Tag: Professionals

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Panorama

Tiger Woods on the TGL Mega Simulator

Photo: Getty
Photo: Getty

And he’s still playing: … again. Tiger Woods may not have made it onto the course and into the walking game at his Hero World Challenge, but the almost 49-year-old (December 30) is still able to play standing golf despite the sixth back operation he underwent in September. The 15-time major winner recently personally inspected the action area at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens/Florida, where the Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL), which he and his business partners Rory McIlroy and Mike McCarley are staging with their joint company TMRW Sports, starts on January 7. Woods himself enters the competition with Jupiter Links on January 14, week two, against Los Angeles.

This week, he will then be able to ride in a cart when he and his son Charlie compete in the family tournament PNC Championship for the fifth time and try to make life difficult for the Daly duo and the defending champions Bernhard and Jason Langer.

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Friendship instead of“The Feud”: Koepka Calls DeChambeau a “Good Dude”

Will rivalry be followed by friendship? (Photo: Getty)
Will rivalry be followed by friendship? (Photo: Getty)

The Brooks-Bryson battle, the PR stunt implemented in golf history as The Feud, is a thing of the past: “We all get older, we all mature a bit, and then you realize: Hey, Bryson’s a good dude,” admitted the five-time major winner a few days ago, calling the two-time US Open champion and LIV colleague a ‘good dude’, with whom he will compete tomorrow in Las Vegas against PGA Tour stalwarts Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. Before this duel, which has been stylized as “The Showdown”, the admission is of course no less promotional than the dispute that the two individualists had before switching to the competitive circuit: The emotional element now makes for a few headlines at the appropriate time; they’re letting it get a little human this time. “I think he’s severly misunderstood and I think the world is acutally starting to really see who Bryson DeChambeau really is,” added Koepka, and hit the tear ducts again: ”I’m the first person to admit it, I was wrong with what my original thoughts were.”

From Rivals to Stepbrothers: DeChambeau’s and Koepka’s Journey

The former rival and new buddy naturally returned the favor, which was certainly in the marketing strategists’ script. “I’ve always had respect for Brooks and what he’s done,” DeChambeau commented on Koepka’s statements. “Obviously, early on, we didn’t really understand each other. We had our spats, but when we both went to LIV, we realized we had quite a few things in common. Like stepbrothers, in a sense.” Ah, and so close to the festive season. It’s almost like a Christmas story, isn’t it?

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Viktor Hovland Out for the Rest of the Year Due to Injury

Viktor Hovland at the 2024 Tour Championship. (Source: Getty)
Viktor Hovland at the 2024 Tour Championship. (Source: Getty)

As bunkered.co.uk reports, Viktor Hovland will have to take the rest of the season off due to injury and will not compete in any more tournaments this year. His injury has not been specified and no further details are known. Although he is therefore short of the required minimum number of four DP World Tour tournaments, he will probably not have to worry about losing his tour card thanks to an exemption.

Viktor Hovland 2024 With a Mixed Season

Hovland had already cancelled his participation in the BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth in September. He was last seen at the Tour Championship, the final of the PGA Tour‘s FedEx Cup, which he finished in a tie for twelfth place. He had crowned his successful 2023 season with victory at this tournament.

However, the Norwegian was unable to build on his success in 2024: he went the whole year without a win, missed the cut in three of the four majors and only reached the top 10 in two tournaments, including the PGA Championship.

Due to his injury, the eight-ranked player in the world will no longer be able to compete in the Race to Dubai. He will miss both the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship in November.

Hovland’s Ryder Cup Eligibility Probably Not Jeopardised

For European players, membership of the DP World Tour is a condition of participation in the 2025 Ryder Cup, which can only be maintained by playing at least four tournaments on the DP World Tour. Although Hovland is now unable to play the required number of tournaments due to his injury, this is unlikely to be his undoing: The DP World Tour announced that an exception could be made due to the medical reason and that Hovland would be exempted from the playing obligation.

