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* ISSUE189| 28THJUNE2016 Stensonwins secondBMW International Open title IMAGE: BMW MEDIA GOLF GRI NDER PGATOUR JOURNEYMANHURLEYWINSEMOTIONALVICTORY LPGATOUR SUPERSTARKIWIKOWINSTHIRDTITLEOFTHESEASON AMATEURGOLF CAMERONDAVIS'NARROWBRABAZONTROPHYMISS FIRSTLOOK: PROTOTYPETITLEIST917DRIVERSONTOUR AT86, ARNIESTILLKEEPINGHIMSELFBUSY ALPG,RACVLAUNCHNEWWOMEN'SEVENT WORLDNUMBERONEDAYEYESRETIREMENTAT40 WOODSRETURNSTOPGATOURBUTWITHOUTHISCLUBS IN-FORMHENDREWARDEDWITHOPENTEETIME TOPWORLDGOLFRANKINGS FROMTHEEDITOR'SDESK Henrik Stenson bounced back from his US Open frustrations to claim his 10th European Tour title, his first since the 2014 DP World Tour Championship and his second in this event following his win in Munich in 2006, at the rain-hit BMW International Open in Germany. The Swede, who was forced to miss the US Open year last week through injury, held his nerve to claim a three-shot victory at Golf Club Gut Laerchenhof by firing a final-round 71. Teenager Lydia Ko took her tally of LPGA titles to 13 with a three-shot victory at the NW Arkansas Championship with a tournament low score of 17-under, including a record-equalling third round 62. The 19-year-old New Zealander and current world number one claimed her third victory of the season in a list of successes which include her ANA major win. Ko's winning cheque was US$300,000 which sees her earnings move to US$1.8 million this year and her career winnings above US $6.5 million to date. On the amateur front, Sydney's Cameron Davis was in reach of winning the English Men's Open Stroke Play KIWISTARLYDIAKOCLAIMEDHERTHIRDTITLEOFTHESEASONATTHENWARKANSASCHAMPIONSHIP (CREDIT: LPGA) championship having lead the tournament for 54 holes yet Englishman Jamie Bower snagged the win by a single shot at London Golf Club. ADVERTISING ENQUIRES Golf Grinder Weekly reaches over 81,000 Australian golfers PUBLISHER COPYRIGHT Tycoon Ventures Pty Ltd ACN - 147 466 724 All rights are reserved to the publisher, Tycoon Ventures Pty Limited, ACN 147 466 724. Except where credited or related to advertising, copyright in all images in this publication is vested with Snapeture Sports Pty Limited, ACN 120 350 521. No part of the publication covered by the publisher?s and/or owner?s copyright may be reproduced or copied by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical, including information retrieval systems, photocopying and recording) without the prior written permission of the publisher. every Tuesday. IMAGES If you?d like to be part of Australia?s most popular online Snapeture Sports [email protected] golf magazine, please contact us on the details below to discuss your advertising needs. ADVERTISING CONTACT Steven Scott [email protected] EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Anthony Powter [email protected] DISCLAIMER CORRESPONDENTS Bernie McGuire (Europe) Michael Court Luke Elvy Paul Prendergast Trefor Clayton The opinions and information in this publication are those of the writers unless otherwise sourced and are provided by way of information only and must not be relied upon. Tycoon Ventures Pty Limited does not invite any person to act on or rely upon the information in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any acts or reliance and excludes all liability for any loss or damage suffered by any person as a consequence of such an act or reliance. www.golfgrinder.com STENSONWINS SECONDBMW INTERNATIONAL OPENTITLE WHAT'SINTHEBAG - CallawayXR169º Driver - CallawayDiabloOctaneTour 13º FairwayWood - CallawayXR16Pro18º FairwayWood - CallawayLegacyBlackIrons(3-PW) - CallawayMD3Milled52º, 58º Wedges - Titleist ProV1 - OdysseyWhiteHot XG#7Putter WORDS: BERNIE MCGUIRE / IMAGE: BMW MEDIA Dusseldorf, Germany: DoublewinningBMW International Openwinner HenrikStensonwill head toRoyal Troonfor twodaysaheadof next month?s AberdeenAsset Management ScottishOpeninagoal of becomingthefirst SwedetocaptureTheOpen. Stenson did that three years ago when Castle Stuart last hosted the Scottish Open also spending two days of that week familiarising himself with Muirfield to then share third place along the Moray Firth shoreline behind Phil Mickelson. A week later, Stenson then finished runner-up to Mickelson at Muirfield and now the 40-year old Swede is hoping the same pre-Open Championship scouting mission could lead to being handed the famed Claret Jug. ?I went to Muirfield early also in 2013 ahead of playing the Scottish when we were last at Castle Stuart and then looked where I finished in The Open,? said Stenson. ?So maybe be heading to Royal Troon ahead of this year?s Scottish Open I can go one better in this year?s Open.? Stenson was commenting after further cementing his Hazeltine place with a three shot victory near Cologne in Germany. ?I had virtually wrapped-up my place in the Ryder Cup In the process, Stenson ended an 18-month winless drought completing 36-holes over the final day with scores of 67 and 71for a 17-under par tally on a rain-softened Gut Larcenhof course. but then this win should be a huge boost for our team as It is Stenson?s 10th European Tour title and he?s now just one victory short of matching Robert Karlsson?s all-time Swedish record of 11wins. edge of being selected and with two Majors and the However, more importantly Stenson has locked-in a fourth Ryder Cup cap and the oldest to date in Darren Clarke?s team. with 2014 Australian Masters champion, Nick Cullen, firing there is a few rookies who could be in the side, and we are also going to need plenty of experience,? he said. ?But in saying that there is a lot of experience just of the FedEx Cup Series still to play.? Marcus Fraser was the best of the Aussies in a tie for 21st back to back rounds of 75 across the weekend to fall in to 59th place at 3-over. BMWINT'LOPEN POS +/ - NAME R1 R2 R3 R4 POS +/ - NAME R1 R2 R3 R4 T21 -5 Andy Sullivan 71 69 70 73 T56 +2 Jeremy Paul (Am) 72 70 74 74 DATE: Jun 23 - Jun 26 2016 T21 -5 Y.E. Yang 74 69 67 73 T56 +2 Richie Ramsay 71 71 73 75 COURSE: Golf Club Gut Laerchenhof, Pulheim, Germany T28 -4 A Carlsson Magnus 68 72 71 73 T59 +3 Nick Cullen (AUS) 72 69 75 75 T28 -4 Bradley Dredge 69 73 71 71 T59 +3 Benjamin Hebert 77 64 73 77 T28 -4 Ross Fisher 73 68 70 73 T59 +3 Anthony Wall 70 69 78 74 PRIZEMONEY: ?2,000,000 POS +/ - NAME R1 R2 R3 R4 T28 -4 Robert Karlsson 72 70 74 68 T59 +3 Jeff Winther 68 71 78 74 1 -17 Henrik Stenson 68 65 67 71 T28 -4 David Lipsky 70 73 74 67 T63 +4 Alejandro Cañizares 75 68 74 75 T2 -14 Darren Fichardt 68 69 68 69 T33 -3 Daniel Brooks 75 68 71 71 T63 +4 Rafa Echenique 70 71 75 76 T2 -14 Thorbjørn Olesen 67 67 67 73 T33 -3 Oliver Fisher 66 75 71 73 T65 +5 Thomas Bjørn 70 73 76 74 4 -11 Raphaël Jacquelin 65 68 72 72 T33 -3 Joachim B. Hansen 71 71 72 71 T65 +5 Nacho Elvira 70 73 74 76 T5 -10 Kiradech Aphibarnrat 69 64 74 71 T33 -3 Stuart Manley 71 69 74 71 T65 +5 Tom Lewis 71 69 75 78 T5 -10 Sergio Garcia 71 68 70 69 T33 -3 Brandon Stone 70 72 74 69 T65 +5 Ross McGowan 68 72 74 79 T7 -9 David Horsey 73 70 66 70 T38 -2 Clément Berardo 71 69 69 77 69 +6 Mikko Ilonen 71 72 82 69 T7 -9 Bernd Wiesberger 68 70 70 71 T38 -2 Chris