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Ladies Tours Live LPGA Tour

LPGA Tour Georgia Hall: “Happy with my long game, so I think just focus my short game in a minute.”

Georgia Hall of England walks the fairway on the 2nd hole during the first round of the Cognizant Founders Cup at Mountain Ridge Country Club. (Getty Images)

COGNIZANT FOUNDERS CUP

October 7, 2021

Georgia Hall

West Caldwell, New Jersey, USA

Mountain Ridge Country Club

Q. Georgia Hall, 69 here today in round one. You got off to a solid start starting your day on the back with four birdies, but some struggles coming in. What changed at the turn?

GEORGIA HALL: Yeah, I think the front nine, so it was my back nine, I think it’s playing a bit tougher actually, a bit longer with some tricky pins.

Yeah, I just got my two bogeys from two wedge shots, which was a little bit disappointing, and missing a seven foot on the last to go 3-under.

But I played really, really well. My long game was great. Probably one of the best it’s been all year, so I look forward to tomorrow.

Q. You’ve had three Top 10s this season. What would be a satisfying close as we get into the final stretch of the year?

GEORGIA HALL: Obviously I’d love to win this event. I mean, it’s a fantastic golf courses, one of the best we’ve played all year. I really look forward to playing it tomorrow.

But, yeah, I mean, I just have a really good week and play well.

Q. What will you work on now heading into round two?

GEORGIA HALL: I think a little bit of putting and then maybe a bit of chipping. Happy with my long game, so I think just focus my short game in a minute.

Interview Transcript by ASAP Sports

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European Tour Live

European Tour: Ross McGowan goes low to lead in Madrid at the ACCIONA Open de España after the first round.

Ross McGowan of England tees off on the 18th hole during Day One of The Open de Espana at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid. (Getty Images)

Thursday October 7, 2021

Tournament: ACCIONA Open de España presented by Madrid
Race to Dubai: Tournament 35 of 40 events
Venue: Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Prize Fund: €1,500,000

Round One Report

Ross McGowan produced more magic in Madrid to fire a course record 61 and lead the way after round one of the 2021 ACCIONA Open de España presented by Madrid but World Number One Jon Rahm was just two shots back on home soil.

Englishman McGowan claimed his first European Tour win in the Spanish capital 12 years ago at the Madrid Masters but had to wait 11 years to seal a second at last season’s Italian Open.

A third round 60 in his victory at Centro Nacional de Golf represents his lowest ever European Tour round and his opening effort this week is his second lowest as he moved to ten under at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.

Home favourite Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez was his nearest challenger but all eyes were on Rahm, who was at eight under as he seeks a third consecutive victory at his home open.

The U.S. Open Champion took huge crowds with him after this event was cancelled last season due to the coronavirus pandemic but it was McGowan who stole the headlines as he carded eight birdies and an eagle.

Dutchman Wil Besseling, Welshman Jamie Donaldson and Scot David Drysdale were at seven under, a shot clear of another Scot in Grant Forrest, Kiwi Ryan Fox, Swede Joakim Lagergren and Frenchman Robin Sciot-Siegrist.

Forrest recorded the 31st hole-in-one of the 2021 Race to Dubai, holing an eight iron from 181 yards at the ninth.

Player Quotes

Ross McGowan: “First out this morning, it was a bit chilly on the range and the first four or five holes the ball wasn’t really travelling but got away with a really good birdie on three and the par five on four as well, and after that it started warming up and I started finding my range with the irons, so holed a couple of putts and hit it close so went well.

“I think a few things have clicked. Some work I have done with the coach and some of the covid restrictions somewhat easing off, I find mentally I am in a better place, so I think it is a combination of the two.

“I always seems to putt pretty well here and last time I played quite well here too, so looking forward to tomorrow.”

Jon Rahm: “It was a really good start. Played eight flawless holes and then a bit of a stumble from 18 through three, I didn’t hit my best shots and was able to save a couple pars to minimise the damage. After that I was able to play some good golf coming down the stretch, giving myself some chances, but obviously we saw what Ross McGowan shot this morning – ten under is a heck of a round out here.

“I played good enough to maybe do it, but you have to play flawless and make the putts, hit the right shots and on a golf course like this that is a little bit more old school, it is a little narrower and targets are smaller, so it is easier to end up out of position. Overall, very happy with my round.

“I have a better understanding, but it doesn’t compare to Centro Nacional de Golf, it was my home course for two years. Nobody in that field in 2018 had played it more than me, I knew it inside and out. Last time I played here was the first time on the golf course, but it didn’t take long to learn. You have to hit it really well off the tee, if I drive like I did early on and at the end when I was hitting it long and straight, wedges into every hole, then it is a doable score.”

“There are quite a few fans out here and they are rather enthusiastic, they have been cooped up for too long and they have the chance to come out and watch me play, which I haven’t played on Spanish soil since this event two years ago, so they are golf hungry, and they were great. From the beginning, every single shot and every single putt I made they were really supportive, and every time I missed a shot, they were extremely supportive as well, so that always helps.”

Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez: “My start is fantastic, it’s in my mind. I remember so many years ago playing the Open de España and it was a great moment, plus Jon Rahm is near the front and I am very good friends with him, we played a lot together, and it is fantastic. So many fans, my friends and family are here. My dream!

“There were so many friends and family watching, this is my home, it is ten minutes from here, but it has been an incredible week so far.”

Press Release by the European Tour Communications

Categories
Live PGA Tour

Brooks Koepka brings the good from the Ryder to the Shriners Children’s Open: “I like where my game’s headed.”

Brooks Koepka of the United States walks from the second tee during the first round of the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club. (Getty Images)

SHRINERS CHILDREN’S OPEN

October 6, 2021

Brooks Koepka

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

TPC Summerlin
Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We would like to welcome Brooks to the media center here at the Shriners Children’s Open. Brooks has five starts at the event previously, including two top-5s. So Brooks if we could just get an opening comment from you ahead of your sixth start here.

BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, I’ve always liked it here. I think it’s always been a good course for me. I’ve kind of either been right up there with a chance to win or it’s just been two days and pack your bags. But I feel like my game’s trending in the right direction, I like how everything went at the Ryder Cup I feel like I finally saw the turn because I thought this whole year after the injury was pretty poor. I just like the way it’s trending. I like where the game’s headed.

THE MODERATOR: Making your first start of the new PGA TOUR season, you picked up your 8th PGA TOUR title last season at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Goals you’re looking to accomplish this season as we start with a clean slate?

BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, just want to keep winning. I think that’s the goal. That’s what I’m out here to do is to win, to win multiple times and then probably stay healthy is probably a good goal.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. With the news yesterday coming about The Match, curious how that came to be, when discussions started for that and what your thoughts are on that.

BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, I mean I think we’re excited. So it’s going to be good, you’ll see it, what, the day after Thanksgiving.

Q. When did discussions for that begin, when did that sort of conversation start?

BROOKS KOEPKA: I don’t know. You can ask Bryson.

Q. You said the key is staying healthy. How do you do that? I know you’re playing every season but what will the steps after what you’ve been through to try and stay healthy?

BROOKS KOEPKA: I’m still looking for that answer, man. I don’t know. I think part of it maybe realizing — I mean I still in my head I still think I’m young, I still think I’m like 22, 23, 24 in my head, but realizing that my body can’t do the things that I used to do, tend to take it a little bit slower and just be more cautious, I think, whether it be in the gym, at home doing certain things messing around. It’s just not, I’m not as mobile as I was years ago. So just be a little more cautious and watch it. Some things you can’t avoid, you’re always going to be a little, I don’t want to say dinged up, but a little bit, you feel something. But it’s just part of the game. You don’t feel a hundred percent every week and you’re not going to. But just really trying to minimize the big stuff.

Q. Distance has always been important on the PGA TOUR from Nicklaus to Daly to Woods to yourself and others. But now with what Bryson is doing seems like there’s a new spotlight on it. What’s the first thing that comes to your mind with his embracing of the long drive philosophy and what potential impact and influence do you think this will have on the TOUR?

