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European Tour

Austrian Golf Open added to 2021 European Tour schedule

View of the Diamond Country Club in Atzenbrugg, Austria. (Image: Getty)

The European Tour today announced the Austrian Golf Open will be played at Diamond Country Club in Atzenbrugg from April 15-18, 2021.

The tournament returns to the European Tour’s schedule after last being played in July 2020 when it marked the Tour’s resumption following a three month suspension in the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Austrian Golf Open, which has a prize fund of €1million, moves into the date vacated by the Tenerife Open at Golf Costa Adeje, which will now take place from April 29 – May 2 following the postponement on Friday of the Portugal Masters at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, in Vilamoura, due to ongoing travel difficulties. 

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “Throughout the pandemic, we have had to be agile with our scheduling and today’s announcement is another example of that. 

“We are naturally grateful to Diamond Country Club and the Austrian Golf Federation for once again helping us to continue to provide a full schedule and playing opportunities for our members.

“Diamond Country Club is obviously a venue that we know very well, and we look forward to returning there next month.”

Dr. Peter Enzinger, President of the Austrian Golf Federation, said: “We are very proud that the European Tour has, once again, chosen Austria to host a European Tour event and that the Austrian Golf Federation is able to contribute.

“The Covid-19 pandemic continues to pose major challenges for international sporting bodies, but in spite of this, working together with our partners in the Federal Ministry of Sport, we have been able to provide all the necessary information, in a very short space of time, to the European Tour making their decision much easier.

“Diamond Country Club in Atzenbrugg has distinguished itself many times as an excellent host already and we are very happy that Europe’s elite will be teeing off again this year in the region of Lower Austria. Obviously, the tournament will go ahead in compliance with the strictest Covid-19 prevention measures, but they will definitely not detract from the delight of the game of golf at its best.”

Christian Guzy, President of Diamond Country Club, said: “Our long-standing collaboration with the European Tour stems from, and is based on, mutual trust, especially given the difficult circumstances presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Last year, along with the European Tour, we showed courage in hosting the first European Tour tournament of the COVID-era, a challenge we mastered beyond expectations.

“With this year’s tournament, we hope to once again showcase golf in Austria and use the international media presence to support local tourism as the summer season is nearing.

“I am grateful to the everyone at the Austrian Golf Federation and the Ministry for allowing us to represent our country internationally. Of course, we are also grateful to everyone else who has made it possible to organise the 2021 Austrian Golf Open within such a tight timeframe.”

The Austrian Golf Open was first played on the European Tour in 1990 when Major Champion Bernhard Langer won the title.

This year’s tournament will be the 22nd edition and the 11th consecutive time it has been played at Diamond Country Club, in Atzenbrugg, near Vienna, which is part of the European Tour Destinations network of world class golf venues. Scotland’s Marc Warren became the most recent winner of the Austrian Open last July, finishing one shot clear of Germany’s Marcel Schneider to claim his first European Tour victory in six years.                                                                   

(Text: European Tour Communications)

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Highlights Tours

16: Is this the greatest golf shot of the 21st century?

Number 16 on our countdown can only be one thing: TW’s chip on the 16th in the final round of the 2005 Masters.

The Masters has played host to some historical moments over the years. Few were better captured than Tiger Woods’ legendary chip on the 16th hole during the 2005 masters.  

Saying it’s iconic might be underselling it a little. Every individual detail of the shot, from the clever angle right down to the way the ball hung on the edge before quietly tipping in to the 16th hole could have been described as amazing. Together, this sequence would go down in history. The roar of applause that broke the tense silence would echo in Masters history.

“In your life have you seen anything like that?” reacted commentator Verne Lundquist.

Speaking about it later, Woods called that moment as gravity finally took over, an “earthquake”. 

The 16th hole at Augusta is a 170-yard par 3, named “Redbud” after the flowering tree which blossoms every year between March and May. The 16th’s raised and uneven green makes it a tricky shot, even for the top-level pros.

