Adrian Otaegui finally added a strokeplay victory to his two matchplay wins on the European Tour – reeling in Matt Wallace’s five-shot advantage in the Scottish Championship.
Pictures by GETTY IMAGES

ADRIAN Otaegui produced a brilliant closing round of 63 in the Scottish Championship to storm to his first 72-hole strokeplay victory on the European Tour.

The Spaniard has shown himself to be an expert at head-to-head battles. He won both the 2017 Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Matchplay and the 2018 Belgian Knockout.

After those first two European Tour victories, Otaegui showed all those skills again as playing partners Matt Wallace and Garrick Porteous fought out a three-way showdown at Fairmont St Andrews.

Otaegui entered the day four shots behind overnight leader Wallace. But eight birdies in 11 holes from the fifth helped him finish at 23-under par – four clear of the Hertfordshire ace.

“I’m very happy to win here in Scotland, the home of golf, next to St Andrews, said Otaegui. “It feels like a very special win for me.”

“Strokeplay is my favourite way of golf, I think it’s the proper way. You have to play very solidly and very consistently all four rounds, which I think I did.

“I’m very happy to be able to win strokeplay as well, my third win on the European Tour. I have no words.

“The whole week went very well. Started with a very good round and I just tried to do a reset after every day and start from zero.

“I felt very good on the golf course, hit some very good shots. Today again, I just wanted to give myself some opportunities, chances.

“I think I did, I hit some very good iron shots into the green. I holed some very good important putts, so I’m just very happy.”

A view of St Andrews from Fairmont’s Torrance Course, host of the Scottish Championship

Otaegui didn’t look at leaderboards

EVENTUAL winner Otaegui admitted he had not looked at the leaderboards as he made his way around the Torrance course overlooking St Andrew’s Bay – and the town synonymous with the Open Championship.

He added: “I knew more or less how Matt and I were. But I just tried to do the best I could.

“If I played my best, I knew I was going to be up there. You can’t control what others are going to do.

“I just tried to focus on myself – tried to feel confident and tried to feel good, and that’s what I did.”

After an opening round of 62, Otaegui’s Sunday 63 bookended his week beautifully as he dashed any hopes of a Wallace win in Scotland, evoking images of Braveheart.

The final round of nine-under par saw him get over the line after three runner-up finishes in strokeplay events, including this season’s English Championship at Hertfordshire’s Hanbury Manor.

And it also meant Otaeguis joined countryman Rafa Cabrera-Bello as a Spanish winner of the Scottish Open.

Matt Wallace was the bookies’ favourite to land the Scottish Championship with a round to go

Rai edges ahead of Porteous and Paisley

WOLVERHAMPTON’S Aaron Rai continued his recent excellent form to finish in third place on 17-under par.

The West Midlands-based pro claimed a Wee Wonders title at St Andrews as a youngster.

And he looked capapble of contending for the second time in three weeks before finally finishing six shots adrift.

The recent winner of the Scottish Open finished a shot clear of Northumberland’s Chris Paisley and Porteous. The latter challenged for the title until falling away down the stretch.

Porteous won the Amateur Championship in 2013. He has one Challenge Tour victory to his name in the 2017 Prague Golf Challenge.

But the Bamburgh Castle GC member made an expensive double on 16th. He then made his third bogey of the day on the penultimate hole to share the €88,000 prize for fourth place with Paisley.

It was still the 30-year-old’s biggest pay day of his career so far. It more than doubled Porteous’ earnings for 2020, having finished 14th at Qualifying School last year to earn his first full card.

•For full results click here.

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France’s Romain Langasque finally earned his maiden European Tour victory in the ISPS Handa Wales Open at Celtic Manor after a briliant back nine. Pictures by GETTY IMAGES

ROMAIN Langasque stormed to victory at the ISPS Handa Wales Open, overturning a five-stroke deficit to win his first European Tour title.

The Frenchman started the final day at The Celtic Manor Resort in a share of sixth place.

The 2015 Amateur Champion was five shots behind 54-hole co-leaders Sebastian Söderberg and Connor Syme, from Scotland.

But the deficit was cut to just one stroke after his second birdie of the day on the sixth hole.

