Category: Senior Tours

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Senior Tours

Langer aiming to make more Senior Open history

Bernhard Langer about to write more Senior Open history (foto:getty)
Bernhard Langer about to write more Senior Open history (foto:getty)

Langer is not planning on ending his career anytime soon

The German earlier this month became the most successful player in PGA Tour Champions history when he triumphed at the U.S. Senior Open, securing his 46th over-50s title and 12th Senior Major Championship.

In doing so, Bernhard Langer also became the oldest winner ever on PGA Tour Champions and he has no plans to retire anytime soon, with this week’s Senior Open providing another opportunity to make more history as he looks to secure a third victory at Royal Porthcawl, after his triumphs in 2014 and 2017.

Famous names in the field

There are a plethora of Major Champions, Ryder Cup Captains and proven DP World Tour and PGA TOUR winners on show in South Wales this week, including defending champion Darren Clarke who last year became only the fourth man to win both The Open and The Senior Open.

Fellow Open Champion Pádraig Harrington, who won back-to-back Claret Jugs in 2007 and 2008, will bid to join Clarke, Bob Charles, Gary Player and Tom Watson in that illustrious circle of winners, as will Scotland’s Paul Lawrie, the 1999 Champion Golfer of the Year.

The Welsh charge will be led by 1991 Masters Champion Ian Woosnam, as well 2021 Senior Open winner Stephen Dodd, who won his maiden Senior Major on Sunningdale’s Old Course and Bradley Dredge who is this week making his Legends Tour debut after turning 50 earlier this month.

The most recent Legends Tour Order of Merit winner, James Kingston, and the reigning Charles Schwab Cup Money champion Steven Alker will also tee it up on the Welsh coastline this week.

Some quotes of the players

Bernhard Langer: “Experience is important, and you know, we have different experiences. I probably have far more experience than most guys that are playing in the field. The reason being is I turned pro when I was 15 and I’ve been playing on tour since I was 18, so I’ve been playing a lot more tournaments than most of these guys even though they are similar age.

“Secondly, if you win tournaments, it breeds confidence and confidence breeds winning, so it helps to have good experiences, positive experiences. If you’ve been a playing pro for 25, 30 years and you’ve just been kind of mediocre, it’s hard to believe that you can win, I imagine, because you have not won anything yet or not a lot.

“That’s why I believe Tiger Woods was so dominant as well. He was used to winning and expected to win every time he teed it up and it made winning easier because that’s basically all he ever did to a large percentage. While you play 50 or 100 tournaments, and you don’t ever win or you’re not in the heat, all of a sudden you get in the heat and on the leaderboard, then it becomes like, oh, what’s going on and you know so it’s hard to cope with that I think. Some do it better than others but that’s just one part.

“I’m 66 in a couple of weeks. I’ve made millions of golf swings. I haven’t changed my swing. So I don’t need to practice and I’ve already done that swing hundreds of thousands of times. Does that make sense? When I was younger, I was still developing, one month working on this, one month working on that. Always changing, always evolving, and even though to you it would look the same.

“The time isn’t right yet. The goal is to win a few more. If I enjoy what I’m doing and still healthy, I’ll keep going. Right now I still feel well and feel like I can compete and if that’s the case, I’ll keep going and whenever the time is right, I hope I will know it and not bore you with an 82 or 84 and that kind of stuff.”

Pádraig Harrington: “The wetter the golf course, the better, but not the wetter conditions we play. If it rains for the week, rain and wind nullifies my driver because you don’t want to get going sideways. You’d be trying to knock it down all the time. If the rain dries up and the course stays soft, and it’s digging in and staying short into the next set of bunkers, that would play into my hands but I didn’t go out on the golf course and think, this is the golf course for me. I’ve turned up at Champions tour events, and gone, this is an ideal course, and if I don’t give myself a great chance of winning, I’m failing here this week. This is a great links golf course. Ball flight, ball shape, the direction you’re hitting, spin rates are all very important in terms of getting out there. It’s not necessarily raw speed that’s going to do the job.

“I was very happy with the game up through three rounds last week, and you know, then I started working on a few things so I’m with where I’m at. I’m looking forward to getting on the golf course and I could do with a few more putts and all professional golfers say that. I’m waiting to get out there and play. It is an interesting course. There’s a staggering of bunkers everywhere, so it’s not — I don’t necessarily go to a golf course and go, this is the one for me, that I can carry all of the trouble. The trouble is staggered nicely, so you’ve just got to play good golf this week. It doesn’t set up as a huge advantage to me, this golf course.”

Darren Clarke: “I’m looking forward to it. The last time played here at Royal Porthcawl was 1988 in the European Team Championships for Ireland, so I’ve sort of forgotten how wonderful the golf course is.