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Martin Kaymer: Wedding Celebration with Irene Scholz in the Alps

Martin Kaymer and his wife Irene Scholz were able to catch up on their wedding celebrations in an idyllic Bavarian setting. (Photo: Instagram@patriciakaymer)
Martin Kaymer and his wife Irene Scholz were able to catch up on their wedding celebrations in an idyllic Bavarian setting. (Photo: Instagram@patriciakaymer)

Martin Kaymer celebrated his wedding to Irene Scholz in style at the weekend. The couple had already married in a small civil ceremony in October 2022, but this was followed by a lavish celebration. The couple, who became parents to little Sam for the first time at the beginning of 2022, spent the special day with family, friends and some of Kaymer’s golfing colleagues.

 
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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Irène Kaymer (@_irenescholz_)

Martin Kaymer’s Wedding Celebration

Martin Kaymer and his wife Irene Scholz celebrated their civil wedding in Wiesbaden in October 2022 two years later. Back then, the former world number one and the sports scientist tied the knot in a very intimate setting. Both had already planned to make up for their big celebration with the most important people who had accompanied them on their journey so far. Last weekend provided the perfect opportunity to realise these plans.

The celebration took place in a breathtaking mountain setting at the exclusive Schloss Elmau. The German golf pro and his wife invited friends and family to a special weekend in the stunning Bavarian Alps to celebrate their love for each other.

 
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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Irène Kaymer (@_irenescholz_)

Her little son Sam, who was born in January 2022, was also there and was included in the celebrations. Irene Scholz shared her joy on social media that her son was able to take on this special role and humorously wrote that Sam was allowed to ‘bring the rings’ this time. In the posts, the couple were visibly moved and grateful for the celebrations and the people who took part.

Celebrity guests and team colleagues at the ceremony

In addition to close friends and the couple’s family, some familiar faces from the world of golf were also in attendance. Kaymer’s LIV Golf team-mate Adrian Meronk was among the guests and shared impressions of the celebration on his social media. Other personalities such as Leanne Hainsby and Benjamin Alldis were also present at the event. The celebration was accompanied by congratulations and warm comments from the golf world.

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PGA Tour

PGA Championship 2024: Rory McIlroy Within Striking Distance of the Top

Rory McIlroy sits on the upper end of the leaderboard after his first round at he the PGA Championship 2024. (Source: Getty)
Rory McIlroy sits on the upper end of the leaderboard after his first round at he the PGA Championship 2024. (Source: Getty)

Rory McIlroy came to the PGA Championship 2024 in Kentucky with two victories under his belt. McIlroy was able to build on his good form on the first day. The 2014 winner proved his ability with a flawless performance, especially on the second half of the course. At the end of his round, McIlroy is within striking distance of the top of the leaderboard.

He started the round with a birdie on 10, taking advantage of the par-5 with a fantastic shot on the green. He already went two-under on 13. On 17 McIlroy hat to note down his only bogey of the day, landing in the green bunker after playing from the fairway bunker. He got that shot back on hole 1 and added a birdie series on holes 5, 6 and 7 for a round of 66. That puts him four shots behind leader Xander Schauffele.

View all live scores for the PGA Championship 2024

Rory McIlroy in Contention at the PGA Championship 2024

Q. 5-under 66 but felt like you might have left a few out there. How would you categorize this round?

RORY McILROY: I don’t know about that. I sort of felt like it was pretty scrappy for the most part. I don’t really feel like I left many out there. I thought I got a lot out of my game today. Some good up-and-downs, the chip-in on 6.

I had a little bit of a scrappy part around the turn there, but overall really happy with — not really happy with how I played but at least happy with the score.

Q. A bit of an adventure on 18 but you got out with a par. Could you go through that hole?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, so I was pretty sure it was in the water off the tee, and then when I got up there, I guess the two ball-spotters or marshals said they didn’t really see it or couldn’t really hear it. I went over to the other side just to check, but was pretty sure it was in the water.

Yeah, dropped and took my medicine, and yeah, made a great up-and-down from about 120 yards to make par, which was important after making bogey on 17. That kept any momentum that I had going into the next nine.

