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Monday, 25 April 2016

McIlroy Skips WGC-Bridgestone

Rory McIlroy will miss the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational this summer after choosing instead to play in the 100th French Open at Le Golf National.

The two tournaments clash as a result of the PGA Tour's 2016 calendar being re-worked to accommodate the Olympics.

As a result of the scheduling conflict the European Tour refused to sanction the WGC event, which 26-year-old McIlroy won in Akron two years ago.

He believes the course in Paris will better prepare him for The Open.

The French Open starts on Le Golf National's exacting Albatros course - which will host the 2018 Ryder Cup - on 30 June, two weeks before the year's third major begins on the Ayrshire links of Royal Troon.

"Le Golf National might not be a pure links course, but it is traditionally firm and fast and can throw up some tricky conditions," said the Northern Irishman.

"It is a great test of golf and I think playing there, as well as staying in Europe, will be the best way to prepare for The Open at Troon."

Four-time major winner McIlroy has played in the event on the outskirts of Paris twice before, missing the cut in his first full season as a professional in 2008 before firing a closing 66 to miss out on a three-man play-off by one shot in 2010.

The European Tour's decision not to the sanction the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational means it is not part of the 2016 European Tour international schedule, and therefore money won in it will not count towards the Race to Dubai or Ryder Cup qualification.

The Bridgestone Invitational is one of four World Golf Championship events jointly sanctioned by the International Federation of PGA Tours, which includes the European Tour and the PGA Tour in America.

Since the advent of the WGCs in 1999, the Bridgestone Invitational has been played in August at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Scott Rules Out Olympics

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Adam Scott has ruled himself out of selection for the Rio Olympics, opening the door for Marc Leishman to play for golf’s first gold medal in 112 years.

World No7 Scott issued a statement from his home in the Bahamas on Wednesday, confirming his unavailability.

The 2013 Masters champion had long indicated he had little interest in going to Rio for golf’s long-awaited return to the Games, preferring to focus all his efforts around the sport’s traditional four major championships.

But Australia’s Olympic golf captain Ian Baker-Finch had held out hope he’d have a change of heart and join world No1 Jason Day in a high-powered two-man men’s team.

“My decision has been taken as a result of an extremely busy playing schedule around the time of the Olympics and other commitments, both personal and professional,” said Scott.

“I have informed the Australian team captain and relevant authorities, who are understanding of my position and I wish the Australian Olympic team the very best of luck in Rio.”

Leishman is the next highest-ranked Australian man at No34 in the world, followed by Matt Jones at No70.

Monday, 4 April 2016

The Masters - Preview

Rory McIlroy

Golf's first major of the year is almost upon us, with the world's finest players preparing to make their annual pilgrimage to one of sport's most iconic venues.

The first tee shot will be hit on Thursday, 7 April, with a field of fewer than 100 men aiming to sink the winning putt on Sunday, 10 April.

World number one Jason Day, Jordan Spieth - bidding to become the first man to defend the title since Tiger Woods in 2002 - and four-time major winner Rory McIlroy head the field in the year's first major.

Few people, including the bookmakers, are looking past the world's top three players - Day, Spieth and McIlroy - to set the agenda at Augusta.

Day and world number two Spieth won three of last year's four majors, while 26-year-old McIlroy is looking to complete the career Grand Slam.

Spieth, 22, has failed to find his best form in recent weeks, missing a cut for only the eighth time since the start of the 2014 season, before narrowly avoiding another early exit two weeks later.

The American defended his form after being called "garbage" by an internet 'troll', while McIlroy backed his rival by insisting Spieth's form was "not slumping".

US PGA champion Day, 28, has continued his fine start to the season by winning back-to-back tournaments, showing little rustiness from a three-month break at the end of last year after becoming a father for the second time.

The Australian suffered an injury scare in his opening pool match at last month's WGC-Dell Match Play, but recovered to win the tournament for the second time in three years.