BROOKS KOEPKA: I think it will be a big impact. I think you kind of saw it maybe coming out of COVID. I think you saw even other guys trying to hit it further. Swing a little harder, trying to maximize their distance. I think it’s going to change the game of golf forever, personally. But if you’re going to hit it that far and you find a couple fairways, it’s tough to beat. It does get very difficult when you got wedge into hole where guys got 6-iron. Your odds are going to be in your favor. That’s what he’s done. It’s impressive to be able to actually change a body, change the way you swing and but yet still compete out here action I think that’s probably the most impressive thing. It’s one thing to do it and then just kind of mess around with it at home but not bring it to an actual tournament. So the fact he’s able to do that, the fact he did at the Long Drive, I don’t think anybody really thought he was going to get that far, but the fact he did was quite impressive. So I think and it’s one of those things you’re seeing all these younger guys, they come out of college — and I remember hearing about Cameron Champ from Sean Foley for probably about two years before he was out here. And I think you’re just going to continually see that type of distance come from the kids that are in college or high school now that will be out here in five, six years.

Q. I would think rest would help with your injury situation, so I was curious what your philosophy is about playing these fall events and how many you plan to play and if you wish there was a longer off-season.

BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, I mean, I always try to take my breaks. I like playing, if I can play, play a couple weeks in a row. Usually my first week out isn’t very good, that’s why I try to play as much as I can in between or right before a major. My second, third week out is usually the better of it and then at four it doesn’t work for me, I don’t play that well in the fourth week. So just trying to manage it and the fall schedule, I’ll play these two and then Houston as well, helping design that golf course. So it’s one of those things where I felt like I need reps so that was one of the things why I want to play. I need more competitive golf. Because I felt like, I don’t know what, I can’t think of the results, other than playing decent at the PGA, but I felt like I didn’t play that well. I know I had the injury, but it was just, it wasn’t up to my expectations. So kind of turning that corner now of all right I can starting to see some things, especially at the Ryder Cup I thought that was a big thing for me. And just stay healthy, because then I can, I don’t have to worry about rest.

Q. Speaking of next week, you’re playing in a course nobody’s really ever seen before. What’s your philosophy going into a tournament like that where it’s a brand new venue?

BROOKS KOEPKA: Really doesn’t matter. I’m pretty sure there’s been guys that have pitched up to — I mean, we did it all junior golf, colleague, amateur stuff, you never played the golf course and go play. So I personally don’t think it’s a big deal. I think sometimes it’s made a little bigger deal than what it is. Done it our whole lives or especially more when we were younger, not so much when we’re on TOUR. But it’s fine.

Q. Do you know anything about the Summit Club?

BROOKS KOEPKA: Nothing. I know it’s in Vegas, that’s about it.

Q. You talked about you like where your game is trending and you saw some good things at Whistling Straits. Just curious what did you kind of see in your game there, what were the shots you were seeing that were really encouraging?

BROOKS KOEPKA: I thought I drove it a lot better, I thought for obviously I didn’t drive the ball as well this year. I didn’t have, we call it, me and Rickie and everybody kind of on the team, we call it just like a little fairway finder where it’s a little bit lower flighted, cuts a little bit more than a normal shot for me. And I just couldn’t put, I just couldn’t find the fairway with it, it just kept leaking and then I kind of had the both-way misses with the driver, but that was more swing related than anything. Just the scoring clubs too. Making quite a few bogeys with wedges in your hand where, to be honest with you, I tried to play too perfectly is I think maybe the best answer for that and tried to play perfect golf. Sometimes when you are trying to be so perfect it ends up backfiring on you. Just trying to be a little bit more patient. I think I was getting a little bit more frustrated, impatient, all those things and really kind of had to take a step back and just realize, all right, like I’m not playing as bad as I think I am and I’m just putting more internal pressure I think than anything. And then as far as putting goes, it’s just been I struggled, it wasn’t the fact I was lining up wrong or the stroke was bad, it was my green reading. So I’ve kind of gone to my putting coach, Jeff Pierce, we worked a little bit on AimPoint, I started to use that, Ryder Cup was the first time I used it and I thought that was a big thing, it’s just using it kind of more as a not the answer, more of the double check or having an idea where to, this is the region where it’s, this putt should be breaking, then get behind it, bend down, look at it, do my normal thing, okay, they both work, just a double check system. Plus it takes a little bit off of having to bend down all the time on the knees so it’s a double added bonus.

Q. I was going to ask you, we also had Scottie Scheffler in here a couple minutes ago, I’m sure you got a different window inside looking at him through the Ryder Cup. Just curious, he went out Sunday, gave you guys a huge point. Curious what your thoughts were on him as a young player and just the way he carries himself and his game.

BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, we have the same agent, Blake Smith, so it’s I’ve known Scottie for a long time. Even when he was an amateur golfer, you knew he was going to be out here, good player, very solid, very consistent. I think he’s going to be, he hasn’t won yet but he will and it’s going to be very quickly. I think to being apart of this Ryder Cup and winning important points and being in that atmosphere, for me it was the same way, I felt like I had the most confidence after 2016, it really kind of propelled me. I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens to him. If you look at all these big events, the major, the WGC’s over the last few years, that’s where he plays his best, it seems, the bigger tournaments. And he’s a big-game hunter so I wouldn’t be surprised if he pops off a major win very shortly, but that win will come and it’s going to come pretty quick, I think.

Q. I was interested what you said about Bryson at the Long Drive. Do you think he’ll ever be able to unload to that extent in a Regular Tour event and if it hadn’t been for the injuries, is that a route you would have followed, looking for extra distance?

BROOKS KOEPKA: To the second part, no, I wouldn’t. Look, I played the same way for, I’m 31, to probably maybe 20 years, I would say, pretty consistent of what my game is. Don’t try to do anything I can’t do. I don’t try to press the issue. But what was the first part of that again?

Q. It was whether he could unload to that extent in a proper TOUR event or will conditions always be against that?

BROOKS KOEPKA: I mean, he could. I think if conditions are right, wide enough fairway, not that he’s spraying it, but if you get something that looks like a pasture out there and it’s a long hole, I mean, I’m pretty sure he could if he wanted to. I think he could, without a doubt. If he’s done it out there in the Long Drive, he can do it out here, it’s just a matter of how tight the fairway is, where the miss is, all those things kind of go into play.

Q. I know your little brother didn’t make it through Q-School a couple weeks ago. As someone who has played on the Challenge Tour and all these different levels and you’ve played a lot of golf with Chase. How small is the gap between the guys who are struggling to get there and the guys you’re going to be playing against this week?

BROOKS KOEPKA: There’s a very minimal gap. I played with guys outside my brother, including, even including my brother, where you’re trying to figure out how they’re not out here. Just comes down to playing well at the right time. It’s more difficult to get out here than it is to stay out here, I think. Once you get that actual — I mean, you got to play well one week a year, Q-School and then you got to have a year on the Korn Ferry to get out here. It’s not like it was back in the day where you could have one good week and then you’re out on the PGA TOUR.

As far as my brother goes, he was down there with us before the Ryder Cup and I watched him play, he’s plenty good enough to be out here, just needs to put it together at the right time and kind of find his way. I think he’s doing a lot better job of that, just from talking to him over the last couple weeks and I think he’s really kind much I don’t want to say found himself, but he’s doing — I’m impressed with what I see. I know it didn’t work out for him, but he’s definitely going in the right direction and I’m proud of him for that.

Q. I had one follow-up on you working with the AimPoint. I don’t know ifs hard or easy to learn, but at 31 does it keep the game fresh that you guys are always kind of learning stuff and discovering nuances and different little things in this game?

BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, it’s kind of funny. Yeah, I don’t probably use the AimPoint as the AimPoint people would like it, it’s just like a rough guess, I just, is it a 1, 2, 3, 4, what ever it might be, I don’t try to get too specific with it and just kind of have a ballpark region. So to go with it. But, yeah, it was refreshing because we were talking about it on the course today of like growing up when I was little my dad taught me pretty much the game and we were talking about plumb bobbing it and that was always the way to read it. But it’s actually the most, it doesn’t work (laughing), as much as people might think it does, it all depends on where you stand. And I just learned that today, so I was kind of fascinated by that. But it’s interesting with all these new, we have so much technology now, you think about it, I don’t even, 10 years ago I don’t know if Trackman existed, I don’t really use it that much, barely ever. But there’s so much technology there, where if you want information you can go get it and if you don’t, I’m probably on the less information side of guys out here, and there’s some things where you got to keep improving year after year. You look at it, traditionally 30 or 35 is when guys have their prime out here and I’m just kind of starting that prime at 31. So hopefully that holds up true. But you got to find a way.

I’ve fallen off, to be completely honest, I’ve fallen off of going to world No. 1, injuries, all this stuff, and I haven’t been where I expect myself to be, so I think that’s been the disappointing part, so it was a, kind of kicking myself and trying to figure out how to get better and that was just one of the ways. So I like where this information is coming, because it’s definitely helping and I think having maybe an open mind to certain things is key out here.

Interview Transcript by ASAP Sports

Categories
European Tour

Rahm eyeing historic hat-trick on home soil

Photo: Getty Images

Tournament Preview

Jon Rahm is chasing history on two fronts as he tees it up on home soil at this week’s 2021 Acciona Open de España presented by Madrid.

The World Number One lifted the trophy in 2018 and 2019 before last season’s edition was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and he is now looking to join Seve Ballesteros as the only three-time winner of the event in the European Tour era.

Sir Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam, both former World Number Ones, and eight-time European Tour Number One Colin Montgomerie are the only players to have won a European Tour event outside of the Major and World Golf Championships in three consecutive editions and Rahm is also looking to join that elite company at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.

Rahm back on his home soil

Rahm represented his country in the European Boys’ Team Championship, European Amateur Team Championship and Eisenhower Trophy as an amateur, while also winning a multitude of events at age group level. To cap that with a victory at his national Open was a very proud moment for the 26-year-old and he is delighted to be once again playing on home soil.

Rafa Cabrera Bello believes the good scores are “right around the corner” as he prepares to tee it up on home soil. The 37-year-old first played in his home Open in 2002 but had his best result in the last staging two years ago when he finished second to countryman and now World Number One Rahm.

With a Rolex Series event among his three European Tour wins and a Ryder Cup appearance under his belt, the Spaniard clearly has the game to get back to the very highest echelons of the sport, and he believes patience is the key to achieving that ambition.

Rahm is joined in the field by Ryder Cup teammate Bernd Wiesberger and vice captain Luke Donald as this week marks the start of three consecutive events in Spain on the European Tour, with next week’s Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters being followed by the Mallorca Golf Open, making it six tournaments in Spain on the 2021 Race to Dubai.

Player Quotes

Jon Rahm: “It would be very unique. I know names like Ollie (José María Olazábal), he couldn’t win it and I know he would have loved to have done it. I would hope to be able to get to a third not only to tie Seve but to win it three times in a row.

“It doesn’t matter what event it is, not many people have been able to win one three times in a row so I’m hoping I can get it done – it would be truly my honour.

“I was able to win at many different levels as an amateur but to be able to end it winning the pro event was very special for me. It’s coming back home that’s important. It’s very fun to play in front of the crowd, they’re very golf hungry in this country. Especially after Covid and the pandemic they haven’t really had the opportunity to enjoy many sporting events so I’m hoping we can put on a good show for them.

“For a Spanish player they are important. Both of them are iconic in each way: I have a chance to win three in a row and then Valderrama is Valderrama. It’s an iconic golf course, it’s an iconic stop on the European Tour and it would be amazing to get my first win there.”

Rafa Cabrera Bello: “It obviously has a lot of history within Europe but I think to all Spaniards it has a special place in our hearts.

“When you’re a kid and the biggest event you can play is the Spanish Amateur and every Spanish amateur championship there is and this being the pinnacle of Spain’s golf – the biggest event you can win in Spain for golf, regardless of everything else. I’ve had some success in the past in this event, it has a special place in my heart and hopefully I can lift the trophy some day.

“I always enjoy a lot playing in Spain. I always feel the support of the crowd, Madrid is one of my favourite cities and the fans always come out in big numbers here so you always feel the love and their encouragement. 

“It’s been a hard two years. Obviously I’ve dropped down a lot on the world rankings and the scores haven’t been going the way I want. There have been some moments where I’ve really felt a little lost and not understanding why. I don’t feel like that right now. I know my game is much better, I know I’m hitting the ball much better and I know the good scores are right around the corner.

“I just have to be patient, it’s something I hate to do but that’s the only way, just be patient, keep working, keep working on building my confidence again and trusting myself and I know the scores will come.”

Bernd Wiesberger: “It is weird because there was a lot of hype and a lot going on over the last few weeks ahead of the Ryder Cup, so you are on such a high coming into the week, during the week, and then trying to get into the day job as you say, it is kind of difficult.

“That week brings a lot of excitement for me to push for 2023, it’s an unbelievable motivator to play well and to make the team again, and that helps motivate me coming into this week after the Ryder Cup and to be here playing in Madrid. It’s the first time I have been to Madrid, I have never played a golf tournament here, it’s a lovely course and I am looking forward to the week and the tournament. 

“I had to kind of reset the goals a little bit. Not only short term but the long term because I dropped a little bit in the world rankings, so I want to make up a bit of ground there to get closer to the top 50 and try to qualify early for the first Major of the year at Augusta so that is a big goal, especially for the end of the year. I believe I am 13th in the Race to Dubai, so I am trying to push in those last four events that I play until the end of the year to see if I can pick up a few spots as well.

“I think that is what’s nice about the European Tour, you get a lot of different tasks on the golf course from golf course design to surroundings, weather as well, fairly different to what the guys faced last week at Dunhill to then come here now, so you have to adapt and that is what is exciting about the European Tour.”

Press Release from European Tour Communications

Categories
European Tour

AVIV DUBAI CHAMPIONSHIP ADDED TO 2021 EUROPEAN TOUR SCHEDULE

● Event returns for second consecutive year
● Forms a Dubai double header with DP World Tour Championship
● Tournament will be played on the Fire course at Jumeirah Golf Estates

Press Release

The European Tour today added the AVIV Dubai Championship to its 2021 schedule, with the tournament returning for a second year to form an end of season double-header in Dubai with the DP World Tour Championship.

The US$1.5 million AVIV Dubai Championship will be played on the Fire course at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 11-14, preceding the final Rolex Series event of 2021, the DP World Tour Championship which will bring the curtain down on this year’s Race to Dubai on the neighbouring Earth course.

It was introduced last December, when it was known as the Golf in Dubai Championship presented by DP World, as part of the revamped 2020 European Tour schedule, with France’s Antoine Rozner finishing two strokes clear of compatriot Mike Lorenzo-Vera, Italian Francesco Laporta and English pair Andy Sullivan and Matt Wallace.

This year, the tournament will be title sponsored by AVIV Clinics, the healthcare partner of DP World, which provides unique, personalised medical programmes to enhance the aging process by improving cognitive and physical performance in healthy aging adults.

The tournament replaces the cancelled Nedbank Golf Challenge Hosted by Gary Player in South Africa, which will now return for its 40th anniversary in 2022.

It forms a new-look end to the European Tour’s 2021 season following the recent additions of the Mallorca Golf Open (October 21-24) and Portugal Masters (November 4-7).

Players in those two events and the AVIV Dubai Championship will be aiming to secure their spot in the US$9 million DP World Tour Championship which will comprise the leading 50 available players on the Race to Dubai.

Keith Pelley comments


Keith Pelley, the European Tour’s Chief Executive, said: “Last year’s tournament on the Fire course, created to complete our 2020 schedule, was a great success and we are delighted to bring the AVIV Dubai Championship to our schedule as the final piece in our jigsaw this season.

