The Irish Golf Club Gazette: November 2012

11/30/2012

GMAC Shares Second at Sherwood

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Graeme McDowell has made a promising start at the World Golf Challenge carding a first round of 69 at Sherwood Country Club, to finish alongside Americans Keegan Bradley and Jim Furyk for a share of second place on three under.

McDowell's last win was at this tournament in 2010 when he defeated Tiger Woods in a play-off.

The lead after Thursday's opening round is held Nick Watney's five-under 67 gave him a two-shot lead after the opening round of the World Challenge event.

The American started with eight straight pars before a birdie at the ninth sparked him into life.

He added four more birdies on the way home - at the 13th, 14th, 16th and 18th - to complete the only bogey-free round at the 18-man invitational tournament, which is hosted by Tiger Woods

at Sherwood County Club in Thousand Oaks, California.

Watney's form was in stark contrast to his performance at the same tournament last year when he finished dead last on 11-over-par for his four rounds.

And world number two Woods is himself well placed after trading three birdies with a solitary bogey in a round of 70.

Bo Van Pelt and Webb Simpson matched Woods' effort to make it an American trio on two under.

Bradley was pleased to shoot a good round a day after golf's ruling bodies said they planned to outlaw the practice of anchoring the putter, which he employs, by 2016.

Asked if that gave him extra motivation, Bradley said: "Yeah, absolutely. I've been catching such flak on Twitter and these other places, it would be good to kind of quiet them a little bit.

"I had a guy yesterday telling me to send my application in to Burger King for 2016. I feel like the USGA (United States Golf Association) has really put an X on our back and I don't know if that's exactly fair.

"When we started putting with it (the belly putter), they were legal, and they still are. It's a sticky situation and I hope people can see through that. It always feels good to play well but this feels better almost."

Woods said: "I didn't hit the ball very good today but made a few good par putts to keep the round going and I kept myself in the tournament. I could have easily shot myself out of the tournament but I kept myself in it."

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11/29/2012

Harrington Backs Putter Ban

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Padraig Harrington says the proposal by the R&A and USGA to ban the anchoring of putters from 2016 onwards is the correct move.

The three-time major winner said: "As a traditionalist I am pleased. It's for the greater good of the game.

"I think if belly putters were invented today, they'd definitely be banned, I think everybody agrees with that.

"I think the issue is should they be banned after 15, 20 years of people using them and I think the the R&A and USGA have come to the conclusion that if they don't move now it's becoming so commonplace in the junior game that people are going to think it's normal.

"The majority of people using the belly putter in professional golf know there's an issue with it. You hear guys using it saying 'well I'm going to use it as long as it's legal'.

"But the kids coming into the game, they don't realise there's an issue.

"The real problem the rules authorities are having is that they're seeing kids at 12 years of age who have never picked up a short putter. They've gone straight to a belly putter because they think that's what's right."

Harrington is also adamant that anchoring the putter does give an advantage in high-pressure situations.

"Guys are going to say it doesn't help, or it does help, or doesn't necessarily improve but under pressure guys who are using an anchor putter are getting a number of perks; the ball position and the top of the putter are going to end up in the same position every time and there are less variables.

"At the end of the day it goes against what is considered to be the normal way of playing golf. It was not the idea of how you were meant to putt."

World number one Rory McIlroy also added his support to the proposed ban.

"Fully agree with the anchoring ban," he said on Twitter. "Better image for the game of golf, skill and nerves are all part of the game. Level playing field in '16."

Lowry Wins Shot of the Month

Shane Lowry’s sublime seven iron to the 11th hole on the final day of the Portugal Masters has earned the Irishman The European Tour Shot of the Month for October.

Despite a stiff breeze at Oceânico Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura, Portugal, Lowry measured his approach to perfection, punching a seven iron onto the green and into the hole for an eagle two which helped the 25 year old secure a one-shot win over England’s Ross Fisher.

It was Lowry’s second European Tour title, and first as a professional following his win as an amateur at the 2009 Irish Open, and the Dubliner pointed to his moment of magic as the catalyst for his victory march.

He said: “There’s always one shot you look back on whenever you win a tournament, and that was definitely it. It was actually a very difficult shot – I had 138 yards into a strong wind, so I would’ve been happy with anywhere on the green to be honest with you.

“But I hit a beautiful little seven iron which took off straight at the flag, and stayed right on line into the hole. I thought it’d be close but I didn’t know it was in until I heard the roar from the fans beside the green. It was a very special moment on a very special day.”

Lowry’s shot received 35 per cent of the votes polled by the golfing public through My European Tour, ahead of Emiliano Grillo in second place. The Argentine received 29 per cent of the votes for his second shot to the par four ninth hole at the ISPS Handa Perth International, which he holed for an eagle.

