The Irish Golf Club Gazette: South Africa

Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts

3/14/2015

Captain Clarke Fires Tshwane 67

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Darren Clarke had both good and back luck in equal measure, during his second round at Pretoria Country Club of the Tshwane Open.

The 46 year old Ulsterman has not had a top ten on The European Tour since lifting the Claret Jug at the 2011 Open Championship, some 190 weeks ago, and he started the second day at Pretoria Country Club eight shots behind the lead of Morten Ørum Madsen, looking to right that wrong in his fifth start of the 2015 campaign.

Back-to-back birdie threes at the opening two holes were a fine way to gain ground on those atop the leaderboard, before Clarke followed that up with six straight pars. Cue the ninth hole, where his approach to the par five narrowly missed the green, but what happened next needs to be seen to be believed.

Having played two holes without the use of his putter - after he also chipped in on the tenth - Clarke was five under par through ten holes and had jumped 65 places on the leaderboard into the top 15. However, his short game domination did not last, and while facing a tricky lie to the left of the green on the 13th hole, Clarke hit what the commentators rather generously described as "a snap slice".

As a result, the 46 year old walked off the hole with a double bogey six and an apology to his playing partner Andy Sullivan, who got a closer view of Clarke's chip than he expected as it whizzed past the head of the two-time 2015 European Tour winner.

Regardless of their near miss, however, the pair seemed to thoroughly enjoy each other's company all day, sharing a laugh on more than a couple of occasions.

As for Clarke's round, it did not take the 14-time European Tour winner too long to get over his miscue, and having stuck a long iron approach to within a few feet of the hole at the testing par four 12th hole, he did the same again on the 14th to set up a tap in birdie two.

Following a short weather delay, Clarke and his playing partners Sullivan and Trevor Fisher Jnr returned to the course to finish the final four holes. Sadly for Clarke, the break seemingly interrupted the momentum he had built beforehand, eventually seeing him double bogey the final hole and card a three under par round, to sit two under par after 36 holes and in a tie for 34th.

The 67 was Clarke's lowest round in more than six months, however, and did show signs of the work he has been putting in on the range, as well as on the practice green, recently. Whether or not this ends up being the week that Clarke posts his 121st European Tour top ten remains to be seen, but he will no doubt continue to entertain the crowds here in Pretoria, and will be sure to do so with that trademark smile on his face.

12/07/2014

Maybank for McDowell and McGinley

Maybank will celebrate its tenth year as title sponsor of the Malaysian Open with the confirmed participation of 2010 US Open Champion Graeme McDowell and Europe’s Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley.

The Irish duo will join a stellar cast from The European and Asian Tours for the prestigious co-sanctioned championship, which will be held from February 5-8, 2015, at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.

McDowell claimed his tenth European Tour victory this year when he successfully defended his ALSTOM Open de France title.

Two months later, he played his part in Europe’s victory over the United States at the Gleneagles Hotel, winning three points out of a possible three.

That triumph was masterminded by McGinley, who will be making his first appearance in the Maybank Malaysian Open since 2008.

Tan Sri Dato’ Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor, Chairman of Maybank: “In 2015, as we celebrate the tenth year as title sponsor of the Malaysian Open, we continue with the tradition of bringing a selection of golfing personalities to Malaysia. Fresh from recent victories and with their charisma attracting a huge worldwide following, Graeme McDowell and Paul McGinley offer fans exciting and competitive golf every time.

“We are proud of our role in the Maybank Malaysian Open, showcasing a world-class tournament steeped in Malaysian history. The tournament has produced some varied winners, and I expect this next edition to produce similar excitement.”

The Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) reinforced the critical role that the tournament has played in expanding the reach of the game in the country.

“The Maybank Malaysian Open represents a consistent and considerable investment by Maybank towards the development of the Malaysian golfing scene, with the largest allocation of playing spots to top local professionals and amateurs who want to participate in the tournament,” said MGA president Admiral (R) Tan Sri Dato’ Setia Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor.

