GolfCentral Daily

Tiger Woods Calls For Outright Driver Ban. Kim Agrees

2012-02-15T11:34:00.001Z

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -

Just one week after the news that Tiger Woods wants belly and long putters banned, the multiple major champion is now calling for an outright ban on drivers. Woods is believed to have discussed the wording of a driver ban with the R&A and USGA when they were done considering the legality of belly and broomstick putters.

Woods, who hasn’t hit a straight drive since 2007 said “I’ve never been a fan of drivers. I believe using 3-woods with a shaft length that is no longer than a regulation pick axe handle is how the game should be played. I’m a traditionalist when it comes to that.”

Woods said he has spoken to R&A chief Peter Dawson and suggested it should be mandated that the 3-wood head be no bigger than the body of an eight week old bull frog.

“I think with that we’d be able to get away from any type of people (me) hitting it crooked,” he said. “But that’s still the art of swinging the club at the same time.”

Anthony Kim was quick to come out and back Woods stance. Speaking through a gimp mask from a California house party at 3am in the morning, an animated Kim said “Gedda fugg awa ya jaggovv or see thiz driver shoooved up yourrrr asssss”.

Technorati Tags: tiger woods belly putter funny story

Trevino Sweeps Board In Annual PGA “Stating The Bleedin’ Obvious Awards”

2012-02-15T10:33:00.001Z

with Ron Burgundy In California

In recognition of his "continued ability to blurt out stuff he’s just read in the paper", Lee Trevino has once again swept the board at the annual Gala PGA “Stating The Bleedin’ Obvious Awards” held at the Kodak Centre in Hollywood California.

The awards are strictly for ex professionals who fit the criteria of “piping up every now and then with a quote, on a slow news day”.

Members of the academy honoured Trevino with the top award of the night, “The Anything About Tiger Woods Award”, for his latest comment on Mr Woods.

"I would call a Realtor in Henderson, Nevada, and I'd find out where Butch lived and I'd buy the house next door. I'd go over and ring the doorbell and say, 'Hi, neighbour,' and get back with Butch. That's exactly what I would do."

Trevino held off stiff competition from Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus to scoop the top award which was presented by The Golf Channel’s Kelly Tilghman, herself a shock winner of the award in 2008 for suggesting that Tiger be “lynched” in a “back alley” somewhere.

There was some cause for celebration for the Sky Sports Golf Team at the The Stating The Bleedin’ Obvious Awards when Denis Pugh picked up the “Bleedin’ Obvious Timewasting Instructional Piece Whilst Totally Avoiding The Question Award” for his demonstration of how to hit a draw and fade in the practice net when asked by David Livingstone what was going wrong with Tiger’s swing at Pebble Beach.

The celebrations for the Sky Sports team were short lived however when Simon Holmes was beaten for the Best Comedian Award. The prize again went to Trevino for his follow-up comment on Tiger Woods and Butch Harmon.

"I'm sure there's bad blood there, at least that's what I've heard. I haven't talked to Butch in years, so I don't know how he feels with Tiger and I don't know if Tiger is too proud to ask for the help and if he asked for help if Butch would give it to him. He's all messed up right now."

Technorati Tags: lee trevino funny story,tiger woods,Denis pugh

Keegan Bradley Blasts Back At Tiger and Belly Putter Haters

2012-02-15T09:42:00.001Z

The beauty about Twitter is that you have a limited number of characters to make your point. But belly putting Major Champion Keegan Bradley used a tweet to masterful effect to hit back at Tiger Woods and others calling for a ban on belly putters.

The tweet says This is a photo hanging in Rivera. 40's or early 50's. People having been putting like this for a very long time!

Attached is the picture, which paints a thousand words!

Technorati Tags: Keegan Bradley,belly putter pic,Northern Trust Open,Riviera Country Club

Natalie Gulbis Buck Naked Pics Beat Ernie Els To Top Story on GCD!

2012-02-15T09:00:00.001Z

When we think of American golfers and facepaint the first thing that comes to mind is the Solheim Cup with those annoying little American flags on the players cheeks to prove how patriotic they really are.

Now LPGA star Natalie Gulbis, who didnt quite make the 2011 US Solheim Cup team, in an act of pure defiance has decided to a bit of face painting of her own cheeks in the 2012 Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. When I say “face painting”, I of course mean posing naked with just some face paint covering her technological zones. That’s what I meant by “cheeks”

Struggling to find out if there’s a Christina Kim one also there somewhere……..

Here’s a link to the sports illustrated full article

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TopGolfer 2012 Schedule Announced!

2012-02-14T16:20:00.001Z

The TopGolfer Tour has released its schedule for 2012 which includes eight new venues and twelve new events across Ireland.
The amateur series which is now in its third season will incorporate 43 scratch cups running from April to September at established host venues such as Cork GC, Castle GC, Woodenbridge GC, Warrenpoint GC, Dromoland Castle, Concra Wood and Rosslare.
This season the tour will also visit new venues at Dun Laoghaire GC, Loughrea GC, Mallow GC, Grange GC, Blainroe GC, Naas GC, Killeen GC and the superb Faldo Course at Lough Erne.
The winner of each tour event will receive an invitation to the TopGolfer Tour Championship which, after visits to Carton House in 2010 and Druids Glen in 2011, will this year be hosted by Fota Island Resort in Cork, host to Irish Opens in 2001 and 2002.
Tour Director Dermot Synnott explains “We’re really excited about 2012. We have strengthened the schedule with some superb new venues all of which are perfect for the intense competition of scratch cup golf. Our members, now more than 8,000 players, demand good golf courses in the best of condition. They’re going to enjoy the best of Irish in 2012!”
Synnott and his partner Rob Hill launched the TopGolfer Tour in 2010 to provide golfers who play off 9 or better with a series of competitive events. It was an instant hit attracting over 2,500 competitors in its first season.
2011 saw the introduction of the Kelkin Revive Order of Merit. With points up for grabs at every tour event, it doubled the entries to almost 5,000 competitors in its second season, and concluded with Jim Carvill of Warrenpoint GC taking the Tour Championship crown.
This years’ Order of Merit final will be played over the Ryder Cup Course at The K Club offering members one last chance to qualify for the Tour Championship.
For more information visit: www.topgolfer.ie
Click below to view 2012 Tour Schedule

