Bricks and mortar hold some fascination for fans and offer sentimental appeal but for real insight into what inspired the greats we need to look a little deeperIt is, the estate agency promises, a “beautifully presented red brick semi-detached property with excellent standard of decor throughout”. It goes on to list all of the property’s many selling points, which include its “four well-proportioned bedrooms”, a “magnificent white marble carved fireplace”, “superb views” and, more unusually, its “enclosed private garden with paved pathways, built-in barbecue and floodlit artificial putting green installed for Rory McIlroy”.This is the golfer’s childhood home in Holywood, County Down, which went on sale last week, giving us a glimpse into the early years of a future champion....
New Jersey’s Liberty National course does not seem a likely venue for anti-Donald Trump statements, although because of the recent protests there will be extra focus on what is largely a pointless eventIt is the perfect or imperfect storm, depending on one’s outlook. The Presidents Cup does not create a flicker in the wider golfing consciousness through any given year, but this week focus will be intense.The swell of sporting protest last weekend ordinarily would not resonate much in golf, commonly an individual sport, but this time it’s different for a tournament normally afforded little status or interest. A competition bearing the name of the president, which Donald Trump is even likely to attend, will see USA flags raised and...
A year ago Rory McIlroy won the FedEx Cup in fine style – nobody could reasonably have predicted what happened next but a return to form may be round the cornerIt would be an act of exaggeration to suggest the absence of Rory McIlroy casts a dark shadow over the conclusion to the FedEx Cup. The American golfing public are perfectly content with a scenario whereby Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson or Justin Thomas are the most likely to leave East Lake on Sunday evening $10m richer.Nonetheless, just as any event is richer in appeal for McIlroy’s involvement, now is the right time to reflect on a 12-month spell that, even by the standards of this player’s uncanny propensity to write...
The corporation stepped in to replace Sky at short notice – would it have been better to sit back and allow a blackout?Criticisms of the BBC’s live coverage of the US PGA Championship were as immediate as they were predictable. Peter Alliss, again, was widely described as an anachronism, representing the dated image golf is trying desperately hard to leave behind. That elements of the BBC’s broadcast were only available via red button, or without high definition, was another cause for social media screaming. The slightest gaffe was met with widespread derision and insistence of incompetence.Criticism of the coverage was inevitable from the moment a BBC deal for the Quail Hollow major was confirmed. It was easy to infer minds...
Move to May from mid-summer for poor relation of four majors was promoted as being in best interests of PGA Tour, and quite possibly comes at Europe’s expenseYou need not spend much time assessing the complexities of golf scheduling to feel sympathy for those charged with implementing it. Climate, television schedules, clashes with other sports, sponsors’ demands and player preferences are just some of the elements in an eternally difficult equation. When professional golf takes place in a certain place at a certain time, there is always a strong reason for it. Far more often than not, that outweighs external sniping.This week has seen long-awaited confirmation of something relating to a seismic shift. That it took so long for the...