Monty, Casey, Poults, Goosen Up Close at Golf LIVE

O₂ Golf LIVE releases blockbusting event schedule

  April 14, 2010 – Thousands of ticket-holders have been anticipating the release of the O₂ Golf LIVE event schedule as eagerly as they did the appearance of Tiger Woods at the US Masters. Taking place at Stoke Park, May 14-16, O₂ Golf LIVE is delighted to release details of the three-day golfing extravaganza.

With an array of interactive clinics and performances involving Colin Montgomerie, Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Retief Goosen, Catriona Matthew, and world-renowned coaches David Leadbetter and Denis Pugh, O₂ Golf LIVE promises golfers even more than close-up interaction with a bevy of the world’s very best golfers, because it is set to become the World’s best-value golf lesson.

Darren Clarke Self Combusts After Ulster Loss

Dodgy mobile phone pic of the moment Clarke started to erupt

Fears were growing for Darren Clarke this morning after playing partners noticed steam billowing from the Ulsterman’s ears.  Clarke an avid Ulster rugby supporter and former flanker of note was said to be fuming over Ulster’s Magners League loss to the Ospreys.  Volcanic ash singed Clarke’s jumper as former Ulster star Tommy Bowe got in on the Osprey’s scoring act.  Doctor’s have advised Clarke not drive his “DC60” Porsche, until symptoms abate, for fear of explosion when he gets near petrol. Get dormant soon, big D!

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Bet Your Balls: Verizon Heritage Betting Tips

Winner Alright: Last week’s tips: Phil Mickelson winner 11/1; KJ Choi 4^th 60/1

Verizon Heritage Classic, Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head, South Carolina

Purse: $5,700,000

Past winners:

2009 Brian Gay

2008 Boo Weekley

2007 Boo Weekley

2006 Aaron Baddeley

Brian Gay 20/1

The Verizon Heritage has always been a horses for courses event with form lines being pretty much thrown out the window by the winners of past stagings. Brian Gay, the defending champion missed the cut at Augusta and headed straight down to Hilton Head to prepare for his defence. Gay’s win last year was stunning, his Sunday 64 steam-rollered the field and he romped home by a full ten shots. He may have struggled slightly of late but Gay has six top 30 finishes already this year and is the straightest hitter on tour. I expect a spirited defence.

 

Jim Furyk 10/1

The Masters was horrible for Jim Furyk. Heavily backed beforehand Furyk left the bookies smiling as he missed the cut by nine shots. Ironically he had not missed a cut since last years staging of the Verizon Heritage Classic. Don’t let that dissuade you too much because Jim is still one of the straightest batters out there and also brings a recent win at the Transitions to the party. Furyk finished fourth in 2008 (when Boo Weekly went back to back at Hilton Head) and came second in 2005 and 2006.

 

Paul Casey 12/1

The word inside the ropes on tour is that Paul Casey could contend this week. You can immediately discount his Masters missed cut last week as Casey was never likely to contend after being out with yet another niggling injury. If he makes it to Thursday injury free, he will certainly be one to watch as he brings happy memories from his final round in 2009. One year ago Casey scraped into the weekend, but figured out the Harbour Town Links on Sunday, shooting a very impressive 66.

 

KJ Choi 15/1

What a run KJ gave us last week at the Masters. Starting the week at 60/1 he even lead for a time on the back nine Sunday until a duffed bunker shot on 13 stunted his progress. Driving the ball solidly and putting brilliantly, KJ has form in both of the categories needed to win here. Now with three top five finishes in his last four events, the question is whether KJ has the stamina to keep his form for one more week given his gruelling Masters where he played all four rounds with Tiger.

Early odds from Betfair

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Tailored Shorts: US Masters 2010

Chalk and Cheese

What a stark contrast there was between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson following the final round on Sunday. Tiger was interviewed by Peter Kostis, the pair seemingly all alone behind some media building while Phil Mickelson was surrounded by his wife, kids, Bones, Butch and the army of genuine fans with whom Phil has genuinely engaged. With all the talk of Mickelson trying to eclipse Woods on the course, is the real question not “Is Phil the man that Tiger is striving to become”?

