Royal Troon will welcome back the Open Championship in 2024 the R&A has announced today, having originally awarded the 2032 Major Championship to the Ayrshire links course

ROYAL Troon will miss out on plans to host the 151st Open Championship 100 years after the famous Ayrshire club first staged the world’s oldest Major championship.

The R&A announced in February that Royal Troon was to host the 152nd Open to mark the historic centenary – but the subsequent cancellation of the 149th Open at Royal St George’s in July has forced the game’s ruling body into a rethink.

With the 150th Open Championship originally due to be held at St Andrews in 2021, the R&A has decided to push its rota back by a year in each case of the venues already announced.

So with Sandwich set to stage The Open in July 2021, and preparations for the Home of Golf to welcome the world’s best players to St Andrews now being readied for 2022, Hoylake will host the event in 2023.

The R&A confirmed today that The 151^st Open will be played at Royal Liverpool, from July 20-23, in 2023, while The 152^nd Open will be played at Royal Troon from 14-21 July 18-21, in 2024.

The famous Claret Jug will be contested at the Kent links from July 15-18, in 2021.

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said, “We have been working closely with Royal Liverpool and Royal Troon – and the relevant local agencies – to reschedule the championships.

“We are grateful to everyone involved at the clubs and at our partner organisations for supporting our plans and showing flexibility to adapt their own schedules.

“We can now look forward to seeing the world’s best players competing at these outstanding links courses in 2023 and 2024.”

Royal Liverpool captain Michael Johnson said: “Without doubt the golfing world greatly anticipates the return of The Open after the hiatus of 2020, and Royal Liverpool Golf Club is delighted to fit into the revised schedule alongside our friends at Royal Troon.

“We must thank The R&A for its continued support and look forward to welcoming competitors and spectators alike to Hoylake in 2023.”

Royal Troon captain Desmond Bancewicz said: “Following the most unusual circumstances this year, affecting all our lives, Royal Troon Golf Club looks forward with eager anticipation in hosting The Open in 2024 for a 10th time – and sends their very best wishes to The R&A and Royal St George’s Golf Club for 2021.”

The famous Postage Stamp hole at Royal Troon, the shortest par three on the Open rota.

Hoylake ready for ‘lucky’ 13th Open

ROYAL Liverpool will host The Open for a 13^th time in 2023 – the first time since Rory McIlroy lifted the Claret Jug at Hoylake in 2014.

That was also the last of the four Majors won by the former World No. 1 from Northern Ireland, who turned 30 last year and become a father for the first time at the end of August.

There was a 40-year gap between Argentinian Roberto de Vincenzo’s victory at Hoylake and Tiger Woods’ memorable Royal Liverpool win in 2006 – and his emotional celebration followng the death of his father Earl earlier that summer.

The Open will return to Royal Troon for the 10^th time following Henrik Stenson’s memorable final round duel with Phil Mickelson before claiming victory in 2016.

The first winner of The Open at Troon was Arthur Havers – the Norwich-born pro who was the club pro at Moor Park and Sandy Lodge in Hertfordshire, and Coombe Hill, in Surrey – as well as spells at West Lancashire and Frinton, in Essex.

Havers, who would go on to play in three of the first four Ryder Cups, as well as the first unofficial match at Wentworth in 1926, beat the USA’s defending champion Walter Hagen by a shot.

Future venues:–

• The 149^th Open will be played at Royal St George’s from July 15-18, 2021
• The 150^th Open will be played at St Andrews from July 14-17, 2022
• The 151^st Open will be played at Royal Liverpool from July 20-23, 2023
• The 152^nd Open will be played at Royal Troon July 18-21, 2024
  

  The 2023 Open Championship will return to Hoylake’s links on the Wirral. Royal Liverpool hosted the 2006 Open won by Tiger Woods, while Rory McIlory lifted the trophy in 2014. Picture by The R&A

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European Tour player Matthew Jordan passed on tips to amateurs in the England national squads – he was a member three years ago. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

MATTHEW Jordan watched Tiger Wood and Rory McIlroy win The Open at his home course at Hoylake in the space of eight years.

But he had no notion he would one day join the World No. 1 on the European Tour.

Even 18 short months ago, Jordan could not be sure he would ever make it as a pro golfer.

Now he’s settling in alongside the big guns during his rookie season on Tour and has the world at his feet.

Jordan’s story is truly inspirational and his telling of it proved to be fascinating for the England Golf squad players, who logged in for an online Q&A session.

As a young amateur, Jordan was a slow-burner, making his way steadily rather than spectacularly through the boys’ squads.

Then his game clicked with victories in the St Andrews Links Trophy and Lytham Trophy.

