Taking the Scenic Route

Unsurprisingly, Jo Taylor wasn’t surrounded by golf-crazed friends when she first picked up a club at the age of eleven. Slightly more surprisingly, golf didn’t present itself to her through a golf-fanatic father or brother.  Jo fell in love with the game on her own accord. Three years later, she was whisked away to Royal Lytham for the 2003 Women’s Open (from Essex to Lancashire for one day of golf; that’s some Class A parenting!), where she followed Annika Sorenstam en route to victory and even managed to blag an autograph; all in a day’s work. Jo was hooked.

The Right Attitude

Be it through Sorenstam’s Open heroics and a Swedish autograph or something else entirely, by the time Jo got to studying Applied Golf Management at Birmingham University, she was pleasantly surprised to find five other girls inspired to make golf a career.

Despite this, I think we can all agree that there is room for more women in the game of golf. Jo told me that ‘You get used to being a minority’ as a woman in golf. At face value this may paint a pitiful picture of the women’s game, but in actuality Jo doesn’t see this as an obstacle but says the fact ladies often ‘Have to try harder to get taken seriously’ simply fuels her desire.

Heart to Heart

When Heart FM’s Jenni Falconer approached her for lessons having never picked up a club before, Jo appeared to have an almighty task on her hands. Yet just six weeks later the presenter took to the GolfSixes Pro-Am with Jo as her caddy, highlighting the accessibility of golf for women and, in fact, all newcomers. This was part of a campaign run by love.golf, alongside the PGA’s of Europe, with the goal to ‘shine a light on various challenges, questions and benefits that can be experienced by women and girls getting into the game’ and ultimately ‘inspire a new generation of female golfers’, according to love.golf’s website.

The love.golf campaign is one very close to Jo’s heart and she will continue her work for the cause in future.

What Needs to Change?

‘Basic stuff’, Jo tells me. Despite her experience and prestige in the game, Jo admits to still getting nervous when visiting unfamiliar golf clubs. Why? A lack of signage, apparently. Now this doesn’t mean that a ‘Toilet This Way’ sign will add a thousand new members to every golf club, but Jo strongly feels a ‘change in environment for newcomers’ is necessary. There’s an onus on older existing members to create a more friendly, welcoming environment in the clubhouse. But Jo says that there is simply ‘no need’ for every single golfer to play competitions and earn a handicap, and that the pressure on beginners to do so can be extremely off-putting.

The attitude of running clubs is one that Jo feels golf clubs can learn from; allowing relaxed, recreational members as well as the serious competitors.

We talked for a long time about a range of topics in the sport, but there was one clear message coming across from Jo: Golf is accessible! More now than ever.

Written by Joe Carabini

joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com

Credit: @RyderCupEurope - Official Team Europe Twitter account

Along Came Moli

At The 147th Open, Francesco Molinari became the first Italian ever to win a golf major. He also became the first European to win a golf major... Or at least that's what it felt like. Whilst the Star-Spangled Banner was still a regular fixture on the Major Winners List, golf's biggest stages had a more open-mic feel about them after Tiger's last major at the 2008 U.S. Open. No one person could replace a 14-time major champion, but a whole host of Stateside Superstars could. Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed and so on and so on. The States' stranglehold was back. Five majors in a row threatened to become seven before the 2018 Ryder Cup. But along came Moli.

Current Qualifiers

We all know Tour results don't dictate Ryder Cup results, but they do decide the majority of the players involved. Molinari's incredible form sees him top the charts, whilst Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood have also found form recently. Tyrrell Hatton's strong showings at the U.S. Open (T6) and WGC-Mexico (T3) have paid dividends, whilst Jon Rahm has two wins, a runner-up and four more Top-10 finishes already in 2018. Whilst Alex Noren has been sporadic, he doesn't mess around when he's in contention. His five Top-10s in 2018 have all been inside the Top-3: 1st, 2nd & 3rd three times. Rory McIlroy's T2 at The Open fuelled a lot of excitement and he appears to be going from strength to strength. Five Top-3 finishes in 2018, including a win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and Rory is on course to peak at exactly the right time for Team Europe.