The TopGolfer Tour Schedule 2012

Friday April 20^th                      Castle Golf Club.                    Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday April 22^nd                   Lough Erne Resort.                Junior Scratch Cup
Saturday May 12^th                  Dunmurry Springs.                 Junior Scratch Cup
Saturday May 12^th                  Dunmurry Springs.                 Senior Scratch Cup
Sunday May 13^th                    Delgany Golf Club.                 Junior Scratch Cup
Saturday May 19^th                  Loughrea Golf Club.               Junior Scratch Cup
Saturday May 19^th                  Loughrea Golf Club.               Senior Scratch Cup
Sunday May 20^th                    Glen of the Downs.                 Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday May 27^th                    Rosslare Golf Links.               Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday May 27^th                    Lee Valley Golf Club.              Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday June 3^rd                     Dun Laoghaire Golf Club.       Junior Scratch Cup
Monday June 4^th                     New Forest Golf Club.            Senior Scratch Cup
Saturday June 9^th                   Arklow Golf Links.                  Junior Scratch Cup
Saturday June 9^th                   Arklow Golf Links.                  Senior Scratch Cup
Sunday June 10^th                   Killeen Golf Club.                    Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday June 10^th                   Killeen Golf Club.                    Senior Scratch Cup
Sunday June 17^th                   Knightsbrook Resort.              Senior Scratch Cup
Sunday June 17^th                   Enniscorthy Golf Club.           Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday June 24^th                   Warrenpoint Golf Club.           Senior Scratch Cup
Sunday June 24^th                   Grange Golf Club.                  Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday June 24^th                   Grange Golf Club.                  Senior Scratch Cup
Sunday July 1^st                       South County Golf Club.        Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday July 1^st                       South County Golf Club.        Senior Scratch Cup
Sunday July 15^th                     Cork Golf Club.                       Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday July 15^th                     Mallow Golf Club.                   Senior Scratch Cup
Saturday July 21^st                   Roganstown Golf Club.          Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday July 22^nd                    Concra Wood Golf Club.        Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday July 22^nd                    Concra Wood Golf Club.        Senior Scratch Cup
Saturday July 28^th                  Bray Golf Club.                       Senior Scratch Cup
Sunday July 29^th                     K Club.                                    Junior Scratch Cup
Saturday August 4^th                Ashbourne Golf Club.             Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday August 5^th                  K Club.                                    Senior Scratch Cup
Monday August 6^th                 Woodenbridge Golf Club        Junior Scratch Cup
Monday August 6^th                 Knightsbrook Resort.              Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday August 19^th                Dromoland Castle.                  Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday August 19^th                Dromoland Castle.                  Senior Scratch Cup
Friday August 24^th                  Rathsallagh Golf Club.            Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday August 26^th                Naas Golf Club.                      Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday August 26^th                Mount Wolseley.                     Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday September 2^nd           Delgany Golf Club.                 Senior Scratch Cup
Sunday September 9^th           Charlesland Golf Club.           Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday September 16^th         Blainroe Golf Club.                 Junior Scratch Cup
Sunday September 16^th         Blainroe Golf Club.                 Senior Scratch Cup
Sunday September 23^rd                                 Order of Merit PlayOffs at The K Club.
Saturday & Sunday October 6^th & 7^th            TopGolfer Tour Championship at Fota Island Resort

About TopGolfer
TopGolfer (www.topgolfer.ie) is Ireland’s community for golfers with a handicap of 9 or better. It exists to feed the competitive spirit of the top golfers playing the game in Ireland through an online community, the TopGolfer Tour, an Order of Merit exclusive member events and the season finale Tour Championship.
The TopGolfer Tour is a series of scratch cups held at venues throughout Ireland. In addition to some impressive prizes, each tour event winner qualifies for the end of season Tour Championship.

Technorati Tags: topgolfer schedule 2012,rob hill,dermot synnott

2012 Northern Trust Open Betting Preview and Tips

2012-02-14T11:15:00.001Z

2012 Northern Trust Open Betting Tips
Odds from paddypower
Winner Alright: Last week we tipped Phil Mickelson at 22/1
Also click link to check out my 2012 Avantha Masters Tips on the European Tour

Phil Mickelson 10/1

It’s an all star field this week with the likes of Luke Donald, Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia all making their season debut. For me though it’s hard to see past Phil Mickelson again this week after he won for us so convincingly at Pebble. Winner here in 2008 and 2009, driving it like an arrow with a new shaft in his driver and holing everything with that blade, Phil is irresistible. One caveat might be exhaustion, he has been on the go for a month and is knocking on a bit you know!

Aaron Baddeley 30/1

A five under 67 at Pebble Beach last Sunday for a top five finish is sure to provide a real confidence boost for Badds heading into the defence of his Northern Trust title. Imperious two shot win last year over Vijay Singh. On form Baddeley is a real greens in regulation merchant, ideal for tough layouts. And they don’t get much tougher than this.

Kevin Na 40/1

This will be the third week in a row we tipped Kevin Na and while he hasn't given us a monetary return, he certainly has given a good run for our money with another tied fifth last week. Na tied for 10th in 2010 and bettered that with a third place finish last year. The par 71 at Riviera is real leveler and the trend is the form players coming in continue here. Let’s hope that works for Na.

KJ Choi 40/1

KJ hasn’t the best of form coming into this week with two poor showings on the desert swing of the European Tour. Riviera and KJ however go together like Batman and Robin. The Korean has never missed a cut here and top 10’d in three out of the last four stagings. Maybe better to wait until Friday evening on this one, but KJ is always one to watch here.

Best Of The Rest

Dustin Johnson 25/1, I believe made huge headway, mentally, at Pebble Beach. He’s obviously been struggling since returning from injury but I detected a spark of that old DJ last week. Usually a man that plays well on tough courses, I predict a much improved result this week.
Last but not least is one of my favourite players to watch, Ricky Barnes 80/1. He’s all about confidence and after a good showing last week has the talent to post a top 10 if not better this week.

Previous Top 10’s and Course Info

2011 scoring average: 71.833 a year ago
PGA Circuit ranking: Most difficult par 71 in 2011
Length: 7,325 yards
Key stats: Driving accuracy, greens in regualtion

2011 Northern Trust Top 10
1 Aaron Baddeley 67 69 67 69 -2 -12 272 $1,170,000
2 Vijay Singh 68 70 67 69 -2 -10 274 $702,000
3 Kevin Na 71 66 67 71 E -9 275 $442,000
T4 Robert Allenby 67 70 71 68 -3 -8 276 $268,667
T4 Jimmy Walker 68 71 69 68 -3 -8 276 $268,667
T4 Ryan Moore 69 68 70 69 -2 -8 276 $268,667
T7 K.J. Choi 70 69 70 68 -3 -7 277 $209,625
T7 Fred Couples 68 66 70 73 +2 -7 277 $209,625
T9 J.J. Henry 69 74 69 66 -5 -6 278 $175,500
T9 David Duval 71 71 69 67 -4 -6 278 $175,500
T9 Justin Rose 69 69 70 70 -1 -6 278 $175,500
T12 Ben Curtis 71 70 71 67 -4 -5 279 $112,667
2010
1 Steve Stricker 67 65 66 70 -1 -16 268 $1,152,000
2 Luke Donald 68 70 66 66 -5 -14 270 $691,200
T3 Dustin Johnson 64 67 74 66 -5 -13 271 $371,200
T3 J.B. Holmes 68 69 67 67 -4 -13 271 $371,200
T5 Paul Goydos 69 72 68 65 -6 -10 274 $224,800
T5 Steve Marino 70 67 69 68 -3 -10 274 $224,800
T5 George McNeill 70 69 66 69 -2 -10 274 $224,800
T5 Andres Romero 65 69 70 70 -1 -10 274 $224,800
9 Ricky Barnes 66 71 69 69 -2 -9 275 $185,600
T10 Jason Bohn 69 75 67 65 -6 -8 276 $147,200
T10 Kevin Na 72 67 71 66 -5 -8 276 $147,200
T10 Ernie Els 68 70 70 68 -3 -8 276 $147,200
T10 Alex Prugh 71 69 66 70 -1 -8 276 $147,200
T10 Kevin Stadler 65 71 69 71 E -8 276 $147,200
2009
1 Phil Mickelson 63 72 62 72 +1 -15 269 $1,134,000
2 Steve Stricker 68 66 69 67 -4 -14 270 $680,400
T3 K.J. Choi 66 69 67 69 -2 -13 271 $327,600
T3 Fred Couples 67 70 65 69 -2 -13 271 $327,600
T3 Andres Romero 66 70 65 70 -1 -13 271 $327,600
T6 Luke Donald 66 69 69 68 -3 -12 272 $203,963
T6 J.B. Holmes 73 67 64 68 -3 -12 272 $203,963
T6 Mark Calcavecchia 70 69 64 69 -2 -12 272 $203,963
T6 Rory Sabbatini 68 67 67 70 -1 -12 272 $203,963
T10 Brendon de Jonge 69 70 67 67 -4 -11 273 $157,500
T10 Dustin Johnson 66 70 67 70 -1 -11 273 $157,500
2008
1 Phil Mickelson 68 64 70 70 -1 -12 272 $1,116,000
2 Jeff Quinney 69 67 67 71 E -10 274 $669,600
T3 Padraig Harrington 69 69 71 68 -3 -7 277 $359,600
T3 Luke Donald 68 71 70 68 -3 -7 277 $359,600
T5 Ryuji Imada 71 69 70 68 -3 -6 278 $235,600
T5 Scott Verplank 68 69 71 70 -1 -6 278 $235,600
T7 Robert Allenby 70 66 75 68 -3 -5 279 $186,775
T7 K.J. Choi 65 73 71 70 -1 -5 279 $186,775
T7 J.B. Holmes 74 66 69 70 -1 -5 279 $186,775
T7 Stuart Appleby 69 70 69 71 E -5 279 $186,775

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Radical New Advert To Feature Freddie Couples Walking Slowly, Lounging Around and Wearing Ridiculous Golf Shoes. Only Joking, No It’s Not.

