Germany’s Sophia Popov – ranked 304 in the world – completed a fairytale two-shot victoy in the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Troon. Picture by THE R&A

GERMANY’S Sophia Popov made history with a life-changing two-shot victory at the 2020 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Troon.

She closed with a magnificent final round of 68 to finish at seven-under par and claim the $675,000 first-place prize.

Looking unfazed throughout, Popov, who lead by three-strokes overnight, came into the week ranked 304 on the Rolex rankings.

By the end of it, she became the first German to win a women’s major championship and the highest-ranked player to capture the historic championship.

Popov joins an illustrious list of champions including Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam, Dame Laura Davies, Solheim Cup winning captain Catriona Matthew and Dorset’s Georgia Hall.

Popov said:“It is an incredible story, something I could not dream of a week ago.

“It is incredible that golf allows these things to happen and as one of 144 players this week, I just happened to have the week of my life.

“It is probably the best golf I have ever played.”

After the COVID-19 crisis forced the LPGA and Symetra Tours to shutdown, Popov played the Cactus Tour in America’s south west… she won three times in a month.

And the last of those wins came at.. you guessed it Troon North, at Scottsdale, Arizona.

From Cactus Tour to Royal Troon

THREE weeks ago the 27-year-old could never have dreamed of this moment as caddied for her best friend Anne Van Dam at the LPGA Drive On Championship.

Popov only qualified for the WBO courtesy of a tied ninth finish a week later.

A runner’s-up finish in Arizona last week on the Symetra Tour gave her some confidence – but no one predicted such a triumph, least of all Popov.

She said:“Everyone said, ‘how are you playing in Phoenix the week before The Open?’

“I said, ‘you know, my focus this year was still the Symetra Tour and that was more important to me as far as the Money List goes.’

“And I said, ‘I’m going to stick with the schedule that I had.’ The AIG Women’s Open to me was a bonus and I got here on Tuesday.

“I said ‘I know my game is in really good shape and anything’s possible.’ I think I took that belief with me to every round but I never expected this.”

Popov, who has her boyfriend on the bag, stumbled initially with a bogey at the first hole.

But she immediately bounced back with gains on the second, third and sixth, as Thailand’s Jasmine Suwannapura reeled her in with four consecutive birdies from the fifth hole.

Keeping her nose in front by one, Popov took control on the back-nine, helped by a pair of Suwannapura bogeys.

She stamped her authority on the tournament with a crucial par save from 10ft on the par-four 11^th hole before making birdies on the 15^th and 16^th to take her to eight-under.

Tears flow as Popov realises her dream on 18

HOLDING back the tears on the 18^th green, Popov defied the odds and triumphed against a world-class international field.

And despite a closing bogey, she was overwhelmed when her fellow professionals stormed the green showering her with Champagne.

“I’m glad I didn’t think about the prize money going down the 18^th hole,” she smiled.

“But I was a lot calmer than I thought I would be throughout the day. When I hit the green on the 17th, that is where the tension came in.”

Reflecting on the victory, Popov added: “It feels amazing. There’s a lot of hard work behind it, and a lot of struggles that I went through the last six years, especially health-wise.

“I’m just glad I was able to overcome everything and just keep my head in it. I think we are going to have a thorough celebration at the hotel, social distanced of course.

“But as soon as I get home, it will be a little more extensive.”

Suwannapura’s highest-ever finish in a Major

THAILAND’S Suwannapura recorded her highest finish in a Major, ending the tournament in solo second after a four-under round of 67.

She was followed closely in third by Australia’s Minjee Lee, who completed her week with a 69.

Seven-time major winner and former AIG Women’s Open champion Inbee Park, who won at nearby Turnberry, was a further two strokes back in solo fourth.

The 2015 champion threatened to play a bigger role in the early afternoon with five birdies on the front nine.

Unable to replicate that form on the back nine, Park made two further birdies and bogey on the 12^th to shoot a final round 66.

Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen increased her lead in the Race to Costa Del Sol rankings with a tied 11th finish.

She is more than 75 points ahead of her nearest rival, Spaniard Azahara Munoz, who jumped up from fourth place, courtesy of a top 40 finish.

The top Brit honours were shared between Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow and Yorkshire LPGA star Jodi Ewart-Shadoff and Derbyshire’s Mel Reid, who finished tied in 39th.

•For full results at the AIG Women’s Open click here.

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Tiger Woods will be inducted in the Class of 2021 at the World Golf Hall of Fame in Florida

TIGER Woods will enter the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2021, it was announced on Thursday.

The Flordida-based golf heritage attraction will enshrine Woods – the 82-time PGA Tour winner – as part of its Class of 2021.

Woods received the news of his impending induction in the Male Competitor category via phone from PGA Tour Commissioner and World Golf Foundation board chairman Jay Monahan.

“I am both honoured and humbled to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame,” said Woods, who sensationally won the 2019 Masters to make it 14 more Majors since his first win at Augusta in 1997.

“This past year has been such an incredible journey and the support I’ve received from my family, friends and fans has been overwhelming.

“This achievement is the ultimate recognition to never give up and keep chasing,” said 44-year-old Woods.

A winner of 93 worldwide events including a record-tying 82 on the PGA TOUR, Woods is a three-time winner of the career Grand Slam.

Woods completed the “Tiger Slam” in 2000-01 when he became the first golfer since Bobby Jones to hold all four major championship titles at the same time.

Monahan said: “Tiger has done more for the game of golf than anyone ever thought possible, and his historic feats on the course are only one aspect of his impact.

“His imprint on the game is immeasurable, and his unparalleled legacy is one we look forward to celebrating as he’s inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame next year.”

Woods’ incredible career recognised by World Golf Hall of Fame

A TWO-time champion of The Players and the first two-time winner of the FedExCup, Tiger Woods has competed on eight Ryder Cup and nine Presidents Cup teams.

The latter includes when he served as a playing captain of the victorious US Presidents Cup Team in 2019.

He is an 11-time PGA Tour Player of the Year winner and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019 following his fifth career victory at The Masters.

Greg McLaughlin, chief executive of the World Golf Foundation said: “The World Golf Hall of Fame is honoured to recognise the incredible career of Tiger Woods.

“His impact on the game of golf and everyone associated with it will have a lasting effect on generations to come.”

The Class of 2021 is elected by the Hall of Fame’s selection committee, which discussed the merits of 10 finalists.

The selection committee is a 20-member panel co-chaired by Hall of Fame members Beth Daniel, Nick Price, Annika Sorenstam and Curtis Strange, and includes media representatives and leaders of the major golf organisations.

The finalists were nominated by the Hall of Fame’s nominating committee, which vetted every candidate that met the qualifications of the Hall of Fame’s three induction categories.

•You can find out more about the World Golf Hall of Fame in St Augustine, by clicking here.

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Meghan MacLaren in action at last week’s Australian Ladies Masters at Bonville Golf Resort. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

MEGHAN MacLaren is looking to join some exclusive company in the Women’s NSW Open at Dubbo Golf Club.

In her lifetime, only three players have won the same Ladies European Tour event three times in a row.

Karrie Webb did it at the ANZ Ladies Masters. Annika Sorenstam did it in the Swedish Open and Shanshan Feng won three in a row at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, from 2014-16.

Northamptonshire’s MacLaren will get the chance this week – and with the distinction of it being on a third different golf course.

She won her first LET title at Coffs Harbour Golf Club in 2018 and defended the title last year at Queanbeyan Golf Club – as the only player to record four sub-par rounds, to win her second title.

MacLaren doesn’t expect it to get any easier at Dubbo, but feels her accuracy off the tee could be an advantage on the tight, tree-lined fairways.

