Matt Kuchar wins The Players Championship

Posted on May 13, 2012 by shgcnews

Matt Kuchar claimed the biggest win of his career at Sawgrass, seeing off some big names on a thrilling final day of golf in Florida.

Kuchar started the day one shy of Kevin ‘nervy’ Na, who stumbled to a 76 after miraculously holding the lead following some slow play and incredible pre-swing antics over the first few days.

A bogey at the first could have put Kuchar on the back foot, and for a man who has been without a win since the 2010 Barclays, it looked like another chance would go begging for the American.

Four birdies took his total to 13-under, winning the tournament by two strokes ahead of the group on 11-under. Martin Laird, major winning duo Zach Johnson and Ben Curtis, and last week’s winner Rickie Fowler. A pretty strong group to triumph over I think you will agree!

World number two Luke Donald, who needed a top-four finish to replace Rory McIlroy in their topsy turvy battle at the top of the rankings, could only managed sixth spot. McIlroy had missed the cut on Friday, opening the door for the Englishman, but his total of 9-under just wasn’t good enough in the end.

Elsewhere were Ian Poulter and Phil Mickelson, who hadn’t given themselves much of an opportunity heading into the weekend, both finishing ten shots shy of Kuchar. Tiger Woods was a further two back from them, as his indifferent form continues, finishing outside of the top-30 yet again.

Well done Kuch, a top bloke by all accounts, and a talented golfer who should be challenging for many more events.

@MarkCockroft | Guest Blogger for Second-Hand-Golf-Clubs.co.uk | The Online Store Selling Top Branded Affordable Used Golf Clubs

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Dufner lands first title as Donald retains world top spot

Posted on April 30, 2012 by shgcnews

Jason Dufner finally ended his long-awaited PGA Tour title chase, beating Ernie Els in a play-off to win the Zurich Classic.

Dufner, playing his 164th event, had previously finished second on three occasions, including his play-off loss to Keegan Bradley at the US PGA Championship.

Els has forced a play-off after a final round of 67, with Dufner only producing a 70, unable to see off his first victory within 72 holes. Both players missed birdies putts at the 18th for play-off hole number one, but on the second attempt at thepar-five closer, Dufner was able to make birdie after a tremendous approach shot.

Els’ search for victory continues, having not lifted a title since 2010. The three-time major winner has produced fine golf of late though, and a win should be on the cards this season.

Elsewhere in New Orleans, the world number one spot changed hands for the ninth time in 18 months, as Luke Donald once again climbed to the top of the rankings after his third place finish. Rory McIlroy will have another chance to regain his place next week at the Wells Fargo Championship, as Luke is taking a week off.

Much is made of the constant swapping at the top, but this is sure to continue all the way through the season unless Luke, Rory or another player is able to string a number of consecutive wins together. An unlikely feat considering the sheer quality of the fields on both the European and PGA Tour each week.

Tiger is back in action next week alongside Rory and Big Phil. See you there.

@MarkCockroft | Guest Blogger for Second-Hand-Golf-Clubs.co.uk | The Online Store Selling Top Branded Affordable Used Golf Clubs

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Wiesberger wins Ballantine’s Championship

Posted on April 29, 2012 by shgcnews

Bernd Wiesberger (clap clap clap clap clap). A round of applause please…

Not only did the Austrian capture his first European Tour title at the Ballentine’s Championship, but he did so by smashing the field to pieces, winning the event by five shots at 18-under par.

Birdies at three of the last four holes comfortably held off any challenge Richie Ramsay tried to put together, as the Scot recorded a seven-under par 65 to take second spot.

26-year-old Wiesberger looked so relaxed as he dominated the weekends play in South Korea,and he did not drop a single shot during his final three rounds. A staggering acheivement for any golfer, in any event, on any course in the world.

Miguel Angel Jimenez was the biggest name to feature on the first page of the leaderboard, as the cigar smoking Spaniard finished tied for fifth, as he continues to search for his first win since September 2010.

@MarkCockroft | Guest Blogger for Second-Hand-Golf-Clubs.co.uk | The Online Store Selling Top Branded Affordable Used Golf Clubs

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Mobile phones back at The Open… What do we think?

Posted on April 23, 2012 by shgcnews

Sorry Tiger… I couldn’t help it.

That’s right folks, the R&A has today announced that mobile phones will no longer be banned from The Open Championship.

Chief exec Peter Dawson thinks reversing the ban, that was brought into affect in 2007, will “enrich the Open experience” for the spectators. How?

Watching Rory McIlroy swing a golf club or watching Tiger sting a two-iron down the fairway is about as enriching an experieince you could possibly have at Lytham this summer. I don’t personally see how an iPhone can add to that?