Langasque continued to lurk one shot back after another gain on the ninth. And Romain drew level with a fourth birdie of the day on the par five 11th hole.

Successive birdies at the 15th and 16th holes saw the 25-year-old sign for a bogey-free 65 and an eight-under par total as a nervous wait followed.

Bogeys on the 14th and 16th holes dashed Syme’s hopes of a maiden European Tour victory.

Both he and Söderberg – who beat Rory McIlroy to the 2019 Omega European Masters title at Crans in September – found the water at the par five 18th.

That mistake ultimately ended the Swede’s chances at the 11th hour.

Conor Syme (right) made a double bogey at the last to drop down the leaderboard but was rewarded with a place in the US Open at Winged Foot, in September.

Great back nine earned the win

LANGASQUE, who has been tipped by many Tour pundits to make a break-through win for more than a year, was delighted with his final round.

Romain said: “I was playing really good since the start of the week.

“I was only focusing on doing my thing – that was the only objective I had on Monday with my coach.

“I’m so happy with the way I played the back nine. I played really, really good. I had so many birdie opportunities.

“The second shot on 16 and the first shot on 17 were my two best shots of the week.

“That shows that the work we have done the past few weeks has worked, and I’m pretty happy,” added Langasque.

“It was one of the first times I didn’t feel the pressure. I was focused on every shot.

“The first shot I felt pressure was the wedge on 18, because I was looking to be shorter and have a longer shot. But I flushed my four-iron.

“The wedge wasn’t easy because I wasn’t close and the two putts were under pressure. Before that I was cool and feeling really well on the course.

“The wait was long. But when you come back from five shots and you’re in a position like that it’s good.

“It’s long but it’s a good pressure and a good moment. I’m just enjoying my time now.”

•For final scores at the ISPS Handa Wales Open click here.

Välimäki and Syme earn US Open spots

LANGASQUE’S victory elevated him to 31st in the 2020 Race to Dubai Rankings.

It also earned him a place in next month’s US Open at Winged Foot, in New York, after he moved inside the top ten on the UK Swing Order of Merit.

The top 10 golfers not already exempt on that list, including Syme and runner-up Sami Välimäki, from Finland, have now secured their berths in the second Major of the COVID-19 interrupted season.

Langasque won The Amateur Championship five years ago at Carnoustie to earn his Open debut at St Andrews that summer.

He also made the cut when playing in the 2016 Augusta Masters and turned pro after his US Open debut at Oakmont, where Dustin Johnson claimed his first Major victory.

In March 2016, Langasque had beaten Hampshire’s Scott Gregory in the final of the Spanish Amateur Championship.

Three months later Gregory succeeded him as Amateur Champion by beating Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre in the final at Royal Porthcawl.

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Sam Horsfield’s record reads win, Missed Cut, win after he claimed the Celtic Classic at Celtic Manor – beating Thomas Detry by two shots. Pictures by GETTY IMAGES

SAM Horsfield made European Tour history claiming his second win at the Celtic Classic.

The Tour’s Manchester-born star who grew up in Florida became the first player to win, miss a cut, and then win again in the space of three weeks at three different tournaments.

A delighted Horsfield said: “It was pretty crazy. My goal this weekend was to have no bogeys and I was able to do that.

“I made a huge putt on 17 to keep that alive. I just played solid all week, really. To have a nice cushion coming into the last was nice.

“I never really felt nervous or felt uncomfortable, maybe because I was in this situation a few weeks ago.

“On 15, we decided to lay-up and I could have gone for that green. It’s the perfect three-wood number but there is so much trouble around that green.

“The birdie on 14 was huge because it gave me that option. If you’re one ahead, I think you go for that.

“But making that putt on 14 and then giving myself a pretty easy decision on the tee.

“Then I just sort of brought it home,” added Horsefield, who was certainly more composed speaking after his win then he had been two weeks earlier when winning the Hero Open at the Forest of Arden.

Horsfield had fired a superb 64 in Friday’s second round to close the gap on the leaders before Syme’s spectacular 63 on Saturday gave him the overnight lead.

Sam Horsfield was a shot behind Scot Connor Syme going into Sunday’s final round

Lightning delay can derail Sam

THE 23-year-old started the day one stroke behind young Scot Connor Syme.

