Worldwide Golf April 2020

T H E M I D D L E E A S T ’ S N O .1 G O L F M A G A Z I N E

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1999

Worldwide Golf

DAVID HOWELL

APRIL

2020

HO-SUNG CHOI

REFLECTS ON THE GOLDEN FRIENDSHIPS THE GAME HAS PROVIDED

THE STRANGEST SWING ON TOUR ANALYSED

COVID-19 CHAOS

P YERS COME TO TERMS WITH LIFE OFF COURSE

WHO IS SCOTTY

CAMERON? F E AT U R E

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STEPHEN GALLACHER ALL SET TO COME BACK WITH A BANG WHEN THE EUROPEAN TOUR RESTARTS

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EXECUTIVE EDITOR

We must find a way of saving our sport both in the shortterm and the longterm.

Difficult times but we can get through it Let’s hope that golf ’s governing bodies can come together in the spirit of co-operation to agree an emergency ongoing schedule that works as well as possible in the current circumstances.

M

Y travel plans have been turned upside down due to the coronavirus pandemic, but there are many millions of people around the world who are in a far worse position than we are. I should have been in India and Abu Dhabi last month but instead, I was in Philadelphia.

There’s really nothing we can do about the situation, except follow the advice of the authorities and take all the precautions necessary to stay safe and hope that the experts can find a solution sooner rather than later.

It was a huge disappointment to hear that The Masters is being postponed until, possibly October. So many huge sporting events have been postponed, cancelled altogether – or merged into 2021.

The Ryder Cup, which dates back to 1927, could also be a victim of the pandemic, which would be a huge blow to Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, and the town of Sheboygan, not to mention the rest of the United States and Europe.

Masters Economy

The postponement of The Masters, which has always been close to my heart, will cause widespread devastation to the town of Augusta and the surrounding area. The town’s economy is built on the first of the four Majors, going back to the inaugural event back in 1934.

People have always rented out their homes during Masters’ week and beyond – and in many cases their mortgages depend on the business created by the huge number of spectators drawn to the area each April. Restaurants and hotels will, inevitably, be struggling to avoid having to close down and with that, will come job losses for people who can least afford it . In many cases the residents are totally reliant on The Masters taking place.

The postponement of virtually all the fixtures on the European Tour and PGA Tour for the next few months will cause colossal damage to charities throughout the year. Golf is one of the sporting world’s biggest charity fund-raisers and those charities will be hard-hit and will struggle to carry out the vital benefits and services they provide.

Emergency Schedule

Let’s hope that’s golf’s governing bodies can come together in the spirit of co-operation to agree an emergency ongoing schedule that works as well as possible in the current circumstances. There’s no perfect solution, but we must find a way of saving our sport both in the short-term and the long-term.

In the early years of my career I learned how to play competitive golf under great pressure. Because of the apartheid regime in my own country I learned how to accept spectators running onto the green with screaming babies when I was about to take a putt, shouting at the exact point when I was teeing off, and even suffer physical violence. It was a difficult time for me but it made me a stronger person and a stronger golfer in the process.

These are difficult times for the sport, but, hopefully, we can come together to find a solution globally. When we compare golf’s current hardship, we should make the comparison between the present golfing turmoil with the millions of homeless refugees around the world seeking to stay alive, and the ever-present terrorism that causes countless deaths of helpless women and children.

When the coronavirus pandemic is finally overcome and the world returns to some sort of normality the golfing world should be thankful for what they have to be grateful for. ■

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CONTENTS STARTER

COLUMN

GARY PLAYER

LIFE AFTER GOLF

COVID-19 CHAOS

MASTERS MEMORIES

OMAN OPEN Worldwide GOLF 86

IS DUBAI THE PERFECT PLACE TO RAISE A GOLFER?

QATAR MASTERS

STEPHEN GALLACHER

CATRIONA MATTHEW

TOBY BISHOP Worldwide WorldwideGOLF GOLF 97

NEXT PAGE

CONTENTS COLUMN

DAVID HOWELL

GUIDO MIGLIOZZI

COVER FEATURE

SCOTTY CAMERON SCOTTY CAMERON SPECIAL SELECT LINE WorldwideGOLF GOLF 108 Worldwide

HOTTEST GOLF GEAR ON TOUR

MAVRIK MAKING ITS MARK

HO-SUNG CHOI’S SWING SEQUENCE

TRAVEL

AHMAD SKAIK

CELEBRITY DINNER PARTY Worldwide GOLF 119

EDITOR’S LETTER

Pandemic could reset the money game

W

ITH the world having ground to a shuddering halt due to the coronavirus pandemic it’s time to reflect on what happens when we all get back to normal. Will sport and golf ever be the same again?

In the UAE we are a resilient bunch and the government acted very swiftly to respond to the threat, unlike various other parts of the world. Hopefully, this will make the UAE a safe-haven and one of the first nations to resume some form of social normality.

The likelihood of all the Majors and The Ryder Cup getting cancelled in 2020 is looking almost inevitable. Canada and Australia have already stated that they will not be sending athletes to Japan, which no doubt prompted the decision of the International Olympic Committee and Japan to postpone the Games to 2021.

We are all worried about our loved ones, in addition to the economic impact it will have on the global economy and our jobs.

So here is a question, taking all things into consideration. Should sport stars get paid the huge contracts going forward once business resumes? An increasing number of sporting bodies are already seeking financial support from their governments

– where will it all end? Are the days of golfers playing for $10 million bonus pools and multi-million dollar tournaments going to be a thing of the past? Do Tiger, Rory and company really need more money? Is it finally time for a sporting reset and for financial caps on the outrageous amounts on what sports stars currently earn?

Many companies will still want to support the game, but will the same level of money be there?

There are so many questions and, with no timeline as to when things can resume, we can just be thankful to all the doctors and nurses who are braving the front line to keep us safe.

Scotty Cameron, master-craftsman This month’s cover feature unveils the legend that is Scotty Cameron. We’ve all heard of the famous putter, but how many of you golfers knew that Scotty is an American master-craftsman who first designed putters for Mizuno in 1992? One year later and Bernhard Langer used one of his putters to win the Masters Tournament and the rest is history – a golfing phenomenon was created! ■

ISSUE No.224 APRIL 2020 • Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd • Published in Dubai by: Prografix • PO Box 24677 • Dubai, UAE (Tel) +9714 340 3785 Editor-in-Chief: Mike Gallemore • Executive Editor: Gary Player • Editor: Alex Gallemore (alex@wspglobal.com) Publisher: Mike Gallemore (mike@wspglobal.com) • General Manager Dubai: Richard Bevan (rick@wspglobal.com) • Editors: Todd Staszko, Scott Grayston, Thomas Wragg, Ashraf Ahmed, Jordan Smith • Production/Design Editor: Thameem Rayyan • Editorial Panel: Gary Player, Mike Gallemore, Alex Gallemore, Richard Bevan, Todd Staszko • Photography: Getty Images • June 2009 SSN 1- 46805671 • Approval UAE National Media Council: Ref.816 30/5/2007 Trade Licence No. 1/104375/15280 • Worldwide Golf specifies that post-press changes may occur to any information given in this publication and takes no responsibility for goods or services advertised.

WorldwideGOLF GOLF 128 Worldwide

THE MOST SPECTACU R LOCATIONS FOR GOLF

THE COURSE OLD HEAD GOLF LINKS With no professional golf taking place this month, we instead turn our attention to the most awe-inspiring places to play golf – and there are few as stunning as the Old Head Links on the south coast of Ireland.

B

UILT on the tip of a diamondshaped peninsula in Kinsale in County Cork, the Old Head Golf Links juts out into the Atlantic Ocean to provide one of the most spectacular golf courses on the planet.

With views of the ocean from all 18 holes, it is hard to imagine a more serene and challenging links course.

Slender fairways reach out to exposed greens, and the tiny targets present a tough test in a strong wind, but on a calm day there are few courses that can match the Old Head for both playability and delivering a true sense of wonder.

The relatively sedate inner holes don’t create the same level of drama as those that hug the rugged cliff edge, but they still pose enough of a challenge to keep things interesting before the layout makes it way back towards the coast.

A farmer previously owned the land on which the course stands and sold it because he became fed up with his sheep falling into the sea.

The course is framed naturally by the cliffs and the waves below and its manicured fairways, salty ocean breezes, famous lighthouse and stunning views make it a truly bucket-list experience.

The lighthouse guided the ill-fated Titanic in and out of Cork’s harbour and its keeper was the last person to see the liner as it sailed on its tragic maiden transatlantic voyage in 1912.

■

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STARTER

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STARTER

QUICK

HITS WITH a third place finish at the Honda Classic Tommy Fleetwood now has 12 top-five finishes on the US PGA Tour since 2014, the second-highest record of any player without a victory in that period of time.

Eddie Pepperell suffered his third disqualification in three years on the European Tour at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters last month following a scorecard error.

The 29-year-old noticed his playing partner had written an incorrect score, but inadvertently made the change to the wrong hole.

Pepperell was previously disqualified at the 2018 BMW International Open and last year’s Turkish Airlines Open after running out of golf balls.

During the PGA Tour’s hiatus due to the coronavirus outbreak, Commissioner Jay Monahan has recently announced that he is foregoing his salary for an indefinite period.

Rory McIlroy believes that if The Ryder Cup is to go ahead as scheduled in September then the current qualifying points system should be scrapped and the Official World Golf Rankings should be used as the means to decide the playing members for each team.

YOUTHFUL OVERRIDE BETWEEN 1985 AND 2000, ONLY FOUR PLAYERS UNDER THE AGE OF 22 WON ON THE PGA TOUR. SINCE JULY LAST YEAR, FIVE PLAYERS AGED 22 OR YOUNGER HAVE WON IN AMERICA. TRIUMPHS FOR KOREA’S SUNGJAE IM AT THE HONDA CLASSIC (ABOVE) AND SAMI VALIMAKI AT THE OMAN OPEN REPRESENTED THE FIRST TIME IN THE LAST 40 YEARS THAT THERE WERE WINNERS ON THE PGA AND EUROPEAN TOURS AGED 21 OR UNDER ON THE SAME WEEKEND.

Teeing it up

News, Facts and Figures from around the Tours

Alice Hewson seals maiden LET title in South Africa

Ernie Els wins first event on the PGA Tour Champions

22-year-old graduate of Clemson University won by one shot ahead of Emma Nilsson and Monique Smit

Four-times Major winner breaks through with two stroke win

While most professional tournaments were cancelled or postponed due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, the Ladies European Tour continued with the Investec South African Women’s Open in Cape Town last month, which was won by English prospect Alice Hewson.

The youngster drained a clutch seven-footer for par at the last hole to seal the title.

German legend Langer clinches 41st PGA Tour Champions title Bernhard Langer closes in on Hale Irwin’s Tour record by just four wins Bernhard Langer shot an 8-under-par final round to come from three behind and win his 41st title on the PGA Tour Champions at the Cologuard Classic in Arizona.

The win made it 14 consecutive years, dating back to 2007, during which Langer has won at least once on the US-based senior circuit.

As a result he brings Hale Irwin’s record of 45 wins on the over-50s Tour closer into view.

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South African Ernie Els added another title to his collection with a first win on the PGA Tour Champions at the Hoag Classic in California.

Els closed with a 4-under-par 67 to win by two shots ahead of Fred Couples, who was seeking his third career win at the event, Glen Day and fellow newcomer to the Senior circuit, former DP World Tour Championship winner Robert Karlsson, also took a share of second place.

Koepka and Rahm join Rory in turning down the PGL Top three ranked players in the world all dismiss Premier Golf Tour Four-times Major winner Brooks Koepka has distanced himself from the proposed Premier Golf League, stating: “I have a hard time believing that golf should be about just 48 players.”

The American is the second leading player to turn down the advancements following Rory McIlroy, while Jon Rahm has also followed suit saying his future lies on the PGA Tour and European Tour.

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LIFEAFT Which jobs would suit the Tour players?

With the breakout of the COVID-19 virus, an array of golf events have been cancelled or postponed and the immediate future of the game’s Majors looks uncertain. For a bit of fun, our Worldwide Golf staff have put together some potential career ideas that the stars could turn to after golf.

Fireman

Doctor SCOTT GRAYSTON: Eddie Pepperell comes across as one of the most intelligent members on Tour and would suit a doctor’s role – although it may prevent him from tweeting as much as he usually does.

TOM WRAGG: Bryson De Chambeau is nicknamed ‘The Scientist’ so a career change to a doctor would make perfect sense for the American.

