Golf stars accused of overreacting to Zika scare as Jordan Spieth becomes latest to withdraw from Rio Olympics July 11, 2016 Golf's four leading male players will be missing from the sport’s long-awaited return to the Olympics after world No3 Jordan Spieth became the latest high-profile withdrawal on Monday. Spieth’s decision to pull out of the Rio Games, citing concerns over the Zika virus, follows similar moves in recent weeks by fellow stars Rory McIlroy, Jason [...]
Royal Troon’s propensity for surprises could favour Graeme McDowell July 11, 2016 There is a Scottish expression that sums up the best way for players to approach Royal Troon, as they descend on South Ayrshire this week for the 145th Open Championship. “Ca’ canny” – meaning “tread lightly” – is sound advice for tackling the Old Course, a setting that prioritises accuracy over enormous hitting and has been [...]
Richard Kilty baffled by golf’s Olympic apathy as he strains every sinew to achieve Rio dream July 6, 2016 British Olympic sprint hopeful Richard Kilty has voiced his dismay at members of the sporting community who have shunned the opportunity to compete at next month’s Games in Rio de Janeiro. Golfers have been among the most high-profile withdrawals, with world No1 Jason Day, four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy and 2010 US Open winner Graeme [...]
Dustin Johnson is playing the golf of his life and will be the man to beat at the Open July 4, 2016 US Open winner Dustin Johnson looks like he’ll be the man to beat at the Open Championship at Royal Troon next week after the new world No2 racked up back-to-back victories on Sunday. Johnson’s one-shot win at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational followed his maiden Major triumph at Oakmont last month and the American is currently [...]
“Golfers dream of Green Jackets and Claret Jugs – not Olympics”: Rory McIlroy defends Rio withdrawals June 29, 2016 World No4 Rory McIlroy has conceded that the insufficient allure of a gold medal played a part in his decision to withdraw from contention for this summer’s crisis-hit Olympics in Rio. McIlroy cited concerns over the Zika virus when he announced last week that he would not, as previously indicated, be representing Ireland at the Games [...]
Rory McIlroy rules himself out of Olympics due to fears over Zika virus June 22, 2016 WORLD No4 Rory McIlroy has become the most high-profile golfer yet to pull out of contention for this summer’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. McIlroy, 27, cited concerns over the Zika virus as he reason for his withdrawal just six weeks before he had been due to represent Ireland at the Games in Brazil. The [...]
USGA were right to treat worthy winner Dustin Johnson the way they did at US Open June 20, 2016 It was nothing short of phenomenal for Dustin Johnson to come back from the disappointment of last year at Chambers Bay – and the fuss around his delayed penalty this time – to win the US Open on Sunday night. Johnson, who missed the chance to win a first Major 12 months ago when he [...]
US Open 2016 prize money: $1.8m earnings boost on offer for Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Bubba Watson and Rory McIlroy June 17, 2016 A cheque of $1.8m is the lucrative monetary reward for the winner of this year’s US Open at Oakmont. The second Major of the year boasts a $10m prize money purse, making it the joint second-most generous tournament on the PGA Tour alongside the three other Majors and just behind the Players’ Championship. Prize money [...]
Australia’s Adam Scott determined to rail against Oakmont worries in bid for US Open June 15, 2016 Former world No1 Adam Scott intends to “challenge” the complexities of the Oakmont course as he bids to land the second Major of his career at the US Open, which starts on Thursday. Tournament officials have been moved to cut the course’s rough after it was considered too punishing, especially when the traditionally fast greens [...]
US Open 2016: Ultimate test Oakmont should favour the very best and Jordan Spieth’s game gives him an edge over Rory McIlroy and Jason Day June 14, 2016 I always consider the US Open to be the Major that is set up the best, fairest and hardest, and I certainly expect that to be the case with the venue this year being Oakmont. The Pennsylvania course is fantastic, one of the finest in the world, and I have fond memories of playing there [...]