American captain Steve Stricker and his European counterpart Padraig Harrington with the Ryder Cup which will now be played at Whistling Straits in 2021. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

USA captain Steve Stricker has backed the move to switch the 2020 Ryder Cup to 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The number of COVID-19 cases stil spreading in American will prevent fans from attending one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

After the PGA of America and European Tour announced the postponement this afternoon, Stricker said: “While it is disappointing the Ryder Cup won’t be played this year, the decision to reschedule is the right thing to do under the circumstances.

“At the end of the day, we want to stage a Ryder Cup that will rival all other Ryder Cups in my home state of Wisconsin.

“And now we have the opportunity to showcase the event as it was meant to be seen.”

European captain Pádraig Harrington, who had changed his mind from being against playing without fans to suggesting it might be necessary to help the game’s finances was also behind the move.

Harrington, who played in the biennial match six times between 1997 and 2010, said: “Rescheduling the Ryder Cup was never going to be an easy decision – given the many factors to take into consideration.

“But I believe it is the right assessment given the unprecedented circumstances we are facing at this time.

“When you think of the Ryder Cup you think of the distinctive atmosphere generated by the spectators, such as around the first tee at Le Golf National two years ago.

“If that cannot be responsibly recreated at Whistling Straits in September, then it is correct that we all wait until it can be.

“I know, right now, that September 2021 feels like a long time away. But it will come around quickly and I guarantee that the European players and I will be ready when it does.”

Ticket and hospitality arrangments

Both the United States and European teams will revisit their respective qualifying and selection processes in the near future, the two organising bodies have said.

Tickets purchased for the 2020 Ryder Cup via rydercup.com will be automatically valid for the corresponding days in 2021.

In the coming weeks, the PGA of America will contact everyone who secured tickets via rydercup.com to enable refunds for those unable to attend in 2021.

Further details regarding that process are available on the Ryder Cup website.

Anyone who has purchased tickets and hospitality packages on the secondary market must contact that specific site directly.

The PGA of America will be unable to process refunds for those purchases.

The PGA of America and Ryder Cup Europe also announced that the Junior Ryder Cup will be rescheduled.

It will now be played on September 21 and 22, 2021, at Blue Mound Golf & Country Club in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

It was originally scheduled for September 20-21.

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Meghan MacLaren has turned from the queen of the greens to a wizard with words to help give the Ladies European Tour a new brand and image. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

MEGHAN MacLaren and Suzann Pettersen have teamed up to help give the Ladies European Tour a fresh logo, updated website and tag line.

The Raise Our Game tagline aims to capture the ambition of the new LPGA-LET joint venture partnership – and a shared desire to keep moving women’s golf forward.

The brand refresh includes a short film created in-house, capturing the passion and potential of the LET players, celebrating their hard work, dedication and perseverance.

Narrated by Solheim Cup star Pettersen, with the script written by two-time LET winner MacLaren, it focuses on the hard work and determination it takes to achieve goals.

The pair hope to inspire women and girls to pursue their passion and realise their potential through the game of golf.

Talented writer MacLaren, who grew up playing golf at Wellingboro GC, in Northamptonshire, said: “I loved working on this project.

“It was great to play an active role in the new direction of our Tour.

“This is an exciting time for the LET and for women’s golf. To see the growth potential as we look ahead to the future for the next is very fulfilling.

“I’ve always worked hard to raise my game and I’m proud to be a member of a Tour which gives us the opportunity to raise our game further.”

Norwegian Suzann Pettersen narrated the video that launched the LET’s new look.
Picture by TRISTAN JONES

‘It’s something we can’t define . . .’

MEGHAN’S script focuses on the fierce commitment required to compete at the highest level.

It also highlights the importance of the friends, family and wider community of tournament promoters and sponsors who can drive women’s golf forward, said the LET.

The script reads: “It starts with something we can’t define. 

“t’s a dream, but we’re too young to know what it is, where it might take us.

