South Africa Next for McGinley

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Paul McGinley travels to South Africa to compete in the 103rd South African Open Championship at Glendower Golf Club from November 21-24, hoping to find some of the same magic that sparked defending champion Henrik Stenson’s spectacular return to form.

South African golf fans will get the chance to see the popular Irishman in action when he lines up alongside the Swedish world number four in the first counting event on The 2014 European Tour International Schedule.

McGinley has enjoyed an illustrious career on The European Tour, including four victories and three victorious Ryder Cup performances. He will always be remembered for holing the winning putt at The Belfry in 2002, and he is now determined to add his name to the star-studded list of former champions of the world second oldest national Open, a championship co-sanctioned between the Sunshine Tour and The European Tour.

“There is certainly an impressive list of names already on the trophy and I would love nothing more than to add mine on there as well,” said McGinley.

McGinley first came out to South Africa in 1997 and returned for the South African Open in 1999, 2001 and 2004. The 46 year old Dubliner says he is relishing the opportunity to return to South Africa.

“I love playing in South Africa because the crowds are always supportive and cheerful – they just want to come out and watch great golf and support everyone. The weather is always great, too.

“It’s going to be huge year for me in 2014, but first I just want to see 2013 out among friends and fans and who knows, maybe a little South African magic will rub off on me too.”

McGinley is joined by Stenson, former SA Open champions James Kingston and Hennie Otto, Sunshine Tour winners Darren Fichardt, Jaco van Zyl and Dawie van der Walt, as well as world class players such as Ross Fisher, Edoardo Molinari and Scott Jamieson at the 103rd South African Open Championship.

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A Tale of Two MAC's

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Rory McIlroy birdied holes 6-8 at Sheshan International to become the first player this week to reach 10 under and looked like he was ready to cruise to a comfortable 54-hole advantage.

Then the bogeys hit. First on No. 11. Then No. 15. Then on the par-5 18th when an aggressive second shot from a sidehill lie splashed in the water short of the green and led to a third bogey.

McIlroy finished the round at even par and in the same 7-under position in which he opened the round.

"Disappointing, frustrating," he said. "Obviously played nicely the front nine and then started to hit a lot of sloppy shots on the back. Missed the last six greens in a row. Missed seven greens on the back nine, so a bit of work needed on the range this afternoon."

While he was dropping shots on the back nine, McIlroy wasn't falling far down the leaderboard. He left the course in a second-place tie with Bubba Watson and Boo Weekley, behind only leader Dustin Johnson.

"It would have been nice to play a bit better and start tomorrow with a few more shots in hand but I guess I'm in a decent position going into the weekend, and still have a great chance at winning this tournament," McIlroy said.

A victory in this tournament would be McIlroy's first on TOUR since 2012 when he won the PGA Championship, Deutsche Bank Championship and BMW Championship in the span of five weeks.

Graeme McDowell trails Henrik Stenson by €443,725 on the money list, with Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño leaping from 35th to fourth with last week’s BMW Masters triumph.

“There are big repercussions for me to play well this week, especially with what Gonzo did last week,” said McDowell. “I played him last week and he’s the kind of guy who gets his eye in using the putter, he can be a pretty dangerous player, as he is a quality iron player. 

“So while Henrik still leads the Race to Dubai there are players like Gonzo behind me and I need to do my best that they don’t go past me. 

“Also I am not playing Turkey next week so I have to make the most of this week before Dubai and the final event.”

A three under par round of 69 keeps McDowell in a share of fifth place alongside Fernández-Castaño, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Ernie Els.

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Turner Looking to Hero

Photo: AsianTour

Niall Turner is the sole Irish entry at Hero Indian Open on the Asian Tour in two weeks where he will join PGA Tour winner Michael Thompson and Robert Rock for the Golden Jubilee of this event. 

The Muskerry golfer returns to action after finishing 32nd at the OneAsia Venetian Macau won by Australian Scott Hend, with Ernie Els third.  

It has been a mixed season for Turner who was unsuccessful at the European Tour Qualifying School Stage 1 in France earlier this month, where he finished 30th and outside qualification spots for Stage 2. At the Northern Ireland Challenge presented by Clannah and XJet at Galgorm Castle Niall missed the cut after opening rounds of 75 and 78.  However in Macau rounds of 73-68-72-71 showed that form is returning.

Niall made his Asian Tour debut in 2011 and claimed three top-20's in his first nine months on Tour.  In 2012 he contended for the Handa Faldo Cambodian Classic before finishing third and also finished top-20 in three other events during the season.

Next on his roster is the US$1.25 million Indian tournament will return to its birth place in 1964 at the venerable Delhi Golf Club from November 7 to 10, 2013.

Befitting the 50th edition of the Hero Indian Open, the local stars including Arjun Atwal, the first Indian to win on the US PGA Tour and Jyoti Randhawa, one of two players to win the Indian Open three times will vie for honours at India’s most prestigious golfing events.

Four other Indian winners, C Muniyappa (2009), Vijay Kumar (2002), Feroz Ali (1998) and Ali Sher (1991 and 1993) will add to the charm of the historic staging.

Mr. Pawan Munjal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Hero MotoCorp Ltd., said, “Hero has been associated with golf since the time the game was at a nascent stage in the country. It is, therefore, a matter of immense delight to see this event celebrating its Golden Jubilee this year.

Hero has been a partner in this glorious journey of golf and like always, we remain committed to the promotion of the game in India. I am looking forward to some memorable golf at this landmark edition of Hero Indian Open.”

Only seven Indians have won the National Open, of which the first PG Billoo Sethi (winner in 1965) passed away in 1982. The remaining six will be seen in action at the DGC this year.

