Wednesday, April 20, 2011

World number One targets Wentworth

World Number One Martin Kaymer basked in the glorious sunshine of Wentworth Club today and admitted he has set his sights on adding next month’s BMW PGA Championship to his already impressive list of career victories. The 26 year old reigning US PGA Champion and 2010 Race to Dubai winner will be part of a galaxy of golfing stars who will tee up on the West Course at the famous Surrey venue for the flagship event on The European Tour International Schedule from May 26 to 29. With just over a month to go to the championship, Kaymer paid a visit to Wentworth Club to take part in a wide-ranging multi-media day to promote the tournament, which will also feature the three other current Major Champions; Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel as well as the entire winning European Ryder Cup team and captain Colin Montgomerie reunited on British soil for the first time since their memorable victory in Wales last October. Kaymer began the day with a 15 minute question and answer session in the Wentworth Club’s ballroom in front of an array of journalists from newspapers and magazines, before undertaking a range of live and recorded radio and television interviews over the next three hours with stations from both the United Kingdom and his native Germany. “I just love it here,” said the nine time European Tour champion who captured the BMW International Open title in his native Germany in 2008 and who moved to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time at the end of February. “The whole place is so classy and the whole of Wentworth has a wonderful feel to it. “It is definitely one of my goals to win at Wentworth and, seeing the course like it is today, I can definitely envisage myself walking up the 18th fairway on the Sunday to get my hands on the trophy. I have always enjoyed coming here – in fact I used to watch the tournament on television and it was always a fantastic field. “My first time playing here was in 2007 and I was sitting on the putting green and I called my brother and said ‘You know where I am right now?’ It was such a huge thing for me and a very important tournament so it’s always a privilege to come here. It would be fantastic to win.” Asked what the key is to playing well over Wentworth’s iconic West Course, Kaymer replied: “I know there have been some changes to the eighth and 18th holes, but for me it’s always the same: give yourself chances. That’s what I try to do. I don’t think it’s too difficult to have chances. It’s a pretty straightforward golf course but one of the best we have in Europe. I’ve just got to get myself into contention for Saturday and Sunday and hope to get close.” Kaymer admitted the overall strength of the field which will assemble at Wentworth Club next month is a perfect illustration of the new world order in golf. “You can see The European Tour has grown so much,” he said. “The last five or six years have been incredible and it’s a very good feeling to be part of it and be associated with The European Tour. The Ryder Cup is a fantastic example. We could have had two teams and had a good chance to win with both.” The German also admitted that he believed the future of European golf is in safe hands with the emergence of young players such as Rory McIlroy and Matteo Manassero, who won his second Tour title last weekend in the Maybank Malaysian Open.He said: “First of all I think what Matteo does and what he did last week in Malaysia, the way he won the tournament, was very impressive for such a young guy. You see the young guys like Matteo and Rory and it’s fantastic to see the future. I will play against those guys for the next ten to 15 years. It’s nice to have the new generation coming up.” As for his own game, Kaymer revealed he is still getting used to being called the World Number One. “It’s a good feeling, for sure,” he said. “The first couple of weeks it was very weird, because the Number One was always Tiger Woods and when I turned professional I never really thought I’d become World Number One, to be honest. “After the Match Play in America when I became Number One, my brother called me and asked if he could come over to Phoenix for a few days to practise and hang out. So he came over with a friend of ours and we played some golf. Then on Tuesday he said we have to go to the airport again. I said ‘What, are you flying out again?’, and he said ‘No, it’s a surprise’. “So we got to the airport and my dad showed up as well. He just came over for 24 hours. I asked him why he was there and he said he just wanted to congratulate me for being World Number One. He said he didn’t know when he’d see me next and if I would still be Number One by then, so he just wanted to take the opportunity to say congratulations. That’s how my dad is – it meant a lot. “That evening we all went to a steakhouse for dinner and they brought this dessert out. We hadn’t ordered anything but on the plate it said ‘Congratulations World Number One’. It was that night that I started to realise how big it is and how cool the feeling is.”