Lastly, we have Paul Casey. Mr. Consistent won his first title since 2014 at the Valspar Championship this year but, truth be told, he hasn't set the world alight. He's ground out solid result after solid result, but I for one am not convinced that's enough against this incredibly strong American contingent. His nearest competitor on the World Points List is Matthew Fitzpatrick, who accepted Special Temporary Membership to the PGA Tour in June and with WGC-Bridgestone and the PGA Championship round the corner I think Fitzpatrick and Casey will be in a straight shootout for points.

American Opposition

I mentioned an incredibly strong American contingent. By that I mean the aforementioned superstars of DJ, Spieth, JT & Co. Seeing Tiger Woods back at the top of the leaderboard at a major was exciting, but also more than a touch concerning for Team Europe. He's not a million miles off the automatic qualification spots for Team USA but whether he makes it or not you can bet your bottom dollar you'll see him at the Ryder Cup in one form or another. The tag of Playing Vice-Captain is rumoured to be fairly likely. You've got legends like Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar, 2017 Rookie of the Year Xander Schauffele and rising star Bryson DeChambeau currently not making the cut.

Koepka's successful U.S. Open defence sees him top the standings above World No. 1 Dustin Johnson and Masters Champ Patrick Reed. Thomas is fourth, ahead of Bubba Watson, who has won three times already in 2018, and his pals Jordan Spieth & Rickie Fowler. Webb Simpson slipped into the final spot above DeChambeau with a T12 at The Open.

They look a formidable force, but all of a sudden Thomas Bjorn's individual players look a lot more competitive. With names like Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and match-play master Ian Poulter tipped for wildcard spots, European golf looks a right sight better than it did merely months earlier.

Credit: @RyderCupEurope - Official Team Europe Twitter account

Come on Europe!

Written by Joe Carabini

joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com

Credit: @TheOpen - Official Twitter account of The Open

Since missing the cut at The Players in May, Molinari has now played six tournaments. His results? 1st, 2nd, T25, 1st, T2, 1st. His only finish outside the Top-2 was the now-notorious U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. He now boasts a Claret Jug, the Champion Golfer of the Year title and a spot on the European Ryder Cup team.

He's always gone about his business with suave and class, but now he is world class.

The Most Open Open

Of course, any golf major is up for grabs at the start of the week. If you're in the field it's because you're a great golfer. But great golfers were falling thick & fast on Friday: World Numbers 1, 2 and 5 Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas & Jon Rahm, Masters Champions Sergio Garcia and Bubba Watson, two-time Open Champion (and the last Open winner at Carnoustie) Padraig Harrington and plenty more. World No. 3 Justin Rose made the ultimate clutch-putt on the 36th hole for a birdie to make the cut.

But, come Sunday, all that drama felt like a lifetime ago. The big name casualties were long forgotten; replaced by bigger names atop the leaderboard. Tiger Woods was of course the headline, reigning champ Jordan Spieth was tied for first and Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose were amongst those in hot pursuit. It was anybody's game.

To start the final day, three Americans were tied for first- Spieth, Kevin Kisner & Xander Schauffele- with another Ameican, Kevin Chappell, in second. Spieth entered the day as favourite, but was +3 at the turn. His overnight co-leaders were both +4 at the turn. Whilst Schauffele and Kisner ended on +3 for the day and -6 for the tournament, Spieth fell further to a +5 round and -4 tournament. A hungover Eddie Pepperell led a European charge in the morning; surging thirty places up the leaderboard with a 67 to finish the week on -5. Fellow Englishman Justin Rose had gone from last-gasp birdie to make the cut to title contender with a tournament-low 64 on Saturday. His eagle on the 14th was followed by his fourth consecutive 18th-hole birdie to reach -6 for the tournament and finish his round as the clubhouse leader.