One My European Tour fan who voted for the winning shot will now be taking for the fairways in a new pair of customised pair of Footjoy MyJoys after collecting the monthly prize. The November Shot of the Month competition will start shortly with more fantastic shots from the last few weeks to choose from.

Lowry will now go into the season-ending European Tour Shot of the Year competition alongside the previous eight monthly winners: Sergio Garcia (January), Kaymer (February), Paul Casey (March), Louis Oosthuizen (April), Luke Donald (May), Padraig Harrington (June), Ian Poulter (July) and Richie Ramsay (August) and Justin Rose (September).

McDowell Back to Sherwood Forest

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Graeme McDowell makes a return this week to Sherwood Country Club where he beat tournament host Tiger Woods in a playoff in 2010 to clinch the World Challenge.

McDowell has not won anywhere since his 2010 World Challenge triumph, though he came close to adding a second major crown to his resume this year after playing in the last group in the final round of both the U.S. Open and the British Open this season.

"Obviously it's nice to be back in this part of the world," McDowell told reporters at Sherwood on Wednesday after competing in the tournament's pro-am competition.

"California has been pretty good to me during my career so far, especially this event. I was second in '09 and to win here in 2010 was very special."

McDowell was unable to defend his title at Sherwood last year, opting instead to play in the invitational Nedbank Challenge at Sun City, South Africa.

"Geographically it wasn't a good decision for me to come back here last year," he explained. "I decided to go to Sun City before the Race to Dubai Championship because I figured it would be an easier journey from South Africa to Dubai.

"So it's great to be able to come back here this year. It's a good golf course and there are good memories for me here."

"To get to be in the last group of consecutive major championships is satisfying," said the 33-year-old Northern Irishman. "Of course there's a sense of frustration that I didn't do better.

"But winning is difficult. There's a lot of quality, quality players out there. If I could take 18 holes back this year, it would be the first nine holes at Olympic on Sunday, and it would be the first nine holes at Lytham on Sunday."

The U.S. Open was staged at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, where McDowell tied for second, while the July 19-22 British Open was played at Lytham St Annes where he finished joint fifth.

"But it's all a great experience," added McDowell. "I've certainly increased my belief that I can prepare well for the big events and ... hopefully win some more major championships."

McDowell has an extra bounce in his step this week, having announced his engagement to Kristin Stape earlier this month at the top of the Burj Al Arab, a luxury hotel in Dubai which is designed in the shape of a ship's sail.

"I had been kind of planning it for a little while, wanted to do something a little special," smiled the Northern Irishman. "And it just so happened I was on the road for five weeks there.

"I just thought it was a pretty iconic, special place to do it and I managed to surprise her. I guess there's some romance in this body somewhere."

McDowell will tee off with Australia's Jason Day in Thursday's opening round of the invitational event at Sherwood where 18 players will vie for the $1 million winner's cheque.

Higgins Homage to PGA Catalunya

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David Higgins signed for a level par round of 72 on The Stadium course on Wednesday to share 22nd place - and inside the magic 25 automatic places - ahead of the final round of European Tour Qualifying School on Thursday at the PGA Catalunya.

As the only Irish man in the final round, and having missed out horribly a year ago on the same course, the Irish PGA Champion will be hoping for better fortune twelve months on, as he edges ever closer to regaining his European Tour playing rights - after a lengthy absence.

But the day was all about Englishman John Parry who carded the joint-best round of the day, a six under par 66, to move into a four shot lead going into the final day of Qualifying School Final Stage and end Estanislao Goya’s four-day reign at the summit.

As tensions rose ahead of the exciting finale in one of golf’s most gruelling contests, big moves into the all-important top 25 were at a premium, leaving it all to play for in the final round for many of the 73 European Tour hopefuls who made the cut.Parry is well on course for a return to The Race to Dubai thanks in part to a superb run of three successive birdies from the 15th - including one of only two birdies all day at the difficult par four 17th - which moved him to 17 under par.

The winner of the 2010 Vivendi Cup on The European Tour flew out of the blocks with a birdie at the first before picking up two more shots at the fourth and fifth.Another birdie at the par five seventh took him to the turn in four under par before he dropped his only shot of the day at the 13th, but a storming finish means he is in the driving seat to become the fourth consecutive English winner of the School, after David Dixon (2011), Simon Wakefield (2010) and Simon Khan (2009).

“I have played better than that in the last couple of days to be honest,” said the 26 year old. “I hit it quite poorly off the tee but I was decent for seven holes and I was just holing putt after putt.“From the ninth to the 14th I was quite poor. I got up and down on nine and ten for par, holed a big putt on 11 for par and three-putted at the 12th for par.