2012-02-14T10:22:00.001Z

In a bid to remind people that not just priests can buy their shoes, Danish footwear giant Expens-ecco are said to be planning a radical new TV commercial to emphasize all the fun that can be had whilst wearing their spikeless street shoe.

For the first time ever the Expens-ecco commercial will not feature Freddie Couples lazing by a railway track, sailing a boat whilst expressing mild enjoyment, or lounging around like an old dog and looking into the distance.

The radical new one minute advert, to be aired this week, features Couples tripping and falling out of a sailing boat, laughing with a woman on a bike before slipping off the pedals and catching his testicles on the crossbar, and entering the Hadron super Collider to be spun violently. All the while wearing his 2012 Expens-ecco spikeless golf shoes.

Since switching to the gripless Expens-ecco (bowling) golf shoe in 2010, Freddie has played one good round at the Masters and been to Germany twice to visit a world expert in back pain to find out what on earth could be causing the chronic back problem which has flared up in the past two years.

“We cannot understand why these spikeless golf shoes are not taking off” said an Expens-ecco spokesman adding “to encourage sales this month we are giving three free visits to the chiropractor with every pair sold.”

He continued, “Whilst Freddie remains vertical he will our only brand ambassador at expens-Ecco. We cannot think of anyone else we would like to see play golf whilst balancing in our shoes.”

Technorati Tags: fred couples funny story

2012 Avantha Masters Golf Betting Preview and Tips

2012-02-13T12:07:00.001Z

2012 Avantha Masters Golf Betting Preview and Tips

DLF G&CC, New Delhi, India 16 Feb 2012 - 19 Feb 2012
Odds on the exchanges
Winner Alright: Last week we tipped Phil Mickelson to win the Pebble Beach pro-am at 22/1

also check out my 2012 Northern Trust Open Betting tips here.

Jeev Milkha Singh 25/1

Golf is the fastest growing sport in India and one of its most famous faces is Jeev Milkha Singh. Started well in Dubai last week but struggled thereafter to finish down the field. Jeev battles with a back problem and it was this injury that ended his title challenge here last year. One behind going into the final round, the Indian played through the pain barrier to card a 75 and finish just outside the top 10. Fully fit, he has the course knowledge to place.

David Drysdale 55/1

Solid if unspectacular in Dubai, David Drysdale is just one great putting week away from another big European Tour finish. The DLF should suit the Scot, who’s driving and greens in regulation stats combined were the best in the field last week. His third at the Joburg Open will hopefully stand him in good stead down the stretch this week.

Gregory Havret 25/1

I’m going to stick with Gregory Havret for one more week. Finished 24th in Dubai which wasn’t bad if you take into account he was 10 shots behind winner Rafa Cabrera Bello after the first round! Played well here last year birdying three of the last four holes on Sunday to finish third. Putting will be the key for Havret in India, he top 10’d on the stats last week and if he can do so again will be a threat on this short New Delhi track.

Romain Wattel 36/1

If Havret doesn’t do the business this week then maybe his protégée, 21 year old Romain Wattel will oblige. The two are members of Bussy St Georges Golf Club near Paris. Wattel won as a teenager on the Challenge Tour and though this week will be only his 34th Tour start, he has already clocked up two top 15’s in Abu Dhabi and Dubai last week. High on the putting stats when we plays well, that will be vital this week.

Best Of The Rest

Holland’s Joost Luiten 18/1 didn’t set the world alight in the desert but I think he has the game to feature this week having won in Malaysia in late November on his last trip down to this part of the world. Another player who I think has a fantastic putting game is Rhys Davies 42/1. The Welshman will start from very high odds this week having missed the cut in Dubai. The DLF course is world’s apart from what the played on last week so it will be interesting to see how he fares.
Obviously it’s more difficult to keep tabs on all the Asian Tour players but I will be keeping an eye out for Mardan Mamat 60/1 who won recently in the Philippines. And of course how could we forget our old friend Kiradech Aphibarnrat 60/1 whose sure to give us plenty of smiles.

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Classic Odyssey Blade Key To Mickelson’s Pebble Win

2012-02-13T10:44:00.001Z

After trying several putters in recent time, it was the classically styled Odyssey White Hot XG Blade that helped steer Phil Mickelson to victory in the 2012 Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

The blade comes with an alignment line ground into the metal by the Odyssey tour staff. Phil actually has a whole set of identically shaped blades, but with slightly different face inserts, some hard some soft. He also has light and dark versions of the putter, the lighter steel colour was used in Pebble Beach.

On slow greens Phil adds lead weight strips to his putter. On fast greens like at Pebble Beach and Augusta, he uses the putter without added weights.

Because of the forward press of his hands immediately prior to his stroke, Phil’s blades have between 5 and 6 degrees of loft added to negate the effect of the hands.

Technorati Tags: 2012 Pebble Beach Pro-Am,Phil Mickelson putter,Odyssey white hot xg blade,whats in the bag Phil Mickelson

Winner Alright: Phil Romps Home At 22/1

2012-02-13T09:54:00.001Z

Thanks to everyone who emailed and commented about our latest tips winner Phil Mickelson at the 2012 Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Looking back at the tip, the words about Tiger Woods proved to be spot on.

Phil was available at 22/1 on the largest exchange.

Technorati Tags: Phil Mickelson betting Tip 2012 Pebble Beach pro Am

Hidden Gem Unearthed As Concra Wood Land EuroPro Tour Event

2012-02-13T09:44:00.001Z

Great news from my wife’s part of the country with the brilliant Concra Wood set to stage a PGA EuroPro Tour event from July 9th to 13th. Here’s the release from the Castleblayney venue.

Concra Wood GC is ready to roll out the red carpet for some of the brightest young golfing talent in Europe.

