Oman eyes golf tourist dollar
The Middle East state of Oman has one golf course. Even this is a sandy nine-hole facility in badly in need of maintenance.
However, in a few more years time, Oman will have at least 10 luxury golf courses, all with the aim of luring the tourist dollar.
The recent three-tournament Gulf Swing in the Middle East, where the European Tour played events in Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Dubai, proved that golf is a viable form of entertainment in the region.
And Oman is hoping to jump on the growing role golf tourism is playing in the countries west of the Persian Gulf.
Falling oil prices and the shift towards alternative power are more reasons the Omani government are looking at other forms of revenue.
According to a Reuters report, 10 golf courses are at various stages of planning or construction, including the US$400 million Muscat Golf Course. This is addition to projects in Blue City, Salam Yiti and Murya, all totally more than $10 billion.
Another one is The Wave project, which is a 18-hole course designed by Australia’s former two-time British Open champion Greg Norman.
Cyril Piaia is CEO of the Murya project, which is located in the southern port city of Salalah. He said:
“Golf is seen as one sure way to attract wealthy European tourists to the country, besides the beaches and the sun.â€
Dubai is leading the way in terms of golf tourism in the region, and now Oman believes that it will have to make major investments into the industry if it is to keep up with the game.
Bundy, 43, stirred by son to seek PGA Tour spot
Inspired by Charlie, his five-year-old son, Phil Bundy is ready to launch his quest to play on the PGA Tour – at the age of 43.
Bundy has a long association with golf, performing all kinds of tasks related to the golfing industry, from course manager to tournament director to marketer. The only thing he hasn’t done is play as a true touring professional.
Inspiration: Phil Bundy with son Charlie
Now, the Washington DC resident wants the final piece of the jigsaw to complete his golfing odyssey. Speaking about his son, Bundy said in a press release:
“He also loves golf and if I don’t do this, someday he will ask why. It’s my hope that my quest will inspire my son to always pursue his dreams.â€
After graduating, Bundy earned his MBA at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland while his college teammaters pursued pro careers.
He then started a golf marketing and management business at the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, which resulted in his numerous functions within the industry, which also includes golf instructor, agent, manufacturer, distributor and publicist.
Recently, he tried his hand at a few pro tournaments. And if his early success is any indication, Bundy has a good shot at making it on to the PGA Tour, which is recognised as the leading circuit in world golf.
He won the NGT Virginia Beach Open for his first pro triumph in August 2007 and the NGT Capital Series Championship one month later. Both were on the National Golf Tour.
He hopes his maturity and life experiences will help him succeed in his quest, which he hopes to document in a journal.
Along the way, he intends to contribute to charity through junior clinics during tournaments and collecting donations for golf development programmes. He said:
“Junior golf was the beginning of my dream. I hope that my efforts will provide an opportunity for kids to have access to the game and begin their own dreams.â€
With plenty of enthusiasm and much to look forward to, the name Bundy is one that golf fans will keep an eye out for in the months to come.
Tiger waits for new cub
There is another factor for Tiger Woods to consider when he ponders his comeback to the professional circuit. And it has nothing to do with his ball-striking, mental strength or the knee injury that has sidelined him since June last year.
Woods’ concern is the impending arrival of his second child with wife Elin. Writing in his latest newsletter, the world number one and 14-time major winner said his family takes priority over his return to the PGA Tour.
Woods already has one daughter, Sam, and he wrote:
“As for my comeback to the PGA Tour, a lot depends on the baby, which is due pretty soon. That takes precedent over anything I do golf-wise. Elin, Sam and I are very excited for the new baby to arrive, although that’s when the real lack of sleep begins.â€
Woods aggravated his knee during his epic victory over Rocco Mediate at the 2008 US Open, where he was taken to 19 extra holes.
Soon after that victory, he announced that he was taking a long break to have surgery on his knee and undergo a proper recovery programme.
