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Senior Tours

Royal Aberdeen to host Scottish Senior Open

A view of the clubhouse of the Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, where the first 3 Scottish Senior Opens were held between 1993-95. (Image: Legends Tour)

Royal Aberdeen Golf Club will provide the setting for the 2021 Scottish Senior Open hosted by Paul Lawrie, when the Legends Tour returns to the venue for the first time in 26 years from September 10-12, 2021.

The 2021 Scottish Senior Open marks professional golf’s return to Balgownie Links – one of two courses at Royal Aberdeen – after it hosted the first three editions of the Scottish Senior Open from 1993-1995, The 2005 Senior Open, the 2011 Walker Cup and the 2014 Scottish Open.

Aberdeen native and 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie, who is an Honorary Member of Royal Aberdeen, takes on hosting duties as well as returning to the event as defending champion, after winning his first Legends Tour title in the 2019 edition at Craigielaw Golf Club.

Royal Aberdeen Golf Club has a rich and storied history having been initially founded in 1780, making it the sixth-oldest golf club in the world, before receiving royal patronage in 1903. It was originally designed by the Simpson brothers, Archie and Robert of Carnoustie, and re-bunkered and lengthened by James Braid.

The renowned front nine at Balgownie Links is widely regarded as one of the best in the world as it weaves through the wonderful dune formation down towards the sea, while the inward nine boasts spectacular views of the Aberdeenshire landscape.

There will be opportunities to play alongside the professionals in both the pre-tournament Pro-Am and the Alliance Pro-Am, where amateur players are given the opportunity to play alongside the stars of the Legends Tour in tournament play.

Mark Aspland, Head of the Legends Tour, said: “We are incredibly excited to be returning to Royal Aberdeen for the first time in 26 years for the 2021 Scottish Senior Open hosted by Paul Lawrie.

“It is a club steeped in history and is a true gem in a country which is inundated with outstanding golf courses. We thought it was important to take this event somewhere which means something to Paul, as tournament host, and having a venue of such stature on his doorstep makes complete sense.

“Paul will be a fantastic host and I am sure he will be working closely with Keith Grant and his team at Royal Aberdeen to ensure we enjoy a brilliant event in September.”

Paul Lawrie, tournament host and defending champion, said: “I am incredibly excited to be given the opportunity to host the Scottish Senior Open at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, which is such a wonderful venue.

“It is a truly stunning golf course and being a local lad, it is a venue close to my heart and I cannot wait to welcome my fellow Legends Tour players to Aberdeenshire in September.

“I am looking forward to working closely with Keith Grant and his team at Royal Aberdeen, as well as Mark Aspland and the Legends Tour, to deliver the best event possible and help to show off our region.”

Richard Noble, Captain of Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming the Scottish Senior Open to Balgownie Links in September 2021, with a field including 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie, who will be defending the title he won at Craigielaw in 2019.

“We hope that by September fans will be able to attend the event and support the venue as they have done in the past, when we have proudly been host to The Senior Open, Scottish Open, the Walker Cup and The Amateur Championship.”

Paul Bush, Director of Events at VisitScotland, said: “It’s exciting to see the Scottish Senior Open heading to such an iconic venue as Royal Aberdeen in 2021.

“The Scottish Senior Open has long been an important part of Scotland’s world-class golf event portfolio and it is great to see it return this year. We look forward to working with colleagues at the Legends Tour to support them in delivering the best possible event this September.”

(Text: European Tour Communications)

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Live

European eTour announces 2021 schedule

Image: Getty

The 2021 European eTour schedule will feature five regular season events and a Global Finals as the popular golf esports series returns for a second year.

Launched by the European Tour in 2020, in partnership with esports specialists DreamHack Sports Games and Topgolf Entertainment Group, the inaugural season saw more than 800,000 entries as the world’s best players competed in the world’s most popular online and mobile golf game, World Golf Tour (WGT) by Topgolf.

