The Old Course at St Andrews is set to reopen to St Andrews Links Trust yearly ticketholders on Friday, along with the New, Eden and Balgove courses.

THE Old Course at St Andrews – the Home of Golf – is set to reopen on Friday, subject to an 11th hour approval by the Scottish Government on Thursday night.

But visitors will have to wait as tee times are restricted to St Andrews Links Trust’s yearly ticketholders from around the town in Fife – as the Scottish Government’s restricition on journeys remains at five miles.

The oldest golf course in the world will be back in play in time for the weekend, along with the New, Eden and Balgove.

The Strathtyrum, Jubilee and Castle will reopen in stages in the coming days and weeks. The Eden will be split into two loops to encourage people to play nine holes.

St Andrews Links Trust – which operates the seven courses at the Home of Golf – will insist on the following restrictions and guidelines for the coming weeks as players return.

Play will be restricted to Links ticketholders, who will play in a maximum of two-balls – 12 minutes apart. They must have a pre-booked tee time.

The ballot system will remain for the Old Course for Monday to Saturday. There is no play on Sundays.

Once the daily ballot is published, unallocated tee times can be booked by phone on (01334) 466666.

Yearly ticketholders can book a tee time for the other three courses online from 7pm – two days before play – and over the phone from 9am the day before.

Golfers can be from the same household, or two different ones – providing the players have no COVID-19 symptoms, are not in self-isolation or have been out of the country in the previous 14 days.

Social distancing must be observed on arrival at the Old Course and at all times during rounds.

The St Andrews Links Clubhouse will remain closed during the first phase of golf returning to St Andrews Old Course later this week.

Links Trust delighted to reopen Old

THE St Andrews Links Tust said it was “delighted” to share its plans for a phased reopening of the Old Course, known as the “Old Lady.”St

A spokesman said: “The return of golf is hugely important for our community and eagerly anticipated by us all.

“We will continue to monitor and review our policies and practices before we consider re-introducing guests and visitors in the coming weeks.

“We would like to thank everyone for their patience and continued support throughout this unprecedented period.

“Everyone in our community, every individual, every family, every business, every organisation has been impacted by this global pandemic.

“We are committed to ensuring that as we overcome these challenging times, the Links provides a safe and enjoyable environment for us to all come together – and play our part in a sensible and responsible manner.

“In order to move forward, we have had to begin preparing for the new normals – and new responsibilities that we must adhere to – if golf is to play an active role in emerging from this crisis.”

The Trust’s clubhouses, restaurants, the St Andrews Golf Academy and shops also remain closed in line with government guidance.

Players should change in the car park. No toilet facilities will be available in the first phase.

Flagpoles should not be touched – holes have been modified for simple ball retrieval.

All bunker rakes have been removed. Players should smooth sand with their club/feet, and must not pick up other players’ equipment or ball – nor exchange food or drinks.

ST ANDREWS LINKS TROPHY CALLED OFF

The Scottish Government’s decision to scale back some of the lockdown restrictions was announced on Friday.

But it has taken another week for golf to get the green light north of the border. England’s golf courses reopened two weeks ago on May 13.

But Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon refused to be rushed into allowing certain sports – including golf – the chance to resume after more than two months because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The St Andrews Trust spokesman added: “We urge everyone to be respectful of our guidelines to ensure that, in time, we can move to a fully phased reintroduction of the game – as we all know and love it.

“The health and wellbeing of colleagues, customers and golfers remains our priority, and we have developed our operations – and phased return – to promote social distancing at all times.”

•For full details on how to book a tee time at St Andrews, and to read the guidelines in full click here.

‘No rush to reschedule existing bookings’

VISITING golfers, who have existing bookings for the Old Course, should contact their authorised provider, to discuss prepaid bookings.

The Trust stressed this week there was no urgency to discuss reschedule times if you booked direct.

The reservations team is dealing with a high volume of queries. Contacting them via email in the first instance would be appreciated, the Links Trust said.

“We will continue to deal with queries throughout the weeks and months ahead. We thank you in advance for your patience. Thank you for your continued support,” said the spokesman.

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England Golf Statement Regarding Coronavirus

England Golf  – in light of the developing situation with the COVID-19 outbreak – has today issued the following guidance to all our affiliated golf clubs and golfers.

We fully recognise the need to adhere to the expert advice available and as such we would point all our clubs in the direction of the guidelines set out in detail by Public Health England via their website.

Details on how best to cope with the virus can also be found via the World Health Organisation website which will provide rolling updates and the best ways to mitigate against the spread of the infection.

NHS England also provide updated and expert advice via their website.

All golf clubs should note, act upon and continually monitor the advice and guidance issued by these expert authorities in relation to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

It is important that we all work together, following the advice of qualified professionals, in controlling the spread of COVID-19.

This remains a very fluid situation and England Golf will continue to take their lead from the government and public health authorities when it comes to safeguarding our clubs and members and offering practical and necessary steps to ensure the health and wellbeing of golfers and golf club staff.

England Golf chief executive Jeremy Tomlinson said: “The expert practical advice that is available from the health authorities and national government should remain the first point of reference for all our golf clubs and golfers.

“This is clearly a fluid and developing situation and we will continue to monitor events as they progress and pass on the relevant information to our stakeholders.

“By working in alignment with those who are specialists in this field, we will be able to take the necessary precautions and provide the correct measures to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.”

Where do you want to go next?

