[parone_rss_video_player campaign=”77″ feed=”ve7x3qfqv5″ env=”prod” defaultlang=”en” /]The REFLEX ARC claims to be the world’s first golf exercise machine, but with a price tag of over $3000 is this really, the “Peloton for golf?” Find out more at Golfcitiy.com
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Although Bryson DeChambeau is playing a tournament on the PGA Tour for the first time since his injury this week, he is still far from his ideal form.
Long hitter and crowd pleaser Bryson DeChambeau returns to the PGA Tour after his lengthy injury. The start at the WGC Matchplay in Texas is his first tournament since withdrawing from the Saudi International in February due to hand an hip issues. For a long time it was considered uncertain what the injury was and, above all, how serious it was. He gave a clear denial to the Golf Channel to the speculations that the injuries were caused by too hard training. And yet, especially for the aspiring superstar it was a difficult situation, because his golf game lives from a power for which a healthy body is indispensable. BDC knows that, too, and that’s why he says he won’t take any big risks until the US Masters in April, so that he can return to his full potential at the tournament in Augusta.
WGC Matchplay: The tee times for the group stage
Bryson DeChambeau: “Learned a lot about my body over time”.
For a good two months now, the long-hitter has been plagued by hand and hip pain. Voices were quickly raised to attribute his injury problems to the intensive training that BDC has been doing for years. DeChambeau commented on the issue to Golf Channel this week before the WGC Matchplay:
“People say it’s because of the speed training and all the strength training and certainly some of those things have contributed to it. I’ve been working very hard and maybe overdoing it here and there,” he explained to Golf Channel. “But at the same time, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve learned so much about my body over the years, how to deal with certain things and also how important rest is.”
So now this week, his return to Tour action. At the WGC Matchplay in Texas, fans can look forward to exciting golf in match play format and Bryson DeChambeau in particular has chosen a very special playing partner on his return, Englishman Richard Bland.
WGC Matchplay: the groupings for the first few days
Augusta in view: Bryson DeChambeau’s comeback plan
Even though the WGC Matchplay is a popular and exciting tournament on the schedule this week, many pros are already looking to the future, as the highlight of the year, the US Masters 2022, is less than two weeks away. What Wimbledon is for tennis players, Augusta is for every golf fanatic.
Bryson DeChambeau also wants to attack the green jacket this year. Back in 2020, he said that the 72 par course at Augusta felt more like a 68 par course for him to play, raising expectations sky high. Now, two years later, BDC enters the crucial weeks leading up to the Masters without much competitive experience and still has a long way to go if he wants to be successful at Augusta.
Finally swinging my driver again. Time to push for the Masters. pic.twitter.com/6oiiNxqObj
— Bryson DeChambeau (@b_dechambeau) March 22, 2022
But to that end, the 28-year-old American has set himself a comeback schedule, starting with next week’s WGC Matchplay and Valero Texas Open. Still, he is realistic about his chances of stepping up a gear in the last tournament before the first major of the year. He explained, “Will I be all in? No. Not even close. I probably won’t be able to really get going until Augusta.”
Accordingly, it will be interesting to see how DeChambeau presents himself on the course over the next two weeks. On the one hand, he has to get back to his best game as quickly as possible, on the other hand, he must not take any unnecessary risks in order not to provoke another injury. BDC has to find the right balance for himself.
Phil Mickelson will not participate in the Masters Tournament in 2022. The official list of registered professionals was updated on the Masters site on Monday after the Valspar Championship and Mickelson is no longer listed as an active player at the tournament, according to the list. Instead, the 51-year-old is now listed among the former winners of the Masters who will not compete in the 2022 edition.
Mickelson is therefore still committed to taking a longer break from the golfing circus. After the upheavals on the PGA Tour, the American reacted by saying that he had a lot to think about and needed some time away from active golf. In February, the 2021 PGA champion faced fierce headwind, both from the Tour and from the ranks of the players. Mickelson had made several memorable statements in an interview about the PGA Tour, its rights for players and about his push of the new Saudi League. As a result, the pressure on him became so great that he decided for himself to retire for a while. In a statement issued in late February, he wrote, “I know I have not been on my best behavior and desperately need time off to prioritize those I love most.”
As a result, he missed several important tournaments. Just recently, he did not play in the Players Championship, which is the biggest tournament on the PGA Tour. There will be no sign of Mickelson at any of the other tournaments in March either. Now he has cancelled the Masters. For him, it is the first Masters since his debut in 1994 that he will miss. When and how Mickelson plans a comeback to the tour is not yet known, so we have to be patient until Mickelson speaks out again.