“Maybank has ensured that the sport is one that is treated with the seriousness and importance that it deserves. We hope that our local players will deliver truly inspiring performances that we all can be proud of and hopefully bring home the Seagram Trophy this year.”

The first national Open in Asia to be co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours in 1999, the 2015 Maybank Malaysian Open will once again feature leading professional players in its 156-man line-up.

George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “Since joining our schedule in 1999, when it became the first event to be co-sanctioned by The European and Asian Tours, the Maybank Malaysian Open has grown in stature year on year; and with Maybank celebrating a decade of title sponsorship, the 2015 edition looks set to continue that trend.

“The fact that Lee Westwood and Louis Oosthuizen have both added their names to the trophy in recent seasons bears testament to the quality of field that this tournament now attracts, and we look forward to another week of top class action in Kuala Lumpur next February.”

Kyi Hla Han, Chairman of the Asian Tour, said: “The Maybank Malaysian Open is one of the most important championships on our annual Schedule, and one that our players enjoy participating in.

“We look forward to yet another exciting tournament in Malaysia next year, and I would like to congratulate Maybank for ten fantastic years as title sponsor of the Maybank Malaysian Open.”

The premier event has seen the likes of Peter Thomson, Vijay Singh, Padraig Harrington, Retief Goosen, Michael Campbell, Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Sir Nick Faldo hold aloft the Seagram Trophy down the years, and in more recent times has produced young and exciting winners in the form of Korean sensation Noh Seung-yul (2010) and Matteo Manassero of Italy (2012).

12/06/2014

Lowry Looks on as Luke Avoids Baboon

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A charging baboon nearly ran into Luke Donald on Friday at the Nedbank Golf Challenge.

The Englishman managed to get himself out of the way, however, and also managed to shoot a 9-under 63 to take a two-stroke lead after the second round of the European Tour's season-opening tournament.

With seven birdies on the first 10 holes, the former top-ranked player was one shot off Lee Westwood's course record at the Gary Player Country Club, giving himself a chance of a memorable end to a pretty average and so far winless

The only time Donald panicked on the course nestled in the wilderness of northern South Africa was when a large baboon came running toward him as he made his way to his ball. Donald was warned by playing partner Shane Lowry, quickly dodged out of the way and the baboon kept going.

"He didn't really pay any attention to me in the end but gave me a bit of a fright when Shane said, 'Watch out!' They are big and strong and you wouldn't want to mess with them, that's for sure," Donald said. "So I got well out of the way. [I] jumped pretty high."

Donald's round was four strokes better than anyone else and put him at 10-under 134 overall. He leads Ross Fisher (70) by two strokes, with Alexander Levy (70) a further two shots back at 6 under.

"I felt very in control," said Donald, who last won in November 2013 and last claimed a title on the European Tour more than two years ago. "It's been a while since I felt like that."

Donald found some of the form with his putter that has been missing since he became the first player to top the end-of-season money lists in both the United States and Europe in 2011. He made nine birdies and no bogeys.EUROPEAN TOURNedbank Golf Challenge leaderboard

South Africa's top tournament stopped midway through the round for a moment's silence on the anniversary of the death of Nelson Mandela, the country's former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Players removed their caps and bowed their heads after a horn sounded across the course for the tribute.

Brendon Todd of the United States was another big mover with a 4-under 68 to tie for sixth. Tommy Fleetwood moved into a tie for sixth with his 67, the best round after Donald.

Behind Fisher and Levy, Danny Willett is fourth at 5 under and Marcel Siem is 4 under. Fleetwood, Todd, Thongchai Jaidee, Charl Schwartzel and Tim Clark are part of the tie for sixth.

Westwood, a two-time Nedbank Challenge champion, improved on his opening 72 with a 2-under 70, while US Open champion Martin Kaymer, off a busy 2014 schedule, slipped down to a tie for 24th in the 30-man field with a 3-over 75.

