It wasn't that long ago Dustin Johnson was taking a sabbatical from The PGA Tour for one thing or another. Last year DJ broke through as a Major winner and this season the big hitting American has risen to World No 1 after crushing the field in the rain sodden Genesis Open at Riveria Club in LA last week. Ok he might not be there any longer than Leicester City for now but his last 10 events have been pretty impressive. Top ten 8 times, had 4 wins since his US Open victory last June and amassed a cool 6.8 million dollars on the way. Seems like DJ has brushed off all mental issues that plagued him and is showing what a World Class golfer he has become.
Not only is he among the longest, he's pretty straight and has massively honed his wedge game into a fine art. The fact that his wedge game starts from around 160 out it needed to be special. It's the 100 yard and closer that he now excels at though. He hasn't changed that unorthodox top of the swing wrist position and if anything, many of us might consider trying it, to add a few yards! The world of golf is looking pretty special right now as long as these stars stay fit. The others will need to raise their game if they want to break into the top 10 and be Major winners. At the moment it's hard to look past the top 6, Johnson, Day, McIlroy, Stenson, Matsuyama and Spieth to be on top of the podium whenever they play. With the spectacle of Augusta just weeks away, it's bubbling up nicely for the first real test of the year.
Rumford embraces the latest format...
Aussie Brett Rumford won the first 6 hole shoot out event on the European Tour last week. Leading the field in the 54 hole qualifying, the Western Australian beat the youngest player in the field, 17 year old, Asian sensation Phachara Khongwotmai, easy for me to say, in the final. This new format is to try and entice new people to the game of golf, short fast games with thrilling finishes, a brainchild of new European Tour Director, Keith Pellar. With only the top 24 making it to the knockout stages, it had nerve endings jangling up and down the leader board. With final places decided with a 66 meter playoff hole, the fans were watching dramatic events constantly with these mini matches.
In the end the best player for the week, Rumford won but the runner up only got into the match play rounds as an opponent 3 whacked the third extra sudden death hole. Still, this is the drama that was hoped for in the "minor" events on Tour needed to stimulate public interest in the game. Is it good for golf?
If it brings more people back to the game then why not? It doesn't have to be every week, although I know what type of cricket format I'd rather watch, where every ball is important. I know every shot is important in golf but for most viewers it's only the last nine holes that creates a result and therefore generally watch. These shoot outs might just catch the public's imagination for the game once again.
Ladies put the date in your diary
Forget about London Fashion week, we will be holding a fashion show on Thursday, March 23rd at the Orsett Clubhouse from 3pm. All the 2017 spring summer ranges will be displayed from
Glenmuir, all colours in all sizes, so you can leave with your garment on the day. It's free to attend. James the Glenmuir agent will be on hand to offer advice as will I, (I know it's a Thursday).
Of course we will expect you to model your choices for other ladies to see. So please let your friends know, they are all welcome.
Mizuno have made it even better!
The newest metal wood from Mizuno the
JPX 900 is now available for fitting. We have just taken delivery of Drivers, fairways and hybrids. Thanks for being so patient, let's get you in the fitting studio and see how well it performs.
What's different about it? It's built on consistently high ball speeds, that don't drop off on miss-hits. Added to that, the JPX900's shallower profile looks easy to hit, sending all the right messages to your brain. The JPX900 is also Mizunos most adaptable driver ever - so you can create the spin rates and launch angle best suited to your ball speed.
PING launch new putters... Leading putter designers PING have added a fabulous looking
line of putters to their renowned range. Under the Sigma banner, 16 new models have been added to the family.
They maintain the TR groove technology to maintain the consistent roll and distance control. The Sigma range involves aerospace grade aluminium for a strong but lighter body to the putter head allowing the Pebax polymer to give the soft but responsive feel off the face.
They are available in Nickel and Platinum which look neat and tidy behind the ball. As always PING putters are easy to line up, with this other technology PING believe you might just make more putts.
Come and experience the feel of one next time you're at the Club, it might be the best thing you ever invested in.
Hard to believe someone lost their job for eating a pie! Wayne Shaw, Sutton United's reserve goalkeeper did just that last Monday after an alleged betting coup with friends, he could get on TV during the match eating a pie. Not the sort of thing Arsene Wenger would approve of and OK, Mr Shaw is not really in shape but he wasn't ever getting on the pitch as the Sutton manager had already used his 3 subs up beforehand. The bookies would have got more than a whiff of pie with this little scheme surely? The roly poly goalie might have overstepped the mark, where has the humour gone from the game? The giraffe naked streaker was funny too, even security must have been laughing as the giraffe got past the halfway line before he was shepherded off the pitch, probably not used to so many people at a match?
What's the funniest thing you ever saw at a game...? Sleeve of balls for the best story we can print next week!