GolfPunk loves the different side of golf. The side that has developed in what is almost certainly the oldest sport in the world and which in its professional ranks contains some of the biggest characters sport has ever seen and amongst its amateur fanatics certainly contains the biggest. After all, loving the game of golf (or loving to hate it and hating to love it) does not rely on your professional status.
In his first outing since The Masters, Rory McIlroy carded an opening five under par 66 to share the lead of the Wells Fargo International from Quail Hollow. The Northern Irishman shares the lead with America’s Joel Dahmen, one of GolfPunk’s each-way tips for the event.
The unlikely pairing of John Rahm of Spain and America’s Ryan Palmer saw off the challenge of Rahm’s countryman Segio Garcia and Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood to lift the Zurich Classic trophy. The pairing that came together after Palmer’s original partner Jordan Speith pulled out and Rahm’s would be partner, Wesley Bryan, was out with a shoulder injury.
Following on from our recent rant concerning etiquette the writer took to the course this morning. It was a stableford competition (points system) a normally quicker format as a lost ball is not the end of the world and if you can’t score on a hole you pick up. It is those lovely medal events that often bring the course to a grinding halt with all competitors having to finish out every hole.
The call came through: “Can you play in the Masters?” Thoughts like ‘is the Pope Catholic?’ came to mind as they followed up with the “Media Masters – Stella is inviting you.” Panic sets in as I wonder if I know a Stella and what the wife might say. “No, the Stena Line Media Masters” and so began the adventure.
We had everything on Friday at The Masters: A stellar leaderboard; birdies galore; storm threats; unbelievable recovery shots; a marshall slide-tackling Tiger Woods on the 14th hole (he still made birdie) and some truly comical moments starring Zach Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
GolfPunk's unique Masters Course Guide & trivia special: Augusta uncovered...
Olympic record-holder (shooting an incredible 61 in Brazil 2016) Maria Verchenova brings us the latest in her award-winning series of fitness videos for GolfPunk. It's time to stop being a plank and get your core, arms and everything maximised to the extreme!
Great to deliver a winner again for GolfPunk readers; nervy stuff but Paul Casey held on to win at 26/1 at last week’s Valspar Championship!!
Great to see Rory McIlroy winning the Players Championship last week. Our selection Tommy Fleetwood led well into the final round but faded to finish 5th. Two televised events this week but the EuropeanTour event low key so we concentrate on the Valspar Championship on PGA tour.
Whether you are cashing in $2 skins for Nassau team junk, two down presses or any other expensive or complicated golf game, playing golf is always a bit more interesting when there’s cash involved.
Tommy Fleetwood and Keegand Bradley lead the way going into day two on -7. Rory is two back while Matt Wallace and Ian Poulter sit at -3. Day one highlights and Fridat tee times here...
