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.
It was inevitable that Patrick Reed, who is playing at the WGC event in Mexico City this week, was going to be asked about the latest comments from Bob Kostis and Brooks Koepka. Talking after Thursday’s first round he managed to dance around the question.
It was a fine victory for Adam Scott last weekend, he is a great ball striker, but I must confess I rather sighed when I saw him using a long putter to great effect once again. It was a similar feeling to that I had when Scott won the Masters back in 2013. I’m sorry, but I am with the brigade who consider these long putters cheat sticks.
Call us old cynics but are the latest set of changes at the Golf Hall of Fame just a dressed way to get Tiger Woods inducted into the Golf Hall of Fame a few years earlier and boost the quality of the list of possible inductees for the 2021 draft? The rules were only changed some four years ago to move the minimum age from 40 to 50 and now it is being edged back to 45.
I didn’t think I would hear myself say this, but I feel sorry for Patrick Reed. Don’t get me wrong the guy has handled the whole affair badly and he clearly was borderline cheating at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas last December. However, due to the Tour’s insistence that the matter has been dealt with it has basically thrown the American to the lions, who in this case are the media and the golfing public.
With all due respect to Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods et al we think the Golf Writers Association of America (“GWAA”) were spot on in voting for Brooks Koepka as Player of the Year for 2019. Koepka’s performance at the four majors was undeniable impressive – to win one, finish second in two and tie fourth in the other is quite some feat.
World number one, Jin Young Ko was the runaway winner of the Golf Writers Association of America (“GWAA”) Female Player of the Year. The South Korean star was the overwhelming choice with Nelly Korda way back in second place.
The gods were smiling on Justin Thomas in Hawaii on Sunday. Two clear, with three to go it looked like he had the Tournament of Champions in the bag. However, two sloppy bogies in his last three holes saw him have to win a play-off against Patrick Reed and defending champion Xander Schauffele.
2019 is behind of us but it was not a great display by some who let down our great game and so have been inducted into the GolfPunk Hall of Shame. So which five golfers find themselves with the unwanted invite?
GolfNow the biggest online tee time agency in the golf industry has grabbed an even bigger share of the market following the acquisition of EZLinks Golf by GolfNow owner, NBC Sports Group. Part of the EZLinks Golf portfolio is the online tee time booking platform TeeOff. So, what does this consolidation signal to the golf industry?
For the first time since 1955 there will be no live coverage of any golf on the BBC in 2020. The BBC has lost their rights to show any live coverage of the Augusta event which means that the UK pay TV Channel Sky is now the only place to watch live coverage of the majors. This is the end game for millions of golf fans who have seen the free to air coverage of their favourite sport fade and die in the hands of the BBC over the past decade.
In the final Hero Challenge of the year South African Erik van Rooyen defeated former Masters Champion Danny Willett. You know the Hero Challenge, it’s the one where 6 top pros compete at target golf, hitting to a floating green out in an expanse of water. The closer to the flag you are the more points you score, with the closest ring being 50 points the next 25, well you get the gist.
Derek The Donkey, GolfPunk's grumpy horse-envier once again delivers his 'Joke of the Week'. As you know he likes nothing better than a proper good laugh as long as it's at someone else's expense...
Jason Day gets in private jet, hot foots it from CJ Cup in China where he was 31st and then beats Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and home favourite Hideki Matsuyama to the spoils taking home $210,000 of the $350,000 pot. Happy Days then (do you see what we did there?)! Well perhaps for Jason but not really for golf as the inaugural 'The Challenge: Japan Skins' lived up to our pretty low expectations.
Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Hideki Matsuyama will go head to head in a globally televised skins game, the first in a series of annual competitions staged by GOLFTV. "The Challenge: Japan Skins" will take place on the 21st October ahead of the PGA Tour's Zozo Championship at Accordia Golf Narashino C.C. in Chiba, Japan, and we will not be watching.
Take one bike, one set of clubs, 14 different Open venues and one complete nutter and you have the ‘The Great British Open Challenge’. London-based PGA professional, Luke Willett, he with a famous golfing namesake, is to pedal his way between all the Open venues playing 18 holes at each and cycling with his clubs on his back!
We love Carnoustie. It’s probably one of the bestest courses in the UK, forget that the World! So, what better venue for a ‘Round of a Lifetime’ for one Edward Johnson from Massachusetts, U S of A.
We very much like the prize being offered to the winning professional at this year’s Highland Golf Links Pro Am. As well as a cheque for a few bob the winner will receive a bottle of Tomatin 50-year-old single malt, which has been bottled exclusively for the tournament and is valued at more than £10,000!
