Month: September 2023

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Highlights Tours Ladies Tours

Solheim Cup 2023: Suzann Pettersen: “We’re all very ready”

Team Europe speaks to the media ahead of 2023 Solheim Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Team Europe speaks to the media ahead of 2023 Solheim Cup. (Photo: Getty)

In the run-up to the eagerly anticipated Solheim Cup 2023, a series of press conferences revealed a buzzing atmosphere of excitement, anticipation, and unity within the European team. The captain and players shared their insights, expectations, and reflections on their journey, emphasizing the strength, harmony, and strategy leading into this prestigious event.

Solheim Cup 2023: Strongest Team Europe ever?

European Solheim Cup team captain, Suzann Pettersen, and her vice-captains Anna Nordqvist, Laura Davies, and Caroline Martens, radiated confidence and enthusiasm as they discussed the upcoming event. Pettersen went on to boldly declare her squad the “strongest Solheim Cup team ever,” a testament to their consistently remarkable performances in recent years. She stressed the elevated expectations this brings but reassured that her team is well-prepared and eager, affirming, “we’re all very ready to go.”

Anna Nordqvist opened up about her experience juggling the roles of a player and vice-captain, acknowledging the newfound insights she has gained into the meticulous organization of the Solheim Cup. This deeper perspective has increased her appreciation for the dedication required to make the event successful. Nordqvist expressed her gratitude, “It makes you appreciate the experience playing inside the ropes even more.”

Caroline Martens, focusing on her role behind the scenes, emphasized her efforts to align resources and act as a support pillar for the team members. Laura Davies lauded Pettersen’s leadership style as “calmer” and “friendlier” than anticipated, gaining the respect of the young players within the team. Both veterans recognized the unprecedented depth of talent in the team, attributed to the players’ extensive experience and success on the LPGA Tour.

Pettersen and the team revealed their anticipation for the head-to-head, focusing on showcasing the strength of European golf and discussing strategy. The captain highlighted the importance of transparency, teamwork, and understanding the human aspect to create dynamic pairings where players complement each other, emphasizing, “it’s all about the team. This is not about individuals.” The conferences concluded with players expressing unity and excitement while keeping their strategies close to the vest.

Eager European Rookies

The Swedes on the team, including rookies Linn Grant and Maja Stark, expressed their eagerness and excitement, emphasizing the unity within the team and their positive experiences playing in Spain. “We’re all trying to become one united group,” Grant stated. Both rookies shared insights on their learnings from past matches and the growth of Swedish golf, expressing comfort in playing together amidst the great atmosphere and unity in the team.

Leona Maguire and Celine Boutier shared their excitement and perspectives on the course conditions, team dynamics, and endurance. Maguire highlighted the need for both physical and mental endurance, stating, “Managing energy, I think, is going to be big.” They also emphasized their focus on delivering their best performance without succumbing to pressure and highlighted the incredible reward of team victories.

Spanish Hero Carlota Ciganda

Carlota Ciganda, relishing in the charm of Spanish traditions, expressed her thrill to play in her home country, Spain, describing it as “a dream come true.” She provided insights about the challenging course conditions and commended captain Pettersen for her competitive spirit. Ciganda emphasized the strength of the current team, depicting a harmonious blend of youthful energy and seasoned experience and shared her strategic approach to foster the growth of the game in Spain.

Gemma Dryburgh, making her debut, emphasized that the experience had “exceeded every expectation” and noted the excitement around being a part of the team and representing Scotland. Georgia Hall highlighted the “great atmosphere within the team room,” reflecting the harmonious and relaxed environment created under Suzann’s leadership.

Solheim Cup 2023: Team Europe is ready

The series of press conferences have painted a vivid picture of a united, excited, and ready European team, poised to make a mark in the upcoming Solheim Cup. The combination of seasoned veterans, ambitious rookies, and a harmonious blend of experiences and insights have set the stage for a riveting showdown. The fervor and anticipation emanating from Team Europe are palpable, promising an enthralling spectacle for the golf aficionados worldwide.

(This Article was created with the help of AI)

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Highlights Tours Ladies Tours

Stacy Lewis on the missed Opportunity of Ryder Cup/Solheim Cup 2023 Double Feature

Stacy Lewis as Captain of Team USA at the Solheim Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)
Stacy Lewis as Captain of Team USA at the Solheim Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)

As the anticipation builds ahead of the Solheim Cup 2023 in Spain, Team USA, led by Captain Stacy Lewis, emanates a sense of excitement, unity, and confidence. The press conferences provided a platform for the players to express their feelings, expectations, and preparations for the high-stake tournament, revealing insights into their mentality, camaraderie, and strategic approaches.

Team USA Captain Stacy Lewis: “We’re moving in the right direction”

Captain Stacy Lewis and her squad have hit the ground running, focusing on unity and trust within the team to navigate the challenges presented by the course layout. Lewis expressed her excitement, saying, “We’ve had good practice rounds, and we’re moving in the right direction.” Her sentiments were echoed by Morgan Pressel and Natalie Gulbis, with the latter describing the Solheim Cup as her “absolute favorite work week.”