The Portugal Masters is the first event of the 2021 season, starting today, with players competing in a five-week qualification process, which culminates in the top 128 players competing in a bracket style playoff tournament. From there, the top 8 players will qualify for the live event on April 29 with players going head-to-head in a knock-out format to determine the winner.

Three further events will coincide with European Tour tournaments from May to September before the final regular season event, the Nedbank Golf Challenge, starts in October. The season comes to a close with the second edition of the Global Finals in December.

American Payton Gordley, known by his in-game name golfx3, will be the player to beat in 2021 having won five regular season events last year and claiming the US$30,000 grand prize in January’s Global Final, as thousands tuned in to the livestream on the European Tour’s YouTube channel.

After taking a break from WGT to focus on his studies in 2019, he returned to the game after learning of the launch of the European eTour and went on to earn more than US$50,000 for his performances throughout the inaugural season.

Rufus Hack, Chief Operating Officer of the European Tour, said: “After the successes of the inaugural season, we are looking forward to writing the European eTour’s next chapter as we continue our partnerships with DreamHack Sports Games and Topgolf Entertainment Group. The feedback we have received from our fans, broadcast partners, sponsors and players has been extremely encouraging and we are looking forward to another season of exciting eTour action.”

“The eTour is the first of its kind in the golf esports segment and that is a leading position we want to maintain in 2021 and beyond” Roger Lodewick, DreamHack Sports Games CEO said. “Last season’s events were broadcast in over 70 countries with almost 500,000 players participating, playing over 30 million holes. This is an amazing start for a new esports property, and together with our great partners in the European Tour and Topgolf Entertainment Group, we can’t wait for the season to start.”

Ashley Groth, Director of Marketing at Topgolf Media commented, “We’re very excited to be bringing the European eTour and the opportunity to compete for US$100,000 to the WGT community for a second season. Together with our partners, the European Tour and DreamHack Sports Games, we look forward to continue building on the success of the partnership in 2021.”

2021 Schedule

Portugal Masters – February 24 – April 29

European Event – May – June

European Event – June – July

European Event – August – September

Nedbank Golf Challenge – October – November

Global Finals – December

(Text: European Tour Communications)

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LPGA Tour

LPGA Announces Zinus As Latest Official Marketing Partner

Player Ambassador roles for the brand are expected soon. (Image: Getty)

The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) announced today that Zinus Inc., the rapidly-growing global e-commerce mattress and furniture company, has been named an Official Marketing Partner with the designation as the Official Mattress of the LPGA Tour.

As an Official Marketing Partner, Zinus will be represented within the LPGA’s media landscape through in-broadcast features and a robust digital and social presence. In addition, LPGA Tour players will amplify their message through soon-to-be-announced ambassador relationships. Zinus is also focused on supporting the growth of the game through the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf program and will be presenting a Zinus-specific experience later this year at sites across the country. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Zinus to the LPGA Partner Family,” said Kelly Hyne, the LPGA’s Chief Sales Officer. “Their global footprint mirrors the LPGA’s and provides an opportunity to talk about the comfort and inspiration of their products to a wide array of constituencies. We appreciate their support of vital initiatives to grow the game through the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf program and look forward to presenting a number of features on our LPGA platforms in the coming years.”

Zinus, a global direct-to-consumer mattress brand, is renowned for their expertly engineered mattresses and furniture that are infused with natural ingredients including green tea, olive oil, and charcoal, and are shipped directly to consumers’ doors.. With over 40 years’ experience in the home furnishings industry, Zinus creates well-designed, high-quality products packed full of features and benefits, all at affordable price points.

“As a global company, with operations spanning the U.S., Asia Pacific, and Europe, it was a natural fit to partner with the LPGA, whose members and fans can be found in more than 30 countries,” said Youn Jae Lee, CEO at Zinus. “Not only are we thrilled to support the world-class athletes of the LPGA, but we are honored to help empower the next generation of young women through the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf program. We’re delighted to join the LPGA Family and look forward to positively impacting the game for years to come.”

