Winners on the Ladies European Tour: Team Hillier in an interview. (Photo: Twitter/@LETgolf)
The Aramco Team Series 2022 includes five tournaments, on which there is both a team ranking and an individual ranking. The first of the season’s five tournaments takes place this week in Bangkok at Thai Country Club. The players have already completed 36 holes and the winning team has been determined: Chonlada Chayanun, Krista Bakker and amateur Pattanan Amatanon win the team classification together with team captain Whitney Hillier. Tomorrow’s third and final day will see the top 60 and stroke ties play for their placements in the individual standings.
Highlights of the second day of play
Interview with the winning team Hillier
Best of the day: Scotland’s Catriona Matthew after the round
Golf was never this popular! (Foto: Sports Marketing Survey)
2022 continues to see strong performance for golf and the golf industry. Sports Marketing Surveys’ ongoing Rounds Played monitor shows that quarter one rounds played across Great Britain rose by 7% against pre-pandemic figures. The finding is the latest in a long line of statistics indicating the sustained rise in appeal of golf and follows the news that 4.8m people played golf on a full-length course in Great Britain in 2021, the second highest figure on record.
Rounds played comparisons with Q1 2021 are asymmetrical because of widespread lockdowns and course closures in the first months of last year. The second half of March 2020 was also lost to the virus. The growth against 2019 and 2018 is a better indication of golf’s current position of strength.
Golf is more popular than ever before
The major growth came in the month of March, which, as well as having the highest number of average rounds also recorded the fastest growth, seeing a 22% surge against 2019. In regional terms, the North was Q1’s best performer, up 27% against 2019. Other regions enjoyed strong performances, with only the Midlands (-1%) not recording growth.
The news was welcomed by SMS’ Director, Richard Payne. “Yet again the data indicates what we have seen throughout the pandemic, that golf is in a strong position. A lot of commentators expected the appetite to dwindle fast, but, knowing golf well, we were always confident and we are again delighted to see that the data keeps showing that the game has thrived since the pandemic began. Golf is delivering so many great benefits that people want from sport – access to fresh air and natural beauty, low impact healthy exercise, socialising, inter-generational play. It will be a real shame if rising living costs destabilise that in the months to come, forcing people to give up some of the things that keep them happy and healthy.”
Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A, said, “It is very encouraging to see again the positive data for rounds played in Great Britain in the first quarter of 2022. This builds on previous insight which showed that golf was on the rise pre-pandemic and continues to be a sport attractive to golfers across all levels of the game – including the use of full-length courses, driving ranges and alternative golf venues. Golfers are enjoying the wonderful physical and mental health benefits the sport provides and taking up a wide range of participation initiatives on offer. It is vital for the sport to maintain this momentum.”
Patty Tavatanakit in her first shot of Aramco Team Series - Bangkok. (Photo: Aramco Team Series)
Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit leads the $1million Aramco Team Series – Bangkok by one after an opening round six-under-par at Thai Country Club.
The world #13 made the most of home advantage to finish one above Spanish starlet Ana Pelaez going into Friday’s second round.
Team Hillier, captained by Australia’s Whitney Hillier and featuring Chonlada Chayanun – playing her home course – Krista Bakker of Finland, and amateur Pattanan Amatanon lead at the halfway point in the tournament’s fourball format, after carding a day’s low of -16.
“It was really fun,” said Tavatanakit, the 2021 LPGA Rookie of the Year. “I kept my round going well. The team format is a little different. Being able to play with everyone at the same time and make birdies, cheering them on, it’s a really good feeling.
“It’s a format that relaxes you. I was really calm today and I felt like mistakes were fine, because I had other people there [to support] as well.”
Instead of opting for the player hotel, Tavatanakit is staying with her family in Bangkok this week – and has a friend from home, Dan, on her bag.
Asked if being one of the hometown heroes brought with it an extra level of playing pressure, the 22-year-old added: “I want to do well everywhere I play. I treat every week just like a normal event regardless of where I am, so I’m just here to play another tournament.
“Today, I read the greens really well. I was surprised actually that I didn’t really get more right reads or right breaks on the practice rounds, but today I think I was a little bit more focused and Dan really helped me.”
Breakout Spanish star Ana Pelaez sits one back after a quite remarkable opening day bogey-free 67.
