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Weekly Previews: Scouting the Scandinavian Stars

Anna Nordqvist will tee it off in New York this week. (Foto: Getty)

PGA TOUR: The CJ Cup at Summit

The top 60 available players from the 2019-20 final FedExCup Points list will be playing this week on the tour. The Scandinavian players to play at the PGA Tour event include, Alex Noren (Sweden) teeing off at 16:32(CET), Viktor Hovland (Norway) teeing off at 21:06(CET), and Rasmus Hojgaard (Danemark) teeing off at 21:18(CET).

PGA Tour CJ Cup at Summit
Course The Summit Club, Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)
Prize Money 9.8 Mio US-Dollar (8.4 Mio EUR)
Defending Champion Jason Kokrak (USA)
Scandinvian  players Viktor Hovland, Alex Noren, Rasmus Hojgaard
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 12: A scenic view of the 1st hole during a practice round prior to THE CJ CUP @ SUMMIT at The Summit Club on October 12, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images for CJ Cup @ Summit)

European Tour: Andalucía Masters

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters is being played in Sotogrande, Spain at the Real Club Valderrama. The tournament starts on Thursday, October 14th and ends on Sunday, October 17th 2021. The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters is part of the European Tour season 2021. In 2021 all players competing for a total prize money of 3 Mio. EUR. The course for the tournament at Real Club Valderrama plays at Par 71. Scandinavian highlights are Jeff Winther (Danemark) who will start the day off at 8:40am. Next up to tee off in the morning is Alexander Björk from Sweden. He currently only holds one European tour win so maybe he can score another at this tournament.

PGA Tour Andalucía Masters
Course Real Club Valderrama (Spain)
Prize Money 3 Million EUR
Defending Champion John Catlin
Scandinvian  players Jeff Winther, Alexander Björk, Nicolai Hojgaard
CADIZ, SPAIN – OCTOBER 13: Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark plays in the pro am ahead of The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters at Real Club Valderrama on October 13, 2021 in Cadiz, Spain. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Ladies European Tour: Aramco Team Series

Across the Atlantic the Ladies European Tour is competing in New York after a week off from playing. Glen Oaks Club plays host to the event and with a stellar field assembled. Marianne Skarpnord from Norway, who secured her fifth LET win at Centurion Club is ready to proudly represent the ladies Scandinavian golf skills. Sollheim Cup star Anna Nordqvist (Sweden) will also be playing this week.

EU Ladies Tour Aramco Team Series
Course The Glen Oaks Club, New York (USA)
Prize Money 800,000 USD (692,076 EUR)
Defending Champion /
Scandinvian  players Krista Bakker, Nicole Broch Estrup, Anna Nordqvist, Lina Boqvist, Maja Stark,Emily Kristine Pedersen
 
 
 
 
 
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Champions Tour: SAS Championship 2021

The SAS Championship is being played in Cary, North Carolina at the Prestonwood CC. The tournament starts on Friday, the 15th of October and ends on Sunday, the 17th of October 2021. The SAS Championship is part of the Champions Tour in the season 2021. In 2021 all players competing for a total prize money of 2,1 Mio. US-Dollar. The course for the tournament at Prestonwood CC plays at Par 72. Robert Karlsson will be the only Scandinavian player representing Sweden on the course. He and Henrik Stenson hold the record for most European Tour wins by a player from Sweden, with 11. Last week he landed T31 at the Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS event with 3 under par.

PGA Tour CJ Cup at Summit
Course Prestonwood Country Club Cary, North Carolina (USA)
Prize Money 2.1 Mio US-Dollar (1.8 Mio EUR)
Defending Champion Ernie Els (South Africa)
Scandinvian  players Robert Karlsson
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European Tour Ladies European Tour Ladies Tours Live PGA Tour PGA Tour Champions Top Tours

Weekly preview: What’s the panorama like for the best English golfers on Tour

Tommy Fleetwood and Danny Willett of England walk from the 1st tee during Day Three of The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at The Old Course (Getty Images)

PGA Tour: The CJ Cup

Las Vegas never dissapoints and this weekend is no exception. The Summit Club will hold the CJ Cup and the best players around the world will join the event to play their best cards for the victory. Although the great majority of participants are from the U.S. the Englishmen come strong to win the trophy. Ian Poulter and Paul Casey are playing revenge on Las Vegas after missing the cut last weekend at the Shriners Children’s Open. Justin Rose is ready to come back to the field one month after his last tournament appearance, at the BMW PGA Championship. Tommy Fleetwood tees off at 6:37pm (CET), and his fellow teammate Tyrrell Hatton is starting at 8:42pm (CET). Hatton came close to a win during his last event at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, and he is ready to shake off the bitter taste of second place.

