We Get Golf - Your Best Golf Blog

It’s 7pm Sunday evening in Ireland and at long last, Tiger Woods and Padraig Harrington are going head-to-head for the first time since Harrington’s back-to-back major success. Finally, Padraig has found some bit of form and looks like he might just pull this off, considering he does have a 3 shot advantage!

45mins later and a Woods eagle has seen Harrington’s lead whittled down to only one and I am already twitching in my seat. I’m receiving text messages from friends acknowledging this could be one of the great duels and I am agreeing. I am worried about Harrington’s drives however and the length of time it has been since he has been in contention…could he possibly stay in touch with the great one?

Fast forward a few hours and they have played nine holes. Woods has gone out in 5 under with a superb ball striking exhibition. He leads by two now from Harrington who has holed some clutch par putts but he is driving the ball well. It’s what we expected to see really, Woods with the blistering start but Harrington refusing to go away.

A Harrington birdie on the 11th and then deficit is cut to one. But wait a second, Woods bogeys 13 and 14 and an incredible par from Harrington on the 14th means he now leads. Harrington is now splitting the fairways and even outdrives Woods by 40 yards on one of the holes. Yes, 40 yards!! After they exchange pars on the 15th, Harrington still leads by one playing the 16th. A pushed drive on the 16th though and this is where everything changes.

Up to now, it had been a fantastic battle. Two of golf’s modern stars, head to head, and all to play for. The tension is audible and the crowds are 10 deep. This could be special they all agree! So Paddy stands over his ball in the right rough on 16 and then, unusually, appears to hit his layup with very little consideration and puts in the rough again. I’m amazed and think, he is after completely loosing concentration. This is so unlike Harrington I thought. 5 minutes later and Harrington has taken 8 to Woods 4 and the competition is over. The battle has ended and Harrington is wounded. Woods goes on to finish him off with the calm of a true great and with it earns his 70th Title. World class…he certainly is. Harrington shakes his hand and reassures him “We will do battle many times again”

However, in his speech, Woods praises Harrington for the battle they had but criticises referee John Paramor for putting them on the clock on the 16th……Hold up a second, they were put on the clock? That explains Harrington’s rushed behavior and Woods pointed out that it visibly affected Harrington.

Now, we will never know what would have happened and I know that slow play is not welcome but for John Paramor to stick his nose in what was a great battle is absolutely ridiculous in my view. Who the heck are they holding up? Hell, the spectators wouldn’t mind if they spent an extra 5hrs on the course such was the intensity and desire amongst these two to win. Maybe, if there were others in contention, the referee might have had a point but there was no one else. The winner was going to be Harrington or Woods…period!

Such is golf however and personally, the most satisfactory thing for me was watching Harrington compete again. He is now a serious consideration again for the upcoming USPGA Championship and being paired with Woods in the opening two rounds, the rivalry continues sooner that most might have expected.

Tags: Tournament Previews/Odds/Reviews, Videos by admin
1 Comment »

Watching the final round of the Bridgestone. Praying Harrington can bring it home. Here is a recap of rounds 2 and 3.

Tags: Tournament Previews/Odds/Reviews, Videos by admin
No Comments »

A quick round up of Rd 1 from Firestone where of course, Padraig Harrington currently leads.

Tags: Tournament Previews/Odds/Reviews, Videos by admin
1 Comment »

My updates over the last few days have been sparse due to the shutdown of my laptop. A new motherboards is needed so things have been a little all over the place.

On the plus side, it’s British Open Week and we have full days of full on golf to look forward to. I always think it is difficult to pick the winner of the Open because so much can depend on the weather and who gets the right side of the draw. There are also a few stats/omens to consider:

I have outlined the spooky omens surrounding Harringtons Open build up. I have also outlined that the three times the Open has been at Turnberry, the #1 ranked player in the world has won it, hence further support for Tiger Woods. Finally, here is an interesting one; Americans have won 10 of the last 14 Opens while 16 of the last 21 winners of the claret jug have been ranked in the top 20 in the world rankings.