He wrote that practice is now “full-bore†and he has no restrictions when it comes to executing his swing, which he says has not changed during the time he spent away. He is also working on his endurance because he feels his stamina could do with a bit of work. Woods added:
“I’m doing all the things I’ve been trying to do for a long time, but I can actually hit into my left leg without my bones moving. It’s a nice feeling! It is so much better than it ever has been because my bones aren’t grinding against each other. As for my length, I can’t tell if I’m longer.â€
He said he will be watching the forthcoming Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines, where he won the US Open last year, on television.
Losing Your Golf Ball In Casual Water
Here is a golf rules question I received earlier in the week relating to casual water.
RULES OF GOLF QUESTION:
“A case last week, not sure of the ruling.
There was a quantity of water – which would be classed as casual – to one side of our 12th. A misplaced shot appeared to have gone into the water but could not be seen. The water was in a hollow and a few inches deep in the middle.
What rule governs such a situation and would the other three players have to agree that the water is where the ball finished up before further action is taken.
Best wishes
John”
RULES OF GOLF ANSWER:
“The definition of Abnormal Ground Condition includes casual water.
Therefore Rule 25-1c is relevant: Ball in Abnormal Ground Condition Not Found. The Rule states; “It is a question of fact whether a ball that has not been found after having been struck toward an abnormal ground condition is in such a condition. In order to apply this Rule, it must be known or virtually certain that the ball is in the abnormal ground condition. In the absence of such knowledge or certainty, the player must proceed under Rule 27-1 (Lost Ball).
If it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in an abnormal ground condition, the player may take relief under this Rule. If he elects to do so, the spot where the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the abnormal ground condition must be determined and, for the purpose of applying this Rule, the ball is deemed to lie at this spot and the player must proceed as follows:
(i) Through the Green: If the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the abnormal ground condition at a spot through the green, the player may substitute another ball, without penalty, and take relief as prescribed in Rule 25-1b(i)…..” (i.e. within one club length of the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole, of the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the casual water.
In your circumstances if the fellow competitors cannot agree among themselves that it was “known or virtually certain” that the ball is lost in casual water the player should play out the hole with two balls and report the facts to the Committee after completing his round (Rule 3-3).”
Visit here for more Rules of Golf questions.
Disclaimer: Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of this information on the Rules of Golf I am human and have been known to be wrong! Neither I, nor anyone connected with GolfSwingSecretsRevealed.com, shall be held responsible for any losses caused by reliance upon the accuracy or reliability of such information. Readers should refer to the full text of the rules and decisions as published in the official publications of the R&A and the USGA, The Rules of Golf 2008-2011 and Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2008-2009.
Teenager McIlroy comes of age in Dubai
The coming of Rory McIlroy is complete. The teenager has been talked about as the next big thing in European golf and the 19-year-old has duly delivered.
The Northern Irish star won his first professional title when he lifted the Dubai Desert Classic crown, beating England’s Justin Rose by one stroke.
His victory brings the curtain down on a colourful three weeks in the Middle East, which was the Gulf Swing part of the European Tour’s 2009 Race to Dubai.
Nerves, however, almost saw him squander the title after he led by six strokes with six holes remaining. Three bogeys, after four straight birdies, meant McIlroy needed to stay calm on the final hole. He said in a Tour website article:
“You see guys coming down the stretch with a four or five shot lead, and you think it’s easy but it’s not. You still have to play the shots, and you still have to hole the putts. It was nice to just hold it together on the last and get a great up and down for the victory.â€
McIlroy closed with 70 to finish on 19-under-par 269 for the tournament. Rose’s final round of 67 was good enough for 270.
Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, who bases himself in Dubai, fired 67 as well for 271 while Paul Casey (68), Robert Karlsson (65) and Martin Kaymer (67) were tied for fourth on 272.
Because of his victory, McIlory moves up to 16th in the world rankings. He is also the seventh youngest winner on the European Tour and climbs to second in the Race to Dubai.
On the PGA Tour, Kenny Perry proved that his three victories last year were no fluke as he won the FBR Open in Scottsdale, Arizona in a play-off victory over Charley Hoffman.
Perry and Hoffman battled over three extra holes before he holed a 22-foot putt for victory.
