Golf News

Caddie Ted Scott took some verbals from Bubba Watson at Valhalla but got rewarded when two new cars rolled into his driveway last week with a ribbon and bow as a bonus. I wonder what David Horsey's caddie Richard Logue will be getting after this incident at the D&D Masters. Logue had to reach deep into the lake to find Horsey's ball and positively identify it to save his man a shot. Now that is real caddying. Tick a boo son.  The new Fiat Panda will be in the driveway when you get back! h/t @golfclubwankers for the Vine Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

Holy crap, not only is Dan Gaunt's ankle sick and twisted it's also swollen up to bejaysus and black as coal. Poor old Dan had to pull out of the Northern Ireland Open on the European Challenge Tour after doing something completely unheard of on the island of Ireland; not drinking several pints of any Guinness whatsoever and still managing to fall down a flight of stairs. Anyway the good news is Dan hasn't got so much bloody publicity since he went toe to toe (no proximal pun intended) with Tiger Woods, and kicked his ass, in the Aussie Masters a few years back. Anyone interested in contacting Dan about sponsoring his ankle can find him here on twitter . Grizzly! Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

Hang on a second here now. I know what's in the past is in the past but I don't like the tone of this little Golf Channel presentation or the precedent it is setting for this year's Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. Focusing on basketball legend Michael Jordan's involvement in the 2012 matches, the clip lauds Jordan's efforts to somehow intimidate Ian Poulter and put him off his game by following him around the course, catching his eye and administering hand gestures. "He took it upon himself, to help his country, by making sure the Europeans, especially Ian Poulter, understood the magnitude of their match," the narrator says in a proud nostalgic tone. Look guys, enough of this bullshit. Hopefully both teams will see through this piece and use it to showcase everything that's wrong about sport. Hopefully they'll agree that crap wont be tolerated at Gleneagles or anywhere again. Hopefully the players will be the only ones fighting it out. Join the GolfCentra...

Jason Day: Joint-leader at TPC Boston American Ryan Palmer and Jason Day of Australia share the lead after the second round of the Deutsche Bank Championship. Palmer, who led by two shots after the opening round at TPC Boston, could only manage a level-par 71 following a roller-coaster front nine which featured three birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey seven on the par-five second. A bogey at the 10th and birdies on the 12th and 18th moved him to eight-under 134 at the halfway stage of the tournament. Day looked set to claim the outright lead after draining five birdies on a flawless front nine. However, he could only add one further birdie at the 16th and three bogeys â€" at the 12th, 14th and crucially the 18th â€" left him with a three-under 68.   The pair are one clear of American duo Matt Kuchar and Billy Horschel, who both carded five-under 66s. A further five Americans sit on six under â€" Bill Haas ...

My one man campaign to get Paul McGinley to make Padraig Harrington a late surprise Ryder Cup Vice Captain goes on after my Would'nt It be Nice Post on the idea earlier in the week. It's Day 5 and it's gathering momentum.  I got 17 likes on facebook yesterday and 3 retweets. I have until Tuesday to get through to McGinners! Every Crockett needs a Tubbs..... Every Maverick needs a Goose..... Every Picard needs a Ryker Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

Hennie Otto: Two shots clear in Italy South African Hennie Otto retained the lead at the Italian Open with a third round 71 on Saturday. Otto is two shots clear of Richie Ramsay, who admits he would hate to be the man to deny fellow Scot Stephen Gallacher aplace in the Ryder Cup. Gallacher needs to finish in the top two to dislodge Graeme McDowell from the final automatic qualifying place in Paul McGinley's European team for Gleneagles. The 39-year-old kept his hopes alive with a 69 on Saturday to head into the final round in Turin in sixth place, four shots behind Ramsay in second and six behind Otto. Third round leaderboard GB & Ire unless stated -16 H Otto (SA) -14 R Ramsay -13 B Wiesberger (Aut) -11 L Slattery -11 R Fisher Austria's Bernd Wiesberger lies third on 13 under after following consecutive rounds of 66 wit...

