Former One Direction star Niall Horan in action during the pro-am event prior to the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club, in 2019. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

FORMER One Direction star Nial Horan is to lead a drive by The R&A to create new grassroots programmes aimed at inspiring more young people to play the game.

The new programmes will be launched later this year by Horan’s Modest! Golf company, and provide more opportunities for young people to be introduced to golf.

They will utilise fun and accessible formats of the sport that are more in tune with how today’s generation uses its leisure time

They will also be designed to encourage them to stay within the sport, the R&A said today.

The power of social media influencers from the sports and entertainment world will be used to present the sport in a more positive light to new audiences and challenge some of the more unhelpful perceptions that exist about golf.

R&A chief development officer Phil Anderton said, “Modest! Golf has a wealth of expertise and insight from the entertainment and sports industries.

“That will be combined with our experience of developing golf around the world to establish exciting new initiatives aimed at reaching new audiences and inspiring more young people into playing golf with their family and friends.

“Our relationship with Modest! Golf is built on a shared ambition for golf to be viewed as a fun, friendly and accessible sport that is inclusive of all people no matter their age, gender, ability or background.

Horan ‘hugely passionate about golf’

“We look forward to working together to broaden its appeal through our networks in golf and encourage young people to enjoy its many social and health benefits.”

Horan, who founded Modest! Golf in 2016, said, “I am so proud to work alongside The R&A in developing programmes to encourage and inspire more young people to play the game of golf.

“It is something my company Modest! Golf is hugely passionate about and I am honoured that chief executive Martin Slumbers, Phil Anderton and The R&A are entrusting my agency to help drive the game forward.

“The R&A has a long legacy within the game and I look forward to helping to create new and modern initiatives to showcase to the younger generation just what a great sport golf is.”

Modest! Golf evolved from entertainment agency Modest! Management and was founded by Horan and former Taylormade manager Mark McDonnell five years ago.

It is responsible for the management of professional golfers including BMW PGA Champion Tyrrell Hatton, Ireland’s former World Amateur No. 1 Leona Maguire, Scotland’s Connor Syme, Germany’s Olivia Cowan and Italy’s Guido Migliozzi as well as world top five disability golfer Brendan Lawlor.

Modest! also aims to promote inclusivity and opportunity through events like the ISPS Handa World Invitational, and the Horan & Rose charity tournament, which has raised over £2 million for children’s charities across the world, with Hampshire’s Justin Rose.

Tyrrell Hatton claimed the fourth Rolex Series win of his career by winning the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship, on Sunday – and his third since signing for Horan’s Modest! Golf.
Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Hatton flying with Horan’s team

NIAL HORAN, who played golf, football and gaelic football as a youngster, caddied for Rory McIlroy in the Par 3 Contest at the 2015 Augusta Masters.

The One Direction singer, who has had four UK No. 1s with 1D, has been a regular at the BMW PGA Pro-Am at Wentworth, where Hatton claimed his third Rolex Series win in October.

Hatton, who also won the first Rolex event series of 2021 in the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship on Sunday, signed for Modest! Golf in 2019.

The Marlow golfer, who came through the B.B.&O. junior ranks, signed an extended deal in November, having secured his first PGA Tour win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March 2020.

Horan’s delight after capturing Hatton’s signature on a longer deal was clear. He said in November: “We are so proud to resign Tyrrell to the business.

“His golf this past 18 months has been incredible.

“To not only witness him make his breakthrough in America and win for the first time on the PGA Tour, but to also watch him win the European Tour’s flagship event at the BMW, was something really special.

“We’re just so delighted and proud to be on that journey with him.”

The 29-year-old’s four-shot victory in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, means Hatton’s place in Padraig Harrington’s European team to face the USA in September’s Ryder Cup, at Whistling Straits, is nailed on.

Hatton made his Ryder Cup debut in Europe’s record victory against America in Paris in 2018, earning one point for Thomas Bjorn’s side in his three matches.

Tyrrell Hatton after his first BMW PGA Championship win at Wentworth in October.
Picture by GETTY IMAGES

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Tyrrell Hatton watched the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth as a child – he dreamed of being good enough to end up inside the ropes and one day winning it. Now he has. Pictures by GETTY IMAGES

FORMER Wee Wonder Tyrell Hatton realised a childhood dream by claiming his third Rolex Series title at the BMW PGA Championship.

Hatton, who first started watching the BMW PGA at Wentworth as a five-year-old, held off the formidable challenge of Frenchman Victor Perez to earn a dream victory at his home event.

Back in 1996, Tyrrell was already playing in Wee Wonder qualifiers and at Wycombe Heights Golf Centre.

Five years later he was competing in the Grand Finals at St Andrews, with his former caddy Jonathan Bell, from Kent, who is now on Tom Lewis’ bag.

A young Tyrrell Hatton stood at the ropes by the 18th green at Wentworth when he was a kid Picture: EUROPEAN TOUR / Twitter

He loved going to Wentworth to watch the European Tour’s flagship event at Wentworth every May – seeing Colin Montgomerie win the Volvo PGA three years in a row.

Hatton would dream as a child of just being good enough to end up inside the ropes during his annual visit to the famous Surrey club with his dad Jeff.

Now he stands proudly as the King of Wentworth and holder of one of the world’s premier golf titles – just three days shy of his 29th birthday on Wednesday.

Hatton etched his name alongside some of the greats of the game courtesy of a five-under par final round of 67.

That was good enough for a four-stroke victory in the third Rolex Series event of the 2020 Race to Dubai, despite a near disaster at the last.