But they were level after the 2017 Walker Cup player dropped a shot at the first at Celtic Manor’s Twenty Ten Course.

Horsfield – tipped for the top by Ian Poulter some seven years ago – made consecutive birdies on the third and fourth.

Sam then birdied the seventh. But the players then had a two-hour delay as lightning closed in at the home of the 2010 Ryder Cup.

After the restart Horsfield parred the next six holes before his fourth birdie of the day on 14^th.

And he parred his way home to sign for a bogey-free 67 and an 18-under par total.

Horsfield moves to the top of the UK Swing Order of Merit, securing a place at next month’s US Open.

He will be joined by the other top 10 players on the UK Swing Rankings at Winged Foot at the conclusion of next week’s ISPS Handa Wales Open.

Horsfield is also guaranteed a share of £250,000 as part of the European Tour’s Good for Golf initiative.

The top 10 on the rankings after the ISPS Handa UK Championship at The Belfry in two weeks’, will share the money to donate to charities of their choice.

Connor Syme was happy with third place despite having a chance to win his maiden title

Syme settles for spoils as good run continues

JUST as at the Hero Open, Belgium’s Thomas Detry finished runner-up to Horsfield – having also posted a four-under par, bogey-free round.

Sharing third place were 2016 Ryder Cup player Thomas Pieters, Middlesex’s Andrew “Beef” Johnston and Syme.

It was Pieters first start since the resumption of the 2020 Race to Dubai.

Syme, who played in the Walker Cup against the likes of Cameron Champ, Scottie Scheffler and USPGA Champion Collin Morikawa, said: “It was another good result.

“I’ll have a couple of days away and play next week. My goal is to get in that top 10 for the US Open.

“It’s given me a step towards that. It’ll hurt for a couple of days, but it’s a good week.

“If someone offers you third at the start of the week, no matter the circumstances, you’ll take it.

“I’ll build on that and hopefully have a good week next week on the same course,” said the 2016 Australian Amateur Champion.

Syme’s sole win in the pro ranks came in last year’s Turkish Airlines Challenge on the Challenge Tour.

The 25-year-old from Kircaldy finished 14th on the Road to Mallorca Order of Merit to earn his full card.

Pieters who recently became a father, said: “It’s always a bit testing with your caddie, getting the numbers right.

“We did an okay job this week. It’s nice to start after five months off with a top 10. We had a bit of a slip up yesterday but still, happy overall.

“My caddie said if I go two-under through the last four then he’ll buy me dinner tonight. So I get free dinner.

“At the beginning of the day when it was a bit warmer, my grips were still slippery. I had a lot of trouble this week, I don’t know why.

“I’ve never really had that much trouble with it. After the restart helped me because it was colder and I could grip it and I felt a lot more at ease.

“I hit a lot better golf shots,” said Pieters, who has four European Tour wins under his belt, having won the NCAA US college title in 2012.

•For full results in the Celtic Championship, click here.

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Sergio Garcia salutes a birdie on his way to a five-share of the virtual BMW Indoor Invitational at his favourite Valderrama course. He earned $2,000 for Spain’s Red Cross.

HOME favourites Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello, finished in a five-way tie for first place when a virtual Valderrama hosted the latest leg of the BMW Indoor Invitational.

Masters winner Garcia and his compatriot and fellow Ryder Cup star Cabrera-Bello played in the interactive feature group.

They both finished on one-under after shooting 70s in their 18 holes.

Spain’s famous Ryder Cup venue proved a tricky test in the fourth of five events in the new series of virtual tournaments, using the latest simulator technology powered by TrackMan.

They were joined at the summit in Andalucia by Scotland’s Connor Syme.

The Dundee pro celebrated a second win in the series of virtual events – following his victory at Royal Portrush two weeks ago.

Royal Liverpool’s Matthew Jordan and Frenchman Damien Perrier also carded 70s to secure a share of the $10,000 first prize.

The money will go to charities chosen by each of the five winners.

Garcia famously triumphed three times in the flesh at the Sotogrande venue in the Andalucía Masters between 2011 and 2018.

The 2017 Masters winner opened his round with a triple bogey before recovering with three birdies in the next four holes.