Hanson 72 70 75 69 70 +10 Scott Jamieson 69 74 74 81 T9 -8 Robert Dinwiddie 69 73 69 69 T38 -2 Thongchai Jaidee 69 71 73 73 71 +13 Borja Virto 73 69 86 73 T9 -8 Pablo Larrazábal 68 69 72 71 T38 -2 Roope Kakko 68 75 74 69 T9 -8 Mike Lorenzo-Vera 69 69 67 75 T38 -2 Jason Knutzon 72 71 72 71 T9 -8 Graeme Storm 69 70 71 70 T38 -2 Francesco Laporta 72 69 73 72 T13 -7 Paul Dunne 69 71 70 71 T38 -2 Jaco Van Zyl 71 68 73 74 T13 -7 Matteo Manassero 72 67 73 69 T45 -1 Richard Bland 71 68 73 75 T13 -7 Lee Slattery 74 68 71 68 T45 -1 Alex Cejka 72 71 72 72 T16 -6 Felipe Aguilar 67 70 74 71 T45 -1 Ricardo Gouveia 74 68 71 74 T16 -6 Mikko Korhonen 71 72 74 65 T45 -1 Craig Lee 70 69 75 73 T16 -6 Joost Luiten 70 67 73 72 T45 -1 Lukas Nemecz 74 69 72 72 T16 -6 Bernd Ritthammer 71 69 70 72 T50 Ev S.S.P. Chawrasia 70 72 73 73 T16 -6 Fabrizio Zanotti 71 71 73 67 T50 Ev Callum Shinkwin 75 68 71 74 T21 -5 Nino Bertasio 70 71 70 72 T52 +1 Mark Foster 74 69 74 72 T21 -5 Johan Carlsson 70 68 75 70 T52 +1 Andrew McArthur 71 71 70 77 T21 -5 Marcus Fraser (AUS) 69 72 70 72 T52 +1 Prom Meesawat 69 74 73 73 T21 -5 Peter Hanson 71 70 73 69 T52 +1 Edoardo Molinari 73 70 72 74 T21 -5 Zander Lombard 67 68 71 77 T56 +2 Anders Hansen 70 68 73 79 JOURNEYMAN HURLEYWINS EMOTIONAL VICTORY WORDS: ANTHONY POWTER It took104career startssinceturningprofessional in 2006beforeBillyHurleyIII wononthePGATour with astunningvictoryintheQuickenLoansNational at Congressional CountryClub. Hurley carded a final-round 2-under 69 to finish 17-under for the tournament, three strokes clear of Vijay Singh, who at 53 was seeking to become the oldest player to win a PGA Tour event. Jon Rahm and Bill Haas tied for third at 13-under on a course that played the second longest among non-majors this season and has hosted three US Opens and one PGA Championship. The US$1,242,000 win has catapulted Hurley, 34, from the fringes of the sport, a journeyman stuck at No. 607 in the four out of his past six events. His highest previous finish this season was tied for 41st at the Byron Nelson in May. He'd never finished above the top-5 in a tournament before and had a reputation of being a consistent driver of the ball who lacked length, yet was a streaky putter in a game of power and a world of bombers. "It?s been a hard year. It?s been a really hard year," said Hurley who admitted that he and his wife had talked about retirement plans. world with half of his career spent in golf?s secondary ?It?s nice to have something go well." tours, to the secure status of a PGA tournament Hurley also gained a spot in the year?s final two majors, the British Open and PGA Championship, as well as a berth in next year?s Masters. champion. After playing the Web.com Tour in three of his six years as the 2018 season. This is a classic story of a talented athlete who's had his share of challenges, both on and off the course. Hurley entered the tournament having missed the cut in Hurley was an academic all-American. As a student, with a professional, he will be exempt on the PGA Tour through a major in quantitative economics and a head for numbers, the US Naval Academy had him teach economics for two years following graduating in 2004. As an officer, he served five years in the fleet, in the Persian Gulf, the Red and China Seas and Pearl Harbour in Hawaii. Last year Hurley gave a press conference at this event to ask for help as his father, a policeman for 25 years and a golf professional for 30 years, had gone missing for nine days and concerns were had for his dad's safety. His father made contact, yet nine days later he took his own life in Virginia from a self-inflicted wound. So in a tournament dedicated to honouring the military, it was fitting for Hurley to win his maiden PGA Tour title. He?d set his phone on silent during the presentation to not be be distracted, but noticed an incoming call from Admiral Mike Mullen the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff - Hurley took the call. QUICKENLOANS POS +/ - NAME R1 R2 R3 R4 POS +/ - T21 -4 Hudson Swafford 70 69 71 70 T44 DATE: Jun 23 - Jun 26 2016 T21 -4 Robert Streb 69 70 71 70 COURSE: Congressional CC (Blue), Bethesda, MD T21 -4 Mark Hubbard 67 69 73 T21 -4 Sam Saunders 67 70 T21 -4 Daniel Summerhays 70 PRIZEMONEY: $6,900,000 NAME R1 R2 R3 R4 -1 Kyle Reifers 66 71 74 72 T44 -1 Sean O'Hair 68 72 71 72 71 T44 -1 Shawn Stefani 71 70 70 72 72 71 T44 -1 Rickie Fowler 68 68 73 74 69 70 71 T44 -1 Byeong Hun An 69 68 72 74 POS +/ - NAME R1 R2 R3 R4 T21 -4 Gary Woodland 69 69 69 73 T44 -1 Kevin Chappell 70 69 69 75 1 -17 Billy Hurley III 66 65 67 69 T29 -3 Blayne Barber 68 73 73 67 T57 Ev Patton Kizzire 70 71 71 72 2 -14 Vijay Singh 68 66 71 65 T29 -3 Lucas Glover 68 71 73 69 T57 Ev Steve Marino 67 74 71 72 T3 -13 Jon Rahm 64 67 70 70 T29 -3 Brian Harman 69 73 70 69 T57 Ev Charley Hoffman 67 72 72 73 T3 -13 Bill Haas 66 69 68 68 T29 -3 John Senden (AUS) 67 70 74 70 T57 Ev Keegan Bradley 70 68 72 74 5 -12 Ernie Els 66 69 65 72 T29 -3 Chad Collins 72 69 70 70 T57 Ev Tyrone Van Aswegen 69 70 71 74 6 -10 Webb Simpson 67 68 68 71 T29 -3 Jason Kokrak 69 69 72 71 T62 +1 Jamie Lovemark 66 75 76 68 7 -9 Harold Varner III 66 69 70 70 T29 -3 Michael Kim 68 70 72 71 T62 +1 Roberto Castro 71 71 73 70 T8 -8 Francesco Molinari 69 73 69 65 T29 -3 Wes Roach 72 69 66 74 T64 +2 Camilo Villegas 66 72 77 71 T8 -8 Robert Garrigus 67 69 70 70 T29 -3 Wesley Bryan 66 74 67 74 T64 +2 Will MacKenzie 68 71 75 72 T10 -7 Smylie Kaufman 67 73 70 67 T29 -3 Erik Compton 68 70 68 75 T64 +2 Arjun Atwal 70 70 73 73 T10 -7 Rob Oppenheim 69 71 69 68 T39 -2 Fabian Gomez 67 74 72 69 T64 +2 Dawie van der Walt 70 70 73 73 T12 -6 Chris Kirk 72 70 71 65 T39 -2 Jim Herman 69 71 71 71 T64 +2 James Hahn 70 72 71 73 T12 -6 Andres Gonzales 69 72 69 68 T39 -2 Brendan Steele 73 69 69 71 T64 +2 Bryson DeChambeau 70 71 71 74 T12 -6 David Hearn 70 67 72 69 T39 -2 Marc Leishman (AUS) 67 71 72 72 T64 +2 Chesson Hadley 68 73 70 75 T12 -6 Justin Thomas 69 69 70 70 T39 -2 Patrick Reed 68 70 70 74 71 +3 Anirban Lahiri 71 71 75 70 T12 -6 Kevin Streelman 71 68 69 70 T44 -1 Jhonattan Vegas 65 76 73 69 T72 +4 Jon Curran 69 73 77 69 T12 -6 Nick Taylor 69 70 69 70 T44 -1 Ben Martin 72 68 73 70 T72 +4 Luke Guthrie 71 71 74 72 T12 -6 Aaron Baddeley (AUS) 73 68 66 71 T44 -1 Rod Pampling (AUS) 70 71 72 70 74 +5 Tony Finau 69 73 70 77 T19 -5 John Huh 72 69 73 65 T44 -1 Chris Stroud 69 71 72 71 T75 +6 Tom Hoge 69 72 76 73 T19 -5 Derek Fathauer 71 70 71 67 T44 -1 Kyle Stanley 69 73 70 71 T75 +6 Charles Howell III 74 66 75 75 T21 -4 Martin Laird 68 72 72 68 T44 -1 Chez Reavie 72 70 70 71 T75 +6 Zac Blair 71 70 74 75 T21 -4 Jim Furyk 73 68 71 68 T44 -1 Patrick Rodgers 70 69 72 72 78 +12 Scott Langley 68 73 77 78 WOODS RETURNSTO PGATOURBUT WITHOUTHIS CLUBS WORDS: BERNIE MCGUIRE / IMAGE: WWW.GOLFFILE.IE Tiger WoodshasreturnedtoaPGATour event for the first timein10monthsbut without hisgolf clubs, andcertainlynot readytoteeit upupat last week?s QuickenLoansChampionshipwhereBillyHurleyIII wherethetitleover aresurgent VijaySingh. Woods was only there to host the event and while he?s not been seen at a PGA Tour event since finishing 10th in last August?s