tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-306436142024-03-08T16:16:51.233+00:00The RSH sports blogboxing - cricket - football - golfRobert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.comBlogger1176125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-15648832347908564252014-08-08T12:56:00.001+00:002014-08-08T12:56:24.098+00:00McIlroy on a Mission
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Rory McIlroy’s
sensational summer of success has earned him a second Race to Dubai European
Tour Golfer of the Month award for 2014. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">McIlroy, who
receives an engraved alms dish and a Jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne,
was a unanimous choice for July following ‘back-to-back’ wins in The 143<sup>rd</sup>
Open Championship and the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational with which he
reclaimed Number One spot in the Official World Golf Ranking. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The 25 year old
Northern Irishman, who won the May award following his BMW PGA Championship
triumph at Wentworth Club, will tee off in this week’s US PGA Championship as
leader of The 2014 Race to Dubai after becoming the tenth player in European
Tour history to win more than €20 million in European Tour Official Career
Earnings. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">McIlroy, who
has won three tournaments in the same season for the first time on The European
Tour International Schedule, said: “Any time you win a Golfer of the Month
Award it means you have had a great stretch of golf. And I’m glad to say I
have. Winning The Open Championship followed by my first World Golf
Championship title the next time I teed up was really special. After an amazing
few weeks for me, I’m now back to World Number One. It really is a great feeling. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“And hopefully
I am not done for the year just yet. Obviously we have the US PGA here at <st1:place w:st="on">Valhalla</st1:place> this week, the year’s last Major, before heading
into some really important tournaments to bring the season to a close. I hope I
can continue to be in contention right up to the end and perhaps pick up a bit
more silverware.” </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The European
Tour Golfer of the Month Panel, comprising members of the Association of Golf
Writers as well as commentators from television and radio, focused their
attention on winning and exceptional performances on The European Tour
International Schedule – Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell (Alstom Open de
France), England’s Justin Rose (Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open) and
England’s David Horsey (M2M Russian Open) were all winners in July – with
consideration also given to performances worldwide.</span><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Spain</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">’s Sergio Garcia came
within a whisker of denying McIlroy in both The 143<sup>rd</sup> Open
Championship and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational while McDowell augmented his
Alstom Open de France victory with top ten finishes at The 143<sup>rd</sup>
Open Championship and WGC – Bridgestone Invitational and Rose also tied fourth
in the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational. Elsewhere <st1:country-region w:st="on">Argentina</st1:country-region>’s
Ángel Cabrera captured The Greenbrier Classic while <st1:country-region w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region>’s
Colin Montgomerie won back-to-back Majors with his win in the US Senior Open
and was runner-up to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s
Bernhard Langer in The Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Derek
Lawrenson, Golf Correspondent of the Daily Mail and Chairman of the Association
of Golf Writers, said: “Has any Member of The European Tour ever enjoyed a
month to rival what Rory McIlroy achieved in July? </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“It says
everything that Graeme McDowell could pull off a win and two top tens in a
Major and a WGC event and still not get a look-in; that Justin Rose could win
for the first time on Scottish soil; Colin Montgomerie claim a second Senior
Major; and Bernhard Langer run away with The Senior Open Championship, and yet
none of them got a peek. Hard luck to all those gentlemen, plus other notable
achievers in July like David Horsey, winner of the M2M Russian Open. But they
will all be among the first to appreciate this was McIlroy’s month – one that
in the European annals might well stand alone.” </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Bill Elliott,
of Golf Monthly, said: “Impossible to vote for anyone other than Rory, but
impossible not to mention Colin Montgomerie and especially Bernhard Langer
whose total domination of The Senior Open Championship on a Royal Porthcawl
course Tom Watson said was three shots harder than Royal Liverpool underlines
the fact that Bernhard really is the last man standing from Generation X –
Seve, Sir Nick, Sandy, Woosie and himself.” </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">McIlroy, who
won The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year Award in 2012, will now
be a contender for the 2014 award along with Spain’s Miguel Ángel Jiménez,
winner of this year’s first monthly award in December, Scotland’s Stephen
Gallacher (January), France’s Victor Dubuisson (February), Welshman Jamie
Donaldson (March), France’s Alexander Levy (April) and Germany’s Martin Kaymer
(June). </span><st1:country-region w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Sweden</span></st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">’s Henrik Stenson won the DP World Championship, <st1:city w:st="on">Dubai</st1:city> in 2013 to secure Number One spot in The 2013 Race
to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dubai</st1:place></st1:city>
following which he was voted The 2013 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the
Year.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-31798291837832043772014-07-03T11:34:00.001+00:002014-07-03T11:34:21.960+00:00Kaymer King of the Castle
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Martin Kaymer has been named The Race to Dubai
European Tour Golfer of the Month for June after becoming the fourth European
golfer in the last five years to capture the US Open Championship, following in
the footsteps of Ryder Cup team-mates Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Justin
Rose. Kaymer, who receives an engraved alms dish and a Jeroboam of Moët & Chandon
champagne, launched his challenge on Pinehurst No. 2 with back to back rounds
of 65, before following a third round of 72 with a closing 69 to claim an eight
shot win and become only the sixth player in US Open history to lead outright
in every round.The 29 year old German, winner of the US PGA Championship in 2010, has now
amassed 20 wins worldwide, following his success in The Players Championship in
May, and is targeting victory in The Open Championship in two weeks’ time in
addition to a third successive appearance for Europe against the United States
in The Ryder Cup in September. Kaymer said: “It’s obviously great to win this award again, although I would’ve
been a little surprised if I hadn’t won – it would be strange to win a Major
and not be named the Golfer of the Month! “It’s always nice for people to recognise your success and your hard work. I’m
just moving into my new apartment in Düsseldorf and I have a big wall with lots
of shelves to put my trophies on, so I’m sure I can find a very nice spot for
this award.” The European Tour Golfer of the Month Panel, comprising members of the
Association of Golf Writers as well as commentators from television and radio,
focused their attention on winning and exceptional performances on The European
Tour International Schedule – Sweden’s Mikael Lundberg (Lyoness Open powered by
Greenfinity), Finland’s Mikko Ilonen (Irish Open) and Paraguay’s Fabrizio
Zanotti (BMW International Open) were all winners in June – with consideration
also given to performances worldwide, which in June included England’s Justin
Rose capturing the Quicken Loans National on the US PGA Tour. Derek Lawrenson, Golf Correspondent of the Daily Mail and Chairman of the
Association of Golf Writers, said: “This is one of those months where the
enormity of one man’s achievement left no room for doubt as to whom should
claim the prize. Certainly Mikael Lundberg, Mikko Ilonen, Fabrizio Zanotti and
Justin Rose deserve acknowledgement for their stirring victories in <st1:city w:st="on">Vienna</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on">Cork</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on">Cologne</st1:city> and <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Washington</st1:place></st1:state>
respectively, but Martin Kaymer’s stunning triumph at the US Open ranks among
the finest performances by a European golfer of all time, let alone the month
of June. While 155 players toiled around Pinehurst, the German plotted his way
so skilfully around that majestic layout he played golf on another level. It
was one of those performances when it felt a privilege simply to be a witness.” James Haddock, Golf Reporter for Sky Sports News, said: “Martin Kaymer’s
imperious performance at Pinehurst, opening with a pair of 65s and demolishing
the field in a Major before the weekend, was, as many people have already said,
reminiscent of Tiger Woods in his prime and simply sensational to watch. This
was a vintage display from tee to green. A class act.” Spain’s Miguel Ángel Jiménez (December), Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher
(January), France’s Victor Dubuisson (February), Welshman Jamie Donaldson (March),
France’s Alexander Levy (April), Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy (May) and
Kaymer, along with the next five monthly winners, will all be considered for
The 2014 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year Award which was won in
2013 by Sweden’s Henrik Stenson following his victory in the DP World Tour
Championship, Dubai, which secured the Number One spot in The 2013 Race to
Dubai.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-61893239491886953002014-06-02T12:02:00.003+00:002014-06-02T12:05:50.976+00:00Arsene Wenger signs to May 2017<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has signed a new three year extension to his current contract, taking his tenure at the Club to May 2017. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Wenger has been with Arsenal for 17 years, making him the longest-serving and most successful manager in the history of the Club. He is the longest-serving current manager in English football, has won eight major trophies and has qualified for the UEFA Champions League for 17 consecutive years, a record only equalled by Spanish giants Real Madrid. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Wenger, who has now taken charge of 1,010 Arsenal matches, said: “I want to stay and to continue to develop the team and the Club. We are entering a very exciting period. We have a strong squad, financial stability and huge support around the world. We are all determined to bring more success to this Club.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“The Club has always shown faith in me and I'm very grateful for that. We have gone through fantastic periods and also periods where we have had to stick together. Every time when that togetherness was tested I got the right response. I think I have shown some loyalty as well towards this Club and hopefully we can make some more history. I am sure we can.” </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Arsenal chairman, Sir Chips Keswick, said: “We are delighted that Arsène has renewed his contract for a further three years. He is a man of principle, who lives and breathes Arsenal. He has established Arsenal for its exciting playing style around the world, continues his commitment to young players and has the ability to bring top class players to the Club. I have no doubt we have an exciting future ahead of us with him leading the team.”</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Arsenal’s majority shareholder, Stan Kroenke, said: “Sustained excellence is the hardest thing to achieve in sport and the fact Arsenal has competed at the top of the game in England and Europe throughout the time Arsène has been manager, is the ultimate testimony to his consistency of performance, talent and ambition. We are delighted with the FA Cup success which has added to his already outstanding record. Under his guidance we look forward to adding more trophies in future seasons.” </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Wenger (64) has led Arsenal to three League titles, five FA Cups and four Charity/Community Shields, including two League and Cup ‘doubles’ in 1998 and 2002. He is the only Arsenal manager to have won the FA Cup more than once and the only manager to take the Club to a UEFA Champions League Final. He was the first manager in English League history to complete an entire 38-match season unbeaten in 2003/04 on the way to the Club’s historic 49-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He joined Arsenal from Japanese side Nagoya Grampus Eight in October 1996. He also managed in his home country France, where he was manager at AS Monaco and Nancy; assistant manager at Cannes and worked in the youth section at Strasbourg. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">In addition to his honours at Arsenal, Wenger has also won the French League championship (1988); French Cup (1991); French ‘Manager of the Year’ (1988) (all with AS Monaco); Japan’s ‘Manager of the Year’ (1995); the Japanese Emperor’s Cup (1996) and the Japanese Super Cup (1996) (Grampus).<u></u><u></u></span><br />