“Then I holed about a six-footer for birdie at the 15th and that just got me going a bit. I hit it to about eight feet at the par three 16th and holed it, then hit a three iron and an eight foot putt for birdie at 17.“I got lucky here and there but the last three holes are really tough so I was happy with that. Tomorrow I’ll just play exactly the same. Now I just want to win it but obviously you only really want your card so it’s a strange tournament like that.

“I feel I have a lot less pressure now because for me to not get a card from this position would be horrific, so I almost feel my card is in the bag. I am playing well so I’m pretty relaxed for tomorrow.”In what is one of the toughest physical tests in golf, Parry has had his fitness trainer alongside him for the six-day marathon and he attributes much of his success to that decision.

He said: “I have been doing a lot of weights every night and I have actually felt fresher than those weeks where you are just resting in the evenings.“He has been cooking at night for me and providing the right food out on the course so going through the five rounds I have felt really good.”

Matthew Southgate is the one of the few who made a significant climb as he moved from tied tenth place at the beginning of the day to tied second thanks to a four under par 68, joining German amateur Moritz Lampert and Finland’s Mikko Korhonen on 13 under par.If Southgate were to finish in the top 25 it would be the second year running the Englishman has gained his European Tour card at the Qualifying School.

“I played nicely again,” he said. “I put myself under a lot of pressure in round one, but I’ve managed to relax a bit and realise that I’m actually quite lucky to be here, because I only got in as a reserve and have had a really bad season. I was chuffed really just to be here.“It’s a strange game. At one end of the scale you’ve got Branden Grace, who was here last year and is now winning everything, then at the other end you’ve got guys who also got their card here and have really struggled. I’ll just keep working hard and trying to improve, and hopefully then the results will take care of themselves.”

Lampert will turn professional straight after the Final Stage and if he were to gain a European Tour card he would be following in the footsteps of Oliver Fisher, who in 2006 came through the Qualifying School as an amateur.“It was another good day,” said the 20 year old. “It was tiring, but a birdie to finish was great and gives me momentum for tomorrow. It’s a long week but now there are only 18 holes left and I’m in a good position.

“At this stage it’s just about hitting it straight and not doing anything silly. I’m very confident for tomorrow. I’m quite surprised how I’m feeling – I don’t feel nervous at all. It was good playing with Tano (Goya) and Andy (Sullivan) today. We talked a lot and had a lot of fun. That always helps me relax.”His playing partner Goya struggled to maintain the kind of form which handed him the overnight lead in each of the opening four days as the Argentine signed for a four over par 76 to fall to tied 12th heading into the final day.

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11/28/2012

No Anchoring for Long Putters

The R&A and USGA have announced proposed rule changes to prohibit the use of anchoring putters to the body.

The new move is due to take effect on January 1, 2016, in accordance with the regular four-year cycle for changes to the Rules of Golf.

But with a number of leading players having complained about the planned action, the final decision has still to be taken and both the R&A and the USGA "will consider any further comments and suggestions from throughout the golf community".

Under the proposal, long putters like those used by recent major winners Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and Ernie Els could still be put in the bag in four years' time, but could not be anchored to the body.

The ruling bodies said in a statement: "The proposed Rule 14-1b, which follows an extensive review by the R&A and the USGA, would prohibit strokes made with the club or a hand gripping the club held directly against the player's body, or with a forearm held against the body to establish an anchor point that indirectly anchors the club.

"The proposed new rule would not alter current equipment rules and would allow the continued use of all conforming golf clubs, including belly-length and long putters, provided such clubs are not anchored during a stroke.

"The proposed rule narrowly targets only a few types of strokes, while preserving a golfer's ability to play a wide variety of strokes in his or her individual style."

Peter Dawson,

the R&A chief executive, said: "We believe we have considered this issue from every angle, but given the wide-ranging interest in this subject we would like to give stakeholders in the game the opportunity to put forward any new matters for consideration.

"Anchored strokes have become the preferred option for a growing number of players and this has caused us to review these strokes and their impact on the game.

"Our concern is that anchored strokes threaten to supplant traditional putting strokes which are integral to the long-standing character of the sport."

Adapt their method of stroke

The statement adds: "This timetable would also provide an extended period in which golfers may, if necessary, adapt their method of stroke to the requirements of the rule.

"In proposing the new rule, the R&A and the USGA concluded that the long-term interests of the game would be served by confirming a stroke as the swinging of the entire club at the ball.

"This proposal reflects the R&A's and USGA's responsibility to define how the game is to be played.

"Aspects of how a player must make a stroke have been addressed in past rules changes, such as the century-old rule codifying that the ball must be fairly struck and not be pushed, scraped or spooned and the 1968 prohibition on the 'croquet' style of putting."