Q. Is it the kind of golf course that you feel like can get harder as the week wears on, or do you feel like you’re going to have to keep the pedal to the metal all week?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, the greens could get a little bit firmer, so that could make it a little more tricky. But even if the fairways dry out, the zoysia, the ball doesn’t really go anywhere when it lands.

I could see it getting a touch firmer, but I still think it’s going to be pretty low scoring.

Q. Was it nice to be inside the ropes and just to concentrate on golf? Obviously other things going on this week.

RORY McILROY: It’s always nice to be inside the ropes.

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Q. We always ask players about compartmentalizing. Is that something you’re good at and you’re going to have to rely on this week?

RORY McILROY: Happy to be here.

Q. You hit a bunch of good wedge shots today. You mentioned one just earlier. I know that was something that Butch said you guys kind of talked about. Is there anything you’re going to that’s just helping you with that stuff?

RORY McILROY: I think just the same feelings I’ve been having with my golf swing, feeling strength in the club face on the way back, and then trying to keep that strength so that it forces me to really get out of the way on the down swing. That’s the thought with the wedges and with the irons.

Q. It seems like the scores are a little bit lower today. Did you see anything out on the course and conditions that may have led to that?

RORY McILROY: It’s soft. Greens are really soft, especially for the guys that played last week at Quail Hollow where the greens were particularly firm. You come to greens like this, second shots are easier. Chip shots are easier if you do miss the greens.

I think just the difference between last week in Charlotte and this week, it’s a big difference, and I think for the guys that played last week. It’s just a little less challenging at the minute around the greens.

Q. You’ve already touched a little bit on the 18th hole, but I was hoping you could expand a little more not just on saving par there, but then the very next hole it hits the flagstick and you get birdie. How key was that two-hole stretch to you getting this round today?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, it was. It was huge. I could have easily bogeyed 18 and been back to even par, and then again, that ball on 1 could have hit the flagstick and went anywhere. I could have made bogey from that. Potentially being 1-over par through 10, I’m 2-under. So it’s a three-shot difference. It’s a big swing.

Rory McIlroy’s Tee Times at the PGA Championship 2024
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PGA Championship 2024 – Tiger Woods: “You Can’t Win a Tournament Unless You Make the Cut”

Despite his pain, Tiger Woods played a solid first round at the PGA Championship 2024. (Source: Getty)
Despite his pain, Tiger Woods played a solid first round at the PGA Championship 2024. (Source: Getty)

Tiger Woods’ first round of the PGA Championship 2024 didn’t come easy to the 15-time major champion. After two finishing bogeys he signed a round of one over par, putting him for now in the middle of the field.

His round started with an early bogey on 11, after he missed the green on the par-3. A 17 ft 11 in putt got him that shot back in 13, but a journey into the rough of the 15th hole cost Woods one more shot on his first nine. While he couldn’t take advantage of the par-5 18, he evened out his score with a birdie on 3 after a perfect tee shot. Tiger Woods got a glimpse of one under par despite landing in the green bunker on 7, but two bogeys caused by three-putts dragged his score back to a one over par 72.

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Tiger Woods on his first round at the PGA Championship 2024

Q. Tiger, it looked like you were moving pretty well physically. Do you feel like — I know every day is different for you, but do you feel like zooming out you’re getting stronger?

TIGER WOODS: I am getting stronger for sure. It’s just that I just don’t play a whole lot of competitive rounds. I haven’t played since the Masters. So it’s a little bit different than being at home and playing a flat Florida course.

Q. You spoke about what happened Saturday at Augusta. Is that a thing you know how your body — can you tell the night before? Do you not know until the morning of or when you start swinging the club?

TIGER WOODS: Each day is a little bit different. Some days, it’s better than others. It’s just the way it is. My body is just that way. Some days, it feels great, and other days, a bit of a struggle.

Q. Do you have a target ball speed in mind or a number where you can say, I’m fast or slow today?

TIGER WOODS: No, I don’t even know what my ball speed is. I couldn’t tell you. I do at home on the range, but when I’m out here at a tournament, I don’t look at any of that. I’m just trying to hit shots and hit the ball on my numbers more than anything else.

