PAUL GALLAGHERrounds up other news from the world of golf
One labradoodle down, now for those 14 majors
FINALLY the curly locks had to go. It may not have been Rory McIlroy’s choice to get his infamous barnet trimmed but when comparisons were made between him and his new labradoodle then options were limited and immediate action had to be taken.
The 20 year-old, who finished third in Korea at the weekend, had avoided the barber’s shop since before claiming his maiden European Tour win at the Dubai Desert Classic in February – a ploy which made him instantly recognisable wherever he played as the curls spilled out from under the peaked cap.
“When people were having difficulty telling us apart I decided it was time for a haircut,” said McIlroy, in reference to his pet dog called Theo.
“Apparently Tiger Woods has a labradoodle as well, so now I only need the 14 majors.”
Harrington's dubious rationale
PÁDRAIG Harrington is nothing if not a thinker and is renowned for his in-depth analysis of all things golf.
However, when the triple major winner said the FedEx Cup benefits when “marquee names” are eliminated, Planet’s ears perked up to make sure we heard correctly.
“I think the modifications (to this year’s FedEx Cup) are a big improvement,” said Harrington at last week’s BMW Championship. “I think you’ve got to perform if you want to win and that’s important in a play-off situation.
“It’s important everyone has a chance of winning and also that big-name players get knocked out.
“There’s no point in having a cut-off if the people that are being put off aren’t some of the marquee players, because that makes it more exciting.
“Whoever plays the best in the FedEx Cup series should win. That’s really what it should be. You want to see a few casualties,” added Harrington, who was dumped out before the Tour Championship last year.
Not sure the television networks would agree with the Dubliner’s rationale.
Students demoted to the junior ranks
AT what point should antiquated rules or customs be overruled by a large dose of common sense? The reason we ask is because it was recently brought to Planet Golf’s attention that a 21-year-old five-handicap golfer has been forced to compete in junior competitions simply because he is still a “student” member in third level education and will be for another two years.
The situation arose at a Kildare golf club (Castlewarden) where student members have been “demoted” from competing in men’s competitions and instead told to play in junior competitions for 12 and 13-year-olds.
The news emerged when the father of this particular student, who was at pains to point out that the club will still want their young talent, like this student in question, to represent them in men’s inter-club competitions.
It’s hardly the most progressive approach and is much different to other clubs who actively encourage their younger talent by allowing them to compete in senior competitions – regardless of age.
Pettersen takes Tiger's advice
SOMETIMES advice from Tiger Woods can be succinct and very much to the point. That was certainly the case when he offered a few brief words of encouragement to Suzann Pettersen before she closed out the women’s Canadian Open recently.
The Norwegian held a five-shot lead going into the final round and was later asked how she dealt with the pressure. “To be honest, I didn’t sleep that well the night before (the final round) . . . everybody kept saying, never give up, keep grinding, you’ve got to believe you can do it, don’t fear anything,” said Pettersen of the advice she received.
However, Tiger’s advice stood out from the rest. “I got a message from Tiger this morning,” added Pettersen. “He said ‘Keep doing your shit’. So I guess I did keep doing my shit.”
Ryder tickets are up for grabs
A SECOND ballot for 2010 Ryder Cup tickets opened last week, offering spectators the chance to attend next year’s matches on The Twenty Ten course at Celtic Manor in Wales.
Practice day tickets for Tuesday (Sept 28th) and Wednesday (Sept 29th) cost £30 (€34) each, while Thursday (30th) tickets, when the Opening Ceremony takes place, are priced at £40.
The first ballot for tickets closed at the end of July, but for “the first time” a tranche of tickets, at all levels, were held back to “provide a second opportunity to apply for tickets”. The second ballot will not close until the spring 2010.
Cost of entry per person during the actual three-day team event ranges from £100 (€113) for the Friday (Oct 1st) and Saturday (2nd) and rises to £130 (€147)for the final day singles on Sunday (3rd).
Season tickets for the week range from £140 (€159) to £430 (€488) or spectators can opt for a six-day International Pavilion Ticket for £950 (€1,077) – hardly recession-busting prices.