He donated his share of the prize fund to Spain’s Red Cross.

Garcia recently donated to the Red Cross alongside fellow Spanish sports stars to help in the fight against the coronavirus.

Garcia donates his $2k to Red Cross

A DELIGHTED Garcia said: “I can’t think of a better cause than the Red Cross to donate to – to try to help as many people as possible in these very difficult times.

“It’s great to be a part of this and have the possibility to help people who need it most in uncertain times.

“I’m glad that I was able to play well enough to be part of the donation.

“I can’t wait to see all those people get better and hopefully get back to normal lives as soon as possible.

“We had a good time Rafa and I playing together. Unfortunately I had a terrible start with a triple on the first.

“But I came back nicely and Rafa eagled 17 to get to one-under. It was fun to do it.

“It was different. But it shows you how difficult Valderrama is even on TrackMan with pretty benign conditions, that one-under par was a tie for the lead.”

Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera-Bello played in the featured group at the BMW Indoor Invitational at a virtual Valderrama. Picture EDAMVALDERRAMA / Instagram

Cabrera-Bello’s rollercoaster round

CABRERO-BELLA had a rollercoaster round that included four birdies and an eagle as well as three bogies and a double.

Rafa said: “It was different of course playing the course on TrackMan, but it did have a lot of similarities – and it did feel pretty real.

“On the green shapes you could see the run-offs and it was playing as real as it could possibly be.

“BMW does a lot of charitable work, not only during these hard times but also every year. They are a very generous company.

“So to be able to participate in this event for charity was really fun. Also to have the opportunity to win alongside friends and share it a little bit was great.”

Syme is celebrating for the second time in three weeks after topping the leaderboard at Royal Portrush.

He said: “It feels great to be a tied winner this week. Guys like Sergio and Rafa were involved. So to compete with them and be tied at the top was cool.

“Valderrama was as tough as it is in real life. On holes like the second – where you try to run it under the tree on the fairway – it is so realistic.

“My wedge game was good and that was the only reason that I managed to get the joint best score.

“It’s great to be a part of it and I can’t thank BMW and TrackMan enough for these opportunities.”

Perrier fizzing with win to follow second

THE 38-player field – which also included former World No. 1 Martin Kaymer and Belgian Ryder Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts – competed virtually from their own homes in the 18-hole strokeplay event.

Damien Perrier finished in second place in week one over the Old Course at St Andrews.

And he went one better this time, birdieing the last two holes to recover from a double-bogey on the 16^th and seal a tie for top spot.

He said: “After my second place at St Andrews, I’m very happy to be tied for the win this week alongside great names such as Sergio Garcia, who we all know loves this course.

“I remember the last time I played at Valderrama I was alongside Martin Kaymer.

“We almost didn’t see each other because I spent my whole round enjoying the shadow of the trees. This week I took my revenge and I’m proud of it!”

Virtual Valderrama proved just as tough as the real thing when 38 European Tour players played the BMW Indoor Invitatational. The $10,000 first prize was split five ways for charity

Links-lover Jordan just as at home at Valderrama

MATTHEW Jordan was participating for the second consecutive week and he leapt up the leaderboard after an 18^th place finish last week at Germany’s Munchen Eichenried.

Jordan recorded his first Euorpean Challenge Tour win last summer and earned his European Tour card by finishing ninth on the Race to Mallorca.

The 24-year-old Hoylake ace, who grew up playing links golf, said: “I’m delighted to get the win at Valderrama – it’s one of my favourite courses.

“It’s a bit tight and narrow so any of my friends watching this will be confused as to how I won.

“I would like to say a massive thank-you to BMW, the European Tour and TrackMan for putting this event on.

“Lockdown has been difficult for most of us, so just to have something to look forward to and compete in, has been great.”

The winning fivesome finished one shot ahead of a group of seven players who shot level-par 71s around the virtual Valderrama.

They included French trio Benjamin Hebert, Raphael Jacquelin and Romain Langasque. Kaymer, Italian Nino Bertasio and Cheshire’s Paul Waring were then a shot further back in a tie for 13^th place.

