GolfCentral Daily

What Is GMac Wearing For 2012? His Own GMac For Kartel Line

2012-01-29T00:55:00.001Z

Graeme McDowell knows his clothing. Everything from button positions and dimensions, yarns, sleeve length and the need for 2% spandex in the weave, GMac is an apparel expert. And now with the help of Kartel supremo Karl Swan, McDowell is set to grow his new clothing line into a major industry player. The former US Open Champion unveiled his “GMac for Kartel” range to rave reviews at the 2012 PGA Show in Orlando.
Talking at the show Karl Swan reported unprecedented orders from US accounts thanks to interest generated from the GMac for Kartel line. And while McDowell himself may have been away playing in Abu Dhabi, he kept constant tabs on how his line was doing. “He texted me almost every 15 minutes!” said Karl Swan adding “Graeme is a dream to work with, a top man and a bona fide expert when it comes to clothing”.
Despite being regarded as being among the snappiest dressers on Tour, GMac has heretofore never had an official clothing supplier. He had been wearing Kartel knitwear in recent times and was so impressed he decided to get together with the Dublin company to produce his own line.
McDowell joins fellow major winner Padraig Harrington and LPGA player Anna Rawson as Kartel gamers.
For more Kartel 2012 range pics, click below.

Technorati Tags: GMac For Kartel,2012 PGA Show,Karl Swan,Graeme McDowell Clothing Line,IJp clothing

Tiger Woods Caught Between A Rock In A Hard Place

2012-01-28T23:52:00.001Z

The European Tour website build towards the final round in Abu Dhabi where a grandstand finish is expected.

Tiger Woods was ideally placed to put down a huge marker for the season after charging into a share of the lead with Robert Rock ahead of the final round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
Having ended 2011 with his first victory for over two years, Woods has a great chance to start 2012 with another.

Thanks to a superb bogey-free display, the 14-time Major winner is on 11 under par and tied with England's Rock, who ensured it was not all about the American when he birdied the final two holes for a matching 66.
They are two in front of four Ryder Cup players - Scot Paul Lawrie, Swede Peter Hanson, Italian Francesco Molinari and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy, the 22 year old US Open Champion, would of course be sharing top spot if he had not incurred his two stroke penalty for brushing sand away off the ninth green in his second round, but a 68 kept him firmly in the hunt.
Woods joked that "it will be nice to get rid of him" after playing with McIlroy three days in a row - and also for nine holes of practice.
Delighted though he was with his position, the former World Number One was not inclined to scream "I'm back" afterwards.
Instead Woods said: "I was just kind of consistent. I didn't do a whole lot wrong, I didn't do a whole lot right.
"Six birdies piled up, but I was methodically going about my business and grinding.
"This course is playing difficult enough. You can make birdies, but you can go the wrong way quickly. I've still got to post a good number."
There were an amazing 24 changes at the top of the leaderboard during the day and at one point eight players were locked together.
Woods made himself the man to catch, however, when he followed his front nine of 34 with further birdies on the tenth, 12th and 14th.
Another came when he found the green in two and two-putted the 567 yard last, but Rock fired in an approach to five feet on the 17th and closed with an eight footer.
The 34 year old's only European Tour victory in well over 200 starts came at the BMW Italian Open last season.
He admitted he was thinking about the possibility of playing the final round with Woods as he entered the finishing stretch.
Less than a decade ago Rock was working at the Swingers Golf Centre in Tamworth.
"[I was] selling Mars bars, chatting to my mates, watching him (Woods) winning Majors," he said.
"I was keeping an eye on the leaderboard wondering if I had a chance to play with him.
"It's cool - I can't wait. Maybe not many opportunities will come my way."
McIlroy said: "I've seen up close how Tiger is playing and I feel if I play my best I've got a great chance.
"It will be a bit different not playing with him. Tiger will bring most of the crowd and maybe I can go quietly about my business."
Hanson had a best-of-the-week 64, Molinari had a 66 and Lawrie a 68 as he continued to enjoy himself in the desert. Last month the former Open Champion, now 43, was runner-up to Alvaro Quiros at the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World.
World Number One Luke Donald managed only a 73 after setting off with three birdies in four holes and now finds himself down in joint 55th place on level par.
Among those who overtook him was second-ranked Lee Westwood, whose 68 came a day after he was struggling with a neck problem.
Halfway leader Thorbjørn Olesen's 71 dropped him into a tie for seventh, while Padraig Harrington found that, like the England cricket team just up the road, a score of 72 was no good. It dropped the Irishman from 11th to 27th.
Technorati Tags: robert rock,2012 abu dhabi championship

Ben Crane Is Not Slow When It Comes To YouTube Videos!

2012-01-28T22:43:00.001Z

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Hank Haney Has A New Job! Shoe Salesman For Crocs Golf

2012-01-26T17:57:00.001Z

Yes it’s 100% true. I just came across legendary swing coach Hank Haney flogging new Crocs golf shoes at the 2012 PGA Show. Haney was busy measuring smelly feet and asking potential customers to slide their foot all the way to the front but time out to pose for us.
Crocs attempted to break into the golf market in 2007 having limited success with the Bite brand but this time with Hank Haney on board adding his signature to the Crocs golf brand it looks like these are set to be a smash hit.
As yet they are not available in the shops, but are due to debut in the US in the coming months and hit Europe shortly after.
Click below to expand the post and view more 2012 Crocs Golf pics

Technorati Tags: 2012 PGA Show,Crocs Golf Shoes,Hank Haney

Rory McIlroy’s New Gym Workout Regime. Bigger. Butch-er. Curlier

2012-01-26T16:01:00.001Z

Check out the new 2012 Rory McIlroy unveiled in Abu Dhabi. Bigger butcher and dare I say even curlier, Rors looks like could play rugby for Ireland if the whole golf thing doesn’t work out. Man mountain McIlroy tweeted lately that he had been working out in the gym with his good mate Harry Diamond and it seems to be paying off with his 5 under first round in the company of a puny by comparison Luke Donald and weakling Tiger Woods.

Pic: Is that a David Hasselhoff Baywatch jog I detect from Rory?

“I’ve been working hard in the gym. I really started working hard last year. I feel like I’ve got a lot stronger and it’s definitely helped my golf”, McIlroy said in an Arnold Schwarzenegger accent.

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GolfCentralDaily Best New Product Award Winners At The 2012 PGA Show

2012-01-26T15:32:00.001Z

I’m at the 2012 PGA Show in Orlando Florida where the good, the great and the oftentimes plain crazy of the golf world gather under one roof to peddle their wares. Over the next couple of days I hope to bring you some of the highlights from the show. I’ll be awarding the symbolic, yet highly significant GolfCentralDaily Best New Product Award, to some lucky people, who as yet have absolutely no idea I even exist. Stay tuned!

Technorati Tags: 2012 PGA Show,Best New Product Award

2012 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Free Golf Betting Preview And Tips

2012-01-23T22:53:00.001Z

Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship

Abu Dhabi GC, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 26 Jan 2012 - 29 Jan 2012

odds from paddypower

Martin Kaymer 13/2

The King of Abu Dhabi, Martin Kaymer loves this places and has a record to back it up. Three wins in the last four stagings, and the year he didnt win, he finished tied second. Joint favourite with McIlroy, Kaymer won by 8 shots last year, was first in greens in regulation and thrid in putts per green hit.

Rory McIlroy 13/2

This year is potentially huge for Rory McIlroy. Has bettered his performance every year since 2009 when he tied fifth. Third behind Poults and Kaymer in 2010 and second last year. 29.5 and 28.3 putts per round over the past two seasons respectively, if Rors has a good putting week, he could continue the trend of bettering.

Charl Schwartzel 28/1

Three top fives in his last four events, and his fifth last week at the Volvo Golf Champions could have been so much better but for a mess up when forcing it on the 72nd hole. Three of Charl's last four wins have been in January and having played his way into form over the last couple of weeks I expect that to be an advantage here.

Alvaro Quiros 30/1

Won the Dubai World Championship at the end of the 2011 season in dramatic fashion with a monster putt on the last. Second in Qatar and winner in the Dubai Desert Classic this time last year, the big hitting Spaniard will be up for this one.

Long Odds Shots

If you're looking for some long odds glory this week I see Englishman Danny Willett as a decent each way bet at 100/1. Danny had posted some good results here in the past. I think Paul Lawrie's odds of 125/1 are very generous indeed. You'll remember Lawrie pushed Quiros all the way in the Dubai World Championship and after showing decent form last week I'd have an each way punt at those crazy odds. Finally can an eye on the progress of Robert Rock at 100/1. He clicked into gear in the final round last week and performed well on his last visit to Dubai.

Technorati Tags: 2012 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship free golf betting preview and tips,Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips,European Tour top tipster,paddypower golf tips,betfair golf tips,boylesports golf tips,who will win the abu dhabi hsbc

2012 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship free golf betting preview and tips, Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips,European Tour top tipster,paddypower golf tips,betfair golf tips,boylesports golf tips,who will win the abu dhabi hsbc

Clinton’s Planned Re-Enactment Of Tiger Ryder Cup Shot Fails After Cigar Guy Refuses To Show Up

2012-01-23T06:46:00.001Z

Crowds of fans were left angry and disappointed yesterday after President Clinton’s planned re-enactment of the Tiger Woods duffed Ryder Cup chip fell flat after Cigar Guy failed to show up.

Cigar Guy had been a close ally of Clinton throughout his administration and also had close links with the Bush camp. However the two fell out over the Monica Lewinski affair after Cigar Guy was named by the intern in several interviews.

It’s thought Clinton and Cigar Guy had settled their differences in recent times, but his failure to show up for the re-enactment may have one small attempt at a humiliating payback for the President.

Here’s the original Cigar Guy in action at the 2010 Ryder Cup. But can you spot another famous player in a Rory wig planted in the crowd by the European Team to help Cigar Guy derail Tiger?

Technorati Tags: tiger woods ryder cup,cigar guy funny pic lee westwood,bill clinton

What’s In The Bag 2012 Mark Wilson

2012-01-23T06:30:00.001Z

Wondering what clubs Mark Wilson was using to win the 2012 Humana Challenge.

DRIVER: Ping i20 (8.5°) with a Grafalloy Tour X shaft
FAIRWAY WOOD: Cleveland HiBore XLS (13°) with an Aldila NV 95 X shaft
HYBRID: Ping i15 (17°, 20°) with Graphite Design YS 85X shafts
IRONS: Ping i20 (4-PW) with True Temper CS Lite shafts
WEDGES: Ping Tour (52°, 60°) with True Temper CS Lite shafts
PUTTER: Ping Karsten Anser

HAT: Block Of Chedder Cheese
BALL: Titleist Pro V1x

Technorati Tags: What's in the Bag Mark Wilson,Mark Wilson witb,Ping Tour Truck,Ping blog,mark wilson witb,ping tour staff equipment

2012 Humana Challenge Final Round Highlights–PGA Tour

2012-01-23T06:20:00.001Z

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What’s In The Bag 2012 Branden Grace

2012-01-22T16:01:00.001Z

Well done to Callaway staffer Branden Grace at the Volvo Golf Champions in Fancourt. Here’s what’s in his bag.

Here’s what Branden had in his bag:

Tour i(s) Golf Ball
Callaway, FT Tour Driver 8.5 degrees
Callaway Diablo Octane Tour 13-degree fairway wood
Callaway, Diablo Edge Tour 18-degree hybrid
Callaway X Forged Irons (3-PW)
Callaway X-Series Jaws 52-degree and 60degree wedges
Odyssey Black Series Tour Designs #1 Wide Putter

Technorati Tags: what's in the bag Branden Grace,branden grace witb,branden grace callaway equipment

Branden Grace Makes It Two Out Of Two!

2012-01-22T15:54:00.001Z

from the European Tour site
South African Branden Grace became the first player since Fred Couples in 1995 to follow his first European Tour win with another with victory at the Volvo Golf Champions.

Grace, who only last month came through Qualifying School, beat two of his golfing heroes Ernie Els and Retief Goosen with a birdie on the first extra hole to lift the winners-only evnet on their home soil at Fancourt.
The 23 year old had made it into the 35-man field by capturing last week's Joburg Open and this time he recovered from missing a putt of under five feet on the final green.
Els shot a joint best-of-the-day 67 to set the clubhouse target of 12 under par, having eagled the 13th and then almost chipping in for another at the last.
Goosen matched that when he also eagled the 13th and then birdied three of the last four for a 70.
Grace was round in 71, while Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, also tied for the lead with one to play, hit a wild drive and with a bogey six slipped to fourth.
Europe's Ryder Cup Captain José María Olazábal shared top spot after starting with two birdies, but slipped back to sixth, while with Charl Schwartzel fifth, Louis Oosthuizen tied seventh and Scot Paul Lawrie and Ireland's Padraig Harrington tied for tenth there were seven Major Champions in the top ten.

Wins Facts

Gains his second European Tour International Schedule victory in his 51st European Tour event.
Moves to €570,000 and extends his lead at the top of The Race to Dubai.
Moves to inside the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking, from 164th. Prior to winning the Joburg Open seven days ago, Grace was 258th.
Becomes the first player to win back-to-back European Tour events since Sergio Garcia in 2011 at the Castelló Masters and Andalucia Masters.
Graduated from the 2011 European Tour Qualifying School. Becomes the first Qualifying School graduate to win twice the year after graduation since Johan Edfors in 2006 who won three times at the TCL Classic, British Masters and Scottish Open.
Becomes just the fourth Qualifying School graduate to record multiple victories they year after graduation. He follows Gordon Brand Jnr (1982 - Coral Classic and Bob Hope British Classic), José María Olazábal (1986 - European Masters and Sanyo Open) and Edfors in 2006.

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Warning: Extremely Violent Video On A Golf Course- Not For Kids

2012-01-21T18:09:00.001Z

Technorati Tags: golf war video extreme violebce

Olazabal Poised For Famous Victory in Africa

2012-01-21T17:59:00.001Z

Ryder Cup Captain Jose Maria Olazabal, primarily playing in the Volvo Golf Champions to keep an eye on potential European Team members ahead of their trip to Medinah, finds himself just one shot off the lead with one round to go in South Africa.
This report from the European Tour site.

Nicolas Colsaerts and Branden Grace - who individually held four shot leads on the first and second days - are tied at the top with a round to play in the Volvo Golf Champions.
But just behind them European Captain José María Olazábal still has a chance to kick off Ryder Cup year with his first win since 2005 - from 596th in the Official World Golf Ranking.

After a wet and wild day that saw overnight leader Grace take 75, Olazábal is only two shots off the pace at Fancourt in South Africa.
By far the lowest-ranked player in the 35-man winners-only European Tour event, the 46 year old stands eight under par, two behind Grace and Belgian Colsaerts.
Olazábal managed a one under par 72 despite driving into the bushes with his opening shot of the day and then taking a double bogey five on the 17th when his ball kicked into more trouble.
That looked to be very costly, but Grace - four clear at halfway just like Colsaerts had been after his opening course record 64 - double-bogeyed the same hole.
In contrast, big-hitting Colsaerts eagled the last from 50 feet for a 69, needing only a drive and eight iron to make the green on the 549 yarder.
He and Grace, last man in after winning last week's Joburg Open, are a shot in front of two more South Africans, Retief Goosen and Masters Tournament champion Charl Schwartzel, with Olazábal alone in fifth.
Ireland's Padraig Harrington and 2010 Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen are one stroke further back and then comes Ernie Els on six under.
Olazábal has been playing only a limited schedule the last few seasons because of his continuing battle with rheumatism.
"There's always a chance you might not win again when your game is off," he said. "It's hard to be positive at times, but I know I can fight.
"It would mean a lot. I do have a long journey ahead of me, but I'm ready for it and want to give myself the best chance.
"I'm excited about what I have to do, not so much about what might happen. It would be a great achievement if I hit seven or eight solid drives - just as I do on the range - and shoot a solid score."
Harrington finally won his battle with the 18th hole. After two double bogey sevens he two-putted for birdie like Olazábal and was round in a three under 70.
At 89th in the Official World Golf ranking the three-time Major winner is trying to climb back into the top 64 in time for next month's World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play.
He can achieve that with a win here, although the cut-off point is not for another three weeks.
"There's a glaring part of my game missing - my routine is not flowing - but going forward I am quite positive I can fix that," Harrington said after making birdies at three of the last four holes to climb back into contention.
"I did feel like giving fists up in the air after that birdie at the last, but I'm not getting into thinking about what could have been the other days."
Colsaerts, who topped the driving distance statistics in Europe two years ago, did not even know how far his closing drive went, simply describing it as "enormous".
His eight iron, though, flew 200 yards downwind and he said making the putt that followed was "the cherry on top".
The 29 year old from Brussels must be wondering what is going to happen next, though, after rounds of 64, 76 and 69.
Grace was at The European Tour Qualifying School only a month ago, but now has the chance of back-to-back victories.
“I played really well today,” he said. “Conditions were tough out there - we always knew there was going to be bogeys on the card - nothing you can do about it.
“I just had a couple unlucky shots that didn't bounce anyway in the fairways and got into pot bunkers and it happened on the tough holes which is a bit unfortunate.
“But otherwise, I'm still really happy with the way I played and I thought I handled it really good. It was a long day so I'm still pleased to be at the top.”
Technorati Tags: 2012 volvo golf champions betting preview and tips

Thomas Aiken Gets Embarrassing Horn On Live TV. It’s Okay Though It’s A Rhino Horn Cap

2012-01-20T09:13:00.001Z

Thomas Aiken got a horn of a different kind at the 2012 Volvo Golf Champions event at the Links at Fancourt, by wearing a rhino horn on his hat. The South African is trying to raise awareness of rhino hunting in his country which is threatening to drive the adorable animals into extinction.

