Filming has begun on Happy Gilmore 2. (Source: X @DailyLoud)
Insight: A few weeks ago, production began on the long-awaited sequel to the golfing comedy Happy Gilmore; filming is mainly taking place in New York. And so it can happen that you open your front door in the morning and witness lead actor Adam Sandler shuffling around in his bathrobe, lugging a golf bag with him. This is exactly what happened to ‘TikTok’ user Ariana Hailand, who of course immediately shared this very special sighting with the world:
Some time ago, Christopher McDonald aka Shooter McGavin revealed that Sandler was working on part 2 of Happy Gilmore, and Netflix confirmed this a little later. It is still not known when the film will be finished and aired. But all fans waiting for the continuation of the duel between Gilmore and McGavin can rejoice: it continues just as weirdly.
Tom Holland and his brothers try to make an ace. (Screenshot: DP World Tour)
Actor Tom Holland and his brothers can almost be considered regulars at the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am. Last year, they took part in the first celebrity version of the DP World Tour’s ‘Chase The Ace’ challenge and want to give it another go this year.
Tom Holland and his brothers face “Chace the Ace” again
Harry Kane shoots England to victory at the EUROs 2024. (Photo: Getty)
Drives with Harry: The content shared by the English FA’s social media team during the European Football Championship is somewhat entertaining – certainly more entertaining than the Three Lions’ performances so far at this EURO 2024. It is even more worth watching when one of the good golfers in the team appears in front of the camera, of which there are quite a few, and shows off his skills.
England’s Harry Kane on the Driving Range
First and foremost, of course, is captain Harry Kane, who presenter Josh Denzel takes to the driving range of the Spa & GolfResort Weimarer Land in Blankenhain, Thuringia, where the English lions have set up their team base camp in this episode of “Lion’s Den”:
Captain Kane also showed his skills, albeit very late, in last night’s 2:1 win after extra time in the round of 16 match against Slovakia. After all, with the winning goal in the first minute of extra time, the goalscorer fulfilled the golf oracle in Weimarer Land, who had predicted England’s victory with a putt:
Bryson DeChambeau and Martin Borgmeier are clearly having fun together. (Source: Youtube Martin Borgmeier)
In an entertaining YouTube video, former long drive world champion Martin Borgmeier and major winner Bryson DeChambeau engage in an unusual duel. The special thing about this three-hole match: DeChambeau plays with children’s golf clubs from the supermarket.
Bryson DeChambeau shines with children’s clubs
The video begins with a humorous challenge: can Bryson DeChambeau beat Martin Borgmeier with children’s golf clubs? The four clubs in this set are a driver, a seven-iron, a pitching wedge and a putter. Before the challenge, the two joke that if DeChambeau wins, he will have to play left-handed and blind in the next match.
The first hole, a par 4, begins with a tee shot from DeChambeau. His driver hits the ball perfectly and lands about 240 metres away on the fairway. Borgmeier counters with an impressive shot that is considerably longer, as the Long-Drive-Pro repeats the whole way to their balls. Borgmeier remains cool on the green and converts his birdie putt after the LIV pro’s putt from the edge of the green missed the hole by just a few centimetres. Between holes, the duo talk about interesting topics such as DeChambeau’s swing technique in long drive competitions, technical details about DeChambeau’s driver or how many balls the golf pro has already hit in his life. But it also remains exciting on the course.
As the match progresses, Bryson DeChambeau’s technical diversity becomes apparent. After another good tee shot, DeChambeau plays the ball to within a few metres of the flag with his second shot, from where he subsequently holes out. Borgmeier is able to play a similarly good approach shot, but misses the decisive putt, allowing DeChambeau to equalise. DeChambeau shows all his class on the final par-3 and leaves the German long driver no chance.The LIV pro emerges victorious from the challenge with a score of 2 to 1 and spectators may soon be able to look forward to the next match between the likeable duo. DeChambeau jokingly commented under the video: “I guess I’ll have to play you blindfolded and left-handed now…”
The charges Scottie Scheffler has to face after the PGA Championship 2024. (Image: Getty)
Scottie Scheffler could face serious consequences after the events of early Friday morning at the 2024 PGA Championship. The world number one got into an altercation with police in the wake of the traffic chaos following the fatal road traffic accident at the gates of Valhalla Golf Club, where a member of the security team was killed. Scheffler wanted to avoid the traffic jam in front of the course and therefore pulled into the free lane next to him about a mile before the course. According to his own statement, this was followed by a misunderstanding of the officer’s instructions and the subsequent arrest of the tour star. Bryan Gillis, the Louisville Metro Police detective involved in the incident, later stated that Scheffler “refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging (him) to the ground.”