“Our family, coaches, friends… they know. On cold winter mornings and warm summer nights, they help us shape it into something we believe in.

“Sometimes we lose it. Sometimes we stop believing. Sometimes we wonder if it’s all really worth it… but we don’t stop.

“Because in every new city that embraces us and every new partner who invests in us, on every Monday that promises and every Thursday that threatens to take away – we have a chance to find it again.

“A chance to believe again. A chance to make each moment our own.

“But it’s yours too, because you’re there by our side, guiding the way. You helped create it.

“So it’s time to believe, in all of our dreams. Together, let’s raise our game.”

•Megan also wrote a first-person piece telling the story of how she raised her game. You can read it here.

Suzann Petersen holed the winning putt at last year’s Solheim Cup. Picture by MARK RUNNACLES

‘The LET made me’ says Solheim Cup star

PETTERSEN – who holed the winning putt at the 2019 Solheim Cup – said at the rebranding launch: “I wouldn’t be where I am without the LET.

“I’m excited about the next chapter of the Tour’s history as it looks to provide even more opportunities for women and girls in the game.

“I’m thrilled to narrate this inspirational video, re-branding the new LET. The future is bright for the LET and its members.”

The 39-year-old Norwegian won 15 times on the LPGA Tour – including two Majors – and another six times on the LET.

After securing the Solheim Cup with that putt at Gleneagles, she promptly announced her retirement to focus on bringing up her son.

But the Scandinavian, who won the British Girls’ title at Wiltshire’s High Post GC in 1999, and played two Junior Ryder Cup matches, is not relinquisihing all ties with the LET just yet.

LET chief executive Alexandra Armas (left) with LPGA commissioner Mike Whan after her appointment – two months after the two Tours signed a joint venture deal. Picture by LPGA.

Future’s bright for LET says chief executive Armas

LET chief executive Alexandra Armas believes the tour has a bright future despite the uncertainties caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

She said: “This brand refresh expresses our excitement about the LET and its future.

“How passionate and proud we all are to represent this strong new brand and that we are in this journey together with our partners – determined to create greater opportunities for the women who play golf today, and for the ones that will follow in the future.

“It has been an unprecedented and eventful start to the new decade.

“In January, we announced a record-breaking schedule and we were extremely excited about the 2020 season.

“Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it has been a challenging time for us of late. But we are now focused on the long term.

“This is not only the time to preserve tournaments in 202 – but to build the future that we’re so excited about moving forward for women’s golf.

“The year 2020 is a building block to a bigger and better 2021, 2022 and beyond. Together, let’s do all we can to raise our game.”

The joint agreement between the LET and LPGA was signed in November.

As a result, it paved the way for this year’s expanded playing schedule, which was hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak worldwide.

Armas was appointed in January in week the 2020 schedule was released.

Meghan MacLaren has won twice on the LET. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

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Denmark teenager Nicholai Højgaard took the first round lead in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters’ first visit to Education City Golf Club, with a superb 64. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

DENMARK’S teenage prodigy Nicolai Højgaard produced a remarkable run of scoring on the back nine to take the first round lead at the 2020 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

Nicolai is looking to follow brother Rasmus into the winner’s circle – having announced himself on the professional stage when he finished second to Sergio Garcia at last season’s KLM Open.

Since then Nicholai – and identical twin brother Rasmus – whom he played with when the won the Eisenhower Trophy at the World Amateur Team Championship two years ago – have been blazing a trail on the European Tour.

Rasmus came through European Tour Qualifying School and then won the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open on his European Tour debut in December, becoming the third youngest winner in its history,

Today, it was Nicolai’s time to shine at Education City Golf Club.

The 18-year-old turned in one-under but then made six birdies in eight holes from the 10th as he came home in 29 and hit the summit at seven-under after a 64.

Nicolai Højgaard said: “It was a good day. I started out slow – was playing really bad on the first four, five, six holes.

“I was still two-under at that point. But I was just playing it all over the place. My putter was just on fire today – that’s the difference.