That earned him a place in Great Britain and Ireland’s 2017 Walker Cup team alongside Hampshire’s two Amateur Champions – Harry Ellis, Scott Gregory – and Jack Singh-Brar, who is also on the European Tour.

A year later Jordan turned pro – but with many questions about his suitability for the pro game still unanswered.

Yet a true competitive edge shaped in the England Golf squads soon shone through.

Matthew Jordan won the Hampshire Hog in 2016 at North Hants the home club of England Golf ambassasor Justin Rose. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES

From North Hants to Challenge Tour

A COURSE record 63 in the first round of the British Masters at Hillside in May last year – after receiving an invite – brought his name to the fore.

Victory in a Challenge Tour Event in Italy in June lit a fire under him.

And it’s still burning brightly as he waits to make his way on the full tour when the European Tour resumes in late July.

During a relaxed chat with the current England squad players and coaches, Jordan talked about his rise in the game, his hopes for the future, his methods on the course – and his dedication to smart practice routines.

He also admitted his rise was something he didn’t think of as a kid – nor even dare to dream about as a young adult.

“It’s certainly been unexpected from where I was a little over a year ago,” admitted the 24-year-old member at Royal Liverpool GC.

“I didn’t even have Challenge Tour status and I was just trying to play where I could. It happened so quickly.

“I played eight events after I turned pro and hadn’t done very well. But at least I got some experience.

“The big one for me was a Challenge Tour event in Turkey. I shot 62 which was the lowest round I’d ever shot.

“I was in contention all week and then finished in the top 10.

“Then I played in the British Masters and shot nine-under on day one and the confidence built ahead of my win in Italy.

“It all snowballed very quickly.

“You don’t know that until you get there – there is a worry that the guys are on a different level and are loads better.

“I had watched great tour events featuring the top players on TV and then suddenly I’m walking into a venue and joining these guys on the range. It’s pretty cool.

“As a fan, that was big at the beginning. But I’m trying to do as well as possible and that soon loses its appeal.

“I want to focus, do well, stay on tour and achieve more.”

Matthew Jordan watched Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy win the Claret Jug in 2006 and 2014. The Open is due to return to Hoylake in 2023. Picture by The R&A

How Hoylake heroes inspired Matthew

GROWING up in Hoylake – the location of one of the world’s great links courses at Royal Liverpool – meant Jordan was spoiled for inspiration as a youngster.

As a 10-year-old he remembers being obsessed when Tiger Woods rolled into town in 2006.

Tiger put on a ball-striking masterclass to win back-to-back Open Championships – and his first away from St Andrews.

“I got Adam Scott’s ball on a practice round. And I got Phil Mickelson’s autograph and Sergio Garcia’s too,” said Jordan.

“I didn’t get Tiger’s – I just froze when he walked past and didn’t have the courage to ask. But it stands out.”

Then four years later it was McIlroy who claimed the Claret Jug – on a Hoylake course that had spent 40 years off The R&A’s Open rota.

“It does inspire you,” said the Cheshire county player, who was 18 at the time.

“In 2014, that same summer, I got my A-levels and a place into Uni. But my dad said I should defer and try golf for a year or two.

“I hadn’t thought about it. I thought I’d play the summer and do something else. Maybe study psychology.

“Then I tried it and still never had the thought of where I would end up.

“It was only when I started doing well that the thoughts changed.

“It was a blessing in disguise I didn’t go to Uni when I see what has happened since.”

His big breakthrough, ironically came when winning the Hampshire Hog at North Hants GC, in 2016 – the home club of England Golf ambassador Justin Rose.

Matthew Jordan won the St Andrews Links Trophy in 2017. Picture by KENNY SMITH

Valderrama victory Jordan’s highlight of lockdown

JORDAN has had to adapt during lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But he has kept sharp – even winning a virtual event when top pros battled it out on online playing Valderrama in the European Tour BMW Indoor Invitational Series.

His next outing is the British Masters at Close House next month as his adventure continues.

“I was happy to chat with the England players as I enjoyed my time in the set-up working with great coaches and learning the game,” said Matthew.

“Hopefully, what I passed on and my story so far can help someone else make the same step.”

And of course when the Open returns to Hoylake in 2023, he has the chance to be part of the history of the Open Championship.

•Royal Liverpool was originally to host The Open in 2022 – before the 2020 and 2021 Opens were pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It will take place at Royal St George’s in 2021 a year later than planned, with the 150th Open being staged at the game’s historic home at St Andrews, in 2022.

The post Hoylake ace saw Tiger and Rory win Open – but never dreamed of life on Tour appeared first on Golf North.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Woods’ incredible career recognised by World Golf Hall of Fame

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post World Golf Hall of Fame will induct Tiger Woods into the Class of 2021 appeared first on Golf North.