Hatton said: “It’s very special to be standing here holding this.

“It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid to play the tournament – and hopefully win it one day. And thankfully, this year is my year.”

Hatton joins 2019 Race to Dubai winner Jon Rahm as a three-time winner of the Rolex Series, which begain in 2017.

Hatton celebrates victory on the 18th green having hit the worst shot into 18 by a champion elect – said Tyrrell, who was winning Wee Wonder events when he first went to Wentworth

More nervous than Ryder Cup debut

HATTON admitted the biggest win of his career had not been all plain sailing.

Tyrrell said: “The last few holes, I didn’t know exactly where I stood. I was really nervous playing the last few.

“Although I didn’t know that I had a three-shot lead playing the last hole, I was pretty nervous.

“The second shot that we’ve hit into the last is probably the worst shot in the history of the tournament for the champion.

“But once I fatted my second shot, and we got very lucky that it didn’t go in the water, I found out I had a three-shot lead.

“So that settled me down a little bit. It was nice to get up-and-down after a terrible golf shot.

“So it is what it is. I’m kind of glad I followed it up with a nice up-and-down.

“My short game has been really good all week, and just a nice way to sign off.”

In more benign conditions on the famous West Course – where past champions have also included Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, Luke Donald, Paul Casey – and defending champion Danny Willett – the chasing pack staked a claim for the title early on.

But Hatton – who admitted that he had been more nervous ahead of the final round than he had been on his Ryder Cup debut two years ago – was composure personified as he pulled away from the pack thanks to three successive birdies around the turn.

The former B.B.&O. amateur, from Harleyford GC, never looked back. A birdie at the final hole saw the former Wee Wonder card a 19-under total.

That sealed a fifth European Tour title – and a third win worldwide in his last 13 starts and elevated the Arnold Palmer Invitational winner to eighth in the Race to Dubai rankings.

Perez misses a putt on the 17th on his way to his third runner’s-up finish in the Rolex Series

Perez’s fast start fails to overhaul Hatton

PEREZ – who has now finished runner-up in three of his 11 Rolex Series appearances – put up an almighty battle having started the day three shots behind Hatton.

Last year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship winner reached the turn in four-under after an eagle at the par-five fourth hole.

But the Scots-based Frenchman’s challenge faded down the stretch, and he signed for a 68 and a 15-under total.

Perez, who moved to Dundee to be near his student girlfriend, said “Obviously I knew I had to get off to a quick start.

“I was kind of like thinking, you’re three shots back starting the day. If you can pick up those three shots as early as possible – and obviously birdieing two, eagling four, got me right there – and whatever Tyrrell was doing, I was quite pleased with – regardless of whatever he was doing.

“If he was three-under through four, as well, then so be it.

“But I knew I was at least giving it a run, and then made a couple good putts to end the front nine – a good save on 10, birdieing 11 and 12, getting up-and-down and I was obviously flying.

“You kind of take for granted the level of play you put on on the front nine. You’re six-under through 12 and you seem like you can do it all the way to the end.

“But it’s still very difficult you have to hit shots. I knew starting today – a little different wind – the back-side was going to being playing harder with the wind coming in off the left towards the end – and it was challenging.

“I just didn’t execute coming down the stretch, which is part of the game. It’s a ball-striker’s course. Didn’t really go my way towards the end, but obviously very pleased.

Patrick Reed tees off in the fourth round of the BMW PGA Championship, at Wentworth

AMERICA’S Masters champion Patrick Reed extended his lead at the top of the Race to Dubai rankings.

The Green Jacket winner in 2018 shared third place on 14-under, alongside Andy Sullivan, from Nuneaton.

The English Championship winner at Hertfordshire’s Hanbury Manor, back in August, a recorded his best finish at Wentworth.

•For final results click here.

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Tommy Fleetwood is looking to go one better than his runner’s up finish in the Scottish Open. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

TOMMY Fleetwood is hoping to convert his strong run of form on the European Tour into a third Rolex Series title with a victory on home soil in this week’s BMW PGA Championship, at Wentworth.

The Southport golfer finished tied third in the Portugal Masters prior to last month’s US Open.

He then lost to Aaron Rai in a play-off in last week’s Rolex Series event, at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

That latter result at North Berwick’s Renaissance Club lifted him into third place in the Race to Dubai.

And the 2017 European No. 1 believes another strong performance at Surrey’s famous Burma Road course at Wentworth can bolster his chances of claiming that honour for a second time.

Tommy Fleetwood said: “My game is in good shape, I feel good, so looking forward to getting going.

“It is always lovely coming back to this one. I think normally with it comes the atmosphere of home fans and I always think it’s one of the best ones to play in front of.

“I think the first tee is always a really nice feeling when you walk to the first tee, and how much they support you.

“The 18th is always a great finish. It’s different. We have had some bad weather in the past, so not really a time of year that makes a difference.

“The course seems to be playing quite different. But it is lovely – great hotel, English, parkland course. Still lots of good with it.

Best moment? Race to Dubai win. . .

TOMMY Fleetwood said victory in the Race to Dubai three years ago was the standout achievement for the Lancastrian, who won the English Amateur Championship at Little Aston 10 years ago.

“It’s still my proudest thing in golf winning the Race to Dubai – for playing over a whole year and finishing the highest in that ranking.

“Having the Race to Dubai in the bag – knowing a good week can shoot you up there again – is always something lovely.

“I think it’s an amazing achievement. To be around and have another chance this year is great. But the focus is on this week for now.”