Woods started the day that Sunday three strokes behind leader Chris Di Marco. Before this shot he was trailing Di Marco by just one. Conveniently for Woods, Di Marco went on to miss a birdie afterwards and they went on to the 17th, Woods now 2 strokes ahead with two holes to go. 

A 21-year old Tiger Woods won his first Masters in 1997 before going on to win twice consecutively in 2001 and 2002. In 2005, Woods kept his cool in a tense playoff to par on the 18th, sinking a birdie and claiming his 4th green jacket. 

Taken moments after the winning putt on the 18th in Augusta on April 10th, 2005. Woods’ celebratory roar is one of the most recognisable in sports. (Image: Getty)

Despite recovering from various injuries, and many doubting his physical ability, Woods made history yet again with an incredible comeback at the 2019 Masters where he won for a fifth time after 14 years. At age 43, it was his first major championship win in eleven years and his 15th major title overall. 

More from our countdown series: Golf’s Origins in America

Last month’s car crash dashed any hopes of Woods attending the Masters this year. He maintained severe injuries to his legs and is since in recovery.

Fans had hoped to see him compete for a chance to take his 6th green jacket and join Jack Nicklaus’ record top spot. 

If there’s one thing we can say for certain it’s that historically speaking and no matter what, you can never really count Tiger out. 

This article is part of our Countdown to The Masters series. Join us every day between now and April 7 for fun facts and interesting stories about golf and The Masters tournament.

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Highlights Tours

17 days to go: Coming to America

17: Kolf in the USA

In the United States, golf is an $84.1 billion industry and directly affects over 2 million jobs.

With countless tournaments taking place on US soil every year, and 24 million Americans who say they actively play golf, you could say golf has become intrinsic to American culture

But did you ever wonder how it started out in America? Or how long it’s been around? Well, like most things that are considered American today, golf was brought over by immigrants.

READ MORE: Why do golf courses have 18 holes?

The earliest traces of the sport in North America go back to Dutch immigrants in the 17th century who played Kolf in the streets of Fort Orange- now Albany, NY.

No that’s not a typo. Kolf is a Dutch game and an early variation of what we know today as golf. The sport was typically played a smaller scale than modern golf and is perhaps more comparable to mini golf. Some believe that Kolf contributed to the development of modern golf in Scotland. Although, as you might expect, there is a lot of debate around this.

Played in groups of four, the game involves hitting a ball over a certain distance whereby first people to reach their opponents’ starting point wins.

A painting by Hendrick Avercamp of people playing winter Kolf c. 1625. Kolf was traditionally played on ice in the winter and in fields or in the streets during the summer.

While it is a very traditional sport, it is still played in a few communities in the Netherlands. There are 14 courses still in operation and all but one of these are in the North Holland province.

Since the 17th century, golf (and variations thereof) steadily increased in popularity in the US. It was only in the 19th century that the competitive and commercial side of the sport really took off.

Long story short, it took roughly 275 years between the arrival of America’s first “golfers” and the first tee-off at the Augusta National Invitation Tournament (now The Masters) in March 1934.

This article is part of our Countdown to The Masters series. Join us every day between now and April 7 for fun facts and interesting stories about golf and The Masters tournament.

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European Tour

Romain ready to take the title at Kenya Savannah Classic

(Image Credits: Getty)

Romain Langasque is hoping that his form at Karen Country Club will culminate in a second European Tour victory at the Kenya Savannah Classic supported by Absa, which tees off on Tuesday and marks the second consecutive event at the Nairobi venue.

The Frenchman enjoyed his best round of the week on Sunday at the Magical Kenya Open presented by Johnnie Walker as a six under 65 earned him a top five finish.

That added to an already impressive record at Karen Country Club – Langasque already boasted a runner-up finish there on the Challenge Tour in 2016 as well as a tied sixth finish on the European Tour in 2019. Incidentally, on all three occasions he has carded 65 in the final round.

“It was a really solid final round. It’s a place that I feel really good. I finished second here on the Challenge Tour, I think I finished sixth two years ago, and it’s a course that really suits my game. I play really offensively here and I feel really good out on that course and I enjoy being here.

