What’s In The Bag Kenny Perry

What’s In The Bag Kenny Perry

Birthday: 10^th August 1960

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 15 stone 10 lbs

Birthplace: Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Turned Pro: 1980

Kenny Perry has won eight times on tour since 2003. Had he won at Augusta, Perry would have become the oldest champion at 48. He attributes his success that week to 20 hours spent on the putting green in the build up. “I wish I had discovered this method 20 years ago”, the ever gracious Perry said in the aftermath of the playoff defeat. Off the course Perry has been honoured for his contribution to social projects. He donates five percent of all his winnings to Lipscomb University in Nashville to provide scholarships for students. He also took out a loan to build Country Creek, a public course in his hometown of Franklin, Kentucky. In 1995, Perry bought 142 acres of land and borrowed more than $2.5 million to design and build the only public course in the town. He can often be found working behind the counter where visitors often ask him, "Do you know Kenny Perry?" He has shot 60 on the course twice himself.

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What’s In Kenny’s Bag

Driver TaylorMade R9 (9.5°) with Fujikura Motore shaft. Changed recently from the Tour Burner. “I've probably lost five to seven yards in distance," Perry said, "but it's given me a lot of confidence in its straightness. I think I can win a U.S. Open with this driver because I'm driving it so straight."
Fairway wood: TaylorMade Burner (14.5°) with Fujikura Rombax TP75 shafts
Irons: TaylorMade r7 (3-PW) FST KBS Tour shafts, X-flex. Used to use blades but now prefers cavity-backs with more offset.
Wedges TaylorMade Rac Z TP (56°, 64°) Cleveland CG 14 (60°)
Putter: Ping G2i Craz-E. No longer available in the shops. A member of Perry’s club, gave him this putter saying it could help is game. How right he was.
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x 2005 version
Misc Wears a blue bracelet in memory of Eric Baumgartner, who had cystic fibrosis. Perry got to know him through Make-A-Wish where they played together. He sadly died shortly after.

What’s In The Bag: Darren Clarke

 

Birthday: 14/08/1968

Height: 6ft 2 1/2in

Weight: 14st

Birthplace: Dungannon, Northern Ireland

Turned Pro: 1990

Darren co-owns a private jet with best friend Lee Westwood, but they only use it when both are playing in the same event. A long haul round trip would set the pair back £60,000 so they mainly use it for European Tour events. The pilot has arguably the best job in the world on a six figure retainer, even though the downturn in the economy means he has to now do charters a couple of times a month!

What’s In The Bag Darren Clarke

 

Driver: Taylormade R9 with Aldila Voodoo XPP8. New in the bag but already a trusted weapon. The adjustable R9 head is not so much designed for distance as for accuracy.
Fairway wood: R9 fairway 13º with Aldila Voodoo DCC shafts. Clarke sometimes interchanges this with a 15º version
Irons: 2-PW Taylormade Burner Tour Preferred, x flex shafts and Lamkin grips. Brand new in Darren’s bag, he is still working on setting the lofts and lies to suit his game. The 2 iron gets switched for a 5-wood when the course dictates.
Wedges: Bob Vokey customized 54º (14º bounce) and 58º (14º bounce) wedges.
Putter: Scotty Cameron customized Studio Select Newport 2. Fitted with dark anti-glare shaft and embossed with the green shamrock and initials “DC”.
Misc: Utility Bag: Darren’s ball bag used be a crocodile’s ball bag! Ball: Taylormade Tour Black with shamrock logo.

The Mount Juliet Fourball Rules Quiz

F ancy a fourball in Mount Juliet, one of the best parkland courses in Ireland? Have a go at our rules quiz and text your answers to 087-3140467 or e-mail to examinerspindoc@eircom.net

Q1. True or False? A player may test the condition of a bunker located 10 yards away from the bunker that his ball in lying in.

Q2. True or False? In a four-ball or foursome competition, a player may ask advice from his partner’s caddie.

Q3. True or False? On the day of the Captain’s Prize, a strokeplay competition, a player may practice on the course very early on the morning of the competition.