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Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-1618192321473518252014-03-10T12:27:00.002+00:002014-03-10T12:27:54.712+00:00Patrick posts winning Score<div class="MsoNormal">
Patrick Reed overcame a late wobble to win the WGC-Cadillac Championship by a single shot as Jamie Donaldson posted his best World Golf Championships finish with a share of second place. Reed was two shots clear overnight at Trump National Doral and doubled that advantage with three birdies and a bogey in his opening four holes. Donaldson and Bubba Watson reduced the gap to three as Reed recorded nine straight pars, before a missed putt from inside five feet cost the American a bogey at the 14th. Welshman Donaldson then got within one shot after a magnificent approach to the 17th left him a tap-in birdie, only to bogey the last after finding sand with his approach. That meant the 38 year old signed for a closing 70 to join former Masters Tournament winner Watson in the clubhouse on three under par, with Reed still needing to negotiate a 55 foot birdie putt on the 17th and the Blue Monster’s daunting 18th, the latter where Martin Kaymer carded the only birdie of the final round. Reed knocked his effort on the 17th to tap-in range to erase any concerns of a three-putt bogey, then laid up at the last and two putted for victory in his first WGC stroke-play event, having made his debut at the recent Accenture Match Play Championship. At 23 years old he also becomes the youngest winner of a WGC event, breaking the record of World Number One Tiger Woods by 26 days. “It means a lot to come out here and play as well as I did, with Tiger close to the lead and Hunter Mahan really close, Jason Dufner, all those great guys that are Major winners who have been on Ryder Cup teams. They are just outstanding players. “I have a lot of confidence in my game. It's one of those things that you build confidence by how hard you work, and I feel like I'm one of the hardest workers out here and it definitely shows,” Meanwhile, Donaldson’s consolation is that he firmly underlined his Ryder Cup credentials courtesy of his best performance on American soil. “I played really well all week,” said Donaldson, whose previous best WGC finish came when he was eighth at last year’s HSBC Champions. “My long game was really good from tee to green. I think in the end, it's come down to not quite holing enough putts, but I hit a lot of good putts this week and sometimes they just don't go in. “I’m happy with the week overall. I've gone out there and played as well as I can, and shot as low a score as I can in the conditions that we've had to play in all week, and that's all I can do really. “It's nice to come here and have a great week on what is a very tough golf course.” There were plenty of other impressive displays from European Tour Members on the final day, with South African Richard Sterne sharing fourth place with Dustin Johnson on level par after a closing 71. Thongchai Jaidee and Omega Dubai Desert Classic winner Stephen Gallacher were a shot further back in sixth position after rounds of 68 and 69 respectively, with Major Champions Charl Schwartzel (68) and Graeme McDowell (73) sharing ninth place on two over par.</div>
Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-69610648760441262672014-03-07T12:38:00.001+00:002014-03-07T12:38:57.089+00:00A Victor in FebruaryVictor Dubuisson gained worldwide acclaim by sensationally extending his WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship final duel with Jason Day to five additional holes, and the Frenchman has received a further tribute by being named The 2014 Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month for February. Dubuisson, who receives an engraved alms dish and a Jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne, won the 17th hole with a birdie and the 18th with a stunning save from a greenside bunker to force a sudden death finish, then halved each of the first two extra holes with astounding recoveries from the desert before finally losing at the 23rd hole to 25 year old Australian Day. Sir Nick Faldo said: “I saw Seve (Ballesteros) pull off some belters, but nothing as good as those from Victor. They were truly amazing, and a privilege to witness.” The 23 year old, who captured his maiden European Tour title in the Turkish Airlines Open presented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism 2013 last November, is the third recipient in the 30th anniversary year of an award given to the European Tour Member judged to have produced the outstanding performance in each calendar month throughout the season. Dubuisson said: “It is a very nice award to win. It feels amazing. I couldn’t believe even a few months ago that I would be winning something like this. I hope I will prove that I can do it again, and maybe win Golfer of the Month another time. “Hopefully this is the start of something big for me. It was a big performance for me in Arizona and helped really improve my world ranking. I’m still a little disappointed not to have won the final, but I’m sure there will be plenty more opportunities to win more tournaments.” The European Tour Golfer of the Month Panel, comprising members of the Association of Golf Writers as well as commentators from television and radio, focused their attention on winning and exceptional performances in The Race to Dubai on The European Tour International Schedule – South Africans George Coetzee (Joburg Open) and Thomas Aitken (Africa Open) and England’s Ross Fisher (Tshwane Open) all claimed titles in February – while also taking into account events worldwide. James Haddock, Golf Reporter for Sky Sports, said: “The calm and measured way Victor went about playing his golf – in his first WGC event – was impressive enough, but the manner of his two amazing shots from the scrubland in extra holes of the final were invention, risk taking and sheer genius all rolled up together.“The measure of just how good those miracle shots were was supported by the sheer number of players praising him for showcasing European Tour talent and revitalising memories of the great Seve Ballesteros. In fact, even Seve’s son tweeted: ‘I think I have a new hero.’ Who am I to argue?” Michael Harris, Editor of Golf Monthly, said: “Although Victor just missed out on the WGC title, he defeated a trio of Major champions and entertained golf fans with his attacking golf, feats of escapology and smiling, positive approach.” Spain’s Miguel Angel Jiménez and Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher, winners of the December and January awards respectively, and Dubuisson will all be considered with the next nine monthly winners for The 2014 European Tour Golfer of the Year Award, which was won in 2013 by Sweden’s Henrik Stenson following his DP World Tour Championship, Dubai triumph which secured the Number One spot in The Race to Dubai.
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Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-58078631895040572962014-03-03T14:14:00.004+00:002014-03-03T14:14:58.395+00:00A right old Charlie<div class="MsoNormal">
Former Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel has been voted by My
European Tour fans as the winner of the January Shot of the Month after a
stunning effort from a cart path at the Volvo Golf Champions. Faced with a shot from the concrete of 198 yards over what
looked an impossible wall of trees and bushes, the South African clipped a
glorious five iron from the path and pitched it right next to the
hole. “I got lucky there, but I’m sure Seve would have been very
proud of it,” he said. “I still missed the putt, though, so I might as well have
been short and chipped and putted!” It was a spectacular shot from this season’s Alfred Dunhill
championship winner, and as such it received 43 per cent of the vote, beating
Dutchman Joost Luiten into second place after his magnificent albatross during
the same tournament at Durban Country Club received 28 per cent. Sergio Garcia’s chip-in en route to the Commercial Bank Qatar
Masters title rounded out the top three, but it was Schwartzel who took the
lion’s share of the vote. As a result, one lucky fan will receive £200 to spend on
European Tour merchandise, while Schwartzel will join Thomas Björn as the second
entrant into the 2014 Shot of the Year competition after the Dane’s spectacular
approach in the final round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge in
December. The long iron in question set up one of two crucial eagles on
the final day at Gary Player CC, in Sun City, that would culminate in Björn
taking the title by two strokes from Garcia and Jamie Donaldson. Both he and Schwartzel will now go forward to contest the
yearly prize, along with the rest of the season’s monthly winners, as they look
to follow in the footsteps of Henrik Stenson, who won last year’s award thanks
to a spectacular three-wood to the 72nd hole at the DP World Tour Championship,
Dubai. You can watch Schwartzel’s winning effort here: <a href="http://po.st/JanSOTMWinner" title="http://po.st/JanSOTMWinner"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://po.st/JanSOTMWinner</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-12982348086028548522014-02-24T12:23:00.001+00:002014-02-24T12:23:39.183+00:00All in a Day<div class="MsoNormal">
Frenchman Victor Dubuisson was denied victory on his World
Golf Championships debut by Australian Jason Day in the most thrilling final in
the history of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Dubuisson edged out South African Ernie Els one up in the
morning semi-final before taking on Day, who beat Rickie Fowler 3&2 in the
other last-four clash. Day looked set for victory at two up with two to play, but
Dubuisson fought back in sublime fashion with up-and-downs from sand on the
17<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and 18<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> to win both holes. The 23 year old kept the match alive with miraculous shots
from cacti following errant approaches on the first two extra holes, saving par
both times, and had a 20 foot putt to win on the 22<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>, which came up
agonisingly short. His short game was magnificent all day, but on the
23<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> hole his chip from thick rough ran way past the flag, and Day’s
par was enough to clinch the title and the US$1,530,000 first
prize. Dubuisson’s performance drew comparisons with the late Seve
Ballesteros for his never say die attitude and ability to conjure shots from
nowhere, and he described the two chips from the desert as
“amazing”. “I just played them like I had nothing to lose,” he said.
