golf rumours and news

Thursday, 20 November 2008

Singh Up For The Big Test

After his impressive win in Singapore last sunday, Jeev Milkha Singh is very open about his intentions for the coming year.



He has joined that illustrious group of players who after an impressive win on tour come out and say, yes "its a major i want, that is my next goal."




Now im not saying he will definetly win a major, but he has the whole of india behind him, and if it were not for K.J Choi, he would have the whole of asia behind him! that responsibility to bring home the big trophies to a nation with nearly 1.2 billion people is a task most players would not like to take on, however, after Singapore, we have seen Singh can handle pretty much any pressure put on him.




So two questions remain, currently at rank 37 in the world, can Jeev Milkha Singh challenge K.J, currently inside the top 20 to be the best in asia, and secondly, can he fulfill his lifetime ambitions this coming season and win that all important first career major?

Wednesday, 19 November 2008

Harrington Hot Tip For Masters

Bernhard Langer, one of Germany's greatest ever golfers has come out today to say Padraig Harrington can add a US Masters to his newly found collection of major championship trophies.


Langer who has captained Europe to success in The Ryder Cup as well as winning it himself five times during his career believes Harrington is a great player under a massive amount of pressure and thinks this will set him far ahead of the field at this Aprils upcoming Masters at Augusta.


Do you remember a little thing called, The Tiger Slam, yes? Well so far the Irish superstar has one half of that and now seems to be hot tip for the remaining two in the first half of 2009.


Whereas this would not elevate him to Tiger standards, he would become only the second ever player to ever achieve all four majors at once, creating his own "Paddy Slam"


Can he do it? Will Tiger stop him? I cant wait to find out and am personally hoping he does, however there is a side of me that wants Tiger to win every time he steps on to the first tee.

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Northern Irish Teenager Set For Highest Heights

Rory Mcilroy at the tender age of 19 has set his sights firmly on an invitation to one of the most prestigous tournaments in golf, The Masters at Augusta.

Pre september all Mcilroy was thinking of was earning enough money to live on for the foreseeable future, however that all changed after the Switzerland Masters, where he just missed out to Jean-Francois Lucquin in a play-off for first.


After that impressive result he went on an angry rampage of tournaments, having five top tens in seven tournaments. Some said this couldnt last, At 80th in the world Mcilroy needed something special to help him towards that crucial 50th ranking position which would gain him that invitation he so dearly sought for.


That came just a couple of days ago at the Singapore Open, his joint fourth finish put him ahead of giants such as No. 3 in the world Phil Mickleson and fellow Northern Irish star Darren Clarke in the field. Not only that it also boosted him 17 places of the 30 he needs up to 63rd in the world.


With the win in Singapore, Mcilroy became the youngest player ever to win over €1 million in prizes. So....to the big question, can Rory Mcilroy gain the 13 more places he needs before thee end of the year to qualify for The Masters in april?


Well, with the next three tournaments being; The Hong Kong Open, The Alfred Dunhill Links and The south Africa Open Championship there are definetly plenty of ranking places up for grabs, lets all just hope he can carry on the good form we have seen since september, i for one will be routing for him. I will be keeping a progress check on him between now and the end of the season to see if he can make the final 13 places so keep checking back for updates.

Sunday, 16 November 2008

ESPN Bags British Open

In a deal worth $200 million ESPN have secured the rights to air The British Open for the next eight years starting in 2010.

Previously and for 2009 the first two rounds were aired on TNT, with the final two rounds being showed on both TNT and ABC, however Turner Sorts, who owns TNT have been regarded in the news to have said they cannot comitt to extending their rights due to "disciplined negotiating protocols"


However, to be able to watch live British Open action from 2010 onwards, you are going to have to meet a number of stipulations. The first of which is to be able to stay awake until 2 a.m PDT as action will be played 2 - 5 in the morning. The second is you will need to have cable activated as it will be a cable-only event.


Rumours are circling that ESPN are gearing up to a complete domination of all major sporting events, with a final goal of securing that rating blasting mammoth........yes..........The Super Bowl!!


As usual fans in my blessed home of the U.K will be able to catch all the action live on BBC one and two available most hours of the day for the duration of the tournament through BBC interactive.

Monday, 10 November 2008

Garcia is out for No 1!

After storming through the field on the final day of the HSBC Champions Tournament, Sergio Garcia holed a beautiful five foot putt on the 18th to force a playoff with fellow European Ryder Cup team mate Match Wilson.

When Garcia dropped a seven-foot birdie attempt into the middle of the cup, it left him with three things. One, the HSBC Champions tournament Trophy and $5 hundred thousand winners purse, Two, the No. 2 world ranking spot, and three, the burning desire for his first major and possibly top spot in the world.


In the 41 appearances in majors since beggining his career Garcia has finished in the top ten fourteen times, but never has he reached that illustrious top spot, however after winning the HSBC Champions Tournament he made his intentions for the 2009 very clear.


The recent run of superb form from Garcia should leave Tiger Woods fearing for his No.1 spot life as the longer he is succumbed by injury, the more time Garcia has to improve and focus on hitting Tiger where it hurts.
Lets all hope Tiger maintains a good recovery and is fit and well for the first test of 2009, The Masters at augusta, where Garcia will be one, if not, the hot favourite!

UK Majors Venue Announced



The venue for the 2009 Open Championship has been officially announced. It will be held at Turnberry, Aryshire & Arran.


This venue has held the open four times in its history with one incorporating a historic golfing battle between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus, fondly known as the 'Duel in the Sun' in 1977 where Watson and Nicklaus, tied over 54 holes and in the lead by a clear nine shots, matched each other shot for shot until the final hole where Watson hit a spectacular seven-iron to two feet and converted the putt to take the open championship from the already two-time champion Jack Nicklaus.


Early rumours pit a similar battle between the great Tiger Woods and the up and coming Anthony Kim, is this the next 'Duel in the Sun'? Or can Padraig Harrington achieve the near impossible and claim three successive Open Championship titles?


Tickets are available on the gate on respective days and prices of all hospitality and exclusive offers will be posted on here in due course so keep an eye out.......

US Majors Venues Announced


Venues of the major championships for the upcoming 2009 season have been decided upon and officially announced, they are;


The Masters - Augusta National Golf Club. Augusta, Georgia (Of Course!!)

US Open - Bethpage State Park, Black Course. Farmingdale, N.Y

US PGA - Hazeltine National Golf Club. Chaska, Minnesota


All of these events are said to be the most eagerly anticipated of the decade as Tiger Woods looks to continue his supreme reign, Anthony Kim is looking to end that and announce his presence among the elite by winning what is widely speculated to be his first of many, many majors.

All tickets can be purchased on the gate on respective days, these prices will be updated nearer the time right here so keep checking......