“I think I said last year whenever I did manage to win it, as soon as I turned 50 my goal and my dream was to win the Senior Open, the British Senior Open after winning the main Open, and I was able to change that last year. That being said, I’d dearly love to defend this week. When you walk into Royal Portrush, there’s a display cap there up on the right-hand side and both my replica Claret Jug and replica Senior Claret Jug are sitting side by side.”

Ian Woosnam: “It’s always great to have a major tournament in Wales. We’ve had the Ryder Cup here a couple of times. It’s a great spot. Let’s hope the rain does go over a little bit.

“Depends where the wind is blowing from. If it’s blowing off the sea it’s very difficult, and especially when you play like the second, third, fourth, they are tricky holes but it’s a lovely area. It’s right on the sea as you can see, and it’s a beautiful part of the world.

“I don’t play much golf these days. It’s more of a challenge getting around walking than playing golf but I’ll try my best and see what I can do.”

Categories
Senior Tours

Langer and Jiménez set for Senior Open return

Bernhard Langer and Miguel Ángel Jiménez will return to the Senior Open. (photo: Getty)
Bernhard Langer and Miguel Ángel Jiménez will return to the Senior Open. (photo: Getty)

Langer, a two-time Masters Champion, will bid to capture The Senior Open Presented by Rolex for a fifth time next month, with two of his four victories having come at Royal Porthcawl.

Jiménez, a 21-time DP World Tour winner, is looking to win the Major for the second time in his career after clinching victory at St Andrews in 2018, where he finished one shot ahead of Langer.

Langer loves the Senior Open

Langer, a former World Number One with 42 DP World Tour wins to his name, made history at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2019 as he secured his fourth Senior Open title, overtaking Gary Player and Tom Watson who have both won the Championship three times.

His triumph four years ago was his 11th Senior Major Championship, the most of anyone in the history of the game, and he also set a new milestone as the oldest player to win a Senior Major at the age of 61.

The German picked up his second and third Senior Open titles at Royal Porthcawl in 2014 and 2017 respectively, and he is hoping to complete the hat-trick when he returns to the renowned Welsh links in July.

“I have such fond memories of Royal Porthcawl in 2014 and 2017 and I cannot wait to try and win the Senior Open for the fifth time and third time at this amazing venue,” he said.

“This Senior Open Presented by Rolex is one of the highlights of the year and I am really excited to return to the UK to play in July.

“Royal Porthcawl is one of the best golf courses in the world and one that will test every aspect of your game. I’m relishing the challenge and hopefully I can put on a show for the Welsh crowds again.”

Jimenéz back to where he made his Senior Open debut

Jiménez, a two-time Ryder Cup winner, has two Senior Major titles to his name following victories at the Regions Tradition and Senior Open in 2018, and the Spaniard is relishing the opportunity to add to his back catalogue when he tees it up for the ninth time in this prestigious event.

“Royal Porthcawl will always be special to me because I made my Senior Open debut there in 2014,” he said. “The feeling of winning the Championship in 2018 is something I will never forget and I am incredibly excited to have that opportunity again next month.

“I’ve got some great golfing memories in Wales, including my win at the Wales Open in 2005 and our Ryder Cup victory in 2010 and I’m hoping to make some more this year.”

The duo will join already-announced former Ryder Cup Captains Thomas Bjørn, Colin Montgomerie, José María Olazábal, Darren Clarke, Pádraig Harrington and Ian Woosnam as a star-studded field assembles in South Wales.

Royal Porthcawl is a third time Senior Open host

Royal Porthcawl was founded in 1891 as a nine-hole course before an agreement was made four years later to add another nine holes. In 1909, the club was bestowed the honour of using the prefix Royal – only the second club in Wales to be granted the privilege after Royal St David’s – before hosting its first significant championship in 1951 when The Amateur Championship took place.

This year will mark the third time the venue has hosted The Senior Open Presented by Rolex, with Langer winning in 2014 and 2017. His win in 2014 was by a Championship-record 13 strokes. Northern Ireland’s Clarke will defend his title in South Wales this year, having claimed his maiden Senior Major at Gleneagles in 2022.

Tickets for The Senior Open Presented by Rolex are on sale now, with prices starting at just £25 for adults for championship days. Season tickets, giving holders access to all four championship days plus the Wednesday practice day, are available for only £95. Click here to purchase yours.

(Text: EUROPEAN TOUR GROUP COMMUNICATIONS)

Categories
Ladies European Tour PGA Tour Champions

Two flagship tournaments of the Moroccan golfing calendar in one great sporting event

Kick off for the Trophee Hassan II and the Lalla Meryem Cup. (Photo: Thropee Hassan II)
Kick off for the Trophee Hassan II and the Lalla Meryem Cup. (Photo: Thropee Hassan II)

The 47th edition of the Hassan II Trophy and the 26th edition of the Lalla Meryem Cup started on Tuesday with the kick-off of the Pro-Am competitions.