What charges await Scottie Scheffler after his arrest?
Although Scheffler was released on bail in time for the start of his second round, prosecutors are now filing four charges against the Texan. Scheffler is charged with second-degree assault on a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disobeying traffic signals of a traffic control officer. The first charge is a felony, the other charges are misdemeanours.
Scottie’s charges: assaulting a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals.
His lawyer Steve Romines has now commented on the next steps in an interview with Golf.com. The arraignment before a judge is scheduled for Tuesday and will initially decide whether the case goes to trial or the charges are dropped. At this first hearing, according to his lawyer, they will plead not guilty and if the judge decides in favour of charges, the case will go to trial.
If Scheffler is convicted, he could face between five and ten years in prison for “second-degree assault on a police officer”. However, it must be proven that Scheffler intentionally caused serious injury to another person or acted wilfully. In the meantime, Romines said his team will continue to gather evidence, eyewitnesses and video footage from the officers’ body cams. In closing, Scheffler’s attorney said, according to Golf.com, “Scottie did not intentionally do anything wrong. He was doing exactly what they told him to do.”
Winner of last week: Wyndham Clark. (Photo: Getty)
In the current World Golf Ranking, Scottie Scheffler from the USA remains at the pinnacle, holding firmly onto the number one position. His compatriot Xander Schauffele also maintains his standing at fifth place. Both players exhibit stability in their rankings, matching their positions from the previous week.
Wyndham Clark on the way to the top 5?
Moving through the ranking, American golfer Wyndham Clark has seen a notable ascent, moving up from the tenth to the sixth position, which signifies a considerable positive shift. Patrick Cantlay and Max Homa, ranked seventh and eighth respectively, have experienced a decline, each dropping one place compared to last week. Significantly, Ludvig Aberg from Sweden made a leap from the 27th to the 11th position, indicating a strong upward trajectory. In the context of international golf, the World Golf Ranking provides a snapshot of professional performance and potency. This week’s ranking update not only underscores Scheffler’s continued dominance but also sheds light on the shifting dynamics amongst the finest golfers, with American players prominently featuring both stability and volatility in their ranking positions.
Scottie Scheffler, Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood (from left to right). (Photo: Getty)
In the latest World Golf Ranking update Scottie Scheffler is still at the top, Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland retains the second spot with Jon Rahm from Spain remaining in third. The movements within the World Golf Ranking top 10 include a significant leap made by American Wyndham Clark, ascending from rank 10 to six. In positions one through three, there have been no changes, with Scottie Scheffler from the USA holding firmly onto the top position. Further down, from positions four to 10, we observe Viktor Hovland from Norway and Xander Schauffele from the USA remaining consistent, whereas Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa and Brian Harman from the USA experienced a slight drop in ranking like Matt Fitzpatrick. Each movement within the top 10 holds potential implications for upcoming tournaments and the overall dynamics of the World Golf Ranking.
World Golf Ranking: UK’s Players
Among British players, England’s Matt Fitzpatrick is on position nine, loosing one rank from last week. England’s Tommy Fleetwood, looses one at rank 12, and Tyrrell makes up one place and is in 15th place. Looking down the World Golf Ranking list, Justin Rose from England saw improvement, reaching rank 41 from a previous 45. In contrast, Robert MacIntyre from Scotland dropped slightly to rank 67 compared to last week’s 64, a negative trend similarly experienced by England’s Aaron Rai who now stands at 73 after descending from position 68.
The fourball format is also played at the Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Fourball (also called bestball or fourball) is played in golf with two, three or four players per team. Each golfer in a team plays his or her own ball. However, after each hole, only the best score is included in the team score. If one player locks in a four and the team partner needs five or more strokes, only the four is scored.
The fourball format holds some tactical possibilities: In the team it can be decided, for example, that one player plays more on risk and attacks the flag directly in order to win the hole (in match play). The other team partner tries to provide back-up by trying to place the ball safely on the green and thus take the pressure off. Who takes on which role depends on the current game situation.
If a player with a very low handicap competes against players with a higher handicap, another variant is conceivable: The strong golfer is on his or her own and plays alone against a team that can take advantage of the synergy. In addition, the pairing of low handicap with high handicap is advantageous in fourball tournaments played according to Stableford. Such tournaments are often offered at the beginning or end of the season, when the course is not yet or no longer in the best condition.