“When I came to the back nine I was hitting fairways, hitting it close and rolling the putter,” said Nicholai, who also played in the Junior Ryder Cup in France, two years ago.

“You just hit the button and you keep going. I was hitting the fairway, I was hitting greens, I was getting close on the par fives.

“My putter was just the difference today. I was playing okay with the long game but I was just holing everything.

“The back nine is a bit more tricky off the tee so I would say it was more of a three-wood on the back nine, I was hitting a lot of three-woods and it was pretty good.”

Sullivan in chasing pack in Qatar

DUTCHMAN Joost Luiten was a shot back of leader Nicolai Højgaard and one ahead of a group of six players including Warwickshire’s Andy Sullivan, the 2016 Ryder Cup player, who won three times in 2015, but has not added to that success since.

Luiten said: “I am absolutely pleased. Seven birdies and one dropped shot, it wasn’t really needed that dropped shot coming out of the middle of the fairway.

“But on a golf course like this where it is really tricky on and around the greens, I was out of position, so sometimes you just have to accept the bogey. All in all, I am happy with my game.”

Luiten preferred not to spend too much time practising in the build-up because of strong winds in Doha, on Tuesday and Wednesday,

“I didn’t do a lot of practise because you can ask yourself if it really helps if you hit into a 50mph wind on the range?

“So I tried to stay away from it and played the course, get to know it a bit better and it was beautiful today.

“I think on the golf course if you are in the fairway you can be pretty aggressive to the undulated greens.

“I hit my irons and driver beautiful today which created a lot of chances and I rolled in a couple of putts.”

Spaniards Jorge Campillo and Carlos Pigem, Italy’s Lorenzo Gagli, Belgian Thomas Pieters, and another Dane in the shape of Jeff Winther all carded five-under par 66s to join Sullivan in a share of third place.

•For live scores in the second round of the Qatar Masters click here.

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Stuart Wilson – the new Walker Cup captain appointed by the R&A played for GB&I who beat the USA at Ganton, in 2003. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

STUART Wilson – one of Scotland’s most renowned amateur golfers – has been named as Great Britain and Ireland’s Walker Cup captain, who will try to regain the trophy from America in May 2021.

The 2004 Amateur champion will begin his stint as captain of the GB&I men’s teams by leading the four Home Nations against Continental Europe, at the St Andrews Trophy, in July, at Royal Porthcawl.

After four years serving on The R&A Boys’ selection committee, including three as chairman, and The R&A’s amateur status committee, Wilson has accepted the new opportunity to succeed Craig Watson, whose team lost heavily to the USA, at Royal Liverpool, in September.

Following a glittering amateur career, including his victory in The Amateur Championship, at St Andrews, in 2004 – where he defeated 2018 Champion Golfer of the Year Francesco Molinari in the quarter-finals – Wilson is well-placed to lead the next generation of golfing talent.

And with most GB&I captains serving for two Walker Cups, Wilson is in line to have a dream return to the Home of Golf when St Andrews hosts the 2023 Walker Cup, in its more traditional September date.

Wilson was a member of the winning Walker Cup side at Ganton, in 2003, contributing two points – with a win and a half playing with David Inglis in the foursomes.

But Wilson lost heavily to Matt Hendrix in the Sunday singles, having held the American for a half in Saturday’s afternoon session.

The 42-year-old will now captain the GB&I team when it heads to Seminole, Florida in 2021 to take on the United States, having also captained Europe’s Junior Ryder Cup teams against the USA in 2012, and 2014.

GB&I will be aiming to reclaim both the St Andrews Trophy and Walker Cup under Wilson’s leadership.

“I am very proud to be selected as the GB&I men’s team captain and look forward to leading a talented group of golfers at the St Andrews Trophy and the Walker Cup,” said Wilson.

“I have fond memories of my time as a player representing GB&I in these prestigious matches and  I am determined to make a valuable contribution to the team as its leader and in helping the players.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on The R&A Boys’ Selection Committee and know first-hand the level of talent which is emerging.