During this first day, the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation and the Hassan II Golf Trophy Association also organized a press conference to launch the competitions, in the presence of Mr. Mustapha Zine, Vice President of the RMGF and the ATH; Mr. Miller Brady, President of the PGA Tour Champions; Mr. Joao Pinto, Director of the Hassan II Golf Trophy; and Mr. Jean-Louis Besson, President of the Lalla Meryem Cup. Joao Pinto, Director of the Lalla Meryem Cup; Mr. Hassan El Mansouri, 2nd vice-president of the FRMG and the ATH; the Spanish pro Nuria Iturrioz, winner of the Lalla Meryem Cup Minaudiere in 2019, as well as the Scotsman Colin Montgomerie, former winner of the Hassan II Trophy in 1997.

Maitre Mustapha Zine vice-president of the FRMG and the ATH said that the 2023 edition of the Hassan II Trophy is an exceptional edition. “This year, we begin a new era through the PGA Tour Champions which hosts the most recognized senior players of the golf world and is held in only three countries outside the United States, including Morocco.

For his part, Mr. Miller Brady, President of the PGA Tour Champions, emphasized that the PGA Tour Champions is proud of its partnership with the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation (FRMG) and the Hassan II Trophy Association (ATH) which organize these prestigious sporting events. “Both tournaments are returning to the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, with the participation of the best golfers in the world,” he added.

The legendary Colin Montgomerie expressed his excitement to return to the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. “I feel proud to return here after winning the tournament in 1997. I really admire this course. Morocco is world famous for its beautiful golf courses in Rabat and Marrakech, and we are looking forward to the competition.

As for Mr. Joao Pinto, director of the Lalla Meryem Cup, he stressed that the 26th edition welcomes this year 96 players of the Ladies European Tour among which the first 5 of the Ranking 2022. “The players are always delighted to participate in the tournament. Morocco has always been an important lever for female talent.

For the Spanish golfer Nuria Iturrioz, she noted that the title of the Lalla Meryem Cup that she won in 2019, is the most important of her career, expressing the wish to repeat this feat in the 2023 edition.

In this sense, Mr. Hassan El Mansouri, 2nd vice-president of the FRMG and the ATH, also stressed that the 2023 edition of the Lalla Meryem Cup is unique because of the participation of seven Moroccan players including three professionals, namely; Ines Laklalech, the rising star of the national golf who won the Lacoste Ladies Open of France within the framework of the Ladies European Tour in 2022 and who qualified for the LPGA for 2023; Maha Haddioui, member of the Ladies European Tour for 10 years and double representative of Morocco in the Olympic Games, as well as Lina Belmati, Moroccan champion in 2022.

Mr. El Mansouri also highlighted one of the novelties of this year: the organization of the “Kids Cup” under the Pro-Am format, with the participation of young golfers from the First Tee program and professional players. “Since 2019, the partnership established with the Non-Profit Organization “First Tee” in the United States has allowed 100 young people to learn life skills through the practice of golf.”
He added that these mechanisms, available in accordance with the instructions of HRH Prince Moulay Rachid, President of the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation, augur a bright future for golf in the Kingdom.

Until Saturday, February 11, the two flagship competitions of the Moroccan golfing calendar will offer a full program that will make this great sporting event one of the richest editions.

The two tournaments are televised every year to more than 650 million households on five continents.

The complete program is available at: https://hassan2golftrophy.com/

(Text: Trophee Hassan II)

Categories
Ladies Tours Live Senior Tours

“ Return of the Champions ”

Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation and the Hassan II Trophy Association, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, are organizing the 47th Hassan II Golf Trophy and the 26th Lalla Meryem Cup at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat from February 6 to 11, 2023.

47th Hassan II Golf Trophy

Legendary golfers will be starting off this PGA Tour Champions edition of the tournament – a highly anticipated event that will surely bring back many memories for tournament fans who have followed the Hassan II Golf Trophy since its creation.

Indeed, since the Hassan II Golf Trophy began under the initiative of His Majesty the Late King Hassan II in 1971, the tournament has attracted players from the World Golf Hall of Fame, including Billy Casper, Bob Tosky, Sam Snead, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Payne Stewart, Severiano Ballesteros, Vijay Singh, and Ernie Els, among other illustrious names. All of these world-class players have graced the fairways of the Red Course at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. 

This edition will welcome 66 golf legends who have won a total of nearly 200 victories on the American PGA Tour, including three major tournaments. To the great delight of spectators, this year’s slate will feature former Hassan II Golf Trophy winners such as Colin Montgomerie (in 1997), David Toms (in 1999), Roger Chapman (in 2000), and Santiago Luna, the record-holder of wins (1998-2002-2003). Also present will be Bernhard Langer, José Maria Olazabal, Retief Goosen, and Tom Lehman, all former participants in the Hassan II Golf Trophy.

