The Irish Golf Club Gazette: Bernd Wiesberger

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4/11/2016

Lawrie and McDaid Off to Sunny Spain

Peter Lawrie and Brendan McDaid - Getty Images

Peter Lawrie returns to Real Club Valderrama Open de España, Hosted by the Sergio García Foundation to play the 90th edition of one of the oldest national opens in Europe. Its origin linked to the appearance of those first Spanish professionals and a reflection on the development of golf in Spain during that time. Appropriately one of those prodigies, Sergio Garcia now Host of the event.

It was 2008 when Lawrie won Open de España – after a playoff with Ignacio Garrido - at Real Club Golf de Sevilla. A victory that formed an important part of the Dubliners success on the European Tour during the past decade. With Lawrie almost repeating the feat the following year at PGA Catalunya when he finished in a share of third place of the Open de España with Thomas Bjorn - both behind Fabrizio Zanotti and winner Thomas Levet

That win also consolidated a partnership with swing coach Brendan McDaid which saw the former UCD Sports Scholarship qualify for the 2012 US Open at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. Doing so through a crowded and competitive qualifier at Walton Health to earn the right. Although a frequent visitor to Andalucía Lawrie returns to Valderrama for the first time since the Andalucía Masters in 2011 where he finished in 15th place

For this year’s Open de España Lawrie will join forces with McDaid once again with the role of caddy added to the weekend’s chores for the experienced golf coach. Both men keen to rediscover some tournament form in the south of Spain, following a number of months working together off the course.

“Most of our work has been focussed on impact improvement” explained McDaid, “and getting Peter to compress the ball more at point of impact.”

“Being on the bag will allow me see the progress through the rounds and help keep building on the good work done through the winter,” concluded McDaid

In availing of his winner’s exemption the Open de España is very timely in what will be a challenging season for Lawrie given his reliance on invites and favours this season. All a result of having dropped out of the automatic places in the Race to Dubai two seasons ago. In 2015 Peter missed the cut 17 times, including the Open de España at El Prat in Barcelona. Although he finished 37th at the Challenge de Madrid some weeks later.

The previous year the former event winner missed the weekend play at NH Collection Open de España at La Reserva. However, in 2013 at El Saler in Valencia Lawrie finished 13th and on his return to the Real Golf Club de Sevilla he signed for a 16th place finish. A share of 15th place on his last outing at Valderrama might stir the memory bank for his trip this year.

Such history will prove a bonus for the Lawrie McDaid combination as they battle the 1997 Ryder Cup course, which has seen significant work done recently. Both on the bunkers and tees in order to bring them up to the same high standard as the fairways and greens.

Many of the cork trees lining the course have also been pruned, allowing more aggressive play from the rough, and a brand new high-tech pumping system has improved the playing conditions.

In terms of the Open de España the first event hosted in Andalucía was in 1966 at the neighbouring - and newly opened at the time RCG Sotogrande - where Argentina’s Roberto de Vicenzo stole the show. Four years later it was RCG Las Brisas in Marbella, another Robert Trent Jones layout, which saw a home winner, Angel Gallardo, the current Vice-Chairman of the European Tour.

That year Gallardo won by two shots over England’s Neil Coles and Christy O’Connor Sr. “I had always dreamt of winning my national Open; that was the most thrilling moment of my career” recalls Gallardo.

Nine years passed before the event returned in 1979 to southern Spain at Torrequebrada in Benalmádena, near Málaga, where South African Dale Hayes triumphed. In an event that for the first time had a title sponsor – Benson&Hedges.

In 1983 Eamonn Darcy prevailed over home favourites Manuel Piñero, José María Cañizares and Manuel Montes on a thrilling final day. Sir Nick Faldo’s 1987 carded a two-shot victory over Seve Ballesteros and South Africa’s Hugh Baiocchi.

Faldo later saying the win was a “major turning point”, which restored his confidence as two months later he claimed the first of his six Major titles at The Open Championship.

The event was held consecutively in 2005 and 2006 at The San Roque Club where Sweden’s Peter Hanson and Niclas Fasth, earned playoff victories over Peter Gustafsson and John Bickerton respectively. Then Seville hosted the 2008, 2010 and 2012 editions at Real Club de Golf de Sevilla. A José María Olazábal layout that proved so favourable for Peter Lawrie.

At Valderrama Lawrie goes in search of his own turning point following his failure to regain a playing card at Q School in PGA Catalunya last year. But with renewed confidence, and a friend on the bag there are reasons to be cheerful for this 90th Edition of the Open de Espana.

