Tag Archives: Golf COurses

Montgomerie Backs New European Ryder Cup Captain McGinley

Posted on January 16, 2013 by | Comments Off on Montgomerie Backs New European Ryder Cup Captain McGinley

Colin Montgomerie has told Paul McGinley that he has his backing and will support him  in every way he can after the Dubliner was appointed Ryder Cup captain for the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. 

The European Tour committee  confirmed McGinley as captain yesterday evening in Abu Dhabi ahead of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship which starts tomorrow. McGinley had to fight off a few strong contenders to get the position including  Scotland’s Sandy Lyle and Spains Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Montgomerie who has a fantastic record in the Ryder Cup matches and won as captain in 2010 was a late contender for the job after it was announced the Tom Watson would be leading the US team out to battle. But is was McGinley who was successful.

Montgomerie said he is confident that McGinley has the experience after two Ryder Cups as vice-captain.

 

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Monty In Late Running To Get Ryder Cup Job Again

Posted on January 14, 2013 by | Comments Off on Monty In Late Running To Get Ryder Cup Job Again

World number one Rory McIlroy is giving his full support to Paul McGinley on getting the job as 2014 Ryder Cup captain despite reports claiming Colin Montgomerie will be given the task to lead Europe once again.

The European Tour is set to announce the decision on Tuesday. Whoever gets the nod will be up against a very strong captain in Tom Watson and a very strong American team no doubt. There wasn’t any mention of Monty being involved until recent weeks but he is now favourite to take charge at Gleneagles.

Paul McGinley is Motgomerie’s only real contender now Darren Clarke is out of the running, and if Monty is chosen he will have the chance to win back-to-back Ryder Cups which was last achieved by Tony Jacklin when he won in 1985 & 1987.

Without doubt Paul McGinley would make a great captain and has done a great job as vice captain in recent years but I think Monty will get the job after such a spirited comeback last year and of course his tremendous record as a Ryder Cup player to boot.

 

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Rory Set To Sign £250m Nike Deal

Posted on January 8, 2013 by | Comments Off on Rory Set To Sign £250m Nike Deal

The speculation about Rory McIlroy making a switch to join Nike has become ever more apparent after it was announced that he would not be renewing his sponsorship deal with  the Jumeirah Group. It is believed the the Northern Irishman has earned around £4.4 million in a deal that he signed with the Dubai company 5 years ago.

McIlroy also ended deals with Oakley and Titleist at the end of 2012 leaving him open to sign the speculated £250 million deal over 5 years with Nike.

The official announcement is expected to made in Abu Dhabi on the 14th of January.

Do you think it’s a good move for Rory? Or should he be concentrating on trying to become the best player that’s ever lived rather than trying to earn as much as he possibly can?

 

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McIlroy ‘Should He Stay Or Should He Go?’

Posted on January 4, 2013 by | Comments Off on McIlroy ‘Should He Stay Or Should He Go?’

Yesterday Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy revealed  that he might not compete at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro to stay clear of any controversy which might occur over which country the 23 year old should represent.

The world No 1 who is from the beautiful County Down in Northern Ireland, could play for either the Republic of Ireland or Great Britain in Brazil when golf is due to be a part of the Games again for the first time since 1904.

“If I could and there was a Northern Irish team I’d play for Northern Ireland. Said McIlroy

When it was announced that golf was returning to the Olympics  back in 2009 McIlroy announced he would “probably play for Great Britain” which he also repeated last year, but he has now had second thoughts.

To be honest, does it really matter who he plays for? As long as golf is back in the Olympics for everyone to see and McIlroy gets to show his talent to a much wider audience it can only be good for the game.

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Happy New Year – Here’s to a great year of golf!

Posted on January 2, 2013 by | Comments Off on Happy New Year – Here’s to a great year of golf!

Good morning and a Happy New Year!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas break and New Year celebrations and are looking forward to 2013. I’m sure you’re all itching to get out onto the golf course after the poor weather that we’ve had recently, I know I am!

I will continue writing posts this year keeping you all up-to-date on the latest news in the world of golf and giving my views on tournaments and major championships. 

Last year saw some amazing scenes and I’m sure this year will be no different. For whatever reason the quality of golf that we see seems to get better and better every year and I don’t see why this year should be any different.

Here’s to a great year of golf and getting those handicaps down!

James

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Rory McIlroy Finishes Top Of The Pops For 2012

Posted on December 17, 2012 by | Comments Off on Rory McIlroy Finishes Top Of The Pops For 2012

Well  the golfing year has ended and it’s Rory McIlroy who tops the Official World Golf Ranking, with Ryder Cup team-mate Luke Donald finishing second.