Analyzing the event’s location and logistics, Lewis highlighted how analytics played a pivotal role in their preparations, “It’s been my start point for everything… analytics are a huge part of what we’re doing.” The strategic significance of the drivable par-4 on the first hole was also discussed, seen as an opportunity to put some pressure on Team Europe right from the start.

Despite some setbacks and disappointments over missed opportunities for joint promotions with the Ryder Cup Lewis remains hopeful about future collaborations for the betterment of women’s sport, “I thought this could have been marketed together as two weeks in Europe, two Cups for play… Let’s further the game of golf in general,” she stated.

The camaraderie, mutual support, and the shared excitement are forming the essence of Team USA’s experience ahead of the Solheim Cup 2023. The amalgamation of experienced guidance from the veterans, the youthful energy from the rookies, and the strategic insights under Captain Lewis’s leadership have made the team optimistic about facing the challenges and putting up a spirited fight in the tournament.

Solheim Cup 2023 Rookies are excited

The rookies of Team USA, Andrea Lee, Rose Zhang, Cheyenne Knight, Allisen Corpuz and Lilia Vu, expressed their surreal experiences and excitement at being part of such a prestigious event. Lee described being in Spain and witnessing everything coming together as “super exciting,” while Zhang emphasized her commitment to the team’s success, “Regardless of how much I’m playing, I’m going to be fighting out there every single event or every single match that I participate in.”

Vu likened the team environment to her experiences with college golf, emphasizing the enjoyment she’s found in practice rounds and team bonding activities. The comparison between their shared history and experiences at the Solheim Cup 2023 was marked as special, especially by Stanford Cardinals, Andrea Lee, and Rose Zhang, who valued their shared experiences in Spain.

Veterans offer Insights and Guidance

The veterans, Angel Yin and Angela Stanford, offered valuable guidance and support to the newcomers, helping them navigate their nerves and adrenaline. Yin expressed confidence in the rookies, citing them as well-experienced and praising the leadership of Stacy, “she really keeps the team together, and she’s very transparent, very good at communicating…”

Stanford shared advice to rookies on enjoying the unique experience and being honest. She along with Morgan Pressel emphasized the team’s competitive nature and considered it a real asset for the upcoming matches.

The players engaged in special bonding activities like trivia games and dinner outings, cherishing the moments and gifts received, especially their USA golf bags. The players, including Cheyenne Knight and Allisen Corpuz, highlighted the cohesive dynamics, supportive atmosphere, and the beautiful landscape of the golf course.

Ally Ewing, Lexi Thompson, and Danielle Kang emphasized the honor of representing their country and showed enthusiasm about the team’s strength and leadership. They discussed the course’s condition, the strategy involved, and the importance of statistics in preparing partnerships, providing better insights for teaming up.

With the new approach fostering unity, challenging terrains sparking strategic discussions, and the unequivocal commitment from every member, Team USA seems ready to represent their country with their best efforts and is looking forward to the competition with zeal and anticipation. The Solheim Cup is thus setting the stage for a spirited clash, blending experience with fresh talent and strategic gameplay, promising an enthralling experience for the spectators.

(This article was created using AI.)

Categories
Amateur Tours

Europe puts the US on the ropes at the PING Junior Solheim Cup

Europe wins the Ping Junior Solheim Cup. (Photo: Solheim Cup)
Europe wins the Ping Junior Solheim Cup. (Photo: Solheim Cup)

A sublime Europe, able to completely disrupt the American resistance during the two days of competition, has vindicated its importance in the PING Junior Solheim Cup, the vibrant prelude to the Solheim Cup that has been held with great success at the Old Course in La Zagaleta.

Europe wins the PING Junior Solheim Cup 2023

The slogans “Vamos Girls!” and “Go Europe!”, shouted by the young European players after beating their opponents by a resounding 15 to 9, are a preview of what may happen from Friday at Finca Cortesin, when the show proper of the Solheim Cup begins.

“Hopefully this result will encourage the seniors to beat the United States as well,” said the four Spaniards who contributed to Europe’s second consecutive victory in this competition in unison, with pride and satisfaction visible on their faces.

The team captained by France’s Gwladys Nocera had done their homework very well on the first day, when a significant 8.5 to 3.5 was on the scoreboard. That left them needing just four points from the twelve at stake in the individual matches, a goal that all the members of the European team had been working towards like a disciplined Roman legion since early in the morning of the decisive day.

Andrea Revuelta from Madrid, European leader in the first of the duels, with the experience of having won this tournament in 2021, was the example of the attitude of her whole team. At first she could not contain Jasmine Koo’s barrage of hits during the first part of the round, with three birdies and an eagle that put her four holes down on the 10th, but from that moment on, the courage and grit of the Spaniard reduced the disadvantage to the minimum.