World No. 1 Rory McIlroy watched Tiger Woods win the World Golf Championshiop at Mount Juliet in 2002 – now he hopes he can win a second Irish Open at the Kilkenny course.

RORY McIlroy will make a much-anticipated return to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Mount Juliet Estate in May.

The four-time Major winner will join his fellow Northern Irishman, close friend and tournament host Graeme McDowell, when McIlroy tees it up at the second Rolex Series event of the 2020 Race to Dubai season.

The current World No. 1 will head a star-studded field which also includes defending champion Jon Rahm and the reigning Open Champion Shane Lowry, when the event takes place from May 28-31.

McIlroy will be targeting a second victory in an event which he himself hosted from 2015-18 – helping elevate the historic national open to become one of the European Tour’s eight premier Rolex Series events.

The 30-year-old famously lifted the trophy at the K Club in 2016, delighting the home crowds with a swashbuckling display down the stretch to hold off Scot Russell Knox – who went on to claim the title in 2017 – and Welshman Bradley Dredge.

“I’m looking forward to it a lot,” said McIlroy. “It’s a bit different going back for a May date as opposed to July, and at a parkland course at Mount Juliet.

“I’ve never played the course but got good memories – it was the first time I ever watched Tiger Woods play in person.

“My dad drove me down and we watched the WGC there and that was really cool, so it’ll be exciting to tee it up there myself and try to win a tournament there.”

Dubai Duty Free chief executive Colm McLoughlin said: “We are delighted Rory has confirmed his attendance at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Mount Juliet.

“Our involvement as title sponsor of the tournament began when Rory took on the hosting duties in 2015, and he did a great job in raising the profile of the event.

“We are looking forward to a great week in Kilkenny and working with Mount Juliet, the European Tour, this year’s host Graeme McDowell, Sport Ireland and all of the other entities to make this event a great success.”

Mount Juliet already boasts a prestigious list of winners after a three-year stint of hosting the event – with Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Sam Torrance winning in 1993, 1994 and 1995 respectively – and McIlroy will be hoping to join that list in May.

The luxury five-star resort in Kilkenny also hosted Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf in 1997 – a challenge match between Tom Watson and Fred Couples, won by the latter – as well as the WGC-American Express Championship in 2002 and 2004 – won by Tiger Woods and Ernie Els respectively.

Buy early bird tickets by March 3

EARLY bird ticket prices begin at €13 for the Wednesday pro-am day, with Thursday and Friday day tickets available for a special price of €23.

Saturday and Sunday tickets begin at €27. Fans can enjoy five days of world-class golf and entertainment for only €83 if they purchase their season tickets prior to Tuesday, March 3.

Children under 12 years of age are entitled to free entry when accompanied by an adult.

Day junior tickets for kids aged between 12 and 17 years of age are €10 (season ticket €25), while students aged between 18 and 24 with valid ID, and over 65s, can buy concession tickets.

The latter cost €15 for Thursday and Friday, €20 for Saturday and Sunday (€60 for a season). Parking access can be purchased for €5 per day, or €10 to cover all five days.

The only official sales channel to purchase tickets is via ticketing platform Eventbrite by clicking here.

The resale of Dubai Duty Free Irish Open tickets on unofficial platforms contravenes the European Tour’s ticket terms and conditions and render the tickets void.

Official hospitality tickets are also available on the ticketing page, or by calling the Euorpean Tour sales team on (01344) 840681.

The post World No 1 McIlroy confirms entry for Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Mount Juliet appeared first on Golf North.

Bryson DeChambeau wants a good week in Dubai to be a springboard for glory in the Major Championships in 2020. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

BRYSON DeChambeau is hopeful a successful defence of his title at this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic can act as a springboard for glory in the 2020 Major Championships.

The American stormed to a dominant seven-shot victory at Emirates Golf Club in 2019, to claim his first European Tour title – and add to his growing list of career achievements.

The 26-year-old has won the US Amateur and lifted trophies as a professional on both sides of the Atlantic.

But the player dubbed the “Mad Scientist” has yet to make a splash in golf’s four biggest events – while four winners of the Dubai Desert Classic have won a Major in the same season, including Tiger Woods twice in 2006 and 2008, and Ernie Els, in 2002.

The Ryder Cup star’s best finish in 14 Majors has been a tie for 15th at the 2016 US Open Championship at Oakmont.

But he is determined to improve on that record this summer and knows that two of the winners of this week’s Dubai event have gone on to claim the Green Jacket at the Masters just a couple of months later.