Haye and Klitchsko collide in Germany

World heavyweight champions David 'The Hayemaker' Haye and Wladimir Klitschko will officially collide and attempt to unify WBA/IBF/WBO and IBO championships on Saturday, July 2nd at the 57,000-capacity Imtech Arena in Hamburg, Germany. The hard-hitting heavyweights have eyed up one another for the best part of three years now, and today's confirmation finally pairs them together in the hope of bringing clarity to boxing's marquee division. “It's great to finally find out the date and venue,” said WBA titleholder Haye, 25-1 (23 KO) in his professional career. “I've been training for this fight since the end of 2010 and it's nice to now have a concrete date to work towards. “Hamburg is an accessible city for a lot of British fans, so I'm expecting a huge turnout for what is undoubtedly the biggest boxing event of the year. We're going to have an army of Brits invading Germany on July 2nd and I can't wait to sample the atmosphere. “I think every city in mainland Europe and beyond wanted to stage this fight, and that shows just what an appealing event it is. Personally, I wasn't bothered where the fight ended up. I'd fight Wladimir anywhere, so long as the location comes with a ring and a referee that can count to ten. By the time I've finished with Wladimir, he won't know where he is anyway.” The 30-year-old Haye secured his WBA belt in November 2009, when he trekked to Nuremberg, Germany to topple 7'2 Russian behemoth Nikolay Valuev. 'The Hayemaker' then successfully defended the crown twice in 2010, defeating both John Ruiz and Audley Harrison within the scheduled distance. The 35-year-old Klitschko, meanwhile, first won the WBO version of the title in October 2000, and has enjoyed two stints as champion of that particular organisation. Nicknamed 'Dr. Steelhammer', Klitschko, 55-3 (49 KO), has also grabbed IBF and IBO belts along the way and most recently knocked out Samuel Peter to retain all three. “I've said from day one that I am Wladimir's toughest opponent to date, and I stand by that,” said Haye. “Wladimir has a history of being knocked out by fast punchers, and I punch faster than every other heavyweight in the world. I'm also dedicated, disciplined and ambitious, unlike many of Klitschko's previous opponents. “Corrie Sanders' mind was on the putting green, and he still managed to knock Wladimir out with a left hand. I've got no doubt Wladimir will freeze like an iceberg when I hit him on the chin in Hamburg. He won't know how to react, will panic, attempt to run for cover and then realise big brother Vitali is in the corner mopping up tears with a white towel.”

Horsey's Hole in One

David Horsey’s spectacular hole-in-one in the final round of the Trophée Hassan II has been voted by fans as The European Tour Shot of the Month for March. It is the second successive month that a hole-in-one has been voted as the Shot of the Month following Alvaro Quiros’ similar feat in the Dubai Desert Classic and, like Quiros’ ace, Horsey’s perfect shot propelled him to victory. Tied for the lead heading into the final round at Golf du Palais Royal in Agadir, Morocco, Horsey birdied the first hole before sending his five iron tee shot on the second straight into the cup from 180 yards.In the blink of an eye he was three shots clear, and while he was pegged back as the final round unfolded, the Englishman prevailed in a play-off against the defending champion Rhys Davies of Wales and Jaco Van Zyl of South Africa to claim his second European Tour title. Horsey’s ace polled more than 45% of the votes cast by fans on My European Tour, narrowly beating Kenneth Ferrie’s audacious attempt at the first 59 in European Tour history into second place.Ferrie was enjoying the round of his life on day three of the Open de Andalucia de Golf by Turkish Airlines, but his attempt to become the first player to break the 60 barrier on The European Tour looked to be well and truly over when he found trouble off the tee on the last. Needing to hole his second shot, Ferrie conjured an incredible recovery from the rough, hitting a six iron shot over the trees which came within a whisker of dropping into the hole and making history.Raphaël Jacquelin’s shot to the fifth hole during the final round of the Sicilian Open at Donnafugata Golf Resort and Spa claimed third place in the monthly competition, his beautiful approach stopping inches from the cup to set up a birdie which helped carry the Frenchman to his third European Tour title. For one lucky fan who voted for Horsey’s ace, a fantastic golfing break to Estonia beckons with a two-night stay in a golf villa at the stunning Estonian Golf & Country Club, plus unlimited golf on both the Stone and Sea Courses during the stay. Estonian Golf & Country Club is a European Tour Course, and the official venue of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup European Qualifier in 2009 and 2011. Regarded as Estonia’s finest golfing venue, it has taken its rightful place in Golf World Magazine’s prestigious Top 100 European Courses, a spectacular achievement for a venue in an emerging golf nation. The winners of each Shot of the Month Award will be put forward for The European Tour Shot of the Year, won last season by Graeme McDowell for his unforgettable birdie putt on the 16th green of The Celtic Manor Resort which helped Europe regain The Ryder Cup. The monthly winners so far are Paul Casey (January) and Alvaro Quiros (February).

