The Irish Golf Club Gazette: Bernhard Langer

Showing posts with label Bernhard Langer. Show all posts

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.

9/03/2014

Samuel's Spirit Lives in Captain McGinley

I trust that the effect of this match will be to influence a cordial, friendly and peaceful feeling throughout the whole civilized world... I look upon the Royal and Ancient game as being a powerful force that influences the best things in humanity.

Samuel Ryder

The third Sunday of September in 2002 Paul McGinley holed a tricky putt on the eighteenth green of The Brabazon course to seal a European Ryder Cup victory at The Belfry. Repeating a scene over a decade previously when Christy O’Connor Jnr struck the green with a sweet fairway iron to help defeat an all-powerful USA team in 1989. The reward for McGinley was a forced visit into the lake courtesy of his overjoyed team mates. As well as the start of a long-term relationship with Ryder Cup trophy which continues into 2014.

His sporting ethics typifying all his appearances, particularly in his third Ryder Cup at The K Club in 2006, when on the final green he conceded a putt to JJ Henry after the overjoyed crowd made it difficult for the American to enjoy much needed silence. And the added distraction of a male streaker. A point that would have set a record for Europe at the time. But as McGinley said afterwards, it was a gesture done in the right spirit.

One that Henry appreciated also. "I think it shows really what the spirit of this competition is all about," Henry said. "What a gentleman, obviously." Clearly that spirit remains part of his ethos and has formed the backdrop to his captaincy. No doubt it will become more obvious during the four days at Gleneagles in a few weeks.

All very apparent too when he announced his wild cards at Wentworth this week.

Always a difficult task and one that can set the tone for the Ryder Cup captaincy whether playing at home or away. As Nick Faldo can vouch when his team travelled to Valhalla in 2008 as they had lost some momentum following his wild card choices. Or a failure to meet the media’s expectation’s. As indeed Mark James learned at Brookline Country Club in Boston in 1999 when he left out Bernhard Langer and Faldo in favour of Andrew Coltart. History recalls the rest and those two events go down as avoidable loses in some peoples view.

No doubt McGinley has learned about the good, the bad and the ugly of these biannual events. Having also never suffered defeat as a player as he was on the winning sides in 2002, 2004 in Oakland Hills and in his homeland at The K Club two years later. Also undefeated as a vice captain in 2010 at Celtic Manor under Colin Montgomerie and at Medinah two years ago with Jose Maria Olazabal. Now faced with his own captaincy the competitive Dubliner will not contemplate anything less than retaining the trophy when his team take on the USA north of Hadrian’s Wall.

In his favour is a team packed with talent, experience and ability to meet the USA players on any given day. His three wildcards will slot in perfectly alongside the automatic qualifiers with only Stephen Gallacher the Ryder Cup rookie. With no whiff of sulphur about his choices and no sign of anything bit positive vibes.

In fact the manner of his explanations to the media of his chalices highlight a well thought out team, where former 2002 captain, Sam Torrance and 2006 Vice-Captain, Des Smyth, would have proved valuable. It would haven been no surprise either to see Bernhard Langer as part of his backroom team either. Or Ian Woosnam or Montgomerie. But in the end he has given three time major winner Padraig Harrington, a lifelong friend alongside whom he has fought many a four ball and foursomes, that role.

Such is the atmosphere to this group that once again the backroom expands now that precedent has been set in 2100 when Monty included Sergio Garcia – who had seen his playing form fail badly that year. With a large photo of Seve Ballesteros undoubtedly set to adorn the wall of the European team room. that indefatigable Seve spirit sees the inclusion of Miguel Angel Jimenez and Jose Maria Olazabal. Who two years ago carved out that Miracle at Medinah with Jimenez first Vice Captain with Seve in 1997 at Valderrama. Another epic four day battle – with the added wind and torrential rain - which saw Europe squeeze out a result as darkness fell on the third Sunday in September.

Into that cauldron steps Stephen Gallacher. A rookie only in name having been molded after years of knowledge about Samuel Ryder by his uncle Bernard. Multiple times a player and European Ryder Cup captain.

The added comfort of playing so close to home, during a time of the Scottish Independence referendum will add to the Braveheart spirit regardless of the poll’s outcome. And a good choice by the three wise men to include him. Even simply based on current form if nothing else. An issue which affected US teams for a long time as they were selected over a two seasons and often causing problems for players out form once the Ryder Cup came about. A protocol which they have now altered.

With Gallacher playing so well this season, and just missing out on his own merits it was another good decision by Captain McGinley. The loss of Luke Donald was tough – even if inevitable.

The pain etched on McGinley’s brow as he explained his decision was very visible. A part of the captaincy that is dreaded moment no doubt, especially when it comes down to those tight final margins. Followed by tough phone calls.