McIlroy steps on to Augusta's first tee on Thursday aiming to become only the sixth man to claim the clean sweep.

Rory is seeking a first Masters title following victories at the US Open, the Open Championship and the US PGA.

Winning the Green Jacket would propel him into exalted company alongside Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gene Sarazen, Gary Player and Ben Hogan.

And that is the world number three's main priority. "It's all about Augusta," he said last month.

McIlroy will miss Augusta's annual Par 3 Contest, which takes place the day before Thursday's first round, in order to concentrate on winning the year's first major.

"Maybe the decision not to play it this year can work in my favour," he said, perhaps bearing in mind the 'Par 3 curse' - no player has won both in the same year.

McIlroy might well offer the best hope of providing a first European winner since Jose Maria Olazabal in 1999, but he is just one of 16 British and Irish players aiming to emulate the Spaniard.

Former US Open champion Justin Rose, currently ranked eighth in the world, continues his search for a second major, while fellow Englishman Danny Willett is expected to make his second Augusta appearance following the birth of his first child.

The Yorkshireman has risen from outside the top 100 to the fringe of the top 10 in less than two years.

Familiar names such as Lee Westwood - who sneaked into the world's top 50 in mid-December to qualify - Paul Casey, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter all return to Augusta.

England's Andy Sullivan and Scotland's Russell Knox, who both broke into the top 50 last year, will step into the locker room for the first time.

At the other end of the scale, veterans Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam, both 58, will play after accepting their annual invites as past champions.

Europe's contingent have not won at Augusta since two-time winner Olazabal's last success 17 years ago, allowing American players to regain dominance of the Masters in recent years.

The famed Georgia course has produced eight home winners in the past 12 years - and, as well as Spieth, there are several others with strong ambitions of becoming the third consecutive American champion.

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson, the world number four, is one of the favourites alongside Spieth, McIlroy and Day.

The 37-year-old left-hander heads to Augusta having claimed two wins as well as a second-place finish in his eight tournaments this year.

Phil Mickelson - a three-time winner and veteran of 12 other top-10 finishes at Augusta - is expected to mount another challenge, while Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed - who are all ranked inside the world's top 10 - will head down Magnolia Lane hopeful of winning their first major.

Recent Masters winners

2015: Jordan Spieth (US) 2010: Phil Mickelson (US)

2014: Bubba Watson (US) 2009: Angel Cabrera (Arg)

2013: Adam Scott (Aus) 2008: Trevor Immelman (SA)

2012: Bubba Watson (US) 2007: Mach Johnson (US)

2011: Charl Schwartzel (SA) 2006: Phil Mickelson (US)

Away from the Americans, look no further than 2016's form man - 2013 champion Adam Scott.

The 35-year-old Australian leads the PGA Tour standings - just ahead of Day - after claiming back-to-back titles last month.

Scott claimed the Honda Classic at Palm Beach and then beat Watson by one shot at the WGC Championship at Doral.

"I think Bubba is the favourite," said Scott after pipping Watson with a closing 69 at Trump National in Miami.

"Even if I won every tournament I play before the Masters, if Bubba keeps finishing second, I'd still think he's favoured. It just sets up so good there for him."

Wednesday, 13 January 2016

Europe's Lowry EURASIA Ready

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Shane Lowry is enjoying his first taste of the atmosphere of professional team golf at the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM but insists Europe will be all business when they tee off against Asia on Friday.

Captain Darren Clarke has brought a 12-strong team to Glenmarie Golf and Country Club as Europe look to win the trophy for the first time following a dramatic 10-10 draw in the inaugural event in 2014.

Lowry is part of that team after a brilliant 2015 season which saw him win the World Golf Championships – Bridgestone Invitational and finish fifth in The Race to Dubai.

With the Olympics and The Ryder Cup to play for this year, 2016 could prove to be the biggest yet of Lowry’s career and, while admitting the feeling off the course is very relaxed among Team Europe, he is determined to get his campaign off to a winning start and bring the trophy home.

