Tag: European Tour

Thorbjorn Olesen, charged with sexual assault among three charges, sees European Tour suspension lifted

The 30-year-old Danish golfer hasn’t played in 11 months since being charged with sexual assault among three charges.

Danish golfer Thorbjorn Olesen had his European Tour suspension lifted after the “unprecedented delay in court proceedings” due to COVID-19. He was originally scheduled to stand trial on May 11.

The decision makes the 30-year-old former Ryder Cupper eligible to compete later this month in the British Masters, nearly a year since his last appearance.

“This will be reviewed following the conclusion of the legal process, but as this is an on-going legal matter the European Tour will be making no further comment at this time,” the tour said in a statement.

Olesen has been charged with sexual assault, common assault and being drunk on an aircraft during a flight from Nashville to London following his participation in the WGC FedEx St. Jude Invitational. According to multiple reports, Olesen allegedly assaulted a woman and urinated in the aisle of a plane while drunk on the flight. The Sun reported that Ian Poulter had to calm Olesen down after he was allegedly abusive toward passengers and crew in first class. Olesen allegedly assaulted the woman while Poulter slept.

“He started abusing some of the passengers and crew and then made a pass at one of the female passengers before taking a leak in the aisle,” one passenger on the flight told The Sun. “It was shocking behavior. You would expect it maybe on a budget airline but not in the first-class cabin on BA.”

Olesen has pleaded not guilty to all three charges.

Olesen’s court case has been delayed to December 2021. The European Tour suspended Olesen on Aug. 6, pending the investigation into his arrest.

“While my team and I initially agreed that I would not participate in Tour events while the legal proceedings were outstanding, I am naturally grateful to the European Tour for allowing me to continue my career following the lengthy adjournment of my trial,” Olesen said in a statement.

Olesen, a five-time winner on the European Tour, is competing in a tournament for the first time since the WGC FedEx St. Jude last July at the Danish PGA Championship, and spoke to reporters following the tournament.
“I am incredibly sad about what has happened and would like to apologize to all the Danes who have supported me for so many years,” Olesen said. “I basically haven’t played golf in a year. I played for a week in November in Spain, and then I’ve been playing for the last couple of weeks—that’s it. Since I started playing, I’ve never had anything like that where I haven’t played in such a long time. It’s hard.”

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Need a laugh? Jump in on this European Tour video conference

European Tour spoofs a conference call, and we check out 10 other funny examples of how the Euros are winning on social media

The European Tour does social media better than just about anyone. If it was a Ryder Cup competition, the Euros would be leading the Americans 12-4 heading into the final day’s singles matches.

On this page is the latest example, one with which so many of us working from home can relate. Well played, especially to Gary Player.

And on the following pages are 10 more examples of well-played social media. Everyone from Rory McIlroy to Phil Mickelson takes a turn. And don’t forget about little Billy, or at least what’s left of him.

The Video Conference Call

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9, Page 10, Page 11

European Tour’s Sam Horsfield shoots 14-under 59 at Streamsong

European Tour pro Sam Horsfield carded an impressive 14-under 59 at Streamsong this weekend.

Sam Horsfield made golf look really easy this weekend.

The 23-year-old European Tour pro carded an impressive 14-under 59 during a round at Streamsong Resort’s Black Course in Bowling Green, Florida. Horsfield had so much fun on the front nine, making five birdies and an eagle, that he did it again on the back nine. 10 birdies. Two eagles. Six pars.

Not a bad day at the office.

A native of Manchester, England, Horsfield turned pro in 2017 after attending the University of Florida. Before the break in play due to the coronavirus pandemic, Horsfield was top ten on tour in driving distance at 327.57 yards, almost 20 yards longer than the tour average.

European Tour announces resumption of play on July 22, revised scheduled

After suspending events on March 8 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Tour has shuffled events and a new charity initiative.

The European Tour announced it will resume its 2020 season July 22 at the Betfred British Masters, the first event of a new six-week ‘UK Swing,’ as well as a revised schedule with four Rolex Series events leading to a crowning of a season-long champion at the Race to Dubai in December.

The European Tour season is expected to consist of 24 events following the creation of five new 144-man field tournaments that it is self-funding. Each will have a purse of 1 million euros ($1,103,350) and a 500,000 euro bonus pool ($551,675) taken from the tour’s tournament development fund.