PGA Tour The CJ Cup
Course The Summit Club, Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)
Prize Money $9,750,000 US-Dollar
Defending Champion Jason Kokrak
Headliner Collin Morikawa, Brooks Koepka, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas
English players Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton

European Tour: Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters


Continuing with the Spanish weeks on the European Tour, eyes stay on world number one Jon Rahm seeking for the local player tricks. This weekend Valderrama Golf is venue to the Estrella Damn N.A. Andalucia Maters. The south always brings sunny days and good vibes on and off the course to create the perfect atmosphere to enjoy the game of the greatest European Tour golfers. A few English stars to get a chance at this year’s tournament include, Richard Bland, Daniel Gavins, and Matthew Fitzpatrick.

EU Tour Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters
Course Valderrama Golf Course, Andalucía, Spain
Prize Money 3 Mio EUR
Defending Champion John Catlin
Headliner Jon Rahm, Rafa Cabrera Bello
English players

David Horsey, Graeme Storm, Andy Sullivan, James Morrison, Chris Paisley, Laurie Canter, Paul Waring, Robert Rock, Richard Bland, David Howell, Ross McGowan, Matthew Southgate, Eddie Pepperell, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Richard Mcevoy, Chris Wood, Jack Senior, Ross Fisher, Callum Shinkwin, Jordan Smith, Steven Brown, Marcus Armitage, Oliver Wilson, Oliver Fisher, David Horsey, Graeme Storm, Chris Paisley, James Morrison, Paul Waring, David Howell, Robert Rock, Ashley Chesters, Aron Rai, Daniel Gavins, Andrew Johnston, Laid Shepherd

LET Tour: Aramco Team Series – New York

Moving into the ladies tours, this weekend the Ladies European Tour receives full attention since the LPGA cancelled the Shanghai tournament due to covid. The best female golfers around the world come together to play at the Glen Oaks Club, in New York, entering the top 5 to last events of the season.

LET Tour Aramco Team Series – New York
Course Glen Oaks Club, New York (USA)
Prize Money 200,000 EUR / 800,000 EUR (TEAM)
Defending Champion –
Headliner Nelly Korda, Jessica Korda, Lexi Thompson
English players

Bronte Law, Trish Johnson, Charley Hull, Alice Hewson, Annabel Dimmock, Meghan MacLaren, Felicity Johnson

PGA Tour Champions: SAS Championship

The new century began celebrating the SAS Championship for the first time in 2001, and survived through a global pandemic in 2019, when it turned out to be one of the few events that took place regardless. The PGA Tour Champions is where the legends play and the show must go on. This year, they all come together at the Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Caroline. Furthermore, the European Team Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington is also entered. Paul Broadhurst is the only English player in the tournament.

PGA Tour Champions SAS Championship
Course Prestonwood Country Club – Highlands Course
Prize Money
2,100,000 US-Dollar
Defending Champion Ernie Els
Headliner
Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Bernhard Langer
English players Paul Broadhurst
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European Tour Ladies European Tour Ladies Tours Live LPGA Tour PGA Tour Top Tours

The UK performance: European Tour golfer Jack Senior places a T6 at the ACCIONA Open de España

Richard Bland of England on the 2nd tee during the final round of The Open de España at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid. (Getty Images)

PGA Tour: Shriners Children’s Open

Shriners Hospitals for Children is the sponsor and benefactor of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. They are changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. The Shriners Children’s Open provides with the chance to contribute to the cause and to create awareness of it.
The venue for the tournament is the TPC Summerlin, since 1983, a Par-72 course played as Par-71 in Las Vegas, NV, USA. Players will receive a total of 7 Mio. US-Dollar will be awarded to the players. The winner receives 1,26 Mio. US-Dollar.
Harry Hall is the only British golfer to make the Top 10 last weekend at the PGA Tour event. Hall rounds off the tournament in T8 position. The Englishman showed four great rounds of 66-65-68-68 at TPC Summerlin. With a total score of -17 he finished 7 shots behind the leader. Hall showed very solid game with a total of 22 birdies and 1 eagle in the opening round on hole 9, par 5. The professional golfer from England found some trouble to maintain a bogey-free round, which hurt his daily rounds by few shots that held him back from winning.
“If you give me a T-8 at the start of the week I would have taken it. At this point with my weekend without my best stuff and felt like I could have produced some better numbers out there today.”-Harry Hall explaining the overall feeling after his performance.
Matt Wallace, who is currently 77th in the official world golf ranking, finishes the tournament in T14 position. The Englishman posted a final round of 66 at TPC Summerlin. With a total score of -15 he finished 9 shots behind the leader.
Danny Willett, 101st in the official world golf ranking, finishes the tournament in T21 place. after a last round of 3-under par (68) at TPC Summerlin. With a total score of 14-under par, the Englishman finished 10 shots behind the leader.

PGA Tour Shriners Children’s Open
Course TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)
Prize Money 7,0 Mio US-Dollar (6,0 Mio EUR)
Tournament winner Sanje Im
English players Harry Hall (T7), Matt Wallace (T14), Danny Willet (T20)

European Tour: Open de España

Moving into the European Tour, Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, in Spain witnessed a real sports show from some the best European professional golfers in the world. It was the ACCIONA Open de España that took place last weekend, and although Spain has been considered one of the critical areas for COVID-19 cases in the world ever since the pandemic started, things finally aligned well for the Spaniards and they were able to receive a great crowd that definitely made the event more intense.