“I think that everyone’s fairway stats might take a dip this week, but from what I’ve seen, it suits the strengths of my game,” said the 25-year-old from Wellingboro, who finished tied for 24th in last week’s Geoff King Motors Australian Ladies Classic at Bonville.

MacLaren added: “You need to hit it on as many fairways as you can because it’s so narrow. If you can put it in position, then you’ll be ahead of the game, I think.

“I played well last week, apart from in the last round. I saw some signs in the first three rounds that I’ve been looking for since I came out to Australia and I feel in a pretty good place now.

“I trust in my game and I trust what I’m doing. I feel like my putting has turned a corner and I got a new putter just over a week ago.”

“As a golfer, you have to treat it as just another golf tournament and prepare as well as you can to bring your best golf.

“There probably won’t be too many times in my career that I’ll have a chance to go for three in a row. So I’m just going to enjoy it and see what happens.”

Australian Ladies Classic winner Stephanie Kyriacou has turned pro after her eight-shot win at Bonville Golf Resort on Sunday. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Kyriacou turns pro after victory

TEEN star Steph Kyriacou has turned professional and joined the Ladies European Tour ahead of this week’s Women’s New South Wales Open at Dubbo Golf Club.

The 19-year-old from Sydney earned a two-year exemption on the LET with her stunning victory in the Geoff King Motors Australian Ladies Classic at Bonville Golf Resort, on Sunday.

Kyriacou blitzed the field to win by eight strokes. She has since climbed 547 spots on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, moving up to No. 287, which gives her additional confidence heading into this week’s event.

“I’m so happy to announce that I’m turning professional,” said Kyriacou, whose father Nick was on the bag for her big win – and who has guided her through the tough decisions that were made on Monday as the enormity of the victory sank in.

“I’ll be playing my first event as a pro this week in Dubbo, so it’s very exciting,” added Kyriacou.

“It’s been very, very crazy. I’ve had so many messages and missed phone calls. I’ve had emails from I don’t even know whom.

“I’ve had all these big decisions to make and everything has happened so quickly.

“It wasn’t a hard decision to make. I did weigh up all the options but I was hoping to turn pro at the end of the year anyway – and this has opened up a few more doors and moved the goal post a bit.”

•To follow live scoring in the Women’s New South Wales Open click here.

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Last year’s Major Champions Invitational winners with Sir Nick Faldo, who has amassed 16 legends from the game to act as captain’s at next week’s 2020 championship in Arizona

SEVENTY-TWO junior golfers from around the world will compete at in next week’s third edition of the Major Champions Invitational, at Arizona’s Lookout Mountain Golf Club.

The players will be split into teams of four – each captained and mentored by one of 18 Major champions.

England’s North East stars Jess Baker (Gosford Park Ladies) and Whitley Bay’s Rosie Belsham have the dream pairing, working with Dorset’s Solheim Cup winner Georgia Hall, while Leo Goosen – son of two time US Open Champion Retief – is in Team Stewart.

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The Goosens lost out in a three-way play-off against Bernhard Langer and Tom Lehman, in the PNC Father and Son competition, at Orlando’s Ritz-Carlton GC, in December.

But this time Goosen junior, who plays for Orlando’s Lake Highland Preparatory School, and plays on the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, will be partnered with Argentina’s Tiago Barni, Venezuela’s Gabriel Restepo and China’s Ariel Yu.

With some of golf’s best players, past and present, as team captains, including 18-time Major champion Jack Nicklaus and current World No. 1 Brooks Koepka, the event is set to be the biggest in its short history.

Other Major champions involved include current PGA Tour stars such as 2016 US Open Champion Dustin Johnson and 2017 PGA Champion Justin Thomas, 10-time women’s Major champion Annika Sorenstam, 2018 Women’s British Open Champion Georgia Hall and 2016 Open Champion Henrik Stenson.