But then, as you well know, TIGER WOODS TOOK THE LEAD. The golfing world erupted as Tiger topped a major leaderboard on the final day. But, as you well know, a double-bogey at the 11th, followed immediately by a bogey at 12, derailed the 14-time major champ. His birdie at the 14th offered a small glimmer of hope, but playing partner Francesco Molinari birdied the same hole to take the lead. The Italian was bogey-free for the weekend and suddenly the favourite. He only needed par at the last, but in typical Molinari fashion he made a walk-off birdie to become the first Italian ever to win a golf major.

Behind Molinari, Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy made it a promising-looking leaderboard for Team Europe as they finished T2 with Kisner and Schauffele. Pepperrell tied for sixth with Tiger and Chappell (-5), whilst Spieth's collapse left him at T9. Fleetwood's flawless Friday 65 was his only sub-par round, but it was enough for a -3 T12 finish.

Why We Love Molinari

Call me old fashioned, but I was delighted to see Molinari lift the Claret Jug. Not because I had tipped him on Friday and forecasted his bogey-free weekend (Ok, maybe slightly because of that), but because he's a really, really likeable guy. He's a joy to watch on the golf course and comes across as a true gentleman off the course. He's also a European in the form of his life just two months before a Ryder Cup. In fact, he's just broken a run of five American major wins.

I understand the hype around Tiger and the desire to see Rory win another major, but Molinari's win is good for golf. Not only would he be a great icon and role model for younger golfers, but he could also make golf popular in Italy, where it is a largely unknown quantity.

Congratulations, Francesco Molinari!

Written by Joe Carabini

joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com

Open Championship week? At Carnoustie? Really? Somebody should've mentioned that.

The "British" Open

Perhaps the most annoying phrase in British golf. Golf returns to its Scottish homeland with the eyes of the world watching, yet Americans still insist on calling golf's oldest major The "British" Open. It's The Open. End of story.

Despite being the home of golf, Scotland hasn't seen much success of late. Russell Knox's recent Irish Open win ended a three year barren spell for Scottish golfers on the European Tour. Stephen Gallacher placed T9 in the Scottish Open at Gullane Golf Club last week, but there's plenty of work to be done. However, in the bigger picture, Britain as a whole stands a very good chance this week.

What are the Chances?

With World No. 3 Justin Rose, 2014 champion Rory McIlroy and course-record holder Tommy Fleetwood leading the chase, we could see a serious run at the title. Rose comes in at second favourite; just ahead of third favourite McIlroy, whilst the bookmakers have Tommy Fleetwood level with Brooks Koepka; the man who narrowly pipped him to this year's U.S. Open title. Tyrrell Hatton and Paul Casey may be outsiders, but they're equal to current Masters Champion Patrick Reed according to some sources.

McIlroy's recent comments suggesting he sees winning another major as more of a bonus than a necessity have served their purpose (at least I assume it's what he was going for) in deflecting some attention away from himself. But as much sway as a Rory interview has, Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood have done their talking on the course and, as a result, have got chins wagging.

Britain's Best

As much as I would've loved to use the headline "Fleetwood MacIlroy", I can't in good conscience discuss him over Rose. After picking up three wins and 3 runners-up in 2017, Rose already has one title, 1 third place and a total of seven Top-10s in 12 events this calendar year. Add to that his 2013 U.S Open title (and Olympic gold and two Masters runners-up), and you have an in-form World No. 3 with major-winning experience and the home crowd's support.

If Tommy Fleetwood wasn't popular enough already, his U.S. Open record-equalling 63 on Sunday at Shinnecock Hills provided fans with a much-needed reason to cheer. But a missed clutch putt on the 18th cost him a tournament record and a playoff, and you can bet your bottom dollar he'll be out to put that right this week.

Written by Joe Carabini

joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com

Lightning Striking Twice?

Joaquin Niemann will be 19 years, 8 months and 8 days old on Sunday. Victory at the John Deere Classic would make him the third youngest winner in PGA Tour history and the youngest since 1931. Jordan Spieth’s remarkable win at the 2013 John Deere Classic came at the tender age of 19 years, 11 months and 17 days. Rory McIlroy (20 years, 11 months, 28 days) is the only other player since the turn of the millennium to win in the States and not be able to legally tuck into the champagne.