Lawrie will be joined at the San Roque course by fellow Irish players Paul McGinley and Paul Dunne.

The Real Club Valderrama Open de España, Hosted by the Sergio García Foundation runs from April 14-17th 2016

10/22/2015

Lawrie Losing Card Chase

Kevin Phelan had a fine start to the Hong Kong Open on Thursday morning - finishing among the group on four under, two off the lead, to keep his hopes of regaining a European Tour card next year alive.

Peter Lawrie and Kevin Phelan sit 122nd and 123rd respectively in the Race to Dubai and only a sixth-place finish or better is enough for either to secure full playing privileges for next season.

Lawrie had a very different first round with seven bogeys and a double bogey leaving him eight over and three shots off last place.

Six birdies on the third, seventh, 10th, 14th, 16th and 17th though left Phelan in a good place after day one.

Justin Rose lived up to his billing as pre-tournament favourite as Ryder Cup team-mate Ian Poulter ensured his last-minute dash to Hong Kong was not a wasted journey.

World number seven Rose, who is the top ranked player in the field, carded a flawless five-under-par 65 on Thursday to lie one shot off the lead shared by Italy’s Andrea Pavan and Taiwan’s Lu Wei-chih.

But Poulter was just two shots further back on three under as he looked to make the most of his dramatic late entry into the event, the 39-year-old only arriving in Hong Kong at 7pm on Wednesday.

Poulter dropped out of the world’s top 50 on Sunday and was therefore ineligible for his planned appearance in the upcoming WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai, meaning he would be unable to play the 13 events required for European Tour membership.

Only members can qualify for Europe’s Ryder Cup team and that meant Poulter was forced into a frantic journey from Orlando to Hong Kong — via New York — but only after former US PGA champion Rich Beem generously agreed to give the Englishman his tournament invite.

Poulter followed birdies on the second and fifth with bogeys on the eighth and ninth to reach the turn in level par, but came home in 33 thanks to birdies on the 10th, 15th and 17th.

Pavan came into the week 191st in the Race to Dubai and needing to finish second or better to climb into the top 110 and keep hold of his playing privileges.

That would represent a career-best for the 26-year-old, who has never recorded a top-three finish, but four birdies in his last six holes gave him an opening 64 and a share of the lead.

“This year has been a struggle to say the least,” Pavan said. “I’m just trying to dig deep and really look forward to every week. Obviously this is the last event of the year for me and then I’m looking to go to Q-School. So it’s all about just giving myself chances.

“I’m just really trying to get my game in better shape. It’s good on the range but I still feel like I’m lacking a bit of confidence. I know I have what it takes. It’s been tough last year and this year, but it’s all a learning curve and I really hope I can make the next step soon.”

Lu, who came close to retirement three years ago after undergoing brain surgery, won three times on the Asian Tour before a non-malignant tumour was discovered in 2012.

“For the first six months after the surgery, I pretty much gave up all my confidence and trust because I had no power and I didn’t think I could play golf anymore,” the 36-year-old said after a round containing eight birdies and two bogeys.

“I had to rest for another six months and then finally I started playing a little bit. If I played 18 holes, I could barely walk after 14 or 15 holes. But finally I started coming back mentally and physically. I just keep telling myself that I want to be a real golfer again and compete on the Tour.”

Lu’s countryman CT Pan and India’s Jeev Milka Singh were alongside Rose on five under, with Graeme McDowell, Oliver Fisher and Phelan among the group on four under.

6/23/2015

Darren Made in Denmark

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Darren Clarke has confirmed he will play in the 2015 Made in Denmark, the tournament which made such a successful debut on The European Tour International Schedule last summer.

Nearly 75,000 spectators flocked to Himmerland Golf and Spa Resort over the four days last year, creating an electric atmosphere which Clarke is keen to experience this time around.

“I’ve heard so much about the tournament from all my friends who were there,” said the 46 year old, who won The Open Championship in 2011. “The crowds are supposed to be absolutely sensational and I’m really looking forward to playing there this year.

“Thomas Bjørn is one of my best and oldest friends on Tour and he has spoken so highly of the Made in Denmark. We’ve played so much golf together so I trust him when he says it’s a fantastic tournament.

“With him playing there and another home favourite in Thorbjørn Olesen, I’m sure it will be another huge and successful event.”

Tournament promoter Flemming Astrup said: “We are very happy to have Darren Clarke in our field this year. He is a great golfer and always a pleasure to watch on a golf course. So our many fans really have something to look forward to.”