“Some of you may want to ask the question. ‘Is the European Tour bankrupt or running out of money,’ and I would say absolutely not,” Keith Pelley, European Tour Chief Executive, said during a media conference call. “Of course, we’ve been affected like millions of businesses the world over, but we worked hard and been extremely responsible in our financial approach to this global crisis.”

The European Tour suspended its season on March 8 due to the global coronavirus pandemic and will return to action without fans at its first six tournaments in July. All tournaments will be subject to stringent safety and testing protocols set out in the Tour’s comprehensive “Health Strategy,” which will continue to evolve and align with international government guidance and health guidelines.

All tournaments also are predicated on government approval, hotels being operational and quarantines for players being lifted.

The first tournament in the ‘UK Swing’ is the Betfred British Masters hosted by Lee Westwood, which will be played at Close House, near Newcastle in the northeast of England, from Wednesday July 22 to Saturday July 25 – a week earlier than originally scheduled.

It will be followed by the English Open at the Marriott Forest of Arden and the English Championship at Marriott Hanbury Manor, before back-to-back European Tour tournaments – the Celtic Classic and the Wales Open – are played at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, site of the 2010 Ryder Cup.

The UK Swing will conclude with the UK Championship at The Belfry, another venue rich in Ryder Cup history, having hosted four contests with Europe triumphing in two (1985 and 2002), the US winning in 1993 and the 1989 match ending in a 14-14 tie. The six UK events are within a 3-hour drive of one another.

“We’re following a strategy of playing multiple events in one country to minimize travel and ensure we have the best opportunity to complete our tournaments in the safest and healthiest environment as possible,” Pelley said, noting that the phrase etched in his mind is “mitigating risks.” In an effort to do so, the first six events will have a maximum of 500 people on-site at any time and no media in attendance.

Details of subsequent tournaments on the European Tour from September through to November will be announced at a later date — Pelley said he hopes to do so within the month — with a variety of scheduling options currently under consideration as the global situation continues to evolve.

“Without question, we have had to think differently about the remainder of our 2020 season which is reflected in today’s announcement,” Pelley said. “As golf’s global Tour, diversity is ordinarily one of our biggest strengths, but in this instance, it has become one of our biggest challenges.”

Rescheduled dates have been announced for four Rolex Series events; the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club will now take place from October 8-11 and the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club is moving to the following week, October 15-18.

There are also new dates for the final two tournaments of the year. The Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player is now scheduled for December 3-6 at Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, with the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, now December 10-13 at Jumeirah Golf Estates, where the 2020 Race to Dubai Champion will be crowned. Of the Tour’s 30 events, only the Alfred Dunhill Cup remains in its original time slot.

All tournaments played in the reshaped 2020 season will be governed by the Tour’s comprehensive Health Strategy which has been developed by Dr. Andrew Murray, the European Tour’s chief medical officer, in consultation with health care specialists Cignpost, who will deliver the testing procedure, and advisers in many of the 30 countries the Tour plays.

Each player will be tested before he leaves his country, and again before he is allowed to compete in the tournament, as well as persistent checks for symptoms. Pelley said that hiring additional staff and testing will cost the tour more than 2 million euros across its three tours.

The European Tour also launched the ‘Golf for Good’ initiative, which debuts at the new ‘UK Swing.’ After six weeks, it will culminate in 500,000 euros ($551,675) from the European Tour being distributed equally between charities local to the tournament venues and charities chosen by the leading ten players in a mini Order of Merit from the six tournaments.

As part of the changes to the 2020 season caused by the impact of COVID-19, the European Tour’s Tournament Committee recently agreed that all members’ 2020 categories, and their ranking within that category, will be retained in 2021. Related playing rights will be protected to the absolute maximum possible in the 2021 season. It also waived the minimum tournament regulation for the 2020 season.

“We recognize that when we resume playing golf, each player’s circumstances will be different. We, therefore, do not want to put anyone in a position whereby they feel they have no choice other than to play in certain events in order to protect their livelihood,” Pelley said. “Similarly, the feeling was that it was not fair to disadvantage any member who might want to play in an event, but who might not be able to, due to ongoing travel restrictions. Therefore, in consultation with our Tournament Committee, it was agreed preserving their exempt status for 2021 was the fairest solution in these unprecedented times.”

As a consequence, there will be no Qualifying School this year and no formal graduation from the Challenge Tour, although the tournament committee has agreed to reward exceptional performance on both the European Tour and the Challenge Tour in 2020, precise details of which we will announce in due course.”