Perry, 48, scored a two-under-par on the final day for a total of 14-under-par 270. Hoffman closed with a 67 to match Perry’s tournament total but, despite a tough battle, was undone by his opponent’s heroics on the third extra hole.
Kevin Na finished on 68 to miss out on the play-off by one as he finished third. James Nitties and David Toms tied for third on 272, both scoring 68s in the fourth round.
Don’t talk too much, say scientists
Don’t just stand there thinking or talking about your putt … just go ahead and play it!
That’s the advice of a group of scientists after they completed a study on golfers who stand there pondering what they are going to do compared with those who prefer to simply step up and tap the ball.
The study by experts from St Andrews University and the University of Michigan in the US suggested that over-analysing may not necessarily be good for putters looking for the nirvana of line and weight.
In the experiment, 80 golfers of skilled and novice standards were given putts to perform repeatedly until they holed the ball. It was discovered that those who talked to each other about their putts between attempts were 50 per cent worse than those who simply got on with it.
And, apparently, the time factor was not the only reason. The very act of discussing the putts was deemed to be the thing that affected performance.
They found that even those who didn’t discuss putts but spent time doing other unrelated things between putts fared better than the ones who chatted about their attempts.
The strangest result was that spending time discussing putts affected skilled golfers more than novices, who were unchanged or even tended to do better if they talked about what they did.
Hence, the scientists concluded that too much analysing, which is a habit of skilled golfers more than the lesser players, is to blame. Professor Michael Anderson of St Andrews University said in a BBC article:
“This effect was especially dramatic in skilled golfers who were reduced to the level of performance of novices after just five minutes of describing what they did. It’s a fairly common wisdom in sport that thinking too much hurts performance; during a game it can be an obvious distraction. However, what we found surprising is that simply describing one’s putting skill after it has been executed can be incredibly disruptive to future putting performance.â€
They called the culprit “verbal overshadowingâ€, which has something to do with disrupting the brain’s focus.
So, if you are ever in the gallery when Tiger Woods is thinking too much about his putt … tell him to get on with it. For his own good.
A Great Golf Story – Tiger, Els And Feherty
Everyone loves a good golf story, particularly when it involves Tiger.
David Feherty tells a funny story about a spectacular shot Tiger Woods hit at Firestone. David and Ernie Els are left dumbfounded after Tiger blasts a wedge shot 190 yards from a terrible lie – the kind where you can hardly see your ball in the six inch wet rough! What Ernie said has been censored out but you can imagine the reaction.
Feherty definitely has the knack of telling a great story. Watch and enjoy below.
4 Decisions On The Rules Of Golf
Here is a recent rules of golf email I replied to.
There were 4 parts to the email and I explain the answers in full below. I trust you will enjoy reading these decisions.
RULES OF GOLF QUESTION:
“1. During the rainy season and an almost unplayable course, a greenside bunker is full of water. Player A’s ball lands in that bunker and there is absolutely no relief inside the bunker since it is completely filled with water. Player A then drops the ball just outside the bunker directly behind the place where the ball was found. Has he incurred in a penalty?
2. After playing a beautiful approach shot A player finds that his ball has landed on a part of the green that is full of sand left behind by a previous player. His caddy uses his towel to wipe away the sand that is in the path to the hole. Has he incurred in any penalty? Has the previous player who left the green full of sand incurred in any penalty?
3. All opponents are on the green during a tournament. Player A is resting on his putter which is resting on the green while player C proceeds to putt. Player D, who is player C’s partner claims that there is a ruling that states that he cannot place his putter on the green when another player is putting and therefore has incurred in a one stroke penalty. Player A says there is no such rule. Who is correct?
4. During a Best Ball tournament one of the players balls was not only was seen flying OOB but was declared a lost ball. Since his partner has played a great ball and is only 80 yds from the green he declares he will not play another ball. One of the opponents says he must play a new ball or lose the hole. What is the ruling?
All of the above are real life situations I have encountered during several years of play.”
