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European Tour

Vierumäki Finnish Challenge: Helligkilde Secures Title

Marcus Helligkilde of Denmark poses with the price check after winning Vierumaki Finnish Challenge. (Photo: Getty Images)

Round four report

Marcus Helligkilde recorded a season-low 23 under par total as he went wire-to-wire to claim his maiden European Challenge Tour title at the Vierumäki Finnish Challenge..

Starting the day with a five-stroke lead, the 24-year-old was in control in Finland as he picked up shots on the ninth and 12th holes.

A double-bogey on the 16th brought Sweden’s Jesper Svensson into contention, but a birdie on the last sealed a two-stroke victory as he signed for a one under par final round. Svensson settled for second place on 21 under par, his best result in four Challenge Tour appearances.

Helligkilde surpassed Craig Howie’s 22 under par 266 aggregate total from the Range Servant Challenge by Hinton Golf, where he finished runner-up to the Scotsman.

The Dane, who climbs 22 places to eighth on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, was overjoyed at securing his maiden title in such dominant fashion and believes managing his mental game played a vital role in his triumph.

“I’m lost for words,”

he said “It feels so nice and I am very happy. I think my success was down to a combination of things; the biggest factor was my mental game and how I managed myself around the course.”

Helligkilde was delighted with his all-round display as he took advantage of the few penalty areas present at Vierumäki Resort, enabling him to hit 17 greens despite sometimes being out of position off the tee on day four in Vierumäki.

“I hit my driver a lot as there were not so many penalty areas out there and if it was in the trees I could still chip towards the green. Good course management and conservative approach play into the greens was key.”

“The first three rounds everything was just perfect and I was striking the ball so pure. Today was more difficult because I hit 17 greens but only managed to one-putt once and that was at the 18th. I love being here in Finland, especially Vierumäki, this is an amazing place to play golf.”

Belgium’s Christopher Mivis finished third on 17-under-par, while three-time Challenge Tour winner Espen Kofstad’s nine under par round of 63 was enough to share fourth place with Frenchman Ugo Coussaud. Englishman Joe Long, Denmark’s Niklas Nørgaard Møller and Swedish duo Pontus Nyholm and Jesper Kennegard share sixth place on 15 under par.

The Road to Mallorca now visits Helligkilde’s motherland for the Danish Swing, with the Made in Esbjerg Challenge – Presented by Freja & TotalEnergies taking place from August 11-14, followed by the Sydbank Esbjerg Challenge from August 17-20.

Scores after round four:

265 M HELLIGKILDE (DEN) 61 67 66 71, 
 267 J SVENSSON (SWE) 66 67 66 68, 
 271 C MIVIS (BEL) 68 69 69 65, 
 272 E KOFSTAD (NOR) 69 69 71 63, U COUSSAUD (FRA) 66 68 70 68, 
 273 J LONG (ENG) 70 65 73 65, P NYHOLM (SWE) 66 67 73 67, N M?LLER (DEN) 66 69 68 70, J KENNEGARD (SWE) 66 65 71 71, 
 274 J FREIBURGHAUS (SUI) 70 71 70 63, T CLEMENTS (ENG) 64 67 71 72, 
 275 J KO (FRA) 69 68 72 66, A GARCIA-HEREDIA (ESP) 65 69 74 67, T WIDING (SWE) 64 72 70 69, D HUIZING (NED) 70 68 68 69, 
 276 B HUTCHINSON (ENG) 66 67 73 70, 
 277 R KAKKO (FIN) 69 70 71 67, O HUNDEB?LL (DEN) 64 68 77 68, D FOOS (GER) 68 68 72 69, J K?LBING (GER) 69 69 68 71, 
 278 J AXELSEN (DEN) 67 74 68 69, B NEIL (SCO) 69 67 73 69, N REGNER (AUT) 68 67 73 70, 
 279 J DANTORP (SWE) 65 75 69 70, 
 280 J YATES (IRL) 72 66 73 69, T BALTL (AUT) 70 71 69 70, R VAN WEST (NED) 70 71 70 69, E FERGUSON (SCO) 71 66 73 70, N JOHANSSON (SWE) 70 71 70 69, H ARKENAU (GER) 70 69 73 68, H ELLIS (ENG) 72 68 72 68, C BERARDO (FRA) 70 67 72 71, L NEMECZ (AUT) 68 68 71 73, 
 281 M CARLSSON (SWE) 68 69 74 70, J MURPHY (IRL) 68 72 71 70, T BESSA (POR) 69 69 72 71, R PETERSSON (SWE) 70 71 72 68, 
 282 P KUEST (USA) 67 73 70 72, V MEYER (GER) 68 70 72 72, M GRADECKI (POL) 67 73 72 70, O LINDELL (FIN) 69 71 74 68, A PENDARIES (FRA) 69 72 74 67, A ARIZABALETA (COL) 66 72 68 76, 
 283 F MORY (FRA) 67 70 73 73, R DAWSON (IRL) 64 73 75 71, R CONRADIE (RSA) 65 74 76 68, 
 284 P MCBRIDE (IRL) 68 70 73 73, C BLOMSTRAND (SWE) 69 68 75 72, C ROSS (SCO) 69 70 74 71, B VIRTO (ESP) 68 69 77 70, C CANNON (ENG) 70 70 74 70, I CANTERO GUTIERREZ (ESP) 70 71 73 70, M LINDBERG (SWE) 69 71 75 69, 
 285 F BERGAMASCHI (ITA) 71 66 76 72, J SUGRUE (IRL) 72 69 72 72, P EDBERG (SWE) 72 68 69 76, M FENASSE (FRA) 69 72 74 70, J BEKIRIAN (FRA) 69 72 74 70, A LINTUNEN (AM) (FIN) 70 68 79 68, 
 286 T MURRAY (ENG) 68 69 74 75, 
 287 D LANGLEY (ENG) 65 76 73 73, A AHOUA (FRA) 71 70 75 71, 
 288 C O’ROURKE (IRL) 73 66 79 70, 
 289 M HONKALA (FIN) 70 69 76 74, H DU PLESSIS (RSA) 75 66 76 72, 
 291 B PETURSSON (ISL) 73 68 77 73, M SVENSSON (SWE) 70 71 77 73, 
 292 M ROHWER (RSA) 69 71 79 73, 
 293 A PLANT (ENG) 71 68 77 77, 
 294 M WIEGELE (AUT) 67 72 79 76, 
 **
 OUT S HENRY (SCO) 68 73 79 RT, 
 **
 142 D KEMMER (USA) 73 69, S GANDON (FRA) 72 70, J GIRRBACH (SUI) 71 71, K ULENAERS (BEL) 71 71, K KOIVU (FIN) 69 73, L SCALISE (ITA) 66 76, T TETAK (AM) (SVK) 71 71, C SAHLSTROM (SWE) 71 71, L CIANCHETTI (ITA) 67 75, J MAICAS (ESP) 72 70, Y PAUL (GER) 66 76, P MEJOW (GER) 73 69, R KARLSSON (FIN) 68 74, 
 143 A TOSTI (ARG) 70 73, I SAULO (FIN) 73 70, G KRISTJANSSON (ISL) 72 71, D QUINONES (USA) 72 71, M BREMNER (RSA) 75 68, O GILLBERG (SWE) 68 75, A HIDALGO (ESP) 69 74, L RUUSKA (FIN) 68 75, B GILL (ENG) 71 72, F SCHOTT (GER) 68 75, H GODDARD (ENG) 67 76, S FORSSTR?M (SWE) 67 76, 
 144 B MACPHERSON (AUS) 72 72, S GREGORY (ENG) 77 67, S GROS (FRA) 73 71, N HELLBERG (FIN) 71 73, J FLOYDD (ENG) 70 74, M EGGENBERGER (SUI) 72 72, G BLOOR (ENG) 72 72, 
 145 A KLUIBENSCH?DL (AUT) 70 75, J JONES (CAN) 73 72, A JOHN (GER) 72 73, A BJORNSSON (ISL) 72 73, D CAREY (IRL) 74 71, M ELVIRA (ESP) 71 74, F JORDANSSON (SWE) 73 72, M LUNDBERG (SWE) 73 72, P L?NGFORS (SWE) 71 74, M ORTOLANI (ITA) 71 74, S FERNANDEZ (ESP) 73 72, T ROSENM?LLER (GER) 70 75, 
 146 M BELTRAN (ESP) 74 72, F DAUX (FRA) 77 69, G CASTAGNARA (ITA) 68 78, V PASTOR (ESP) 74 72, E ISOMETSA (FIN) 72 74, A AHOKAS (FIN) 71 75, E JOHANSEN (NOR) 72 74, D RAVETTO (FRA) 76 70, E LIPPARELLI (ITA) 73 73, 
 147 M ORRIN (ENG) 73 74, M HIRMER (GER) 71 76, 
 148 J SAAREKS (AM) (FIN) 72 76, C SIMBERG (FIN) 72 76, ? ZACH (CZE) 74 74, A HIETALA (FIN) 72 76, P BAEK (DEN) 74 74, P EROFEJEFF (FIN) 77 71, J GRIS (FRA) 72 76, 
 149 T SALMINEN (FIN) 77 72, J LANDO CASANOVA (FRA) 70 79, J KAHLOS (FIN) 75 74, S WORTELBEOR (SUI) 77 72, B HELLGREN (SWE) 74 75, S SANTALA (FIN) 76 73, V VISKARI (AM) (FIN) 73 76, M GALIANO AGUILAR (ESP) 74 75, 
 150 N KRISTENSEN (DEN) 78 72, A MYLLYMAKI (FIN) 75 75, M LUOMA (AM) (FIN) 77 73, 
 151 E MYLLYMAKI (FIN) 75 76, J JOLKKONEN (FIN) 74 77, 
 152 D BORDA (ESP) 72 80, 
 153 I SCHEZ-PALENCIA (ESP) 76 77, M LAMPERT (GER) 76 77, H SHERIDAN – MILLS (ENG) 77 76, E HAAVISTO (AM) (FIN) 70 83, 
 154 A KOPP (AUT) 78 76, 
 155 H WOAN (ENG) 77 78, 
 156 M VEIJALAINEN (FIN) 77 79, 
 159 A CUENCA (ESP) 74 85, 
 163 H HILBURGER (AM) (GER) 84 79, 

Interview transcript by European Tour Communications

Categories
PGA Tour Champions

Ancer wins historic play-off in Memphis

Abraham Ancer holding his championship trophy at the FedEx St. Jude Invitational 2021. (Photo: Getty Images)

Press Release

Abraham Ancer became the first Mexican to win a European Tour title after defeating Sam Burns and Hideki Matsuyama in a play-off at the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational.