Schupak: DJ/Rory win confirms that a Ryder Cup without fans would be an epic fail

A fan-less Ryder Cup will be an epic fail, but a one-time exhibition rematch of the 2012 Miracle at Medinah could be Must-See-TV.

I don’t know about you, but the surge of excitement for yesterday’s TaylorMade Driving Relief, this Red Bull-like adrenaline jolt for the return of LIVE GOLF!, lasted only slightly longer than when I’ve discovered a swing thought on the range and am giddy with excitement to test it out on the course.

By the time Bill Murray delivered a laugh-less performance and spoiled coverage of the fourth and fifth holes, I was fading fast. In my circle of friends, I was hearing of flipping over to watch CBS’s replay of Tiger winning the 2000 PGA Championship, switching to Nascar, and clicking off to read a book. On Twitter, Hank Haney of all people (a former TaylorMade ambassador, so take it with a grain of salt) summed up the sentiment: “I asked myself: How am I watching this? This is four hours of my life I can’t get back?”

Sure, it was refreshing to hear the familiar voices of Rich Lerner and Paul Azinger – part of the soundtrack of the game – calling the action, to see some of the best golfers in the world lugging their own bags and Dustin Johnson marking his ball with a golf tee. It was fun to watch Matthew Wolff belting bombs while wearing his colorful shoes and pros choking over wedge shots. And once again, golf remains undefeated in raising charity dollars. Awesome stuff. I won’t bother to nit-pick all the reasons that the broadcast fell flat for me. You may have loved it. To each his own, but can we all agree that save for shutting out the clowns that love to yell, “Baba Booey” and “Mashed Potatoes,” it wasn’t the same without fans? The four-man charity skins competition, if it did anything other than raise money, confirmed that a Ryder Cup without fans would be an epic fail.

European Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington has me concerned that they may go ahead with the event sans riotous, razzing fans after he made comments to The Times a few weeks ago that the Ryder Cup may need to “take one for the team.”

Europe’s Justin Rose reacts after defeating USA’s Phil Mickelson on the 18th hole during a singles match at the 2012 Ryder Cup at the Medinah.

Please, no. Don’t force it; don’t bastardize it; and whatever you do, don’t slay the golden goose. We all know that it is going to come down to a business decision – it’s always about the Benjamins – but don’t make it solely about the European Tour’s murky financial fortunes or the PGA’s budget counting on its cash cow. PGA CEO Seth Waugh is a golf guy and a savvy businessman and I trust that he will realize that the game is better off waiting an extra year for a Ryder Cup done right than a watered-down version. With the European Tour schedule in tatters due to the worldwide pandemic and the PGA Tour holding its breath that it can resume play without fans in mid-June, the team selection process is going to be a mess. But without any fans at Whistling Straits in late September? All the electricity will be sucked out of one of the best bucket-list in sports.

So, what should the PGA and European Tour do instead that weekend? Here’s a suggestion: The Ryder Cup originally was conceived as a goodwill exhibition, so why not stage a rematch of one of the great Ryder Cups. There’s none better than the Battle at Brookline in 1999, but Payne Stewart is gone and the rest of the players are getting a little long in the tooth. No one’s aching to see Jarmo Sandelin come out of retirement or Jeff Maggert don the stars and stripes again. But what about replaying the 2012 Miracle at Medinah instead? Do you think Keegan Bradley would like to unpack his suitcase finally, or Jim Furyk to have another shot at Sergio Garcia? Could Nicolas Colsaerts and Ian Poulter channel whatever they found eight years ago? Would the U.S. jump to a 10-6 lead again and would the ghost of Seve Ballesteros inspire another rousing comeback?

Such a rematch would have Tiger (vs. Frankie in Sunday singles) and Rory and Phil and Sergio. It wouldn’t be the Ryder Cup, but it would be intriguing nonetheless. A one-off rematch would be the Ryder Cup’s version of the U.S. Hale America Open, which was contested in 1942 as a fundraiser for the Navy Relief Society and the USO during World War II. It was every bit the U.S. Open, which was canceled due to the war, so much so that winner Ben Hogan counted it as his fifth national championship.

The integrity of the biennial competition is at stake. Save the Ryder Cup for 2021, and put on a fan-less exhibition instead, but one that we’d all be willing to watch.

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Players to compete virtually via TrackMan with BMW Indoor Invitational

Players will compete virtually via TrackMan in the BMW Indoor Invitational, with virtual rounds at St. Andrews and more.

It was only a matter of time until golf events went virtual during the coronavirus pandemic.