European Tour Open de España
Course Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, Spain
Prize Money €1,500,000
Tournament winner Rafa Cabrera Bello
English players Jack Senior (T6), Richard Bland (T9), Jordan Smith (T20)

Jack Senior finishes the tournament in T6 place. The Englishman played four rounds of 67-67-65-69 for a total of 16-under par at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid. Senior came close, only 3 shots behind the leader Rafa Cabrera. He was Top 5 in the percentages of Diver accuracy, and he almost signed bogey-free scorecard in round 3, where he had 1 bogey on hole 5 par-4, 1 eagle on hole 14 par-5 and 5 birdies.

Richard Bland also makes the Top 10 and finishes the tournament in T9 position. At the age of 48, Bland fights every shot as if he was in his 20s. The Englishman played two first rounds of 2-under par and 3-under par (69-68), to bounce back with a superb result of 7-under par (64) in his third round. The last day, Bland maintained the
good golf but a doble bogey got in his way on hole 6 par-4 and could not go lower than 3-under par for a total of 15-under, only 4 strokes behind the leader. Bland seems excited off to the next European Tour event, Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters at the Golf Course of Valderrama that will take place in Oct 14th-17th.


Jordan Smith finishes the tournament in T20 position. His fellow teammates Andrew Johnston and Ross Mcgowan, 199th and 372nd in the official world golf ranking respectively, round off the tournament in T24 position. The Englishmen wrap up the Open de España with a total score of 11-under par to finished 8 strokes behind the leader. Chris Paisley and Ross Fisher were first in the list of players who missed cut, by 2 shots.

LPGA Tour: Founders Cup

The women showed what good golf is out there in New Jersey at the Mountain Ridge Golf Course. Since 2014, four of the last five winners have come from Korea, the most recent being Jin Young Ko in 2019.
Running into the fifth to last of the tournaments of the season, Georgia Hall has finished in T33 position. The English woman did not have her best performance but yet she managed to cut some positions over the leader on her last round with a 2-under par, to collect four rounds of (69-71-72-69) to end 15 shots behind the winner, Ko Jin-young.

Charley Hull walked out of Mountain Ridge Country Club as 42nd on the leaderboard, and Mel Reid concluded her performance at T68 for a final money prize of $6,146. Now they are warming up their engines for the next LPGA event BMW Ladies Championship in Oct 21st-24th at the LPGA International Busan, in Republix of Korea.

LPGA Tour Founders Cup
Course Mountain Ridge Golf Course, New Jersey (USA)
Prize Money $3,000,000 US-Dollar
Tournament winner Ko Jin-young
English players Georgia Hall (T33), Charley Hull (T42)
Categories
European Tour

The European Tour 2022: Ras Al Khaimah Championship

Image of Al Hamra Golf Club's third hole (Photo: Getty Images)
  • Tournament will be part of the European Tour’s ground-breaking five-week ‘Middle East Swing’
  • Inaugural tournament will be played at Al Hamra Golf Club from February 3-6
  • European Challenge Tour previously visited the Emirate from 2016-2018

Press Release 
 
The European Tour will visit Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates for the first time in 2022 when the inaugural Ras Al Khaimah Championship presented by Phoenix Capital is played at Al Hamra Golf Club from 3rd – 6th February.
 
The $2million tournament will be the third of five consecutive events in the Tour’s ground-breaking early season ‘Middle East Swing’, following back-to-back Rolex Series events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and preceding the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and one other tournament in the region which will be announced in due course.
 
Al Hamra Golf Club previously hosted the European Challenge Tour over three consecutive years from 2016 – 2018. It was initially the venue for the Ras Al Khaimah Golf Challenge in 2016 and 2017, before hosting the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final as the final stop on the Road to Ras Al Khaimah in 2018.
 
During the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final, Spaniard Adri Arnaus finished one shot clear of France’s Victor Perez, with the pair ending the season in second and third position on the 2018 Challenge Tour Rankings behind Denmark’s Joachim B. Hansen. All three players are now firmly established on the European Tour.
 
Keith Pelley, the European Tour’s Chief Executive, said: “For decades the Middle East has been a hugely important region for the European Tour and today’s announcement further illustrates that. We are delighted to take our Tour to a new Emirate, Ras Al Khaimah, for the first time.
 
“Our traditional spell in the Middle East at the start of each calendar year is always very popular and these five consecutive events in early 2022 will provide fantastic playing opportunities for our entire membership.
 
“I would like to thank our presenting partner Phoenix Capital and their Chairman Abdullah Al Naboodah for his personal vision and commitment; the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority for their support of this new tournament, as well as everyone at the Al Hamra Golf Club. All our staff who worked on our Challenge Tour events there have told us what a special venue it is, and we look forward to enjoying the unique Ras Al Khaimah hospitality next February.”
 
Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: “We are honoured to host the inaugural Ras Al Khaimah Championship presented by Phoenix Capital at the prestigious Al Hamra Golf Club and showcase our nature-based Emirate to players and spectators.
 
