Des Smyth is 60 and swinging as well as everHe may have surrendered his long-standing record as the oldest winner in European Tour history to Miguel Angel Jiménez in 2012, but as he celebrates his 60th birthday today, Des Smyth continues to mature with age, writes the European Senior Tour.
Des Smyth | in European Senior Tour | Email Article | 1 Comment | Share Article |
A unified front. Thomas Bjorn, George O;Grady and Richard Hills flank Paul McGinley in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Picture: Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ieWhen on one European golf’s most respected and admired veterans says that the Ryder Cup captaincy selection process “doesn’t pass the smell test” you sit up and take notice.
Darren Clarke, Des Smyth, Paul McGinley | in Ryder Cup | Email Article | 14 Comments | Share Article |
Paul McGinley is the first Irishman to captain a European Ryder Cup team. Picture Stuart Adams www.golftourimages.comWhen Paul McGinley writes his autobiography, put me down for two copies. Europe’s 2014 Ryder Cup captain will have some stories to tell and lessons to impart on despair, potential, frustration, exhilaration, learning and leadership.
Des Smyth, Paul McGinley, Rory McIlroy, Tom Watson | in Ryder Cup | Email Article | 2 Comments | Share Article |
Rory McIlroy’s eight-shot win in the US PGA at Kiawah Island was the highlight of the Irish golfing year. Picture Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieThe Ryder Cup was truly memorable but Rory McIlroy’s eight-shot win in the US PGA at Kiawah Island will go down as the highlight of a wonderful summer that was not without its moments of controversy.
Darren Clarke, Des Smyth, George O'Grady, Graeme McDowell, Jose Maria Olazabal, Michael Hoey, Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley, Pete Cowen, Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia | in Amateur golf, European Tour, Ladies European Tour, Majors, PGA Tour, Ryder Cup | Email Article | Post a Comment | Share Article |
Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus watch Des Smyth hit a tee shot the 1981 Ryder Cup at Walton Heath. Ryder Cup veteran Des Smyth has called on the European Tour to kick “politics” out of bounds when it comes to selecting a Ryder Cup captain.
Darren Clarke, Des Smyth, Paul McGinley, Rory McIlroy, Tom Watson | in Ryder Cup | Email Article | 1 Comment | Share Article |
David Frost survived a late scare to win in Mauritius. Picture by Getty ImagesDes Smyth finished 12th behind winner David Frost in the year-ending MCB Tour Championship to take his season’s earnings on the European Senior Tour beyond €150,000.
David Frost, Des Smyth, MCB Tour Championship, Roger Chapman | in European Senior Tour | Email Article | Post a Comment | Share Article |
A winner at 59, Des Smyth now wants to win at the age of 60. Picture: Phil Inglis (Getty Images)Des Smyth wants to win in his swinging 60s after losing his oldest winner’s record to Miguel Angel Jiménez.
Des Smyth, Miguel Angel Jimenez | in European Senior Tour | Email Article | Post a Comment | Share Article |
Hong Kong Open winner Miguel Angel Jiménez replaced Des Smyth as the oldest winner in the history of the European Tour, beating the Drogheda man’s 2001 Madeira Island Open record by 284 days to set the new mark at 48 years, 10 months and 13 days. “That’s my 11-year record down the drain,” Smyth joked on Sunday. “It was good while it lasted but all good things come to an end and Miguel was fantastic.
Miguel Angel Jiménez celebrates his third UBS Hong Kong Open win and his status as the oldest winner in the history of the European Tour. Picture by Getty Images
Shane Lowry is currently the top ranked professional golfer from the Republic of Ireland. Picture by Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ieGolf is an all-Ireland sport but if distinctions are to be made between professionals from north and south of the border, Shane Lowry achieved a rare feat on Monday.
Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell representing Ireland at the Mission Hills World Cup.Des Smyth believes Irish golf should celebrate Rory McIlroy’s incredible achievements and consign political bickering and sectarian strife to the dark ages.
Des Smyth, Olympic Games, Rory McIlroy | in Olympic Games | Email Article | 9 Comments | Share Article |