Tiger’s Week

How did Tiger Woods manage to shoot 68-70-70-69 at the Masters considering the following. Monday: Tiger faced the free media for the first time. Tuesday: Another salacious story breaks about a young neighbours visit to Tiger’s office. Wednesday: Billy Payne whips his ass about failing as a role model. Thursday: Nike airs a controversial advert featuring Tiger’s father seemingly speaking from beyond the grave. Friday: Tiger developed a “two way miss” on the range. All this and he still managed to finish fourth!

Quotes Of The Masters

"Going fishing." – Jack Nicklaus, after starting the Masters, when asked about his plans for the remainder of the week.

"Did I? If I did, I'm sorry." – Tiger Woods, after being asked about swearing during Saturday's round.

"He said, 'Dad, show me. Show me you can still play this golf course.’ You know what? I wanted to show him I can still play the golf course." – Tom Watson, after his first round 67 with son Michael on the bag.

"We liked the ad. It certainly got people talking." Phil Knight, Nike founder on the controversial Tiger advert aired on the eve of the tournament.

Magic Manassero

At 16 years old, Italian Matteo Manassero became not only the youngest player in Masters history, but achieved the best finish by a European amateur for 73 years. The young Italian came joint 36th on four over par, two places better than then British Amateur champion Sergio Garcia achieved in1999. Manassero, is not set to turn professional in time for next months BMW Italian Open in Turin. “Playing on a course like this obviously makes you understand that you can play on every course," Manassero said after his final round.

Wayne’s World Of Fitness: Upper Body Power

Problem:.

You struggle to hit the ball any great distance and lack upper body strength and core power.

Cause:.

Upper body strength in one of the main differences between top pro’s, men and women golfers. Upper body strength is an essential component if you are to generate power in your swing.

Exercise: .

A great exercise to improve upper body strength is to perform Push Ups on a Swiss Ball. This exercise targets the pectorals (chest) muscles and core stability. Roll out on a Swiss Ball with your head face down until the ball is under your thighs. Maintain a stable core with a neutral pelvis start to perform push ups. If you want to make this exercise harder try rolling farther out on the Swiss ball.

Log on to www.wayneocallaghangolf.com PGA Pro and TPI fitness instructor for more info.

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The Mount Juliet Fourball Quiz

This week’s readers fourball is a trip to Mount Juliet in Kilkenny. Renowned as being among the best parkland courses in the world, Mount Juliet Golf Club hosted the 2002 and 2004 American Express World Golf Championships, which were won by Tiger Woods and Ernie Els. For full details of all Mount Juliet’s golf specials log on to www.mountjuliet.ie. To enter text your answer with name and address to 087-2029040 or e-mail to examinerspindoc@eircom.net no later than Friday next.

This week’s question: Who Am I?

I was born in 1963 in Scotland and am best known by my nickname. Although I have won eight European Tour Order Of Merit titles, I will always be known as the best player never to win a major. The Ryder Cup is my greatest achievement, I’ve played in eight, and never lost a singles match. I wont be playing in Wales but wont be far away!

Congrats to last weeks winner Gerard Fleming, Banteer, Cork who wins a fourball in Dromoland Castle.

On The Tour Truck with ForeGolf.ie : Get A Grip

On The Tour Truck: Get A Grip

The only part of the club you should have contact with when swinging is the grip and yet I see so many club golfers ignore the importance of the right size grip and when it is time to put on new ones. On Tour I have often put new grips on for some Tour players every 4 weeks. At The Masters none of the Tour Trucks are allowed on site so a lot of time is spent by the tech staff running back and forward to the trucks parked down the road with clubs to be gripped and delivered back to the players. A few simple things to be aware of; The grip should fit the hand and when you grip the club the fingers on your left hand ( for a right handed golfer) should just touch the soft fleshy part of your hand below the thumb. If your knuckles are white or your forearm muscle feels tight the grip is too small. Ask for some extra tape the next time you get new grips or get a Midsize. If the grips on your clubs looks shiny and the rubber feels hard and a little soap, water and a scrub doesn’t improve them then its time to replace them. New grips will feel like new clubs and your control will improve.