Last weeks answers:

Q1. True or False? A player may not ask a fellow competitor the distance between his ball and the flagstick. False: This data regarding distance between two objects is public information not advice.

Q2. True or False? In stroke play, a ball that is played from outside a teeing ground by a player starting play of a hole is not in play. True: two shot penalty incurred and ball must be played from teeing ground.

Q3. True or False? A player may return a scorecard different from the one issued by the committee at the start of the round. True.

Questions from 999 Questions On the Rules Of Golf by Barry Rhodes

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You Tube Video Of The Week: Woody’s Swim The highlight of the 2007 staging of the President’s Cup at Royal Montreal was undoubtedly Woody Austin’s face-plant into the water prompting the nickname “Aqua-Man”.

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What’s In The Bag Dustin Johnson

Dustin Hunter Johnson has become one of the leading players on the PGA Tour. Johnson was born in Columbia, South Carolina and played collegiate golf at Coastal Carolina University. As an amateur, he played on the winning 2007 USA Walker Cup team. Johnson and partner Colt Knost claimed a day one half against Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Jonathon Caldwell. Johnson turned professional following the Walker Cup and earned his 2008 PGA Tour card by finishing in a tie for 14th place in the 2007 qualifying school. Johnson won his first PGA Tour event, the Turning Stone Resort Championship in October 2008. Four months later, he won his second event at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, a tournament that was shortened to 54 holes when the final round was cancelled due to strong winds and heavy rain, leaving Johnson the winner by four strokes over Mike Weir.

Off the course controversy has courted Johnson. One month after his second tour win he was arrested in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and charged with Driving Under the Influence. "I made an error in judgment that I deeply regret," Johnson said in a statement released by the PGA Tour. "I have let myself down and others who support me. I am handling the matter privately, and rest assured, I will definitely learn from my mistake." That arrest wasn’t Johnson’s first brush with the law. In 2001 he found himself unwittingly linked to a murder charge. Johnson was among five teens involved in a burglary where somebody took a gun. According to court documents, Johnson was persuaded to buy bullets for the gun by a friend's menacing older brother. Later that month the brother, Steve Gillian, was charged with murder after shooting his victim multiple times in the head. Because of Johnson's connection to the crime, he had to pay restitution for the theft and agree to testify at the murder trail. Gillian is serving life without parole. "Eight years ago, I couldn't see myself being here,” Johnson said after his second Tour victory at Pebble Beach.

What’s In The Bag Dustin Johnson

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Ryder Cup 2010 Team Selection: What’s In Monty’s Notebook

Bloggy Underfoot: In Monty’s Ryder Cup Notebook (Part 1)

Colin Montgomerie certainly is taking his role as Ryder Cup Captain seriously. A couple of weeks back he oversaw the jousting at the Vivendi Trophy a la Hitler at the 1936 Munich Games. He is said to already have a shortlist of probables and possibles for his Ryder Cup Team Selection. His notes might read thus……

Rory McIlroy

This is the only guy in the World I would pay to see, the best young talent out there. He may need an experienced partner (possibly Darren) because Rors is still blinking in the morning sun of matchplay golf. Some say his chipping from heavy greenside rough is suspect, but whose isn’t? I might even send him out first in the singles, the perfect foil for Tiger Woods. And the way he dispatched Henrik two weeks ago, he may slay the Tiger. NB: We will have to do something about that mop on top though! Verdict: Grab your clubs Rory, after a trip to the hairdresser.

Miguel Angel Jimenez

There comes a time when even the most experienced of the European Team members has to sit back with a nice glass of Rioja balanced on his belly whilst lighting up a nice Cuban cigar and reflect on what has been and still is, one hell of a career. Miguel, with Vijay Singh and Kenny Perry has taken a hammer to all the common logic of over forties winning on Tour. I know you’re a thoroughbred and not ready for the glue factory just yet. Verdict: Keep the clubs in the boot.