Many will argue, including Dawson himself, that mobiles phones have become an essential part of our lives, and while I agree with that statement, the original ban was brought in for a reason in the first place.

England is a strange old place. We treat big events with a tremendous sense of occasion. We splash out on tickets, and we splash out on the booze to help us celebrate the wonderful time we are having.

In 2006, Hoylake played host to The Open. Various complaints were made by players as to the use of mobile phones, so the ban was enforced.

The majority of spectators are golfers, so they know the score when it comes to a player addressing their ball and the deadly silence required to execute excellence. Let’s just hope the minority don’t ruin it for rest of us. It only takes one loud camera shutter at the wrong time, and we could have a storm on our hands.

@MarkCockroft | Guest Blogger for Second-Hand-Golf-Clubs.co.uk | The Online Store Selling Top Branded Affordable Used Golf Clubs

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Ben Curtis records first win in six years at Texas Open

Posted on April 23, 2012 by shgcnews

In 2003, an unknown entity in the world of golf burst onto our screens at Royal St George’s, when American Ben Curtis won The Open Championhsip.

Curtis finished one stroke ahead of Thomas Bjorn and Vijay Singh, becoming the first golfer since Francis Ouimet at the 1913 US Open to win their debut major championship. He was awarded rookie of the year on the PGA Tour, and looked set to enjoy a successful period within the sport…

In 2004 and 2005, Curtis played in events on both the European and PGA Tours, making the most of his exemptions and travelling all over the world. His standard of golf failed to live up to the opportunities he had earned, making only three top-10 finishes in those two years.

2006 did bring success, as Curtis went on to win the Booz Allen Classic and the 84 Lumber Classic. He missed only four cuts all year, and his good form earned him a place in the 2008 Ryder Cup team.

Since then, Curtis has struggled, and was without a win for almost six years coming into the Texas Open, hanging at 285th in the world rankings.

On Sunday, Curtis finally ended his drought, securing his fourth title by two-strokes over fellow Americans Matt Every and John Huh. His final round of 70 in San Antonio took him to 9-under for the week.

A visibly emotional Curtis held back tears as he described the ill-form that has plagued his golf game over the years since that historic Open triumph. Hopefully he can build on the victory this week and return to the leaderboards on the PGA Tour. He seems like a genuinely nice bloke, and I wish him every success in getting his career back on track.

@MarkCockroft | Guest Blogger for Second-Hand-Golf-Clubs.co.uk | The Online Store Selling Top Branded Affordable Used Golf Clubs

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Brenden Grace wins China Open

Posted on April 23, 2012 by shgcnews

Brenden Grace sealed the European Tour hat-trick with his third title of the 2012 season, becoming only the second golfer in history to do so after coming through Qualifying School.

Grace (21-under) finished three-clear of defending champion Nicolas Colsaerts, to slip into the China Open’s golden jacket. Richard Finch finished in third spot, four shots back at 17-under par.

We are still in April, yet Grace is already alongside Ernie and Retief as the only other South African to record three wins in a year. Only a fool would bet against him adding another title to his bow before winter sets in.

The first win came in January at the Joburg Open, where Grace described his first win on tour as a “dream come true.”

The dream continued the following week when Grace recorded a consecutive win to shoot to the top of the Race to Dubai standings, capturing the Volvo Golf Champions. He defeated Ernie and Retief in a play-off to cement himself onto the tour, and defeat two of his idols in front of his home town crowd.

Grace admits that three wins before May is a staggering prospect that he could only fantasise about, but knows he has the game to continue improving, and has set his sights on competing in the majors and making a name for himself on the world stage.

The 23-year old is certainly oozing ambition and confidence. Another South African golfing legend in the making.

@MarkCockroft | Guest Blogger for Second-Hand-Golf-Clubs.co.uk | The Online Store Selling Top Branded Affordable Used Golf Clubs

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Westy retains Indonesian Masters

Posted on April 23, 2012 by shgcnews

Some may call it a bit of a cop-out, travelling to Jakarta to play in an event that is much less competitive (quality wise) that the bigger events being staged on the European and PGA Tours, but that won’t matter a jot to Mr Westwood.

Lee came to Indonesia to defend the title he won 12 months ago, in order to kick start his 2012. A win was the only outcome he was aiming for, and that is exactly what he got.

After some ferocious weather on Saturday, Lee was faced with a daunting 32-hole final day, and despite a wobbly final 18-holes in, a two-over par 74 took his total to 16-under.

A two shot victory secured a 38th career title, and hopefully, after the disappointment of Augusta, Lee can finally get his season under way, and the world number three can plan out his next victory when he returns to the European circuit.