The ambitious Castleblayney club, has joined Cork’s Fota Island and Ballymena’s Galgorm Castle, by signing a deal to host a PGA Europro Tour Event (July 9-13). “The course was only opened in July 2008 but has very quickly gained a very strong reputation,” said Head Professional Conor McKenna.
“We are blessed with stunning views of Lough Muckno from every point on the course and our perfect location is only one hour from Belfast and Dublin.
“We look forward to welcoming the players and know that Concra Wood will offer a real test.”
The golf course at Concra Wood was designed by two of Ireland’s golfing legends, Christy O’Connor Junior and Senior. Measuring over 7300 yards off the back tees, the course plays to a par of 72. European Tour professional, Simon Thornton, holds the course record, a 68 set in 2010 at an Irish PGA Sprint event.
Club Captain, Noel Gorman said; “I am delighted that the club will be hosting this event on what is undoubtedly one the finest championship golf courses on the island of Ireland. Concra Wood was ranked the 38th best course in the Ireland by Golf Digest and was recently named by the Golfers Guide to Ireland as their Hidden Gem of Ulster in 2012.”
Paul Shortt, Chairman, Concra Wood Golf & Country Club PLC added, “I can’t think of a better combination of a world class golf tournament with a world class course. There is no doubt that Concra Wood will prove itself as the highlight of the tour with it’s unique design and stunning surroundings.”
The PGA Europro Tour is a partnership between The Professional Golfers’ Association and Matchroom Sport. It has become one of the leading tours in Europe and is the only officially recognised golf developmental tour in the UK.
The backing and support of the PGA is pivotal to its success as players strive to progress from the PGA Europro to Challenge Tour and full European Tour.
The 2010 Open Champion, Louis Oosthuizen is one of the tour’s greatest success stories.
Oosthuizen made his PGA Europro Tour debut in 2002, building his confidence and skills for two years.
Ryder Cup star Ross Fisher, 2008 Irish Open winner, Richard Finch and Scottish World Cup winner Marc Warren have all used the PGA EuroPro Tour as a launchpad to European Tour success.
There are 168 players in each tournament, which are three day events, usually preceded by a one, or two-day pro-am’s, all organised by the extremely professional team at the PGA.
In 2012 there will be up to 15 PGA Europro Tournaments staged at venues around UK and Ireland - all televised on Sky Television.
“Work has already started on making this a first class tournament,” added Conor McKenna.
“The club members are looking forward to the event, particularly the pro-am, and local businesses are also getting behind it. We really want to turn it into an enjoyable experience for everyone, the players, officials and fans.”

Contact Details

Conor McKenna at Concra Wood GC
00353 429749485

Release from Paul Kelly – contact 07968623499 – prckelly@googlemail.com

Technorati Tags: Concra Wood,EuroPro Tour 2012

2012 Pebble Beach Pro-Am Final Round Highlights

2012-02-13T08:41:00.001Z

Video highlights from the final round of the 2012 Pebble Beach Pro Am where Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods were paired together.

Technorati Tags: 2012 Pebble Beach Pro-Am Final Round Highlights,PGA Tour

Clint Eastwood Blown Bulb Makes Faldo Jump Like Cartoon Cat

2012-02-12T23:39:00.001Z

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O’Grady “Not So Sure” If Man in Plus Fours and Gangsta Hat Is Ridiculous Enough

2012-02-11T16:56:00.001Z

This story is a follow up to O’Grady Upset That We Don’t Have Crazy Bastard Like Crane In Europe

After a week of boffins working around the clock to produce the European Tour’s alternative to Ben Crane’s hat and goggles, big boss George O’Grady says he’s “not so sure” if the Joel Sjolholm experiment is working.

“Obviously we tried to make Joel look as ridiculous as Ben Crane, what with those trousers belonging to an 8 year old schoolboy and the Watford football socks. The gangsta hat we stole from a homeless man outside the gate. Feedback is suggesting however that we need to take it a step further and use a player with a higher profile. We have asked Miguel Angel Jimenez if he will wear a dress and bonnet from Little House on the Prairie and Lee Westwood is considering playing in a Tinky Winky outfit next week. We remain steadfastly determined to produce a character even more outrageous than those available on the PGA Tour.”

Click here to view 2012 Dubai Desert Classic Third Round Highlights

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The Only Way To really Learn Is On The Course! with James Ellis

2012-02-10T16:23:00.001Z

The only way to really learn, improve and enjoy golf is out on the course, The traditional flat surfaced practice ground is a good starting point to get a grip of the swing or improve the fundamentals, but it doesn't fully prepare the golfer for the 'real life' conditions on the course.
The majority of good golfers have had the advantage of playing since childhood, experiencing multiple rounds, in which they've naturally learnt to deal with the many varied and awkward lies the golf course demands. These golfers have typically played first before concentrating on the technique of the swing. Unfortunately, this natural path to playing good golf is a luxury that those who take up the game in their adult life rarely experience. In fact, current teaching practices mean that adult learners are almost always forced to do the opposite, spending the majority of their time attempting to develop 'the perfect swing' and very little time on the course learning and playing the game.
I don't want to dismiss learning about the swing, but it shouldn't take too long and certainly shouldn't become the sole purpose of tuition. A swing is just a swing and however much time is spent on trying to perfect one, it means nothing if it can't be applied in practice. This is why as a professional, I strongly encourage new golfers out onto the course in the early stages of learning even if their swings are not yet experienced or established. At its most fundamental, playing on the course gives a taste of the real game, the thrill of staring down a fairway to the flag beyond, the heroics of getting a ball out of the Bunker , the subtlety of landing the ball on the green rather than in the rough beyond and the euphoria of hearing the plop of the ball in the hole. - these are all just as much a part of the game as the swing, and quite frankly, is what brings the game to life! So experiencing this early on is likely to feed a golfers enthusiasm to learn and develop and to help them fully grasp the point of the swing they are developing- it's not always to go straight with a 7 iron, but to negotiate dog legs, to miss the rough, to get over the hill or make a birdie!

I'd advise that beginners visit a small local course in the late afternoon, when most of the members and regulars will be back in the club house. If you can, go with a pro and just walk around a few holes, dropping balls along the way and start to get a feel of what it’s like to take a swing on grass, on an uneven lie, from the rough, up a hill and maybe even from a bunker. Try not to concentrate on where your ball goes, but instead on getting a sense of the reality of playing on the course. I've often seen beginners experience almost an 'aha!' moment where they 'get' for the first time what the swing is all about! This early experience introduces a different dimension to learning the game and helps reduces the pressure of finding the perfect swing.

Once a beginner is feeling more confident, I’d advise going out with a sympathetic golfing friend, or someone to walk round with. I suggest the following 'rules' to get through the first few rounds: Crucially, play only nine holes to start with. Even experienced golfers often notice deterioration in their game nearing the end of a round when concentration is going a little, and the mind has turned to refreshments rather than holing putts. So take away that pressure by starting with 9, and if the course allows, then try 9 and a loop before embarking on the whole 18. R emember the course is for playing, not for practising the swing, so I suggest focusing on what you want to achieve for each shot, rather than the swing itself- Try and be kind to yourself, so if a hole isn’t going as you planned, or you find your ball in a dreadful lie, move it, and if you are getting frustrated, pick up your ball and start again at the next hole. Probably the most important point to remember is don’t add up your score- it’s irrelevant and likely to sap confidence early in the learning process. The more relaxed and happy a golfer feels playing their own game, the more likely they will be to go out again and slowly begin to feel more confident out on the course allowing their game to progress naturally.
James Ellis is the Professional at the leading indoor golf facility, Urban Golf and is also the creator of
POCKET PRO GOLF APP
“THE PRO THATS ALWAYS WITH YOU ”
For only £2.99 Buy Now or visit www.pocketprogolf.co.uk

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How Big Is The PGA Show Hall? Enormous! Check This Out

2012-02-10T11:21:00.001Z

The PGA Show in Orlando every January is the world’s biggest golf show. The main hall of the Orange County Convention Centre, where it is held, is VAST. In this video we take a speed walk around a fraction of the hall just to give you an idea of the acreage involved!

Technorati Tags: 2012 PGA Show,Golfbidder

Amazing Footage Of Tiger Woods As A Kid In Back Garden Chipping Into Paddling Pool

2012-02-10T11:12:00.001Z

EA Sports bring us an amazing insight into Tiger progression from a small kid in the back garden through to the man he is today. Funny though, it doesn’t show his best ever 6 iron. Through the back window of the jeep!

