Wed, 8 Feb 2012 05:00:36 en http://www.golfonline.co.uk/rss-golf-news.xml Lee Westwood has made his intentions clear for the upcoming Commercialbank Qatar Masters - which kicks off tomorrow (February 2nd) - despite admitting he is a "notoriously slow starter".

The world number three, who was recently pushed out of second position by Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, insisted he is preparing for success at the prestigious event, where he will face a number of the sport's biggest names.

Following a third place finish at the Doha event two years ago, the 38-year-old is confident he can move onwards and upwards with a performance that is miles ahead of his 17th place finish in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

"It was a decent start last week," he commented. "I had a few issues to negotiate - we've been working a lot on my fitness just recently and I haven't played a lot coming into Abu Dhabi."

Westwood, who will partner defending champion Thomas Bjorn and Australian competitor Jason Day at the upcoming event, revealed he is expecting some difficult conditions at the Doha course due to forecast wind.

He said: "But if the wind really pumps this week, it could quite easily be an eight under or nine under par winning golf course."

Meanwhile, Denmark's Bjorn has claimed the key to enjoying the same level of success in 2012 compared with the last 12 months is to make sure he continues to enjoy playing golf - which could be sound advice going into this week's competition.

Adding to his victory at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters in 2011, Bjorn went on to win the Johnnie Walker Championship and Omega European Masters.

"It's nice to come back as defending champion or you come back to a golf course you won on, it always gives you those memories," he said

During the 2011 proceedings, Bjorn eased into a four-shot lead to finish with a three-under-par score of 69 for a total of 274 at the Doha Golf Cub as 2009 champion Alvaro Quiros finished as runner-up for the second consecutive year.

Austrian professional golfer Markus Brier and Spaniard Rafael Cabrera Bello both tied for third position at the hotly-contested event on a respectable end of tournament score of nine-under-par.

"I made a decision two years ago - I went through a spell of not finding golf all that much fun anymore and maybe a little bit of falling out of love with the game and the travelling," Bjorn added.

]]> http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/lee-westwood-ready-commercialbank-qatar-masters-nd-801281346 http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/lee-westwood-ready-commercialbank-qatar-masters-nd-801281346
The wide selection on offer means locating the right irons in particular can become a difficult task, especially for the casual Sunday afternoon competitors out there.

But, the Wilson Prostaff X Combo Iron Set promises the perfect transition of easy to hit hybrids to low centre of gravity wedges that could provide an ideal combination.

The collection's hollow irons have the shape of a traditional iron at first glance, but bring 360-degree perimeter weighting advantages of a sizeable internal cavity wide sole.

Similarly, the hybrid clubs are easier to hit long replacement clubs, providing a compact head shape to launch the ball from a wide variety of lies.

Created by Wilson manufacturers, the high-quality equipment could be just the ticket for those looking to work on their performance on and off the green. 

]]> http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/wilson-prostaff-x-combo-iron-set-offers-perfect-transition-nd-801282307 http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/wilson-prostaff-x-combo-iron-set-offers-perfect-transition-nd-801282307 golf course on a crisp Sunday afternoon is a favoured pastime of a growing number of individuals who are drawn to the game due to the emergence of players like Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer.

But casual competitors may find some shots are harder to master than others, so they value the importance of finding the right clubs to suit their needs and their own personal swing.

Luckily, the Nike VR_S Forged Irons can provide perfect assistance for those people looking to propel the ball into the hole following a strong and accurate drive.

The technically advanced equipment successfully combines high-speed performance with high-quality craftsmanship for longer shots and a comfortable feel.

With the Nike VR_S Forged Irons, players of all abilities can enjoy higher, straighter shots that bring maximum carry, while the forgiving face allows the delivery of greater ball speed.

These pieces of equipment are likely to be put right at the top of any player's wish list for 2012. 

]]> http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/nike-vr_s-forged-irons-deliver-greater-ball-speed-nd-801282359 http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/nike-vr_s-forged-irons-deliver-greater-ball-speed-nd-801282359 Luke Donald returned to his winter home in Palm Beach Gardens this week to pick up two awards following a sensational season in 2011.