Q. How much of the first green could you see for your second shot on the first?

TIGER WOODS: I could see the whole green. I could see it underneath the trees. I just had to go around a few trees. Hit a nice little draw 8-iron in there. I was expecting to hit it just left of the green and chip back up, but it dug in and landed soft and dug in and had a 25-footer.

Q. How would you rate that shot in terms of difficulty?

TIGER WOODS: (Laughing). You’ve seen me play. I’ve hit a few shots out of the trees.

Q. You said the other day you wish you were a little sharper. In which areas did you think you were better than you thought you might be or maybe were you not — were you sort of where you thought you were today?

TIGER WOODS: It’s just the competitive flow. It took me probably three holes to get back into competitive flow again and get a feel for hitting the ball out there in competition, adrenaline, temperatures, green speeds. These are all things that normally I adjust to very quickly, and it just took me a few holes to get into it.

Made that putt on 12 and got me going and made another putt on 13.

Q. In the past few years, even if you’ve had to withdraw from majors, you’ve still made the cut. You’ve still succeeded in doing so. I’m wondering if you think there’s an art to playing a certain way and grinding out a made cut that you seem to understand better than others?

TIGER WOODS: Well, you can’t win a tournament unless you make the cut. That’s the whole idea is get to the weekend so that you can participate and have a chance to win.

I’ve been on the cut number and have won tournaments, or I’ve been ahead and leading tournaments and I’ve won tournaments. But you have to get to the weekend in order to win a golf tournament.

View all live scores for the PGA Championship 2024

Q. I thought the rough was more difficult than what I was expecting after watching practice rounds. Could you talk about that? And I know the three-putt on 9 was frustrating, but I thought you —

TIGER WOODS: And 8.

Q. You had more than 90 feet in putts today. Could you address those two.

TIGER WOODS: Well, I three-whipped the last two holes. Wasn’t very good. Bad speed on 8; whipped it past the hole.

And 9, hit it short. Hit it off the heel of the putt and blocked the second one. So wasn’t very good on the last two holes.

But what was the first part of the question?

Q. The rough.

TIGER WOODS: Yeah, the rough is dense. It’s just very dense. With the rain we got and just the moisture on it, I know they’ve topped it off, but it’s just really lush.

You can get lies where it sits up. You can get a 3-wood on it. And there are other lies — a couple times I had to pitch out sideways. I laid up at 13 and 14 — sorry, 15.

Depends on the lie, and you don’t have to worry about that if you drive it in the fairway, and I just need to do a better job of that.

Q. Obviously most of you guys, you don’t win most weeks. You have to be very resilient. What’s the moment in your career or the stretch of golf that you’ve had in your career where you’re proudest of the resilience that you showed?

TIGER WOODS: Well, I think that I’ve made a few cuts in a row, what was it, 140-some odd.

So you have to just grind it out. It’s a marathon. Major championships are a long grind. It’s just plotting along. It’s not a sprint. It’s just a grind.

I had a few years where I was able to participate for a very long time.

Tiger Woods’ Tee Times for the PGA Championship
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Scottie Scheffler Announces Birth of His First Child

Happy about the new addition to the family: Scottie Scheffler. (Image: Getty)
Happy about the new addition to the family: Scottie Scheffler. (Image: Getty)

For world number one Scottie Scheffler, a lot has happened in the past few days. Recently, the American golfer took a short break from the PGA Tour. Last week, his son was born. Scheffler had already announced beforehand that he would exclude participation in the PGA Championship 2024 if the birth of his child falls within the tournament period. After the birth, there is now nothing standing in the way of his participation in the second major of the year.

Scottie Scheffler’s announces Family Addition

Scheffler recently provided an update to his fans via Instagram, where he directed heartfelt words to his newborn: “Welcome to the world little one. Your mom & dad love you so much.”

For PGA Tour star Scottie Scheffler and his wife Meredith Scudder, it is their first child. Although there has been no confirmation from the parents themselves, the official PGA Tour website announced that they have welcomed a baby boy named Bennett. Scheffler’s son was born on May 8th.

