F E DE RAT ION

SAUDI GOLF FEDERATION TO ESTABLISH JOINT EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMME WITH TADREES HOLDING

Johnston clinches Major Title The oldest Major in the club’s history – the Summer Open – saw EGF member Lee Johnston take the spoils with a very impressive score of 42 points. The 13th staging of the event saw play from the tricky black and blue tee boxes and a full field took to the course to compete in a Stableford format. Andrew Thom finished runnerup with 40 points while in the Gross Division a score of 35 was good enough for Bishnu Sharma to take the spoils. Rounding out the prizes was Gary Hibbert who won the Summer Senior Open.

Tadrees Holding, the leading company in the field of education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Golf Federation (SGF) have signed a memorandum of understanding confirming their desire to jointly roll out a golf education and training programme, known as ‘Get Into Golf’, in partner managed schools throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The programme seeks to implement golf coaching strategies across the Tadrees schools network and enrich the lives of Saudi youths and will provide students with a sporting opportunity that is fun, engaging and instils in them lifelong social and athletic skills.

The programme will also establish an educational framework for physical educators within the Tadrees network to expand their knowledge base by providing them with additional skills and qualifications to enhance the diversity of their teaching and strengthen the company’s position as a market leader in education within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Majed Al-Sorour, CEO, Saudi Golf Federation

J UMEI RAH GOL F E ST AT E S

Teale goes low for Medal triumph Life’s a beach for Butt Shaheen Butt came out on top via a countback against Weijan Xu to win the return of the Coral Beach Sharjah events last month as an almost full field turned out in a quest for honours.

Playing strokeplay from red tees, players took full advantage of the shorter course set-up with some excellent scores posted on the night.

Butt’s tally of 33 was matched by Xu but his stronger finish saw him emerge victorious. In Division ‘B’ Arnel Valencia posted a score of 30 (6-under-par) with Jirong Liu in second on 31 – a score that surely would have won the top prize on any other night.

Scoring was exceptional on the Fire course for the recent OMA Emirates Medal and taking the spoils on the day with a net 63 was Richard Teale.

The Men’s Division ‘A’ went to Rakesh Yadav with a net 65 (from a 69 gross), one clear of Samvit Chopra who just snuck in front of Rob Hofmann after a countback to take second place. In Men’s Division B, Mohammed Darwish shot a brilliant net 63 to win by four ahead of Moustafa Shahin with Alan Dobbin in third with a 69. Sheila McIlroy won the Ladies Division with a 70, three clear of Ursula Lotti while in the competitive Seniors Division a net 71 saw Haiyan Mujarkech take the spoils. The gross prize on the day went to Viggo Sorensen with a very solid score of 70.

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and Golf Saudi, commented: “Our ultimate goal at the Saudi Golf Federation is to grow the game of golf so the maximum amount of people are aware and can experience the benefits and value of the game. Working closely with Tadrees Holding is essential to delivering the tiered programme we strive to at Saudi Arabian schools.”

As part of the agreement with Tadrees Holding, the Saudi Golf Federation will appoint a representative to act as the coordinator overseeing the roll out plan and to act as the liaison for communications between both entities.

The Saudi Golf Federation will also loan free of charge SNAG (Starting New At Golf) coaching equipment to all schools within the Tadrees network, along with golf coaching education to the physical education teachers by way of the Federation’s “Train the Trainer” programme, which will see a qualified professionals assigned to provide assistance to ensure best practice and successful implementation.

ARABIAN GOLF S AA D IY A T B E A C H G O LF CLUB

EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

RARE BIRD SPOTTED AT SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB Saadiyat Beach Golf Club has witnessed the sighting of an extremely rare subspecies of migratory bird called the Steppe Whimbrel.

The bird was sighted by the lake on the 18th hole and created a lot of excitement around the facility.

The Steppe Whimbrel was formally known only by museum specimens taken in late 1800s / early 1900s and formally declared extinct in 1995.

In the early 2000s a small number of birds were found at breeding sites in south central Russia and later discovered on wintering grounds in Mozambique in 2016.

The global rarity of the bird is reflected in the fact that no more than 19 breeding pairs have been located at three breeding sites and the maximum ever seen together is 11, on migration on the Caspian Sea, which highlights the importance of the find in Abu Dhabi.

The significance is amplified by the fact this specific sighting is the first ever juvenile Steppe Whimbrel identified and photographed in the

field and the first ever recorded sighting in the Middle East. The sighting of the Steppe Whimbrel also showcases the constructive impact a wellmanaged, sustainable golf course can be in such an environmentally impactful location.