With a little help from TrackMan, the European Tour will broadcast the BMW Indoor Invitational, a virtual golf tournament featuring Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Bernd Wiesberger, Joost Luiten and Mike Lorenzo, all from their homes.

“While the absolute priority for all of us has been, and continues to be, public health and well-being, we also recognize that golf fans are missing watching the leading players compete,” said Rufus Hack, the European Tour’s Chief Content Officer. “Hopefully, the BMW Indoor Invitational powered by TrackMan can help fill the void and provide our fans with some entertainment across the next five weeks whilst also benefiting charities or relief funds which have been so essential in the battle against coronavirus.”

Here’s how it’ll work: Golfers will play five 18-hole, stroke play tournaments virtually on some of Europe’s most iconic courses. The winner of each event will receive $10,000 to donate to the coronavirus relief effort of their choice.

“BMW, The European Tour and TrackMan teaming up like this is a great example of how the sport can come together and rise above the difficulties of the current situation,” added Klaus Eldrup-Jørgensen, CEO and Co-Founder TrackMan A/S. “With TrackMan Virtual Golf, we’re able to play tournaments on iconic, internationally recognized courses that will push the players to their limits. The tournament will be extremely challenging but also great fun. We’re all really looking forward to it!”

You can catch all the action on the European Tour’s social media channels, with footage also available here.

BMW Indoor Invitational

Week 1: Saturday, May 9, St. Andrews (Old Course)

Week 2: Saturday, May 16, Royal Portrush

Week 3: Saturday, May 23, Golfclub München Eichenried

Week 4: Saturday, May 30, Real Club Valderrama

Week 5: Saturday, June 6, Wentworth

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Paul Azinger talks Tiger, Ryder Cup, kicking cancer’s butt and becoming bulletin-board material

Paul Azinger is the perfect chap to meet for a round of cocktails at the 19 th hole. Face it, the guy likes to talk. Likes to laugh. Is passionate and intense. And does he have stories. In a life spanning 60 years now, Zinger won the 1993 PGA …

Paul Azinger is the perfect chap to meet for a round of cocktails at the 19th hole.

Face it, the guy likes to talk. Likes to laugh. Is passionate and intense. And does he have stories.

In a life spanning 60 years now, Zinger won the 1993 PGA Championship, 12 PGA Tour titles and two more on the European Tour. Captained the U.S. to victory in the 2008 Ryder Cup. Played on winning Ryder Cup teams in 1991 and 1993. Spent 300 weeks in the top 10.

He held his own against the best in the world, including Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Greg Norman, Jose Maria Olazabal, Ernie Els, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and his late best friend, Payne Stewart.

And he kicked cancer’s butt.

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Now Azinger talks a great game as the lead analyst for NBC and Fox.

“Well, I love golf,” Azinger said in a chat with Golfweek. “I can’t tell you how much I love the sport and how much I love watching it.  I love playing the game.”

While he’s “chomping at the bit” to get back to work, Azinger has kept busy sheltered at his home in Bradenton, Florida, since the COVID-19 global pandemic halted play on the PGA Tour in March.

“I just don’t let myself get bored as much as anything,” Azinger said. “Self-isolating isn’t too bad. I’ve done a lot of work around the house. I’m neater than I think I am. I can clean if I want to.”

The current state and the fear of the unknown concerning the coronavirus is mindful in some ways to Azinger’s successful battle against cancer that began in 1993 when lymphoma was discovered in his right shoulder blade. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments as well as Azinger’s perseverance conquered cancer.

“When I first heard the words, ‘You have cancer,’ immediately it was sort of a similarity to hearing there is a virus going around and we’re all going to have to shelter in place,” Azinger said. “When I heard what the treatment was for (cancer), that’s when I knew it was a big deal. This, you’re just trying to avoid the treatment.

“It’s a weird situation. For a long time there, we all but wondered if we could get it and could it make us sick enough that we could succumb. And that’s just a terrible feeling. And that was similar to the feeling I had when I had cancer, for sure.”

On a lighter note

Azinger’s love for motorcycles: “It’s a feeling of freedom.”

Playing against Tiger Woods at the zenith of his powers: “We were watching something we thought we would never see.”

His love for the Ryder Cup: “The whole patriotism aspect.”