The Lalla Meryem Cup

The Lalla Meryem Cup, which is part of the Ladies European Tour (LET) will bring together, on the Blue Course, the European elite of women’s golf. Among the 96 players expected, a record number of national participants is expected, headed by Ines Laklalech , winner of the Lacoste Ladies Open de France in 2022 and qualified for the LPGA for 2023, Maha Haddioui, who has represented Morocco on two occasions at the Olympic Games and Malak Bouraeda, first Moroccan to qualify for the US Women’s Open.

These two competitions will take place simultaneously on the same site, perpetuating a tradition of diversity established in 1993 by His late Majesty King Hassan II, illustrious founder of both tournaments.

Young people are also honored. A junior competition in the pro- am format is planned on the Green Course with young golfers from the First Tee program and professional players. First Tee, very popular in the United States, is a non-profit organization created in 1997, which has made it possible to understand and respond to many problems that characterize society by teaching life skills through the practice of Golf.

This event will, as usual, be open to the general public free of charge. Entertainment on the courses and catering areas as well as a playground will guarantee a complete experience for all visitors to discover golf through practice and play.

The significant efforts made by the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation and the Hassan II Golf Trophy Association for the success of these events attest to a desire to succeed and further promote the culture and practice of golf in Morocco.These competitions also reinforce the tourist attractiveness of the Kingdom as a golfing nation par excellence.

Categories
PGA Tour Champions

After months of recovery: Steve Stricker returns to the Champions Tour

Comeback: Steve Stricker will play on the Champions Tour next week. (Photo: Getty)
Comeback: Steve Stricker will play on the Champions Tour next week. (Photo: Getty)

These have been tough months for Steve Stricker. After leading the U.S. Ryder Cup team to victory last year, a mysterious illness struck Stricker. The 55-year-old suddenly suffered from a wide range of symptoms: from cough and sore throat to jaundice and an inflammation of the heart. The consequences of these strains were extreme: Stricker could not eat solid food for a long time and lost about 25 pounds. Now the golfer announced his return to the Champions Tour.

Steve Stricker fought against a mysterious disease outbreak

Steve Stricker has had an illness record to show for it since last fall, and it’s not without its challenges. After his Ryder Cup victory as captain of the U.S. team, things went downhill for the then 54-year-old. A mild cough was followed by a high fever and an allergic reaction to a medication. Shortly thereafter, Stricker was informed of very poor liver values and cardiac arrhythmias. His health deteriorated rapidly, while doctors were at a loss as to the cause of this. Stricker spent eleven days in the hospital, after which he felt “like an 85-year-old man.” His doctors announced he would be in rehabilitation for months.

Comeback on the Champions Tour

After Stricker was unable to eat solid food for a while and going to the bathroom had been a challenge for him, a former golf coach suggested he not return to professional sports and take it easy. For Stricker, that wasn’t an option: “That’s not my style, you know? I like to work at things.” For Stricker, one thing was certain: he would return to the Champions Tour. Next week’s Insperity Invitational is expected to be the time, and the twelve-time PGA Tour winner and seven-time Champions Tour winner announced his participation. In Houston, he will be competing for prize money of more than 2 million euros. We will find out in the coming week how well his comeback is going and whether his body can already withstand the rigors of a professional tournament.

Categories
European Tour LPGA Tour PGA Tour PGA Tour Champions

Jeff Winther Brings Back Spanish Trophy to Denmark

INZAI, JAPAN - OCTOBER 24: Alex Noren of Sweden hits his tee shot on the 4th hole during the final round of the ZOZO Championship at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club on October 24, 2021 in Inzai, Chiba, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)

PGA Tour: ZOZO Championship

The PGA Tour made headlines in Japan right at the beginning of the season for the ZOZO Championship. Hideki Matsuyama, took home the trophy representing  Japan on its own soil. Only two players  represented the Scandinavians, including Alex Noren and Henrik Norlander, both from Sweden. 

Both of the Swedes landed at T18. Norlander had a total of 5 birdies and finished with four rounds of 71-72-71-64. Noren had a total of 5 birdies as well and finished with four rounds of 68-68-71-71.

PGA TourZOZO Championship
CourseAccordia Golf Narashino Country Club (Japan)
Prize Money9,950,000 US-Dollar
 ChampionHideki Matsuyama
Skandinavian playersAlex Noren(SWE), Henrik Norlander(SWE)

European Tour: Mallorca Golf Open.

It has been 23 years since last time this course served as venue to a European Tour event, and 10 years since the last time Mallorca welcomed one. Proudly, a Scandinavian golfer took home the win at the Mallorca Golf Open helping put Scandinavian golfers on the map. 

Jeff Winther from Denmark joined the winner’s circle this weekend playing 62-71-62-70 in Mallorca and earned around 150,000 Euros. Behind him at T2 was Sebastian Soderberg of Sweden finishing with 66-68-64-68. The next Swede at T7 was Niklas Lemke. Focusing on another player from Denmark we see, Joachim Hansen who rounds ended with 67-72-65-67. Overall the Scandinavian players made their mark this weekend in Spain. 