“I’m happy but at the same time disappointed, because this afternoon I didn't
play very well. I just battled, especially on the back nine. “I made some good shots, but Jason made some very good putts
during the round. His birdie on the par five was amazing. And then he made a
very important putt to win. “I tried to do my best. I tried to fight back. I made a good
birdie on the 17th, but in a play-off, you never know how it can go. Next time I
will be ready.”Dubuisson is virtually assured of his place on the European
Ryder Cup team in September, achieving his main goal for the season.
“I didn’t like to say it was my number one target, because
that would have put extra pressure on me, but it was my number one target,” he
added. “I'm very excited and this was very good preparation for me because now I
know what I need to work on.” Day praised Dubuisson’s comeback, saying: “Coming down the
stretch he was just unbelievable. I've never seen someone as young, apart from
Jordan Spieth, and in the old days Tiger Woods, be so clutch, especially out of
the cactus. “I kept shaking my head because it was so surprising. There
were a couple of times where I thought he was absolutely dead. The tournament
was mine. I just stuck through it and it was tough, but I'm glad I got it
done.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-29179042629455052912014-02-11T11:40:00.001+00:002014-02-11T11:40:23.182+00:00Gallacher rises to the Challenge<div class="MsoNormal">
Stephen Gallacher has been named The 2014 European Tour
Golfer of the Month for January after equalling a nine hole scoring record on
the way to becoming the first player to successfully defend the Omega Dubai
Desert Classic since the event began in 1989. Gallacher emulated José María Cañizares, Joakim Haeggman and
Simon Khan by playing nine holes in nine under par – gathering seven birdies and
an eagle to come home in 28 against the par of 37 in a third round 63 on the
Emirates course and he completed a famous victory the following day with four
birdies in his last eight holes for a 72 and a 16-under par total of
272. The 39-year-old Scotsman, who receives an engraved alms dish
and a Jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne, is the second recipient in the
30<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> anniversary year of an award given to the European Tour member
judged to have produced the outstanding performance each calendar month
throughout the season. Gallacher, who was also tied second in the 2012 Omega Dubai
Desert Classic and is now 55 under par for his last 12 rounds on the Emirates
course, said: “I am really pleased to be named The European Tour Golfer of the
Month for January especially given some great performances by players both in
South Africa and the Desert Swing events. “To be picked ahead of the likes of Louis, Pablo and Sergio,
who were all winners last month, means a lot to me and I am very grateful to be
recognised in this way. The Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the Emirates Golf
Club is obviously a special event for me and to be given this award makes it an
even more memorable month.” The European Tour Golfer of the Month Panel, comprising
members of the Association of Golf Writers as well as commentators from
television and radio, focus their attention on winning performances in The Race
to Dubai on The European Tour International Schedule – South Africa’s Louis
Oosthuizen (Volvo Golf Champions) and Spaniards Pablo Larrazábal (Abu Dhabi HSBC
Golf Championship) and Sergio Garcia (Commercial Bank Qatar Masters) were also
contenders – while also taking into account performances
worldwide. Renton Laidlaw, commentator for The Golf Channel, said:
“Louis Oosthuizen’s performance was remarkable, Pablo Larrazábal won with Rory
McIlroy and Phil Mickelson breathing down his neck and Sergio Garcia produced a
sparking finish, but Stephen Gallacher became the first player in 25 years to
defend the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and he did it with two back nine’s to die
for in the third and fourth round against arguably the strongest field of the
month. Stephen is an excellent ambassador for The European Tour, he dug deep on
the final day and he fully deserves to be The European Tour Golfer of the Month
for January.” Iain Carter, Golf Correspondent of BBC Radio Five Live, said:
“Louis Oosthuizen’s birdie-birdie finish for a successful title defence in
Durban was thrilling stuff on a great course. Pablo Larrazábal showed how he has
matured into a fine player with his Abu Dhabi victory and Sergio Garcia’s
tenacity to win the play-off in Qatar was outstanding. But the vote goes to
Stephen Gallacher. It was a huge week for Dubai golf which is at the heart of
The European Tour and it was fitting the field contained such a stellar list of
former champions. Stephen Gallacher was inspired in the company of Rory McIlroy
and Tiger Woods and on the Saturday produced arguably the greatest ten hole
sequence The Tour has seen with his birdie at nine being followed by a nine
under par inward 28. It’s a win that could provide a Launchpad to a Ryder Cup
debut in his native Scotland and in my opinion he is a very worthy European Tour
Golfer of the Month for January.” Spain’s Miguel Angel Jiménez, winner of the December award,
and Gallacher will now be considered with the next ten monthly winners for The
2014 European Tour Golfer of the Year Award which was won last year by Sweden’s
Henrik Stenson.<o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-17398023219028333162014-02-03T14:24:00.003+00:002014-02-03T14:24:43.211+00:00Gallacher seals victory in DubaiStephen Gallacher drew on all his powers of recovery to become the first man to
successfully defend the Omega Dubai Desert Classic title as the curtain came
down on The European Tour’s Desert Swing in dramatic fashion.<o:p></o:p>
That scenario had appeared wholly unlikely for much of a
nerve-shredding final day in Dubai, as Gallacher imploded with four bogeys on
the front nine to fritter away the two-shot overnight lead he had held over Rory
McIlroy. But the Scot, who came home in 28 shots on the third day,
again showed his liking for the back nine at Emirates GC with a quartet of
birdies to finish on 16 under par and earn a one shot victory over Emiliano
Grillo. Earlier in the day, the Argentine had set up a grandstand
finish – quite literally – when his approach to the last hole hit the
hospitality stand over the back of the green, and ricocheted onto the putting
surface. Grillo made the most of his fortune by draining the eagle
putt from 40 feet to set the clubhouse target on 15 under par, but Gallacher
held his nerve with a par at the last to sign for a level par round of 72 and
claim his second successive victory in the US$2.5 million event. The win rocketed Gallacher to seventh place in The Race
to Dubai and into the top 40 of the Official Golf World Ranking, gaining the 39
year old a place in the Masters Tournament for the first time.
He said: “It took everything I have, to be honest. It’s
just been an unbelievable this week, and what a way to end it. I was quite
fortunate that no one was running away with it today. Even though I didn’t play
my best on the front nine I hung in there, and in the end it worked out lovely.
“I’ve never been treated so well, starting with the
Champions Challenge on Tuesday and then playing with Tiger and Rory on the first
two days. It’s such a great tournament, definitely one of my favourites, and to
win it on the 25th anniversary is special.” Grillo’s cheque for €202,176 was comfortably the biggest
of his burgeoning European Tour career, and moved the Argentine an astonishing
102 places up The Race to Dubai to 17th. He said: “That second shot on the 18th went a little bit
left and a little bit further than I wanted, but I got lucky with the bounce and
then a bit lucky again with the big putt. “I’m quite happy with what I’ve done, and it was a good
run overall. I left some putts out there, but the one on the 18th definitely
made up for them. So I’m very happy.” Third place was shared between American Brooks Koepka and
Frenchman Romain Wattel, who signed for respective rounds of 70 and 66 to finish
on 14 under par. McIlroy was undone with three bogeys in four holes after
the turn, as the Northern Irishman closed with a round of 74 to fall back into a
share of ninth place on 12 under par. World Number One Tiger Woods rattled off a trio of
closing birdies to finish in a tie for 41st place on five under par.
<o:p></o:p>Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-56219428796069010702014-01-31T12:25:00.000+00:002014-01-31T12:26:31.125+00:00Jimenez tops January poll<div class="MsoNormal">
Miguel Angel Jiménez has been named the first winner of The
European Tour Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month for the 2014 season following
his record-breaking start in December. The Golfer of the Month Award, now in its 30th anniversary
year, is awarded to the European Tour member judged to have produced the
outstanding performance each calendar month throughout the season.