Rhino’s apparently have very big horns which are supposedly worth a million dollars and have loads of handy uses. The horns have been prized for centuries for their beautiful translucent colour when carved, and their fake medicinal properties. There’s also a pretty good market for rhino horn used in dagger handles in Yemen.

Thomas Aiken however would prefer to see rhinos with their horns still attached. “I’m appealing to interior designers, witchdoctors and Yemen warriors to lay off the Rhino horns. I want Yemeni warriors to use other stuff like plastic and wood” Aiken said yesterday. “Have you ever tried dagger handles made out of plastic, they are awesome!”

Meanwhile fellow countryman Charl Schwartzel, a keen collector of extremely heavy grey animals was unavailable for comment yesterday as he out hunting.

Technorati Tags: Thomas Aiken rhino Horn Cap story funny pic

2012 Humana Challenge First Round Highlights- PGA Tour

2012-01-20T08:33:00.001Z

Bob Hope is gone and pretty much forgotten as the 2012 Humana Challenge kicked off yesterday. Plenty of bizarre scenes including Morgan Freeman attempting to play a round with one arm. Here’s first Round Highlights from the PGA Tour.

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Callaway Examine Rory McIlroy’s Blisters To Find Key To Success

2012-01-20T08:29:00.001Z

Tour players and golf executives from the Callaway golf company held a series of meetings late last night in an effort to unlock the secret of Rory McIlroy’s golf grip. A key new piece of evidence emerged in the past few days when McIlroy (contracted to rival company Titleist) posted a picture of his blistered fingers following practice. It is thought Callaway golf scientists are aiming to recreate the exact McIlroy grip and finger tension on the club by extracting the blister pattern and inputting it into a complex software algorithm developed by homing pigeons.

Titleist executives in Fairhaven were last night sad to be “closely monitoring developments by Callaway scientists”.

Early simulations of the McIlroy grip were tested yesterday by Callaway staff testing pros in California and led to a number of injuries. One player lost a thumb after attempting to emulate “Rors” driver grip whilst another’s eyebrow inexplicably went up in flames.

“It’s pretty dangerous work but we are quietly hopeful of having the McIlroy grip ready to roll out in Abu Dhabi next week. Alvaro Quiros has expressed an interest in using it” said a Callaway designer today before adding “we’ve also gleaned some other vital information from the McIlroy photo regarding nobbily knees which we hope to put in action on Tour very very soon”.

Technorati Tags: Rory McIlroy blister picture funny pic story

Pairings “Fixed” For Tiger Woods At Pebble Beach Pro Am

2012-01-19T09:13:00.001Z

Since Tiger Woods announced he is to play, ticket sales have been through the roof for the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

It is thought that Woods, as a condition of his entry, had his choice of playing partner even though the official pairings are not decided until the 7th of February. Woods deliberated between three NFL quarterbacks before settling on Dallas Cowboys Tony Romo as his man.

Tournament officials are waiting outside the Church for golf and Jesus nut Tim Tebow to confirm his participation. Tebow has been in a heated debate with Jesus ever since the Nazarene carpenter's son apparently abandoned the Broncos in the NFL playoffs. “I had a major flood to attend to in Asia. It like, totally slipped my mind” Jesus told Vatican officials after that game.

Organizers are also hopeful that New England will get beaten soon so that quarterback Tom Brady can rubberstamp his attendance at Pebble. Should New England make it all the way to the final, Brady would be involved in SuperBowl action just four days before the tournament begins. And should they win, alcohol poisoning would most definitely rule Brady out.

“Anyone but Bill Murray” officials said yesterday “anyone but Bill.”

Technorati Tags: tiger woods tony romo,pebble beach pro am preview,tim tebow

Player Climbs 52 Spots In World Ranking. By Magic!

2012-01-19T08:51:00.001Z

A true story for once about Michael Thompson, who managed to move up 52 spots in the world rankings in a week where there was no tournament. When Thompson first played a Tour event in 2008 nobody knew his middle initial so he was entered as Michael “X” Thompson on the world ranking list. That initial was used only once, before the proper name Michael “H” Thompson was set up in the system.

Thompson finished 98th on the PGA Tour list last year and then jetted off to Asia where he finished third in the Thailand Golf Championship. When he got back Thompson checked the world rankings on the internet only to find he actually drop two spots to 183rd for his good finish in Thailand.

After scratching his head for a while Thomspon’s manager called the ranking board who checked it out. As it turned out the 12.8 world ranking points had been given to Michael X Thompson by mistake.

And so it was that the world rankings were amended in a week where there no tournament to show Michael H Thompson jump from 183 to 131 in the world.

Technorati Tags: michael thompson,official world golf rankings 2011,2012

2012 Ecco Golf Shoe Range Unveiled

2012-01-17T15:23:00.001Z

Here’s the latest offering from Ecco golf shoes for 2012

ECCO 2012 Men’s Golf Shoe Collection Pics, Prices and Descriptions Below

New Line Furthers Brand’s Leadership in Hybrid and Natural Motion Categories
Danish brand ECCO – maker of the world’s most comfortable, stylish and technically-advanced footwear – announces its 2012 men’s golf collection, highlighted by several new introductions in the Street hybrid and Natural Motion categories. The range will be widely available across Europe from spring 2012.
Mirroring the foot skeleton and using the body’s natural system for absorbing impact, BIOM Hybrid combines the award-winning Golf Street outsole with ground-breaking ECCO Natural Motion technology. The result is the first and only hybrid model that’s also a true performance golf shoe.
“Golf Street literally created the hybrid category, and it all began with the simple notion that a golf shoe can be much more than a golf shoe,” says Michael Waack, Head of Global Golf at ECCO. “That philosophy along with our foot-first approach to shoemaking and decades of research has now led to the phenomenal BIOM Hybrid.”
Built around a completely anatomical last developed by scanning more than 2,500 feet, BIOM Hybrid has an all-day outsole with 100 molded TPU traction bars. This creates more than 800 traction angles, providing exceptional grip and stability on nearly any surface.

BIOM Hybrid

also features:

Yak leather uppers that are naturally soft, smooth and breathable, yet three times stronger than other leathers

ECCO Hydromax™ treated leather uppers for superb weather protection

A triple-component insole unit to enhance cushion and performance

Direct-injected midsole with flexible arch support and a stabilization bar specifically designed to enhance the golf swing

Suggested Retail Price: £160
Additional breakthroughs for the new season include:

Golf Street:

The game’s most admired and desired shoe is now available in two new styles. One is a fashion-forward design combining performance textiles with soft leather on the uppers. The next is a luxury version crafted from reptile printed leathers that perfectly complements the Golf Street camel leather model.
£110-125

BIOM Golf:

Crafted using decades of ECCO research into the human foot, the first Natural Motion golf shoe is now available in a GORE-TEX® version and new colors in the Hydromax™ leather category. It takes advantage of the foot’s system for absorbing impact while bringing players closer to the ground for unmatched feel and traction.
Hydromax £185
Gore-Tex £199

Cool III:

Designed to turn heads, Cool III is has all-new upper patterns in the GORE-TEX®, Hydromax™ and Premier leather categories. A textile lining showcases an open mesh that is extremely breathable while a low-profile, direct-injected midsole offers superb torsional support and stability.
Premier £130
Hydromax £145
Gore-Tex £165
The ECCO men’s golf collection is worn in competition by scores of international Tour stars, including Graeme McDowell, Fred Couples, Thomas Bjorn, Stuart Appleby, Thongchai Jaidee, Aaron Baddeley, Thorbjørn Olesen, Andreas Hartø and many others.

About ECCO

ECCO, a world leading brand of shoes combining style and comfort, has built its success on uncompromising quality, innovative technology and the design philosophy, “the shoe must follow the foot”. ECCO is the only major shoe manufacturer to own and manage every step of the shoemaking process, and its employees are the life force behind its products, designing, developing, producing, and taking responsibility for every detail. ECCO products can be found in 4,000 branded sales locations in over 90 countries, a growth fuelled by ECCO’s consistent aim of making the best shoes in the world.
For further inspiration, please visit www.ecco.com/golf.

Technorati Tags: 2012 ecco golf shoe range,gore tex

Taylormade RBZ Tour versus R11S Driver. Which Is Better?

2012-01-17T14:52:00.001Z

Golfers from all over the place have been trialling the two new Taylormade Drivers, the R11S and the RBZ in an effort to find which is best.

RookieBlue7 from Georgia carried out what I consider a pretty comprehensive distance test as follows:

15 balls with each driver, each with 60 seconds between balls (timed everything to be as subjective as possible), and then a 5 minute break between clubs each time. Then again in reverse order after. Control Ball: Srixon AD333

Results

R11S

9 deg set to std, with Talamonti PD70 x at 44 7/8" shaft

SS 115.1
Launch Angle 13.9
Back spin 3720
Carry 278.6
Ball speed 169.7
Smash factor: 1.475

RBZ Tour

9.5 deg set to neutral, with Talamonti PD70 x at 44 7/8"

Swingspeed 115.3
Launch angle 11.8
Back spin 3455
Carry 289.4
Ball speed 171.6
Smash Factor 1.489

Winner: RBZ Tour

Technorati Tags: taylormade r11s driver,rbz tour driver tested,which is better

2012 Humana Challenge Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips

2012-01-17T11:29:00.001Z

2012 Humana Challenge Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips

in partnership with the Clinton Foundation
PGA West (Palmer Course) (host course) · La Quinta, California
Click here for our 2012 Volvo Golf Champions Tips on the European Tour

Brian Gay 40/1

Only three top tens all last season for Brian Gay but one of them came here at what used to be The Bob Hope Classic. Brian may be one of the shortest hitters on Tour but on his day he’s the straightest gay you will meet. Tied sixth last week in windy shirt lifting Hawaiin conditions. Couldn’t put a foot wrong in the final round here last year when he found the hole from all angles and a few in the back door on his way to a 62 and tie for fifth.
Pic: Gay: It’s always the ones you least expect.

Martin Laird 25/1

If you asked 100 Europeans to pick their Ryder Cup team now I bet you hardly any would have Martin Laird’s name on there. The canny Scot keeps a low profile but his performances are speaking volumes. A win at Arnie’s place and five other top 10’s last year and came straight out the blocks with a second at the Sony Open. His PGA Tour leading putting and birdie stats will be just what the doctor ordered this week on three of the easiest courses they play. The newly revised event is only four rounds this year which may suit Martin also, he faded in the fifth round last year from a potential winning position. Pic: Laird’s only weakness is that he sometimes forgets the headcover on his driver.

Bill Haas 20/1

Didn’t get off to the hottest of starts in Kapalua two weeks back but is the horse for these three courses. The 2011 Tour Champion won here in 2010 and nearly defended last year, losing a playoff (along with Gary Woodland) to Jhonattan Vegas. The highlight then was a Saturday 62 on the Palmer Private which is host course again this year. The low point was a bogey on the last hole of the tournament when par would have won.

Matt Kuchar 16/1

Matt Kuchar at 16/1 is joint favourite after tying second in 2010 and seventh last year but he skipped the two Hawaii event s this year. Hasn’t played since the McGladrey Classic in October and the question is can he hit the ground running in this Ryder Cup year? I think he can.

Best Of The Rest

If you’re after some long odds glory this week why not have a punt on John Rollins 50/1. He shot a 64 in the final round of the Sony Open last week to climb into a tie for tenth. PGA West has mixed emotions for the Virginian after an over par final round from a commanding position resulted in a playoff loss to Charley Hoffman back in 2007. Decent showing in the first two rounds of the Sony Open last week from Pat Perez 66/1 but faded into the pack at the weekend. Double P has the perfect ‘birdie everything’ game for PGA West and if he gets into the mood as he did in 2009 he’s unstoppable. Finally a quick word for Kevin Na 40/1, who also struggled last week and is the ashamed owner of the most watched golf clip on youtube last year. This event has been good to Na over the past two seasons and he’ll be busy on the practice putting green in the build up. Maybe he should try Matt Every’s black box putter?
New Format
· Reduced from a 90-hole tournament to a traditional 72-hole competition beginning on Thursday.
· The pro-am element retained. Pros will be paired with just one amateur for each of the first three rounds and will not partner with the same amateur more than once.
· Final round professionals only.
· Played over 3 courses Palmer Private at PGA West will host, Nicklaus Private and La Quinta Country Club. All par 72, ranked easiest on PGA Tour.
· SilverRock's Resort Course dropped.
Useful Top 10’s