PGA Championship 2024: Scottie Scheffler to Compete in Major

These news should bring joy not only to Scottie Scheffler and his wife but also to golf fans, as Scheffler will not only become a father for the first time but also compete in the second major tournament of the year, the PGA Championship 2024. Previously, the 27-year-old had announced that he would exclude participation if the birth fell during the tournament period. With son Bennett being born last week, he will be part of the field for the PGA Championship 2024, competing for his second major title of the year.

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The Masters Tournament 2024: Jon Rahm struggles to find “swing” in third round

Jon Rahm at tee-off in the third round of the Masters Tournament 2024 in Augusta. (Photo: Getty)

Jon Rahm faced a demanding third round this saturday at The Masters Tournament 2024. Despite a steady start with pars on the first six holes he experienced increasing difficulties, dimming hopes of defending his title.

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Steady start for John Rahm in third round at the Masters Tournament 2024

The round began promising for Rahm, who completed the first six holes at consistent par. However, with the seventh hole, the challenges began and he recorded a bogey on a par-4. Rahm concluded the front nine with a 37 (+1), marking a deterioration from par.

Recovery on the Back Nine with Challenges

On the back nine, Rahm managed to score the opposite scorecard and play pars until the 16th hole. A glimmer of hope was a birdie on the seventeenth hole, followed by a concluding par on the eighteenth. These led to a score of 35 (-1) for the back nine, helping him to finish the day with an overall score of 72 (E).

Jon Rahm on Challenging Conditions and Missed Opportunities

Playing conditions were a central topic in the interview with Jon Rahm. ” There is still a couple spots where if it gusted still some heavy winds. Obviously a little bit easier, but the golf course is quite firm and fast also, so that’s always going to make things a little more interesting.,” Rahm describes the challenges of the course. When asked about his progress of the week, he commented on his performance of the second round on friday. “Yesterday was terrible. Today I kept in in play off the tee, which is going to do a lot.”

“Gave myself plenty of chances; just didn’t make them,” he shared in frustration, but commented on a few highlights of the day. “Luckily made the one on 17 to have the only birdie of the day, and the one par putt on 6. Besides that, it was just seeing a couple fall in. I had a few really good chances on 3, 4, and 5. 8. Couple others. 12, 13, 14, just — 15, none of them wanted to go in.”

Rahm also expressed his thoughts about his progress during the last couple of rounds of the Masters Tournament 2024: “Well, it’s — those first two days I think I said it yesterday, it’s just too hard of conditions to not have your swing. Being a little lost and not being under control of what was going on makes it so much harder.”


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The Masters Tournament 2024: Jon Rahm Lags Behind the Leaders

Jon Rahm finished the first round at The Masters Tournament 2024 one over par. (Source: Getty)
Jon Rahm finished the first round at The Masters Tournament 2024 one over par. (Source: Getty)

Last year’s winner Jon Rahm is one of the top favorites for The Masters Tournament 2024, but the Spaniard struggled with the conditions on the first day. Rahm made a few mistakes on the back nine in particular.

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Jon Rahm over par after the first round at The Masters Tournament 2024

After the start of the first day had already been postponed by more than two hours due to a thunderstorm, the players had to contend with the wind despite the sunshine. Jon Rahm was no exception.

The Spaniard got off to a good start and recorded his first birdie on hole 3, but fell back to even par straight away. Nevertheless, Rahm played his way to two under par on the first half of the course until the problems began. On the second half of the course, the wind had become stronger and stronger and Rahm had to record another bogey on the par-4 10th. After losing another shot on the 14th, Rahm briefly gained another stroke before having to record a final bogey on the 18th. At one over par, Rahm is already a few shots behind the leader Bryson DeChambeau, who leads the field at seven under par.

