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

kwinigolfer wrote:As for Pampling, he should be doing something to advocate the strengthening of the domestic Aussie schedule to better prepare his mates for PGA Tour or ET. Until that happens, I don't see any other than the very best Aussies succeeding anywhere.

The Aussie Tour actually tried to do something to strengthen itself when it threw it's lot in with the OneAsia Tour. But all underestimated how effective the ET and Asian Tour would be in preventing it from properly getting off the ground (Asian Tour can thank Ken Schofield for that strategy). OneAsia is all but dead now.

But now there are the two ET co-sanctions in Australia with the Perth event and the AUS PGA... my guess is the PGAT will be stepping in with something there sooner rather than later as well... especially if the PGA goes forward the Playoffs, PGA Champ & Players moves like they're talking about. Moving the FE Playoffs to end 3-4 weeks earlier creates a lot of space in the Sep-Dec that probably won't be fully filled by displaced Spring/Summer PGAT events. Course I've been hearing scuttlebutt about an AUS PGAT event of some sort being imminent for years now... and it sure ain't happened yet... so it's pure speculation on my part now.

Only thing you can count on, despite what any media pundits might think, the PGAT ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT have a void (off season) on their schedule in the fall... PERIOD. So year round PGAT and ET golf here to stay.

GPB wrote:Looks like Pelley has thrown the Baby out with the Bathwater.

French Open was anointed Golden Boy status in 2016.  Bonus Phantom Euro and OWGR points.

Now, there are least 7 tournaments that are getting the Golden Boy treatment.

Sounds like the French Open is likely to be another one added to the mix even by next summer... making it 8 events.  

What's surprising to me though is how what used to be the "RICH Middle East Swing" is not so rich any more.  Purses haven't been growing in that segment for years now. So now with the 3 M.E. purses being "only" $2.5-2.7 million... AND with the addition of more truly rich ET events in the summer... some more of the dual Tour guys might start substituting M.E. more out of their schedule.  Heck... maybe even a few more of them showing up at the ToC, Sony, Palm Springs, Farmers and Phoenix instead.

I thought about Abu Dhabi and maybe Qatarjoining the Rolex Series as well... but not the Omega Dubai I wouldn't think.

PD thinks RtD will be downgraded to a OWGR level 52 (rather than a OWGR 54).

At OWGR-54 and a Rory victory, Rory would take over the #1 on Dec 31.

At OWGR-52 and a Rory victory, Rory will take over the #1 on Jan 2nd.

robo,
Remember that a fair few of the top European Tourists have rich sponsorship deals in the M.E., not to mention homes there . . . . . . .

As for the owgr's: Has anyone seen a planned return date for Jason Day?

J-Day has played Maui everytime he has been eligible, so while Australia is to far for him to travel, Hawaii is not.

If Rory does win this week, (reclaiming the #1 spot on Jan 2 by attrition), J-Day would most certainly take it back if he plays the ToC.

#guaranteed-OWGR-Pts.

GPB... I wouldn't rule Rory out of the ToC this time around. I know he hasn't played when eligible in the past, but he too is subject to the new "must play a new event" rule... And he'd still have a week off before Abu Dhabi. Since the ToC isn't excluded from the eligible events, it might make sense for him this time around.

Good Point.

Rory has indicated how important the #1 ranking is to him. If he does win this week, he would almost have to play ToC to keep the ranking if J-Day is playing.

IMO, Kapalua would be a GREAT fit for Rory's game.

Plus, Rory's American girl-friend might fancy Maui in the bowels of winter just as much as my American girl-friend does.

kwinigolfer wrote:robo,
Remember that a fair few of the top European Tourists have rich sponsorship deals in the M.E., not to mention homes there . . . . . . .

Beyond Rory and Stenson, who has homes there anymore? And other than the Omega and Jumeirah guys associated with Dubai what other big sponsor deals are working? Not being argumentative, I'm asking cuz I don't know.

Agree with kwini and GPB on Rory and ToC this year. Lots of good reasons for him to play... Especially how I agree that course seems would be about as perfect a layout for him as I could imagine.