Best comment on youtube

jonufc94: Can we have sex with other peoples wives in this?

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Thinking Of Buying A Second Hand Driver? The Best of 2011 Tested and Ranked

2012-02-10T10:45:00.001Z

Of course everybody is different and one mans dream driver may feel like a fishing rod in the hands of another, but this test carried out by rank mark involved 150 golfers together testing the best of 2011 over four days. The results are ranked according to handicap and pretty much all the clubs are available now on Golfbidder. You can also get a great deal on your old clubs with Golfbidder and postage is subsidised throughout Europe. Read On for the results…

Scratch to 1 h’cap

click any highlighted club to view

Winner: Titleist 910D3

Second tied: TaylorMade R11 TP, TM Burner Superfast TP, Titleist 910D2

2 to 9 h’cap

Joint Winners: Ping G15, Titleist 910D2

Second Tied: Nike VR Pro, Titleist 910D3, Mizuno JPX 800, Srixon Z-Star

10 to 17 h’cap

Winner: Ping K15

Second Tied: Callaway Diablo Octane, Ping G15

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Kaymer’s First Ever Hole In One, Loses Bet To Physio Rolf Klöttschen, Costs Him Watch!

2012-02-10T09:52:00.001Z

Martin Kaymer got his first ever hole in one today after 15 years playing golf, amateur and professional. Afterwards he revealed that the watch he won as the hole in one prize would be given to his physio Rolf Klöttschen, with whom he had a bet.

The ace came at the 177 yard seventh hole in Dubai. Kaymer played an 8 iron.

Apparently the bet is that Rolf pays him €10 every time he does not get a hole in one in Dubai. Irrespective of how strange a physio paying a client is, on the flip side the bet meant if Kaymer got a hole in one, he had to give the physio his prize. Whatever it is.

Afterward the German revealed it was one of his goals for the year and that his caddie Christian Donald had prophesied it was going to happen. It is unclear whether Rolf paid Christian to tell Martin that.

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2012 Pebble Beach Pro Am First Round Highlights

2012-02-10T07:41:00.001Z

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What’s In The Bag 2012 Rory McIlroy

2012-02-09T10:58:00.001Z

Here’s what’s in the bag of Rory McIlroy at the start of the 2012 season.

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The Sunice Hurricane Gore Tex X-Static and 2012 Range With Jonathan Brunet

2012-02-09T10:52:00.001Z

Jonathan Brunet from Sunice introduces the 2012 collection of golf apparel including the Gore Tex hurricane range with X-Static technology. 99.9% silver is woven through the liner fabric and being highly conductive, silver reflects body heat back in cold weather to keep you warm and conversely conducts heat away keeping you cool in hot weather. Also introduced is the Tornado with Flex Vent technology.

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Padraig Harrington Using The Revolutionary New P2 Putter Grip

2012-02-08T20:14:00.001Z

Padraig Harrington will be gaming a revolutionary new putter grip called the P2 this week on the PGA Tour. The grip was invented by Irish club pro Enda McLoughlin and found its way onto Harrington’s blade within hours of him setting eyes on it.

The effect of the P2 grip is to alter the angle of the putter head 4 degrees upright making the shaft sit directly below the forearms. This allows the user to lock the wrists and putt with the putter sitting on its toe a la Steve Stricker’s method.

From The Website

How does this help you putt better?The positioning of the shaft increases the angle of both wrists and locks them in position throughout the stroke. This prevents any unwanted wrist or hand movements meaning less rotation of the putter face and a square impact with the ball each time. The higher positioning of the wrists also allows the forearms to be aligned in perfect symmetry with the shaft of the putter and putter face.
The unique design of the P2 Grip with its flat sides, fills out the palms of both hands perfectly. This positions the hands squarely on the grip, leading to a square putter face at address and most importantly at impact.

To find out more or to purchase a P2 putter grip visit http://www.p2grips.ie/

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Chris McGinley from Titleist Introduces the 2012 Scotty Cameron Putter Range

2012-02-08T16:18:00.001Z

Who better to introduce what’s new in the Scotty Cameron putter line for 2012 than Chris McGinley, Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Titleist. Chris shows me the “Select” and “California” series of putters coming out this season.

Scotty Cameron 2012 California Series

Scotty Cameron 2012 Select Series

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O’Grady Upset That We Don’t Have Crazy Bastard Like Crane In Europe

2012-02-08T11:51:00.001Z

by Ron Burgundy in Dubai

European Tour Big Hoss George O’Grady issued a statement yesterday expressing disappointment "on behalf of the European Tour" that crazy bastards like Ben Crane and Bubba Watson are popping up on the PGA rather than the European Tour. "We are obviously disappointed and somewhat confused that clearly mentally unstable players are choosing the US Tour over ours”, O’Grady said. “The craziest bastards always have to be from the USA. It’s like Roswell. Why does everything always have to happen in America?” he added. “Why couldn’t a alien land in Sweden? On a thursday, at a Tour event?”

Pic: Former European Tour player Gary Murphy had the Ben Crane look back in 2006.

O’Grady went on to reveal that it was actually the European Tour that pioneered the by now famous Ben Crane look. “We actually had the helmet and goggles idea five years ago. We tried it twice on the European Tour with Irish player Gary Murphy. Gary was officially the funniest guy on Tour back then (beat Stephen Dodd after deadlock), but it didn’t work out. The first time he tried the helmet in Majorca, Gary’s head swelled in the heat and we had to get a welder to free him. The second time was in Austria, the police over there are very strict, Gary served his six months with dignity. We never considered for one second that we were mocking legendary skier Hermann Maier’s out of season condition and that it would be an offence in Austria?”

Reacting to O’Grady’s comments Gary Murphy, now retired, is rumoured to be considering donning the helmet and goggles one more time for his eagerly anticipated Setanta Ireland Golf interview with Shane Lowry on his new TV show “The Cut Line” to be aired on Saturday nights at 10.00pm.

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Tiger Working With Dawson and R&A To Ban Belly Putters

2012-02-08T08:56:00.001Z

Tiger Woods revealed in press conference at Pebble Beach that he is totally anti long and belly putters used by the likes of Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley. "I believe putting is the art of controlling the body and club and swinging the pendulum motion. I believe that's how the game should be played."

Furthermore Woods confirmed he has been consulting with R&A Chief Executive Peter Dawson on the matter and how to word the laws banning anchored putters. "My idea was to have it so that the putter would be equal to or less than the shortest club in your bag," Woods said.

Woods will play with Dallas Cowboys quarterback and plus three player Tony Romo this week and is bidding to win his first full field event in two years.

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Ben Crane’s Helmet and Goggles Explained. It All Makes Sense Now

2012-02-07T10:34:00.001Z

Yesterday, the world finally found out the reason for all those Ben Crane videos, the helmet and the goggles. BC was actually covertly using the videos to communicate with the mothership that had returned to the planet “Cranium” without him after a routine middle of the night visit to Earth. Its thought a colleague failed to conduct the roll call properly as all the other BC’s were getting back on the ship and left Ben (earth name) behind.

This photo shows the moment where BC spots the returning mothership and says a tearful goodbye to his earthling friend Bubba.

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Chopra Gets Two “Holes In One” In Pebble Practice Round

2012-02-07T10:14:00.001Z

Daniel Chopra made two holes in one Pebble Beach in a practice round before the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am yesterday.

Chopra first holed out at the 103 yard par-3 seventh hole with a 50 degree wedge, then repeated the feat on the 176 yard 17th with a 7 iron.