RULES OF GOLF ANSWER:
“Phew. You’re keeping me busy! Here are my answers to your four questions;
1. Player A has incurred a penalty of either one or two strokes depending on exactly where he dropped his ball. Let me explain. When a ball lies in an abnormal ground condition (which includes casual water) in a bunker Rule 25-1b.iib permits the player to lift the ball and under penalty of one stroke, drop the ball outside the bunker, keeping the point where the ball lay directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the bunker the ball may be dropped. If he drops the ball in any other place outside the bunker, and then plays it, he incurs a penalty of two strokes for playing from the wrong place, and could be disqualified if the Committee judge it to be a serious breach of the Rules (i.e, if he has gained a significant advantage as a result of playing from a wrong place) – Rule 20-7c.
2. No penalty has been incurred here. Under the definitions sand is a loose impediment on the green, but not elsewhere, and loose impediments may be moved by any means, providing the player does not press anything down. There is no penalty for a player leaving the putting green without clearing sand that they have left behind.
3. Player A is right. There is no Rule that prohibits a player from resting on his putter on the putting green. It happens all the time, though should be discouraged as it can cause damage to the surface of the green. However, Rule 16-1 does prohibit a player from touching the putting green on his line of putt, except under seven specific circumstances, which are listed (e.g. removing obstructions or loose impediments). If a player did lean on his club on his line of putt in stroke play he would incur a penalty of two strokes.
4. Who are these people that you are playing with? They seem to making up Rules as they go along! Not only can a player in a four-ball stroke play competition drop out of a hole at any time the whole round can be played by a single player. Rule 31-2 states; ‘A Side may be represented by either partner for all or any part of a stipulated round; both partners need not be present. An absent competitor may join his partner between holes, but not during play of a hole.’ By the way, a player cannot render a ball lost by a declaration ? see Definition of ?Lost Ball.? at the front of the Rules of Golf book.”
Visit here for more Rules of Golf questions.
Disclaimer: Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of this information on the Rules of Golf I am human and have been known to be wrong! Neither I, nor anyone connected with GolfSwingSecretsRevealed.com, shall be held responsible for any losses caused by reliance upon the accuracy or reliability of such information. Readers should refer to the full text of the rules and decisions as published in the official publications of the R&A and the USGA, The Rules of Golf 2008-2011 and Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2008-2009.
Perez heeds advice to break seven-year barren run
Seven years and 197 starts ago, Pat Perez started his career on the PGA Tour with a lot of promise but with an equal dose of attitude. That potential was finally fulfilled with his victory in the Bob Hope Classic at La Quinta, California.
The problem with Perez was that he wasn’t good at taking advice. His friend Tommy Armour III gave him plenty but only recently had he taken it on board.
The result was a three-stroke victory over John Merrick in the five-round Classic, helped by a collapse from Steve Stricker.
Perez shot a three-under 69 in his final round to finish on 33-under-par 327, holding off Merrick, who shot a 67.
Stricker appeared headed for victory after 61 and 62 over the weekend. But his normally steady game crumbled on Monday as he shot 77 to finish tied for third on 332 with Mike Weir.
Stephen Ames, Bo Van Pelt, Tim Clark and Webb Simpson were tied for fifth on 333.
Perez finished the tournament with a three-foot eagle putt for his maiden victory in his 198th PGA Tour event. And he admitted that he should have taken on Amour’s advice long time ago. he said:
“You know TA, he would say, ‘Kid, you gotta relax. Kid, you’ve gotta quit doing this and you gotta quit doing this’. But Tommy’s right. A lot of things he’s right on. I usually just screw around and play and have some drinks or whatever, but this time it was serious. I got to a point in my career, seven years now, that I was just tired of being average. I was tired of being nobody. I know that I can play and I want to play.â€
Before his victory, Perez had attained notoriety for his temper. At the 2002 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, he slammed his club in anger and was caught on television.
Few remember him as the young upstart who beat Tiger Woods at the 1993 World Junior Championship. But now that he’s got his head together, we’ll probably be hearing more from the man who finally accepts advice.
On the European Tour, Spain’s Alvaro Quiros fired a three-under-par 69 to win the Qatar Masters, beating South African Louis Oosthuizen and Henrik Stenson by three strokes in Doha.
