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I have to say I haven't even looked at my LinkedIn account in months.  I lost whatever little faith I had in it after connecting with people and then proceeding to get bombarded with marketing blurb. I naively thought that messages from one connection to another had to be personal. Now it's just a massive mailshot dump. So when I saw this tweet from Cameron Laker this morning it really struck a chord. How shitty must the marketers and sales reps be to figure that LinkedIn is the perfect forum on which to plug their products? I'm not going back until they redesign it to filter out the crap. Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

Vacationing President Obama addressed a hastily arranged press conference yesterday to address the American nation, saying "stupid militants ruined what could potentially have been my best round of golf ever." Following the press conference the Commander in Chief was whisked back to the 12th green to resume his round, but failed to hole the three footer for bogey he would definitely have got before being so crudely interrupted by affairs of State happening very far away.  "I'll need a vacation somewhere more remote after this vacation," The President muttered to playing partners, according to lip reading experts. Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

Hang on a second, isn't this "Rachel" from one of my favourite TV shows "Suits"? You know the one with Mike Ross, Harvey Spector and the brilliant cat loving Louis Litt.  Turns out Rachel aka actress Meghan Markle is a friend of Rory McIlroy and he nominated her to do the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS.  Not only that but Rory seems to have been granted the gift of bi-location because he was on site to do the tipping duties himself. Wonder if Rory was getting legal advice on his court case with Horizon? Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

The atmosphere on the first tee at Gleaneagles has been electric over the first two days but it has even been amped up a notch on the final day. While for the most part highly respectful and fun, there was this taunt from one fan to Patrick Reed. The guy shouted "Did you practice your putting Patrick?" Thankfully the crowd stayed for the most part silent and didn't back the maverick fan. For all the pre-match reports on his self-confidence, Reed has been one of the shining lights of Team USA this week. Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

Darren Clarke: Among the favourites for Europe captaincy in 2016 Colin Montgomerie says Darren Clarke is the favourite to be the next Ryder Cup captain but admits there are several candidates for the role. After Paul McGinley led Europe to a superb 16½-11½ victory over the USA in this year’s competition at Gleneagles, attention has already turned to who will lead the team in America in two years’ time. Clarke was vice-captain at Medinah two years ago and is the most popular choice for the role, but Montgomerie â€" who was a pundit for Sky Sports during this year’s tournament â€" says the Northern-Irishman has to be sure he will not want to feature as a player. Ryder Cup-winning captain Paul McGinley admits it might be time to step down from the job, while Darren Clarke has thrown his hat into the mix to be McGinl “I think he’s the b...

This was fantastic. One down to Hunter Mahan and up to his knees in junk behind a tree on the 13th, Justin Rose produced this wonder shot. As he walked down the fairway he turned to the camera, smiled and said "Bit of Seve for ya!" Rose won the hole to bring the match back all square after being four down early. First, here's the shot.  Follow @golfcentraldoc And here's the quote! Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

Bradley and Mickelson: sat out Saturday at Gleneagles Where did things go wrong for America at the Ryder Cup? Phil Mickelson was very candid in the wake of his team’s 16½-11½ loss to Europe, citing the decision to move away from 2008 captain Paul Azinger’s ‘pod system’ and ‘gameplan’ as reasons for USA’s defeat. However, Andrew Coltart, speaking on Sky Sports’ review show,  How the Ryder Cup Was Won , suggested that USA succumbed because of mistakes made by skipper Tom Watson when selecting his pairings. "Mickelson and Bradley begged to play but Tom said: ‘No, it’s my way or the highway’ and you could see then that things probably weren’t right." Andrew Coltart The 65-year-old left Ryder Cup debutants Patrick Reed, 25, and Jordan Spieth, 21, out of Friday’s foursomes, despite the youngsters smashing Ian Poulter and Stephen Gallacher 5&4 in fourballs. Watson also opte...

Reacting to suggestions that former basketball ace Michael Jordan has not had a big enough role in the past two Ryder Cups, the PGA of America have moved quickly to appoint "his Airness" as Vice Captain for the 2016 matches. "Michael has been there in the background for the past two Ryder Cups and we nearly won," said PGA of America chief Ted Bishop. "We extrapolated that trend and deduced that if he was there much more next time we will surely win." The former Chicago Bulls star showed incredible foresight at Gleneagles being the first to question the captaincy of Tom Watson after the morning fourballs by telling him in a stern voice he was doing well "for now."  Follow @golfcentraldoc It is believed Jordan will bring a wealth of menace to the role of Vice Captain at Hazeltine, as well as height. “I don’t think there is anyone else in the world that pisses European golfers off like Michael Jordan.” said Bishop. “They just cannot understa...