“I’ll be lucky, I’ve had that for the last two or three years. But it’s been nice knowing you have a good week and see yourself right up there in the Race to Dubai.

“It’s always nice to have in the background. I think a lot of times when we play a world tour, you go week-to-week and that’s the right thing to do.

“Played really well in Scotland and had things to work on which is always great.

“Keeps you hungry, and it’s just a nice two or three-week stretch again in the UK events that players love coming to.

Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed is happy to support the European Tour by playing in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Reed continues European adventure

JOINING World No. 14 Tommy Fleetwood in the field is current Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed.

The controversial American has made a special trip over from the States to strengthen his own chances of winning the season-long contest.

The World No. 9 was runner-up to Francesco Molinari in 2018. Reed finished tied fourth on his debut in the BMW PGA Championship last year.

And the 2018 Masters winner will tee it up in the first two rounds alongside European Ryder Cup players Lee Westwood and Tyrrell Hatton.

Meanwhile Tommy Fleetwood will be joined by defending champion Danny Willett – the Masters winner in 2016 – and 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry.

Reed has had to endure the scrutiny over accusations about an incident over allegedly improving his lie in a bunker in the States last year.

But any criticism seems to have left the Texan unfazed and his eyes are firmly on the prize.

Reed said: “It definitely was motivated by winning the Race to Dubai,” when asked about his keen-ness to travel across the Atlantic for another tilt at Wentworth’s West Course.

“When you’re in the lead, being able to come over is always nice to try to stay on top,” he said.

Captain America supports European Tour

“It was a long decision and it’s one of those that at the end of the day, every time we thought about it, we’ve always supported the European Tour,” said the player nicknamed Captain America after his exploits in the 2016 Ryder Cup.

“We’ve always enjoyed coming over and playing on the European Tour,” said the winner of eight PGA Tour events including the Green Jacket two years ago and the WGC-Mexico Championship, in Februrary.

“Being a lifetime member of the Tour, it was something that I had to come over and play,” said Reed.

“It’s the event, the venue, and supporting the European Tour. The biggest thing for me is it’s their biggest event, and for what the European Tour has done for me, I felt like I had to be here. I had to support.

“And I was going to figure out a way – and my team was going to figure out a way – for me to be able to come over to show that support, considering what they’ve done for me, and especially during times like this where everyone is struggling.

“I see myself as a guy who travels, a guy who plays worldwide, who tries to better my game and figure out not only different cultures, different grasses, different time zones, try to become a more well-rounded golfer.

“And the only way I’m going to do that is by playing on the European Tour and playing around the world.”

Justin Rose will be looking to defend his Olympic title in Japan in 2021. Picture by IGF

Why Rose is ready to come home . . .

OLYMPIC champion Justin Rose is also in action on home soil as part of an all-English three-ball alongside Ryder Cup teammate and long-time friend Ian Poulter.

The latter has been instrumental in guiding the career of rising star Sam Horsfield.

The Manchester-born youngster, who spent most of his youth based in Florida, became a two-time winner during the European Tour’s first UK Swing this summer.

The 23-year-old makes up the group with his mentor Poulter and Rose, who has been working hard to overcome a quiet spell in the States.

Rose, who will have to wait another year to defend that Olympic title after the 2020 Olympics in Japan were postponed for a year, is glad to be back in the UK.

And Rose revealed this week his family are in the processs of relocating from the Bahamas back to the UK to be close to his mum Annie and so his children can be educated in the UK.

The 40-year-old who came through the Hampshire junior ranks in the mid 1990s, said: “It’s great to be home, lovely autumnal feel at the moment.

“Been a crazy year, and obviously first opportunity to really get back and play something on the European Tour.

“To catch up with everybody, first-time experience of the European Tour bubble – I’m excited about playing golf.

“This is for me, the BMW PGA Championship, what I’ve always called a bucket-list tournament.”

Justin swings towards taking ownership

ROSE has also struck out on his own looking after his swing without a full-time coach, having worked in the past with David Leadbetter and Sean Foley.

Justin revealed: “I think ultimately, the decision was, I turned 40 this year and maybe I was fully grown-up – and ready to do more by myself. And not have so much hand-holding.

“I still have Sean Foley around me, who I can consult with if I have a question. That’s the way I treat it.

“If I have a question, go to someone and get the relevant answer – but to take a little bit more ownership myself.

“Hasn’t worked out yet. But these things don’t always happen immediately,” said Rose, who did finish ninth in the USPGA at San Francisco’s Harding Park, in August.

“The last couple of days have actually clicked into a couple days of what I call growth,” he added.

“There’s some light-bulb moments and it’s a blend of some of the new things I’ve learned along the way and some of the old blueprints under Sean.

“I feel like I’m piecing all that together and also body-wise, being able to drill it and groove it in.

“You always see results on the range before you see it on the golf course. But like I said earlier, I feel positive and motivated at the moment.

“I’m enjoying my golf and my practise, so you can only hope that does lead to good stuff eventually.”

The 2020 BMW PGA will have no crowds for the first time as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

No Wentworth crowds in COVID age

ALL the players have been getting used to playing without crowds since March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wentworth normally has crowds of 30,000 every day regardless of wehter the BMW PGA was played in its traditional date in May, or in the new September slot it was given last year after the USPGA moved to May.

Danny Willett was happy to reflect on his win 12 months ago with his defence coming in October as the European date tweaked the date to avoid the clash with the rearragned US Open.

Willett said: “There was lots of good, great moments within that round.

“But you know, coming down the last couple in that position, finishing birdie, birdie, closing out the way we did, just coming up the last with actually being able to enjoy that 200-yard walk up the last with all the family and friends there and crowds there.