The result did not matter – the Spaniard conceded on the last hole – but rather the predisposition, that warrior’s disposition so palpable that characterized the entire European team when facing all the matches. Some led to success, others to a draw and some more to defeat, the latter an anecdote in the context of a memorable performance that leads Europe to regain ground in the list of winners of this competition.

Second consecutive victory, fourth victory in history, captain Gwladys Nocera had distributed her pupils in an order of play that was crucial, potential points at the top of the court and more potential points at the bottom, a lethal combination that fructified in reality and turned the hopes of a U.S. comeback into nothing.

Among the Spaniards, special mention for the Valencian Cloe Amión, who won all three points in which she was involved. “I’m very proud, it’s great to have been here and to have contributed to Europe’s victory. It’s been an unforgettable experience, the truth is that it’s a dream,” she said emotionally.

She herself, along with the rest of her teammates, waited patiently for Rocío Tejedo from Castellón to finish her match on the 18th hole, the best place to celebrate in style the new European victory, the perfect incentive for the start of the Solheim Cup 2023 this Friday.

One of the highest results in history

The final score of 15-9 in favor of Europe, while still large, is by no means the most emphatic on record at the PING Junior Solheim Cup. That honor goes to the inaugural edition in 2002, when the United States outscored Europe 17-7, a ten-point lead that has not even come close since. By contrast, the narrowest margin was in 2003, when Europe beat the United States by 12.5 to 11.5. Going even further, the 2011 duel between Europeans and Americans ended in a draw.

Europe’s unquestionable victory in this edition of the Junior Solheim Cup means that the balance of victories in the winners’ list of both teams is narrowing. The United States still has a wide advantage, with 7 victories to its credit, but Europe has accumulated, with this one, its fourth victory, the second in a row, something that had not happened so far in the list of victories in this competition.

U.S. women golfers with their bags over their shoulders

A curious fact, which has drawn attention during these two days of vibrant competition, has been that the American golfers have carried their bag on their shoulders, without the help of any kind of trolley. In the United States this is the usual rule imposed by the USGA, but this circumstance may have weighed on them -never better said- given that the terrain of the Old Course, with numerous slopes, meant that some players arrived at some holes visibly tired.

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Highlights Tours

Ryder Cup 2023: Norway’s Viktor Hovland – Ray of Sunshine for Team Europe

Norwegian Viktor Hovland starts for Team Europe at The 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Norwegian Viktor Hovland starts for Team Europe at The 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)

Viktor Hovland was the third player to be confirmed as a certain part of the European team for the 2023 Ryder Cup. Ranked No. 5 in the official world golf rankings at the time of qualification and thus the third-best European golfer in the world, the Norwegian secured his ticket for the team and enters the tournament as a promising player. He was the first Norwegian ever to make the Ryder Cup team two years ago. To confirm his position on the team, he celebrated victory at the BMW Championship just a few weeks before the 2023 Ryder Cup, and just one week later he also celebrated success at the Tour Championship.

Viktor Hovland at the Ryder Cup 2023

Thanks to his results this season, Viktor Hovland secured his place on Team Europe at the 2023 Ryder Cup via his ranking in the world points rankings. Thanks to his consistent performance – Hovland did not miss a single cut – and the consistent successes he has achieved in recent months, the 25-year-old has now even climbed to fourth place in the world rankings. At the time of qualifying, only two Americans and two Europeans scored more world ranking points: Scottie Scheffler (1), Rory McIlroy (2), Jon Rahm (3) and Patrick Cantlay (4). As the third best European, Hovland thus secured his place in the team after Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm.

With the good form in which Viktor Hovland has now been presenting himself for a long time, he is entering the 2023 Ryder Cup as a hopeful. Hovland’s numerous top-ranked finishes were crowned not least by his performances at the four majors: he finished in the top-20 at all four tournaments. His worst finish was 19th place at the US Open. He finished the Open Championship in joint 13th place and the Masters in T7. At the PGA Championship, the Norwegian’s first major title was within his grasp – he finished in second place. Nevertheless, he was among the winners this season: At the Memorial Tournament in Muirfield, Hovland claimed his fourth PGA Tour victory in the middle of the year. His second win of the year followed shortly before the end of the season. With a record round and a five-stroke lead, he snatched victory at the BMW Championship, only to go on to win the final tournament of the PGA Tour season a week later.

Viktor Hovland and his Norwegian history at the Ryder Cup

The Norwegian’s Ryder Cup career is still young. Two years ago, he made his debut in Team Europe, when he fought for victory with his teammates at Whistling Straits, but lost the competition handily. Nevertheless, he celebrated a huge success even before the tournament began: Viktor Hovland was and remains to this day the first and only Norwegian player ever to become part of the Ryder Cup team, thus making history.

Alongside Jon Rahm, he was the only player to play in all five sessions for Team Europe; his record was 0-3-2. Three defeats could not be avoided for Hovland and his teammates, but twice the then 24-year-old scored half a point each. Once in his second duel with Tommy Fleetwood against Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay and in the singles match on Sunday. Here he faced Collin Morikawa and would have had to get the full point to avoid the early victory of the opposing team. This year, the European team is looking to reclaim the trophy on home soil.