While the past champions savour and relive their finest moments, the youth brigade led by four-time Asian Tour winner, Gaganjeet Bhullar, three-time Asian Tour winner, Anirban Lahiri and other winners like S.S.P. Chowrasia, Shiv Kapur, Himmat Rai and Digvijay Singh will also fancy their chances at the legendary and challenging layout at the Delhi Golf Club.

“The Asian Tour is proud to be associated with the 50th edition of the Hero Indian Open. The Asian Tour is also celebrating its 10th season in 2013 and on behalf of our talented players, I would like to congratulate the Hero Indian Open on its milestone,” said Asian Tour CEO Mike Kerr.

“The Hero Indian Open has been one of the longest running tournaments on our Schedule and the event has attracted many top golfers in India as well as from across the world. I’m confident the 2013 Hero Indian Open will be celebrated by the presence of the Asian Tour’s stellar stars including defending champion Thaworn.”

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Irish Dozen in School Chase

Photo: Gordon McCadden 

In Early November European Tour Qualifying School Stage will start on four courses in the south of Spain with twelve Irish candidates battling through the halfway stage to earn a chance to play in the final stage a few days later. Where the first twenty five places offer a one season playing category for the 2014 Season.

Gareth Shaw returns once more in pursuit of that elusive playing card after winning the AlpsTour order of merit last year to regain his Challenge Tour for 2013. The Team Ireland golfer will be the only Irish entry at Valle Romano Golf & Resort near Estepona on November 2nd. 

Colm Moriarty is another veteran of Q School and this season will complete his twelfth visit when he tees off at El Saler in Valencia. The Glasson professional is part of a group that includes Walker Cup player Kevin Phelan, Alan Dunbar and Ballybunion's John Daniel Guiney

Las Colinas in Alicante will welcome one time League of  Ireland professional Stephen Grant, Brendan McCarroll and David Rawluk, all now experienced with the qualifying routine. The winner of Stage 1 at Wychwood Park last month Ruairdhri McGee also joins them.

Niall Kearney returns looking to improve on his 67th place in Catalunya two seasons ago at Stage 3 and to better his disappointment at the Asian Tour Q School in January. 

Damian Mooney, a close contender for the Irish PGA Championship this year, hoping to improve on his 123rd finish in 2010. All on the basis that Stage 2 does not become the impassible hurdle it proved for so many Irish players last year.

Dermot McElroy is drawn at Lumine Golf Club in Tarragona with the Ballymena talemt yet to fulfil his promise. 

The European Tour Qualifying School Schedule will once again reach its exciting conclusion at PGA Catalunya Resort, where the Final Stage will be played for the sixth consecutive season from November 10th -15th.

Last season, John Parry won by four strokes with a 19 under par total en route to regaining his European Tour card, having lost his playing privileges a little over a year after picking up a maiden title at the 2010 Vivendi Cup.

The Englishman was one of 28 golfers who qualified from the six round event, which every year tests the field’s skills, as well as their stamina, under the most intense pressure following a long, hard season.

Based ten miles south of Girona in the north east of Spain, the 36-hole resort boasts two championship layouts alongside state of the art practice facilities, and is part of the European Tour Properties Network.

Over the first four rounds, both the Stadium and Tour courses will play host to a field comprising of golfers at either end of the spectrum, with young up and comers and experienced pros alike teeing it up having made it through the previous two qualifying stages, or having narrowly missed out on a European Tour card through the Race to Dubai or Challenge Tour Rankings.

The course was co-designed by European Tour Champions and members of the Board of Directors, Neil Coles MBE - who announced earlier this year that he was stepping down as Chairman after 38 years in the position - and Vice Chairman Angel Gallardo, Vice Chairman.

As a further measure of the resort’s quality, the Stadium layout has also been included in Golf World magazine’s ‘Top 100 Courses in the World’, as well as Golf Monthly magazine’s ‘Top 50 Courses in Continental Europe’ in recent years.

Mike Stewart, Qualifying School Director, is particularly excited to be returning to PGA Catalunya Resort once again in 2013.

“PGA Catalunya is an excellent facility that year-on-year has welcomed the Qualifying School back with open arms, and this season promises to be yet another thrilling conclusion to the process as some of the newest and the most experienced players battle it out for their European Tour cards.

“Knowing that the players will be greeted by some of the best practice facilities around, as well as two stunning championship layouts, will no doubt help them get through what is bound to be a long and stressful week.”

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Record DJ Leaves MAC's Back

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Rory McIlroy carded a level par second round at the WGC HSBC Champions on Friday to remain in a three way share of second place, but dropping five strokes off the lead in Shanghai.

The World Number six reached ten under par with a hat-trick of birdies McIlroy did not create a single birdie opportunity on the back nine and paid a heavy price on the last.

Having seen his tee shot finish leak right and finish a yard from the water, the undeterred 24 year old went for the green in two at the par five but only succeeded in finding the lake. After taking a drop, McIlroy fired a spectacular fourth to ten feet, but missed the putt for a third bogey of the day and level par 72.

Dustin Johnson up ahead equalled the Sheshan International course record with a nine under par 63 to take control of the WGC-HSBC Champions.

The Ryder Cup star birdied sixth of his first seven holes in a blistering start and, having dropped his only shot of the day at the tenth, picked up four shots in his last six holes.

That took the big-hitting Johnson to 12 under par, and five shots clear of compatriot Bubba Watson and Boo Weekley and Northern Ireland’s first round leader Rory McIlroy.

Graeme McDowell finished three under par and dropped only two shots along the way to trail McIlroy by one.

 

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