The Spaniard, who receives an engraved alms dish and a
Jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne, re-wrote golf’s history book with his
spectacular defence of the Hong Kong Open – securing his fourth triumph in the
tournament, following previous wins in 2005 and 2008, at the age of 49 years and
337 days which extended his own record as the oldest winner on The European
Tour. Jiménez, whose 20th European Tour win was his 13th since
turning 40, said: “I’m very happy and grateful to have been voted Golfer of the
Month. To do it in the way I did, with that big putt at the 18th (in a play-off)
was very special. “It’s very nice to now be 50 and still competing at this
level, winning tournaments and it was even better to do it in Hong Kong, a place
that I like very much and always enjoy going.” Victory for Jiménez followed a play-off at Hong Kong Golf
Club, Fanling, with Stuart Manley, of Wales, and Thailand’s Prom Meesawat – a
superb 18-foot birdie putt at the first extra hole coming on a day when
Denmark’s Thomas Björn captured the Nedbank Golf Challenge at the age of
42. Derek Lawrenson, Golf Correspondent of the Daily Mail and
Chairman of the Association of Golf Writers, said: “The first Sunday in December
proved a special one for European Tour stalwarts Thomas Björn and Miguel Angel
Jiménez with their victories in South Africa and Hong Kong. “Björn’s victory in the Nedbank Challenge propelled him to
the cusp of a return to Europe’s Ryder Cup team, but it’s hard to argue with the
sheer romance of Jiménez’s successful defence of the Hong Kong Open. He
continues to confound all golfing logic in the most spectacular manner;
America’s Golf Channel summed him up aptly when they called him the ‘world’s
most interesting golfer’.” The European Tour Golfer of the Month Panel, comprising
members of the AGW as well as commentators from television and radio, focus
their attention on winning performances in The Race to Dubai on The European
Tour International Schedule – Denmark’s Morten Ørum Madsen (South African Open
Championship hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni) and South Africans Charl
Schwartzel (Alfred Dunhill Championship) and Dawie Van der Walt (Nelson Mandela
Championship presented by ISPS Handa) were other contenders – while also taking
into account performances worldwide. Jiménez (December) will now be considered with the next 11
monthly winners for The 2014 European Tour Golfer of the Year Award which was
won last year by Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.<o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-29976115995913437342014-01-28T12:46:00.003+00:002014-01-28T12:46:34.941+00:00Sergio dominates in Doha<div class="MsoNormal">
Sergio Garcia claimed his 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> European Tour title
in dramatic fashion after a nail-biting play-off with Mikko Ilonen at the
Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. In fast fading light at Doha Golf Club, Garcia eventually
saw off the Finn with a birdie at the third extra hole to collect the €305,232
winner’s cheque and move to second place in The Race to Dubai. After both men had finished on 16 under par – Garcia
courtesy of a superb round of 65 and Ilonen with a 66 – the duo halved the first
two play-off holes with birdie fours. Third time around, Ilonen’s tee shot found the right
rough and his approach ended up in the bunker, giving Garcia – who had located
the heart of the green with his second shot – the chance to win it with an eagle
three, only for his putt to roll agonisingly past the cup. Faced with a 20 foot putt to take the play-off into a
fourth hole, Ilonen’s effort drifted wide to hand Garcia his first European Tour
victory since the 2011 Andalucía Masters. The Spaniard said: “It’s been a bit of a wait for my
11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> win, I came close a few times last season, including here in
Qatar, but didn’t quite manage to get the job done. So it’s nice to get the win,
and great to get more Ryder Cup points on the board. “I feel like my game’s coming together really nicely –
although I wouldn’t have said that after the first round, when I played terribly
but shot one of the best rounds of 71 in my career. So to recover from that and
grind out a win does an awful lot for my confidence, and the rest of the season
excites me.” Despite tasting defeat in the first play-off of his
career, Ilonen was still pleased with his week’s work. He said: “I played good golf this week, so I can’t be too
disappointed. I gave it my best shot, but Sergio was a bit better this time.
There’s no shame in losing to a great player like him.” Garcia’s compatriot Rafa Cabrera-Bello finished in a tie
for third place on 15 under par alongside Thorbjørn Olesen after the pair carded
respective rounds of 69 and 68. <o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-77301478963303483122014-01-23T13:37:00.002+00:002014-01-23T13:37:39.649+00:00Pablo in form at Abu Dhabi<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Pablo Larrazábal showed once again his fondness for
picking up prestigious titles on The European Tour when he held off a stellar
cast to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. The 30 year old Spaniard – whose previous Tour triumphs
have come in the Alstom Open de France and the BMW International Open in Germany
– carded a bold final round 67 on the National Course for a 14 under par total
of 274 and a one shot victory over Rory McIlroy and Phil
Mickelson. “I win when I can and I win when I have a chance to win,”
said the former Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year. “But it was great to do it
when all my family and my team were here. They know who they are they all know
how hard I’ve worked for this. I thank them for supporting me and continuing to
push me hard.” Larrazábal started the final round three shots behind
leader Craig Lee, but as the Scot faded, the Spaniard seized the initiative.
Reaching the turn in 32, further birdies at the 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and
13<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> saw him hit the front and when he two putted the final hole for
his sixth birdie of the round, it set a target neither of his two illustrious
pursuers could match. Mickelson, the reigning Open Champion, battled hard and
produced his usual brand of golfing fireworks as he strove to close the gap. But
the 43 year old Californian’s challenge was undone at the 13<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> where
a double hit, while attempting to extricate himself right handed from a bush,
saw him run up a triple bogey seven. “It never crossed my mind that I would double hit it,”
said the American, who gamely fought to make up the lost ground with birdies on
the 14<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, 16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and 18<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> holes. “But I enjoy
challenging myself to hit some shots. Sometimes they come off, and sometimes
they don’t. This week I had a little bit of both.” Like Mickelson, joint runner-up McIlroy tried everything
to make up ground on Larrazábal, but seven straight pars from the
11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> to the 17<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> saw him unable to do so; like Mickelson,
his birdie four at the last leaving his total one shot shy of the
mark. It did, of course, leave the Northern Irishman rueing the
rules infringement he incurred during Saturday’s third round, a mistake which
cost him a two shot penalty and, ultimately, the title. “I’m standing here and I feel I should be 15 under par for
the tournament and the winner, not 13 under par and the runner-up,” he said.
“But that’s the way it goes I suppose. I played the least shots of anyone here
this week so I suppose I can count that as a moral victory. “But I’ve very happy with the week as a whole. I came in
here telling everyone I was happy with my game and I think I’ve proved that by
doing a lot of good work. So it’s fair to say I’m really excited about the rest
of the season now.” Larrazábal’s fellow Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello (68) – who
held the lead at one stage during the front nine, slipped back to share fourth
with South African George Coetzee (66) on 12 under par 276, while Dutchman Joost
Luiten completed the top six with a 68 for ten under par 278.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-4927880662050594512014-01-15T14:19:00.003+00:002014-01-15T14:22:23.958+00:00Stenson's shot hits the Top<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Henrik Stenson’s stunning approach to the final hole of
the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai has been voted by fans as The European
Tour Shot of the Year for 2013. The Swede’s majestic three wood to the 18th green on the
final day of the 2013 season at the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates was
the runaway winner in the 2013 Shot of the Year competition, polling a massive
62.63 per cent of the votes cast through europeantour.com, with Justin Rose’s
magnificent approach to the 72nd hole of the US Open at Merion finishing a
distant second with 9.58 per cent. The superb approach shot helped Stenson – who was named
The European Tour Race to Dubai Golfer of the Year for 2013 – sign off a dream
year with a tap-in eagle, as he sealed commanding victories in both The Race to
Dubai and the season-ending tournament itself. “The three wood to the 18<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> in Dubai was a very
fitting way to cap the best season of my career so it’s great that it has been
named Shot of the Year,” he said. “To land that close on the final hole of the season, in
front of a packed grandstand, to win both titles – you really could not have
directed it any better. Even making par there would have been a nice way to
finish, but the stars seemed to align and that shot was the icing on the cake of
an amazing year. “Thank you to all the fans who voted for the shot on
europeantour.com. It’s very special to win both Golfer of the Year and Shot of
the Year, as well as three Golfer of the Month awards, and 2013 will go down as
the greatest year of my career to date.”Stenson’s Shot of the Year award sits alongside his
European Tour Golfer of the Year Award and a host of honours, including the two
top Swedish Sports Awards announced on Monday, which recognised the
unprecedented transatlantic double of capturing the DP World Tour Championship,
Dubai and The Race to Dubai on The European Tour International Schedule
following his success in the Tour Championship and FedExCup on the US PGA
TOUR. One lucky MyEuropeanTour fan will also soon be celebrating
as a result of voting in the Shot of the Year competition. The winner and their
guest will get the chance to play midnight golf in the height of summer at two
European Tour Properties with a trip to the exquisite Linna Golf in Finland
before being ferried across the Baltic Sea to the stunning Estonian Golf &
Country Club for another round. Indeed, all those who voted in the annual Shot of the Year
Poll will be contacted and offered the same amazing trip at a discounted price.
More information about the two venues can be found at <a href="http://www.linnagolf.fi/" title="http://www.linnagolf.fi/"><span style="color: blue;">www.linnagolf.fi</span></a> and <a href="http://www.egcc.ee/" title="http://www.egcc.ee/"><span style="color: blue;">www.egcc.ee</span></a>
.The full list of contenders for the Shot of the Year
competition was: Chris Wood (January), Charl Schwartzel (February), Anders
Hansen (March), Maximilian Kieffer (April), Ernie Els (May), Justin Rose (June),
Francesco Molinari (July), Danny Willett (August), Peter Uihlein (September),
Craig Lee (October) and Stenson (November). <o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-43304246301485946542014-01-13T12:04:00.002+00:002014-01-13T12:04:51.504+00:00Louis reigns again at Volvo Golf ChampionsSouth African Louis Oosthuizen came out on top in his battle with compatriot
Branden Grace to successfully defend his title in the Volvo Golf Champions at
Durban Country Club. Oosthuizen trailed by one shot going into the final two
holes but birdied them both to finish one shot clear of 2012 winner Grace, as he
once again started the new year by winning the European Tour’s ‘tournament of
champions’, following his victory by the same margin 12 months ago. Grace had carded a closing 68 in the group ahead of his
compatriot to set the clubhouse target of 11 under par and then watched as
former Open Champion Oosthuizen holed from two feet on the 17th and then chipped
to the same distance for another birdie on the short par four
18th. That meant Oosthuizen also signed for a round of 68, but
that was enough for a 12 under par winning total of 276 and his seventh European
Tour title, four of which have been on home soil. “It’s great to start the year with a win again,” he said.