Wyndham Championship he remains confident of soon returning to the competition fairways. ?I?m excited about what?s transpired so far,? he said. ?It?s about trying to recover for the next day,? he said. ?I guess I still need to get in golf shape. I?m playing it week to week,? Woods said. ?I keep getting physically better. I hope everything clicks in and I can do it sooner rather than later.? ?I?ve gotten better. I?ve been able to hit shots. I have good distance off the tee and that?s a positive. I have enough speed now. More speed is what I need." I?m sore and it?s about trying to recover for the next day. I just need to still get in more golf shape, try to hit more golf balls, things of that nature.? Woods also knows too well from past years when he has come back too early from surgery that he?s not about to repeat the same again, so it?s taking extra time to make certain he is fit, not willing to venture a guess as to what percentage of his recovery he has completed. ?I'm driving myself in my training,? he said.?I need to pretty much do anything off the golf course and then do anything I would do on the golf course.? But Woods did mention his health is improved, a sentiment that?s paying dividends in his game. ?My numbers are good off the tee, the was one of the things I was worried about losing distance, and I haven?t done that, I?ve actually gained a bit, which is positive,? Woods said. And after his remarks on Twitter last week over the fiasco unfolding at Oakmont, Woods was asked his thoughts on the controversy and how it was so badly handled by the USGA. ?I watched. It was awful,? said Woods. ?No one knew what was going on. No one had a clue. Was frustrating to watch. It became such an unnerving situation it wasn?t fair to anybody,? he said. "I didn?t see how that was appropriate.? KOWINSTHIRD TITLEOF2016 INARKANSAS WORDS: PAUL PRENDERGAST / IMAGE: LPGA WHAT'SINTHEBAG - XR16ProDriver (10.5º) - BigBerthaAlpha815FairwayWoods(14º, 18º) - BigBerthaAlpha815Hybrid(23º) - BigBerthaHybrid(25º) - ApexProIrons(5-PW) - OdysseyVersa2-Ball Putter - MackDaddy2Tour GrindWedges(54º, 58º) - ChromeSoft PrototypeGolf Ball Worldnumber oneLydiaKocapturedher thirdtitleof 2016andthe13thof her still youngLPGATour career, withvictoryat theWalmart NWArkansas ChampionshiponSunday. A brilliant eagle on the final hole for a nine-under round of 62 on Saturday set up the win, which Ko delivered after a final round three-under par 68 to finish the tournament at 17-under par. The mark set a new tournament record for the Championship and a three stroke margin over victory to American Morgan Pressel and Taipei?s Candie Kung at 14-under. "Yesterday, I had a hot back nine and today I had a hot front nine," Ko said. "But, you know, I think as soon as I ?? after a few holes, to the back nine, I think the sun kind of got to me a little bit. I could definitely feel the heat." ?I hit the ball really well on the front nine but I didn't hit it that well on the back, and that kind of happened for my second shot on the last hole." "Not the fanciest way to finish off a championship, but I'm just going to think of it as me bogeying another hole." Perth?s Minjee Lee finished inside the top-ten after a final round 67 tied her for 8th place at 10-under par, while Victorians Sarah Jane Smith and Su Oh finished in a share of 32nd place at 7-under. alongside Lee in Rio. Oh?s solid result was a further nail in the coffin of Karrie Webb?s Olympic dream with only a few tournaments now remaining for the Hall of Famer to overtake Oh (No. 42) on the Rolex Rankings to make the Australian team Webb (No. 60) did not play in Arkansas and has just the Portland Classic and U.S. Women?s Open over the next two weeks to force the issue before the Games teams are decided. Versailles, France: Scott Hendhasbeenrewardedafter missingout on qualifyingfor therecent U.S. Openwithaplaceinnext month?sOpen Championshipat Royal Troon. It will be only Hend?s third appearance in golf?s oldest Major after first competing in 2005 and then last year, and both times on the Old Course at St. Andrews. Hend was among 11players handed Royal Troon tee times by the R&A yesterday off the World Rankings, and surprisingly to those ranked 58th to 78th on the rankings. American James Hahn, who is ranked 58th, was top of the list, while compatriot Tony Finau picked up the 11th place as presently ranked 79th in the world. Hend missed the cut in Sunday?s concluding BMW International Open to drop one place on the rankings and now the World No. 75 but it was still good enough to receive a place in the 145th staging of golf?s oldest Major. IN-FORMHEND REWARDED WITHOPEN TEETIME WORDS: BERNIE MCGUIRE / IMAGE: ASIAN TOUR And it will make up for the disappointment of missing out on qualifying for the recent U.S. Open with Hend, who had led going into the last round of the BMW PGA Championship, letting his emotions get the better of him a day later in the 36-hole Oakmont qualifier at Walton Heath. ?After what happened the last day at Wentworth I just wasn?t in a right place mind-wise teeing up at Walton Heath but those days can happen in this game,? he said. ?So after missing out on playing the U.S. Open and to be now contesting The Open just shows how amazing this game we play can be." ?I?ve never played Royal Troon so it?s great news and already looking forward to teeing up.? have achieved,? said Hend. However with 14 worldwide victories since turning pro Hend has contested just four Major Championships in his career ? 2004 US Open (Missed cut), 2006 US Open (T32nd), 2011US Open (Missed Cut) plus 2005 and 2015 Open Championship (Missed Cut). Hend will now join Day, Scott, Marc Leishman, Steven Bowdith, Matt Jones, Nathan Holman, Rod Pampling, Nick Cullen and Ian Baker-Finch in the July 14th commencing Open Championship. Hend is among just a handful of players this season to have won twice having captured both his victories in Thailand including the True Thailand Classic in March, a co-sanctioned Asian and European Tour. Then after failing to qualify for the U.S. Open Hend went back to Thailand to capture the Asian Tour?s Queens Cup for his ninth Asian Tour triumph. The eleven players awarded Royal Troon tee times include: And in winning for a second time this season in Thailand the Townsville-born Hend, who now lives in Ponte Vedra, Florida, joined World No. 1Jason Day and 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott with two victories this year. - Brendan Steele (USA) ?I have been playing very well and I?ve had a lot of wins in the last four to five years but unfortunately those wins have not been in a Major or a WGC such as what Jason and Adam - James Hahn (USA) - Gary Woodland (USA) - Ryan Palmer (USA) - Patton Kizzire (USA) - Fabian Gomez (Argentina) - Jeunghan Wang (Korea) - Scott Hend (Australia) - Graeme McDowell (Nth Ireland) - Francesco Molinari (Italy) - Tony Finau (USA) The 145th staging of the Open Championship will take place from the 14th-17th July at Royal Troon. The club has hosted the event on eight occassions including 1923, 1950, 1962, 1973, 1982, 1989, 1997 and 2004 when American Todd Hamilton defeated Ernie Els in a