Viktor Hovland’s most notable successes

After a promising amateur career, Viktor Hovland turned professional in 2019 and emerged as a high-flyer. In the same year, he set the PGA Tour record for most consecutive rounds in the 60s – in total, he played a score under 70 19 times in a row. Just as he became the first Norwegian to be part of the Ryder Cup, Viktor Hovland is also the first Norwegian to win on both the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour) and the PGA Tour. He has now collected a total of seven victories on both tours combined, making him one of the most consistent golfers in Europe. At the Hero World Challenge 2022, Hovland achieved his first title defense on the PGA Tour, equaling Tiger Woods as the only player with two consecutive victories at this event. In his young career, the 25-year-old, who will turn 26 shortly before the 2023 Ryder Cup, has now earned more than 23 million euros in prize money. This does not include the 18 million dollars he won at the Tour Championship.

Ryder Cup 2023: A look inside Viktor Hovland’s bag

Viktor Hovland is also relying on the successful combination of Ping, Titleist and TaylorMade at the Ryder Cup. In addition to the Ping G425 LST driver, he will also be using the Stealth Plus 3-wood in his bag. With a 16.5 degree slope, he gets a bit more spin and height out of the long wood. Completing the “long section” of his golf bag is a driving iron from Titleist. With the U505 3-iron, Hovland can deliver pinpoint tee shots and controllable carry shots. The Ping i210 Players irons complete his iron set, providing spin, accuracy and versatile trajectories. Like teammate Hatton, Hovland reaches for the Ping Glide 4.0 wedge around the greens in Rome. On the short-cut, the Norwegian uses a prototype of the Ping PLD Milled putter in the DS72 variant. He also uses the popular Titleist Pro V1.

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Professionals Uncategorized

Phil Mickelson’s Heartfelt Warning on the Perils of Gambling

Phil Mickelson opened up on his gambling addiction prior to the beginning NFL season. (Credit: Getty)
Phil Mickelson opened up on his gambling addiction prior to the beginning NFL season. (Credit: Getty)

Phil Mickelson, the renowned golfer with the storied career, has taken to Twitter to share a deeply personal reflection on his past struggles with gambling addiction. As the football season kicks off in the United States, Mickelson’s words serve as a poignant reminder of the perils of betting and the impact it can have on personal relationships.

He begins by acknowledging the majority who enjoy the football season in moderation, indulging in fantasy leagues and friendly bets. However, he candidly admits, “I won’t be betting this year because I crossed the line of moderation and into addiction which isn’t any fun at all.” Mickelson’s struggles were never about financial insecurity, he claims. Instead, the true cost of his addiction was the emotional and relational toll it took on him and his loved ones. A haunting sentiment he recalls from those close to him is: “You’re here but you’re not with us.” This sense of detachment, likened to being in a shelter during a hurricane, oblivious to the destruction outside, encapsulates the isolating nature of addiction.

Phil Mickelson On His Gambling Addiction

Mickelson’s account also highlights the dangers of surrounding oneself with enablers, who can often be mistaken for friends. His public profile added another layer of complexity, making him vulnerable to those who sought to profit from his missteps. Yet, amidst the turmoil, a beacon of support remained: his partner, Amy. He lauds her unwavering love and strength, crediting her with helping him navigate through his “darkest and most difficult times.”

The journey to recovery wasn’t swift. After years of professional help and abstaining from gambling, Mickelson describes a newfound sense of peace. He admits, “I still have a lot of cleaning up to do with those I love the most but I’m doing it slowly and as best I can.”

In closing, Mickelson implores his followers to approach this football season with caution. The allure of betting should never overshadow the value of presence, for, in his words, “the moments with the ones you love will be far more remembered than any bet you win or fantasy league triumph.”

Mickelson’s heartfelt confession underscores the potential dangers of gambling and sports betting. While many engage in such activities harmlessly, it’s crucial to recognize the fine line between enjoyment and addiction. For those teetering on the brink, or already ensnared, Mickelson’s story is a testament to the power of love, professional help, and personal resolve in the face of adversity.

This article was created using AI.

Categories
Equipment

Duca del Cosma: Georgia Hall plays the Solheim Cup in new shoes

Team Europe superstar Georgia Hall will be striding into her fourth Solheim Cup later this week in new Duca del Cosma shoes. (Source: Duca del Cosma)
Team Europe superstar Georgia Hall will be striding into her fourth Solheim Cup later this week in new Duca del Cosma shoes. (Source: Duca del Cosma)

Duca del Cosma ambassador and Team Europe superstar Georgia Hall will be striding into her fourth Solheim Cup later this week in the super stable AVANTI shoes as she looks to help her team retain the coveted cup on the pristine fairways of Spain’s Finca Cortesin. Seeking a third win in a row with Team Europe, Georgia has selected to wear this distinctive style from the luxury Italian brand’s advanced Pro Spike collection, offering top performance and modern style features in equal measure.

