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Friday, 18 March 2016

Health Forces Olazabal Out of Masters

Jose Maria Olazabal will not play in the Masters for health reasons that have kept him from competing for an entire year.

The two time Masters champion did not specify his health problems on Friday, only that tests show "some improvement."

"I am sorry to announce that I'm unable to attend this year as I am not feeling well," Olazabal said in a statement. "The Masters is very special to me, and walking up Magnolia Lane gives me a peace of mind like nowhere else."

The 50-year-old Spaniard won the Masters in 1994 and 1999. His second Green Jacket, which he won over Greg Norman, followed a debilitating ailment in his foot that he feared would end his career. Olazabal is in the World Golf Hall of Fame, and he was the winning Ryder Cup captain for Europe four years ago.

But he has not played a tournament since he shot 71 in the second round at the Masters a year ago and missed the cut.

"It's been very tough being at home these last few months doing nothing," Olazabal said.

"Now I'm feeling better. I hit a bucket of balls every morning and spend 45 minutes on the putting green. I practice for about three hours. I don't set myself goals or dates. Time will tell."

Olazabal said he has regular tests that show improvement, "but the main thing is to get rid of pain."

Wednesday, 20 January 2016

European Tour Choose Short Cut

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The stars of The European Tour got all their leg work done ahead of this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship as they were allowed to wear shorts during practice days and pro-ams for the first time following a new initiative which Chief Executive Keith Pelley believes will help “modernise the game”.

Among the players making the most of the new initiative on the eve of the opening tournament of the Desert Swing were Ian Poulter, Ernie Els, Lee Westwood and Chris Wood as they sported their knee-lengths.

European Tour Chief Executive Pelley heralded the development as a positive step towards modernising the game and bringing a youthful, fun element to tournaments.

“The players have embraced it,” he said. “Shorts are a natural evolution to help modernise the game. It puts our players first and our fans first as well. The fashion of golf is something that the youth adopt. We will have strong rules, but there will be some fashion statements, and it’s a great start.”

Rory McIlroy also spoke positively about the move, saying: “I like it. I think it's a good idea to let guys wear shorts in practise rounds. I probably just need a couple more weeks in the sun to get my legs out in public! I think all the guys enjoy wearing shorts, especially in practise, and especially if it gets hot, I think it's a good idea.”

Jordan Spieth, playing the first regular European Tour event of his professional career and on his first visit to the Abu Dhabi, said: “I think it's awesome. I think it will be something that I would love to see on the (US) PGA Tour, as well.

“Guys seem to all love it over here. And most of the guys that are really talking highly of it are the older guys oddly enough. Yeah, I think it's a great move.”

Many players took to social media today to support the news.