5/31/2015

Søren Kjeldsen Wins Irish Open

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Søren Kjeldsen ended a six year winless run on the European Tour and booked qualification to this year's Open with victory in the first hole of a three-man play-off at the Irish Open.

Kjeldsen took a two-shot lead into the final round and was one shot ahead with two to play despite being four over par for the day, as the players battled winds gusting up to 40mph in another round of tricky conditions at Royal County Down.

A three-putt bogey on the 17th left Kjeldsen needing to birdie the 18th to win his fourth European Tour title, but after chipping from one side of the green off the other, he did well to get up and down for a closing 76 to join a play-off alongside Bernd Wiesberger and Eddie Pepperell.

The players returned to the par-five 18th for the first hole of sudden death and Kjeldsen was the only one able to find the green in two, before two-putting for a winning birdie.

Kjeldsen had seen his overnight lead wiped out on the opening hole after he dropped a shot and playing partner Max Kieffer made birdie. Despite bogeying the next, a run of five pars was enough retain Kjeldsen’s advantage as the strong wind sent scores soaring, but slipped back again with a double-bogey at the eighth.

The Dane two-putted the par-five 12th for his first birdie of the day, but missed the chance to move two clear when he three-putted the 14th for bogey.

Wiesberger recovered from a dropped shot at the 15th to stay within one of the lead by holing a long putt from over the 16th green, as Pepperell closed his blemish-free round to set the clubhouse target at two-under.

The Englishman, beginning the day seven shots adrift, crucially saved par on the 17th after finding a fairway bunker off the tee, but twice tangled with heavy rough on the 18th and had to settle for a par five.

“I played really well, so I have to credit my putting for no bogeys,” Pepperell told Sky Sports 4. “I think all four days have been tough, so whilst today was very difficult it didn’t feel all that different to what we’d played in the first three days.

“I said to myself anything in the 60s is a really good score, and once I got to two under I kept trying to tell myself the same thing.”

While Carbera-Bello’s hopes ended with dropped shots at the 15th and last, Wiesberger saw an eight-foot birdie chance at the 18th to move to three under slip millimetres wide of the cup.

That left Kjeldsen just needing to par the last two holes to take the title, but he three-putted the 17th and needed to nudge in a four-footer at the last.

Danny Willett had set the early clubhouse target with a three-under 68 to end level par for the week alongside Andy Sullivan, finishing in style with a chip-in eagle from the right-side of the green.

The group a further shot behind included Saturday’s course record breaker Max Kieffer, who closed the week with a six-over 78, with Matt Fitzpatrick posting his first top-ten finish since January.

Rickie Fowler’s Irish adventure ended in a tie for 30th, with Graeme McDowell posting back-to-back birdies late in his round to also finish seven over.

4/08/2015

GMAC Ready for Masters Strain

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Graeme McDowell admits he has sometimes needed to spend time in a padded room after failing to get to grips with the challenges posed by Augusta National.

But the former US Open champion is optimistic he can improve on his Masters record this week after overcoming an ankle injury which forced him to withdraw from the Valero Texas Open last month.

"It was the third time in my career I’ve had to withdraw from a tournament and it’s not something I enjoy doing,” McDowell said after a practice round at Augusta. “I was not really sure the extent of how much I had hurt myself and nearly withdrew from the pro-am on Wednesday, and probably should have in hindsight.

“It was a peroneal tendon strain and, with a big season ahead, I didn’t want to force anything. This is the first 18 holes I have walked since, and I feel good, so we are actually in better shape than we expected.”

McDowell has made the cut just twice in seven attempts in the Masters - although he finished 17th in 2009 and 12th in 2012 – and concedes the long course does not suit his game.

But the 35-year-old Northern Irishman added: “Despite the fact that my record round here is not great, I do love this golf course. I could easily play it every day and be very content.

“It’s such a great golf course, you learn something about it every year. I was out there just picking up little nuances that I haven’t perhaps noticed before and putting those in the memory bank and trying to apply your knowledge and experience and hope that some year I can come here and really compete. This could be the year.

“I am excited. I am really focusing hard on my chipping and putting this year. I haven’t putted well enough here and it seems like such an obvious key round here.

“Sometimes I have required a padded cell when I’ve walked off the 18th green because I have got frustrated, but I have learned to understand why the course frustrates you, because it makes you play with the handbrake on. You have to take it off sometimes and play aggressively to conservative targets.

“That’s a sort of sports psychology thing, but it means you take shots on that you fancy and if you don’t like it you have to play safe. Sometimes it can be dangerous to be playing extremely well coming in here because it gets you to take too much on. Sometimes when you are a tiny bit off and have to play a tiny bit safer and smarter, that can be a good recipe around here so it’s getting that right balance.”