“Building on our impressive credentials in staging global sporting events, this prestigious tournament is the latest addition to Ras Al Khaimah’s ever-growing golfing portfolio, further highlighting its growing popularity as a leading lifestyle and sporting destination in the Gulf region.”
 
Abdullah Al Naboodah, Chairman of investment company Phoenix Capital, said. “I’m delighted to support this new European Tour event in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Golf in the UAE and the European Tour is dear to the Al Naboodah businesses having supported the Dubai Desert Classic and Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in past years.
 
“Indeed, our company built the Emirates Golf Club which opened in 1988, the first grass golf course in the Middle East. This will be a great event, sitting in a run of tournaments along with Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It is a terrific showcase for global golfers to visit the UAE and the Middle East as a whole.”
 
Benoy Kurien, Group CEO of Al Hamra, owner of Al Hamra Golf Club, said. “We are delighted to partner with the European Tour, RAKTDA and Phoenix Capital to bring the first European Tour event to Ras Al Khaimah and the Northern Emirates. This partnership strengthens Ras Al Khaimah’s strategy to attract global events to the Emirate and showcase the unique offering to current and potential visitors.
 
“Located within a largescale integrated tourism destination with picturesque views of the Arabian Gulf and the Hajjar Mountains, Al Hamra Golf Club is the ideal setting for this world-class event. We look forward to hosting this tournament and showcasing Ras Al Khaimah to the global audience of the European Tour.”
 
The European Tour will conclude its 2021 season with a fortnight in the UAE next month, with the AVIV Dubai Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates Fire course (November 11-14) followed by the final Rolex Series event of the year, the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, on the venue’s Earth course (November 18-21).
 

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LPGA Tour Top Tours

Scandinavian Golfers: Last Week’s Highlights

GALLOWAY, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 03: Nanna Koerstz Madsen of Denmark hits her tee shot on the 2nd hole during the final round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer on the Bay Course at Seaview Golf Club on October 03, 2021 in Galloway, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Last weekend hosted events for all professional tours, and this is an overview on the performance of the golfers from Finland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. There are not many players from these countries. However, some of their names are getting more and more noticed within the golf world.

European Tour: Open de España 2021

An exciting weekend for European golfers alike, the Open de Espana was hosted at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid in Madrid, Spain. The top golfer, Jon Rahm surprisingly didn’t even make the top ten. Looking at our‎ Scandinavian highlights, they also didn’t manage to get very high on the leaderboard but still played a great tournament.

Players including Lucas Bjerregaard, a Danish golfer who came in before the powerful Jon Rahm at T12. Finnish golfer Mikko Korhonen placed in T20 right behind Rahm. Other notable leaderboard makers were Joachim B. Hansen (Denmark) a T24 and Kalle Samooja (Finland) at T34, the last Scandinavian to make the cut.

EU Tour Open de España
Course Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, Madrid, Spain (USA)
Prize Money 1.5 Mio EUR
Champion Rafa Cabrera-Bello
Scandinavian players Lucas Bjerregaard, Mikko Korhonen, Joachim B Hansen, Kalle Samooja 

PGA Tour: Shriners Children’s Open 2021

Shriners Children’s Open was hosted in Las Vegas, Nevada at TPC Summerlin. Although far from home, there were some Scandinavian faces on the course. Most notably, Viktor Hovland of Norway who came in at T44. He started off rocky, but then on the 18th hole his 156 yard approach to 12 feet he set himself up for the birdie on the hole. This moved Hovland to 3 under for the round. Two Swedish Players, Henrick Norlander and Jonas Blixt made the cut at T65.

PGA Tour Shriners Children’s Open
Course TPC Summerlin -Las Vegas, Nevada
Prize Money 7,0 Mio US-Dollar (6,0 Mio EUR)
Champion Im Sung-jae
Scandinavian players Viktor Hovland, Henrick Norlander, Jonas Blixt
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 09: Henrik Norlander hits an approach shot on the 18th hole during round three of the Shriners Children’s Open at TPC Summerlin on October 09, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

LPGA Tour:Founders Cup 2021

The Ladies also represented the Scandinavian countries well this weekend by making the leaderboard at the LPGA Tour. It was hosted at Mountain Ridge Golf course in northern New Jersey. Anna Nordqvist and Madeline Sagstrom both came in at T42. Unfortunately, other favorites such as Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Matilda Castren failed to make the cut.

PGA Tour Cognizant Founders Cup
Course Mountain Ridge Golf Course, New Jersey 
Prize Money 3,0 Mio US-Dollar (2.5 Mio EUR)
Champion Ko Jin-young
Scandinavian players Anna Nordqvist, Madeline Sagstrom, Nanna Koerstz Madsen
WEST CALDWELL, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 08: Anna Nordqvist of Sweden hits her tee shot on the 11th hole during the second round of the Cognizant Founders Cup at Mountain Ridge Country Club on October 08, 2021 in West Caldwell, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS 2021

Robert Karlsson was the only Scandinavian pro golfer on this tournament and managed to land on the leaderboard at T31. The Champions Tour was won by Phil Mickelson and played at Timuquana Country Club, Jacksonville, Florida. It was Mickelson’s third win in his fourth start on this tour. What a record for the American golfer.