playoff. WORDS/ IMAGE: ANTHONY POWTER DAVIS' NARROW BRABAZON TROPHY MISS CameronDaviswaswell incontentionat theEnglish Men'sOpenStrokePlayhavingleadthetournament for 54holes. Davis began the final round with a two-shot buffer over Bower, however, when Davis made bogey on the second hole while Bower secured a birdie the pair were all even. World Amateur rankings. To Davis' credit his UK tour has seen him as arguably our most consistent performer. However, a costly three putt on the final hole gave the tournament away to Englishman Jamie Bower to win the Brabazon Trophy by a single shot at London Golf Club. The closing back nine saw Davis card three bogies and two birdies for a 1-over-par 37, yet Bower remained calm, firing three birdies to two bogeys for a 1-under-par total and two stroke swing over the Aussie. Bower shot two-under par 70 to finish on 12-under but only after play had been suspended with Bower and Davis on the 18th green due to a violent thunderstorm. Bower has tasted international success already in 2016, winning twice in South Africa at the Southern Cap Open Amateur and the Gauteng North Open Amateur. A course record 6-under, 65, at Rowallan Castle Golf Club in Scotland during the opening round of a tri-nation challenge between Scotland, Australia and South Africa, a top-10 finish during the British Amateur qualifying before making it through to the round of 32 sets up a fantastic platform for the world number 13 before heading to the US to play their main amateur tournaments. When they returned Bower two-putted for par and victory, while Davis missed a short one which would have taken the title battle into a play-off. In 2015, he won at home claiming the Yorkshire Amateur. Earlier in the month he made the top-16 at the British Amateur and is currently ranked 37th under the R&A Before heading to the US, Davis will tee it up alongside, Jarryd Felton and Ben Eccles this week at Woburn Golf Club to attempt Open Championship qualification. ZIKAFEARS FORCEMCILROY WITHDRAWAL WORDS: BERNIE MCGUIRE / IMAGE: WWW.GOLFFILE.IE Pulheim, Germany: Four-time Major winning Rory McIlroy has dealt the Olympic Golf movement another blow by withdrawing from the Ireland team to compete in this year?s Rio Olympics. The current World No. 4 has made a u-turn after recently deciding to represent Ireland but now he?s officially declared he will not be teeing-up on the Gil Hanse designed course in Brazil. Of course, McIlroy is again engaged to be married and therein lies his main fear. "After much thought and deliberation, I have decided to withdraw my name from consideration for this summer?s Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero,? he said. ?After speaking with those closest to me, I?ve come to realise that my health and my family?s health comes before anything else." ?Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take." ?I trust the Irish people will understand my decision. The unwavering support I receive every time I compete in a golf tournament at home or abroad means the world to me." McIlroy now joins the likes of Vijay Singh, Marc Leishman, Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel who have already announced they will not play in Brazil. Dusseldorf, Germany: WhileAustralia?sOlympicmen?sgolf isreeling withwithdrawalsbig-hittingQueenslander Scott Hendremainsvery hopeful Australiacanwingoldat RiodeJaneiro. Hend has moved into frame to now team-up with World No. 1Jason Day in the competition commencing on 10th August. Hend shows no signs of, and excuse this pun, taking his foot off the pedal as he strives to proudly represent Australia in the Olympic Games. But while there is still doubt and also strong rumours Day could join Adam Scott and Marc Leishman on the Olympic sidelines, Hend could find himself marching out onto the Olympic Games arena alongside Marcus Fraser, who is currently lying third among the Australian men qualifiers. Hend is respectful of both Scott and Leishman in citing their own reasons for not wishing to tee-up in Brazil even though it has presented him with the once in a lifetime opportunity to walk out behind the ?Southern Cross?. Hend went ahead of Fraser in capturing the recent Asia Tour?s Queens Cup in Thailand. ?I may not be the best-ranked player from Australia but if I am fortunate enough to qualify for the team I go to Brazil and represent Australia the best way I can.? After missing out on qualifying for the recent U.S. Open, Hend was not about to sit idle and headed to Thailand in the same week of the year?s second Major. In the absence of Scott, Hend is clearly the third best performed Australian on the world stage this year having also won twice in 2016 as has Day and Scott. It was Hend?s second taste of success in Thailand and came just two months after capturing the European/Asian Tour co-sanctioned True Thailand Classic. As well, Hend led going into the final round of the recent BMW PGA Championship while he was fourth earlier in the year in the Shenzhen Open and sixth in the following week?s Volvo China Open. SCOTTHEND TALKS OLYMPICS GOLF WORDS: BERNIE MCGUIRE / IMAGE: WWW.GOLFFILE.IE Hend?s triumph was his ninth Asian Tour success and his 14th worldwide since a maiden pro career victory at the 1999 South Australian PGA Championship. And with twin children named Aston and McLaren the now 43-year old ?I have been playing very well and I?ve had a lot of wins in the last four to five years but unfortunately those wins have not been in a Major or a WGC such as what Jason and Adam have achieved,? he said. ?I?ve never been to Brazil and while I?ve competed in Mexico and Panama I?m looking forward to pulling on the green and gold as it will be something different." ?It will also be great to liaise with Ian Baker-Finch (Australian Team manager) once we get to Rio, so if I am fortunate to be one of the two players who qualify it will be a great experience and something to one day tell the grandkids." ?So these next few weeks, the French Open and the Scottish Open, are very important to me as if I can stay ahead of the guys behind me then I should be fine.? While Hend would be delighted to represent his country, he is not alone in remarking he would rather not be heading to Brazil and competing in an individual stroke play. ?To be quite honest when they announced golf was returning to the Olympics being a member of the Australian team was not on my radar, and I also thought professional golf is much about playing individual stroke events so my only disappointment when they did announce the return of golf to the Olympics was the structure and format of a single stroke tournament,? he said. ?It was my view they should have voted for a two-man team playing like an Ambrose, Best-ball and a Foursomes and make it a team event." FLOODFORCES GREENBRIER CANCELLATION WORDS: PAUL PRENDERGAST / IMAGES: GREENBRIER CLASSIC PGA TOUR and Greenbrier Resort officials have announced that The Greenbrier Classic, scheduled for July 7-10, has been cancelled due to the devastating flooding caused by record rainfalls throughout West Virginia. Greenbrier County, where The Greenbrier Resort is located, has been particularly