The 24-year-old only arrived in the Thai capital on Tuesday night after securing a late entry to the $1million event following her shock six-stroke victory at the Madrid Ladies Open.
With storms delaying her Wednesday’s afternoon practice, Pelaez – who drove for five hours, then took three flights over 24 hours to reach Bangkok – arrived at Thai Country Club this morning having only played its front nine holes and walking the fairways of holes 10 through 13.
That night, she used Google Earth to see what she was up against on the course’s closing five holes. Today, she finished birdie-birdie-birdie for an astonishing five-under-par.
“Honestly, I’m actually speechless,” said Pelaez. “I had a great round. I had a lot of fun. I had to be patient because I started par, par, par, birdie, par, birdie – then I didn’t get another birdie until hole 16. And then I finished with three in a row, so I’m extremely happy. A boost of confidence for tomorrow actually.
“I’m just happy we were able to get everything in place and that I’m here. I cannot believe I’m actually awake after traveling so much and all the emotions. I should be wasted, but I’m good!”
Team Whitney Hillier hold their own one-shot advantage going into what will be the closing day of the Aramco Team Series – Bangkok’s $500,000 team competition.
Their 16-under total was enough to give them a slender advantage heading into Friday’s deciding final round.
“We just made birdies early,” said Australian Whitney, who is half-Thai. “We had a good vibe and everyone was gelling pretty well – everyone was laughing and happy. So, yeah, good team. We played well.”
Team Simmermacher – Magdalena Simmermacher (ARG), Charlotte Liautier (FRA), Isabella Deilert (SWE) and amateur Sirapob Yapala – sit on 15-under-par, one ahead of the teams captained by Scotland’s Kylie Henry and Patty Tavatanakit.
The Aramco Team Series – Bangkok continues tomorrow, with the final day of its team format and the second of three rounds in its $500,000 individual competition.
Henrik Stenson (right) is counting on Thomas Bjørn as his first vice captain for the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
The team around Ryder Cup captain Henrik Stenson is starting to grow. Thomas Bjørn has been named first vice-captain for the match between Europe and the United States. The 51-year-old Dane already brings a lot of Ryder Cup experience with him. He has already taken part in the event eight times: three times as a player, four times as vice-captain and once as the winning captain at the 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris. More than 20 years ago, in 1997, Thomas Bjørn’s Ryder Cup career began when he became the first Dane ever to be part of the European team led by Seve Ballesteros.
Stenson trusts Thomas Bjørn “implicitly”
The two Scandinavians Henrik Stenson and Thomas Bjørn have known each other for many years. For Stenson, that’s one point that significantly influenced his decision to go with Bjørn: “I trust him implicitly and I know any advice he will give me will be honest and direct. He will not simply tell me what he thinks I want to hear and that will be important, so I’m delighted to have him as my first Vice Captain for Rome.”
In addition, Stenson said he trusts Bjørn’s years of experience already with the Ryder Cup. Considering the fact that the Ryder Cup will not take place for over a year, Stenson is looking forward to the long preparation period: “I will be depending on him a lot and I’m really looking forward to those chats.”
For Thomas Bjørn, Henrik Stenson’s request seemed to have come as a surprise: “I probably thought that after 2018 that was it for me, but Henrik called me to talk about Captaincy in general and that led into him asking me if I wanted to do another stint as Vice Captain, which I agreed to. I’m excited to work with him.” Thomas Bjørn intends to fulfill his role as vice captain as best he can: “I will help him prepare in the best possible way and as we get closer to the match, to be an additional support to the players.”
The Dane has high hopes for captain Henrik Stenson, both golf-wise and personally. He describes Stenson as a “hard-working golfer” who will make a fantastic captain. For Bjørn, Stenson is “somebody who is true to himself, and his team will represent that. He has a great sense of humour that the players will take to, and he is very well liked across the whole Tour.”
I thought my @RyderCupEurope story may have concluded in Paris but, once @henrikstenson took charge, I knew I had another chapter left in me! I’m honoured to be Henrik’s VC and I’ll do all I can to support him and his team. Time to get to work and bring that trophy home! ?? ? https://t.co/2v03ep3U9T
Due to countless models, it makes sense to answer a few questions before buying a golf bag. (Photo: Getty)
The constant companion of a golfer is of course the golf bag. It contains all the important things you need on the golf course – from golf clubs to sunscreen and food. There is therefore no question that the choice of a suitable golf bag is a basic requirement for a successful round of golf.