McIlroy has ended up finishing 251 points clear of Donald with a grand total of  596.99 points. It’s ended up being a decent season for Luke Donald especially after such a great 2011 season. It was a tough start to the season this time round but he finished strongly and should be very satisfied with what he’s done.

McIlroy, who finished third last year, has enjoyed a superb 2012 by winning the USPGA Championship and the Ryder Cup in a season full of drama and a lot of great golf.  McIlroy did have a slight lull in the middle of the season and questions were asked of him but he came back stronger than ever to claim numerous titles.

Tiger Woods managed to finish third behind McIlroy and Donald which was a great improvement on his 23rd place finish last year.

I really can’t wait to see how next season pans out with so many great players in good form and to see if McIlroy can keep doing what he’s been doing or weather Tiger will be back to his absolute best. I think Tiger has played some terrific golf this season but just hasn’t managed to get the putter going. If he can, then 2013 could be a whole different story.

 

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Kaymer All Smiles In The Sun

Posted on December 3, 2012 by | Comments Off on Kaymer All Smiles In The Sun

Martin Kaymer’s year ended a lot better than it began this year and it’s  a welcome relief for the young German who survived a late wobble to hold on for his first victory this year by claiming the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City.

After recently holing what turned out to be the winning put in the Ryder Cup in September and now winning in South Africa, Martin Kaymer is certainly back where he belongs and it won’t be long until he’s back in the top 5 in the world.

Kaymer was overnight leader and looked to be comfortable until bogeying the 15th when he saw his lead cut down to one shot from Charl Schwartzel, but ice cool Kaymer managed to hang on and win by two shots.

The winning total was eight under par.

1. Kaymer -8

2. Schwartzel -6

3. Haas -3 

Another great week for European golf with Graeme McDowell winning Tiger Woods’ tournament in California as well by beating chasing American Keegan Bradley.

We won’t be seeing Tiger Woods play for six weeks as he is taking a break from the game and preparing himself for 2013 in which he hopes he can get back on the major trail again!

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Donald Leads McIlroy By One In Dubai

Posted on November 22, 2012 by | Comments Off on Donald Leads McIlroy By One In Dubai

It was former number one Luke Donald who was back to his best today shooting a superb 65 to take the lead of the DP World Tour Championship, but he’s got the company of current number one Rory McIlroy sitting just one shot back following a fantastic 66.

Donald set the early place and showed that last weeks win at the Dunlop Pheonix in Japan was a sign that he is back to his best and competing with the likes of McIlroy again.

McIlroy didn’t have the best of starts but came to life on the back nine, with five birdies in seven holes putting him right back into contention where he loves to be.

The Northern Irishmen finished the day on six under par alongside Scotland’s Marc Warren  and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano of Spain.

All of the big names are  near the top of the leaderboard waiting to pounce tomorrow and hopefully set up a terrific weekend for us to sit back and enjoy.

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Winter – Keep Your Clubs Out Of The Garage

Posted on November 5, 2012 by | Comments Off on Winter – Keep Your Clubs Out Of The Garage

It’s that time of year again where a lot of golfers put their golf clubs away in the garage and forget about them until spring next year. But for me personally this is the time of year that the clubs are kept at my golf club or in the boot of my car.

Winter is the perfect time to really hone and perfect your game. You have the chance to really work on specific areas of your game which you thought weren’t quite up to scratch in the summer. One thing that I try and work on in the winter is distance control, making sure I know exactly how far each club is going especially with my wedges. From 100 yards and in is the scoring part of the game of golf, if you can get the ball close to flag from 10- 100 yards, you will always have a chance of either a birdie or par putt to keep the momentum of your round going.

I will be giving some tips towards the end of the week on the best way to practice your wedge shots. Happy practising!

To book a lesson or ask any questions about how to improve your game please contact me here

James

 

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Hanson Leads By Two Heading Into The Weekend

Posted on October 26, 2012 by | Comments Off on Hanson Leads By Two Heading Into The Weekend

A brilliant round of 64 gave Peter Hanson a two shot advantage over Rory McIlroy after round two of the BMW Masters in Shanghai.

McIlroy really did look in good touch as he started  to get into a nice groove on the back nine and really did turn the style on, but could not match the brilliance of his Ryder Cup team mate.

Overnight leader Jamie Donaldson teed it up in  the second round four shots clear after his course record 62 but failed to capitalise with a disappointing 74  leaving him six shots back.

World number one McIlroy carded seven birdies for his 65 which got him to 12 under par and Hanson hit nine birdies leaving him at 14 under par.

It should be an exciting weekend ahead, all the top players are lurking waiting to make their move but for me McIlroy looks calm and in control, I think it will take something special to beat him come Sunday.

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