hard-hit by torrential rains. The Old White TPC, host course for the tournament, suffered extensive damage from the flooding and is beyond reasonable repair to conduct the tournament, TOUR officials said. ?We are heartbroken by the devastation that the residents of West Virginia are experiencing at this time and the reports of lives lost due to the terrible flooding,? said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. ?Cancelling The Greenbrier Classic is certainly the most prudent course of action as our foremost concern is the well-being of those who are having to live through this tragic situation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.? ?All of our focus needs to be on helping all of the people of our great State. So many have lost loved ones, their homes, and have no place to go,? said Jim Justice, owner of The Greenbrier. Justice added: ?We love the PGA TOUR and our partnership with these fine people. All of us are united with only one common goal to help the people through this terrible time.? DAVIS'COURSE RECORD65 WORDS: MICHAEL COURT Star young Australian amateur Cameron Davis has made a habit of breaking course records with at least two course record scores to his name at his home club at Roseville, Sydney. DAYEYES RETIREMENT AT40 Now the long-hitting Davis has notched up the best score ever recorded around the impressive Rowallan Castle Golf Club in Scotland. Still only 21and with the professional ranks now beckoning, Davis shot a superb six-under par 65 around the difficult Rowallan Castle layout. The Rowallan Castle club were excited about Davis? record and quickly declared he would be granted honourary membership until his record was broken. WORDS: MICHAEL COURT / IMAGE: ANTHONY POWTER Beingthebest andstayingat thetopof thetree takesatruechampion. Sotoo, doesknowingwhen you?vehadenoughandit?sthetimetogiveit all away. ?[ Then] I?ll go off my merry way and I'll probably never pick up a golf club ever again.? While Day was deadly serious when he suggested that, there was also a proviso. And Australia?s world No 1Jason Day has marked down 40 as the age that all that might happen. ?It also depends on if Dash (Day?s son) is playing, if Lucy (his daughter) is playing, if I'm still competitive and my body's great." At least that?s when the hard-working Queenslander intends to take stock of where he?s at and whether or not it's worth pressing on. ?It also depends on what I'm doing with my body and with my golf game, I'm trying to extend the longevity of my career.? ?When I get to 40, I would like to see where I'm at in my career because I might want to go, ?You know what, I'm done, I?m just happy with everything?,? said Day at the media day to launch this year?s US PGA Championship, where he is defending champion. Day said he would call time on his career when he reached the stage of not wanting to improve any more. ?It's over when you're done improving yourself on and off the golf course,? he said. The club has also placed Davis?scorecard and a signed glove at the bar at The Glasshouse Restaurant for all to admire. ?We plan to create a fan and family friendly event that will have much more to offer than the traditional golf tournament model. In RACV Royal Pines Resort, we are extremely fortunate to have a world class venue as our host.? ALPG,RACV LAUNCHNEW WOMEN'S EVENT Lunn also announced that the PGA of Australia would be involved in assisting the ALPG. ?We are thrilled that the PGA of Australia have agreed to work with us in staging the ALPG Players Championship. The PGA have a track record and reputation of delivering world class golf tournaments, and with the Australian PGA Championship being hosted by RACV Royal Pines Resort it makes perfect sense that we work with them to deliver the quality of event that we can all be proud of.? WORDS: PAUL PRENDERGAST / IMAGE: WWW.GOLFPHOTOS.COM.AU TheAustralianLadiesProfessional Golf (ALPG) andRACVhavejoined forcestoannounceanewgolf tournament ontheAustralianschedule: theRACVALPGPlayersChampionship, whichwill beplayedat RACV Royal PinesResort onQueensland?sGoldCoast. ?ALPG is delighted to announce this exciting new partnership with RACV.? ALPG CEO Karen Lunn said. ?Both the ALPG and RACV are proud member based organisations and we will be working closely with RACV to ensure that both groups of members have the opportunity to benefit from the partnership, through our ALPG star and RACV Ambassador Stacey Keating was thrilled at news of the impending partnership. development programmes and across our entire ALPG Tour.? ?This is such an exciting opportunity for the ALPG to showcase what our organisation has to offer. As an ambassador for RACV, I understand how much emphasis the organisation puts on giving value to its members." ?The RACV ALPG Players Championship will be a unique event. In addition to Australia?s leading players, we expect the tournament will attract players from all of the Tours across the globe represented in the Rolex Women?s World Rankings.? "I am sure that the relationship between ALPG and RACV will be prove to be mutually beneficial for members of both associations. This new tournament and partnership is great news for women?s golf in Australasia? Thereisnothingmorefrustratingfor agolf professional ? or anamateur, for that matter, tobe stuckwithaplayer whoisslower thaneveryone else...inhis(or her) groupandeveryoneelseonthe courseaswell. KENNEDY, LUCK CLOSEINJAPAN WORDS: PAUL PRENDERGAST Granted it is sometimes gamesmanship as it can make your game suffer as you try and player quicker to cover for their slow play. Soon it becomes fun for nobody as anger begins to take control. Now the Royal and Ancient have moved to take further steps to avoid slow play with two new Pace of Play conditions that were introduced during last week?s British Amateur Championship played at Royal Porthcawl as well as the Pyle & Kenfig course in Wales. R&A'SNEW PACEOFPLAY MEASURES WORDS: MICHAEL COURT / IMAGE: WWW.GOLFFILE.IE The measures addresses two particular situations that can arise during championship play: groups being considered to be out of position even if they are playing within the time allowed, and the timing of individual players, who are playing at an unduly slow pace and are only being kept in position by other members of their group playing at a quicker pace. The first measure brought in by the R&A is a change to the definition of ?Out of Position?, which will now enable groups that are more than the starting interval behind the group in front to be timed, even if they have not exceeded the allotted time for number of holes completed. The second measure is the addition of a new clause, ?Random Timing Without Warning When Group Not Out of Position?, for situations where an individual player may be timed without warning, including when a group is not out of position, for playing at an overly slow pace. While it might not solve this age-old problem, it is certainly a move in the right direction. Australian golfers were well performed on the resumption of the Japan Golf Tour at the recently completed ISPS Handa Global Cup. 29-year old Korean, Jun Won Park took out the