“It feels really good and hopefully I can defend next year. Volvo is an
unbelievable company, with what they do for golf on The European Tour and
worldwide, so to defend the Volvo Golf Champions tournament is special, and
hopefully I can go three in a row.“It looks like proper rest, with no golf, is the key for
me. It doesn’t work all of the time, but it has for the last few
years.” Oosthuizen, whose 2013 season was hampered by a back
injury, had started the day two strokes behind overnight leader Tommy Fleetwood,
and had a slow start to his final round, carding seven consecutive pars before
sinking a 12 foot eagle putt on the eighth hole. He then dropped a shot on the tenth before back-to-back
birdies on the 13 and 14<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> holes pushed him into a share of the lead
with Grace, who had posted a hat-trick of birdies from the sixth hole before his
only bogey of the day on the 15<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> hole. Grace’s birdie on the 16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, which Oosthuizen
bogeyed, meant it was Grace who temporarily held the advantage, but Oosthuizen
dug deep and produced the two closing birdies when it mattered most to retain
his title. “I knew Branden was going to make a charge and I saw him
up there early. I really thought that you're going to see the South Africans
coming through today, and Joost Luiten played really well but just missed a few
putts. He's a good player but Branden was the one that really spurred me on to
finish well.” Grace will rue his opening round 74 and some missed
chances during his final round as he fell just short in his bid for a fifth
European Tour victory, having won the title two years ago when he defeated
fellow countrymen Ernie Els and Retief Goosen in a play-off at Fancourt.
“I let a couple slip out there which was unfortunate, but
it was a good start to the year,” he said. “If you told me my first event, I’d
start off with a second place, and coming this close, I would have taken it. So
I'm very pleased. The winner at the end of this week is going to be the true
champion, and Louis played well, so he deserves it.” Englishman Fleetwood, who took a one stroke lead into the
final round, carded a level par round of 72 to share third position on ten under
par with Dutchman Luiten, who had a 71. Three-time Major Champion Padraig
Harrington closed with a round of 67 to finish a shot further back in a share of
fifth position, alongside French pair Victor Dubuisson (72) and Raphaël
Jacquelin.Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-20533283365212856152013-12-19T12:49:00.004+00:002013-12-19T12:49:56.235+00:00Stenson tops a memorable Year<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Henrik Stenson has been named The 2013 Race to Dubai
European Tour Golfer of the Year after an astonishing season. The 37 year old from Gothenburg became the first player
from Sweden to win the coveted award after creating history by completing an
unprecedented transatlantic double by capturing the DP World Tour Championship,
Dubai and The Race to Dubai on The European Tour International Schedule
following his success in the Tour Championship and FedExCup on the PGA TOUR.
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour,
said: “There is absolutely no doubt that Henrik Stenson is a fully deserving
winner of The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year award. Henrik’s
unprecedented success was the result of the most tremendous consistency and hard
work, and to finish it all off in such style at the DP World Tour Championship
to secure The Race to Dubai was quite remarkable.” Stenson’s commanding six-shot victory in the season-ending
DP World Tour Championship offered a perfect microcosm of his season as he tamed
the immaculate 7,675 yards Earth Course by missing only five fairways and four
greens in compiling rounds of 68, 64, 67 and 64 for a tournament record 25 under
par total of 263. After winning the South African Open Championship at the
end of last year, Stenson embarked on a “dream season” which saw him produce a
remarkable level of consistency in golf’s biggest events. A tie for second place in the Shell Houston Open earned
Stenson a place in The Masters Tournament where he finished in a tie for
18<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> place. “I took a lot of confidence from winning in South Africa
and then the performance in Houston which got me in the Masters was another big
one in terms of the way the season was shaping up,” said Stenson.
More consistent play – including being tied fifth in The
Players Championship in Florida – took Stenson into the summer and a tie for
third place in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open set the tone for an
incredible run of results that would see him become the best player on the
planet for the rest of the year.Stenson finished second at The 142<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> Open
Championship, quickly followed that up with a tie for second at the
WGC-Bridgestone Invitational then a third place finish at the US PGA
Championship with which he led The 2013 Race to Dubai. Then came the start of that transatlantic double which
would earn him a place in golf’s record books. Stenson charged to victory at the
Deutsche Bank Championship then two weeks later claimed the Tour Championship by
Coca-Cola to win the FedExCup. Next on the agenda came The European Tour and The Race to
Dubai’s inaugural Final Series. A tie for seventh at the Turkish Airlines Open by the
Ministry of Culture and Tourism was followed by one of the greatest performances in European Tour history
in Dubai,<b><i> </i></b>where he claimed Number One honours and earned the Harry
Vardon Trophy<b>. </b>“It’s a big honour to be voted The European Tour Golfer of
the Year,” said Stenson. “It just reflects the stellar year I have had. You can
call it a dream season, year of my life, whatever you want. It has been an
unbelievable year and I am delighted to win this award, especially as I am the
first Swede to do so.“You look at the past winners of this award and most of
the greats of European golf are on there, which just adds to the prestige of
winning it. To win the FedExCup and the American Tour Championship in some style
and then follow that by taking The Race to Dubai was very special.“Winning the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, where I
had made my home for ten years, in the style I won it, in front of so many
family and friends, was something I will never forget. I’m not sure how I top it
to be honest. I am not sure many people will get the chance to do what I did
this year but I just need to keep working hard and pushing forward.
“The Majors are the biggest goal for me now and if I can
continue to play at the level I have been then I feel I can have a pretty good
shot at them.” The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year panel,
which featured golf journalists from newspapers and magazines as well as
commentators from radio and television, also reserved praise for several other
worthy candidates, specifically Justin Rose, who became the first Englishman for
43 years to win the US Open Championship after his unforgettable performance at
Merion in June. But Stenson, who was announced as the winner at the annual
Golfer of the Year Luncheon at the Lancaster London Hotel, received the
unanimous vote from the panel to succeed Rory McIlroy. Derek Lawrenson, Chairman of the Association of Golf
Writers and Golf Correspondent of The Daily Mail, said: “The 2013 season was
another remarkable one for European Tour golf and quite simply a dream year for
Henrik Stenson. To be the unanimous winner of The European Tour Golfer of the
Year in a season which saw Justin Rose win his first Major Championship really
speaks volumes to Henrik’s frightening level of consistency. “I cannot recall a more devastating performance in a
European Tour event than Henrik’s at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai. He
was playing at a different level to the rest of what was a truly world-class
field and is unquestionably The 2013 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the
Year.” Iain Carter, Golf Correspondent for BBC Radio Five Live,
added: “When Justin Rose won the US Open so brilliantly at Merion I thought well
that’s one thing sorted – The European Tour’s Golfer of the Year. Little did we
know the quite astonishing run of form that Henrik was about to embark on! So
while Justin’s was the greatest single achievement of the year there can be no
question that Henrik Stenson was The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the
Year.”<o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-22141824743169282312013-12-16T12:48:00.002+00:002013-12-16T12:50:03.421+00:00San Antonio Slinger Maidana rocks BronerArgentine slugger Marcos "El Chino" Maidana stole the show-and the WBA
Welterweight World Championship-on an action-packed night of world championship
boxing on SHOWTIME Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio,
Texas.
