PGA Championship Wentworth
Alex Noren showed at the weekend why Steve Golding has backed the talented Swede all season. The PGA Tour player in Europe for the PGA event at the reformed Wentworth shot a new course record 62 in the final round to sneak up and slip past the field to win. Noren must already be pencilled in for the 2018 Ryder Cup by Captain Thomas Bjorn. Noren is known for his hard work on the range and it is bearing fruit this year wherever he displays his talents. Italian Francisco Molinari was runner up and my pick for the week Shane Lowry a nearby 6th place, 2 shots back. Andrew "Beef" Johnson pictured, was as popular as the leaders and had similar size galleries following him around."Beeeef" was heard continually around the course after nearly every shot Sunday, the likeable Londoner definitely brings something different to the game.
The players loved the course changes, especially the greens which were amazing in a North European climate considering they have been laid out in less than 12 months, smooth and fast all day. I can see the event getting back to its deserved best even if there is a possibility of a date change by Tour director, Keith Peller. Well done Wentworth, you listened to the criticism and improved your product.
"You need good hands to play good golf."
In Cliff Keebles world they are BIG hands or even "Shovels" but they know how to control a golf club. The Senior golfer still off low single figures walked off with the Ward Cup at the weekend with a winning 4 up bogey score just in front of cadet Davis King and Tony Brown on 3 up respectively. In perfect conditions most of the day Cliff posted his score early and no one could quite catch him. The funny thing was Cliff was in looking at changing his putter, I wonder if he will give his existing one a stay of execution after that?
Fitting days coming thick and fast
Date for your diary, Friday June 16th 2pm-6pm. Come along to our Mizuno fitting day and compare your irons against some of the best feeling heads in the business. Using their DNA 3 swing technology alongside trackman let Matt their experienced fitting rep look after you. Or perhaps you would like to compare your metal woods or hybrids against their award winning products I have talked much about and other members have had massive success with this season. Just get in touch the usual ways and get on the appointment sheet. Click here to book.
Tiger Woods
What has happened to Tiger Woods? The best player on the planet for two decades has completely lost the plot after further surgery and little competitive golf. Found on a highway near his home slumped over the steering wheel ,the American tried to use his prescribed medication as an excuse after being arrested for drink driving. He is in the news for the wrong reasons, let's hope this is not a sad demise as other greats like Elvis, Gazza or George Best? That the realisations of not being the No1 player has pushed him over the edge. Perhaps Tiger needs a strong personality for support and guidance like many, but since the passing of his father has there been anyone?
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger has renewed his contract for 2 more years. It has been a huge topic of conversation for the whole season in the media. Many supporters have wanted him to leave but 3 trophies in 4 years and as hard as it is to say, some of the best football on the eye for 20 years, who as manager can bring more to a team? The Premier league has 6 strong sides and only one can win the league so have the 5 others failed? Arsenal made Champions Chelsea decidedly average during the FA Cup final. The players need to look at themselves a little more. It is they who must execute the method to win the games not the manager. Tottenham fans joke that they wanted Wenger to stay as well. Beware for what you wish for in sport, Arsenal could be the team to beat next season.
Lions
It happens every four years where four countries play as one team, when legends are made and friendships bonded forever. The British and Irish Lions rugby tour starts this weekend in the toughest playground of the lot, New Zealand. Sam Warburton leads his side on a tour to the World Champions that could be one of the greatest achievements in sport, to win a series there. Not since 1971 has this happened and in rugby circles those players are still household names around the British Isles like Gareth Edwards, John Dawes, Barry John, JPR Williams to name a few. It is great squad and the matches will be enthralling. It means so much to be a Lion but a winning Lion is probably bigger than a World Cup winner. Rugby is in the Kiwi blood, a survey of school children was once carried out asking what they wanted to be when they grew up and 98% said an "All Black" the other two percent wanted to marry one! I think it might be pretty good viewing, 10 matches in 36 days, hard, brutal sport where courage and bravery will be high on the agenda if the Lions are going to triumph.
Have a good weekend, regards, David