“It’s a pretty spectacular backdrop usually on the 18th come Sunday. Memorable moments, and yeah, could be a bit different this weekend – but hopefully same scenario.

“It’s always nice to come back here. Obviously unusual to past years where it’s been incredibly busy and great home support being English.

“Game has not been in an amazing place – so nice to be back here and get a few nice vibes of obviously how things went last year.

“Working hard and see if we can get a little bit of form back and put up a little bit of a fight this week.

•To follow Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose in the first round click here for live scoring.

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Padraig Harrington is happy with changes to the qualification process after the Ryder Cup was put back until 2021. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

THE Ryder Cup qualification period and process has been frozen following today’s announcement that September’s clash between Europe and America has been put back until 2021.

Qualifying points already earned in the race to make European captain Padraig Harrington’s team for the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits will carry forward to next year.

Points can be earned via the European and World lists from January 1, 2021, with the Ryder Cup now taking place from September 24-26 next year.

And the European Tour’s Tour Committee – which approved the changes – has agreed that more points will be awarded in key events closer to the cut-off in qualification.

Harrington’s prospective team members will benefit from points mulitpliers – almost certainly in certain Rolex Series events and possibly one or more of the Majors – in 2021.

A European Tour spokesman confirmed: “One or more points multipliers may be introduced during the course of the 2021 European Tour season to ensure that strong performance closer to the match in September 2021 is given added importance.

“These will be agreed once the 2021 European Tour schedule has been announced and communicated to the membership prior to January 1.”

‘Players shouldn’t be forced to play’

EUROPEAN captain Pádraig Harrington said he was more than happy with the changes to the qualification period.

He spoke after the match at Wisconsin’s Whistling Straits was finally pushed back for 12 months following confirmation fans would not be able to attend the three-day match, which is one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

Harrington said: “I think the proposals that have been outlined today are fair to all players involved in the qualification process – whether they have already amassed points, or will be looking to do so from next January onwards.

“The 2020 season has already been heavily disrupted, and may continue to be further impacted, by a number of COVID-19-related issues in terms of travel restrictions, quarantine regulations and individual personal concerns.

“I feel players should not feel under pressure to play and therefore the points tables should not apply from now until the end of the year from a schedule that could change further.

“However, while that is the case, notable performances will still very much count in my considerations for picks as I maintain a keen interest in the form of all possible Ryder Cup team members in tournaments on both sides of the Atlantic.”

No points from events opposite Rolex Series

QUALIFYING for the 2020 Ryder Cup started at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, back in September.

The spokesman added: “As in 2020, qualification points will not be available anywhere in the world during 2021 from a tournament played opposite a Rolex Series event.

The rule was introduced to “enhance the status” of the European Tour’s premier events.

There will be no other modifications to the qualifying criteria ratified by the Tournament Committee last year.

So the first four qualifiers for Harrington’s team will come from the European Points list – the next five from the World Points list with the captain having three wildcard picks.

The changes extend the normal length of the qualification period plus a further two months, as January and February in both 2020 and 2021 will now count.

The end of the qualification period will be confirmed when the 2021 Race to Dubai schedule is announced later this year, the Tour said.

It normally comes in the final Tour event in the last week of August, three weeks before the Europe meets America.

Paul McGinley holed the winning putt at The Belfry in 2002. Picture by STUART FLETCHER

Ryder Cup will now be played in odd years

ALL future Ryder Cups will now be played in odd years going forward – as was historically the case up until 2001.

The Euorpean Tour and PGA of America, who share organisation of the match which dates back to 1927, confirmed the switch after Wednesday’s announcement about the Whistling Straits match.

The Ryder Cup was last postponed in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York, nearly 20 years ago, in 2001,

The match was played at The Belfry in 2002 with Europe producing a rousing Sunday singles display before Paul McGinley holed the winning putt for Sam Torrance’s team.

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Thomas Bjørn – who led the Europe to victory in the 2018 Ryder Cup, in Paris – has joined the Euorpean Tour board, having chaired its Tournament Committee. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

THOMAS Bjørn has been appointed to the European Tour board as a non-executive director with immediate effect.

The 49-year old – who was nominated by the European Tour’s Tournament Committee – is the most successful Danish golfer in history, having also been the victorious Ryder Cup captain at Le Golf National in 2018.

Bjørn will bring important current player perspective to the board – 2020 is the Dane’s 25^th consecutive season as a European Tour professional, having made his first appearance in 1996.

During that time he also served as chairman of the tournament committee for a decade from 2007 to 2016, before stepping aside to concentrate on the build-up to his Ryder Cup captaincy triumph in France.

A staunch supporter of golf on the Continent and the European Tour throughout his career, Bjørn’s time as tournament committee chairman coincided with some of the most significant changes in the European Tour’s 48-year history.

The first one came in 2009 with the instigation of the Race to Dubai, a year-long campaign – which replaced the old Order of Merit – to crown Europe’s No. 1 golfer at Dubai’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

And after chairman David Williams took up the post in 2014 and Keith Pelley was appointed chief executive a year later, Bjørn’s tournament committee oversaw the establishment of the Rolex Series – the premium event category on the Tour’s international schedule.

Speaking after his appointment, Bjørn said: “I am delighted and honoured to be invited to join the board of the European Tour.

“I have lived and breathed the European Tour for the past 25 years and, in that time, I have always strived to do the best I could to progress both the Tour itself and its membership.

“The same will be the case on the board and I am looking forward to getting to work as soon as possible.”