• Scottish Golf statement
• Wales Golf statement
• Golfing Union of Ireland statement

More information

• NHS website
• Public Health Service

GOLF UNIONS

Bedfordshire County Golf Union

Berks, Bucks & Oxon Golf

Cambridgeshire Area Golf Union

Cheshire Union of Golf Clubs

Cornwall Golf Union

Cumbria Union of Golf Clubs

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Durham County Golf Union

Essex Golf Union

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Hertfordshire Golf

Kent Golf Union

Lancashire Union of Golf Clubs

Leicestershire & Rutland Golf Union

Lincolnshire Union of Golf Clubs

Norfolk County Golf Union

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Nottinghamshire Union of Golf Clubs

Shropshire & Herefordshire Union of Golf Clubs

Somerset Golf Union

Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs

Suffolk Golf Union

Surrey Golf

Sussex County Golf Union

Warwickshire Golf Union

Worcestershire Union of Golf Clubs

Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs

Derbyshire County Golf

Devon Golf

Isle of Man Golf

Middlesex Golf

Northamptonshire Golf

Wiltshire Golf

Bedfordshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Berkshire County Ladies’ Golf Association

Bucks County Ladies’ Golf Association

Cambs and Hunts Ladies’ County Golf Association

Cheshire County Ladies’ Golf Association

Cornwall Ladies’ County Golf Association

Cumbria Ladies County Golf Association

Dorset Ladies’ County Golf Association

Durham County Ladies’ Golf Association

Essex Ladies’ County Association

Gloucestershire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Hampshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Kent County Ladies’ Golf Association

Lancashire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Leicestershire and Rutland Ladies’ County Golf Association

Lincolnshire Women’s Golf Association

Norfolk Ladies’ County Golf Association

Northumberland Ladies’ County Association

Nottinghamshire County Ladies’ Golf Association

Oxfordshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Shropshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Somerset Ladies’ County Golf Association

Staffordshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

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Surrey Ladies’ Golf

Sussex County Ladies’ Golf Association

Warwickshire Ladies County Golf Association

Worcestershire & Herefordshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

Yorkshire Ladies’ County Golf Association

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World’s best hickory players come together to compete in the first Scottish Hickory Tour since 1930

First event played ‘in memory of’ the great James Braid

The world’s best hickory players are coming together next month to compete in the first Scottish Hickory Tour since 1930. In a series of ten tournaments, starting with the James Braid’s 150^th Anniversary Hickory Open, the world’s top 20 professionals and top 40 amateurs will qualify to participate in the Final over Leven’s Links in October.

To celebrate the launch of the tour, the World’s Top Hickory Golfers will congregate on a special day in golfing history, the 6^th February 2020, at Braid Hills Golf Course for the ‘IceBreaker’ James Braid’s 150^th Anniversary Hickory Open event. It is being played on this day in celebration of the 150^th Anniversary of the birth of the famous golfer James Braid, five time Open Champion and Designer of over 400 Golf Courses in Scotland including: Brora, Bruntsfield, Dalmahoy, Gleneagles, Goodwood Downs,  Lundin Links, Boat of Garten, Grantown on Spey, The Glen, Royal Musselburgh, Monktonhall, Walton Heath and many others.

The first match is being played over 9 holes at Braid Hills in memory of James Braid yet despite its name, this course was not designed by James Braid, rather, it is laid out over Braid Hill. The players then move on to the Merchants of Edinburgh Golf Club in the afternoon for another 9 holes. The course was originally designed by Ben Sayers in 1907 and altered by James Braid in 1936. The course is challenging and fun, and will be a good test for players, including past World Hickory Open Winners Fraser Mann (Scotland) and Andrew Marshall (England).

To celebrate the commencement of the Tour, a first edition whisky, limited to 150 numbered bottles are being bottled by Hickory Forever and will be available to buy on February the 6th, 2020. To reserve one of the first 150 bottles, please get in touch via the Hickory Forever website.

Following on from the James Braid 150th Anniversary Hickory Open, next on the Tour calendar will be the Jack’s Open Pro Am played over Musselburgh Golf Club and Royal Musselburgh on the 8^th and 9^th April.

To find out more about where each event will take place click on The Scottish Hickory Tour 2020

6th February 2020 – James Braid 150th Anniversary Hickory Open

8 & 9th April 2020 – Jack’s Open Pro Am

24 & 25 June 2020 – First Icelandic Hickory Open 2020

7 July 2020  – John Still Memorial Trophy

18 & 19 August 2020  – Highland Hickory Open

6 – 8 October 2020 – The Scottish Hickory Final

Instagram: ScottishHickoryTour

The post Hickory Dickory Dock As First Event Played ‘In Memory Of’ The Great James Braid appeared first on Golf North.

Ryan Fox has the chance to wrap up the PGA of Australia Order of Merit with a good finish to 2020 at the Australian PGA Championship at the Gold Coast’s RACV Royal Pines Resort. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

NEW Zealander Ryan Fox tees it up at the Australian PGA Championship this week – in a battle of the bombers – with his sights set on a strong start to his 2020 European Tour campaign.

The Kiwi is making his first European Tour appearance of the new season at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.

Fox is hoping to carry his encouraging form from the end of 2019 into the new year.

The 32-year-old also leads the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia’s Order of Merit by AU$75,000, knowing that a strong performance this week would see him win the season-long rankings in the Southern Hemisphere.

Fox, who is officially the biggest hitters on the European Tour, said: “It has been a much nicer end to the year.

“If you take the Open out at Portrush, it was a very lean patch in the middle. I was pretty desperate there for a while, even when I came back from a break after the Open it was still a bit of a struggle.

“It was nice to find a bit of form in the back part of the season,” added Ryan Fox, who turned pro in 2012 and has three wins Down Under in total, as well two on the European Challenge Tour.

“The Dunhill Links was the start of it for me, shooting a 64 in the first round – even though I didn’t finish it off – it was the start of feeling better on the golf course.