Strong support for the Mike Gerbich Cup

E M I R A TE S G O LF F E D E RATI ON

EGF cancels Order of Merit Championship, ends season early The EGF’s 2019-2020 Order of Merit season was cut short by officials due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic with a final tally calculated based on the events that were completed prior to August.

“It’s always a tough decision to end a season early or cancel events but with the current environment and restrictions around the UAE we feel that this is the right and safe decision for the golfers,” said EGF Secretary General, Mr. Khalid Mubarak al Shamsi.

The EGF also announced that the end of season Order of Merit Championship, a three-day event for the Men’s and Ladies Divisions which carries World Amateur Golf Ranking points, has also been cancelled.

This season’s Order of Merit Men’s Division, played in a gross format, was composed of 12 events which started in October 2019 and ended on March 7th earlier this year, and these two-day, 36-hole events delivered a strong test for every golfer participating.

With a haul of 220.6 points Dan Byrne was the 2019 – 2020 EGF Order of Merit Men’s Division Champion after a very consistent season. The young member at The Els Club posted six top-five finishes in 11 starts to finish top of the pile ahead of UAE National Team member Ahmad Skaik.

Skaik had a great season with two Men’s Open titles and he represented the UAE in the Abu Dhabi

HSBC Golf Championship presented by EGA. His haul of 199.5 points saw him finish second while in third was Dubai Hills Golf Club member Barry Pavic after he collected 147 points from 10 events.

In the Ladies Division, there were two different scoring categories for gross and net and coming away with both titles was Hyeonji Kang of Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. Across seven events Kang won three times to easily top the pile with 179 points.

Natalii Gupta, from Trump International Golf Club, also won three Ladies Opens on her way to finishing second in the gross category with 159 points with third place going to Chantal El Chaib from Abu Dhabi Golf Club with 135 points.

The Boys gross and net winner was Viggo Sorensen with a magnificent score of 256.5 points with four wins across all 10 junior events. The JGE youngster finished well clear of Tiaan Labuschagne from Al Ain Equestrian Shoot & Golf Club with third place going to Valdemar Kofod-Olsen of Emirates Golf Club.

Kate Bibby of The Els Club won the Girls gross title with 221 points thanks to three wins while Lara Al Chaib won the net trophy with 185.5 points.

Finishing second in the gross category behind Bibby was Sakura Kawakami from Al Ain.

Last month saw the annual staging of the Mike Gerbich Cup, held in honour of past Club Captain Mike Gerbich, and a field of 90 competitors took to the Majlis course to contest for honours.

Finishing top of the pile with a haul of 43 points was Arun Khehar after he put together a round that included 7 net birdies and a back nine score of 24 points. Finishing one point back in second place was Tauseef Khan while in third was Sudhir Vora on 39 points.

In Division ‘A’ Anders Kron scored 39 to win by one ahead of Anand Lakhiani while in Division ‘B’ a score of 39 was also good enough to Alex Wonyop to win by one from Vishal Tikku. The gross prize on the day went to Rakesh Shah with 31 points.

“It is great to welcome everyone back for the new season and also see such a strong turnout,” said Cian Hurley, Golf Services Manager.

“Congratulations to Arun Khehar for winning with a great score of 43 points.”

Great scores in seasonopening Ladies Stableford The Ladies at Emirates Golf Club got their 2020/21 season underway with a Stableford competition which also welcomed the new Lady Captain, Naema Maya, into her role.

A superb round by Cathy Lajotte saw her collect 44 points (from a gross 73) over the Majlis course for a score worthy of winning any tournament. In the Silver Division a score of 39 saw Glory Xavier win by one ahead of Shiba Wahid while in the Bronze Division Kiyono Taniuchi compiled 36 points to win by one from Helen Srivastava.

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WORLDWIDE GOLF

TRAVEL

Located roughly 130km north east of Venice, close to the Slovenian border, the Villaverde Hotel & Resort became a European Tour Destination in 2017 and sits gloriously in the shadow of the Julian Alps.