European TourMallorca Golf Open
CourseGolf Santa Ponsa- Mallorca, Spain
Prize Money1 Mio EUR
ChampionJeff Winther
Skandinavian playersAlexander Björk(SWE), Jeff Winther(DEN), Sebastian Soderberg(SWE), Søren Kjeldsen(DEN), Niklas Lemke(SWE), Marcus Kinhult(SWE), Philip Eriksson(SWE), Jens Fahrbring(SWE), Joel Sjöholm(SWE), Kristoffer Reitan(NOR), Benjamin Poke(DEN), Lucas Bjerregaard(DEN), Rikard Karlberg(SWE), Joachim Hansen(DEN)
MALLORCA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 24: Jeff Winther of Denmark celebrates winning on the 18th hole with JB Hansen and Soren Kjeldsen of Demark during the final round of Mallorca Golf Open at Golf Santa Ponsa on October 24, 2021 in Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

LPGA Tour: BMW Ladies Championship.

The LPGA returned to the field at the International Busan Golf Course, in South Korea, at the BMW Ladies Championship. in Young of South Korea dominated the weekend and took home 300,000 dollars in prize money.

Matilda Castren(FIN) kicked it off strong already with a hole in one during the practice round. However, she failed to continue this power and came in last on the leaderboard with a total of 1 over par. Nanna Madsen(DEN) will opened the first round at 9:55am(GMT+9) from hole 10 and managed to be a bit better than her Scandinavian mate and landed at T41 and 5 under par.

LPGA TourBMW Ladies Championship
CourseInternational Busan
Prize Money200,000,000 US-Dollar
ChampionJin Young
Skandinavian playersMatilda Castren(FIN), Nanna Madsen(DEN)

PGA Tour Champions: Dominion Energy Charity Classic

With the Dominion Energy Charity Classic, the outcome of playing good goes far and beyond. People contributed to the Charity through flat donations or based on the number of “birdies” made by PGA TOUR Champions players. Robert Karlsson, from Sweden fought every shot in representation of the Scandinavian Area, as he is the only participant from there. He finished with a total of 6 birdies and landed at T31.

PGA Tour ChampionsDominion Energy Charity Classic
CourseCountry Club of Virginia- Richmond, Virginia (USA)
Prize Money
2,000,000 US-Dollar
2,000,000 US-Dollar
2,000,000 US-Dollar
Defending ChampionBernhard Langer
Skandinavian playersRobert Karlsson(SWE)

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European Tour Ladies Tours Live LPGA Tour PGA Tour PGA Tour Champions Senior Tours Top Tours

Scandinavia increases their chances at the European Tour this week. What to expect from the PGA, LPGA, and Champions Tours events.

Joachim B. Hansen and Jeff Winther of Denmark pose for a portrait during Day One of the GolfSixes at Oitavos Dunes, in 2019.(Getty Images)

PGA Tour: ZOZO Championship

The PGA Tour makes another stop in Japan right at the beginning of the season for the ZOZO Championship.
The ZOZO Championship is being played in Chiba, Japan at the Accordia Golf Narashino CC at Par 72. The tournament starts on Thursday, 21st of October and ends on Sunday, 24th of October 2021.

With another strong field of participants, we can look forward to top-class golf this week. Narrowing the focus on the Scandinavian golfers, the participation is lower than usually. Only two players will represent the Scandinavians, including Alex Noren and Henrik Norlander, both from Sweden. They did not performed their best last week, but this is a new week with full chances for them to bring Sweden the glory.

PGA Tour ZOZO Championship
Course Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club (Japan)
Prize Money 9,950,000 US-Dollar
Defending Champion Patrick Cantlay
Skandinavian players Alex Noren(SWE), Henrik Norlander(SWE)

European Tour: Mallorca Golf Open.

Back at it. The tournament will be played on the par 72 Golf Santa Ponsa I, designed by Folco Nardi in 1977, which has hosted European Tour events on six previous occasions. The opening round is on Thursday, 21st of October and the last day is on Sunday, 24th of October 2021. This is not only special for the players, but even the Executive board did not see the time for Golf Santa Ponsa to host an European Tour tournmanet once again. It has been 23 years since last time this course served as venue to a European Tour event, and 10 are the years since the last time Mallorca welcomed one.

The presence of our Scandinavian golfers is getting more and more noticeable, starting off with Jeff Winther from Denmark, who will tee off at 9:15am(GMT+2). Coincidence is that there will be no two Scandinavian players together playing in the same group. The audience must keep an eye in all different holes to stay tuned.