Last week
1 Johnson Wagner 68 66 66 67 -3 -13 267 $990,000
T2 Carl Pettersson 65 67 70 67 -3 -11 269 $363,000
T2 Sean O'Hair 67 67 68 67 -3 -11 269 $363,000
T2 Harrison Frazar 67 68 67 67 -3 -11 269 $363,000
T2 Charles Howell III 67 67 66 69 -1 -11 269 $363,000
T6 Michael Thompson 70 65 68 67 -3 -10 270 $178,063
T6 Brian Gay 69 69 65 67 -3 -10 270 $178,063
T6 D.A. Points 68 69 64 69 -1 -10 270 $178,063
T6 Matt Every 66 64 68 72 +2 -10 270 $178,063
T10 John Rollins 70 68 69 64 -6 -9 271 $137,500
Bob Hope Classic
2011
1 x-Jhonattan Vegas 64 67 67 66 69 8 -3 -27 333 $900,000
T2 Bill Haas 69 68 68 62 66 5 -6 -27 333 $440,000
T2 Gary Woodland 65 69 64 66 69 9 -3 -27 333 $440,000
4 Ryan Palmer 67 71 65 67 64 - -8 -26 334 $240,000
T5 Brian Gay 69 69 66 70 62 - -10 -24 336 $190,000
T5 Kevin Na 69 67 68 65 67 - -5 -24 336 $190,000
T7 Keegan Bradley 66 67 68 66 70 - -2 -23 337 $150,625
T7 Chris Couch 67 65 69 70 66 - -6 -23 337 $150,625
T7 Chris Kirk 69 68 64 66 70 - -2 -23 337 $150,625
T7 Matt Kuchar 66 70 67 66 68 - -4 -23 337 $150,625
2010
1 Bill Haas 68 66 66 66 64 -8 -30 330 $900,000
T2 Matt Kuchar 67 69 67 65 63 -9 -29 331 $373,333
T2 Tim Clark 70 63 67 66 65 -7 -29 331 $373,333
T2 Bubba Watson 66 62 68 69 66 -6 -29 331 $373,333
5 Alex Prugh 64 66 65 70 67 -5 -28 332 $200,000
6 Mike Weir 67 67 67 67 66 -6 -26 334 $180,000
7 D.J. Trahan 69 68 65 68 66 -6 -24 336 $167,500
T8 Matt Jones 69 67 69 66 66 -6 -23 337 $150,000
T8 Kevin Na 69 66 67 69 66 -6 -23 337 $150,000
T10 Chad Collins 67 64 69 70 68 -4 -22 338 $115,000
T10 Vaughn Taylor 66 67 73 65 67 -5 -22 338 $115,000
T10 Brandt Snedeker 70 69 65 66 68 -4 -22 338 $115,000
T10 Ryan Moore 69 67 66 67 69 -3 -22 338 $115,000
T10 Kevin Streelman 70 71 63 64 70 -2 -22 338 $115,000
2009
1 Pat Perez 61 63 67 67 69 -3 -33 327 $918,000
2 John Merrick 68 65 67 63 67 -5 -30 330 $550,800
T3 Mike Weir 62 70 67 66 67 -5 -28 332 $295,800
T3 Steve Stricker 65 67 61 62 77 +5 -28 332 $295,800
T5 Stephen Ames 71 63 70 66 63 -9 -27 333 $179,138
T5 Bo Van Pelt 66 65 68 67 67 -5 -27 333 $179,138
T5 Tim Clark 66 69 63 66 69 -3 -27 333 $179,138
T5 Webb Simpson 68 66 64 66 69 -3 -27 333 $179,138
T9 Brad Adamonis 67 62 71 69 65 -7 -26 334 $127,500
T9 Chad Campbell 66 71 68 65 64 -8 -26 334 $127,500
T9 John Senden 67 70 65 64 68 -4 -26 334 $127,500
T9 Tom Pernice Jr. 65 63 68 69 69 -3 -26 334 $127,500
T9 Richard S. Johnson 63 65 67 69 70 -2 -26 334 $127,500
2008
1 D.J. Trahan 67 64 68 70 65 -7 -26 334 $918,000
2 Justin Leonard 68 64 67 66 72 E -23 337 $550,800
T3 Anthony Kim 69 67 67 66 69 -3 -22 338 $295,800
T3 Kenny Perry 66 72 65 66 69 -3 -22 338 $295,800
T5 Chez Reavie 69 68 67 70 65 -7 -21 339 $186,150
T5 Ryan Moore 75 64 67 67 66 -6 -21 339 $186,150
T5 Steve Elkington 66 68 69 67 69 -3 -21 339 $186,150
T8 Vaughn Taylor 70 68 68 69 66 -6 -19 341 $142,800
T8 Charley Hoffman 68 72 71 63 67 -5 -19 341 $142,800
T8 Brett Rumford 67 68 69 67 70 -2 -19 341 $142,800
T8 Boo Weekley 69 70 62 69 71 -1 -19 341 $142,800
2007
1 x-Charley Hoffman 66 70 68 68 71 4 -1 -17 343 $900,000
2 John Rollins 67 67 69 67 73 5 +1 -17 343 $540,000
3 Justin Rose 67 65 66 70 76 - +4 -16 344 $340,000
T4 Jeff Quinney 68 69 69 66 73 - +1 -15 345 $220,000
T4 Heath Slocum 68 68 69 68 72 - E -15 345 $220,000
T6 Cliff Kresge 72 68 68 66 72 - E -14 346 $173,750
T6 Charles Warren 71 67 67 69 72 - E -14 346 $173,750
T8 Robert Allenby 63 70 70 70 74 - +2 -13 347 $135,000
T8 Mark Calcavecchia 65 70 75 68 69 - -3 -13 347 $135,000
T8 Harrison Frazar 68 71 68 69 71 - -1 -13 347 $135,000
T8 Dudley Hart 66 70 70 67 74 - +2 -13 347 $135,000
T8 Scott Verplank 66 66 68 74 73 - +1 -13 347 $135,000

Technorati Tags: 2012 humana challenge Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips,PGA Tour betting tips,2012 Volvo Golf Champions Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips,Fancourt South Africa,European Tour top tipster,paddypower golf tips,betfair golf tips,boylesports golf tips,who will win the 2012 humana challenge,clinton foundation

2012 humana challenge Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips,PGA Tour betting tips, 2012 Volvo Golf Champions Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips,Fancourt South Africa,European Tour top tipster,paddypower golf tips,betfair golf tips,boylesports golf tips,who will win the 2012 humana challenge, clinton foundation

2011 Shotlink PGA Tour Stats Review Shows Rory McIlroy Is Crazy Long

2012-01-16T22:40:00.001Z

Just came across this brilliant article by Andrew Rice. In it he analyses all the PGA Tour Shotlink stats from 2011 and gives a report in each category. Here is just the one for Driving. Click here to see the full report on Andrew Rice’s site which will open in a new window.

Driving

Rory McIlroy hit 51 out of 56 tee shots over 300 yards in the WGC-Bridgestone event.
Darren Clarke only hit 41% of the fairways in winning the Open Championship.
The PGA Tour average driving distance for all measured shots was 290.9 yards.
The longest driver was JB Holmes at 318.4 yards while the shortest hitter was Brian Gay at 269.8 yards – that’s almost 50 yards per tee shot!
There were 21 golfers that averaged over 300 yards per tee shot. In 2000 John Daly was the first and only player to average over 300 yards.
The longest drive of the year went to Dustin Johnson at 463 yards – it did involve a cart path!
Joe Durant was the straightest driver hitting 75.65% of his fairways while Anthony Kim was the least accurate hitting only 46.99% of the fairways.
No player led the field in driving accuracy en route to victory, while Bubba Watson led the field in driving distance for both of his victories.
Seventy golfers had rounds where they hit every fairway – a feat Joe Durant achieved four times!
John Merrick had a streak of 36 fairways in a row!

Technorati Tags: andrew rice golf,2011 pga tour shotlink stats review

Vijay Singh Calls Rory Sabbatini’s Caddie A F*g P And Proves He Is Indeed More Evil

2012-01-16T21:57:00.001Z

The third round of the Sony Open threw an interesting curve ball into the mix; a side battle to see who is the most evil. In the corner was Rory Sabbatini, aggressive and fiery by his own admission, in the other Vijay Singh, sweet as pie in front of the cameras but widely regarded amongst his fellow pros as one of the the most repulsive human beings on God’s green Earth.

According to Karen Crouse of the New York times an incident between the two was witnessed by a large group of marshals and security men who were assigned to Vijay Singh (don’t ask me why).

After missing a 6-foot par put on the first hole of his third round, according to witness reports in several forums, Singh turned to Sabbatini’s caddie Mick Doran and berated him for moving while he was lining up his putt, calling him a f*****g p****. When Sabbatini came to the aid of his caddie Singh swore loudly at Sabbo telling him where to go. Like a red rag to a bull, Sabbatini stood up to Singh and the two continued to have it out in front of the dumbstruck audience.

Afterwards Sabbatini formally complained to a PGA rules official about Singh’s outburst towards his caddie. The official refused to listen telling Sabbo to send an email to the complaints department!

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Johnson Wagner Gets First PGA Tour Win with TaylorMade R11S Driver

2012-01-16T16:40:00.001Z

Johnson Wagner brought the TaylorMade R11S driver to victory at the 2012 Sony Open yesterday. In all Wagner had three different manufacturers in the bag, TaylorMade, Adams and Titleist. He games the 712CB irons from Titleist with the increasingly popular on Tour Nippon NS Pro shafts. Also check out the multicoloured stamp on Johnson’s vokeys.

Here’s what’s in Johnson Wagner’s Winning Bag

DRIVER: TaylorMade R11S (8°) with an Aldila RIP NV 65 shaft
FAIRWAY WOOD: TaylorMade Burner SuperFast 2.0 (13.5°) with an Aldila NV 75 shaft
HYBIRD: Adams Idea Pro a12 Proto G (18°) with a Graphite Design Tour AD UT 85 shaft
IRONS: Titleist 712CB (3-9) with Nippon NS Pro shafts
WEDGES: Titleist Vokey Design Spin Milled (48°, 54°, 60°) with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issueshafts
PUTTER: Scotty Cameron for Titleist Mid Slant prototype
BALL: Titleist Pro V1x

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Adidas Puremotion and Crossflex Street Golf Shoes. New For 2012

2012-01-16T16:18:00.001Z

Here’s the first look at the adidas golf shoe range for 2012. The shoes are designed to be worn on and off the golf course, to look as good with a pair of jeans as they perform on the tee. Both are to be unveiled at the 2012 PGA Show in Orlando and are due to hit the shops in the Summer. Priced in the region of €80, £75 or $100 dollars upwards.

Provisional name: Puremotion

Features

Anatomical shape, no spikes.
Wide web shaped forefoot with extra toe room
Climaproof mesh with 2 year waterproof guarantee

Provisional Name: Crossflex

Features

Based on successful adidas running shoe
Contours based on human foot
Pods and "zonal traction elements" instead of spikes
Climaproof mesh with 2 year waterproof guarantee

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2012 Volvo Golf Champions Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips

2012-01-16T11:38:00.001Z

2012 Volvo Golf Champions Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips

The Links at Fancourt, George, South Africa 19 Jan 2012 - 22 Jan 2012

Winner Alright

In last week’s Joburg Open best of the rest section we tipped winner Branden Grace at 46/1 and Jaco Van Zyl who tied third at 18/1.

Click here for our 2012 Humana Challenge Betting Preview on the PGA Tour.

Louis Oosthuizen 5/1

What can you say about this man that might deter you from having a punt on him this week? Not very much really except perhaps if he has one eye on the upcoming birth of his second child. On the course Louis is on fire and came into the Africa Open on the tail end of five straight top-10’s across the world. Won there with an incredible 27 under. Great in the wind and on links, he’s the nap of the week and a handy man to have in your group if you drop your club in the water.

Darren Clarke 50/1

If Gary Player and his team spent months on the links of Ireland to gain inspiration for this course at Fancourt then Darren Clarke may well be the man to tame it. Twice a winner last season most memorably on the St Georges links in the Summer. Clarke loves coming down to South Africa, he shot a 63 in the Joburg Open in 2010, and if the wind blows he could very well come into a place.

Paul Lawrie 35/1

Last season, it’s fair to say, was probably Lawrie’s best and most satisfying on Tour since the turn of the century when he regularly passed the million euro earnings mark. Won the Open de Andalucia and give Alvaro Quiros a run for his money at the season finale in Dubai. Accomplished on links and in the wind and bound to be full of confidence, I’m hopeful of a top 10 if not much better for the Scot.

Best Of The Rest

I’m a big fan of Miguel Angel Jimenez 28/1 and am reminded of his broken putter incident at this event in Bahrain last season. After a good laugh with Darren Clarke and Monty he birdied the next three holes with his wedge on his way to tying second. Whether this course will suit the Mechanic, I really cant tell but if he’s up there Friday evening he’s worth a euro. Two others worth keeping an eye on over the coming weeks are Swede Alex Noren 25/1 who I know has been busy practicing in Florida in anticipation of his season opener and Gonzalo Castano 25/1 who had great finish to last season with a second at the Castello Masters and a win at the weather hit Barclays Singapore Open.

Technorati Tags: 2012 Volvo Golf Champions Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips,Fancourt South Africa,European Tour top tipster,paddypower golf tips,betfair golf tips,boylesports golf tips,who will win the 2012 volvo golf champions

2012 Volvo Golf Champions Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips, Fancourt South Africa, European Tour top tipster, paddypower golf tips, betfair golf tips, boylesports golf tips, who will win the 2012 volvo golf champions

Want A Caddie on Tour? Want To Caddie On Tour? - Check Out tourcaddies4u.com

2012-01-16T09:54:00.001Z

A big shout out to Matt Hall in Australia on the launch of his new website for professional caddies called www.tourcaddies4u.com.

Tour Caddies 4 U was established last year, and is designed to assist Professional Golfers locate High Quality Professional Caddies Worldwide for any professional event whether it is a Pro-Am or a PGA Tour Tournament. The website is also designed to assist anyone thinking of becoming a full time caddie to get a placement and a foot in the door of the Caddie world.

Matt Hall currently works with Chris Gaunt and has over 10 years experience on Tour. The site was designed with the input of many leading Golf Professionals who regularly play on PGA Tours worldwide.

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Magnum’s Moustache Comes Out Of Retirement To Help Wagner Win Sony Open

2012-01-16T09:00:00.001Z

“Ronnie”, the moustache worn by Tom Selleck in the TV show Magnum P.I. was last night celebrating the most unlikely of victories after helping Johnson Wagner to win the Sony Open in Hawaii. The 62 year old nut duster now lives in Malibu Beach living off royalties from the 80’s hit TV show and had been on the island by chance to film a 25th anniversary reunion celebration of the original Magnum cast.

“I was just here hanging with Magnum’s upper lip along with Higgins and TC” said Ronnie the tache. “Some of the guys were breakin’ my balls calling me a “nut broom” and “prison pussy” so I needed to get away. I came across Johnson Wagner on the putting green at the golf course and he needed some help with his putting alignment so I jumped up on his lip and it seemed to help. When he looks down through my middle, it shows the line perfectly. I’ve been dabbling in golf with Geoff Ogilvy lately also, it’s is an avenue I would really like to explore. I’d like to see how far I could go in this business; how cool would it be to get under the nose Rory McIlroy.”

The success of Ronnie the moustache has prompted speculation that other celebrity appendages may now try their hand in the golf business. Pamela Anderson’s breasts have already been closely linked with Colin Montgomerie for the 2102 season.

Technorati Tags: johnson wagner,moustache,magnum,Tom selleck,funny picture

2012 Sony Open Final Round Highlights

2012-01-16T07:47:00.001Z

Johnson Wagner’s moustache may make him look like an extra from Starsky and Hutch but that didn’t stop him winning in Hawaii. Here are the 2012 Sony Open Final Round Highlights.

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R&A Boss Peter Dawson Gives Three Bloody Good Reasons Why Royal Portrush Cant Have British Open

2012-01-15T22:41:00.001Z

Here’s the way things work at the top of the Ancient and Royal. They sit around in the smoking room, hold china cups with two fingers and think of reasons why they should continue to give Portrush’s chances of hosting the British Open the two fingers.

This week Peter Dawson spoke to journalist John Huggan and bloody well set him straight as to why Royal Portrush is not Royal enough for for the British Open.

Reason 1

Dawson: “One or two of the holes need changes.”

Ah okay so being consistently ranked by just about every reputable publication as being amongst the top 15 courses on the planet is not good enough for the R&A. By that logic last year’s Open was not held at Royal St. Georges because 17 or 18 of the holes need changes.

Reason 2&3

Dawson: It is not obvious where the practice ground would go. It is not obvious where the tented village would go.

What is the man on about here? “None of these big fields would actually be suitable because they are not the correct shape of green?”

Tell you what Peter. Watch this year’s Irish Open and see where they put the practice ground and the tented village. That may just give you a clue.

Pic: These big fields around the course are not immediately obvious so we have used big red arrows to point them out.

Smoking jackets on, two fingers ready…..

Technorati Tags: 2012 Irish Open Royal portrush,Peter Dawson R&A,Royal Portrush British Open

Branden. South African By Grace Of God

2012-01-15T22:02:00.001Z

Just weeks after securing his card at Q School Branden Grace was holding aloft the Joburg Open trophy after winning his first European Tour title. Grace’s final round of 72 was just about good enough to hold off another Q School graduate Jamie Elson who has an I for the dramatic. The Englishman who held a monster putt on the 18th in Catalunya to earn his card, this time shot a blistering 63 to surge through the field and almost catch Grace.

In the end however the 23 year old playing on home soil held his nerve to card a Faldo-esque 72 with 16 pars to finish on 17 under, one ahead of Elson. The win was worth €206,050 and sees him exempt on Tour until the end of 2013. His nearest challengers at the start of the day, Richard Finch and George Coetzee had a tough day at the office and slipped quietly down the leaderboard.

Six players tied for third including four South Africans and two Scots.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Grace after. “It’s nice to win in front of a home crowd and I wouldn’t exchange it for anything else.” Grace then paid tribute to his caddie saying “I think there was one big key today, Zack [Rasego] on the bag kept me calm throughout the whole day so big thanks to him.”

With just one more event on South African soil, The Volvo Golf Champions, to play this week the question is will another South African player win? The rainbow nation have now won four of the last six European Tour events. These include Garth Mulroy (2011 Alfred Dunhill Championship), Hennie Otto (2011 South African Open Championship), Louis Oosthuizen (2012 Africa Open) and Branden Grace (2012 Joburg Open).

Technorati Tags: branden grace,2012 Joburg Open betting preview and tips,2012 Joburg Open Final Round Highlights,Callaway razr x driver 2012

Matt Every’s Putter Is A “BlackHawk” By Orion Golf and Not an iPhone Case

2012-01-15T08:10:00.001Z

Great fun trying to figure out Matt Every’s putter at the Sony Open. It’s a BlackHawk model from Orion golf. The theory behind it is to get the highest MOI possible based on the current restrictions of the USGA on putter size. The size also allows the golfer to easily sole the club and set their hands in the same position without effort. It is made of a forged Aluminium alloy and has a black sapphire coating. The feel of the putter is very solid and the roll of the ball is consistent from toe to heel. In theory it is not possible to mishit a putt with the club as it rolls true no matter where it is struck. It retails from about 250 US dollars.