DeChambeau said: “I’m honoured to be back. I love this city. I think it’s an incredible place, and desert golf has always suited my style of play.

“I’d say all in all, it’s one of my favourite places to be, just because of how technologically advanced I feel like the place is, and the golf course is in immaculate shape.

“The greens are perfect. The rough is longer this year, which is pretty interesting and I also just love hitting it off the fairways out here.

“It’s a lot of great fun, and a lot of scoring opportunities. So for me, it’s a great test of golf and I had a lot of fun last year. Let’s hopefully do it again.

“Last year, I didn’t drive it my absolute best but I was still able to get it done.

“It’s going to take great ball-striking, iron play, and making a lot of putts.

“My wedge game is much improved I feel like and personally I’m looking forward to the new test this week.

“The rough is a little bit longer, so being in the fairway is going to be key, and if you have a great wedge game, you can get up-and-down and fix those mistakes you have, it’s definitely a viable option to win.

“All of my mind is taken up for the need to do well in the Majors. That’s what I haven’t done well in particular in my career so far, and I am keen on changing that.”

Stenson and Garcia keen to join Lee Westwood in the Roaring Forties

MEANWHILE Major Champions Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia are looking to keep the flag flying for the over 40s following Lee Westwood’s impressive victory in Abu Dhabi last week.

The Nottinghamshire ace from Worksop secured his 25th European Tour title at the age of 46, and he is the latest player to prove that age is just a number after win number four in his 40s.

That win matched the number recorded by Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie in their final decade before moving over to the Seniors Tour.

Montgomerie is labelled with the tag of no victories in the Major Championships, while Langer won the Masters twice in 1985 and 1993.

Stenson was 40 when he won The Open Championship at Royal Troon and, now aged 43, returned to the winner’s circle with victory in the Bahamas in December.

The Swede arrives in the Middle East from Singapore and insists he has plenty more miles left on the clock at the top of the game as he seeks to add to his success in the Major Championships.

Stenson said: “The golf course doesn’t know if you’re 20, 30 or 40 when you’re teeing it up, right?

“It’s all about bringing as good a game as you can do and we know experience is a good part in this game, to have played it in different conditions over the years and different courses and all the rest.

“At times we can’t really compete with the longest players in the game but we can compete with other factors and, of course, that’s something we try to do as good as we can.

“We certainly keep the dreams alive of winning golf tournaments,” added Stenson.

“I don’t know if it’s down to possibly swing, if your swing is not taking too much toll on your body and not wearing your back down too much, you probably can keep it going.

“I’ve spent a lot of time on the physical side the last 10 years to try and buy myself some extra time – and for recovery and practice and everything else.”

Garcia, a winner of the event in 2017, only turned 40 earlier this month so is still looking for a first win of this decade and would also relish more success in the Major Championships.

But the Spaniard – who won in Dubai before claiming his first Green Jacket three months later in 2017, as did Danny Willett 12 months before that – is confident he can take on the young guns.

Garcia said: “We know it’s not easy as you keep adding on numbers to your ID, but we go out there and we practice hard and we try to stay fit and play the best we can.

“We believe in ourselves, we believe that we’re good enough. I feel like we show it pretty much week-in, week-out.

“It gets tougher every year because there’s a lot of good youngsters coming out both in Europe and on the PGA Tour.

“But we can still go out there and perform well. We are competitors and we love to compete and challenge ourselves and that’s what we try to do.’

•For live scoring in the first round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic click here.

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AS Royal Liverpool prepares to host the 47th Walker Cup  between Great Britain and Ireland and the USA – as part of its celebration of 150 years of golf at Hoylake – ANDREW GRIFFIN spoke to the last Hampshire player to win a major domestic honour at the Merseyside course, where Tiger Woods and Rory McIlory claimed the Open Championship in 2006 and 2014 respectively.

Rowlands Castle’s Darren Wright who thinks the Americans may try and attack the Hoylake links in this weekend’s Walker Cup clash with Great Britain and Ireland.
Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES

DARREN Wright will always rate Hoylake as one one of his favourite courses.

It is after all where the former England international won the Brabazon Trophy in 2010 – beating Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood and a very young John Rahm in the process.

The Rowlands Castle player became just the ninth player to complete the double by winning the Carris at the English Boys’ Amateur Championship, to go with the English Men’s Amateur Strokeplay title he won at Royal Liverpool.

A year later, Wright was in the provisional Walker Cup squad but missed out having not been selected for England’s European Amateur Team Championships side two months before GB&I beat the USA at Royal Aberdeen with a team containing Andy Sullivan and Callum Shinkwin.

