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

Were there not scenes of his toddler smoking a fag while he waited to see if he was in a play off or not the year he won? We had some sort of of debate on here about it, it was a while ago as I remember londonjohno wading in.

There was heated discussions on the BBC site. You started it by denigrating his parenting skills because he was smoking near his child

Are you sure. The way I remember it was that his child was smoking a cigar?

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?

You're welcome Mc,

Here's a few more pics Rory, Keith Pelley, Danny Willett, Matt Southgate.

Spoiler:

Thanks BTB.

Especially like the one of Willett at the top of his swing. His early wrist man sausage makes his swing look a bit different from some of the other younger players but you can see from that shot that he is totally conventional at the top. In fact his position at the top looks a little Rory's.

JAS wrote:

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.

So much for my "inside knowledge" recovery from the foot Op clearly ahead of schedule.

Saw on my social media this morning during the pro-am Andy Sullivan let one of our young juniors putt out on 17. Poor kid 3 putted but nice touch from Sullivan.

Yes, technically very sound. Very little hip turn and stable lower body, we'll be hearing more from him over the next few years I'd imagine!

Anyone can say what they like about the status of the BMW PGA and the finer aesthetics of the course, but to the TV viewer Wentworth looks majestic.

Nice to see form from Europeans who have been in the doldrums, but not happy to see Wiesberger struggling again. Wouldn't you think he'd've been on most short lists to make his first Ryder Cup team just a few months ago? But not in this form.

Agree with that Kwin --- and the list of wonderful and wonderful looking courses in that area is long: St. George's Hill, Swinley Forest (12th hole especially!), Woking, Sunningdale ... and so on.

One can certainly see why the Chinese bought it.

Ross Fisher complaining about the state of the greens.
Is that because they're bad, or because he grew up there and he has an axe to grind?

kwinigolfer wrote:Anyone can say what they like about the status of the BMW PGA and the finer aesthetics of the course, but to the TV viewer Wentworth looks majestic.

I agree - and today must have been near perfect conditions

Absolutely, Wentworth looks gorgeous. Mind you every course in south England should look perfect right now - we've had great weather following a mld and wet start to the year. My course is looking immaculate, best I've ever seen it, fairways like carpets etc, after hosting Brabazon qualifier last week.

Nice day for it today, crowd and players strolling around in short sleeves but not too hot. Meanwhile at the second test up in Durham the Sri Lanka fielders are all wearing two jumpers and still look freezing.

just realised I put this in the wrong thread.

McLaren wrote:A rather abrupt turn in form from willett at the end here.  Still pretty good opening two days though.  

Would it make a big difference if he were to bag another win so soon after the Masters or can he afford to wait a bit longer?  

To clarify I mean could a second "big" win propel him to a really great summer like Rory and Spieth have managed in the past. Of course missing out on the BMW PGA wouldn't detract from his great year so far, just nice to wonder what another biggie could propel him to.

Sounds like his group, Vickie Dubie, Blooming Soomin and Danny were put on the clock around the 14th or 15th.

Seems as if the greens are firming up and getting crusty, so anything better than Danny's/Rafa's 68's this afternoon would be pretty good golf.

It's getting to the time when Ryder Cup wannabes don't want to be missing cuts, especially in big money tournaments.
Looking at you Soren Kjeldsen, Thunderbear, Russell Knox . . . . . and a BIG miss from Shane Lowry and all of a sudden he's looking a longshot.

I'm exhausted after watching the leaders make such heavy weather of Wentowrth.
Westwood said in an interview that Wentworth is a difficult course to play with the lead and the final few groups certainly showed that.

One question for all of you in Europe:
Why is the putting so defensive? Is it because the greens are crusting up or just lack of confidence in making the comebackers.
It's one thing to putt to die the ball into the hole, in that case play enough break.
But it seems most players try to play the appropriate break to run the ball eighteen inches by the hole and than leave it short or on the low side, Willett as much of a culprit as anyone.

Any ideas?

Kwini - whether justified or not I don't think players trust the surfaces! There can be genuine problems this time of year, but personal view, they are exaggerated.

Cheers puligny,
Makes sense, some of the putting reminds me of the early season California tournaments on poa annua, but at least the pros there seem to give their putts a bit of a run. Oh well, could be a thriller tomorrow (tho' having a tough time warming to Tyrrell Hatton).

The US Golf Channel anchor, who's usually very good, suggested US crowds might find Danny Willett a bit thin-skinned, get on him a bit. Hardly appropriate comments, but hopefully he can let his clubs do the talking. Fortunately Nobilo rather shut him up.

A lot of people have had a go at D W - I am told this includes some ex am "colleagues" now pros! Not had any impact so far - I think he's made of pretty hard stuff, with a large dollop of self belief, sometimes regarded as arrogance. Many will tell you he is simply well grounded, and a very genuine lad. Doesn't have a big group of friends on tour, but well liked by some key players eg Westwood - maybe a bit of Chubby influence? I reckon any uppity tv commentators, or galleries would get as good as they give - and probably expletive rich!
No one is harder on DW, than DW!