with Derek Murray from www.foregolf.ie

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Bloggy Underfoot: A Masters To Remember

I take it all back. The Masters turned out to be one of the best ever even if the tricolour was not on the leaderboard. The last time no Irishman made the cut in a major championship was the USPGA in 1999. It was very interesting to see the contrasting reactions of Rory McIlory and Padraig Harrington on missing the cut. Rors looked a beaten man on Friday, shoulders slumped, back aching, mentally drained and in need of a break from the game. By contrast Padraig Harrington was very philosophical about his performance and accepted the weekend off with a smile. Amazingly Harrington spent Saturday on the range in Augusta, proclaiming himself very happy with his days work as he left Augusta.

At this point I have to hold my hand up and say I was wrong about Tiger when I said that he could not contend after four months in the freezer. Perhaps my impression of a bearded Tiger pacing around an addiction clinic in pyjamas and a hoodie was a tad misplaced. He emerged like he had never been away. He looked lean and cut on the tee and didn’t seem in the slightest bit spooked by being back in the spotlight. Sporting a new driver, Tiger drove it straighter than ever before (until Sunday at least), and when the odd one did get away like on the ninth on Friday, he could produce the kind of miracle shot that no other pro could even dream of. Even Ian Poulter said he rushed back to his hotel to catch the replay of Tiger’s shot on TV and later said it was a shot he wouldn’t ever have dreamed of let one have the ability to play. Tiger did tell one little fib however. After one bad shot he dropped the club and shouted “God Dammit”, proving he’s not really a Buddhist.

The Augusta cameo’s were great this year too. Freddie “I’m just holin’ everything” Couples wasn’t been asked questions about his drive on ten or his putt on 18, rather he was busy nattering about playing in Ecco plimsoles. For a 50 year old guy who doesn’t use a glove or golf shoes to play the way Freddie played was just too cool for school. Then there Tom Watson with his son Michael on the bag. During a practice round Michael pulled his drive into the trees, supposedly by accident, as a ruse to get a little alone time in Augusta with his girlfriend. While in the w oods, Michael produced a sparkler and popped the question. That made 60 year old Tom so proud that he only went and shot the lights out in round one, even outdriving the likes of Ernie Els in the stats. Augusta was supposed to be “unplayable” by Watson’s own admission, he’s having a fairytale twilight to his career. As one commentator put it, “in any other sport, he'd be on a gurney. Here, he's on the leaderboard!”

And finally a word for Phil. He’s so good he doesn’t even need to drive it straight to win at Augusta. His second shot to the green on the par five 13^th was the shot of the week. Stimyed behind trees with 204 yards to go, most of the field would have just chipped out but Phil but his six iron from its scabbard went for broke and the rest is history. When asked later about the gap in the trees through which he hit Phil set the media centre alight with laughter saying “It was big enough, certainly big enough for a ball to fit through.” Big Phil, big man, big heart. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

Viva the Masters!

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The 3rd Annual Masters Green Jacket Awards

1. The Divine Intervention at Amen Corner Award: Phil Mickelson

Phil and Amy wearing Denis Taylor’s Sunglasses.

Phil Mickelson enjoyed the kind of lucky breaks during his final round that are normally reserved for ex-Taoisigh during raffles. Tackling the turn on Sunday Phil went:

Ninth Hole: Tee shot hammers off tree, bounces back into fairway. Par.

Tenth Hole: Tee shot hits tree, bounces back into the only playable place possible. Par.

Eleventh Hole: Ball hits fan, ricochets back onto short grass. Par

"He just had this peace to him that I haven't seen in awhile," said Bones. Is Phil God?

