Author: Alexandra Caspers

Categories
Panorama

Augusta After Hurricane Helene: Masters is Safe, Five Million for Those Affected

All clear for the 2024 Masters Tournament in Augusta.(Photo: Getty)
All clear for the 2024 Masters Tournament in Augusta. (Photo: Getty)

All-clear: Augusta National Golf Club has taken stock after Hurricane Helene and announced that the 2025 Masters (10 to 13 April) is not at risk and will go ahead as usual. ‘The course was really hit, as was the rest of the community, and there was severe damage,’ explained club boss Fred Ridley. But we have a lot of people working hard to get us back up and running. The Masters will go ahead – on the planned date.’ The famous Magnolia Lane in particular has been affected, with several of the mighty old trees bent or having lost part of their crowns.

However, the grandees in green are not only thinking about their refuge and their tournament, but also about the affected communities in the surrounding area, as Ridley repeatedly emphasises in his statements. Augusta National has therefore donated five million dollars to the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund, which has been set up to help those affected.

 
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an
 

Ein Beitrag geteilt von The Masters (@themasters)

Helene was a category 4 hurricane and the most violent storm to hit the USA in 19 years. The hurricane’s rage on the south-east coast claimed over 200 lives and rescuers are still searching for survivors in the rubble.

Hurricane Helene also destroys John Daly’s house

Homeless: Another member of the golfing world has become a victim of Hurricane Helene. As John Daly announced recently, his house in Clearwater/Florida was completely destroyed: ‘It’s devastating. It’s the worst thing I’ve ever seen. Besides the damage, it’s the memories that are lost with such devastation.’ Speaking on the sidelines of Constellation Furyk & Friends on the PGA Tour Champions circuit, the 58-year-old said that parts of his family and close friends were also affected by the hurricane. ‘I hope everyone is safe. We will have to rebuild three or four houses,’ said Daly, who lives mainly in Arkansas.

 
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an
 

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Golf Digest (@golfdigest)

Categories
Rules

DP World Tour: Dog Steals Gareth Bale’s Golf Ball from the Green

Gareth Bale's ball was stolen by a dog at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. (Photo: Getty)
Gareth Bale's ball was stolen by a dog at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. (Photo: Getty)

Gareth Bale experienced a little furry disturbance at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. On Saturday, on his third round together with Daniel Brown at the DP World Tour Pro-Am tournament, Bale was chipping his ball onto a green on the Carnoustie Golf Links when a small enthusiastic four-legged friend came running up, grabbed the ball and then ran off with it towards the spectators.

Rules of golf: When an animal moves the ball

Whilst this only happens now and again at professional tournaments, there are plenty of animals on local golf courses that could become too interested in the small white balls. So what should you do in this case? The video shows that the ball stops on the green just before the dog reaches the ball and removes it from its spot. The rules situation is therefore simple. According to Rule 9.6, the ball is simply returned to the place from which it was removed. If it is not quite certain where the ball was, the location is simply estimated.

The rule text reads as follows:

“If it is known or virtually certain that an outside influence (including another player in stroke play or another ball) lifted or moved a player’s ball at rest:
– There is no penalty, and
– The ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated).“

But what happens if the ball is picked up by an animal while it is still moving? This case is clarified in the clarifications to Rule 11.1b. The ball is then considered to have ‘come to rest on the animal’ and the player must claim penalty-free relief from the point at which the animal picked up the ball.

“If an animal picks up a ball in motion, the ball has come to rest on the animal and free relief must be taken using the point where the animal picked up the ball as the reference point.

For example, a ball played from the fairway is picked up by a dog while it is still in motion. The ball has come to rest on the animal at the point where the dog picked up the ball.
– If the ball was picked up on the fairway, a ball must be dropped within one club-length of and no nearer the hole than the point where the ball was picked up by the dog in the general area.
– If the ball was picked up on the putting green, a ball must be placed on the putting green on the estimated spot where the ball was picked up.”

Categories
Fun

DP World Tour Crazy Hole in One Challenge With Tom Holland

Tom Holland and his brothers try to make an ace. (Screenshot: DP World Tour)
Tom Holland and his brothers try to make an ace. (Screenshot: DP World Tour)

Actor Tom Holland and his brothers can almost be considered regulars at the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am. Last year, they took part in the first celebrity version of the DP World Tour’s ‘Chase The Ace’ challenge and want to give it another go this year.