“Although I haven’t quite put it together, the last six or eight events there’s been some much better golf and a lot of positives to take out of that,” added Fox, whose maiden European Tour win came in the ISPS Handa World Super 6s in Perth, in February, which earned him AU$245,413.

“I’m in a pretty good position on the Australasian Tour money list, so it’s a chance to lock that up – that goes over a calendar year.

“If I can do that, it’s a good start to the 2020 season for me,” said Fox, who has earned AU$295,029 in four events, and is trailed by Zach Murray.

Fox added: “There’s a lot to play for this week. It’s a course I’ve played a lot, I know it fairly well and have had a couple of decent results in the past – so I’m looking forward to a good week.”

Fox will start this year’s tournament in the company of twice-defending champion Cameron Smith – fresh from playing in the President’s Cup team for Ernie Els’ Internationals at Royal Melbourne – and American starlet Cameron Champ – the latest big-hitter to come out of US college golf.

•For tee times in the first round of the Australian PGA click here.

Hill looks up to Rookie MacIntyre

LOOKING to build on an encouraging start to his rookie year on the European Tour, Scotland’s Challenge Tour graduate Calum Hill is teeing it up in Australia for the first time in his career, this week.

Hill will follow up results of 13^th and T17th at the Alfred Dunhill Championship and AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open respectively.

The Kircaldy-raised golfer will draw up the successes of Hero Indian Open winner Stephen Gallacher and David Law, who won the ISPS Handa Vic Open, in February. while Robert McIntyre, was named 2019 European Tour Rookie of the Year last month.

“I’ve never been to Australia before,” Hill admitted. “Coming here, I’ve had a great first impression, so I’m looking forward to getting started.

“I can’t complain with my start to the year. I had a chance in Mauritius but didn’t do well on the final day.

“As long as you can keep giving yourself chances throughout the year, I’m sure one of them will turn up,” added Hill, who won twice on the Challenge Tour in 2019, having graduated from Western New Mexico University, in 2016.

“It’s fantastic having a group of Scottish guys, with Stevie (Gallacher) as the experience and some of the younger guys coming through who are around my age too.

“To have Stevie win, Bob do great and Davey win, it’s good to see. My team are great at guiding me and showing me what I need to be doing.

“Of course the Rookie of the Year Award is on my mind, it has to be. If you’re not looking at that – especially coming from the same management group as Bob.

“You hope to achieve similar to what he has done, if that happens then you’re laughing. Fingers crossed.”

The 25-year-old, who is attached to Gleneagles, finished second on the Road to Mallorca rankings and is currently 16^th on the 2020 Race to Dubai rankings.

Nicolai is ‘better than Rasmus’

BIDDING to follow in his brother’s footsteps as a European Tour winner is Nicolai Højgaard, whose twin Rasmus won the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open two weeks ago.

That victory saw Rasmus become the third-youngest winner in the Tour’s history at the age of just 18 years and 271 days.

That wn put him behind Italian Matteo Manassero, a winner at just 17, in 2009, and New Zealand’s Danny Lee, who was 18 when he won the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic, in Perth, while still an amateur, in the European Tour history books.

The Højgaard twins represented Europe at the 2018 Junior Ryder Cup before turning professional at the start of 2019 – having helped Denmark win the Eisenhower Trophy at the 2018 World Amateur Team Championship.

If anything, Nicolai is regarded as the better player of the two, having risen to No. 5 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

Nicolai’s best result so far of his burgeoning European Tour career was a runner-up finish to Sergio Garcia at the KLM Open, in September.

Højgaard, who was unable to earn a full European Tour like Rasmus, at the Qualifying School, in November, said: “It would be cool to follow up my brother, but sometimes it just comes out of nowhere.

“I saw last season it can happen suddenly. I’m hoping for a good week here, I’m not focusing on the result. I’m trying to improve my golf – this is a kick-start to the season so it would be nice to have a good finish.

He admitted Rasmus winning was “a big motivator, for sure.”

Højgaard added: “I’m really happy for Rasmus, but I really want to do the same.

“I’m trying to not get carried away with his result and trying to focus a bit more on myself.

“If I finish second here, it’s still good. I don’t have to compare myself to him all the time. I’m happy for him, but hopefully I can follow that up this week.”

Cameron Smith is bidding for a hat-trick of successive wins in the 2019 Australian PGA Championship at RACV Royal Pines Resort this week

Reasons for Australian PGA date switch

THE Australian PGA Championship is topping off a huge three weeks of golf in Australia – following the Emirates Australian Open and The Presidents Cup.

Gavin Kirkman, chief executive of the PGA of Australia, said: “The Australian PGA Championship has been embraced by the players and sports fans for its fun atmosphere.

“We feel it is important for it to be the final tournament of the year for us to deliver that experience expectation.”

The Australian PGA Championship week began with the Greg Norman Medal dinner on Tuesday night, where the highest achievers in the Australian golf industry were heralded for their accomplishments.

The fun continues with the MyGolf Kids Day on Wednesday, and the 16^th Hole Marquee party.

Switching to a later date in the 2019 schedule has opened up the opportunity for people to enjoy Christmas celebrations at the golf tournament.

Additional festive activations have been added to the entertainment and corporate hospitality line-up in 2019.

While the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and European Tour players battle it out on course for the Joe Kirkwood Cup, the Australian PGA Order of Merit race will also come to a conclusion.

The winner of the Norman Von Nida Medal will be awarded following the Australian PGA Championship’s conclusion on Sunday night.

The ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit provides a plethora of opportunities to the winner, including full status on the European Tour, a start at The Open – and entry into the World Golf Championship tournaments.

Kirkman added: “We have seen some thrilling conclusions to the Australian PGA Championship and the Order of Merit in recent years, and feel the atmosphere created on the Gold Coast is the perfect setting for them to be celebrated.

