Rory McIlroy remains in second place leading the UK-Players. Fitzpatrick loses his 7th spot to Max Homa. (Photos: Getty)
Scottie Scheffler remains the leading player in the World Golf Ranking. The best UK-Player is Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland, who is unchallenged in second place in the rankings.
The subsequent group of UK players sees a shuffle in the World Golf Ranking. While England’s Tyrrell Hatton rises to the 12th spot putting pressure on the Top Ten, Matt Fitzpatrick loses his 7th spot to Max Homa, who won the Nedbank Golf Challenge on the DP World Tour in South Africa.
Tommy Fleetwood remains steady at the 15th spot. The next UK Player in the Ranking is Shane Lowry at the 35th spot.
The Power of Three: Top of the World Golf Ranking
Back at the forefront of the World Golf Ranking, Spain’s Jon Rahm at 3rd consolidates his reputation as a true golf titan. He joins Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy in the foremost trio.
The World Golf Ranking is no stranger to twists and shifts in the top 10. From America, Max Homa’s upward swing garners him the 7th position, showcasing an evident advancement compared to last week. However, Brian Harman and Wyndham Clark from the USA hold their spots, sitting comfortably at 9th and 10th respectively.
Scottie Scheffler remains at the Top. Max Homa brings movement to the Top 10. (Photos: Getty)
In the current World Golf Ranking, American Scottie Scheffler continues to firmly hold the first place, followed by Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy in second. The next three slots are filled by Spain’s Jon Rahm, Norway’s Viktor Hovland, and once again an American, Patrick Cantlay.
World Golf Ranking: Americans dominating the Top 10
The battle among Americans on the World Golf Ranking continues with Xander Schauffele in sixth place. With Max Homa climbing one spot to seventh there finally is movement in the Top 10 after a long time. As a result, Matt Fitzpatrick falls to eighth place. Brian Harman and Wyndham Clark round out the top ten, placing ninth and tenth, without a change from previous week.
Top Positions & Movements in The World Golf Ranking
Topping the World Golf Ranking is Scottie Scheffler, steadfast at number one. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland maintains his second position while Spain’s Jon Rahm fixed at third. These players continue their impressive performance, dominating the top spots of the ranking.
Max Homa catches up with the two Americans in front of him with his victory at the Nedbank Golf Challenge on the DP World Tour in South Africa. The American golfers are thus increasing the pressure on the European block, which is breathing down Scottie Scheffler’s neck.
The World Golf Ranking warrants close attention as it paints the current picture of world golf, signaling who’s up, who’s down, and the ones to watch in forthcoming tournaments.
Biggest tournaments in Great Britain and Ireland in 2023 have seen strong increases in ticket sales and spectator numbers compared to pre-pandemic levels (Source: DP World Tour)
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, golf has experienced a surge in popularity, attracting an increasing number of enthusiasts. This trend seems to extend its positive influence to professional golf as well. According to a report from the DP World Tour, R&A, and Ladies European Tour, major golf tournaments in the UK and Ireland in 2023 have witnessed a significant boost in popularity, marked by increased ticket sales and higher attendance numbers.
DP World Tour with 43 percent higher income from ticket sales
The report focuses on the most prominent golf tournaments in the UK and Ireland, highlighting the DP World Tour’s remarkable achievement. In 2023, the DP World Tour managed to increase its revenue from ticket sales by an impressive 43%, compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Notably, the four major tournaments (excluding Majors) showed substantial increases. The BMW PGA Championship saw a 41% rise in revenue compared to 2019, while the Genesis Scottish Open more than doubled its ticket sales revenue. Overall attendance for the four events, including the BMW PGA Championship, Genesis Scottish Open, Horizon Irish Open, and Betfred British Masters, exhibited a slight upward trend, with nearly 300,000 attendees – around 30,000 more than the previous year. The Ladies European Tour also reported modest increases in audience numbers, with a 20% rise at the KPMG Irish Open in late August.
Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the DP World Tour, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Golf is gaining popularity and attracting a more diverse audience. The numbers confirm this, and the biggest events of the DP World Tour in the UK and Ireland have never been more popular. We are witnessing a similar trend in our historic national Opens across Europe. The natural outdoor appeal of golf led people to try the sport at a record pace in 2020, and the DP World Tour is now reaping the benefits. Golfers of all ages want to witness the world’s best players showcasing their skills, and we are focused on ensuring that our audience experience meets their expectations.”
