Well done, Padraig

Delighted to see Padraig make it third time lucky in the Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda ... and $600k for a couple of days' golf in beautiful surroundings can't be bad. Having gone to the event last year, I was all set to book again this year ... until Rory called off about 6 weeks ago! More accurately, when Rory called off and was relaced by last year's winner ... the man with THE most annoying pre-shot routine in golf. Decided I couldn't face another 2 days of following that. If I'd known Padraig was to be playing, I might have gone for it though. I know it's a glorified jolly for these guys, and devalued even more with only 2 of the Major winners turning up this time, but it's a great event/location for spectators in a truly magnificent setting. Not sure how it works, but hopefully Padraig now becomes first alternate for any call-offs next year?

I agree, devalued event or not, a win is a win is a nice long weekend with the missus in Bermuda. He played pretty well and it was fun to watch. Especially the Par3 16th (which looks to me to be a mirror image of Calamity at Royal Portrush).

The signature 16th is truly magnificent. No idea how I would attempt that from the back tee! Schwartzl heaved one into the sea on day one last year.

The course is much more hilly than it maybe appears on TV. Probably too short for the likes of Bubba, but his short game let him down after almost driving loads of the Par 4s. Great to be able to "walk the fairways" with the players though, as there's only one group out there.

For the past 3 or 4 years I've had to go to Bermuda on business twice a year -- once in Jan and once in the spring. I always try and take mr. P and the golf clubs and stay for a couple of extra days. Port royal is easily my favorite course over there. Doesn't matter how badly I'm playing, it's always a great experience there especially if the wind blows, and it usually does. For some reason the par 3 16th has always been kind to me (it's a lot easier from the front tees but there's still an intimidating expanse of lateral water hazard) and I once came sooooo close to a hole in one there. I had literally a 3 inch tap-in --closest I've ever come to holing it. Generally when it's windy the wind comes from the ocean so from the back tees you have to hit into the ocean and hope the wind brings it back. Fun to watch ! And the water really is as turquoise and clear as it looks on tv. Can't wait to go back.

Plunky ... I can think of much worse places to have to go on business twice a year! Have been 3 times on holiday now, but have never played golf there ... just visited Port Royal for the Grand Slam. How much for a round there?

Out of interest, how is Keegan Bradley's never-ending, stop-start pre-shot routine viewed in the States? After 2 days of following him round last year, Mrs Jackal was having to hold me back from having a word! He was honestly taking as long per shot as Clarke, McIlroy and Schwartzl combined. I reckon he added half an hour to the playing time on day one, which meant the entire crowd got absolutely drenched by a horrific thunderstorm that came in off the sea as we were all round the 16th green. Another reason I went off him!

I think last time we were there it was about 180 usd for 18 holes including cart. But once or twice a week they have half price deals ( Monday and possibly Thursday). The first time we went to Bermuda we played mid-ocean course. The grand slam used to be held there til they renovated port royal so we decided we'd play one round there no matter wht it cost. It was somewhere between 250 and 300 usd each including cart. Had to laugh when the guy in the pro shop said "that includes a complimentary yardage book". Great course and I'm glad we played it but I'm not in a hurry to play it again !

Plunky ... Thanks for the info. 180 USD for Port Royal, including cart, seems very reasonable - especially given the cost of living generally in Bermuda! You wouldn't get on the new Trump course here in Aberdeen for that price! Here's hoping for some "watchable" Major winners next year (who will actually turn up), so I can justify another Bermuda trip.

Well done Padraig, although im of the opinion, I cant understand why he pulled out of the BMW event in Shanghai, which has world ranking points to play in a 4 man tournament and he was 3rd reserve?

Sand wrote:Well done Padraig, although im of the opinion, I cant understand why he pulled out of the BMW event in Shanghai, which has world ranking points to play in a 4 man tournament and he was 3rd reserve?

Handy money, pure and simple.................and not under huge pressure to get to Worlds Top 50 as he is exempt for all 4 Majors in 2013 so the 31 December deadline is not relevant to him............................

Yeah nice win for Harrington, can’t blame him for grabbing the money, but while he is in all the majors he is not in the WGC events so I’m sure he will want a big push to get back into the top 50.

John Cregan wrote:

Sand wrote:Well done Padraig, although im of the opinion, I cant understand why he pulled out of the BMW event in Shanghai, which has world ranking points to play in a 4 man tournament and he was 3rd reserve?

Handy money, pure and simple.................and not under huge pressure to get to Worlds Top 50 as he is exempt for all 4 Majors in 2013 so the 31 December deadline is not relevant to him............................

Yes but is he going to be in the world championship events this year? He wasnt last year and id have thought he would have been more than keen to get lower down the rankings rather than play in a event which has no points available at all.

I understand that Sand, but Harri is now around # 55 and the 1 Jan deadline does not apply to the WGC's..........he's probably looking at a couple of Top 10's/top 5's to get back into the 50..................