“This was one of the motivating factors in the change of date.”

When the 2019-20 schedule was originally released in the autumn of 2018, the 2019 Australian PGA Championship was set to be played from November 28 – December 1, until the switch to this week’s date was announced back in March.

The post Ryan Fox one of the big guns looking for fast start to 2020 season at Australian PGA appeared first on Golf North.

Muckhart Golf Club

Muckhart Golf Club is located within the heart of Perthshire and set against the stunning backdrop of the Ochil Hills.

With three nine hole courses, each offering great variety and their own challenge, Muckhart Golf Club is a special place to play golf. We have group packages to suit every need, with buggies and golf trollies available. We are happy to arrange on course competitions as well as scoring assistance if desired.

Our catering and bar operation is superb and we pride ourselves on the delivery of first class service throughout.

We are easy to find and with ample car parking available, we welcome groups with buses!

SOCIETY PACKAGES 2020

36 – HOLE CLASSIC
£65.00pp
36 holes
Coffee / tea & bacon roll
Soup & filled roll
2-Course Meal

ALBATROSS
£60.00pp
27 holes
Coffee / tea & bacon roll
Soup & filled roll
2-Course Meal

EAGLE
£50.00pp
18 holes
Coffee / tea &
bacon roll
2-Course Meal

BIRDIE
£40.00pp
18 holes
Coffee / tea &
bacon roll
Soup & filled roll

PAR
£35.00pp
18 holes
Coffee / tea &
bacon roll

Golf Only – £30. Tailored packages available on request

Muckhart Golf Club,
Drumburn Road,
Muckhart,
Clackmannanshire,
FK14 7JH

T: 01259 781423
E: enquiries@muckhartgolf.com
www.muckhartgolf.com
Twitter @muckhartgolf
Facebook /MuckhartGC
Instagram @muckhartgc

The post Muckhart Golf Club appeared first on Golf North.

Frenchman Victor Perez, who lives in nearby Dundee, became the first rookie to win the Alfred Dunhill Links, beating Essex’s Matthew Southgate, at St Andrews. Picture by GETTY IMAGES.

VICTOR Perez claimed his maiden European Tour title as he became the first rookie to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews Old Course.

Bt the Frenchman was really feeling at home – his breakthrough victory came just 15 miles from the place he currently calls home… Dundee.

And Perez was greeted by the famous 18th green next to the R&A clubhouse where so many of the game’s greats have been crowned Open Champion, by his girlfriend Abigail, who is a dentistry student in the Scottish town, just along the Fife coast.

Perez was delighted to cut his teeth with a maiden victory, saying: “It’s really hard to describe right now. I feel like the emotions were really high all day, and really cold, windy, long day out there.

“I felt like I was able to battle. Matt played amazing. I was expecting some of the guys to charge.

“We were fortunate in a it was a one-on-one battle on the back nine. I was able to make that birdie on 14 that really pulled me back – and then just held strong till the end. I was fortunate it was my time.

“After the birdie on 14, getting tied for the lead, playing 15, I just tried to still give myself chances. You always expect these guys at this level to make birdies and you have to stay aggressive.

“I think when Matt hit his drive down 16, well, I thought: ‘There you have it. This is what these guys do. They come in there and give themselves chances.’

“I hit a great drive to 17 that really settled me and a great iron shot that I thought hit it close. Going down the last with a one-shot lead is all you can ask for.

“The format is awesome. I think it’s a chance for the amateurs to see from inside the ropes and connect with the players, which is something that they strive for, and they love to do and chat with us, and ask what clubs we hit – and why, and all those kind of questions.

“ I think it’s really cool that we can give back to those people, as well,” Perez added.

“Obviously there’s nothing like a win. The confidence you get from getting it done – it’s so difficult at this level to win,” said the two-time Challenge Tour winner.

“Being my first year, I’m obviously delighted.”

But there was clue to Perez’s victory – going in to the Dunhill he sat seventh in strokeaverage on links courses since January 2017, at 69.25.

He was behind just Jordan Spieth (69.25), Eddie Pepperell (69.21), Tommy Fleetwood (69.16), Justin Rose (69.16), Robert MacIntyre (69.07) and Jon Rahm (68.86).

It was a tense battle throughout as the 27-year-old locked horns with his playing partner Matthew Southgate, having both shared a two-stroke lead heading into the final day.

Perez was one stroke behind the Essex golfer – who was playing with former R&A secretary Peter Dawson – heading into the back nine, despite a flawless front nine completed in two-under.

A dropped shot at the par three 11^th meant he dropped further off the pace.

But a birdie at the par five 14^th for the 2018 European Challenge Tour graduate, and a bogey for Southgate, meant a two-shot swing had them level going down the stretch.

Southgate’s missed par putt at the 17^th was decisive as Perez edged ahead and two pars at the famous final hole at the Home of Golf earned Perez a career-changing victory as he moved to 17^th in the Race to Dubai rankings.

Southgate had been left feeling frustrated after missing the cut at Wentworth a week earlier.

But a return to Carnoustie where he and his father have been country members and the Home of Golf – where he claimed the biggest victory of his amateur career in the St Andrews Links Trophy, in 2010, clearly rejuvenated him.

Southgate, who saves his best performances for links golf – he was sixth in the 2017 Open at Royal Birkdale – could console himself with an important outright second place finish.

Southend’s Southgate, who is attached to Thorpe Hall – the club where amateur legend Sir Michael Bonallack, the R&A secretary before Peter Dawson, is also a member – said: “I’ve done everything I can do.

“I was impressed with how level-headed I stayed and felt amazingly calm really all day, which is quite a surprise to be honest.