The 26-year-old finished on 19-under 269 at the Doha Golf Course to become the first Spaniard to win the tournament.
This is the second tournament of Europe’s Gulf Swing with players staying in the Middle East for the Dubai Desert Classic later this week. The first tournament was the Abu Dhabi Championship.
In Rio De Janeiro, it was a triumph for second-trimester would-be mothers when Catriona Matthew won the inaugural LPGA Brazil Cup.
The 39-year-old Scot, who is carrying her second child, scored a three-under-par 69 for a total of six-under to beat American Kristy McPherson by five shots in the two-round exhibition tournament.
The event featured 15 players and a $500,000 prize purse.
Super Series tries to muscle in on Asian Tour
The battle lines have been drawn in Asian golf and it appears to be four against one.
In one corner there is a the “Super Series†coalition, making up of the professional golf tours of China, Japan, Australia and Korea.
On the other side is the Asian Tour, the official governors of the game in Asia and the body that runs the main professional circuit of more than 30 tournaments.
The Super Series folks have signed a memorandum of understanding to form an elite competition for the region’s top golfers, without sanction from the Asian Tour.
It is, in effect, a rival tour and the fact that it has representatives from China and Korea, who are members of the Asian Tour, gives it a measure of viability.
The Asian Tour claimed that talks were held last year with the rival body, led by the Australians. However, at some point the Asian Tour were abruptly ignored and the rivals went ahead and planned their own circuit.
The series is to be launched this year with six events and will continue in 2010.
Max Garske, the chief executive of the PGA of Australia, said Friday’s announcement was just the first major step in a long-term plan to establish an even bigger Asian tour. He said:
“The Asia Pacific region needs to collectively be the master of the destiny of professional tournament golf in this region. The formation of a consolidated Asia-Pacific tournament series is the first exciting stage of this process. This will go a long way to developing a strong pathway for players of this region.â€
It sounds all very good and encouraging. Except for the fact that the Asian Tour says its circuit has already established a strong pathway for players.
Indeed, the new circuit will need to deliver. It has planned three tournaments in China, one in Korea and two in Australia. Many see it merely as an excuse for the Australians to have a decent tour to play on, given the rapidly weakening Australasian Tour.
And in a climate of difficult economic conditions, it will be interesting to see if sponsors are willing to support such a tour, especially if Asian players refuse to lend their support.
For any new circuit to succeed, it must have the ear of the players. The Asian Tour, for all its faults and weaknesses, is a players’ tour and enjoys strong co-sanctioning rights with the European Tour on a number of events.
And unless the players themselves snub what their own hands have built, the Aussies may find it tough.
Happy Burns Night
From:
Andy Brown
Enjoying a Cappuccino at –
The Rule, 116 South Street, St Andrews
Saturday, 13:01 p.m.
Dear Friend,
I trust you are having an enjoyable Saturday.
Firstly I’m sending you a “Happy Burns Night” – a celebration of the life of the great Scottish Poet Robert Burns.
Secondly I have an idea, but would really appreciate your feedback.
You see I’m passionate about St Andrews and I wondered if you would like to see more of the old grey town in terms of video clips. In fact I was thinking of a regular TV show where I get to share this magical place with you.
The internet now allows anyone with a camcorder, even mobile phone, to share interesting and fun footage with everyone around the world. It therefore seems an amazing opportunity to have a wee dram, flip on the camera and open up the world of St Andrews and other great golfing towns and courses to you. How about I shoot up to Royal Dornoch and give you a feel for this hidden gem?
I currently have no script, just loads of ideas – but in a way they are worthless if I don’t provide entertaining video that you want to see.
Therefore if the idea of watching a fun online video show based on St Andrews and the world of Scottish golf appeals please take a minute to send a comment below. I would also love to hear your stories about St Andrews and particulary the type of things you would like to see on video.
Many may be travelling here for a golf holiday this year and therefore I can easily offer my recommendations on hotels, restaurants and pubs!