Teenage Sensation

9 tournaments, 5 cuts, four top-10s. WOW. His first tournament as a pro - a 6^th place finish at the Valero Texas Open- saw him finish behind major winners Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson. Then came a T8 at the Fort Worth Invitational, where he was topped by the likes of Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm. My favourite, though, was his T6 at the Memorial Tournament. Who did he tie for sixth? The previous week’s champion Justin Rose. But the Who’s Who of golfing superstars lying in his wake at T8 is what I love most: Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler.

In truth, the weakened field at the Greenbrier Classic, where he finished T5 last week, provided an obvious opportunity for Niemann and I can’t be the only one who expected him to finish in the top-10. Saying that; I EXPECTED a 19-year-old to finish in the top-10 on the PGA Tour, sounds absurd. But his incredible prolificacy makes the absurd seem… Surd? I don’t know, but I’m rapidly running out of superlatives for this kid.

Niemann’s Chance

This week will be the weakest field (that’s not to say it’s weak) he has faced since turning pro. Despite gaining entry to The Open by finishing the season as No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, the Chilean forfeited that exemption, along with the U.S. Open, to turn pro. That means that whilst others have turned their attention to the season’s first major, Niemann is fully focused on victory at TPC Deere Run. Perhaps I shouldn’t be so surprised, then, that he’s fourth favourite (16/1) behind Bryson DeChambeau (10/1), Francesco Molinari (10/1) and Zach Johnson (12/1).

Niemann doesn’t turn 20 until November 7^th, so he has the rest of the season to make history, but topping Spieth’s amazing feat at the same place would be awesome.

Written by Joe Carabini

joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com

Jon Rahm was right when he said we wouldn't see a repeat of last year's "unique week" at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. Ballyliffin Golf Club provided a stern test but also rewarded great shots, and we saw plenty of great shots throughout the week. From the tournament's top-3 all shooting final-day eagles on the par-5 4th to Edoardo Molinari's hole-in-one at the 14th, the Irish crowds were not disappointed.

Thursday to Saturday

Jon Rahm opened with a +2 74 which opened and closed with double bogeys before recovering to 1-under with a Friday -3 to make the cut. New Zealand’s Ryan Fox and France’s Matthieu Pavon led the way at -8 heading into the weekend. On Saturday, Erik Van Rooyen followed up Friday’s -7 with a -6, featuring six front-nine birdies before 9 consecutive pars, to reach -14 total and take the lead going into the final round. Behind Van Rooyen were Fox and Joakim Lagergren on -10.

Tournament host Rory McIlroy never really got going, shooting 70-73-72-71 for a 1-under week. Graeme McDowell's clubs did finally show up (I don't think I need to tell you that story again), but his level-par week makes the missed Open Qualifying look all the more costly.

Title Challengers

With Van Rooyen firing +2 and Lagergren +3 on Sunday, the title was up for grabs. Jon Rahm’s Saturday 67 gave him an outside chance, but all hope looked lost after a triple bogey at the second. Then came seven birdies and an eagle that would have been enough for the title had he not dropped those three shots so early on. Fellow Spaniard Jorge Campillo made a charge up the leaderboard with two eagles en route to a -7 and -13 for the week, but he couldn’t manage a critical birdie at the last that would’ve tied the lead.

Russell Knox Socks off Fox

Sometimes the headlines write themselves, such as when Russell Knox outfoxes Ryan Fox. Both players were outstanding on the final day. In fact, some might even say Mr Fox was fantastic. Knox entered Sunday two off Fox, so when Fox bogeyed the first Knox smelled blood. The Scot eagled the fourth… Only for Fox to do the same. A birdie at the sixth levelled things up at the turn before Knox went birdie-bogey-birdie at between 10 and 12. Fox hit back with 3 birdies in a row between 11 and 13 but immediately gave one back with a birdie at the 14^th. Knox, now one off, picks up another birdie at 15 before Fox fights back again with his own birdie at 17.

It all comes down to the 18^th for Knox. 40 feet from the hole, putter in hand, for the birdie... Nails it! Back to the clubhouse to watch on as the leader knocks his approach to 15 feet… And misses. Fox’s putt lips the cup and forces a playoff by a matter of millimetres.