I think most people who have watched the "Big Break" show on the Golf Channel over its 21 seasons have enjoyed the format of skills challenges, but now it is time to see who really is the best player under tournament conditions. The "Big Break Invitational" starts today with a field of 40 former show competitors playing head-to-head over four days for the top prize of $100,000. Heading the field will be Tommy "2 Gloves" Gainey who went on to a career on the PGA Tour thanks to the show.  I'll be rooting for Big Break Ireland winner Mark Murphy. I'll do my best to root out highlights and keep you updated with scores. Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

This didn't take very long did it? Man of the moment Paul Azinger is wanted by Phil Mickelson to reprise his 2008 Ryder Cup Captaincy role and he is interested! But first he needs to engineer getting more power from the PGA of America to start doing things his way.  "It is time for the PGA of America to recognize the great disconnect and formulate the same business model for selecting a captain as it does for selecting its president and officers," Azinger told USA Today Sports. Azinger explained how the European Captains first learn the ropes as Vice Captains before being elevated to the top position while the USA appoint "lone wolf Captains". "The PGA of America has officers that move up the ranks, getting sage advice along the way. And then many of them stick around and keep offering advice," Azinger said. "I think the PGA of America should recognize their business model is exactly the same as what Europe uses in selecting a captain." ...

Phil Mickelson poses with Paul Azinger Phil Mickelson could get his wish after Paul Azinger said he was open to a second spell as US Ryder Cup captain. Mickelson caused controversy on Sunday when, within two hours of the United States suffering a third straight defeat to Europe in the biennial contest, he criticised the approach of captain Tom Watson. Phil Mickelson has seemingly taken a swipe at the captaincy of Tom Watson by suggesting Team USA should have learnt from their last Ryder Cup win in 2008, With Watson sitting just a few feet away, Mickelson - who had been left out of a full day's play at Gleneagles on Saturday for the first time in 10 Ryder Cup appearances - stated his support for the methods of Azinger, who captained the side to their last win at Valhalla in 2008. Asked if he would captain the side again, Azinger said: "I'm ...

You wouldn't think they just lost the Ryder Cup would you?  These guys dont seem too divided to me! Here's Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson wearing women's Scottish kilts in the team room last night. Hunter Mahan initially tweeted the picture. I can only imagine Captain Tom Watson had left the team room and gone to bed at that stage. Hard to imagine that he would be reacting to losing in quite the same way. Oh dear! Its funny, but just not right now! Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

I promise you this is not made up.  Thanks to Joe for directing me to this story on the BreakingNews.ie site.  Looks like somebody in Holywood mistook the European flag for ISIS? Police were called to investigate a complaint about a European flag flying in Rory McIlroy's home town in Co Down during the Ryder Cup. It was flown at a house in Holywood where a Ryder Cup party was held. The complaint was made to the PSNI after someone thought it was an Arabic flag. In a statement, the PSNI confirmed its officers became involved after a member of the public claimed an offensive flag had been erected. They visited the house in Holywood, but were satisfied it was just a European flag. Local Alliance Party councillor Andrew Muir said: "In some ways you couldn't make it up." Priceless. Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

Paul McGinley: Possibly the star of the show at Gleneagles, despite the fact he never hit a ball They were the team that flowered in Scotland, the group who held off the US for a third straight edition of the Ryder Cup to seal glory at Gleneagles. The foundations for success were laid in the foursomes on days one and two, with the hosts moving themselves into a 10-6 lead heading into Sunday's singles. While there was the occasional scare on the final afternoon, in the end the margin of victory was emphatic enough - 16½ -11½ to those brilliant boys in blue!  As the dust settles on another victory for Europe, it's time to assess how the players performed. Here we grade the 12 men who made sure Paul McGinley got his hands on the trophy on Sunday evening, as well as the captain himself... Rory McIlroy = B+ (3 points from 5 matches) World number 1 Rory McIlroy says he loves play...

Maybe we will get an explanation as to why Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and now Rory McIlroy all went topless with wigs kilts last night but the chances are wont. And shouldn't.  It was a party for Gods sakes. That sort of sh*t happens! Anyway this a great pic instagrammed by Rory . I'm quite proud of my headline too; describes the scene nicely doesn't it! Follow @golfcentraldoc Meanwhile Phil Mickelson didn't even stay for the party.  He had to get back to his pod!