The 30-year-old carded a 68 to finish at 16 under after 72 holes at TPC Southwind, with Matsuyama and Burns storming through the field on day four with rounds of 63 and 64 respectively.

Matsuyama almost won it on the first trip back up the last as he lipped out from 20 feet but Ancer put his approach to six feet at the second attempt before Burns incredibly got inside him.

Ancer piled on the pressure by making his putt and when Burns missed with his effort, Ancer had his first World Golf Championships win and moved to seventh in the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex.

American Harris English had entered day four with a two shot lead at 18 under but fired a 73 to finish a shot out of the play-off, one clear of countryman Daniel Berger, England’s Paul Casey and Australian Cameron Smith.

Smith had been in line for a play-off place but a double bogey on the last saw him sign for a 72 and slip back alongside Berger, who finished with a 66, and Casey, who carded a 67.

DeChambeau’s 74 left him at 12 under alongside fellow American Will Zalatoris, a shot clear of England’s Ian Poulter and former World Number One Dustin Johnson.

Abraham Ancer:

“I was trying to kind of let it all sink in there in the ceremony on 18. It was really surreal, something that I’ve been working for since I was a little kid. Definitely a dream, a dream come true to win on the PGA TOUR, and to do it on a big stage like a WGC event was really, really cool, man. It was a crazy round. I thought I was going to need a really low one to have a chance today, but it just worked out that it was like pretty much survival mode on the back nine.

“I felt really good the whole week and I’ve been feeling good for a long, long time. I just needed to be patient and just keep putting myself in good positions to win the tournament. Today, obviously the guys had to come back for me to have a chance there with being at 16 under, but like I said before, there’s some tournaments I felt that I played good enough to win and had a great round and things just didn’t go my way and I ended up not winning the tournament. So you’ve got to get lucky times to win events and I’m happy things went my way this week.

“I was probably more nervous of the trophy presentation than in the actual play-off or during the tournament. I felt really calm, I felt like I was ready, I felt like he was there with me. I know he (father) busted his butt his whole life to just get me to tournaments and just have a chance to compete and get better. He definitely would be extremely proud. I know he is extremely proud and having a big old party up there, man.

“I think it’s huge. I know Mexico is in a better spot than some years prior, right now, Mexican golf, but I think it’s getting a lot better. Hopefully this week will inspire some kids to get out there and play golf and learn about the game and just grow the game in general. I’m really pumped where things are headed in my country. Carlos (Ortiz) has been playing some really good golf as well. I feel like we’ve done a really good job. There’s a lot more to come.”

Categories
PGA Tour

Niall Horan confirmed for BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am

Niall Horan during the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth Golf Club on September 18, 2019. (Photo: Getty Images)

Press Release

Niall Horan, who rose to global fame during his time as a member of boyband One Direction, is the first in a series of A-list celebrities to be confirmed for this year’s BMW PGA Championship Celebrity Pro-Am, taking place at the prestigious Wentworth Club on Wednesday, September 8.

The Irishman, who has since become a successful solo artist with his band, The Slow Hands, is no stranger to the star-studded Celebrity Pro-Am, the traditional curtain-raiser to the BMW PGA Championship, the European Tour’s third Rolex Series event of the 2021 Race to Dubai.

As a member of Wentworth Club, the 27-year-old is familiar with the challenging West Course. However, the hugely popular event attracts a considerable crowd and performing in front of thousands of fans on the golf course is very different to performing up on stage.

Horan, who plays off a handicap of nine, said: “I’ve sung in front of thousands of people; performed concerts all around the world, but when you hear your name called out on the first tee at Wentworth, and you step out in front of that crowd onto the tee box…it’s nerve wracking! We’ve done okay over the years though – I think we’ve won it twice – and it’s pretty cool getting to play with the pros. 

Niall Horan also states,

“It’s a proper family day out and a great atmosphere before the actual tournament and serious stuff kicks off. The celebrity turn out is amazing. You have all sorts of actors, singers, sports stars and TV personalities. I just love it. It’s my home club and it’s always a great day.”

The tournament itself gets underway on Thursday September 9, when Tyrrell Hatton will return to defend his BMW PGA Championship title. The Ryder Cup star leads a host of home hopefuls aiming to make it three English victories in a row at the Rolex Series event.

Hatton will be joined by fellow Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood, Ian Poulter and Justin Rose, as well as the 2020 Race to Dubai Champion Lee Westwood.

The 2019 BMW PGA Championship winner and 2016 Masters Tournament champion Danny Willett will also tee it up at the Surrey venue, as will World Number 22 Matt Fitzpatrick and four-time European Tour winner Matt Wallace.

They will all be hoping to impress in front of the home crowd at Wentworth Club, which will host some of the biggest stars of world golf in the final qualifying event for the European Ryder Cup team. Pádraig Harrington and his team will attempt to retain the famous trophy against the United States two weeks later at Whistling Straits, in Wisconsin.