event in a playoff over Argentina?s Emiliano Grillo, after the Korean had caught the overnight leader with a final round five-under 66. It was the Korean?s first win in Japan and over a strong field that included PGA TOUR winners this season in Grillo and former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, and multiple major winner Padraig Harrington. Queensland?s Brad Kennedy was the best of the Australians, finishing just two strokes out of the playoff in a tie for 3rd at 15-under par, following a final round 67. Perth amateur and reigning WA Open champion Curtis Luck was the tournament surprise packet, underlining his status as a star of the future with a brilliant final round 64 to tie for 5th place in a group that included Schwartzel and New Zealand?s Michael Hendry at 13-under. NSW?s Won Joon Lee finished at 10-under in a tie for 12th, ahead of Brendan Jones who tied for 23rd, Matthew Millar (T33) and Adam Bland (T37) ahead of a gaggle of Aussies who made the weekend. The Japan Tour moves on to the Shigeo Nagashima Invitational SEGA SAMMY CUP this week and represents another opportunity for players to make hay while the sun shines, with runaway Money List leader K.T. Kim contesting the WGC- Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio. V-Line Fang ODYSSEY'SMILLED COLLECTIONRSXPUTTERS CallawayGolf'slatest pathininsert innovationhasledtoadeeper explorationof soundandfeel. The result is the Odyssey Milled Collection RSX, which is milled from 1025 carbon steel, with Callaway's best-selling #7 shape, a progressive V-Line Fang mallet, and the #001, a new take on the classic #1shape. The feedback from Callaway staffer and five-time major winner, Phil Mickelson, was that when he hits a 5-foot putt, he wants it to look, feel and sound like a 5-foot putt. By engineering Callaway's sound chamber technology into these putters, they?ve delivered a crisp sound at impact, which ensures great feedback that matches up perfectly with the speed and roll off the face. They?ve also coupled this feature with the patented Metal-X roll technology, bringing roll and sound together, as indicated by the RSX name for ?roll and sound experiment?. The shaft on the all-new Milled Collection RSX putters is black powder-coated to help reduce glare and provide a unique, contemporary look The premium looks is extended further by the black genuine Cabretta leather Grip Master grip and red baseball stitch down the back delivers a premium look with amazing feel. Retail Date (AU): June 30, 2016 Available Head Shapes: #001, #7, V-Line Fang Pricing: AUD$549.99 #007 Golferstheworldover canprobablyrelateto this...not makinggoodcontact withtheball. The onlydifferenceis, ArnoldPalmer isnow86. And even though the great man did not appear on the first tee at Augusta National this year to hit that ceremonial first tee shot at The Masters, he certainly hasn?t given the game away. WORDS: MICHAEL COURT / IMAGE: WWW.GOLFFILE.IE WORDS: MICHAEL COURT While mobility, or lack of it, also kept him away from stranding alongside Jack Nicklaus to watch Dustin Johnson win the US Open at Oakmont, he refuses to stop ?golfing?. Former world No 1Tiger Woods hit the nail right on the head this week when he joined the masses who have paid out on the USGA?s handling of the penalty that could have cost Dustin Johnson last week?s US Open at Oakmont. Just a day after Johnson?s win Palmer was spotted driving his golf cart to the back entrance of his office across from Latrobe Country Club, frustrated after hitting some balls on the range. Woods pointed out that the fact nobody knew what was happening affected everyone?s play on that testing back nine. ?I?m just not making very good contact,? said Palmer. ?But I?ll get there.? Obviously Johnson was the worst affected and Woods admitted he would have been a fair bit more ?feisty? than ?DJ? when it came to his handling of the penalty. One project which does have him hitting the sweet spot is sharing some of his stories in his latest book, ?A Life Well Played: My Stories?, which has Palmer more excited than ever. AT86, ARNIE STILLKEEPING HIMSELFBUSY WOODSTEARS INTOUSGA ?Though I have written a number of books in the past, this one was particularly important to me because I delved into the process, I realised just how much I still wanted to say to my friends in golf and to fans of the game in general,? Palmer said. That book is due for release before the end of the year. And the other thing that occupies Arnie?s time for long periods is signing things for his fans. Not just half an hour here and there but up to two and three hours a day as members of the famous Arnie?s Army send photos, books, pin flags and other memorabilia for him to sign. Don?t expect Palmer to appear at Royal Troon for next month?s British Open, where he won by six shots in the 1962 Open...but then again, you never know. ?It was awful,? Woods said while attending last weekend?s Tour event at Congressional. ?Because no one knew what was going on. DJ didn?t know how he stood." ?The rest of the guys who were ahead of him didn?t understand what was going on." ?The final group didn?t know what was going on. No one had a clue...no-one understood understood where they stood in the tournament, so that determines what you?re going to do." ?So much depends on the scenarios and where you stand, and it dictates how you play.? Woods said the whole scenario, which saw Johnson penalised a stroke after the Open had finished was frustrating to watch how it was handled. ?I think that championship being our national title, and the history behind it, it deserved a better handling of the situation,? he said. DAYSTILL UNDECIDED ONRIO OLYMPICS FUTURE frighten him off too? ?He (McIlroy) and Erica (Stoll) are looking at getting married soon, and obviously looking to start a family,? said the father of two, Day. ?I'm past that, but also looking to have some more babies." ?I respect his decision because obviously it's a tough one going from trying to represent your country and trying to win a gold medal but also understanding that it's a life decision that you have to make just in case there's a small percentage that it will happen." ?Family for me is priority No. 1, so I've got to make sure that they're happy and then probably I'll make the decision.? WORDS: MICHAEL COURT / IMAGE: ANTHONY POWTER Certainly Day faces a busy end to his season ? whether or not he chases Olympic gold as well. TogoRioor not togoRio. That isthequestionplaguingworldNo1Jason Dayashemullsover whether or not tocompeteintheOlympicGamesin afewweeks?time. It has been well documented in recent months that most players place a major championship before an Olympic Gold medal, at this stage. he?s looking forward to teaming up with Adam Scott to play in the World Cup in Australia later this season. Now Day has declared he will definitely head for Canada to defend his Canadian Open title in between the British Open and defending his PGA championship title next month. When Day fronted a media day for the PGA Championship at Baltusrol, it was the first thing the media wanted to know...given that Rory McIlroy had just dropped out, would the threat