World number 1 Rory McIlroy says he loves playing as part of a team during the Ryder Cup. Ryder Cup hero Rory McIlroy is targeting more success after helping Europe to a third straight victory over the US at Gleneagles. McIlroy capped a productive tournament by defeating Rickie Fowler 5&4 on Sunday as Paul McGinley's hosts cruised to a comfortable win. But the world No 1 is already looking ahead to the challenge of retaining the trophy at Hazeltine in 2016. McIlroy: I was at my best "I hope it continues. It's fantastic to be a part of," said the 25-year-old. "The American side are very strong individuals but haven't quite come together the past few tournaments. "They're still very strong, and we know they're going to give us a good challenge when we go to Hazeltine. It's fantastic to w...

2014 Alfred Dunhill Links Betting Preview Tips And Predictions Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Old Course St. Andrews, Carnoustie & Kingsbarns Scotland  02 Oct 2014 - 05 Oct 2014   Follow @golfcentraldoc Favourites Rory McIlroy 4/1 will start short odds favourite ahead of the links test this week.  Though no doubt fatigued after his exploits in Gleneagles, Rory still has the fitness and the links game to get the job done.  The Open (and US PGA) champion may have a sense of unfinished business at the Alfred Dunhill Links too; he has finished second twice, behind Mike Hoey in 2011 and Simon Dyson in 2009. Victor Dubuisson looks to be decent odds at about 20/1.  The lightly raced Frenchman has played two Majors in his last four events including The Open where he was T9 and at Valhalla where he was T7.  Am reliably informed he will show up this week!  Finished T5 in 2012. Doc’s Top Five To Watch Tommy Fleetwood 30/1 Maybe it was a bit ironic that h...

Right now it is the job everyone wants, but the next European Ryder Cup Captaincy could turn out to be a poison chalice. The dogs in the street know the job belongs to Darren Clarke in 2016  but on foreign soil at Hazeltine, Europe will face their toughest test in a decade. Already talk in the US media has turned to the returning Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson and Jason Dufner with emerging talent like Billy Horschel and stalwarts such as Brandt Snedeker itching to make the next match. I also fully expect Ted Bishop to waste no time in inviting 2008 Captain Paul Azinger to reprise his Captaincy role as Phil Mickelson fully intends playing again himself in two years time.  Azinger was the last successful US Captain and is believed to be ready to lead the troops again. So for now its celebration, but the 2016 Ryder Cup is already shaping up to be a belter. Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

Tom Watson: Firm over dispute with Phil Mickelson American Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson has hit back at Phil Mickelson in the wake of Europe's emphatic victory at Gleneagles. After the US team had fallen to a third consecutive defeat in golf's showpiece event, 16½-11½, Mickelson caused controversy by appearing to question Watson's decisions and highlighting the success of former captain Paul Azinger, who led the team to victory in Kentucky in 2008 by the same score. Talking to Sky Sports News HQ the morning after defeat, Watson said: "The issue between Phil and myself is basically a difference of opinion. Phil Mickelson has taken a swipe at the captaincy of Tom Watson "He has a difference of opinion where he would like to manage the team and I certainly had my own opinion on how I'd manage the team. "That's the c...

Nobody in their right mind changes their driver four days before the Ryder Cup. It's ludicrous and its dangerous.  Yet the new Nike Vapor Pro driver, when it is released next January, will sell like hot cakes because Rory McIlroy did exactly that before the Ryder Cup. I cannot even begin to imagine the wranglings, the convincing, the money or the politics involved in getting McIlroy to take out his double Major winning and perfectly performing Covert driver and use the new club in the matches but it was truly a marketing masterstroke.  Follow @golfcentraldoc What makes it strange is that there were no concurrent ads on the TV to herald in this new club, no videos on YouTube, no images online, no blurb anywhere about the club.  The only advert for the driver was in the hands of the world number one who trotted the 'its longer and better than the last one' line when asked. But you know what, he seemed to be right!  This Ryder Cup will be remembered in the cold light of...

Paul McGinley conquered Tom Watson at Gleneagles Butch Harmon says Paul McGinley out-captained Tom Watson as Europe retained the Ryder Cup. McGinley’s men won the biannual event for the sixth time in seven attempts on Sunday, defeating USA 16½ -11½ at Gleneagles after a thrilling set of singles matches. And Sky Sports pundit Harmon believes McGinley’s knowledge of his players was crucial for Europe, who remain unbeaten on home soil in the Ryder Cup since 1993. "I’m not saying Tom was bad but McGinley was more in-tune and understood his team better." Butch Harmon “McGinley was an outstanding captain and did a much better job of captaining than Watson,” said Harmon. “I’m not saying Tom was bad but McGinley was more in-tune and understood his team better. “All the European players have made great reference to their captain but you haven’t heard the same from the Americans but whet...