“It means we will have two strong ‘Swings’ to end our 2021 campaign – the Iberian Swing in Spain and Portugal and now this Dubai double-header at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

“Once again, I would like to thank the leaders of Dubai, DP World, AVIV Clinics and Jumeirah Golf Estates for helping us to play this event and we look forward to a terrific fortnight as we conclude another Race to Dubai on the Fire and Earth courses.”

Mike Frayne, CEO of AVIV Clinics Dubai, said: “The AVIV Medical Program is an evidence based personalized program which utilizes hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to ignite the self- regenerative capabilities of the body and has been shown to enhance stamina, improve body strength and reduce pain related inflammation. This program will help both professional and amateur golfers improve physical and mental performance including focus, memory and attention, as well as accelerating physical recovery.

“We are therefore delighted be supporting next month’s AVIV Dubai Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates, and we look forward to welcoming the European Tour players to Dubai.”

Transcript by European Tour Communications

Categories
PGA Tour

Gary Woodland: “I’m in a pretty good spot right now”

(Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Q. Just your overall assessment of your first round?

GARY WOODLAND: First of all, the golf course is amazing it’s in great shape it’s a great layout. I played well. I didn’t drive it particularly well got in a couple bad spots, but iron game game was great. Nice to make eagle there on the back nine, kind of jump start some things. And I made some putts, missed some putts, all in all it was a solid day.

Q. We talked back in May and you had gone back to Butch Harmon around the Wells Fargo. Now you talked about going to Mark Blackburn about a little over a month ago. What was the main reason for kind of that switch there?

GARY WOODLAND: I sat down with really with my putting coach, with Kenyon, with my caddie, I’ve known Mark for a long time, I played with Hoffman a lot, so I’m around him, he’s seen me. I love Butch and I’ll still talk to Butch but unfortunately Butch doesn’t travel anymore, so I don’t see him enough. And Mark’s out a ton. He’s close to my house in Kansas and he’s halfway between Kansas and Florida, so for me that’s a lot of access. And it’s been really good. We’re working, he’s got me back doing a lot of things that Butch had me doing which is very comfortable for me, so it was an easy transition and something I’m excited about.

Q. You talked about him kind of measuring what your body — I see a lot on social media like that that’s what he does is measuring players bodies for what they can do. What has he showed some of your strengths, maybe some of your limitations?

GARY WOODLAND: He’s put me through the 3D screen twice now. So right before when I first saw him I just went to consult with him a couple months ago, he put me through the 3D and then when we started working a couple weeks ago he put me back through. And it’s amazing how well my body’s moving now compared to what it was a couple months ago. So I started to train again, starting to work out which is nice, which just puts you in a better mood mentally, but there’s there was some things I was trying to do in my golf swing that I couldn’t do physically. So we’ve simplified it, kind of gone back to a lot of things that Butch and I worked on for a long time. So it’s simple and easy for me to understand and now when I get off I know what I’m doing. That hasn’t been the case, I’ve hit bad shots the last year and a half and searching out there. I hit some bad shots today but I wasn’t searching, I knew what I was trying to do. That just makes things easier.

Q. What’s one big key that’s kind of worked on with you that has kind of helped you?

GARY WOODLAND: A lot of it is setup, which is nice for me, it takes a lot of thinking out of it, but we’re trying to get the club more on plane. I was a little above the plane most of my life, which causes me to drag it left. So a little more down the line allows me to work the golf ball both ways, which is huge for me. I’ve predominantly been a fader of the golf ball, but still trying to hit it pretty straight, but I have the ability to hit it both ways which is what Butch has been trying to get me to do for a long time.

Q. You said you you’re feeling better, obviously you had the injuries. Where are you with all that stuff and going forward here?

GARY WOODLAND: Getting cleared to train has been a huge deal. Like I said that just puts you in a better frame of mind. And then you start getting comfortable with the golf swing. This game can beat you up pretty bad. It’s, obviously everybody out here’s really good, but mentally when you start playing bad and you have high expectations it wears on you and it puts pressure on everything in life. So getting back and working out, getting my body right and then getting comfortable with the golf swing, I’m in a pretty good spot right now.

Q. How hard was maybe the last year and a half or so?

GARY WOODLAND: Brutal. Obviously’s everybody’s dealt with a lot of stuff, COVID’s been hard for everybody, but for me I’ve grown up my whole life being around teams. I had a big team around me. Being in COVID where I haven’t been able to see Pete Cowan and Butch and Phil Kenyon hasn’t been able to travel, there’s been a lot of things — Steinberg’s a big part of my team — not seeing those guys and being out here by myself, that’s been tough. So things opening back up, kind of getting people around me again — putting a lot of pressure on my caddie the last year and a half having to deal with me by himself. So it’s nice to have people back out here and just makes me feel more comfortable and makes life a lot easier for me.

Categories
European Tour

Tyrell Hatton is just trying to move forward and make some more birdies

CARNOUSTIE, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Tyrrell Hatton of England talks with his playing partner and father Jeffrey Hatton as they walk from the 5th tee during Day One of The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Carnoustie Links on September 30, 2021 in Carnoustie, Scotland. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Q. 1-under par through 11, ended in 67. How pleased with your day’s work?

TYRRELL HATTON: Yeah, it was good. Didn’t make a bogey. Tough start with the weather and then yeah, I think you’ll see a lot of decent scores coming as the day gets later on because kind of the wind died in the middle and we had no rain. It was pretty gettable. But yeah, it’s always nice to start pretty good around this golf course. You go to the other one and feel like you’ve got slightly more of a chance than here so we’ll see what the week brings.

Q. Tell us about the early weather conditions.

TYRRELL HATTON: They weren’t great. I it wasn’t nice.

Q. Can you describe what it feels like to shoot 29 around the back nine at Carnoustie?

TYRRELL HATTON: I didn’t actually realise, I just signed my card them. Obviously we needed a big back nine and yeah, obviously very happy with the putter worked well and hopefully that continues.

Q. When we chatted on course, you said that you weren’t aware you were 5-under for the last five holes; is that generally the case that you are playing each shot one at a time?

TYRRELL HATTON: Generally you kind of know what my score is. But I don’t realise, like when you said earlier that I was 5-under for the last five, I’d have to go back and think about it. Obviously you’re always trying to move forward and try to make more birdies and thankfully managed to do that after we last spoke to you and obviously very happy with today’s work.

Q. Your father is out there playing with you. Obviously your coach as well. Have you done some work with him this week?

TYRRELL HATTON: No. He hasn’t looked at my swing or anything. I think he’s a bit too excited to play these courses for the first time. I imagine he’s probably quite tired. He normally plays like once every six weeks and he did 18 holes on Tuesday and he did nine holes yesterday and obviously another 18 today.

Q. How did he play?

TYRRELL HATTON: Probably not how he wanted to. He was nervous, just the whole build up to this. He actually played quite nicely in the practise rounds and he’s gone out there today and obviously not played to the level that you’d like to. But I think he enjoyed it and we’ll have a good day tomorrow.

Q. Have you got a favourite course of the three?

TYRRELL HATTON: I’d probably just say St Andrews. I think just with the history of it and it just feels more special when you’re playing — playing there. And we’ll look forward to playing there on Saturday.

Interview Transcript by Asap Sports

Categories
Ladies Tours

Leona Maguire: “Back to business..”

TOLEDO, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 06: Leona Maguire of Team Europe plays her shot from the third tee during the Singles Match on day three of the Solheim Cup at the Inverness Club on September 06, 2021 in Toledo, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the media center for the 2021 ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer. We are joined this afternoon by current Rolex Rankings No. 42 and the undefeated Solheim Cup star, Leona Maguire. Leona, thanks for stopping by today.

LEONA MAGUIRE: Thanks for having me.