Duca del Cosma: Maximum stability and comfort

Developed for pro golfers and amateur players alike, the lightweight waterproof shoes feature a striking white design with a distinctive red outsole and Softspikes PULSAR cleats to deliver a sturdy grip during the swing. Additional traction nubs enhance stability and
ensure Georgia can play in ultimate comfort during her forthcoming matches against the United States.

“We’re thrilled that Georgia will be representing Team Europe once again and look forward to seeing our premium shoes being worn at the event for very first time,” said Frank van Wezel, Chairman of Duca del Cosma. “Georgia is a fantastic golfer with a seriously impressive record on golf’s biggest stages, and we’ll be cheering her on in every match,” he added.

Having made her Solheim Cup debut as a 21-year-old in 2017, Hall secured a spot in this year’s European team via world ranking places and is looking to build on her record of 7.5 points from 13 matches when play gets underway on Friday. The top-ranked women’s star signed with Duca del Cosma in August and debuted the brand’s stylish golf shoes at the AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath.

Duca del Cosma: Premium quality

Duca del Cosma sells premium Italian-designed shoes in 40 different countries across the world and operates from its own subsidiaries in The Netherlands (HQ), United States, UK and South Africa. Each shoe is handcrafted in Portugal using the finest materials available to deliver unrivalled performance, all-day comfort and a super stable fit.

Categories
Ladies Tours

Solheim Cup 2023: Rules and Format explained

America versus Europe - rules and format of the Solheim Cup. (Image: Getty)

The Solheim Cup is the female counterpart to the Ryder Cup in professional golf. Since 1990, the best female golfers from Europe have squared off against their American counterparts every two years in teams of twelve players each.

Solheim Cup 2023DatePlaceAttendeesFormat
Solheim Cup 202322.09. – 24.09.2023Finca Cortesin Golf Club, SpainTeam USA vs. Team EuropeMatchplay (Fourball / Foursome / Single Matches)

Solheim Cup 2023: Rules and format

In 1996, the Solheim Cup adopted the exact same format as the Ryder Cup. Over the course of three days, the tournament is played in a “woman-to-woman” format, comprising a total of 28 matches over 18 holes. Three different game formats are played over these three tournament days. On the first and second tournament days, there are a total of eight classic foursomes (alternate shot) and eight four-ball best-ball matches (fourballs). In these matches, two players from one team, appointed by the captain, compete against two players from the opposing team. On the final day, the competition culminates in singles matches, where it’s one-on-one.

Foursomes

On Friday and Saturday, four foursome matches are played. Here, the same ball is alternately played within a team of two until it’s holed. If one team takes fewer strokes than the opponent on a hole, they go “1 up.” If a team is ahead by more holes than there are remaining, the match ends before the 18th hole, and the winning team gets a point. If both teams have won an equal number of holes, the match is halved, and each team receives half a point.

Fourballs

On Friday and Saturday, four fourball matches are also played. In these matches, two European golfers face off against two American golfers in a foursome flight. However, unlike foursomes, all four players use their own balls. Only the best score per team is counted for each hole. Otherwise, the same rules as other match-play formats apply. Whether the days start with foursomes or fourballs is determined by the event organizer.

Singles

On Sunday, the Solheim Cup concludes with twelve singles matches. The order in which players from each team face representatives of the opposing team is determined by the respective captain. However, captains do not know in advance which players will face each other. The matchups are randomized by the captains’ selections, a process that also applies to foursomes and fourballs.

How the Solheim Cup is decided

For every victory in a match, the team earns a point, which contributes to the team’s overall score. If a match ends in a tie, both teams receive half a point. With a total of 28 matches, there are 28 points up for grabs. A team needs 14.5 points to win the Solheim Cup. In the event of a tie, the defending champions are declared the winners.

Categories
Equipment

TaylorMade Golf unveils new Spider Tour Series

TaylorMade revitalises the essence of this iconic franchise with the release of the Spider Tour Series (Image: TaylorMade)
TaylorMade revitalises the essence of this iconic franchise with the release of the Spider Tour Series (Image: TaylorMade)

With unmatched stability and an unmistakable shape, for nearly two decades Spider putters have been claiming major championships and stacking victories across professional tours globally.

Introducing the Spider Tour Series: A New Era of Putter Excellence

Today, TaylorMade revitalises the essence of this iconic franchise with the release of the Spider Tour Series – a family of high MOI putters with five unique models featuring renowned technologies such as True Path™ Alignment, Pure Roll™ and TSS weighting.

Within a design that will always be synonymouswith stability, each Spider Tour Series putter is crafted using multi-material construction to push weight low and back in the head for high levels of inertia. Engineers created superstructuresthat maintain the shape of a classic Spider Tour, then utilised thin wall undercuts to remove excess weight.

Enhancing Stability and Performance: Spider Tour Series Innovations

With the Spider Tour Series, TaylorMade is utilising the same Pure Roll insert that rose to prominence with the original Spider X putter. Moulded from a Surlyn material, it delivers a soft yet responsive feel with grooves that are angled 45° downward to help impart better topspin and anend-over-end roll.