So that means... he probably won't play... :-)

I also noticed... despite the failed merger, Asia is still supposed to be a primary strategic partner with the ET going forward. So where are the Asia proper events in all this new Rolex thing? Not a single mention of them in this so far, or even for potential future additions to the Rolex deal?

Per a Will Gray/Alistair Tait tweet:

Rory has narrowed his "new" tournament to Nelson, Colonial, or Travelers

GPB wrote:Per a Will Gray/Alistair Tait tweet:

Rory has narrowed his "new" tournament to Nelson, Colonial, or Travelers

Interesting... Colonial would be opposite BMW Championship, Travelers "probably" opposite Germany... and Nelson opposite some likely small event replacing the vacated Irish Open spot.  There was a question in Rory's presser about his equipment and he said he was going to be back in Dubai in mid-December for 10 days to test equipment with several manufacturers.  If that's the case maybe trying to play the ToC would be too soon if he's making changes?  I dunno... http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=125438

And by the way.... PD seems convinced Rory won't be #1 at year end if he wins...  but the interviews from over there seems to be having everyone convinced Rory can still take #1 by year end. PD has pointed out the 52/54 mistake on the OWGR site (369=52, NOT 54).  But I'm wondering if it's something else. If I recall, wasn't there some "Week 53" calendar issue hanging around from last year?  Could that be playing into this somehow, and maybe the rankings jumping a week at year end or something?  I dunno... confusing.

pd's been playing up the week 53 thing; I think he anticipated it months ago and is playing up the fact that they ignored him.
Good!!

pd's always had an educated, but sideways, view on things. Love it!

I thought it was DUMB as hell at the time for that Turkish guy to criticize Rory on not playing in Turkey... now... OOPSIE...

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Don’t expect Rory McIlroy to play in the Turkish Airlines Open any time soon, even if it’s just been named as part of the European Tour’s lucrative Rolex Series.

It’s payback time for the World No. 2.

Turkish Golf Federation president Ahmet Agaoglu publicly criticized McIlroy two weeks ago when the four-time major winner, along with several other players, pulled out of the $7 million event because of security concerns over the war in Syria on Turkey’s border.

“I’m surprised and disappointed as I learnt Rory had dropped out in the media,” Agaoglu said. “Over the last few months we have seen there is a lot of difference between top golfers and top athletes, with some golfers missing events because of a few mosquitoes.

“True sports people rise above this.”

True golfer McIlroy seems intent on telling Agaoglu where he can stick his Turkish Airlines Open. Asked if he would be adding next year’s Turkish tournament to his schedule next year, McIlroy said: “After what I read, maybe not.”

Take that as almost definitely not. The look on McIlroy’s face as he spoke to a small gathering of journalists Tuesday in Dubai said it all: he was none too happy with Agaolu’s public tongue lashing.....

http://www.golfweek.com/2016/11/15/rory-mcilroy-playing-turkey-time-soon-dont-count/

kwinigolfer wrote:pd's been playing up the week 53 thing; I think he anticipated it months ago and is playing up the fact that they ignored him.
Good!!

pd's always had an educated, but sideways, view on things. Love it!

I think I remember seeing some of that. I love PD's work... I used to do some of it myself, but I'm glad he's doing it so I don't feel similarly inclined... time consuming. And of course PD has actually taken way further by parsing what's normally boring data and made a lot of interesting fodder out of it... good on him

But I'll say this much... I very much doubt Ian Barker at OWGR ignored ANYTHING.  That's just not his nature, he's very attentive to everything it seems from my experience and exchanges with him.   He (and the OWGR) might have had a different take contrary to PD on things though.

The skirmish between Rory and the Turkish Airlines tournament sounds a lot like what the HSBC Head Honcho said about Tiger a few years ago.

GPB wrote:The skirmish between Rory and the Turkish Airlines tournament sounds a lot like what the HSBC Head Honcho said about Tiger a few years ago.