3/02/2015

Phelan on Fast Track in Joburg

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Kevin Phelan went within two strokes of his first victory as a professional and, one third of a world ranking point away from winning a coveted ticket to July's Open Championship at St Andrews.

At least the rising Waterford star clinched his place in this week's Africa Open in East London with the sparkling final-round 66 on Royal Johannesburg's East Course, ensuring his best finish in 18 months as a pro in a five-way tie for second on 15-under at the Joburg Open, two behind Andy Sullivan.

The top three not already exempt for The Open qualified for St Andrews but in the event of a tie, the positions go to the highest world-ranked players. In this instance, English duo David Howell (WR 158) and Anthony Wall (WR 312), the latter was .2729 of a point ahead of Phelan (WR 511) in last Monday's rankings.

Still, the €80,600 cheque Phelan banked yesterday, when added to the €11,250 he won in December's Alfred Dunhill Championship, eased the 24-year-old inside the top-50 in the Race to Dubai.

He's played just three events since losing his European Tour card last year, a share of third at October's Hong Kong Open being his best result since turning pro after the 2013 Walker Cup. Phelan finished 129th on the 2014 Order of Merit then missed out on his card in 65th at Q-School.

So the opportunity to play again this week is a massive boost for the rock-solid Irishman, giving him a chance to build on momentum gained.

"I was just plodding along the first three days and played some nice golf and didn't hole many putts," Phelan said. "But I got the putts to drop on the front nine today and am delighted with how I played."

A closing 66 landed Englisman Sullivan (28) his second win this year in Johannesburg after his maiden success in January's South African Open. South Africans Wallie Coetsee and Jaco Van Zyl also tied second.

2/14/2015

Lawrie Rediscovers Fizz

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Peter Lawrie can trace his poor performances directly to taking up a fitness regimen that included cutting Coca-Cola out of his diet in mid-2013. The effect on his golf game proving dramatic and costing his automatic laying rights on the European Tour.

Which he had held almost without fail since turning professional in 1997.

“I was addicted to it and I tried to stop it,” Lawrie told Newstalk "I was drinking litres of the stuff. Even in the hottest countries, like Malaysia, I would have Coke on the golf course, because I was addicted to it.”

“I went from such a high on sugar to a dramatic low,” he continued. “And I never recovered from it. I really didn’t. That was the one thing. I know this might shock people, but I lost all confidence in myself. I wouldn’t say I went for a breakdown, but I got exceptionally emotional at the end of that year and some of last year, as well. It was just very difficult to deal with all of the situations that were coming at me. Whether that had anything to do with my mental state in any shape or form, I have no idea.”

Lawrie explained that he is now on Coke again.

A factor that has coincided with newly found form in Kuala Lumpur last week when he fired a second round 66 at the Maybank Malysian Open - and a top twenty finish. A result which sees him currently sit 73rd in the Race to Dubai.

Dizzy heights for the Dubliner accustomed the past two seasons to being outside the top 100 - and chasing salvation at the season ending Perth International Open two years running.

Unfortunately failing last year and having to survive this year on sponsor invites.

“When you go through what I went through for the last 20-odd months, you have to look at every situation that you’ve been in and you think, ‘How did I get here?’ I’d spent the last five years as a consistent top-60 in the European Tour Order of Merit. I was exceptionally consistent. Then all of a sudden, I couldn’t even come close to making a cut.

“It just didn’t work. I don’t know whether it triggered something in my brain or whatever, but I wasn’t the same Peter Lawrie when I did it.”

“It’s been a long time coming, I have to admit. I’ve been in the doldrums for the last 20-odd months since the Irish Open 2013 so it’s been a long wait. Hopefully, I can keep it up there,”

“It’s tough this year, being on sponsors' invites the whole time. You’re writing begging letters, being a sole trader that I am, not with a big management group so it’s difficult but I’ll keep trying. When I get the opportunities it’s great to play well.”

2/04/2015

Round Two in McIlroy Dublin Battle

Rory McIlroy and his lawyers were locked in talks for hours after Dublin High Court agreed to defer the opening of his multi-million pound legal battle with a former agent.

Mr Justice Cregan postponed the case for three hours, for another two and then until Wednesday morning after hearing the two sides were "making progress" in discussions.

The 25-year-old golfer is suing his former management company for £4.5m, alleging he was coerced into signing an "unconscionable" contract at a Christmas party.

Horizon Sports Media, is counter-suing him for £13m, alleging breach of contract and unpaid fees for helping to negotiate some lucrative sponsorship deals.