SCOTT: It’s got to be Swedish ‘The Iceman’ Henrik Stenson, putting out all the flames with his cool approach to his game.

TODD STASZKO: Jordan Spieth’s once surgical-like touch seems to have deserted him on the course, but outside the ropes I’d be confident he’d be able to prescribe the correct treatment for any minor ailments.

TOM: Sam Horsfield. For one reason and one reason only – ‘Fireman Sam’!

TODD: Tyrrell Hatton. He knows how to run hot, so he has the insider knowledge of how to cool off again.

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ERGOLF Barber

Policeman

SCOTT: Hard one this but Robert Rock possibly has the best hair in golf and is one of the few players who never wears a hat in tournaments – so it has to be him.

SCOTT: Imposing Ryder Cup Captain, Thomas Bjorn, could turn his hand to keeping the streets safe if he were not a golfer.

TOM: Henrik Stenson knows how to keep his cool under pressure.

Just look back to his final round battle with Phil Mickelson at The 2016 Open Championship.

TODD: Patrick Reed seems like he has a good grasp of authority and the way he puts his fingers to his lips to calm people down is always reassuring.

TOM: Tommy Fleetwood’s luscious locks are second to none. He’d be the first name down as a potential barber candidate for me.

Bodybuilder SCOTT: Bryson DeChambeau’s recent bulking up has been crazy. He increased from 88kg to 104kg in the off-season and has become a beast. Bodybuilding could definitely be the next step for him!

TOM: Would have to be Brooks Koepka. The big-hitting American had this to say after his victory at the US Open in 2018: “Sunday at the US Open I benched 225kg, 14 times. I know that’s not that impressive. But I can get 315kg.

So, it’s all right.” Sounds highly impressive to me!

TODD: Tiger Woods. Golf’s first Adonis is never one to miss a gym session.

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TODD: Fleetwood is a non-starter - he clearly has a dislike for things barbers do. I’d say Rickie Fowler. He always seems one step ahead, clearly demonstrating his knowledge for what’s hip by rocking a mullet recently.

M MEMORIES ASTERS

W

ITH the postponement of this year’s Masters, sports fans around the world have been robbed of the annual pilgrimage to the hallowed grounds of Augusta National for the first Major championship of

the season. Tiger Woods’ epic win last year was another memorable

addition to the tournament’s illustrious history. In its absence this year, let us help you get over the disappointment by putting our heads together to pick our favourite editions of The Masters from the last five decades.

1977

Tom sees off Jack in a pre-cursor to the classic duel at Turnberry THE opening Major of the 1977 season was the catalyst for a series of Major victories in which Tom Watson got the better of Jack Nicklaus – and not many golfers can look back and say they did that too often.

Watson, then 27, had previously won the 1975 Open at Carnoustie but was beginning to earn the reputation of failing to close out Major leads. At the 1974 US Open at Winged Foot, Watson was leading after 54 holes but slipped up with a 79 to let Hale Irwin in.

However, he put those demons to bed with a composed 67 on a glorious final round

Jack defies logic – and age – to win at 46 Heading into the final round in 1986, not many believed that Jack Nicklaus stood a chance as he stood four strokes back and with a vast array of talented players ahead of him. Greg Norman led the way ahead of past champions Seve Ballesteros and Bernhard Langer with Tom Watson and Nick Price also in the mix. As the afternoon unfolded, five different players held the lead and it was Nicklaus who prevailed, thanks to some truly stunning play. He made three birdies around the turn to get into contention and bounced back from a bogey at 12 with a birdie at 13. He then picked up four shots

in three holes from the 15th – hitting three of the best iron shots (and then holing clutch putts) of his career in succession – and parred his way up the last to set the clubhouse target at 9-underpar. With Nicklaus safely home, Seve dunked his ball in the water at 15 to drop a shot and then three-putted on 17 to fall to 7-under, ending his chances of a third Green Jacket. Norman, who was then still to win a Major, was playing the 18th on 9-under but made a disastrous bogey to hand Nicklaus a sixth Masters win. The Aussie would go on to say his approach to the 18th was one of the worst shots of his career.

for the first of two Masters titles. At one point, the Kansas City Kid was four clear of Nicklaus, but the Golden Bear picked up four shots in six holes on the back nine to draw level. Watson then drained a tricky downhill birdie putt on 17 to re-take the lead and Nicklaus, who was in the group ahead, stumbled with a bogey on 18 to hand Watson a two-shot cushion. Just three months later the pair played out a mammoth battle together in the final round at The Open where they famously traded blows with Watson once again coming out on top.

1986

1997

Tiger explodes onto the scene Fresh-faced 21-year-old Tiger Woods took 40 shots to complete the opening nine holes of the 1997 Masters. He then played the next 63 in 22-under-par as he smashed the record with an 18-under-par total and an astonishing 12-stroke victory. Woods delivered a display of power, precision, touch and imagination that left his competitors in complete awe. A first round 70 saw him four back, he took a three-shot lead with a 66, followed that with a 65 to move nine clear and sealed the double-figure win with a 69.

Phil’s giant leap for joy

2004

At this point in Phil Mickelson’s career, he was widely regarded as the best player to never to have won a Major. It was Lefty’s 46th start in one of the Grand Slam events but he arrived with a renewed sense of calm – and with a new ploy of using a 3-wood more often to find the fairways. He took a share of the lead after 54 holes but made a poor start, dropping shots at 3, 5 and 6 after a birdie at the second. Meanwhile, Ernie Els emerged as the main challenger and produced two eagles at holes 8 and 13 to pile on the pressure.

Mickelson responded with a back nine charge for the ages, culminating in a downhill 18-foot birdie putt on 18 which sneaked into the left edge for a oneshot win. This caused Mickelson to jump at least 6 inches in the air in sheer delight while Els trudged off the property to rue another near miss.

2011 Schwartzel steps in as McIlroy collapses For three and a half rounds of golf at Augusta National, Rory McIlroy looked every inch the heir to Tiger Woods’ throne as the next great player of his generation. He was gunning for a wire-to-wire maiden Major title but came horrendously unstuck after snap-hooking his tee shot on the tenth tee. From there his tournament unravelled over a 45-minute stretch. He eventually dropped three shots, dropped another at 11 and double bogeyed 12 after four-putting from 12 feet. Meanwhile, it turned into a blessed day for Schwartzel. He opened with a birdie and then holed an unlikely pitch for eagle at the short third. He gave a shot back on 4 and then parred his way round until he reeled off four successive birdies from the 15th and deny the Aussie duo of Adam Scott and Jason Day by two shots. McIlroy signed for an 80 and finished in tied 14th. It’s worth remembering that McIlroy bounced back in the most spectacular fashion in the next Major on the schedule by winning the US Open by eight shots.

If you can’t get enough of past editions of The Masters, historic final round broadcasts are available to stream via the official Masters YouTube channel.

COVID-19

CHAOS

T

HE COVID-19 pandemic has caused havoc with sporting schedules all over the world. Football’s European Championship has been postponed until 2021, the Olympic Games have been put back a year, the Formula 1 season is now scheduled to start in June and golf events have been postponed or cancelled across the PGA, European Tour and LPGA Tours – with casualties including both The Masters, the US PGA Championship and the second World Golf Championships event of the year. Here’s what the world’s top players had to say about the unprecedented situation.

LAST YEAR’S HERO INDIAN OPEN CHAMPION,

Stephen Gallacher on the postponement of this year’s tournament due to the COVID-19 outbreak: “A pandemic is a serious thing and people are dying from it. There’s going to be an Indian Open tournament next year, so it’s just a case of getting everybody back to full health. Obviously, you want to go back as defending champion but the bigger picture is more important than sport. We don’t really know what’s happening, to be honest.”

FIFTEEN-TIME MAJOR WINNER

Tiger Woods

tweeted the following to his army of fans last month: “There are a lot more important things in life than a golf tournament right now.

We need to be safe, smart and do what is best for ourselves, our loved ones and our community.”

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COVID-19 CHAOS

RACE TO DUBAI AND DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER

Jon Rahm

had this to say about his family, who were on lockdown in Bilbao, Spain: “Everybody’s there. I have spoken with them. I went to the grocery store, and I gave them a call since I knew they had nothing else to do. Basically, everyone is in quarantine. My family is in great spirits.

My grandma is the most spirited, most energetic 85-year-old you’ll ever meet. She’s trying to look on the bright side of everything so it’s always refreshing to talk with her, but it’s hard. She saw a family get taken home by the police because they were out walking.”

RYDER CUP HOPEFUL

Matthias Schwab “I was in Doha for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters before the virus really started to spread faster. When the Kenya Open was called off I stayed in Qatar hoping to get some good practice in before going to India – but then the Indian Open was called off so I came back home to Austria. Now, I’m at home, hanging out and waiting to see what happens next. I’m trying to stay fit and work out a bit but there are a bunch of restrictions from the government as you’re not supposed to go outside or really gather with other people.”

FOUR-TIME EUROPEAN TOUR WINNER,

Matt Wallace

“I’ve been playing in the United States for the last few weeks and was watching on at what was happening on the European Tour and obviously keeping a close eye on it all. I was due to play Malaysia after The Masters and that was one of the first tournaments to be called off and then Kenya and India went, too. This was all going on while we were at Bay Hill and then we came into the week at The Players. There was a bit of uncertainty – everyone was talking about it all the time – and we played the first day. While I was on the course, they announced that the rest of the tournament was going to be behind closed doors and then on the Thursday night it was called off, along with the next three events. And then, the following day, it was The Masters. Now the event at Valderrama and the PGA Tour events up to the US PGA are off, too. No-one knows what’s happening at the moment and golf stops being as important when we have something like this, which no-one has any experience of, is going on.

I don’t know when I’ll be playing again, but I’ll be doing all I can to be ready.”

Worldwide WorldwideGOLF GOLF 23 31

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TOUR HALTS TICKET AND HOSPITALITY SALES AMID COVID-19 OUTBREAK

T

he European Tour have temporarily suspended all ticket and hospitality sales for its upcoming events in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which is sweeping across the planet and affecting all walks of life.

European Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley said in a statement: “As important as golf is to all of us, public health and well-being is the absolute priority. That will remain the case as we continue to monitor this rapidly evolving global pandemic over the coming weeks, working with the World Health Organisation and each national Government and their public health agencies to ensure we have the latest advice to inform all our decision making.

“Due to the current ongoing uncertainty, we are suspending ticket and hospitality sales for all 2020 European Tour promoted events until further notice.

“This is a temporary measure but one we feel is proportionate in the current circumstances. If there are any changes to the status of any of our tournaments, we will communicate this to you in due course.

“We will continue to monitor this global situation in

relation to coronavirus and evaluate its impact on all our tournaments, with public health and well-being our absolute priority. Discussions regarding the possible rescheduling of all postponed tournaments are ongoing and we remain hopeful of European Tour action resuming at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at the end of May.”

POSTPONED EVENTS: ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶

▶ ▶ ▶

Magical Kenya Open Hero Indian Open The Masters Maybank Championship Volvo China Open Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation US PGA Championship Made in Denmark presented by FREJA Olympic Golf Competition

CANCELLED EVENTS: ▶ ▶ ▶

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is the next scheduled event on the European Tour, due to take place at Mount Juliet from May 28-31 with Jon Rahm the defending champion.

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WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play GolfSixes Cascais D+D Real Czech Masters

SAMI VÄLIMÄKI LANDS OMAN OPEN TITLE IN THRILLING FINALE LAST MONTH, SAMI VÄLIMÄKI GOT HIS HANDS ON A EUROPEAN TOUR TROPHY FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME, FOLLOWING ONE OF THE MOST DRAMATIC FINAL DAYS IN RECENT MEMORY AT THE OMAN OPEN.

Nick Taylor

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MARTIN KAYMER’S SECOND ROUND FEATURED A 1,2,3,4,5 AND 6! THE TWO-TIME MAJOR WINNER ACED THE 15TH WHILE HE POSTED A SIX ON THE 1ST AND 15TH.

HE Finn, who was making only his sixth European Tour start after successfully navigating Qualifying School at the back end of 2019, found himself outside the top 100 after posting a disappointing two over par 74 in the first round. But the 21year-old superbly got himself back in the hunt for a maiden title with a 67 on the Friday before a stunning third round 64 placed him at at the summit of the of the leaderboard alongside five others to set up a thrilling final round showdown at Al Mouj Golf, Muscat.