Great piece by Jeff Babineau on why Matt Kuchar is playing the Deutsche Bank even though his caddie Lance Bennett's 39 year old wife Angela died suddenly on the eve of the tournament. He’s been criticized in some corners for even playing this week, with his caddie and close friend struggling so direly back home in Texas, but the two discussed it and the conclusion was that Kuchar could help out more by playing. By filling others in, and getting started on a fund to help the family. Babineau also describes Kuchar's emotions as he held back tears to tee off in Boston yesterday. Kuchar put a peg in the ground, heard his name, and was struggling to hold back his tears. And once he managed to split the fairway with a 256-yard opening tee shot, he exhaled, turned to substitute caddie Brian Reed, a good friend of Bennett’s, and said, “That was harder than I thought.” Kuchar shot 2-under 69, and afterward, being married himself with two sons, he struggled to put into words the...

Today I'm teaming up 'Double P' Pat Perez to give away one of his 2014 PGA Tour worn and signed shirts, complete with sponsors logos, to a deserving cause. If you are raising money for a charity anywhere in the world and think that Pat's shirt will help boost the pot please get in touch with a message about what you are doing through facebook , twitter , email (examinerspindoc @ eircom.net no spaces) or the comment box below. We'll choose one charity in a few days and post it to you. Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

Stephen Gallacher: Came home in 30 shots to leave himself at seven under par Stephen Gallacher is hoping for more of the same over the weekend at the Italian Open after a 65 on Friday rekindled his hopes of qualifying for the Ryder Cup. The Scotsman started his week in Turin knowing he needed to finish in the top two places at the tournament to oust Graeme McDowell from the final automatic place in Europe’s team for Gleneagles. "It would be nice to follow it up with more of the same. I knew I had to go low at some stage and I'm just delighted to get on a run on the back nine." Stephen Gallacher He left himself with work to do after an opening 72, and it seemed he may not end up on the right side of the cut line when he was one under midway through his second round. But the 39-year-old bounced back in style after the turn, coming home in just 30 shots as six birdies saw him sign for a 65. He s...

Betting on Chubbs Peterson was suspended yesterday after his name was withdrawn from the race to succeed Sean Foley as Tiger Woods next swing coach. A spokesman for Peterson ruled him out of the running citing being deceased after reeling backwards and falling through an open window on being presented with the head of the alligator which bit his hand off. Peterson had been installed as the early favourite by Paddypower after turning slapshot ice hockey player Happy Gilmore into a proven Tour performer in just three months back in 1996. Betting was later suspended after the bookie remembered Peterson was in fact dead. Gilmore stills credits Chubbs as the driving force in his successful bid to save Grandma's house from being acquired by fellow PGA Tour pro Shooter McGavin. Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

Rory McIlroy aims to usurp Hunter Mahan at the top of the FedExCup standings at the Deutsche Bank Championship Rory McIlroy is looking to reclaim top spot in the FedEx Cup rankings as he goes for his second win in three years at the Deutsche Bank Championship. The Northern Irishman has enjoyed a memorable summer, winning the Open and US PGA Championships â€" and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in between â€" to establish himself as the world’s undisputed No. 1 golfer. His winning streak came to an end at The Barclays last week as he had to settle for a share of 22nd having got off to a slow start in New Jersey. It was Hunter Mahan who emerged triumphant and the American has now usurped McIlroy at the top of the FedEx Cup standing heading into the latest event in Massachusetts. But an ebullient McIlroy is looking to reclaim top spot and has plenty of good memories to draw upon having won this ...

This courtesy car smash involving Peter Lawrie and Damien McGrane on Sunday looked pretty nasty.  The men were en route to the D+D Real Czech Masters when the three car accident happened. Luckily nobody was hurt in the incident.  In fact both Peter and Damien got their cameras out to record the aftermath.  Peter for his twitter account , Damien (in the background of Peter's pic) for the insurance guys? Be careful on the roads out there. Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

If John Daly wasn't high enough in my estimation already, he has just gone up another notch with his new song.  Entitled "I Hit It Hard" the lyrics tell more about his life than his golf. So often, sports stars record songs for fun or charity and it doesn't work, but this is a full blown professional effort and the results, in my opinion, are amazing. The song has been getting radio play on SiriusXM and the feedback for the part country part rock track has been positive. Country hats off to you John Daly. Golfer, singer and a gentleman Audio: Hit It Hard â€" John Daly Here's a link to download the whole song http://countrymusiclife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/01-Hit-It-Hard.m4a?_=1 Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