Tom Holland and his brothers face “Chace the Ace” again

Categories
Top Tours

PGA of America Gives LIV Golfers Ryder Cup Clearance

PGA of America allows Ryder Cup participation by LIV Golfers. (Photo: Getty)
PGA of America allows Ryder Cup participation by LIV Golfers. (Photo: Getty)

The PGA of America officially reinstates LIV Golfers to its ranks. LIV Golf has been added to the list of tours whose players are eligible for membership in the PGA of America. This means that LIV Golf League players are officially eligible to play in the Ryder Cup and the PGA Championship. The LIV players who have competed in the PGA Championship and, like Brooks Koepka, the Ryder Cup in recent years were allowed to do so on a grace period basis, which allowed them to retain their membership status until 2024.

PGA of America accepts LIV Golf

“Going forward, all LIV Golf players are eligible for the PGA Championship and any American player who qualifies for the Ryder Cup on points or is added to the U.S. team as a captain’s pick is eligible to compete,2 said the PGA of America. Kerry Haigh, Chief Championships Officer and interim CEO of the association, also told Golf Channel that it was more of a clean up. “The LIV players had previously been [PGA of America] members but had we not done this they would have had to go through more requirements which no other tour members are asked to do.”

No change to the qualification criteria

What has not yet changed for LIV golfers are the qualifying criteria for the PGA of America events. There is still no additional way for LIV golfers to secure a place in the PGA Championship and for the Ryder Cup they only have the opportunity to collect points at major tournaments. Bryson DeChambeau, for example, is currently third in the American qualifying list for the 2025 Ryder Cup after his outstanding performance in major tournaments this year.

LIV Golf and the Ryder Cup have also recently been a topic of discussion on the DP World Tour. The minimum requirements for LIV golfers at the Ryder Cup would be to maintain DP World Tour membership by playing at least four tournaments away from the majors and paying the penalty for illegal participation in LIV tournaments. Jon Rahm, who was an important member of the European Ryder Cup team in previous events, does not want to pay the fine. By appealing against the fine, however, he is buying himself some time to at least fulfil the requirements of Tour membership.

Jon Rahm and the Ryder Cup Question
Categories
LIV Tour

How Does the LIV Golf Team Championship Work?

How does the LIV Golf Team Championship format work? (Photo: Getty)
How does the LIV Golf Team Championship format work? (Photo: Getty)

Even if the starting situation of professional athletes on the LIV Golf League could hardly be more different from that of the classic amateur golfer, they do have one thing in common. The golf season is gradually drawing to a close. For the professionals on LIV Golf, this means the Team Championship. The finale of this year’s season will take place at the Maridoe Golf Club in Dallas. The 13 teams of four players will compete for overall victory in this team event over three days from 20 to 22 September.

LIV Golf Team Championship: total prize money of 50 million dollars

In an explosive tournament system in which teams meet each other in direct duels, prize money from a pool totalling 50 million dollars will be played off. The decisive factor for the starting position of the teams going into the Team Championship is the course of the season to date. The teams have already been able to collect points in the previous events. Places 1 to 3 in the current ranking automatically qualify for the second day. The remaining ten teams will face each other on Friday for a place in the semi-finals, with the best teams, starting with the fourth-placed team, choosing their opponents one after the other.

Quarter-finals: Friday, 20th September

On the first day of the tournament, the ten teams that finished 5th to 13th in the season rankings will face each other. All 32 players will compete simultaneously in a cannon start. The teams face each other in a direct duel. A winner is determined by two individual matches and one foursome match, which is played in alternate shot mode. One point is awarded for each of the three matches. There must always be a winner for each match, i.e. matches that are split after 18 holes will continue to be played until one team wins a hole. The teams that score two points move on to the next round.

Semi-finals: Saturday, 21st September

Saturday basically follows the same schedule as Friday. The directly qualified and therefore better-placed teams on the ranking list decide on their opponent for the day, with all 32 players opening the tournament day simultaneously, as on Friday. The teams of four will again play against the opposing team in the same modes to decide a winner. Once again, points cannot be shared. This means that two points are enough to reach the final.