The tournament was conceived by World Golf Hall of Famer and six-time Major Champion Sir Nick Faldo as part of his desire to provide more opportunities to young golfers, in addition to his already well-established Faldo Series events.

The Major Champions Invitational has an actioned-packed schedule.

The juniors taking part will experiencing tournament conditions usually afforded to the best players in the world.

Sir Nick Faldo said: “It is great to be back for another year of the Major Champions Invitational.

“Thanks to some very generous Major champions, as well as our sponsors Golf Saudi, we have been able to take the event to a whole new level.

“We also have a few special treats up our sleeves for the players, which should add to the whole experience,” added Sir Nick, who won three Claret Jugs at The Open, and three Green Jackets at the Augusta Masters between 1987 and 1996.

“Ultimately, it’s about inspiring the next generation by building a connection between them and some of their heroes,” said Faldo.

“With the success of last year’s individual Champions on the amateur circuit in 2019, we’re hopeful the event concept is really starting to reap rewards.”

The participants will play four rounds of golf, including three in competition, get front-row seats to Sir Nick’s clinic, as well as the chance to meet with a selection of their golfing heroes.

The on-course action will unfold at Phoenix’s Lookout Mountain Golf Club – located between picturesque Sonoran Desert and Phoenix North Mountains.

The course, built in 1989, is a nine-time recipient of Golf Digest’s Four-Star Award and has been ranked in the Top 10 golf courses in Arizona.

•To see the full field click here.

Conor Gough and Annabell Fuller were crowned 2019 Major Invitational champions

The 2019 Major Champions Invitational individual awards were won by Stoke Park’s Conor Gough and Roehampton’s Annabell Fuller, as part of Team Hall.

Gough went on to become second-ever youngest English Amateur Champion at just 16 – Hampshire’s Harry Ellis who broke Sir Nick Faldo’s record set at 18 in 1975 was just four days younger than Gough.

The B.B.&O. England international has since represented Great Britain and Ireland at the Walker Cup, while Fuller played for Europe at the Junior Solheim Cup.

Other British players in this year’s field, looking to succeed Gough and Fuller, are Scottish quartet Gregor Graham, Carmen Griffiths, Evanna Hynd and Ruben Lindsay, who are in Team Watson.

Surrey’s Rhys Williams, a member at Foxhills Golf & Country Club, is in Team Ballesteros, while Dorset’s Louise Burke, is in Team Faldo.

The 2019 team competition was won by Team Annika, led by Annika Sorenstam.

The full list of team captains at the 2020 Major Champions Invitational is:–

• Sir Nick Faldo
• Jordan Spieth
• Tom Watson
• Dustin Johnson
• Justin Thomas
• Brooks Koepka
• Seve Ballesteros
• Payne Stewart
• Adam Scott
• Henrik Stenson
• Jack Nicklaus
• Se Ri Pak
• Ariya Jutanugarn
• Nancy Lopez
• Georgia Hall
• Danielle Kang
• Annika Sorenstam
• Michelle Wie
  

  Last year’s winning team with Annika Sorenstam (right) and Sir Nick Faldo (left)

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How The R&A and USGA have been explaining the new WHS programme.
Courtesy of The R&A and USGA

THE new World Handicap System (WHS) is ready to be launched from January, the game’s governing bodies have confirmed – and will provide golfers with a “unified and more inclusive handicapping system” for the first time.

Though many countries are planning to adopt the new system in January, the system will go live in other parts of the world throughout the year with Great Britain and Ireland set to join in between September and December 2020.

The staggered introduction will accommodate different implementation plans and variations in the golfing calendar across six controlling bodies.

A new video featuring Annika Sorenstam, Gary Player as well as ordinary club golfers has been produce to help explain the changes and encourage as many people to obtain one of the new handicaps.

The video can be seen here. There are also infographics and posters, which can be used by national associations and shared by golf clubs for the benefit of golfers all over the world.