“At Zinus, our goal is to bring harmony to peoples’ homes around the world. For us, getting a good night’s sleep on a comfortable mattress is only one element of the equation. With the perfect combinations of premiere foams and fabrics along with natural infusions, our mattresses allow people to enjoy the best product for them, while still being affordably priced,” says Keith Reynolds, president at Zinus U.S. “We look forward to bringing this same harmony to LPGA athletes and fans, so they can find balance at home and on the golf course.” 

(Text: LPGA Press Release)

Categories
European Tour

U.S. Open exemptions available over three European Tour events in 2021

The 2021 US Open will take place between the 17 and 20 of June. (Image: Getty)

For the second successive season, ten spots in the U.S. Open Championship will be available to participants in a mini series of European Tour events.

The USGA has confirmed that the top ten aggregate point earners (not otherwise exempt) across the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett (May 12-15), Made in HimmerLand presented by FREJA (May 27-30) and the Porsche European Open (June 3-6) will earn places in the U.S. Open Championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course) on June 17-20, 2021.

The traditional U.S. Open final qualifying event in Europe will not take place once again this season due to the continuing impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic. Local qualifying will take place at 109 sites in the United States and Canada from April 26 – May 18.

The first opportunity for players to earn points towards a U.S. Open spot via the European Tour will come at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, England, when Major winner Danny Willett takes on hosting duties at the Betfred British Masters. Two weeks later, following the US PGA Championship, the action switches to Denmark for Made in HimmerLand presented by FREJA, before the final qualifying event, the Porsche European Open, at Green Eagle Golf Courses in Hamburg, Germany.

Last season, ten spots were available for the highest placed finishers (not otherwise exempt) in a mini order of merit at the conclusion of the first five events of the new UK Swing, with Sam Horsfield, Thomas Detry, Andy Sullivan, Rasmus Højgaard, Renato Paratore, Romain Langasque, Sami Välimäki, Adrian Otaegui, Connor Syme and Justin Harding all qualifying for the 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot.

Keith Waters, the European Tour’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are very pleased to continue our collaboration with the USGA in offering European Tour players an opportunity to earn places in the U.S. Open despite the disruption caused by the ongoing global pandemic.

“Last year’s qualifying series added further excitement to the inaugural UK Swing, and I’m sure we can expect more of the same at the three events across Europe this year – the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett, Made in HimmerLand presented by FREJA and the Porsche European Open – where players will have the chance to secure coveted places at the third Major of the season at Torrey Pines.”

John Bodenhamer, USGA Senior Managing Director, Championships, said: “In these challenging times, we are pleased to work with the European Tour in creating an exemption category for the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.

“The final qualifier in England has featured a strong field since its inception in 2005 and while qualifying is not possible this year due to COVID restrictions, it is important that a path is provided for players competing on the European Tour to earn a place in this year’s championship field.”

(Text: European Tour Press Release)

Categories
European Tour

Kenya Savannah Classic Added to 2021 International Schedule

A view of the Karen Country Club, where the European Tour will be stopping next month. (Image: Getty)

The European Tour today added a new tournament, the Kenya Savannah Classic, to its 2021 International Schedule.

The €1million, 72 hole stroke play event will take place from Tuesday March 23 – Friday March 26 at Karen Country Club, in Nairobi.

It will form a double-header with the previously announced Magical Kenya Open, which will be played at the same venue in the week beforehand, from Thursday March 18 – Sunday March 21.

Both tournaments will be played under the auspices of the European Tour’s health strategy, which will be aligned with Kenyan Government guidance.

Keith Pelley, the European Tour’s Chief Executive, said: “The addition of the Kenya Savannah Classic to our 2021 schedule offers vital playing opportunities for our members, while having two consecutive tournaments at Karen Country Club follows our strategy of playing in geographical clusters to reduce travelling as much as possible at the moment.  

“We are therefore grateful to the Kenyan Government, Kenya Open Golf Limited and Karen Country Club for their support, and after the postponement of the Magical Kenya Open in 2020, we look forward to visiting Kenya for two consecutive weeks this March.”

