THERE the golf tournaments the professionals most want to win – the majors.
The majors are made up of The Masters, The US Open, The Open and The US PGA.
First to be played is The Masters, which is held at Augusta National every year.
This year the event – the 75th – will be held from April 7-10.
Last year’s tournament was won by Phil Mickelson. It was the third time he had won The Masters.
Following the Masters will be the US Open. The event will be staged at The US Open Championship Congressional Country Club from June 13-19.
Last year, Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell was the first European golfer to win the title since Tony Jacklin in 1970.
The third major of the year is golf’s oldest tournament – The Open.
This year Royal St George’s will host The Open and the best players in the world will gather on the south coast to compete for the Claret Jug.
It will be the first time The Open has been played at St George’s since 2003 when Ben Curtis of America took the title, with Vijay Singh coming second. Tiger Woods was fourth that year.
The Open is now played at four courses in England and they are Royal Birkdale, Royal St George’s, Royal Lytham and Royal Liverpool. Luckily three of them are in the North West. The Open will be returning to this region in 2014, when it will be played at Royal Liverpool.
The last major of the year will be the US PGA and it will be held from August 8-14 at the Atlanta Athletic club at Johns Creek in Georgia.
Last year’s event was won by another European. Germany’s Martin Kaymer took the title at Whistling Straits.
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Saturday, 12 February 2011
JR is back
DALLAS is to return after a break of 20 years.
But will the eighties soap opera work today.
Many of the original actors have signed up, including Larry Hagman as JR Ewing, Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing and Linda Gray as Sue Ellen.
Dallas ran from 1978 to 1991 and was shown here on the BBC. Another similar programme to run at the same time was Dynasty.
Dallas was about Texan oil barons and the problems within their families.
JR was the villain and best remembered character. The show’s most watched episode – who shot JR? – was seen by 360m people all over the world.
It has been said the new series will feature the Ewing offspring and their battle for power of the family business.
The pilot has been written, but it has yet to be said when filming will start.
I wonder if the same soundtrack will be used in the new programme.
Meanwhile new Liverpool owner John Henry has given a clear indication the club will be staying at Anfield, instead of moving to a new ground.
Anfield is a unique place and there can’t be many sporting arenas to rival the atmosphere there on a match day, especially when Liverpool play Everton or Manchester United.
John Henry told an American sports channel: “The Kop is unrivalled.”
But will the eighties soap opera work today.
Many of the original actors have signed up, including Larry Hagman as JR Ewing, Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing and Linda Gray as Sue Ellen.
Dallas ran from 1978 to 1991 and was shown here on the BBC. Another similar programme to run at the same time was Dynasty.
Dallas was about Texan oil barons and the problems within their families.
JR was the villain and best remembered character. The show’s most watched episode – who shot JR? – was seen by 360m people all over the world.
It has been said the new series will feature the Ewing offspring and their battle for power of the family business.
The pilot has been written, but it has yet to be said when filming will start.
I wonder if the same soundtrack will be used in the new programme.
Meanwhile new Liverpool owner John Henry has given a clear indication the club will be staying at Anfield, instead of moving to a new ground.
Anfield is a unique place and there can’t be many sporting arenas to rival the atmosphere there on a match day, especially when Liverpool play Everton or Manchester United.
John Henry told an American sports channel: “The Kop is unrivalled.”
Monday, 31 January 2011
Murray falls at the final hurdle again
THE King’s Speech has the most nominations for this year’s Oscars.
The film about George VI and his battle with his stammer is up for 12.
Favourite to pick up Best Actor is Colin Firth for his portrayal of the king. He was also nominated last year, but missed out to Jeff Bridges. Firth has already, this year, won a Golden Globe for playing George VI.
But I think Geoffrey Rush’s performance in the film was better.
He is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for playing Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue. However all the press attention has been on Firth. In my opinion it is Rush who brings the humour to the film and his is slightly unpredictable.
The film has already taken £20 million at the box office.
Favourite for Best Actress is Natalie Portman for the film Black Swan.
Meanwhile, what a shame Andy Murray could not make it third time lucky and take his first major title at the Australian Open.
He has now reached three finals, the first being The US Open in 2008, the second last year at Australia and the third this year, also at Australia, but he has yet to take a set in the final.
Many have said this year was his best chance so far as both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal had been knocked out.
Howvere Novak Djokovic was too strong for him and applied the pressure from the first game. Murray’s first serve percentage was low and he looked beaten from very early in the game.
The film about George VI and his battle with his stammer is up for 12.
Favourite to pick up Best Actor is Colin Firth for his portrayal of the king. He was also nominated last year, but missed out to Jeff Bridges. Firth has already, this year, won a Golden Globe for playing George VI.