2. The Best Outlaw Award: Shingo Katayama

Shingo: Gringo

Shingo Katayama let us all down in round one when he had to remove his cowboy hat for “safety reasons” in the high winds. He didn’t disappoint the fashionistas for long though when he transformed into a Japanese Johnny Cash. You the man Shingo “The Gringo”!

 

The What The Hell Happened Us Award: Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia

Adam and Sergio: We used be sh*t-hot, now we’re just sh*t!

Adam Scott to Sergio Garcia: “Didn’t we used to be young, dashing and good at golf?” Garcia and Scott have now slipped to 18^th and 46^th in the world rankings but they can console themselves in the knowledge that Tiger himself was once ranked outside the top 50. When he was three years old!

The “I’m Ken Brown” Award: Oliver Wilson

Oliver Wilson as Ken On The Course

Is there anyone on the face of the Earth that actually enjoys Ken Brown’s “On the Course” clips for the BBC? Well we now have proof old Ken has at least one fan in Oliver Wilson. Wilson took time out during his first round at Augusta to recreate Ken’s famous ‘pine straw’ clip. Speaking from his home in the Seventies, Brown said “Wilson should stick to the golf, he clearly hasn’t mastered my crouch and camera stare”.

The Wrong Caddy Award: Padraig Harrington

Padraig Harrington with new caddy Ciaran. Ronan was Inconsolable

Little wonder that Padraig Harrington missed the cut at Augusta after his bizarre decision to replace his tried and trusted caddy Ronan Flood on the eve of the Masters. Flood was said to be “inconsolable” after receiving a text from his boss informing him he was to be replaced by Harrington’s two and a half year old son Ciaran. In an interview after missing the cut Harrington said, “In hindsight dropping Ronan may have been a mistake; I ended up carrying my bag and my caddy!”

The Worst Disguise Award: Kultida Woods

Tiger Woods mam Kultida came to Augusta disguised as one of the Jackson Five. Tida, or should that be Tito, had her sun-hat custom made from two decommissioned hot air balloons!

And Finally The Worst Dressed Award: Ryan Moore

Ryan Moore: Packin’ timber

Ryan Moore wanted to make at statement at Augusta. Unfortunately nobody could stop laughing long enough to hear it. Moore’s outfit says “I can rap like P. Diddy or sort out Quinn like the Financial Regulator. Sorry Ryan but we reckon you’re packing a bit too much timber to carry that outfit off.

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Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood Green Jacket Press Conference

US Masters 2010 Results: How did our tips do?

Well done Phil on your awesome success at the Masters,  Here’s the text on our tips and how they fared:

US Masters Golf 2010 Betting Preview. “Bet Your Balls”

Phil Mickelson 11/1: Winner!

Some say big Phil’s mind is elsewhere with his family’s health issues, but on the course he remains the most exciting and compelling Augusta performer. His record is phenomenal; a two time champion (in 2004 and 2006), four thirds and six other top 10’s. Was horrible off the tee last week, but such is the measure of the man he followed three final round double bogeys with six straight birdies on the back nine. Only three times in the last decade has the Masters winner finished outside the top 22 in driving accuracy so Phil has 72 hours of work to get it sorted on the practice tee. Mickelson is to the Masters what the Stig is to Top Gear.

KJ Choi 60/1: Tied 4th

Five foot eight and full of muscles! Former weightlifter KJ Choi represents great value for the Masters. Rescued a terrible ’09 with a good finish to the season and has maintained his form this season with consistent top 25 finishes in his last four PGA tour events. KJ chalked up a second at the Transitions and a third in Malaysia on the European Tour last month. His form line is very similar to 2004, when he finished third behind Ernie and Phil. Ranked 12th in greens in regulation, historically a vital stat to win at Augusta. If fellow countryman YE Yang can bag a major, why not KJ?

Hunter Mahan 50/1: Tied 8th

Statistically the Masters winner dominates two statistics, driving accuracy and greens in regulation. Hunter ranks highly with approximately 70% in both and has already won on tour in Phoenix this year. Shot an impressive first round 66 last year on his way to finishing tied tenth. Proved a factor in three of last years majors finishing in the top 20. One to watch.

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