Ironically this time all three in question had mediocre seasons by their own standards in the US, and so their Ryder Cup records where the biggest influence might have been a factor. In the end Ian James Poulter and Lee Westwood searched for some form over the past weeks and did enough to suggest that a tough week in Scotland was not beyond them. It was also the Magic at Medinah that swung it for Poulter, making it the third time he has travelled on a captain's ticket.

For Westwood that opening round of 65 to lead the first day of the PGA Championship at Valhalla that reignited his chances. Even though in 2008 he only collected one point out of a possible four and was part of Faldo's Kentucky defeat. However under pressure in recent weeks Lee responded and showed that metal that his captain so dearly loves. As a result he earns a ninth Ryder cup appearance.

7/26/2014

Rafferty and Walton Make Cut

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Ronan Rafferty and Philip Walton made the halfway cut in the Seniors Open Championship at Royal Porthcawl ion Friday, trailing runaway leader, Bernhard Langer.

Langer added a 66 stroke card to his opening 65 for an 11 under par total of 131 to move seven clear of Chris Williams and Colin Montgomerie, who produced a stunning 66 for 138, carding eight birdies.

“I played very smart, very aggressive, then very smart and I was fortunate to some extent, but I have played very well the last two days,” Langer said afterwards.

“It wasn’t the kind of start I wanted today, but from that point on, I settled down and I played some really good golf.

Opportunities

“I missed a couple of opportunities earlier on, but then I started to play a little better as well and brought it home to the clubhouse with six-under-par from that point on, which I’m very pleased with overall.”

Rafferty, in his first year as a senior and only a part-time competitor golfer these days, posted a second round two over par 73 for a 36-hole total of 148-six over par, just one stroke inside the cut.

“I have not been playing much lately so my main aim was to make the cut, ” said Rafferty, who played at Porthcawl in the 1980 amateur championship and home internationals before turning professional and competing in the Coral Classic on the South Wales links.

Philip Walton, who threatened to challenge for the lead for a time on Thursday but finished with a one-over-par 72, just survived the cut following a 77 for 149.

Having started with a triple bogey seven and the 1995 Ryder cup winner never recovered although a birdie four at the last saved him from elimination.

“It was tough out there today but no excuses, I played badly,” said Walton.

Des Smyth was disappointed with 79 to go out of the tournament on 151 after starting with four straight bogeys.

Mark McNulty also missed out along with Denis O’Sullivan.

7/24/2014

Rafferty Relishes Porthcawl

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Ronan Rafferty has relished the opportunity of turning out in his first British Senior Open Championship at Royal Porthcawl on the South Wales coast today ever since his 50th birthday back in January.

And Rafferty, from Warrenpoint, Co Down, who retired from the European Tour in 2003 is particularly delighted to be at Porthcawl as he has played the course overlooking the Bristol Channel more times than most of those in the field.

He competed here in the 1980 Amateur Championship, played in Coral Classics in the early 80s and represented Ireland in Home Internationals at Porthcawl.

“It is a stunning course to look at and equally great to play. I am raring to go although year one in the Seniors is a case of learning the ropes again,” said Rafferty, who topped the European Tour Order of Merit in 1989.

“I love links golf – I won the Irish amateur at Royal County Down and am now an honorary member of that great club.”

He was something of a teenage prodigy – winning the British Boys title at 15 and playing in the Walker Cup at 17.

Rafferty goes out last in the first round with American Olin Browne and former Ryder Cup captain Mark James.

Des Smyth, one of this year’s Ryder Cup vice-captains, is in the field and goes out today with American Gary Hallberg and Carl Mason. Smyth won the Madeira Island Open in 2001 at the age of 48 and could still pose a real threat.

Philip Walton and Dennis O’Sullivan are two other Irishmen in the line-up.

It is thought to be the strongest field ever assembled for this tournament. Mark Wiebedefends the title he won at Royal Birkdale. Bernhard Langer, who lost to him in a play-off, is in fine form and must be ranked as one of the favourites.

The legendary Tom Watson, Miguel Angel Jiminez, Colin Montgomerie and Wales’s ownIan Woosnam are all included in a star-studded line-up.

8/04/2013

Walton Shows Form in Koln

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Philip Walton fired a final round of 69 at Berenberg Masters on Sunday to secure a four way share of 14th place, along with Des Smyth, with the Dubliner continuing a trend which saw him open with a round of 70 at Muirfield last week at the Senior British Open.

But it was Steen Tinning who lasted the distance to secure his debut European Senior Tour title in only his sixth appearance.

The Dane signed for a flawless round of 69 for a nine under par aggregate total which was just enough to hold off a late surge from home hero Bernhard Langer, who delighted the locals at Golf- und Land-Club, in Cologne, with a blemish-free round of 68.