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2012 Sony Open third round highlights. PGA Tour.

2012-01-15T07:38:00.001Z

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Take Me To Your Dealer. Matt Every Talks Pot in Kelly Tilghman GolfChannel Interview Video

2012-01-14T10:41:00.001Z

Sony Open leader Matt Every broke the golden rule of golf channel interviews last night when he spoke about something other than golf. And once Every had swam down the deep end by answering The Golf Channel’s Kelly Tilghman’s question about his arrest and Tour suspension for marijuana possession, they just stood by and watched him paddle.
I’m in Every’s corner, everyone has smoked a bit of Woof Woof in their time but it made for pretty uncomfortable TV. Especially as the man had just walked in happy leading the golf tournament.
“It was alright,” he said to Tilghman. “I just got three months off. It’s just golf. I don’t think I was doing anything wrong. It happened. I’m the same person, I have the same friends and I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. “There’s a lot worse stuff that goes on out here than what I got in trouble for and that’s all I’m going to say about it.”
“I felt like my penalty for getting in trouble was not only the three months but being on the Nationwide Tour last year. I'm not mad at the Tour. They did what they had to do. I totally understand it. But it's over with."
“I feel like I’m the same person. I’m maybe a little more responsible, but I’m not a huge party animal — I’m married, I got a kid on the way,” he said. “I just like to live, and whatever happened, happened.”
In the media room after Every stood by his friends and defended his actions.
“ I still hang out with the same people. I have great friends. If one of my friends likes to smoke marijuana every now and then, I’m not going to say, well, you can’t be my friend anymore,” he said. “Honestly, man, I know more people who smoke marijuana than who don’t smoke marijuana. I know that’s probably not the politically correct thing to say, but it’s the truth. It’s not a big deal to me. Like I don't frown upon people doing that stuff. I don't do it, but I don't frown upon it. ”

Technorati Tags: Matt Every,Kelly Tilghman Interview,Golf Channel,marijuana possession,pga tour suspension,video

2012 Sony Open Second Round Highlights- PGA Tour

2012-01-14T09:35:00.001Z

Check out second rounds highlights from the 2012 Sony Open on the PGA Tour.

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Mythbusters. Do Longer Shafted Drivers Really Hit The Ball Further?

2012-01-13T11:59:00.001Z

The short answer is yes but not in the way you might think. Today I watched a video with Luke Williams from Callaway introducing the new RAZR X driver for 2012 and in the video Luke talks about the 46 inch shaft, (yep 46 inches) installed there to get you increased clubhead speed and thus more distance.

Granted that caveman mentally of “Me hit you hard Unga Bunga” is inside all of us. But it’s not all about raw distance. Look at the caveman’s club for instance, shorter for power plus accuracy. Even they had their physics correct.

Most of the top name drivers in the shops this year have shafts measuring between 45 and 46 inches and there are even a few longer than that. However the average shaft length on the European and PGA Tours is 44 inches with some of the very best players having even shorter shafts. The question is which driver of these two do you want?

Pic: Bubba long. 143 rd in driving accuracy. Of 14 drives, 7 will finish in rough

A: With this 46 inch driver you will splay the ball left and right but 1 in 5 you will catch sweet and it will go 2 yards further.*

B: With this 44 inch driver you are 28% more likely to hit the fairway and 4 out of 5 times you will hit it further than your bomber mate who will be stuck in the rough.*

If you’re answer is A, thanks for your time. If your answer is B you’re with the pro’s who use drivers 1.5 inches shorter than shop models. Are all the pros dummies? Surely there losing 10 yards?

Pic: Hurrion and Hughes, yep I too am a scientist!

Sorry to argue with the big companies on this one but I do loads of Tour player what’s in the bags and the scientist in me has to tell you that the formula

longer shaft = faster swing = longer distance = fairway is INCORRECT

but

longer shaft = faster swing = longer distance = some fairway + a lot of rough is CORRECT

and

shorter shaft = fast accurate swing = more sweet spot = long distance = fairway is CORRECT!

And what’s more I will make a prediction now. “Driver shaft length will be reduced by the Biggest Golf Companies in the near future and they will market heavily “The far increased accuracy” of the shorter shaft!

*Read the excellent article on testing long and short shafts carried out by mygolfspy here.

Technorati Tags: 46 inch driver,44 inch driver,Callaway razr x driver 2012,luke williams,whats in the bag,tour players driver length,custom fitting drivers,what shaft length do pros use

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Haney’s “Tell All” Book About Tiger Woods Will Not Be Called “Butch Stacked and on The Crack”

2012-01-13T10:31:00.001Z

Top Tiger Woods officials were today breathing a sigh of relief when it was discovered that Hank Haney’s upcoming book on Tiger Woods is actually going to be crap. Rumours, fuelled by the book’s publishers Crown Archetype at Random House, had been circulating that Haney’s account of his six years with Tiger was going to be a “tell all” blockbuster entitled “Butch, Stacked and On The Crack” recounting explicit accounts of Tiger’s drug fuelled days and more worryingly, his nights.

"We are all very relieved around here that the book is so crap” said a senior Woods spokesman, adding “ It’s actually 200 pages of mind numbingly boring stuff about Tiger’s golf swing and all the stuff that was wrong with it. Hank didn’t even mention anything about the night they committed every one of the 7 Deadly Sins in Vegas. I’m so relieved about that. I was sure he would blow the lid about the night of the Hard Rock orgy with the hundred hookers when we were all covered in baby oil and snorting coke off the head of a driver whilst listening to Enter Sandman. That was wack!”

He continued “The book is actually going to be called ‘The Big Miss’. One of the guys thought it was called ‘The Big Missus’ and going to tell the story of the night Tiger had with the 50 stone housewife. Man she was so big she had to be brought in on a pallet by a forklift. Good times, good times……”

An official for the book publishers Crown Archetype at Random House defended the use of the term “Tell All Book” to publicize Haney’s actual crap book. “It’s a tactic we use every couple of years to fool people into buying a book. It’s really important that we don't overuse the term, or else people would catch on and we would not sell as many books. I’m even a little bit uncomfortable talking about it. That term has been very special to us.”

Technorati Tags: Hany Haney book,Tiger woods,the big miss book,golf,sex,drugs,rock and roll

2012 Sony Open First Round Highlights – PGA Tour

2012-01-13T09:01:00.001Z

Click below to watch highlights from the delayed 2012 Sony Open First Round on the PGA Tour.

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Doc’s Free Guide To Golf Betting Tips and How To Make Money (Part One)

2012-01-12T23:21:00.001Z

As a golf fanatic I’ve found my niche in predicting winners to golf tournaments. As well as on this blog golfcentraldaily.com, I provide golf betting tips to Golfbidder in the UK and the Irish Examiner newspaper. I’m top ranked on google for every European and PGA Tour golf event I preview and compile tips for. A lot of people ask me how do I pick winners and the answer is I do the same preparatory work pretty much every week and more often than not, it pays dividends. Literally!
In this “free guide to golf betting tips and how to make money” I’m going to show you how you can increase your success rate noticeably by following some of the techniques I use. Golf is an ideal sport for some fun betting, the starting field is limited, those playing at the weekend is limited even further. A “winner” in golf betting tips doesn’t necessarily have to be the guy getting the cardboard cheque from a Sheikh, if your man finishes fourth at 200/1 and you have him each way, taking away 50 times your stake is what I call a winner too!
So let’s down to business. I’m going to break up the article into parts. I hope you don’t mind but I absolutely hate reading long articles myself!
In Part One, I’m going to describe my preparatory work before compiling my golf betting tips for any tournament.

1. Choosing Your Event

It’s a well known in any sphere of sports betting that the most accurate betting is done on events that have consistency. By that I mean a “home”. For example on the PGA Tour, The Players Championship is always played at the Stadium Course in Sawgrass. On the European Tour, the Omega European Masters is always played in Crans Sur Sierre in Switzerland. In the same way that players get to know certain courses, get to like those courses and thus play well on them, by researching this consistency prior to the event you can greatly increase your chances of whittling down those players that have a live chance of winning themselves, and thus you some money.
Pic: Choose wisely Indi
Of course there are always exceptions, like Tom Lewis winning the 2011 Portugal Masters on his first try. Not many predicted that based on consistency, he was a rookie, there was nothing to go on, except Tom’s phenomenal talent. I certainly didn’t tip him that week and hey, there’s no shame in that. Tipping is certainly not an exact science; you can simply use the resources available to you to build a picture and make an informed decision. Unless you have information from inside the ropes, the caddies, the practice rounds, the Pro Am, the range etc, it can be pretty difficult for the average punter looking at names on a page.
On Tom Lewis, I take great pride in flagging him up prior to the 2011 British Open at Royal St. Georges where several punters took my advice and backed him at 300/1 on Betfair, then laid him off for profit when his odds plummeted after he jointly lead with Thomas Bjorn after round one. (I promise I wont mention Betfair or Laying again!).

Pic: It didnt make money but flagging Tom was nice.

But back to my point about choosing your tournament wisely.
When a tournament moves venue or date slot it becomes much more difficult to filter those that could or should do well. My advice here is never to wager all the money in your online account on “new venue” events from your armchair based on form or some kind of a hunch. Golf rarely works like that. Factors such as “length”, “course set up”, “fairway width”, “rough height”, “greens type” etc etc could easily conspire to rule your guy out of the running straight away if you are not fully aware of them. I’ve seen people put their house on a golfer who has three straight top fives and is in the form of his life, only to watch him crash and burn because one of the factors above conspired against him. Stick your tenner on an in form bomber playing on a 6,600 yard course with landing strips for fairways and lettuce for rough? Would you?
Pic: Bubba. Doesn’t win every week strangely enough!
Of course we all still produce tips for “new venue” tournaments but for these I use a different formula taking into account the course, form, tournament date and Genworth stats which I will speak about in another article. And in truth I would be nervous on betting on such events, at least until the cut comes on Friday evening.
Suffice to say again here in summary, choose your events wisely! Consistency is critical.

2. Knowing Your History

Relax! You don’t need to be an encyclopaedia of golfing knowledge to do this; you just need to know how to access one.

Pic: 1493 was it?

For every tournament the first thing I do is to compile a past history report.
For the European Tour the way I do this is I open the European Tour homepage http://www.europeantour.com , click on tournaments and select the event you seek information on. Then click the “history” button at the top of the screen. There you will see all the stagings down through the years for that particular tournament. I always open the leaderboards for the previous five years, then cut and paste the top 15 finishers into a blank word document. I always select the players scores for the four rounds too; this is very important information to have.
Next open the leaderboard for the previous week’s event and again paste the top 15 into the word document. This is always a useful form indicator. I arrange all these results in two columns of just one A4 page. At the top I have “Last week” then next “2011 top 15” then “2010 top 15” and so on. The whole operation should take about 10 minutes and when you print your page, you will be amazed just how many of the same names jump out at you already!
You will be even more amazed that when you check the entry list, pretty much all of those names will be in the field. And why wouldn’t they? A player that plays well in Switzerland for instance every year and makes money is a dead cert to be back to that particular free ATM in the Alps the following year!
For the PGA Tour history page you can do exactly the same. To compile my history page for the PGA Tour I always google the event name and the words “yahoo leaderboard”. That brings up the leaderboard for the event on the yahoo golf site which is very similar to the European Tour’s info in that it shows the scores of each player for the four rounds.
Make sure to check out Doc’s Free Guide To Golf Betting Tips and How To Make Money (Part Two) which I will post next week and where I will tell you how to use your history page in conjunction with an another European and PGA Tour resource and let you in on an excellent online stats package to help you make your selections.

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Mystery Golf Tours Bring A New Concept To Societies and Outings in Ireland

2012-01-12T16:41:00.001Z

Congratulations to Billy O’Boyle, whom I met at the Irish Open in Killarney last Summer, on the launch of his new business Mystery Golf Tours which brings a new twist to the pub society or work outing. You get onto the bus, clubs in the back and where you are headed is a mystery until you actually get there.

Kindof like that paddle boat thing in Willy Wonka but without Mr. Slugworth.

Pic: Billy will be dressed as Willy Wonka for all Tours and be singing sweetly “There’s no earthly way of knowing in which direction we are going”, before working up to a fever pitch of maniacal screaming: “And the rowers keep on rowing and they’re certainly not showing any signs that they are slowing!”

Be not afraid however because Billy and his team at Mystery Golf Tours have handpicked the finest of Irish courses and provide door to door hospitality to make sure everyone enjoys their day and goes home happy.

I love the concept and wish Billy and the lads the very best of success. Click here or on the pic to visit the Mystery Golf Tour website.

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Defiant Finchem Vows To Reign Over PGA until 2016. Gets New Outfit on eBay

2012-01-12T11:08:00.001Z

Bursting into a Steve Stricker press conference today at the Sony Open where up to seven journalists were sleeping soundly, Tim Finchem fired several RPG rounds into the walls and defiantly declared himself supreme commander of the PGA Tour until 2016. Happily none of the journalists present received serious injury during the incident, although some suffered shock after being suddenly awoken.

Later Finchem appeared in an outfit, shades and wig which he claimed to have recently bought “pretty cheap from eBay.lya” and spoke to a number of loyal supporters from the back of a pick up truck from his heavily fortified compound in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Finchem in his new outfit he got cheap on eBay

“I vow to take over Asia and rip it from the grasp of the Europeans” said Colonel Finchem as he fired shots in the air from an AK47 before adding “and I might take over Ireland too if nobody in Europe really wants it. Now see that concrete tunnel down there? I’ll be in there if anyone needs me.”

Finchem is 64, but according to fashion guru and man who acts like a woman Gok Wan “Tim looks no more than 30 darlings. Regular botox injections to the face and those cleverly placed shoulder pads in his new outfit make this Finch a bird I would certainly like to get in my cage.”

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Sergio Garcia Nearly Wins Ball Of Cash at PokerStars Event Before Playing Crazy Hand

2012-01-12T10:17:00.001Z

While the other top pros are busy doing ab crunches in the gym or working on their release on the range, Sergio Garcia, who really wants to get into this year’s Ryder Cup Team is working on a release of his own by playing a spot of poker. The Spaniard was playing in the 2012 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure event, and got through to the last 50, before a pair of dirty queens knocked him out of the Main Event last night. He did however manage to bag $35,000.

El Nino says that golf his is life, but poker is his entertainment. But that’s obviously a lie considering the torture and anguish the poor man suffered in defeat. He might as well have been on the putting green as the poker table, the emotions were exactly the same.

The Fateful Hand

It was Garcia versus Luciano. Luciano was all in. Would Sergio play and risk all in?

He thought about it. And thought some more. Then played.

Luciano had pair of queens. Garcia was A♣J diamonds. Both play.

The flop turns 3♣2♣J♣. Another Jack for Sergio, but still not good enough.

Next the turn card. Nothing. Then the final river card. Nothing.

Sergio had lost 230,000 chips and was out.

Afterwards Garcia was comforted by friend and professional poker player Jose Manuel Pastor who said “"Perhaps he should not have called the all-in with ace-jack”.

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Luke Donald Reveals Real Reasons Behind Savage Byrd Twitter Rant

2012-01-11T11:10:00.001Z

Further details have emerged concerning Luke Donald’s twitter rant on Sunday night. The world number one tweeted his beak off in a savage attack against Jonathan Byrd and Steve Stricker whom he was watching on TV whilst feeding his new born baby. It’s understood Donald spilled up to four ounces of tepid Cow and Gate baby formula onto his jeans which tipped him over the edge and sent him into an Elmo fuelled rage.

Neighbours had reported seeing Donald earlier that day talking to himself in an agitated state whilst watching the build up to the New Hampshire Republican presidential Primary, an event which is big in the USA, but which Europeans couldn’t give a toss about because Obama will beat whoever wins anyway. It is unclear what Donald was saying but the words “vote, arse, cocksucker, crap, talking, suits, fools, flying f*ck” were clearly audible.

Donald’s wife Diana briefly calmed him around lunchtime, but the Englishman’s ire was again stoked up by golfer Johnathon Byrd on the TV, who Donald believed appeared to stare mockingly into the camera “for what seemed like an age” after taking five minutes over a putt. It later transpired that Donald’s youngest baby Sophia had accidentally rolled over on the TV remote control and paused the coverage.