Rolex Series winner Brandon Stone, 2018 Oman Open champion Joost Luiten, fellow Finn Mikko Korhonen, Callum Shinkwin, and Rasmus Hojgaard all joined Välimäki at the top on 11 under par to set up what turned out to be a thrilling finale in the Sultanate.

In difficult, breezy conditions by the Gulf of Oman both Stone and Välimäki had held the lead on their own during the final day but it was Frenchman Adrien Saddier who set the clubhouse target at 12 under par despite back-to-back bogeys on his opening two holes. Stone then celebrated wildly as he got to 13 under par after holing a 20-footer on the last, but there was more drama to come as Välimäki holed a crucial putt to force a play-off for the first time in the tournament’s history.

The duo halved the 18th in pars twice but when Stone sent his second shot crashing into the stand on the third trip and failed to get up and down, a par was enough to hand Välimäki victory.

“It’s awesome,” said Välimäki, who picked up 460 Race to Dubai points with his triumph, surging up to 13th from 103rd in the Race to Dubai Rankings .

“What can I say?” he concluded. “It’s unbelievable. After the ninth hole when I made a double I knew that the tenth hole was an opportunity to pick up a shot and I had to make a birdie on that. Then I made bogey on 11 and I felt like, ‘okay my chance has gone.’

“But then I just grinded it out, made three birdies and on the last, another awesome birdie. It’s great that more Finnish golfers are doing well and golf is getting more popular in Finland.”

Saddier took home third while Korhonen and Guido Migliozzi finished a shot further back in a share of fourth. ■

CAMPILLO GRABS QATAR GLORY IN PUTTING MASTERCLASS PLAY-OFF JORGE CAMPILLO DEFEATS DAVID DRYSDALE IN AN MAMMOTH PLAYOFF AT LAST MONTH’S COMMERICAL BANK QATAR MASTERS TO PICK UP HIS SECOND EUROPEAN TOUR TROPHY, AT EDUCATION CITY GOLF CLUB.

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ORGE CAMPILLO, winner of the Trophée Hassan II last year for his maiden European Tour title, looked set to wrap it up in Qatar without requiring extra holes, after leading by two shots on the 17th tee. But disaster followed as the 33-year-old double-bogeyed to drop back to 13-under, creating, for the second week in a row, a European Tour event being settled by a play-off to decide proceedings.

A thrilling battle ensued with Campillo producing a master class in putting in Doha.

The Indiana University graduate found sand off the tee on the first trip back up the last hole but a sublime 25 foot putt brought a birdie which Drysdale matched from six feet.

Another mammoth putt came at the next with a 20-footer bringing another birdie for Campillo, while Dysydale again matched it.

Both men made routine pars on the third and fourth play-off holes and were given a buggy to make their way down the fairway as the light began to fade.

Another stunning putt from beyond 20-feet brought Campillo a birdie and when Drysdale missed from similar distance, Campillo was a two-time winner in his 250th event on Tour.

“I’m just so proud right now of the way I played in the play-off,” said Campillo, whose win took him to the top 15 of the Race to Dubai Rankings. “I hardly missed a shot and I was able to make some putts.

“I hit some good shots in the middle of the round but you have to be patient, you have

to try hard. I knew I was going to make some putts. It was a tough win but I’m glad I pulled it off. It’s a great par four, the 18th – a tough hole. David was hitting some great shots into the hole and I had to make some putts. Three birdies out of six on 18 to win is something to be proud of.”

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For Drysdale, this was his 498th European Tour event without a win and a fourth career runner-up finish. Niklas Lemke, Kalle Samooja, and Jeff Winther shared third place after they all finished on 12-under-par while Alexander Björk finished a shot further back in fourth.

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Is Dubai the perfect place to raise a golfer?

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ARM WEATHER, PRISTINE COURSES AND STATEOF-THE-ART TRAINING FACILITIES MAKE DUBAI THE IDEAL SPOT FOR A GOLFER TO DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS AND, HOPEFULLY, PROGRESS TO PLAY ON TOUR. IN 1988, EMIRATES GOLF CLUB’S ICONIC MAJLIS WAS THE FIRST GRASS COURSE TO BE OPENED, BUT AS THE CITY HAS DEVELOPED SO TOO HAS THE GOLF SCENE WITH DUBAI NOW HAVING 12 GOLF COURSES. WE SPOKE TO A NUMBER OF ASPIRING GOLFERS, COACHES AND PROFESSIONALS TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY THINK OF DUBAI AS A GOLFING HUB FOR UP-AND-COMING TALENTS.

CLAUDE HARMON “Certainly, living in a climate where you can play golf 365 days a year makes Dubai an outstanding place to be a golfer. Dubai’s Rayhan Thomas has gone on to study at the No.1 golf college in the world, Oklahoma State University, where PGA Tour stars Matt Wolff, Viktor Hovland and Rickie Fowler all graduated.

I think 16 year old record-breaker Josh Hill will help put the UAE even more on the map for junior golf with the career path he takes.

Hopefully, this will inspire another young group of players to emulate what these boys have achieved.”

TOBY BISHOP

“The facilities in Dubai are amazing, practicing at The Els Club and playing courses like Trump International Golf Club, Dubai – the fantastic opportunities we have living in Dubai, I probably wouldn’t have had living in the UK, so I’m very lucky and fortunate to be living and growing up here.”

JOSH HILL “My parents moved here a month before I was born so I’ve lived here for 16 years now. It’s been amazing growing up in Dubai with all the great clubs on offer in the region; it really is a fantastic place to get to grips with the game. The first membership I ever had was at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. The club has such a great atmosphere and everyone seemed to get along really well with each other. The course is obviously really well kept and it’s also a challenge, so it really helped me grow my game and become the player I am today.”

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STEPHEN DEANE “Dubai is perfect for many reasons, and it’s certainly a privilege to learn the game in this wonderful environment.

Outstanding practice facilities and championship golf courses are a given and this is backed up with great coaching and development programmes.

There’s a structure to the learning in Dubai and a development pathway at every level of the golfing journey.

The weather is obviously ideal for seven months of the year and this also attracts many of the world’s best players to use Dubai as a practice hub during the off-season.

This practice hub also adds to the package as many of our promising juniors are exposed to world-class players on a weekly basis. They understand what it takes to reach that level and they aren’t intimidated. In many instances it becomes normal for them to interact, practice and play with touring Professionals.

This, obviously, is a unique benefit that can only help progress their games.

The multicultural environment here is also a benefit as you learn how to live and develop in a city with so many wonderful individuals with varying beliefs, styles, cuisines, celebrations and languages. It’s a fantastic learning environment for a future touring Professional who plans to play this game globally.

The competitive scene is also strong and developing each year. The MENA Tour has certainly been a massive positive to the region and it’s great having our top amateurs competing regularly and successfully against Professionals.

We also provide pathways to college golf in America which can lead to successful scholarship opportunities. Education is vitally important and again is another reason why Dubai works.”

MICHAEL HARRADINE

BRADLEY MOGIRE

“Dubai is a great place to raise a golfer. We are very fortunate that there are so many courses with state-ofthe-art practice facilities that are kept in great condition and can be played all year round. Once you have reached a certain level though, you have to play tournaments and gain experience in different conditions abroad.

Tournaments and conditions aren’t always as rosy as they are in Dubai!”

“There are so many great opportunities for golfers out here in Dubai, especially up-andcoming players. The weather is fantastic so you could play all year round if you wanted to, although you might get cooked alive in the summer! We have so many world class courses in the region that give players a great opportunity to hone their game and there is a lot of healthy competition between players.

Josh Hill, Arjun Gupta and Toby Bishop are three very talented youngsters who all want to beat each other and that has helped push them to be the best they can be. It’s great to see the friendly rivalry and it can only be a good thing for golf in Dubai. We’re also lucky to witness the world’s best players in Dubai twice

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a year at the DP World Tour Championship and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, which can only help to grow the game.”

STEPHEN GALLACHER

ALL SET FOR THE COMEBACK A

FTER an uncharacteristically poor start to the season, Stephen Gallacher witnessed the green shoots of recovery at the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers and is looking to build on his momentum and make 2020 more memorable than 2019.

“I could have shot 60 that day,” smiled Gallacher, who stormed up the leaderboard with a 4-under-66 in the final round at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, finishing 21st after beginning the day in 58th position.

“That was as good as I have played for a long time. I got some good signs in the third round when I was a bit disappointed as I played better than my score suggested.

But I played some lovely golf in the final round and I hit it really well. I got better as the week went on so it’s a step in the right direction for me to build on.”

The performance was his best since he won the Hero Indian Open in March last year and put an end to a run of missed cuts at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic – where he is a two-time former winner.

Indeed, it seemed that 2020 was starting to play out in the same manner as how 2019 ended, because, despite the victory in India, Gallacher struggled to find the consistency he had previously enjoyed throughout his

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career. Gallacher’s triumph in New Delhi was his fourth on the European Tour and ended a five-year gap between titles, with his previous triumphs coming at backto-back Omega Dubai Desert Classics in 2013-14.

However, the former Ryder Cup star couldn’t reach those highs again and during the campaign, and at one point he missed seven cuts in succession.

“Last season was strange,” admitted Gallacher. “It was great winning with my son, Jack, on the bag in India, and the only thing that will top that is doing it again.

“It’s always nice to win – I’ve only done it four times in nearly 600 events on the European Tour, which shows how hard it is – but it set me up with an exemption to keep going.

“At the same time, though, I missed a lot of cuts last season by one or two shots. I just wasn’t as consistent as I normally am. I normally have a lot more top-10 finishes than just one and so it was a tough year, mentally. That’s why I had a break at the end of last season, and took November off completely.

“I used that time to have a reevaluation of everything and I’ve had a break from the coaching side of things.

I’m trying to free my brain up a bit to try and get some consistency back. It’s all about getting into position on a Sunday.

The more times you do it the better you become.”

“IT IS ALWAYS NICE TO WIN – I’VE ONLY DONE IT FOUR TIMES IN NEARLY 600 EVENTS ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR, WHICH SHOWS HOW HARD IT IS – BUT IT SET ME UP WITH AN EXEMPTION TO KEEP GOING. AT THE SAME TIME, THOUGH, I MISSED A LOT OF CUTS LAST SEASON BY ONE OR TWO SHOTS. I JUST WASN’T AS CONSISTENT AS I NORMALLY AM. I NORMALLY HAVE A LOT MORE TOP10 FINISHES THAN JUST ONE AND SO IT WAS A TOUGH YEAR, MENTALLY.”

– Stephen Gallacher

New breed of Scottish players

The 45-year-old was one of eight Scots in the field at the start of the 2020 campaign in Abu Dhabi and he acknowledges that the new breed of youngsters out on Tour gave him a ‘shotin the arm’ as he set out on his 24th season on Tour.

“The young Scots are doing brilliantly just now – and the more the merrier,” he said. “When these guys play well it shows others coming through that they can do it via the same pathway.

“I had the same thing when I was a youngster with Colin Montgomerie, Sandy Lyle, Sam Torrance and Gordon Brand Junior – you looked up to those guys and watched what they were doing.

“Youngsters these days are better equipped for life in the professional ranks. They come out of the Challenge Tour as if they’ve been here for 10 years.

“I think that conveyor belt of talent is going to keep going. It’s exciting to see.”

Gallacher’s lone Ryder Cup outing came on home soil, back in 2014 as he played his part in Europe’s superb 16½- 11½ defeat of the United States at Gleneagles under the Captaincy of Paul McGinley. The

man from Lothian was handed a Captain’s pick by the Irishman after impressing with his dedication to make the team, and, as a result, he has memories that will last a lifetime.

“Stepping on to the first tee at Gleneagles on the Friday morning was magic,” reflected Gallacher. “It was exactly

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what I was hoping for and was expecting.

The fans were fantastic all the way around the course. It was just a shame we never got the birdies to compete with them (Gallacher and Ian Poulter were defeated 5&4 by Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed in the opening session of fourballs).

“It took me a few holes to settle in and

STEPHEN STEPHEN GALLACHER GALLACHER

Stephen Gallacher in action en route to victory at last year’s Hero Indian Open and (inset) celebrating with his son (and caddie) Jack.

find my rhythm and when we finally did we didn’t really hole any putts. You have to make birdies to win holes and we were a bit shy – that was the difference.

“A few years ago I had made a conscious effort to get into the Ryder Cup Team. I improved every single part of my game – the mental aspect, nutrition, injury prevention,

equipment, routines, absolutely everything.