While Wright won at Burhill on the EuroPro Tour in 2015 on his way to earning a European Challenge Tour card after graduating via the PGA feeder tour, he never quite bridged the gap from the amateur game, and finally gave up professional golf at the start of 2017.

And although strokeplay is not the order of the day when the USA arrive on Merseyside this month, Wright is sure the course that he conquered so brilliantly nine years ago will present a unique challenge in the matchplay format with four foursomes and eight singles on the first day, and fours foursomes and 10 singles on Sunday.

Darren said: “It’s a challenge course with plenty of cross-winds as well as holes where it will help but also increase how long it plays.

Rowlands Castle’s Darren Wright won the Brabazon Trophy at the English Amateur Strokeplay four years after he won the Carris at the English Boys’ Amateur Championship.

“In 2010, it was very warm and the course was playing hard and fast, conditions like it was when Tiger won the Open in 2006 and used his two-iron so well – but left himself with a lot longer approaches into the greens.

“The Walker Cup teams might not experience similar conditions but Hoylake is a great track that will be perfect for the event all the top amateurs in the UK dream of playing in.

“Even since I won the Brab, technology has made great strides to help players hit it longer and more consistently.

“But there were holes in 2010 where the bunkers were perfectly placed to make you stand there on the tee and think about whether you wanted to take them on, or lay up short and leave yourself with a longer second shot.

“The drives on the first and the 16th by the practice ground are really dangerous if you are not hitting it straight with out of bounds in your face.

“So the start and closing stretch is very tough. But there is also a stretch around the turn where – especially if you get some help from the wind – you can attack the greens and get an eagle putt, which at worst will mean a birdie on the par five eighth.

“I played with Tyrrell Hatton for a couple of the rounds and was one in front of him after the third round.

“When I woke up on the last day I felt super confident. I just knew it was going to be my day.

“I raced to four or five-under by the turn and someone got word to me that I was eight shots clear at one point.

“But then the back nine got the better of me and I gave those shots back. Luckily, I knew my playing partners were behind me, and I got to 18 with a four-shot lead.

“Even though I was very nervous, I just concentrated on hitting the fairway and had a 35-foot for birdie, so I just rolled it up to the hole to a couple of feet.

“It’s a round – or a week – I am never going to forget. Tommy Fleetwood was the favourite and got off to a good start.

“Everyone said he was going to win but he had a nightmare second round while I shot four-under, and then added a couple of level-pars.

“But there is plenty of danger and it will be interesting to see how the Americans approach Hoylake.

“If they try what the USA did in the Ryder Cup at Le Paris National and just try and out-drive us, the course can catch them out as it did in France.

“I think it will come down to which team plays smartest. The par three holes are tough even if not that long.

“The 13th by the sea with a big bank has bunkers all around the green is only 161 yards.

“With any wind, which can affect your club selection or catch you out just as you hit the shot, if you get sucked into going for the pins and find yourself in the traps, you can fritter away a few holes.

“Middle of the green is going to be a good tactic, especially if you hit first and can put your opponents under pressure.”

While Darren, who now has his own property maintenance company, has come to terms with how his professional career panned out, it is clear that missing out on a Walker Cup is probably his biggest disappointment.

He loved representing England over two summers, having also been a junior international alongside Hampshire team-mate Sam Hutsby.

But his most recent discovery has boosted his Brabazon feelgood factor even more, nearly a decade on.

Darren said: “I only just realised that John Rahm was playing that year… he must have been a very young teenager.

“He finished 61st, Tommy Fleetwood was 21st and I beat Tyrrell who was sixth – all three played in the last Ryder Cup. Spain’s Adrian Otaegui was fifth and he has won twice on Tour too.”

That hopefully will be one to tell the children and grandchildren about one day…

•For live scoring from the first day’s play of the Walker Cup at Hoylake, click here.

The post Darren’s Wright way to go about tackling Hoylake and USA in the 43rd Walker Cup appeared first on Golf North.

Past winners of the Reid Trophy include Eddie Pepperell and Bradley Neil, who both have graduated to the European Tour – Hugh Adams is looking to be the first back-to-back winner in 25 years when the English U14s Boys Amateur Championship takes place at Trentham Golf Club, this week. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

HUGH Adams will be attempting to become the first player to win the Reid Trophy two years in a row when he tees up in the English Boys’ Under 14 Open Amateur Championship, at Staffordshire’s Trentham Golf Club, on Tuesday.

The 14-year-old, from Worcestershire’s Hagley Wood Golf Club, defeated Spain’s Angel Ayora with a par on the fifth hole of a sudden-death play-off in last year’s championship at Reading GC.

Adams joined a list of champions in the Reid Trophy’s 25-year history that includes Frilford Heath’s Eddie Pepperell, who claimed the title at Bristol & Clifton in 2005, and Scotland’s Bradley Neil – who won in 2010 at Hesketh.

Neil would go on to win The Amateur Championship in 2014, at Royal Portrush, while Oscar Sharpe, the 2006 winner – who was described as being better than Tiger Woods as a 13-year-old by Butch Harmon – never lived up to his prodigy status, despite winning the McGregor Trophy at the English U16s Championship in the same season.

The Reid Trophy always attracts a strong international field and this year is no different with competitors travelling to Trentham from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Morocco, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, The Czech Republic and Wales.

The trophy has ended up in foreign hands in four out of the last seven years most recently in 2017 when South Africa’s Casey Jarvis pulled off a wire-to-wire victory at Manchester Golf Club.

A sizeable number of English competitors warmed up for the Reid Trophy by competing in the North of England Under 14 Junior Open Strokeplay Championship at South Moor.

But not included in that group was 14-year-old Essex golfer Harley Smith, from The Rayleigh Club, who has made quite a mark since making his debut at last month’s English Boys’ Under 16 Open Amateur Championship at Radcliffe-on-Trent Golf Club in Nottinghamshire.

He finished tied sixth in that event and also won the Jean Case Salver awarded to the leading player under the age of 15

Smith has since also claimed a tie for fourth place in the Hazards Salver presented to the leading under 16-year-old at the English Boys’ Under 18 Open Amateur Championship for the Carris Trophy.

The English Under 14 Boys’ Open Championship for the Reid Trophy is a 54-hole strokeplay event staged over three days.

The full field plays 18 holes on each of the first two days with the leading 70 competitors and ties progressing to play the final 18 holes on the third day.

Follow live scoring here

The post Adams looks to become first player to win Reid Trophy back-to-back in 25 years appeared first on Golf North.

Geoff Nicholas the 1990 British Amputee Open Champion who came through a play-off at Fairhaven to qualify for The Senior Open at Royal Lytham & St Anne’s this week.
Picture by GETTY IMAGES

AMPUTEE golfer Geoff Nicholas will make his Senior Open debut at Royal Lytham & St Annes today after earning his place in Monday Qualifying.

The Australian – who participated in the European Tour’s ground-breaking EDGA Scottish Open for Golfers with Disability earlier this month – was one of more than 500 golfers who competed at four qualifying sites for the 49 remaining places in The Senior Open field, securing his spot after a play-off at Fairhaven Golf Club.

Nicholas was born with deformities in both his legs – a side-effect of the drug named Thalidomide which was used to combat the effects of morning sickness in expectant mothers. At the age of 11 his right leg was amputated, but that did not stop him from playing golf – which he took up after seeing it on television.

He carded a level par round of 73 at Fairhaven and then earned his place at Royal Lytham & St Annes after a five-man play-off with a birdie on the fourth extra hole.

“In regulation I think I sunk a 25-footer for birdie which got me into the play-off,” Nicholas said. “There were two spots and two alternate places. We all birdied the first and parred the second, one guy dropped out on the third.

“On the 18^th, one guy knocked it on for two and I hit an eight iron to about 15 feet with my third shot – I bent in the putt and we both went through.

“To qualify for The Senior Open, a Senior Major Championship, is terrific. It’s been one of my dreams; and to get through Qualifying was brilliant. It’s just great to be here.

“I like to feel as though I’m inspiring people – and there’s a lot of people out there. Golf is such a great game in which to do that.

“There’s so many avenues to succeed in this sport – there’s no other sport like it.”

Currently ranked No. 8 on the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD), the 58-year-old admitted he had enjoyed the EDGA Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club to the east of Edinburgh, which took place alongside the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, a Rolex Series event on the European Tour.

Nicholas said: “I came over to the UK 10 days ago to play in the EDGA Scottish Open, which was great, and I thought, ‘well, I’m over here, I might as well try and qualify for The Senior Open’ and here I am.”

In 1990 he won the inaugural British Amputee Open and won the U.S. Amputee Open later that year.

Nicholas would dominate the amputee golf scene in the 1990s – winning both championships every year until 2002.

He earned his card on the PGA Tour of Australasia in 1992, which he held for a number of years, and also teed it up in the same event as Tiger Woods in the 1996 Australian Open.

“That was really special,” said Nicholas. “I actually beat him in the first round – so I’ve always got that to remember. This week is something else, it’s great to be around so many legends of the game.

“A lot of people don’t know what to expect from me – a lot of them don’t realise because when you wear long trousers and walk reasonably well, they don’t know.

After The Senior Open, Nicholas will be hoping to maintain his position in the top eight of the WR4GD and earn a spot at the EDGA Dubai Finale at the end of the season, the second disability championship scheduled alongside Rolex Series events on the 2019 Race to Dubai.