More as it burps up.

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Adams Deal Could Go Sour If Karlsson Cant Find Clubs In Time

2012-01-10T11:46:00.001Z

Adams golf (aren’t they for sale?) today announced they have signed Robert Karlsson. However the deal could yet turn sour if Karlsson cannot find a set of Adams club before the start of his season. As of yesterday he had clocked up over 1,200 miles in search of a Swedish pro shop that stocks Adams clubs, which are currently not available in Sweden. It is thought the search may spread to other Scandinavian countries aswell as eBay in the coming days.

There was however some success for the two time Ryder Cupper yesterday when he managed to buy an Adams hat from a farmer near Stockholm.

“We think Robert is a great fit for Adams golf” said Chip Fryer, CEO of Adams. “We now have a really tall guy to go with the old guy, the religious guy and the crazy two gloves guy.”

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2012 Sony Open in Hawaii Betting Preview and Tips

2012-01-10T11:11:00.001Z

Sony Open in Hawaii Betting Preview and Tips, Thursday Jan 12 – Sunday Jan 15, 2012, Waialae CC · Honolulu, Hawaii

Odds on exchanges

Winner Alright

Last week we tipped 1st Steve Stricker, 2nd Martin Laird, T3rd Webb Simpson.

Also check out my 2012 Joburg Open Tips here

Steve Stricker 8/1

After winning last week Stricks may well be untouchable in the betting ring this week as he has also performed well on this track in the past. Top tenned in four of his last five visits to Waialae Country Club, the best of which was in coming third in 2010 behind Ryan Palmer. It remains to be seen if the press commitments and inevitable tiredness after winning will be a factor, but for me Stricker just keeps on keepin’on.

Rory Sabbatini 30/1

Nobody wants to love old Sabbo anymore so I better give him some. The Honda Classic winner kindof hinted at turning over a new leaf after with young ball spotters and Sean O’Hair enjoying the new Sabbatini. The South African can play a bit and after a top 10 tune up last week will attempt to emulate his best of second here in 2008 and 2006.

KJ Choi 15/1

Last season was somewhat of a breakthrough for KJ with eight top 10’s including the Players Championship crown saw him back to his very best. A brilliant 65 Monday at the Tournament of Champions elevated the Korean to tied fifth in the final standings and is sure to have him fired up for this week. He won here in 2008 and is flashing code red and yellow on my screens!

Zach Johnson 15/1

Will 2012 be the year of the Zach attack? Well if he continues holing out second shots like at the Chevron World Challenge it just might! Johnson won here in 2008 and possesses the game required for Waialae. The course is nothing like last week, with a premium on accuracy off the tee, shot making in the wind and quality putting. Expect Zach’s choppy follow through to work wonders here.

Best Of The Rest

David Toms (30/1) had a terrible week at the Hyundai but won here in 2006 and tied second in 2009. In theory he has the taylor made game for this course; accurate off the tee, good greens in reg and a solid putter. Theory and practice are two different things however and lets hope he can shrug off last weeks cobwebs and contend.

I know some of you love to have a long odds winner and sure don’t we all. If you want to stick a small flutter on a really long odds shot this week, consider Brian Gay (approx 100/1) who played well here last year and has a best of tied fifth in 2009.

There’s also one of my favourite players Steve Marino (35/1). He played great here last year and at the Arnold Palmer. There’s no doubting he’s supremely talented but is as unpredictable as an Alex Ferguson press conference.

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Louis Oosthuizen Arrested After Stealing Tots Bike

2012-01-10T09:30:00.001Z

The Sunshine Tour was rocked yesterday when it’s newest champion Louis Oosthuizen was arrested on suspicion of stealing a child’s bicycle near East London, South Africa. A quick thinking mother snapped a picture of Oosthuizen making his getaway on the bike and promptly reported it to police.

Rumours had abounded about Oosthuizen’s cleptomaniacal tendencies since a children’s car seat went missing from the player’s car park at Royal St Georges in 2011 and one matching that description was subsequently spotted restraining a small sheep (lamb) on the South African’s farm in South Africa.

The owner of the children’s bike Mornay Kobus Kruger Stayne (4) was said to be distraught over the incident having only received the bicycle as a present from Santa (his parents) on December 25th last.

Pic: Oosthuizen’s grin’s menacingly as he makes his getaway.

"Louis always seemed like the sweetest man," said Tour boss George O’Grady following the arrest. "He looks just like Shrek, but who could have believed he would turn about to be a different kind of Ogre?"

A follow up search of Oosthuizen’s home in the wake of the arrest, revealed seven further stolen bicycles, two car seats, a small drum, a plastic spade and a packet of Match Attax trading cards. The case is due before the courts in February.

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2012 Hyundai Tournament Of Champions Final Round Highlights

2012-01-10T07:31:00.001Z

Watch 2012 Hyundai Tournament Of Champions Final Round Highlights where Steve Stricker emerged victorious.

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Paul McGinley Gives His Honest Opinion On Tiger Woods And Just About Everything Else

2012-01-09T19:59:00.001Z

An in-depth interview with Irish professional and Ryder Cup hero Paul McGinley. McGinley gives his honest opinion on Tiger Woods about 35 minutes in. You have to admire Paul’s honesty on how he and most of the other players view and interact with Tiger Woods. There’s also some great insights into the pro life with a great set of questions from Shaun Doherty on Highland Radio. I especially liked “How do you (pros) stop yourself becoming a spoiled brat?”

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Dustin Johnson Off Crutches and On The Mend Following Knee Surgery

2012-01-09T15:05:00.001Z

"Not being in the mix this weekend makes me miss the game that much more!! #KNEEhab is in the rearview mirror," is the message coming from Dustin Johnson as he confirmed he is on the mend after arthroscopic knee Surgery.

Though affected since last July, Johnson had the surgery scheduled for late November to repair damaged cartilage in his right knee brought on by the extreme forces generated in golf swing. The procedure involved small incisions in the skin through which a small “arthroscope” guided by a lighted scope attached to a television monitor was inserted and used to repair the cartilage.

Johnson spent a week on crutches after the surgery before beginning that ‘kneehab’ over the Christmas period. He is scheduled back at the Farmer’s Insurance Open one week before the At&T at Torrey Pines, a place which holds for DJ the very best and worst of memories!

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2012 Joburg Open Betting Preview and Tips

2012-01-09T11:46:00.001Z

2012 Joburg Open
Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, Johannesburg, South Africa 12 Jan 2012 - 15 Jan 2012
Early odds on the exchanges

Winner Alright

Last week we tipped Louis Oosthuizen at 5/1 (Winner) and Jaco Van Zyl at 16/1 (fourth)

Charl Schwartzel 5/1

Swap one superstar for another this week as Louis takes a rest and lets Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel take the limelight. Untouchable in winning here for the last two years running, by four shots in 2011 and by six in 2010. With top fives in the WGC-HSBC and the Dubai World Championship, his last events of 2011, it’s hard to see past the threepeat.

Tjaart Van Der Walt 44/1

His second place cheque of €115,000 sees 37 year old Tjaart already almost surpass his Tour earnings from last year and there may just be something inspiring from seeing yourself second on the 2012 Race To Dubai that will see another strong performance this week on a course where 20 under is a realistic target. Held his nerve impressively for the most part last week and I can see Van der Walt improving on his tied seventh here last year.

Danny Willett 30/1

Being a co sanctioned event with the Sunshine Tour, the leaderboard is dominated by South African names but a traditional fast starter in this part of the world is Englishman Danny Willett. Dan has improved his result in each of his last four events culminating in a seventh last week. He still searches however for that elusive stress free final round where everything goes right and he will know that his Sunday 73 last week opened the gap to let several players past him on the run to the line. Fingers cross so that it happens this week on a course where Willett tied fourth in both 2010 and 2009.

Garth Mulroy 18/1

Another man who seems to have the measure of the Royal Johannesburg golf course is Garth Mulroy who finished second behind Schwartzel last year and also tied second back in 2008. Recovered after an ill fated four tournament trip to the PGA Tour last year to win the Alfred Dunhill Championship in late November and also score a top 10 in the South African Open. After a tune up last week Garth will be worth watching come the cut Friday evening.

Best Of The Rest

I was very impressed with the strength of character shown by Branden Grace (46/1) last week. He could have let his shoulders drop after carding a first round 77 but instead turned it around by shooting a super 63. In the end he tied 14^th and this week with a clean slate has the talent to come into a place. Another man strong in talent but weak in his lower vertebrae is Richard Sterne (23/1). He won here in 2008 and finished sixth last week. If his chronic back problem can be controlled there’s no doubt that he can add to his five European Tour titles. This week will be Jaco Van Zyl’s 66^th on Tour and he’s increasingly at home high on the leaderboard. Made money for us last week with a great fourth place finish to go with his tied third at the Alfred Dunhill Championship. He’s 18/1 on the exchanges and good value for it.

Helpful Tournament Top-10 History

Last week
1OOSTHUIZEN LouisRSA-2769626767265€ 158,500
2VAN DER WALT TjaartRSA-2569646569267€ 115,000
3GOOSEN RetiefRSA-2465686669268€ 69,200
4VAN ZYL JacoRSA-2371656766269€ 49,100
5FORSYTH AlastairSCO-2269666867270€ 41,300
6STERNE RichardRSA-2069696470272€ 35,400
7WILLETT DannyENG-1967686573273€ 29,500
8LEE CraigSCO-1868676871274€ 23,100
8ROWE LyleRSA-1873686568274€ 23,100
10BALDWIN MatthewENG-1772647069275€ 17,475
10CARLSSON Magnus ASWE-1769667070275€ 17,475
10GRILLO EmilianoARG-1773667165275€ 17,475
10KARMIS PeterRSA-1768706968275€ 17,475
Joburg Open History
2011
1SCHWARTZEL CharlRSA-1968616967265€ 206,050
2MULROY GarthRSA-1565646971269€ 149,500
3AIKEN ThomasRSA-1464666872270€ 89,960
4ELSON JamieENG-1365647171271€ 63,830
5GONNET Jean-BaptisteFRA-1267666772272€ 53,690
6JAMIESON ScottSCO-1170667265273€ 46,020
7COETZEE GeorgeRSA-1070657069274€ 29,432
7FLOREN OscarSWE-1068686672274€ 29,432
7KINGSTON JamesRSA-1068627371274€ 29,432
7VAN DER WALT TjaartRSA-1069687067274€ 29,432
7VERSFELD AllanRSA-1066667072274€ 29,432
2010
1SCHWARTZEL CharlRSA-2363686466261€ 206,050
2CLARKE DarrenNIR-1763696768267€ 119,730
2HORNE KeithRSA-1768657064267€ 119,730
4KAMTE JamesRSA-1467666968270€ 58,760
4WILLETT DannyENG-1465677068270€ 58,760
6HANSEN SørenDEN-1266706868272€ 36,108
6LUITEN JoostNED-1266696968272€ 36,108
6OTTO HennieRSA-1267666970272€ 36,108
6WHITEFORD PeterSCO-1266697067272€ 36,108
10CUNLIFFE JoshRSA-1168706768273€ 24,375
10PARRY JohnENG-1166677169273€ 24,375
2009
1HANSEN AndersDEN-1571686466269€ 174,350
2MCLARDY AndrewRSA-1465686968270€ 126,500
3DRYSDALE DavidSCO-1365667169271€ 76,120
4SCHWARTZEL CharlRSA-1268716370272€ 46,127
4VAN ASWEGEN TyroneRSA-1269657068272€ 46,127
4WILLETT DannyENG-1267667168272€ 46,127
7DIXON DavidENG-1168696868273€ 27,757
7HAEGGMAN JoakimSWE-1169686670273€ 27,757
7MCEVOY RichardENG-1169657267273€ 27,757
10GOYA TanoARG-1070696966274€ 20,625
10OOSTHUIZEN LouisRSA-1071666770274€ 20,625
2008
1STERNE RichardRSA-1371686765271€ 174,350
2CARLSSON Magnus ASWE-1370666966271€ 101,310
2MULROY GarthRSA-1367726666271€ 101,310
4CLARKE DarrenNIR-1173656768273€ 54,010
5MOOLMAN LouisRSA-968696969275€ 38,940
5MURLESS MarkRSA-965686973275€ 38,940
5WILLIAMS ChrisRSA-973656770275€ 38,940
8FERREIRA TyroneRSA-865706972276€ 27,060
9CANETE ArielARG-770707067277€ 20,130
9GARBUTT IanENG-771696869277€ 20,130
9STRÜVER SvenGER-767716673277€ 20,130
9VAN DER WALT DawieRSA-774656870277€ 20,130
9WARING PaulENG-769676972277€ 20,130
2007
1CANETE ArielARG-1966686567266€ 158,500
2MCLARDY AndrewRSA-1763726568268€ 115,000
3OTTO HennieRSA-1665677067269€ 69,100
4HAINDL AlexRSA-1368686670272€ 45,100
4MURLESS MarkRSA-1364716968272€ 45,100
6DA SILVA AdilsonBRA-1271656968273€ 32,100
6RUSH EdwardENG-1270676769273€ 32,100
8KINGSTON JamesRSA-1166667270274€ 20,475
8McGUIGAN DougRSA-1168677168274€ 20,475
8MOLINARI EdoardoITA-1164716970274€ 20,475
8PILKADARIS TerryAUS-1167667467274€ 20,475

Technorati Tags: 2012 Joburg open betting preview and tips,2012 sony open betting preview and tips,european tour top tipster,betfair golf tips,boylesports golf tips,paddypower golf tips

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What's in the Bag 2012 Louis Oosthuizen

2012-01-08T17:14:00.001Z

Here’s what’s in the bag of Louis Oosthuizen, 2012 Africa Open winner. With thanks to Dominic Griffiths on the Ping Tour Truck.

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Chad Campbell’s Sister To Split From Elite Marine

2012-01-08T09:04:00.001Z

Less than two years into their marriage, Chadlene Campbell twin sister of PGA Tour golfer Chad Campbell, has announced she is filing for divorce. Chadlene married elite US marine Woody Beanpole following a whirlwind romance in 2010 after the couple met at a Paris fashion show where Campbell was starring.

The couple, pictured here on their wedding day, insist they remain good friends. “Chadlene is more of a man than I could ever be” said Woody adding “her commitments to the world of top modelling have made it impossible for us to be together. You could say her looks that brought us together are now driving us apart.”

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2012 Africa Open. Oosthuizen and The Goose Set For Ding Dong

2012-01-08T08:38:00.001Z

from the European Tour site.

Louis Oosthuizen and Tjaart van der Walt both birdied the last to share the lead after a fascinating third round of the Africa Open.
Defending champion Oosthuizen began the day with a two shot lead, but with favourable scoring conditions once again prevalent at East London Golf Club, the former Open Champion was soon caught.
The 28 year old actually birdied his first three holes, but his lead was halved when van der Walt matched that feat and then went one better at the next.

Click here for full article

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2012 Hyundai Tournament Of Champions Second Round Highlights. Stricker by 5

2012-01-08T08:27:00.001Z

2012 Hyundai Tournament Of Champions Second Round Highlights

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North Korean Dictator Breaks With Tradition-Styles Himself on Kenny Perry

2012-01-06T22:22:00.001Z

PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA—In his first major move following his father's death, Kim Jong-un, has defied the North Korean army by insisting on styling himself on PGA Champions Tour player Kenny Perry. The young dictator, has fuelled speculation that he may not in fact be bonkers enough to run North Korea as badly as his father by deciding to break with the long tradition of looking like Tom Kite.

“Thlis has clome as a huge disglace and dishonour” said Tom Kite.

Kim Jong-un told the state run news agency that while he loves golf as much as his late father and recently shot a round of 41 including 12 holes in one with a borrowed set of ladies graphite shafted irons with slippy grips, he just thought he needed to style himself on someone more colourful. “I just haven’t got Tom Kite’s puppet lips”, he said “but Kenny Perry I can do”.

“It’s vitally important for me to look absolutely crazy like my dear old Dad” he continued “and while Tom Kite was indeed a wacky looking chap, I needed someone more youthful that today’s generation can relate to, but still gives the impression of being not all there. That blank vacant stare that Kenny has is something I’m working very hard on. I said “hard on” get it huh huh. Dont print that or you die.”

