Sam Horsfield will attempt to create more history at Celtic Manor by completing a hat-trick of wins on the UK Swing of the European Tour. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

SAM Horsfield is aiming to make it a hat-trick of victories in the space of four UK Swing events at Celtic Manor.

The Florida-based Englishman tees it up in the ISPS Handa Wales Open on the same Twenty Ten course upon which he triumphed just four days ago.

The 23-year-old, who hails from Manchester, became the first player in European Tour history to go win-missed cut-win when he claimed the inaugural Celtic Classic title at the Newport resort, on Sunday.

The victory matched his performance two weeks earlier in the Hero Open at Forest of Arden Marriott Golf and Country Club, near Coventry.

Horsfield, who has lived in Florida since the age of five, said: “The celebrations were good. I didn’t feel great on Monday morning.

“Me, (Sean) Crocker and Haydn (Porteous) had a few drinks and celebrated properly. It hasn’t really hit me yet about the two wins.

“I think once I have a few weeks off and some time to think about everything and reflect, it’ll set in then.

“But I’m just trying to focus on this week. One of the first people to text me was Ian (Poulter). But I’ve had a bunch of support from everybody… fellow players.

“It’s always nice when people send you messages of congratulations,” said the University of Florida graduate.

Sam Horsfield wants to win back to back at Celtic Manor in the ISPS Handa Wales Open after claiming the Celtic Classic last week at the 2010 Ryder Cup venue. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Horsfield can create more history

HORSFIELD is hoping to ride his good form for another strong showing as the European Tour plays back-to-back on the same course for the first time this week.

Sam said: “I am confident. I feel like I’m playing good golf. I think they’re going to change the course around a little bit.

“I don’t know exactly what they’ll do to it. Hopefully, I get out there today and see what they’ve done,” he said on Wednesday afternoon.

“I’m playing good golf and I just want to give myself an opportunity going into Sunday again.

“It’s going to be soft and it’s going to be playing long, and I think that helps me.

“I hit it pretty far off the tee and there isn’t so much on run-outs,” added Horsfield who ranks 12th on the Tour’s driving distance stats.

“It’s going to be plugging when it hits the fairway so I think it’s going to be a bomber’s golf course this week.

“I hit two left shots on 16 and 17 last week and I really do not like that shot.

“But it’s hard when you’ve won twice in two weeks to find any issues. You can always improve so I’m going to try eliminate that left shot slowly, but surely, and see where it gets me.”

The Twenty Ten Course will be used for a second European Tour event in a row

Sam set for trip to the land of Uncle Sam

HORSFIELD, a protégé of Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter, has already secured his place in next month’s US Open via the UK Swing’s mini-order of merit – which he currently leads.

The top 10 players in the rankings at the conclusion of this week’s event will qualify for the season’s second Major at Winged Foot, in New York, next month.

Meanwhile, Robert MacIntyre and Haotong Li are making their return to European Tour action for the first time since March.

Both played in the year’s first Major, the USPGA Championship at TPC Harding Park, and made the cut.

Li is feeling particularly confident having led the field after round two before finishing in a share of 17th position.

The Chinese star said: “I see a lot of this rainy weather playing on tour around the world. So I’m kind of used to it.

“It’s pretty nice here – a traditional UK style place. So I’m just glad to be here. The course is pretty good and I think it suits my game.

“You need to hit solid shots to shoot low scores here so it’s going to be a fun week. The game is good, especially coming from the PGA Championship.

“I got a lot of confidence over there, said Haotong, who fired a superb 64 in San Francisco in the second round to lead at the halfway mark.

He added: “I felt like I can compete with those guys when I was playing there. I really enjoyed it, it was a great experience.

“Before then I hadn’t played in quite a while. I’m finding a lot of confidence now and hopefully I can go low this week.

“I think if I bring my A-game I will get a good result. Actually the bubble has been pretty good, I was surprised.

“The hotel and food and everything has been a lot better than I thought.”

Oban’s Robert MacIntyre, who won the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award in 2019, tees it up for the first time at Celtic Manor. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Rookie of the Year ready to resume on European Tour

LAST year’s Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year was one of the eligible British players who travelled to California.

Oxfordshire’s Eddie Frilford and Ryder Cup veteran Lee Westwood both chose not to travel to the States.

MacIntyre, whose last European Tour event was in Qatar, back in March, said: “It’s good to be back.

“Good to get back to competitive golf week-in, week-out. The European Tour have done a great job getting everyone back and playing again.

“I obviously watched this place on the TV for the Ryder Cup and hopefully I can get out today to finally see it – and if not I’ll just go out and enjoy it tomorrow,” said Robert, who makes his debut at Celtic Manor this week.

“Greg my caddie has been here and seen the course twice and says it’s as you see it. So as long as I’m hitting it well, which I am doing now, then why not have a good week?

“It was good at Harding Park, probably one of the toughest tests I’ve ever played on.