Final: Sunday, 22nd September

The four teams that have reached the final will compete in a round of 18-hole counting play. All individual scores are added together to form the team score. The teams that have previously been eliminated will also compete in the final round. However, teams that have already been eliminated can no longer win. Those who have already been eliminated on the first day will compete for 9th to 13th place, while the teams that have made it to the second day will compete for 5th to 8th place. The team with the lowest cumulative daily score among the finalists will be crowned LIV Golf Team Champion 2024.

Categories
Ladies Tours

Team USA Wins 2024 Solheim Cup

Team USA wins the Solheim Cup 2024. (Photo: Getty)
Team USA wins the Solheim Cup 2024. (Photo: Getty)

Team USA wins the Solheim Cup 2024. After starting the final Sunday with a 10-6 lead, the Americans did not let up on Sunday. After Team Europe had successfully claimed the trophy in the last three Solheim Cups, it was Stacy Lewis‘ team that broke the Europeans’ winning streak in Virginia. Team USA put the pressure on early on, but the Europeans fought and kept their chances alive. But the Americans’ lead was too big and in the decisive phase, they got closer to victory with every match they shared. In the end, Lilia Vu scored the decisive half point in her match against Albane Valenzuela.

“It really could have gone either way.”, Captain Stacy Lewis said. “It’s crazy there at the end kind of how it all unfolded. I was just hoping and praying it went our way. Just proud of the team, and Lilia’s finish there was unbelievable. That’s what you expect from one of the best players in the world.”

Singles Results on Sunday at the Solheim Cup 2024

Europe vs USA
11,5 14,5
Europe EResult USA
Charley Hull  6 & 4 Europe Nelly Korda

Charley Hull won the first point of the Sunday for Europe. With a clear 6&4 victory, she faced the world number one Nelly Korda. Korda was able to win a single hole, while Hull played five birdies and ended the match with an eagle on hole 14.

‘I knew I had to go out there and get a low score,’ Hull said after her round, ’and Suzann said to me that they always knew I would be up against Nelly first and if anyone could beat her, it would be me. So that gave me a lot of confidence. Yesterday I played 8 under with my own ball and today I was 7 under after 14 holes. I know I have what it takes to play against Nelly and I feel like I missed a few shots as well, a few putts, but it was a good match and I felt like we gave the crowd what they wanted to see.’

Europe Result USA
Emily Pedersen  6 & 5 USA Megan Khang

Megan Khang scored the first point for the USA. In a demonstration as clear as Hull’s against Korda, Khang ended her match against Pedersen on the 13th hole. Khang put the pressure on from the first hole, while Pedersen made several mistakes. Khang’s performance means she remains unbeaten this week, having also gone unbeaten last year. ‘The atmosphere is just electrifying. I really enjoyed getting the crowd so involved,’ she said after her victory. ‘It’s just like that – you get the crowd going, they go with you, they’re there to lift you up. I’ve enjoyed this week and tried to play my best golf, not just for myself but for my team-mates, my captains, the fans and our country, and I’ve tried to take it one game at a time, like Captain Lewis said.’

Europe Result USA
Georgia Hall  4 & 3 Europe Alison Lee

Georgia Hall also made her mark for Europe after losing her first two matches on Friday and Saturday. After two early bogeys from Alison Lee, Hall took an early 2 up lead on Sunday. Hall extended the lead to 3 up and after another bogey from Lee, she had a 4 hole lead before the back nine. Lee tried to fight back on the second nine, but Hall stood her ground. After her round Hall said: ‘I played really solid and didn’t let her get into the game. It was just a good day, but hopefully I can go on and cheer the team on.’

Europe Result USA
Carlota Ciganda  6 & 4 USA Rose Zhang

Carlota Ciganda, who scored the decisive point for Europe last year, was beaten 6&4 by Rose Zhang. Ciganda tried to control the match early on, but Zhang took the narrow lead right back from her and went 3 up within three holes. The American held on to this lead until the back nine, where she then built up the pressure again and improved to 5 up with birdie-par-birdie. Zhang sealed the deal with an eagle to counter Ciganda’s birdie on 14.

