McIlroy mentally drained after tough season

World No 6 Rory McIlroy admitted on Wednesday he is mentally drained from a frustrating season where he is yet to win a tournament, with just two more events to go.

The Northern Irishman has only this week's Australian Open in Sydney followed by the Tiger Woods-hosted World Challenge at Thousand Oaks in Los Angeles next week to break the jinx.

His best finishes this year were runner-up spots in the Valero Texas Open and the recent Korean Open, with the former world No 1 feeling the pace.

"I'm looking forward to a break after playing Tiger's event next week as it's been a long year mentally for me rather than physically," said McIlroy.

"Physically, golf doesn't take that much out of you but mentally it is quite draining.

"And especially for me this year not just being frustrated with my game but having to answer all the questions and come up with reasons why I am not playing well and all that stuff," added the former world No 1.

"But then it's great to be going into the off-season feeling comfortable with my game and knowing that I am on the right track and knowing that I can start the new season strongly.

"So I am excited about that aspect and besides I still have two tournaments left this year and I would love to get a win, whether it is here or in Tiger's event in LA."

McIlroy last played in Sydney at the 2006 Australian Open as an amateur but failed to break 70 on any of the four days to finish well down the field.

"I can remember most of the golf course but then I can't remember much of how I played that week," he said of Royal Sydney, where he will play the opening two rounds with fellow US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy and PGA Tour member Matt Jones.

"But it was just nice to get back out there today for the pro-am as it's great shape and hopefully after all the rain I hear they've had in Sydney it will dry out and play the way Royal Sydney should play."

McIlroy wound up his preparations by hosting a clinic for some 250 children, delighting them with an array of shots.

After the enormous scrutiny he faced at the start of the season following his multi-million dollar switch to Nike there was one question he answered without hesitation.

"Are you happy with your decision to switch to Nike?" said the young fan.

McIlroy responded: "It's been a great learning process this year with Nike, and while it did take me a couple of months to get use to the new equipment, it's been great and I could not be happier."

Present on the first tee Wednesday was the famed Claret Jug awarded each year to the winner of golf's oldest Major – the Open Championship.

The Australian Open marks the first of a number of tournaments, including the Irish, French and Scottish Opens, where the top three players among the leading 10, who are not otherwise exempt, will earn a place in the Open Championship.

The initiative by the St Andrews-based Royal and Ancient Golf Club will do away with international qualifying.

The Australian Open also marks the end of the 2013 Australasian Tour with the leading money winner – currently Adam Scott – also gaining exemption to the British Open.

Read More

No comments

Top amateurs lay down marker at IGT Centurion

Top South African amateur Christiaan Bezuidenhout pulled within striking distance of second-round pace setter Pieter Kruger, while three-time Nedbank SA Disabled Golf Open champion Daniel Slabbert survived the cut in his IGT Tour Race to Q-School debut at Centurion Country Club on Tuesday.

Bezuidenhout and Kruger were both in action in the South African Open Championship last week.

The country’s leading amateur earned automatic exemption, but Kruger was one of 11 IGT regulars among the 16 qualifiers who had to battle for positions at Glendower.

Both players missed the cut, however, but just two days later they are back in the hunt for glory. Bezuidenhout, in particular, wanted to the disappointment behind him by getting back on the horse as quickly as possible.

“I had probably one of my best ball striking weeks at Glendower, but my putter went ice cold,” he said. “I hit every fairway and green for two days solid, but I couldn’t sink a putt over eight feet.

“I just needed to get rid of the disappointment and frustration, and this has done it for me.”

Kruger opened with a six under 66 and added a 70 in his second trip around the 7 328 metre layout in Pretoria to lead at eight-under-par 144.

Bezuidenhout carded a first round 67 and followed with a 71

“I had three great birdies before the turn, but I lost the advantage with bogeys at the third, fifth and seventh holes,” Bezuidenhout said. “I had a plugged lie in the bunker at the par-three and at the other two holes, I hit some wayward shots to the green and paid the price.

“What I would like most on Wednesday is to hand in a bogey-free card in the final round, just to show myself I can do it.”

Meanwhile Slabbert extended his stay in Pretoria after two 77s left him on the cut-line at 10-over-par.

The 22-year-old from Kathu, who lost his leg in a freak trampoline accident as a teenager, has been dominating the disabled golf scene and in April this year, showed up the country’s top amateurs with a tie for seventh in the Highveld Open.