Kit Gartrell, Championship Director of the BMW PGA Championship, said: “The BMW PGA Celebrity Pro-Am has become a real highlight of the week, offering fans the chance to see some of world golf’s biggest names tee it up alongside stars of the stage, screen and sport. The players receive a wonderful reception from the huge crowds that come to watch. It promises to be another fantastic day.

“With live concerts returning as well, there will be a real festival atmosphere to this year’s BMW PGA Championship. Rock trio Feeder will be performing on the Saturday, and then Global hitmakers Clean Bandit will headline on the Slingsby Show Stage on the Sunday.

“We cannot wait to welcome everyone back to Wentworth to enjoy five days of world-class golf and entertainment in a relaxed and fun environment.”

Tickets for the BMW PGA Celebrity Pro-Am Day start at £25 for adults (complimentary tickets for children aged 13 and under). Prices for the BMW PGA Championship start at £15 for Tuesday’s practice round. Concessions are available for OAPs and students.

Interview transcript by European Tour Communications

Categories
European Tour

Hero Open: Forrest cuts down the competition

Grant Forrest celebrating his triumph at the Hero Open. (Photo: Getty Images)

Final Round Report

Grant Forrest became the first Scotsman to win on home soil in nearly a decade as he triumphed at the Hero Open at Fairmont St Andrews.

The 28-year-old started the final round in a share of the lead with compatriot Calum Hill and the pair traded blows on the front nine as they both made the turn in 33 shots. The turning point of the afternoon came on the tenth hole as Hill double-bogeyed the par four, with Forrest making birdie for a three-shot swing.

Forrest then birdied the 11th to move to 23 under par and he was joined on that number by Englishman James Morrison who made a late charge with a nine under par round of 63. Forrest lost the lead after a bogey on the 16th, but he recovered with a birdie on the 17th and left himself two feet for birdie – and victory – on the 18th.

Forrest tapped in the putt in front of the home fans, signing for a six under par round and a 24 under par total, also securing the first Scottish win on home soil since Paul Lawrie triumphed at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles in 2012.

Morrison finished second, two strokes ahead of Spain’s Santiago Tarrio who continued his incredible recent form with a 21 under par round. Hill and compatriot David Law shared fourth place on 20 under.

Player Quotes

Grant Forrest: “So many emotions. To do it in front of everyone who has come up to support me, the last year and a half has been a real challenge on and off the course. I’m delighted, it’ll take a while to sink in.

“I hit a poor shot into 16 and tried to be a bit too safe and three putted, I saw the scoreboard and knew what I needed to do. The big thing all day was one shot at a time, just keep hitting shots. I hit a great nine iron into 17, nice and close, that really helps. And two great shots into 18, it was a great way to finish.

“It means so much. We’ve been through quite a lot as a family. To do it here, it’s what I’ve always dreamed of, winning a European Tour event. I can’t believe it.

“It’s one thing doing well in amateur golf but turning pro and doing it week-in, week-out on different golf courses. I’ve had to make a lot of improvements and changes to my game to get to this point. It’s just really fulfilling to see it come off this week.

“Golf’s a funny game, you never know when it’s going to click and when it’s going to be your week. Last week was the complete opposite – things didn’t go our way at all. You keep doing the right things, trusting that and fortunately this week was our week.”