The 34-year-old collected his first ever PGA of America Player of the Year accolade, as well as the Vardon Trophy - becoming the first Englishman to earn both prizes.

Donald is only the second Brit to pick up the Vardon Trophy, which is given out based on the lowest adjusted scoring average of the year.

"It means everything, that's why we play the game, to try and write history and to try and get our names on trophies," he commented.

The talented professional went on to say he is unsure what has kept him from winning a major championship, stating his driving has held him back in previous competitions.

Donald became the first ever player to win both the PGA Tour money list and Race to Dubai in 2011, which can be added to a long list of accolades. 

]]> http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/luke-donald-returns-us-awards-nd-801283077 http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/luke-donald-returns-us-awards-nd-801283077
The adverse weather was not the only unexpected turn, as Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano lost his lead he established with an opening round of six-under-par.

Born in Madrid, the 31-year-old professional resumed his game on the back nine, but forfeited his position at the top with bogeys on the 13th and 14th to end of four-under.

He currently stands alongside Australian Jason Day and Korean golfer KJ Choi in second place as US player John Daly jumped into the top spot by just one shot after a whirlwind of six pars before the stoppage.

World number three Lee Westwood started the day off on the right foot with a birdie on the 11th, but bogeys on the next saw him slip into joint 48th place.

]]> http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/strong-winds-suspend-play-qatar-masters-nd-801283214 http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/strong-winds-suspend-play-qatar-masters-nd-801283214
The win - which has seen him catapulted back into the top 50 of the official world rankings - was consolidated with a sensational closing round score of 65 that saw him beat Australian Jason Day and Sweden's Peter Hanson by four shots.

As a result, the 43-year-old has guaranteed himself a place in the 64-man World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play event in Arizona later this month, as well as the 24-player Volvo World Match Play in Spain in May.

Representing his first success in a long time, the triumph could also lead to a plethora of opportunities including a second Ryder Cup cap in 13 years and a place in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National if he manages to stay within the top 50 for seven more weeks.

"If I keep playing as I am I will get in, there's no question, but there's a long way to go and I know as well as anyone that there are a lot of good players," he commented.

Meanwhile, US professional Kyle Stanley has proved he is a force to be reckoned with in the 2012 season of the PGA Tour with a sensational victory at this weekend's Pheonix Open tournament.

His triumph saw him come back from eight behind to take the trophy over Spencer Levin at TPC Scottsdale, who had led by six at the start of the final round.

Stanley fired an impressive 65 on a warm afternoon to enjoy a one-stroke victory, while his closest rival shot a 75, including a double bogey on the 15th hole, which - at a par-five - is the third-easiest on the course.

"Next time I'll just try to maybe stay a little more patient, like they always say and try to have a little more fun," commented Levin following his loss. "I just didn't have any fun today. I was trying to rush it, get it over with - that was my mindset."

Stanley's win comes after his defeat at last weekend's Farmers Insurance Open defeat, where he lost out on a give shot lead at the start of the final round, despite still being up by three as he arrived at the 18th hole at Torrey Pines.

After a three-putt, Stanley saw himself taking part in a play-off round with Brandt Snedeker, who took the crown on the second extra hole.

]]> http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/paul-lawrie-takes-crown-qatar-masters-nd-801283215 http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/paul-lawrie-takes-crown-qatar-masters-nd-801283215
The world number 13 joined Sergio Garcia and Jose Manuel Lara - who sunk similar shots earlier in the week - to enjoy the coveted achievement on the 12th hole at the hotly-contested competition yesterday (January 29th).

He celebrated the stunning drive by high-fiving playing partners Matteo Manassero of Italy, South African Keith Horne and all three of the players' caddies.

McDowell, 32, also showed off his fine form - which saw him come in third place at the thrilling tournament - on the 18th hole, where a lucky hit bounced three times before rolling into the cup.

Englishman Robert Rock managed to take the crown at the prestigious competition, while McDowell's compatriot and good friend Rory McIlroy enjoyed second place. 