Record Year for the British Open
The pinnacle of golf in the UK, the British Open, also celebrated significant success. Since 2019, all tournament days have been sold out, and the 151st Open in 2023 recorded a 30% increase in attendance compared to the previous edition at Royal Liverpool in 2014. The growing popularity of the tournament led to the introduction of a ticket lottery in 2022 to accommodate the surging demand.
The World Handicap System gets its first update in 2024. (Source: Getty)
Just a year after the introduction of the World Handicap System (WHS) in Germany, the R&A has unveiled its first update. Scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024, this update is part of an ongoing review of handicapping rules and the Course Rating System, with a continued focus on accuracy, consistency, and fairness.
More Precision, Fexibility and Fairness in the World Handicap System
The WHS changes aim to enhance precision, flexibility, and fairness within the handicap system. One significant adjustment is the evaluation of shorter golf courses, achieved by substantially reducing the minimum length requirements. This alteration allows more golfers to submit their scores, resulting in an increased number of players obtaining a Handicap Index. Additionally, the calculation of scores for unplayed holes will now utilize the expected score instead of the net par score. Furthermore, the Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC) will be adjusted more frequently to better accommodate unusual playing conditions. The update also includes improved guidance for handicap reviews, featuring new report tools for handicap committees.
Updates to the World Handicap System™ 🌎⛳
With a continued emphasis on accuracy, consistency and equity, the latest revisions will go into effect from 1 January 2024.
Changes to the World Handicap System acoording to the R&A
Inclusion of Shorter Golf Courses in the Course Rating System: The total length requirements for Course Rating in the WHS will be significantly reduced. On an 18-hole course, a set of tee markers can now have a minimum length of 1,370 meters to qualify for a Course Rating and Slope Rating. For a 9-hole course, the minimum length is only 685 meters. This change aims to extend the WHS to thousands of shorter courses, including Par-3 courses, enabling more golfers to obtain and utilize a Handicap Index.
Use of an Expected Score for Unplayed Holes: Improvements have been made to the method of handling unplayed holes. The calculation now relies on a player’s expected score instead of the net par score. This method provides a 9-hole or 18-hole score differential that more accurately reflects a player’s skill. Considering the increasing popularity of 9-hole rounds worldwide, the expected score can also be used to convert a 9-hole round into an 18-hole score differential.
Frequent Adjustments to Playing Conditions Calculation: The Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC) has been modified to increase the likelihood of adjustments for unusual playing conditions. National associations have had the option to introduce this change into their calculation platforms since July 2022, with implementation expected to be completed by April 1, 2024, at the latest.
Improved Guidance for Conducting a Handicap Review: The role of the Handicap Committee is crucial to the success of the WHS. The rules recommend a regular handicap review, at least once a year, to ensure that the Handicap Index accurately reflects a player’s skill. New report tools have been developed, which national associations can integrate into their handicap software to assist committees in the effective and consistent execution of the review process.
No changes in the World Golf Ranking's top positions. Fleetwood stays at 15th. (Photo: Getty)
Scottie Scheffler retains his unrivaled position on the World Golf Ranking, securing the top slot for another week. From Northern Ireland, Rory McIlroy follows in the 2nd place. This duo is leading the World Golf Ranking with remarkable consistency.
Following the lead of Rory McIlroy one more UK player is part of the Top 10 in the World Golf Ranking. Standing strong at the 7th place, Matt Fitzpatrick from England shows consistency. Further, Tyrrell Hatton, also hailing from England, assumes the 13th position, while Tommy Fleetwood secures his place at 15th in the ranking, rounding up the representation from the country within the top echelons of this global listing.
World Golf Ranking Unveils its Top Ten
We shift the focus to the rest of the top 10 in the World Golf Ranking. Following Jon Rahm from Spain at the 3rd place, Viktor Hovland from Norway at number 4 gives way to a series of strong US golfers, from Patrick Cantlay at the 5th rank, followed by Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Brian Harman, and Wyndham Clark rounded up to the top 10 of the ranking, raising the banner up high for American golf in the leaderboard.
This comprehensive review of the latest World Golf Ranking proves the dynamic nature of the sport, open to promising shifts in the positioning of these gifted players on the global golf scene. Though the statistics may change, the commitment to excellence and competitive spirit these players showcase, remains a constant.
Scottie Scheffler continues to hold first place in the World Golf Ranking. (Photo: Getty)
As the current World Golf Ranking leader, Scottie Scheffler retains his crown, Patrick Cantlay joins him atop the list as the second-ranking American player, coming in at the fifth position overall.
