Category: Senior Tours

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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
Categories
European Tour Ladies European Tour Ladies Tours Live PGA Tour PGA Tour Champions Top Tours

Weekly preview: What’s the panorama like for the best English golfers on Tour

Tommy Fleetwood and Danny Willett of England walk from the 1st tee during Day Three of The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at The Old Course (Getty Images)

PGA Tour: The CJ Cup

Las Vegas never dissapoints and this weekend is no exception. The Summit Club will hold the CJ Cup and the best players around the world will join the event to play their best cards for the victory. Although the great majority of participants are from the U.S. the Englishmen come strong to win the trophy. Ian Poulter and Paul Casey are playing revenge on Las Vegas after missing the cut last weekend at the Shriners Children’s Open. Justin Rose is ready to come back to the field one month after his last tournament appearance, at the BMW PGA Championship. Tommy Fleetwood tees off at 6:37pm (CET), and his fellow teammate Tyrrell Hatton is starting at 8:42pm (CET). Hatton came close to a win during his last event at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, and he is ready to shake off the bitter taste of second place.

PGA Tour The CJ Cup
Course The Summit Club, Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)
Prize Money $9,750,000 US-Dollar
Defending Champion Jason Kokrak
Headliner Collin Morikawa, Brooks Koepka, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas
English players Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton

European Tour: Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters


Continuing with the Spanish weeks on the European Tour, eyes stay on world number one Jon Rahm seeking for the local player tricks. This weekend Valderrama Golf is venue to the Estrella Damn N.A. Andalucia Maters. The south always brings sunny days and good vibes on and off the course to create the perfect atmosphere to enjoy the game of the greatest European Tour golfers. A few English stars to get a chance at this year’s tournament include, Richard Bland, Daniel Gavins, and Matthew Fitzpatrick.

EU Tour Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters
Course Valderrama Golf Course, Andalucía, Spain
Prize Money 3 Mio EUR
Defending Champion John Catlin
Headliner Jon Rahm, Rafa Cabrera Bello
English players

David Horsey, Graeme Storm, Andy Sullivan, James Morrison, Chris Paisley, Laurie Canter, Paul Waring, Robert Rock, Richard Bland, David Howell, Ross McGowan, Matthew Southgate, Eddie Pepperell, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Richard Mcevoy, Chris Wood, Jack Senior, Ross Fisher, Callum Shinkwin, Jordan Smith, Steven Brown, Marcus Armitage, Oliver Wilson, Oliver Fisher, David Horsey, Graeme Storm, Chris Paisley, James Morrison, Paul Waring, David Howell, Robert Rock, Ashley Chesters, Aron Rai, Daniel Gavins, Andrew Johnston, Laid Shepherd

LET Tour: Aramco Team Series – New York

Moving into the ladies tours, this weekend the Ladies European Tour receives full attention since the LPGA cancelled the Shanghai tournament due to covid. The best female golfers around the world come together to play at the Glen Oaks Club, in New York, entering the top 5 to last events of the season.

LET Tour Aramco Team Series – New York
Course Glen Oaks Club, New York (USA)
Prize Money 200,000 EUR / 800,000 EUR (TEAM)
Defending Champion –
Headliner Nelly Korda, Jessica Korda, Lexi Thompson
English players

Bronte Law, Trish Johnson, Charley Hull, Alice Hewson, Annabel Dimmock, Meghan MacLaren, Felicity Johnson

PGA Tour Champions: SAS Championship

The new century began celebrating the SAS Championship for the first time in 2001, and survived through a global pandemic in 2019, when it turned out to be one of the few events that took place regardless. The PGA Tour Champions is where the legends play and the show must go on. This year, they all come together at the Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Caroline. Furthermore, the European Team Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington is also entered. Paul Broadhurst is the only English player in the tournament.

PGA Tour Champions SAS Championship
Course Prestonwood Country Club – Highlands Course
Prize Money
2,100,000 US-Dollar
Defending Champion Ernie Els
Headliner
Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Bernhard Langer
English players Paul Broadhurst
Categories
European Tour Ladies European Tour Ladies Tours LPGA Tour PGA Tour PGA Tour Champions

Weekly Preview: Exciting English Debuts

MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 06: Daniel Gavins of England ponders a shot in the pro - am prior to the start of The Open de Espana at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid on October 06, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

PGA Tour: Shriners Children’s Open

When TPC Summerlin calls, the best players in the world come together. This year is no exception. After the stars of this year’s Ryder Cup took a little break, fans can look forward to seeing some familiar faces again this week. Starting with Ian Poulter who will begin early, teeing off tomorrow at 11:51(BST). As well as Matt Wallace who will get a chance to redeem himself from last week’s disappointing cut. Danny Willet who was last weekend’s champion of the Alfred Dunhill Links tournament will also be playing and teeing off at 18:35(BST).