The golf bag – a product in an almost infinite number of designs
As the centerpiece of the game of golf, the golf bag is now available in numerous designs and at a wide variety of prices. The golf bag, which many hundreds of years ago was merely a strap with which you tied your clubs together, has now become a multifunctional companion for every golfer. In the huge selection of golf bags that the market now has to offer, you should be clear about the following requirements:
Size (from pencil bag to tour bag)
Handling (stand bag, carry bag, cart bag)
Weight
Storage space
Waterproof
Stability
Subdivision of the top
Rain cover
Design
Before buying a golf bag, it is important to be clear about what kind of bag you want: Should it be a lightweight carry bag, since I don’t have a trolley? Should there be room in my bag for as many clubs as possible, since I prefer to go out with 14 clubs? How much storage space do I need for the rest of my equipment? How many pockets do I need on the bag and how do I like the arrangement? Will the bag stand up to rain and extreme weather? How many compartments should the top of the bag have: Are five compartments enough or should each club get its own space?
In addition to the personal preferences and requirements that a player has for a golf bag, the price of a golf bag also determines the purchase. The price range of the countless models that are now available on the market extends from 50 euros to about 900 euros. We have compiled various models in different price categories for a first impression of the possibilities.
To carry: Pencil bag
Pencil bags are the lightest bags among golf bags: with a diameter of about 15 centimeters, they can carry about seven clubs. Especially in winter, when the use of trolleys is prohibited on many golf courses, the pencil bag is a light and comfortable golf bag to carry. Pencil bags are often found in the lowest price category.
The larger cart bag
A cart bag is considerably larger than a pencil bag. This golf bag can hold up to 14 clubs. In addition, such a bag is often equipped with many pockets, in which all accessories find space. The bag is not suitable for carrying on the golf course – a trolley serves as a supplement.
Stand bag with many possibilities
A stand bag in a somewhat higher price range is characterized, for example, by a padded shoulder strap and by numerous extras: a 14-pocket divided top, a lined compartment for valuables, an insulated cooler compartment, a Velcro patch for gloves as well as loops for tees and much more. Also, a rain hood may be included.
The Jutanugarn sisters Ariya (l) and Moriya (r) with fellow Thai star Patty Tavatanakit (middle). (Photo: Aramco Team Series)
Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn will partner with Solheim Cup icon Catriona Matthew in one of the headline fourballs at this week’s Aramco Team Series. The hometown hero used her captain’s pick in last night’s pre-tournament draft to recruit the Scot, an 11-time Tour champion and Major-winner, but perhaps most revered for her back-to-back roles captaining Team Europe to Solheim Cup success. Spanish Ladies European Tour rookie Paz Marfa Sans will complete the professional side of the team, which will be completed with the addition of an amateur golfer, before play gets underway at Thai Country Club tomorrow.
The choices of the Jutanugarn sisters
“Playing in my home country is very exciting,” said Jutanugarn, who will be making her second appearance in an Aramco Team Series event. “I wanted to pick the legend Catriona as she’ll make me feel a lot more calm – maybe I can learn from her, as well. I’m really happy with my team. For us, I think it’s just a case of going out, enjoying it and having fun. If we do, I’m sure we’ll be good!” Asked if her captain for the week, the world #50, was a player she respected, Matthew said: “Oh, absolutely! I’ve played a lot with Moriya on the LPGA over the years. I haven’t seen her in a wee while, so I’m delighted to be playing together and being able to catch up.” Jutanugarn was one pick earlier in the draft than her younger sister, Ariya, who is also competing in the Aramco Team Series, an event added to the LET calendar for the first time this year.”
Like her sister, Ariya too used her captain’s selection to recruit a Scot – Laura Beveridge. Anne-Charlotte Mora of France was the third addition to the team. Asked about her captain’s pick, the two-time Major-winner said: “I’ve not known so much about Laura, but I had been looking at all the stats before picking her, so I’m pretty sure she’s going to help the team. Already we’re having so much fun, talking about what we’re going to eat today and where the good Thai food is! I’m pretty sure we’re going to be a good team.”