“If you missed the fairway by a yard-and-a-half, you were chipping it 60 yards down the fairway if you could.

“If you hit it wider you were alright. But I felt like I was just running off fairways from time to time and that’s what cost me.

“The game is in good shape though and I’m looking forward to this week,” said the Scot, who played in the 2017 Walker Cup against the USA in Los Angeles.

“I’m not too sure what I want from the rest of the season. I’m just going to play here and next week and then I have the US Open.

“We’re just trying to win every week we’re out here. Sam is making a good effort at that, so I’m just going to go out and enjoy my golf again and try be up there come Sunday.”

•Follow live scoring in the first round of the ISPS Handa Wales Open at Celtic Manor by clicking here.

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American Presidents Cup star Patrick Cantlay will be challenging defending champion Shane Lowry for the impressive Falcon Trophy at next week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

PRESIDENTS Cup rivals Patrick Cantlay and Haotong Li have become the latest international stars to confirm their appearance at next week’s 15^th Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

Patrick Cantlay, a former World No. 1 ranked amateur, has soared into the World’s Top 10, after two high-profile victories in 2018 and 2019.

Cantlay, who made his Presidents Cup debut in the USA’s victory at Royal Melbourne last month, holds the accolade of being the first player since Tiger Woods to reach the Tour Championship in 12 or fewer events.

The former UCLA star, who hails from Long Beach in Los Angeles, will be eager to prove his prowess at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

The Californian will line-up against proven champions including World No. 1 Brooks Koepka – who will be aiming for a third USPGA title in a row in May – and two-time winner Tommy Fleetwood.

Defending champion Shane Lowry, who went on to claim the Claret Jug at last summer’s Open after victory in Abu Dhabi, returns to the United Arab Emirates looking to become the third player to win the distinctive Falcon Trophy two years in a row after Fleetwood (2018) and Martin Kaymer (2011).

The only American winner in the event’s history was Rickie Fowler, who claimed the Falcon Trophy in 2016.

Dustin Johnson was runner-up to Fleetwood a year later, while Phil Mickelson missed out by a stroke finishing alongside Rory McIlroy when Spaniard Pablo Larrabazal was crowned champion in 2014.

Haotong Li will be making his third consecutive appearance at the tournament.

The Chinese star will be determined to put in an improved display at the 2020 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, having missed the cut in his last two visits to the prestigious Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Li, the first male Chinese golfer to break into the top 50 of the Official World Golf Rankings, will be hoping to become the first player from China to lift the iconic Falcon Trophy.

He made his debut for Ernie Els’ Internationals, Down Under, in December, as the Americans snatched victory late on in the Sunday singles.

Patrick Cantlay, who finished fourth in the Senty Tournament of Champions, in Hawaii, on Sunday, said: “I’m very excited to play for the first time in Abu Dhabi.

“I’ve heard great things about the course, the fans and the experience as a whole,” added the current world No. 7.

“With a such a strong field this year, I’m looking forward to competing against some of the best players in the world and to try and take home the Falcon Trophy.”

Li, who has two European Tour wins under his belt including the 2018 Omega Dubia Desert Classic, said: “The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is a tournament I love playing in.

“It is a great way to kick-off the New Year and, this year I’m looking to make it to the weekend and get myself in a position to make a run come Sunday afternoon.

“Even though we’ve only just finished the season in Australia, I can’t wait to see everyone again in January and get started on 2020 in Abu Dhabi.”

Past winners of the Falcon Trophy include Tommy Fleetwood, Martin Kaymer, Paul Casey and sole American winner Ricky Fowler – the 2016 Abu Dhabi HSBC Champion

H E Aref Al Awani, general Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “Patrick is one of the most talented young players on Tour today, and we are delighted to welcome him to Abu Dhabi for the first time.

“Haotong is also an outstanding player and is an amazing ambassador for Chinese golf. They were both key players at the Presidents Cup and I am sure they will be equally as competitive next week.”

HSBC UAE chief executive Abdulfattah Sharaf said: “The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is one of golf’s premium tournaments with an unwavering ability to attract the best players from around the globe.

“The event plays a vital role in shaping the future of golf in the region and inspiring the next generation of world greats.

“We are thrilled to welcome Patrick Cantlay to the UAE for the first time.

“Haotong Li is a graduate of our CGA-HSBC China Junior Golf Program and has been an inspiration to many Chinese junior golfers – we are delighted to see him make his return to Abu Dhabi.”

•Next week’s HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship, which takes place from January 16-19, is the first of eight Rolex Series events on the European Tour’s 2020 schedule.

To see the confirmed entry list click here.

The post Patrick Cantlay and Haotong Li join elite field at 15th Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship appeared first on Golf North.