“It was a really good idea from the European Tour to put back-to-back events on again because of the situation we have at the moment. I’m really happy to be playing here again because it’s a course where I feel really good, I love the shape of the course, the greens, and everything is good. I feel really happy to be here and I look forward to have a good week again next week.

“I have been really good with my irons over the last few weeks but not so good with my driver and my putter but last week was a lot better with the driver and putter. If my iron game becomes a bit stronger next week, it could be better than this week. I will have a good rest, because we only have one day to rest, and then I’m going to go back to fight again.”

Roman Langasque

The 25-year-old has another good omen on his side – his maiden European Tour victory came in the second of back-to-back events on the same golf course, at the ISPS HANDA Wales Open at Celtic Manor last August.

The winner of the first event of that Celtic Manor double-header was Sam Horsfield, whose first appearance of the 2021 Race to Dubai yielded a tied eighth place finish at last week’s Kenya Magical Open. The Englishman enjoyed his first experience of Nairobi and a final round 65 means he enters the Kenya Savannah Classic full of confidence.

(Text: European Tour Communications)

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Highlights Tours

18 days to go: the Masters 2021

Get excited for the Masters 2021 with the start of our daily countdown!

With everyone looking forward to a slight return to normality at this year’s Masters – taking place in April as scheduled – Golf Post is brining you daily instalments in our countdown series as we get closer the Masters 2021.

Each day, you’ll get a daily dose of fun facts and interesting stories, both about the masters and golf in general. Each instalment will be related to the number of days left on the countdown before the first tee-off on April 8.

Sunday marks 18 days before the first round starts.

No points for guessing why we’re starting at 18. We all know that it’s the number of holes on a golf course but have you ever thought about why golf courses have 18 holes?

18 is now the standard but it’s not an obvious number to choose and it turns out that it wasn’t always that way. Go back to the early 1700s and you would find basic golf layouts with any number of holes. 

Our story goes back to a group of golfers in St Andrews who decided to combine some short holes and reduce the number of the Old Course from 22 to 18. That was in 1764. Even then, you could have predicted that this would become the standard. The standard golf-course layout at that time was actually 10 holes, 8 of which were played twice in a normal round. 

The Old Course in St Andrews, home to the R&A, is known fondly as the home of golf and has played a huge role in the history of the sport. (Image: Getty)

The original architect of Augusta National, Alistair MacKenzie, deeply admired the Old Course and is said to have based the design for his course on the layout in St Andrews.

By the 1900s, golf course design followed the St Andrews model and adopted 18 holes as standard. In 1958 the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews issued a set of new rules.

The very first of these new rules would make a round of the Links, or 18 holes a match, unless otherwise stipulated. What had become common practice was now official and the number 18 has ever since been central to the game of golf.

Other rumours about the number being based on managing the time it took to maintain early courses or even the time it takes to drink a bottle of whiskey while playing are interesting but unfortunately this cannot be proven!

Check back on Monday for number 17 on our countdown to the Masters.

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European Tour

Aaron Rai Returns to ‘Second Home’ for the Magical Kenya Open

Rai describes his 2017 Challenge Tour win in Karen as his fondest memory of a win (Image: Getty)

Aaron Rai returns to the scene of an emotional victory and one of his career highlights at this week’s Magical Kenya Open presented by Johnnie Walker, an event which he won on the Challenge Tour in 2017 in front of his Kenyan-born mother and jubilant crowds.

The Englishman has a special connection to this week’s venue Karen Country Club, where he triumphed four years ago:

It feels like a home away from home here, my mum was born here and my sister lives here in Karen now. It very much has a home feel for me, it’s always going to be a special place with the memories I’ve had here down the years – I don’t think that’s something I’ll ever forget so I think any time that I’m here to play golf or here full stop is a blessing.

It was his first of three Challenge Tour victories, and the win came on Mothers’ Day as his own mother watched on proudly, having returned to her birthplace for the first time since leaving as a teenager. Additionally, Rai’s sister now calls Karen, the neighbourhood in the outskirts of Nairobi which hosts this week’s event, her home.