“Whilst I knew midway through that 2014 season that my performances had given me a great chance of a wildcard pick, I couldn’t be confident that it would be enough to guarantee a place.

“There were probably five other players hoping to get one of Paul’s three picks – two

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of these were former World No.1s and all of them had previous Ryder Cup experience – so, I knew that I was up against some fierce competition for a place.

“To be chosen as a rookie and to be given the nod gave me a lot of confidence and made me understand just how far my game had improved in the space of just over a

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STEPHEN GALLACHER THERE’S NO DOUBT THAT BACKTO-BACK WINS IN DUBAI HAD GIVEN ME THE CONFIDENCE THAT I HAD BEEN MISSING.

– Gallacher

Stephen Gallacher lets it fly on hole 8 at the 2014 Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club.

year.” Gallacher had the best year of his career in 2014. In addition to his Dubai title he had a runner-up finish at the Nordea Masters and was fourth at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open among seven top tens. After earning McGinley’s trust for a place on the team he went on to end the season 18th in the Race to Dubai.

“I spoke with Paul Lawrie quite a bit about his experience in the victory at Medinah in 2012, and he said he was on a massive high after the tournament. So I thought, ‘you know what, I’m starting to play better – let’s go for it’.

“I always felt that I could add to my victory at the Dunhill Links Championship in 2004 and there’s no doubt that backto-back wins in Dubai had given me the confidence that I had been missing.

Ryder Cup moment

“Prior to that, I thought I had missed my chance of playing in a Ryder Cup and I knew that if I wanted to make the team for Gleneagles then I had to have the best year of my life – which, I’m pleased to say I did.

I took a lot of pride from that and I’m happy to be here now, knowing that all of the hard work and the sacrifices were well worth it.”

While those sacrifices were successful that time around, Gallacher is now at the stage in his career when he’s looking to keep up with the next generation – including last year’s European Tour Rookie of the Year Robert MacIntyre – and he feels he’s in good shape.

Gallacher celebrates with his Ryder Cup teammates after their emphatic 16½ -11½ victory at Gleneagles in 2014.

He was well placed with a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Oman Open but failed to convert that into a victory after a disappointing weekend on the challenging Al Mouj Golf layout.

“I had been struggling a bit but I’d worked hard on my game,” he said in Oman. “Things started to turn around in Saudi Arabia, where I started to hit some good shots and it’s amazing how it can snowball after that. You start to chip and putt a bit better and compete.

Hopefully, by Sunday you just want to be in with a chance to win.”

While victory didn’t materialise in Oman, the experienced campaigner has the confidence and the know-how to deliver again on the European Tour but he admits it might be a while before he gets the

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opportunity, given the concerns about the coronavirus outbreak and the recent postponements of events.

“A pandemic is a serious thing and people are dying from it, so it’s no surprise to see all these cancellations,” said Gallacher, who didn’t get the chance to defend his Hero Indian Open title last month as that was one of the postponed events.

“It’s the way of the world right now. We’re in very uncertain times and we just hope it gets sorted soon.

“There’s always going to be an Indian Open next year, so it’s just a case of getting everybody back to full health.

“Obviously, you want to go back as defending champion, but the bigger picture is more important than sport.” ■

Matthew turned professional in 1995 and won her first LPGA Tour title in Hawaii in 2001 with a three-shot win over Annika Sorenstam.

Matthew appeared in nine editions of the Solheim Cup as a player, making her debut back in 1998.

Catriona Matthew

THE CAPTAIN READY TO GO AGAIN

A 25-year veteran on the LPGA Tour, Catriona Matthew is one of Scotland’s greatest women golfers with four wins on the circuit, including a Major at the 2009 Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham, which she won just 11 weeks after giving birth to her second daughter.

She was also victorious five times on the Ladies European Tour, including twice in her home country at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open before it became a joint LPGA/LET event. Last year she oversaw one of the most thrilling finishes in Solheim Cup history as her risky Captain’s Pick, Suzann Pettersen, holed a clutch six-footer in the final match to clinch the matches for Europe.

Earlier this year she was awarded an OBE for Services to Golf and next year she will return as Solheim Cup Captain at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio on August 31st.

How big a surprise was it to receive an OBE in the New Years Honours List?

CM: It was a huge honour for me – and for the team and also for women’s golf. It capped off what’s been an outstanding year for me. It was literally a dream come true to captain a winning European Solheim Cup team in front of amazing home crowds at Gleneagles in September. This is really an award for the whole team as it was their outstanding efforts that led to the result we were all wanting, but I couldn’t have been more proud of the way it all came together.

The inaugural Saudi Ladies International was postponed due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus, but its announcement marked a positive step towards growing the game among women’s golf in the region. Do you believe that the Middle East is a potential growth area for ladies golf?

CM: I’m sure it must be a potential growth area, since there are so few female golfers out there, currently. Hopefully, by bringing more professional women’s tournaments to various Middle Eastern countries it will really help to showcase the sport, and, hopefully, these events are shown on local TV also to help introduce the game to as many people as possible.

Captaining a successful European Solheim Cup team was clearly one of the greatest highlights of your career but would you like to see the event played further afield in the Middle East in order to grow awareness?

CM: Yes, I think it would be incredible to stage the event in front of a new audience – really cool.

How would you change the current game to make it more appealing to women and juniors?

CM: I’d make sure that dress codes are relaxed so that any perceived “stuffiness” isn’t on show and try and continue to find ways to make golf fun and cool.

Who was your golfing hero and why?

CM: Growing up it was Kathy Whitworth, who has been the most successful player on the LPGA to date – she’s also won more tournaments than any male PGA Tour player. She really was a trailblazer for professional women’s golf, and put many of the foundations in place that led to us having the strong platform that we have today.

What ingredients make up the perfect course?

CM: I think one where you have to hit every club in the bag, and that has a variety of lengths of hole. This should give you lots of options of shot choices around the green.

If you could change one rule in the game what would it be and why?

CM: I’d make it legal to remove your ball from a divot in the fairway.

What would you do to speed up play?

CM: I’d advocate playing ‘ready golf’ and have harsher penalties for those who don’t speed up, especially on the professional tours!

Do you feel that the ball goes too far for professional men but should it remain unaltered for Ladies Tour players and amateurs?

CM: Yes, I don’t feel that there is any need for balls to be altered for female players of any level.

I understand that it’s causing issues in the men’s professional game though – it seems that they are running out of courses they can play.

FLYING THE FLAG Catriona Matthew has represented Scotland in the World Cup of Golf on three occasions and was part of Team GB at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

AHMAD SKAIK

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B Y S C OT T G R A YSTO N

OBY BISHOP is truly making a name for himself – not only in the Middle East but all over the world. At just 16 years old, he shot a sublime 62 to break the course record in the Saadiyat Men’s Open and then followed it up with victory in The Els Alliance against a strong field that contained the likes of European Tour professional Gavin Moynihan. It’s a shame that the COVID-19 virus has put the brakes on for a youngster whom looks destined for greatness.

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HE Welsh golfer’s scintillating record-breaking triumph in the Saadiyat Men’s Open came shortly after losing out in a play-off to Ahmad Skaik in the Trump Men’s Open. Not only did the teenager display his strong mental game to bounce back, but also his immense potential to shoot low – really low. “It all just seemed to fall into place in that tournament,” the teenager says about his 10-under par performance that including missing a four-footer, six- footer and 10-footer on holes 15, 16 and 17.

“My game recently has been in a really good place, the long game is in good shape and I’m hitting the ball really well,” said Bishop, who had Callaway’s new MAVRIK driver in the bag for the first time and missed only one fairway all weekend.

“I’ve also been spending a lot of time on the short game area, which has been key to improving my scoring. I was out there attacking pins and everything just seemed to click. Every single putt, whether it was 40-foot or 5-foot, it felt like it was going to go in. My putter was red hot all day.”

BACK-TO-BACK VICTORIES Bishop, who is part of the Wales Golf High Performance Squad, then went back-toback with victory in The Els Alliance, where he shot a 69 in the professional one-day event.

Then, after holding the lead, he looked destined to complete a hat-trick of triumphs at the Trump Dubai Club Championship, where he’s a member, but his hopes were put on hold after the General Authority of Sports postponed the event due to children under 18 being prevented by participating in golf events because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

It was frustrating for Bishop, who was in the form of his life, but he took it in his stride. “It’s quite annoying with my best performances happening recently but there’s nothing we can do,” he says.

“It’s disappointing not to be able to play in more tournaments, but at the same time this gives me more chance to practice. It would have been a special tournament for me to win at the Trump, Dubai, as it’s my home club’s championship, but, hopefully, I’ll be victorious in the event when it happens again later in the year.”

The well-spoken teen’s impressive performances this season have come as a result of the countless hours of work he’s been putting into various aspects of his game. “I’ve tidied up my short game, which has been very helpful, and also done some great work with my psychologist who is part of the Wales Golf Team,” he said.

“In addition, the experience of playing in events and improving my course management has come together with

“My game recently has been in a really good place, the long game is in good shape and I’m hitting the ball really well,” said Bishop, who had Callaway’s new MAVRIK driver in the bag for the first time and only missed one fairway all weekend. enhancements to my swing to help me perform at a higher level.”

The Dubai English-Speaking College student is part of a strong trio of youngsters alongside Arjun Gupta and Josh Hill who have been raised in Dubai and are proving their ability on the MENA Tour. All three are coached at the Claude Harmon Performance Academy at the Els Club.

REAPING THE REWARDS Bishop is taught by the Academy Director of Instruction, Jamie McConnell, and the pair have developed a partnership that is reaping the rewards out on the course.

“I’ve been working with Jamie literally since the first day he moved to Dubai,”

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Bishop says with a smile. “He came over from Spain, landed with a suitcase, and came straight to a lesson with me, so he’s seen my game develop all the way to what it is now. We have a special relationship because he completely understands my swing and this seems to have been working really well in recent months.”

Bishop’s friend, Josh Hill, has also broken records of his own when last season he became the youngest male player to win an Official World Golf Ranking event at the MENA Tour’s Al Ain Open as a 15-year-old.

Hill went on to play in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic this season which has spurred Bishop on to raise his game.

TOBY BISHOP “Josh is one of my best mates so to see him compete in two professional events and enjoy so much success was great to see.

It’s definitely inspired me to try and do that myself.”

Although Bishop, Hill and Gupta are regularly competing against each other most weeks, they are close friends away from the course, which helps bring the best out of each other’s games.

“The three of us are like brothers,” says

the Welshman. “Josh and I are really good friends off the course. We play lots of Xbox online together when we’re not playing golf. In terms of the future, we have quite different paths we are aiming to take.

“I’m looking towards going down the academic route of college golf in the States, Arjun’s trying to get away from academics as soon as he can and then Josh is sitting more on the fence.

“Although we could all be going in

different routes, hopefully, all three of us can go on to have careers like Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth!”

So what’s the long term plan for the record-breaking Bishop who has been catching the eye of some of the top American Colleges after his recent performances?

Toby has it all planned out: “After college, I want to get onto the PGA Tour, and win all the Majors and become World No.1!” ■

TYPICAL WEEK FOR TOBY SUNDAY – THURSDAY:

HOME

• Go to school at DESC. • •

SCHOOL

• GOLF

Usually wake up at 5:30am and arrive at school at 7:00am.

Leave school at 4:30pm and go straight to the club to practice/workout.

Home at 7:30pm, bit of dinner, homework then bed.

WEDNESDAY: • Has a half day to allow him to play more golf.

WEEKENDS:

As much golf as possible!

COACH JAMIE McCONNELL REFLECTS ON TOBY BISHOP’S RECORD-BREAKING FORM Bishop trains at the Claude Harmon Performance Academy under the expert guidance of Jamie McConnell. The Golf Academy Director spoke to Worldwide Golf exclusively about the 16-year-old’s development and potential.

“Toby has always been a slow and steady improver,” says McConnell. “We have been working together for almost seven years. He was my very first pupil in Dubai, which is quite funny looking back at it now. He’s the most constant improver that we have really had.

He doesn’t jump very often – in fact, going 10-under would be unsual because it is such a big step. He has been training like that for a while and he’s been working exceptionally hard on his game.

“His ball striking has been through the roof for a long time now and the short game work he has put in over the last few weeks and months has come together with these two

recent victories. All of a sudden, something like a 62 comes like it did at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. But whether he shots 62, 72 or 82, it’s the same person who remains an exceptional hard worker and who deserves everything that he gets in the game.”

