European Tour 2016 - Dubai

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Selected RD 1 Tee Times
1 07:40 Felipe AGUILAR Raphaël JACQUELIN
1 07:50 Renato PARATORE Mikko ILONEN
1 08:00 Romain WATTEL Jaco VAN ZYL
1 08:10 Matthew SOUTHGATE Kiradech APHIBARNRAT
1 08:20 Ricardo GOUVEIA Padraig HARRINGTON
1 08:30 George COETZEE Pablo LARRAZÁBAL
1 08:40 Marcus FRASER Brandon STONE
1 08:50 Victor DUBUISSON David LIPSKY
1 09:00 Jorge CAMPILLO Julien QUESNE
1 09:10 Tommy FLEETWOOD Nacho ELVIRA
1 09:25 Joakim LAGERGREN Soomin LEE
1 09:35 Nicolas COLSAERTS Alejandro CAÑIZARES
1 09:45 Richard STERNE Byeong Hun AN
1 09:55 Charl SCHWARTZEL Grégory BOURDY
1 10:05 Rikard KARLBERG Alexander LEVY
1 10:15 Shane LOWRY David HORSEY
1 10:25 Bradley DREDGE Matthew FITZPATRICK
1 10:35 Richard BLAND Scott HEND
1 10:45 Francesco MOLINARI Andrew JOHNSTON
1 10:55 Thomas PIETERS Søren KJELDSEN
1 11:10 Sergio GARCIA Haotong LI
1 11:20 Thongchai JAIDEE Ross FISHER
1 11:30 Joost LUITEN Jeunghun WANG
1 11:40 Martin KAYMER Andy SULLIVAN
1 11:50 Lee WESTWOOD Bernd WIESBERGER
1 12:00 Thorbjørn OLESEN Chris WOOD
1 12:10 Louis OOSTHUIZEN Rafa CABRERA BELLO
1 12:20 Branden GRACE Tyrrell HATTON
1 12:30 Rory MCILROY Alex NOREN
1 12:40 Danny WILLETT Henrik STENSON

Willett has sobered up it seems

No Rory, now no Rose. That's a big loss.

But it really just backs up Pelly's contention that tournament should no longer be regarded as the tour's "Flagship" event.

Has Pelley actually said that?

What would Rose's w/d have to do with that anyway??

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/nov/17/european-tour-major-changes-final-series-membership

The #3 ranked golfer in the world -- and ET member -- skips your "flagship" event.

The #10 ranked golfer in the world -- and ET member -- is on the bench.

Hey, call it the "marquee event of the ET" until the cows come home ... it would help that claim if the top players would/could play in it!

Hadn't seen that, Thanks. And what an incredibly stupid thing to say. Can't see Finchem ever holding his "flagship" event in Buenos Aires or Vancouver.

Why the comment about Rose, don't understand that?
Can't guys get injured any more and have to sit one out? If Rose is not careful, Casey will win a big one (not likely, admittedly) and he'll start to slide in the GB Olympic ranking.

Shotrock

Interesting article. I either didn't read that at the time or had now forgotten that he said that. Bet BMW were happy to hear those remarks.

But it clearly isn't the flagship event as the early season middle eastern events and tour finale events attract better fields. Although it isn't easy to get the actual field strength for wentworth due to the subsidy.

Mac, I think if you check the OWGR homepage it will show you the SOF if applicable for all of the tournaments taking place that week.

Nice little battle at the top between Rory and Danny. It is probably unlikely to happen but would be great for the european tour to see those two go head to head on a sunday afternoon.

To this observer, the "Flagship" event on the ET has to be the Ryder Cup (regardless of which continent it's played on).

Not sure why any tournament needs the official "Flagship" designation, however.

Even money chance of Clarke & Westwood being paired together for Round 3. Just like 2006.

Looks like Willett and Ben An will be the only EuroTour members in the Top 25 that will be playing Wentworth

Rory, Henrik, Rosey, Grace, Oosty, Reed, Sergio, and Charl are skipping Wentworth.

Best rounds of the day, a pair of 66's, from Scotland, Knox & Warren.

GPB wrote:Looks like Willett and Ben An will be the only EuroTour members in the Top 25 that will be playing Wentworth

Rory, Henrik, Rosey, Grace, Oosty, Reed, Sergio, and Charl are skipping Wentworth.

You have to think there's something more going on than just "schedule" changes. Wonder if there's an under current of "we don't like the owners so we're not playing"

I know he's not even top 100 at the moment but is a previous winner. David Howell is still recovering from a foot operation and is likely to be out for some time yet.