Poor old Jim Furyk found himself in the middle of a feuding Phil Mickelson and Tom Watson at the Team USA post Ryder Cup press conference and boy was he keeping his head down.  Follow @golfcentraldoc Until a reporter asked him for his opinion on Phil and Tom Watson.  He first raised a laugh from the assembled media saying  "Gee, thanks. Just sitting over here minding my own business." before skilfully adding that he "didn't think it wise to get in the middle of it." Jim's best line however concerned finding the elusive "winning formula." He said that if he knew it he would have "changed this shit a long time ago." Hat tip to Brendan Porath for the Vine. Join the GolfCentralDaily community on Twitter for loads more comment on and off the course. Follow @golfcentraldoc

Its the players that take the field and ultimately decide the fate of the Ryder Cup, but it is the Captains who put them out there and pretty much everyone is agreed that Paul McGinley has done a better job than Tom Watson in this Ryder Cup.  Follow @golfcentraldoc I have no doubt the professional journalists will take no time in slaughtering Captain Watson for being too old and out of touch with his players which is a little unfair to a golfing legend. The truth is however that Watson made three critical errors; dropping Spieth and Reed on day one for the foursomes and doing the same with an irate Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley on day two.  Mickelson even appealed to his captain by text saying "give us a chance" after he refused him three times. The third error was picking Webb Simpson, again after being bizarrely begged by text message . But lets no forget in all of this that Watson is an eight time Major champion, almost won The Open again in 2009 and remains one of th...

As predicted things got very awkward and not just a little ugly at the closing Team USA press conference.  Phil Mickelson took the lead in skilfully kicking his Captain when he was down by continuing ad nauseum to talk about how Paul Azinger performed the role in 2008. Follow @golfcentraldoc Luckily Watson was sitting the other end of the table to Mickelson; all he could do was sit there and stare ahead with the hint of a grin on his face. Watson probably knew this was coming, he just didn't think it would be this bad. Watson eventually got to have a right of reply.  "I had a different philosophy being a captain of this team. You know, it takes 12 players to win. It's not pods. It's 12 players. And I felt, I based my decisions on, yes, I did talk to the players, but my vice captains were very instrumental in making decisions as to whom to pair with.  He has a difference of opinion. That's okay." It was all very tense but very entertaining. Join the GolfCentral...

The final day of the 2014 Ryder Cup was so full of magical moments this was a tough exercise. That's not saying this wasn't a team effort because it absolutely was but for me these moments were critical. Follow @golfcentraldoc So here we go. 5. Rory Becomes The Leader Rory McIlroy six under through six holes and five up and Rickie Fowler. That laid the foundation for a five and four win and got the first blue point on the board. Rory is now, and will be, the leader of Europe for many years to come. 4. The Justin Rose Seve Shot Justin found himself hacking from a bush when one down to Hunter Mahan on the 13th. He produced one of the shots of the week. That triggered a fight back for a half point that signaled a big momentum change in Europe's favour.  "A little Seve moment for ya" said Rose after into the camera. 3.  Martin Kaymer Chips In To beat Bubba Watson 4&2.  Two Major winners locked in an epic battle, it was going to take something special to settle thi...

Jamie Donaldson's superb iron shot on the 15th confirmed Europe's victory. Europe have won the 40th Ryder Cup at Gleneagles after holding their nerve in Sunday’s singles matches to clinch a 16½ -11½ victory over USA. Singles results G McDowell bt J Spieth 2&1 P Reed bt H Stenson 1 up R McIlroy bt R Fowler 5&4 J Rose A/S H Mahan P Mickelson bt S Gallacher 3&1 M Kaymer bt B Watson 4&2 M Kuchar bt T Bjørn 4&3 S Garcia bt J Furyk 1up I Poulter A/S W Simpson J Donaldson bt K Bradley 5&3 J Walker bt L Westwood 3&2 V Dub'sson A/S Z Johnson The hosts started the final day needing four-and-a-half points to maintain their recent dominance over America in the bi-annual event and early wins from Northern Ireland duo Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell teed them up perfectly before de...