Yup, That's my impression too. Also have a feeling the faster the greens the better he likes it. And they say that sometimes the game starts with the putter and works its way back through the bag.
Not really sure why the US-based guys were having a go - except Phil Blackmar who was following the final pair and was terrific. He has a folksy air about him but talks very good sense and offers great perspective. Plus is apparently the Tour's lowest handicap fisherman!

Was hoping for good weeks for Luke Donald and Franny Molinari, but looks like the games of both are disintegrating.
Walton Heath tomorrow for them? Or will they be on evening flights to the US en route to Muirfield Village?

Kaymer, Westwood & Wood look to be the beneficiaries of beaucoup Ryder Cup points if they play well today - team starting to take shape, but add Dubuisson to the list of golfers who aren't doing anything to help themselves.

Suspect Luke needs few more Hilton Heads to transform his confidence - doesn't seem as resilient or comfortable with his game any more. Still form is temporary class is permanent, so here's hoping.
Franny maybe caught between US and Europe, but must be a reward for ball striking of his quality (I know there isn't really and you can scab it round as long the putts drop).
Impressed with Wiesberger fighting back in rd2. He's having a bad spell overall but maybe that was a sign of the corner being turned? Also Jamie Donaldson (come on you Silkmen) produced an electric spell in rd2. Great shame if he didn't make RC after last time.

Strange though with Donald isn't it? Super first round, played well Friday without really making anything, and downhill yesterday. Still, back to even on the day and hope he can finish strong.
Molinari had a terrific week last year at Memorial - another finish like that would sew up his card and perhaps he can relax.
Silkman not showing any consistency this year, tho' not usually as red hot and ice cold as Friday(!), and he'll have his work cut out to keep his US card . . . . .

(Terrible weekend for Richard Bland; do you get to play with him at all puligny?)

Kwini - have done and it just emphasises the huge gap between tour pros, even of the journeyman variety, and club pros, not to mention ams. He also spent some time at Remedy Oak and seen some play and practice there, tho haven't seen him there for a while.
He is a really nice bloke. Very unassuming, dry sense of humour, but a fierce concentrator. Couple of pals played pro am at Stoneham behind him while he was shooting 10 under. Not a hint of "look at me" in the clubhouse.
Euro tour survey last year suggested he was the least favourite playing partner for other pros, but that had to be prearranged and tongue in cheek.

Le Tiss always seems to be bigging him up . . . .
I used to love playing Stoneham, long time ago, though imagine it is a different type of place today.

Let's hope for a thriller this afternoon.

EDIT! Luuuuke!!!!

Yes Le Tis also plays down at Remedy (proud owner of an albatross 2 on hole 15, although he tell us he never saw either shot, played a provisional after 1 and was cursing a possible lost ball after 2!!!! I suppose if you have the touch you have the touch!
They are big buddies going back a long way. Stoneham is lovely, but it had a hard 10 years or so when condition deteriorated. Happily they have got their act together. Lots of trees have gone, heather making a reappearance, and they have committed to being the best course in Hampshire in the next few years. Got a comp there in July, and very much looking forward to it.

If anyone is interested, here is a entrants/Tee times for the US Open Qualifier at Walton Heath Tomorrow.

looks like 101 players.

Anyone want to guess the number of players that do not finish 36 holes?

I am guessing 36 

http://www.waltonheath.com/Content/US%20DRAW%20SHEET%202016.pdf

4 hours 40 mins for a round of golf and a refreshment break? What are they thinking of? I will take your bet GPB and go lower at 30.

4 hrs 40 minutes should be plenty of time.  Its not like they are going to another facility like they do in some of the domestic sectional qualifiers (looking at you Memphis!)

If anyone has a website that has live scoring, please post it here.

Is it suppose to be good weather tomorrow at Walton Heath?

Cloudy max 20dgs, winds 15ish mph from N.

GPB wrote:If anyone is interested, here is a entrants/Tee times for the US Open Qualifier at Walton Heath Tomorrow.

looks like 101 players.

Anyone want to guess the number of players that do not finish 36 holes?

I am guessing 36 

http://www.waltonheath.com/Content/US%20DRAW%20SHEET%202016.pdf

Any clue on the amount of spots GPB?

I know the field ins't the best but the quality of play over the four days has been pretty bad. every time someone gets in the lead they start throwing it away. Not a great advert for the quality of the EuroT.

No clue other than its usually around 10-13 players.

More than most of the domestic sites, except the ones played in Columbus and Memphis (which usually have a lot of PGATour Players)

And BTW..the pdf file that I linked says the Eurotour website will have live scoring.

That was unnecessarily exciting.