The 30-year-old former
140-pound world champion was supposed to be a "test" for rising star Adrien "The
Problem" Broner's budding career. And test him he did, right from the opening
bell. Broner was stunned in the
first exchange and Maidana poured it on. He overwhelmed the champion for two
straight rounds, scoring a knockdown in the second and forcing Broner back on
unsteady legs. By the third, Broner
settled into his game and the fight was on. "High drama in the Lone
Star State," bellowed SHOWTIME Sports play-by-play announcer Mauro Ranallo in
the middle rounds of what is sure to be a late entry for Fight of the
Year.Broner had his moments in
the fight, but Maidana won the day by throwing from tricky angles and
consistently landing a punishing left hook. "Maidana's awkward ways are
working in his favor," said ringside analyst, and world-class welterweight, Paul
Malignaggi during the bout. "Broner is getting hit with shots from different
angles. Shots that he would not normally get hit with." In a thrilling eighth,
Maidana landed a series of lethal blows including a final left hook that sent
Broner wobbling to the canvas for a second time. In the next exchange, Broner
tied up Maidana for a few moments before Maidana uncorked a head butt into the
chin of the champion." Referee Lawrence Cole
deducted a point for the foul negating Maidana's knockdown adding an additional
layer of drama to the close fight. But in the end, Maidana had distanced
himself on all three scorecards to win a unanimous decision and wrest the crown
from Broner. After the scores were
announced, 117-109, 116-109 and 115-110, Broner immediately vacated the ring and
made his way back to his dressing room. After the bout, ringside
reporter Barry Tompkins asked Maidana about comments earlier in the week, that
Broner had never faced anyone like him. "The truth is, I've never fought
someone like [Broner]," said the new two-division champion via SHOWTIME Sports
translator Felix De Jesus. "And the truth is it was a great fight." Regarding the game plan
coming in, Maidana said, "The plan was to fight any which way we can do it and
we won." Regarding the rematch:
"Yes. No problem."Maidana improved his record
to 35-3 (31 KOs) and is now 2-2 in world championship fights and can now lay
claim as the world's best welterweight not named Floyd Mayweather. <br />
<br />
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<br />
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Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-85661789159172251742013-12-09T12:04:00.003+00:002013-12-09T12:04:41.192+00:00Bjorn shines bright in Sun City<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Two back nine eagles laid the foundations for the stunning
final round 65 which saw Thomas Björn storm to victory at the Nedbank Golf
Challenge after a thrilling final round at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun
City. The Dane, who began the final round three shots behind
Jamie Donaldson, had to be at his imperious best to hold off the challenge of a
charging Sergio Garcia, who matched the 42 year old’s seven under par effort on
a brilliant final day at Sun City. Donaldson carded a two under 70 to finish in a tie for
second place alongside Garcia, but the day belonged to Björn and Garcia whose
titanic battle took the US$6.5 million tournament to the wire. In the end, it was Björn’s two back nine eagles – on the
tenth and 14<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> holes – which made the difference as he collected his
15th European Tour victory and charged to the top of the 2014 Race to Dubai with
a 20 under par winning total for a two shot victory margin. “This is right up there with the best days of my career,”
said Björn, who took home the biggest cheque of his career worth US$1.25
million. “You never forget your first victory, and then my win
against Tiger in Dubai when I went toe-to-toe with him for four days and came
out top was special, but winning here in the way that I did against a field of
this quality is up there. “It’s not often you make two eagles on the back nine on a
Sunday when you are in contention and it was just one of those days when it was
my day. The five iron I hit into the tenth was the shot of the week, and then I
got a bit of luck on 14 because the ball pitched in the bunker and made it to
the green but I still had to hole the putt and those are the little breaks you
need to win golf tournaments. “I knew I had to shoot something low and then see what
Jamie was doing and I knew that Sergio and Henrik (Stenson) would probably make
a move. It turned out that it was Sergio and every time I saw a leaderboard he
was making birdies. I am very proud of the way I played today – it’s a very
special day in my career.” Garcia was delighted with his own performance and admitted
he could do little more than doff his cap to Björn. “It was a great week and a great final round but in the
end I just couldn’t catch Thomas. It was one of those days when I was making
loads of birdies but he just kept matching me. I couldn’t have done much more
and you have to congratulate Thomas on a great victory.” Björn’s address to the South African crowd during the
prize giving ceremony ended with a fitting tribute to the nation’s former
President Nelson Mandela. "If everyone could live their lives just a little bit like
Nelson Mandela, the world would be a better place,” he said. </div>
Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-58493672177285620702013-12-09T12:02:00.000+00:002013-12-09T12:02:03.862+00:00Jimenez the conqueror in Hong Kong<div class="MsoNormal">
Miguel Angel Jiménez broke his own record as The European
Tour’s oldest champion by winning the Hong Kong Open for a fourth time in
stunning style. Aged 49 years and 337 days, Jiménez used his experience to
devastating effect in a play-off with Thailand’s Prom Meesawat and Welshman
Stuart Manley, holing a slick 18-foot putt for birdie at the first extra hole to
add to the titles he won here at Hong Kong Golf Club in 2005, 2008 and last
year. Earlier in the day he birdied the 17<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and made a
fine up-and-down at the last for a four under par 66, which left him tied on 12
under with Prom Meesawat, who went one better with a 65. Late drama then ensued when Qualifying School graduate Manley
holed his chip for a three on the 18<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> to join the play-off, but his
joy was cut short when Jiménez calmly rolled in a birdie putt to claim his
20<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> European Tour title. “This is very sweet,” said the Spaniard. “I love this place
and I love this golf course. Holing that putt to win the play-off makes it even
sweeter. “Winning a tournament is always tough. I three-putted the
15<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and then I missed a good birdie chance on the 16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>,
so I knew I had to make at least one birdie on the last two holes. I never
stopped telling myself, just take it hole by hole, stay calm, live the moment.
“It’s been a hard season because I missed the first few
months when I broke my leg. I worked very hard to come back from that. I work
very hard in the gym every day with stretching and cardio. And the main thing is
my head. The head is still very competitive.” Meesawat looked to be marching towards his first European
Tour title when he led by three midway through the final round thanks to two
eagles, but he bogeyed the 14<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and parred his way
home. “It's been an amazing week for me,” said Meesawat. “I didn't
feel any disappointment in the play-off. I did my best this week, and it’s my
best finish on this golf course.” It has been an eventful few weeks since Manley earned his
European Tour card at the Qualifying School Final Stage, and although he was not
able to capitalise on leading at the start of the final round, he was delighted
with his performance this week. “I'm pretty pleased,” he said. “Obviously I’m disappointed to
lose in a play-off with a poor shot, but for Miguel to make birdie is pretty
special. It was pretty special to make three myself to get into the play-off.
So I can take a lot from the week. “I was pretty pumped (in the play-off). I said to my caddie
that we could do something special. It was a great chip and I think I started
celebrating before it went in. “This week will give me a lot of confidence. It's money on
the board for The Race to Dubai and everything feels very
positive.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-39459982862499696742013-12-09T11:59:00.001+00:002013-12-09T11:59:19.199+00:00Brooklyn's Finest in Boxing Bout<span style="font-family: Arial;">Two weeks after his 33<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> birthday, <span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Paulie "The Magic Man" Malignaggi
</strong></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">(33-5, 7
KO's) picks up his 33<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> win in a unanimous decision victory over
</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Zab "Super" Judah
</strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">(42-9, 29
KO's) in front of his hometown crowd at </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Barclays Center</strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"> in Brooklyn, NY. The fight,
promoted by <strong>Golden Boy Promotions</strong>, headlined a four-fight
</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
</strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">event.</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">Despite being knocked down in
the second round, Malignaggi was able to regain his stride en route to a strong
116-111, 117-110, 117-110 victory which earned him Brooklyn bragging rights and
a potentially bright future in the stacked welterweight division. In addition,
he was awarded a special Brooklyn's World Championship belt designed by
SARTONK. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">"This is an emotional win for
me," said Malignaggi. "It definitely allows me to continue boxing. If I had
lost, I don't know that I would have wanted to continue. But this big win puts
me in the right spot to fight in this division for lots of
money...lots. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">"Walking to the ring was pretty
surreal. As a teenager I watched Zab fight and to walk into the ring and
fighting against him was very surreal. Not that I never expected myself not to
be successful, but it was still something very surreal," continued Malignaggi.
"I felt like this showed that this sport can unify everyone. I looked up to this
guy when I was coming up in the sport and he's one of the greats." </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">Judah said, "I came to fight and
so did Paulie. It just wasn't there. This was a great opportunity and a great
event. I wanted to be the King of Brooklyn. He wasn't tougher than me. He stayed
on the outside and didn't engage." </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">In the co-main event,
</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Shawn "Showtime" Porter</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"> (23-0-1, 14 KO's) was crowned
the new IBF Welterweight World Champion after defeating </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Devon </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Alexander "The Great" </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">(25-2, 14 KO's) by unanimous
decision 115-113, 116-112, 116-112. Porter dominated Alexander from the first
punch until the closing bell in a hard-fought battle that left both fighters
battered and bruised. Porter, a decorated amateur, was able to execute his game
plan by being, "aggressive, backing him [Alexander] up, and making him
fight." </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">After the fight, Porter said,
"This is a blessing. We wanted to come out here and establish that I was the
better fighter and we made it happen. I think I was able to control the fight
because of my experience and I'm the bigger guy. We did what we had to do. I
paid my dues. The opportunity was here and I stepped up to the
plate." </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">Alexander said, "I'm
disappointed. I didn't do what I was supposed to do. I didn't follow the game
plan. He was rushing in and I didn't capitalize on that. And that's what we had
planned on." </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Erislandy Lara</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"> (19-1-2, 12 KO's) soundly
defeated </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Austin Trout </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">(26-2, 14 KO's) by unanimous
decision in a technical bout. The scores were 115-109 and 117-110 twice. Trout
never seemed comfortable in the ring. Lara sent Trout down in the 11<sup>th
</sup>round for only the second time in Trout's career. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">"I did what Canelo couldn't do.
I dominated Trout and I dropped him. Now we have to make a fight that everyone
wants to see which is me against Canelo," said Lara. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">"I'm coming right back," said Trout. "Who can say
that they fought such high caliber fighters as Cotto, Canelo and Lara
back-to-back-to-back? His style was tricky, but I don't sign up for easy fights.