“It feels like a very natural progression to be taking on this role to continue to foster these gifted amateur golfers.”

Stoke Park’s Conor Gough, who was handed his Walker Cup debut by Craig Watson at just 17, and Rotherham’s record-breaker Ben Schmidt – who was surprisingly only named as a reserve despite becoming the youngest player to win the Brabazon – will be two key names on Wilson’s shortlist for Seminole.

Schmidt also become the youngest player to complete the double of claiming the Carris Trophy, at the English Boys Strokeplay, in the same season – taking Sandy Lyle’s records in the process.

Following his win at the 2004 Amateur Championship, Stuart Wilson went on to win the Silver Medal at The 133rd  Open, at Royal Troon, having also qualified for The Open in 2001.

The R&A Foundation scholar, who studied at Dundee’s Abertay University – and won the 2003 Lytham Trophy while doing his degree, played in the 2005 Masters at Augusta National.

Wilson is a member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club, and is the managing secretary of Forfar Golf Club. He is married with two children.

Wilson’s first international match – the St Andrews Trophy – takes place at the renowned south Wales links on July 23 and 24.

Hampshire’s Scott Gregory beat European Tour Rookie of the Year in the final of the 2016 Amateur Championship at Royal Porthcawl.

•Click here for key dates in the R&A’s schedule in 2020 and here for England’s leading championships.

The USA’s five-point victory against Great Britain and Ireland, at Hoylake, in September was the biggest away win since Sunningdale in 1987. Picture by USGA

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The 2018 European Junior Ryder Cup team featuring Stoke Park’s Conor Gough and Roehampton’s Annabell Fuller. Picture by ROMAIN MURAILLE / FFGOLF

THE selection process for The 2020 European Junior Ryder Cup team has been confirmed by Ryder Cup Europe and the European Golf Association (EGA).

Six boys and six girls captained by European Junior Ryder Cup captain Paul Lawrie will take on the USA at Milwaukee’s Blue Mound Golf & Country Club, in Wisconsin, in September.

They will be selected based on performances in international events in the coming season organised by The R&A and the EGA.

Boys and girls who are citizens of a European country as defined by IGF’s nationality policy, and are under 18 years of age on 1 January 2020, are eligible to participate in the 2020 Junior Ryder Cup – providing they are not enrolled to play college golf in the USA during 2020.

Three boys and three girls will earn their places on the team through a points-based Order of Merit system.

Using the World Amateur Golf Ranking, the Order of Merit will award points based on finishing position in those events.

The qualification process will end following the R&A Girls’ and Boys’ Amateur Championships on August 15 and 16, respectively.

The remaining six players will be selected by captain Lawrie, with performances specifically in international events, including the European Young Masters, and positions in the EGA European Amateur Golf Rankings expected to prove important in the final decision.

Selection in the Jacques Léglise and Junior Vagliano Trophies will also be taken into strong consideration, as will performances in previous editions of the Junior Ryder Cup.

“I’m excited for the qualification process to begin,” said Lawrie. “The prospect of seeing how Europe’s best young golfers perform over the course of the next 10 months or so is fascinating.

“I’m looking forward to getting to some of these events to watch as many as possible in action,” added the 1999 Open Champion winner, who is the last Scotsman to win a Major some 20 years on.

The Junior Ryder Cup, held biennially in the build-up to the Ryder Cup, sees the best male and female junior amateurs from Europe and the USA go head-to-head in a mixed event.

The 2020 Junior Ryder Cup will be played from September 21-22, with the Ryder Cup starting at Whistling Straits – also in Wisconsin – three days later.

Many of world golf’s biggest starts have in the past featured in the junior competition before excelling at the Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup.

Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy both succeeded in the event before ending up on the winning side at a Ryder Cup, while Suzanne Peterson and Carlota Ciganda both triumphed as amateurs before lifting the Solheim Cup.