Rae Mackie (70) finished in third on 138, while IGT Race to Q-School Silver Lakes winner Zander Lombard carded a 69 to tie two-time IGT Race to Q-School winner Robbie Lupine (73) at four under.

But for the five bogeys on his card, South Africa’s No 2 ranked Lombard could have been leading after rallying with four birdies and eagles at the par-five first and 12th holes.

Former Sanlam SA Women’s Amateur champion Iliska Verwey will also join the final round action after rounds of 75 and 74, while the low round of the day was a trio of 68s from professionals James Searson, Otto van Greunen and Brenden de Lange, another Race to Q-School winner this season.

Read More

No comments

WGSA presents Future Champions Junior Clinic

Former Nomads SA Girls champion Michaela Fletcher from Maritzburg Golf Club is looking forward to imparting her skills to young aspirant golfers in a Future Champions Junior Clinic on Sunday, 1 December.

But first, the KZN No 1 ranked junior will lead a field of her top ranked peers in her junior golf swansong at the KZN Junior Nomads Championship at Selborne Country Club this weekend.

The 2012 Sanlam Cancer Challenge champion turns 18 on Boxing Day and hopes to finish her junior golf career on a high note in her home province.

However, Fletcher knows she could be in for a tough challenge against the in-form 15-year-olds, Kaleigh Telfer from Bryanston Country Club and Ivanna Samu from Ruimsig.

“Kaleigh beat Kim Williams for the Mpumalanga Championship title just over a week ago, so she will be bringing some great form and Ivanna took fourth place in the same event,” said Fletcher.

“Meanwhile I have been stuck behind the books, preparing for my final exams. I am definitely feeling a little rusty. There are also a lot of other top KZN girls lining up, too. I will definitely have my job cut out if I hope to leave the junior circuit with a bang.”

The Future Champions Junior Clinic will be held on Sunday, 1 December, following the 54-hole stroke play championship this weekend.

The clinic will be conducted by Womens Golf South Africa’s Elite Squad coaches, Val Holland and Anna Becker, at the Lynton Hall Driving Range across the way from Selborne.

Holland, who also coaches South Africa’s top professional player, Lee-Anne Pace, explained that the clinic will cover the basics of the short game, including putting, chipping and bunker play.

“Our clinics are aimed at growing the game and giving our juniors the skills to improve,” Holland said.

“We will teach the players the fundamentals of chipping, putting and bunker play and then we teach them how to practice.

“Then we do skills testing and each girl attending the clinic, will receive a practice programme in hard copy to take away. We use the exact same system we use for our Elite Squad players, so the juniors will really be able to compare themselves with our top players, see where they rate and how they can approve.

“If there are any girls out there who would like to try their hand at golf, come and join us at Lynton Hall Driving Range from 08h00 to 13h00. The clinic is free of charge and it is suitable for all handicaps. You just have to be born in 1995 or later.”

Read More

No comments

SA pair primed for Albatross in India

Two of the country’s top junior golfers will be flying the flag for South Africa in the 5th Albatross International Junior Golf Championship India, which tees off at the Jaypee Greens Golf Club in Delhi on Wednesday.

South Africa has enjoyed a strong performance in India since the country’s debut in 2010 and Boland’s Bianca Theron and Cara Gorlei from the Western Province are hoping to equal the success of Lara Weinstein and Izel Pieters, who won the team competition that year.

That year Weinstein also won the individual competition and Pieters finished third. Twelve months later, KwaZulu-Natal’s Michaela Fletcher took third in the individual competition.

Gorlei finished second in the individual competition last year, while compatriot Magda Kruger took third and the pair combined for a second place in the team competition.

This season, Gorlei racked up seven top five and 13 top 10 finishes on the junior circuit, as well as three top five and seven top 10s at senior level and a tie 10th at the RB German Junior in Germany.

The 17-year-old from Milnerton Golf Club is keen to finish the season with more success in India.

“I really enjoyed my first trip to India last year and I was happy to finish second, but this year Bianca and I are aiming for the top,” she said. “It would be a great result for South Africa if we could finish the season with two victories in the final international championship and we are going to give it every effort this week.”

Theron ascended to the No 1 spot in the junior rankings last year. The 17-year-old has kept her spot with four top five finishes, including a tie for third at the KeNako World Junior Championship. She also won the Southern Cape Championship and posted nine top five finishes to vault to sixth in the senior standings. Theron also represented South Africa on the international stage, and will be drawing on this experience to bring home to silverware.