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EUROPEAN TOUR DESTINATIONS

VENUES

LE GOLF NATIONAL PARIS, FRANCE DIAMOND COUNTRY CLUB VIENNA, AUSTRIA PGA CATALUNYA RESORT BARCELONA, SPAIN JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES LIGHTHOUSE GOLF & SPA RESORT CAPE KALIAKRA, BULGARIA SAUJANA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA LONDON GOLF CLUB LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM TERRE BLANCHE HOTEL SPA GOLF RESORT***** PROVENCE, FRANCE GOLF CLUB ST. LEON-ROT HEIDELBERG, GERMANY THE DUTCH AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS BLACK MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB & RESORT HUA HIN, THAILAND ALBATROSS GOLF RESORT PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC BOM SUCESSO OBIDOS, PORTUGAL CONSTANCE BELLE MARE PLAGE POSTE DE FLACQ, MAURITIUS MARCO SIMONE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB ROME, ITALY VERDURA RESORT SICILY, ITALY FINCA CORTESIN HOTEL GOLF & SPA MARBELLA, SPAIN VILLAVERDE HOTEL & RESORT VENICE, ITALY QUINTA DO LAGO ALGARVE, PORTUGAL LINNA GOLF HÄMEENLINNA, FINLAND GOLF SON MUNTANER PALMA, SPAIN TBILISI HILLS GOLF RESORT TBILISI, GEORGIA ESTONIAN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB TALLINN, ESTONIA PIRIN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB SOFIA, BULGARIA CONSTANCE LEMURIA PRASLIN, SEYCHELLES DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YACHT CLUB DUBAI, UAE EMIRATES GOLF CLUB DUBAI, UAE GENZON GOLF CLUB SHENZHEN, CHINA

UNDER DEVELOPMENT:

ROSSINGTON HALL DONCASTER, UNITED KINGDOM SPARBEN GOLF RESORT BORDEAUX, FRANCE

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BOOK GOLF & CLOSE YOUR GAME !

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GOLF TRAVEL

T

he 18 hole course at Villaverde Resort is well established as the premier championship layout in northern Italy and has played host to the Senior Italian Open on the Legends Tour (formerly Staysure Tour) since 2016 as well as welcoming events on the Alps Tour.

The par-72 course features more than 7,000 trees lining the fairways, and beyond them the imposing Alps leave a lasting impression on anyone who tees it up to play.

First established as a nine-hole course in 1972, significant work was undertaken between 2013 and 2017 to bring it up to the standard of hosting internationally renowned events.

The Villaverde Resort also offers guests 33 stylish and elegant double-rooms, all with a private terrace overlooking the golf course.

Also on site is The Lodge Villaverde, which features eight self-catering apartments, integrated in the 85 hectares of the Villaverde Golf Course overlooking

the ninth green. These striking residential pods offer an independent and private lodging solution, ideal for medium and long stays.

Villaverde Wellness & Spa is housed within the resort in a quiet, private space surrounded by the magnificent moraine hills which boasts centuries-old oak and beech trees. The building covers an area of roughly 1,000 square metres in which the hydrotherapy and body treatment areas coexist and a broad range of services are available to ensure the satisfaction of everyone.

The resort is set in the heart of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, which is known for its spectacular wine and food production, including Prosciutto San Daniele, unique salamis, specially smoked trout and versatile ricotta cheeses.

In addition the resort has a hotel located six minutes away in the heart of San Daniele del Friuli. The Hotel, completely restored in 2017, counts 24 modern and stylish double rooms.

For more information: www.villaverderesort.com

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Celebrity We ask the European Tour’s top golfers how their dream dinner party would unfold. Players must choose three celebrities to accompany them, one band or artist to provide the music, what would be on the menu and tell us their favourite party trick! Next in the hotseat is our columnist Adri Arnaus.

ADRI ARNAUS DANIEL RADCLIFFE

I’m a big of Harry Potter!

I’ve seen all the movies so it would be pretty special to meet him.

Music

MARTIN GARRIX

Would have to be Martin Garrix

MARTIN GARRIX

I DJ in my off time so talking about music with him would be cool.

MENU LIONEL MESSI

I’m a lifelong Barcelona fan so having him there would be a dream.

PARTY I COULD JUGGLE TRICK A LITTLE BIT

- Starter -

BURRATA SALAD - Main -

SALMON WITH ASPARAGUS - Dessert -

CHOCOLATE CAKE

GEORGIA HALL 2018 Women’s Open Champion

12-15

N OV E M B E R 2 0 2 0 R OYA L G R E E N S G O L F & C O U N T RY C L U B , K I N G A B D U L L A H E C O N O M I C C I T Y, SAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI’S FIRST-EVER PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S GOLF EVENT

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