Europe Result USA
Anna Nordqvist  4 & 3 USA Allisen Corpuz

Allisen Corpuz prevails against the experienced Solheim Cup player Anna Nordqvist. Corpuz held a narrow lead over eleven holes, but Nordqvist did not let her pull away. An eagle on the par-5 12th from Corpuz took her to 3 up for the first time, winning the 14th and finishing the match on the 15th. ‘Anna is a great player,’ Corpuz said of her rival. ‘I grew up watching her play. We both played really well. She holed an eagle on 5 and it was just a great match.’

Europ3 Result USA
Esther Henseleit Tied Andrea Lee

Esther Henseleit ends her first appearance at the Solheim Cup with half a point in the singles. She fought a tough match against Andrea Lee and held a narrow lead for long stretches. But Lee stepped up a gear again, while Henseleit’s putts just wouldn’t drop. The match dragged on until the 18th, where the German had another chance to win a whole point for Europe with a birdie, but this putt didn’t drop either.

Europe Result USA
Celine Boutier  1 Up Europe Lexi Thompson

Celine Boutier denies Lexi Thompson a dream farewell from the Solheim Cup. When the two opponents came all square on 18, Thompson still had the chance to score the decisive point for Team USA with a long birdie putt. But Boutier had hit a sensational shot to the flag and what Thompson couldn’t convert, she sank. The Frenchwoman scored an important point for Europe after already being 3 under.

Europe Result USA
Leona Maguire  4&3 Europe Ally Ewing

Leona Maguire, in only her second match at this year’s Solheim Cup, took a point against Ally Ewing after losing 6&4 to Nelly Korda and Megan Khang on Friday. Ewing kept taking the lead from her at the start of the match, but she took control at the end of the front nine and brought the match home safely on 15.

Europe Result USA
Maja Stark  Tied Lauren Coughlin

Maja Stark held her nerve and kept Europe’s chances alive. She had the upper hand for a long time against Lauren Coughlin, who levelled the match on 14. The two went on in lockstep until the 18th, where Maja Stark sent a monster putt on its way in an attempt to prevent a European defeat. The ball went a few metres beyond the hole, but Lauren Coughlin also failed to sink her putt. With the second putt gifted to the Americans, however, it was up to Stark to make her back putt. She did justice to this task, even if her hands were visibly shaking afterwards.

Europe Result USA
Albane Valenzuela  Tied Lilia Vu

Lilia Vu takes the decisive half point against the Americans in her match against Albane Valenzuela. Valenzuela turned the match around in the closing stages after Vu had been ahead for a long time, but in the end a split match was enough for the Americans to decide the match. ‘That meant a lot to me because I really felt like I wasn’t doing anything for the team today and I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel if I let myself go like that,’ explained Vu after the win. ‘And then I was two shots behind, and on 16 I made an up-and-down save, and then I was able to birdie 17 and 18. I don’t know how. It just happened. I know I looked at the leaderboard on the fairway and saw we were at 14, so I wanted to get that half point for us.
Yeah, I hit the ball from about a metre and a half and it worked.’

Europe Result USA
Madelene Sagstrom 1 Up Europe Sarah Schmelzel

1 Up was enough for Madelene Sagstrom to score a point for Europe. She also put blue on the leaderboard for a long time in her duel against Sarah Schmelzel. Schmelzel forced the match back to all square. But a bogey by the American on 17 gave Sagstrom an advantage again, which she saved for the clubhouse, even though the cup was already lost at this point.

Europe Result USA
Linn Gran 2&1 USA Jennifer Kupcho
Categories
Ladies Tours

Solheim Cup 2024: Empty Grandstands on the First Tee

Long lines and empty seats at the Solheim Cup 2024. (Photos: X.com/@fried_egg_golf und @lori_schreiner)
Long lines and empty seats at the Solheim Cup 2024. (Photos: X.com/@fried_egg_golf und @lori_schreiner)

The first tee shot at a continental competition is an unrivalled experience. Fans get up in the middle of the night to sit on the first tee at dawn and create a great atmosphere, eagerly awaiting the first flights. The Solheim Cup is usually no exception.

