Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, announced today that two-time Masters champion Tom Watson will join Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as an Honorary Starter beginning Thursday, April 7, 2022, at the 86th Masters Tournament.
Darren Clarke is hoping his appointment as European Ryder Cup captain can improve his on-course performance, starting at this week’s Joburg Open in South Africa. But can he overcome the weight of responsibility and win again before he joins the Senior Tour? It's something that few have managed.
The US team press conference was a fraught affair for captain Tom Watson with Phil Mickelson indirectly throwing him under the team bus by lamenting the loss of the Paul Azinger pod system that proved so successful at Valhalla in 2008. Here's the full transcript.
Has Paul McGinley been overthinking? Or has he got it spot on? Will Stephen Gallacher and Ian Poulter be able for US young guns Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed? Can Sergio and Rory hit it off and gun down Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley in the anchor match? Has Watson taken too many chances.
Ryder Cup Tuesday brought the first full day of serious practice and 14 media centre interviews that threw up the usual questions about Europe's "template", targeting "big dogs", Rickie Fowler's haircut and exactly how shy/odd is Victor Dubuisson.
Luke Donald can have few complaints if he's driving a buggy rather than a Titleist in the Ryder Cup later this month. But while most observers believe it will be Lee Westwood and Stephen Gallacher who get the nod to joined Ryder Cup talisman Ian Poulter at Gleneagles, it may well prove to be a very painful decision for Paul McGinley.
Ryder Cup captains Paul McGinley and Tom Watson at Gleneagles. Picture Fran Caffrey www.golffile.iePaul McGinley predicts it will be “a heavyweight contest from toe-to-toe from start to finish” but whatever about the boxing analogies, the Year to Go weigh-in was a draw on points at Gleneagles yesterday.
Tom Watson belieces practice is all that Rory McIlroy needs to get back to the top. Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ieUS Ryder Cup Tom Watson dismissed off-course problems as the reason for Rory McIlroy’s 2013 slump and believes he must find his mojo in the dirt of the range. Judging by McIlroy’s 67 at Oak Hill last night, he might just be right.
Darren Clarke was not too despondent despite his 73. He played well in the worst of the weather. Picture: Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieDarren Clarke refused to ask Tom Watson for putting advice but still got the US legend to sign two golf balls for his kids at the US PGA.
Paul McGinley speaks at Oak Hill on the eve of the 95th PGA Championship. Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ieRyder Cup skipper Paul McGinley vowed to bury the hatchet with Darren Clarke and then hit back at the critics wh say that Lee Westwood is a choker who will never win a major.
Kerry Haigh of the PGA of America says the grouping of Clarke, McGinley and Watson was not requested by Tom Watson.It’s no surprise that 2014 Ryder Cup skippers Paul McGinley and Tom Watson have been paired together for the first two rounds of the US PGA. But tournament director Kerry Haigh insists there was no premeditation in adding Darren Clarke to mix.
Graeme McDowell practices on the 10th ahead of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield. Picture Stuart Adams www.golftourimages.comRyder Cup skipper Paul McGinley didn’t qualify for the Open but that doesn’t mean he won’t be hanging on every shot played at Muirfield.