Fans were able to follow using #BMWTrackManInvitational as footage was shown on the European Tour’s social media channels – and at bmw.trackmaninvitational.com

Footage can also be seen on Twitter: @europeantour; Instagram: @europeantour and the European Tour’s YouTube channel.

COVID-19 EPIDEMIC FORCES POSTPONEMENT OF ANDALUCIA MASTERS

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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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The Renaissance Club was set to stage the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open in July – the European Tour is looking to move it back in the season. Picture by SHIRLEY PINDER

TWO more European Tour tournaments have been cancelled while the Scottish Open – part of the Rolex Series – has been postponed as a result of the continuing threat posed by the spread of the coronavirus.

The BMW International Open and the French Open will not take place in 2020 while European Tour staff are looking to move the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open from its July date to later in the season.

The BMW International Open, which has been played every year in Germany since 1989, was due to take place at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried, in Munich, from June 25-28.

The French Open – continental Europe’s oldest national open, was scheduled to take place a week later, July 2-5, at Le Golf National, near Paris, which staged the 2018 Ryder Cup.

It has been cancelled following the French government’s decision to cancel all mass public gatherings and events until mid-July.

The Scottish Open was one of eight Rolex Series events announced at the start of the 2020 season.

It was scheduled to return to The Renaissance Club, in North Berwick, from July 9-12 – but could now form part of a plan to stage several events in the UK later in the season (see below).

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said: “The decision to cancel the BMW International Open, which has been a cornerstone of the European Tour calendar for three decades, and the Open de France – one of our most historic national opens – was made in consultation with our long-term partner BMW and the French Golf Federation, respectively, with public health and well-being the absolute priority for all of us.

“Both Germany and France have been significantly impacted by Coronavirus, and our thoughts go out to everyone affected in both countries, as well as elsewhere around the world.

“In consultation with Aberdeen Standard Investments, VisitScotland and Rolex, we have also decided to postpone the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, which is part of our prestigious Rolex Series.

“Discussions about the possibility of rescheduling this event will continue as we look at a variety of different scenarios for our schedule for when it is safe and permitted to resume playing.

“We will only announce details of these plans when we have clarity on the global situation.”

•The latest cancellations bring the total number of events postponed in 2020 by the European Tour to nine, with five more events cancelled completely.

The Wentworth-based European Tour is working on plans for its UK events later this year

‘European Tour considers UK swing’

A LETTER sent from Pelley to Tour players earlier this week – and backed up by a Sky TV interview with Eddie Pepperell – revealed the tour are considering running up to four events in the UK over a condensed period.

They could even be played without fans, the European Tour has said – the PGA Tour announced the first four events of its resumed season will be played behind closed doors, yesterday.

The likely scenario being discussed would see the BMW PGA Championship go ahead at Wentworth, to be followed or preceded by a rearranged Betfred British Masters, which was due to be played at Newcastle’s Close House, at the end of July.

The BMW PGA it is currently scheduled to be played the week before the US Open, at Winged Foot (September 17-20), which was rearranged earlier this month by the USGA.

The Scottish Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship – due to be played at St Andrews the week after the Ryder Cup (September 25-27) – could form part of a British Swing to resurrect the 2020 season.

The biggest problem is that European stars heading to the States for the US Open face being isolated for up to 14 days, which could force the European Tour into moving the BMW PGA back til after the Ryder Cup which would mean October.

Wentworth hosted the World Match Play Championship in October between 1964 and 2007 – but with a much smaller field.

The lack of daylight would affect any events the European Tour hopes to stage in October – the Alfred Dunhill Links has been a celebrity pro-am since 2001, attracting stars from sport and entertainment in the US and UK, including Hollywood actors.

It also traditionally has one of the biggest purses on the European Tour – and was easily the biggest outside the 2020 Rolex Series with €5million at stake.

Combining the Dunhill Links with a rearranged Scottish Open would make the most sense logistically, given the need to make it easy for players from all over the world to compete in any rearranged tournaments – before the climax to the Race to Dubia, due to take place in Italy, China, Turkey, South Africa and Dubai in November or early December.

The post Scottish Open put back with chance of a British Swing to save European Tour season? appeared first on Golf North.