Something for the weekend? Ooh suit you!
Something for the weekend? Ooh, suit you!
Something for the weekend? Ooh suit you!
The stuff that's floated our boats and scrunched our undies this week...
Ok we are not going to let this one drop. Slow play is killing our game and the lead must come from the professional ranks. In the second round of the Northern Trust, Bryson DeChambeau took it to another level.
As we start the end of season scramble, which is the Fedex Cup playoff, starting first at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, the problem of slow play rears its ugly head once again. Both Rory and Brooks were asked in yesterday’s interviews about the problem and neither of them held back their criticism and the need for the governing bodies to take action.
Well we have run out of majors but Tiger will still be coming out to play in August as the FedEx Cup Playoffs commence this week in Jersey City, with The Northern Trust. It’s all change with the play-offs and we had to read it a few times before we sussed it out. So here’s how it will work..
The AIG Women’s British Open is now set to follow Woburn Golf Club with back to back regal courses with Royal Troon added to the Championship roster for 2020 and Royal Porthcawl confirmed for 2021. It seems therefore, that that we are set for some quality golf on iconic courses now that The R&A has taken over the women's home Championship.
They needed it to be tough out there if they were going to challenge Shane Lowry but in the end, it was too tough and the conditions actually played in to the hands of the big man. For a man who grew up playing links golf up and down Ireland he was always going to be one of best equipped if the really high winds came.
The GolfPunk team love the game of golf and are big supporters of the idea of improving the etiquette on the course and in general. However, this week the big news running around social media was about the US amateur golfer that carded an impressively poor 194 for 18 holes and things got worse when the Florida State Golf Association confirmed it was actually a 131 over par 202!
The fairy tale has slowly unwound. Local boy, Darren Clarke, who led the field off on Thursday in the 148th Open Championship, took seven at the last to miss the cut. Rory McIlroy, who famously shot 61 around Royal Portrush at the age of 16, shot 65, equalling best score of the day, but agonisingly missed the cut by one. And our man, Gmac, held firm just making it through on the cut line, nine back from the leader.
Ok time for a rerun of our GolfPunk rant. The three-minute rule is a good one and it is intended to speed up play like the other good rule change, putting with the pin in. I am sure most pros did not expect to suffer too much from the rule change but then they are not playing Royal Portrush every day.
There have been many incredible Open debuts, here is our Top 10...
There have been many an odd occurence at the oldest of all the majors but these are our pick of the top ten weirdest Open Championship moments.
Why is the golf now only on Sky TV in the UK with the BBC set to produce, if last year is anything to go by, a set of very ordinary highlights programmes? Who is to blame - Sky, the BBC, the politicians, the R&A or perhaps even Brexit?
Hughie's is the 416 yards, par 4 first hole on the Royal Portrush course. There is out of bounds on both sides of the hole with most golfers most concerned with that on the right. However, as there are bunkers on the right and left of the fairway at 262 yards and 291 yards respectively, most pros will go with an iron.
Who will win the Open? Vote now for your pick of the Top 20, as per the bookies, or do you think it will be more of an outsider who takes the Claret Jug on the shores of Northern Ireland?
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!
Each year the winner of The Open receives the famous claret jug which he must return before the following year’s event. But what is the history behind this iconic trophy?
The Open is looming up on the horizon so come and test your knowledge of all things Openey with the GolfPunk Open Golf Quiz 2019. It's got something for everyone who err like quizes.
Derek The Donkey, GolfPunk's grumpy horse-envier once again delivers his 'Joke of the Week'. As you know he likes nothing better than a proper good laugh as long as it's at someone else's expense...
Despite no mortal being able to move it on their own the answer is the boulder. As Tiger Woods found out to his benefit at the 1999 Phoenix Open when a friendly rules official suggested it was a loose impediment.
Derek The Donkey, GolfPunk's grumpy horse-envier delivers his 'Joke of the Week'. He likes nothing better than a proper good laugh as long as it's at someone else's expense...
The US open is returning to Pebble Beach with its magnificent views, tiny greens and changeable conditions. All factors that are taxing The Spiv’s brain matter as he sips on his port and peruses the field. But this year its all different as GolfPunk has a new algorithm and its going to make us all rich (necessary caveats and waivers apply of course).
It was a great day for Northern Ireland at the final day of Canadian Open from Hamilton Golf and Country Club. Rory McIlroy shot an incredible nine under 61 to take the title by 7 shots and Graeme McDowell finished in the top ten and qualified for The Open.
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!
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.
Keegan Bradley leads, some other folk are in second, third etc., including Shane Lowry of Ireland, but all we care about is how Graeme McDowell is doing. Gmac must be at The Open in July and we are cheering him all the way.