The World Golf Championship – Dell Technologies Match Play pits the world’s best golfers against each other this week in Austin, Texas on the Austin Country Club course. This tournament is played in a match play format and not, as is so often the case, in counting play. We explain the special play mode this week and what the group and knockout stages are all about.
Counting match play is probably the best known format in golf. The player’s strokes are added up over the various rounds and the player with the fewest strokes wins the tournament. In the match play format, on the other hand, there is a direct duel with the opponent and it is not about strokes, but about courses won. Two players compete against each other and play an 18-hole round. Each individual hole is scored separately: The player who needs fewer strokes for a hole wins it. The player who has won more holes after 18 holes wins the duel. If both players need the same number of strokes on a hole, it is “split” and ends in a draw. It therefore takes at least 9.5 holes won to win a match.
The field of participants will be divided into 16 groups for the tournament. The 64 qualifiers will be placed in a seeded list according to their ranking in the March 21 world rankings. The field is strong, with 64 of the world’s 69 best players set to compete. Accordingly, Jon Rahm is seeded number 1. Based on the order of the seedings, four pools with 16 players each will be divided. The players from pool A (number 1-16) form the group heads of the respective groups. They have been drawn one player from each of the other pools B,C and D, so that 16 groups of four will start the tournament with one player from each pool. The group winners will advance to the knockout stage, where the winner will be determined from the round of 16 on Saturday to the final on Sunday.
Due to the format with many matches, the World Golf Championship-Dell Match Play starts already on Wednesday. On the first three days, players in all groups will play one 18-hole round against each other, so that three duels will be played in each group. The winner of a round gets one point, if a pairing ends in a draw, both players get half a point. Whoever can collect the most points will move on to the knockout stage. If several players are tied for the lead in a group on Friday, a playoff scenario will be played from hole to hole after the group phase until one player prevails.
The knockout duels will then be played over the weekend until a winner is determined. If the two opponents are tied after 18 holes in a match in the round of 16, on Saturday morning, the playoff will continue. The winners will then determine the semi-finalists in the quarter-finals on Saturday afternoon, if necessary in a decider mode.
On the final day, the semifinals will be held in the morning, and the winners of the semifinals will decide the World Golf Champions-Dell Technologies Match Plays title among themselves in the afternoon. The losers of the semifinals will only have to play for third place.
England’s Georgia Hall delivered a measured final round 71 to win the $1million Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund by five shots at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, on the Jeddah coast.
After being congratulated on the final green by Solheim Cup team member and good friend Emily Kristine Pedersen, a clearly delighted Hall showed how much the win – her first on the Ladies European Tour since her only other Tour victory, the 2018 Women’s Open – meant. “It’s fantastic to win in March, so early in the season,” said the world #25. “I really love this place and love the golf course. I was fine after 18, and then Emily started crying, and it made me cry. I was just really proud of the way I played today.”
Hall’s one-under-par round started with two birdies in the first three holes to extend her overnight lead to seven shots, from where she never really looked back. “That was the plan in my head,” said the 25-year-old. “The front nine is a little bit easier, a little bit less wind than we’ve had, so I tried to take advantage and hit some really good shots on the front nine to get me further ahead, and that kind of settled me.”
Despite four bogeys – on five, 10, 15 and 16 – the chasing pack never got closer than four shots. Hall – a runner up at the Aramco Saudi Ladies International in 2020 – sealed things with a birdie three on 17, rolling in a 15-foot putt. She continued: “Even on 16, I thought it was a pretty good shot. It just didn’t come back. It was so tough. It was windier than yesterday, and 15, 16 can be very tricky, so I tried a few damage limitations there. Obviously really happy with the birdie on 17.”
“To lead all week is very special. I think the first round really was very important for me. I played incredible that round. It really set me up for the rest of the week. Sometimes it’s not always easy with a five-shot lead into the last day, it’s a little bit more pressure on you, but I was really happy with the way I conducted myself today.”
Joint second place went to the former Czech Republic international footballer cum LET rookie Kristyna Napoleaova, and Johanna Gustavsson of Sweden. It was fairy tale stuff for 25-year-old Napoleaova, who was competing in only her second event as an LET professional, and who had shared the Day Two lead with Hall. “To be honest, it’s kind of like a dream,” she said. “I didn’t expect even to get into the event. Golf Saudi provided me with an invite, which was incredible. What happened this week is like a fairy tale. It’s been an absolutely incredible week. I’m so grateful to have been here and can’t wait to come back again.”
Napoleaova picks up $75,000 USD, a cool $71,300 more than her maiden LET event. She said: “To be fair, I had no idea what the prize money is. I’m glad I didn’t look because then I would have been like slightly nervous on the last hole, which I was anyways, so better not to know!”