He was the better man tonight." T</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">he opening bout of the evening,
a thrilling slugfest, had the excitable Barclays Center crowd on its feet at
times. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Sakio Bika</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"> (32-5-3, 21 KO's) and
</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Anthony Dirrell</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"> (26-0-1, 22 KO's) went
toe-to-toe from the first bell and battled to a split draw. Dirrell floored Bika
early in the fight, and Bika later lost a point for a low-blow. In the end, the
final tally was a split draw: 114-112 (Bika), 116-110 (Dirrell), 113-113. After
the scores were announced, Dirrell immediately left the ring without commenting
on his performance. Ringside reporter </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jim Gray</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"> was able to catch up with
Dirrell in his locker room shortly after. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">"I want to apologize to the fans
for leaving the ring like that but I was just disappointed," said a frustrated
Dirrell. "He hit low and head butted. I definitely want a rematch." </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Bika felt differently. "I feel like I was fighting
the referee as well. The body shot was a legitimate body shot. Not below the
belt line. I got him on the belt line, Dirrell just wanted to milk it. I was the
busier fighter and now I just want to fight the best ahead of me."</span>Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-11273765498872322412013-12-02T15:05:00.001+00:002013-12-02T15:05:50.635+00:00Stenson on Top in November<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Henrik Stenson has equalled another record by being named
The Race to Dubai Golfer of the Month for November following his win in the DP
World Tour Championship, Dubai with which he secured Number One honours in The
2013 Race to Dubai. Stenson, who receives an engraved alms dish and a Jeroboam
of Moët & Chandon champagne, becomes only the second player in the European
Tour Golfer of the Year’s 29 year history to win three monthly awards in a
single season. Ian Woosnam won the panel’s vote three times in 1987 when
he was also named The European Tour Golfer of the Year after finishing Number
One with five tournament wins in addition to capturing the World Cup of Golf for
Wales with David Llewellyn. Stenson, who won the award in August and September,
maintained his lead in The 2013 Race to Dubai with a tie for seventh in the
Turkish Airlines Open by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism then the following
week made history on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, UAE, when
with scores of 68-64-67-64 he won the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai with a
record 25 under par total of 263 by a record-equalling six shot margin ahead of
Ian Poulter. The 37-year-old from Gothenburg, Sweden, then celebrated
winning The 2013 Race to Dubai, for which he received the Harry Vardon Trophy,
and also a remarkable transatlantic double-double following his US PGA TOUR
Championship and FedEx vCup triumphs. Stenson said: “It’s very pleasing to win the award again.
I have to say I am a little surprised to have beaten Victor because of his win
in Turkey and then backing it up with a good performance in Dubai but that is
not for me to judge. I am certainly not complaining. “It is very flattering to win these awards and I suppose
to win three of them in the same season just shows once again that this has been
a dream year for me. “Winning the DP Word Tour Championship the way I did to
win The Race to Dubai overall was very special obviously, and to be the only guy
to have won The Race to Dubai and FedEx Cup in the same year is something I
might never get the chance to do again so I was so happy to be able to take that
chance.” The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year Panel,
comprising members of the Association of Golf Writers as well as commentators
from television and radio, selected Stenson, highly commended Victor Dubuisson,
winner of the Turkish Airlines Open presented by the Ministry of Culture and
Tourism, acknowledged the European Tour victories of Morten Orum Madsen (South
African Open Championship), and Charl Schwartzel (Alfred Dunhill Championship)
and the worldwide successes of Luke Donald (Dunlop Phoenix, Japan), Ricardo
Gonzalez (Abierto del Litoral, Argentina), Liang Wen-Chong (Resorts World Manila
Masters) and Rory McIlroy (Emirates Australian Open), and praised Ian Poulter
for his month-long grandstand finish on The 2013 Race to Dubai in which he
finished runner-up and Thomas Björn who came within a whisker of winning the
ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf. James Haddock, Golf Correspondent of Sky Sports, said:
“The pressure on Henrik to continue to perform at the business end of the year
was immense. First he showed his resilience to keep his nose in front in Turkey
then the sublime way he went through the week in Dubai was hugely impressive
especially given his wrist injury and the mental pressure
involved.” Derek Lawrenson, Golf Correspondent of the Daily Mail and
Chairman of the Association of Golf Writers, said: “Two great candidates in
November during another stellar month when European golf again came to the fore
worldwide with many other superb performances. Victor Dubuisson deservedly won
in Turkey, fighting back after losing his lead, but the panel unanimously voted
for Henrik following a quite outstanding performance in Dubai.” Chris Wood (January), Darren Fichardt (February), Marcel
Siem (March), Raphaël Jacquelin (April), Matteo Manassero (May), Justin Rose
(June), Graeme McDowell (July) , Henrik Stenson (August, September and November)
and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (October) will all be among the candidates being
considered for The 2013 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year</div>
Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-11100561821531356872013-11-20T14:45:00.001+00:002013-11-20T14:52:26.600+00:00Uihlein makes his Mark<div class="MsoNormal">
American Peter Uihlein has been awarded the Sir Henry Cotton
Rookie of the Year award following a hugely successful first season on The
European Tour, in which he won his maiden title and finished 14<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> in
The Race to Dubai. The 24 year old is the first player from the USA to win the
prestigious award, and follows in the footsteps of golfing legends such as Sir
Nick Faldo (1977), Sandy Lyle (1978), José María Olazábal (1986) and Colin
Montgomerie (1988) and more recently Sergio Garcia (1999), Ian Poulter (2000),
Paul Casey (2001), Martin Kaymer (2007) and Matteo Manassero
(2010).Having turned professional in December 2011 following a
glittering amateur career, Uihlein secured a European Challenge Tour card for
2013 and made a promising start. He also received several invitations for
European Tour events, and took advantage of the opportunities to notch top ten
finishes in the Tshwane Open and the Open de España early in the
season. His season-changing victory came in May, at the Madeira
Islands Open, through which he earned full European Tour playing rights and
meant his schedule changed dramatically for the rest of the year. He continued
to show he could deal with the step up, finishing tied tenth in both the BMW
International Open and the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, before a
fine spell in the second half of the campaign.In August the Floridian was denied a second title by a
barnstorming finish from Grégory Bourdy in the ISPS Handa Wales Open where he
finished second and he maintained that superb form at the Alfred Dunhill Links
Championship, where he came within a whisker of recording the first 59 in
European Tour history at Kingsbarns in the second round. The 12 under par 60 helped him tie for the lead after 72
holes, but he was thwarted by David Howell at the second hole of a sudden-death
play-off. In his next appearance on The European Tour, Uihlein tied for fifth in
the BMW Masters presented by SRE Group, the first event in the inaugural Final
Series. The Oklahoma State University graduate was thrilled to be the
49<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> recipient of the award, which was launched in
1960. “It’s an honour to win the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the
Year award,” said Uihlein, who reached world amateur number one 2010. “I wasn’t
expecting it, but it’s been a great year and I’m very pleased. I think I’m the
first non-European to win it, so that’s a great honour. Any time you’re the
first of anything, it’s neat. “The win in Madeira was great and I had a lot of top tens. I
played well all week in Madeira and handled myself well in the wind, and it was
nice to get the job done. The win opened a few doors for me and I was able to
play at Wentworth (the BMW PGA Championship) the following week. “I was supposed to start the year on the Challenge Tour, but
instead I was 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> in The Race to Dubai heading into the final event,
so it wasn’t what I’d planned on but obviously it’s fantastic the way it has
worked out.” Before joining the paid ranks, Uihlein won the 2010 US
Amateur Championship, and won four points from four matches in the 2009 Walker
Cup. George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said:
“We heartily congratulate Peter on an outstanding season, during which he has
thrilled golf fans and challenged for several titles. He is a worthy winner of
the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year. “His incredible 60 at Kingsbarns, which ended with his eagle
putt for a 59 missing by a fraction, will go down as one of the finest displays
on The European Tour. “Peter enjoyed a wonderful career as an amateur and it is so
pleasing to see him fulfilling his potential at the game’s highest level. We
wish him every success for the future.”<o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-62733995172139948182013-11-18T12:26:00.001+00:002013-11-18T12:26:51.869+00:00Stenson steals the march in Dubai<div class="MsoNormal">
Henrik Stenson was crowned The Race to Dubai Champion after
finishing an incredible season in stunning style by romping to victory in the DP
World Tour Championship, Dubai. The Swede produced a golfing masterclass in the final round
at Jumeirah Golf Estates, carding an eight under par 64 for a record 25 under
par total to win by six shots from Englishman Ian Poulter, who pushed his rival
all the way in the title race and signed off with a 66. Stenson became the first European to win the lucrative FedEx
Cup on the US PGA Tour in September, and completed a brilliant double in Dubai
despite battling a wrist injury throughout the week, to become European Number
One. Fittingly, his victory was completed with a majestic eagle on
the par 18<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, where he hit a three-wood approach to less than a foot
from the hole. “It took a little time to sink in when I won the FedEx, and
it just kept on feeling better and better as time went on and I'm sure this will
be the same,” said Stenson, who has staged a remarkable comeback since falling
out of the top 200 in the Official Golf World Ranking in early 2012. “I have
managed to achieve something very special here this week.“To get the double‑double, winning the Tour Championship on
both the tours, that's going to take some beating in the future. It's been a
dream year, a dream summer for me, and the season of my life.“I’m just very, very pleased with the way I played. I knew
it was going to be a tough week and I knew the guys were going to keep on
charging and trying to catch me. Being in the lead, you want to play solidly and
not make any silly mistakes. I had a couple of really good iron shots early in
the round to set up three birdies in the first five holes. “It was blowing pretty hard with a lot of sand in the air on
the back nine. I was just trying to hit fairways and greens and make pars coming
in.” Poulter was the only player left with a realistic chance of
pipping Stenson to The Race to Dubai title on the final day, needing to win the
tournament and for his rival to finish worse than second, but his efforts were
in vain as the Swede blew the rest of the field away with a record low total,
beating by two the previous best set by Lee Westwood in 2009 and matched by Rory
McIlroy last year. “I've tried to run Henrik down as hard as I possibly could,”
said Poulter. “He's been in incredible form the last six months, and even with a
sore wrist, he's managed to continue to press on and even today in the wind, he
kept his head down and pressed on through. “He's played exceptional golf in the back end of the year -
simply incredible, flawless. The guy is the hottest player on the planet right
now, and all credit to him.” <o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-17886906274292386252013-11-18T12:24:00.001+00:002013-11-18T12:24:46.304+00:00Haye to hang up his GlovesHayemaker Boxing regret to inform that former world heavyweight and
cruiserweight champion David 'The Hayemaker' Haye underwent five hours of
surgery in Germany on Thursday morning (14 November) to reconstruct his right
shoulder, and has since been told to seriously consider ending his glittering
11-year professional boxing career. The operation was to the right
subscapularis and bicep tendon attachments, both of which were ruptured.