Having seen Langer fail to get up and down for birdie from the greenside bunker on the par five 18th hole, Tinning knew a closing par would be enough to secure victory and with it a cheque for €60,000, and he duly obliged to consign the German to the runner-up spot for the second weekend in a row.

Tinning’s ‘reward’ for his victory is a place in next weekend’s Ironman European Championship in south-west Germany, where he will swim 1.9kms, cycle 90kms and run 21.1kms.

“I’m only half-mad,” he joked, “because it’s only a half Ironman!

“But on a more serious note, I’m just so happy right now. Happy, and also a little bit relieved. My hands were shaking on that putt on the last, so I was very pleased to see it drop. I hit a lot of good putts today but none of them seemed to go in, so I just couldn’t pull away from the field early on.

“But I didn’t get frustrated, I stuck to the task and I executed it well. I managed to stay calm, because I knew I was playing well enough to win. I knew what I needed on the last hole because one of the volunteers told me Bernhard had made a par, so I used a five-wood from the tee, a six-iron for my second shot and then a chip and two putts. It sounds easy, but it definitely wasn’t!

“I’m surprised how quickly I’ve won on the Senior Tour. Most parts of my game have been pretty good, but I just haven’t been able to pull it all together. Luckily for me, this was my week. It feels even more special to beat Bernhard into second place, because he’s such a great competitor.”

For his part, Langer was typically magnanimous in defeat, labelling Tinning a worthy winner before bemoaning his own luck on the greens.

He said: “I played so much better than yesterday, but the difference today was that I just couldn’t get the putts to drop – I lost count of the lip-outs and near misses. I couldn’t have done any more, and I’m just sorry for the people that I came up a little bit short. But there’s no shame in finishing second, and hopefully I can come back next year and go one better.”

Langer’s cheque for €40,000 saw the two-time Masters Tournament winner move to €225,867 and extend his lead in the Senior Tour Order of Merit to €116,315, whilst Tinning climbed nine places to fourth with season’s earnings of €97,791.

England’s Nick Job also climbed into the top 20 of the Order of Merit after he finished in third place on seven under par courtesy of a closing round of 71, which was matched by Spaniard Miguel Angel Martin, who finished one stroke back in fourth place.

Ian Woosnam’s bid to win this event for the second time came up short after he laboured to a round of 73 to finish in a share of eighth place.

Denis O'Sullivan finished i 38th place.

7/26/2013

Walton Shoots 70 at Royal Birkdale

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Philip Walton finished three strokes off the lead, after a level par round of 70 at Royal Birkdale on Thursday, the same as fellow Irish man Mark McNulty, on the first day of The Senior Open.

Christy O’Connor Junior and Denis O’Sullivan both shot 75, one better than Des Smyth.

Northern Ireland amateur Frank O’Donoghue went around in 83.

The leader, Gene Sauers posted an opening-round of three-under-par 67 in Southport, and the 50-year-old American, who is making his first appearance at the tournament, ended up one shot clear of a group of four players, including Germany’s 2010 champion Bernhard Langer.

Sauers reached the turn in a bogey-free 34 and made his first birdie of the day at the par-four 10th.

He then bogeyed the following hole, but went on to finish well, making a hat-trick of gains in succession from the 15th.

“I’m very proud of that,” Sauers said.

“I just made sure I hit a lot of solid shots. If you hit it really solid then the wind won’t really mess with it too much and so I’m pleased with the way I played.

“It’s a great place and a privilege and honour to be here. I’ve not played an awful lot of links golf but I like the different challenge; you don’t know which way the ball is going to bounce so you’re kind of hitting and hoping sometimes, but I’m really enjoying it.”

Sauers only returned to golf less than two years ago after suffering from the potentially fatal skin condition Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

“It’s a second chance,” he added. “Both arms, both legs were burned up. After Duke University diagnosed me, I spent seven weeks in hospital, had seven lots of skin grafts and it was torture.

“I tell you, I don’t want anybody to go through that. I’m blessed and I’m glad to be here.”

Alongside Langer on 68 are David Frost of South Africa, Australian Peter Senior and Frankie Minoza of the Philippines.

Sauers’ compatriot Fred Couples, the defending champion, struggled to a four-over-par 74.

Langer made 13 pars and bogeyed once up to and including the 14th, and then, like Sauers, concluded strongly with three birdies in his last four holes.

Reflecting on that round, the 55-year-old said: “How I finished was very pleasing because 18 (which he birdied) is not a simple hole.

“I wasn’t totally happy with my first seven or eight holes because I had a number of chances to make birdies and just didn’t putt well.

“But it was very tight. I played very well off the tee and into the greens and gave myself opportunities, kept it out of these pot bunkers and out of the long grass.

“I had opportunities and finally the putter started working at the end.”

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