So with this in mind, Im going to pick my top 5.

Ben Curtis: Has a fantastic record in the British having finished in the top 10 the past two years and winning the event in 2003. He is also in good form this season so at 55/1 represents a good bet. He is not ranked in the top 20 (#27) but this does not put me off.

Rory McIlroy: I have to pick an fellow Irish man to do well considering this is the British Open after all. Harringtons form is poor so I cant recommend him. It is a close call between McDowell and McIlroy but the youngsters slightly better form edges it. Having impressed 2 years ago as an amateur in the Open, McIlroy has the game to do well. Obviously he is well suited to links golf also. Can be got at 40/1.

Jim Furyk: With such a premium on being straight off the tee, Furyk gets the nod just ahead of the likes of Stricker, Perry and O’Hair (although it would not surprise me to see Stricker especially to go well). It’s been a while since Furyk has been in the winners enclosure but he has the game this week to challenge. Ranked 9th in the world and hailing from America, he fits in with what the records show. 33/1 is a good price.

Ian Poulter: The rather volatile Poulter has a big chance, if he can keep his mind focussed on the job in hand and  not get distracted by outside influences, such as camera men. We all remember how he challenged last year and there is no doubt, Poulter is a gritty competitor. He however, has not been overly impressive with the way he has closed out tournaments but at 33/1, full of confidence and ranked 18th in the world, Poulter gets my vote ahead of Casey, Harrington, Garcia (only just), Stenson (again only just) and Fisher.

Thomas Levet: Finally, my outside bet is Levet at 125/1. He is only here because Brett Quiqley pulled out late but the Frenchman is in good form and links golf may suit him very well, considering his low ball flight. He is ranked #82 in the world but bringing form into the event is important. It was a close call between himself and Marcus Brier (250/1), who made 17 birdies in his 36 hole Open Qualifier and like Levet, has a low penetrating ball flight.

So there we are. As you will have noticed, I did not include Tiger Woods. That is because I backed him at the beginning of the year to win a major this season and am convinced he will still win one of the remaining two. However, I think you would prefer me to tip people other than Woods in this blog. After all, it isn’t that hard to pick him.

Finally, just a few things. Boyle Sports are actually paying out top-8 for the Open Championship, if you place your bets online or over the phone so be sure to take advantage. Also, I will be doing regular updates on Twitter, so be sure to check them out for those who cant watch it.

Okay Im off in front of the TV for the day. Come on Paddy Harrington…..3 in a Row!!!!

Tags: British Open 2009 by admin
No Comments »

Wow, these omens are really beginning to appear all over the place about Padraig Harrington. Forget about the state of his golf game and Obey the Omen.

When Padraig Harrington won his first British Open, he was the #14 ranked player in the world. As luck would have it, Padraig is now ranked 14 again in the World and so, it would seem everything is perfectly in place for a Harrington 7 shot win…..Forgetting about the fact of course, that the reason Harrington is #14 in the world is because he has plummeted down the rankings, from 3rd, over the past 9 months.

I’m hoping now the hotel staff burn his toast similar to last year, he wears the same socks and shoes as last year and the Worlds best Player is missing like last year…….Doh!!! Come on Padraig, lets prove all the doubters wrong and claim the coveted three in a row at the expense of the mighty Woods!

Tags: Blog - Topical, Tournament Previews/Odds/Reviews by admin
No Comments »

No Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson but it is nevertheless a very strong field at the Par 71 Loch Lomand venue for this weeks European Tour event, The Barclay’s Scottish Open. The Loch Lomand course is poles apart from what the pros will play next week at the British Open in Turnberry, yet it is very well supported. My personal view is that the Irish Open, played on a good traditional links course, would be the ideal tournament the week before the Open but clearly there are political decisions being made. 