Developed by The R&A and USGA in close co-ordination with existing handicapping authorities, the World Handicap System (WHS) will provide all golfers with a consistent measure of playing ability, with handicaps calculated in the same way wherever they are in the world, they believe.

A key objective of the initiative was to develop a modern system, enabling as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a Handicap Index.

Golfers will be able to transport their Handicap Index globally and compete or play a casual round with players from other regions on a fair basis.

It will also indicate the score a golfer is reasonably capable of achieving the next time they go out to play.

The following table lists the estimated implementation timeframes ina number of countries.

*Subject to change

The WHS has two main components – the Rules of Handicapping and the Course Rating System.

The Rules of Handicapping are encompassed within seven rules to inform administrators and golfers on how an official handicap index is calculated and administered.

Some flexibility will be given to national associations based on how the sport is played and enjoyed in their region.

The Course Rating System, based on the USGA Course Rating System first adopted nearly 50 years ago – and already adopted on nearly every continent – sets out a consistent method of determining a course’s difficulty.

Together, those components become the foundation in determining a golfer’s Handicap Index.

One of the biggest anamolies in the UK comes when elite amateurs head to the USA on golf scholarships.

Their handicaps are effectively frozen while they are in the States because their scores do not count back home.

And with the number of home-based players with plus-handicaps growing each year, some find entering some of the UK’s leading amateur events – which are based on handicap rather than world rankings – more and more difficult.

And another consequence of that is some players will pick which events – or courses – they play to protect either their World Amateur Golf Ranking, or their handicap.

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said, “The game of golf is transforming to meet the needs of the modern-day golfer.

“Modernising the rules this year was an important step forward in that regard and the World Handicap System will be another.

“Our hope is the launch of the WHS will be a catalyst for change – signalling the start of a new era of golfer engagement, being inclusive by embracing all golfers, whatever their level of ability, and broadening its appeal to a much wider audience.

“Change also means opportunity and, managed appropriately, this can only be good for the game.

“It does mean there will be a period of adjustment, as we saw with the new rules, but once it beds in golfers and golf clubs will benefit in many ways from the new system,” Mr Slumbers added.

“When the golf community works together, everyone benefits,” said USGA chief executive Mike Davis.

“We have seen the benefit handicapping has provided for decades, providing greater enjoyment for all who play.

“To have a single set of Rules of Handicapping for the game will connect golfers from country to country, and we are excited to bring the best of all worlds together through this initiative.

“It is one of the many ways we are investing in golf’s future, to strengthen and foster growth of the entire game for years to come.”

In preparation for the launch of the WHS, more than 3,000 golf courses have been rated for the first time.

An extensive education program has also been delivered on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as South America, Africa, Asia, and Australasia.

By the end of 2019, more than 90 national associations will have attended an educational seminar, and a robust library of resources is hosted online at WHS.com to support regional education.

Rules of Handicapping books are being produced and will be translated and delivered through national associations.

The materials produced to explain the system’s key features, include:–

• Flexibility in formats of play – allowing both competitive and recreational rounds to count for handicap purposes, ensuring a Handicap Index reflects demonstrated ability
• Minimal number of scores needed to obtain new handicap – 54 holes from any combination of 18 and nine-hole rounds (with some discretion for national or regional associations)
• Average-based calculation of a handicap – taken from best eight out of the last 20 scores, and factoring in memory of demonstrated ability for better responsiveness/control
• Calculation considering external factors – including impact of abnormal course and weather conditions on players’ performances each day
• Timely handicap revisions
• A limit of nett double bogey on maximum hole score – for handicapping purposes only
• Maximum handicap limit of 54.0 – regardless of gender which will encourage more golfers to measure and track their performance to increase their enjoyment of the game

Eight years of work to create golf’s WHS

THE formation of a World Handicap System was first conceived in 2011 between the USGA and The R&A in an effort to get more golfers involved in the game – and promote equity, no matter where golf is played. 

The new WHS unites six existing handicapping systems into one, while embracing the many ways the sport is played across cultures, say the organising bodies.