Final Scores:
 264 G FORREST (SCO) 68 68 62 66, 
 265 J MORRISON (ENG) 69 66 67 63, 
 267 S TARRIO (ESP) 67 65 67 68, 
 268 D LAW (SCO) 67 67 66 68, C HILL (SCO) 63 68 67 70, 
 271 C HANNA (USA) 65 68 69 69, M JORDAN (ENG) 67 66 68 70, 
 272 N KEARNEY (IRL) 71 69 66 66, J WALTERS (RSA) 68 64 71 69, 
 273 S KIM (USA) 69 65 73 66, B EASTON (RSA) 67 69 71 66, C PAISLEY (ENG) 66 72 69 66, G PORTEOUS (ENG) 69 69 68 67, B HENSON (USA) 67 67 67 72, L BJERREGAARD (DEN) 67 62 71 73, 
 274 M KAWAMURA (JPN) 73 68 69 64, A QUIROS (ESP) 66 69 73 66, S SHARMA (IND) 67 67 73 67, H LEON (CHI) 67 70 70 67, C SHINKWIN (ENG) 69 68 69 68, T TREE (ENG) 67 68 69 70, M FORD (ENG) 70 66 68 70, 
 275 Y CHANG (KOR) 70 67 72 66, C HOWIE (SCO) 75 65 67 68, R MCEVOY (ENG) 70 66 70 69, D HILLIER (NZL) 69 70 67 69, J SMITH (ENG) 68 68 66 73, 
 276 E DE LA RIVA (ESP) 68 67 74 67, R RAMSAY (SCO) 67 69 71 69, 
 277 W BESSELING (NED) 72 71 66 68, O FARR (WAL) 71 69 68 69, J CALDWELL (NIR) 64 70 70 73, 
 278 M SOUTHGATE (ENG) 72 68 74 64, 
 279 R FOX (NZL) 74 69 69 67, J CAMPILLO (ESP) 72 70 70 67, J DONALDSON (WAL) 73 67 70 69, N VON DELLINGSHAUSEN (GER) 66 72 69 72, 
 280 L SLATTERY (ENG) 68 74 73 65, D GAVINS (ENG) 71 72 70 67, A OTAEGUI (ESP) 67 70 75 68, A LEVY (FRA) 69 74 68 69, G BHULLAR (IND) 76 67 68 69, M ARMITAGE (ENG) 72 69 70 69, D DRYSDALE (SCO) 71 67 73 69, T KOIVISTO (USA) 69 71 71 69, B DREDGE (WAL) 75 67 68 70, R SCIOT-SIEGRIST (FRA) 65 68 71 76, 
 281 G MOYNIHAN (IRL) 70 73 70 68, L VAN MEIJEL (NED) 76 67 70 68, A CHESTERS (ENG) 71 71 71 68, D PERRIER (FRA) 72 68 73 68, A SULLIVAN (ENG) 73 67 73 68, 
 282 D YOUNG (SCO) 75 68 72 67, K REITAN (NOR) 67 73 73 69, D VAN DRIEL (NED) 71 67 74 70, 
 283 M BALDWIN (ENG) 75 67 74 67, C PIGEM (ESP) 74 69 72 68, M SIEM (GER) 70 73 72 68, J HANSEN (DEN) 74 68 72 69, S HEND (AUS) 72 69 71 71, R FISHER (ENG) 65 75 70 73, R PARATORE (ITA) 75 67 66 75, 
 284 K BROBERG (SWE) 77 66 75 66, F KENNEDY (AM) (ENG) 72 71 73 68, A KARLSSON (SWE) 72 70 72 70, R SANTOS (POR) 72 69 72 71, P FIGUEIREDO (POR) 68 71 74 71, 
 285 D WHITNELL (ENG) 73 68 74 70, M KINHULT (SWE) 71 71 68 75, 
 286 A CA?IZARES (ESP) 73 70 73 70, J MCLEOD (AUS) 75 67 72 72, 
 289 G STAL (FRA) 69 74 74 72, A BAUTISTA (AUS) 72 70 74 73, R ENOCH (WAL) 72 69 71 77, 
 296 S CHAWRASIA (IND) 76 67 75 78, 
 **
 144 J SURI (USA) 75 69, A SANDHU (IND) 77 67, T GANDY (IMN) 78 66, N ELVIRA (ESP) 71 73, R LUMSDEN (SCO) 73 71, S JAMIESON (SCO) 71 73, O WILSON (ENG) 76 68, D COUPLAND (ENG) 76 68, C SYME (SCO) 73 71, S GARCIA RODRIGUEZ (ESP) 73 71, S KJELDSEN (DEN) 74 70, G STORM (ENG) 76 68, D VAN TONDER (RSA) 74 70, A ZEMMER (ITA) 71 73, L GAGLI (ITA) 73 71, N H?JGAARD (DEN) 75 69, P ERIKSSON (SWE) 74 70, M SIMONSEN (DEN) 76 68, 
 145 G FDEZ-CASTA?O (ESP) 75 70, C WOOD (ENG) 75 70, B HEBERT (FRA) 76 69, P PETERSON (USA) 77 68, L SHEPHERD (AM) (ENG) 73 72, P WARING (ENG) 71 74, B RITTHAMMER (GER) 72 73, S KAPUR (IND) 72 73, 
 146 F LAPORTA (ITA) 71 75, O FISHER (ENG) 76 70, E PEPPERELL (ENG) 74 72, C SORDET (FRA) 79 67, H LI (CHN) 77 69, L JOHNSTON (SCO) 78 68, J SANDBORG (SWE) 74 72, B EVANS (ENG) 71 75, D DIXON (ENG) 74 72, 
 147 P DUNNE (IRL) 79 68, N LEMKE (SWE) 77 70, P O’HARA (SCO) 75 72, H PORTEOUS (RSA) 73 74, 
 148 S YONGCHAROENCHAI (THA) 75 73, M WARREN (SCO) 78 70, R WILLIAMS (ENG) 75 73, E CUARTERO BLANCO (ESP) 72 76, C SHARVIN (NIR) 73 75, 
 149 R ROCK (ENG) 76 73, D LAWSON (AUS) 78 71, 
 150 G FOX (SCO) 74 76, J KASKE (FIN) 73 77, M SCHMITT (GER) 77 73, 
 151 J WRISDALE (ENG) 80 71, S GALLACHER (SCO) 80 71, M SCHMID (GER) 80 71, A COCKERILL (CAN) 80 71, J GEARY (NZL) 76 75, D PAPADATOS (AUS) 72 79, 
 152 J WINTHER (DEN) 79 73, R MCGOWAN (ENG) 80 72, D HORSEY (ENG) 81 71, D HOWELL (ENG) 77 75, E WALKER (SCO) 79 73, B POKE (DEN) 81 71, A SADDIER (FRA) 75 77, 
 153 T MCKIBBIN (NIR) 79 74, P ANGLES (ESP) 79 74, 
 154 R WATTEL (FRA) 78 76, 
 161 C DOAK (SCO) 90 71, 
 162 J BOLTON (ENG) 83 79, 
 **
 OUT J STALTER (FRA) 83 WD, 

Interview transcript by European Tour Communications

Categories
PGA Tour

Poulter makes fast start in Memphis

Ian Poulter of England plays a shot on the ninth hole during the first round of the World Golf Championship-FedEx St Jude Invitational. (Photo: Getty Images)
Poulter makes fast start in Memphis

Harris English made the most of a lightning start to card a 62 and take the first round lead ahead of two time World Golf Championships winner Ian Poulter at the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational.

