Horses for courses at the Blue Monster
Donald Trump may become the 45th President of the United States but whether or not he becomes a distraction as his Trump National Doral course hosts the WGC Cadillac Championship this week, he’s unlikely to change the essence of the way he goes about his business.
Ireland's golfing 2012 in quotes - Part III
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.
McDowell survives "fresh air" to lead in Sun City
Graeme McDowell with caddie Ken Comboy during the second round of the $5m Nedbank Golf Challenge. Picture golffile.ie/Luke Walker/golffupportPadraig Harrington hasn’t worked with him long enough to feel the benefit but Graeme McDowell can vouch for Pete Cowen’s credentials as the best “fixer” in the game after snatching the halfway lead in the Nedbank Golf Challenge.Harrington debugged for Austria
Padraig Harrington has been working on his game with Pete Cowen. Picture ©Getty ImagesPadraig Harrington reckons he’s found a formula that will cure a serious swing bug and put his career back on track.
The Dubliner spent the week working with new coach Pete Cowen at the Englishman’s Rotherham headquarters. And he feels ready now to test out his new swing in next week’s €1m Austrian GolfOpen where a win would boost his Race to Dubai and Ryder Cup hopes.
"I still can't f***ing putt!"
Open champion Darren Clarke. Picture Credit / Phil INGLIS / www.golffile.ieWhen Darren Clarke tees it up for captain Paul McGinley in next week’s Vivendi Seve Trophy it will be his first playing appearance in a team situation since he played so magnificently for Europe in the 2006 Ryder Cup at The K Club.
The reigning Open champion won three points out of three that week and may well be expected to produce a similar performance for McGinley’s GB&I side at Saint-Nom-la-Breteche near Paris.
Exactly which Darren turns up remains to be seen, if coach Pete Cowen’s amusing account of the goings on at Royal St George’s earlier this year are any indication.
Cowen shocked by clueless Harrington confession
Padraig Harrington was struggling to find any direction in his practice. Picture Fran Caffrey www.golffile.ieCoach Pete Cowen was amazed when Padraig Harrington told him he “hadn’t a clue” where he was going with his game.
But the man who has coached three of the last six major winners - Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen and Darren Clarke - reckons he has a plan that could help the struggling Irish ace emerge from his slump following his split from Bob Torrance less than two weeks ago.