“I think any opportunity to compete internationally is invaluable,” said Theron, who represented South African at the Annika Invitational or the Girls British Amateur. “I didn’t perform all that well, but I learned a lot about course management, focus and planning and will use that experience this week.”

Gorlei agreed, saying: “I definitely know what to expect this year in India in terms of the weather conditions, the course and the competition,” she said. “Mentally I am far better prepared for the challenge.”

Western Province juniors Altin van der Merwe and 2013 SA Under-13 champion Tristen Galant are also competing in the championship.

The quartet arrived in India late on Saturday but, due to the closure of the course, were unable to practice on Sunday. Instead, the South Africans were offered the opportunity to visit the exquisite Taj Mahal at Agra Fort with two other international teams competing in the event.

Womens Golf South Africa vice-president, Karen Olivant, who has accompanied the players to India, said the players thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

“Of course we are here to compete, but we always encourage our players to learn a little about the local culture and to forge friendships at all our international events,” she said. “The players really enjoyed seeing one of the wonders of the world and we are very appreciative that the organisers of the Albatross International offered us the opportunity. They were also very accommodating in letting us practice on Monday, although the course was officially closed.

“The players loved the course on sight and were all full of praise about the condition and layout. The rough is not too bad and the bunkers are very good. All in all, we are ready to get started.”

Read More

No comments

Abery in form for Alfred Dunhill

Warren Abery played the weekend of the South African Open Championship in eight-under-par, which signalled a strong rise in form for the seven-time Sunshine Tour winner ahead of his week at the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

“It’s nice to be back up there, I think it’s where I belong,” he said. “I’ve been out of it for a while and you start losing confidence. Some of your love for the game goes missing, but I feel like I’ve got that hunger back again. What better time to start than now?”

Abery has managed 74 top-10s during his 16 years on tour. At 40 years old he’s mentally prepared for the week at Leopard Creek, which is South Africa’s No 1 ranked golf course.

“I love Leopard Creek and I’ve had a few good finishes there before. I think this confidence will help going into the tournament,” he said.

The Durban local is accustomed to hot and humid conditions, which will give him the edge over the European contenders in the sweltering heat of Malelane.

Back in 2004 Abery contended for the Alfred Dunhill trophy and birdied the 15th and 18th during the final round at Leopard Creek to share third with Ernie Els and England’s Oliver Whiteley.

At that same tournament Charl Schwartzel took his maiden victory and in 2012 he once again lifted the leopard trophy. The 2011 Masters champion returns this week to defend his title.

Abery’s recent success and his good memories at Leopard Creek will both factor into the coming week as he looks for a maiden European Tour victory.

“My result at the SA Open was a very nice start to summer. We plan our whole year around these big events and I took a lot of time off in the middle of the year to prepare. I’ve been building confidence and I’m excited to see what I can do,” he said.

Read More

No comments

McIlroy wants to follow in Norman's footsteps

Rory McIlroy says he admires most things Australian, particularly Russell Crowe and Greg Norman, and would like nothing more than to get his hands on the Australian Open trophy this week.

The Northern Irishman is playing the event at Royal Sydney from Thursday and revealed Australians figure highly in people he reveres, but admitted another Australian icon, Vegemite, was not to his taste.

"Russell Crowe's always been my favourite Australian actor and my favourite all-time Australian golfer is Greg Norman," he said Tuesday.

"I don't mind the meat pies but just can't get used to Vegemite, it's definitely an Australian-born acquired taste," he said of the thick black spread made from yeast extract.

The former world No 1 will tee-up this week looking for his first win over 12 months, with locals Adam Scott and Jason Day his main challengers.

While the likes of Norman, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player have won the event in the past, McIlroy is gunning to be only the second European after England's Lee Westwood to claim victory.

He said Norman was an idol and winning in Australia would be a huge moment for him.

"Being a multiple Major winner and a former world No 1, the Great White Shark will forever be remembered in the game," he said of Norman.

"Aside from his great golfing achievements, Greg is a hugely successful businessman off the course. Not many golfers have successfully made that transition.

"I know Greg also has won the Australian Open many times and that is my goal this week.

"So to win the Australian Open would be huge for me. It would stamp my place in the history books of the Australian Open alongside people like Greg, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and so many other great players.

"And following in their footsteps would never be a bad thing."

It is first time McIlroy has competed in an Australian Open since 2006 when he played as an amateur – averaging 76 over the four rounds to finish in a distant share of 51st place.

After some recent good results, including sixth at the BMW Masters in Shanghai and fifth in the European Tour season-ending DP World Tour Championship, he is quietly confident of winning his first tournament of the season.