The American went out in 28 to match the lowest nine holes on the 2021 Race to Dubai and while he dropped two shots early on the back nine, a strong finish moved him to eight under at TPC Southwind.

Englishman Poulter carded a blemish free 64 to sit two shots back alongside European Tour affiliate member Carlos Ortiz and American pair Jim Herman and Matthew Wolff.

Major Champion Bryson DeChambeau was then at five under with fellow American Scottie Scheffler and Australian Marc Leishman for company, a shot clear of four home favourites in Daniel Berger, Sam Burns, Max Homa and Will Zalatoris.

English is a four-time winner on the PGA TOUR, including at this event in 2013 and twice this season, but his victory in Memphis came before the tournament had World Golf Championships status, and he is still seeking a WGC breakthrough.

Player Quotes

Harris English: “Birdieing the first four holes is good all the time. It was just one of those rounds where you’re hitting it where you’re looking.

“Everything was working, you just kind of get in the zone. All you’re thinking are positive thoughts, you’re hitting good shots and hitting good putts so you just try and keep the gas pedal down.

“I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing. It’s my seventh time playing this course and this tournament so I feel I’ve got a good strategy.

“I’ve been working hard at home so I feel I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing, keep hitting fairways and greens and see what happens.”

Ian Poulter: “Just steady golf, to be honest with you. I’m coming off two weeks off and you never know when you’ve been at home for two weeks whether you’ve done enough practice. Practice at my home course was great fun, great to see family and friends.

“Today was one of those days where I tried to fill myself in the tournament, feel my way in and obviously I think I did that really nicely. No bogeys, clean card. Had plenty of chances, a couple of outside looks which kind of sniffed the hole, so all in all it’s a great start.

“I don’t see it as any different to any normal tournament I’m going to play in the whole season. The only thing I’m focused on is playing as well as I possibly can. I’m not high enough up in the FedExCup, I need to obviously move up in that. I’ve got two opportunities this week and the first FedEx event, so I need to move forward. Not only that, I need to pick up some points for the Ryder Cup team. So I don’t look at this as a WGC, I don’t look at that in any way, shape or form. It’s a good tournament, a course I like, so hopefully I can just continue on that.”

Interview transcript by European Tour Communications

Categories
Ladies Tours

Olympic Golf: Women’s Round Three Update

USA's Nelly Korda at the womens golf individual stroke play during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (Photo: Getty Images)

Nelly Korda Maintains Lead with One Round Remaining

Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan – The Nelly Korda Show continued on Friday at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Team USA star and World No. 1 player shot a third-round 2-under 69 and maintained her lead at -15 through 54 holes.

Korda holds a three-stroke advantage on the coveted gold medal over India’s Aditi Ashok at -12 and a five-stroke lead over 2016 silver medalist Lydia Ko, Hannah Green, Emily Kristine Pedersen and Mone Inami, all tied for third at -10.

“I’m trying to stay as present as possible. I’m trying to stick to my game plan, trying to execute it,” said, Korda, a six-time LPGA Tour winner who is making her Olympics debut. “Obviously there’s going to be times where I’m going to not hit a shot well and that’s going to stray me from my game plan but I’m just really keeping my mind stuck to my game plan.”

After opening with birdies at 2, 5 and 6, Korda stumbled with a three-putt bogey at the par-5 8th hole. But she had smooth sailing from there, converting 10 consecutive pars to close her round. She pointed to her “fight” on the back nine, dropping in several dicey par saves.

“I didn’t have a really good back nine,” said Korda. “I was kind of spraying it all over the place, I had some testy par putts, but made all pars and I fought really hard to stay in it really or ahead of it.”

Jessica Korda, Nelly’s older sister by five years, is the next highest American, sitting tied for 29th at -2 overall. She was even-par for the day through 17 holes but double-bogeyed 18 to finish at 2-over 73.

Lexi Thompson and Danielle Kang round out the American contingent, tied for 34th at -1. Thompson shot her low round of the competition, with a 2-under 69 on Friday, while Kang carded five bogeys and two birdies en route to a 3-over 74.

Due to the high heat and potential for dangerous storms throughout the day, fourth-round play will start off the first and 10th tees, starting at 6:30 a.m. local time.

Interview transcript by Ladies Professional Golf Association

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Ladies Tours

Nanna Madsen: Olympic Golf Round Two Update

Nanna Koerstz Madsen in round 2 of the womens golf individual stroke play during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. (Photo: Getty Images)

Nanna Madsen is a professional Danish Golfer and is competing in the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games. After finishing the second round with a total of -9 under-par (69-64), she is currently T2 defending the silver medal, only four shots from the lead. She previously represented her country at the 2016 Olympic Games where she finished at T13.

Madsens’s Career Highlights

Her career highlights include:

-In 2019 she recorded two top-10 finishes and tied her career-highest finish of second at the Indy Women in Tech Championship and ranked seventh on Tour in average driving distance (275.20)

-In 2018 she recorded a season-best T15 result at the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic and Finished T11 at the inaugural LPGA Q-Series to earn Priority List Category 14 status for the 2019 season

-In 2017 she was three-time winner asa Symetra Tour rookie led her to become the 12th player in Tour history to earn a “Battlefield Promotion” to the LPGA Tour, playing in three events between late August and early September. Madesen made the cut in 12 of 13 events, earning eight top-10 finishes and led the Tour in scoring average (69.69).