Martin Kaymer

German means efficiency and Kaymer is the man, so far. I could never ignore a back to back winner on Tour. Martin will be another Rookie and added to Rory, that makes two. But hang on, wasn’t Martin at the last Ryder Cup? Ah yes I remember now, his mother sadly passed away in the lead up but he did travel as part of the extended European Team. He can be our new Langer; come to think of it, I might bring Bernhard too as his foursome partner. Give the US guys a bit of Vorsprung durch technik! Verdict: Grab your clubs

Paul Casey

Casey reminds me of myself back in my heyday, charging around with that juggernaut brow. He loves matchplay as evidenced by his WGC and HSBC performances. I remember that 10 and 9 hammering he gave Shaun Micheel in the HSBC final in 2006 and the hole-in-one in the Ryder Cup at the K Club. Nick had to pick him as a wildcard last time but I think he will make an automatic spot this year. Was it eggs or the US Ryder Cup Team Casey was talking about when he reportedly said "Oh, we properly hate them. We wanted to beat them as badly as possible"? Verdict: Grab your clubs

Ian Poulter

Remember how poor Ian was powerhosed by the press after receiving Nick’s wildcard pick last time. It must have been tough for him but he really showed his mettle in the matches. Whether he deserved his pick last time is still up for debate, Darren Clarke did win twice on tour in the lead up but then again Nick and Darren aren’t exactly drinking buddies. If Ian doesn’t win next year or make the team automatically, I’m going to really have to think hard about bringing him. Verdict: Keep the clubs in the boot.

Lee Westwood

Lee is part of the fabric of the Ryder Cup. Since working with Mark Roe on his short game   a couple of years back, Westwood has re-emerged as a force in World Golf. The perfect foursome partner for a rookie possibly. A couple of rolls of the ball could have landed Lee The Open and he also had a rattle at the PGA Championship. I think he will win a Major before Celtic Manor; you cant win 28 times worldwide and not win a Major unless you’re ….me! Verdict: Grab your clubs, you’re out first.

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Bet Your Balls: Madrid Masters Tips

odds by

Madrid Masters

Centro Nacional de Golf

Madrid, Spain

Charl Schwartzel 33/1:

Schwartzel was the winner of the inaugural Madrid Masters in 2008, his third European Tour title. The South African finished on 19 under, three shots clear of Ricard Gonzalez despite battling illness all week. The key to his win last year was imperious driving and amassing a score of 15 under for the par fives all week. That win enabled Schwartzel to end the season inside the Order of Merit Top 30 and he is on course to do again this season with a current rank of 27. This weeks venue, the Centro Nacional de Golf also staged the Open de Espana in April 2007, an event won by guess who? You got it, Charl Schwatzel! Expect strong performances from him this week and next at Villamoura.

Alvaro Quiros 28/1

Alvaro has the added pressure of being the poster boy for this event which is missing many of the European Tours big stars. The towering James Bond fanatic should be able to take it all in his stride as he performed brilliantly in last years staging. Tied 99th after a first round 74, Quiros produced rounds of 66,66 and 64 to claim a tie for fourth on 14 under par. The longest hitter on Tour eagled both par fives on the front nine during his final day charge.

Ricardo Gonzalez 50/1

Another massive hitter to watch this week is former caddie, Ricardo Gonzalez. The big Argentinian looks to continue his Spanish love affair this week have won twice previously here. Won the 2003 Open de Madrid on the Club Campo de Villa course and finished second last year. That performance included a third round 62 with a back nine of 27 shots, which would have tied the European Tour scoring record but for placing on the day. Claimed his first victory in five years at the SAS Masters in Barseback in the Summer and could repeat the dose this week.

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Tailored Shorts: Golf News You May Not Have Heard!

Norman and Evert Split

No, he didn’t dump her by text but just 15 months after they were married, golf star Greg Norman and tennis great Chris Evert announced they have separated. The news came on the eve of the President’s Cup where player’s wives and partners are under the spotlight. They were married June 28, 2008, a month before Norman nearly won The Open. Norman was coming off an ugly divorce from Laura Andrassy, the mother of his two children, which ended in a settlement that paid her just over $100 million.