How long should the show be? Maybe 3 – 10 mins every day or 15 – 30 mins every week. Only with your ideas can I produce a format that brings the Home of Golf to your desktop!
I look forward to reading your comments.
Finally today marks the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth and the official start of the Scottish Homecoming – an events programme celebrating Scotland’s great contributions to the world. Check out the video below for a flavour of the event – I just find it amusing to watch Sam Torrance sing at 13 seconds in!
Have a great weekend and if are indoors Sunday night, why not log on to this virtual whisky tasting as Andrew Dubber and Clutch Daisy taste the Isle of Jura 10 year old, the Aberlour 10 year old and the Laphroaig 10.
Happy Burns Night
Cheers
Andy
P.S. Follow me here
Million-dollar Japanese teen headed for Augusta
Within one week, 17-year-old Japanese golf sensation Ryo Ishikawa was given a million-dollar golf club and a fulfilled wish that could be worth millions more.
The schoolboy, who at 15 years old became the youngest winner of a professional tournament, has been given a driver which cost US$1 million to develop by Japanese sports giant Yonex, helping in his bid to smash the ball 350 yards.
Dearer to his heart, though, is an invitation to compete at this year’s US Masters in Augusta.
Yes, the temptations to compare him to Tiger Woods are there. But the “next Tiger Woods†has been in the making ever since Tiger himself first strutted on to the stage and the story has been done to death.
But talk is that Ishikawa the real thing. In May, 2007 he won the KSB in Japan and when he tees off at the Masters he will be 17 years, six months and 23 days.
He is ranked 60th in the world and is a genuine professional. He has become a magnet for sponsors, which is great for him but could also hinder him from focusing on his golf, a la Michelle Wie.
However, there is no question about his talent, which is why Yonex is so keen for him to experiment with their new driver. He said:
“The ball feels lighter somehow. It’s a strange feeling. I’ve never hit it so far. I can have a real go at driving 350 yards now.â€
Maybe he might use it when he plays at the Masters on April 9. Ishikawa wants to replace Woods as the youngest winner of the Masters. Woods was 21 when he lifted his first major in 1997.
And his two pro victories and more than US$1 million in prize money so far shows that, sheer ability-wise, he probably has what it takes. PGA Tour players will get a taste of his skills when he makes his US debut next month at the Northern Trust Open. He added:
“I want to become a player capable of competing in the Masters dozens of times. I will then aim to make the cut and contend for the title. At the moment, it feels like I am going to see PGA regulars, such as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, rather than going to fight them. If I ever see them, they may take me for one Ryo Ishikawa but not as an opponent.â€
Scott ready for hat-trick of Qatar titles
Australian golfer Adam Scott tries his best to always defend a title no matter where in the world it is.
True to his principles, Scott will be hoping for a third title when he lines up for the Qatar Masters this week, which is the second leg of the European Tour’s three-tournament Gulf swing that ends with the Dubai Desert Classic next week.
Fresh from a second place at the Sony Open on the PGA Tour, Scott was a popular winner last year when he scored a stunning 61 on the final round to claim victory.
The world number 14, however, faces a tough task with a host of top 50 players also in the field. Leading the way is Englishman Paul Casey, who is in hot form having triumphed at last week’s Abu Dhabi Championship.
Also vying for glory are Spain’s Sergio Garcia, Soren Hansen, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Robert Karlsson, Henrik Stenson and English trio Justin Rose, Lee Westwood and Oliver Wilson.
Boosting the field further is South African Ernie Els, the 2005 Qatar winner one of the major drawcards in world golf no matter what form he is in.
Another attractive name in the line-up is American Boo Weekley, a two-time PGA Tour winner who has decided to make several forays into the European Tour this season.
Weekley’s favourite pastimes are hunting and fishing, which is what there is plenty of in Palm Springs, California.
However, the American has decided to play in Qatar instead of the Bob Hope Classic, which is one of the big events on the PGA Tour and tees off this week.
It is the only 90-hole event on the circuit and sees the return of veteran Arnold Palmer, who won the inaugural tournament in 1960 and is a five-time winner. He will be acting as host for the 50th edition, which sees golfers playing over three courses during the five days.