European Tour Mallorca Golf Open
Course Golf Santa Ponsa- Mallorca, Spain
Prize Money 1 Mio EUR
Defending Champion N/A
Skandinavian players Alexander Björk(SWE), Jeff Winther(DEN), Sebastian Soderberg(SWE), Søren Kjeldsen(DEN), Niklas Lemke(SWE), Marcus Kinhult(SWE), Philip Eriksson(SWE), Jens Fahrbring(SWE), Joel Sjöholm(SWE), Kristoffer Reitan(NOR), Benjamin Poke(DEN), Lucas Bjerregaard(DEN), Rikard Karlberg(SWE), Joachim Hansen(DEN)

LPGA Tour: BMW Ladies Championship.

After a week break in the schedule, the LPGA return to the field, and they do so at the International Busan Golf Course, in South Korea, where the women will fight at the BMW Ladies Championship. Does this mean that the winner also becomes the golfer who likes to drive the most…? One thing is clear, these women drive the fairway better than most.
Matilda Castren(FIN) is kicking in strong already with a hole in one during the practice round, maybe her 6iron keeps her lucky throughout the weekend too. Castren will tee of on Thursday, 22nd of October at 8:33am(GMT+9), and Nanna Madsen(DEN) will open the first round at 9:55am(GMT+9) from hole 10.

LPGA Tour BMW Ladies Championship
Course International Busan
Prize Money 200,000,000 US-Dollar
Defending Champion Hana Jang
Skandinavian players Matilda Castren(FIN), Nanna Madsen(DEN)

PGA Tour Champions: Dominion Energy Charity Classic

The tournament starts on Friday, the 22nd of October, and ends on Sunday, the 24th of October 2021. Making birdies is key for the players to have bigger chances to win. However, at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic, the outcome of playing good goes far and beyond. People can contribute to the Charity through flat donations or based on the number of “birdies” made by PGA TOUR Champions players. Robert Karlsson, from Sweden will fight every shot in representation of the Scandinavian Area, as he is the only participant from there.

PGA Tour Champions Dominion Energy Charity Classic
Course Country Club of Virginia- Richmond, Virginia (USA)
Prize Money
2,000,000 US-Dollar
Defending Champion Phil Mickelson
Skandinavian players Robert Karlsson(SWE)

Categories
European Tour LPGA Tour PGA Tour PGA Tour Champions

Weekly Preview: Can the English Golfers Keep the Winning Streaks Going?

Tommy Fleetwood of England (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

PGA Tour: ZOZO Championship

The PGA Tour makes another stop in Japan right at the beginning of the season for the ZOZO Championship.

The ZOZO Championship is being played in Chiba, Japan at the Accordia Golf Narashino CC. The tournament starts on Thursday, 21st of October and ends on Sunday, 24th of October 2021.The ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP is part of the PGA Tour. In 2022 all players are competing for a total prize money of 9.950.000 dollars. The course for the tournament at Accordia Golf Narashino CC plays at Par 72.

With another strong field of participants, we can look forward to top-class golf this week. Narrowing the focus on the English golfers, we can hope to see another successful week. The Englishmen participating include Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Wallace, hopefully they can keep the English success going.

PGA Tour ZOZO Championship
Course Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club (Japan)
Prize Money 9,950,000 US-Dollar 
Defending Champion Patrick Cantlay
English players Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Wallace
 
 
 
 
 
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European Tour: Mallorca Golf Open

The European Tour remains in Spain for the third week, but it moves to the Balearic Islands, more precisely to Mallorca for the first installment of this event. The Mallorca Golf Open season 2021 is being played in Mallorca, Spain at the Golf Santa Ponsa. The tournament starts on Thursday, 21st of October and ends on Sunday, 24th of October 2021. The Mallorca Golf Open is part of the European Tour. In 2021 all players are competing for a total prize money of 1.000.000 €. The course for the tournament at Golf Santa Ponsa plays at Par 72.

With Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick taking home the trophy last week on the EU tour, the pressure is on for the english participants to keep the stride going.

EU Tour Mallorca Golf Open
Course Golf Santa Ponsa- Mallorca, Spain
Prize Money 1 Mio EUR
Defending Champion N/A
English players

Dale Whitnell, Dave Coupland, Frank Kennedey, Oliver Fisher, Ross McGowan, 

LPGA Tour: BMW Ladies Championship

Moving into the ladies tours, The LPGA flies to Korea. This weekend the BMW Ladies Championship will take place in Busan, Korea. It is the only LPGA tournament to be held in Korea. The tournament starts on Thursday, 21st of October and ends on Sunday, 24th of October 2021. The BMW Ladies Championship is part of the LPGA Tour season 2021. In 2021 all players are competing for a total prize money of 2,000,000 dollars.

The course for the tournament at LPGA International Busan plays at Par 72. Bronte Law will be the first Englishwoman teeing off at 8:00am. Star Charley Hull who just took home the trophy from the LET tour last weekend will also tee off in the afternoon.