I had mentioned that elsewhere. But I think TWs reasons were different. When WGC -HSBC got official status on the PGAT that put an end to appearance fees for the Tiger in that event. Tiger and Giles Morgan obviously made up though... As TW got a big appearance fee check out of Giles for Abu Dhabi a few months later.

robopz wrote:

GPB wrote:The skirmish between Rory and the Turkish Airlines tournament sounds a lot like what the HSBC Head Honcho said about Tiger a few years ago.

Exactly... I had mentioned that elsewhere. But I think TWs reasons were different. When WGC -HSBC got official status on the PGAT that put an end to appearance fees for the Tiger in that event. Tiger and Giles Morgan obviously made up though... As TW got a big appearance fee check out of Giles for Abu Dhabi a short while later.

{{{emphasis mine}}}

I don't think so.

Morgan made those comments in the Fall of 2013.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/tigerwoods/10416245/Tiger-Woods-rebuked-by-HSBC-executive-for-lack-of-respect-to-sponsors-over-snub.html

Tiger has not played in Abu Dhabi since then. He played Dubai in early 2014 but not Abu Dhabi

GPB... Good catch, I remembered wrong. I thought it was when he started skipping in 2011...

European Q-School final Cut...

4 of 6 rounds are complete with the cut made at even par. Top-25 get cards, and currently minus-4 is in the number.

Those in good shape through four rounds include Edoardo Molinari at -9, Tom Lewis at -7, Eddie Pepperell at -6, Y.E. Yang at -6.

Probably the biggest names missng the cut were Alvaro Quiros, Rhys Davies & Chase Koepka

http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/qualifying/season=2016/tournamentid=2016995/leaderboard/index.html#/leaderboard

Rhys Davies? I remember when he was being touted as the next big thing.

I even think he was driving Monty's buggy at the Celtic Manor Ryder Cup. Not easy, given the undulations and weight carried..

Eddie Molinari with a 3-stroke lead after five rounds; from a bunch of Englishmen, including Eddie Pepp, Tom Lewis, Matt Nixon (who was the Matthew Nixon fan on here?0, then YE Yang not far behind. Pretty strong Q-School leaderboard, but sad to see the demise of Quiros (who turned up once at a Florida event, hit it by Bubba Watson who couldn't believe being outdriven by "The dude in the hat") and some others.
Zander Lombard is "on the number" going into the final round - looks a fine young player, hope he qualifies.

1st half of the ET 2017 schedule has been posted. I wonder if Omega European Masters will be part of the Rolex series anytime soon?

http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/tournament/Season=2017/index_full.html

Trophee Hassan II has upped its purse, but that's probably also required to get a full field..

It is a bit of a surprise that none of the Chinese or early Middle east swing events are in the Rolex series. The middle east has been pretty good to the ET at an awkward time of the year for the tour.

Pedro

Do you fancy having a go at making a list of what each Rolex series event is put up against on the PGAT?

Not to mention that China and the Middle East love the brassy tackiness that epitomises Rolex watches.

super_realist wrote:Not to mention that China and the Middle East love the brassy tackiness that epitomises Rolex watches.

Ha!

Did Westwood get a new caddie? Billy Foster is not on his bag this week, a bit odd.

I don't get the whole expensive watch thing. A £10 casio tells the time as well as a £10000 watch.

Nothing wrong with a nice watch Mac, I just think Rolex, despite their fame are a horrible looking watch.

It's true that your phone will tell you the right time, but you seem to have something against someone willing to spend money on something as if they are some sort of traitor. Why such disapproval?

Mac are you being deliberately obtuse or being a wum? Super explained about the difference in cars and you can't apply it to watches?

Is everything you purchase the cheapest you could? I doubt it. There is a thing called choice.

I presume Mac lives such a life of thrift that everything in his shopping trolley is Tesco Value, that he wears a shellsuit from the charity shop and a pair of welly boots, because they protect your feet as well as a pair of nice shoes.

It sounds every bit like Mac has the politics of envy.

Willett and Stenson have been on the clock for 11 holes.

Great round from Westwood, maybe a new caddie is a good thing.

