Tag Archives: Golf Lessons London

Hanson Only Has Eyes For Ryder Cup

Peter Hanson has had much of his time occupied recently with preparations for The Ryder Cup, but he was pleasantly surprised to make an encouraging start today in the first round of the KLM Open.

He managed to get around the course carding five birdies and just one bogey in a very impressive 66 that put him one shot off the early lead at Hilversumsche GC.

Hanson has won four European Tour events in his career and although claiming his fifth would be nice, his main aim this week is ensuring his game is ready for Medinah in 21 day’s time.

The Swede has been devoting plenty of hours to practice leading-up to his second Ryder Cup appearance, and explained: ”You try not to think too much about the result this week”

Not long to go now, 21 days and counting!

 

Colsaerts Looking To Impress Olazábal In KLM Open

The big hitting Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts is looking forward to the opportunity of competing in the KLM Open on Thursday as he starts his preparations for the Ryder Cup in Medinah.

Colsaerts who finished 19th two weeks ago at the Johnnie Walker Championship, was handed a wild card pick for his impressive form this season, which included a win in a top class field at the Volvo World Match Play Championship back in May.

This will be the Belgian’s first appearance since the announcement, and this weeks tournament will be held at the Hilversumsche Golf Club, which is his penultimate tournament before his first appearance at the  in Medinah.

Colsaerts is the only rookie on Europe’s team and he will be playing alongside Olazábal and Europe team-mate Martin Kaymer, hopefully he will impress Ollie and start the first day in the showpiece event!

Ramsay Singing From The Top Of The Mountains

Scotland’s braveheart Richie Ramsay managed to put all distractions aside as he cruised to victory in the European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre with another impressive performance.

Ramsay carded six birdies in a flawless third round, he masterfully secured the European Tour title in convincing fashion thanks to a quality 66 that lifted him to 16 under.

The was a host of players chasing him but they couldn’t quite match the brilliance of the scot. Marcus Fraser, Fredrik Andersson Hed, Romain Wattel and Danny Willett were four shots back in second, they and the rest of the field having been left trailing in the overnight leader’s wake.

This is Ramsay’s second win on tour, the other coming at the South African Open in December 2009.

“Between then and now I’ve made a lot of big decisions about my career. Today was vindication of that,” said the 29 year old.

I think there will a lot more to come from this man. Watch this space!

McIlroy Ready To Lead Ryder Cup Team

Young Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy admitted he has not set a target in his mind regarding the number of majors he wants to win during his career. I personally think it’s too early to start talking about this kind of stuff, he has only won two majors, maybe let’s start talking about this when he has won another two major’s in the next two years.

McIlroy already has the US Open and USPGA victories under his belt but says he will not base his career on chasing Jack Nicklaus’s record of 18 major victories.

McIlroy’s victory earlier this month in the USPGA moved him back to the top of the World No.1  but  he said the success did not feel anything special to him.

“Life since winning the second one hasn’t changed at all,” he said. “It felt much different than the first. It felt normal, felt like this is what I’m supposed to do, these are the tournaments that I’m supposed to win.”

McIlroy will be the youngest winner of Europe’s Ryder Cup team in the showdown with the USA  in just over 3 weeks, he says he thinks he is ready to be a leader on the team captained by Jose Maria Olazabal.

 

Casey Puts Things Into Perspective

It’s been quite a while coming but Paul Casey is looking forward to being reminded that he has got one of the best jobs in the world going at this week’s Omega European Masters at the the simply stunning Crans-sur-Sierre.

It’s been a tough year for Casey so far, injuries have kept him out for a while and his comeback hasn’t exactly set the world alight. It all started with a rare case of “turf toe” before a shoulder issue hampered his progress more recently.

Because of all the problems it’s meant Casey has been unable to rediscover the superb form that got him to a career high third place in the World Golf Rankings three years ago.

All of these worries will be at the back of the Englishmen’s mind as he gets ready to play at the picturesque Crans-sur-Sierre course in Crans Montana this week. It’s as spectacular as they get when it comes to golf.

The best hole on the course has to be the seventh hole, the players are greeted by a quite amazing view of the neighbouring Alps, which lives long in the memory.

“When you’re out at the seventh tee, the classic image you see, it’s stunning,” he said. “It’s a wonderful place to play golf, not just for the views but also for the people and how we’re treated here.