McConnell knows Bishop’s game better than anyone and can identify areas where he is looking to improve to get to the next stage in his career.

“I would just say that he should keep doing what he is doing,” adds the coach. “Improving his speed is one of his biggest goals and one of the things that he has worked hardest on.

He has hit goals along the way and he is the

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one person I have worked with who would always surprise me, as he achieves big goals every single year. Even when he looks unlikely to beat his oponents – he does it. It’s funny because one of the goals this season was to set a course record – and that is a difficult goal for anyone, so for him to go out there and shoot 62 is amazing.

“On that day I was away but I was in touch with the coach in Abu Dhabi and he was saying that Toby had been consistent. I replied and said that I would love to see him go low, and then later when I logged on to check the results, I nearly fell off my beach chair when I saw his score!”

MIGLIOZZI ON STAYING MOTIVATED “It’s tough to keep motivated when you don’t know when you will be playing tournament golf next. Since I was six years old, I have always played at least one tournament a month aside from the winter break. I try and get on the course and play with friends to keep my motivation up. Before we went into isolation I was spending a lot of time with Nino and Renato who are also out here so we had little games against each other out on the course. The morning and afternoon were reserved for golf while the evening was for games of paddle tennis! But now everything is shut we just have to wait it out like everyone else.”

GUIDO MIGLIOZZI

GUIDO MIGLIOZZI

‘WE MUST TAKE CARE OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY’ O

UTSIDE of China, Italy is one of the worst affected countries to hit by the COVID-19 outbreak. The country is still on lockdown with 92,472 confirmed cases and 10,023 deaths attributed to the virus. We caught up with Italian golfer and two-time European Tour winner, Guido Migliozzi, at Jumeirah Golf Estates to get his thoughts on a range of topics from the worldwide pandemic to his dream fourball.

MIGLIOZZI ON DUBAI “I’m going to be moving out to Dubai soon but I’m just waiting for my apartment to be ready. I can normally practice on so many great courses out here. Dubai is a golfer’s dream with all the fantastic facilities that the golf courses

MIGLIOZZI ON COVID-19 IN ITALY “It’s something that is new for everyone and we need to take care of our friends and familiy.

We need to be patient because this COVID-19 outbreak is a pandemic so we must wait for the European Tour Committee to make a decision on what will happen in the future. All my friends and family back home in Italy are on lockdown.

It’s very hard to leave the house and do daily tasks such as going to the supermarket. It’s really crazy out there and you have to be there to believe what is going on.

It’s really tough.”

have. Aside from the golf the lifestyle here is nice with lots of attractions and things to do for everybody. We bought a scooter to explore the city which has been a lot of fun. You’ll certainly never get bored in Dubai!

MIGLIOZZI ON A NORMAL PRACTICE DAY

MIGLIOZZI ON THE MASTERS “It’s hard to believe that The Masters won’t be taking place this month but it’s the right thing to do. We have to try and contain this virus and not have mass gatherings of people. Hopefully, it will get played later this year. We’ll just have to see what happens.”

“My daily routine starts off by going to the gym in the morning and then grabbing some breakfast.

From there I’ll go out on to the course and practice on different aspects of

my game until the sun goes down before heading inside for dinner. Dinner typically consists of a lot of pizza and pasta. I’m Italian so I love to eat!”

MIGLIOZZI ON HIS FAVOURITE NETFLIX SHOW

MIGLIOZZI ON HIS DREAM FOURBALL

“My favourite would have to be Breaking Bad; Walter White is such a great character. I’m also a big fan of Narcos.”

“Myself, Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer and Phil Mickelson. That would be pretty cool!”

DAVID HOWELL Talks about a remarkable career that started in a field behind his childhood home.

Thanks for all my unforgettable memories I hope golf comes back soon, so I can meet some more amazing people.

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HO knows what the world will look like in the coming And I am still there now on the Tour. It has been a blessing in all months, never mind what the golf world will look like, manner of ways, but you know what, meeting and playing with the so it seems to me that, sadly, during this sporting stars of that 1985 Ryder Cup team became 12 individual highlights hiatus, the only reasonable thing to do is to look back for me. This is what springs to mind whenever I consider my time rather than forward and take stock of all that is certain – the past, around each one: or, to be more clinical still, my past.

Tony Jacklin, the Captain, was the man who brought The Ryder I fell in love with game when I was ten Cup home. I was fortunate enough to years old, on the field behind my house, with share the Sky Sports studio live from The a ladies five iron and a red Topflight XL, Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, sandwiched “I found myself at the which was bought for me by a group of between the greatest Ryder Cup Captain European Tour Qualifying teenage friends, after they witnessed Blain of all time and, perhaps, the greatest School. I still practiced on the coach, Butch Harmon. To say I felt Norridge hit all four of my balls over the school field behind my dad’s shops at the bottom of the field. insignificant was understating the I was crestfallen, but their act of kindness obvious. I wish I’d got the photo but I was house on occasion. I’d never more than made up for Blains’ thuggery. The too much in awe of the occasion to ask. had a lesson or a coach, and feel of the ball on the clubface and that I played with Jose Rivero. I remember I’d never been in a gym. My early friendship created by golf, etched the thinking it was a treat. As for Canizares, game into my soul in my early years. well, I think of cigarettes for some reason mate Jason, who bought me In 1985 Sandy Lyle won The Open. At the and his drive off the first at The Belfry the red Topflight XL was time, I didn’t quite get the significance of the during that Ryder Cup – a turned over carrying my bag, and after event, but my interest was soon sealed draw that ran a mile and set up an early when I watched The Ryder Cup for the first birdie. Even now I can hear the voice of the chipping-in on the 16th hole time. Sam Torrance with his arms aloft, commentator describing it. I get to play and then making a putt from unbridled joy on his face, with the crowds in alongside his son now, and they swing it 12 feet on the last, I became a rapture. It was my first experience of a the same. pro-golfer with a place on the sporting drama on this level – and what impressionable ten-year-old couldn’t have RYDER CUP TALES European Tour.” got hooked after witnessing a moment like Manuel Pinero was another true golfer’s that. golfer. I had the most wonderful dinner with him three years ago, in Spain at Valderamma. I think he got NEVER HAD A LESSON bored with my relentless questioning as I hung on to his every word Exactly ten years later, I found myself at European Tour Qualifying as he told old tales of Ryder Cup encounters. What could be better?

School. I still practiced on the school field behind my dad’s house on When I think of Paul Way I also think of Ray Floyd, the toughest occasion. I’d never had a lesson or a coach, and I’d never been in a American of them all, and hearing how Floyd sent his own wife gym. My mate Jason, who bought me the red Topflight XL, was packing back to the clubhouse from the 8th fairway of the Brabazon carrying my bag, and after chipping-in on the 16th hole and holing a course, goes down as an all-time classic. When coming straight from putt from 12 feet on the last, I was a pro-golfer with a place on the the mouth of the person who beat him, it can’t be bettered.

European Tour.

Regarding Torrance, I think fondly of Sam for always backing me to

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David Howell pictured with the 1999 Dubai Desert Classic Trophy when the event was held at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.

win my three-ball back in the days when bets could be wagered. I’m not sure what value he saw in me that the bookies didn’t, but it probably meant more to me than Sam will ever know. I won him a few quid for a while, too.

As for Sandy Lyle, I relish looking back on the evening in Italy a few years ago when we partnered each other in an exhibition match. I felt easy in asking him about his career and his much-discussed decline from the pinnacle of the game.

He was kind enough to indulge me with great detail. I left wishing he had taken the three-week break he needed, rather than going for that first-ever lesson that he didn’t need. But then, I might not have got to know him quite as well, which would have been my loss.

BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD

Sir Nick Faldo, Britain’s golfing giant, walked Augusta’s back nine with me the first time I ever visited, then, a few years later, he graciously gave me an afternoon of his time to discuss my game and how he became the best player in the world. I lapped up every minute of it and I’m still a little embarrassed that he happened to become the butt of the best joke I ever told. Sorry Sir. Ken Brown, or ‘Brownie’ as we know him, once told me while walking off a plane from Australia, how he had just watched an in-flight film for the first time. What do you normally do, I asked?

‘Oh, I just sit,’ he said. It was the first and only time I had ever heard that explanation. It must be why he’s so good on television, I guess. Howard Clarke got

introduced to me by a caddy, in front of 20 more caddies, which would be fine if he hadn’t used the line: “Howard, this is the young man who called you a ******** earlier” - a long story involving a blocked tee shot and no shout of fore. Suffice to say we became good friends, regardless, much to my delight.

Bernhard Langer, my first Ryder cup Captain, the man who somehow paired me with my perfect partner, Paul Casey. Winning that first Ryder Cup point, for a man who had helped inspire my career choice, was a ‘pinch-yourself’ moment. Or did I dream it? Maybe.

“We all still respect the man who is no longer with us, the greatest star of all, Seve Ballesteros. Playing with him was great, playing against him was the thrill of a lifetime.

Being captained by him was the stuff of dreams.

I’ve done all three. Being complimented by him would, perhaps, be more than one man can take.

Unless you consider the words he once used: “David, you’re not a bad player for a tall man with short arms.”

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WHAT A RYDER CUP PARTY

Woosie, my second Captain, a man who kept faith in me when he didn’t need to, the man who positioned me in just the right place on Sunday so that I got to hole a putt to win The Ryder Cup. A man who downed a pint of Guinness in front of thousands, then wiped the residue onto my jacket. The man who hosted the best winning party of all time, which I happily helped conduct.

Plus, we all still respect the man who is no longer with us, the greatest star of all, Seve Ballesteros. Playing with him was great, playing against him was the thrill of a lifetime. Being captained by him was the stuff of dreams. I’ve done all three. Being complimented by him would, perhaps, be more than one man can take. Unless you consider the words he once used: “David, you’re not a bad player for a tall man with short arms.”

We’re all missing golf. It’s been good to me. I hope it comes back soon, so I can meet some more amazing people. ■

I miss trying to beat the boys week in, week out Pablo Larrazabal has been competing on the European Tour since 2008 and has been victorious on five occasions including a stunning victory in the UAE capital at the 2014 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Life without travelling around the world competing against Europe’s finest is abnormal for most players but for stalwart like the Spaniard, it’s taken some getting used to.

he situation with the worldwide corona then take it easy and I look over what my wife has pandemic has certainly changed life for filmed and help her with that. Then we cook and everyone around the world. My family and I eat before having some siesta time. At 4.00pm or are based in the middle of so she goes and walks the dog Barcelona and we feel safe at and I go to the supermarket or the moment. If you do the do some more exercises at “I’m still not sure right things and follow the home. When she comes back what I’d like to be if I procedures you feel safe. I after 7.00pm we cook only go out for 25-30 minutes something for dinner and wasn’t a golfer.

I’m in the mornings to walk the that’s our day done. So, I’ve dog and if we need something tried to be as healthy as about to turn 37 in a from the supermarket I go in possible during this COVID-19 month and a half so the afternoon with gloves and outbreak. a mask. my football career will We try to stay at home for LIFE AFTER GOLF be over! There’s no the rest of the time. We have After experiencing a taste of our own routine to keep us life not on Tour, I’m still not chance of that occupied whilst there aren’t sure what I’d like to be if I happening.” any golf tournaments wasn’t a golfer. I’m about to happening. We wake up at turn 37 in a month and a half 8.00am, have breakfast and so my football career will be then, at 9.00am, I walk the dog. At 9:30am, my wife over! There’s no chance of that happening. I have starts her yoga practice or films for her YouTube another three years guaranteed on the European channel then I go down to exercise at the Tour after my win on Leopard Creek this season so community swimming pool - I also run and do some I’ve got lots of time to think about something I’d like exercises down there. We finish at 11.00 am or so to do after golf.

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“I love travelling and going to different countries and trying out different kinds of food. I also miss competing against the boys and trying to beat them week in, week out. That’s why I play golf – I love the competition and how tough it is.”

I MISS BEING AWAY One of the aspects I miss most about not being on Tour is not being able to travel. I love travelling and going to different countries and trying out different kinds of food. I also miss competing against the boys and trying to beat them week in, week out. That’s why I play golf – I love the competition and how tough it is.

I have been in contact with Guido Migliozzi and Renato Paratore recently, who are moving to Dubai. They’ve been some of the only golfers who have been able to go out and play golf and live a normal life. I’ve been checking out how they’re doing with finding an apartment and all that sort of stuff.