Denmark’s Lucas Bjerrregard overcame Hertfordshire’s Matt Wallace to reach the last 32 of the WGC-Dell Technologies World Match Play, at Austin Country Club. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

A RECORD-breaking eight Europeans progressed to the last 32 at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play after another fascinating day at Austin Country Club.

Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard was the only debutant in the field to top his group – setting up a clash against fellow Scandinavian Henrik Stenson.

Bjerregard’s match with England’s Matt Wallace went all the way to the 18^th hole, but the 27 year old battled to a one up victory to join nine other European Tour members in the final 16.

The Great Dane, who won the 2018 Alfred Dunhill Links at St Andrews, revealed: “I had not seen anything from Justin’s match.

“My caddie is the one who told me when I missed the one on 18 that he had halved. I just knew that I had to win. It’s been a couple of stressful days but I’m happy to come out and go through.

“It should be fun. I like Henrik. I don’t think I’ve ever played with him, actually. But it should be fun.

“And he’s obviously been playing well too. So we should have a good game, and I’ll tease him a little. We’ll have a little bit of Swedish-Danish thing going on.”

Stenson, meanwhile, beat 2020 Ryder Cup Captain Jim Furyk 5&4 to make it three successive victories.

The Swede, who won the WGC World Match Play back in 2007, said: “That’s the best round of golf I’ve played all year for certain. I’m very pleased to put it together.

“It was called the group of death and I guess I managed to bring it to the other guys. It was always going to be a tough group.

“I think that was really inspiring on my end, being up against such great players. I just happened to bring my best game.

“I’m trying to keep expectations low. I haven’t had a great start to the year. I’ve been working hard to try to get it to the right place.

“Certainly today I had some beautiful iron shots. I think I hit it within a foot four times on my approaches, which is good on any day anywhere.

“So I’m very pleased with that and just trying to take it one day, one match at a time.”

The 2018 Race to Dubai Champion Francesco Molinari also retained his 100 per cent record with a 2&1 triumph over Webb Simpson, as did Branden Grace.

The South African overcame Chez Reavie 2&1 to set up a showdown with Ryder Cup legend Sergio Garcia, who progressed despite a 2&1 defeat to Patrick Reed.

Garcia, whose best finish in the WGC event was fourth back in 2010, despite his enviable Ryder Cup pedigree, said: “Obviously that was the goal, to get through.

“In the perfect world, I would have loved to win today and I probably had my chances to do it.

“But you also have to give credit to Patrick, he played really well, mainly the back nine. He shot five-under in eight holes.

“So when someone does that to you and you don’t take a couple of chances that you had, it’s going to be difficult.

“But we’re through tomorrow. That’s the main thing on this round-robin thing. And now tomorrow it’s a brand new tournament.”

The first day of the knockout stages has thrown up numerous mouth-watering matches in Texas, with Molinari taking on his 2018 Ryder Cup team-mate Paul Casey – who beat Cameron Smith 4&3 to top his group – while Hampshire’s World No. 2 Justin Rose ground out a victory by one hole over Gary Woodland to remain unbeaten.

He will face Kevin Na in the first knockout stage.

Surrey-raised Casey, looking to win back-to-back titles and his first WGC belt said: “I’ve got to think I had a little bit of luck there with Cam three-putting right there.

“But I feel really good about the game. The only thing I’m trying to do is save the energy, because the win last week at Valspar, that was hard work on Sunday.

“It took a lot out of us. Johnny and I were really tired Monday and Tuesday. I guess the key is play as few holes as possible, I’m just trying to do that.”

Rose, last year’s Fed Ex Champion, said: “I was delighted to get through that match. It wasn’t really pretty, to be honest with you.

“I think I classed it as a pillow fight and then turned into a bit of a dogfight to the end.

“Gary actually played pure off the tee, especially. I think he let me in a little on the front nine.

“I felt like he could be two or three-up on me early, but fortunately I think I went one-up through eight.

“So that was the key moment in the match, about six, seven, eight – just really keeping myself in it or being let back into the match.

“And then I got a little bit of momentum up, and birdieing 12 and 13 got me two-up.

“At that point I was just trying to get it into the clubhouse and get through.

“Kevin is a gritty player. I think this golf course is his type of golf course. Length is not a big deal here. He’s got a great short game.

“He can walk putts in with the best of them. So I’m going to need to find something a little bit better than what I had today.”

China’s Haotong Li overcame Sweden’s Alex Noren in a play-off to squeeze through and he will come up against last year’s runner-up Kevin Kisner, who beat Ian Poulter on the third play-off hole to win his group.

Harleyford’s Tyrrell Hatton beat his English compatriot Lee Westwood 3&1 and he will face Matt Kuchar in the Round of 16, while Louis Oosthuizen triumphed over 2017 European Tour No. 1 Tommy Fleetwood to set up a clash with Marc Leishman.

All eyes in Texas though, are likely to be on the 8:30am match which pitches World No. 4 Rory McIlroy against 14-time Major champion Tiger Woods.

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