Beginning in 2020, the new WHS will be governed by The R&A and the USGA and administered by national and regional golf associations around the world.

The existing six handicapping authorities represent approximately 15 million golfers in 80 countries who currently maintain a golf handicap.

They are:–
Golf Australia
Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) Great Britain and Ireland European Golf Association (EGA)
South African Golf Association (SAGA)
Argentine Golf Association (AAG)
The United States Golf Association (USGA)

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Annika Sorenstam will make her debut in the PNC Father Son Challenge at Orlando’s Grande Rapids in December, playing with her dad Tom

SWEDEN’S Annika Sorenstam is set to become the first female professional to compete in this year’s PNC Father Son Challenge at Orlando’s Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Grande Lakes.

The “greatest woman golfer of the modern era” will play alongside her father Tom, and fellow major champions, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson, in Florida, from December 5-8.

Annika, who is widely regarded as one of the best female golfers in history, is a 10-time major champion, 90-time winner worldwide and eight-time Solheim Cup player. She has also captained Europe in the biennial contest.

It is not the first time that Annika has broken new ground.

Back in 2001, the hall of famer made history by becoming the first female to shoot 59 in competition, a feat that has not since been matched.

And in 2003, she became the first woman since 1945 to tee it up alongside her male counterparts on the PGA Tour.

Earlier this month, Sorenstam announced she would co-host a mixed strokeplay tournament with Henrik Stenson featuring stars from the European and Ladies European Tours, playing for the some prize and money.

Annika said: “I can’t wait to play with my dad at the PNC Father Son Challenge.

“He introduced my sister and me to the game and has been there providing support to us ever since.

“To tee it up with him in such a special televised event with so many of golf’s global icons really means a lot. We will have fun.”

Sorenstam and Stenson back mixed event in Sweden

Annika is the latest star name to confirm a place in the tournament, which has seen as many as 25 World Golf Hall of Fame Members participate over the 21-year history for the total purse of $1,085,000.

The winning team of the two-day, 36-hole scramble will also receive the Willie Park Trophy, in memory of the father and son British Open champions Willie Park Senior and Willie Park Junior.

Alastair Johnston, executive chairman of the PNC Father/Son Challenge, said: “Annika is a real trailblazer of the game of golf and we are excited to welcome her to make history at this year’s event.

“The tournament regularly hosts some of the most iconic male champions and it is fitting that we add perhaps the most successful female golfer of all time to our field.

“We look forward to welcoming her and Tom in December.”

Jon Miller, president of programming, NBC Sports Group, said: “Annika is one of the greatest golfers of all-time and a true ambassador to the sport.

“Our viewers will cherish watching Annika revive her competitive juices inside the ropes alongside her father against many other of the game’s legendary players and their families.”

To qualify for the PNC Father Son Challenge, players must have won a major championship or The Players Championship. Their partner must not hold a PGA Tour card.

The PNC Financial Services Group has been the title sponsor of the tournament since 2012.

You can follow the event on Facebook.

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Bro Hof Slott Golf Club which will host the mixed event hosted by the Ladies European Tour and the European Tour in June. Picture by LENNART HYSE

MAJOR champions Henrik Stenson and Annika Sörenstam will host an innovative mixed event in Sweden next year, with men and women going head-to-head for the first time on the same course.

Henrik Stenson has committed to play in the first three Scandinavian Mixed tournments with one trophy and equal prize money. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Sörenstam added: “I’m delighted to host the Scandinavian Mixed alongside Henrik in Sweden for the next three years.

Sörenstam has concentrated on her ANNIKA Invitational series to give young girls and women around the world chances to play at the highest level since retiring in 2008

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said: “Inclusivity and innovation are two of our key pillars and we are delighted to have global stars in Henrik and Annika leading the way as hosts of the Scandinavian Mixed in their home country of Sweden as we continue to drive golf further.

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