WHAT’S NEXT? I’m not sure how the season’s going to pan out and it’s a huge shame because there’s so many significant events scheduled for 2020. We will just have to see what happens. I think The Ryder Cup will be moved to 2021 because I can’t see 60,000 people being allowed to be spectating at Whistling Straits. At the same time, I can’t see 80,000 people being allowed to watch Barcelona playing anytime soon so I think all big events in all sports will surely be delayed until at least September or October. Hopefully everybody stays safe and we get through this tragic situation.

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COVER FEATURE

Scotty MEET THE MAN BEHIND THE NAME

Cameron

From drawing up his own putter in the 1980s and standing on PGA Tour practice greens trying to get his foot in the door with the players - to having his putters helping to win more than 30 Majors and the most established name in the business!

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HINK of a putter manufacturer, and chances are the name ‘Scotty Cameron’ will be one of the first that comes to mind.

But how an innocuous name came to be synonymous with the mostused club in the golf bag harks back to his very humble beginnings in California.

Scotty’s journey began with his father, a two-handicapper, who introduced him to the game as a youngster. Together, when they weren’t out on the course, they would experiment in his father’s garage and tinker with clubs – shaping heads, making new grips and generally seeing what they could do to make the game easier and more enjoyable through changes to their equipment.

When it came to the putter, they both agreed that the finished article should look like it ‘melts into the ground’ and that it should appeal emotionally as well as physically. That approach still applies today from Scotty’s putting studio, situated close to home in southern California.

Technology and experience “I’m in the garage and my workshop every day,” says Cameron, “Now with the technology and the work systems that we have, and the milling machines and all the hi-tech stuff, we can use both the old tech that has gone before – and we know that works – and add in some of the new technology to try and constantly improve our products.

“We’re taking putter design to the next level with these technologies. There’s also improved man-power that goes into it, with better engineers.

“The knack is how to get it out of my head and onto paper and then work with it in design engineering, tooling and manufacturing. It’s a grind to get to the finished product, but every time we do a project we learn something that we take into the next.”

Early days Back in the 1980s, as Scotty started to take putter design seriously, he was drawing up putter blueprints for the Ray Cook Golf Company, Maxfli, Cleveland Classics, Founders Golf and Mizuno before eventually going it alone with his wife, Kathy, to start Cameron Golf International (CGI).

Back then CGI’s mandate was to design and produce the best putters for the elite players in the world. This meant taking the risk of going to PGA Tour events and convincing players to put them to the test on arguably the biggest and most pressure-packed stage in golf, where

“I’ve been doing this for more than 30 years, and every Monday I wake up and I’m still thrilled to go to work. I was a young kid and my dad showed me the ropes. He put me in the garage with the right set of tools, gave me some guidance and a little push and here I am…” results for players are the difference between having a career and not.

Their efforts paid off in 1993 when Bernhard Langer – whose career was beset by ongoing various struggles with the flatstick in hand – won his second Major title at The Masters using one of Scotty’s putters. It was a turning point for the company and a moment that would change Scotty and Kathy’s lives.

Interest gathered pace in Scotty’s

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creations and by 1994 CGI became partners with Acushnet – owners of Titleist – after an introduction between CEO Wally Uihlein and Scotty at that year’s Players Championship. Since then, Cameron’s putters have grown and the name ‘Scotty Cameron’ has earned its status as one of the most trusted in the golf equipment industry and his creations are the tools of choice for many of the game’s top touring professionals, with over 30 Major victories

SCOTTY CAMERON

and counting. “I’ve been doing this for more than 30 years, and every Monday I wake up and I’m still thrilled to go to work,” said Cameron. “I was a young kid and my dad showed me the ropes. He put me in the garage with the right set of tools, gave me some guidance and a little push and here I am…”

Scotty continues to work diligently on new ways to improve his putters, and with the use of state-of-the-art diagnostic

tools he is able to continually experiment with new designs and materials in order to introduce putters that perform at the game’s elite levels. But is there a limit to how far putters can develop?

“At the moment, the only problem with how far we can push putter design is the expense to do so,” he said. “For example, with our gallery in Encinitas, just north of San Diego, I can create putters that will blow you away – but it’s expensive to use

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those key materials. So when I do that, I put them up for sale in our Gallery and they do end up being bought, but in terms of what I can do for the masses – I’m governed by the expense of the materials.

“When I do it for the Gallery and dream big and produce a putter like that it helps me learn ways of how to do it in a more cost-effective manner and keep the mass-produced products in line with our retail price range.” ■

TESTED: SCOTTY CAMERON

ROLLING INTO 2020

WITH A ‘SPECIAL’ START TO THE YEAR FOR SCOTTY CAMERON

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T’S NO SURPRISE that the new Scotty Cameron Special Select range is causing a stir in the golfing world. With heaps of new technology handcrafted into the original classic designs and a reduced price point, Scotty Cameron has catered for all types of players with eight different styles to suit any level of player. With newly introduced 100% milled stainless steel heads designed in the U.S, streamlined profiles which allow the product to sound and sit better, as well as ‘performance balanced weighting’ to enhance stability and strike, this new range covers all bases. Our gear specialist Jordan Smith headed over to Emirates Golf Club to try the new range with Titleist’s Stuart Taylor, who has worked closely with the ever-popular Scotty Cameron products over the years.

BY JORDAN SMITH

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GEAR FIRST IMPRESSIONS? PERFORMANCE BALANCED WEIGHTING AFTER hitting several different lengths of putts with a variety of putter styles, I needed to know why this line felt better than the Newport 2 I’ve had in the bag for the last ten years. The most noticeable change for me was the weighting. As soon as I had a practice stroke this new model stood out. When trying to perform the perfect arc motion under pressure, this can be challenging, but with the new performancebalanced weighting technology this felt like riding a bike with stabilisers. Cameron has incorporated tungsten for the bladed putters and stainless steel for the midmallets, producing larger sweet-spots and enhancing stability.

WHAT’S NEW?

100% MILLED STAINLESS STEEL CONSTRUCTION In the words of The Craftsmen himself: “There’s nothing quite as pure, as a solid milled putter." Scotty Cameron has dedicated his life to creating a truly special putter through art, science and innovation allowing you to have a product that feels right in your hands and appeals to your eye.

Each product has been designed and milled in the U.S. from a block of 303 stainless steel for ultimate performance and playability, enhancing sound and a soft feel. I tested the putters with Titleist Pro V1x balls. The face felt firm, the difference in sound wasn’t as noticeable for me but the sweet-spot definitely felt larger as my bad putts still rolled nicely and it was easier to get my longer putts in the ‘bin lid’ zone to avoid threeputting

QUIETER HANDS WITH THE PISTOLINI PLUS GRIP The new Special Select putters come fresh off the shelf with the new Pistolini Plus grips. This unique addition is in cement grey and has been slightly changed from the original grips to build up the lower hand portion of the grip; but why has Cameron changed this?

Stuart Taylor from Titleist explained: “This style of grip promotes less rotation that helps keep the hands quieter. This is what the Tour players prefer, having moved away from thicker grips – quieter hands will lead to a consistent stroke and holing more putts.”

Based on the feedback from my session with Stuart, and having such an old version of the Newport 2, I would probably look into upgrading having felt the difference in the weighting. This would certainly give me the confidence on the course over the short putts being able to trust my stroke.

LOOKS The new sleek profiles have Cameron’s art looking sexier than ever. Whilst maintaining the traditional overall head weight, there Is noticeable changes to the face, height, neck position, hosel depth, flange thickness and the sole weight technology allows the putters to sit better and perform better. Cameron has also incorporated a tri-sole design into the bladed products which provides a self-soling feature at address for a mouth-watering view of the top line when stood over the ball.

OVERALL THOUGHTS The new range is impressive throughout all eight styles. I personally loved the Del Mar and the Newport 2 - which I believe has to be the best Scotty Cameron putter of all time. Both putters gave good feedback. For example, I initially missed the first batch of putts to the right. Stuart put me into “toebalanced” Del Mar which helped me square the face at impact to straighten up my pushed putts.

Finally, the main positive is that the price point has reduced! Yes, you heard it right. We’re always talking about how products are progressively increasing in price, making the game even more expensive, so it’s nice to have some good news that the prices have slightly decreased, making a good product even more attractive.

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GEAR: HOTTEST GOLF EQUIPMENT

THE HOTTEST EQUIPMENT

ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR THIS SEASON

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VERY YEAR manufacturers release new products that proclaim to be the best or longest that have ever been made. With so much technology and research going into their development, it’s often difficult to recognise a clear ‘winner’ when it comes to testing and comparing them. So we thought we’d look at the statistics on the European Tour and see what clubs are in the hands of the players leading each category. To make it a fair contest, we’ve only used players who have played a minimum of 16 rounds this season.

DRIVING

YOUNG NORWEGIAN STAR VIKTOR HOVLAND IS EMBARKING ON HIS ROOKIE CAMPAIGN ON THE EUROPEAN TOUIR THIS SEASON AND HIS DRIVING STATISTICS GO TO SHOW THAT HE IS ALREADY A TOP TALENT. HE LEADS THE DRIVING STATS FOR THE EUROPEAN TOUR WITH 1.56 STROKES GAINED: PER ROUND. LET’S HAVE A LOOK WHAT HE HAS IN THE BAG:

HEAD: PING G410 LST (9 DEGREES) SHAFT: PROJECT X HZRDUS BLACK 62 SHAFT. The Ping G410 certainly isn’t the longest driver on Tour, but from our previous tests this club proved to be one of the most consistent with the tightest dispersion out of all the drivers we have tested so far. Hovland has opted for the low-spin model with 9° loft, which enables him hit the ball on the up, with less spin. This allows for the maximum distance with greater dispersion, which has led him to the best driving stats on the European Tour so far this year.

Viktor Hovland

IRON PLAY

THOMAS PIETERS' IRON PLAY SETS THE STANDARD HIGH WITH 1.92 STROKES GAINED PER ROUND, BASED ON 22 OF HIS LAST EUROPEAN TOUR ROUNDS. WHAT IRONS ARE IN HIS BAG?

HEADS: CALLAWAY X FORGED 18, 3-PW SHAFTS: TRUE TEMPER PROJECT X 6.5 SHAFT

Thomas Pieters

The Callaway X forged irons have been a popular pick for Tour players, with exceptional feel and grooves that promote a high level of control and excellent spin out of any turf conditions. There’s no wonder Pieters is running away with the iron play stats on the European Tour.

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GEAR CHIPPING SWEDEN’S JOEL SJÖHOLM IS IN THE LEAD ON THE STROKES GAINED: AROUND THE GREEN CATEGORY WITH A SCORE OF 1.44 STROKES GAINED OVER A PERIOD OF 16 ROUNDS. LET’S HAVE A LOOK AT THE SWEDE’S TOOLS FOR THE JOB:

CLUB: SM8 VOKEY Lofts: 50° 08 bounce F grind, 55° 10 bound S grind, 60° 06 bounce K grind – 60° 06 bounce M grind. Alternating the 60° depending on what type of course.

Joel Sjöholm

SHAFTS: DYNAMIC GOLD TOUR ISSUE S300 What’s the secret to his success?

“Well, I guess that I'm not hitting as many greens as I should, and because of that I need to be great around the greens to keep up with the other pros! In all fairness, I have always enjoyed getting up-anddown in practice and I try to use my imagination as much as possible. While competing, the answer to an easy up-and-down is sometimes sitting under that putter head-cover, rather than a wedge, and I'm no stranger when it comes to using any club in my bag to get the best statistical result, such as using a putter or sometimes a 3-wood.”

PUTTING THE LEADING PLAYERS IN THE PUTTS-PER-ROUND CATEGORY SO FAR ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR ARE SOUTH AFRICA’S CHRISTIAAN BEZUIDENHOUT AND ENGLAND’S CHRIS PAISLEY. FROM 18 ROUNDS, PAISLEY’S AVERAGE USAGE OF THE FLATSTICK IS JUST 27.5 WHILE OMEGA DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC RUNNER-UP BEZUIDENHOUT IS ON 27.6 FROM 20 ROUNDS. PAISLEY HAS A SECRET WEAPON – HIS BROTHER ANDY IS HIS PUTTING COACH, SO THERE’S A RARE SIBLING RELATIONSHIP WHICH IS WORKING WONDERS!