“I thought I might be a little more excited and kept a great rhythm with my swing. Didn’t miss a shot all day and if anything, hit a couple too good that went past the flag.

“It’s been a horrible season for me and this has sorted that right out and gotten us right back to the Race to Dubai and that’s the goal for me, really.

“I think I’ve proven to the world this week that when I do switch it on, I can mix it with the best and I’ve beaten a hell of a lot of good players this week.

“I’ve played some great golf, and you can’t help but be pleased. Victor, what a gentleman. I’ve never played with him before, and couldn’t be happier for him.

“You know, one of us was on the first tee and I was thinking, I hope one of us gets our first win, and golf’s bigger than individual.

“It’s a big gentleman’s game, and it was an absolute pleasure to shake his hand on the last green there. He played fantastic all day, and I’m chuffed to bits coming second to such a great bloke.”

That runners-up spot secured Southgate’s European Tour card for 2020 after a disappointing season up to that point.

Tommy Fleetwood, meanwhile, won the team prize in the pro-am event alongside partner Ogden Phipps II, pipping Rory McIlroy and his father Gerry to the title, denying the four-time Major winner a perfect 60th birthday present for his dad.

Fleetwood, who denied the McIlroys the team prize by virtue of his better pro’s score, said: “I played all right today. I think putting was a massive difference.

“Yesterday I struggled and it was a bit of a flat day. For the most part today, I was thinking about the team competition.

“I think it took my mind off everything else and just got on a really nice run,” said Fleetwood.

“We’ve played in it a lot and I know how much it means to those guys. I was nervous.

“I said to Ogden, we had five holes left, and he said, ‘I’m going to need you on these last few.’

“He was nervous coming down the stretch but we did great. To win it. It means a lot when it’s not just yourself and it’s a partnership.”

For final scores at the Alfred Dunhill Links, click here.

Frenchman Victor Perez, who lives in nearby Dundee, became the first rookie to win the Alfred Dunhill Links, beating Essex’s Matthew Southgate, at St Andrews. Picture by GETTY IMAGES.

The post How Perez cut his teeth at golf’s top table with victory in Alfred Dunhill Links appeared first on Golf North.

Victor Perez, the Frenchman who lives in Dundee, shot an eight-under 64 at Kingsbarns, in the third round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

DUNDEE-based Frenchman Victor Perez and Essex’s Matthew Southgate will enter the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in a share of the lead, with both players chasing a maiden European Tour title.

The famous St Andrews Old Course will play host on the final day and with the wind set to kick up, it will be all to play for among the chasing pack which features Cheshire’s Paul Waring, American Ryder Cup player Tony Finau and former World No, 1 Luke Donald.

But Perez and Southgate are in pole position at the Home of Golf, as they sit atop the leaderboard with a two-stroke advantage on 20-under par.

And Southgate will be looking to write a piece of St Andrews history by becoming the first player to win the St Andrews Links Trophy – one of the top amateur trophies – and the Alfred Dunhill Links, one of the most prestigrious on the European Tour.

Perez, who lives with his partner in nearby Dundee will be vying for a first European Tour victory in his rookie season, having graduated from the European Challenge Tour last year.

The 27-year-old carded an eight-under 64 at Kingsbarns Golf Links which included a run of five successive birdies.

Perez said: “It was awesome. Bit windier today. Out of all the courses, we got a bit fortunate to play here today, being a bit wider off the tee. Maybe Carnoustie would have been the tougher course today.

“I played great and hit the ball really well. Felt like I made a couple of putts. I didn’t make any bombs out there or anything.

“Missed a short one on eight but the rest of the ball-striking was class today and I was really pleased with nine birdies again, obviously.”

Southgate, meanwhile, is making his 140^th appearance on Tour and the closest he has come was a share of second place at the 2017 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

The 30-year-old signed for a seven-under 65 at the Old Course after finishing with a birdie at the ninth, his 18^th.

Matthew Southgate, who won the 2010 St Andrews Links – played over three rounds on the Old Course, and one at either the neighbouring New or Jubilee Courses, said: “I didn’t miss many shots and got the speed of the greens really good.

“I set up so many chances. I was always bound to make a good fistful of them. Not much you can say really. Just really solid all day.

“My swing feels very solid. I feel very happy in my own head at the minute and playing with such a clear mind and just easy swing thoughts.

“The biggest job tomorrow is going to be keeping me in check rather than the golf swing. I’m hitting the ball fantastic the first three days, so there’s no reason why I can’t shoot another good score.

“Someone is going to post a good number, so it’s going to take a good score to get the win.

“I’m so passionate about winning tournaments and being here at the Home of Golf, tomorrow is going to be a difficult one to just keep myself in check and keep producing what I have done the first three days.”

Waring, who grew up playing links golf at the Wirral, and won the 2005 English Amateur Championship at his home club Bromborough, said: “Anything under par around Carnoustie you always take – especially with quite a stiff breeze out there.

“Pleased to shoot as low as I did and get myself involved with the tournament.

“I think when I’m happy and I’m having fun, I feel like I’m at my best. So, this week kind of blends well into the two elements for me.

“If I get a little bit too into it, a little bit sort of too strict on myself, it can have negative effects, said 34-year-old Waring, whose first win came in last year’s Nordea Masters.

“When I’m bouncing around and having a laugh, it’s the true me. It’s showing this season how I’m playing. Enjoying myself a bit more.”

Finau said: “I was happy with the way I played. Missed a short one on 17, but outside of that I played really nicely.

“I thought it was tough. That front nine, every hole was into the wind. It was quite cool this morning when we teed off, so a lot of those holes played a lot harder than they normally do with the wind.