“Spider putters have long been synonymous with stability, which directly translates to high-MOI performance. The unconventional shape creates a more stable platform that protects ball speed on mishits and delivers a more consistent roll across the face. Our new Spider Tour Series maintains our iconic technological features, including True Path and Pure Roll, while also delivering a range of shapes and CG locations to match a variety of putting styles”, says Brian Bazzel, VP of Product Creation.

In this new series we have different weight options with different centreof gravity placements to help different golfers’ putt better.

Models and Prices

Spider Tour

Spider Tour is one of the most recognisable shapes in the putting world, accounting for dozens of victories on professional tours across the globe. TaylorMade is breathing new life into the company’s most popular creations with enhanced materials, a new colour and refined weight distribution. The Spider Tour model has a CG location of 35mmfrom the face, 5,700 MOI and 29° of toe hangon a small slant hosel. Spider Tour has over 700 MOI more than the previous model.

Spider Tour X

Made popular as the putter of choice for Rory McIlroy, the Spider X shape has been one of the most sought-after in the franchise. It was originally designed to convert players who loved blade putters into mallets, using acompact shape and modern look to deliver a more blade-like feel with the added benefits of alignment and forgiveness that are incumbent to Spider putters. TSS weights in Spider Tour X are placed farther forward, generating more face rotation and a CG placement that is 33mm from the face compared to 35mm of Spider Tour. This model has MOI of 5,000 and 30° of toe hang on the small slant hosel.

Spider Tour Z

Spider Tour Z is one of two new shapes in this line-up, paying homage to the Spider Tour with a wing shaped back. The perimeter of this putter sits low in the ground to provide a comfortable feeling at address and help frame the golf ball for easy alignment. TSS weights on this model are placed very far forward to encourage more face rotation and a blade-like feel. It has a CG location of 29mm from the face, 5,050 MOI and 29° of toe hang with a small slant hosel.

Spider Tour V

Spider Tour V eliminates the wing structure and creates a more modern streamlined look. It is the smallest putter in shape and size in the line-up, providing the most rotation of the bunch. Spider Tour V has a CG location of 27mm from the face, MOI of 4,900 and 32° of toe hang with a small slant hosel.

Spider Tour S

The Spider Tour S is a larger version of the original Spider. The putter head is 3 mm longer and 8 mm wider in comparison. Spider Tour S is constructed at a heavier head weight and only offered at 35” and 38” lengths, with both featuring counterbalance grips for maximum stability. Spider Tour S has a CG location of 38 mm from the face, 6,063 MOI and is face balanced. It will be available in Spring of 2024.

Prices, Availability & Specifications

Spider Tour series putters are available at retail on October 27with an RRP of £299/€399/4,299SEK/4,299NOK/2,999DKK/399CHF. All models come equipped with a white/yellow Super Stroke GT 1.0 Pistol grip and gloss black PVD KBS shaft.

Text: TaylorMade

Categories
Live

Ryder Cup Legend Ian Woosnam: “The Picks Always Cause a Stir”

Ian Woosnam has won the Ryder Cup as a player four times and one more time as a captain. (Credit: Azalea)
Ian Woosnam has won the Ryder Cup as a player four times and one more time as a captain. (Credit: Azalea)

Apes Hill Barbados has become one of golf’s most talked-about golf developments since the arrival of Canadian investor Glenn Chamandy in 2019.

A reimagined course masterminded by renowned architect, the late Ron Kirby, a growing and luxurious real estate community, the world-class Performance Centre and an in-development Par 3 course are just some of the reasons Apes Hill is rising higher than ever in the Caribbean golf world.

Few golfers know Barbados better than Apes Hill ambassador Ian Woosnam. The Welshman has been a regular on the island after purchasing a property in 1995 where he spends the winter recuperating before the start of the season. Still playing competitively on the Legends Tour, Woosnam and has followed Apes Hill’s transformation closely.

He also knows a thing or two about Ryder Cups, having won four as a player and one as a captain throughout a distinguished career.

Ahead of this month’s showdown in Rome, we sat down with ‘Woosie’ to talk about Apes Hill, the Ryder Cup and his lifelong love affair with Barbados…

Ian Woosnam on the Ryder Cup and his love for Barbados

Ian, with the Ryder Cup now just two weeks away, what are your thoughts on the event and how do you see it unfolding?
Ian Woosnam: It’s tough to call but home advantage really will play a part. Europe played a great American Team over in Whistling Straights in 2021 and they never seemed to really get going and maybe that was because of the lack of support. But things are a bit more balanced this year and playing in Europe will help. I also think some of our top players are in better form. So, it’s tough to call at the moment. Can I sit on the fence and say it’s 50-50?

What can you remember most from your time as captain?
Ian Woosnam: Well, you have to back yourself, that’s really important. I had a great team in 2006 and we won comfortably at The K Club. But you still have to get everything in place and make sure you have everything covered. My captain’s picks caused something of a stir with Lee Westwood over Thomas Bjorn, but I had no doubts about him playing and he absolutely delivered. I do think sometimes you have to put the stats to one side and just go with your gut feeling. If it feels right for you, make the call and stick with it. I think at times we get too bogged down in the statistics of it all.