Johnny Miller, Paul Azinger, Dan Hicks, NBC
Johnny Miller, Paul Azinger and Dan Hicks in the NBC booth during the third round of the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Azinger also addressed comments he made about Tommy Fleetwood and Lee Westwood ahead of the final round of this year’s Honda Classic that turned him into a European Tour punching bag. One word – that – got Azinger in trouble when he said you have to win on the PGA Tour. Fleetwood, a five-time winner on the European Tour, was trying to win his maiden PGA Tour title.

“A lot of pressure here,” Azinger said on the broadcast. “You’re trying to prove to everybody that you’ve got what it takes. These guys know, you can win all you want on that European Tour or in the international game and all that, but you have to win on the PGA Tour.”

That European Tour. Oops.

“I’m sure I’ll be some bulletin board material for them at the Ryder Cup,” Azinger said. “I respect all wins. I try to use good grammar when I’m in the booth and I failed big-time on that one. And it didn’t come off quite as I hoped.”

Eventually, Azinger will get back into the booth and is a long way from sitting in a rocking chair and reminiscing about a good life lived.

“I’m still looking to make today a great day, tomorrow a great day,” he said. “I want to continue to try and achieve in charitable ways, be better as a person. I want to contribute to the game of golf in whatever capacity I can. Try to make the game grow and help the game come back from this devastating virus.”

Scroll up to watch Steve DiMeglio’s discussion with Paul Azinger.

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David Feherty: My best round of 61 came in a ‘blind hangover’

The Golf Channel star said his round of 61 came after he stayed out until 4:30 a.m., and included an unsavory moment on the third hole.

David Feherty has a knack for getting others to spill their guts. Certainly, he doesn’t need much of a nudge to spill his own, but give Rich Eisen credit for getting the golf analyst/TV star to tell an interesting anecdote about his golf career this week.

The two celebrities appeared on each other’s shows this week and when Feherty called into the Rich Eisen Show on Friday, he was asked about his best competitive round.

Feherty, who has been open about his struggles with alcohol in the past, recalled a performance back from March 16, 1991.

“The best round I ever shot was from a blind hangover at the Catalan Open in Eastern Spain. I shot a 61 that particular day,” Feherty said.

“I threw up on the third tee.”

Feherty explained that he thought he’d already been eliminated from contention at the event, which was played that spring at Club de Golf Bonmont Terres Noves.

“The night before, I thought I’d miss the cut by a shot. My pal Sam Torrance and I went out and we had a few adult beverages. It was one of those nights where you say, ‘I’ll have one more and then I’ll stay.’ Then I got in about 4:30 in the morning,” Feherty said.

“I just happened to notice on the board at the hotel where we were staying that the draw sheet was up. I was off first at 6:30.”

The lack of sleep didn’t hurt Feherty, who finished with five European Tour victories to his credit.

“I went out in 31, and came back at 30, and I honestly can say that at no stage during the round did I know where I stood,” he said. “I went from just making the cut by a shot to being two behind.

“So, the next evening I decided I better suck it in here and act like an adult. So I did. And then I went out and shot a 75 the following day. I’m not proud of it.”

Truth be told, Feherty’s memory from the event might be a bit fuzzy, Records indicate he shot a 72 in the final round and placed second behind Jose Maria Olazabel, who won by six strokes.

Let’s not let the facts get in the way of a good story.

While chuckling through the interview, Eisen finally asked, “So what’s the moral of the story, David?”

“I’m not sure moral is the correct word for it,” Feherty responded.

“I tended to play well when I didn’t feel well.  I think feeling ill took my mind off thinking where the ball was going to go and maybe made me relax a little.

“I wouldn’t recommend it.”

Report: European Tour may cut prize money, stage two events a week, require 14-day quarantines

The European Tour has told players that in light of the coronavirus pandemic, “sacrifices will have to be made”, according to the BBC.

The European Tour reportedly has told players that in light of the global coronavirus pandemic, “sacrifices will have to be made” when golf resumes, according to a story by the BBC.

The BBC reports it has seen an email that European Tour CEO Keith Pelley sent in which he says players should expect reduced purse sizes and potentially two events in the same week. The Tour may also institute 14-day quarantine periods for players traveling to events. Perks like players’ lounges and courtesy cars may also be affected.

The European Tour schedule has had to postpone 11 events so far in 2020.

Two others have been canceled, including the Open Championship.

Pelley’s email, according to the BBC, states that the new November dates for the Masters (Nov. 12-15) are impacting the 2020 Euro Tour schedule, notably the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa (Nov. 12-15) and the DP World Tour Championship (Nov. 19-22). Those are the last two tournaments on the Race to Dubai.

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