Harrington and Garcia's China Adventure

Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia showed the kind of soft touch that is so important around the greens when they cuddled one of the world’s most endangered animals, a Giant Panda cub, ahead of this week’s Volvo China Open. The European Tour stars and Ryder Cup teammates visited Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where they held Ya Yun, a seven month-old cub which is part of the largest captive born Giant Panda population in the world. Three-time Major winner Harrington is using his trip to China for a family holiday and was accompanied by his wife Caroline and children Patrick and Ciaran, who also had the rare opportunity to look after Ya Yun.“As a family we wanted to take in some of the fantastic culture of China before I play the Volvo China Open,” said the Irishman. “We did the Great Wall, the Teracotta Warriors, the Forbidden City and now the Giant Pandas and for the whole family it has been the highlight of what has been a great break before I get down to the serious business of trying to win China’s national open golf championship.” The Volvo China Open is being played at Luxehills International Country Club in Chengdu for the first time, with Y E Yang, the man who succeeded Harrington as US PGA Champion in 2009, defending his title. Chengdu is renowned as the home of the Giant Panda and Spaniard Garcia, who last European Tour victory came on Chinese soil in the 2009 HSBC Champions in Shanghai, also took time out to visit the world renowned breeding centre. Garcia said: “I have come over with my brother Victor Jnr and it is a great thrill and a privilege to be allowed to get so close to Ya Yun who was just amazing.” Per Ericsson, President of Volvo Event Management, said: “Volvo is renowned for looking after the players and we were just so pleased that we were able to arrange for Sergio and Padraig, and especially Pádraig’s kids, to experience something they will remember for the rest of their lives. “But there is a very serious dimension to the visit, which is closely associated with Volvo’s passion for and commitment to Environmental Care. The Giant Pandas are endangered as a species, so we are also highlighting the work of the breeding project.”

Three fights in Three Continents

This past weekend was an unforgettable one for the Golden Boy Promotions team, as three of its world-class athletes competed in three world championship bouts on three continents, with Amir Khan, Victor Ortiz and Chris John all emerging victorious with world championship belts strapped around their waists."What a great weekend," said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions."When the pressure was on, Amir, Victor and Chris stepped up and showed why they're World Champions today. I'm proud of them and I can't wait to see what's next for each one." "On behalf of the company and myself, we would like to congratulate this trio of World Champions for their spectacular performances this past weekend," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "This was a night to remember on all counts, and there will be more great nights from each of these fighters in the months and years to come." It was a successful homecoming on Saturday night at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, as England's own Amir "King" Khan (25-1, 17 KO's) fought on home soil for the first time since 2009, winning a six-round technical decision over previously unbeaten Irishman Paul "Dudey" McCloskey. There were over 17,000 fans packed inside the building chanting and supporting Khan as he successful defended his WBA Super Lightweight World Title when the fight went to the scorecards following the referee stopping the fight because of a cut suffered by McCloskey from an accidental head butt. "It was great getting to fight back at home in the U.K. and I'd like to thank all my fans for their support," said Khan. "McCloskey was unbeaten for a reason and he fought hard to stay that way, but I showed I was the better fighter on Saturday night. Now I'm ready for the big names and mega fights, the question is; are they ready for me?" When the fight ended in Manchester on Saturday afternoon here in the States, this unforgettable weekend wasn't over yet, as "Vicious" Victor Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KO's) put on a career-defining performance against unbeaten WBC Welterweight World Champion Andre Berto at the MGM Grand Theatre at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The young star rose from two knockdowns and scored two knockdowns of his own en route to a 12-round unanimous decision win over Berto. The stirring victory, which is being heralded by many as an early Fight of the Year candidate, earned Ortiz the WBC title (the first of his career) and proved to the world that he belongs in any conversation about the sport's toughest and most exciting young stars. "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time and just when everyone counted me out, I proved them wrong," said Ortiz. "I knew I was going to be a World Champion and Saturday night my dream came true. Now I'm going to be even more hungry, so bring on the big fights, because I'm ready for them." Finally, rounding out the world championship weekend, on Sunday at the Jakarta International Expo in Jakarta, Indonesia, local hero Chris "Dragon" John retained his WBA Featherweight World Title for the 14th time, pounding out a unanimous 12-round decision over ultra-tough countryman Daud Yordan. The toe-to-toe battle was exciting from start to finish, but John as he has been doing since 2003, John successfully defend his title and left with his hands raised in victory maintaining his staus as boxing's longest reigning World Champion. "Daud Yordan is a great fighter and I'm proud to have shared the ring with him," said John, who remained unbeaten at an amazing 45-0-2 (22 KO's). "It was a tough fight, but my experience at this level made the difference and I'm looking forward to more big fights in 2011."

Murray matched with Mitchell

Hot on the heels of DeGale V Groves, Promoter Frank Warren will follow it up with yet another mouth-watering domestic showdown that the whole country wants to see - John Murray versus Kevin Mitchell. The two best Lightweights in the country have now both signed up for a summer showdown with London expected to play host. Former British, Commonwealth and European Champion Murray, 31-0-0 (18), boasts the longest unbeaten run in British Boxing and sees Mitchell as the last hurdle in his quest to challenge for a world title challenge. Essex man Mitchell, 31-1-0 (23), sees Mancunian rival as his ticket back to the big time after his disappointment at Upton Park and knows another defeat could end his own world title aspirations. Murray said today; "I thought Mitchell had bottled it once and for all when he turned down the opportunity to fight me last month, but I am glad he has finally put pen to paper as this fight has been a long time coming and, apart from the world title, this is the only meaningful challenge left for me in the UK." Dagenham's Mitchell, himself a former British and Commonwealth Champion, said today; "Murray's done well but he hasn't faced me yet and, if he had, we wouldn't keep hearing about his unbeaten record, I was 31-0 too with more stoppages than him, until I lost out in my 32nd fight which he will too. Personally, I hope this fight takes place in the East End so I can show my legions of fans that last year was a one off an Kevin Mitchell is back. The date, and the site of the fight will be announced soon and a sell-out is expected for the North v South showdown. Promoter Frank Warren added; "Like DeGale V Groves this is another fantastic fight that I am so pleased to be able to stage this summer. Finally the big fights are being made and like the winner DeGale V Groves, the winner can look forward to a world title challenge in the new season. This is a real 50/50 match and I salute both guys for signing up for it. I am working on a date and venue for the show and hope to announce this and, of course, a top quality undercard very soon."

Monday, April 18, 2011

Manassero rises to the Challenge

He has already achieved more than most golfers aspire to across their whole career but today, two days after winning his second European Tour title, Matteo Manassero celebrates becoming a man. Manassero will toast his 18th birthday with his family and friends in Verona on Tuesday April 19 after giving himself the best possible present – victory in the Maybank Malaysian Open. The Italian became the youngest champion in the history of The European Tour when he won the CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar in October 2010 at the tender age of just 17 years and 188 days. He went on to be named the 2010 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year after finishing 31st on The Race to Dubai, and then on Sunday, aged 17 years and 363 days, Manassero put the icing on the cake of a remarkable first 11 months as a professional by triumphing in Kuala Lumpur. That victory, in just his 28th European Tour event, meant he is also second in the list of youngest European Tour winners but, more significantly, also moved him into the Top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time, in 35th position. With that comes a place in the three remaining Major Championships, after just missing out on the Masters Tournament last month, but for the time being Manassero is simply concentrating on celebrating both his victory and his coming of age. “It’s a big thing in anyone’s life turning 18,” he said. “You get your car, you get your bank account and everything else that comes with it. It will be a big difference for me travelling. “It’s been difficult travelling and only being 17. You can be alone sometimes which isn’t easy but the actual travelling isn’t too difficult. My mum and dad sometimes travel with me – they like to see these places too – if not my physio comes once a month or my coach, Alberto Binaghi, so pretty much someone always comes with me. It’s nice to have someone to spend time with. I enjoy travelling. I like seeing new places. “So it will be nice to turn 18 but I’m not making a big deal out of it. It’s just a birthday. My 18th is obviously a special one but I’m not one for partying. I’m going to spend it with my friends and family and have a nice dinner. That will be fun. “I couldn’t imagine anything better – going back home to celebrate my 18th birthday and my second victory on The European Tour. It’s great to be able to celebrate both together. I don’t want to make too much fuss though. Something small.” Such an unassuming and grounded nature has become the trademark of a teenager who has a maturity beyond his years and a youthful talent that is already drawing comparisons with his idol Seve Ballesteros, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods at a similar age. Born on 19th April 1993 in Verona, Manassero first picked up a club at just three years old. Like early footage of 14 time Major Champion Woods, it was immediately clear that golf was in his blood and a rare talent was innate. Manassero first nudged the attention of the wider golfing world when aged 16 years and 63 days he became the youngest winner of the Amateur Championship in 2009. That honour earned him a place in the Masters Tournament, where he became the youngest player to make the cut, and prior to that The Open Championship, where he played the first two rounds alongside Sergio Garcia and the legendary Tom Watson, who went on to lose to Stewart Cink in a play-off at Turnberry. Manassero, meanwhile, finished a remarkable tied 13th at just 16 years and 92 day, taking the Silver Medal as the lowest amateur. “Winning the Amateur Championship was massive,” he recalled. “It changed everything. I got the chance to play in The Open and the Masters, two of the biggest tournaments, which really changed my life in terms of making it as a professional. “The Open was a great experience. To play with Tom Watson and Sergio on the first two days was fantastic. It was probably my second professional tournament as an amateur so it was a big deal for me. “Fortunately I had Alberto on the bag which kept me quiet. I just kept going and kept going and played well every day. Playing with Tom was really special. He has a great history in the game. You can learn so much from him. He spoke to me and made me feel good. He was very kind. He’s been playing tournaments for more than 40 years and every time he is nice to everybody. That is something I learned from him.”
Manassero made his professional debut in May 2010 at the BMW Italian Open aged 17 years and 17 days and promptly became the youngest professional to make a European Tour cut, going on to finish 29th. After playing in a handful of European Challenge Tour events, including finishing runner up in the Rolex Trophy, Manassero was third in the Omega European Masters in Switzerland before his making history in Spain when he broke Danny Lee’s record as youngest Tour winner by more than a year. He also shaved a record held by his idol Ballesteros, as the youngest full European Tour Member by 12 days. “Your first win is a great achievement and something you always remember,” he recalled. “You don’t really know when it is going to come so it is a tense moment. That helped me manage the pressure in Malaysia. “I wasn’t as nervous on Sunday as I felt in Spain. Every single win helps you grow as a player. The first one helps you maybe more than the other ones. They were different victories. That first one was by four shots, my second was tight from the start to the finish but the feeling is the same because there is so much competition and many, many good players. So both had the same pleasure.” With so much success and so many records already under his belt, the future would certainly seem bright for Manassero. Yet, typically, he is modest and understated in his assessment of the where his career will take him. “To get in the top 50 in the world is a great achievement after just 11 months of professional golf,” he said. “It gets me into the Majors – I just missed Augusta but playing the other three will be fantastic. I’m really proud of that and the next target will be winning another tournament and keeping the momentum going. It’s going well and we’ll see what happens.”

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Major winners head to the West course