Champions Tour Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS
Course Timuquana Country Club- Jacksonville, Florida 
Prize Money 2,0 Mio US-Dollar (1.5 Mio EUR)
Champion Phil Mickelson
Scandinavian players Robert Karlsson

Categories
European Tour Live

European Tour: Ross McGowan goes low to lead in Madrid at the ACCIONA Open de España after the first round.

Ross McGowan of England tees off on the 18th hole during Day One of The Open de Espana at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid. (Getty Images)

Thursday October 7, 2021

Tournament: ACCIONA Open de España presented by Madrid
Race to Dubai: Tournament 35 of 40 events
Venue: Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Prize Fund: €1,500,000

Round One Report

Ross McGowan produced more magic in Madrid to fire a course record 61 and lead the way after round one of the 2021 ACCIONA Open de España presented by Madrid but World Number One Jon Rahm was just two shots back on home soil.

Englishman McGowan claimed his first European Tour win in the Spanish capital 12 years ago at the Madrid Masters but had to wait 11 years to seal a second at last season’s Italian Open.

A third round 60 in his victory at Centro Nacional de Golf represents his lowest ever European Tour round and his opening effort this week is his second lowest as he moved to ten under at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.

Home favourite Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez was his nearest challenger but all eyes were on Rahm, who was at eight under as he seeks a third consecutive victory at his home open.

The U.S. Open Champion took huge crowds with him after this event was cancelled last season due to the coronavirus pandemic but it was McGowan who stole the headlines as he carded eight birdies and an eagle.

Dutchman Wil Besseling, Welshman Jamie Donaldson and Scot David Drysdale were at seven under, a shot clear of another Scot in Grant Forrest, Kiwi Ryan Fox, Swede Joakim Lagergren and Frenchman Robin Sciot-Siegrist.

Forrest recorded the 31st hole-in-one of the 2021 Race to Dubai, holing an eight iron from 181 yards at the ninth.

Player Quotes

Ross McGowan: “First out this morning, it was a bit chilly on the range and the first four or five holes the ball wasn’t really travelling but got away with a really good birdie on three and the par five on four as well, and after that it started warming up and I started finding my range with the irons, so holed a couple of putts and hit it close so went well.

“I think a few things have clicked. Some work I have done with the coach and some of the covid restrictions somewhat easing off, I find mentally I am in a better place, so I think it is a combination of the two.

“I always seems to putt pretty well here and last time I played quite well here too, so looking forward to tomorrow.”

Jon Rahm: “It was a really good start. Played eight flawless holes and then a bit of a stumble from 18 through three, I didn’t hit my best shots and was able to save a couple pars to minimise the damage. After that I was able to play some good golf coming down the stretch, giving myself some chances, but obviously we saw what Ross McGowan shot this morning – ten under is a heck of a round out here.

“I played good enough to maybe do it, but you have to play flawless and make the putts, hit the right shots and on a golf course like this that is a little bit more old school, it is a little narrower and targets are smaller, so it is easier to end up out of position. Overall, very happy with my round.

“I have a better understanding, but it doesn’t compare to Centro Nacional de Golf, it was my home course for two years. Nobody in that field in 2018 had played it more than me, I knew it inside and out. Last time I played here was the first time on the golf course, but it didn’t take long to learn. You have to hit it really well off the tee, if I drive like I did early on and at the end when I was hitting it long and straight, wedges into every hole, then it is a doable score.”

“There are quite a few fans out here and they are rather enthusiastic, they have been cooped up for too long and they have the chance to come out and watch me play, which I haven’t played on Spanish soil since this event two years ago, so they are golf hungry, and they were great. From the beginning, every single shot and every single putt I made they were really supportive, and every time I missed a shot, they were extremely supportive as well, so that always helps.”

Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez: “My start is fantastic, it’s in my mind. I remember so many years ago playing the Open de España and it was a great moment, plus Jon Rahm is near the front and I am very good friends with him, we played a lot together, and it is fantastic. So many fans, my friends and family are here. My dream!

“There were so many friends and family watching, this is my home, it is ten minutes from here, but it has been an incredible week so far.”

Press Release by the European Tour Communications

Categories
European Tour

Rahm eyeing historic hat-trick on home soil

Photo: Getty Images

Tournament Preview

Jon Rahm is chasing history on two fronts as he tees it up on home soil at this week’s 2021 Acciona Open de España presented by Madrid.

The World Number One lifted the trophy in 2018 and 2019 before last season’s edition was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and he is now looking to join Seve Ballesteros as the only three-time winner of the event in the European Tour era.

Sir Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam, both former World Number Ones, and eight-time European Tour Number One Colin Montgomerie are the only players to have won a European Tour event outside of the Major and World Golf Championships in three consecutive editions and Rahm is also looking to join that elite company at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.