The best round of the day came from breakout US golf star Kelly Whaley, who set a new Ladies European Tour record with an incredible eight birdies in a row, to finish joint sixth. The 24-year-old went -8 from the fourth hole through 11, en route to equaling Royal Greens’ course-record 63. It was the first time in history any player has bagged more than seven consecutive birdies in a regular season LET event.
Whaley – who turned pro in 2019 and was competing in her first ever event outside the States – said: “It is the best round I’ve ever had in a tournament. My whole goal today was to just enjoy it and have fun, being my first international professional event. I’ve never had eight birdies in a row. That’s something memorable for anyone!”
“Once I made about four or five, I said, ‘Okay, you’re in it now – you can’t stop!’. So, I just kept giving myself opportunities and it was a lot of fun. I think in these situations pressure can get to you, and it becomes almost daunting, but I really approached today trying to just enjoy every shot and find something about every hole that I loved, whether it be the view or just something else. It was just a really memorable day.”
(Text: Press release Saudi Ladies International)
The “Mad Scientist” returns! Bryson DeChambeau has been struggling with his physical condition in recent weeks. Especially his wrist gave him problems, so that he missed several tournaments of the PGA Tour season 2021/22. The 28-year-old is expected to return to tournament action next week.
Bryson DeChambeau last played at the Saudi International in January 2022, where he withdrew after the first round due to worsening wrist and hip problems. That the long hitter, who was still in the top 10 of the world rankings in January, was not alright, was already apparent a week earlier at the Farmers Insurance Open. DeChambeau failed to make the cut.
Several weeks passed as fans waited for DeChambeau to make a comeback. Hopes grew as the Arnold Palmer Invitational approached, where DeChambeau would have played for the title defense, and as the Players Championship, the “fifth” major, took place. But DeChambeau canceled his participation in these two tournaments as well. He was not yet at 100 percent and did not want to risk anything, he revealed in a video on his Twitter channel.
The PGA Tour now revealed that Bryson DeChambeau has committed to the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play from March 23-27. The Match Play event could help him return to tournament action thanks to the special format of the game. In addition, the tournament will take place not far from his home in Dallas. In view of the Masters taking place at the beginning of April, DeChambeau will be able to benefit from a little match practice.
.@B_DeChambeau commits to @DellMatchPlay as he looks to return from injury.
His last event was the Farmers Insurance Open in late January.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 18, 2022
Bryson DeChambaeu will compete against a first-class field this weekend, with players vying for $12 million in prize money. Surprisingly, Cameron Smith, who wants to enjoy family time after his Players Championship victory, Rory McIlroy, who is taking a two-week break, and Hideki Matsuyama, who has been struggling with back problems since the Players Championship, are among the players who will not be taking part.
Ryder Cup legends Thomas Bjørn and Lee Westwood will return to the scene of one of their most famous Ryder Cup victories when they tee it up alongside three of Europe’s biggest rising stars in May’s Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett at The Belfry.
The duo were members of Sam Torrance’s side which famously won back the 2002 Ryder Cup on a 15½ – 12½ scoreline and started Europe’s undefeated streak on home soil, a record which was continued under Bjørn’s captaincy at Le Golf National four years ago.
Westwood racked up three points in front of his home fans 20 years ago at the Warwickshire venue, forming a strong partnership with Sergio Garcia. Five years later, the former World Number One claimed his maiden British Masters title at The Belfry with a five-stroke victory on the Brabazon Course. He went on to host the tournament at Close House in 2017 and 2020, becoming the first player to do so on two occasions – an honour which Willett will match this year after he took on the role for the first time in 2021.
Bjørn, who claimed a crucial point in the Sunday Singles in 2002 by beating Stewart Cink 2&1, is also a former winner of the British Masters, securing his eighth of 15 victories on Tour in 2005 when it was held at Forest of Arden.
The two DP World Tour legends join Betfred British Masters host Danny Willett and defending champion Richard Bland in the field, as well as three of the DP World Tour’s most promising rising stars.
Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre will hope to keep up his run of strong performances at the British Masters, following on from a runner-up finish in 2019 and a tied eighth result at last year’s tournament.
History-making twins Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard, who are aiming to follow in Bjørn’s footsteps as Danish representatives at the Ryder Cup, will also tee it up at The Belfry in May, with Rasmus returning to the venue where he won his second DP World Tour title – the ISPS Handa UK Championship. The victory was the second win in his 2019 rookie season.