The first playoff hole and Knox approaches to an eerily similar position. 40-odd feet from the hole. The commentator jokes “He knows how to putt from there”. Now it’s Fox’s turn, and he approaches to an almost identical spot to the one he missed from last time. 15 feet from the hole. The commentator does not joke “He doesn’t know how to putt from there”. Knox stands over his ball and strokes it true as can be. It’s rolling… It’s rolling… It’s in! Twice in a row from range for Knox! Can Fox avoid making it twice in a row himself? 15 feet for the win… Lips the cup… And misses. Again.

A sympathetic reaction from Russell Knox, but he’s dancing inside. It’s not all bad news for Ryan Fox, though, as he takes perhaps the best consolation prize on Tour: Open qualification. He’ll be joined at Carnoustie by Zander Lombard and Andy Sullivan, who finished T6.

Russell Knox - What's in the Bag?

Driver: PING G400 LST

3-Wood: PING G400

5-Wood: Cleveland Launcher FL

Hybrid: Cleveland Launcher DST

Irons: Srixon Z 745

Wedges: Cleveland RTX-3

Putter: Scotty Cameron Tour Only Newport 2 NB

Golf Ball: Srixon Z-Star XV

Written by Joe Carabini

joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com

With the final round of Open Qualifying wrapped up, we turn our attention to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Ballyliffin Golf Club, where Rory McIlroy plays host to a host of big names. Reigning champion Jon Rahm shares the favourite tag with McIlroy, although the Spaniard has been quick to oust any talk of a repeat of last year's "Unique week", when he shot a tournament record -24 264.

Irish Incentives

The European Tour's fourth Rolex Series event of the year will offer added incentives, with a $7million purse, increased Race to Dubai points, increased Ryder Cup points and three Open Championship places up for grabs.

The beautiful Donegal coastline will be on show along with a links course that will challenge players in every department. McIlroy believes it is one of the toughest links courses in the world so we're expecting it to make for great viewing.

In the Hunt

With such a tough course and so much up for grabs, we can expect to see the best rise to the top. The added incentives mean added pressure, so psychology could come into play in a big way this week. We all know that this has a major effect on McIlroy; if he gets it right then he has the ability to win by a huge margin, but it's too 50/50 for me so I don't think the joint-favourite tag is deserved. Rahm, on the other hand, is one of only two men with multiple Rolex Series victories (Alex Noren's win last week put him in the exclusive club) and would be the obvious choice to retain his title.

Graeme McDowell joins Rahm and fellow Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello on the tee after being forced to withdraw from the Open Qualifying event this week due to a lack of clubs. GMac's bag was lost in transit by Air France so that means he needs to secure one of the three spots either this week or next week at the Scottish Open. The host will be accompanied by Matthew Fitzpatrick and Thorbjorn Olesen, whilst other home favourites Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington will no doubt have the place rocking if either can replicate past wins in the tournament (2009 and 2007 respectively).

Written by Joe Carabini

joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com

Le Nasty National

Le Golf National took centre stage as the French par-71 course hosted the Open De France less than three months before it is due to host the Ryder Cup. World No. 2 Justin Thomas made the trip over in preparation for the September showdown, and after experiencing the brutality of the course first-hand, said he "can't imagine" how the course has the "potential to play in September" and believes all players will be glad of the match-play format maybe leaving high scores less exposed than a stroke play event. This may sound scathing, but with just 14 of the 159 players in the field posting sub-par opening rounds, the evidence is right there.

Before the Weekend

Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood posted a double-bogey on his second hole and never really recovered. He went 74-73, missing the cut at +5 along with Rafa Cabrera-Bello. After opening with -3 to share second, Graeme MacDowell shot two double-bogeys and a quadruple on a horrific Friday 77. Despite his comments on the difficulty of the course, Thomas managed consecutive rounds of 1-under 70 along with fellow American Julian Suri. Jon Rahm also opened with 70, but improved to 69 on Friday. Sweden's Marcus Kinhult stole the show on Friday with a 65 to top the leaderboard at -6.