“I was happy to get around the front nine in a couple under and I was able to score on the back nine,” said Finau, whose only PGA Tour win came in Puerto Rico, three years ago.

“It’s very cool to be at the Home of Golf. The Old Course, there’s nothing like it. So, to be able to tee it up tomorrow and play and have a chance to win a golf tournament here is going to be something special,” added Finau.

For final round scores click here.

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Matthew Jordan playing the 18th on St Andrews Old Course in the second round of the Alfred Dunhill LInks, which he leads after a superb 64. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

MATTHEW Jordan carded a stunning 64, which included a hole-out eagle two followed by five successive birdies, at St Andrews Old Course to take the halfway lead in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The promising Cheshire has been plying his trade primarily on the European Challenge Tour this year, where the Royal Liverpool member has already claimed a maiden professional victory.

And he knows how to win around the Old Course having claimed the St Andrews Links Trophy two years ago – arguably the leading strokeplay event for amateurs in the UK – shooting nine-under for 54 holes, having played the first round on the Jubilee.

The 2017 Walker Cup player, who grew up playing at Hoylake currently sits second in the Road to Mallorca rankings – and he continues to impress in his dalliances with the European Tour.

The 23-year-old led the opening round of the Betfred British Masters in May, eventually finishing in a share of 15^th place at Hillside Golf Club, showing his likeness for the Southport links not far from his home.

And he is out in front once again on British soil after a round which caught fire when he holed out with his approach at the par-four third hole.

Five birdies in a row from the fourth led to a front nine 29 and stirred hope of a potential chase for the magic number of 59.

Jordan, who clearly relishes links golf, said: “After that start, I wanted to keep momentum, because I knew I would have chances.

“I’ll just try and go as low as possible because the scoring is so good. You can’t make a few birdies and think, oh, I’ve done my job.

“I was just free-wheeling it really. I wasn’t thinking too much which is probably a good thing.

“A 59 did cross my mind once. I had my friends here and they were quick to tell me that they wanted the same on the back nine.

“I’ve done quite well recently. I had one more invite so I just asked my managers, and tried to sort it out because I really wanted to play it – and I absolutely love this place.

“I am must trying to make the most of it,” added Jordan.

Eight pars and a birdie on the way home were still enough to earn the Liverpudlian a 14-under total and a one-stroke advantage over his friend, Challenge Tour No, 1 Calum Hill, the leading Scot at halfway, as well as Essex’s Matthew Southgate and Swede Joakim Lagergren.

Hill, who has one twice on the Challenge Tour this year, said: “It’s always nice to be at home and play in front of family and friends that can come out and watch.

“And it’s even better that I played well and they can enjoy themselves because of that as well.

“It’s slightly different this week because everyone is playing a different course at a different time,”added Hill, who is just one win away from automatich promotion to the main tour under the current rules.

“It’s just about playing as well as you can, and going as low as you can over these first two days and then after three rounds, I think you can look at your position a bit better and judge what you need to do for the final day.”

World No. 4 Justin Rose was among the six players in a tie for fifth position on 12-under.

Rose, was also on 59 watch after making six birdies and an eagle in eight holes at Kingsbarn – where the featured players on Sky TV’s coverage were playing in the second round.

The Hampshire ace, who has spoken about the effects of Hurricane Dorian on the Bahamas, where his family have had their main home for some five years, said: “It was an unbelievable front nine.

“Obviously a great round. Got me in the tournament. Eleven birdies, never going to be disappointed with that.

“I’m taking credit for the 28. JT (Justin Timberlake) was over the back of the par five third green in three, putted up near my coin and gave me a perfect read and I made an eagle putt.”

If Rose and Jordan can keep their place near the top of the leaderboard – and possibly find themselves paired for Sunday’s final round, they will have more than one thing in common.

Jordan’s first national win as an amateur came at North Hants – Rose’s home course – in the 2016 Hampshire Hog, the event won in 1995 as a 14-year-old by the Ryder Cup star, who quickly became the country’s hottest young prospect.

And Rose was the Hampshire player to win the St Andrews Links Trophy back in 1997 – the summer he became the youngest player to appear in the Walker Cup, having been selected – like Jordan – after his win at St Andrews.

Rose is tied alongside two home stars in Russell Knox and Richie Ramsey as well as New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, Wiltshire’s Jordan Smith and Frenchman Victor Perez.

•For live scores from the third round of the Alfred Dunhill Links. click here.

Rose family helping relief effort in Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian

JUSTIN ROSE lives in Nassau, some 100 miles south of where the eye of the storm hit but it certainly has given Rose a hefty dose of reality.

Rose said before the event began: “We were very fortunate to get away with it.

“We caught the fringes of the storm. We had three days of 40-miles-an-hour wind but nothing to impact the house, nothing dangerous at all.

“Just coastal erosion, beach erosion, stuff like that. We feel very lucky to get away with it.

“You realise how vulnerable you are when you see the power of the storm and what it can do.

“Nassau has become very much the heart of the relief effort. That’s where my wife is, at a children’s home in Nassau, working and helping and doing what she can.

“A lot of us in the community have done as much fundraising as possible.

“Where I live at, Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake have been involved in setting up a significant fund that can try to help some of the rebuilding process.

“In a small community like the Bahamas, when something so devastating happens, we definitely club together pretty well. It’s pretty devastating really to see.

“We can lose family, that’s one of the worst things that can happen. But to lose maybe your whole family and your whole family home. Kids are orphaned.

“There are going to be many stories of things like this. Golf is insignificant at that point. It’s always family first and these tragedies rip families apart.

“Those are very important things to think about when you get a little bit ahead of yourself and above your station.

“Your putt lips out and you think it’s the end of the world. Those are the moments when you’ve got to check yourself.”