Tour chairman David Williams said: “I’m delighted to welcome Thomas to our European Tour board.

“His stellar golfing career is well-documented, including his 2018 experience as a winning Ryder Cup Captain.

“He has always had our members’ interests at heart, and he will continue to do so on our board.”

Bjørn joins board at crunch time

THE appointment of Thomas Bjørn follows the death of former Euroepan Tour winner John O’Leary last month.

It comes at a time of great uncertainty for the professional game on both sides of the Atlantic.

While the PGA Tour announced a plan to resume its schedule in the USA from the middle of June – including the first four events being played behind closed doors – the European Tour is still contemplating what events it can salvage from the 2020 season.

So far nine events have been postponed – and which could still theoretically be rearranged later in the year – while another five have been cancelled completely, including the new event in Sweden – hosted by Henrik Stenson and Annika Sorenstam – which would have seen players from the Ladies European Tour competing alongside their male counterparts for one trophy and one prize fund.

The Irish Open – due to be held at the end of May – and July’s Scottish Open are two of the events the European Tour is most keen to resume, having said it will probably focus on producing a swing of events in the UK from September onwards.

The big question is if the BMW PGA Championship will still go ahead the week before the rearranged US Open at Winged Foot (September 17-20), if America requires a period of isolation for overseas golfers before they can compete in the USA.

Two other events planned for the UK are the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship – due to be played at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns from October 1-4 – and the Betfred British Masters, at Newcastle’s Close House.

The latter – which is being hosted by Close House’s touring professional Lee Westwood – is likely to be moved from early August to avoid a clash with the rearranged WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational, at Memphis’s TPC Southwind (July 30-August 2).

The third scheduled WGC event of 2020 – March’s WGC–World Match Play in Texas was cancelled – was moved to the week before the new date for the USPGA Championship at San Francisco’s TPC Harding Park (August 6-9)

The switch became possibley after the cancellation of the Toyko Olympics, freeing up that week when the Gold Medal would have been contested for just the second time in 116 years, at Kasumigaseki Country Club.

Former European Tour winner John O’Leary (right), who was director of golf at Buckinghamshire Golf Club before his death in April. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

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Chief executive unveiling the European Tour’s new branding which comes into effect on October, at its Wentworth HQ, the day after the BMW PGA Chmpionship ended. Picture by EUROPEAN TOUR

THE European Tour has launched a creative new brand strategy, with the aim of broadening the Tour’s appeal to new and existing fans and commercial partners.

Calling itself Golf’s global tour its chiefs at Wentworth have unveiled its new identity, which includes a fresh logo alongside a new website and App, all underpinned by the Tour’s “guiding principles of Innovation, Inclusivity and Globality,” said a spokesman.

The brand revamp focuses on “Driving Golf Further” – the strapline which features underneath the new logo while the Harry Vardon logo associated with the Tour for a number of years, is dropped.

“The Tour seeks to build on its strong, established reputation for award-winning content, innovative tournament formats and immersive technology,” the spokesman added.

The European Tour’s new identity was unveiled at the recently refurbished, state-of-the-art headquarters during the BMW PGA Championship.

It will be rolled out on October 1, coinciding with the launch of the Tour’s revamped website and App.

The Tour spokesman added: “Designed to stand out from the rest of the busy golfing category while retaining its golf context, the bold, simple aesthetic is modern and flexible, suitable to be used across all platforms.”

It comprises a suite of assets, with a new logo, avatar and a range of graphic devices – the T of Tour is based on a tee peg.

Euorpean Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said: “It is an exciting time for us to unveil our new brand strategy.

“While we continue to celebrate our traditions and our core audience, the Tour has a strong desire to innovate and broaden the appeal of our sport”

Max Hamilton, head of commercial partnerships said: “Golf remains the sport of business, with 90 per cent of CEOs playing our sport.

“However we believe golf has to modernise and appeal to everyone to thrive. We hope our bold new creative and brand strategy will attract new partners who align with our new brand ideals.”

The European Tour operates 48 tournaments across five continents and features players from 37 nationalities, in addition to having a global television reach of more than 490million homes.

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Danny Willett recorded his first professional win on UK soil beating Jon Rahm in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

DANNY Willett claimed his second Rolex Series title in successive seasons as the Englishman overcame Jon Rahm in stunning fashion to win the BMW PGA Championship title – his first victory on home soil.

The former Masters champion was locked in a tense battle with the determined Spaniard all weekend at Wentworth Club as Rahm sought to join his hero Seve Ballesteros as a winner on the West Course.

And there were turning points aplenty for the 21,962 fans in attendance – but none more so than at the 11^th.

Having entered the final round tied for the lead, Willett had pulled two clear through 10 holes courtesy of four birdies – to Rahm’s two.

But the fomer World Amateur No. 1 found himself in some trouble with his second and third shots at the par four 11^th, leaving himself with a monster putt for bogey.

He duly drained it for a five, though, with one of his many masterful escapes during the week on the Burma Road course.

And thereafter the wind was taken from Rahm’s sails – the 24-year-old bogeyed two of the following three holes with a birdie in between.

Willett, who won the final Rolex Series event of the 2018 season – the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai – closed out a deserved three-stroke victory with birdies at the two closing par fives to card a five-under 67 and a 20-under total.

Willett said: “I’ve watched this tournament for a lot of years. You know, through the Match Play and then obviously the BMW PGA Championship.

“It’s always nice to be able to compete on home soil. I’ve had a couple looks at The Open a couple of times, but to be able to win finally on such an iconic golf course, with I think one of the best fields they have had.