While the crowds will not be there to support him this week, Rai is feeling confident that his connections to the club, and the country, can give him a timely boost.

Guido Migliozzi of Italy defends his title this week, two years after winning his first of two titles in the 2019 season at Karen Country Club – the event was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Darren Fichardt will reach a notable milestone on his home continent as the South African makes his 400th European Tour event, while Englishman Sam Horsfield – a two-time winner in the 2020 Race to Dubai – returns to action for his first appearance of 2021 after an injury lay-off.

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Ladies Tours

Major tournament, BMW Ladies Championship and Scandinavian Mixed premiere: BMW strengthens involvement in ladies golf

(Image: BMW Press Group)

Munich. The BMW global involvement in professional golf will include a strengthened presence in ladies golf for the 2021 season. In addition to holding the second edition of the top-level BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea, BMW will be partnering at a Ladies Major for the first time – the Amundi Evian Championship – and at another first in the world of professional golf, at the Scandinavian Mixed Hosted by Henrik & Annika, where women and men will be competing for one prize fund and one trophy.

Swedish Major winners Annika Sörenstam and Henrik Stenson will host the innovative competition co-sanctioned by the European Tour and Ladies European Tour in June. Vallda Golf and Country Club in Sweden will see 78 women and 78 men battle for victory on the same course. Distribution of prize money will be based solely on the final placings. Points for the season-long competitions (Race to Dubai, Race to Costa del Sol) and the world rankings will be assigned using separate standings for women and men. BMW is supporting the premiere for this future-oriented tournament format as Official Partner.

One month later, the elite players from the world of women’s golf will be competing in the fourth Ladies Major of the year at Lake Geneva. The Amundi Evian Championship does not just boast a spectacular field. Nestling at the foot of the Alps, the Championship Course in the Evian Resort Golf Club is regarded as one of the most attractive golf courses in Europe, with a challenging layout that demands strategic and precise play. BMW is celebrating its debut as Official Partner at this Major, as it was not possible to hold the tournament last year.

South Korea is the dominant force in ladies golf. It is therefore no surprise that the public is so looking forward to the only LPGA event in this country, the BMW Ladies Championship. The top-class field and exhilarating location attracted more than 70,000 spectators to the tournament at the LPGA International Busan in 2019. It was also not possible for the BMW Ladies Championship to take place last year, meaning that the success story will now continue this October.

(Text: BMW Press Group)

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European Tour

Linna Golf and Estonian Golf & Country Club renew with European Tour Destinations

Linna Golf, Finland (Image: European Tour)

European Tour Destinations is delighted to announce that its two most northern venues in Finland and Estonia, Linna Golf and Estonian Golf & Country Club respectively, have extended their long-running affiliation with the network. 

Located 100km from the Finnish capital Helsinki and ranked 60th in the Top 100 Resorts in Continental Europe in the recent Golf World rankings, Linna Golf is home to a spectacular 18-hole Championship golf course with a clubhouse, superb practice facilities and a host of other outdoor pursuits which can be enjoyed throughout the long summer days.  There are three restaurants at the venue alongside the Vanajanlinna Hotel & Club Rooms, which offers atmospheric rooms in the main building and modern suites in the golf club area. 

Esa Honkalehto, CEO of Linna Golf, said: “Linna Golf has been a member of the European Tour Destinations network since 2005 and renewing our partnership is testament to both the work they do and support they provide.  As we enter another phase of our relationship, we look forward to continuing to grow Linna Golf and showcasing our venue on a global scale by being part of the European Tour family.”

Estonian Golf & Country Club is situated 25km from the capital Tallinn in a rural, coastal environment beside the Baltic Sea.  Home to the 18-hole Championship centerpiece, the Sea course, and its sister, the 9-hole Stone course, the venue has been a constant in the European Tour Destinations network for over a decade. 

Estonian Golf & Country Club, Estonia (Image: European Tour)

The Sea course meanders more than 7,000 yards through virgin forest which reaches out to the beach and along the Jägala River, while the Stone course lies on a limestone plain between junipers, restored stone fences and a protected national heritage site.  During the winter season when the golf courses are closed, a 5.3km ski trail which weaves through the Sea course opens to guests.