Rahm back on his home soil

Rahm represented his country in the European Boys’ Team Championship, European Amateur Team Championship and Eisenhower Trophy as an amateur, while also winning a multitude of events at age group level. To cap that with a victory at his national Open was a very proud moment for the 26-year-old and he is delighted to be once again playing on home soil.

Rafa Cabrera Bello believes the good scores are “right around the corner” as he prepares to tee it up on home soil. The 37-year-old first played in his home Open in 2002 but had his best result in the last staging two years ago when he finished second to countryman and now World Number One Rahm.

With a Rolex Series event among his three European Tour wins and a Ryder Cup appearance under his belt, the Spaniard clearly has the game to get back to the very highest echelons of the sport, and he believes patience is the key to achieving that ambition.

Rahm is joined in the field by Ryder Cup teammate Bernd Wiesberger and vice captain Luke Donald as this week marks the start of three consecutive events in Spain on the European Tour, with next week’s Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters being followed by the Mallorca Golf Open, making it six tournaments in Spain on the 2021 Race to Dubai.

Player Quotes

Jon Rahm: “It would be very unique. I know names like Ollie (José María Olazábal), he couldn’t win it and I know he would have loved to have done it. I would hope to be able to get to a third not only to tie Seve but to win it three times in a row.

“It doesn’t matter what event it is, not many people have been able to win one three times in a row so I’m hoping I can get it done – it would be truly my honour.

“I was able to win at many different levels as an amateur but to be able to end it winning the pro event was very special for me. It’s coming back home that’s important. It’s very fun to play in front of the crowd, they’re very golf hungry in this country. Especially after Covid and the pandemic they haven’t really had the opportunity to enjoy many sporting events so I’m hoping we can put on a good show for them.

“For a Spanish player they are important. Both of them are iconic in each way: I have a chance to win three in a row and then Valderrama is Valderrama. It’s an iconic golf course, it’s an iconic stop on the European Tour and it would be amazing to get my first win there.”

Rafa Cabrera Bello: “It obviously has a lot of history within Europe but I think to all Spaniards it has a special place in our hearts.

“When you’re a kid and the biggest event you can play is the Spanish Amateur and every Spanish amateur championship there is and this being the pinnacle of Spain’s golf – the biggest event you can win in Spain for golf, regardless of everything else. I’ve had some success in the past in this event, it has a special place in my heart and hopefully I can lift the trophy some day.

“I always enjoy a lot playing in Spain. I always feel the support of the crowd, Madrid is one of my favourite cities and the fans always come out in big numbers here so you always feel the love and their encouragement. 

“It’s been a hard two years. Obviously I’ve dropped down a lot on the world rankings and the scores haven’t been going the way I want. There have been some moments where I’ve really felt a little lost and not understanding why. I don’t feel like that right now. I know my game is much better, I know I’m hitting the ball much better and I know the good scores are right around the corner.

“I just have to be patient, it’s something I hate to do but that’s the only way, just be patient, keep working, keep working on building my confidence again and trusting myself and I know the scores will come.”

Bernd Wiesberger: “It is weird because there was a lot of hype and a lot going on over the last few weeks ahead of the Ryder Cup, so you are on such a high coming into the week, during the week, and then trying to get into the day job as you say, it is kind of difficult.

“That week brings a lot of excitement for me to push for 2023, it’s an unbelievable motivator to play well and to make the team again, and that helps motivate me coming into this week after the Ryder Cup and to be here playing in Madrid. It’s the first time I have been to Madrid, I have never played a golf tournament here, it’s a lovely course and I am looking forward to the week and the tournament. 

“I had to kind of reset the goals a little bit. Not only short term but the long term because I dropped a little bit in the world rankings, so I want to make up a bit of ground there to get closer to the top 50 and try to qualify early for the first Major of the year at Augusta so that is a big goal, especially for the end of the year. I believe I am 13th in the Race to Dubai, so I am trying to push in those last four events that I play until the end of the year to see if I can pick up a few spots as well.

“I think that is what’s nice about the European Tour, you get a lot of different tasks on the golf course from golf course design to surroundings, weather as well, fairly different to what the guys faced last week at Dunhill to then come here now, so you have to adapt and that is what is exciting about the European Tour.”

Press Release from European Tour Communications

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European Tour Ladies European Tour Ladies Tours LPGA Tour PGA Tour PGA Tour Champions

Weekly Preview: Exciting English Debuts

MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 06: Daniel Gavins of England ponders a shot in the pro - am prior to the start of The Open de Espana at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid on October 06, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

PGA Tour: Shriners Children’s Open

When TPC Summerlin calls, the best players in the world come together. This year is no exception. After the stars of this year’s Ryder Cup took a little break, fans can look forward to seeing some familiar faces again this week. Starting with Ian Poulter who will begin early, teeing off tomorrow at 11:51(BST). As well as Matt Wallace who will get a chance to redeem himself from last week’s disappointing cut. Danny Willet who was last weekend’s champion of the Alfred Dunhill Links tournament will also be playing and teeing off at 18:35(BST).