In stroke play, the best scores of all the holes played by a team are added together and the total number is counted at the end of the course. In match play, as it is played at the Ryder Cup or Solheim Cup for example, you play against your opponents for each hole. The team that needs fewer strokes for the respective hole gets a point. In the event of a tie, the hole is split – both teams receive half a point. The team that wins the most holes wins the match.
Foursome is one of the forms of play at the Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
In foursomes, two teams (usually two players each) compete against each other. Within a team, players take turns stroke by stroke: Player “A” tees off. Once at the ball, player B takes the second shot with the same ball. This continues until the respective team has holed the ball in team work.
A tactically extremely important decision is made by the team before the match even begins: the two team members agree on who will tee off on the even holes and who will tee off on the odd holes. Depending on who feels confident with their driver or irons, the par 3 and par 5 holes can be divided accordingly.
Foursomes can be played both as stroke play and as match play. Alltough the match play variant is the most common and is also played in this form at major team events such as the Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup. In English, the foursomes format of play is also often referred to as the “Alternate Shot”.
The Foursome Teams at the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup
In major tournaments such as the Ryder Cup or the Solheim Cup, the captains of both teams have to take great care in deciding their lineups for the foursomes format. Playing strength and current form must be factored into the decision on pairings, but equally the captains would have to pay attention to the human element in the lineup – the players must function as a team.
In addition, golfers should ideally complement each other in many ways. For example, a popular option is to pair rookies, who are on the team for the first time in a major tournament, with an experienced player. Some pairings have already proven themselves in previous events and have a strong record together – so it is logical not to change anything. In the end, gut feeling certainly plays a not insignificant role in the pairing of the captains.
Spider-Man star Tom Holland can also swing a driver. (Photo: Getty)
Spider-Man can not only place nets unerringly, but also a golf ball in the hole – or at least Spider-Man actor Tom Holland can. The 27-year-old Briton is quite respectable with his 6 handicap and is a regular guest at celebrity tournaments. It is unforgettable how he almost played his way onto the European Ryder Cup team in 2021 with a single stroke. On the 18th hole at the Pro-Am before the BMW PGA Championship, then Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington promised, “If you hit the green, I’ll take you on the team.” And he almost had to keep his word – but only almost. “For a moment I thought maybe I could become a golfer,” Holland joked after the moment.
Yet golf is more than just a casual pastime for the actor. “I’m addicted to golf,” he told People magazine in an interview a few years ago. “It’s a nice way to disconnect from what’s going on around you. I turn my phone off and I just enjoy being outdoors with my friends, my brothers and my dad.” Along with his brothers, he again competed in the 2023 Pro-Am at Wentworth.
Golf has another effect on him. “Golf is also incredibly humbling,” Holland said. “Over the last few years, I’ve been very lucky that my career has taken twists and turns, but all the kind of twists and turns that I could only have dreamed of. And very often, I’ll go out and play golf to celebrate, and it will very, very quickly humble me by destroying me.” “So,” he added, “that’s why golf is valuable.”
Whether athletes or actors, many public figures who can’t risk getting injured find a secure future in playing golf. That’s just as true for DFB soccer players as it is for Hollywood stars. For example, the first thing Holland wished for after the end of the Spider-Man trology with “No Way Home” was to go skiing. “That’s something I’ve not really been allowed to do because it’s obviously a dangerous sport. I’ve been very careful over the years, which is why I’ve become obsessed with golf because it’s the only sport I can play without getting injured.”
All the more reason for Holland to introduce the sport to his one friend and fellow actress Zendaya, The Hollywood Reporter knows. “I gave her a few lessons. She’s very talented by nature, a real athlete, so she picked it up very quickly.”
Superheroes on the golf course
But Holland may not be the best superhero on the golf course. Ant-Man Quantum Mania star Kathryn Newton also swings a club regularly and also plays with a 6 handicap. Both competed in the Pro-Am of the BMW PGA Championship 2023 in Wentworth, although not in a direct duel. That challenge is still open.
Instead, Holland played a round with Jon Rahm, whom he greatly admires. Face to face, he told the Masters winner how Holland, together with his family, had followed his great Major triumph.
And even when he met Padraig Harrington again two years later, it was clear that the former Ryder Cup captain had not yet forgotten the moment they shared on the 18th green.