Peter Kanyago, the Chairman of the Kenya Open Golf Limited, said: “We were disappointed not to be able to play the Magical Kenya Open last year after it became a full European Tour event in 2019, but as we continue to prepare for this year’s tournament, we are now also very pleased to add a second event, the Kenya Savannah Classic.

“These two consecutive events at Karen Country Club will extend the proud tradition of professional tournament golf in our country, which dates back to the late-1960s, and we look forward to once again showcasing Kenya to an international television audience.”

The Kenya Open was first played in 1967 and has been won by some of golf’s most notable names, including Seve Ballesteros (1978), Ian Woosnam (1986), Christy O’Connor Jnr (1990) and Trevor Immelman (2000). It became a European Challenge Tour event in 1991 and then a full European Tour event in 2019, when Italy’s Guido Migliozzi claimed the title by one shot.

The Kenya Savannah Classic will be the 16th new event created by the European Tour since its resumption last July following a three month suspension of tournament golf due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.It also restores the 2021 Race to Dubai to 42 tournaments following the cancellation of the Oman Open.

Categories
PGA Tour

PGA Tour: Rapper Macklemore on the upcoming AT&T PEBBLE BEACH PRO-AM

Macklemore will be making his second appearance at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am this weekend. (Image: Getty)

Read the Press Conference transcript below:

JACK RYAN (HOST): We would like to welcome Grammy Award winning rapper and song writer Macklemore at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Macklemore, thank you for joining us.

First off, could you just recap your experience playing in the pro-am last year at this tournament.

MACKLEMORE: It was incredible. It was a phenomenal experience, bucket list, completely terrifying. I had no idea how to hit an iron all of a sudden. Shooting in the high 80s at home with some mild cheating with friends. Get down here, can’t improve your lie, you got to play it how it lands, man. That’s just a whole different sport. All of a sudden I’m coming over the top. I’m slicing the ball. Jason Day’s trying to give me lessons on how to come from the inside. I don’t even speak that language. It was crazy. But it was literally Disneyland for a golfer like myself. I felt like I was a child and this was the oasis and that’s exactly how it feels this year.

JACK RYAN: So we won’t have that pro-am format this year, obviously, but you’ll be playing in tomorrow’s AT&T Every Shot Counts Charity Challenge alongside a number of other celebrities. How much are you looking forward to that in light of the tournament format change this year.

MACKLEMORE: I’m excited. Last year I think I was on TV three or four times. Every shot counting and being televised is slightly nerve wracking. But we’re playing for some great causes and that’s what it’s all about, so we’re going to have fun. A great group of celebrities to be out there with, some really good golfers. I’m not putting myself even close to that category and we’re just going to have fun.

JACK RYAN: Last question before we open it up to media. Could you provide us with a little bit of background on your history in the sport? We understand you’ve only started playing relatively recently.

MACKLEMORE: Yeah, I’ve been playing for just over two years now and randomly played one day after Thanksgiving in 2018 and hit a 5-iron out of the sand and I hit it pure and I have been very addicted ever since. I just want that feeling. I play as much as I possibly can, which with two kids is not that often, but that often is at least two to three times a week. So I’ll take it.

JACK RYAN: We’ll take our first question here.

Q. Just curious, what do you like most about it and what has caused you to get addicted?

MACKLEMORE: I love that feeling of hitting a great shot. I love hitting a green in regular, piping a drive. I love even just the ups and downs, the humility that the game brings, the swing of emotion, the mental fortitude that it takes, the patience, the spiritual practice of accepting whatever you just did and letting it go, the exercise, the camaraderie. I truly love everything about the sport.

Q. Did you have — how much experience with golf or exposure did you have before that round after Thanksgiving that you talked about?

MACKLEMORE: After Thanksgiving?

Q. How much had you been around the game before that?

MACKLEMORE: When Tiger — I think when I was in about 8th grade and Tiger was, I don’t know, it was ’97, ’98 or whatever it was and Tiger was having his moment, as a sports fan I was absolutely paying attention to what Tiger was doing. But that was really about it. But I always really liked the old school golf fashion. That was something that I always really respected. Besides that, I didn’t really follow the sport at all. Every once in a while we would like go to a pitch-and-putt and I would hit a couple cars and we would go home, but besides that very limited.

