I guess the first place to start with all of this is to explain why on earth I’ve decided to start this blog…. because golf is great and I want to talk about it.
That’s the simple, easy to digest version of things anyway. I am a keen golfer who for the life of him cannot get his handicap down to single figures; no matter how many YouTube videos he watches. This, however, doesn’t detract from my love of the sport and my want to air all the feelings and opinions I have on the latest news from the world of golf.
In essence, this page will be somewhere where you can (hopefully) get a grasp on which golfers are playing well, which need to up their game, who has a chance to win you a bit of wonga at the next major, and quite literally any other piece of golfing news that hits the headlines.
All’s that is left to say is thank you for taking the time to look at my page – hopefully there will be something here for you that makes you want to come back and see what else I have to say!
Bryson has come under a lot of scrutiny for his pace of play
How long does it take you to play a round of golf?
The average golfer would surely be disappointed if their round of golf took longer than 4 hours. SURELY. And I feel I’m being a little generous here… if there are three, middle range handicappers, a 4 hour round would probably include a good chunk of waiting around on the odd tee, in the middle of the fairway, waiting for the group in front. But it’s not a nightmare when you’re probably going round in about 90-95 shots.
I currently play off 18… so I’m clearly not the best golfer around but I take my time over the occasionally tricky shot and more often than not my rounds are on the wrong side of 90 (my aim for this year is to shoot 85 but as of yet I’ve not been close). Last week I went out for a round with my dad (16 handicapper) and we completed it in 3 hours and 20 mins. I shot 89, my dad 87.
Now then. I am definitely not saying that professionals should be as quick as I am… you could argue that if I look a little longer over my shots then I would stand a chance of shooting 85. However, my dad and I are taking potentially 20 more shots than the professionals, who will hardly ever have to go looking for their ball, who will have researched the course inside out, and who have a caddy there who’s job it is to help them.
I do further realise and concede that professionals are under much more pressure than I am when they’re on the course. Not to mention that this is how they make their living. But the fact that the PGA Tour is finally reviewing its pace of play policy, off the back of more controversy this past week, is an absolute god-send.
Eddie Pepperell found himself apologising after calling DeChambeau a “single-minded twit” in reference to the American’s slow play (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
No matter how Bryson DeChambeau defends himself after taking over two minutes to play a 70-yard chip (yes, seriously), that is too slow. Way, way too slow. That is the sort of slow that not only holds up the players behind you, but also will disrupt the play of your playing partner; whilst also setting a really bad example to those kids who may grow up thinking that a potentially 5 hour round of golf is “fine”.
JB Holmes has been another golfer accused of slow play and came under severe scrutiny earlier this year when he took over 50 seconds to take a 1-foot putt.
Now the question becomes, “what will the PGA do about it?”. It seems clear to most who find this slow play abhorrent that on the spot shot penalties would prove to be the most effective; but the potential controversy this would bring may be too much for the PGA to handle right now.
This is a part of the game that HAS to change. Golf as a spectator sport is struggling to bring in a younger audience. Slow play is not the only issue facing the game today, but if we want a new crowd to start tuning in then it’s an issue that needs fixing.
The “smiling Cinderella” lit up the course at Woburn to become a worthy champion
Hinako Shibuno definitely won’t be forgetting her first appearance in a major tournament anytime soon as she clinched the Women’s British Open at Woburn after she birdied the last hole.
Going into the final round Shibuno, 20, held a two-shot lead after producing a late charge up the field at the end of the third day. However, American Lizette Salas saw to apply the pressure onto the young Japanese superstar from the get-go as Shibuno saw her lead disappear early on in the final round.
Salas produced the lowest round of the week – a seven-under-par 65 – posting 17 under par which left her waiting to see if this total was going to be good enough to secure a play-off as Shibuno walked up the last.
But it wasn’t to be for Salas as Shibuno birdied five holes on the back nine; including the last as Salas looked on.
The 20 year old, who not only was playing in her first major tournament but was also playing outside of her native Japan for the first time, showed no nerves on the last as she firmly produced one last solid stroke from 18ft to take the win.
Shibuno is affectionately called “the smiling Cinderella” and lit up the tournament all weekend with her crowd interaction; posing for selfies and giving out high-fives. After what has been a meteoric rise so far this year, the 2019 Women’s British Open winner will certainly have gained many new fans.
Not so smiley for the Brits…
Tough weekend for British No. 1 Bronte Law
In other news, Woburn local Charley Hull had a difficult final day which saw her challenge fade. Hull carded four over par on Sunday which saw her finish the tournament at 5 under par – 13 shots off the eventual winning score.
British No. 1 Bronte Law also had a Sunday to forget as she completed her final round by scoring a 6 over par, 78; leaving her on the same tournament score as defending champion Georgia Hall, who carded a final round 73.
Rory McIlroy teeing up during the third round at the St. Jude Invitational
After what has felt like a pretty hectic summer – thanks to the reviewed tour schedule which gives us four Majors in four quickfire months – you’d be forgiven for wanting the golf calendar to slow down so you could catch your breath!
But alas, not to be… Another World Golf Championship took centre stage on the tour schedule; with the worlds best players and a host of FedEx Cup points up for grabs.
Roll up Mr McIlroy. After what can only be described as an unbelievably disappointing Open Championship (where even Rory himself admitted that the occasion got the best of him), a WGC was a perfect way to bounce back and show the kind of form that has accompanied him all year.
However, once again we are looking back on the years major’s, and McIlroy’s performances in them, with a sense of deja vu.
If you spend some time on social media you would see a large portion of golf fans claiming that Rory has “bottled it again” or that he is “mentally weak”. However, you’re talking about a player who this year has won a Canadian Open title and the awe inspiring Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass – not to mention recording 11 top 10s during this season so far! Hardly the work of someone who doesn’t have the game to come out on top.
Rory winning the Players Championship
With all four majors ahead of him, following that Players win in March most golf fans were eagerly anticipating the return to glory of Rory McIlroy because, after all, the Players usually contains the toughest field of the year.
The question that McIlroy needs to ask himself then is, “what do I need to do to play my best golf when needed the most?”.
It is clear that McIlroy has the game. Even at the St. Jude Rory shot a 62 and propelled himself into the lead with the top stats for picking up shots on the green during the third day. This type of play is what Rory needs to piece together over a whole weekend; when he is going for the majors and the big events.
It goes without saying that McIlroy is still one of the supreme talents in world golf – but if he is ever going to add to his major tally then he really needs to work on producing his best when it counts.