For the first time: Aramco Team Series in Bangkok
This week’s debut Bangkok leg will be the first of five 1 million Dollar Aramco Team Series tournaments on the LET calendar for 2022 – and the first with the three-day event’s new format. Updated from last year’s inaugural Series, the teams will now compete over only 36 holes – the Thursday and Friday of the tournament – with 500,000 Dollar prizemoney being split between the lowest scoring fourballs. Saturday’s final day of play will see only the lowest scoring 60 players and ties from the opening two days return to the course to battle it out for a share of another 500,000 Dollar, this time in individual earnings.
Big names set to compete with the likes of the Jutanugarn sisters include fellow Thai superstar Patty Tavatanakit, who selected Finland’s Noora Komulainen as her captain’s pick – and who returns home to compete ranked as the world #13. England’s Charley Hull has a blistering Aramco Team Series record, with three top ten team finishes and a solo victory in last year’s New York event. She chose good friend and fellow English golfer Lauren Taylor as her teammate for the week’s fourball action. Australia’s Whitney Hillier leaned on her mother’s Thai heritage to recruit Chonlada Chayanun, whose home course is this week’s host course, Thai Country Club. The Aramco Team Series – Bangkok kicks off 2022’s run of ATS events, and will be followed by four more 1 million Dollar tournaments in London, Sotogrande, New York and Jeddah.
The heads of the competing tours: Jay Monahan (left) and Greg Norman. (Photo: Getty)
It won’t be long before the LIV Golf Invitational Series kicks off. The first event of the tournament series, created by Greg Norman, is coming up. The first of eight planned tournaments will begin on June 9, 2022. For many months now, there have been heated discussions and wild speculations about the participation or non-participation of PGA Tour players in the Saudi League. Now the PGA Tour made a clear statement.
PGA Tour threatens immense penalties
From the beginning, the relationship between the established golf tours and the new Saudi League was an adversarial one. Some players from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour nevertheless now asked for the tours’ permission to participate in the first event of the Norman Series in London. The feedback from PGA Tour chief executive Jay Monahan was unequivocal: “We have notified those who have applied that their request has been declined in accordance with the PGA Tour tournament regulations. As such, tour members are not authorised to participate in the Saudi Golf League’s London event,” Monahan announced. “As a membership organisation, we believe this decision is in the best interest of the PGA Tour and its players.”
Initially, it looked like the PGA Tour would agree to tournament participation in the Saudi League that would not take place on U.S. soil. Now, however, the PGA Tour qualified that assumption on the grounds that “the event for which they have requested clearance is the first of an eight-event ‘2022 LIV Golf Invitational Series’ season, more than half of which will be held in the United States”.
PGA Tour players found to be in violation could face severe disciplinary action. In addition to suspensions, the punishment could even include revocation of PGA Tour membership.
Greg Norman: “We will not be stopped”
The PGA Tour’s announcement was promptly followed by a response from 67-year-old Greg Norman: “Sadly, the PGA Tour seems intent on denying professional golfers their right to play golf, unless it’s exclusively in a PGA Tour tournament. This is particularly disappointing in light of the Tour’s non-profit status, where its mission is purportedly ‘to promote the common interests of professional tournament golfers.” Norman calls the PGA Tour an “illegal monopoly” whose actions are both anti-golfer, anti-fan and anti-competitive. Undeterred by this latest setback, he says he and his team will not let the PGA Tour stop them.
SUTTON COLDFIELD, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Danny Willett of England and Fred Done of Betfred after the final round of the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett at The Belfry on May 08, 2022 in Sutton Coldfield, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
For a second successive year the 2016 Masters Tournament winner selected Prostate Cancer UK as the tournament’s Official Charity and title sponsors Betfred pledged to donate £1,000 for every birdie and £2,000 for every eagle made by Willett at The Belfry directly to the charity.
The 34-year-old secured £12,000 before the weekend, carding eight birdies alone during Friday’s second round on the iconic Brabazon Course. He then recorded seven further birdies during Saturday and Sunday’s rounds for a £19,000 total. Over the last two years as host of the Betfred British Masters, Willett alone has raised £38,000 for the charity as Betfred also donated £1,000 for every birdie made by the Yorkshireman in 2021.
The eight-time DP World Tour winner is a long-term supporter of Prostate Cancer UK and proudly wore the charity’s ‘Man of Men’ badge during the tournament as 50,000 spectators descended on the four-time Ryder Cup venue across the week.