PGA Tour Shriners Children’s Open
Course TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)
Prize Money 7,0 Mio US-Dollar (6,0 Mio EUR)
Defending Champion Martin Laird
Headliner Brooks Koepka, Hideki Matsuyama, Viktor Hovland
English players Ian Poulter, Matt Wallace, Paul Casey, Aaron Rai, Danny Willet, Harry Hall

European Tour: Open de Espana


Starting signal for the Spanish weeks on the European Tour! The next three weekends the European Tour stays in the home country of world number one Jon Rahm. The start is made by the Club de Campo Villa in Madrid, Spain. Since last year’s tournament had to be cancelled due to pandemic. A few English stars to get a chance at this year’s tournament include, Richard Bland, Daniel Gavins, and Ross McGowan.

EU Tour Open de Espana
Course Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Prize Money 1,5 Mio EUR
Defending Champion Jon Rahm
Headliner Jon Rahm, Bernd Wiesberger, Nicolai Hojgaard
English players

Richard Bland, Daniel Gavins, Ross McGowan, Steven Brown, Eddie Pepperell, Richard Mcevoy, Marcus Armitage, Andy Sullivan, Luke Donald 

LPGA Tour: Cognizant Founders Cup

For the women of the highest American tour, it’s off to New Jersey this week, where the Cognizant Founders Cup will be held for the tenth time. Since 2014, four of the last five winners have come from Korea, the most recent being Jin Young Ko in 2019. However English stars will be there to being the heat. Stars such as Charley Hull and Georgia Hall who both sit in the top 50 Rolex Rankings.

LPGA Tour Cognizant Founders Cup
Course TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)
Prize Money 3,0 Mio US-Dollar (ca. 2,5 Mio Euro)
Defending Champion Jin Young Ko
Headliner Nelly Korda, Jessica Korda, Jin Young Ko
English players Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, Laura Davies, Olivia Mehaffey, Mel Reid, Bronte Law, Jodi Ewart Shadoff, 

PGA Tour Champions: Constellation Furyk & Friends

A new tournament in the calendar of the PGA Tour Champions. When Jim Furyk invites the oldies, they all pack their bags again. They all come together at the Timuquana Country Club in Jacksonville, Florida. Even Phil Mickelson does the honors and takes a break from the PGA Tour this week to join his friend Jim Furyk on the course. According to the rankings in the Charles Schwab Cup, it is the best-staffed tournament of the PGA Tour Champions ever. Furthermore, the two Ryder Cup captains Steve Stricker and Padraig Harrington are also entered. Paul Broadhurst is the only English player in the tournament.

PGA Tour Champions Constellation Furyk & Friends
Course TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)
Prize Money
500.000 US-Dollar
Defending Champion Martin Laird
Headliner
Steve Stricker, Phil Mickelson,
English players Paul Broadhurst
Categories
PGA Tour Champions

Jon Rahm and his “unfinished business”

JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 23: Jon Rahm of Spain looks on from the ninth tee during the final round of THE NORTHERN TRUST, the first event of the FedExCup Playoffs, at Liberty National Golf Club on August 23, 2021 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

World Number One and U.S. Open Champion Jon Rahm will return to the world-famous Real Club Valderrama this October after confirming his participation in the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters.

Two of the 26-year-old’s seven European Tour victories have come on Spanish soil, and Rahm now has his sights on capturing another home title on one of Europe’s most-renowned golf courses in the seventh edition of the tournament, from October 14-17.

In his last appearance at Valderrama in 2019, which became the first course on Continental Europe to host the Ryder Cup in 1997, Rahm finished runner-up to Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

“I have some unfinished business at Valderrama, that’s for sure,”

said Rahm, referencing his runner-up finish two years ago. “As a Spaniard, it’s a golf course where we all want to win. 

“As soon as you arrive you get a real sense of the history of the venue and the great moments that have taken place there over the last 30 years. To be a part of that would really be an honour.

“I’ve had nothing but great experiences of playing in front of home crowds. Spanish golf fans are truly special, and I can’t wait to see them lining the fairways again.”