The Open is coming back to Northern Ireland after a break of 68 years. When Max Faulkner, one of the most flamboyant golfers of his generation, won the Open Championship in 1951 at Royal Portrush it would be 18 years until a Brit, Tony Jacklin in 1969, was to do so again.
Derek The Donkey, GolfPunk's grumpy horse-envier is back with 'Joke of the Week'. He likes nothing better than a proper good laugh as long as it's at someone else's expense...
Who wouldn’t want to tee it up in their home open? Well for one, Rory McIlroy, who is giving this year’s Irish Open a miss. No biggy, I hear you say, it’s not like choosing to miss something like the Olympics is it? Oh, hang on Rory turned that one down too. So, what are the priorities of the 29-year-old darling of Irish Golf
As Tiger Woods holed the winning putt some time around 7.35pm on Sunday I was asked an awkward question: "Are you crying??", "Seriously, mate, are you crying?" "I've just something... sniff... in my eye, that's ... sniff... all..."
Lilac was the colour of the day at The Masters as the leaders appeared to have coordinated their wardrobes to don shirts of the same hue. The three players that lead in to the final round chose the colour for their shirt with Tiger again modelling a very snazzy mock turtle neck number. Ian Poulter, always one to be different, went instead for a lilac pair of strides.
The threat of bad weather has resulted in an early start for the whole field. Play will commence from both the 1st and 10th tees at 7:30 local time and will be in groups of three. Rather handy for UK and European viewers who can watch it after their Sunday lunch rather than having to stay up late!
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.
As the freshly blooming azaleas of Augusta National Golf Club mark the arrival of the northern spring, the golfing world’s attention turns towards Georgia, USA, for the first men’s Major of the year – the Masters Tournament, which has been supported by Rolex since 1999.
The Golf Scientist, Bryson DeChambeau, and one half of golf's Odd Couple, Brooks Koepka, lit up day one of the Masters with rounds of 66 to take a one shot lead over fellow American Phil Mickelson.
Seven lucky golfers are heading to this week’s Masters to battle it out for a million dollars – all hoping they can land another ace to change their life.
The unofficial start to golf season is upon us and we are excited to see the azaleas, dogwoods and green grass again! Peter Millar will outfit five players for the 2019 Masters.
Remember when Europeans dominated the Masters? From 1980 to 2000, the tournament was won 11 times by European golfers. Since then, not so much, with only two winners in the last 18 years. It's worth noting, however, that those wins (Danny Willett and Sergio Garcia) make up two of the last three Masters. Maybe the transition of power at Augusta has already begun?
There have been some amazing moments at The Masters over the years and some incredible shot-making. We celebrate the 10 best shots ever here...
We love celebrating the truly great shots but nothing makes us mortal golfers feel better than seeing our heroes occasionally making berks of themselves. Especially at the Masters. In 2018... here are the worst offenders...
It's 2 more sleeps until the Masters!!!! We've put together a little Masters quiz to get you in the mood.
It's 1932 at Augusta and America is under prohibition. But people are still seeing things... aren't they?...
Rory McIlroy has been installed as the favourite to win The Masters after making a blistering start to the year.
It's the Players Championship this week at TPC Sawgrass - check out these Top 10 Putts on the infamous 17th hole with shots from Tiger, Bubba and more.
Step forward Rickie, Bryson and Gary Woodland...
The great players won everything right? Well, not the USPGA they didn't. The USPGA proved elusive for many serial major winners. Here's the Top 7 players never to win the PGA.
Galvin Green, the leading premium performance golf apparel brand, has launched its most advanced collection of technical clothing for the start of the 2019 season, with a total of 368 ground-breaking garments and matching accessories.
Sunderland of Scotland, has revealed its collection for Spring Summer 2019.
Serious Golfers are better equipped than ever with high performance clothing designed to help them play the game more often even in extreme conditions, according to new research commissioned by leading golf apparel brand Galvin Green among passionate American and British players.
Galvin Green has boosted the line-up of global ambassadors for the 2019 season with the addition of proven Tour winners to wear its premium apparel.
Galvin Green, the leading technical performance golf clothing brand, is calling younger golfers to attention with its military-inspired EDGE collection for 2019.
From venerable golf clubs to courses in historic settings or alongside ancient buildings, the past is ever-present when you play golf in Northern Ireland.
Rory McIlroy has welcomed the sweeping changes that have been implemented to the rules of golf and hopes that the new rules will bring a greater clarity within the sport.