Aw Dan, what have you done mate? On the eve of the Northern Ireland Open on the European Challenge Tour poor old Dan Gaunt slipped and took a bit of a tumble down the stairs injuring his foot. At least he put on a brave face as he was taken away in the ambo to spend the night in hospital. Dan  tweeted Won't be playing this week on @Challenge_Tour ...fell down the stairs...currently in an ambulance! Not ideal!  Luckily the foot was not broken as first feared and he was released from hospital this morning. He hopes to return in time for the Kazakhstan Open on September 18th. Get well soon mate! And check yourself out one of these when you get home! Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

Francesco Molinari: Shares the lead after the opening round in Turin Francesco Molinari certainly seemed to feel right at home in Turin, firing a round of 66 to sit in a share of the lead after the opening day of the Italian Open. At the course where he first began to play the game at the age of eight, Italian Molinari carded a flawless six-under-par score at Circolo Golf Torino to share top spot with Austrian Bernd Wiesberger. First round leaderboard GB & Ire unless stated -6 F Molinari (Ita) -6 B Wiesberger (Aut) -5 J Hahn (US) -5 G Maybin -5 R Ramsey -5 H Otto (Rsa) A member of Europe's Ryder Cup teams in 2010 and 2012, the 31-year-old offered a timely reminder of his abilities to captain Paul McGinley ahead of the announcement of three wild card picks to complete the line-up for Gleneagles. "I had a chat with Pa...

I really do hope this was just a slip of the tongue by Lee Westwood or just a bit of presumptuous confidence. Lee told the US media after being eliminated from the Playoffs and missing out on automatic qualification for the European Team.... “Off until the Ryder Cup.  After that, I don’t know.” Has Lee already been assured by Paul McGinley that he secured a Captain's Pick for the Gleneagles showpiece next month? Related Post: Wouldn't It Be Nice If Padraig Harrington Was Announced As A Surprise Ryder Cup Vice Captain It's hard to think of a Ryder Cup without Lee but would Paul narrow his options by telling a player he already has a pick so early? And where might that leave Luke Donald and Ian Poulter who are in the same boat as Lee and also decorated heroes? Have they been told anything? And then there's the likes of Miguel Angel Jimenez, Stephen Gallacher, Joost Luiten and Francesco Molinari who ply their trade and have shown allegiance to the European Tour where...

With his "out of the blue" win at The Barclays Hunter Mahan has put himself in pole position for a Ryder Cup Captain's pick. It is difficult to know who would happier at that news, US Captain Tom Watson or his counterpart Paul McGinley who watched on at Celtic Manor in 2010 as Mahan crumbled in the pressure cooker of the final singles match? That was heartbreaking to watch, even for European fans and is sure to have left some scar tissue.  Even at The Barclays Mahan struggled to get over the line which wont have engendered confidence. I wonder if anyone has even asked Hunter if he wants another crack at the Ryder Cup? It's four years ago now but I can still remember it clearly, the entire weight of the American team was placed on Mahan's shoulders in Wales, and when he fluffed his lines against GMac it left him crushed and broken. Even the press conference after was a car crash with Mahan, red eyes and a runny nose, thrust out in front of the world's media wit...

Liberty National GC boasts stunning views of New York's iconic skyline Liberty National in New Jersey has been chosen to host the 2017 Presidents Cup, the PGA Tour has announced. The 11th edition of the biennial matchplay tournament  - which sees the United States take on an international team without Europeans - will take place in South Korea next year before it returns to American soil in 2017. "We've had several very compelling announcements relative to the future of The Presidents Cup so far this summer," said PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem. "But standing in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty today to announce Liberty National as our next US-based host of the event is really icing on the cake. "The Presidents Cup has come so far in its relatively short history, and seeing the world's best players compete in this market, on this incredibly fantastic venue with such an amazing bac...

I'm pretty much the same age as Tiger Woods and have come to the conclusion that his obsession with getting "explosive" is deluded. Approaching 40 the only thing that gets more explosive is your farts. Being muscled and strong is one thing in golf, being muscle-bound is another.  I remember the Irish rugby team came out onto the field for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France pumped like Rocky Balboa; they looked great but couldn't run around the pitch. It was a disaster and it reminds me of Woods. Related Post:  Wouldn't It Be Nice To See Padraig Harrington Appointed A Surprise Ryder Cup Vice Captain? Pretty much the only guy I listen to regarding Tiger, Brandel Camblee, has a similar viewpoint.  â€œEven on Jimmy Fallon's show, he was talking about how he needed to get more explosive, and in another interview he said he needed to get stronger glutes,” Chamblee said. “He keeps referring to getting stronger and stronger and stronger, which is bizarre to me, be...