McDowell wasn’t ready to play golf after holiday home was ‘flattened’

FORMER US Open winner Graeme McDowell and his family were lucky to escape after their holiday home on Abaco was “totally flattened.”

McDowell pulled out of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last week because his mind was not on playing golf after the worst natural disaster in the Bahama’s history.

Some 1,300 people are still officially missing and 70,000 were made homeless after 180mph winds caused an estimated $7billion of damage to property.

McDowell said: “It was a beautiful community we lived-in but with the eye of the hurricane passing right over the island, every house was totally flattened.

“The winds were also so strong, I heard from a neighbour they found one of my wedges hundreds of yards away along the beachfront, and knew it was one of my clubs as it had my marking on it.

“More importantly, friends and so many people we had met down there have lost everything and while it was a vacation home for us, these people we’ve come to know so well, lived permanently on Abaco.

“It hurts Kristin and I to lose our house but to see people losing their lives down there along with people losing their homes – and now not knowing what to do with their lives – is an enormous tragedy that we are still trying to come to terms with.

“Since the hurricane we have been trying to help as much as we can in arranging for a truck of supplies carrying generators along with food and water, and trying to do every little bit to help in any way we can.

“At first, we didn’t know [the extent of the damage] as we had little communication from our own little community for nearly two weeks afterwards as it was also impossible to both fly into or fly out of local airports.

“There was also huge amount of violence and looting and things like that going on, so it’s been a very emotional month.”

McDowell, who was married on the beach by the golf course, revealed: “We had plans in place to be down at Abaco that very week the hurricane struck.

“But we pulled the plug on those plans about three or four days before the hurricane arrived,” he said.

“The last time I was down there was at the end of July for my 40^th birthday.

“So, while we are talking about life and death here, the house was just a material thing for us that we can replace.

“What you have to worry about is that there is still over 1,000 people still not accounted for and that makes for scary stuff.”

Fellow Ulsterman Darren Clarke also had a holiday home in Abaco, which has staged the Hero World Challenge in recent years, and like McDowell, got married – to his second wife Alison – on the same beach.

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South Africa’s Justin Walters has been battling a calf injury and lost his father earlier this year but shot a superb 63 at St Andrews to lead the Alfred Dunhill Links after the first round. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

JUSTIN Walters found his form in spectacular style at St Andrews to take a one-shot lead after an emotional first day of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The South African has faced plenty of adversity on the golf course during the 2019 Race to Dubai, battling a calf injury over the summer and failing to register a top 20 in 23 starts on the European Tour.

The 38-year-old also sadly lost his father this year but revealed after carding a stunning 63 around the Old Course he felt his presence as he fired his lowest round on the European Tour for six years at the Home of Golf.

Walters said: “I haven’t shot anything under 69 or 68 in a long time. To do it here at St Andrews, and the emotions I’ve been through the last few months, it’s just so special.

“I’ve been swinging really well all-year mostly, from about US Open when I qualified, and I got to the Irish Open and tore my calf really badly.

“Really struggled to get right again for a while, and I finally got over that, and then I lost my dad.

“It was quite hard. I just kind of decided not to feel sorry for myself, really, and kind of dust myself off and coming in here, it has a healing quality,” said Walters, who is coached by West Hove’s Ryan Fenwick.

“I don’t know, it’s hard to describe. I was here with my dad when we lost Mum, and just thought I was back with him.”

His nine-under total handed him a one-shot lead over New Zealander Ryan Fox, Spaniard Adrian Otaegui, Frenchman Victor Perez and Wiltshire’s Jordan Smith.

The famous pro-am event features a star-studded line-up, with many of the world’s best golfers playing alongside celebrities, businessmen and women and family members, over three stunning venues – St Andrews Old Course, Kingsbarns Golf Links and Carnoustie Golf Links.

Fox, Smith and Perez joined Walters at St Andrews, while Otaegui carded his 64 at Kingsbarns.

Fox said: “I played really solid and for the first time in a while I saw some putts go in and hit some great shots coming down the stretch.

“It was just nice to take advantage of those fairly benign conditions out there.

“It’s a cool format to get to play these three golf courses, and they look after us so well this week.

“I love pro-am formats, and I’ve played with Shane Warne the last couple years and we get along really well.

“We’ve had a lot of fun out there, become good friends because of this event.”

Essex’s Matthew Southgate recorded the lowest round of the day at Carnoustie with a 65 to sit at seven-under alongside Cheshire’s Paul Waring, Scot Richie Ramsay, South African Jaco Ahlers, Finn Tapio Pulkkanen and Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan.

Southgate, who seems to save his best for links golf, said he was “chuffed to bits.”

“It’s a dream come true really for me. I’ve waited a long time to go down that last hole with that feeling. A really, really special day for me.

“I fell in love with the game again, which is great. Everybody has ebbs and flows in their career with that.

“The last four weeks has been really good for me and I’ve got stuck into practise like I’m 17 again, which is great and enjoying every minute of it.”

A week after the likes of Paul Casey and Justin Rose spoke about their memories of being inspired by watchign their heroes play in the PGA Championship at Wentworth, local Hero Ramsay, who was the first European to win the US Amateur in a century back in 2006, revealed St Andrews had the same effect for him.

Ramsay, who shot 65 at Kinsbarns, said: “You always look at it and think, if I want to win one tournament, the Scottish Open, the Dunhill are the ones that are right there because I used come down here when I was seven or eight and watch the guys play in the Dunhill Cup.

“It’s cool for me to play in it and just proud that I shot a good number today,” added Ramsey, who was sixth last week at Wentworth.

“I’ll iust try to keep the foot down because there’s so many good players this week. The main goal is to get in the mix on Sunday going into the back nine.