“Darren is getting that across a lot,” he said. “We need to take this very seriously as a team. At the end of the day, we don’t want to be going home Sunday evening with our tail between our legs and we want to go out there and play as best we can.

“Obviously we need to enjoy ourselves as well, on our downtime and when we are chilling out in the team room, have a laugh or whatever. But when we get on the golf course, be very serious about it and we are definitely looking for a win on Sunday.

“We are all very competitive people. Professional golfers are very competitive people and no matter what we do, if you’re playing a game at home with your mates or if you’re out here playing EurAsia Cup, it’s all the same for me. I’m still trying to play as best I can.

“We’ll be really looking to play well this week and hopefully get off to a nice start on Friday and see what happens come Sunday.

“The environment is a little bit different and it’s nice. Obviously as professional golfers, we play a lot of individual (events), it can become a very selfish game. So to be in a team event and be rooting for the lads, it’s going to be nice this week.”

Matthew Fitzpatrick is another European making a professional team debut off the back of a breakout season, although he does have Walker Cup experience from 2013.

Great Britain and Ireland were beaten 17-9 by the United States on that occasion but Fitzpatrick picked up two points in the Foursomes, as well as one in the Singles, from his four matches and the British Masters supported by Sky Sports champion is hoping to use that experience.

“I’m playing foursomes and fourballs, last time I did was Walker Cup two years ago,” he said. “So I played it then.

“For me, I always enjoy it and it seems like all the lads are enjoying it so far. That’s the big thing, you’ve got to go out there and play as well as you can but at the same time enjoy it.

“I think the big thing is probably the banter within the team. I think everyone on the outside probably thinks we’re all so serious and really grim, but it feels like it’s just one big laugh.

“Me personally, I haven’t stopped laughing all day, playing with (Danny) Willett, Lee (Westwood) and (Ian) Poulter. I think for me, it’s obviously something I really enjoy and doesn’t feel like there’s so much pressure so far. It’s good to just keep enjoying it.”

While Fitzpatrick and Lowry may be rookies in the team room, Lee Westwood is a veteran of these types of situations, having played on nine Ryder Cup teams with seven wins.

The 42 year old was a captain’s pick for this week, along with Ian Poulter who has five Ryder Cups under his belt, and while he admits that brings some extra pressure, he does not think the younger players around the team will have to look to him for guidance.

“I think Darren probably looked at his team and sees it’s a young team,” he said. “Not too much team golf experience in it and wanted some experience in there. Therefore, he’s picked myself and Ian.

“Obviously when you’re a captain’s pick, you feel a little bit more pressure to perform and validate that pick. But I’ve been a pick for The Ryder Cup a couple of times, and this is the first time I’ve played the EurAsia Cup obviously and got picked this week.

“I think all the lads that are playing this week are great players in their own right and they really don’t need much. They have played on a big stage before, maybe not so much team golf but I’m sure they have played a bit of team golf coming through the amateur ranks, things like that.

“But it’s the same principle as anything else: You try to hit it down the middle, hit it close and then make the putt. That takes care of most forms of golf.

“Obviously this week and later on in the year, you’re representing Europe, but you try to not let that get in the way and not let that kind of thinking get in the way and just do your own thing, play your own game, and the game that got you into the team.

“Hopefully that’s good enough to win your points.”

Saturday, 8 August 2015

Lowry Takes to Firestone

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Shane Lowry bounced back from a frustrating end to his opening round in style as he claimed a share of second place at the halfway stage of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

The 28 year old dropped two shots on his final two holes on Thursday to post a first round score of 70 at Firestone Country Club.

But after firing four birdies and one bogey on his way to reaching the turn in 32 on Friday, Lowry closed out his second round in 66 to join Americans Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson on four under par, four shots behind leader Jim Furyk.