Xander Schauffele, Max Homa and Brian Harman Complete American Contingent
Xander Schauffele upholds his sixth position whilst Max Homa secures the eighth slot in the World Golf Ranking. Closely following, Brian Harman clinches an impressive ninth place. Wyndham Clark rounds off the unchanged Top 10.
Top Trio in the World Golf Ranking
Scottie Scheffler (USA), Rory McIlroy (NIR), and Jon Rahm (ESP) respectively secure the most sought-after top three positions. These golfers have been consistent in their performances, proving their mettle on the courses against top competitors.
Finally, turning to the rest of the top 10 players in the World Golf Ranking, Viktor Hovland (NOR) lies in fourth place completing the European block chasing Scottie Scheffler. Xander Schauffele (USA) and Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) hold the sixth and seventh slots, respectfully. With Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth and Co. six of the spots between 11th and 20th belong to US-players underlining the dominance in the World Golf Ranking.
While these rankings illustrate current standing, golf continues to remain an unpredictable yet enthralling sport. The World Golf Ranking serves as an ever-evolving leaderboard, strengthening the inherent excitement and competition within the sport we admire.
Dream golf course against a dream backdrop. Welcome to the Heritage Golf Club. (Photos: Heritage Golf Club/Jacob Sjöman and Juergen Linnenbuerger)
In his report, Juergen Linnenbuerger, introduces the impressive newcomer to the Heritage Golf Club and the Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort, which leaves nothing to be desired.
Golfing in paradise
Officially, the brand new La Réserve Golf Links, the 11th golf course on the island, will not open until December 2023 so I am all the more excited when we are invited to play the course during the soft opening in October.
I am extremely curious to see whether it will live up to the great praise with which it has been showered by experts and the golf media. Already it is considered one of the best new golf courses in the world. Have the South African golf pro and The Open Champion, Louis Oosthuizen, and his compatriot, the well-known golf course architect, Peter Matkovich, really created something extraordinary?
Anticipation and excitement mount
On the non-stop flight from Frankfurt/Main to the east coast of the island, I ask myself what I can expect from the links golf course in the tropical paradise.
But the reflection doesn’t last long, because I quickly fall asleep after the delicious meal in the almost two-metre-long, completely flat prime seat, of which there are only four! They are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration and located in the front row of Condor Business Class. Their spaciousness exceeds that of the other seats in this class, especially in the foot area. You can even sit two to a seat opposite each other.
Without a doubt, they are the highlight of the airline’s new aircraft, the A330-900neo. Its two-tone striped livery reminds us of candy canes. Ours is coloured in white and green and conveys a joyful vacation mood as soon as we board.
The friendly crew impresses us with their perfect service. Entertainment is also writ large; we can watch movies in cinema quality on the 4K screen with a diagonal of 61 cm whilst a range of additional services perfectly rounds off the positive flight experience. The 11.5 hours literally fly by.
The resort shuttle takes us to Bel Ombre on the picturesque southwest side of the island in just over an hour. The 2,500-hectare Heritage Golf & Wellness Resort, located directly on the sea, includes two five-star luxury hotels, Le Telfair and Awali, as well as two impressive championship golf courses.
Driveway to the Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
We were lucky enough to get to know the Le Château Course, the first course of the Heritage Golf Club, back in 2019. I present the course, which on several occasions has been declared the best golf course in the Indian Ocean.s
It takes us less than 15 minutes by golf buggy from the clubhouse of Le Château Course to the first tee of the new La Réserve Golf Links. This is located at the highest point of the course, about 180 m above sea level where it is cooler and windier than in the resort. From there, the course descends over three plateaus at different heights until you reach the last hole.
The moment we step onto the first tee, we are struck by the wow factor which lasts until the final putt. From each of the holes, we gaze out over the deep blue Indian Ocean in the distance. Strikingly, the course is completely open, with a few trees only present between the eighth and ninth hole.
Right from the start, full concentration is required. The tee shot on the first hole has to be hit into the sideways sloping fairway into a strong wind with the rough waiting on the right and two hillsbguarding the green. How do we tackle that?
Well guarded green of #1 (Photo: Heritage Golf Club/Jacob Sjöman)
This question arises not only on every hole, but on every shot as each hole is different and extremely challenging. When choosing a club, less is more. Irons instead of the driver are often the better solution especially on the second hole, which runs straight but extremely narrow between dunes.
Long and narrow: #2, the most difficult hole of the course (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
The third continues the series of impressive holes on the front nine with a dramatic precipice on the right that has a magical attraction. If you hit the landing zone on the plateau, all is well with the world, but you first have to get there against the prevailing wind. More golfing drama at the beginning of a round is hardly possible.