“Old Course St Andrews, back nine on Sunday, those ingredients are just too good. That would be a dream to be there and have a chance to win,” added Ramsay, whose only top five this year came in the Betfred British Masters on Hilside’s Lancashire links, back in May

Frenchman Perez is currently seventh on a list of players with the best strokeaverage on links courses since the beginning of January 2017 – and revealed why he has become so proficient by the sea.

Perez said: “I live in Dundee. My girlfriend goes to dental school here. I’ve lived here for the last year and a half.

“Being around and playing links all the time when I’m not in tournaments definitely makes a big difference.

“It’s just being used to the bounce and used to the greens,” said the 27-year-old who has two wins on the European Challenge Tour.

“I don’t think you can play enough links golf, and it definitely played to my advantage today for sure.”

Lee Westwood made his second hole-in-one of the season and third of his illustrious European Tour career as he holed a six-iron from 189 yards on the eighth at Carnoustie for the 26th hole-in-one of the 20129 Race to Dubai.

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Rory McIlroy desperately wants to win the Alfred Dunhilll Links at St Andrews as a 60th birthday present for dad Gerry. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

RORY McIlroy is hoping to put the icing on the cake of a perfect 60^th birthday present for his father by claiming a maiden Alfred Dunhill Links Championship title.

The Northern Irishman is playing alongside his dad Gerry in an event which has provided him many special memories – but not yet an elusive victory.

The famous pro-am event features a star-studded line-up in Scotland this week, with many of the world’s best golfers playing alongside celebrities, businessmen and women, and family members, over three stunning venues – St Andrews Old Course, Kingsbarns Golf Links and Carnoustie Golf Links.

McIlroy is playing alongside his father for the third time in the pro-am event and, has finished runner-up on three occasions in the individual event.

Having also claimed his European Tour card for the first time at the age of 18 thanks to a third-place finish in 2007, the former World No. 1 is hoping to capitalise on his superb 2019 form by triumphing for the first time in his career at St Andrews.

In 2010, McIlroy, who lead The Open after a first round 63, was blown away in the second round of the Open as the wind helped the Old Course bare its teeth.

After an 80 which ultimately cost him a first Claret Jug as he had to settle for tied third, led to claims Rory did not enjoy playing in the wind despite his experiences as an amateur playing in Northern Ireland.

McIlroy, who has shot 17 out of 28 rounds in 60s in the Alfred Dunhill Links, in seven appearances, said: “I guess the history I’ve had at this tournament from getting my Tour card back in 2007 to having a few chances to win, and not quite getting the job done – it obviously would be really nice to win at St. Andrews at some point.

“I think, at this point in my career, I’m still trying to play well individually.¯

“But you know, I’m taking the team part of it almost just as serious as the individual part,” said the 2014 Open Champion, whose worst score in the Dunhill is a third round 78 in 2008, and has shot 65 or better three times in seven appearances in Fife.

“It’s my dad’s 60th birthday next week, and I said to him, what do you want for your birthday, and he said, I’d love to play the Dunhill one more time.

“This is his birthday present. His last hoorah, I think. Hopefully we have a good week and make it to Sunday.”

World No. 5 Jon Rahm will also make his debut in the tournament alongside his father, while World No. 4 Justin Rose will take to the tee alongside pop superstar Justin Timberlake.

Rose, who became the first Hampshire player to win the St Andrews Links Trophy, one of the most prestigious amateur events, back in 1997, said: “I have just good memories of being here, really.”

But after winning the European No. 1 crown in 2007, Rose returned from his new US base to play the Alfred Dunhill in 2008 – but has not returned since.

“I can’t believe it’s been 11 years,” Rose added. “It’s amazing how time flies but I’m excited.

“The little shift in the schedule and obviously with Wentworth being later in the year, FedEx Cup and all that stuff, it feels like it’s a really nice time of year to play here again. I’m excited to be back.

“It’s cool to be playing with Justin Timberlake. Obviously I’m quite happy to be another Justin on the golf course – that’s probably always the case, anyway, with Justin Thomas and the young kids around.

“I’m kind of used to it these days. It’s fun to be playing with him.”

Rahm played his first-ever professional round at St Andrews with his father on Wednesday.

Rahm said: “It’s great to be here. I’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time, and it was really nice to share that moment with my parents and share this with my parents and my fiancée.

“I’m really looking forward to starting the tournament. St Andrews is great.

“Very different to all the other ones. One through 11, downwind, was really fun. Twelve through 18 into the wind was not!

“As simple as that. That’s the beauty of this golf course. On paper, it’s not the most difficult one, but it can be tough.

“Those last six holes, from 13 on, I hit five-iron into 13, hit driver, three-wood, six-iron into 14, and five-iron to 15, five-iron to 16, five-iron short on the 17th.

“I don’t think it can play more difficult than it did today, but a great golf course. You can just feel it’s a great atmosphere around this town related to golf,” the four-time European Tour winner added.

“It’s really fun to be here. I really love playing here and hopefully I can have a good showing.”

Meanwhile Danny Willett, returns to action just days after his remarkable BMW PGA Championship victory at Wentworth last week.P

Willett, who won the English Amateur title at Royal St George’s in 2007, said: “We had a little party last night and flew up this morning, so I’m slightly worse for wear.

“But you’ve got to enjoy the things when you have success, and I fly up now and hopefully the weather clears a little bit and we’ll play a little bit of golf this afternoon – kind of get your head back on for tomorrow and start again.

“It is great to be back here. It would be nice to get a good week under our belt, and then before a week off before a really busy end to the season.

“We’re here this week and will try and knuckle down and enjoy it for the week it is. Obviously having a great time with the pro-am guys and making sure they have a good time – and see what we can do.”

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