Q. We’ll start with this event first. You made your pro debut here in 2018 after a historic career at Duke University. Finished in a tie for 15th that year. Had a top 25 last year. Some good finishes, but what does Seaview and the ShopRite tournament mean to you?

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, I think it will always have a special place in his heart. Like you said, it was my first event after I turned pro, and nice to be back here.

This is one of the first courses I’ve come back to after my rookie year that I’ve actually been to before and I know the golf course, some the people here. It’s kind of like home. It has a linksy feel to it. There are a lot of Irish people in this area.

Yeah, it’s just a nice place to come back to year after year.

Q. This is your first LPGA Tour start since the AIG Women’s Open. Obviously had your first appearance since the undefeated showing at the Solheim Cup. You had that event in the middle of the break. You put together seven straight top 15 performances before the hiatus. How good of a place is your game in and what have you figured out at the LPGA level to find those results week in and week out?

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, the consistency has been something that I’ve been very proud of. I think I learned a lot from last year. Made some tweaks at the end of the year. Changed my irons. Went back to graphite shafts. Put on a little bit of distance. Worked on my putting a lot. Sort of and all just coming together quite nicely.

Changed my caddie starting from MEDIHEAL. That’s where those top 15s started. Dermot has been a huge help to me as well on the bag keeping me calm and making a few better decisions. It doesn’t take much. All these girls are such great players, it doesn’t take much to go from a Top 5 to a Top 10 to a Top 40.

I think I’ve just been saving a few more shots around the greens and not giving away silly mistakes, which has been a big thinking with the consistency.

Q. Back to the Solheim Cup where you went undefeated. You played a big role obviously in Team Europe’s victory, and then everyone saw on social media the massive celebrations on your return home to Ireland. Just take us through the festivities, what was it was like to get that welcome, and the overall experience to celebrate with friends, family, and fans back home?

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, we had an incredible week at Inverness. It was obviously special for me to be a part of that team. It was something I had dreamed about for a long time, and to get that win, we knew as a team we knew how big of a deal it was, but I don’t think I really understood.

I had seen things on Twitter and Instagram and social media of how excited people were back home, but I don’t think I fully grasped it. My dad picked me up from the airport in Dublin and stopped by his school on the way down. He’s a teacher, and all the kids had prepared poems and dances and songs and all of this, so we stopped for that.

Then I went to bed for a few hours and dad kind of said, yeah, there is something in our local town that evening. I suppose a lot of Olympians and Paralympians had been coming home celebrations like that, so I think it was just another continuation on.

It was fun for me to see how excited everybody was. There hasn’t a lot for people to be happy about. I suppose in the last two years sort of rural Ireland has been hit hard with lockdowns and COVID and all that. It was nice to see people that normally would never watch golf tuned into the Solheim Cup because there was an Irish person involved, and obviously a bonus that you were born.

Yeah, the response was just incredible. Wasn’t expecting anything like that. Went through my local town in like a convertible, gold convertible car, and my 94 year old grandmother was in the front waving to everybody. It was fun for me to see her enjoying it so much. It’s been a quiet two years for her, so for her to see a lot of people she hadn’t seen in a while and everybody sort of congratulating and messaging her. She’s on Facebook, she had fun sort of seeing all the messages all around the world were coming from, everybody commenting on things. So that was probably one of the most special things for me.

Q. In those moments it’s almost more fun to see the people you’re closest to enjoy it. Was that kind of the case?

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, it was so much fun being at Solheim Cup playing in the Solheim Cup, but it was almost just as much fun seeing everybody else enjoy it. The Solheim Cup wasn’t about me. It was about whatever I could do for the team. Getting that team win, seeing everybody else, for Beany, the captains, for the rest of my teammates, and then also then coming home and getting — for everybody else to enjoy as well, it was — I suppose that is the special thing about Solheim Cup or a Ryder Cup. You’re part of something a lot bigger than yourself.

I kind of knew that at that time, but going home I really sort of felt that. Hopefully it’s inspired a young generation of Irish players who hopefully someday want to be on the Solheim Cup or even take part in any sport. I don’t really care what sport it is, but I think there is a great buzz about the country in general right now about sport and women’s sport, and I suppose things like the Solheim Cup and all of that can only help.

Q. You have you come down from that sort when you chase a dream and you reach it, kind of a pinnacle, and then when I win it, it almost takes you to a whole other statosphere. Have you come down? Have you been able to reflect in it at all, or is it one where it’s still going to provide some adrenaline for the end of the year?

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, I mean, I would like to think I’ll take some confidence from it. It’s not something I’ll dwell on too much. Obviously it’s back to business this week and it’s back to regular life on tour.

Nobody cares about the Solheim Cup when I tee it up on Friday morning. Still have to go out and play golf. You’re only as good as your next round. Yeah, I take the confidence from that knowing I can compete with the best golfers in the world. You dream about those moments and you practice for those moments, and you don’t know how you are going to deal with that until you actually end up in that situation. Can you hole those putts when you need to? Can you pull off the shots when the moment is right?

Was able to do that at the Solheim Cup, and I suppose it’s just a case of bringing that back to regular LPGA events week in and week out and taking all I can from being around so many great players, my teammates, Beany, vice captains. Yeah, it was a big goal of mine to be on the Solheim Cup, but there is still a lot of golf to be checked off the list.

I think that’s the good thing about being home. You kind of get brought down to earth quickly being at home. It was nice to be around friends and family. They’ll definitely not let me get too big of a head.

Solheim success

Q. First of all, congratulations on your Solheim Cup success.

LEONA MAGUIRE: Thank you.

Q. Sort of similar to what you were saying there, have you found things have changed for you since the Solheim Cup in terms of recognition or even coming to the event this week? Have you found anything different now that you’ve had that Solheim Cup experience?

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, I mean, I think the response at home was not something I was expecting. I think the fact that so many people watched it that would not normally watch golf, and even when I was out practicing the past few weeks, a lot more people coming up. Usually I can just go practice, and every once this a while someone will come up and recognize me.

There was a lot more people looking for pictures and wanting to talk about the Solheim Cup and things like that. Same when I went to see my coach, Shane, at his golf club. When I was leaving one of the days it took a while to get out of the car park because people were coming over and just so excited and wanted to tell me they watched and how proud they were and get a picture.

Yeah, I went back into my secondary school as well. Seeing everybody, it was seven years since I’d been back there. Yeah, it’s not something I was expecting, but at the same time, it’s nice to sort of share that experience with everybody, especially seeing as we didn’t have all that support over in Inverness that we potentially could have.

I would imagine quite a few Irish people would’ve traveled over, so it’s nice that they sort of got to share in that a little bit since I got home.

Q. What is the adjustment like going back into just a regular tour event this week? I’m sure Solheim Cup is obviously the pinnacle of team golf, but what’s it like coming back for this week?

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, I mean, it’s nice to see all the girls again. Haven’t seen them in three weeks. Yeah, I mean, it’s back to business really. Get back to my routines. This week is a little different. There are more pro-ams than usual.

Yeah, it’s nice to come back to a course that I know, get back to my routines. Yeah, try and act as if nothing has changed, because really nothing has changed. Yeah, get back to what I do best. Sort of keep my head down and take care of business that way, sort of quietly and effectively.

How has Maguire evolved?

Q. Just a quick one for you. How different a player are you to the woman who turned up here in 2018?

LEONA MAGUIRE: Wow, I would like to think I have a bit more experience under my belt since then. It’s been three years have gone by pretty quick. Obviously that year and a half on Symetra under my belt, which I learned a lot. And then the last year and a half on LPGA, the same.

The big thing I’ll take from Solheim Cup is feeling like I belong out here. Bit by bit this year I felt more and more comfortable every week. I suppose when I was here back in 2018 I was still probably kind of in awe of a lot of the girls out here.

They were the girls I watched on TV, was still watching them on TV. A little bit of probably star struck up and down the range and on the putting green and all that. It’s nice to sort of be a little bit more comfortable out here three years on. A lot of familiar faces and same players I play with week in and week out.