LPGA Tour BMW Ladies Championship
Course International Busan 
Prize Money 200,000,000 US-Dollar
Defending Champion

HANA JANG.
English players

Charley Hull, Bronte Law

PGA Tour Champions: Dominion Energy Charity Classic

Phil Mickelson sets off to defend his title at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic. Last year he captured his second win on his second start on the PGA Tour Champions in Virginia. The Dominion Energy Charity Classic is being played in Richmond, Virginia (USA) at the The Country Club of Virginia. The tournament starts on Friday, 22nd of October and ends on Sunday, 24th of October 2021.

The Dominion Energy Charity Classic is part of the Champions Tour season 2021. In 2021 all players are competing for a total prize money of 2,000,000 dollars.The course for the tournament at The Country Club of Virginia plays at Par 72. Paul Broadhurst is the only English player to play on the Champions Tour this week once again.

PGA Tour Champions Dominion Energy Charity Classic
Course Country Club of Virginia- Richmond, Virginia (USA)
Prize Money
2,000,000 US-Dollar
Defending Champion Phil Mickelson 
English players Paul Broadhurst
Categories
European Challenge Tour European Tour Ladies European Tour Ladies Tours Live PGA Tour PGA Tour Champions Top Tours

How the best Scandinavian golfers came out from last week’s events

Sebastian Soderberg of Sweden walks with his caddie on the 16th hole during Day Four of The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters at Real Club Valderrama (Getty Images)

Last week the LPGA took a break, and the LET Tour received all the attention for the ladies tours. On the men’s side, the CJ Cup tournamnet was a pure show that brought Rickie Fowler (USA) back to the upper part of the leaderboard. Rory McIlroy overtook the top American players, on American soil. The participation of the Scandinavian golfers was not the highest of the year so far. However, Sebastian Söderberg(SWE) and Alexander Björk(SWE) brought some glory home. Söderberg finished T2 at the European Tour tournament of Esterlla Damm Andalucia Masters in Valderrama Golf Course, and Björk made an incredible T4. The best golfers from Denmark, Finlad, Norway, and Sweden are now having some rest to give it all next weekend at the PGA, European, LPGA, and Let Tours.

PGA TOUR: The CJ Cup at Summit

The Irish golfer Rory McIlroy won his 20th tour victory at the PGA Tour event. McIlroy made the exemption to a top 5 on the leaderboard strongly taken by the American players. Viktor Hovland made the Top 20, finishing T18 with a total of 18-under par. Hovland started strong with a bogey-free round of 65 (7-under par), but the luck didn’t last and didn’t manage to push more birdies in. Alex Noren (T59) and Rasmus Hojgaard (63rd) managed to make few birdies along their rounds, but could not lower down the amount of bogeys per round, which made it difficult to rise up on the leaderboard. Noren and Hojgaard signed totals of -10 and -9 respectively.

PGA Tour CJ Cup at Summit
Course The Summit Club, Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)
Prize Money 9.8 Mio US-Dollar (8.4 Mio EUR)
Champion Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland)
Scandinvian  players Viktor Hovland (T18), Alex Noren (T59), Rasmus Hojgaard (63rd)

European Tour: Andalucía Masters

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters was played at the golf course of Real Club Valderrama, which plays at Par 71. To the surprise of the Scandinavian field, Sebastian Soderberg shocked the public coming out of the blue with scores of 70-69-72-70 to finish T2, only 3 shots behind the leader, Matt Fitzpatrick. Also from Sweden, his fellow teammate Alexander Björk made a T4 with a total of 2-under par. Real Club Valderrama was in perfect shape, definitely set up for professional golfers of high calibre. Other players from Denmark such as Thomas Bjorn, Nicolai Hojgaard, and Lucas Bjerregaard did not make the cut this time. Thomas Bjorn was in first line after the last player who moved forward into the last two rounds.

European Tour Andalucía Masters
Course Real Club Valderrama (Spain)
Prize Money 3 Million EUR
Champion Matt Fitzpatrick
Scandinvian  players Sebastian Soderberg (T2), Alexander Björk (T4), Joachim B. Hansen (T15)

Ladies European Tour: Aramco Team Series

Across the Atlantic the Ladies European Tour competed in New York after a week off from playing. Glen Oaks Club hosted the event and had a stellar field assembled. Marianne Skarpnord from Norway, together with the Sollheim Cup star Anna Nordqvist (SWE) finsihed T7 with a total of 5-under par. Krista Bakker (FIN) finished T17. Bakker started with a round of even-par (72), Bakker improved in her second round playing under par (70), but the nerves of the last round did not allow her to climb higher on the leaderboard, as she closed up the Aramco Team Series with a scorecard of 1-over par (73).