There is also a variety of exclusive and distinct real estate opportunities available at the resort, with each development divided into ‘villages’, where a different architect has designed a unique property cluster. 

Hanno Kross, CEO at Estonian Golf & Country Club, said: “For a young golfing nation like Estonia, we are very happy and proud to be part of the European Tour Destinations network.  Estonian Golf & Country Club has hosted the World Cup qualifiers twice plus multiple individual and team European Championships, and working with the European Tour has given us the chance to get the knowledge and expertise required to achieve our goals.   

“The new contract to extend our relationship is another great point in our 15-year history which allows us to continue our development and service delivery that we pride ourselves on in northern Europe.”

Ian Knox, Head of European Tour Destinations, said “We are delighted to start off 2021 with Linna Golf and Estonian Golf & Country Club both renewing their membership with European Tour Destinations.  Having our two northern European venues extend their long association with us shows the value they place in affiliation with golf’s global brand and maintains the quality of the network. We look forward to supporting them achieve their goals in the years ahead.”

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Live

Watch: Professionals make Tiger Tributes

Rory McIlroy dressed in Tiger's signature style for the first time in his career on Sunday. (Image: Getty)

A handful of players have been praised for their touching show of support to Tiger Woods, following his car crash last week near Los Angeles.

Those paying respects include LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam.

Official statements given via Twitter report that Tiger is recovering and is in “good spirits” in the Cedars-Cinai Medical Centre, where he has received follow-up treatment on Friday.

READ: Reactions to Tiger Woods’ Accident

However, not all players could participate in Sunday’s tribute, with Max Homa, winner of last week’s Genesis Invitational receiving backlash for having not joined in.

His long time hero, Tiger Woods, host of this year’s Genesis Invitational, handed Homa the trophy last weekend in California.

He defended himself, citing his contractual obligations to wear his pre-packed clothes.

It is expected that the injuries sustained in the crash will have a severe impact on Woods’ future in professional golf.

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Highlights Tours

European Tour, LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour Join Forces for ISPS Handa World Invitational in Northern Ireland

The Galgorm Spa and Golf Resort hosted the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in September 2020 (Image: Getty)

The European Tour, LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour will join forces for another innovative mixed tournament at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by Modest! Golf Management in Northern Ireland, hosted by Galgorm from July 29 – August 1, 2021.

The agreement heralds an exciting new chapter for the event, which has been elevated to European Tour status following a hugely successful inaugural edition on the European Challenge Tour in 2019. The 2021 event will continue to be played over two courses, Galgorm Castle and Massereene and will form part of the European Tour’s 2021 UK Swing, taking in tournaments in Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England across July and August.

It will be the first time an event of this format is tri-sanctioned by the European Tour, LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour in the northern hemisphere – following in the footsteps of the ISPS HANDA Vic Open in Australia which has the same format.

The ISPS HANDA World Invitational will attract a field of 288 players, 144 men and 144 women. The women’s field will be split equally between the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour. The $2.35 million purse will be split evenly, with men and women competing for two equal prize funds.

The tournament will count towards the European Tour’s Race to Dubai and carry Team Europe Ryder Cup points, while the women’s tournament will count towards the Race to the CME Globe for women on the LPGA Tour, the Race to Costa del Sol on the Ladies European Tour (LET) and Solheim Cup points for both Team Europe and Team USA.

ISPS HANDA Founder and Chairman, Dr Haruhisa Handa, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to continue our support as Title Sponsor of the ISPS HANDA World Invitational, an event which epitomises our belief in the Power of Sport to unite communities and break down barriers. To see the tournament grow to a European Tour and LPGA sanctioned event is a testament to the importance of providing equal playing opportunities for men and women. I am grateful to the dedication to this cause by all tournament partners; Modest! Golf, Galgorm, European Tour, LPGA and LET.”