PAISLEY PUTTER: ODYSSEY WORKS VERSA TANK #1W GRIP: PING

Christiaan Bezuidenhout

BEZUIDENHOUT PUTTER: ODYSSEY WORKS BIG T #5 GRIP: TWO THUMB GRIP

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Chris Paisley

GEAR

MAVRIK MAKING ITS MARK CALLAWAY

The Callaway Mavrik has been an outstanding release that’s gone straight into the bags of numerous Tour players with its innovative technology and impressive performance.

This is what Toby Bishop has to say about Callaway’s newest driver...

Toby Bishop The 16 year old Dubai youngster recently added the Callaway Mavrik to the bag and in the first tournament using it he shot a course-record 62 at the Gary Playerdesigned Saadiyat Beach Golf Club in the Men’s Open. In this two-day event, Bishop only missed one fairway so the club has had a stunning impact on his game.

“Taking the Epic Flash out the bag was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make because it was my favourite club in the set. However, after testing the Mavrik, I wasn’t really given much choice. The numbers it provides me has made tee shots so much simpler due to the added yardage and tightened dispersion. I can definitely contribute my recent run of form to the addition of the Mavrik and can’t see it leaving the bag any time soon!”

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ADVANCED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HAS CREATED THE NEXT LEVEL OF DISTANCE

NEW CYCLONE AERO SHAPE REDUCES DRAG FOR INCREASED HEAD SPEED AND MORE DISTANCE

SUPER STRENGTH A.I. FACE PROVIDES NEXT LEVEL FORGIVENESS AND UNMATCHED BALL SPEEDS ©2020 Callaway Golf Company. Callaway, the Chevron Device, Cyclone Aero Shape and Mavrik are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Callaway Golf Company.

SWING SEQUENCE

HO-SUNG CHOI

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HO-SUNG CHOI THE MOST UNUSUAL SWING ON TOUR Although Ho-Sung Choi’s swing is unique, it’s not completely unconventional – and his match ups are superb.

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ANALYSIS BY

ALASTAIR BROWN

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e starts with a closed stance to the right (2) and this allows him to really open up the body and pick the club straight up along his target line. The clubhead stays closed on the backswing (4).

On the downswing (6) he can now re-route the club a little bit like Matt Wolff and attack the ball from the inside. (7) He squats and really grips into the ground getting his lower body opened up very early, which helps him prepare to be very explosive.

(8) His chest hands and arms then really catch up mid downswing. The high speed of the arms is exactly what is needed

and amateurs should try and emulate this.

(9) Through impact he has a full extension of the arms due to how well he continues rotating. (10) His unique pirouette finish is a result of how much ground force he creates as he is literally jumping off the ground. (11) He finishes rotated well left of his target and on one leg, which to many would look like he is out of control but this signature move is so well practiced he can repeat it time and time again. It emulates similarities to many of the world long drive competitors.

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Ahmad Skaik’s PATH TO BECOME UAE

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EING YOUR COUNTRY’S BEST PLAYER IS A DREAM FOR ANY SPORTSMAN, BUT

FOR AHMAD SKAIK IT’S SIMPLY ONE OF MANY MILESTONES HE HOPES TO ACHIEVE IN A GLITTERING CAREER. THE 22 YEAR OLD EMIRATI HAS BEEN IN SCINTILLATING FORM THIS SEASON WITH FOUR VICTORIES TO HIS NAME, AS WELL AS MAKING HIS EUROPEAN TOUR DEBUT IN THE ABU DHABI HSBC CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER WINNING A PLAY-OFF AGAINST SAIF THABET IN THE EMIRATI SECTION OF THE ABU DHABI AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP TO QUALIFY.

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AHMAD SKAIK

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ETTING TO PLAY In my first European Tour event in Abu Dhabi is the best thing to ever happen to me,” says Ahmad Skaik, as he reflects on his breakthrough season. “I think I let the occasion get to me unfortunately, and I was sick in the week leading up to it, so it’s frustrating that I didn’t perform better (he finished 25 over par) but, hopefully, next time I’ll be better prepared and ready. I was so nervous on the first few holes that the club looked closed when I was trying to grip it. It was a great experience, though, and I was so happy to be part of what is a fabulous event.”

Skaik has since reacted to this frustrating performance by hiring Steven Thomas as a mental coach to help him calm his nerves when playing in prestigious tournaments and it seems to be paying dividends.

Shortly after the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, he triumphed in the UAE Presidents Cup to gain the accolade as the top Emirati golfer.

“The last two years I choked on the final few holes and made a big number in the UAE Presidents Cup, but this year I birdied the 16th and 17th to get a two-shot lead on Khalid Yousef. This was enough to win by two shots after making a par on the last.

“Khalid was one of my role models growing up, so it was great to beat him and win this event. It’s a good feeling (being UAE No.1) but I want to achieve more than that.”

MIX IT WITH THE BEST Merely being the best in the country isn’t Skaik’s desire. He aims to mix it with the best there is and wants to create a unique pathway for himself to climb to the top echelons of the game. “I think the Arabs have a mentality where they believe the Europeans are much better than us, but I want to prove that you can come from Arabia and work your way to the top.”

Skaik has proved his quality in recent months when competing against the likes of 16 year old hotshots Josh Hill and Toby Bishop to show just how far his game has come and how much the level has improved in the Middle East. “Khalid told me they used to win with a 10-over par score in the EGF events but now

“I think the Arabs have a mentality where they believe the Europeans are much better than us and we can’t do it, but I want to prove that you can come from Arabia and work your way to the top.”

– AHMAD SKAIK

if you shoot that kind of score you’re teeing off first! That proves how far our game has come.

It’s crazy how much the scoring has improved.

“Two years ago I was shooting 2-under but Josh Hill was shooting 5 or 6-under. In the past, my scores could have won a few events but now it keeps coming up short. Having said that, it makes it even sweeter to beat him at the Trump Men’s Open– especially as that is Toby’s home club.”

The victory at the Trump International Golf Club, Dubai was huge for Skaik’s confidence as he shot 5-under over two days and then came out on top in a thrilling play-off against Bishop, with Hill finishing a shot furtherback

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in third. “I feel comfortable shooting low scores these days, whereas before when I would get to 2-or 3-under and panic a bit, mess it up and fall back to level par,” admits Skaik. “Now I feel confident enough to keep going and make more birdies.

“This confidence has helped me win four events this season on the EGF Order of Merit and this one was very satisfying against such a strong field.”

The young UAE star is currently on an ‘International Studies’ course at the American University in Dubai but, prior to the nationwide shutdown, could often be found training at the Claude Harmon Performance Academy

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AHMAD SKAIK at the Els Club – which is also the same venue at which Bishop, Hill and Arjun Gupta train. “Coming here to the Claude Harmon Performance Academy is the best thing I’ve done,” he says. “Getting to use the facilities they have makes my practice far more beneficial. Myself, Josh Hill, Arjun Gupta and Toby Bishop all train there so you can learn from these talented guys and their great coaches.

“When I was growing up I was playing with beginners but you definitely grow much quicker as a golfer if you’re playing with better players. than yourself.”

Skaik hired Joe Marshall to be his coach 18 months years ago at the CHPA and they’ve developed an outstanding partnership to help the Emirati become a winning machine.

“I didn’t have a coach for two years but looked on the website and Joe’s name was the first that popped up, so I met him and the rest is history,” he smiles.

“The results have shown that we work well together. Recently we changed my putting technique after a poor putting performance in Abu Dhabi and that’s working much better.

“We’ve won two tournaments using this new technique and was runner-up at the Saadiyat Men’s Open, so I think we’re on the right track.”

It was the ‘Welsh Golfer’ Bishop who stole the headlines at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, shooting a course record-breaking 62 en-route to victory, but Skaik was putting pressure on him throughout, achieving a career-best score.

“At Saadiyat I produced my tournament lowest

Ahmad Skaik poses with the Falcon Trophy ahead of this year’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the European Tour. score at 6-under, although that didn’t look that impressive when Toby broke the course-record.

I started with four birdies so I thought I’d put on the pressure with that but his score was crazy!

“Toby and I exchanged messages on Instagram about me beating him in a play-off but he got the upper hand that weekend!”

Skaik, who has been named Vice Captain for this year’s Dubai Golf Trophy, still has business to do on the EGF Order of Merit sitting in second place to Dan Byrne with two events

remaining. In two years he will have finished his studies and will then have more free time to concentrate on his golf career with a professional ambition in his sights. “ After University, I will start to compete on the MENA Tour and build my way up,” he says.

“Obviously, I want to be the best so let’s see what happens.” If he carries on improving – both mentally and physically – in this manner, Skaik has the potential to be the first Emirati to make a truly global impact in the game.

COACH JOE MARSHALL ON AHMAD’S POTENTIAL “Ahmad’s not scared about shooting in the red now. He’s kicked on and he’s seeing the results recently. He’s proved to himself that he can shoot scores like 5 or 6-under and this has certainly helped his confidence. He aims to catch Dan Byrne on the Order of Merit

QUICKFIRE ROUND WITH AHMAD

in the last couple events of the season then we will set some new goals after that. Ahmad’s got the skills and the ability to try and push himself. Once his University work settles down and he sets up a good plan, he’s got the potential to drive forward in the sport.”

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUR GOLF CAREER

Winning the Trump Men’s Open in a play-off because of the strength of the field.

FIRST TIME YOU BROKE 100?

In my first round when I was 17 I shot 99 on The Address, Montgomerie with my dad and my brother.

I never went on the course in my first year of learning the game.

IF YOU COULD BE

IF YOU COULD WIN

WHO WOULD BE

ANYONE FOR THE DAY…

ANY GOLF EVENT…

YOUR DREAM DATE?

Tiger Woods

The Masters

WHO’S THE BEST PLAYER YOU’VE EVER PLAYED WITH?

Selena Gomez Lee Westwood Worldwide GOLF 63 65

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ARABIAN GOLF E M I R A TE S G O LF C LUB

Monica Palao holds her nerve to land the big one Monica Palao clinched this year’s Ladies Club Championship title after closing out a one-stroke win over Glory Xavier with some clutch shots down the stretch. Palao signed for a 14-over-par 158 total after two rounds over the Faldo and Majlis courses while in third place with a 166 tally was Nonita Chand. In the Silver Division Maura Duggan took the top spot with a net 138 total while a score of 150 saw Avani Shah take the spoils in the Bronze Division. In the Weekday Member category Haide Wright topped the pile with a net 144 while the gross winner was Cathy Lajotte on 171.

Scratch League Captain Daneshvar nips in for Club Championship title Kooros Daneshvar came from behind with a superb second round 2-under-par over the Majlis and then defeated defending champion Mike Mezei in a play-off to win the 2020 Club Championship. After the opening round on the Faldo, Mezei shared the lead with fellow past winner Sanjay Dhandsa and Rohit Gupta after they all scored 3-over-par, with Daneshvar well back after a 77. However, Daneshvar roared home

with a second round 70 and after Mezei failed to birdie the last, a play-off was needed to crown the winner. Both players halved the 17th in par before Daneshvar struck a superb wedge to eight feet on the 18th and rolled in the birdie putt to take the title. Darren Cole took the spoils in Division ‘A’ after rounds of 70-75 for a one-shot win over Anil Shivanna, while in Division ‘B’ Tej Chhabra won by one from Mike Craig with a 147 total.

Great scoring at emotional 19-yearold Kohlman Nations Cup

Maya excels with limited resources

The 2020 edition of the Kohlman Nations Cup was an emotional one for participants as it was the first to be staged since the passing of General Kohli, who started the event alongside his son, past Captain Moshe Kohli. A major fixture on the calendar for 19 years, this year’s event was won by an Indian team of Ravi Khanna, Paul Joseph, Subhojit Biswas and Anthony Louis with 79 points. Taking second place was the English team of David Moody, Ross Barlow, Darren Cole and Ian Scott with 75 points, while an Indian team of Rajinder Razdan, Baljit Vohra, Arshad Waheed and Veneet Mohan finished third.

Lady Vice-Captain Naema Maya clinched the recent Three Clubs & A Putter challenge with a haul of 33 Stableford points over the Majlis course. With tough shot choices due to the limited club selection throughout the day, Maya coped admirably and won with a superb score. In the Silver Division Fari Sayeed compiled 32 points to win while the same score was good enough for Chantelle De Villiers to top the pile in the Bronze Division.

RAS AL HAMRA GOLF CLUB, OMAN

ABU DHA B I C IT Y GOL F C LU B

Glory Xavier goes low to win The Ladies congregated for their annual St Patrick’s Day tournament and the competition was played with a twist – with every player who carded a double bogey (or worse) forced to remove the longest club in their bag. Going forward, players could then retrieve any lost clubs with a net par. Scoring was good – despite this particular rule – and coming out on top with a haul of 38 Stableford points was Glory Xavier.