Q. What do you tell people who might not be into golf of that appeal that you found? Do you turn other people onto the game? How do you do that?

MACKLEMORE: I think that the game is amazing. It’s not one of those sports that you can just pick up right away. It takes a little bit before you get that first dopamine hit of a great shot. But I think that in general we need more people playing this sport. We need more accessibility. We need to really just open up the floodgates of kind of the old guard of what golf is and the exclusivity and make sure that all people can play, that courses are affordable, that equipment is readily available to those that need it, and we get youth out there enjoying this amazing sport.

JACK RYAN: One last one before we let you go. You mentioned you are into the golf fashion. Is there anything we can expect from you tomorrow in the Every Shot Counts Charity Challenge? You got something special planned for that?

MACKLEMORE: You know, I don’t normally lay my clothes out before I get dressed. I don’t normally put them out the night before. But tomorrow I’ll wake up to a freshly pressed outfit laid out in front of me that I will do tonight. The reveal will be tomorrow.

JACK RYAN: Perfect. We look forward to seeing that and thank you for joining us today and best of luck tomorrow.

MACKLEMORE: Thanks, man, appreciate it.

Categories
European Challenge Tour

Hopps Open de Provence added to Road to Mallorca International Schedule

Image: Getty

The Hopps Open de Provence will return to the Road to Mallorca International Schedule in 2021, again taking place at Golf International de Pont Royal, Mallemort, from September 16-19.

The event, won by home favourite Romain Langasque in its maiden edition in 2018, followed by the Netherlands’ Lars van Meijel in 2019, was due to return to the schedule in 2020 but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Seve Ballesteros-designed layout at Golf International de Pont Royal, which is the only course in France designed by the 50-time European Tour winner, opened in 1992 and is widely acclaimed for its slick greens and highland holes which offer stunning views of the Luberon and Alpilles mountain ranges.

The return of the Hopps Open de Provence further enhances French golf’s affiliation with the European Challenge Tour, having held a presence on the schedule for over 30 years and producing a long list of players who have gone on to shine on the European Tour.

Meanwhile, the Hauts de France – Pas de Calais Golf Open, which was scheduled to take place at Aa Saint Omer Golf Club from June 17-20 and was previously announced as part of last month’s 25 event strong schedule, will now not take place.

The return of the Hopps Open de Provence ensures there remains three French events on the Road to Mallorca in 2021 which underlines the commitment of the Fédération Française de Golf and the European Tour to golf in France following the return of the Open de France to the Race to Dubai, as announced last week.

Jamie Hodges, Head of Challenge Tour, said: “I am thrilled to now be able to confirm the return of the Hopps Open de Provence to our schedule in 2021.

“The Challenge Tour has a long and storied history of holding events in France and I must thank the Hopps Group, Golf International de Pont Royal and the Fédération Française de Golf for their commitment and help in bringing this tournament to fruition and for their ongoing support of our Tour.”

Jérôme Laurédi, General Manager of Golf International de Pont Royal, said: “Despite difficult health conditions, Golf de Pont Royal is honoured to host the Hopps Open de Provence for the third time.

“Our teams will implement their know-how to ensure all aspects of the event are of the quality expected by Challenge Tour standards and to continue the success of previous editions.”

Julien Nazarian, President of Pro Sports Events, said: “We are proud to again be able to combine the efforts of the Hopps Group and Golf international de Pont Royal to confirm the third edition of the Hopps Open de Provence.

“I would like to thank the European Tour and Fédération Française de Golf for their continued support and we look forward to welcoming the players, public and sponsors to the Seve Ballesteros-designed course this summer.”

Eric Paumier, Co-President of the Hopps Group, said: “The success of Hopps Open de Provence is due to the strong partnership between the promoter, Julien Nazarian, Golf International de Pont Royal and the Hopps Group.