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley has written to players warning them the days of rising prize funds will be hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Picture by EUROPEAN TOUR

EUROPEAN Tour stars face playing for smaller prize funds as well as the prospect of playing tournaments without spectators later this summer, according to a memo written by its chief executive Keith Pelley.

The update sent to players, which was leaked to the Daily Telegraph, warns that some of the “perks” of tour life will be reigned in significantly.

The professional game is planning for when the green light to resume will be given – when the worst of the coronavirus pandemic is over – so golf can return to our TV screens at least.

But Pelley has warned everything from the kind of courtesy cars and tournament lounges where players and their families and support teams can relax before and after rounds and practice, could be affected.

Pelley’s email stated: “Our tour has enjoyed a significant period of growth in recent years, in terms of prize funds, playing opportunities, and the overall standard of our events, as well as our broadcast product.

“The impact of coronavirus has stopped this rapid momentum in its tracks, and it will, in fact, require us to reassess many elements.”

While the trappings of tour life are bound to be hit, the Canadian who has revolutionised certain areas of the European Tour brand since taking over from George O’Grady, late in 2014, Pelley was most blunt about the likely affect on players’ earnings.

“Prize funds will also most likely be different,” Pelley added. “The reality is, the pandemic is going to have a profound impact on the Tour financially, as well as many of our partners, both in the sponsorship and broadcast areas.”

His latest update to the Tour’s members also stressed it make take until the autumn before they can resume playing tournaments – even though the USPGA and US Open have been rescheduled for August and September, respectively.

Several tournaments could be played at the same venue to make the hastily rearranged 2020 schedule run as smoothly as possible.

“Let us say we are given the go-ahead by governments and health authorities to resume play in the first week of September,” said Pelley.

Will season shrink into 16 weeks?

“That gives us 16 weeks between then and Christmas to try and play as many tournaments as possible.

“We are looking at options such as a) multiple tournaments in the same location; b) two tournaments in the same week or three in a fortnight; or c) three or four tournaments back-to-back in the UK with a 14-day ‘quarantine’ period ahead of that – to allow players not from the UK to come over and self-isolate in advance, if that health requirement is still in place then.”

Pelley stressed the Rolex Series and tournaments based in the UK are the priority for the Tour and its broadcaster Sky Sports – confirming the Tour will “play behind closed doors if necessary.”

The British Masters at Close House, in the North East – which was originally scheduled for July 30-August 2 – and the BMW PGA Championship, at Wentworth (September 10-13), are two of the UK events on the schedule.

The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at North Berwick’s Renaissance Club, was due to be held from July 9-12, the week before The Open, at Royal St George’s, which has now been cancelled.

Meanwhile attracting stars from Hollywood to play the annual Alfred Dunhill Links Championship (October 1-4) may pose more problems in 2020 than normal with celebrities filming and TV schedules – if the pro-am can be held at St Andrews the week after the Ryder Cup.

October’s Italian Open, which is a Rolex Series event, faces many hurdles before it can be played, given how badly Italy has fared from the number of COVID-19 deaths.

The other Rolex events are the Turkish Airlines Open (November 5-8) and the Nedbank Golf Challenge, which will have to be moved now that the Augusta Masters has been provisionally rearranged for November 12-15.

But if the South African event at Sun City’s Gary Player Country Club, has to be moved, that also means the DP World Tour Championship at Dubai’s Jumeirah Golf will also have to be moved to December.

The final Rolex Series event will determine the Race to Dubai winner, which earned the European No. 1 Jon Rahm a £2million bonus, on top of the $3million cheque for the winner that week.

Graeme McDowell was set to host the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Mount Juliet in May before the COVID-19 outbreak. Could it still be played in the autumn?

11 events hit by coronavirus so far in 2020

SO far the European Tour has postponed eight tournaments and cancelled completely three more, including June’s inaugural Scandinavian Mixed, hosted by Henrik Stenson and Annika Sorenstam.

At the moment the BMW International at Golfclub München in late June is the first event on the original schedule which has yet to be postponed, followed a week later by the French Open at Paris’ Le Golf National.

Other events in Continental Europe which could still be played are Switzerland’s Omega European Masters (August 27-30),  Germany’s Porsche European Open (September 3-6), Holland’s KLM Open (September 17-20), Spanish Open (October 15-18) and the Portugal Masters (October 22-25).