“The last kind of eight or 10 months with a couple of wins in the Rolex Series Events – it’s really put things right in my own mind, which is nice.

“You know Jon is going to be sticking around all day. I obviously got off to a quick start and 11 was a real big point in the golf tournament.

“I’ve watched a lot of the golf on TV and the people that win every week are not the guys that hit every fairway and hit everything to six feet.

“Certain things happen through the week. And one of those moments might happen on a Sunday, might happen on a Thursday or a Friday,” said the golfer who played as a junior at Rotherham GC.

“But for it to happen on Sunday early on in the back nine was crucial just to keep my nose in front really – just to give me that little bit of breathing room down them last six holes.

“Any tournament win is amazing. That’s now my seventh win on Tour, and every single time I’ve won, they have been pretty stellar events against pretty stellar fields and the Ryder Cup stuff.

Willett, whose Ryder Cup debut at Hazeltine in 2016 was overshadowed by comments made by his brother about the Amercian team, said: “It’s the first event of what, 40-odd (qualification events), whatever it’s going to be, for a year’s time when it’s back in America, Whistling Straits.”

The Yorkshireman, who won the English Amateur in 2009 before turning pro, moved to ninth in the Race to Dubai rankings.

Rahm – who was also a former No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings – had gone for broke on the final hole by going for the green with a second shot which ended up in the water.

But the Arizona State University graduate bravely got up and down and signed for a final round 70 and a 17-under total.

Rahm said: “I’m not going to lie. It hurts. It stings. I played good all week, and up until the 13th hole, I was incapable of hitting an iron close to the pin and made a couple stupid mistakes.

“I should have come closer than two shots on the last two holes. I had my chances.

“Again, I did what I had to do. Just had a couple of really stupid mistakes there. I’m just going to have to figure out why it happened and that’s it.

“At the same time, Danny played amazing golf. He played really, really good. I believe that 11th hole was the key moment of the match.

“He had a long, long putt for bogey and I had a decent look for a birdie, and he makes a bomb for a bogey and I missed my putt right,” said the Irish Open winner.

“That was at least a one-shot swing right there and if he doesn’t make it, I’m putting more relaxed without the whole crowd going crazy.

“That was a key moment of the match,” added Rahm, who has won three Rolex events in his four European Tour victories.

South Africa’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout earned his best result in a Rolex Series event as he took outright third spot with a 16-under total, after closing out the week with a four under 68.

America’s Wentworth debutants – Billy Horschel and Patrick Reed – shared fourth spot while home hero Justin Rose took outright eighth spot.

Four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy, who shot 76 on Thursday, shared ninth spot with Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston, the former Middlesex amateur, who was also a member at Wentworth for a while before turning pro.

For full results click here.

The post Willett wonder-putt sets up first UK win at Wentworth in BMW PGA and second Rolex appeared first on Golf North.

Masters winner Danny Willett is tied at the top of the BMW PGA leaderboard with Jon Rahm after both posted 11-under totals after two rounds. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

JON Rahm and Danny Willett share a two-shot halfway lead at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

They head a star-studded leaderboard – also featuring local heroes Justin Rose and Paul Casey among others – sets up a thrilling weekend at the Surrey club’s Burma Road.

The 2016 Masters Tournament champion Willett delighted the 20,802 spectators with a stunning seven-under par 65 – equalling the best score this week – which caught fire straight from the off in the fourth Rolex Series event of the 2019 Race to Dubai.

The 31-year-old from Sheffield – already a Rolex Series winner at the 2018 DP World Tour Championship, Dubai – was five-under through five holes courtesy of three birdies and an eagle at the fifth, before picking up another shot at the ninth to clear the front nine in just 29 shots.

Back to back birdies at the 11^th and 12^th were offset by a single bogey at the 14^th as he moved to an 11-under total.

The 2016 Masters Champion said: “We hit a lot of good shots. Holed some nice kind of mid-range putts and I think with the wind picking up it’s probably better that you don’t expect that coming in.

“You just try and hit some good golf shots and see what it gives you, and fortunately today it gave us a pretty quick start,” said the former English and Spanish Amateur Champion.

“It’s amazing. It’s my 10th straight year, and playing with Westy (Lee Westwood), I think it’s his 26th.

“It’s one of those places where you love coming back. The crowds are amazing. They always are.

“I’ve had a couple nice finishes around here and the crowds help you along and really get behind you, and it’s a fantastic spectacle for golf.

“For me, and I think if you ask anyone out here, it’s the best condition I’ve seen it in the 10 years I’ve been here.

“It’s all set up for a really good weekend,” said the Yorkshireman who made his name as an amateur at Rotheram GC, rising to World No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings before turning pro in 2009.

Willett joined his fellow former Ryder Cup player Rahm at the summit after the Spanish sensation battled from successive bogeys on the opening two holes, following them up with four birdies on the bounce to move to reach the turn in two under.

The 24-year-old dropped a shot at the 10th but two more birdies, along with an eagle three at the last mean he is in the hunt for a fourth Rolex Series title.

Rahm, who is looking for his fourth Rolex win this weekend on the West Course said: “Made two bogeys on the first two, but it’s not like I had major misses or it just felt bad.

“It happens on this course, one is a tough hole and two was short, basically one yard off on both tee shots. I didn’t get too frustrated.

“I just capitalised on the putts that I had. I would say that birdie on three was very important, to get that one going before the par-five, knowing if I put it in the fairway I have a decent chance at a birdie.