A bit harsh there Mac. Obviously not up to your exacting standards, but Wentworth may not be the greatest design in the world but it usually makes for a nail-biting finish, whoever is in the hunt.

Kwini

Slightly tongue in cheek obviously but I do wonder what will go in the bbc highlights show?

Hopefully they'll have plenty of footage of the front nine fireworks and none of the two-foot putts Westwood of Worksop missed.
Julien Quesne must go down as one of the slower golfers I've seen in a long time.

Plus: Confirmation that Chris Wood has bumped Thunderbear from the list of nine golfers in the automatic qualifying places for Hazeltine.

Kwini

I think he will also move to 6th on the world points list once this weeks OWGR points are handed out. Although don't think that really impacts who gets in if he stays in top 4 of Euro list.

Correct.

Hopefully lw1 will be p1ssed off by the points he squandered - he's better than that, at least he used to be.

http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2016/tournamentid=2016041/leaderboard/index.html

For those interested, the latest scores in the US Open qualifier in Walton Heath!

GPB wrote:If anyone is interested, here is a entrants/Tee times for the US Open Qualifier at Walton Heath Tomorrow.

looks like 101 players.

Anyone want to guess the number of players that do not finish 36 holes?

I am guessing 36 

http://www.waltonheath.com/Content/US%20DRAW%20SHEET%202016.pdf

4 withdrawals without hitting a shot already and one retirement to date lol!

Edit Make that two retirements

Thanks for the link.  

10 WDs thus far.

Really surprising that there are no comments about the superb front 9 that Wood produced while others faded away and what that win will mean for him. Some really stupid and misinformed comments about the quality of the European tour when the Masters champion was taking part. Yes he hit some dodgy shots coming in, but it seemed like everyone struggled apart from guys that were coming from the back of the field with zero pressure on them. Give Wood some credit at least!

Hi Faldo,
How good can Chris Wood be?
His career so far seems to have been in cameos, the very, very good but then spells injured or in the doldrums - no idea what his ambitions might be, but now he has a Ryder Cup place to defend. He'll be in all the WGC's and Majors for a while so presumably has the opportunity he's been fighting for.

(I think it's easy to be disappointed with a PGA field when the likes of McIlroy, Stenson, Rose, Garcia, Casey can't be bothered to show up. The status of the European Tour in the international golfing world is really in the hands of its best players, surely? Must do better.)

Hi Kwini,

As far as Wood is concerned I think half is belief in his own ability and half is having a decent run without injury. I believe the cameo's you refer to are due to both of these things.

I agree with the comments regarding the top players, however Willet beat all of these at the Masters? Stenson is out of form and so was Garcia until recently. Rose was injured and Mcilroy should have juggled his schedule perhaps. Casey is not a significant miss and someone who is not really interested in Europe full stop.

faldo, I think the criticism of the field is the only consistent message this board could produce given the amount of comments we have about how unfair it is that free OWGR points are handed out to those just turning up in some WGC's or limited field events.

It is one thing giving a couple of points at the back of the field but the winner of the BMW PGA got a 20 point bump. And to varying degrees this will have continued down the order.

If you are going to hand out a min 64 points and make your flagship event (which it is officially regardless of what Pelley says) it would be a good idea to attract a much better field and not look like a charity case in terms of "free points".

The lack of top 50 and even top 100 players was pretty obvious. Willett played well but it would have been nice if the field could have provided a better challenge as a whole. If the field had actually been worth 64 points I doubt Chris Wood would have got away with a 40 back nine, regardless of what he shot on the front nine.

There is no issue in asking for the European tour to make a better effort with its flagship event. What seems like a better than average field for a european tour event is pretty much a plumber joe PGAT event.

No doubt about any of that regarding the top players, Faldo, only problem is that their absence diminishes the "strength of field", even Casey's ambivalence. All a bit chicken and egg I suppose.
Regardless, in the "class is permanent" category, good to see Harrington making a decent run at Walton Heath; assume Donald, Molinari & Poulter will be playing in a US Sectional.

Good luck w/Chris Wood; I know you're a long-time fan. Was hoping he'd kick on after winning Qatar so well, perhaps now is his time.

Come on Paddy, let's dig in and qualify!

For the record, 13 spots available at the Walton Heath Qualifier.

https://twitter.com/EuropeanTour/status/737226046362112000

edit at least 20 players are not going to play 36 holes.

GPB,
That's OK though, surely. No point in no-hopers hanging about. Anything that reduces the field speeds up play - not an issue today, but there have been times . . . . . .

Bourdy in good form this spring, and looks like Oakmont will get a slice of Beef. Harrington needs one more par to survive (EDIT: Hadn't seen that bogey on 17. Ugh) by the looks of things, and happy to see Hanson & Noren in form again.

Since they played in two-somes....that is lot of one-somes interspersed in between.

Not sure if the SOP is to combine the onesomes into twosomes.

I would hope so.