Nanna Madsen is 26 years old and Koerstz Madsen started playing golf at an early age…Her family has influenced her the most…Hobbies include going to the gym, shopping, watching movies and traveling. She is also a active user on social media where she just posted her Olympic Round Two Scorecard. Take a look!

Information from the offical LPGA website

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PGA Tour

McIlroy bringing Olympic mentality to Memphis

(Photo: Getty Images)

Tournament: WGC – FedEx St. Jude Invitational

Rory McIlroy will tee it up at the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational in Memphis buoyed with his recent form and a new attitude following his debut appearance at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

The 32-year-old missed out in a seven-man play-off for bronze on Sunday at Kasumigaseki Country Club and is just one of a host of players making their way back from Tokyo to compete at TPC Southwind this week, including Golf Medal winner Xander Schauffele.

McIlroy, who won this event in 2014, is hopeful his experience in Tokyo and a newfound freedom in his game will help the Northern Irishman move back into contention once again as 48 of the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings tee it up in Tennessee this week, including nine of the World’s top ten.

Schauffele clinched gold on a tense final day that saw Slovakia’s Rory Sabbatini shoot a record-breaking round to take silver, while C.T. Pan of Chinese Taipei earned bronze after prevailing in the seven-man play-off.

The 27-year-old American is the only medal winner in the field this week but is joined by McIlroy, Open Champion Collin Morikawa, Masters Tournament Champion Hideki Matsuyama and Ryder Cup teammate Paul Casey, who were all involved in the seven-man play-off for the Bronze Medal eventually won by C.T. Pan.

Also making their way from Japan are the likes of Tommy Fleetwood, Patrick Reed, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Garrick Higgo, Justin Thomas, Si Woo Kim, Abraham Ancer, Joaquinn Niemann, Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, Carlos Ortiz, Sungjae Im and Corey Conners.

Players quotes

Rory McIlroy: “Memphis has now become obviously a permanent stop on the schedule with it being a WGC and then turning into the first leg of the Playoffs next year and it’s great. This course here in Memphis, it’s a wonderful golf course. I think it always produces great winners, great champions. You have to play some really good golf here to contend and win.

“So yeah, good to be back. It’s been a whirlwind few weeks with being over in Europe and then Tokyo last week and sort of here, there and everywhere. It was nice to get a couple nights in my own bed before flying up here last night. Got to look at nine holes of the golf course this morning and do a little practice after this and go out and play tomorrow.

“Last week was certainly unexpected, I would say. I certainly didn’t expect to feel the way I did when I was there, but it was great. It was a great experience. I had a wonderful time. I had a good chance of getting a medal there at the end and didn’t quite pan out, but it was a great week. I’m already looking forward to Paris.

“I think the Olympics was a big week for me last week because I played with more freedom there and that obviously panned out well. I played my best tournament I’ve played since the U.S. Open, which was good.

“So, I think that’s really the the focus for me over these next few weeks, is play with as much freedom as possible. That’s really it. I know if I do that, then I’ll be able to play some of my best golf or at least give myself the chance to play my best golf. More freedom, less thought, more fun, try to have a little more fun with it and then go from there.”

Xander Schauffele: “Still really excited, just an overwhelming amount of positivity coming my way. Just obviously in a really good mood.

“I think the biggest thing for me is being able to sort of hone in and focus on the task at hand this week. What was done last week is done, and we’re going to talk about it a little bit more, I think, but besides that, I need to sort of get back on the time zone, really start to focus more, lock back in and try to play well this week.

“Fortunately I’m not coming to a new property, one that I’ve played a few times and had minimal success on, but I think I’m obviously in decent form coming overseas. Looking forward to the week.”

Collin Morikawa: “Although I wasn’t able to get a medal there even through that long play-off, I’m an Olympian and that’s what happened over the past week is one of the best experiences in my life.

“Obviously winning The Open a couple weeks ago is just awesome. Life’s in a great spot right now, I’m very happy, I’m playing well. I’m having a good time and that’s the biggest thing I think for me at 24 is just to enjoy it. I said I’ve had a lot of fun, especially that summer of turning pro obviously I played really well. You play bad here and there, but overall it’s just about enjoying it, how do I learn, how do I get better. That for me is I want what’s more and what’s next. I want to keep winning, I want could keep putting myself in contention because it’s fun. It’s enjoyable. Those are the kind of pressure situations you want to be in.”

Interview transcript by European Tour Communications

Categories
European Tour

English Open 2021. Home hopefuls excited for special week in St Andrews

Richie Ramsay looks forward to playing at home in Scotland at the English Open 2021

European Tour
Tournament: Hero Open
Race to Dubai: Tournament 27 of 42 events
Venue: Fairmont St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland
Prize Fund: €1,250,000
Hashtag: #HeroOpen

Tournament Preview

Richie Ramsay is delighted to be teeing it up on home soil once again as the European Tour returns to Scotland for its second of three events on the 2021 Race to Dubai at this week’s Hero Open at Fairmont St Andrews.

The 38-year-old recorded his best result at the Scottish Open in five years last month, finishing in a share of 15th, and hopes to carry that momentum into this week’s event in the historic town of St Andrews.