View from tee #3 (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
We pause to enjoy the great routing of the course and its magnificent views. The deep green of the fairways, the blue sea sparkling in the background with the brilliant white clouds above it and the white-yellow sand of the bunkers combine to form a colour composition that will delight golf course aesthetes. Added to this is the dark green Savanna Mountain Range that acts as a backdrop to the course and the adjacent nature reserve, which make the picture perfect.
The following par 3 requires a precise tee shot into the humpy green. If not successful, your ball can quickly end up out of bounds or in one of the pot bunkers. However, the magnificent view of the Baie du Jacotet with the snow-white crests of the rolling waves compensates for any inability to land the ball safely on the green.
Green #4 and view of the Bai du Jacotet (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
At the fifth hole, my adrenaline is pumping because the tee shot has to be played 60m deep over a ravine into the fairway. I get just over it and my pulse begins to calm down again.
Hit and hope: 60m downhill from tee #5 (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
The lake, which is atypical for links courses, comes into play at six and seven (it serves to irrigate the course) and here too, there is the threat of losing your ball. At the imposing eighth, you have a couple of opportunities to land the ball on the split fairway.
Spoilt for choice: #8 (Photo: Heritage Golf Club/Jacob Sjöman)
From the beginning of the back nine the wind dies down after a beast of a front nine and the course develops into a friendly creature that allows itself to be stroked, becomes more likeable from hole to hole. We start to like it.
The 11th, the longest of the five par 3s, is the signature hole which, with the bay behind it, is both a playing and a visual highlight of the course.
Signature Hole #11 (Photo: Heritage Golf Club/ Jacob Sjöman)
By the 13th hole, the course has finally taken my heart, as I manage not to hit the bunker on the huge green and make a birdie. If the flag is placed closer to it, the bunker definitely comes into play.
Bunker on the green of #13 (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
The native grasses swaying in the wind in the dense rough along the fairways on the following holes appear to have been painted onto the landscape and are a feast for the eyes. They will remain in our memories, as will the 18th hole, where a highly-playable green makes for a worthy conclusion to this spectacular course.
Rough at its best (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
This jewel of a golf course, integrated into former sugar cane fields, was created in harmony with the existing nature and is located in the vicinity of a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The course meets the standards required for GEO certification and thus sets an international standard for the construction of sustainable golf courses.
The irrigation system is state-of-the-art and allows targeted control of water use whilst the paspalum grass used on the whole course is robust and resistant to heat, which helps to save water.
Sporty and challenging
In the future, the challenging course will have six different tees. Due to its sporting challenges, the HCP limit will be 36.
Golf professionals will put their skills to the test for the first time on the par 72, 6,727m course from 14-17 December 2023, as participants from not one but two internationally-recognised tours battle it out for victory. As host of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, Oosthuizen will welcome professionals from the DP World Tour 2024 and the South African Sunshine Tour to La Réserve Golf Links. We are already looking forward to watching this event on TV.
Exclusive access
The club management is limiting numbers to 60 tee times per day, allowing starts to flow at relaxed 15 minute intervals. La Réserve is exclusively available to the approximately 180 members of the Heritage Golf Club as well as the guests of the resort’s two five-star hotels, as well as those staying in the resort villas and in the Château’s private suites.
The Le Château Course and the 9-hole Academy Course are still open to green fee players. Guests of the Heritage Resort play here free of charge. With the new course, the resort now establishes itself as the only 45-hole facility on the island and shines with a new star on the global golf map.
Jonathan Menteath, General Manager of the Heritage Golf Club, is confident that La Réserve Links has the potential to be ranked among the top 100 golf courses in the world. The new course is expected to attract more guests to consciously travel to Mauritius to play golf. At the moment, the type of group that predominates here are those looking for a beach and wellness vacation combined with a few rounds of golf still.
Interview with Jonathan Menteath (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
All-round comfort and enjoyment at Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort
We stay in the exclusive Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which is designed in an elegant colonial style.
The two-storey villas with 158 suites are located in a very well-kept tropical park. The brilliant white of the buildings shimmer through the otherwise dominant green of the densely overgrown grounds whilst tall palms and trees provide ample shade.
Colonial style building of Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
The tastefully-furnished rooms are equipped with classic as well as modern elements. Our Junior Suite Garden View with large terrace impresses us with its super comfortable bed and bathroom with free-standing bathtub.
