IT has been announced that The Open is to be played at St Andrews in 2015 from July 16-19.
This will be the 29th time the old course has hosted golf’s oldest Major and it will be the 144th Championship.
The last time The Open was at the Home of Golf was in 2010. Louis Oosthuizen, from South Africa, was the winner that year by seven shots and he had a total of 16-under par, with an aggregate of 272.
The R&A’s chief executive Peter Dawson said: “We are delighted to announce that The Open will be returning to St Andrews and the historic old course in 2015.
“St Andrews has proved time and again that it is perfectly equipped to host The Open and I am certain we will yet again see a worthy winner lift the Claret Jug.
“Players, spectators and officials alike will welcome a return to the game’s spiritual home and I fully expect that we will witness another thrilling championship.”
Tiger Woods won at St Andrews in 2000 and 2005, by eight and five shots. Other winners at St Andrews are: JH Taylor (1895, 1900), James Braid (1905, 10), Bobby Jones (1927), Peter Thomson (1955), Bobby Locke (1957), Jack Nicklaus (1970, 78), Seve Ballesteros (1984), Sir Nick Faldo (1990) and John Daly (1995).
In recent years The Open has returned to St Andrews every five years.
The R&A, who organise The Open, have said independent research they commissioned with Event Scotland showed that the Open Championship in 2010 brought a £100m benefit to Scotland, and of this £40.1m entered the local economy.
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Sunday, 9 October 2011
£101m EuroMillions prize claimed
LAST Friday’s EuroMillions winner has come forward to collect the £101m jackpot.
The prize has been won by someone in Britain and they will collect the third biggest prize in the UK.
A national lottery spokesman has said: “This is amazing news – we are absolutely delighted for the winner.
“We’ve got the champagne on ice and look forward to welcoming the ticket-holder into the National Lottery millionaires’ club.”
Camelot, who run the Lottery, said that they are not yet able to say if the winning ticket holder is part of a syndicate.
The biggest-ever Euro Millions win went to Colin and Chris Weir, from Scotland. They collected £161m in the first part of 2011.
The second biggest prize was collected by one ticket-holder in October 2010. The lucky winner won £113m and has stayed anonymous.
The winners of Friday’s draw are now £1m richer than David Bowie, who is Britain’s 703rd richest person.
They could now buy 600 of the most expensive sports cars – the Ferrari 458 Italia, which has a price tag of £140,000.
Or if they wanted to they could have a party and invite Rihanna to sing at it. She charges £500,000 a performance.
Meanwhile, the best way to watch the X-Factor is to record it, so that you can fast forward all the adverts. It was on for a mind numbing two and a half hours on Saturday and then a further hour tonight (Sunday).
There seemed to be endless adverts during its slot. But I suppose it gives you a chance to make a brew.
You know when the studio programmes start that Christmas is not far away.
The prize has been won by someone in Britain and they will collect the third biggest prize in the UK.
A national lottery spokesman has said: “This is amazing news – we are absolutely delighted for the winner.
“We’ve got the champagne on ice and look forward to welcoming the ticket-holder into the National Lottery millionaires’ club.”
Camelot, who run the Lottery, said that they are not yet able to say if the winning ticket holder is part of a syndicate.
The biggest-ever Euro Millions win went to Colin and Chris Weir, from Scotland. They collected £161m in the first part of 2011.
The second biggest prize was collected by one ticket-holder in October 2010. The lucky winner won £113m and has stayed anonymous.
The winners of Friday’s draw are now £1m richer than David Bowie, who is Britain’s 703rd richest person.
They could now buy 600 of the most expensive sports cars – the Ferrari 458 Italia, which has a price tag of £140,000.
Or if they wanted to they could have a party and invite Rihanna to sing at it. She charges £500,000 a performance.
Meanwhile, the best way to watch the X-Factor is to record it, so that you can fast forward all the adverts. It was on for a mind numbing two and a half hours on Saturday and then a further hour tonight (Sunday).