The bitter dispute has rumbled on for 18 months and a previous attempt at arbitration proved unsuccessful - when legal costs are included, the lawsuit could total £40m.

The case is scheduled to last eight weeks and the World No 1 faces the prospect of having his finances laid bare during cross examination in a public courtroom.

But the lengthy delay in proceedings has fuelled speculation that the two parties are close to reaching an out-of-court settlement, protecting both their reputations and their privacy.

The four times major winner, from Holywood in County Down, flew into Dublin on Sunday evening, fresh from his three shot victory in the Dubai Desert Classic at the weekend.

There was standing room only in courtroom number one - 35 journalists had descended to hear the world-famous sportsman giving evidence in the witness box.

The golfing commentators among them were more keen to know if he could wrap the case up in time to let him concentrate on winning that fifth elusive major - the US Masters.

2/01/2015

McIlroy Starts 2015 Winning Streak

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Rory McIlroy produced an immaculate display of front running to win the Omega Dubai Desert Classic for a second time at Emirates Golf Club.

The World Number One, who had been in front since his sublime 64 on Friday, closed with a two under par 70 to win by three shots on a tournament record equalling 22 under par: only Thomas Bjørn and Stephen Gallacher had previously won with such a low total.

Sweden’s Alex Noren, who missed almost all of 204 with tendonitis in both wrists, carded a final round 65 to announce his return to action with a runner-up finish – his best on The European Tour since 2011.

McIlroy made this his maiden professional title back in 2009, and was delighted to end a string of runner-up finishes by going one better.

“It’s nice to be able to put my name on that trophy again,” said McIlroy, who has now won four and been runner-up in three of his last seven European Tour starts.

“It felt like I was coming second every time I was teeing it up so it was time for a change and obviously the only way I wanted to go was one better and thankfully I was able to do that today.

“I played very nicely all week; I did what I needed to do today. I didn’t play quite as well as the first three days but I played a solid round of golf and kept my nose in front.”

Martin Kaymer and Charl Schwartzel had both seen substantial final round leads overhauled in recent weeks on The European Tour, and McIlroy admitted he had been concerned about suffering a similar fate.

“I felt like I was a little tentative the first few holes out there,” he added. “I guess we’ve seen what can happen to big leads out there the last few weeks and I was conscious of that and making sure that I wasn’t making any mistakes.”

Having started the day four shots clear, McIlroy immediately extended that advantage when nearest challenger Morten Ørum Madsen found the same bunker twice on the opening hole and ran up a triple bogey seven.

Instead it was former World Number One Lee Westwood who applied some pressure to McIlroy, birdieing three of the first five holes to get within four shots of the leader.

McIlroy had only birdied the long third from 12 feet over that stretch, and although Westwood bogeyed the sixth, McIlroy dropped a shot of his own at the short next after missing the green with his tee shot.

However, Westwood double bogeyed the ninth for the second day running after finding the water and from then on nobody seriously looked like threatening McIlroy.

The 25 year old got up-and-down from a greenside bunker on the tenth for birdie, made a 20 footer for par at the 12th and then completed his scoring with a stunning second into the long 13th and two-putt gain.

The four-time Major Champion then proceeded to play it safe over the closing stretch, finding fairways and greens at will as he parred his way in.

Noren won three European Tour titles between 2009 and 2011, but managed only two events last season and was delighted to get the competitive juices flowing again.

“It was an amazing day, an amazing week,” said the 32 year old after carding eight birdies against a single bogey. “I missed it so much - feeling my pulse and some nervousness, it's really nice.

“I never even thought of winning; he's playing so good. I was just trying to get a nice finish in, keep making birdies and try to stay up with the other guys.

“I was pretty unsure even two months ago if I was going to play again this early - it's tough when you don't know if the hand is holding up, and that's been a little bit of a problem, but it turned out better than I thought.”

Defending champion Stephen Gallacher carded a closing 69 to finish third on 16 under, with Madsen, US Open Champion Kaymer, Abu Dhabi winner Gary Stal, South African Open Champion Andy Sullivan and Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger tied for fourth a shot further back. Westwood eventually finished with a level par 72 to end the week in a tie for ninth.

Graeme McDowell finished with a final round 70 to secure a share of 9th and trailing McIlroy by nine strokes.

Michael Hoey was joint 53rd.

Peter Lawrie was two places further adrift and earned a valuable cheque for nearly seven thousand euro.

Damien McGrane suffered two over par rounds on Saturday and Sunday [74 -76] and dropped to 73rd place.

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