of the Zika virus in Rio The popular Aussie has also indicated But as for Rio, he?s not sure. ?I?m playing three weeks in a row and then taking a week off, and the Olympics, and then a week off." "(Then) three weeks in a row for the FedEx (playoffs), then the Tour Championship,? he said. ?It's hard.? Yet Day will definitely be in Melbourne for the World Cup where he expects he and Scott will be hard to beat. ?I think we'd be a great team for the World Cup,? he grinned. WORDS: GOLF AUSTRALIA / IMAGE: ANTHONY POWTER SPIETHSET TOMAKE 2016AUSSIE OPEN RETURN Americangolf sensationJordanSpiethisreturning toseekasecondEmiratesAustralianOpentitleto addtohisbulginglist of achievements. success in which he climbed to No. 1in the world and won consecutive major championships, the Masters tournament at Augusta National and the US Open at Chambers Bay in Washington in 2015. Spieth, the world's No. 2 player, has committed to joining what promises to be an impressive field for Australia's national championship at Royal Sydney Golf Club from November 17. Jordan has acknowledged that the win at The Australian was a huge turning point in his career. The 22-year-old from Texas won the Emirates Australian Open at The Australian in 2014 with a stellar 63 on the final day, and narrowly missed a playoff at the same venue in 2015 when he finished tied-second with Adam Scott, a single shot behind Matt Jones. ?I look back at my win in the 2014 Emirates Australian Open with great memories as it helped me build momentum for 2015." The 2014 triumph launched Spieth on an amazing run of ?I have really enjoyed my previous visits to Australia and I can?t wait to get back in November," said Spieth. ?The Emirates Australian Open seems to grow in stature among the world?s players every year. The field is always strong and Royal Sydney should be a great test.? Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt welcomed the news. "Jordan is one of the greatest players in today?s game and has proven to be exceptionally popular with audiences in Australia and around the globe," said Pitt. Pitt also confirmed that The Australian Golf Club would host the championship in 2017, 2019 and 2021. Venues for other years are yet to be finalised. The 2017 event will be played from November 23-26 and in 2018 from November 22-25. The Emirates Australian Open is a flagship tournament on the PGA Tour of Australasia. The winner will receive a minimum of 32 Official World Golf Ranking points. The event will be telecast all four days on Channel 7. WORLDGOLFRANKINGS| 28THJUNE2016 AVG TOTAL EVENTS TW LW NAME AVG TOTAL EVENTS TW LW NAME Jason Day (AUS) 13.5133 540.53 40 34 33 Justin Thomas 3.0505 158.63 52 67 76 2 Jordan Spieth 10.9588 569.86 52 35 34 Lee Westwood 2.9381 143.97 49 68 3 3 Dustin Johnson 9.5549 382.19 40 36 35 Charley Hoffman 2.9177 151.72 52 4 4 Rory McIlroy 9.1779 403.83 44 37 36 Matthew Fitzpatrick 2.9155 151.61 5 7 Henrik Stenson 7.2893 349.89 48 38 38 Kevin Chappell 2.8859 6 5 Bubba Watson 7.2836 335.05 46 39 37 Marc Leishman (AUS) 7 6 Rickie Fowler 6.7438 343.93 51 40 40 8 8 Adam Scott (AUS) 6.597 283.67 43 41 9 9 Danny Willett 6.4483 328.86 51 10 10 Justin Rose 5.546 277.3 11 12 Sergio Garcia 5.3891 12 11 Branden Grace 13 13 14 TW LW 1 1 2 NAME AVG TOTAL EVENTS Webb Simpson 2.0226 95.06 47 62 Ryan Palmer 2.0121 98.59 49 69 66 Jamie Donaldson 1.9934 103.66 52 52 70 63 Patton Kizzire 1.977 90.94 46 150.07 52 71 70 Fabian Gomez 1.9713 102.51 52 2.8707 146.41 51 72 71 Victor Dubuisson 1.9675 92.47 47 K.T. Kim 2.8228 143.96 51 73 69 Rikard Karlberg 1.9254 90.49 47 47 Emiliano Grillo 2.7871 144.93 52 74 72 Jeunghun Wang 1.9202 99.85 52 42 41 Andy Sullivan 2.7838 144.76 52 75 74 Scott Hend (AUS) 1.9113 99.39 52 50 43 43 Scott Piercy 2.7696 144.02 52 76 73 Graeme McDowell 1.9033 98.97 52 247.9 46 44 42 Jimmy Walker 2.7563 143.33 52 77 75 Brendan Steele 1.8861 94.31 50 5.324 276.85 52 45 44 Danny Lee 2.6984 140.32 52 78 83 Francesco Molinari 1.873 97.4 52 Patrick Reed 4.9672 258.29 52 46 46 William McGirt 2.6403 137.29 52 79 77 Tony Finau 1.8452 95.95 52 14 Louis Oosthuizen 4.6974 220.78 47 47 45 Soren Kjeldsen 2.6336 136.95 52 80 79 Jim Herman 1.8398 95.67 52 15 15 Brooks Koepka 4.3473 226.06 52 48 48 David Lingmerth 2.5373 131.94 52 81 80 Marcus Fraser (AUS) 1.8023 81.1 45 16 16 Hideki Matsuyama 4.3138 224.32 52 49 52 Kiradech Aphibarnrat 2.4875 129.35 52 82 81 Soomin Lee 1.7826 74.87 42 17 17 Matt Kuchar 4.0458 210.38 52 50 49 Bernd Wiesberger 2.4712 128.5 52 83 82 Luke Donald 1.7696 92.02 52 18 19 Jim Furyk 3.9347 157.39 40 51 51 Jason Dufner 2.4221 113.84 47 84 86 Daniel Summerhays 1.7462 90.8 52 19 18 Zach Johnson 3.9249 200.17 51 52 50 Harris English 2.3762 123.56 52 85 84 Matt Jones (AUS) 1.7326 90.09 52 20 20 Phil Mickelson 3.8942 163.56 42 53 53 Ryan Moore 2.3262 104.68 45 86 85 Charles Howell III 1.732 90.07 52 21 22 J.B. Holmes 3.817 175.58 46 54 54 Martin Kaymer 2.2866 118.9 52 87 87 Jamie Lovemark 1.7101 88.93 52 22 21 Brandt Snedeker 3.7387 194.41 52 55 55 Billy Horschel 2.2565 115.08 51 88 88 Ian Poulter 1.6754 82.09 49 23 24 Chris Wood 3.6583 171.94 47 56 60 Smylie Kaufman 2.2519 96.83 43 89 89 Yuta Ikeda 1.6373 85.14 52 24 23 Charl Schwartzel 3.6415 189.36 52 57 56 Thongchai Jaidee 2.2408 116.52 52 90 90 Jon Curran 1.6236 84.43 52 25 25 Shane Lowry 3.5812 179.06 50 58 57 James Hahn 2.2384 116.4 52 91 91 Russell Henley 1.5856 80.86 51 26 26 Russell Knox 3.414 177.53 52 59 61 Chris Kirk 2.1714 112.91 52 92 98 Kevin Streelman 1.5662 81.44 52 27 29 Paul Casey 3.3737 165.31 49 59 78 Thorbjorn Olesen 2.1714 112.91 52 93 95 Jason Bohn 1.5391 75.42 49 28 27 Byeong Hun An 3.3685 175.16 52 61 58 Anirban Lahiri 2.1682 112.75 52 94 92 Tyrrell Hatton 1.5249 79.29 52 29 28 Kevin Kisner 3.324 172.85 52 62 59 Jaco Van Zyl 2.1633 93.02 43 95 94 Shingo Katayama 1.5227 67 44 30 30 Kevin Na 3.1903 165.9 52 63 65 Joost Luiten 2.0579 107.01 52 96 97 Ross Fisher 1.5206 76.03 50 31 31 Rafael Cabrera Bello 3.1765 165.18 52 64 67 Thomas Pieters 2.0421 100.06 49 97 93 Troy Merritt 1.5175 78.91 52 32 32 Daniel Berger 3.1019 161.3 52 65 68 Gary Woodland 2.035 99.72 49 98 100 Bradley Dredge 1.5097 60.39 40 33 39 Bill Haas 3.0899 160.67 52 66 64 Robert Streb 2.0337 105.75 52 99 96 James Morrison 1.4979 77.89 52 www.golfgrinder.com FIRSTLOOK: PROTOTYPE TITLEIST917 DRIVERSON TOUR Titleist brought itsnewest prototypedrivers, the917series, to Congressional CountryClublast weekandallowedproswhoarrived earlyfor theQuickenLoansNational totrythem. Among the players on the range trying the drivers Monday morning were Bill Haas (pictured), Charley Hoffman, Andrew Loupe, Blayne Barber and Scott Stallings. More players were fitted throughout the week, and overall, two-thirds of players (18/ 27) put the driver in play at the Quicken Loans and to a man they were all very impressed. While look and feel are extremely important, players on the PGA Tour believe in results and 917 shined here. Players were consistently picking up as much as 3-4 miles per hour in ball speed, translating to increased distance. The company?s SureFit adjustable hosel and Active Recoil Channel were designed into the new clubs. The current SureFit