The Weekend

On Saturday, Marcus Kinhult moved to double figures with a 4-under 67 to reach -10 for the week, whilst England's Chris Wood occupied second after quietly going 70-68-67 for -8 total. Sergio Garcia and Alex Noren, meanwhile, soared into contention despite slow starts. Garcia's Saturday 64 took him to -7 for the week, whilst Noren shot 65 to go from +3 to -3. Rahm held fourth at -6. The only non-Europeans in the Top-10 were Suri and Thomas at T5 with -4.

Europe vs. America

Kinhult fluffed his lines big time, halving his score to -5 on the final day. That left the door wide open, but he wasn't the only man to stutter. Garcia opened with a triple-bogey and closed with a double for +3 and Rahm fell to +1. Chris Wood was level par at the 15th tee before bogeys at the 15th and 17th saw him drop two shots to finish one off the winner. On the flip side, a superb -6 round meant Russell Knox grabbed a share of second.

American Julian Suri was 4-under for the day and -8 for the tournament at the 18th. Holding out with a par would have handed him top spot, but he found the water en route to a double-bogey. That meant that Alex Noren's -7 was enough for his 10th Tour title. As Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn said: A man for Sundays! No doubt Bjorn will be happy to see a European hold out to beat an American at Le Golf National.

Alex Noren - What's in the Bag

Driver: Callaway Rogue Sub Zero

Fairway Wood: Callaway Rogue

Hybrid: Callaway Apex

Irons: Callaway Apex Pro 16

Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy 4

Putter: Odyssey O-Works #1

Golf Ball: Callaway Chrome Soft X

Written by Joe Carabini

joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com

The Form of His Life

On May 26th I ventured to Wentworth Club for the Saturday of the BMW PGA Championship. A certain Rory McIlroy was -12 heading into the weekend after a flawless -7 65 the previous day. All eyes on the fan favourite.

Francesco Molinari was -7 and in good shape, but still a mere afterthought to McIlroy. The Italian didn't like this, so he shot a flawless 66 as Rory stuttered to a 71. Fans began breaking off from Rory to follow Molinari at an alarming rate. Admittedly this may have had something to do with Rory already hitting two spectators. But the 35-year-old was totally unfazed by the attention as he carded birdie after birdie with this incredible air of grace about him.

Molinari went bogey-free again on Sunday to claim the title in the year's first Rolex Series event.

From ecstasy to heartbreak, the following week saw him miss out on top spot by a single stroke at his home tournament; the Italian Open. However, he showed the same degree of class in defeat; sending the home crowd wild with a superb long birdie putt at the last.

Molinari's Maryland Magic

After a solid T25 at the U.S. Open, the form horse hopped across the pond for the PGA Tour's Quicken Loans National. It seemed a strange decision not to compete in the Open De France at Le Golf National given his Ryder Cup hopes, but it's fair to say it was the right decision.

Stealing the spotlight from Rory McIlroy is one thing, but from Tiger Woods? No chance. No way.

Tiger burst into life with a 65 on Friday, whilst his fans burst eardrums with every birdie. Tiger followed this up with a 68-66 weekend for a highly impressive -11.

Molinari? Oh, he made 65 on Friday too. Then he did it again on Saturday. Then he shot 62 on Sunday. -11? That's nothing, try -21.

The Molinari Way

Sure, plenty of players go through good spells of form. The difference with Molinari is simply the way in which he wins. He's only carded two bogeys in each of his wins at the BMW PGA Championship (-17) and Quicken Loans National (-21) and his runner-up at the Italian Open (-21). None of these bogeys have come on the same day either. Compare this to Alex Noren's 8 bogeys and one double-bogey as he won at Le Golf National, and you can see why Molinari's steady, sure-handed approach makes him a lethal weapon in Team Europe's arsenal on that course this September.

The Stateside win will not earn him any Ryder Cup ranking points, but he's certainly won some brownie points in Captain Thomas Bjorn's eyes!

Written by Joe Carabini

joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com