EU Ladies Tour Aramco Team Series
Course The Glen Oaks Club, New York (USA)
Prize Money 800,000 USD (692,076 EUR)
Champion Charley Hull (ENG)
Scandinvian  players Anna Nordqvist (T7), Marianne Skarpnord (T7), Krista Bakker (T17)
 
 
 
 
 
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Una publicación compartida de Anna Nordqvist (@a_nordqvist)

Champions Tour: SAS Championship

The SAS Championship was held in Cary, North Carolina at the Prestonwood CC. The SAS Championship is part of the Champions Tour, where the legends play. The sport of golf has not always been popular in the Scandinavia Area (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden). However, it is slowly becoming more of an interest for the younger generations. For that reason, there are not yet many golfers that participate with the legends. However, Robert Karlsson (SWE) is a pioneer on the Scandinavian golf. During his first round, Karlsson signed a scorecard with more birdies than pars on it, but a couple of bogeys limited his result to 6-under par. The following two rounds, the Swedish player finished 4-over par and even-par on the last, for a total of 2-under par (66-76-72).

PGA Tour CJ Cup at Summit
Course Prestonwood Country Club Cary, North Carolina (USA)
Prize Money 2.1 Mio US-Dollar (1.8 Mio EUR)
Champion Lee Janzen(USA)
Scandinvian  players Robert Karlsson (T34)
Categories
European Tour Ladies European Tour PGA Tour PGA Tour Champions

Weekly Previews: Scouting the Scandinavian Stars

Anna Nordqvist will tee it off in New York this week. (Foto: Getty)

PGA TOUR: The CJ Cup at Summit

The top 60 available players from the 2019-20 final FedExCup Points list will be playing this week on the tour. The Scandinavian players to play at the PGA Tour event include, Alex Noren (Sweden) teeing off at 16:32(CET), Viktor Hovland (Norway) teeing off at 21:06(CET), and Rasmus Hojgaard (Danemark) teeing off at 21:18(CET).

PGA Tour CJ Cup at Summit
Course The Summit Club, Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)
Prize Money 9.8 Mio US-Dollar (8.4 Mio EUR)
Defending Champion Jason Kokrak (USA)
Scandinvian  players Viktor Hovland, Alex Noren, Rasmus Hojgaard
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 12: A scenic view of the 1st hole during a practice round prior to THE CJ CUP @ SUMMIT at The Summit Club on October 12, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images for CJ Cup @ Summit)

European Tour: Andalucía Masters

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters is being played in Sotogrande, Spain at the Real Club Valderrama. The tournament starts on Thursday, October 14th and ends on Sunday, October 17th 2021. The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters is part of the European Tour season 2021. In 2021 all players competing for a total prize money of 3 Mio. EUR. The course for the tournament at Real Club Valderrama plays at Par 71. Scandinavian highlights are Jeff Winther (Danemark) who will start the day off at 8:40am. Next up to tee off in the morning is Alexander Björk from Sweden. He currently only holds one European tour win so maybe he can score another at this tournament.

PGA Tour Andalucía Masters
Course Real Club Valderrama (Spain)
Prize Money 3 Million EUR
Defending Champion John Catlin
Scandinvian  players Jeff Winther, Alexander Björk, Nicolai Hojgaard
CADIZ, SPAIN – OCTOBER 13: Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark plays in the pro am ahead of The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters at Real Club Valderrama on October 13, 2021 in Cadiz, Spain. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Ladies European Tour: Aramco Team Series

Across the Atlantic the Ladies European Tour is competing in New York after a week off from playing. Glen Oaks Club plays host to the event and with a stellar field assembled. Marianne Skarpnord from Norway, who secured her fifth LET win at Centurion Club is ready to proudly represent the ladies Scandinavian golf skills. Sollheim Cup star Anna Nordqvist (Sweden) will also be playing this week.

EU Ladies Tour Aramco Team Series
Course The Glen Oaks Club, New York (USA)
Prize Money 800,000 USD (692,076 EUR)
Defending Champion /
Scandinvian  players Krista Bakker, Nicole Broch Estrup, Anna Nordqvist, Lina Boqvist, Maja Stark,Emily Kristine Pedersen
 
 
 
 
 
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Champions Tour: SAS Championship 2021

The SAS Championship is being played in Cary, North Carolina at the Prestonwood CC. The tournament starts on Friday, the 15th of October and ends on Sunday, the 17th of October 2021. The SAS Championship is part of the Champions Tour in the season 2021. In 2021 all players competing for a total prize money of 2,1 Mio. US-Dollar. The course for the tournament at Prestonwood CC plays at Par 72. Robert Karlsson will be the only Scandinavian player representing Sweden on the course. He and Henrik Stenson hold the record for most European Tour wins by a player from Sweden, with 11. Last week he landed T31 at the Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS event with 3 under par.

PGA Tour CJ Cup at Summit
Course Prestonwood Country Club Cary, North Carolina (USA)
Prize Money 2.1 Mio US-Dollar (1.8 Mio EUR)
Defending Champion Ernie Els (South Africa)
Scandinvian  players Robert Karlsson