My game is also in really good shape leaving college. It was still quite consistent all the rest, but I would like to hope I have a few more shots in my bag than I had three years ago. Putting has improved and added a bit of extra yardage.

I had a local caddie that week as well, and then I have Dermot this week. Yeah, a few things have changed, but a lot is still the same as well at the same time.

Q. Now that your feet are back on the ground or almost back on the ground after that great week at Inverness, what kind of goals do you set for yourself now? Going very well in the Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year standings. Do you set yourself any goals that you can tell us about or are they all secret?

LEONA MAGUIRE: No, I mean, I’d like to finish off the season as strong as I possibly can. The season has been going well so far. If the season ended today I would be still incredibly happy with how — I couldn’t have asked for a better season. Still my rookie year technically.

We’ve got five events left. Try and put myself in contention in as many of them as I possibly can. A lot of that momentum from Solheim and off the back of the majors, Evian and British Open and all those events. Yeah, I mean, it would be sort of cherry on top to finish off the year with a win.

If I do, great. If not, take all the experiences from this year and bring them into next year. I’ve never been one to worry about rankings or any of that sort stuff.

I’ll just keep sort of playing my golf, trying to do as well as I possibly can, and let Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year and all that sort of look after itself.

Q. Just a couple detail questions. What school does your are dad teach at?

LEONA MAGUIRE: Castle Tara National School.

Q. Nice. And then the little town that you said?

LEONA MAGUIRE: Ballyconnell.

Q. Okay. Very nice.

LEONA MAGUIRE: There is only like — it’s a small down. There is one stop light. You go over the bridge and you turn right, and we did like a loop around and then back to the golf club where I grew up playing. There is a hotel and like a little bit of a stage they had set up. We sort of did some chatting and answered questions and stuff like that, and then we had a little bit of food and music after.

Q. Awesome. And last one I have for you: We saw the fist pumps at Solheim. Maybe a little more energy than maybe fans are used to seeing from you. I’m sure it was greatly appreciated. Is that something that — first of all, where did you learn that from? I had never seen it, and I’ve seen you since you turned pro. And two, could we see maybe a few more subdued versions of it out here?

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, I mean, we’ll see. I suppose that’s something that — I think my brother tweeted that I’d been practicing them in the mirror all that week. No, it’s not something I planned. I think the lack of crowds, European crowds, I guess, at Solheim, we had to be each other’s own biggest cheerleaders. I don’t know, maybe some of Mel had rubbed off on me at that point.

But, no, it’s Solheim Cup. It’s a different dynamic to every other week. It’s a lot of the fun playing match play. Match play, that one-on-one thing is a bit of a different dynamic. Yeah, who knows. I suppose holing a birdie putt on the 5th hole this week won’t be quite the same as doing it at a Solheim Cup, but I’m excited to have crowds back this week hopefully cheering for every shot, which will be nice again.

Yeah, it’s just nice when you saw that emotion from Shane Lowry too at the Ryder Cup. Yeah, doesn’t come out all that often, but if there is a reason to this week, why not?

Q. I’m sure plenty of people would love to see it on the 54th hole on Sunday.

LEONA MAGUIRE: Absolutely. If I have a putt to be in contention on Sunday, I’m sure there will be a few fist pumps.

Interview Transcript from Asap Sports

Categories
Ladies Tours Live

MEL REID: “I think it’s extremely hard to win on the LPGA. I don’t think people realize how good these girls are.”

Mel Reid of Team Europe plays her shot from the 14th tee during the first round of the Solheim Cup at the Inverness Club (Getty Images)

SHOPRITE LPGA CLASSIC PRESENTED BY ACER

September 29, 2021

Mel Reid

Galloway, New Jersey, USA

Seaview, A Dolce Hotel
Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the media center for the 2021 ShopRite Classic presented by Acer. We’re joined this afternoon by defending champion here at Seaview, Mel Reid. Thanks for stopping by today. You became a Rolex first time winner here last October; what is it like to return to an LPGA Tour event for the first time as a defending champion?

MEL REID: Yeah, obviously it’s nice. Have some really good memories here, as you can imagine. Yeah, I mean, it’s just always nice when you come somewhere and you’ve got nice memories and you can see yourself hitting good shots. Really happy to be back, and obviously very, very proud to be a defending champion.

Q. Do you see the course differently than you did in previous years?

MEL REID: I haven’t actually been out. Dez, my caddie has been out and he says it’s not that much different, so I don’t imagine too much change.

But I’m excited to get out tomorrow and see what it’s playing like. I know they’ve had a bunch of rain but apparently the course is looking really good, so I’m excited to get out and see it.

Q. How has life changed or your perception changed since the victory?

MEL REID: I think my expectations are certainly higher. I think it’s extremely hard to win on the LPGA. I think the strength and the depth of the players out here, I don’t think people realize how good these girls are.

And so yeah, I think there’s a certain amount of respect throughout the players when you win a tournament because people have been — great players have been out here for many, many years and not been able to go over that line.

For me I feel like I’ve got a little bit more respect out here. Obviously it’s nice to get that monkey off your back, to pull through and know that you can win out here, and it does wonders for not just your confidence, but it has changed my career to a certain extent.

A lot more opportunities and things like that, so obviously it was a huge moment for me in my career.

Q. The ShopRite Classic owns the title of world’s largest pro-am. Do you have any PG13 stories that you can share from the pro-am here over the years?

MEL REID: Yeah, I’ve met some really great people. One comes to mind is a really good guy called Paul Creely (phonetic); played with him, his brother, and his friend, and I think it was my first year, so four or five years ago.

We’ve remained in contact, and when I moved down to Jupiter three years ago, he was one of the first people that texted me. He kind of looked after me a little bit down there. They’re kind of the relationships that you build during pro-ams. That’s why I say to rookies I know probably pro-ams aren’t the most fun, but you never know who you’re going to meet. I’ve formed some fantastic relationships in pro-ams, and that’s a great example of one of them really.

Yeah, we’re still in great contact and I’m supposed to be going up to Georgia with him in a few weeks and play some golf with him. I think that’s probably one of the best things about the pro-ams this week.

Q. Where are you playing in Georgia?

MEL REID: Ohoopee?

Q. Ohoopee Match Play?

MEL REID: Ohoopee, yeah, so we’re going up there, so he’s a member there.

Q. The Solheim Cup, you were not playing great coming into that and had a tremendous Solheim Cup. How is that going to propel you going forward the rest of the year, do you think?

MEL REID: I don’t know. I’ve struggled the last probably four or five months. Like I went to Asia, I picked something up there, not saying that’s an excuse, but I’ve not felt right since. Had to withdraw from — I can’t remember which event it was now, in Grand Rapids.

Just haven’t — traveling a lot in the summer hasn’t really helped me.

Yeah, I just haven’t felt right since Asia, honestly, and I don’t know what it is. I’ve done a bunch of blood tests. We don’t know what it is. I’m starting to feel a little bit better. Now we’re having a little bit of breaks in between tournaments.

Yeah, obviously I’m hoping for a good performance this week because I haven’t — I seriously haven’t played great. Been very disappointed with my results. But we’re trying to kind of finish the year strong, and hopefully coming in here and having some good memories is going to kind of kick start — I know I’ve only got three or four events left, but it would be nice to finish them in somewhat good performances.

Q. Talk about the golf course for a second because it’s got a very linksey feel to it. Do you play out there and think, this kind of looks like home?

MEL REID: A little bit. It’s usually quite wet here, like it doesn’t necessarily play like a links. But they kind of — the look of it certainly, I think, obviously being on the coast a little bit, it does help with that kind of look of it.

Yeah, I mean, honestly, before I won, I hadn’t actually played great here. I feel like if — the greens are kind of tricky to read. I feel like if you hit a lot of greens, you’ve got a great opportunity to win here, and think that’s why someone like Anna Nordqvist who hits a lot of greens has always performed well here. When she gets her putting going, she’s pretty hard to beat.

Yeah, if you’re ball-striking it pretty well, you’ve definitely got an opportunity here this week.

Q. Do you expect there to be much difference in the way the course plays from May as opposed to September?

MEL REID: I mean, maybe. I mean, I don’t know. Like I came for a Media Day, I thought the course was in actually really good shape considering the amount of rainfall they’ve had. I know the green keepers have had a bit of a hard time getting it ready for it, but I’m excited to go see it, excited to see how it’s playing.

Obviously I feel like it sets up well for me. Like I keep saying, it’s always nice coming back somewhere where you’ve actually got good memories and not bad memories, so I’m excited to see how it’s playing.

Q. After the AIG in August you had a few weeks off, obviously, with the exception of Solheim. What did you do with the downtime?

MEL REID: We just moved into a new house, literally before that seven-week stretch, before like the Olympics and stuff, so I’ve basically just been — I can’t sit still, so I’ve basically just been painting, doing all that kind of stuff.

Yeah, I mean, we’re finally getting there. But yeah, I think that’s probably taken up a lot of my time, is moving into a new house and just trying to recover, honestly.

Honestly Solheim, as well, takes a lot out of you. It was nice to have a couple weeks off before playing last week. Yeah, it’s towards the end of the season, your energy isn’t quite where you want it to be, so that’s probably the most important thing is to take some downtime and recover and get your game in a bit of shape, so yeah, that’s basically what I was doing.

Q. Obviously you didn’t play the weekend last week in Arkansas and you mentioned to me how badly you want to be playing the weekend. What is something maybe you’re working on to get into that rhythm for the final stretch?

MEL REID: Yeah, I mean, I parted ways with George. I did that last week. We’re completely fine. I just felt I needed something different. So yeah, I’m just kind of figuring it out on my own for a little bit until I kind of find the right person to kind of bring into my team.

Yeah, I mean, it’s hard. It’s hard when you break up with someone who you’ve had such a close relationship. It’s kind of an emotional relationship. We’re obviously on great terms and I have a huge amount of respect for him, but yeah, I’m trying to figure the last stage of my career, I guess.

I just turned 34 and I still want to achieve really cool things, and just trying to figure out the right kind of path for that now.

Q. Speaking of things you want to achieve, what motivates you at 34 to keep going, especially with maybe some of the changes that you have made in your life?

MEL REID: I think especially like in women’s golf, I think that people retire pretty early, whether that be because they want to have families or the girls out here are just so good, so young that I think that they kind of burn out a little bit.

I kind of want to change that perception a little bit. Obviously we have the likes of Laura and Juli who — and Angela Stanford — who are playing into their later stages of their career, and I think that’s fantastic for women’s golf.

Because you’ve just got to look at the Ryder Cup like Lee Westwood at 48 and Paul Casey at 44. They’re still winning golf tournaments, which I think is amazing. I think it’s really healthy.

I would love to kind of change the perception that you still can have a career from the age of 34 and a great career, like the best part of your career from 34 to 41, 42.

I also do it — my motivation, as well, is I feel like I have a little bit of a voice. The better you play, the more people can’t ignore you, so that’s something that always motivates me, as well.

Q. You mentioned trying to get right after Asia and your withdrawal at Meijer. Has it been a fatigue thing or what has it been that you’ve been trying to just more or less figure out? Has it affected the game?

MEL REID: Yeah, it’s affected my focus, honestly, more than anything. You know, when you’re not focusing, you just can’t do that out here. The girls are too good and you start missing a few shots that you wouldn’t normally hit because your focus isn’t there and you’re a little bit fatigued and you’re seeing shots that you don’t normally see.

So yeah, it’s kind of — that’s pretty much what it is. It’s funny. I was talking to Carlota about it, and since she had COVID she felt like she couldn’t focus for about a year. I didn’t have COVID, I got tested for it, but I felt like it was something pretty similar. It’s just kind of interesting really.

We don’t know exactly what it is, but I’m certainly feeling a lot better, which is good. Like I feel like I’m getting stronger again, like working hard in the gym again.

So yeah, I’m definitely on the mend. It was just bad timing. That’s basically what it was.

Q. The Aon Risk-Reward challenge hole this week is No. 18, switched from No. 9. How impactful to you in your perspective has the venture between Aon, the PGA, and the LPGA Tours been?

MEL REID: I think it’s awesome. I mean, any chance that we can be on par with the men. I think Aon coming in and doing equal pay for men and women is huge. I know the girls are obviously very interested in it. It’s life-changing money for us. It’s life-changing money for anybody.

Yeah, I think it’s an unbelievable concept, and so yeah, we’re really thankful to Aon for kind of providing that with us.

Like I said, having equal money to the men, I mean, that’s what we constantly try and fight for, so I think it’s a huge step forward.

Q. What’s your strategy for the par-5 this week, and do you think it could be a determining factor in how the leaderboard shakes out?

MEL REID: Yeah, the par-5s are good this week because you can reach them in two. I feel like sometimes on Tour we have par-5s that are too long.

So yeah, it’s nice that we are able to actually go for it in two and have the potential for an eagle putt. Yeah, I think the par-5s this week are going to be huge. I feel like that’s one thing that I did do well last year, I did play the par-5s really well, and that kind of set me up to have good scores.

Yeah, I think the par-5s are strategy-wise you’ve got to pay attention to it and you’ve got to take your opportunities.

Q. Since becoming the title sponsor, ShopRite has donated more than $37 million to charity. There’s a few other sponsors on Tour that I can think of that reach a number even close to that. From a player perspective, what does it mean to see a title sponsor contribute to the community and beyond a tournament in that way?

MEL REID: I mean, it’s huge. Being a golfer you want to give back to the game, and I think what ShopRite has done is extremely impressive, honestly.

That’s why we want to bring tournaments to different parts of the country, because we want to impact the community. That’s our ultimate goal at the end of the day. And obviously we’re trying to win golf tournaments, but when you hear something like that, it just makes the event even more special.

That makes me even more proud that I was able to win here and get ShopRite up in lights a little bit more than maybe it was. And so yeah, I just think it’s an unbelievable achievement, and they should be really proud of themselves.

I will obviously stop in at some point. I’m going to probably wait until Carly gets here. I’m actually shocked Dez hasn’t been in yet, to be honest with you. He’s trying to behave, I think.

Q. About the ShopRite tournament, this event has been here since 1986 and there are few events outside the major that — Nancy Lopez played in, Kathy Whitworth played in. The fact that this event connects the LPGA to its past and winning an event like that, how special does that make this tournament and this stop?

MEL REID: I think it’s huge. I think it just goes to show the great relationship that ShopRite has with the LPGA. I think Laura has pretty much played in — I don’t know if she’s missed many of them. She’s back here this week. That’s what we love to see. I’m obviously close with Laura, but I love to see her coming out and playing.

I think it’s just a huge achievement from a relationship point of view from both the LPGA and ShopRite. I think you want to build these long relationships and we’re obviously very thankful that ShopRite want to be a part of the LPGA, and hopefully we bring a little bit of entertainment to the town, and like we said, a little bit of giving back to the community.

So I think it’s an unbelievable achievement. I think it’s huge.

Q. I remember Laura played in a playoff here in 1992, and you talk about having a longer career. Could you see yourself here in 30 years?

MEL REID: Absolutely no. This game will put me in the ground before that.

Yeah, no, I want to achieve other stuff in life, but yeah, right now I obviously want to play and have the best part — I still feel like my best part of my career I haven’t had yet. But yeah, still half the girls weren’t even born when Laura was doing that in 1992.

Yeah, I think it’s cool. I think it’s really cool and it’s really healthy for women’s golf, honestly, that Laura has played this long, and she’s still playing really good. I still think that she can win out here, I really do.

Obviously she wouldn’t be out here if she didn’t think that. Just to have the women out here like that, people like Laura still playing and playing well is great for our game.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Mel. Good luck this week and enjoy the defense.