It was also the final tournament Palmer ever won on the PGA Tour, according to the tour website, when he claimed the 1973 title.
DJ Trahan won last year’s event with a final round of 65 that put him 26 under for the tournament and earned him a three-stroke victory over Justin Leonard.
Missing from this year’s line-up is rising star Anthony Kim who was forced to pull out of the tournament because of a shoulder injury.
Johnson shines under Hawaii sun
Zach Johnson wants to prove himself as more than just a one-off Masters champion. And the 2007 Augusta winner is going about it the right way by simply winning tournaments.
Johnson fired a five-under-par 65 in the final round to total 15-under 265 and win the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii by two strokes over Australian Adam Scott and David Toms.
While many remember Johnson for his Masters victory almost two years ago, results show that he’s a consistent winner with at least one PGA Tour triumph a year for the past three years.
His Sony win was his fifth title and second in his past six starts. After tying for sixth at the previous week’s Mercedes-Benz Championship, Johnson is now top of the FedExCup standings for 2009.
However, he is refusing to take anything for granted, vowing to keep working hard and picking up as many victories as he can. He said on the PGA Tour website:
“I feel very fortunate to get a W at any point in time, and obviously this one is sweet, the sweetest one I’ve had, because it’s right now. I think this game is getting harder and harder. I’m playing golf for a living, so it’s my job and I’m going to treat my job as any other job. I’m going to work hard at it and I’m going to practice.â€
Scott closed with a 64 – the lower round of any golfer in the top 10, but his opening 71 meant he was always trailing. Toms finished with a 66 to tie for second.
Charles Howell III finished alone in fourth place on 268 after his closing 66 while Kevin Na and Brian Gay shared fifth on 369.
On the European Tour, England’s Paul Casey turned back a late fightback from defending champion Martin Kaymer and Louis Oosthuizen to win the Abu Dhabi Championship by one stroke.
Putting problems saw Casey’s six-shot lead at the turn dwindle and, eventually, he needed to keep his nerve and two-putt from 12 feet at the 18th to seal the title.
His final round of 70 was enough for a 12-under-par total of 267 as Kaymer and Oosthuizen finished on 268 for joint second.
Germany’s Kaymer shot a 67 in the fourth round while South African Oosthuizen ended strongly with 64, though he fell just short.
For Casey it was his second Abu Dhabi crown and first victory on the tour since he won the same Gulf tournament in 2007.
Casey will be hoping to return to the Middle East at the end of the year for the Dubai World Championship. His victory can play a big part as it put him in the top 10 of the money-spinning Race to Dubai.
The Dubai World Championship is a $20 million event in which the winner walks away with a cool $10million. The Race to Dubai is the European money list and replaces the previous Order of Merit.
Nigerian twin swing doctors give up practice
Unusual golf-related story time, this one coming from Kaduna in Nigeria. The African country is hardly the centre of the golfing world. Neither is it a leader in medicine, apart from maybe the herbal type.
However, the two professions have intertwined in the most bizarre way, if a report by Punch news outlet is to be believed.
Apparently a pair of identical twins, Pam and Gyang Dareng, are ready to abandon their promising medical careers for the life of a professional golfer.
The club-loving duo are graduates of the University of Jos and doing excellent work helping others at the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Centre.
However, three months ago, they resigned from their jobs to play golf. They are among 51 amateurs ready to take the step into the pro ranks by competing in the Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria Qualifying School in Abuja.
And seemingly, their medical background will help boost golf in the country. How? Well, Pam was quoted by the publication as saying:
“We knew golf before we came across medicine. It is a matter of pursuing what we have always loved. We know if we qualify we would make becoming professional golfers fashionable and at least more people would give professional golfing a second thought. We were never caddies and professional golf is not for caddies.â€
If you’re willing to think deeply about it, you may find some logic in that statement. However, it’s difficult not to feel that the concept of qualified doctors taking up golf does little to banish the sport’s elitist reputation in that part of the world.
