I am almost certain that most golfers have tried the Happy Gilmore tee shot. I know I have and hit the ball a country mile; into the woods….haha. Of course this is an inconsistent shot because it is almost impossible to repeat and sustain. I have a hard enough time hitting a consistent shot when I am stable on the ground let alone hopping my way to the ball from eight feet back. Regardless, many still try, even the professionals.
Continue readingEuropean Tour
Golf’s ‘Mad’ Scientist – Bryson DeChambeau
After watching a video clip of Bryson DeChambeau and his caddie Tim Tucker at Dubai Classic, I was wondering what the governing is going to ban to make it more difficult for DeChambeau to use science as he plays. After listening to their conversation, I think the PGA Tour should embrace his approach and run with it!
Continue readingDanny Willett: The Race to Dubai
The Race to Dubai is the European Tour’s answer to the PGA Tour’s FEDEXCUP. The Race pits European Tour players in a yearlong point format competition and that culminates in a four tournament playoff starting on 25 Oct at the Turkish Airlines Open in Antalya, Turkey. Followed by the WGC-HSBC Champions, BMW Masters, and finally the DP World Tour Championship, all players will be vying for the a large portion of the prize money and the prestigious Vardon Trophy.
Currently, Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Louis Oosthuizenm, Shane Lowry, and Justin Rose are the top contenders leading to the playoffs. With two events to play before The Race to Dubai playoffs, these five players are likely to remain the favourites down the homeward stretch.
Controversy about McIlroy’s eligibility was voiced due to his ankle injury which forced one of the world’s best professional golfers to sit out three scheduled European Tour events this summer. The injury prevented McIlroy from playing in the required 13 events to remain in The Race to Dubai. However, European Chief Exec, Keith Pelley, stated that MCilroy’s injury fits the “exceptional circumstances” clause for The Race and permitted the current point leader permission to qualify after playing 12 European Tour events.
Danny Willett is quoted as saying he is happy for McIlroy and understands the challenges ahead if he wants to be the top player on the European Tour. Further in the news, Willett turned down the offer from the PGA Tour to play fulltime in America in 2016. Willett stated he wanted to win more on the European Tour and to continue to hone his game before making any move. Willett really has nothing to prove, yet he seeks to be the best on the European Tour; I wise choice by such a young professional.
When McIlroy first announced his ankle injury, I wrote that Danny Willett was in the driver’s seat to win The Race Dubai. Willett was playing extremely well and by all accounts he was the player to beat. The recent decision by the European Tour to allow McIlroy to compete may have torpedoed Willett’s changes at the top spot, but I do not think so.
Danny Willett is the right position to win The Race to Dubai. This two-time European Tour winner plays well in big events. His sixth place finish at The Open Championship and his recent win Omega European Masters are perfect examples of his ability to raise to the occasion; however he is a streaky player and if wants to duplicate the play of Jason Day, he will have to be more consistent during The Race to Dubai playoffs.
I am looking forward to the start of The Race to Dubai and see if my prediction of Danny Willett taking it all comes through. He will be playing against seasoned veterans, but if has his sights on moving up the world rankings, the 2015 Race for Dubai is the perfect test.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
Golf Shots of the Week
As an amateur, we often hit that special shot which makes our round of golf special. Sometimes, we hit an amazing recovery shot that ends up being perfect by going in the hole.
Professional golfers are no different. They sometimes amaze themselves just like amateurs! Take a look and see what I mean:
European Tour
PGA Tour
What was your favorite shot?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Race to Dubai
Rory McIlroy – 2012 DP World Tour champion and Race to Dubai Number One (Getty Images)
The Race to Dubai is over. A la Vijay Singh in the 2008 FedEx Cup playoffs, Rory McIlroy has earned enough points to be championed winner before the race is officially over. Moreover, McIlroy must wait one more tournament, the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, before he can raise another championship trophy over his head.
The Race to Dubai winner receives The Harry Vardon Trophy (first awarded in 1937), and a seven year European Tour Card exemption. The winner of The Race to Dubai will secure Category 1 Membership of The European Tour similar to the winners of The Open Championship, the US Open, the US PGA Championship and the Masters Tournament. (European Tour)
Winning the Race to Dubai for the second time in three years, 26 year-old Rory McIlroy continues to demonstrate that he is the best player in the world. There are those professionals who test McIlroy’s great play, however none have demonstrated the ability to challenge him week in and week out! At this time, McIlroy overshadows all professional golfers.
Congrats to Rory McIlroy on another great win! I guess the real question is what is next for the young phenom! Will he have another year of winning two Majors? Is a Grand Slam is his future? Perhaps a career grand slam? Another player of the year?
It is very difficult to determine what is in store for young McIlroy. There is little question that the experts will be talking about a golfing dynasty, challenging Jack and Tiger as the all-time best, or shattering record after record! I would suggest that it is a bit early for that. Rory McIlroy is a great player, maybe one of the best, however longevity is every professional golfers nemesis. It is prudent to celebrate his current successes, but also prudent to talk about his future with cautious optimism.
Players such as Harry Vardon, Sam Snead, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were the young stars of their day. What turned them into superstars was longevity! They had (have) long distinguished careers that stood (stand) the test of time. So before we buy tickets to his coronation, lets see what 2015 and perhaps 2016 are in store the best player in the world.
Rory McIlroy is a great player. I do congratulate him on winning the 2014 Race to Dubai. I also look forward to watching him play for many years to come!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 