My case in point is strengthened by the performances of Padraig Harrington over the past few years in the Open. Harrington has chosen to play in the PGA Irish Championship, instead of Loch Lomand, the past two years as the event is played on tough links courses. It certainly prepared him well in 2007 and 2008 as he went on to win the Open. True to form, he maintained this schedule and at the half way stage, leads by a shot from Leslie Walker this year.

I am sure the rest of the pro’s would like to have this option; to play on a tournament links course like Harrington has, so come on, get the Irish Open moved to the week before the British Open and move the Barclays Scottish to the week after. It makes sense and I think a certain Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia and Paul Casey would certainly be present in addition to the rest of those serious about trying to win the Open!

Tags: Blog - Topical by admin
No Comments »

Well, far be it for me to wallow in my own success but, give me a hell ya!!!! For the second time this season, I had a first-second combination with my tips. I could not see Tiger Woods getting defeated this week and true to form, he delivered as expected. It was a great performance from Woods and surely now it is simply inevitable that he will win at least one of the remaining majors of the season. While I would not initially have been backing him for the British Open, I may now need to reconsider considering Tiger claims he has a new shot in the bag, a grip down, three quarter swing drive which is made for blustery conditions. Hmmm, that should come in handy in Turnberry shouldn’t it? Tiger usually visits our Irish shores prior to the British Open and I’m hoping to convince him to apply for a visa here so we can claim him as one of our own. Heck, with the way our economy is, I can’t see too much opposition to him being voted in as our President or Taoiseach….fancy owning your own island Mr Woods? Okay I’m rambling now (South African red wine going to my head!).

Tiger didn’t have it all his own way this week however. Anthony Kim was his main challenger for most of the week but a rather ordinary final round from Kim, despite a birdie at the first, meant it never really looked like Kim was going to win with 6 holes to go. Step up Hunter Mahan. 6 birdies in his last 8 holes put him in the clubhouse at -12 and in with a real chance. It wasn’t to be though as he came up a shot short of Woods but that is Mahan’s third straight top-6 finish in an impressive season thus far.

Now, the focus switches from the US to the glorious Europe. You Americans have 3 majors on your shores every year which is plain wrong and this year, we have one South American and one Amercian major win. It’s the turn of the Europeans again in 2 weeks time. Our man Padraig Harrington has owned the claret jug the past two years and I am literally praying he puts up a good display in what has otherwise been a terrible season. Don’t write him off just yet though!

For those crossing the pond, why not pay a flying visit to Ireland where I can show you what real winds are. You guys have it easy out there with your beautiful sunshine (well, most of the time), your gentle breezes and soft greens. Now it’s time for the way golf was meant to be played. Rock hard fairway and greens, huge bunkers, no grass and the putter being used from 50 yards off the greens…..roll on the British Open!

Tags: Tournament Previews/Odds/Reviews by admin
No Comments »

Amazingly, I have had correspondence with the beautiful Win McMurry’s representative and am working on getting an interview. This would be a great interview to get from one of golf’s top broadcasters so here’s hoping I can bring this to you all in the not too distant future.

One of my favorite golfers is Padraig Harrington and this is another player I am trying to get an interview with. Might not be easy considering his schedule but I guess nothing ventured, nothing gained. Regardless, I will continue to try and bring you new and interesting topics, interviews etc.

If there is anything in particular you would like to see in the blog, please let me know and I will do my best to please.

Tags: Blog - Topical by admin
No Comments »

Yesterday I spoke of how I felt this years US Open had been somewhat undermined by the elements but there was no doubting the calibre of Lucas Glover’s performance throughout the entire week and in particular, his final 3 holes yesterday. When Geoff Ogilvy won the US Open a few years ago, many of the games top players in the world, including Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk and Colin Montgomerie, failed to hold their nerve coming down the final few holes so it would have been completely understandable if Glover had frittered away a few shots over the last 3 holes yesterday. However, the 29 year old American did nothing of the sort and instead played them in one under which is fantastic achievement.