“Being out there after 36 holes, with 36 to go, it’s important to have a chance, especially on a course that I’ve never seen before and a tournament this important.

“It is the Rolex Series, it’s a tournament we all want to win. There’s a lot of history here and a lot of legends on the walls, so it would be great to join that great list of players,” said Rahm who would love to follow in his hero’ Seve Ballesteros’ footsteps after he won the PGA at Wentworth in 1991.

Former World No, 1 Rose signed for a four-under 68 as he chases a first win at Wentworth, and he was joined on nine-under par by Henrik Stenson – alongside whom the Englishman has forged such a spectacular Ryder Cup partnership – as well as South Africa’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

Stenson said: “It’s always been nice to play Wentworth. The crowds have always been great and it’s got a lot of history on the European Tour, so it’s always nice to be back.

“I’m pretty pleased with the day’s work, especially being one-over through eight holes. I finished with nice wedge and putt on the last.”

Rose, who like Paul Casey, used to watch the PGA at Wentworth as youngsters, said: “I didn’t feel that comfortable with the driver yesterday but today I drove it much better.

“I thought it was a good round. I call this a bucket list event, this is one I’d dearly love to win. It’s my home event, really. It’s one I’ve watched since I was a little kid.”

Casey, a Surrey native, is two shots further back on seven-under, alongside American Billy Horschel, who is making his BMW PGA Championship debut this week.

Casey, who won the BMW PGA in 2009 and also the HSBC World Match Play on the Burma Road, in 2006, said: “I know this place incredibly well – local boy, local crowds.

“Everything about this feels kind of like a home tournament for me. I love it. That doesn’t make it easy, though. I think this golf course is difficult.

“You’ve got to play extremely good stuff. I’m always proud of the way I play when I play well around here.”

Bezuidenhout, who won the Andalucia Masters, at Valderamma, at the end of June, said: “I was pleased with the way I handled myself when things were not going my way.

“I was hitting it well but hit a couple of bad shots. I just kept my composure and tried to minimise the mistakes out there.

“You need to hit a lot of fairways here to make a score. I’m just going to try and do that and see how it goes come Sunday.”

Florida-based Horschel, who has been following Wentworth on TV for most of his golf life, said: “It’s exceeded my expectations this week. This course, I’ve been watching since I was 12.

“It’s a beautiful golf course on TV, and you get here and it’s even better in person.

“We’ve had a great game plan this week, but the more you play it, the more comfortable you get with the shots you’ve got to hit.”

Play was suspended overnight in round two with six players yet to complete their round.

•For live scores after its completion and during round three click here.

The post Rahm ready for head-to-head with Willett at Wentworth to join legend Seve as a winner appeared first on Golf North.

Moor Park’s Matt Wallace wowed the Wentworth crowd with a brilliant seven-under 65 around the West Course in the BMW PGA Championship first round. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

MATT Wallace delighted the Wentworth crowd in the opening round of the BMW PGA Championship, as the 29-year-old carded a flawless seven-under 65 to move into a one-stroke lead.

The sun blazed down upon the pristine Wentworth Club as the prestigious championship – ushering in a new era as it moved date from May to September – welcomed a total of 19,612 fans.

Wallace, from Hertfordshire’s Moor Park Golf Club, who won three of his four European Tour titles in 2018 – but is yet to win this year – was the star of the show, on Thursday.

He opened with a birdie three at the first before a stunning eagle-birdie-birdie run from the fourth hole saw him reach the turn in five-under.

Wallace, who started life as a junior at Batchworth Park, not from the Ricksmanworth club he now represents as a tour pro, said: “I’m very happy.

“Whenever you can get off to a start like that, it boosts your confidence and I’m just going on from last week really.

“I said to my caddie Smarty when we were walking to the first tee, let’s keep the same focus as how we ended last week – just carry it on,” added Wallace, who has Jonathan Smart – the caddy who was on Danny Willett’s bag when he won Green Jacket at the 2016 Augusta Masters – on the bag after a public spat that led to Matt’s break-up with Dave McNeilly last month.

“It’s very nice and pleasing to shoot that around here,” said Wallace. “I’m always grinding, working on trying to figure it out and get better.

“It’s the biggest event for me now, my home event. I’ve played the course plenty of times before coming into this week, and I feel comfortable.

“It always helps when your game’s in shape, as well.”

The Londoner cruised home with a couple more birdies to move to the top, ahead of Spain’s Jon Rahm and Swede Henrik Stenson on six-under, while their 2018 Ryder Cup-winning team-mate Justin Rose, was a shot further back after a five-under 67.

Hampshire ace Rose, who grew up just down the A30 at Hook, and would race home from watching the PGA at Wentworth to practice at his North Hants GC in the 1990s, was pleased to be back home with the new September slot.

Rose said: “It’s brilliant. It’s such a bonus with the weather, as well.

“Everyone is enjoying being outside. It’s almost nicer than summer. It’s got that nice crispness in the air as well, and the golf course – I’ve never seen it better.

“I think it’s really settled after all the changes through the years they have made, I think they have found their feet.

“My short game was I think what kept me in it. A couple of key saves when I missed the greens, I kept my up-and-downs going and played the par -fives well.”

Three-time Rolex winner Rahm, who was striking the ball superbly in practice, said: “I enjoy the Rolex Series events.

“I really don’t know what it is, if it’s coincidence or just the quality of people and players out here that make me want to play better,” said the Spaniard who claimed his third Rolex when winning the Irish Open in July.

“But at the same time, it’s also the history of those events in a place like this – there’s a lot of golf history and it’s really fun to be around.