Technorati Tags: kenny perry,kim jong il golf pic,funny storyl

GolfCentralDaily Close To Replacing FTI As New Padraig Harrington Hat Sponsor

2012-01-06T13:27:00.001Z

Phenomenally funny viral website GolfCentralDaily.com has made a sensational bid to replace FTI as Padraig Harrington’s chief sponsor after the business advisory company confirmed they would not be renewing the three time major champion’s deal. GCD boss Donal “Doc” Hughes (not a real doctor) launched a bid said to be in the region of $10 million over five years but does not involve actual money. It’s believed that Doc is willing to hand over his five year old son as part of the deal.

Pic: Padraig tries on his new hat with Donal. The first embroidery run did not go so well.

“He’s a good young lad with a sweet right foot. He’s from good stock too, I can assure you of that. His mother was a trained sniper from Monaghan. Padraig could mould this lad into a fine footballer, Ajax scouts have already been over to have a look at him,” Hughes said earlier today from his ranch in Mayo. He added “the young lad is also very handy if you ever need boxes to be put into the attic. Rather than risk one of his own kids, Podge can just sit my fella up there pass up the boxes and let him work. He has a gift for it, never bangs his head off the rafters or anything.”

GolfCentralDaily say negotiations are at an advanced level with Harrington’s management company IMG. Hughes said “I’m friends with his brother Tadhg on facebook and I’ve sent IMG a connection request on Linkedin outlining my terms, so it’s pretty much a done deal.”

Technorati Tags: padraig Harrington new sponsor 2012,golfcentraldaily

Irresponsible Headline Makes Perfectly Sane Woman Look Like Crazed Lunatic

2012-01-06T10:30:00.001Z

The GolfChannel was today under fire after the normal headline writer guy went on vacation and was replaced was an 18 year old Scandinavian hating Tiger Woods fanatic. The intern went straight to work making Elin Nordegrin (best approximation of her name) appear to be some kind of “crazed lunatic she devil”.

The certified sane six iron swinging Swede was simply knocking to the ground a $12.3 million 17,000-square-foot mansion in Palm Beach in order to do some restoration work.

According to The Golf Channel spokesperson Kelly Tilghman, “The sensationalist headline is currently being corrected. Any offence to Elin Nordegren or Tiger Woods was unintended. Needless to say the headline writer has been taken down a back alley and lynched.”

Technorati Tags: elin nordegren funny story,tiger woods,palm beach home,the golf channel

Adams Golf Company Sale-Classified Ad Found

2012-01-06T09:46:00.001Z

I heard yesterday that Adams Golf was up for sale. Then found this in the classifieds section of the paper this morning.

Technorati Tags: adams golf for sale classified ad funny

2012 Africa Open First Round highlights European Tour

2012-01-05T18:20:00.001Z

Click below to watch 2012 Africa Open first round highlights on the European Tour site. Opens in a new window.

Technorati Tags: 2012 Africa Open first round highlights,European Tour

2012 Irish Open Portrush Accommodation – Beulah House B&B

2012-01-05T14:30:00.001Z

I just got my B&B booked for the 2012 Irish Open at Portrush and time of writing, there are still loads of rooms. The B&B is called Beulah House and is literally 5 mins walk from the golf course. The rate is a very reasonable £32.50 per person per night for bed and breakfast and the owner’s name is Rachel. Parking for guests is guaranteed at the rear of the house. Contact number is 00-44-28 70822413 and website is http://www.beulahguesthouse.com/

Technorati Tags: 2012 irish open portrush,accommodation

The 2012 Irish Open at Royal Portrush Is A Golf Shot In The Arm For The North

2012-01-05T13:10:00.001Z

But a shot in the head for Leo Varadkar. Could this be the Minister for Tourism and Sport’s worst decision yet? The 2012 Irish Open is heading across the border to Royal Portrush and a while privately the Irish Government will be glad of not having to shell out supplementary sponsorship funding as in previous years, they may very soon rue their decision.

Leo and co seem to be oblivious of the millions in tax revenue from tickets, tourists, sponsors, food and beer posted in by venues like Killarney over the past two stagings, easily swamping whatever money the Irish government had been investing to prop the tournament up. The Stormont Executive has said it would provide "substantial financial backing" for the event, but is privately set to teach their Southern counterparts a lesson in how to put on a show and make money doing it.

The 2012 Irish Open is sure to be reinvigorated by its move to Royal Portrush. Aswell as the lure of the three local major champions in Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke will come the massive and knowledgeable Northern crowds keen to see an event played on a classic links layout. The Open Championship was played at Portrush in 1930, 1936 and 1951 and will celebrate its 125th birthday in 2013.

Technorati Tags: 2012 irish open royal portrush

2012 Irish Open For Royal Portrush

2012-01-05T11:37:00.001Z

Tom Cotter may very well have been right when he hinted the 2012 Irish Open would not be at Carton House but few had figured on Royal Portrush, which now looks highly likely to stage the event this year.
A press conference with the European Tour is to be held there tomorrow afternoon. Portrush staged the 1951 Open, the only time it was held outside England or Scotland and is closely linked with Darren Clarke and GMac whith Rory McIlory also a big fan. More as it emerges.

Technorati Tags: 2012 irish open venue,royal portrush

Wiener Watch: Tiger Woods Reveals 2012 Bodyguard Team

2012-01-05T08:34:00.001Z

Just three months after being attacked by a flying wiener on the golf course in California, Tiger Woods has revealed his new four man security team for the 2012 season. The four were plucked from the football team of his old alma mater Stanford College, who incidentally play and look like wieners themselves.

A statement from Woods management company said “As we all know golf is a dangerous sport with fans that can become very aggressive. Sometimes even, the little blue rope around the course is not strong enough, and one gets through. After suffering a near fatal “airborne hotdog” towards the end of last season, Tiger has enlisted some help to beef up his own security.”

The Stanford linebackers have been instructed to seek out and destroy any mouthy spectators, all cameramen, photographers, Jimmy Roberts, Stevie Williams, Adam Scott, Charles Barkely and Hank Haney.

Combined, Tigers four new bodyguards add up to a whopping 95.

Technorati Tags: tiger woods bodygaurds 2012

What’s In Keegan Bradley’s Bag in 2012. The Best Of Cleveland Golf

2012-01-04T22:05:00.001Z

Here’s what happened when Keegan Bradley went to visit the men who makes his clubs at Cleveland Golf.

Technorati Tags: What’s In the bag Keegan Bradley’s 2012,Cleveland Golf,witb,keegan bradley equipment

Defibrillator For Pugh as Sarah Stirk Steps Into Di Dougherty’s Heels On Sky Sports Golf

2012-01-04T15:30:00.001Z

Sarah Stirk is to become the new Sky Sports TV PGA Golf anchor stepping into the heels of Di Dougherty who left at the end of last year. Regular panellist and Italian stallion Denis Pugh had to be restrained, such was his excitement, on hearing the news. Sky sources revealed a defibrillator is being fitted in the Sky PGA Tour studios, as a precautionary measure this season to protect the over enthusiastic Molinari brothers coach from a coronary after reports that he has been “jumping up and down like a puppy at feeding time” since hearing the news. Stirk is to make the journey of 15 metres down the corridor from the Murnaghan studios at Sky.

A senior Sky Sports executive said, “Of course we could have taken the easy option and stuck another gorgeous full figured blonde in the presenter’s chair after Di Dougherty left, but we feel David Livingstone’s schedule is already packed with his European Tour commitments. We’ve gone for Sarah Stirk instead because of her knowledge of the game. She may not have Livingstone’s looks, but that’s something we will just have to deal with. You could say we’ve brought in the SS to bring a bit of discipline to the prisoners Pugh, Holmes and Hawksworth. Sarah is already showing great promise with her ability to give a sneaky smiley glance into the camera whilst listening like only Sky anchors can do.”

Pic: Born Survivor- Stirk Makes It Through Interview with Vijay Singh in 2008

One of those left most disappointed with the decision was regular anchor Robert Lee, who bosses revealed was deemed ‘too sexy’ for the position. The Sky executive said “We all know Robert comes to life after dark, and he’s damn sexy, but we cannot risk losing valuable viewers from our sister stations such as “TVX” and “Red Hot Over 40 Presenters” by putting Rob up against them on late night TV.”

Sarah Stirk is a former Setanta Golf presenter on their ill fated PGA Tour coverage and is no stranger to working with celebrities having shared a studio in the past with luminaries such as Ronan Rafferty. According to urban legend, during her time with Setanta, Stirk was able to identify a staggering 37 PGA Tour players using only their photographs, beating the previous record of 33 for a panellist set by Peter Oosterhuis.

Pic: Leaving the glamorous world of showing off caddy cars to 118 viewers

Direct Golf TV for whom Stirk has been working of late are said to be inconsolable at the news. Their CEO said “Our Sarah Stirk motocaddy review had 118 views, we’re going to miss her so much. By the way, you wouldn’t happen to have Diana Dougherty’s mobile number?”

Technorati Tags: sarah stirk,sky sports golf presenter,diana dougherty,denis pugh,funny story

68% of PGA Tour Pros Had Sex This Christmas- Shotlink

2012-01-04T14:15:00.001Z

According to shotlink statistics a record 68.3% of PGA Tour professionals had sexual intercourse over the Christmas period. Of that percentage shotlink recorded 63% as having scored with women, 3% with men and 2.3% with animals and dolls. A further 10.4% of Tour pro’s got within one foot of the hole in regulation but failed to convert from close range.

Pic: No rest. Shotlink statisticians hard at it over the Christmas period

“The main purpose of ShotLink is to gather pertinent data information with regards to the players, like getting yardages, stats and sexual habits that we can archive and have for future years,” said Jack White, director of ShotLink for the PGA TOUR. “The side benefits are that it also makes for cheap toilet humour blog posts by twisted bloggers in Ireland.”

Other interesting shotlink stats from the Christmas Season

Over 20% of the field were recorded as have knocked more than one out on the practice ground.
5% of the field were disqualified for playing with headcovers still on.
0.8% could not be considered as part of the shotlink stats as they were deemed to be playing the wrong hole.

Technorati Tags: shotlink stats,funny golf story

Meddling Merkel Sensationally Bans Africa Open

2012-01-04T12:52:00.001Z

German chancellor Angela Merkel has sensationally banned the Africa Open just one day before it is due to begin as part of the 2012 European Tour season. According to a spokesperson for the German government, meddling Merkel noticed the Africa Open after mistakenly stumbling across the European Tour website whilst looking for women’s business suits.

Frau Merkel immediately issued a statement which read “With the current stagnation of the Eurozone and the massive financial crisis on our hands, there’s just no way we can invite Africa to be part of Europe. If you think we are broke, you haven’t seen the half of it, they haven’t got a red cent. George O’Grady had no right inviting Africa into Europe. I’ve spoken to him earlier today and he’ll just have to go back and tell Africa he’s sorry but they cant play with us.”

Technorati Tags: 2012 africa open betting preview and tips

2012 Africa Open Betting Preview and Tips

2012-01-04T11:58:00.001Z

2012 Africa Open Betting Preview and Tips

Africa Open, East London GC, East London, South Africa 05 Jan 2012 - 08 Jan 2012

Louis Oosthuizen 5/1

Far and away the favourite for this season opener, the bookies have Shrek at 5/1 to defend the title he won in a three way playoff last season. And who could doubt him with six top tens in his last seven events in 2011. Even more amazing is that Louis compiled those far far away lands such as Scotland, Georgia, Malaysia, China and the Emirates! Back on home turf this week it’s hard to see past the ogre in his home swamp.

Jaco Van Zyl 16/1

Jaco tied fourth last year in a group alongside Charl Schwartzel and finished 2011 very smartly on the European Tour. It all started after a dismal run leading up to the Nordea Masters which was played in terrible conditions. After finishing 13^th there Jaco went on to finish in the top 25 in all but one of the next nine events with highlights including tying third in Crans sur Sierre and the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

Jbe Kruger 20/1

I felt sorry for Jbe at the Alfred Dunhill Championship when, following rounds of 64 and 67, he let head drop and could only add a pair of 73’s to eventually tie for ninth. That might have affected his performance in the South African Open the following week where he finished 25^th. Has done well at East London in the past tying eighth last year and finished third in 2010. Deserving of a good result.

Best of the Rest

George Coetzee is only 14/1 with the bookies, an indication of how highly he is regarded after only 59 events on the European Tour. Not sure how much young George indulged over the Christmas but this guy is so talented he’s sure to be value for money. Looking for value further down the field I come to Steven O’Hara at 66/1. Now there’s a man that finished like a train last year with a 66 to shoot into a tie for fourth. The Scot is also coming off a super performance at Q-School so there is a bit of value there. Finally how about rookie Andy Sullivan pencilled in at 150/1. After the Walker Cupper breezed through Q School in Catalunya last month in third, he’s sure to be psyched for the first event of the season. Personally I think those odds are daft, but it all remains to be seen.

Fivers in the back pocket and off we go!

Technorati Tags: 2012 africa open betting preview and tips,european tour top tipster,betfair golf tips,boylesports golf tips,paddypower golf tips

2012 africa open betting preview and tips, european tour top tipster, betfair golf tips, boylesports golf tips, european tour top tipster, paddypower golf tips

Rory McIlroy Holes World's Highest Bunker Shot

2012-01-03T18:19:00.000Z

Ping i20 Specs. Black, Slinky, Sexy and Goes Forever!

2012-01-03T12:52:00.001Z

News just in from Sam Elder of PING who today officially unveiled the i20™ driver, fairway woods, hybrids, and irons.
Here’s all the techno details and specs.

Relying on innovation and custom engineering to ensure that every design attribute helps to optimise performance, right down to the colour of the clubs’ finish.
“In the i20 series, we’ve combined workability, distance and forgiveness with the goal to make any golfer a more versatile and complete player,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. “We’ve engineered the i20s with a solid feel and generous forgiveness but also a degree of workability for the player who wants full command of the clubface for controlling trajectory and shot shape. Anyone who is passionate about their game is going to be very confident and capable with this game-improvement technology.”
The matt-black finish of the driver, woods, and hybrids is more than eye-catching, Solheim emphasised -- there’s a real performance benefit. “The non-glare finish absorbs light, allowing the player to focus without distraction,” he said. “Our tour pros are very enthusiastic about the finish – but even more so about the i20s’ performance. Players are able to execute any shot they want with confidence.” The 460cc driver head is highly aerodynamic to reduce drag, which generates clubhead speed and ball velocity for maximising distance. “The i20 driver is incredibly long but also highly accurate,” Solheim said. “We gave the fairway woods and hybrids the same matt finish, and their designs offer the high-launching forgiveness that makes them reliable from all turf conditions and from the tee.”
In the multi-metal irons, a progressive set design features long irons that are slightly larger, high launching and more forgiving. The smaller short irons feature less offset and provide exceptional control. Distance control, a key to consistent iron play, was a priority in the irons’ design, Solheim said. “The stabilising bars and the thicker face offer great feel and ensure that golfers can hit to precise yardages. Distance control is an absolute must for better players, but precision is going to help anyone lower their scores.”
To emphasise the importance of a proper fit with any i20 product, PING offers two stock shaft options. In the driver, fairways, and hybrids, golfers can choose PING’s TFC 707 series, or the Project X Black from True Temper. “Both shafts deliver a solid, stable feel and consistent performance,” Solheim said. “Our TFC series is slightly heavier, stiffer and generates lower launch and less spin than Project X Black.” In the irons, PING’s CFS (Control, Feel and Stability) shaft and the TFC 169i are available.
New product descriptions and technical specifications:

i20^™ Driver
The crown is highly aerodynamic to reduce drag for maximising clubhead speed and ball velocity, resulting in greater distance. The 460cc head features dense tungsten sole weights that increase the MOI and position the CG for low-spin, penetrating trajectories. The head is made from Ti 8-1-1, a lighter, lower-density titanium alloy that allows for a weight allocation that adds to forgiveness. A distinctive matt-black finish eliminates glare and distractions. Golfers can choose from two stock shafts: the PING TFC (Tip, Flex, Control) 707D for a low-spin, boring trajectory, or the lighter Project X Black by True Temper, offering mid spin and a higher trajectory.
-Drivers available in 8.5°, 9.5° & 10.5° lofts
-Stock graphite shafts: TFC 707D (R, S, and X flexes) and Project X Black (5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 flexes)
-RRP £299
i20™ Irons
Multi-metal technology in a progressive set design. The long irons are slightly larger, high launching, and more forgiving. The smaller short irons feature less offset and provide exceptional control. Stabilising bars and a thicker face ensure precise distance control and a solid feel. Tungsten toe weights in the 17-4 stainless steel heads elevate forgiveness. An innovative design gives golfers full command of the clubface for controlling trajectory and shot shape. A low-glare satin chrome finish and ferrule offer a clean, high-performance look. Combined with PING’s new CFS (Control, Feel, Stability) steel shaft, the i20 optimises feel and trajectories.
-Available 3-9, PW, UW, SW, LW
-Stock steel shaft: PING^® CFS^® (Soft R, R, S and X flexes)
-Stock graphite shaft: TFC 169i (L, Soft R, R and S flexes)
-RRP £90 per club w/steel shaft; £110 per club w/graphite shaft.
i20^™ Fairway Woods
The stainless steel i20 fairway woods are versatile performers, helping launch the ball with ease from all turf conditions and off the tee. When the ball is sitting down, the i20’s compact shape ensures the head will glide through heavy grass and launch the ball high and straight. Its neutral head rotation promotes square impact. The traditional head design makes aiming easy, and a matt-black, non-glare finish provides a distinct head profile. Golfers can optimise their ball flights with their choice of stock shafts: the PING TFC (Tip, Flex, Control) 707F for a low-spin, boring trajectory, or the lighter Project X Black by True Temper, offering mid spin and a higher trajectory.
-Fairway woods available: 3S (14º), 3 (15º), and 5-woods (18º)
-Stock graphite shafts: TFC 707F (R, S, and X flexes) and Project X Black (5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 flexes)
-RRP £200
i20^™ Hybrids
For launching the ball high and landing it softly on the green, the i20’s compact head and low- deep CG are perfectly suited for the job. Forgiveness across the clubface allows golfers to swing confidently from heavy rough or tight lies with accurate results. More surface area low on the clubface ensures forgiveness to optimise launch conditions. The straight leading edge and slim, contoured head make aiming easy. A non-glare, matt-black finish eliminates distractions to help with aim and focus. Players can choose from two stock shafts: the PING TFC (Tip, Flex, Control) 707H for a low-spin, boring trajectory, or the lighter Project X Black by True Temper, offering mid spin and a higher trajectory.
-Hybrids available: 17º, 20º & 23º
-Stock graphite shafts: TFC 707H (R, S and X flexes) and Project X Black (5.5, 6.0 and 6.5 flexes)
-RRP £160