I debated yesterday what would be a good score for the final round leaders. It was inevitable that Barnes and Glover would come back towards the rest of the field and you would have thought someone else would come through the pack to challenge. The Mickelson charge got him to 4 under at one stage with four holes to go but bogeys on 15 and 17 dropping him to -2. Glover on the other hand held his nerve to shoot the magic 73 I spoke of yesterday and relegated Mickelson to another 2nd place finish.

Ricky Barnes unfortunately shot 76 to drop back to tie for second alongside David Duval who had a great back nine. Englishman, Ross Fisher was top European at -1 in a very credible display while Tiger Woods tied 6th with Soren Hansen and Hunter Mahan. It was also a noteworthy performance from Rory McIlroy in only his second major. At Augusta, he finished in the Top 20 and this week he secured a Top 10 finish……surely it is only a matter of time before he actually starts challenging those at the top of the World Rankings.

Tags: US Open 2009 by admin
No Comments »

Following on from our review of the Footjoy SYNR-G shoes and the flagging of www.buyfootjoygolfshoes as your number one source for obtaining both new and reasonably priced Footjoy’s, I though I would flag this article I came across earlier on www.europeantour.com:

“Latest independent figures reveal FootJoy’s continued dominance of the golf shoe market, as top four best selling shoes in the UK all bear the name of the #1 Shoe in Golf

FootJoy, the #1 Shoe and Glove in Golf, once again recorded high market shares within the UK golf shoe sales market for the first quarter of 2009, according to the most recent Golf Datatech UK retail audit. FootJoy dominated the volume brand share at 53.4%, way ahead of the next brand with just 14.8%. With a whole raft of updated styles in the best selling models combined with high performance product introductions and high profile ambassadors like Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy showcasing the brand on Tour, FootJoy has once again set the standard for the new season.

Such is the strength and depth of its product line-up, FootJoy shoes are also dominant in the breakdown of total unit model share sales for the year to date, with the top four and seven of the top ten coming from the FootJoy portfolio. The AQL® remains the nation’s favourite golf shoe with 17.4% of the market, followed by the DryJoys® golf shoes with 8.9%. The full top ten list is as follows:

1. FootJoy AQL (17.4%)
2. FootJoy DryJoys (8.9%)
3. FootJoy Contour Series™ (8.1%)
4. FootJoy GreenJoys® (6.2%)
5. Competitor Model A (4.9%)
6. Competitor Model B (2.9%)
7. FootJoy SoftJoys® (2.8%)
8. FootJoy LoPro Collection™ (2.7%)
9. Competitor Model C (2.5%)
10.FootJoy ReelFit® (1.9%)

The continued popularity of the AQL has seen this range alone sell more units than the nearest competitor brand’s total sales across all of its models in the first quarter of 2009. While AQL and DryJoys continue to lead the way another success story is the new LoPro; the sporty and ultra-comfortable shoe launched in January this year is already the 8th best selling golf shoe in the UK.

The rapid success of the LoPro underlines FootJoy’s unquestionable strength in depth and broad appeal. The younger, casual and more contemporary designs like LoPro and ReelFit, plus more modern style options in DryJoys and AQL, complement the more traditional styles more readily associated with the #1 Shoe in Golf. Another FootJoy innovation, the new SYNR-G™, is also ahead of forecast following the high profile launch at the start of the year and, despite a premium price tag, has been in big demand. An effective advertising campaign, featuring triple Major winner Padraig Harrington, combined with the support of FootJoy’s retail partners has ensured that SYNR-G has been highly visible in golf shops the length and breadth of the UK.

So, there you have it, Footjoy continue to dominate as the #1 shoe in golf. Hardly a surprise when you consider everybody you see on a golf course is wearing Footjoy’s. If you dont have a pair of Footjoy Golf Shoes, well perhaps you should consider switching over. A great place to look and source Footjoy Golf Shoes can be accessed by clicking here.

Tags: Blog - Topical, Equipment Review by admin
5 Comments »