The Irishman, who finished tied ninth at this year's US Open, was pleased with his score but thought he actually played better golf on Thursday.

He said: "I feel like I played better yesterday. I just managed to hole a few putts today. That was key.

"I had a couple of good par saves on the back nine. I rolled a few in from ten, 15, 20 feet.

"It was nice not to be grinding out there. And just like yesterday, I played as good as I played all year. I drove the ball long and straight.

"I would say I probably had nine or ten wedges into holes yesterday and did not capitalise at all. So it is nice to go out there and shoot a decent score."

Furyk carded a second consecutive 66 earlier on Friday to set the clubhouse target on eight under par, and nobody came close to matching his score in the afternoon.

The 45 year old American said: "Obviously I am happy with back to back 66s.

"Yesterday I felt like I played a really good round. I got the ball in the hole.

"I missed some greens when I shouldn't have, but I just managed to make a bunch of birdies.

"Today, I felt a little better about it. I hit the ball more solidly, hit more fairways and had more confidence.

"I think I had some opportunities early in the round to really get it going and stalled a little bit.

"Then I was able to birdie 17, 18 and two to kind of jump start the round and get to three under pretty quickly.

"So overall, I am pleased with it. I felt like I was moving in the right direction today. Hopefully, I'll continue to gain more confidence in my swing."

Lowry and Watson both matched Furyk's 66 with six birdies and two bogeys, with Johnson carding a 67 which featured four birdies and a bogey in the last six holes.

Meanwhile Henrik Stenson, Graeme McDowell and first round leader Danny Lee are all on three under, five shots behind Furyk.

After shooting 69 to hold a share of fifth place, World Number Nine Stenson heaped praise on Furyk.

"My playing partner was Furyk today, and yesterday he managed his game very well around here," said Stenson.

"Even though it is normally a long golf course, and he is not the longest hitter, he hits a lot of fairways, and he is putting beautifully, and the short game is sharp as always.

"He has definitely taken advantage of those conditions.

"I feel like it suits me as well. If you can hit some high towering iron shots, which I can do at times, then you can hold those firm greens.

"I am looking forward to the rest of the week."

Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka and two-time Major Champion Jordan Spieth were among a large group on two under at the end of the second day.

Thursday, 19 June 2014

Rory Talks Rio Games

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Rory McIlroy feels an Olympic medal does not hold the same importance as a major championship – but that doesn’t mean he won’t be trying to win one in Rio.

The 25-year-old announced on Wednesday that he would represent Ireland at the 2016 Games, just as he did throughout his amateur career and twice in the World Cup.

"The majors in our sport are the biggest and best prizes in the game."

McIlroy, who could have been part of the Great Britain squad, had considered not even taking part in the Olympics to avoid any controversy, before eventually coming to what he described as the “right decision”.

However, having won the US Open and US PGA Championship already in his career, he admits striking gold in Brazil still wouldn’t hold the same level of satisfaction as a winning a major.

"An Olympic medal is still not as big as a major championship but it's up there," McIlroy said. "The majors in our sport are the biggest and best prizes in the game.

"Maybe give it four or five Games down the line and maybe one day the Olympics will be able to get up to that level, but for me the four major championships are the biggest prizes in our game."

Graeme McDowell welcomed McIlroy's announcement, which could see the Ryder Cup team-mates reunited in Rio, and said he had not received any negative reaction to his choice of Ireland.

Rory McIlroy has decided to represent Ireland in the 2016 Olympics.

An Olympic regulation stated he could only represent Great Britain if three years had passed since representing Ireland, something he did in last year's World Cup in Melbourne

"I think it's great that he's put it to bed at last," McDowell said. "We are in a very unique scenario in Northern Ireland. We could easily declare for Great Britain or we could easily declare for Ireland.

"We have all-Ireland teams and we have sports which are split; obviously soccer is two teams and rugby is one team. To me, golf is always an all-Ireland sport."