Spectators miss the first tee shot at the Solheim Cup 2024

On the first day of the Solheim Cup 2024 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, however, many fans were denied this joy. The reason: too few buses to take spectators from the car park to the golf course. Fans report on X (formerly Twitter) that they have been waiting at the car park for over an hour and still have ‘1000’ people in front of them in the huge queue that has formed. A queue that is not moving as the first tee shot approaches.

‘The first tee on Friday morning of a Solheim is typically the best atmosphere of the year. For the fans to not be here is an absolute travesty.’ writes Beth Ann Nichols of Golfweek.

Just before the first tee shots, much of the grandstand on the first tee was still empty.

blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”>

First tee shot goes in the air at 7:05 (in 25 minutes) and there are so many empty seats. Serious transportation issues going on this morning. Wish they could push back tee times but too much golf to get in. pic.twitter.com/VMSK9V2bh0

— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) September 13, 2024
Solheim Cup 2024 Live Scores

With only four flights, the spectacle is not only over quickly, but with so many people waiting, it is foreseeable that many will also miss a large part of the morning session. “Complete disaster”, writes Nichols who covers the issue on X.

The transport problems were already becoming apparent the day before, when it took a very long time after the opening ceremony before all the spectators could be transported back.

Categories
Highlights Tours

Solheim Cup 2024: “Housegate” – First Drama Even Before the Start of the Tournament

Team rooms at the Solheim Cup 2024 (Foto: Getty)
Team rooms at the Solheim Cup 2024 (Foto: Getty)

The Solheim Cup is always good for drama, the best example being the story of the tearful “Gimme Gates” of 2015 involving Suzann Pettersen and Charley Hull, which was rekindled with the return of Alison Lee to the American team. The 2024 Solheim Cup had its first controversy even before the start. As Sky Sports reported, there was a dispute about the European team room. The Europeans made themselves a little too comfortable for the taste of their opponents.

The two team rooms, which are more like team houses, are located near the driving range of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course and as hosts, the Americans had first choice. They left the Europeans the smaller of the two houses, which has the advantage of being directly adjacent to the driving range. Team USA complained when Team Europe used the driving bays in the house, saying that this was not permitted under the contract and that the tables and chairs that Team Europe had placed outside were also against the contract.

US skipper Stacy Lewis explained why these seemingly mundane facts upset the American team: “The inside of their hut doesn’t have much room for tables, so their tables have to be outside. Our players were warming up while having breakfast and chatting. We just tried to give everyone some space so we didn’t have to listen to them eat breakfast. There’s no bad blood.” The problem was solved, they said, by simply moving Team USA further down the driving range.

A Look Into the Past

It’s not just dramas that are being rehashed at the Solheim Cup. The LPGA Tour dug deep into the stars’ social media and found some very special pictures that were crying out to be signed.

“Full Glam” Before the Start of the Tournament

Before the team colors take center stage on Friday, the players had have the opportunity to really dress up at the tournament’s accompanying events. While the players familiarize themselves with the course the days before, the first of these highlights was scheduled for Wednesday with the gala dinner. The Smithsonian American Art Museum with its impressive Kogod Courtyard was prepared for the event. Team Europe appeared together in cream-colored outfits, while Team USA presented itself in navy and black dresses.

And before the tournament can really get underway, one thing is still missing: the opening ceremony.

Support for Team Europe

Team Europe may not have a former president who has visited the team, but it still gets all kinds of support from European (golf) stars.

Categories
Ladies Tours

Solheim Cup 2024: Pairings and Tee Times for Day 1

Tee Times and Pairings for the Solheim Cup 2024. (Photo: Getty)
Tee Times and Pairings for the Solheim Cup 2024. (Photo: Getty)

This week at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, defending champions Team Europe will face Team USA, who have the home advantage at the 2024 Solheim Cup. The Europeans have taken home the trophy three times in a row, but the American fans will not make it easy for Suzann Pettersen’s team.

There are five sessions in total. Friday and Saturday will start with the Foursomes at 7:05 AM. In four matches, two Europeans will compete against two Americans, who will take it in turns to play a ball. The pairings have already been decided independently of each other by the captains on Thursday.