Mike Davis, USGA executive director, said: "Throughout the 600-year history of golf, the essence of playing the game has been to grip the club with the hands and swing it freely at the ball.

"The player's challenge is to control the movement of the entire club in striking the ball and anchoring the club alters the nature of that challenge.

"Our conclusion is that the Rules of Golf should be amended to preserve the traditional character of the golf swing by eliminating the growing practice of anchoring the club.

"As governing bodies we monitor and evaluate playing practices and developments in golf, with our primary mandate being to ensure that the Rules of Golf continue to preserve the fundamental characteristics of the game."

The statement also says: "Although anchoring the club is not new, until recently it was uncommon and typically seen as a method of last resort by a small number of players.

"In the last two years, however, more and more players have adopted the anchored stroke.

"Golf's governing bodies have observed this upsurge at all levels of the game and noted that more coaches and players are advocating this method.

"The decision to act now is based on a strong desire to reverse this trend and to preserve the traditional golf stroke."

Each organisation is expected to take a final decision on the proposed change in spring 2013 and anyone wishing to provide written comments to the appropriate governing body is encouraged to do so by February 28.

11/27/2012

McIlroy Joins BBC SPOTY Shortlist

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World and European Number One Rory McIlroy has reacted with pride to the news that he is the only non-Olympian to earn a place on the 12-strong shortlist for this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

As expected, stars of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games dominate the list, while five female athletes have made the cut in contrast to last year's controversial all-male shortlist.

McIlroy, who won his second Major title this year and finished top of both the Race to Dubai and US money list, said: "I am delighted to be nominated again for Sports Personality of the Year.

"It is a real honour to be nominated two years in a row. With it being an Olympic year, and with so many outstanding achievements in British sport in 2012, the voting is sure to go right down to the wire."

McIlroy is joined on the shortlist by Nicola Adams, who made history by becoming the first Olympic women's boxing champion when she floored world number one Ren Cancan en route to a memorable points win in London.

Adams told the Press Association: "I didn't expect to be nominated, let along make the short list. There are so many big names on the list, and so many others who didn't make it, that I am just happy to be part of it.

"I have watched Sports Personality of the Year for years and I never once thought I would be part of it. I would have been happy enough with my gold medal. Everything that is happening now is just a bonus."

Katherine Grainger's British rowing team-mates reacted with delight to the news that Grainger, whose double sculls gold medal with Anna Watkins came on the back of three consecutive Olympic silvers, had also made a cut.

In a joint statement they said: "We are very proud that Katherine has made the shortlist, representing not only the rowing team but women in sport. She has given so much to her team and country that it is brilliant she is being recognised in this way."

Cyclist Bradley Wiggins is the bookmakers' odds-on favourite after his historic triumph in the Tour de France and gold in the Olympic time trial, ahead of Mo Farah, double gold medallist in the 5,000metres and 10,000m.

Andy Murray, who became the first British man to win a Grand Slam singles title for 76 years when he triumphed in the US Open and also won an Olympic gold for good measure, is ranked third favourite with the bookies just ahead of Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis.

David Weir is one of three Paralympians on the list, the four-time London gold medallist joined by another four-time London Paralympic champion, cyclist Sarah Storey, and swimmer Ellie Simmonds

Barbara Slater, the director of BBC Sport who chaired the shortlisting panel, admitted that having to leave out so many big names had been painful.

Slater said in a BBC blog: "We had already extended the shortlist for the main award this year from 10 to 12, but at times we all wished it was nearer 15 or 20.

"It was very difficult to leave off Olympians and Paralympians of the calibre of Charlotte Dujardin, Alistair Brownlee, Jade Jones, Sophie Christiansen, Laura Trott, Jonnie Peacock, Jason Kenny and Victoria Pendleton, to name just a few."

The expert panel included national newspaper sports editors and three former award nominees, Sir Steve Redgrave, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and Denise Lewis.

The panel also selected the winners of the coach of the year, team of the year and overseas personality.

The main award will be chosen by public vote and announced at the Sports Personality of the Year show from London's ExCeL centre on December 16.

Shortlist (in alphabetical order): Nicola Adams (Olympic boxing), Ben Ainslie (Olympic sailing), Jessica Ennis (Olympic heptathlon), Mo Farah (Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m), Katherine Grainger (Olympic rowing), Sir Chris Hoy (Olympic cycling), Rory McIlroy (world number one golfer and USPGA champion), Andy Murray (Olympic tennis and US Open champion), Ellie Simmonds (Paralympic swimming), Sarah Storey (Paralympic cycling), David Weir (Paralympic wheelchair athlete), Bradley Wiggins (Olympic cycling and Tour de France winner).

11/30/2012

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