We are all aware of this problem; you buy a brand new driver for big money, then a few months later a new version comes out, and yours is heavily devalued. You feel cheated. At the same time you have to feel just a tiny bit sorry for the man Callaway put in front of the camera Harry Arnett, as he is being made the scapegoat for growing anger surrounding the company launching a new version of the Callaway Big Bertha driver just months after it was introduced. Equipment review giant MyGolfSpy published a picture of the new Callaway Big Bertha driver, Arnett objected and made them take it down, then MyGolfSpy responded with a powerful freedom of speech statement attacking the golf companies multiple driver per year strategy which they say is strangling the industry. Related Post:  Wouldn't It Be Nice To See Padraig Harrington Appointed A Surprise Ryder Cup Vice Captain? What Does This Have To Do With Callaway Golf? So, what does this have to do with Callaway Golf?  Well…if you...

I'm just wondering if Paul McGinley is privately a bit worried the way his three wildcard picks for Team Europe in the Ryder Cup is panning out. With Jamie Donaldson securing his place on the team at the Czech Open, one more heavyweight has been knocked out of the equation and another may be eliminated this week. With the Deutsche Bank finishing Monday and thus past the European qualifying deadline, no European US based players in the Playoffs can now play their way into the team. In fact only Stephen Gallacher can now make the team automatically. If he wins or comes second at the Italian Open he will secure his spot and give Paul McGinley an almighty headache. Should Gallacher qualify he will knock GMac out the last qualifying spot on the World Points List. That would then leave McGinners having to choose three players from a list of Ryder Cup heroes including GMac, Lee Westwood, Luke Donald, Ian Poulter and Miguel Angel Jimenez. If it does pan out this way, you would have to thin...

Now that Tiger has split from Sean Foley, all the surmising is about who his next coach will be.  Will Butch cast his all seeing eye (only has one) on Woods again, or will it be my personal favourite Michael Bannon? Before I get on to that, I have to say, even though I took the piss many times out of Sean Foley and his man-bag, I feel sorry for the shaded one.  It's like as if Tiger has shifted the blame for his bad season off his injury and onto Foley. And that would be a very unfair conclusion to draw from their time together. People are not going to remember the five time winner Woods in 2013 alongside Foley who gave him the tools once again to at least do the business on the PGA Tour. My personal favourite to succeed Foley would be Michael Bannon.  More earthy, old school, less trackman, more hands on, more traditional, not so busy....it all makes sense.  Bannon is 12/1 in the betting if you feel like a flutter.  One bet I would be willing to make is that Ro...

When we see the best European Tour talent packing their suitcases and heading away to ply their trade on the PGA Tour it's sad, but when you see the money that is involved in the FedEx Cup PlayOffs it is more than understandable. For instance there is a lot of support today for Jim Furyk who let another 54 hole lead slip at The Barclays.  But even in finishing eighth, Jim bagged over a quarter of a million dollars for his week's work. That goes into the vault alongside his $62 million in career earnings to date.  More people are sad that Jim hasn't won since the 2010 Tour Championship. Then again he did win $10 million that day. So don't be too sad! Much is made of each of the Tour's PlayOff events having a purse of $8 million, but there's also a pool of  $35 million in a bonus fund divvied out to the players, some of whom who are not in the PlayOffs. Hunter Mahan who struggled to hit snow off a rope this year is today $1.44 million richer and suddenly in positi...

Tiger Woods: With former coach Sean Foley Former World No 1 Tiger Woods has announced that he has parted company with his swing coach Sean Foley. Foley spent four years coaching Woods after succeeding Hank Haney who had a six-year spell working with the 14-time Major winner. A statement from Woods on his official website read: "I'd like to thank Sean for his help as my coach and for his friendship. “Sean is one of the outstanding coaches in golf today, and I know he will continue to be successful with the players working with him. “With my next tournament not until my World Challenge event at Isleworth in Orlando, this is the right time to end our professional relationship." Highlight Foley said: “My time spent with Tiger is one of the highlights of my career so far, and I am appreciative of the many experiences we shared together. "It was a lifelong ambition of mine to teach the best player of all ti...