According to statisticians the odds for getting two holes in one in the one round are 67 million to 1. That’s the same odds as

Ireland solving its debt crisis
Spencer Levin playing a round without going berserk
Stereo’s with a wire instead of an old fashioned real aerial actually tuning in, without you having to stand right beside it.

Now the science bit…..

So what clubs were the dyed (or is he albino it’s been so long white?) Swede using? Chopra holed out with a PING Tour-S Rustique 50-degree wedge and a PING S56 7-iron.

Click here to view my 2012 AT&T Pebble Beach pro-Am betting preview and tips

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Ping’s Marty Jertson Previews The 2012 Nome, Scottsdale and Anser Putters

2012-02-06T15:15:00.001Z

I caught with Ping’s Senior Design Engineer and sometimes PGA Tour player Marty Jertson to talk through what’s new in Ping putters for 2012.

Ping Nome 2012

Click below to expand the Ping Scottsdale and Anser Videos

Ping Scottsdale 2012

Ping Anser 2012

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Wartime Golf Rules in Richmond Golf Club Unearthed

2012-02-06T14:44:00.001Z

Thanks Dwayne for sending this in. Amazing Stuff!
As the Battle of Britain began to take hold in 1940, a bomb fell on an outbuilding belonging to Richmond Golf Club in Surrey, England. As a result, the club — rather than halt future rounds of golf — issued an incredible list of temporary golf rules to all members that took into account the potentially life-threatening conditions on the course.
The list read as follows.
(Source: Richmond Golf Club; Image: Policemen inspect a bomb crater at North Shore Golf Course in Blackpool, 1940)

Players are asked to collect Bomb and Shrapnel splinters to save these causing damage to the mowing machines.
In competitions, during gunfire, or while bombs are falling, players may take cover without penalty for ceasing play.
The positions of known delayed-action bombs are marked by red flags placed at reasonably, but not guaranteed safe distance therefrom.
Shrapnel/and/or bomb splinters on the Fairways, or in Bunkers within a club’s length of a ball may be moved without penalty, and no penalty shall be incurred if a ball is thereby caused to move accidentally.
A ball moved by enemy action may be replaced, or if lost or destroyed, a ball may be dropped not nearer the hole without penalty.
A ball lying in a crater may be lifted and dropped not nearer the hole, preserving the line to the hole without penalty.
A player whose stroke is affected by the simultaneous explosion of a bomb may play another ball from the same place. Penalty, one stroke.

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2012 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Golf Betting Tips. PGA Tour

2012-02-06T13:05:00.001Z

AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am betting preview and tips,
Pebble Beach Golf Links, Monterey Peninsula CC, Spyglass Hill GC, California
Purse: $6,400,000
odds on the exchanges
also check out my 2012 Dubai Desert Classic Betting Tips Here

Phil Mickelson 22/1

Fourth week out in a row for Phil Mickelson and signs of an improvement in Phoenix. Finished down in 26^th but a final round 73 when trying to mount a charge as only Phil attempts, dropped him down the charts. A three time winner at Pebble and with Tiger in the field, may well be spurred on. Tied ninth last year.

Nick Watney 27/1

It was a case of back to the practice ground after a terrible weekend at the Farmers two weeks back for Nick. I expect some creases to be ironed out before this Thursday. Watney was well in the hunt last year until a moving day 75 scuppered his chances. Recovered with a 67 at Pebble to tie sixth.

DJ Trahan 60/1

After two dismal weeks missing cuts DJ went 64, 66 at the weekend in Phoenix to finish a very impressive fourth. Big DJ hasn’t won since the Bob Hope in 2008 but seems to have discovered something. Played well here at the weather shortened 2009 staging to tie sixth and as is so often the case with players who find the secret, they bring it to the next event.

Martin Laird 36/1

Start number 113 in the big leagues for the Scot. He didn’t fire last week but did enough in finishing runner up in Hawaii and playing solid at PGA West to warrant attention. He would not be a true Scot if he didn’t performs best when by the sea!

Best Of The Rest

My long odds shot this week is Chris Couch. The big man is 170/1 and fired a super final round in Phoenix and around the three course format of this event literally can and does contend. Also don’t discount Kevin Na from 34/1. I normally wouldn’t consider Na for a performance here but of the players last week he will know he could have won were it not a Friday slip up. Na’s playing super golf and there has to be big payday soon.

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2012 Omega Dubai Desert Classic Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips

2012-02-06T11:00:00.001Z

2012 Omega Dubai Desert Classic Tips, Emirates GC
Dubai, United Arab Emirates 09 Feb 2012 - 12 Feb 2012
Odds on the exchanges
Winner Alright: Last week we tipped Paul Lawrie at 100/1
also Check out my 2012 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Betting Tips Here

Martin Kaymer 11/1

Having considered Rors, Quiros and Kaymer for my short odds tip, this week I'm plumping for the German as the more in-form putter of the three. Worked hard after missing the cut in Abu Dhabi on his season debut to scrape into the top 10 in Qatar. A three time winner in neighbouring Abu Dhabi but never in Dubai though he did come very close in 2008 when Tiger pipped him by one. Hard to imagine a desert swing without at least one cameo from Kaymer.

Peter Hanson 24/1

Tied second last Sunday in Qatar and hit far too many good putts that burned the edges and yet did not drop. That's three top fours in his last four events for Peter folks and while some pundits may question his ability to be a prolific winner, I think the Swede makes an excellent each way punt. Finished just inside the top 10 last year; a live one for me.

Anders Hansen 36/1

Anders is on a 12 event cut streak but hasn’t really featured since his third place finish at last years US PGA Championship. Top 15 in his last couple of events thanks to being the straightest batter in the field. Also drove it great last year on his way to tying second one behind Quiros and I think the Dane is close to adding to his 2009 Joburg and 2007 PGA wins.

Nicolas Colsaerts 36/1

There's just no way Nico can putt as bad as last week; statistically over five putts per round worse than winner Paul Lawrie in Qatar. Quiros won this last year by reducing the place to a pitch and putt course and I think Nicolas has all the tools to do the same this week. He was the leader in greens in regulation last week, a key stat in this course in Dubai. The Belgian will be working hard on the putting green all week. Top 30 here last season following a missed cut in Qatar; but Nico is in a totally different place this time around.

Gregory Havret 90/1

Call me crazy but I have a strong inclination for Gregory Havret this week. After missing the cut in his first two events of the season Gregory finished 25th in Qatar last Sunday. I'm using the Moneyball theory on this one, anyone who has seen the film will know what I mean. Havret's driving is impeccable (he get’s on base a lot!) , we know that from Pebble in 2010, as is his putting. If he gets his greens in regulation stats up a couple of notches this the Frenchman can contend. Tied for fifth in 2005, a long time ago! Don’t hang me out to dry on this one, it’s more a hunch.

Best of The Rest

Ricardo Gonzalez (75/1) is a real free spirit on the golf course and in the best traditions of Argentinean golf, he just gets on with it. Played well last week and always plays in streaks so it’s Dubai or bust for Ricardo.
I was very impressed with Jean Baptiste Gonnet(60/1) last week when he tied fifth. He tied fourth here last year and is worth an each way squeak from good odds.

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David Feherty Doesn’t Let Tim Tebow Get A Word In Edgeways

2012-02-06T10:39:00.001Z

Here’s David Feherty trying to talk politics with Tim Tebow. Watch Tebow’s expression as Feherty mentions “Statler and Waldorf”. The poor lad hasn’t a clue who they even are, he wasn’t even born then.

The lads on Off The Ball would probably kill for a sit down with Tebow, yet Feherty gets one and butchers the opportunity. Have a look and see what you think.