The EDGA Dubai Finale will take place alongside the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai at Jumeirah Golf Estates in November.

For live scores from The Senior Open click here.

The post Nicholas breaking down boundaries as amputee qualifies for Senior Open appeared first on Golf North.

Francesco Molinari will take positive vibes from past performances in the USPGA to fire his bid for a second Major title at Bethpage Black. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

FRANCESCO Molinari is hoping to continue his impressive Major form at this week’s USPGA Championship, as The Open Champion prepares to once again tee it up alongside recently-crowned Masters winner Tiger Woods at Bethpage.

The Italian played side-by-side with Woods at Augusta National as the American famously claimed his 15th^h Major title.

And Molinari is unlikely be distracted by the hype around his playing partner in New York this week as the 2018 Race to Dubai champion looks to continue his purple patch at golf’s big four.

In his last six Major appearances, Molinari has claimed a win, a runner-up, a top five and a top 10 – his worst result in that time a tied 25th finish at last year’s US Open.

He has performed well in the last two USPGA Championships too, so the 36-year-old will be quietly confident despite the daunting length of Bethpage’s Black Course, which hosted the US Open in 2002 and 2009.

Francesco Molinari said: “It’s just been a good relationship with this tournament, I guess, if you can call it that. I think I had my first top 10 in a Major at the USPGA, as well.

“Probably the set-up of the courses suit me, it’s usually important to hit fairways and hit greens.

“And it’s probably just the kind of courses and layouts that this championship has been played on, I think, that have suited my game well in the past. Hopefully I’ll keep that streak going this week.

“I guess you need more time really to digest everything from the last year,” added the Italian Ryder Cup hero at Paris’ Le Golf National against the Americans, in September.

“Fortunately things keep coming my way, and obviously I like it. I love and enjoy every single minute.

“I enjoyed last season, even before winning the Open at Carnoustie. It doesn’t seem like 10 months have been passed already since we were there at Carnoustie.

“It’s been great, and I think the job for me now is obviously to do my best to keep it going, and in a few years hopefully to reflect and look back, and appreciate what I managed to achieve in these last few months,” said Francesco Molinari.

Meanwhile, Hampshire’s Justin Rose will be hoping to end a 100-year winless streak for English players at this event.

The World No. 2 is looking to bounce back from a disappointing Masters, which belied a strong run of form in the opening months of 2019 – which the 2013 US Open champion blamed on a change in his preparation for the event.

Rose will be looking to add the Sam Wanamaker Trophy to his US Open crown and regain the World No. 1 spot from Dustin Johnson, who has the 2016 US Open as his sole Major victory.

He said: “I’m definitely happy with my form. But I’m also kind of working at it, as well.

“I think Charlotte was a nice bounce-back after Augusta for sure – a week where I worked hard at my game as well as being able to compete.

“I had a good week at home this last week. I felt like the preparation that I put in for Augusta didn’t go well, so I’ve tried to change it up a little bit coming in here.

“So I’m coming in a lot fresher. It’s a golf course that I know quite well here, said the North Hants GC member.

“I’ve played in ’09 and I played the two Barclays events here, as well.

“So I felt like it was a golf course I didn’t have to come up and research too much. I had some good notes in my yardage book.

“So last week was about freshening up but also working really hard. Had all my team come down and practice with me at home.

“I’m feeling good, feeling ready, and looking forward to getting going tomorrow,” added Rose, who has regular caddy “Fooch” back on the bag after his return at Augusta, following a major heart operation during the winter.

Schauffele plays down hopes of first Major

MASTERS runner-up Xander Schauffele, who had to bow before the legend that is Tiger Woods at Augusta National, is many people’s tip to break into the winner’s circle at the Majors during 2019.

But Schauffele is not getting carried away by all the talk about his prospects, despite his victory at the Tour Championship at East Lake, in 2017.

He said: “I’m not really at a point where I’m walking out here with a huge head thinking I’m the big guy.

“I still feel like I’ve got to do all my homework and kind of keep my head down.”

“Plow right through is not what comes to mind when thinking of this course. I played 27 holes and it’s pretty straightforward.

“You have to golf your ball, and you definitely can’t fake it out here. Everything is right in front of you, and you’ve just got to go get it.

“I think everyone is sort of adjusting to the new schedule. I think we’re pretty excited about it.

“It’s nice to have one major a month, and it sort of rewards a good stretch of golf if you have it in you.

“Hopefully we can sort of trickle off what we did a month back,” said the San Diego pro.

“I haven’t looked at past scores and I don’t really know what to expect of scores coming out on Thursday.