]]> http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/graeme-mcdowell-hits-hole-nd-801277793 http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/graeme-mcdowell-hits-hole-nd-801277793 Golf Championship, taking the crown from a field made up of some of the sport's biggest names including Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Thomas Bjorn.

The 34-year-old managed to hold off the golfing legends in a sensational win that saw him go head-to-head with 14-time major winner Woods as he matched his birdie shots on the second and third holes on the final day.

Rock went on to run up a six at the long eighth following his US competitor's slip-up on the fourth and fifth, where he suffered a blow with two bogeys. Although the atmosphere could have been cut with a knife, the Englishman kept his cool to take home the €347,024 (£291,142) prize fund.

Despite only being ranked 117th in the world, Rock said he could not believe his achievements following a one-shot victory over the now world number two Rory McIlroy.

The young Northern Irishman was runner-up for the second year in a row, having lost out to Rock - who was 26 before making it onto the European Tour and 31 when he finally enjoyed success at the 2011 BMW Italian Open.

Meanwhile, Klye Stanley only just missed out on his premier PGA Tour victory this weekend in the Farmers Insurance Open, as US professional Brandt Snedeker took the crown in a play-off round on the final day.

The 24-year-old runner-up, who became emotional during a post-match press conference after squandering a three-shot lead, looked as if he had the win as he shot a 68 to secure a five-shot advantage during the penultimate round.

His performance included five birdies and a single bogey to move to 18-under-par to hold of John Huh and three-time victor John Rollins.

During the proceedings, Stanley's unlucky third shot saw Snedeker head back to the practice green when he realised he was in with a chance of taking the crown before a three-putt saw the two heading back to the 18th tee for a play-off round.

The pair both sunk birdies on the first extra hole, with big-hitting Stanley over the green in two shots, then managing to guide the chip to two-feet to prolong the affair after Snedeker found the fairway bunker and hit the ball to three-feet.

But it was the victor's par-shot that landed beside the TV tower on the 16th hole before going into the cup that sealed the deal, while Stanley missed his putt from five-feet.

"Golf is such a funny game, and to have that kind of lead coming into the last hole and not to win is tough. It will be a tough night for [Stanley]," said the winner. 

]]> http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/robert-rock-holds-competition-abu-dhabi-nd-801277817 http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/robert-rock-holds-competition-abu-dhabi-nd-801277817 golf course, many would argue getting into the sport from a young age is the key to developing accuracy and speed off the tee.

And now, with the emergence of big stars like Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer and Rory McIlroy, it appears more children are showing an interest in the difficult activity.

Speaking to EADT24, Sarah Wilson - owner of Bramford Golf Centre in Ipswich - stated she has seen a "dramatic rise" in the number of youngsters participating in the sport.

She went on to note that the sport is no longer restricted to older men, as players of all ages and sexes have been welcomed into golf clubs across the country.

"I always wanted to build a family-friendly golf centre, hence the pitch and putt and golf range. I feel we have done that," Ms Wilson told the news provider. 

]]> http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/ipswich-youngsters-getting-swing-things-nd-801276478 http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/ipswich-youngsters-getting-swing-things-nd-801276478 Sergio Garcia has proven he is a force to be reckoned with at this week's Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship by sinking a hole-in-one.

The talented player, as well as compatriot Jose Manuel Lara, enjoyed the coveted shot on the 186-yard 12th hole during the first round yesterday (January 26th).

Wearing a bright yellow polo shirt, the world number 17 took part in a humorous celebration after his seven-iron drive bounced twice and rolled into the cup.

Although Garcia went on to bogey the next shot, his fellow countryman enjoyed the same achievement just one hour later on the par-three hole.

Lara - who has enjoyed two wins on the European Tour - finished the day one shot ahead of Garcia with an opening round score of 70.

Fans of golf around the world will know the skill and accuracy required for a hole-in-one, while most players will never achieve this in their lifetime. 

]]> http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/sergio-garcia-sinks-hole-nd-801276558 http://www.golfonline.co.uk/golf-news/sergio-garcia-sinks-hole-nd-801276558