Economy Minister Diane Dodds said: “The decision to bring the ISPS HANDA World Invitational back to Galgorm is another ringing endorsement for golf in Northern Ireland. It is wonderful to welcome this innovative tournament which will bring together the best that both the men’s and women’s games have to offer. Following the recent successes of the Open Championship at Royal Portrush in 2019 and last year’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Galgorm, I have no doubt this event will further strengthen Northern Ireland’s reputation for delivering high-profile international competitions.

“It is my hope that the situation with Covid 19 restrictions will improve sufficiently to allow as many spectators as possible to attend the event. However, as the event will reach hundreds of millions of homes across the globe, I am delighted that once again Northern Ireland will get the opportunity to show the world that it is made for golf.”

Niall Horan, owner of Modest! Golf Management, said: “This is a key moment for professional golf in this part of the world, and with the help of ISPS HANDA along with both the LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and European Tour we have been able to take the ISPS HANDA World Invitational to a new level, which will without doubt reach new audiences around the world.

“The message behind the tournament perfectly aligns with Modest! Golf’s ethos of providing opportunities for all and ensuring golf is a game for everyone. These are vital messages which we plan to further develop with The R&A having recently announced our partnership with them.

“I have been attending European Tour events for as long as I can remember. To host a co-sanctioned LPGA Tour and European Tour event on the island of Ireland gives me so much pride and I cannot wait to return to the amazing Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort this summer, the perfect venue to host such a tournament.”

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “We are excited to once again work alongside ISPS HANDA and Modest! Golf Management, both of whom share our vision of driving golf further through innovation and inclusivity.

“We thank Dr Handa for his continued support of the European Tour, and also Niall Horan and Modest! Golf Management for their hard work and determination in helping elevate this event after building strong foundations on the Challenge Tour in 2019. Galgorm Castle was a hugely popular addition to our Race to Dubai schedule in 2020 and we are all looking forward to returning there in July.”

Michael Whan, LPGA Commissioner, said: “ISPS HANDA has long been a visionary in how sports can be an agent of change, and now we are excited to help them move to a whole new level and deliver a message of equality to fans in Northern Ireland with the ISPS HANDA World Invitational.

“To have the best women and men compete alongside each other at the same venue for the same purse, is exciting for fans and it showcases what is great about this global game.”

Alexandra Armas, LET Chief Executive Officer, added: “Our members are delighted to be playing in this ground-breaking tournament, which marks another significant development for the LPGA-LET joint venture, and I would like to thank all of the sponsors and organisers for their support of our vision and desire to elevate European women’s golf to new heights.

“We are committed to providing more playing opportunities for Europe’s most talented golfers to thrive and flourish and to enable them to reach the highest levels in golf. This tournament offers a unique platform which will no doubt raise the game and inspire more women and girls to take up the sport.”

John McGrillen, Chief Executive of Tourism NI, said: “The ISPS HANDA World Invitational is an exciting opportunity that will deliver significant participant bed nights and positive media attention for Northern Ireland. The exposure will come at a critical time in our recovery, helping to rebuild our tourism economy and bolster consumer confidence. As demonstrated with golfing events last year we can still leverage opportunities for our destination with restrictions in place. Looking further ahead we are very eager to welcome spectators back when it is safe and appropriate to do so.”

A traditional 72-hole stroke play format will be in place with men and women competing at two venues, Galgorm Castle Golf Club and Massereene Golf Club, over the first two days before a halfway cut reduces the field to the top 60 professionals, including ties, in the men’s and women’s draws.

The third round will take place at Galgorm Castle before a further 54-hole cut takes place with the top 35 and ties from the men’s and women’s draws advancing to the final round on Sunday.

“We are delighted that our home-grown event has been elevated to this level and a special thank you must go to Tourism Northern Ireland, Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, who have been ardent supporters of the event since its inception in 2010,” said Gary Henry, Tournament Promoter and Managing Director Galgorm Castle. “Thanks must also go to Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, Tourism Ireland, Sport NI and Golf Ireland for their continued support. I would like to make a special mention to the hundreds of volunteers who I’m sure will be thrilled and excited for what is to come in July, their ongoing support is invaluable and greatly appreciated.”

(Text: LPGA Communications)