@MarkCockroft | Guest Blogger for Second-Hand-Golf-Clubs.co.uk | The Online Store Selling Top Branded Affordable Used Golf Clubs

 

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Poults amongst favourites for China Open

Posted on April 18, 2012 by shgcnews

The European Tour continues in the far-east this week, as the 2012 China Open takes place at the Binhai Lake Golf Club in Tianjin.

Nicolas Colsaerts is the defending champion after the Belgian won the gold jacket and his first tour title in this tournament 12 months ago. Despite not winning since, Colsaerts has had the chance to play in some of the biggest events in the sport as a result of that win, and comes back with the confidence to do it all again.

Ian Poulter will begin the first round as the joint-favourite to win it, after a fine performance in The Masters and word that he may finally be hitting 100% fitness about some bouts with illness. At 14/1, a good start from Poults could be the kick-start his 2012 season needs.

Joining him as the bookies first pick is Peter Hanson, who had a fantastic showing at Augusta, and is keen to continue his good form into the coming weeks and months. The Swede is also 14/1, and currently finds himself fourth in The Race to Dubai, and second in the Ryder Cup standings.

Another record is set to be broken once play gets under way tomorrow, as Guan Tian-lang will become the youngest player to compete in a European Tour event. At 13 years and 173 days of age, Guan will beat the record of fellow Chinese younster Lo Shik-kai, who was 107 days older when he teed up at the Hong Kong Open in 2003.

When I was 13 I had just won my second junior tournament at Appleby Golf Club with a handicap of 32… A truly astonishing contrast.

Guan qualified for the field after finishing fourth in a Chinese qualifying event. A staggering feat for the lad, and an experience I’m sure he will never forget. A name for the future perhaps…?

Other big names in the field include Paul Casey (20/1), Francesco Molinari (also 20/1), and the in-form man of 2012, Paul Lawrie (25/1).

Play begins in China in the early hours of UK time, with Poults, Hanson and Molinari making up the feature group of the opening two rounds.

@MarkCockroft | Guest Blogger for Second-Hand-Golf-Clubs.co.uk | The Online Store Selling Top Branded Affordable Used Golf Clubs

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Pettersson wins RBC Heritage

Posted on April 16, 2012 by shgcnews

Carl Pettersson captured his fifth PGA Tour title at the RBC Heritage, as he joined JesperParnevik as one of the most successful Swede’s in the history of the circuit.

A final round of 69 allowed for a comfortable afternoon for Petterson, finishing five-clear of Zach Johnson to claim his first win since the 2010 RBC Canadian Open.

The larger than life golfer is a dual citizen of Sweden and America, after becoming an official member of the US population in January. He has been knocking at the door already in the 2012 season, and felt positive that another win would come. He finished second at both the Sony Open in January, and the Houston Open two weeks ago.

The win moves Pettersson to fourth in the FedExCup rankings and if his form continues, win number six could be on the horizon.

Speaking of his large frame after the final round, Pettersson simply said: “Just because you don’t look like an athlete doesn’t mean you’re not an athlete. We’re not running marathons; we’re just walking 18 holes. It’s great to be fit and everything, but I feel like I’m fit enough to get around 18 holes.”

Good on him.

@MarkCockroft | Guest Blogger for Second-Hand-Golf-Clubs.co.uk | The Online Store Selling Top Branded Affordable Used Golf Clubs

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Rory McIlroy, back on top of the world…

Posted on April 15, 2012 by shgcnews

“#1 again without touching a golf club this week…. I wish it was that easy!”

Rory McIlroy took to his Twitter account to announce his delight at once again topping the world rankings, despite not having to compete at the RBC Heritage this week.

Luke Donald needed to finish in the top-8 at the PGA Tour event in South Carolina, but he could only muster a disappointing two-over par total, and McIlroy will replace him at the top once the points are re-calculated on Monday morning.

Rory briefly held the top spot last month after winning the Honda Classic at the start of March, but Donald replaced him a fortnight later when he won the Transitions Championship in Florida.

Rory is due back in action at the Wells Fargo Championship next month, so we could see yet another changing of the guard. Many in the world of sport seem to constantly scrutinize Donald for not ‘performing’ like the best in his sport, but we were so spoiled by the complete dominance of Tiger Woods that we expect to see the same name at the top of the leaderboard every week, and the standard in the game has become so high that it simply is not the case anymore.

Congratulations to Rory. Let’s just see how long he can hold on to it this time…

@MarkCockroft | Guest Blogger for Second-Hand-Golf-Clubs.co.uk | The Online Store Selling Top Branded Affordable Used Golf Clubs

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