The BMW PGA Championship will make golfing history next month when, for the first time, the current holders of all four Major Championships will tee up in the flagship event on The European Tour International Schedule. It is the first time that all of golf’s Major men have been European Tour Members and the quartet of champions – Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel – will all participate at Wentworth Club from May 26-29. The final piece of the European Tour Members Grand Slam was completed at Augusta National on Sunday night, when Schwartzel claimed his first Major title at the end of a truly absorbing and thrilling Masters Tournament. The 26 year old started the day four shots off the lead but a stirring final round 66, which featured birdies at each of the closing four holes, saw him win by two shots from the Australian duo of Jason Day and Adam Scott to become only the third South African golfer after Gary Player and Trevor Immelman to own a Green Jacket. “Winning at Augusta was a dream come true and, without question, the highlight of my career, and I am really looking forward to coming to Wentworth next month as the Masters champion,” said Schwartzel. “I finished tied sixth in the tournament in 2009 and in the top 20 last year, so it is obviously a tournament and a golf course that I really like. It goes without saying that I will be trying my best to add the BMW PGA Championship trophy to my Green Jacket.” Schwartzel’s fellow countryman Oosthuizen will look, on the West Course, to reproduce the sort of form he showed at St Andrews last July, when he won The Open Championship by an astounding seven shot margin, and the duo will spearhead the nation’s attempt to become the BMW PGA Championship’s first South African winner. Kaymer, who has already won on The European Tour this season at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, finished in the top 20 in both 2008 and 2009 at Wentworth Club. The current World Number One will also be able to draw on the experience he gained at Whistling Straits last August, when he came through a nail-biting play-off to win the US PGA Championship, as he tries to add the BMW PGA Championship to the BMW International Open title he won in Munich in 2008. McDowell did not need extra holes to win his first Major title, in the US Open Championship at Pebble Beach last June, and he will begin his preparations for his title defence at Congressional three weeks later with his own tilt at the BMW PGA Championship title, a tournament where he finished tied for 13th in 2009. McDowell and Kaymer, of course, will also be part of the 12-strong winning European Ryder Cup Team who will be reunited on British soil at the BMW PGA Championship for the first time since their memorable 14 ½ - 13 ½ triumph over the United Stated at The Celtic Manor Resort last October. BMW PGA Championship Director Jamie Birkmyre admitted he was delighted with the way the field for the tournament was shaping up. “The BMW PGA Championship has always delivered the best in golf and this year, with the holders of all four Major Championships teeing up for the first time, I can guarantee that the thousands of spectators who will come to Wentworth this year will be in for a true golfing treat,” he said. “All of us who follow The European Tour were thrilled when Graeme, Louis, Martin and now Charl became Major champions for the first time, and they know they will all be accorded a hero’s welcome when they tee up on the West Course.”

Thursday, April 07, 2011

Lawrie back in the Fold

Scotland’s Paul Lawrie has been named The European Tour Golfer of the Month for March following his fine victory in the Open de Andalucia de Golf by Turkish Airlines. The one shot triumph at Parador de Malaga Golf – for which he received an engraved alms dish and a jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne – was the 42 year old Scot’s sixth European Tour title but his first for over eight years since he claimed The Celtic Manor Wales Open in the summer of 2002. It was also the second time in his career that Lawrie has won a European Tour Golfer of the Month Award, the first one coming in July 1999 following his memorable Open Championship triumph at Carnoustie. He also won The European Tour Shot of the Year in 2001 for his holed putt from the Valley of Sin in front of the 18th green at St Andrews which helped him win the Dunhill Links Championship. “First and foremost I was thrilled to win in Andalucia as it was great to get back in the winners’ circle on The European Tour,” said Lawrie. “But I was equally delighted with the news I had won the Golfer of the Month Award. It is always gratifying to be recognised for your achievements and this has put the icing on the cake for March for me.” The judging panel, which comprised members of the Association of Golf Writers as well as commentators from radio and television, also considered several other contenders for the award from a fine month’s golf. Particularly praised was Frenchman Raphaël Jacquelin for his victory in the inaugural Sicilian Open and Englishman David Horsey who held his nerve to beat defending champion Rhys Davies and Jaco Van Zyl to triumph in the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco. The panel also recognised the achievement of England’s Kenneth Ferrie who carded the 15th official round of 60 in European Tour history in the third round in Andalucia; and that of Scotland’s Sandy Lyle, who lifted his first title since 1992 when he won the ISPS Handa Senior World Championship presented by Mission Hills China on the European Senior Tour. Lawrie is the third monthly winner of the 2011 season, joining Germany’s Martin Kaymer (January) and Luke Donald of England (February). All the monthly winners will be considered for The 2011 European Tour Golfer of the Year, which was won jointly by Major Champions Graeme McDowell and Kaymer last season.