I know GMac will have other things on his mind today with the birth of his child but the news from his camp is that he is to leave Horizon Sports Management at the end of the year and manage his own business affairs going forward. The move may allowed for a softening of the position McDowell almost unwittingly found himself him in the court battle between Horizon and Rory McIlroy and the "strained relationship" which has existed since. GMac said in a statement to the BBC When I joined Horizon in November 2007, I was ranked outside the top 100 players in the world. I was seeking a new and energetic management team to help me achieve my career ambitions on and off the course. These ambitions have not only been achieved, but have surpassed my highest expectations. During my time with Horizon I have become a Major Champion, played in three successive Ryder Cups and won multiple tournaments around the world. In parallel with this, Horizon has helped me to establish a portfolio ...

Deutsche Bank Championship, TPC Boston, Norton, MA • Purse: $8,000,000 The Course TPC Boston went from being the easy track of FedExCup Playoffs since its start in 2007 to one that played somewhat much tougher in 2013. The winning score went from 22 under in 2012 to 14 under in 2013. The 7,216-yard, par 71 traditionally suits great putters but last year six players of the top 10 also topped that stat in Greens In Regulation. Don't forget this tournament is scheduled to begin on Friday and end Monday which Labor Day in the USA. Doc's Top 5 To Watch Jason Day 16/1 There more I see of Jason Day the more I’m impressed.  Followed a 72 on Thursday in New York with three rounds in the 60’s to record a T2 finish.  Great track record in Boston too with a T2 in 2010 a T3 in 2011 and T13 last year.  Second in total putting on shotlink last week, Day is primed to win. Bo Van Pelt 80/1 I’m looking for greens in regulation merchants to perform at the Deutsche Bank and with a T1...

Just looking back over the Hunter files this morning, I have taken taken the mick quite a bit over the last few years, mainly about his attempts at beard growth with "patchy at best" results. It all kicked off with the Dirka Dirka Team America World Police pic a few years back which was uncanny in its likeness. And Hunter's cameo as Theon Greyjoy in Game Of Thrones was impressive! Of course I've always been fully confident in Hunter's short game. I knew he would get up and down on the 18th at The Barclays. I was also the first to bring you the Mahan baby pic.  Got Daddy's unmistakable look! But in fairness to Hunter, he's well able to send himself up.  Here's how his attempt at baby minding went. Congrats Hunter!   Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

I am definitely in the wrong line of business. You someone mentions Shigeki Maruyama’s name to me and says what's the first thing that comes into your head, I would say "Nice little chap, smiley, used to be a handy golfer, popped up now and again, bows a lot." I would never have put the baby faced assassin down as the owner of a 13,339-square foot house in Bel Air Los Angeles. Turns out he is and is now selling the pad for $16.5 million.  The three time PGA Tour winner bought the house in 2004 for $7.6 million and is asking more than his career earnings on Tour ($13.8 million) for it. It's the kind of 80's hospital wing architecture that screams Miami Vice and some big shot head of a major international drugs cartel. Or maybe the real Fresh Prince Of Bel Air all along was Shigeki Maruyama! Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

Hunter Mahan: Pulled away on the back nine Hunter Mahan produced a back nine charge to secure a two-shot victory in The Barclays in New Jersey - the first event of the PGA Tour's four-tournament FedEx Cup finale. The American, bidding to book a spot on Tom Watson's US Ryder Cup team, came home in 32 to post a winning score of 14-under and land his first PGA Tour win since April 2012. Stuart Appleby, Cameron Tringale and Jason Day finished in a tie for second while Ernie Els, William McGirt and Matt Kuchar were a further stroke back. Final leaderboard (US unless stated) -14 H Mahan -12 S Appleby (Aus) -12 C Tringale -12 J Day (Aus) -11 E Els (SA) -11 W McGirt -11 M Kuchar Click here for collated scores Mahan had started the day a stroke behind Day and Jim Furyk but caught them straight away with a birdie at the very first ho...

The only shot you'll ever need to see from Phil Mickelson. After hitting a shot into the hospitality area on the par-4 5th hole he chose to play out from among the fans.  Phil didn't pull off the shot, finding a bunker and two putting for bogey.  What he did do however was win even more fans in the attempt, high fiving kids and been patted on the back all the way.  One guy even offers Phil his beer. I'm pretty sure Mickelson could have gotten a free drop from this lie which would have given him more of a shot at a birdie, but he chose the trouble shot from among his fans.  In other words he chose entertaining his supporters over winning $10 million. And that is why Phil is Phil. Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc