Golf, by TourMiss

In a very simply and straightforward decision Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat has withdrawn from this week’s Boonchu Ruangkit Championship, and an Asian Tour Development Tour event, to be assured of contesting next April’s Masters at Augusta National. As is customary, the leading top-50 world ranked players as at 31st December each year receive a formal invitation in the post to contest the Masters. Aphibarnrat was ranked No. 51 in the world heading into this week’s event ...

Past winners Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell have sung the praise of 2017 Irish Golfer Writers Association ‘Male Professional of the Year’ winner – Paul Dunne. Dunne was presented with the award last night (THUS) at the Association’s annual dinner at the Portmarnock Links Golf & Hotel. Dunne had a standout second full European Tour season gallantly losing out early in the year in a play-off for the Hassan II Trophy before holing a stunning birdie chip shot at the final hole to secure ...

It has been more than two years since an Australian won at golf’s highest level and Greg Norman believes Marc Leishman will become Australia’s next Major Champion after the Victorian is set to end 2017 as the country’s top ranked golfer. Leishman will head into the New Year ranked a career-equalling high of No. 12 in the world after first going to No. 12 with his second-place finish in October’s CJ Cup in South Korea. With no ranking events prior 31st December the Surrey-based World ...

Graeme McDowell faces a New Year decision whether to contest two Middle East events on courses he knows very well or kick-start 2018 in two PGA Tour events and on five host courses he’s never seen. Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry have formally entered the January 25th commencing Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines near San Diego. It will be a first for Lowry in turning down contesting the European Tour’s ‘Desert Swing’ in favour of teeing-up on the PGA Tour’s ‘West Coast Swing’. Lowry ...

Former Open Champion, Justin Leonard has officially brought down the curtain on his Open Championship career confirming he will return next year to Carnoustie BUT not to tee-up in the 147th Open Championship reports Fatiha Betscher. It will be 19-years next July since Leonard fought his way into a three-man play-off with hapless Frenchman Jean Van de Velde and eventual champion, Paul Lawrie. Leonard, and now aged 45, made his Open Championship debut in 1993 at Royal St. Georges as the then U.S. ...

After a frustrating stop-start 2017 season Padraig Harrington will head into the New Year with some further uncertainty. Harrington ended a 21st year in the pro ranks with his arm over the shoulder of 13-year old son Paddy after the duo had combined to compete in the Father-and-Son Challenge in Orlando. It was a clearly a very proud moment for three-time Major winning Harrington before being greeted by his wife of 20-years Caroline and their youngest son, 10-year old Ciaran. It also brought down ...

Orlando, Florida …  Paddy Harrington’s clearly was now itching to play more golf after teaming with his father Padraig to make his ‘world stage’ debut in the Father-and-Son Challenge in Orlando. The Harrington’s combined recording eight birdies and just two bogeys in a ‘better ball’ six under par 66 second round for an 11-under total in the two-day event. The effort handed them a share of 16th place and a shot behind legendary Jack Nicklaus and his grandson who posted a last day ...