PUMA Golf continues to take golf footwear to the next level, today introducing NXT generation footwear designed on a completely new IGNITE spikeless traction platform with three unique, versatile, and fashion forward upper silhouettes.
The Belfry Hotel & Resort’s Executive Head Chef Robert Bates took home top honours in The Caterer’s Hotel Cateys 2018 Awards this week as he won ‘Hotel Chef of the Year (more than 250 covers)’.
Turnberry has had some dramatic changes over the years so it's worth taking a quick glance back in history. We soon discover that Turnberry is no stranger to change... PLUS: The Turnberry Opens in pictures. And captions...
Phil Mickelson is $9million richer this morning after a playoff victory under the floodlights against Tiger Woods in the much trumpeted and equally maligned 'Match' at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas.
A great result for GolfPunk readers with Danny Willett winning the DP World tour Championship at 139/1. He actually drifted on Betfair to 179/1 so hopefully GolfPunk readers got the best odds??
Danny Willett has won his first title since the 2016 Masters at the DP World Tour Championship on Sunday, and there was much celebration down at GolfPunk Towers.
Here are our top twenty weirdest Open Championship moments.
The Belfry Hotel & Resort continues to wow golfers from across the globe as it was named ‘World’s Best Golf Hotel’ at the 2018 World Golf Awards held at La Manga, Spain, over the weekend.
Here she comes: It's Carly Booth, the new GolfPunk Golf Nurse!!! Lesson1: How To Hit Perfect Lob Shots. Take it away, Nursey!!
Under Armour’s Fall/Winter ’18 collection delivers the technologies and performance benefits you need to keep your game going in any type of weather.
Following seven years of consultations, on 1st January 2019 the governing bodies of the Rules of golf will implement the most comprehensive Rules changes seen in the game for 37 years. And on the 1st of November, Hamlyn Publishing will be launching 'The Offical Guide to the Rules of Golf R&A.'
World of Golf London, one of the busiest driving ranges in Europe with an average of 13 million balls hit each year, is enjoying a record period and has seen its business boosted by Ryder Cup fever following Europe’s victory in Paris.
Santiago Luna stayed in control throughout the final round as he marched to victory at the Farmfoods European Senior Masters.
The fast-growing market for performance enhancing baselayer products in the UK and Europe is set to benefit from a new player, following the development of a licensing partnership between premium Japanese sports brand Eon Sports, manufacturers of the popular Zerofit range of baselayers, and Ireland-based sportswear company Advanced International Ltd.
The modern golfer seeks the ultimate in performance from their winter wardrobe, allowing them to play their best when the weather turns for the worse. But high functionality should not come at the expense of style.
A reliable jacket – for golf or otherwise – is hard to find. Luckily, adidas has a new option. adidas Golf recently announced the Go-To Adapt Jacket, the wear-anytime, layering piece that is designed to specifically be your “go-to” when you need it most.
With one week to go until this year’s Farmfoods European Senior Masters gets underway, the full list of professionals has now been announced for the Staysure Tour event which takes place at the Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club.
The @petermillargolf store in the Official Ryder Cup Merchandise area at Le Golf National is now open for business and spectators are in for a real treat, with the brand's full Ryder Cup crested collection available to purchase from now until the final putt on Sunday.
The home of one of Europe’s greatest Ryder Cup moments, the award-winning Belfry hotel and spa is set to welcome back a true golfing icon to its course next month. Europe’s most successful Ryder Cup captain, Tony Jacklin CBE, will grace the iconic Brabazon Course once again on 24 September.
Callaway today announces the signing of talented young English golfer Matthew Jordan.
The Top 20 Golf Bets Of All Time Part 1 of 3: Numbers 20-16
As the only venue in the world to have hosted the Ryder Cup on four occasions, The Belfry Hotel & Resort is celebrating the lead up to the 2018 Ryder Cup, taking place at Le Golf National in Paris from 28th – 30th September 2018.
The 148th Open Championship, which will be staged in Northern Ireland for the first time in 67 years, has sold out!
SRIXON® has announced the launch of the new Soft Feel golf ball. Available in Soft White™, Tour Yellow™ as well as a Soft Feel Lady model in Soft White™ and Passion Pink™. The new Soft Feels are available now.
Renowned as one of the world’s leading luxury golf lifestyle brands, Peter Millar has been an Official Licensee with Ryder Cup Europe since 2012, delivering its loyal customer base and avid fans of the biennial event with a bespoke range of stylish apparel and accessories adorned with the iconic Ryder Cup logo.
Kelly Rohrbach; A former division one college golfer. A Sports Illustrated Swimwear model. Leo DiCaprio's ex. Plus she played CJ Parker in Baywatch!