The 2018 European team featured Stoke Park’s Conor Gough, who is eligible again, having been crowned English Amateur Champion at just 16, in August, Peterborough Milton’s England Boys cap Robin Williams and Roehampton’s Curtis Cup player Annabel Fuller.

Danish twins Nicolai and Rasmus Hjøgaard were also in the team with Rasmus claiming his first European Tour win this weekend, while just 18 – proving how quickly youngsters can step up in the pro ranks having experienced the competition against the American’s best teenage talents.

Lawrie, who has played in two Ryder Cups and was a vice-captain to Darren Clarke in the heavy defeat at Hazeltine in 2016, was announced as Europe’s Junior Ryder Cup captain last week.

WRIE APPOINTED JUNIOR RYDER CUP CAPTAIN

The qualiying events for the boys are:–

The qualifying events for the girls are:–

•To find out more about the Junior Ryder Cup click here.

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Scotland’s Paul Lawrie will captain the European team at the 2020 Junior Ryder Cup at Blue Mound Golf & Country Club, in Wisconsin four days before the Ryder Cup starts. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

PAUL Lawrie, the 1999 Open Champion and two-time Ryder Cup player, will captain Europe at the 2020 Junior Ryder Cup, which will take place at Wisconsin’s Blue Mound Golf and Country Club in Milwaukee.

The Scotsman, an eight-time European Tour winner, represented Europe at the 1999 Ryder Cup and will now lead Europe’s best juniors against their American counterparts in September.

Lawrie was also a member of the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ team, which staged a monumental comeback on the final day in 2012 to retain the Ryder Cup winning 14½-13½ on American soil.

The 50-year-old’s involvement in junior golf started in 2001 with the launch of the Paul Lawrie Foundation.

It provides opportunities for juniors to start playing golf. Its main goal is to encourage as many young people to play golf as possible.

The Junior Ryder Cup, held in the days before the Ryder Cup, sees the best male and female junior amateurs from Europe and the USA go head-to-head in a mixed event.

The biennial contest has seen many stars from world golf feature in the junior competition before excelling at the Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup.

Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy both succeeded in the event before also winning the Ryder Cup, while Suzanne Peterson and Carlota Ciganda triumphed as amateurs before lifting the Solheim Cup.

“As soon as the call came in, I didn’t need long to think about taking on the role,” said Lawrie.

“To be able to lead a team of the best juniors in Europe against America will be a completely novel experience for me. In terms of how I see the game growing, it’s an important role.

“It’s going to be full-on over the next 10 months. I’m really looking forward to getting to some events during the year and watching the kids play.

“I’m absolutely delighted that I have been asked to captain the Junior Ryder Cup team.

“My wife, Marian, and I started the foundation to get as many kids into the game as we possibly could.

“I bring a huge enthusiasm for junior golf to the role. It’s where the game needs to be – sadly that still gets lost on some members at golf clubs not treating juniors how they deserve to be treated.

“Today’s juniors are tomorrow’s adults, and that’s an important message,” added Lawrie, who was one of Darren Clarke’s vice-captains at the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine.

Paul Lawrie who helped Europe come back from 10-6 down in the Sunday singles at the 2012 Ryder Cup in the Miracle of Medinah. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Lawrie earned three-and-a-half points for the European cause in the infamous “Battle of Brookline,” with two-and-a-half points coming from his partnership with Colin Montgomerie.

He also defeated Jeff Maggert in the Sunday singles as America – captained by Ben Crenshaw – staged remarkable final day comeback.

The event was marred by the US players and supporters in the gallery inside the ropes surging on to the 17th green after Justin Leonard holed a long range putt before Jose Maria Olazabal had finished the hole.

The incident in Massachusetts combined with a hostile crowd that targeted the European team – and Colin Montgomerie in particular on Sunday – sparked further controversies when European captain Mark James published his account in Into the Bearpit.

Lawrie then earned his place in The 2012 Ryder Cup side at Medinah, winning Europe’s second point on Sunday, defeating Brandt Snedeker 5&3, as he and his teammates battled back from a 10-6 deficit to win the biennial contest 14½-13½.