PGA Tour Shriners Children’s Open
Course TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)
Prize Money 7,0 Mio US-Dollar (6,0 Mio EUR)
Defending Champion Martin Laird
Headliner Brooks Koepka, Hideki Matsuyama, Viktor Hovland
English players Ian Poulter, Matt Wallace, Paul Casey, Aaron Rai, Danny Willet, Harry Hall

European Tour: Open de Espana


Starting signal for the Spanish weeks on the European Tour! The next three weekends the European Tour stays in the home country of world number one Jon Rahm. The start is made by the Club de Campo Villa in Madrid, Spain. Since last year’s tournament had to be cancelled due to pandemic. A few English stars to get a chance at this year’s tournament include, Richard Bland, Daniel Gavins, and Ross McGowan.

EU Tour Open de Espana
Course Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Prize Money 1,5 Mio EUR
Defending Champion Jon Rahm
Headliner Jon Rahm, Bernd Wiesberger, Nicolai Hojgaard
English players

Richard Bland, Daniel Gavins, Ross McGowan, Steven Brown, Eddie Pepperell, Richard Mcevoy, Marcus Armitage, Andy Sullivan, Luke Donald 

LPGA Tour: Cognizant Founders Cup

For the women of the highest American tour, it’s off to New Jersey this week, where the Cognizant Founders Cup will be held for the tenth time. Since 2014, four of the last five winners have come from Korea, the most recent being Jin Young Ko in 2019. However English stars will be there to being the heat. Stars such as Charley Hull and Georgia Hall who both sit in the top 50 Rolex Rankings.

LPGA Tour Cognizant Founders Cup
Course TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)
Prize Money 3,0 Mio US-Dollar (ca. 2,5 Mio Euro)
Defending Champion Jin Young Ko
Headliner Nelly Korda, Jessica Korda, Jin Young Ko
English players Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, Laura Davies, Olivia Mehaffey, Mel Reid, Bronte Law, Jodi Ewart Shadoff, 

PGA Tour Champions: Constellation Furyk & Friends

A new tournament in the calendar of the PGA Tour Champions. When Jim Furyk invites the oldies, they all pack their bags again. They all come together at the Timuquana Country Club in Jacksonville, Florida. Even Phil Mickelson does the honors and takes a break from the PGA Tour this week to join his friend Jim Furyk on the course. According to the rankings in the Charles Schwab Cup, it is the best-staffed tournament of the PGA Tour Champions ever. Furthermore, the two Ryder Cup captains Steve Stricker and Padraig Harrington are also entered. Paul Broadhurst is the only English player in the tournament.

PGA Tour Champions Constellation Furyk & Friends
Course TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)
Prize Money
500.000 US-Dollar
Defending Champion Martin Laird
Headliner
Steve Stricker, Phil Mickelson,
English players Paul Broadhurst
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Ladies Tours Top Tours

English Excitement: Willet wins Alfred Dunhill and Thomson takes second at the Swiss Open.

(Photos: Getty Images)

Here is an overview of the best Brits and how they are measuring up in each tour. Taking a look at this last weekend’s tournaments and where the British golfers ranked. As a result, seeing where the lads stand in the official world ranking and predictions for upcoming tournaments.

European Tour: Great success on their own soil

Starting of with the European Tour, the British golf pros have been making headlines with Danny Willet bringing home the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship trophy. He came in 18 under par while Tyrell Hatton came in at T2 and Richard Bland in at T4. This is only the third occasion on this European Tour for Willet to come in Top 10. “I’m not sure what to say,” said Willet, who earned €674.856. “I’ve had a great time. I’ve just come through a couple of years of average stuff. Again. I seem to do that quite a lot, go up and down. But I’ve been working hard. People don’t necessarily see what goes on behind the scenes. So this is a good one for me.” Whatever has been going on behind the scenes obviously benefitted him for this weekend. It also may have been a bit of birthday luck.

Challenge Tour: Thomson is working his way up the rankings lists

Moving on to the Challenge Tour which consisted of the Swiss Challenge hosted at Golf Saint Apollinaire, Michelbach-Le-Haut, France. British golfer Jonathon Thomson came in at T2 and finishing 24-under-par. He currently sits at 99 on the Challenge Tour Ranking and 533 on the OWGR. He has currently made €29,455.43 in his 2021 golf career.

MICHELBACH-LE-HAUT, FRANCE – OCTOBER 03: Jonathan Thomson of England plays a shot during Day Four of the Swiss Challenge at Golf Saint Apollinaire on October 03, 2021 in Michelbach-Le-Haut, France. (Photo by Joosep Martinson/Getty Images)

LPGA: Shadoff shows-off her skills in this past tournament

Looking at the LPGA, we can focus on the English professional golfer Jodi Ewart Shadoff. She recently came in at T7 at the Shoprite LPGA Classic. It is her first top 10 this season coming in front of well known ladies such as Georgia Hall and Charley Hull who rolled in at T57. Shadoff said she “had to fight for this one” but a fight well done. This success puts Shadoff at 104 in the Rolex Rankings.