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Jon Rahm: “It’s a difficult golf course”

In his post-round interview, Jon Rahm reflected on his first round as the reigning Masters champion, acknowledging the challenges of Augusta National. “It’s a difficult golf course. That’s all I can say. It’s not easy,” he remarked. “You’re not really having the luxury out there of being able to miss shots, especially tee shots.” Rahm expressed disappointment with his performance on the back nine, admitting, “Unfortunately on that back nine I missed a few too many shots. Never really in a good position to give myself the best chance for birdies and ended up with what could have been a little bit better of a score. It’s just too bad. Bad swings are bad swings, but I think 4 and 17 could have been avoided. Those two three-putts could have been avoided.”

When asked about his surprise at the low scores, Rahm’s response was mixed. “Yes and no,” he said. “There’s always somebody who seems to come out on Thursday and shoot 7-under no matter the conditions.”

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Professionals

Martin Slumbers to step down from The R&A by the end of 2024

Martin Slumbers is stepping down as CEO of the R&A at the end of the year. (Photo: R&A)
Martin Slumbers is stepping down as CEO of the R&A at the end of the year. (Photo: R&A)

Martin Slumbers will step down from his role as CEO of the R&A and Secretary of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews at the end of 2024. Mr Slumbers, 63, brought his extensive global business experience and a passion for golf to the organisation. He has led The R&A as the global governing body of golf around the world (outside the US and Mexico) and as Secretary of the iconic golf club, which dates from 1754, he has supported its committees in serving its international membership.

Slumbers’ eventful last year and his legacy

Martin Slumbers will oversee The 152nd Open at Royal Troon, the return of the AIG Women’s Open to St Andrews and the 43rd Curtis Cup match at Sunningdale before relinquishing his role by the end of the year.

Niall Farquharson, Chairman of The R&A said, “In Martin, we have been fortunate to have a CEO who has steered the organisation through a period of growth and enhanced the profile and reputation of our sport to make it more accessible, appealing and inclusive.  Through his stature and influence in the world of golf and sport more widely and in growing the proceeds of The Open to invest back into the game, he has been true to The R&A’s purpose of golf thriving 50 years from now and has shown transformational leadership.  He speaks often of reflecting history in a modern way and that will be his legacy to The R&A and to the Club.”

Martin Slumbers said, “It has been a privilege to serve golf at the highest level. It is a role that I have been proud to carry out on behalf of The R&A’s employees, the members of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club and all our global partners. In any career, there is a time to allow the next generation to have its turn. I am grateful to have had the honour, for nearly a decade, to have been the custodian of all that The R&A and the game of golf more broadly represents.“

During his tenure, Mr Slumbers has led a modernisation of The R&A’s activities, which included the merger with the Ladies’ Golf Union and its subsequent integration to enable The R&A to represent golf for men, women, boys and girls at the elite level.

In 2018, as part of his strategic approach to The R&A’s activities, its first Playbook was developed, explaining the purpose of the modern R&A: ‘To make golf open, accessible and inclusive and ensure it is thriving 50 years from now’. This level of clarity has led The R&A to double its financial commitment to golf, with greater emphasis on women and girls; establish a strategic business-driven approach to golf development; and proactively seek to improve the perception of golf as good for you, good for society and good for the environment.

He had oversight of the 2019 modernisation of the Rules of Golf, the roll-out of the World Handicap System in 2020 and the Distance Insights process, the outcome of which was announced in December 2023. He has served on the boards of the Official World Golf Ranking, the International Golf Federation and the LET.

A paradigm shift in the approach to the commercial affairs of The R&A, primarily at The Open, and the level of expertise in the executive team has enabled The R&A to substantially increase its investment into amateur golf around the world and, with partners, has enabled the AIG Women’s Open to grow into a world class championship.

In 2023, Mr Slumbers delivered a four-year project to create the ground-breaking new golf facility, Golf It!, in Glasgow. This family-centred facility based in the community creates an opportunity for more people to enjoy the unbound joy of golf and for members of the local community to gain work, volunteering and training opportunities. 2023 also saw the launch of the G4D Open for the world’s most talented golfers with disabilities and in 2024 a new Africa Amateur Championship will join elite amateur events in Asia-Pacific and Latin America. These include the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific championship and the Women’s Amateur Latin America championship, both introduced by Mr Slumbers.

Text by R&A Media