There seemed to be endless adverts during its slot. But I suppose it gives you a chance to make a brew.
You know when the studio programmes start that Christmas is not far away.
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Never write Tiger Woods off
WAS Rory McIlroy premature to write Tiger Woods off?
He said: “We saw the best of Tiger in 2000 and 2001. I don’t think golf can be played any better than that.
“He didn’t even need to play that well to win tournaments – he won the US Open by 15 shots, the Open by eight – so I think we’ve seen the best of him, but that’s not to say he won’t win again.”
I’m not sure you can say that about Tiger. Although he has not won for two years, and is now ranked 49th in the world rankings, he still has the potential to turn his situation around.
He is only 35 and could reach Jack Nicklaus’s tally of 18 major titles. At the moment Tiger has 14 majors.
When he was on form and leading a competition other players used to be fearful of challenging him. Players were also fearful of when he made a charge up the leaderboard. In recent years, I think the fear factor has disappeared, maybe due to all the lurid headlines, which could have burst his invincibility bubble.
For golf viewers there is nothing greater than watching Tiger on form, and it must not be forgotten that Jack Nicklaus won the Masters in 1986 at the age of 46. While Tom Watson was 59 when he came so close to winning The Open at Turnberry in 2009.
If Tiger can sort out his injuries, then he can win again and secure more majors.
One of his worst injuries was in June 2008, which he won despite having to limp for most of the 72 holes of competition.
After that event he had surgery on his left knee and missed the rest of the season, including the 2008 Open Championship.
McIlroy made his comments after signing with Santander.
He won The US Open this year in June, his first major, and also came very close to taking The Masters, at the start of the year.
He said: “We saw the best of Tiger in 2000 and 2001. I don’t think golf can be played any better than that.
“He didn’t even need to play that well to win tournaments – he won the US Open by 15 shots, the Open by eight – so I think we’ve seen the best of him, but that’s not to say he won’t win again.”
I’m not sure you can say that about Tiger. Although he has not won for two years, and is now ranked 49th in the world rankings, he still has the potential to turn his situation around.
He is only 35 and could reach Jack Nicklaus’s tally of 18 major titles. At the moment Tiger has 14 majors.
When he was on form and leading a competition other players used to be fearful of challenging him. Players were also fearful of when he made a charge up the leaderboard. In recent years, I think the fear factor has disappeared, maybe due to all the lurid headlines, which could have burst his invincibility bubble.
For golf viewers there is nothing greater than watching Tiger on form, and it must not be forgotten that Jack Nicklaus won the Masters in 1986 at the age of 46. While Tom Watson was 59 when he came so close to winning The Open at Turnberry in 2009.
If Tiger can sort out his injuries, then he can win again and secure more majors.
One of his worst injuries was in June 2008, which he won despite having to limp for most of the 72 holes of competition.
After that event he had surgery on his left knee and missed the rest of the season, including the 2008 Open Championship.
McIlroy made his comments after signing with Santander.
He won The US Open this year in June, his first major, and also came very close to taking The Masters, at the start of the year.
Sunday, 18 September 2011
Tom Lewis turns professional and joins up with IMG
TOM Lewis, who was part of the winning GB&I Walker Cup team and winner of the Silver Medal at this year’s Open Championship has turned pro.
Lewis was first seen on the world stage at this year’s Open, where he scored a 65 in the first round, which gave him the lead at the end of Thursday with Thomas Bjorn. He had qualified through Local Final Qualifying at Rye.
His round was the lowest by an amateur in the history of The Open Championship. He was also the first amateur since Michael Bonallack to lead The Open. Bonallack had led in 1968.
Lewis was placed 30th and took the Silver Medal for being the best finished amateur.
The golfer has had a good amateur career and had wins at the 2009 Boys Amateur Championship and the 2011 St Andrews Links Trophy.