Among the countries where events were postponed in March and April were Ireland, Kenya, India, Malaysia, China, Morocco, the Czech Republic and Spain.

The European Tour has stressed that it would work to try to rearrange postponed tournaments wherever possible.

But the logistical problems created by the international travel bans alone, make that very difficult – let alone while the current uncertainty about lockdowns in each country continues.

It remains to be seen how many of those can be played in 2020, or if the European Tour will just be content to make sure they can still be played in 2021.

And that will depend on the support of the sponsors, or finding replacements should the economic impact of COVID-19 hit exisiting ones.

Certainly, if spectators can be admitted later in the year, both Sky and the European Tour, would be keen to resurrect the Irish Open.

Graeme McDowell was set to host at Mount Juliet at the end of May, before it was postponed at the end of March.

But the lack of light means it would surely have to be played before the clocks go back in October, without the size of the field having to be heavily restricted.

March’s Hero Indian Open – co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours – was one of the first to be called off as a result of the coronavirus outbreak

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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

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The pair, who have fond memories of living together at the University of New Mexico, will go head-to-head in the final group in Saturday’s third round, with pacesetter Perez one shot clear of his old college friend.

“I am very pleased the with the second round. I think it was important to keep the hammer down after obviously a 65 in the wind yesterday.

“I think they were definitely the tougher conditions, and it’s one of those days where you hope to stay a couple under.

Perez, who is based in Dundee where his girlfriend is studying, has proved very adept at links golf after his spell living in Scotland.

“I was able to play really well yesterday, and obviously coming out this morning,” said 27-year-old Perez.

“This is the round where you have to try to take as much advantage as you can and put some points on the board.

“Obviously I’m in a very good position for tomorrow,” said the rising star of French golf and the European Tour.

And recalling his time on the New Mexico team, Perez said: “We were roommates in college for four years and we are obviously very close.

“He played very well yesterday and I’m looking forward to playing together. Being on Tour together makes it really easy to catch up.

“He’s a great talent and he has been coming up and a long time so it’s only a matter of time before he breaks through.”

Perez – who claimed the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews back in September, posted his second consecutive round of 65 to move to 10-under par,

Meanwhile Malaysia’s Green carded a round of 67 for a nine-under total at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.

Green was looking forward to playing with his old college team-mate.

“Playing with Victor tomorrow, I think it will be fun,” said Green. “It’s just like college days again. We’ve been friends since college and it will be great fun.

“I’m sure we will talk about some stuff. It’s been a couple years. I think played with him probably last year, so it’s been a while. I know he’s been playing really good. Just have fun with him tomorrow.

“I’m excited just to be in the mix. I’ve been there a couple times and just try to put myself in the position a couple more times and see what happens.”

McDowell rolling back the years

FORMER US Open Champion Graeme McDowell, who shared the first round lead with Green, is a shot further back on eight-under.

The 40-year-old, who claimed his sole Major at Pebble Beach 10 years ago, added a round of 68 having been joint leader with Green on six-under, on Thursday.

McDowell said: “It’s always hard to come out right after a good round like I shot yesterday and try and keep the pedal down.

“I felt like I played pretty loose today. It was obviously better conditions this morning.

“I three-putted the 11th – my second hole of the morning – which sort of derailed me a little bit.

“I continued to hit fairways which is key on this golf course. I hit some really quality iron shots.

“I think the back nine in particular is quite difficult on this course,” added McDowell, whose last win on the European Tour came in his successful defence of his French Open title, at Le Paris National, in 2014.

McDowell was not thinking about winning after making a slow start to round two, but is pushing to be in the mix come Sunday.

“It was tough to get going,” GMac added. “A couple of birdies on the front were very pleasing and it was nice to hang in there coming in.

“All in all, very happy the way I hit the ball today and looking forward to being in position going into this weekend.

Defending champion Dustin Johnson signed for a round of 68 and is five shots back in a share of eighth place on five-under.

•For live scoring and to follow the head-to-head between Victor Perez and Gavin Green in the Saudi International, click here.

The post Victor Perez to play with old New Mexico University team- mate Gavin Green in Saudi appeared first on Golf North.

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.