"I came away from both tournaments a bit disappointed but when you're getting to push to that level, or that stage, and you're disappointed walking away with pretty decent finishes, you know that you're on the right track," he said.

"I've got this week's Australian Open and then Tiger's event next week in LA, so it would be great to finish the year with a win."

Read More

No comments

What's in the Bag: Day, Donald, Feng

Jason Day

ISPS Handa World Cup

• DRIVER: TaylorMade R1 (9 degrees, Matrix TP7HD X shaft)

• FAIRWAY WOODS: TaylorMade RBZ (17.5 degrees, Matrix TP7HD X shaft) 

• IRONS: TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC Forged (2-9 irons, True Temper Rifle Flighted 6.5 shafts)

• WEDGES: TaylorMade ATV (47°, 54°, 60° True Temper Rifle Flighted 6.5 shaft)

• PUTTER: TaylorMade Ghost Tour Monte Carlo 12

• BALL: TaylorMade Lethal

• FOOTWEAR: adizero Tour

Luke Donald

Dunlop Phoenix, Japan PGA Tour

• DRIVER: TaylorMade SLDR

• FAIRWAY WOODS: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2

• HYBRID: Mizuno JPX-EZ

• IRONS: Mizuno MP-64 (3-9 irons, True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 shafts)

• WEDGES: Mizuno MP-64 (48° True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 shaft) and Mizuno MP-T4 (54°, 60° True Temper Dynamic Gold Spinner shaft )

• PUTTER: Odyssey White Hot XG #7

• BALL: Titleist Pro V1x

• FOOTWEAR: FootJoy

Shanshan Feng

CME Group Titleholders, LPGA Tour

• DRIVER: Honma TW717 (9.5 degrees)

• FAIRWAY WOODS: Honma TW717 (15 degrees)

• HYBRID: Honma TW717 (19 degrees) and Honma TW717 (22 degrees)

• IRONS: Honma Beres TW717 V (5-9 irons) 

• WEDGES: Honma Beres TW717 V (48°) and Honma W105P (52°) and TaylorMade TPxFT (56°, 60°) 

• PUTTER: Rife Mr. Beasley

• BALL: Titleist Pro V1x

Read More

No comments

Stock Watch: Day, Donald rising; Gulbis falling

Each week on GolfChannel.com, we’ll examine which players’ stocks and trends are rising and falling in the world of golf.

RISING

J-Day (+10%): It’s incomprehensible, really, that a player this immensely talented has only two wins. Here’s hoping this emotional home victory leads to a breakout campaign in 2014.

Luke (+8%): The tidy Englishman already has his own wine label, and now he will receive another200-pound shipment of Miyazaki beef after defending his title at the Dunlop Phoenix. Wonder what’s for dinner at the Donalds’?

Adam Scott (+6%): He will rue the opening 75 at the World Cup, but it’s a testament to his form that he still had a chance to win come Sunday. With his sights on the Scotty Slam, don’t bet against him.

Royal Melbourne (+4%): The Alister Mackenzie design showed its major chops by hosting back-to-back world-class events on the Aussie Swing. Regardless of what Ted Bishop might say, this gem deserves the first international PGA.

Rory (+2%): Hey, a weekend of good news for the beleaguered former world No. 1! He met Will Ferrell and saw the “Anchorman” premiere in Australia, then “amicably” settled his lawsuit with Oakley. Maybe a better-late-than-never win at Royal Sydney is next.

FALLING

Charl Schwartzel (-2%): Searching for his first home win, the former Masters champ instead threw up a final-round clunker in South Africa to finish thisclose for the third year in a row.

LPGA season-ender (-4%): Sure, this scribe might still be dealing with the effects of FedEx CupFever, but it was apparent this weekend that the women’s finale could use some added drama – playoff elimination, match play, bigger purse, something – to produce a finishing kick like the other big tours.

Stuart Manley (-6%): Dude made an ace, learned he didn’t win a new Mercedes and carded an 11, all in a half hour. At least he still finished eighth. Back to irrelevance you go.

Natalie Gulbis (-8%): Winless since 2007, the LPGA’s most telegenic star self-immolated during a final-round 82 that dropped her all the way to 29th. “I mean, I played really bad,” she said afterward. Yes, we can relate.

Tavistock Cup: (-10%): The March schedule just opened up for the members of Team Isleworth, Lake Nona, Albany, Primland, Oak Tree National and Queenwood. They’re hiding their disappointment well.

Read More

No comments