It almost looks like a perfect storm, including the compressed schedule - a disgrace if the Strength Of Field is lower than the Irish Open, the "flagship" subsidy should be withdrawn, or at least reduced, until the Tour can produce a field to warrant it.

Where's Gold Wolf? Gary Boyd in with a 69 and in the Top 15 as the leaders tee off.

Kwini

Do you think the EuroT organisers could have done more to ensure a better field and if so what could they have done?

On this thread or another a week or so ago I brought up the idea of the flagship event being one of the middle east swing events (Qatar or Dubai), do you think it would be possible to assemble a field of The Players­­­™ quality in January or February.

Possibly, but I don't much are for the idea of holding the European "flagship" event outside Europe.
No reason at all why the Tour shouldn't be able to make a success of the BMWPGA, but perhaps the date needs to be tweaked and the course replaced (if "Wentworth" is truly an issue).

This year is especially challenging though, can't ever remember so many defections from The Players and many of those who turned up did it on the back of a month off, complete with predictable rust and missed cut.

Having said all of which, perhaps some of Europe's second-best can take the opportunity to fill any void; great to see Rafa continuing his excellent form in Ireland for instance, and perhaps Westwood can get his game out of mothballs for Wentworth?

Princedrac said the Irish open should be about 46 points, so if the BMW could fall below this it is in danger of being closer to the min than flagship status.

24 = Euro tour minimum
64 = min for BMW PGA.

If the BWM falls below 44 it will be closer to the tour minimum than the protected flagship number.

This was six years ago, but I don't think it has changed much.  Its got to be part of the BMW-PGA field problem

http://www.golfdigest.com/story/sergio-garcias-stand-against-taxes

Suspension of play.
But not before McDowell has scraped his way to a 76. He's the only European to qualify automatically for each of the past four Ryder Cups - but he's not doing himself any favours if he wants to make it five in a row.

GPB

Could well be an issue but you would have to look at the tax laws of all the EU countries that host European tour events. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Germany, France, Spain and the Scandinavians all had similar rules. It would then be a more general problem than just the BMW PGA.

If tax is a worry it is not surprise to see an increasing number of events outside Europe. One easy way to avoid the "harsher" european tax systems is never to play there.

Either way, it is pretty sad that extremely rich people can't bare to share a little of their wealth to play a sport they supposedly love.

It's the taxation of endorsements that's pretty unique for the UK. Normally you'd only be taxed on those in your country of residence.

McLaren wrote:GPB

Could well be an issue but you would have to look at the tax laws of all the EU countries that host European tour events.  I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Germany, France, Spain and the Scandinavians all had similar rules.   It would then be a more general problem than just the BMW PGA.

If tax is a worry it is not surprise to see an increasing number of events outside Europe.  One easy way to avoid the "harsher" european tax systems is never to play there.

Either way, it is pretty sad that extremely rich people can't bare to share a little of their wealth to play a sport they supposedly love.

Mac - did you check the tax laws? Thought not. But don't let facts get in the way of your point.

The top players playing well this week should improve the SOF for Wentworth just a tad. Important for the European Tour season that the best start to play the best!
Nice work then by Martin Kaymer.

Ray

I clearly said "wouldn't be surprised", which most people don't take to mean a solid claim or proposition.


kwini

Yes great event so far, I am only following leaderboard but looks like fun times for some of the traditional top Europeans.

Hope Rory can can back but he is currently about 3/4 shots off the pace versus the other guys playing well at the top. Some low scores out there today.

One shot lead now following Russell Knox's struggles on #16.
Pity Danny Willett fizzled today, but decent finish from RCB who can't stop playing well - hope he doesn't burn himself out.

K Club looks terrific when it's not monsooning.

Rory's approach to 18 with a fairway wood apparently went pretty close. Can anyone watching describe the shot?

If true, what a great way to win an event under pressure.

Ok, so pretty good.

https://twitter.com/RyanLavnerGC/status/734416994980630529

I saw it Mac. From the left hand side of the fairway, he hit it about 250 yards and it trickled a few feet to leave him with a 2 foot(?) eagle. Fist pumps all round. Sky over egging his two fairway shots to the par 5's (16 & 18). Very good shots, but not "great"

INW, you must be a hard man to please. All of Rory's approaches on 16, 17 and 18 seemed pretty good under pressure.

Rory donating his cheque to his foundation. Nice touch. Does Tiger do that at his event?

McLaren wrote:INW, you must be a hard man to please.  All of Rory's approaches on 16, 17 and 18 seemed pretty good under pressure.  