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2012 Qatar Masters and Phoenix Open Final Round Highlights

2012-02-06T10:31:00.001Z

First to Phoenix where the Golfing Gods did a U turn on Kyle Stanley.

And click below to view 2012 Qatar Masters Final Round Highlights from the European Tour where Paul Lawrie continued his excellent form and put himself in the frame for a second Ryder Cup appearance. (opens in a new window)

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Introducing Flake Golf. Best New Tour Ball At The 2012 PGA Show

2012-02-03T19:48:00.001Z

There’s a lot more to Tour balls than meets the eye and it’s not just the industry’s big hitters that produce top quality products. At the 2012 PGA Show in Orlando, Johannes Von Lentzke from German company Flake Golf wowed the crowds and the pundits with their range of Flake Tour Balls and their “online only” retailing concept which sees their products come in at a fraction of competitors prices.

Named after the geometrical attributes of the snowflake, Flake Golf Balls outperformed the established names over several categories in an independent test of 45 balls carried out by German golf magazine GOLFTIME in its November 2011 golf ball test entitled “Ballermann” (45 distance and performance balls tested). Click here to see a pdf of the results.

Flake Golf currently produce four balls, from the highest specification Flake Golf Pro and Pro Shooter through to the Flake Tour and the Flake Classic which is a more durable performance ball.

Personally I’ve tried the Flake Pro in place of my normal Srixon Z Star over two rounds and I have to say I am a convert!

And lest you doubt the quality without trying, I have it on good authority that Flake Tour balls are produced alongside Nike Tour balls in the same manufacturing facility. Check out the Flake Golf website for yourself on www.flakegolf.com.

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Dick Mast Stands Proud and Erect At Top Of Seniors Tour

2012-02-03T11:54:00.001Z

American “Dick Mast” stood tall and erect at the top of the European Seniors Tour qualifying yesterday dispelling the myth that over 50’s have trouble getting it up.

Many expected the former 70’s pornstar, most notable for his starring role alongside Bambi Woods in Debbie Does Dallas (1978), to go a little limp after entering the final round with a three shot lead, but fans of “The Mast” need not have worried. After picking up several strokes on the front holes Dick exploded on the back side to finish a seven shot winner.

“After the first hole I thought ‘am I going to blow this load err.. lead?’ Dick said after, adding “with all the excitement around me I’m really proud I managed to keep everything in until I was well and truly done.”

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Gary Woodland Takes Waste Management A Bit Too Literally By Driving Ball Into Trash Can

2012-02-03T10:59:00.001Z

Normally the PGA Tour only show the most boring of clips but it seems their usual guy was on vacation. Check out Gary Woodland hitting a trash can in one at the Waste Management Open. Butch seems to be doing a super job with Gazz!

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O’Grady- Tour Research Report Reveals “All The Good Balls Taken”

2012-02-03T10:45:00.001Z

by Ron for GolfCentraldaily.com in Qatar

In the first of a series of new research reports commissioned by the European Tour, boffins have reported the shocking and rather confusing news that all the good lost balls have been taken. Data collected from several European countries suggest the chances of stumbling across a Pro-V1 in the deep rough or in a lake has decreased by an alarming 83% since 2005.

According to the damming report released today by Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady, the only balls left to find “are those of an inferior structure and integrity, aesthetically unappealing and made of mostly of limestone. Like Noodles, Molitors and Lady Pinnacles.”

“Shuffling in the rough for good golf balls or holding up the group behind while a guy fishes ten Pro V1’s out of a lake is a dying trade” said O’Grady. “Nobody wants a bloody continent of Molitor playing zombies” he added. “If people don’t experience the orgasmic delight in the chance finding of a gleaming Pro-V1 anymore the brand could soon be forgotten about altogether and we here in the Tour risk losing millions of euros in annual advertising income from Titleist.”

It had been reported that one Pro V1 was found yesterday in heavy rough in Ballfliffin on the North Coast of Ireland but that soon turned out be a hoax after the find was actually half a ball left sitting up in the rough by a prankster.

O’Grady conceded that all the good Pro-V1’s have most likely been collected by old ladies playing during the week. “We’ve always wondered why they keep topping balls into the rough, and never seem to be getting any better year after year. They hit off the first tee and just disappear. Playing with just two clubs and a ball retriever should have set alarming bells ringing in hindsight. We were heretofore unaware of the blue haired pensioners prowess with a bunker rake in amassing all the lost Pro-V1’s from the course.”

The report has also unearthed an underground Pro-V1 black market outside Sunday churches believed to be worth in the region of €2 billion annually, a figure exactly matching the combined European wide sales of false teeth, Complan and prunes.

In an effort to reverse this blight, the European Tour has signalled launching the campaign “Golf against Gilfs” in the coming week.

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Must See TV: Setanta Sports Ireland “The Cut Line” with Gary Murphy

2012-02-02T14:48:00.001Z

Recently retired European Tour pro Gary Murphy is well known inside the ropes for his charm and wit and he could very well turn out to be the next David Feherty of the golf TV world. Starting next Saturday Gary hosts a series of interviews on Setanta Sports Ireland’s new golf show “The Cut Line”. The first episode of The Cut Line features Padraig Harrington who thinks Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell should line out for Great Britain in the 2016 Olympics.
Here’s the details on Setanta’s website
Golf will make its Olympic debut in 2016 and Padraig Harrington has set his sights on bringing back the gold from Rio de Janeiro, while also suggesting Rory McIlroy should represent Great Britain at the Games. Click here for full article
Harrington's interview is just the first in a new series of hour long interviews on Setanta’s The Cut Line. Future episodes will feature Gary Murphy talking with Shane Lowry, Des Smyth and others.
The Cut Line will premiere on Setanta Ireland on Saturday, February 4 at 10pm.

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How To Swing Like Rory McIlroy. Science Behind His Power Explained in Video

2012-02-02T11:27:00.001Z

Here’s a great video detailing the science behind Rory McIlory’s powerful golf swing. Watch how Dr. Greg Rose explains that for for a split second before contact, Rory’s hips actually turn the opposite direction creating phenomenal torque for a man who stands less than six foot tall.

Rory McIlroy’s Swing In Biz Hub Swing Vision Style Slow Motion

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Rory McIlroy’s New Gold Plated Titleist Vokey Wedges - Pics

2012-02-02T11:04:00.001Z

A potential security threat was averted when it turned out the strange long thin cardboard box delivered to Rory McIlroy’s pad was actually a gift from master wedge maker Bob Vokey.
When Caroline Wozniaki opened the box, she found three Vokey Design Spin Milled Wedges with a gold-plated finish and custom stamping, a present from the Titleist Wedge King to commemorate Rory's 2011 U.S. Open win at Congressional.
The specs of the wedges are the same as those in Ror’s bag when he won: 248•10º (bent to 46º), SM54•10º, and 60º•L.
Six more pictures click below.

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How To Become A Tour Caddie. Join TourCaddies4u.com for Free

2012-02-02T10:34:00.001Z

Lots of people mail golfcentraldaily seeking information on how to become a Tour caddie and last month we posted about caddie Matt Hall’s new site www.tourcaddies4u.com designed to help prospective Tour caddies and pros looking for caddies to get hooked up. Here’s the post.

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

Well the news today is that Matt has decided to waive the joining fee for a limited period to celebrate the global launch of the site. So my advice is to sign on there today and follow the dream of the Tour life!

Tourcaddies4u are also now on facebook. Here’s the link.

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John Daly In Deep Trouble Again With Tour In Qatar

2012-02-02T10:17:00.001Z

Intestinally restricted John Daly was yet again in hot water with the European Tour after this time ignoring specific orders handed down to him by big boss George O’Grady on Tuesday. Daly shot an opening 67 to lead in the clubhouse in Qatar and was reportedly “an absolute gentleman” throughout his round; a clear violation of his terms of employment with the Tour.