“Every year, we work with passion and energy for the benefit of the Challenge Tour players and the fans, with the goal of organising the most beautiful event as possible.”

(Text: European Challenge Tour Communications)

Categories
Highlights Tours

Ryder Cup: Rolex to Become Official Partner

This year's Ryder Cup will take place from 21 to 26 September. (Image: Getty)

Ryder Cup Europe have announced that Rolex will become a Worldwide Partner of The Ryder Cup.

Read the press statement from Ryder Cup Europe Communications:

A landmark agreement with the PGA of America – Ryder Cup Europe’s partner in golf’s most celebrated team contest – will see the Swiss watch manufacturer align with Ryder Cup USA for the first time as Official Timekeeper, a role it has enjoyed with Team Europe since 1995.

Already the longest-serving partner of The Ryder Cup, this new global commitment and Worldwide Partner status further strengthens Rolex’s recognised stature in golf, having been at the heart of the game for over 50 years.

Guy Kinnings, Deputy CEO European Tour and Ryder Cup Director, said: “Rolex’s commitment to golf as a whole is unparalleled and this is therefore a truly momentous day both for The Ryder Cup and our sport as a whole.

“The invaluable support of Rolex for over a quarter of a century has helped both The Ryder Cup and the European Tour grow and prosper. With their new alignment and agreement with our friends at the PGA of America, I am incredibly excited at what the future holds for an event which is already recognised as one of the greatest in all of sport.”

Jean-Frédéric Dufour, Chief Executive Officer, Rolex SA, said: “Since 1967, Rolex’s commitment to golf has grown and flourished, permeating every level of the sport. We are delighted to stand alongside the PGA of America and Ryder Cup Europe in supporting The Ryder Cup, the game’s pre-eminent team competition. Through this landmark partnership, which builds on a relationship of more than 25 years with The Ryder Cup, Rolex takes the next historic step in further deepening our support for this iconic and unrivalled event.”

Rolex, who become the third Worldwide Partner of The Ryder Cup alongside AON and BMW, also assume the role of Presenting Partner of the weekly Ryder Cup Points Standings, which monitors the progress of the leading players on both sides of the Atlantic as they vie for automatic berths on both the European and the U.S teams.

Rolex is also committed to PGA Members, their events and grassroots initiatives, as the brand becomes the Presenting Partner of the annual PGA Professional Championship and the Official Timekeeper of PGA Golf Properties and PGA Frisco. Rolex also becomes Presenting Partner of the PGA’s three annual Player of the Year awards: the PGA Professional Player of the Year; Women’s PGA Professional Player of the Year; and Senior PGA Professional Player of the Year awards.

Rolex’s involvement in golf dates back to 1967 and its seminal partnership with Arnold Palmer who, joined by Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, became the brand’s first golfing Testimonees. Since then, Rolex’s relationship with the game has grown and flourished, providing support for world-class players, the main professional Tours and governing bodies, as well as the finest events on the golf calendar. It now encompasses all Major tournaments – four men’s and five women’s – where victory represents the pinnacle of achievement in the sport.

Categories
European Tour

European Tour: Fox beats fading light to take Saudi lead

(Image: Getty)

Round two report

Ryan Fox posted his second consecutive round of 65 after just beating the fading light to lead the weather-affected second round of the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers.

The New Zealander was among the afternoon starters whose rounds suffered a two hour delay due to a rare bout of rain and lightning at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, but he carded six birdies when play eventually got back underway. He dropped his only shot of the day on the last hole, but made it safely back into the impressive clubhouse on ten under par just before darkness fell.

Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher will resume his second round also on that mark, with the Ryder Cup player facing six more holes to play on Saturday. He posted three birdies and one bogey on his front nine and three straight pars after the turn.

England’s Andy Sullivan (66) and Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger (68) are two shots back on eight under par along with Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult and World Number One Dustin Johnson who have two and four holes remaining respectively. Johnson carded back-to-back birdies just before the suspension to keep on course to extend his impressive record in the event, having won the inaugural edition in 2019 and finished runner up 12 months ago.