But I think Geoffrey Rush’s performance in the film was better.
He is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for playing Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue. However all the press attention has been on Firth. In my opinion it is Rush who brings the humour to the film and his is slightly unpredictable.
The film has already taken £20 million at the box office.
Favourite for Best Actress is Natalie Portman for the film Black Swan.
Meanwhile, what a shame Andy Murray could not make it third time lucky and take his first major title at the Australian Open.
He has now reached three finals, the first being The US Open in 2008, the second last year at Australia and the third this year, also at Australia, but he has yet to take a set in the final.
Many have said this year was his best chance so far as both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal had been knocked out.
Howvere Novak Djokovic was too strong for him and applied the pressure from the first game. Murray’s first serve percentage was low and he looked beaten from very early in the game.
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Olazabal new Ryder Cup captain
JOSE Maria Olazabal is a worthy successor to Colin Montgomerie as Europe’s next Ryder Cup captain.
He will take the helm when the European team attempt to defend the cup in America at the Medinah Country club in 2012.
I am sure he will be a competent captain, although he probably won’t be as good in the role as Colin Montgomerie, who always seemed like he was born for the part.
Olazabal was vice captain of the Ryder Cup team in 2008 at Valhalla and also last year at Celtic Manor.
He is best remembered for his Ryder Cup partnership with Seve Ballesteros. They played 15 matches together and they were only beaten twice. Olazabal said the following on Seve last week: “We understand each other totally. We saw the shots the same way and didn’t have to talk a lot. We were fighters who never gave up.”
In his singles matches he won two, lost four and halved one.
It was Olazabal who was involved in the infamous Ryder Cup at Brookline in 1999. He was playing Justin Leonard and Leonard holed a putt on the 17th green that looked like securing the cup. However Olazabal still had a putt to stay in the match, but before he could take it US players and wives ran across his line. He went onto miss the putt.
The opposing Ryder Cup captain will be Davis Love III.
Meanwhile it was pleasing to see Kenny Daglish’s first win in his second spell as Liverpool manager.
Let’s hope he can bring some much needed confidence back to the team.
He will take the helm when the European team attempt to defend the cup in America at the Medinah Country club in 2012.
I am sure he will be a competent captain, although he probably won’t be as good in the role as Colin Montgomerie, who always seemed like he was born for the part.
Olazabal was vice captain of the Ryder Cup team in 2008 at Valhalla and also last year at Celtic Manor.
He is best remembered for his Ryder Cup partnership with Seve Ballesteros. They played 15 matches together and they were only beaten twice. Olazabal said the following on Seve last week: “We understand each other totally. We saw the shots the same way and didn’t have to talk a lot. We were fighters who never gave up.”
In his singles matches he won two, lost four and halved one.
It was Olazabal who was involved in the infamous Ryder Cup at Brookline in 1999. He was playing Justin Leonard and Leonard holed a putt on the 17th green that looked like securing the cup. However Olazabal still had a putt to stay in the match, but before he could take it US players and wives ran across his line. He went onto miss the putt.
The opposing Ryder Cup captain will be Davis Love III.
Meanwhile it was pleasing to see Kenny Daglish’s first win in his second spell as Liverpool manager.
Let’s hope he can bring some much needed confidence back to the team.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Blue Monday
TOMORROW is Blue Monday.
No it’s not New Order’s single, but the worst day of the year – according to experts.
It was Dr Cliff Arnall who came up with a mathematical formula claiming that tomorrow (Monday, January 17) is the most depressive day of the year.
Factors which have been highlighted are: terrible weather, the arrival of credit card bills post Christmas, and the fact that many people have gone back to work.
A number of suggestions have been put forward to help combat the January blues, these are: starting a new hobby, having fun and doing an activity you have been putting off for years.
It is a way of diverting your mind away from the negative thoughts.
Meanwhile it was standing room only at the Vue Cinema on Saturday for their screenings of The King’s Speech. You even had to queue before you went into the film.
I think work of mouth must be an important factor in the success of this film. People are going because their friends have seen the film, and recommended it.
The film shows how George VI was able to combat his stammer with the help of Lionel Logue, a speech therapist.
Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth portray the interaction between George VI and Lionel Logue very well.
It would be very surprising, if one or both of these actors did not win an Oscar.
No it’s not New Order’s single, but the worst day of the year – according to experts.
It was Dr Cliff Arnall who came up with a mathematical formula claiming that tomorrow (Monday, January 17) is the most depressive day of the year.
Factors which have been highlighted are: terrible weather, the arrival of credit card bills post Christmas, and the fact that many people have gone back to work.
A number of suggestions have been put forward to help combat the January blues, these are: starting a new hobby, having fun and doing an activity you have been putting off for years.
It is a way of diverting your mind away from the negative thoughts.
Meanwhile it was standing room only at the Vue Cinema on Saturday for their screenings of The King’s Speech. You even had to queue before you went into the film.
I think work of mouth must be an important factor in the success of this film. People are going because their friends have seen the film, and recommended it.
The film shows how George VI was able to combat his stammer with the help of Lionel Logue, a speech therapist.
Geoffrey Rush and Colin Firth portray the interaction between George VI and Lionel Logue very well.
It would be very surprising, if one or both of these actors did not win an Oscar.
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Kindle is a success
I AM yet to be persuaded of the point to the Kindle, which has become the most popular product for Amazon.
As the more device becomes more and more successful, less and less books will be printed.
This new gadget allows people to download digital copies of books and newspapers and it similar to the ipod, where people download music.
There are points in its favour and these are: it is portable, it allows you to keep all your books on one device, it saves using paper and it saves space.
But we have had books for many years and I prefer looking at a book to read, as opposed to staring at a computer screen. Critics of the Kindle have said a real book never runs out of battery.
Though the device is catching on and Amazon sold eight million of them in Britain and the US last year.
Already you can buy 500,000 digital books on Amazon.
Stieg Larsson’s novels The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets’ Nest, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played With Fire also featured on the top ten best sellers on amazon.co.uk in 2010.
Meanwhile I was glad England’s cricket team won the final test in Sydney to take the series 3-1.
If they had lost the match and drawn the series, it would have taken some of the shine of their performances.
It is an amazing effort to win the Ashes in Australia for the first time since 1987.
As the more device becomes more and more successful, less and less books will be printed.
This new gadget allows people to download digital copies of books and newspapers and it similar to the ipod, where people download music.
There are points in its favour and these are: it is portable, it allows you to keep all your books on one device, it saves using paper and it saves space.
But we have had books for many years and I prefer looking at a book to read, as opposed to staring at a computer screen. Critics of the Kindle have said a real book never runs out of battery.
Though the device is catching on and Amazon sold eight million of them in Britain and the US last year.
Already you can buy 500,000 digital books on Amazon.
Stieg Larsson’s novels The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets’ Nest, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played With Fire also featured on the top ten best sellers on amazon.co.uk in 2010.
Meanwhile I was glad England’s cricket team won the final test in Sydney to take the series 3-1.
If they had lost the match and drawn the series, it would have taken some of the shine of their performances.
It is an amazing effort to win the Ashes in Australia for the first time since 1987.
Monday, 6 December 2010
The boys beat the girls
WHEN the girls revealed they had picked up ten items out of ten in last week’s episode of The Apprentice, you automatically presumed they had won the task.
They had spent a number of hours at the beginning of the day preparing and planning where they were going to make their purchases.
While the boys went into the buying head-on and seemed to be running around like headless chickens. They ended up with only seven items, and Jamie spent hours trying to find a kitchen worktop.
However when the result came, and the boys were fined for every item they did not buy, it was the boys who had won. There was shock on the faces of the girls.
Last week was one of my favourite episodes for some time. Though why do the candidates have to be chauffeur driven everywhere? Surely it would be more realistic to have them travel on the tube or bus.
There is no favourite yet, though Liz might be in with a chance. Stuart is providing the comedy.
Meanwhile it is good to see England having the upper hand, so far, in this year’s Ashes in Australia.
Four years ago was an embarrassment when they lost the series 5-0.
Fortunately, they can’t lose by the same margin this time.
When they were all out in the first innings at Brisbane for 260, I thought England were going to lose the test, but their fight-back was amazing and they drew.
They have, so far, carried the momentum into the Adelaide test and Cook has been terrific.
They had spent a number of hours at the beginning of the day preparing and planning where they were going to make their purchases.
While the boys went into the buying head-on and seemed to be running around like headless chickens. They ended up with only seven items, and Jamie spent hours trying to find a kitchen worktop.
However when the result came, and the boys were fined for every item they did not buy, it was the boys who had won. There was shock on the faces of the girls.
Last week was one of my favourite episodes for some time. Though why do the candidates have to be chauffeur driven everywhere? Surely it would be more realistic to have them travel on the tube or bus.
There is no favourite yet, though Liz might be in with a chance. Stuart is providing the comedy.
Meanwhile it is good to see England having the upper hand, so far, in this year’s Ashes in Australia.
Four years ago was an embarrassment when they lost the series 5-0.
Fortunately, they can’t lose by the same margin this time.
When they were all out in the first innings at Brisbane for 260, I thought England were going to lose the test, but their fight-back was amazing and they drew.
They have, so far, carried the momentum into the Adelaide test and Cook has been terrific.
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