Vice Captain Naema Maya finished second, one point further back, while in the Silver Division Rekha Bandopadhyay scored 37 points to win and Avani Shah clinched the Bronze Division with 36 points.

AL H AMRA GOL F C LU B

Ahmad Ejaaz wins the Muscat Open

Lee cruises to Club Championship title

The oldest amateur event in Oman opened a new chapter as Malaysian player Ahmad Ejaaz battled back from four strokes in the final round to take the spoils in the Muscat Open. Ejaaz’s second round score of 72 saw him tally the winning score of 146 while a 145 was good enough for Brett Merrell to win the net title in what was the 47th staging of the event.

Jae Woong Lee eased home to take the men’s 2020 Club Championship with a 10-stroke win over Mike Dunn. Finishing third was Richard Cuddihy while the ladies title went to Paula Svensson after she clinched a five-shot win over Young Nam Chang.

The men’s net crown went to Peter Loughran ahead of Dave Hoggins and Gavin Campbell, while the ladies net title was won by Ingrid Kenney, ahead of Young Nam Chang and Mi Young Kim.

Rezko shines in Europcar Junior event The third round of the Europcar Junior Series took place last month as over 50 youngsters took to the course to compete across 2-hole, 3-hole and 6-hole competitions. There were some excellent performances on display and leading the way was one of the club’s shining stars, Paul Rezko, who shot 1-under to win by three shots ahead of Efe Sargin.

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ARABIAN GOLF D U B A I C R E E K G O LF A ND YACHT CLUB

Historic Club Championships weekend at Dubai Creek For the first time in its history, the Club Championships at Dubai Creek saw all three divisions competing together across the same weekend for their respective trophies, creating an exciting atmosphere throughout the membership. This year’s Junior Championship saw Aarnav Nath (above right) seal a memorable 7-shot win over Raghav Gulati thanks to rounds of 73-75 while the best girls’ title went to Hannah Alan and the best boys’ to

Wen Jie Li. In the Ladies tournament, rounds of 82-79 helped Glory Xavier (above centre) to a massive 20-stroke win over Carlotta Riccio while the net title went to Joy Lirio, 14 clear of Shiba Wahid. The Men’s title was won by Bayhaan Lakdawala (above left) after he fired a second round 67 to move through the pack and win by five ahead of Michael McGinley with Ashok Sindhu in third.

Gupta on fire for Ladies Open

Jo goes low for Medal title

A strong field entered this year’s Ping Ladies Amateur Open and firing a superb gross 3-underpar 68 to take the title was Natali Gupta. Four birdies and one solitary bogey saw Gupta win by three ahead of Hannah Alan, who shot a level-par 71, while Hyeonji Kang finished third on 72. In the net division Retna Schepens shot a steady 1-underpar 70 to win by one shot ahead of Janet Kim with Glory Xavier finishing third.

The first instalment of the Ladies Monthly Medal under its new partnership with Park Hyatt Dubai saw Seong Ah Jo rise to the occasion and seal the title with a superb 6-under-par 65.

In Division ‘A’ a 68 saw Kristi Sealey emerge victorious while a level-par 71 saw Liz Batson win Division ‘B’.

Marvellous Mansour wins the Medal With 94 players packing out the course for last month’s OMA Emirates Monthly Medal it was Mansour Khodjasteh who emerged victorious with an excellent 2-under-par 69. The overall gross prize went to Max Burrow while in the men’s Division ‘A’ Jerome Natali beat Allan Stanton in a back nine countback after both players signed for a 72. In Division ‘B’ a countback was needed to separate George Chidiac and Farad Lakdawala after they both scored 73 and after their back-nines were compared it was Chidiac who was celebrating a narrow win.

J U M E I R A H G O LF E STA T ES

Bilbo Perrot pounces for Club Championship glory Bilbo Perrot came from two strokes back to win this year’s Club Championship with a second round 76 for a winning total of 148 ahead of runner-up Sam Moxon. Perrot found himself behind after opening with a 72 over the Fire course but came roaring back on day two on the Earth course to take the title. Dan Dickinson finished in third place while the net prize

went to Alan Dobbins ahead of Samvit Chopra. The Ladies title went to Sheila McIlroy as she finished three strokes clear of Mitsuko Emmerson while Anne Browne was the net champion ahead of Nikki Moss. In the Seniors section Chris Wilmott sealed the deal after opening up a lead after day one (70) and hanging on in the final round.

Viggo seals the Junior Open with daylight fading fast Viggo Sorensen defeated Natali Gupta in a mammoth play-off to take this year’s Junior Open after both players returned a 5-under-par 67 on the Fire Course. It took four return trips down the opening hole before a winner was crowned with Viggo eventually prevailing by holing a birdie putt with the daylight all but gone. The boys gross prize was won by Bonnen Clark, ahead of Josh Bibby, with the best net prize going to Jay Chinchankar ahead of Emanuel Gallepini. Gupta received the girls’ gross award after missing out on the overall title with Sakura Kawakami in second place after a 70. The girls’ net winner was Kate Bibby.

66 Worldwide GOLF 68

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ARABIAN GOLF S HA RJA H G O LF A N D SHOOTI NG CLUB

Defending champions knocked out in the Quarter Finals Last year’s reigning Golf Society League Champions, the Filipino Golfers in the Middle East (FIGME) were knocked out of this year’s championship by newcomers GEMS International School Staff Golf Society in a superb quarterfinal match. The Angry Birdies glided into the semi-finals with a comfortable win against The International Golf Society while the White Rose Society needed a sudden-death play-off to make it through after coming up against a tough opponent in the form of the Happy Hookers. The final match of the day saw the in-form GTI Society make it through against KEGS 1 via another play-off.

Pictured are Gavin Taylor and James Mobbs from the GEMS International School Staff society.

T H E A DDR E SS M O N TG OMERI E, DUBAI

Ryan and Berry clinch the BMW Series Open Social A mixed format was the order of the day for the recent BMW Series Open Social and coming out on top with a score of 65 was the pairing of Greg Ryan (below) and Richard Berry. The twoman better ball was played over the opening nine holes and the back nine saw a new ‘salsa’ format, played where on the even hole numbers the teams had to combine their net scores and mark it down. The winning pair opened in 4-under 32 on the front nine and came alive on the back nine on the more difficult scoring format as they combined brilliantly for a total score of 80 – and a three-shot win.

Great scoring at Centro Sharjah Hotel by Rotana Event Past Captain Mukti Rai put his course knowledge to good use by coming out on top in Division ‘A’ with a score of 19 points at the recent Centro Sharjah Hotel by Rotana event.

Christofer Bagge took second place on 16 points while in Division ‘B’ Maruf Ali Khan took the spoils with an astonishing haul of 23 points, two clear of Rajesh Chitti.

Inam returns to winning ways after long wait Aamir Inam showed no sign of rust as he compiled an excellent performance – without much recent action to his name – to win the recent Coral Beach Sharjah event with a score of 19 points. Inam topped Division ‘A’ by one shot ahead of Samual McLaren, while in Division ‘B’ Rajesh Chitti scored 22 points to win by one ahead of Maruf Ali Khan.

Sean Millensted goes low to win Sean Millensted carded a superb gross 75 for a haul of 40 Stableford points to win by four ahead of the rest of Division ‘A’ in the recent Individual Stableford competition. In Division ‘B’ Sami Nasser clinched the top spot with a 34-point haul while Grace Yoon was crowned the ladies winner on 37 points, five clear of Young Cho. J U M E IR A H G O LF E STA T ES

AL AIN EQUESTRIAN SHOOTING & GOLF CLUB

Nic Poisat and Kawakami crowned Club Champions Nic Poisat and Sakura Kawakami cruised to victories in their respective gross Men’s and Ladies sections to clinch this year’s Club Championship title. Poisat carded rounds of 70 and 67 for a 3-under-par total and a comfortable 15-stroke win ahead of Wayne O’Mahony. A birdie at the final hole proved crucial for O’Mahony as he took second place outright ahead of Mick Garbutt on a

Darwish delivers the goods Mohamed Darwish won last month’s OMA Emirates Medal after firing a superb net 62 over the Earth course. In Division ‘A’ Henrik Holtoft topped the pile after coming out victorious in a card countback with Matias Rejman with both players signing for a net 70.

The honours in Division ‘B’ went to Brandon Grieve, one clear of Seamus Clune with a 70, with Eugene O’Doherty in third. Mitsuko Emmerson fired a 76 to win the Ladies Division by one from Michelle Walsh-Hall while Mark Dutton won the Super Seniors title with a 66, five shots clear of Sam Moxon.

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countback while in the net category Konstantine Varga posted a 123 total to win ahead of Ian Mines with Anton Van Schalkwyk in third. The Ladies champion, Kawakami, signed for a superb total of 149, well clear of Martine Garbutt on 188 with Tara King in third with a 195. The net winner was Hye Sook Jee with a 133, ten clear of Ann Kritzinger with Charmaine Bakker in third.

WORLDWIDE GOLF

TRAVEL

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Worldwide WorldwideGOLF GOLF 67 73

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GOLF TRAVEL

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ocated just 100km from Helsinki airport, Linna Golf features a spectacular 18-hole Championship golf course with a stunning clubhouse, superb practice facilities and a great selection of other outdoor pursuits which can be enjoyed throughout long playing days in the warm Scandinavian summers.

Built across 100 acres on the grounds of the Vanajanlinna Manor, the course, designed

by European Golf Design in association with Tim Lobb, plays as a par 72 and when the European Tour Destinations Senior Classic was played in 2016, the course measured 6,750 yards as the cream of the Staysure Tour battled for supremacy. Spain’s Santiago Luna

was victorious that time and Linna Golf has a proud history of producing winners of a high pedigree.

The venue hosted the European Challenge Tour’s SK Golf Challenge in 2009 and the following year was the venue for the European Amateur Championship. Now a European Tour regular, Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard emerged triumphant at the Amateur Championship with a score of 15 under par, one stroke ahead of Tommy Fleetwood and Andrea Pavan. Thomas Pieters, one of Europe’s star performers at The 2016 Ryder Cup, finished in a share of ninth place.

The course meanders through the natural landscape of pine and birch woods and

features a number of hazards including lakes and rocky outcrops. The natural rise and fall of the terrain offers a dynamic challenge to any level of golfer and the two signature holes are the 9th and 15th. The 9th is in view of the clubhouse and its green is guarded by water to the front and left. The par-5 15th was designed by Dave Sampson, who won a reader’s design competition in Golf World Magazine in 2003 and was then later employed by EGD as a course architect.

Linna Golf is consistently ranked as one of the top golf courses in Finland and last year was recognised as one of the top 100 courses in Continental Europe by a leading European publication. ■

“The course meanders through the natural landscape of pine and birch woods and features a number of hazards including lakes and rocky outcrops, while the natural rise and fall of the terrain offers a dynamic challenge.”

For more information: www.linnagolf.fi/en

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Celebrity We ask the European Tour’s top golfers how their dream dinner party would unfold. Players must choose three celebrities to accompany them, one band or artist to provide the music, what would be on the menu and tell us their favourite party trick! Next in the hotseat is seven-times European Tour winner and 2016 Masters Tournament champion, Danny Willett.

DANNY WILLETT MICHAEL JORDAN

A legend in basketball and I’m sure he’s got some fantastic stories to tell.

Music

LEWIS CAPALDI

He’s already there so he would be free!

He can sing us some beautiful songs.

CHRIS HUGHES

I played in the Pro-Am with him at the BMW PGA Championship and he was a very funny lad. I’m sure he would be good fun round the dinner table.

MENU

- Starter -

LEWIS CAPALDI

MINI COTTAGE PIES - Main -

I quite like how he’s come across in the media over the last few years.

PARTY TRICK

It would have to be the one I served at the Masters dinner.

YORKSHIRE STYLE SUNDAY ROAST WITH PLENTY OF GRAVY

AFTER SIX BOTTLES OF RED WINE I’D ATTEMPT TO PLAY THE OASIS HIT ‘WONDERWALL’ ON THE GUITAR!

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- Dessert -

APPLE CRUMBLE

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Choose from a range of rates and packages, then simply book, pay and play.

THE GROVE | Chandler’s Cross Hertfordshire WD3 4TG T: 01923 294266 | E: tee.time@thegrove.co.uk | www.thegrove.co.uk