Ryder Cup player Tommy Fleetwood (65) and Scotland Callum Hill (68) are in the clubhouse on seven under par, with former World Number One Justin Rose, overnight leader David Horsey and France’s Victor Perez all set to resume their rounds on Saturday also three shots off the pace.

Meanwhile, Norway’s Viktor Hovland once again underlined his Ryder Cup credentials in the presence of one of Europe’s legendary players, Ian Poulter, carding a four under par 66  to move to six under.


(Text: European Tour Communications)

Categories
European Tour

European Tour: DJ ready to rock in Saudi

Could Dustin Johnson pick up his first tour title of 2021 this weekend in Saudi Arabia? (Image: Getty)

World Number One Dustin Johnson is excited to get started at the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, as the American targets a second title at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, a maiden victory of 2021 and a seventh successive winning season.

The 36-year-old won the inaugural Saudi International two years ago and finished runner-up to Graeme McDowell on his title defence in 2020, so he is brimming with confidence heading into his second event of the season and first on the Race to Dubai.

Patrick Reed, meanwhile, arrives in Saudi Arabia in flying form having sealed a five-stroke victory last week at the PGA TOUR’s Farmers Insurance Open. The World Number Ten is yet to win in the Middle East but a top three finish at last December’s DP World Tour Championship, Dubai will give him confidence of a maiden regular European Tour win.

Phil Mickelson finished in a share of third place at last year’s Saudi International and the 50-year-old is a fan of the layout at Royal Greens, as is Norwegian star Viktor Hovland – whose runner-up finish in Florida last week elevated him to a career-high 12th in the Official World Golf Ranking.

What the players are saying…

Dustin Johnson: “It’s a golf course that I thought set up well for me. I like the golf course. It’s a fun course to play. Obviously I’ve had success here the last two years and I enjoy it. It’s been a great week. I think they do a great job hosting this event, and obviously this year, we’ve got a great field. I was excited to come back.

“It’s a golf course where you have to drive it well. I mean, you have got a lot of slope in them so you need to be able to control your ball coming into it. But if you drive it well, you can definitely make a lot of birdies just because you can get some short clubs in your hand.

“But I think it’s very important to drive it well here, especially with the rough. Got quite a bit of rough. But there are only two par fives – if you drive it in the fairway, you can reach them, and there are quite a few short holes. Like I said, you’ve got to drive it well, and felt like I drove it well here the last couple years and that’s why I’ve had success.”

Patrick Reed: “It’s awesome to come over here. The support that this event has and the support that Saudi has given the players, as well as just the Tour, is amazing. For us, coming over and playing and having a golf course that’s continuously gotten better and better each year, and the hospitality is amazing. It’s one of these places you really look forward to coming to and playing.

“For me, it’s always fun coming over and playing on The European Tour. Get away from my comfort zone at home. Now being able to come over, it’s almost making me feel comfortable coming over and play on The European Tour. It’s one of these things that I call my second home, and to be able to come over and play and support both tours for me means a lot.”

Phil Mickelson: “I think that it’s really a fun golf course to play. I enjoyed it last year. Condition is a 10 out of 10. I don’t think you can get it anymore approximately manicured and set up for an event.

“So it’s very impressive the way the golf course is conditioned, the way it plays. It’s really a fun challenge and when the wind comes up, it’s very playable. I just really enjoy the golf course and enjoy playing here.”

Viktor Hovland: “It’s been a long trip obviously but I’m glad to be over here. I had a good week last week in San Diego. And just trying to look to continue to build on that. I feel like my game is in great shape and I’ve just got to get adjusted and get ready to start off the week.

“It’s fairly generous off the tee but you still have to drive it pretty well just to get into some good spots where you can be aggressive. I feel like the scores are going to be pretty low this week. The greens are really good. So if you’re hitting the ball close, you can make a lot of putts and make a lot of birdies.

“But the wind picks up at all, it’s going to be interesting. A couple of par threes are pretty solid and some water here and there, as well. So you’ve got to be conservative maybe on some holes and you can attack more on others.”