“I genuinely believed the shoulder injury wasn't that bad,” said Haye.
“But the doctor sent me for a detailed MRI scan and within 24 hours I was told
the full extent of the damage. Twenty-four hours after that I was in the
operating theatre. “It's a crushing blow for me. I had big plans for
next year and the ultimate goal was to win back the world heavyweight title,
something my amazing fans deserve. What I didn't anticipate was that this year
would be the unluckiest of my career and that a number of injuries would disrupt
my plans so much. Perhaps it just wasn't meant to be. The boxing Gods keep
hinting that maybe enough is enough and that it's time to finally hang up my
gloves.” This latest injury obviously means Haye will now cancel his
proposed February 8 bout with Tyson Fury on the advice of doctors. “The
surgery and subsequent results are a bitter pill to swallow because I truly felt
I had a lot more to offer and was looking forward to paying back my loyal fans
with some great fights in 2014,” said Haye. “But I've been boxing for 23 years
now, amateur and pro, and this has clearly taken its toll on my body. “I
can only offer my sincerest apologies to all those fans who have followed me
over the years and, like me, wanted to finish on a real high. This wasn't how I
wanted to end 2013. “If I'm now destined to have won the European
Championship, the Unified World Cruiserweight Championship and the WBA
Heavyweight Championship of the world - with a record of 28 fights, 26 wins, 24
victories coming via knockout and only two defeats - then so be it. I'm proud of
these achievements and consider my boxing career a huge success.” Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-35218950192807839592013-11-11T13:41:00.003+00:002013-11-11T13:41:42.695+00:00Dubuisson wins in Turkey<div class="MsoNormal">
Victor Dubuisson survived an intense challenge from a
high-profile chasing pack to claim his maiden European Tour title by two shots
in the Turkish Airlines Open by the Ministry of Culture and
Tourism. The Frenchman took a five stroke lead into the final round at
the Montgomerie Maxx Royal and that cushion proved vital for the 23 year old,
with the likes of Ian Poulter, Tiger Woods, Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson hot
on his heels. In the end it was Jamie Donaldson who proved to be his
closest rival, the Welshman drawing level at the top of the leaderboard with a
stunning hole-in-one on the 16th hole which won him 1 million Turkish Airlines
air miles before setting the clubhouse target of 22 under par with a birdie on
the last for a magnificent nine under par round of 63. However, Dubuisson, who had started with nine successive pars
before his first birdie of the day on the tenth, found an extra gear on the back
nine to pull clear once more. After bouncing back from his only bogey of the day
on the 14th hole with a birdie on the 15th, the former World Amateur Number One
responded impressively to Donaldson’s threat by finishing with back-to-back
birdies for a final round of 69 and winning total of 24 under par.
It was a calm display of front running from Dubuisson, whose
positive approach paid off under pressure from some of the world’s leading
playe “It feels so great,” said Dubuisson, who had finished third
three times on The European Tour. “It hasn’t sunk in that I just won such a big
tournament. Tiger, Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose, they were all in contention
with me today. “So it's a really great feeling, and I'm really proud of what
I did because it was the toughest golf day of my life. I'm played great on the
front nine. I was struggling on the greens. On this course, level par is a good
score, but with this level of players, you cannot win a tournament with a level
par score, even with a five‑shot lead. “On the back nine, I tried to do my best to make some
birdies, and I had this great putt on 17. It's one of those putts that you make
to make a dream come true. Everything feels like a dream right
now.” Dubuisson’s victory in the penultimate event of the 2013
season elevates him from 49th on The Race to Dubai to ninth, with just next
week’s DP TOUR World Championship remaining. Donaldson’s second place also moves him inside the top ten
that qualifies for the end of season bonus pool, up from 16th to fifth position.
US Open Champion Rose did his chances of landing the European
Number One spot a second time no harm with a closing 65 for a share of third
place with World Number One Woods (67), with Rose disappointed to drop a shot on
the last. He said: “I think I've gained some ground. It's nice to be
able to control your own fate next week. If I go in and have a good week, win a
golf tournament, that's going to obviously be the exact scenario I'm looking
for. I was fifth last week and tied third this week, so I like the way that's
trending towards number one.” Poulter picked up four shots in the opening 11 holes, but his
challenge ran out of steam with a sole birdie, a bogey and five pars over the
last seven holes adding up to a 69 and 19 under par. The Englishman shared fifth
position with Frenchman Raphaël Jacquelin (68), while Stenson recovered from a
one over par front nine with four birdies after the turn in a round of 69 to
share seventh position on 18 under par with Bernd Wiesberger (64) and Marc
Warren (65). That means the Swede remains on top of The Race to Dubai
heading into next week’s season finale, with Rose now his nearest rival some
€213,468 adrift. “I feel like it could have been even my week this week the
way I played and the chances I gave myself,” said Stenson. “I'm still happy with
the week though and thanks to a few of the other guys, I've still got the lead
heading into the last week.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30643614.post-48327666836450626202013-11-06T12:20:00.002+00:002013-11-06T12:20:47.111+00:00Gonzalo hits top Spot in OctoberGonzalo Fernandez-Castaño has been named The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer
of the Month for October when he played a significant role in Continental
Europe’s victory in the Seve Trophy by Golf+ then captured the BMW Masters
presented by SRE Group.<o:p></o:p>
Fernandez-Castaño, who receives an engraved alms dish and
a Jeroboam of Moët & Chandon champagne, earned three points out of five as
his Spanish compatriot José María Olazábal captained Continental Europe to their
first win since 2000 in the Seve Trophy when they overcame Great Britain and
Ireland 15-13 at Saint-Nom-La-Bretéche, Paris, France. Then the resident of Madrid belatedly celebrated his
33<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> birthday by claiming his seventh European Tour title, and his
third sponsored by BMW, by compiling rounds of 71, 71, 67 and 68 for a winning
11 under par total of 277 in the BMW Masters presented by SRE Group at Lake
Malaren Golf Club, in Shanghai, China. Fernandez-Castaño, who is currently fifth in The 2013
Race to Dubai, said: “It’s a great honour, I feel very proud to receive this
award for the second time. “Who could have imagined, playing the Qualifying School
back in 2004, that ten years later I would have achieved seven victories. It’s
amazing how time goes by. In 2004, you are at the School thinking where your
life will end up – and in 2013, you find yourself with seven titles.
“I look back at 2011, when I had problems with my back,
and I can hardly believe how dark a time it was. I was full of doubts, and
getting back to being competitive again was very tough. But since then, I’ve won
three times. Now I am so happy!” The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year Panel,
comprising members of the Association of Golf Writers as well as commentators
from television and radio, selected Fernandez-Castaño whilst also considering
the achievements of Frenchman Grégory Bourdy, who became the first player to
claim a maximum five points in the Seve Trophy by Golf+ contest, and European
Tour winners David Lynn (Portugal Masters) of England, and Korea’s Jin Jeong
(ISPS Handa Perth International). Iain Carter, Golf Correspondent of BBC Radio Five Live,
said: “Gonzalo added to his impressive Seve Trophy display by completing an
excellent body of work in October with his victory over a strong field in the
BMW Masters – although a special mention should go to Jin Jeong for his win in
Perth.” Derek Lawrenson, Golf Correspondent of the Daily Mail and
Chairman of the Association of Golf Writers, said: “You could make a strong case
for any of October’s candidates. Grégory Bourdy certainly put himself on The
Ryder Cup radar with his stunning performance at the Seve Trophy; Jin Jeong will
clearly be winning these awards for years to come; and it was particularly hard
to separate David Lynn, with his first win in nine years just days before his
40<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> birthday, and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño’s stirring success at
the BMW Masters – although ultimately it came down to the gentleman from
Madrid.” Chris Wood (January), Darren Fichardt (February), Marcel
Siem (March), Raphaël Jacquelin (April), Matteo Manassero (May), Justin Rose
(June), Graeme McDowell (July) and Henrik Stenson (August and September), all
previous recipients of awards this year, will now with Fernandez-Castaño be
considered for The 2013 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year
Award.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></b>Robert Halterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04748261072603749511noreply@blogger.com0