 
 
 
 
 
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Ladies European Tour: Dimmock gives it all she’s got before heading home

The Ladies European Tour resulted in only one English lady in the top ten and 11 other players making it before the cut. Annabel Dimmock who slid in at T10 and earned herself €5,375.00 in tournament winnings. “Happy with my T10 this week – Home time now” said Dimmock on her Instagram shortly after the tournament.

PGA Tour: Quite disappointing for the lads

Lastly the PGA Tour where the Sanderson Farms Championship was played at the Country Club of Jackson, in Jackson, Mississippi. Unfortunately, no British golfers made the cut including Aaron Rai and Matt Wallace who both had bad luck on this tournament. However, they both sit in the top 100 on the OWGR. Perhaps they will move up that ranking next week.

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European Challenge Tour European Tour Highlights Tours Ladies European Tour Ladies Tours Live LPGA Tour PGA Tour Professionals Satellite Tours Top Tours

How the Skandinavian professional golfers raise up their national pride. A weekend filled out with golf.

Joakim Lagergren

Last weekend hosted events for all professional tours, and this is an overview on the performance of the golfers from Finland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. There are not many players from these countries. However, some of their names are getting more and more noticed within the golf world.

European Tour: Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

Starting of with the European Tour, the Swedish golfer Joakim Lagergren, was close to bring home the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship trophy. He signed four rounds of (67-72-67-66) to finish with a total of 16-under par, for a silver medal only two shots behind the winner, Danny Willett. Lagergren showed a very solid game throughout the entire tournament, being two and six the average of bogeys and birdies per round respectively. Kristoffer Broberg finished strong with a fourth round of 7-under par (65) for a T9, coming close to the end one of his best seasons in the European Tour.
To round out the Swedish crew, Alex Noren came in T12 with a total of 11-under par (70-68-70-69). Noren is currently ranked 59th in the OWGR, and he is one of the players from Sweden with the most number of European Tour wins, a total of 10, only one victory behind Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson.
Nicolai HØJGAARD and Jeff Winther, from Denmark also had a good performance that placed them both at T14, finishing with a total score of 10-under par.

Joakim Lagergren of Sweden tees off on the 5th hole during Day Four of The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at The Old Course. (Getty Images)

Challenge Tour: Swiss Challenge

Moving on to the Challenge Tour which consisted of the Swiss Challenge hosted at Golf Saint Apollinaire, Michelbach-Le-Haut, France. Denmark leaves a mark within the Top 10 finishes, bringing the first and second place trophies home. Marcus Helligkilde was proclaimed winner after he signed a total of 25-under par (65-67-62-69). Helligkilde is currently 3rd in the Challenge Tour, and ranked 143rd in the OWGR. All signs point at him playing the Main Tour next season. Only one shot behind at the Swiss Challenge, his fellow national teammate Nicolai Kristensen completed a four-round performance with scores of (65-67-65-67) for a total of 24-under par and a T2. Kristensen improved his Challenge Tour Ranking (CTR) by 28 positions last weekend, although that will not be enough to get the main card just yet.
Niklas Nørgaard MØLLER, also from Denmark, made a Top 5 at Golf Saint Apollinaire, shooting a total of 20-under par, and Lauri Ruuska came in T8 for Finland, only one shot behind of 19-under par.

LPGA Tour: Shoprite LPGA Classic

Looking at the LPGA, we can focus on the Swedish professional golfer Anna Nordqvist. She recently came in at T12 at the Shoprite LPGA Classic with a total of 9-under par and rounds of (69-69-66). Nordqvist currently holds 9 Career victories and 75 Career Top 10. Her solid game shows in the Rolex Ranking, where she is placed 16th. Anna felt at home during the Shoprite LPGA Classic and that is how she wanted to transmit it through social media: “No place like home but some weeks on the road are a little better than others… thank you @borgataac and my @mgmresortsintl family for making me, my clubs and my caddy feel “home” this week during @shopritelpga” published Anna on her Instagram account after the tournament.
Few positions below, her fellow Swedish player Madelene Sagstrom, and the professional golfer from Finland, Matilda Castren finished 6-under par for a T27 position.

Ladies European Tour. LET: Estrella Damm Ladies Open

The Estrella Damm Ladies Open took place last weekend 1st-3rd of October 2021, in Club de Golf Terramar, in Spain. Maja Stark from Sweden, took a 2-shot lead and brought the tophy home after three rounds of nonstop improvement (74-69-65) that drove her to be first with a total of 8-under par.
With a difference of four strokes, Krista Bakker (FIN) came in T4 and Linda Wessberg (SWE) T6 with a total of 3-under par. Sweden showed some golf power as Jessica Karlsson also made a Top 10 on the leaderboard with rounds of (71-70-73).

PGA Tour: Sanderson Farms Championship

Lastly the PGA tour where the Sanderson Farms Championship was played at the Country Club of Jackson, in Jackson, Mississippi. Henrik Norlander sits on the spotlight as he was the only player from the Skandinavian area to make the cut. Norlander left the standards high with a T4, only 2 shots behind the leader Sam Burns, from the U.S.