What did you make of Luke Donald’s captain’s picks?
Ian Woosnam: The picks, even back when I captained in 2006 and had two, are always going to cause a stir so having six will really make a few heads turn. I do think Adrian Meronk is unfortunate to miss out. I know I said don’t read too much into stats, but his stats stand out! He has been in good, solid form, looks to have a really good temperament and most importantly, he has won three times in the last 16 months, with one of those victories coming at the venue for the event in Italy and he also finished second there in 2021. I can understand his frustration. It’s a tough one to work out but there are always factors in the background when it comes to the captain’s picks.

What kind of factors?
Ian Woosnam: Key players can have their say. Certain players will want to play with certain players. In 1995, I missed out on automatic qualification, which was the only time I did in my career, and I didn’t get a pick. I finished 11th on the Order of Merit and there were only two picks, and Jose Maria Olazabal was picked ahead of me, and I am pretty sure that was because Seve Ballesteros would have wanted Ollie there so he could be paired with him. This is the sort of thing where players can request who they play with to the captains, and the captain can make that choice who he feels is better. In the end, I played because Ollie had a foot injury and missed out. But these things go on in the background and they can all play a part.

You have recently become an ambassador for Apes Hill Barbados – tell us a little bit about the course, which reopened in 2022 following the redesign by Ron Kirby…
Ian Woosnam: I’ve seen the course develop from its very beginnings. It’s a spectacular piece of land and you get these amazing panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The elevations are something else. It is just a great set-up and the course is so much fun, and really is very playable for all levels of golfer. It’s definitely my kind of course where you can just get lost in the surroundings but also it’s very clever and has some wonderful holes.

Talk us through some of the changes?
Ian Woosnam: They shortened the first and tenth holes, are they’ve created lots of different plots to the golf course. What I really like is the way it’s been made so playable, which is so important. They have been lots of little tweaks. It’s not somewhere you’re going to lose a bunch of balls, either. Lose one and it’ll have been a really poor shot. Softening the greens has helped a little, too. The second hole has been made into this terrific risk/reward hole. Then there’s the 16th, ‘Cave’, the signature hole, which I imagine would be one of the most photographed holes on the course. A coral rock hugs the hole behind the green with water down the right. It’s a special par-3 that comes after another a terrific stretch from 12-15. The 18th is spectacular, too – you’ll have some fun playing that one, let me tell you.

It sounds like you enjoy playing there?
Ian Woosnam: I really do, but it’s not just the 18-hole course – there’s a lovely feel to the place. There is also the nine-hole par-3 short course, which in in development and will be a great to practise, and will be perfect for families with little ones to try, as well as beginners. Then you have the 19th, island style green they are building. It’s all about having fun!

And you have the facilities there to work on your game?
Ian Woosnam: Absolutely. The Performance & Teaching Centre is world-class, arguably the best facility of its kind in the Caribbean that I’m sure will attract the top professionals who want somewhere that’s state-of-the-art to play and practise. If you were an American Tour player, for example, what a place to base yourself for two weeks or so, resting up and doing some work on your game.

Despite being a resort course, there’s a real club feel about Apes Hill…
Ian Woosnam: It’s one of the things that I most like about the place. I’ve become good friends with the Director of Golf, Jody Addison. He’s a really great guy and I really enjoy his company. I enjoy talking to the members, too, sitting down at the halfway house and sharing a drink. I wouldn’t be doing what I do if I didn’t love talking about the game and speaking to like-minded golfers.

Talking of drinks, apparently you can enjoy a nice glass of rosé in the Clubhouse post round?
Yes, it’s something I got involved with several years ago – ‘Wines of Golf Legends’ by French wine company Peuch & Besse. There are a number of us involved, but hopefully there will be a few more to come. If I told you that there’s a New Zealand white from Michael Campbell, a Rioja from José María Olazábal and a drop of red from Costantino Rocca, you’d get the picture. David Frost, Nancy Lopez, Ian Baker-Finch and Jean Van de Velde are all involved, too. Bernhard Langer has just come along and he’s doing a German white! It’s good fun! [Hopefully Laura Davies for Champagne]

When did you fall in love with Barbados?
Ian Woosnam: My love affair with the island started about 40 years ago. I remember enjoying a pretty good year in 1982, winning in Switzerland, and the following year wasn’t too bad, either. One of the highlights was getting invited to play in the Robert Sangster Pro Am at Sandy Lane. My wife and I went, and we fell in love with the place straight away.

How often do you get out there?
Ian Woosnam: We must have visited the island just about every year ever since. In 1995 we decided to invest in a house at Royal Westmoreland, and we moved in a year later. We live in Jersey, which is a wonderful place, but Barbados has become a kind of home from home. After we had our first taste, we kept going back and forth on the holidays with the kids. Back then, they were in school, so we had that to consider, but now my wife and I will go out before Christmas and stay all the way though until April.