He will get back in the top 10 in the world next season, I think he is too much of a determined character not to. Plus he loves the Ryder Cup which is a big motivation for anybody.

Colsaerts One Step Closer To Dream

The big hitting Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts was over the moon with his start at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles – if things were to stay as they are he would be going to Chicago with the rest of the European Team but unfortunately he still has three more rounds to negotiate and a lot of hard work in front of him.

You have to admire the start he’s made though, I know these guys get paid a hell of lot and have a great life but it takes a lot of guts and nerve to produce a great round of golf knowing you have to come in the top two to qualify for the biggest event in golf.

He managed to shoot a three under par 69 to be one behind the brilliant Thorbjørn Olesen and said: “Exactly the day I wanted – something not very stressful.”

Even if Colsaerts doesn’t manage a top two finish he must have a good chance of a wild card if necessary, but he rightly wants qualifying for the team automatically as he feels it would do his confidence the world of good heading into the match in Chicago.

Lawrie Ready For Ryder Cup Battle

13 years ago Paul Lawrie was  given the chance to hit the first tee shot of The 1999 Ryder Cup in Brookline, and the memories of it still give him the shivers today, but after making his debut (not long after his British Open win) in golf’s greatest team event Lawrie can’t wait for a second bite at the cherry.

The Scot has held a strong position on the Ryder Cup Qualification Lists, but for months has refused to accept he was a certainty for the 12 strong team bound for Chicago, and he now can’t be caught even in this week’s Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and is finally prepared to talk openly about his return to the Ryder Cup.

There is still one place remaining out of the ten automatic qualifiers with Nicolas Colsaerts bidding to become the first Belgian golfer to play in The Ryder Cup, needing a finish of no worse than second. Good luck this week Nicolas, I would love to see him in the team.

Germany V Belgium – Who Will Win Last Spot?

It’s coming to the business end of the Ryder Cup and Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts comes into this week’s Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles chasing that all important final automatic spot in the star studded European Team. Sergio Garcia’s win in the states yesterday earned the Spaniard a place in what I think is going to be a great Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club.

Garcia took the eighth spot in the qualification standings after claiming his first  win for four years on the US PGA Tour and in the process pushed Martin Kaymer to tenth place and unfortunately Ian Poulter out of the automatic places. But I’m confident that Poulter will get a pick from captain Olazabal.

But as Kaymer  is not playing this week in Scotland, Nicolas Colsaerts has a great opportunity to claim the final place for the European Team, I was lucky enough to play golf with Colsaerts a couple of years ago and let me tell you, that boy can hit a golf ball! The Ryder Cup takes place at the Illinois venue from September 28-30.

McIlroy and Woods Go Head-To-Head In Showdown

Yesterday it was announced that there would be a head-to-head match between Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods in an 18-hole exhibition match in China later this year.

McIlroy, who is currently perched at the top of the world rankings after his USPGA triumph, and Woods who is number three at the moment will do battle at the Lake Jinsha International Golf Club.

After McIlroy’s great USPGA victory last weekend major at Kiawah Island it’s prompted renewed comparisons with Woods who has 14 majors to his name and was also number one for many years.

McIlroy completely ran away with the title last week – which included Woods, who was tied for the lead at the halfway stage – to win by an amazing eight-shot margin, which is slightly younger than when Woods won his second major.

Has McIlroy got what it takes to be the greatest of all time? He certainly has the talent, but has he got the mental toughness that Woods used to have?

Mickelson Scrapes In By The Skin Of His Teeth

Fans favourite Phil Mickelson managed to cling on to the last qualifying position on the American Ryder Cup team even though a closing 74 dropped him out of the top 30 in the US PGA Championship on Sunday.  But by qualifying he will become the side’s record cap holder with his ninth appearance in the Ryder Cup matches.

Even if he hadn’t made the team by automatic qualifying i’m sure captain Davis Love III would have picked him, he makes a great fourball player as he makes so many birdies, I get the feeling he won’t be playing in many foursome matches after his display of driving on the first two day’s at the US PGA but you never know!

Bo Van Pelt was  Mickelson’s closest challenger needing to finish second to ensure himself a Ryder Cup debut.  But with Bogey’s at the 14th and 15th failed to do so.

Not long to go now, who will Jose pick as his wildcards?