Living room and bathroom of Junior Suite Garden View (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
The beach, which is not very wide, is clean and fringed by tropical palms. The ocean water shines blue and is crystal clear. Its lateral current acts like a counter-current, making swimming on the spot in the ocean an interesting experience. Further out, the metre-high waves break on a coral reef.
Gorgeous beach at the Heritage Resort (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
Those who prefer relaxing by the pool will find various options alongside the various water sports that are available at the C Beach Club.
Pool with direct view of the Indian Ocean (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
Gastronomically, 13 restaurants and bars offer great variety both in terms of cuisine and ambience. From sitting barefoot in the sand at Le Palmerie to fine dining in a refined atmosphere at Le Château de Bel Ombre – there is something for every guest. We enjoy the delicious food and fine wines everywhere.
Extensive and high-quality wellness offers complement the resort’s feelgood program. The multi-award-winning Seven Colours Spa & Wellness is one of the leading ones in the southern Indian Ocean region. After the neck and back massage we feel deeply relaxed.
In harmony with nature
Environmental protection and sustainability are writ large at the resort, recycling management and waste avoidance are successfully practised, and plastic is avoided as much as possible. One example of this is the water bottles used, which are made from sugar cane and returned to the organic cycle after use.
Always a smile at the ready
Throughout the resort, the employées appear with great cheerfulness and helpfulness. They captivate us with their always warm smiles and read our every wish from our lips.
Everything at its best
We can add absolutely nothing to the frequently used positive cliché about a perfect vacation in paradise. Everything is just right in the entire resort and on the great golf courses. For us, a golf vacation could not be more beautiful, well-appointed and stylish.
Atmospheric conclusion of a dream holiday (Photo: Juergen Linnenbuerger)
The news Odyssey Callaway Ai-One Putters 2023. (Image: Callaway)
Today Odyssey Golf, an industry leader in putter innovation and the #1 Putter on Tour, announced its exceptional new lineup of Ai-ONE and Ai-ONE Milled Putters. Featuring revolutionary insert technologies for more consistent ball speeds, even on off-centre hits, these new offerings are designed to help you putt smarter.
The new Odyssey AI-One Putter 2023
In the new Ai-ONE, Odyssey has leveraged Callaway’s industry-leading Artificial Intelligence design and super-computing capabilities to create the most advanced insert in golf. A multi-material construction includes unique contours on the back of the face that minimise ball speed losses on off-centre hits, and greatly increase the sweet spot. Their revolutionary Ai-ONE urethane insert delivers more consistent ball speeds, even from off-centre hits, leaving putts up to 21% closer to the hole*.
To achieve this unmatched level of performance, the back of the insert is crafted out of aluminium and a White Hot Urethane is added to the grooved striking surface for the iconic White Hot feel that millions of golfers love. These enhancements provide incredible feel, speed control, and consistency in a design that’s changing the face of putting.
In a unique addition for Ai-ONE, Odyssey’s designers have developed a Panlite® window that makes the contours visible; it’s built from an automotive grade polymer that provides great clarity and scratch resistance. The window truly makes these putters unlike anything that’s come before and highlights this extraordinary technology.
A lightweight SL 90 steel shaft with 20-30 grams (depending on the grip) of counterbalance weight is placed in the butt end, an evolution of Odyssey’s Stroke Lab Weighting that will appeal to even more golfers. These putters all feature a beautiful navy blue PVD finish that really sets them apart and gives them a premium look.
Ai-ONE is already gaining attention on Tour and performing on golf’s biggest stages. Jon Rahm used an Ai-ONE model to go undefeated while earning 3 points for the victorious European Team in Rome, and Sam Burns gamed an Ai-ONE model for the U.S. Team. Plus, Women’s World #1 Ruoning Yin is already using an Ai-ONE in competition.
The milled Version of the AI-One
The new Ai-ONE Milled also leverages Callaway’s industry-leading Artificial Intelligence design and super-computing capabilities. These premium putters feature a 100% milled stainless steel body fit for the beauty and precision that the most discerning golfers appreciate, along with a 100% milled titanium insert.
This multi-material construction includes unique contours on the back of the face that minimise ball speed losses on off-centre hits, and greatly increase the sweet spot. With Ai-ONE Milled, putts finish closer to the hole on average than a traditional milled putter*.
The unique champagne finish complements the navy blue PVD of the head to give the putter a rich and striking look that sets it apart from other offerings. A lightweight SL 90 steel shaft with 20-30 grams (depending on the grip) of counterbalance weight is placed in the butt end, creating an evolution of Stroke Lab Weighting.