There is no cut at the invitational tournament, which has a $1.25 million winner's check and is the first event on the 2015 European Order of Merit schedule.

8/30/2014

Lagergren Retains NI Open Lead

European Tour

Joakim Lagergren showed he possesses substance and style in equal measure at the Northern Ireland Open Challenge in association with Maui Jim sunglasses as the Swede followed up his spectacular opening 62 with a battling level par 71 in difficult conditions to maintain his lead.

As the wind howled around the picturesque Galgorm Castle on Day Two, low scores were much tougher to come by but those who could hang in and card anything around the level par mark would make gains on the leaderboard.

While several players did make a push towards the summit courtesy of under-par rounds, Lagergren held firm at the top, birdieing the final hole to enter the weekend one shot clear of the pack on nine under par.

The 22 year old got off to a strong start with a birdie at the first but suffered a bogey at the driveable par four second, all the more disappointing given it was playing downwind.

Back to back bogeys at the seventh and eighth were followed by a birdie at the par five ninth to reach the turn in one over and, while he began the back nine with a bogey six, two birdies on the way home were enough to copper-fasten his second round lead and he was delighted with how he showed the requisite mettle on a difficult day.

“It was really tough today,” said Lagergren, who has already played two seasons on The European Tour since turning professional in 2010. “In my opinion it wasn’t even the same game today.

“Yesterday, you could go for birdies, you could go for pins, but today par was a good score and that’s all I kept in mind all day. It’s all about the state of mind. When you’re on the first tee you need to know that you can’t be too aggressive in these conditions.

“You still have to hit good shots to shoot level par, but I kept it in mind to just be calm and don’t get upset with bogeys. You need to be patient out there.

“I'm really pleased to be still top of the leaderboard. Going out in the lead with two days left, I can’t ask for much more.”

With tens of thousands of spectators expected at the weekend, the Stockholm player is relishing the opportunity to exhibit his skills in front of some of the most knowledgeable golf fans in the world.

“Hopefully we’ll see big crowds tomorrow, it would be really fun,” he said. “They have been great so far, the crowds are really good. They know the game of golf, they behave like a crowd should and they are very knowledgeable.”

Englishman Steven Brown was one of those to close the gap at the top from two to one as he signed for a two under par 69 to move to eight under par, in outright second place.

The former Walker Cup star has been on imperious form of late, his sixth place finish at last week’s lucrative Rolex Trophy the latest of three top ten finishes in his last five appearances, and he was delighted with how he dealt with the testing conditions.

“It was very windy this morning,” said the 27 year old, who fired three birdies in his opening four holes having teed off at the tenth. “I knew it wasn’t going to be nice after looking at the forecast but it was cold early on as well as windy.

“I drove it really well and that was the key, if you get it in play then you can still give yourself a chance. The greens are so good that if you get a few chances, you can make some putts and I converted my chances early on.

“I was clinging on a bit at the end. I was still having chances but if you get outside 20 feet, it’s not easy to get it dead and you’re left with three- or four-footers with massive winds coming across you. So I missed a couple of par-savers which halted my momentum a bit.

“I got to ten under at one point but missed a couple of six-footers. But it’s tough out there so I'm really happy with how I played.

“It will be fun with all the people out watching at the weekend. Everyone knows that this tournament is a fun one because of all the people watching and they really appreciate good golf. It’s a great atmosphere so I can’t wait until the weekend.”

Frenchman Thomas Linard, a winner already on the Challenge Tour this year at the D+D REAL Czech Challenge, carded a three under par 68 to move to seven under par and join American Dodge Kemmer (69) in a share of third place.

Three-time European Tour winner Kenneth Ferrie was one shot further back alongside promising South African Brandon Stone while two more former European Tour winners, Ferrie’s English compatriot Ross McGowan and Welshman Rhys Davies were both within five shots of the lead heading into moving day.