The fourballs will continue at 12 PM on Friday and Saturday, with the pairings often being decided before the first matches have been completed. In the fourballs, two Europeans and two Americans will again compete in one of four matches, but each will play their own ball. The better result of a team is counted.

The singles follow on Sunday. All twelve players from one team will compete head-to-head against the 12 players from the other team. The matches will start at 08:50 AM.

Solheim Cup 2024 Live Scores

Tee Times Solheim Cup 2024 Day 1 – Foursomes

Match Tee Time Players (USA) Players (Europa)
1 07:05 Nelly Korda / Allisen Corpuz Charley Hull /Esther Henseleit
2 07:17 Rose Zhang / Lauren Coughlin Albane Valenzuela / Celine Boutier
3 07:29 Ally Ewing / Jennifer Kupcho Maja Stark / Emily Pedersen
4 07:41 Lilia Vu / Sarah Schmelzel Linn Grant / Carlota Ciganda
Categories
Golfshoes

Duca del Cosma Teams Up With Lucky in Love on Special Golf Shoe

(Photo: Duca del Cosma)

Luxury Italian golf fashion brand Duca del Cosma has teamed up with women’s athletic wear brand Lucky In Love on a special limited-edition golf shoe to offer lady golfers a super eye-catching design that is guaranteed to dazzle and make a bold fashionable statement.

“These shoes will turn heads without any doubt”

Offered in limited quantities across North America and Europe, the standout LIL Bellezza style has seen two of the golf industry’s most fashion-forward brands work in harmony to develop a supremely captivating women’s golf shoe that demands attention from every angle.

Handcrafted using super premium components, the gleaming design incorporates a silver patent-finished microfibre upper treated with a mesmerizing holographic material to provide a mirrored look. Intricate details include both brand logos on the heel, an exclusive insole with the LIL family’s motto: ‘MAKE EVERY DAY YOUR BIRTHDAY, MAKE EVERY NIGHT NEW YEARS EVE’, plus the Lucky In Love logo on the matching kiltie to complete the unmatched appearance.

“I immediately fell in Love with the fashionable sports apparel from Lucky in Love when I first saw it at The Racquets Club in La Manga Club, Spain. I wear it while playing tennis, padel and golf,” said Caroline van Wezel, PR & Brand Director at Duca del Cosma. “It’s great to collaborate with one of the top sports fashion brands as both of our designs can be worn on and off the golf course. These shoes will turn heads without any doubt,” she added.

“This has been such a dynamic collaboration of two amazing families combining 20 years of Italian craftsmanship with one of the leading lady’s contemporary performance fashion houses based in Miami,” said Lucky in Love CEO, Brad Singer. “Working with the Duca team to bring this brilliant shoe to life has been filled with excitement, pleasure, and unrestrained creativity. The design process was driven by a spirit full of light and vibrancy, but it’s the execution that exceeded all our expectations, creating a shoe that will make any woman feel the ultimate sense of exhilaration,” he added.

The shoe is packed with a blend of stylish and functional features to provide a superb look and the top performance demanded by golfers seeking a premium shoe. It comes with the lightweight Airplay 9 spikeless outsole with strategically positioned nubs to offer progressive stability and optimal grip during the swing, while the waterproof sock system – comprised of OnSteam recyclable microfibre and an ARNEFLEX memory foam insert sole – ensures feet remain dry and comfortable all day long. An elevated, see-through midsole provides the perfect stance and added flare to the striking style that oozes quality with every detail.

Duca del Cosma x Lucky in Love

Duca del Cosma was founded in Italy in 2004 by Baldovino Mattiazzo, who still designs the distinctive collections for men and women golfers. Since 2016, the company has been reinvigorated by Frank van Wezel and his wife Caroline to now see its shoes sold in more than 40 different countries worldwide.

Founded in 2010, Lucky In Love is a fashion-focused women’s golf, tennis and pickleball apparel brand to provide bold performance wear that strives to be unique and dares to be different, while helping women of all ages feel amazing so they can venture out into the world as the best versions of themselves wearing premium performance-driven garments.

For more information on the Duca del Cosma x Lucky In Love collaboration shoe, visit www.ducadelcosma.com and www.shopluckyinlove.com.