Technorati Tags: ping i20 review,lee westwood what's in the bag

Woods McIlroy Battle For World Domination Begins 26/1/12

2012-01-03T12:36:00.001Z

You want Woods versus McIlroy? Picture the scenario. James Bond sitting opposite Largo in “Never Say Never Again”. Between them is the game – Domination where you must learn fast and mistakes are rewarded with the equivalent magnitude of electric shock. Just when it all seems to be over, a broken Bond insides half fried, suggests to Largo “one more game for the rest of the world?”

So here it is folks. Mark the date in your calender, because January 26th is the date when the truth will finally out. Let the battle for world domination begin.

There are no excuses anymore. Tiger Woods has zipped up his flies, fixed up his knees and tightened up his swing. In his absence Rory McIlroy has done a Tim Tebow on it and stepped into the breach and won over the crowds. Like the Bronco’s QB, McIlroy has stumbled on occasion but always managed to find a way to get back up and be a winner.

Now the two will meet, fully fit and ready to see just who is the best. Of course there will be many other great players at the Abu Dhabi Championship, Luke Donald and defending champion Martin Kaymer but for now let’s pretend they’re just extras.

So they say the world of golf “needs” Tiger Woods. But do they mean the world of golf “loves” Tiger or is it really more a case of the world “grudgingly admiring his ability”? Tiger is the greatest player of our generation, of that there is no doubt, but there’s also no doubt that he doesn’t have the same public appeal as a Nicklaus or Palmer, the greatest players of the last generation.

They wanted to give an asterix to Padraig Harrington when he won Major’s without Tiger, yet there was no mention of the irritating little star, asterix I mean, when Charl, Rory, Darren and Keegan mopped up the big trophies last season.

Asterix’s to one side for a moment and Woods kicked off the season by turning over a new leaf and inviting the press to his house and giving a full and frank fireside interview to one and all where he laughed and joked and recalled locker room stories from famous victories. Did he heck! He issued a friggin’ email that reads like a sleeping tablet.

“The lowest moments (last year) came from the fact that I wasn’t healthy and couldn’t put in the time on and off the course that I wanted and needed to, and that was frustrating,” Woods typed. “I was playing with pain and that isn’t fun. The last couple of months have been really fun and that is mostly because I am feeling healthy again and building week on week.”

Holy smokes Batman, for a man that talks about having “fun” all the time, he doesn’t ever seem to be having any of it.

When Tiger gets back, for me it will be like those films where the the cryogenically frozen hero is thawed out sometime in the future. The golf world however has not waited for Woods’ while he has been in status, it has found a new hero, one that doesn’t curse, spit, slam or scowl, one that just gets on with gettin’ on and is happy to spend five minutes talking about it after.

Whatever happens this year, it promises to be a great spectacle. Two top sportsman playing for the highest prize. I’ll leave the last words to Largo. “As the stakes increase so does the pain. Rather like life”.

Technorati Tags: 2012 abu dhabi championship betting preview and tips,woods mcilroy

Nike’s Paul Casey and Anthony Kim Battle For Top TV Acting Award. Ahem….

2012-01-03T11:20:00.001Z

Nike over the years have produced some great TV adverts in the world of soccer and basketball and even a few controversial golf ones, I’m thinking Tiger talking to his father’s spirit, but of late some of them have been so bad they belong more in the incinerator than in The Oven.

Thus in a bad to kick off 2012 with an Oscar winning advert for their new Dunk shoes, Nike have wheeled out the heavyweights, the Pacino and deNiro of the golf acting world, Paul Casey and Anthony Kim. Such is their mere presence on the stage alone of the world’s number 20 and 78, Nike thought it also wise to dispense with any effects whatsoever.

Here is the result. Prepare to vomit!

Technorati Tags: nike dunk advert,paul casey,anthony kim

Major Golf Championship Dates 2012. Book Your Hols!

2012-01-02T15:03:00.001Z

Major Golf Championship Dates 2012

The Masters Thursday, 5th April 2012

We’ll be just getting over the conclusion of the 6 Nations rugby when Masters time comes around. Promises to be a super scrap with a fully fit Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy on a Major demon exorcizing mission at Augusta.

US Open, 14th June 2012

It’s set to be a sizzling summer with the US Open returning to The Olympic Club in San Francisco, California. The powers that be will be hell bent on making sure there’s no repeat of the embarrassing 16 under par winning score that Rory McIlroy posted last year at Congressional. Lee Janzen won at the Olympic Club in 1998 with a score of level par!

The Open, 19th July 2012

After Royal Ascot and Wimbledon, The Open returns to Royal Lytham St Annes in Lancashire, 11 years after David Duval claimed the Claret Jug. How the mighty have fallen.

PGA Championship, 9th August 2012

Smack bang in the middle of the Olympics we’ll all be treated to the final Major of the season at the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Its gonna be one hell of a golfing year.

The Ryder Cup, 28th September 2012

Need I say anything!

Technorati Tags: The Masters Thursday,5th April 2012,Augusta,US Open,14th June 2012,The Open,19th July 2012,Royal Lytham St Annes,PGA Championship,9th August 2012,Kiawah Island Golf ResortGolf Resort,Major Golf Championship Dates 2012,Ryder Cup Dates 2012 28 september 2012

2012 Hyundai Tournament Of Champions Betting Preview and Tips

2012-01-02T14:41:00.001Z

2012 Hyundai Tournament Of Champions

Bubba Watson 16/1

If there’s one man whose form everyone knows about over the Christmas it’s Bubba. The man tweets about what he eats for breakfast for God’s sakes! Among some of his more interesting tweets last week however was his account of a course record 58 he shot from the back sticks at Estancia in Arizona during a social game. With Sherlock Holmes playing in the cinema you’ll excuse me for saying if he keeps playing like that this week it will be ELEMENTARY for Watson!

Webb Simpson 15/2

If Webb Simpson can pick up right where he left off last season he’s going to be one of the main forces in US golf in 2012. Wins at the Wyndham and Deutsche Bank were part of seven top-10’s from his last nine events. If you’re one of those guys who bets on long odds Major Champions at the start of the season, you might like the look of Simpson at 40/1 for the Masters or 60/1 for The Open!

Steve Stricker 8/1

The Tournament Of Champions event title this week is stretching it a bit with the absence of many of the world’s elite, but nobody can argue that Steve Stricker isn’t a Champion. A two time winner last season, Stricks has been quick out of the blocks for the past two seasons with three top-10’s at Kapalua in the last four stagings. Tied fourth last year behind Jonathon Byrd after a poor final round.

Best Of The Rest

I like the look of Scotsman Martin Laird at 16/1. He’s another good early season performer, last year he had four top-10’s racked up before the Masters including a win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational which got him into this week’s event. Laird also played well at the Chevron World Challenge and finished tied fourth at Kapalua in 2010. Finally keep an eye of Bill Haas at 16/1, after his amazing end of season antics at The Tour Championship I’m really excited about his chances of jumping into the world’s top 10 this year. He starts the year in 27^th.

Technorati Tags: 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions Betting Preview and Tips,Betfair golf betting tips,boylesports golf tips,pga tour top tipster,European tour top tipster

2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions Betting Preview and Tips, Betfair golf betting tips, boylesports golf tips, pga tour top tipster, European tour top tipster

Bieber Hails Beast Bubba’s 58 on the Twitter Machine

2012-01-02T11:07:00.001Z

Bubba Watson is at it again! During a Christmas knock around with mates at Estancia Club in Scottsdale Bubbaclaus cruised around the 7,314 yard track in 58 shots. And he did it all with the same ball. And he managed to do it whilst tweeting to his faithful followers all the way round.

Bubba was taking part in the club’s Black Rock Game, held twice weekly so the record is official and means Watson holds the course record on all three men’s tees at the course.

Pic: Bubba tweeted pics of his ball, the course record plaque and his final putt

The feat even grabbed the attention of manufactured teen pop icon Justin Bieber who took time to come down off his pedestal and congratulate Watson on the twitter machine, tweeting "Atta boy @bubbawatson shooting a 58!!! What a beast."

Technorati Tags: Bubba Watson 58,twitter,estancia club

Dead Cat Bounce – Golf Song!

2011-12-24T15:42:00.001Z

If you’ve never heard of Dead Cat Bounce, you are in for a treat. Here they tackle golf. When you’re finished watching this make sure to check out their Rugby song on youtube!

Technorati Tags: dead cat bounce golf song

My Favourite Photo Funnies Of 2011

2011-12-22T13:35:00.001Z

3. Wait a second, is that Brandt Snedeker making novel use of the urinal?

2. Too wet to play golf, the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart was settled By some traditional cheese-rolling.

1. Bubba. The Pointy Thing!

Fight Club. Top 3 Golf Fights of 2011

2011-12-21T10:48:00.001Z

There have beensome great bouts during the golfing year and here is the GolfCentralDaily top three in reverse order. Note: The Rory vs Westwood beak bonking on twitter doesn’t qualify as a fight as it was not sanctioned by Chubby State Athletic Commission.

3. Ogilvy Vs Allenby

A true classic this year Down Under. Ogilvy was worried about a cut on his finger reopening, Allenby brought to the table a record of 11 wins and only two defeats. The bout went in Ogilivy’s favour when Allenby was disqualified for attacking the younger man with a broken glass.

2. Spencer Levin Vs The Tee Peg

This was an epic encounter with the Tee Peg giving as much as he got. Levin went berserk with a series of vicious hooks, none of connected with the Tee Peg. The video had over 60,000 hits on YouTube before the PGA Tour took it down deeming it too gruesome and belonging to them.

1. O’Hair Vs Sabbatini

Rory Sabbatini is one crazy ass bastard on the golf course and wins our prestigious Fight of the Year award hands down. Weeks after winning and claiming to be “nice”, Sabbatini who styles himself on Mike Tyson went all mental with a kid at the Northern Trust Open before squaring up with someone his own size in Sean O’Hair. Sean O’s only previous fight had been against his father, and he’s known to be slow out of the blocks, but he was not afraid to go toe to toe with the pyscho South African. After 12 gruelling rounds O’Hair emerged victorious joining Ben Crane as the only other fighter to defeat Sabbatini.

Technorati Tags: golf fights funny 2011

Top Golf Separated At Birth Funnies of 2011 No.2

2011-12-21T10:07:00.001Z

Introducing GMac leader of the PLO, Players Liberation Organization with his mentor Yassar Arrafat.

And here’s John Hawksworth with more wrinkles than a hookers h*le doing his Samuel Beckett at The Oscars impression.

Not forgetting of course the Devil's advocate right here on Earth, David Feherty.

and special guest non golfer Andy Murray looking a lot like Butthead.

Technorati Tags: golf separated at brith funny,david feherty,john hawksworth,gmac

Kim Jong-Il’s Dead Body Earns European Tour Card

2011-12-20T16:29:00.001Z

Less than a week since his death the rotting corpse of Kim Jong Il has qualified for the 2012 season on the European Tour. The deceased North Korean shot six straight rounds of 58 over both courses at PGA Catalunya in one day, including 5 holes in one in front of 17 security guards and George O’Grady from the European Tour.

The Tour created an extra qualifying spot for Jong Il “because I can do shit like that”, said O’Grady.

“Kim was really humming out there today” said the European Tour boss adding “he battled the heat, some swelling of the head and the flies but still played some remarkable golf for a dead dictator. He could have done even better too if one of his eyeballs hadn’t fallen out midway through his final round.”

While he was alive Kim Jong Il played golf just once back in 1994 where he managed 11 holes-in-one on his way to a 38 under par round at the 7700-yard Pyongyang Golf Course. That round was also witnessed and verified by 17 security guards and George O’Grady.

Paddypower has now installed the 69 year old corpse as the 4/6 favourite for the Masters at Augusta pending the granting of a US visa, and is also 1/2 joint favourite with Rory McIlroy for next year’s Open at Lytham.

The North Korean world rankings show Kim Jong Il at number one, just ahead of Luke Donald.

Technorati Tags: kim jong il golf pic

Top Golf Separated At Birth Funnies of 2011 No.1

2011-12-20T11:32:00.001Z

Bruce Critchley and Dr Bunsen Burner. Thats the Colonel on the left by the way!

Colin Montgomerie and Paul Casey. I know…freaky!

Chazz Michael Michaels from Blades of Glory and Bubba from the golfboys video.

and last but not least Hunter Mahan and Gary from Team America World police. “We need you to act your way past the guard Gary!”

Technorati Tags: golf seperated at birth funny

The 2012 Irish Open Venue Royal Portrush. Announcement Pending

2011-12-19T15:16:00.001Z

This article has been updated.

Huge speculation surrounds the possible venue for the 2012 Irish Open and the common consensus among the speculators had been that the tournament is set to move from Killarney, host for the last two years, to Carton House near Dublin.

However this now seems highly unlikely with Royal Portrush emerging as the favourite to host the event. An announcement is set to be made at a press conference with the Tour tomorrow.

Technorati Tags: 2012 Irish open venue,,2013 irish open venue,Royal Portrush

2012 Irish open venue, carton house, 2013 irish open venue, Royal Portrush

Dont Miss Joe Lyons Christmas Pro-Am At Galway Bay

2011-12-19T11:33:00.001Z

If your after some Christmas golf and hot port with the pros and ams make sure you get yourself to the second annual Joe Lyons Christmas Pro-Am at Galway Bay Golf Club on the 28th of December. All proceeds go to Galway Hospice. A shotgun start takes place at 10.30am and more details are on the facebook events page here

Things You Should Know About Joe Lyons

Many people will know Joe as one of Ireland’s top amateur golfers and indeed his exploits at beating the living tar out of people half is age are the stuff of legend. However this shy retiring man is also very well known, if unheralded, in other circles.

As a youth Joe’s intelligence immediately became obvious. By the age of 12, he had won Blackboard Jungle and secured a Caribbean holiday on RTE’s “Where In the World” quiz show before going on to become the youngest ever winner of “15 to 1” and Henry Kelly’s “Going For Gold”.