Both the European and United States Junior Ryder Cup teams will feature six boys and six girls, who must not have turned 18 before January 1, 2020 – and must not be enrolled to play college golf in the USA during that year.

American stars to have featured in the Junior Ryder Cup include Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Tony Finau, Lexi Thompson and Brittany Altomare.

In 2018, at Golf Disneyland Paris, Europe narrowly missed out on a first victory since 2006, as Team USA triumphed 12½-11½.

The hosts included Danish twins Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgard, who are already playing on the Challenge and European Tours repsectively in 2020, and Stoke Park’s Conor Gough, who was crowned English Amateur Champion in August, at the age of just 16.

Surrey’s Annabel Fuller was also on the 2018 team, while Wentworth’s Annabel Dimmock, played in 2014 – and claimed her first Ladies European Tour victory this summer.

The selection process for the 2020 European Junior Ryder Cup team, including confirmation of qualifying events from The R&A and European Golf Association’s schedule for next year, will be announced shortly.

The match takes place at Blue Mound G&CC, from September 21-22, while the 2020 Ryder Cup takes place four days later at Whistling Straits some 70 miles away, from September 25-27.

•For more information about the 2020 Ryder Cup click here.

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Europe’s Hannah Darling in practice for the Ping Junior Solheim Cup against the USA, which starts at Gleneagles on Tuesday. Picture by JAMIE SQUIRE / WME

SCOTLAND’S Hannah Darling sees no reason why Team Europe cannot beat the USA for the first time in 12 years in this week’s PING Junior Solheim Cup.

The Americans have won four of the last five editions – 2011 resulted in a 12-12 tie – but the 16-year-old Edinburgh golfer believes home advantage and strong team morale will stand her side in good stead.

“It’s going to be tough but we’re on home soil and we’re all playing well so there’s no reason why we can’t win,” said Darling, who won the Scottish Girls’ Amateur Championship in 2017 and 2018.

“Our expectations are to win because I believe we can, but we’re also here to have fun and make memories for life.

“The last few days have been amazing. We’ve bonded loads as a team and had so much fun,” Darling added. “Learning about everyone and seeing how everyone plays has been great.

“We’re making memories. It’s very cool. Suzann Pettersen, Catriona Matthew and a few of the other players were out on the course and came over to say hi. That was pretty cool.

“Just being with the team and knowing you all deserve to be here – it’s almost like a reward for playing well this season. It’s brilliant.”

The PING Junior Solheim Cup is very similar to the senior version with 12 players on each side, and the 10^th edition gets under way on Tuesday morning with six foursomes over Gleneagles’ King’s Course.

There will then be six fourball matches in the afternoon, before the contest concludes with 12 singles matches on Wednesday.

Rachel Heck is on Team USA for a second time after helping America to victory in Des Moines two years ago.

Last year the former World Amateur No. 1 also holed the winning putt for the Americans in the Junior Ryder Cup in Paris.

“Any opportunity like this is so much fun,” said Heck. “Being able to represent the United States with my best friends is awesome.

“The Junior Ryder Cup was an incredible experience and I’m sure this week will be, too.

“It’s such a different atmosphere playing on a team. Looking to the side of the green and seeing your team-mates supporting you is amazing,” said Heck.

“It’s a unique experience for us so I’m excited to see what this week has in store.

“Were such a tight group. We travel together all the time and always competing against each other, so it’s really cool to actually come together this week and play as a team.”

It is Heck’s first time in Scotland and she was effusive in her praise for both the country and the venue.

“It’s absolutely beautiful,” Rachel said. “It’s cold but it’s so gorgeous. When we’ve been playing the course I can’t help looking around at the views, it’s so stunning.

“The course is beautiful and in incredible shape. It’s so much fun to play. It’s very difficult – it’s perfect for matchplay because it’s so challenging. We’re all just grateful to be here.”

•To follow all the action at the 2019 Solheim Cup click here.

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