What is it about Barbados that you enjoy so much?
Ian Woosnam: I tell everyone who asks that question that there’s so much more to Barbados then you might think. Yes, there are beautiful sandy beaches, the climate is certainly agreeable most of the time, and for golfers there are some wonderful courses with spectacular views. However, when you live there and you get to know the local people – they’re so friendly – that’s when you find out what the island is all about. I love the sunshine and sea breeze, and of course the golf. With the weather the way it is, I can play pretty much all year round. I’m good friends with ‘Beefy’ [cricketer, Ian Botham] and he likes his golf, too.

What do you look forward to the most, the moment you land and get off the plane?
Ian Woosnam: One of my favourite times to visit is in January, February, March time, when you get that gentle breeze coming through, especially when you’re up high like you are at Apes Hill. When you get up in the morning and see that sea, that’s when I just realise how lucky I am.
The interview was conducted by Azalea and kindly made available to us for publication.

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Ryder Cup 2023: The Open Champion Shane Lowry will be back

For the second time Shane Lowry is at the Ryder Cup 2023. The Irishman wants to forget the defeat of Whistling Straits in Rome. (Photo: Getty)
For the second time Shane Lowry is at the Ryder Cup 2023. The Irishman wants to forget the defeat of Whistling Straits in Rome. (Photo: Getty)

It’s back to the big stage for Shane Lowry at the 2023 Ryder Cup. After losing Whistling Straits, Lowry can now prove critics wrong and bring the trophy back to Europe. The 36-year-old achieved his greatest success in 2019 by winning the Open Championship. Lowry has also enjoyed some success on the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour). Can Shane Lowry now justify his Captain’s Pick and thrill European fans at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club?

Shane Lowry at the Ryder Cup 2023

Shane Lowry has three top-20 finishes in majors this year, including a tied twelfth at the 2023 PGA Championship in May. He also managed the same result at the 2023 Scottish Open in July. Additionally, he boasted a shared fifth-place finish at the Honda Classic earlier this year. Still, some critics wonder if players who have already posted victories this year wouldn’t be better off in the European squad. On the DP World Tour, for example, Adrian Meronk won the 2023 Italy Open (played on the same course as the Ryder Cup) and was also well ahead of Lowry in the Ryder Cup rankings, but was ultimately left out.

But Luke Donald seems to have faith in Shane Lowry, who seems to be playing for strong finishes at the majors in particular, and thus consistently playing a role in the concert of the greats. The captain knows the Irishman and sees him born for the scenario on the big stage. So it will be exciting to see if Shane Lowry, who has had a season marked by few highlights, will be enough in the end to put the fear of God into the Americans.

Shane Lowry also in Rome for the 2023 Ryder Cup after Whistling Straits

Lowry has already been on the hallowed turf of the Ryder Cup once, and even then he was a captain’s pick on Team Europe. And so the Irishman experienced the 19-9 debacle up close in 2021. Lowry left Whistling Straits with a 1-2-0 record and failed to beat Patrick Cantlay in the singles on Sunday. But that shouldn’t impress the father of two daughters and should only give him more motivation on home soil. Thus, he already announced with regard to the strong Team USA: “I will not be afraid of anyone standing on the first tee”.

The biggest successes in Shane Lowry’s career

Shane Lowry made his debut in May 2009, when he competed in the Irish Open on the former European Tour as an amateur and spectacularly claimed his second home victory in the tournament’s history. After initially struggling as a professional, he won the Portugal Masters in 2012. In 2015, Lowry played on the PGA Tour and won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio.

But the 36-year-old Irishman celebrated his greatest success to date in 2019 at The Open Championship in July at Royal Portrush after a round of 63 (course record) on Day 3 and ended up winning by a full six shots over Tommy Fleetwood. That will be followed by victory at the BMW PGA Championship in September 2022, one stroke ahead of McIlroy and Rahm. Add to that several top ten finishes at majors, and the man from Ireland has raked in around 16 million in his career. Now the next challenge awaits Lowry: making amends for the past Ryder Cup.

A look inside Shane Lowry’s golf bag at the 2023 Ryder Cup.

Shane Lowry will also be using his sponsor Srixon for the major event of the year. With the ZX5 driver, Lowry is getting a titanium driver with a weighting on the back end of the driver into the bag. This gives the driver a more stable swing path and more height in the ball flight. Complemented by TaylorMade’s Sim2 and M5 woods, it is well positioned for the long holes of the Marco Simone course. For irons, he returns to Srixon and initially relies on a Driving Iron from the ZX Utility range. For the regular irons, Lowry also relies on a composite set of the Distance irons from the ZX5 Mk II range, as well as the Players irons from the 2023 version of the ZX7.

With the Cleveland wedges of the RTX 4 series in 50 degrees and 58 degrees, he relies on high-performance wedges from the specialists in the short game. His bag is completed by the Odyssey Stroke Lab Exo 2-ball putter and the Srixon Z-Star Tour golf ball.