I said it was a very good shot. Fairway, preferred lies, world number 3. I would expect him to hit the green in those circumstances 9/10. They would be good shots. Very good gets him close to the pin.

INW, how good does Rory's ball striking look and sound in the flesh?


I haven't seen him live yet. Only open I have bothered to go to in recent years was last years at TOC.

Mac, I am so technically ignorant I would not like to comment. I can just about tell that Jim Furyk has a slightly different swing to all other golfers. Beyond that, I am lost.

The commentators on our GC feed reckoned Rory needed to finish like he did on Saturday at Hoylake and I'd say he pretty much delivered. Birdie, should'vebeenabirdie, eagle. The finish played to Rpry's strengths and Knox's weakness but no taking away from the win.

Mac,
Steve Williams said somewhere that the closest he's heard to Woods at impact is Brooks Koepka which I thought was an interesting comment about someone only just making his way. Only time I followed BK he kinda hacked it round, not impressive at all but the pundits still rave about him.

INW, as kwini mentioned in his post above you can often hear a slightly duller more solid sounding noise when the really good players hit the ball. I guess because the clubhead speed is greater and they hit it out the middle more often.

I really like watching the pro's on the range if I go to an event. Watching them swing on the range with more control than on the course allows you to get an idea of how to swing the club properly.

Seen Woods 2006 version, Rory, Koepka off the tee. All a sight to behold. Rory though is the most spectacular I have ever seen. As Mac says the sound is slightly different and trajectory is something else., knock satellites out of orbit. His smaller stature and smooth in control swing all add to the effect.

16 & 18 today were something special even with a preferred lie. The pressure was on and he delivered, we have been spiolt over the years with TW performing miracles.

Rory on 18 reminded me of Stenson winning the Dubai finale a few years ago. Wicked.

My Son turned 5 yesterday, and today he saw Rory Mcilroy win the Irish Open. We got there for the leaders back 9. I got a few pics and got pretty close to the action at times.

Rory's approach shot to the 16th green. Unreal shot.

Better than the Golf Channel . . . . . . . .

PS: Happy Birthday to Rory Junior.

kwinigolfer wrote:Better than the Golf Channel . . . . . . . .

PS: Happy Birthday to Rory Junior.

Cheers Kwini, aah he loved it. This was his first live Golf tournament and he was delighted to see Rory play, let alone win. I had a great day too, brilliant to see Danny Willett so soon after his Augusta win. Lee was there too, great day. He was sitting on my shoulders while I was filming that, hence the wobbles, not Lee, my son...

Special days . . . . . Trust he received a set of clubs for his b'day.

Could be a breakthrough win for Rory, something to kick-start his season. He looked a mighty relieved young man, thrilled too. Emotional win.

He got way too much for his birthday, mainly Starwars orientated, he's still on the cut down clubs for the moment...

Yeah Rory was under a lot of pressure out there today, there was a large contingent down from the North and I'm sure he didn't want to upset anyone, and he did it in style. Brilliant. He looked very composed and focused out on the course. Hopefully this allows him to turn those good weeks into excellent weeks and he bags a Major or two over the summer. Danny will certainly be a great inspiration on that front.

Nice video, thanks for posting be_the_ball.


I notice rory has his hands ahead of the ball at address with the fairway wood. If you read Harvey Pennick or some of the other classic teachers they suggest having the hands a little behind the ball for shots with woods. With the shaft angled a little away from the ball, but rory has quite an angle forward of the ball.

Anyone know what the current thinking is on hand/shaft position when setting up for wood shots?

McLaren wrote:Nice video, thanks for posting be_the_ball.


I notice rory has his hands ahead of the ball at address with the fairway wood.  If you read Harvey Pennick or some of the other classic teachers they suggest having the hands a little behind the ball for shots with woods.  With the shaft angled a little away from the ball, but rory has quite an angle forward of the ball.

Anyone know what the current thinking is on hand/shaft position when setting up for wood shots?

After those two shots of Rory's, if it wasn't to have hands ahead it will be now!

The ET website giving a big plug for Nike with a "What's in the bag" story about Rory. LINK HERE
Maybe the quid pro quo to get Rory to tell them, was that Nike had to be mentioned 14 times.

princedrac-inspired speculation over the weekend about Strength of Field for this week's Wentworth action compared to Rory's Irish Open:

Irish Open:  280 (owgr points to winner: 46)
Wentworth: 274 (owgr points to winner: 64)

Flagship sunk?

PS: Last year's Wentworth SOF was 284 so not that much difference really.

Rory thinking about NOT going to Brazil for the Olympics.

Zika Virus

https://twitter.com/RyanLavnerGC/status/734793057829195776