Excelling in languages and verse, a poem Lyons wrote whilst in Leaving Cert made its way to Israel in the late nineties and directly prompted the meeting of Yasser Arrafat and Ehud Barak to discuss his proposals. Laid out in rhyming couplets, Joe Lyons suggested granting Palestinians sovereignty over Jerusalem's Haram al-Sharif and control over their own land while the Israelis would have sovereignty over the Western Wall. Though ultimately unsuccessful, the “JLA” or Joe Lyons Accord remains the closest anyone has yet come to achieving peace in the Middle East.

Back in Ireland, the legend that is Joe Lyons is very close to celebrating a big birthday next year and plans are already well in train to transform Galway’s docks into a venue befitting the event where stars such as Lady GaGa and Tiger Woods, who Lyons beat 8 and 7 just one week before Woods won his first Masters in 1997 are set to attend. English rugby legend Johnny Wilkinson who modelled his World Cup hair highlights on Joe’s summer look will also be there along with Lakpa Gyelu, the Sherpa who finally beat Lyons record of having summated Mount Everest 11 times in 2007.

It’s also told that Joe foresaw the property bubble as early as 1977, but his detailed diagram of events, was mistakenly destroyed after being used to make a Papier Mache elephant by his teacher.

So when you meet Joe in Galway on December 28th, be sure to shake the hand of a truly remarkable statesman.

Sergio Garcia Top Tip- How To Throw Your 5 Iron Further Than The Ball

2011-12-19T10:24:00.001Z

Join our top 50 instructor Sergio Garcia as he explains the fundamentals of throwing your club into a lake. Topics covered include a) the look of disgust, b) the pre-throw foot plant, c) the hyper extension of the right wrist to create power and d) the straight right arm and curse on release. See also Sergio’s other top tips including how to leave a bogey in a hole.

Jackson’s Doc In, Tiger’s Doc Out. But Is Galea Really Evil?

2011-12-19T10:17:00.001Z

Much has been made of Dr. Anthony Galea so called “avoiding more prison time” but in actual fact the doc served all of one day in the clink, the day he was arrested. Are the media being a bit harsh on the Canadian version of Florence Nightingale that snuck over the border into the US in the middle of the night with his medical bag brimming full of hormones and bricks and blood spinning tricks?

The groundswell of support for Galea was pretty much phenomenal with linebackers and defensive ends and sons of hockey stars all coming out in support. The US Attorney's office wanted an eight to 14 month sentence but the court could find nothing to justify it. The only proven charge against Galea- that he brought in mislabelled drugs from Canada to the USA in his bag.

Team Galea also acknowledged his use of HGH, human growth hormone in some of his non athlete patients (and on himself), but qualified the use of the treatment banned in sport by explaining it was used in tiny amounts as part of a rescue remedy injected directly into torn and injured muscles. HGH is only effective as a performance enhancing agent in an athlete when administered regularly in much bigger doses.

Whatever is going on, there’s a lot more spinning for Galea to do before he can wriggle out of this one.

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Lee Westwood Two Out Of Three ‘Aint Bad

2011-12-18T11:29:00.001Z

Fair play to Lee Westwood who ended 2011 on a high after beating the tar out of the entire field at the Thailand Golf Championship in Bangkok. The Nottingham Forest superfan hacked home in a canter on 22 under par to win by seven from Charl Schwartzel. Simon Dyson tied fourth.

“I wasn't happy until I was on that boat coming back from the island on 17 with a big lead," Westwood said after. The win sees him climb back to Number 2 in the world rankings and planning his 2012 schedule on the PGA Tour.

Click here to see whats in Lee Westwood’s bag

Poulter Does a Rodney Trotter on Aussie Masters To Flog IJP

2011-12-18T11:11:00.001Z

Ian Poulter had a van load of his IJP clothing ready to flog for Christmas and he needed to get rid of it. And what better way to peddle them than to win the Aussie Masters. Here’s the report from the official website.

Flashy Englishman Ian Poulter has finished the year on a high by staring down playing partner Geoff Ogilvy to add the 2011 JBWere Australian Masters gold jacket to his highly distinctive and very extensive wardrobe.

Poulter fired a final-round 67 in blustery conditions at Victoria Golf Club to finish at 15-under three shots clear of Marcus Fraser who jumped from the pack with a 64, the round of the day.

Ogilvy returned a two-over 73 to sit alone in third place at minus 11.

The only player apart from Poulter and Fraser to shoot four sub-par rounds, the ageless Peter Senior (70) shared fourth place at seven under with Adam Crawford (66), while world No.1 Luke Donald eased to the line with a 72 to sit alongside 2011 Australian Open and PGA champion Greg Chalmers at four under.

While 'a little disappointed' with his finish, Donald said he was proud of his achievements in 'an amazing year'.

Immediately after putting out for par at the 18th, a delighted Poulter shared his delight with his 1.2 million followers on Twitter: "winner winner chicken dinner ... what a way to finish the year."

Technorati Tags: ian poulter,ijp clothing,australian masters

JB Weird Update

2011-12-17T10:26:00.001Z

Just in from down under, Aussie Masters website.
GEOFF Ogilvy has played a lot at his home Victoria Golf Club, but never better than today.
From the moment he almost holed out for albatross on the first hole -- before duly making eagle -- until he tapped in for birdie on the last, he thrilled his hometown fans with a course record-equalling 63 to storm to the JBWere Masters lead.
The Melburnian, who lives minutes away next to the adjacent Royal Melbourne, took an appreciative gallery on a rollercoaster ride of superb shotmaking and occasional mishaps to fire what he said was his best round at the club at which he played pennant as an amateur.

"I think I may have, in a hit and giggle with some friends, had a 62 at one point," he said.
"But there's a fair difference between a Friday afternoon hit and giggle and a round in the Australian Masters.
"So whether or not it's the lowest, it is definitely my best round around here."
His blistering eight-under round, which remarkably contained three bogeys, gave him a two-shot lead over Englishman and good mate Ian Poulter (69), with Nathan Green and Ashley Hall a further two shots back in a tie for third.
A host of big names lurk at seven under, including triple crown-chasing West Australian Greg Chalmers, but Ogilvy's sublime round in fluky afternoon winds might have put paid to their chances. His 15m eagle try on the last fell agonisingly short, but the subsequent birdie enabled him to match the record of fellow Victorian John Wade, set in 2003.
"I think I left a few shots out there, weirdly enough. But I think I stole a couple as well," Ogilvy said with a grin.
"To start eagle-birdie-birdie, you are usually going to have a pretty good day after you do that.
"Everyone is trying to make two on the (short par-four) first, but you don't really expect it to happen.
"Being a member, playing 1000 or so rounds around this course, I probably only made three or four twos on the 1st, or maybe five, but not many.
"So to start a round like that is pretty good. After that, every time I had a chance, a wedge in my hand or something from the fairway, I hit it pretty close and had some pretty short putts for birdie.
"I hit a couple of loose shots, a weird one (blocked into the right greenside trap) into 13 and made bogey.
"I probably hit too much club on 16 (where he went over the back of the green) ... but most people bogey 16 once or twice in the week because it is a hard hole.
"So I left a couple out there, but I stole a couple, especially on 12."
Ogilvy said that not even when he chipped in with a sand wedge from 28m on the 12th, did he let the magical 59 enter his thinking, despite many in the crowd and on Twitter urging him on.
"I did acknowledge to myself that I was eight under after 12. I thought, `That's pretty low'," he said.
"But I didn't ever really start thinking about crazy numbers. I just knew I was going low.
"At one point I was two or three in front, and I wanted to just get as far in front as I could."
Ogilvy grabbed birdies at the second and third holes to be four-under early, and a dropped shot at the fifth was only a brief glitch before birdies at the sixth, eighth and ninth to reach the turn in a blistering 29, six-under par. He said his putter, which he'd had in the bag but not used competitively until bending his usual putter in a moment of fury on Thursday, felt good in his hands.
"I took it out on a practice round in the Australian Open because I wanted to use it, and wasn't brave enough and put it back in," he said.
"So I had been kind of thinking about giving it a try; I just wasn't brave enough.
"Obviously this week I had a perfect opportunity to try it," he said
"It's kind of embarrassing to finish the last couple of holes (on Thursday) putting with a wedge ... but it happens.
"I was disappointed leaving the course on Thursday. But by Friday I was pretty excited actually I had a new putter to try.
"So frustrated for a little bit, but didn't carry it for very long."

Angry Aussie Golfers Say Poults Not Welcome and Not Fair

2011-12-16T11:23:00.001Z

A band of an angry Australian golfers brandishing golf clubs and firey torches gathered outside the scorers hut today in an effort to get leader Ian Poulter thrown out of the Australian Masters tournament.

A spokesman for the Australian PGA unruly players committee said, “Fair’d income, it’s not fair that Poulter is allowed come down here and spoil our Christmas. Strike me roan, nobody even invited the Pom. Everybody knows that he just wants people to buy his tartan clothes as Christmas presents, and he’s coming down here and kicking our Ozzie asses for some free publicity. The flamin’ gallah has played muck all year and is still making us look bad.”

He continued, “Imagine if we Aussies to England in their Winter and stuck an ad on TV with two guys on a balmy rooftop in party shirts drinking Fosters and talking to Holly Valance. Would that be tolerated? I think not.”

The protest continues.

Westwood- I want 48 under and two 58’s. 59’s Are For Pussies

2011-12-16T11:04:00.001Z

Though they still have to get a boat out to the 17th green in Thailand, Lee Westwood is tearing up the course with a record equalling 20 under par 36 hole total. After narrowly missing out on a 59 yesterday, it looks like Westwood has set himself some new goals.

This interview translation has just been handed in by our local reporter Kiradech Alfiebarnowl, who hasn’t a word of English .

Westwood said “I’m very happy with 20 under. The plan is to shoot 48 under or lower. I’m going for two 58’s at the weekend. I’ve given up on 59’s. 59’s are so passe. 59’s are for pussies. 58 is where it’s at. I want to hear Billy my caddie tell me its the best round he’s ever seen again. I love that. And I’m going to throw a nine darter. Then I’m going to fit and help Forest win the Premiership.”

Technorati Tags: lee westwood funny

Jeff Overton Drunken Limo Arrest- Pics Just In!

2011-12-16T10:28:00.001Z

Jeff Overton was arrested was arrested last week for being what police described as “drunk and disorderly” in Bloomington. Apparently Jeff was in a limousine parked in the middle of a busy road in front of a bar shouting at passers by when police bagged him.

Witnesses reported Overton was shouting obscenities about the epic fail “Sun Mountain” raingear and Fireman Sam hat he had to wear at the 2010 Ryder Cup.

While this behaviour may seem perfectly acceptable and even downright healthy to our Irish and UK readers, apparently getting pissed drunk, hopping behind the wheel of a car and roaring at strangers in the street is frowned upon in the USA. Seems a bit harsh.

Technorati Tags: jeff overton funny pic,drunk and disorderly,arrest,limo

Q School Wrap and Jamie's Miracle Putt

2011-12-15T18:51:00.000Z

from European Tour site

England’sDavid Dixon was first past the post at the Qualifying School Final Stage, where37 players secured their places in The 2012 Race to Dubai.

A closing round of 69 gave Dixon a 21 under par aggregatetotal and a one shot victory over his compatriot Sam Hutsby, with two moreEnglishmen, Andy Sullivan and Richard Bland, rounding out the top four on 19under and 18 under par respectively.

But, as has become traditional, it was further down theleaderboard that the drama really unfolded, none more so than when AmericanScott Pinckney, who started the day in a tie for 66th place on one under par,fired a best-of-the-day round of 65 to take the 24th card available.

The magic number was seven under par, a mark achieved indramatic fashion by England’sJamie Elson after he holed a huge birdie putt on the ninth hole – his last – ofthe stunning Stadium Course at PGA Catalunya Resort, in Girona.

Click to open full report on European Tour site.

Click here for full final leaderboard

Westwood Unhappy After Shooting 60 at Thailand Golf Championship

2011-12-15T10:42:00.001Z

Lee Westwood said he wanted to curse aloud as he walked up the 18th fairway knowing he had let slip the magic 59 from his grasp in the first round of the 2011 Thailand Golf Championship. Just a couple of weeks after he shot a 62 and what Billy Foster described as his “best round ever” at the Nedbank, Westwood was again on fire racing out to seven under after six holes.

“I messed it up with a few pars”, the Englishman said after. “I missed short from ten feet at 11, then missed short middle on 14.” He added “Billy said today’s round was even better than the Nedbank. So I must be getting better!”

Technorati Tags: Westwood,60,2011 Thailand Golf Championship

When Alvaro Ran Out Of Clean Socks!

2011-12-14T11:48:00.001Z

Technorati Tags: Alvaro Quiros Funny Pic

Wife Beating Coke Snorter To Caddie For Dustin Johnson

2011-12-14T11:12:00.001Z

Tim Finchem head of the PGA Tour has vowed to beat the European Tour up a pole in 2012 and is introducing some revolutionary new concepts to do it. The first was unveiled yesterday at a press conference when Finchem brought into effect a new PGA Tour rule stating that from January 2012 former pop stars must be employed as caddies by the top players.

Dustin Johnson was first off the mark, announcing via twitter that he is team up with nineties coke snorting wife beater Bobby Brown. Its a case of out of with the Dusty and in with the Dustin for Brown who spent most of the last two decades standing on Whitney Houston’s throat high on cocaine, shouting “Two can play that game.”

Johnson split from old caddie Joe LaCava earlier this year when he defected to Tiger Woods. Under Finchem’s new pop star caddie rule, Le Cava is now set to be replaced by Lionel Ritchie as Tiger Woods caddie, while world number one Luke Donald is in talks with Rick Astley to take over his bag. The only female caddie yet confirmed is Barbara Streisand who is to take over from Fanny Sunneson on Henrik Stenson’s bag.

Technorati Tags: Dustin Johnson Bobby Brown Caddie Funny

Fight Fans Gather For Ogilvy Allenby Rematch

2011-12-14T10:36:00.001Z

Aussie fight fans have descended on the Australian Masters in eager anticipation of the Geoff Ogilvy v Robert Allenby rematch. Both men have been hard at work in the gym in preparation for the title fight, with Allenby reported to have really bulked up around the ankle area.

Ogilvy though stepping up in weight and down in class is the firm favourite with the fans and the bookies.

The first fight, which took place at the Aussie PGA Championship ended in a controversial TKO decision in favour of Ogilvy, when Allenby illegally brought a broken glass into the ring, then walked out refusing to fight on.

Both fighters have toned down the pre fight verbals before this one, in stark contrast to the first meeting, when Allenby blamed Ogilvy and just about everybody else for his crappy performances. Ogilvy then hit back with an expertly timed tweet as Greg Chalmers was spanking Allenby in another title fight.

It’s all simmering nicely ahead of tomorrows weigh in.

Technorati Tags: ogilvy,allenby,australian masters

What’s In The Bag 2012 Miguel Angel Jimenez

2011-12-13T11:17:00.001Z

Here’s what’s in the bag of Miguel Angel Jimenez, one of the finest players and greatest characters ever to grace The European Tour. With special thanks to Dominic Griffiths on the Ping Tour Truck.

Technorati Tags: what's in the bag Miguel Angel Jimenez,Miguel Angel Jimenez witb,Ping Tour Staff Equipment,whats in the bag Miguel Angel Jimenez,Dominic Griffiths,Ping Tour Truck

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The Cure For Dengue Fever? Chill in Dubai and You’ll Be Fine!

2011-12-12T16:28:00.001Z

I wish my doctor would prescribe me with a mild bout of Dengue Fever so I could stay in Dubai for a few days and put the feet up. That’s exactly what Rory McIlroy will be doing after he announced he is to pull out of the inaugural Thailand Golf Championship on doctor's orders.

The prescription just says don’t fly for a few days and not to touch a golf club. Rors most likely contracted the virus from mosquitos who carry and spread it. The symptoms are rash (yuk) and joint pain. Hence Dengue Fever is also known as Breakbone Fever.

Rors is due back on the golf scene in the United Arab Emirates on Jan. 12.

"Can't wait to not have to get up and practice or hit a shot or people telling me what to do or where to go, or just have a few weeks off would be nice," McIlroy said.

Technorati Tags: dengue fever,rory mcilroy

2011 Dubai World Championship Final Round Highlights

2011-12-11T12:48:00.001Z

Click below to view 2011 Dubai World Championship Final Round Highlights including Alvaro Quiros miracle putt on the last for victory. This post will be updated later to include links to the latest video packages as they become available from the European Tour.

Technorati Tags: 2011 Dubai World Championship Final Round Highlights,Alvaro Quiros Putt

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