“You need to pick your battles on this course. You definitely need to be swinging good. Any little mistake you’re going to pay for it.”

Stenson has posted several good finishes around the West Course without getting his hands on the big prize, said: “The greens are probably as good as I’ve ever seen them.

“So it’s been good for the golf course and the conditions to move into a later date, no question.

“It’s always hit and miss in May in mainland Europe to have perfect conditions. The guys have done a great job with the course, the greens are very nice.

“Looking back at my career, I don’t think I’ve been having too many wins and too many really good finishes when I haven’t started with a decent round or better. It sets up the week nicely and I just hope I can continue with that.”

Defending champion Francesco Molinari was also happy to be back in Surrey’s Virginia Water on the Burma Road.

“It’s been a great feeling coming back because it’s the tournament that kind of kick-started my great run last year.

“You come back here and you feel how different the last few months has been. It’s been more than a year, as well, so it’s been quite a long time.

“It was maybe more up-and-down than I would like but I managed to fight hard and the short game was good enough to keep me in the round – and nice birdie to finish at the last.”

•For live scoring from the second round at Wentworth click here.

The post Wallace wows Wentworth crowd as Ryder Cup trio bear down on first round leader appeared first on Golf North.

RORY McIlroy is targeting a second BMW PGA Championship title as he aims to round off a memorable season by matching his career-best total of five victories in a calendar year.

The World No. 2 sealed his first victory at Wentworth Club in May 2014, kicking off a sequence that saw him capture his third and fourth Major Championship titles as well as a World Golf Championship – and return to the summit of the world golf rankings within three months.

With three victories so far this year on the way to sealing FedEx Cup glory in the United States, the Northern Irishman is eyeing at least two more wins from his remaining four events to equal his 2012 total – starting this week at the fourth Rolex Series event on the 2019 Race to Dubai.

McIlroy, who returns to the Burma Road West Course in fine form, said: “The most I’ve ever won in a season is five. I’d love to at least equal that and try to better that. Feel like I’m playing well enough.

“Just keep going, try not to let my foot off the pedal and finish the year the way I started it, on a very positive note.

“I think all the great golf that I’ve played up until this point this year moves me in the right direction – and gives me motivation to try and end this year well, and try to get a couple more wins.

“The win in 2014 was something out of the blue. I went down and rode that wave of momentum all the way through the summer, with Majors and Ryder Cup and all that.

“Sometimes need these little sparks to get you going and that was definitely a spark for me to give me that little push forward and do what I did that year.”

McIlroy, who finished runner-up to Francesco Molinari here last season, is joined in one of the strongest fields in the history of the prestigious event by a trio of debutants in Tony Finau, Viktor Hovland and Jon Rahm.

American Finau last played in England at The Open at Royal Birkdale, in 2017, but he sees this week’s event as the first of many around the world in the coming years.

Finau, whose rise to fame began as one of the starts of the Golf Channel’s Big Break series in 2009, said: “I’ve heard nothing but great things about this golf tournament, about the event, about the golf course.

“A lot of our guys enjoy coming to this tournament specifically. As I asked around, and as I was planning on adding a couple of European Tour events to my schedule, this was one that I felt like was necessary with all the feedback I got from the American guys.

“If you’re truly a world-class player, I feel like you’ve got to win all around the world on different types of golf courses, and then I get to experience different cultures and travel to different places.

“So a combination of all those things, I feel like are a reason why I wanted to add some European Tour events – and maybe eventually even some other tours to my resumé.”

Hovland, the 22-year-old Norwegian, has his sights firmly set on the 2020 Ryder Cup as he makes his European Tour professional debut in the event that kicks of the points race for the European Ryder Cup team.

Hovland, who turned pro after finishing 12th in the US Open at Pebble Beach in June, playing as the reigning US Amateur Champion.

He won the Havemeyer Trophy at the famous Californian venue in August 2018, and is already thinking about he Ryder Cup having played in the Palmer Cup for Europe and the International team against the top American college golfers in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Hovland said: “That would mean everything to be part of the Ryder Cup team. I love college golf so much, even though professional golf is really cool, I still think about the times that we had in college.

“There’s nothing better than winning a tournament as a team, and hopefully one day I’ll be part of a winning Ryder Cup team.”

“We have a really cool venue this week and hopefully I can continue to play some good golf,” added Hovland, who is already on the verge of breaking into the world top 100 after just eight professional starts in the States.

Meanwhile three-time Rolex Series event winner Rahm is aiming to add his name to the illustrious list of Spanish victors at Wentworth, following his countrymen Seve Ballesteros, Miguel Ángel Jiménez and José Maria Olazábal.

Rahm, who won his third Rolex Series event at the Irish Open, in July, said: “Yesterday was the first time I was ever on the ground here and first time I ever played on the course, and I like it.

“I’ve heard so many things over the years people telling me about the redesigns – people that like it, people didn’t like it.

“I think it’s just been coincidence that three of the four events I’ve won on the European Tour have been Rolex Series Events, luckily for me.

“Any time I can join Spanish golf history, it would be great,” added the Ryder Cup winner, who first played men’s amateur golf in England back in 2010, when he competed in the Brabazon Trophy.

“To do it here, a tournament that a lot of people look forward to, and I’ve looked forward to, it would be nice to be the fourth one to get there and add it for Spanish golf,” said Rahm, whose record of a total of 60 weeks at No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, in 2015 and 2016, is still a record.

Rory McIlroy is out to match and even break his record of five victories in 2014 – which included two Major victories – as he tees it up in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

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