“It’s an amazing contribution,” said Willett. “Betfred’s help during the week has been phenomenal, and it’s nice to actually get the guys in and watch some golf live and have some interaction with fans. It’s been a really special week.
“It shows their massive support over these last two years, with me being the host and the even the previous three or four years before that in sponsoring the British Masters, they have been tremendous in it, during COVID to still keep up the sponsorship and prize fund as they have, they have been amazing. Last year at the tournament, there were no fans due to COVID-19. Not only have we raised a lot of money for Prostate Cancer UK, we have also raised a lot of awareness about the disease. Fans were able to go to the tented village this week, speak to people about it and have a one-on-one interaction with a representative from the charity.”
“I remember Steve from EGU coaching at Woodhall Spa and in Spain,” added Willett, who later spoke to Rolley on the phone. “I was surprised to hear that scenario and what he’s gone through in the last 18 months. Lucky that he randomly took part and they got it early enough, and now he’s got the all-clear and is good and healthy again. It’s another one of those things where someone who you know has been affected by it, but luckily he’s seen the other side.” More than 47,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the United Kingdom and one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
Many supporters descended on the event village across the four days, helping raise even more funds for Prostate Cancer UK by taking on the long putt and chipping challenges, and speaking to charity volunteers to learn more about the disease. Including Danny’s birdies, the charity were proud to raise more than £48,000.
Nicola Tallett, Director of Fundraising & Supporter Engagement at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “What an incredible week. We’re so proud Danny Willett once again picked Prostate Cancer UK as his charity of choice for the Betfred British Masters, and are also hugely grateful to the DP World Tour staff for allowing him to host the event for an unprecedented second time, this time with fans returning to the iconic Belfry course.
“Aside from a flurry of birdies from Danny there was also some fantastic fundraising in the event village, including the hugely popular long putt challenge, and those playing in the Pro-Am event, which meant we raised more than £48,000. That game-changing contribution will help fund lifesaving research to beat prostate cancer – the most common cancer in men. Heartfelt thanks to Danny and his management team, Betfred and the DP World Tour for their continued support, for The Belfry for hosting us, and the players, caddies, marshals and fans who showed their backing during the week. Men, we are with you.”
Betfred boss Fred Done said: “Danny was an excellent tournament host both on and off the golf course and we are delighted to donate £19,000 to his chosen charity, Prostate Cancer UK.”
Kit Gartrell, Championship Director of the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett, said: “We were delighted to work alongside Prostate Cancer UK, Danny Willett’s chosen Official Charity for the Betfred British Masters once again. Prostate cancer is a disease which affects one in eight men, so to help raise awareness of the disease amongst the 50,000 strong crowd we welcomed to The Belfry last week was incredibly important. We applaud Danny for his efforts on the golf course and the staff and volunteers from Prostate Cancer UK for their tireless work off the course as significant funds were raised across the week.”
To find out more about Prostate Cancer UK’s work in golf, including their Big Golf Race, in which players can take on two or four rounds in a day, visit prostatecanceruk.org/golf.
If Phil Mickelson start at the PGA Championship is yet to be decided (foto: Getty)
Phil Mickelson and the PGA Tour are in a difficult situation. The American has entered both the PGA Championship to defend his title and the first event of the LIV Golf Invitational Series. In addition, the conflict with the Tour has not yet been finally clarified and pronounced. In a podcast, the head of the PGA of America, which is hosting the second major, said he is in talks with Phil Mickelson. It is not yet clear whether Mickelson will play in the PGA Championship.
Talks have been going on for weeks
Seth Waugh, the head of the PGA, speaking to the podcast, said that there have been talks with Mickelson since the fall and also recently. If Waugh has his way, it’s not yet clear which of the tournaments Mickelson will choose. “Mickelson is trying to figure out when the right time is for him,” adding, “I think the game is also trying to figure out the right time for him. How long is long enough? And is he mentally and physically ready for it?”
The marketing company Sportfive is also not so sure whether the 51-year-old will even compete in one of the two tournaments. According to their information, Mickelson is leaving all his options open. However, the fact that Mickelson was recently seen on the golf course in California again suggests that he will soon be returning to professional golf. Seth Waugh also sees things positively but finds the whole situation extremely unfortunate: “The whole thing (Mickelson’s incident) is just sad,” adding, “It’s sad for Phil, it’s sad for the game. He’s been great for the game for a long time and I believe in making amends and I believe he can do it”