Since turning professional in 2017, Rahm has amassed 13 victories across the European Tour and PGA TOUR, also adding a Major title – in June’s U.S. Open at Torrey Pines – to his four Rolex Series victories.

In 2019, Rahm won the Race to Dubai, becoming the first Spaniard since Seve Ballesteros in 1991 to finish the year as European Tour Number One.

Press Release by European Tour Communications

Categories
Senior Tours

Star names announced for Farmfoods European Senior Masters 2021

The Farmfoods European Senior Masters 2021 has announced the first part of its star studded lineup with crowds set to return.

Running from 30th September to the 3rd October 2021, the esteemed golfing event will once again take centre stage at the Forest of Arden, Meriden, with none of other than Peter Baker, three-time European tour winner, as host. 

“I’m delighted to welcome back players and spectators to the European Senior Masters,” said Baker, who has hosted the contest every year to date.

“During the days of the pandemic, golf was one of the main sporting highlights for fans to enjoy from the comfort of their own sofas, but nothing beats being there in person.

“It’s therefore with great pleasure to say that not only do we have some of the best seniors in the game in action, but also, that fans will be able to experience it all first-hand, live and in person.”

Located at the stunning Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club, the four-day ESM event will certainly be a spectacle for golfing enthusiasts. 

Ian Woosnam OBE, Paul Lawrie OBE and Jarmo Sandelin are just some of the players who will be aiming for the prize this year, with a €150,000 total prize fund and an impressive €50,000 for the winner.

Last time out, Thomas Levet took the 2019 title, one shot clear of Markus Brier in second, with Lawrie, Sandelin, and Woosnam sharing third place.

Luckily, spectators will finally be allowed to come and watch the action unfold, with tickets costing just £20 for all four days, or £10 per day. 

The event format is as follows: 

Day one (Thursday): Pro-Am team event. One pro player will join three amateurs to play one round of the course, and whichever team tops the leader board wins the day.  

Day two/three (Friday/Saturday): The Alliance. This is where the action steps up a notch. Over the course of two days, one pro is paired with one amateur, and both players will traverse the course together, playing one round on both days. The pro’s scores count on the main leader board and the amateurs play for an amateur prize. After the play has finished on Saturday, the winning amateur will receive their prizes before stepping aside for the last day. 

Day four (Sunday): Final day’s play. Only professionals will play on this day, which will consist of one more round of the course. Whoever tops the leader board at the end of the day wins the title and prize money.  

With just over a month to go, event organisers Champions UK plc spoke of the preparation in delivering the high-profile event:

“We’re all busy preparing the final touches for the tournament,” said John Hayes, CEO of leading brand agency Champions UK plc.

“It’s exciting to see so many of our sponsors return to the iconic Forest of Arden course. It’s certainly shaping up to be an event to remember.”

Sponsors of the event include Lord’s Taverners, a leading disability sports charity and Farmfoods.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact [email protected]. 

To join us at this year’s tournament, please head to the tickets page: https://europeanseniormasters.com/booking/event-ticket/forest-of-arden-2021.  

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
Senior Tours

Thomas Bjørn to headline star-studded field at Trevose

Image: Getty

Thomas Bjørn, the 2018 Ryder Cup winning captain and 15-time European Tour winner, will make his Legends Tour debut at the Farmfoods European Legends Links Championship hosted by Ian Woosnam at Trevose Golf & Country Club from June 18-20, 2021.

The most successful Danish golfer of all-time turned 50 earlier this year and will make his Legends Tour bow in the first event on European soil since the Tour rebranded in 2020.

The three-time Ryder Cup winning player will be joined in Cornwall by tournament host and 1991 Masters Champion Ian Woosnam and 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie.

Bjørn is entering the next phase of his career on the Legends Tour after competing on the European Tour for 25 consecutive seasons, since earning his card by winning the 1995 Challenge Tour Rankings.

“I am really looking forward to making my Legends Tour debut,” he said. “I have known many of these guys for a long time, so I am excited to be able to catch up and spend some time with them again.

“The guys are still incredibly competitive, and the standard of golf will be very high, so I know I will need to be razor sharp in order to compete where I want to be at the top of leaderboards.

“I think it is a really exciting time to be involved with the Legends Tour following the changes over the last 12 months and I am intrigued to see what the future holds.”

Legends Tour Ambassador Lawrie, who won his maiden over-50s title at the Scottish Senior Open en route to being named Rookie of the Year in 2019, is looking forward to teeing it up on the links once more after his first visit to Trevose did not quite go to plan.