Evert was married twice previously, most recently to Olympic downhill skier Andy Mill, with whom she had three children. They were divorced in December 2006.

Grieving Perry To Play President’s

Kenny Perry's mother Mildred has died after a long battle with blood cancer. Even as Kevin Perry enjoyed one of his most successful years on Tour, he had been coping with the ever more saddening situation of his mother’s condition and recently had his son, Justin, caddie for him to keep close as a family. The 49-year-old American said he would play in the Presidents Cup next week in San Francisco at his family's request. ``While Kenny is deeply saddened by the loss of his mother, he and the entire Perry family are finding comfort in knowing that after a lengthy battle with cancer, her suffering has now ended'', his agent said.

Who Wants to be a Billionaire?

According to Forbes, Tiger Woods is first athlete to reach the $1 billion career earnings mark, ahead of basketball legend Michael Jordan and Formula One’s Michael Schumacher. Woods had earned a cumulative $895 million going into 2009, through several channels including prize money, appearance fees, endorsements, bonuses and his golf course design business. This year he won $10.5 million in prize money, and his FedEx win of $10 million took him through $100 million mark in annual earnings and past $1 billion overall. Financial analysts say the 33 year old, through potential playing and course design earnings may earn further billions in years to come. Tiger is followed in this years earnings totals by Phil Mickelson ($53 million) and LeBron James $42.4 million).

Tour Wrap

The final senior major of the year, the Senior Players Championship turned into a battle royale between legend Tom Watson and Jay Haas. Haas birdied the 18th hole to match the course record with a 6-under 64 to edge Tom Watson by a stroke. The 60-year-old Watson was trying to become the oldest major winner on the 50-and-over Tour but struggled with three final round bogeys to shoot a 70. This was Haas’ second consecutive win after claiming the Greater Hickory Classic two weeks ago. It was also his third senior major and 14^th Champions Tour win.

It's been a quiet year on the LPGA Tour by Lorena Ochoa’s standards. From 2006 to 2008 she averaged seven tour wins per year. On Sunday Ochoa bagged the Navistar LPGA Classic, her third win this season.

Finally, a Cinderella story. Jerod Turner a 34-year old, self-taught Texan had earned less than $8,000 on the Nationwide Tour and was contemplating giving up the game three weeks ago. Suddenly, having won the Nationwide Tour's $1M Soboba Classic, he's inches away from the PGA Tour. Turner’s win was worth $180,000 propelling him into an automatic qualifying spot with only three events left.

Dr. and the Medic Game Improvement Tip: Putting Speed

Problem

You jab or flick the putter.

Cure

Practice maintaining the same grip pressure throughout the entire stroke. Avoid regripping the putter after you set up to the ball. Pace your tempo to help focus on making a slow and smooth swing.

Therapy

Golfers often jab their short putts because they feel they lose their timing that they have during a longer stroke. This will cause anxiety and an unwanted, unexpected rushed putt. Work on allowing your hands and the clubhead to move in a synchronized movement. A good key thought to allow this to happen is to wait for the clubhead before hitting through the ball. If you allow your hands to rush thought it, you will end up flicking the club. In contrast, other players push the putter though the stroke and their hands are trailing well behind the clubhead causing a flipping up motion. Even though the stroke is short, you can still have a shorter tempo. So work on moving the clubhead, hands, and arms all in a harmonious motion.  You should soon see results using this game improvement tip.

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Must Have Golf Gear for 2010: Footjoy Icons

I Want One Of Those: Footjoy Icons

FootJoy the largest seller of golf footwear in the world are about to unveil a new customizing option for its FJ Icon collection, the sort of premium calfskin golf shoes worn by the pros. Punters can now simply log on to Footjoy and personalize the colour scheme and monograms on their shoes. Footjoy is cranking their exisiting MyJoys customisation programme up a notch with a much greater range of variations including lizard and alligator style leathers and more. If you want to break the mould, these are right up your street.  Must have golf gear for the 2010 season.

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