“I’m glad that the weather is warming up a little bit or the back nine will be a little rough, but I think overall, I have the same happy-go-lucky attitude.”

Last year’s US Open winner Brooks Koepka is the defending champion this week after his victory at Bellerive, in St Louis, having had to wait just eight months to put the Wanamaker Trophy on the line.

•For live scoring in the first round of the USPA click here.

The post Francesco Molinari ready to face Masters champion Tiger Woods at Bethpage Black appeared first on Golf North.

Tiger Woods holds the Masters Trophy after claiming his fifth Green Jacket at Augusta National. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

TIGER Woods completed one of the most incredible comebacks in sporting history to win an emotional 15th Major Championship by one shot at the Masters Tournament.

The American’s last Major title came at the U.S. Open 11 years ago and since then he has undergone numerous back surgeries, falling to 1,199th in the Official World Golf Ranking just 17 months ago.

Tiger, who finished on 13-under with a bogey five at the last, said: “It’s just unreal. The whole tournament has meant so much to me over the years.

“Coming here in ’95 for the first time and being able to play as an amateur, winning in ’97, and then coming full circle, 22 years later, to be able to do it again, and just the way it all transpired today.

“There were so many different scenarios that could have transpired on that back nine.  There were so many guys that had a chance to win.

“The leaderboard was absolutely packed and everyone was playing well.  You couldn’t have had more drama than we all had out there, and now I know why I’m balding.  This stuff is hard.

“Just to come back here and play as well as I did.  This has meant so much to me and my family, this tournament, and to have everyone here, it’s something I’ll never, ever forget.”

A return to fitness and form in 2018 hinted at what was to come, and a closing 70 at Augusta National Golf Club secured a fifth Green Jacket at the scene where he burst onto the world stage in 1997.

Woods’ record 12-shot victory 22 years ago set in motion a remarkable run of dominance at the top of the game, and the 43-year-old will now once again have his sights set on Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 Major Championships,

He has followed Nicklaus to become just the second player to win the Masters in three different decades, and to win Major Championships 20 or more years apart.

Woods had been two shots clear standing on the 18^th tee, but despite a bogey on the last, wild celebrations followed his final putt, which took him to 13-under and one ahead of countrymen Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele, who was making just his second appearance at The Masters.

Schauffle, who won the 2017 Tour Championship at East Lake, in Georgia, as a rookie and then claimed the HSBC World Championship in Shanghai last  year, said: “It was an awesome experience, first off.

“What I witnessed – I know it’s what everyone is going to talk about. It’s hard to really feel bad about how I played, because I just witnessed history.

“It was really cool coming down the stretch, all the historic holes, Amen Corner, 15, 16, Tiger making the roars.

“I was trying to push myself, but I feel like I got a very full Masters experience here in my second year. I’m not one bit sad. I told my caddie on the last hole that we just proved to ourselves that we can win on this property.”

Overnight leader Francesco Molinari had been right in the mix before finding water twice on the back nine, and the Race to Dubai Champion finished at 11-under alongside Australian Jason Day and Americans Tony Finau and Webb Simpson.

Italy’s European No. 1 put the disappointment around Amen Corner down to the challenging swirling wind which the par three 12th is renowned for, and where he put the ball in the water, before finding the aqua again on the par five 15th.

Molinari said: “It was just a bad execution. We picked the right shot and just didn’t hit it hard enough, simple as that. It was tough today with the wind gusting.

“I managed to scramble well on the front nine. Just had a couple of mental lapses on the back nine, which were costly.

“It’s great to see Tiger doing well. The way he was playing last year, I think we all knew it was coming sooner or later.

“Maybe next time would have been better for me, but it was nice to be out with him, he played well, hit the right shots at the right time and he deserved to win.

“It doesn’t change what I do, I don’t change the way I prepare for Majors. I believe the way I prepare for tournaments is the best way. I’ll just keep doing the same and hopefully I get a bit more luck next time.”

Spain’s Jon Rahm was a shot further back in a tie for ninth place alongside Americans Patrick Cantlay, Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson.

The next Majors are both at venue’s where Woods has already claimed a Major – May sees the USPGA switch from its August date and will head to New York’s Bethpage Park’s Black course, the scene of his 2002 US Open victory.

And in June, Tiger will head back to Pebble Beach, where he famously was the only player under par when winning the US Open by a record 15 shots in 2000 the first leg of his famous Tiger Slam where he won four Majors in a row, culminating at the 2001 Augusta Masters.

Earlier this year Tiger was a 25/1 shot to win two Majors in 2019.

The post Lucky 13 for Tiger as he grabs fifth Green Jacket appeared first on Golf North.