Oh the irony! Westwood heads the field on -6 - Wood and Sullivan are virtually it up propping up (in the company if McIlroy I might add)

LP, I'm playing Leven on Sunday, how's the course looking?

LadyPutt wrote:Oh the irony! Westwood heads the field on -6 - Wood and Sullivan are virtually it up propping up (in the company if McIlroy I might add)

Looking good for the world cup...

Heard that Westwood's caddie is injured.... How did that happen? Run over by a buggy?

Probably carrying Lee Westwood for too long.

Quite a few popular players down the bottom of the pile; Stenson, Rory, Beef, Sulli, Wood, Jaidee, Grace and Pieters all probably out of contention already.


GPB

I reckon Stenson starts the round on the clock these days. There is no point waiting for the inevitable.

Here is a list of the new Rolex series events and what they are up against on the PGAT that week. I have just assumed that the 17/18 PGAT season keeps the same order of events as the late ET season overlaps with the early 17/18 PGAT season.

BMW PGA vs Dean & DeLuca Invitational (Colonial) (May 25 -28)
Irish Open vs Quicken Loans (Formally AT&T national) (July 6 -9)
Scottish Open vs John Deer (July 13 - 16)
Italian Open vs 17/18 Safeway (Oct 12 -15)
Turkish Open vs 17/18 Shriners (Nov 2 -5)
Nedbank vs 17/18 Mayakoba (Nov 9 -12)
DPWTC vs 17/18 RSM(McGladrey's) (16 - 19)


I am sure there are many factors other than what an event is directly up against that will determine who turns up but has to be worth considering.

GPB wrote:Willett and Stenson have been on the clock for 11 holes.

It's part of the PR for the new Rolex series...

Also, will the Rolex series be a separate money list to the regular ET money list? Is there an order of merit within an order of merit?

If so, is that the big negative to the Rolex series, as the weaker poorer attended events are relegated to an even lower standing in the world game?

It's probably just PR mac. Doubt it'll replace the RTD. But if the ET wants to wrestle the PGAT they might introduce some sort of criteria saying you have to play min. x Rolex tourneys to be eligible for ET membership, RTD bonus or something like that - just as they do today with the Final series.

DoDo Molinari, YE Yang, Eddie Pepperell and "Young Tom" Lewis are the notables that got through Euro Q-school and back on the EuroTour.

McLaren wrote:Here is a list of the new Rolex series events and what they are up against on the PGAT that week.  I have just assumed that the 17/18 PGAT season keeps the same order of events as the late ET season overlaps with the early 17/18 PGAT season.

BMW PGA vs Dean & DeLuca Invitational (Colonial) (May 25 -28)
Irish Open vs Quicken Loans (Formally AT&T national) (July 6 -9)
Scottish Open vs John Deer (July 13 - 16)
Italian Open vs 17/18 Safeway (Oct 12 -15)
Turkish Open vs 17/18 Shriners (Nov 2 -5)
Nedbank vs 17/18 Mayakoba (Nov 9 -12)
DPWTC vs 17/18 RSM(McGladrey's) (16 - 19)


I am sure there are many factors other than what an event is directly up against that will determine who turns up but has to be worth considering.

Good effort Mac.... but can't be sure about the schedule of those last four on the PGAT 2017-18 Calendar. PGAT has added Korea as a 3rd (very rich) event in an Asian swing... and something's gonna have to give somewhere to shoehorn that one in.... Could be the whole fall schedule shifts a week earlier without an off week after the Presidents Cup. Also... Irish Open will be up against Greenbrier.... I believe the French Open will be the week before the Irish (and likely elevated to a Rolex event) and be up against the Quicken Loans.

Great Top Three:

https://twitter.com/EuropeanTour/status/799588728511471616/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Hope they stay that way, regardless of final positions.

Big week for Lee Westwood in Dubai.. and the guy still can't catch a break. He's tied for the lead going for the par-5 18th in 2... when a camera clicks in his backswing.... clunk... plunk... water ball.... bogey. Freeking dumbass photographers... :-)

To be fair, it's about time golfers started being able to play through noise, They do in every other sport.