Tiger Woods adds to doubts over his future by admitting he may never play pain-free again February 8, 2017 Injury-riddled former world No1 Tiger Woods has fuelled concerns that he may never be competitive again by conceding that he is unable to play without pain. His admission comes after the 14-time Major winner withdrew from the Dubai Desert Classic after just one disappointing round last week, citing back spasms. Woods has not won a [...]
Sergio Garcia and Hideki Matsuyama underline their Masters credentials February 6, 2017 The Masters may still be a couple of months away but we got a glimpse of two possible contenders over the last few days as they swept to wins on the European and PGA Tours. Sergio Garcia produced his usual magnificent golf to claim a commanding wire-to-wire victory at the Dubai Desert Classic, his first [...]
Sergio Garcia ends European Tour drought at Dubai Desert Classic February 5, 2017 Spain’s Sergio Garcia toasted an early-season tonic after claiming his first European Tour title for three years at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday. Garcia carded a blemish-free final round of 69 to finish on 19 under par and complete a wire-to-wire victory. Open champion Henrik Stenson was Garcia’s closest challenger on 16 under par, [...]
Tiger Woods denies injury as he fights to make cut at Dubai Desert Classic February 2, 2017 Former world No1 Tiger Woods insisted he was not struggling with injury after a birdie-free opening round at the Dubai Desert Classic left him in danger of missing the cut. Woods, who also missed the cut at Torrey Pines last week, carded a five-over-par 77 at Emirates Golf Club to trail leader Sergio Garcia by 12 [...]
Tommy Fleetwood’s Abu Dhabi win and why your first golf coach is like your first love January 23, 2017 I always think that your first golf coach is a little like your first love; they know about your game and how you have developed better than anyone else. After his first win for three and a half years, Tommy Fleetwood may agree with that sentiment. His success at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on [...]
Golf’s world top 10 has never been as strong as it is now – and it makes for a fascinating season January 16, 2017 When Graeme Storm stepped off the last green at Vilamoura in October, having just missed the par putt he needed to retain his European Tour card, his world must have been shattered. Storm had been among a number of players still vying to make the top 111 on the order of merit – the cut-off [...]
Graeme Storm capitalises on reprieve to see off Rory McIlroy and win first European Tour title for 10 years January 15, 2017 Forgotten man Graeme Storm completed his remarkable turnaround in fortunes over the last three months by beating world No2 Rory McIlroy to the South African Open on Sunday. Storm looked to have missed out on his tour card by the slimmest of margins when he bogeyed the last at the Portugal Masters in October, only [...]
Justin Thomas survived extraordinary finish to beat Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth shows promising signs, Rory McIlroy to start year in unusual circumstances, and why Jim Furyk can be a great captain January 9, 2017 He won well in the end but it took an extraordinary finish before Justin Thomas clinched his second PGA Tour title already this season at the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii on Sunday. Thomas led by two overnight and stretched his advantage over the red-hot Hideki Matsuyama to five shots, only to see that gap [...]
Why Henrik Stenson and the Open made my golfing year: Sam Torrance’s 2016 review December 19, 2016 Player of the year At 40, Henrik Stenson had almost reached that stage of being the best player around without a Major when the Swede went and banished that tag by winning the Open at Royal Troon in such style. Rory McIlroy deserves a mention for his PGA Tour Championship-FedEx Cup double, but Stenson, who [...]
Sam Brazel’s surprise win in Hong Kong is a heart-warming tale but defeat will hurt for Rafa Cabrera Bello December 12, 2016 For an illustration of the vagaries of golf you need look no further than the Hong Kong Open, where unheralded Australian Sam Brazel saw off some illustrious rivals to land the biggest win of his career on Sunday. Brazel, a 37-year-old journeyman who started the week ranked 480th in the world and had never finished [...]