Ramsay is one of 17 Scotsmen in the field, joined by the likes of 2014 Ryder Cup player and winner of the 2019 Hero Indian Open Stephen Gallacher and fellow European Tour winners Scott Jamieson, David Law and Marc Warren.

The next generation of Scottish stars are also well represented this week in Fife, with Grant Forrest, Calum Hill, Liam Johnston and Connor Syme among those going in search of maiden victories on the European Tour

Returning to the site of his Scottish Championship presented by AXA victory last year is Spaniard Adrian Otaegui, who carded rounds of 62-70-70-63 to win his first strokeplay title on the European Tour by a margin of four shots.

Player Quotes

Richie Ramsay: “I’m really happy with how I’ve been playing. The start of the season was a bit slow, but I showed a lot of patience and perseverance. It was easy to get frustrated with the form at the start, but I took the view that I need to be the best I can be every day and just try and stick with that and enjoy that process.

“I’ve reaped the rewards of that in playing well at the Irish and Scottish. A steady week in Wales. I just need to watch the expectations don’t get too high and I stay in that nice, patient process where I’m positive. The three Ps. Try and get into the mix on Sunday and put myself there or thereabouts and have a shot to win.”

David Law: “I’m feeling good. I’m excited. It’s always nice to play in Scotland. It was the first time we came to this golf course last year and I really enjoyed it. The weather is a little different to what it was last October, hopefully it’ll continue like this.

“You need to putt well. There’s plenty of chances out there if you give yourself the opportunity. It’s more of a second shot golf course, iron play needs to be good. There’s a couple of tough tee shots, but it’s not overly demanding off the tee, it suits the guys who are good iron players and good putters.”

Connor Syme: “I’ve been up here quite a few times and had a few looks at the course over the course of the year. My friend Jordan is a member up here as well, we’ve managed to come up for a few knocks which is nice. It’s always nice to play at home and I’m in my own bed.

“The scoring was really low last year, I thought it would be 16 or 17 under but Adrian ended up shooting 23 under which is an amazing score. I don’t think it’s quite as firm and the rough isn’t quite as thick as last year, but it still has the same challenges around the greens. It’s very much off the tee, as the case is with most links courses, just getting in play off the tee and you’ll have some chances. The course is setting up well.”

Adrian Otaegui: “I have really good memories and feelings. With this weather it’s a dream to be back and very nice to get the feeling back from playing the course, walking the holes again. Awesome views today with this good weather. I’m very happy to be back here at the Fairmont.

“It was very satisfying, the way the whole week went, the way I managed it. A very, very good first round. The second and third rounds were very important, they were only two under rounds, but that was key. I didn’t play my best, as good as Thursday and Sunday, but I still managed to shoot under par, keep up there on the leaderboard and a very good final day gave me the win. I was very pleased with the way I played and the way I managed the week.”

European Tour Communications

Categories
European Tour

Clements rejuvenated ahead of Vierumäki Finnish Challenge

(Photo: Getty Images)

Tournament preview

Todd Clements is feeling revitalised ahead of the Vierumäki Finnish Challenge, which takes place at Vierumäki Resort from August 5-8.

The 24-year-old opted to take a four-week break from the European Challenge Tour and has therefore not played since the Kaskáda Golf Challenge at the start of July where he missed his sixth cut of the season.

Clements admitted that a break was needed due to the unremitting nature of the Tour and believes it has given him time to reset before an important run of events.

“The Challenge Tour is a grind,”

he said. “It’s relentless week-in-week-out and you’re just having a go at finishing at the top because it’s top 20 or nothing really. It’s a brutal Tour but really enjoyable in other ways.

“I took a few weeks off, so it has been nice to take a bit of a break from the game and just enjoy being at home for a little while which has been quite refreshing. I’m buzzing to get back out, see a few of my friends and hopefully play some good golf.”

The Englishman is inspired by fellow countrymen on the European Tour, including close friend Richard Mansell who finished fourth on the Road to Mallorca Rankings last season and is hoping that a strong performance in Finland can ignite an upturn in his form.

“Seeing the English boys do well gives you so much belief,” he said. “Obviously Rich being a good friend of mine and seeing what he’s done in such a short period of time gives me great inspiration and allows me to believe that if I’m on my game and get things together I can really press on.

“I’ve got the main goal of wanting to finish in the top 20 and gain my European Tour card, but I set myself intermediate goals of how I need to progress and what I need to work on in my game. I just need to take it week by week and keep making small adjustments to improve. I’ve had some really good spells where I’ve played some great golf but then some poor spells, so I just need to find that consistency and eliminate those bad spells.”

Clements believes accuracy off the tee will be crucial this week and is looking to take advantage of the soft greens at Vierumäki Resort.

“Strategically you have to be good off the tee. The greens aren’t the biggest, so you have to be quite accurate with your second shots and controlling your distances is very important with the greens being quite receptive.”

This week acts as the starting point of a nine-week stretch of back-to-back events on the Road to Mallorca International Schedule, following last week’s hiatus after a run of 14 consecutive events.

The action in Finland gets under way at 7:30am local time, with Clements teeing it up alongside Germany’s Dominic Foos and Frenchman Sebastien Gandon at 1:00pm.

Interview transcript by European Tour Communications