hosel allows golfers to increase the club?s stated loft by as much as 1.5 degrees or reduce it by .75 degrees. It also lets players make the club up to 1.5 degrees more upright or flatten the lie by .75 degrees. The Active Recoil Channel helps the face flex more efficiently at impact to increase ball speed and reduce spin, which can boost distance. Last year Titleist unveiled the 716 iron family at this event, and those clubs arrived in stores late October, 2015. In 2014 the pros were given their first chance to try the 915 woods at the Quicken Loans Invitational too, and they were made available to the public in November 2014. Titleist has not released any price or in-store information for the 917 drivers. Golf Grinder will report more details as they become available. DEMODAYS| JUNE2016 DATE FROM VENUE TYPE 1ST 1:00PM JINDALEE GOLF CLUB 1ST 4:00PM MELBOURNE GOLF ACADEMY 3RD 12:00PM SHEPPARTON GOLF CLUB FIT* 7TH 10:00AM WODONGA GOLF CLUB FIT* 10TH 10:00AM QUEENS PARK GOLF CENTRE FIT* 11TH 10:00AM NORTHERN GOLF CLUB FIT* 15TH 10:00AM RIVERSDALE GOLF CLUB FIT* 17TH 12:00PM THE NATIONAL GOLF CLUB FIT* 22ND 10:00AM HEIDELBERG GOLF CLUB FIT* 23RD 10:00AM COBRAM-BAROOGA GOLF CLUB FIT* FIT* DEMO * Appointment Required www.golfgrinder.com DEMODAYS| JUNE2016 DATE TIME VENUE TYPE NEW SOUTH WALES/ACT DATE TIME VENUE TYPE DEMO QUEENSLAND 1ST 09:00-14:30 BONNIE DOON GOLF CLUB FIT* 3RD 14:00-17:00 MAROOCHYDORE RIVER GOLF 2ND 12:00-17:00 CONCORD GOLF CLUB FIT* 4TH 10:00-13:00 THE GRAND GOLF CLUB FIT* 3RD 12:00-17:00 BAYVIEW GOLF CLUB FIT* 7TH 17:00-19:30 VICTORIA PARK DRIVING RANGE FIT* 6TH 13:00-17:00 OATLANDS GOLF CLUB FIT* 10TH 11:00-15:00 PACIFIC GOLF CLUB FIT* 7TH 09:00-13:00 BANKSTOWN GOLF CLUB FIT* 15TH 09:00-13:00 MIDDLE RIDGE GOLF CLUB FIT* 8TH 09:00-13:00 CASTLE HILL GOLF CLUB FIT* 17TH 09:00-12:00 NUDGEE GOLF CLUB FIT* 9TH 09:00-16:00 ROYAL SYDNEY GOLF CLUB FIT* 22ND 09:00-12:00 DRUMMOND GOLF TOWNSVILLE FIT* 10TH 10:00-15:00 TERREY HILLS COUNTRY CLUB FIT* 22ND 13:00-15:30 GOLF WORLD TOWNSVILLE FIT* 14TH 13:00-19:00 THORNLEIGH DRIVING RANGE FIT* 23RD 09:00-13:00 CAIRNS GOLF CLUB FIT* 15TH 16:00-19:00 THE RIDGE GOLF DRIVING FIT* 24TH 13:00-18:00 CAIRNS GOLF CLUB FIT* 16TH 10:00-15:00 MOSS VALE GOLF CLUB FIT* 24TH 13:00-17:00 PALM MEADOWS DEMO 17TH 12:00-16:00 HIGHLANDS GOLF CLUB FIT* 25TH 08:00-14:00 DRUMMOND GOLF CAIRNS AT DEMO 21ST 10:00-16:00 NELSON BAY GOLF CLUB FIT* 30TH 16:00-19:00 GOLF CENTRAL FIT* 22ND 09:00-13:00 BELMONT GOLF CLUB FIT* 23RD 12:00-16:30 GUNNEDAH GOLF CLUB FIT* 1ST 10:00-14:00 SPRING VALLEY GOLF CLUB FIT* 24TH 09:00-16:00 TAMWORTH GOLF CLUB FIT* 1ST 16:00-19:00 MELBOURNE GOLF ACADEMY DEMO 28TH 09:00-14:00 ILLAWARRA GOLF RANGE FIT* 3RD 13:00-17:00 THE HOUSE OF GOLF - EPPING FIT* 29TH 16:00-19:00 MOORE PARK FIT* 4TH 10:00-14:00 WOODLANDS GOLF CLUB FIT* 30TH 08:00-13:00 KILLARA GOLF CLUB FIT* 7TH 16:00-19:00 MELBOURNE GOLF ACADEMY FIT* 8TH 10:00-14:00 ROSEBUD COUNTRY CLUB FIT* WESTERN AUSTRALIA VICTORIA 1ST 16:00-19:00 WHALEBACK GOLF CLUB DEMO 9TH 16:00-19:00 YARRA BEND DRIVING RANGE DEMO 3RD 09:00-13:00 SECRET HARBOUR GOLF CLUB DEMO 14TH 13:00-17:00 KOORINGAL GOLF CLUB FIT* 10TH 13:00-17:00 MARANGAROO GOLF CLUB DEMO 15TH 15:00-18:00 CARDINIA BEACONHILLS GOLF FIT* 17TH 13:00-17:00 NATIONAL GOLF CLUB FIT* * Appointment Required www.golfgrinder.com CALLAWAY DEBUTS NEWAPEX BLACK IRONS ThenewApexBlackIronsare precisionengineeredwithCallaway?s industry-leading, category-defining 360FaceCuptechnologytogivethe golfer exceptional, consistent ball speedacrossthefaceandplayability inaforgedplayersiron. This is Callaway?s first face cup in a consistent ball speed across the face in a The longer irons feature more offset forged Apex design. where you need it for more forgiveness, A sleek Satin Black Finish on the while the shorter irons have a more clubhead and premium shaft options compact shape with less offset for feel including a stepless True Temper XP 95 and control. with a satin black finish give this set an Callaway applied an extremely precise unforgettable blacked out look. quadruple net forging, precision milling, There is also a vast no upcharge list so and 1025 mild carbon steel to produce a you can customise your set. new standard for incredibly soft feel in a forged iron. forged players iron. They?ve taken their SCORINGPERFORMANCETHROUGHTHESET industry-leading 360 Face Cup The progressive offset, sole widths, CG Availability: Custom Option Only technology that?s redefined ball speed in height and notch weighting provide the Product Availability Date: July 2016 fairway woods and irons, and precision right balance of ball flight, playability, RRP: $250ea (Steel), $285ea (Graphite) engineered the face cup to give you forgiveness and control for each iron. Offering: 4-AW DEMODAYS| JUNE2016 DATE TIME VENUE TYPE NEW SOUTH WALES/ACT DATE TIME VENUE TYPE QUEENSLAND 1ST 12:00-17:00 MOREE GOLF SHOP DEMO* 3RD 10:00-13:00 PACIFIC GOLF CLUB FIT* 2ND 09:00-13:00 LIVERPOOL GOLF CLUB DEMO* 10TH 10:00-13:00 BURLEIGH GOLF CLUB FIT* 2ND 10:00-16:00 GUNNEDAH GOLF CLUB PRO FIT* 14TH 10:00-12:30 TEWANTIN NOOSA GOLF CLUB DEMO 3RD 09:00-15:00 NSW GOLF CLUB MEM 14TH 17:30-19:30 VICTORIA PARK GOLF COMPLEX DEMO* 3RD 13:00-17:00 CROWNE PLAZA HUNTER FIT* 15TH 10:00-14:00 OXLEY GOLF CLUB DEMO 9TH 08:00-12:00 RYDE-PARRAMATTA GOLF CLUB DEMO 23RD 11:00-14:00 GOLF WORLD TOWNSVILLE 10TH 13:00-17:00 ILLAWARRA GOLF RANGE DEMO* 24TH 13:00-16:30 PALM MEADOWS DRIVING DEMO 15TH 09:30-13:30 THE AUSTRALIAN GOLF CLUB MEM 24TH 14:00-18:00 CAIRNS GOLF CLUB DEMO 15TH 12:00-16:00 PORT MACQUARIE GOLF CLUB FIT* 25TH 08:00-14:00 CAIRNS GOLF CENTRE DEMO 16TH 10:00-14:00 TAREE GOLF CLUB FIT* 26TH 10:00-12:00 DRUMMOND GOLF TOWNSVILLE 16TH 10:00-14:00 MASSEY PARK GOLF CLUB FIT* SOUTH AUSTRALIA/ NT DATE TIME VENUE TYPE VICTORIA 16TH 16:00-19:00 MOORE PARK GOLF HOUSE 17TH 12:00-16:00 21ST FIT* 1ST 10:00-14:00 SANCTUARY LAKES GOLF CLUB FIT* 1ST 16:00-19:00 YARRA BEND GOLF CLUB FIT* 3RD 09:00-13:00 LONG ISLAND COUNTRY CLUB FIT* 3RD 10:00-14:00 GREEN ACRES GOLF CLUB FIT* 4TH 09:00-13:00 HORSHAM GOLF CLUB 8TH 10:00-14:00 HUNTINGDALE GOLF CLUB FIT* 11TH 10:00-14:00 ROSEBUD COUNTRY CLUB FIT* 14TH 10:00-14:00 TIRHATUAN LAKES PUBLIC DEMO 18TH 09:00-13:00 NORTHERN GOLF CLUB 22ND 15:00-18:00 BULLEEN DRIVING RANGE FIT* DEMO 2ND 16:00-19:00 DRUMMOND GOLF DARLINGTON FIT* WARATAH GOLF CLUB FIT* 16TH 16:00-19:00 DRUMMOND GOLF ENFIELD FIT* 10:00-14:00 PAMBULA MERRIMBULA GOLF FIT* WESTERN AUSTRALIA 22ND 08:00-12:00 NEWCASTLE GOLF CLUB MEM 1ST 10:00-13:00 LAKELANDS GOLF SHOP DEMO 22ND 09:00-13:00 SAPPHIRE COAST GOLF SCHOOL FIT* 11TH 08:00-12:00 MAYLANDS PENINSULA GOLF DEMO 23RD 10:00-15:00 CANTERBURY GOLF COURSE FIT* 11TH 09:00-17:00 KALGOORLIE GOLF CLUB DEMO 24TH 10:00-15:00 THE LAKES GOLF CLUB LTD MEM 12TH 08:00-11:00 KALGOORLIE GOLF CLUB DEMO 24TH 12:00-16:00 DAVE'S GOLF SHOP MORISSET FIT* 25TH 08:00-15:00 SPALDING PARK GOLF CLUB DEMO 24TH 13:00-16:00 KOOINDAH WATERS GOLF FIT* 27TH 11:30-16:00 NELSON BAY GOLF CLUB FIT* 28TH 12:00-17:00 BATHURST GOLF CENTRE FIT* 29TH 10:00-16:00 THE VINTAGE GOLF CLUB FIT* 29TH 10:00-14:00 WENTWORTH GOLF CLUB FIT* DEMO* FIT* DEMO * Appointment Required www.golfgrinder.com