Pic: Daly alone in the locker room in Doha with smelly socks left to contemplate his latest breach.

“We are very disappointed indeed with the conduct of Mr. Daly”, supreme commander O’Grady said today. “It was clearly outlined in John’s contract that he was to hit five balls into the lake on the 11th, break a chair over a marshals head on 16 and storm off the course on 17. Yet again he has let us down.”

Daly himself was unavailable for comment after the round choosing instead to sell signed thimbles of water and refrigerator parts to perplexed locals from his Winnebago parked outside the gate of the exclusive Doha country club.

“What message is this sending out to tomorrow’s golfers, when a man of John Daly’s stature in the game refuses point blank to follow the orders laid out in his contract?” O’Grady continued “all we ask when we rent him for one day or sometimes two is that he dresses like a clown and acts like a clown. First Australia, now this.”

Fears are now growing that the rift between the two will escalate with Daly threatening to “go right ahead and win the tournament”. Bagging the winners cheque will surely result in a lifetime European Tour ban for the Wild Thing, leaving the 45 year old with no Tour left to play on and a potential five year hiatus before being eligible for a Seniors Tour ban.

Technorati Tags: 2012 Qatar Masters Betting Preview and Tips,John Daly funny story,European tour,George o'grady funny story

The R11S and Rocketballz Drivers Reviewed By Mike Ferris TaylorMade Global Vice President

2012-02-01T15:09:00.001Z

We travelled to the PGA Show in Orlando Florida and met with Mike Ferris, Global Vice President of TaylorMade. Mike introduced us to the features of TaylorMade’s latest offerings for 2012, the R11S and the RocketBallz drivers.

TaylorMade R11S Driver Review

TaylorMade RocketBallz Driver Review

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Callaway RAZR X Black Driver Review with Corey Newman at 2012 PGA Show

2012-02-01T14:58:00.001Z

Corey Newman from Callaway Golf introduces the Callaway RAZR X Black Driver, new for 2012.

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2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips

2012-01-31T23:28:00.001Z

also check out my Qatar Masters Tips Here

Rickie Fowler 22/1

Played well in his first event of the year last week even if he was not in the shakeup. Finished five shots off the pace last year in tying 13th but in 2010 narrowly lost out to Hunter Mahan, who incidentally tees it up on the European Tour this week. The desert conditions will suit Fowler this week, one of the few that will thrive in these conditions.

Bill Haas 28/1

Let me down last time I tipped him but after tying fourth at The Farmers I think Bill is ready for his first win of 2012. The reigning Fed Ex champ shot a 63 at Torrey Pines last week and if memory serves could have won this tournament last year but for a poor final round of 76 which dropped him out of contention.

Webb Simpson 16/1

Top six in three of his last four events, I think Webb Simpson is top quality. Tied for third at the season opener in Hawaii. Followed a Thursday 70 with three rounds in the mid 60’s to top 10 here last year and if he can get the putter warm early in Phoenix, James Frederick “Webb” Simpson could be in line for his third US Victory.

Best Of The Rest

I still think that Martin Laird (22/1) is a great pick. Honest quiet reliable, the Scot goes about his business like a real pro. Laird already has a second (tied) at the Hyundai and shot 64 and 65 at the weekend here at TPC Scottsdale last year to tie third. Kevin Na missed the cut at the Sony Open but recovered his confidence somewhat last week at the Humana with a top 30. A perennial performer at the Phoenix Open and from 40/1, worth a look.

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2012 Commercialbank Qatar Masters Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips

2012-01-31T15:30:00.001Z

2012 Commercialbank Qatar Masters Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips
Odds on the exchanges

Lee Westwood 11/1

17th last week in Abu Dhabi but Lee was playing through a neck injury. Excellent greens in regulation stats stood out though and if Lee can get on the practice green early in Doha and find his range, he could be the one to beat.

Sergio Garcia 16/1

The Spaniard has two wins in his last five events and a worst finish of 12th. He's also just one good putting week away from a win. Garcia has done well on this track over the years with three top 10's in his last four appearences here. He has the consistency for me to give him the edge over others I considered in this category including Thomas Bjorn and Alvaro Quiros.

Graeme McDowell 17/1

Graeme is loving life right now and though this tied third last week might be due in part to some outrageous luck, I think he will have a big week in Qatar. A combined 44 under for his last four events and the talk of the locker room with his new fashion deal with Kartel.

George Coetzee 38/1

Bettered his finish in each of the three events he has played in 2012. 29th in the Affrica Open, 14th in the Joburg Open and sixth in exalted company last week in Abu Dhabi. If I had to pick a surprise player to win a Major in the next three years, George would be my man. He may not have the experience of some of the others in the field, but boy can George golf.

Best Of The Rest

As predicted last week Paul Lawrie (50/1) was good value for money throughout the week and though he slipped to ninth at the finish in Abu Dhabi, could well have a say in this tournament also.
Another tip in the long odds glory section is Rafa Cabrera Bello (150/1). His formline would never lead you to pick him but he shot a 77 in the first round here last year, then followed it with 68,66,68 to finish third. If he can start better this year Rafa could add to his Austria win in 2009.
Thorbjorn Olesen (80/1) came off a desperate run towards the end of last season to finish strongly in Dubai. Top tenned last week and putted better than the entire field. At odds of he could be a decent each way bet.
For those of you who like to back and lay on the exchanges, I always pick my favourite players Johan Edfors (150/1) and Richard Green (200/1) in Doha. Maybe its for sentimental reasons but someday it might just come good!

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Winner Alright: Betting Tips Churn Out A One-Two Again. Rock On

2012-01-29T13:26:00.001Z

Well done to everyone who had Robert Rock backed at 100/1 in Abu Dhabi as per my recommendation. Rory McIlroy also paid out for second at 13/2.

Winners This season so far

Africa Open: we tipped Louis Oosthuizen at 5/1 (Winner) and Jaco Van Zyl at 16/1 (fourth)

Joburg Open: we tipped winner Branden Grace at 46/1 and Jaco Van Zyl who tied third at 18/1.

Hyundai Tournament of Champs: We tipped 1st Steve Stricker, 2nd Martin Laird, T3rd Webb Simpson.

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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.

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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.
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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

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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!

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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.

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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?

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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

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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

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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

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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.”
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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.

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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”.

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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

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!

Technorati Tags: vijay singh rory sabbatini fight,sony open

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

Technorati Tags: johnson wagner what's in the bag 2012,Taylormade R11s driver,Johnson wagner adams hybrid,Johnson wagner vokey wedge pic

johnson wagner what's in the bag 2012, Taylormade R11s driver, Johnson wagner adams hybrid, Johnson wagner vokey wedge pic

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

Technorati Tags: adidas 2012 golf shoe,puremotion,crossflex,2012 pga show

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

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.

Technorati Tags: want to caddie on tour,want a caddie on tour,tour caddie,tour caddy resource,professional caddie website,matt hall

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.

Technorati Tags: 2012 Sony Open Final Round Highlights,pga tour

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. ”

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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.

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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

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.”

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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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Doc’s Free Guide To Golf Betting Tips and How To Make Money, Top European Tour golf betting Tipster, top PGA Tour betting tips, golf betting preview and tips, betfair golf betting tips, boylesports golf tips, paddypower golf tips

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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Mystery Golf Tours, Billy O'Boyle, Killarney Golf Club, Society, Outing, Hen and Stag Golf, Golf Ireland, Failte Ireland, 2012 Irish Open Portrush

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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