“I absolutely love links golf, it’s what I am used to living in Scotland, and hopefully I’ll have a better experience than last time I was down there.

“I got disqualified for playing the wrong ball in 2019. It was just one of those things that happens and you learn from.  Although the week didn’t go as I planned, I was able to appreciate the beauty of the venue and also the quality of the golf course.

(Text: European Tour Communications)

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Senior Tours

Legends Tour launches Celebrity Series

The Legends Tour today launched the innovative Celebrity Series and confirmed its first five Celebrity Ambassadors, who will be joined by other stars of sport and screen to compete for a spot in the Grand Final, which will take place in the Indian Ocean at the end of the year.

There will be four Celebrity Series qualifying events in 2021, taking place in the days prior to tournaments on the Legends Tour International Schedule, culminating in the Celebrity Series Grand Final in the Indian Ocean.

Harry Redknapp, Georgie Bingham, Glen Johnson, Sir AP McCoy and Dan Walker, all highly-respected figures in their chosen fields, have signed up to be Celebrity Ambassadors and will be the face of Celebrity Series.

The Celebrity Series events will take place prior to the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship at Formby Golf Club, the Irish Legends presented by the McGinley Foundation at Rosapenna Golf Club, the Senior Scottish Open hosted by Paul Lawrie at Royal Aberdeen, and at an additional European venue to be announced.

The Series finale will take place in the Indian Ocean at the end of the year, where the five ambassadors will be joined by the five highest-ranked celebrities on the Order of Merit.

Sir AP McCoy, the 20-time Champion jump jockey, winner of two Cheltenham Gold Cups, the Grand National and BBC Sports Personality of the Year, will play in Celebrity Series events at Formby Golf Club and at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club.

He said: “I think the new Legends Tour events will be brilliant, not only for the pros playing but for people like myself who want to try and do something competitive on an Order of Merit.

“I think it’ll help the game of golf but I also think it will help those who rarely have the opportunity to be involved in sport. I think it will be great for former sportspeople like myself to keep competitive.”

Harry Redknapp, FA Cup winning manager, ex-footballer and TV personality, said: “I had a great day playing at Wentworth at the launch of the Legends Tour and I really am delighted to be signed up as a Celebrity Ambassador.

“I played in lots of Pro-Ams now and it’s nerve-wracking. When you stand on that first tee and you get an audience there and you’re playing with a professional golfer, you’re out of your comfort zone. When you hit a good shot or you sink a good putt, it’s so satisfying. The buzz you get is amazing.”

Dan Walker, journalist and TV presenter, said: “I love golf and when the opportunity to compete in the Legends Tour Celebrity Series arose, I knew I had to go for it.

“I have been fortunate enough to play alongside some of the world’s best players in Pro-Ams over the years but this is something really special.

“I grew up watching the likes of Woosie win the Masters and so many Legends Tour players competing in Ryder Cups and I am delighted to now have the chance to spend some time with them in the Legends Tour Celebrity Series.”

Georgie Bingham, the TV and radio presenter best-known for hosting shows on talkSPORT, ESPN and Sky, said: “I am over the moon to have been asked to be a Celebrity Ambassador for the Legends Tour and I can’t wait to get out on the course.

“I have been lucky enough to play in many Pro-Ams and I can honestly say they are so much fun. Being able to play golf with Legends of the game is so appealing and I am sure the Celebrity Series will be a great success.”

Glen Johnson, ex-Liverpool and England international footballer, Premier League winner with Chelsea and FA Cup winner with Portsmouth, will play in three of the four Celebrity Series events, said: “After retiring from professional football, golf became my sporting passion and being involved with the Legends Tour is a dream come true.

“It is a great initiative by the Legends Tour to launch this series and I am sure it will be hugely popular and will attract more people to the sport.

“It will be amazing to tee it up with my fellow Celebrity Ambassadors and the pros on the Legends Tour, many of whom I have watched on TV over the years winning Majors and Ryder Cups.”

Ryan Howsam, CEO of the Legends Tour, said: “When I took over as CEO of the Legends Tour, launching a Celebrity Pro-Am Series was something I was really eager to do and therefore today is a very proud day.

“Bringing together the Legends of golf with some of the biggest celebrity names is a winning combination and I’m excited to see these guys tee it up throughout the year. I have admired all five ambassadors for a number of years as they have excelled in their respective fields and it is wonderful to welcome them to the Legends Tour.”

(Text: European Tour Communications)