Interview Transcript by ASAP Sports

Categories
European Tour

ROBERT MacINTYRE: “I’m out here this week to try and win a golf tournament.”

Robert Macintyre of Scotland plays a shot during a practice round ahead of The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Carnoustie Links (Getty Images)

ALFRED DUNHILL LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP

September 29, 2021

Robert MacIntyre

St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland

Press Conference

CLARE BODEL: Welcome to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Tell us how much you enjoy this tournament and how good it is to be playing on home soil this week.

ROBERT MacINTYRE: No, it’s great to be back. I mean, it’s always good to play golf at the Home of Golf, and yeah, just hopefully the weather kind of hangs on and we get a good side of the draw at least.

Yeah, just looking forward to playing, playing again. Took a few weeks off there to just kind of refresh myself but now I’m just looking forward to getting going.

Q. How difficult was it to declutter after the wee spell you had when you got home and just tried to have that time to freshen things up?

ROBERT MacINTYRE: Pretty easy. The club stayed in the travel case that they went back from Wentworth in for about a week. I just went to spend time with family and friends. I’ve been travelling the world for the last 12 weeks, 15 weeks, I feel that I’ve hardly seen family and friends, and just to finally get home and have time to actually spend it with them. That was really the only way I was going to do it and now I’m feeling as ready as I can be for the week.

Q. Has there been a reset in goals or anything for the next few months during that time you’ve had off?

ROBERT MacINTYRE: I’ve not really reset goals. That’s one thing I’ll do at the end of the year. This year I’m just trying tos build on what I started the year on. I started really well, and the last eight weeks, I feel like I’ve just kind of plateaued out. Obviously missed a few cuts.

But at the end of the day, if I go out here this week and I put on a good performance, them three missed cuts, no one’s talking about them. For me, I’m not really thinking about them, or I’m not thinking about them at all. I’m out here this week to try and win a golf tournament.

Q. Last week we were watching The Ryder Cup. Was there any thoughts of what might have been or was it just something you enjoyed or didn’t enjoy?

ROBERT MacINTYRE: Yeah, I watched it but I didn’t actually sit down and watch it all night. I don’t watch a lot of golf, I’m being honest with you, but look, a great golf course and two great teams going at it, and Americans were just — they got the breaks when they needed them. They just holed the right putts, and that’s match play.

I mean, it’s a big momentum game. When you see some of the guys missing, they have got about a 10-foot for birdie to go, say, 3-up and they miss, it and the next hole they lose, and now they are 1-up and it’s just a battle. It’s just momentum in match play, and it’s harder against the best players in the world.

Q. I just heard you very nicely wishing the best to both sides in whatever tournament it was. I thought that doesn’t sound too like the Americans we were hearing. I mean, what was it you were wishing?

ROBERT MacINTYRE: It was just about a wedge. I gave Brian a golf club that I used for a golf day, and there’s going to be two teams going at it and someone’s going to win it.

Q. Did you think the American crowds were a bit hard on the Europeans?

ROBERT MacINTYRE: I think you were hearing it more because there wasn’t European fans there. It was just — I mean, it’s like any sport, football, when you’re at home, they are going to shout for you. So it doesn’t — at the end of the day, it’s only you that can control what you do with the golf ball. You’re in charge of when you hit the shot.

So I mean, that’s what golfers try and do, we try and blank out the noise and we do that to the best of our ability.

Q. The crowds shouted — they are terrible at shinty, are they.

ROBERT MacINTYRE: Shinty and football. Doesn’t matter. If you go and sit in the crowd, you’ll hear some shouts.

Q. You weren’t so close to the selection for The Ryder Cup this year and even though it’s two years away, the road to Rome, what was your determination Sunday night when you saw the result?

ROBERT MacINTYRE: Again, it’s golf. I don’t know what’s going to happen from here to the end of the season. I don’t know what’s going to happen from here to Rome. But that is high on my list. Now I’ve got two years to achieve it, and just turned 25 years old, so it’s not — this year I was close, but I mean, I was trying to achieve other things.

As much as I was trying to get on The Ryder Cup Team, I was trying to, golf is an individual sport, and for me I was trying to get my PGA TOUR card, and that’s what’s best for my career, that’s what’s better for myself. That’s the reason I didn’t played in the States and done what I done.

But no, Rome is top of the list. Come the start of next season, there’s going to be goals set, and I’m 100 per cent sure that Rome is going to be top of the list for a two-year goal.

Q. Any aches and pains from the shinty at the weekend?

ROBERT MacINTYRE: No, all good. Couple of bruises but I get that just running about at my mum’s house.

Q. Did you get a call at all from P�draig in the lead-up to the wildcard announcement? Was there any communications?

ROBERT MacINTYRE: Yeah, I did. I got it just before he went on to announce the team just out of respect, and I kind of knew it was coming, so it wasn’t a surprise. No, disappointed obviously, but we go again.

Q. There would be encouraging words in there?

ROBERT MacINTYRE: There was. It’s just he’s always going to be encouraging to me, and I get on great with him. Again, he picked the team he picked and I respected the guys he picked end of the day, top-class players. Obviously disappointed but that’s the way it goes.

Q. Just on the Dunhill Links, your debut as an amateur was a few years ago, 2013 in the Dunhill?

ROBERT MacINTYRE: Something like that.

Q. It was a big, huge event and a great experience for you then. Did that springboard in many ways to the professional career?

ROBERT MacINTYRE: That was pretty much the time that I realised I could play at this level when I was — I think I must have been 16. And yeah, I played with Eduardo de la Riva, and we still laugh about it every time we cross paths.

No, that really opened my eyes to the world of golf. I thought, I could do this for a living, and here we are now.

Q. What were the laughs with Edoardo? Just the good time you had with him?

ROBERT MacINTYRE: Yeah, it was brilliant. I think we finished fifth that year. Obviously I was off forward tees; so the better they played off of the forward tees. But it was great fun, and he had done well that year in The Open. I think he finished top 15 in The Open that year. So he knew what he was doing on links golf and it helped me out.

Q. Tournament golf can be a bit of a groundhog day for you guys because it’s week-after-week with days of traveling between. How important was it to get that wee reset back home with friends and family, switch off a bit and get the old Celtic hoops on?

ROBERT MacINTYRE: It was really important. I actually sat down after Wentworth when I missed the cut, or thought I was going to miss the cut and I spoke to Stoddy, my manager, and I’m like, I’m playing well. Just nothing’s happening. Should we go to Holland and play the event.

We sat there and we thought, we need a break. I mean, I’ve just played so much golf. So we decided to take the break. I love going home. I’ve got friends out on the Tour but they are not my pals, you know what I mean. They are not the people that I could — if something is going wrong, I could phone them up and say, look, help is out here or they could phone me up. It’s not really going to happen out here.

But back home is where it’s at for me, and friends, family, and obviously shinty, everyone knows that I’ve been playing shinty for a few years. I don’t think they knew that I was probably playing shinty, but sometimes things come out, and now, I mean, it is what it is.

Q. We were speaking to Dundee’s best French golfer, Victor, earlier on, and he was talking about momentum, confidence, all that kind of stuff. They were saying before, this kind of two-year cycle, do you think it’s time for Scotland’s young golfers to step up? There’s a whole half-dozen of that you could be in contention for The Ryder Cup in two years’ time, and fantastic tournament golf over that period as well.

ROBERT MacINTYRE: Yeah, totally. I think that — I personally think that there will be at least one of us, if not two, maybe three of us. We have got the guys, we have got the support around us. I’m not just saying that because there’s three of us in the same management team.

But you see the results. The results speak for themselves. Callum is on a trend that’s rocking. Grant is obviously in great form. And then there’s me, as well, which I’m fully expecting to be there come two years’ time and we support each other as much as we can. If someone is doing well — you seen Grant won Callum just missed out, there was a celebration on the green, even though Callum is disappointed. We’re all behind each other, pushing each other.

CLARE BODEL: Thank you, everyone.

Interview Transcript by ASAP Sports