3/02/2014

Irish Open Champ wins Tshwane

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Michael Hoey signed for a final round 68 on Sunday at Centurion to finish with a share of second place at the Tshwane Open in South Africa. An early eagle on the par five fourth helped Joey moved to within touching distance, along with a birdie from 30 feet at the 11th.

However a double bogey at the twelfth then undid that strong rally.

In the end Ross Fisher won the Tshwane Open at Centurion by three shots after a two-under-par final round 70.

Fisher started the day with a five-shot lead and although that was whittled away to just one after 11 holes. But he held his nerve to win by three from Hoey and South African Danie Van Tonder.

Fisher, whose last European Tour victory came at the 2010 Irish Open, sealed the win with an eagle three on 15 after Hoey had got to within a shot just after the turn.

It gave him a four-shot cushion at Copperleaf, the longest European circuit layout.

The 33-year-old Fisher had not won on the European Tour since the 2010 Irish Open in Killarney and, after tumbling out of the world's top 50 during his title drought, has now thrust himself into contention for the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles later this year.

Hoey moved to within touching distance with a birdie from 30 feet at the 11th, but a double bogey at the next stalled his progress.

Fisher's work was not done, however, as Van Tonder and Del Moral then made their moves and set up a potentially nervous finale, after the Englishman had dominated for the entire weekend at the 7,964-yard, Ernie Els-designed course.

Whittled down

As he stepped up to the 15th tee, Fisher's lead had been whittled down to two strokes by both Van Tonder and Del Moral.

Fisher had picked up just a single stroke for the round up until that point, but saved his best for when it counted as he reached the 15th green in two before holing a 30-foot eagle putt.

Careful pars at 16 and 17 ensured Fisher was able to walk up the 18th with victory assured and, while he finished with a bogey, a long-overdue win was secured for a player who has been as high as 17th in the world.

Victory leaves Fisher sitting 16th in the Ryder Cup standings and is set to lift him up to 52nd in the world rankings.

"I'm thrilled to get over the line," Fisher said. "It was a testing day with the weather conditions and playing with Mike he put up a great challenge for me.

"I set a target of trying to go out there and shoot in the 60s and almost managed to do it. I had a little mishap on the last but I'm just glad to be standing here talking to you as champion."

Fisher admitted his eagle on the 15th had helped to settle any potential nerves.

"It's been pretty good to me this week (the 15th hole)," he added. "There have been a couple of eagles, but that was a big putt there.

Coast in

"I know I was only a couple ahead. To hit a nice shot there and have a good look at three and to see it drop - I think I went four shots clear with only three to play I knew I could coast in.

"There was a little wobble on a few of those holes and I managed to make a couple of good par-saves of 16 and 17.

"It would have been nice to shoot 69 but unfortunately I missed one on the last. I'm not going to complain."

His long putt on 15 typified a good week with the shortest stick and, after struggling on the greens in the past - Fisher welcomed the change.

"That's been an Achilles for many, many years," he said. "For some reason this week I saw the lines in the greens and felt really comfortable on the greens all week.

I'd love to know how much footage I holed this week because it was quite a lot."

Kevin Phelan, the European Tour Rookie, finished T6 and collects a cheque for€44,750 for his efforts this week with a final round of 70.

2/27/2014

Lowry Starts Tshwane Test

Shane Lowry fired a four-under-par 68 to lie three shots off the pace on Thursday at the Tshwane Open, despite arriving in South Africa without his clubs. With only a short practice time Lowry still managed six birdies and two bogeys on the day.

Kevin Phelan five under after 14 holeswity the Deise man set to resume play on Friday morning.

Peter Lawrie was one over through 14 with the Dubliner hoping to improve on his last three missed cuts.

Michael Hoey finished 3 under after a round of 69.

Damien McGrane ended 74 and Gareth Maybin on 75 strokes.

