It's back! The event that totally signals the start of the golf season proper. I look forward to this week as soon as Christmas makes way for the new year and, no offence to the Saudi International, there's only one game in town this week.
So Muirfield or to give its proper title, The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, has formally invited women to join the club as members for the first time since voting to change the club’s rules in 2017.
Graeme McDowell shot a second round 67 at the Canadian Open to sit on eight under, four off the halfway lead which is held by Matt Kuchar and Scott Brown. Gmac still work to do if he is to grab one of the three spots available for The Open but he is well placed come the weekend.
Rory McIlroy shot a six under 64 in the third round of the Canadian Open to move into a share of the lead with the US’s Matt Kuchar and Webb Simpson. McIlroy’s countryman Graeme McDowell slipped back slightly but sits in joint ninth on eight under – Come on Gmac!
So now it goes... The Masters; USPGA; US Open; The Open...
Australia’s Whitney Hillier carded a one-under round of 71 to claim a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Hero Women’s Indian Open. She leads by a single shot from Norway’s Marianne Skarpnord with Linda Wessberg of Sweden and Meg MacLaren of England a further shot back.
It’s Manic Monday, so here is a very quick round up of all the results and stories from the weekend on the PGA Tour, European Tour, LPGA and Women’s European Tour.
GolfPunk fave Georgia Hall (no less!!) and nine of the past ten Champions will compete at the Women’s British Open for a 40% larger prize fund of $4.5m (circa £3.6m at time of writing) in recognition of the importance of the Championship and women’s golf according to the R&A.
Azahara Muñoz, a star of Europe’s victorious Solheim Cup team at Gleneagles last week leads the way in the Lacoste Ladies Open de France. Muñoz carded at first round five-under-par 66 to share the lead with Madelene Sagstrom of Sweden.
The successful third annual Messinia ProAm, featuring competitors from 20 countries, saw a victory for Italy, while Hollywood actor Bill Murray and England's Rugby World Cup winner Mike Tindall added to the event's appeal.
Darren Clarke will hit the opening tee shot at The 148th Open, while fellow local favourite Rory McIlroy is paired with US Open champion Gary Woodland for the opening two rounds at Royal Portrush, which we cannot wait to see!
South African Ashleigh Buhai shot a seven-under-par opening 65 to lead the AIG Women’s British Open. However, home favourites Charlie Hull, Georgia Hall and Bronte Law gave the crowd something to cheer about on day one at Woburn Golf Club in Buckinghamshire.