The pair became the first brothers to win back-to-back events as Rasmus won the Omega European Masters the week before Nicolai earned a maiden DP World Tour title at the DS Automobiles Italian Open. Nicolai returned to the winner’s circle earlier this year at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship presented by Phoenix Capital. The Højgaard twins have won five times in 110 starts between them.
Tickets are available to watch Richard Bland, Danny Willett and a host of DP World Tour stars return to The Belfry for this year’s Betfred British Masters from May 5-8. Click here to purchase.
Premium experiences are also available at the tournament with options in the Ryder Suite and Wishaw Suite. The Ryder Suite was home of the European Team Room at the 2001 Ryder Cup, while the Wishaw Suite is in close proximity to the famous tenth and 18th holes of the Brabazon Course, offering sweeping views across the impressive golf course and estate. Click here to view Premium Experiences.
(Text: DP World Tour)
The new series of LIV Golf Investments with CEO Greg Norman has long been considered a controversial counter-project to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. And although big-name players have repeatedly spoken out against the new tour series, organizers released very specific plans for the new Super Golf League for the first time on Wednesday (March 16, 2022).
However, the new series turns out not to bear the name Super Golf League or Saudi Golf League, but, leaning on the investor, the LIV Golf Invitational Series will start in June this year, Golf.com reports the latest developments around the debatable tour.
In an official statement, Greg Norman, CEO of LIV Golf Investments, commented on the new developments. “I want golf to grow, players to have additional opportunities, and fans to have more fun”, Norman said. “My mission is to help the game reach its full potential and we know the role of golf as an entertainment product is critical to overall participation in the sport.”
To achieve this goal, organizers also set an initial schedule. The series, which will feature a total of eight events, will include four locations in the U.S., as well as individual events in the United Kingdom, Thailand and Saudi Arabia.
Nevertheless, a venue for the final championship has not yet been announced. Also, the first tournament will be held June 9 at Centurion Golf Club in London, England. Finally, the announcement did not mention TV partners or players participating so far.
Here is the full schedule for 2022:
June 9-11: Centurion Golf Club, London, England.
July 1-3: Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, Portland, Ore.
July 29-31: Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, Bedminster, N.J.
Sept. 2-4: The International, Boston, Mass.
Sept. 16-18: Rich Harvest Farms, Chicago, Ill.
Oct. 7 to 9: Stonehill Golf Club, Bangkok.
October 14 to 16 : Royal Greens Golf Club, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
October 28-30: Team Championship, TBA.
Actually, the press release goes on to say that the LIV Golf Invitational Series schedule is not intended to compete with the four majors or other international events. Therefore, allowing players to choose where they want to play.
However, Jay Monahan, the commissioner of the PGA Tour, has already announced that any Tour players who join the new league will be banned from the PGA Tour. Norman had hit back in response, saying that’s not how it can be done.
“I believe players will increasingly make progress in achieving their right to play where they want. We will help in any way possible and will provide golfers with opportunities to achieve their full potential”, Norman concluded.
Rory McIlroy, newest member of the PGA Players’ Advisory Council, received an email from the Premier Golf League (PGL) back on February 14, as reported by the Fire Pit Collective. The contents of that email could be another milestone in the recent evolution of professional golf. According to the mail, the PGL is planning 18 events, with prize money totaling $20 million and complementary team competitions with an additional $1 million in prize money for the winner. In addition, a prize of another 20 million dollars is to await the winner in a season-ending event. But that is not the end of the story.
Rory McIlroy was confronted with this important issue on his first official day as a member of the PGA Player Advisory Council. As a member, it was his responsibility to present the issue to the rest of the players and PGA officials. The issue was not only future tournament schedules, but also a direct cash distribution to PGA, Korn Ferry and European Tour players. PGL’s proposal says they want to give 100 million shares to the PGA, Korn Ferry and DP World Tour. According to a breakdown by the PGL, 50 percent (valued at five billion dollars) would go to PGA Tour players, $750 million to the Korn Ferry Tour and $250 million to European golfers.
The PGL clearly distances itself from the Saudi Golf League. They don’t want to make popular players even richer, but rather support all players with an equal share. In the Fire Pit report, one PGL investor is quoted as saying, “They have stolen our idea 100 percent. They are not our partners, they are now our competitors.” PGL’s immense financial resources have no connection with Saudi Arabia, but come mainly from European sponsors, the FAQ on its website went on to say. Their goal, they said, is to work with the PGA Tour and build a partnership.
Kevin Kisner, another member of the Player Advisory Council, doubts the feasibility of the promised windfall. “Their proposal has been studied and scrutinized by an independent company to test its viability,” says Kevin Kisner, another player-director on the policy board at a members meeting earlier this month at the Players and Bay Hill. “The results were presented to all of us: Not feasible.”