Leader Simon Dyson closed with birdies on his final four holes to card a seven-under-par 65 and take the clubhouse lead overnight when play was suspended due to the threat of lightning.

South African Trevor Fisher junior was also on seven under after 16 and will complete his final two holes on Friday morning.

“It’s a lovely start,” said Dyson. “It’s my lowest round in a good few years, especially on the first day. It just puts you in a nice frame of mind, a good stead, and sets it up nicely to have a good weekend.”

There are five players a shot back including four-times European Tour winner Darren Fichardt. South Africans have won 10 of the last 13 European Tour events on home soil.

England’s Ross Fisher, who has not won since 2010, is also on six under.

Dyson says improvement with the putter was key to his first-round success.

“Putting has been the letdown for the last few weeks, but me and my caddie had a chat about what I’m doing wrong. We spent about an hour and a half on the putting green yesterday and I managed to get a good feel for it,” Dyson said.

“I holed a good six-footer for par at the first and then about a 40-footer for birdie at the second and that was it, I was off and running.”

Copperleaf Golf & Country Estate is the longest course in European Tour history. It has four par-five holes, including the monstrous 685-yard fourth.

1/12/2014

Padraig Finished Fifth in Durban

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Padraig Harrington signed for a final round of 67 to secure a top five finish at the Volvo Masters in Durban, the Dubliner finishing three shots adrift of winner Louis Oosthuizen.

Only Harrington and South African Thomas Aiken managed to go as low as 67 on the final day but it was too little too late thanks to the 68s shot by Oosthuizen and Branden Grace, who finished second on 11 under.

Joost Luiten (71) and Tommy Fleetwood (72) both finished on 10 under, one ahead of the Irishman and the French pair of Raphael Jacquelin and Victor Dubuisson.

“It was nice to feel I had a chance coming down the stretch. “I’m happy with how I am hitting the ball but distraught with the way I’m putting.”

Darren Clarke, whose weekend began so positively with a 69, dropped to one over thanks to a 77, while Michael Hoey (74) and Simon Thornton (71) ended on four over and five over, respectively.

Oosthuizen was one shot behind Grace with two holes to play, but birdied them both to card a closing 68 and 12-under-par total. Grace had watched on television as former Open champion Oosthuizen holed from two feet on the 17th and then chipped to the same distance for another birdie on the short par-four 18th.

That meant all seven European Tour events staged at Durban Country Club have now been won by South Africans, while eight of the last 11 tournaments in South Africa have been won by home players.

Fleetwood had held a one-shot advantage heading into the final round and briefly stretched that to three thanks to a birdie at the second and mistakes from his rivals. However, three bogeys in five holes from the fifth threw the tournament wide open and Grace was the first to take advantage with a hat-trick of birdies from the sixth.

Oosthuizen then vaulted into contention with an eagle from 12ft on the par-five eighth and the South African duo swapped the lead on the back nine before Grace - winner of the title in 2012 — looked to have made the decisive move with birdies on the 16th and 18th.

Oosthuizen had fallen victim to the 16th for the second day running, following his triple-bogey seven on Saturday with a bogey five to fall one behind, but a brilliant approach to the 17th got him back on level terms and set up a simple winning birdie on the driveable 18th.

“After my tee shot on 16 I was lucky that I could chip it out and nearly made a great par,” Oosthuizen said. “But when I stood over the ball on 17 I saw that Branden had made birdie on 18 so I knew that second shot was crucial to give myself a good opportunity and I hit it really close.

“And then 18, everyone thinks you just need to make a birdie but around that green it’s not easy and luckily I was far enough past where I could pitch it back into the grain and get it close.

“It was nerve-wracking through the round but I finished strong and I’m just happy that I got it done. It’s an awesome start for the year. Confidence-wise it’s great. I haven’t really played well last year with all the injuries so hopefully I can build from here on and just go better next time.”

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