Lewis will make his professional debut at the Austrian Golf Open and will also play in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Tom explained: “I am very excited to get out there and see how I measure up. The Open Championship was fantastic for me and I learnt a lot from the occasion. All the experiences gleaned from my amateur career, along with the help and support I have received from the R&A, EGU and my family and friends, will hopefully stand me in good stead as I try to earn my European Tour card for next year.
“I am very grateful to the tournament promoters who have generously offered me invitations, particularly the Austrian Golf Open presented by Lyoness and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. I hope I will perform at my best to thank them for the opportunity.”
He has signed with International Marketing Group (IMG).
Lewis was first seen on the world stage at this year’s Open, where he scored a 65 in the first round, which gave him the lead at the end of Thursday with Thomas Bjorn. He had qualified through Local Final Qualifying at Rye.
His round was the lowest by an amateur in the history of The Open Championship. He was also the first amateur since Michael Bonallack to lead The Open. Bonallack had led in 1968.
Lewis was placed 30th and took the Silver Medal for being the best finished amateur.
The golfer has had a good amateur career and had wins at the 2009 Boys Amateur Championship and the 2011 St Andrews Links Trophy.
Lewis will make his professional debut at the Austrian Golf Open and will also play in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Tom explained: “I am very excited to get out there and see how I measure up. The Open Championship was fantastic for me and I learnt a lot from the occasion. All the experiences gleaned from my amateur career, along with the help and support I have received from the R&A, EGU and my family and friends, will hopefully stand me in good stead as I try to earn my European Tour card for next year.
“I am very grateful to the tournament promoters who have generously offered me invitations, particularly the Austrian Golf Open presented by Lyoness and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. I hope I will perform at my best to thank them for the opportunity.”
He has signed with International Marketing Group (IMG).
Monday, 12 September 2011
Andy Murray misses out on a Major for another year
ANDY Murray will have to wait another year to see if he can win a Grand Slam tournament.
He lost in the semi-final to Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.
Rafael Nadal will now face Novak Djokovic in the men’s final of the last Major of the year.
Djokovic was 2-0 down in sets at one point and also had to save two match points to beat Roger Federer.
It is another frustrating year for Andy Murray who lost in the final of the Australian Open, reached the semi-final of Wimbledon (before losing to Nadal) and also was beaten by Nadal again here.
Let’s hope Murray can break his duck in the Majors next year and clinch one of the big four, perhaps it will be at the Australian Open.
The final of this year’s US Open will start at 9pm tonight (Monday).
Meanwhile Downton Abbey is to start again next Sunday (September 18).
This year there is to be eight new episodes plus a Christmas special.
Over ten million people in England watched the first series of the programme, which was written by Julian Fellowes who won an Oscar for Gosford Park in 2002.
Many of the characters from the first series return, such as Violet Dowager Countess of Grantham, Lady Mary Crawley and John Bates, the Valet.
The second series follows on from the first which ended in 1914 with Lord Grantham announcing that England was at war with Germany.
The new series will highlight the social changes that took place during the first half of the 1900s.
He lost in the semi-final to Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.
Rafael Nadal will now face Novak Djokovic in the men’s final of the last Major of the year.
Djokovic was 2-0 down in sets at one point and also had to save two match points to beat Roger Federer.
It is another frustrating year for Andy Murray who lost in the final of the Australian Open, reached the semi-final of Wimbledon (before losing to Nadal) and also was beaten by Nadal again here.
Let’s hope Murray can break his duck in the Majors next year and clinch one of the big four, perhaps it will be at the Australian Open.
The final of this year’s US Open will start at 9pm tonight (Monday).
Meanwhile Downton Abbey is to start again next Sunday (September 18).
This year there is to be eight new episodes plus a Christmas special.
Over ten million people in England watched the first series of the programme, which was written by Julian Fellowes who won an Oscar for Gosford Park in 2002.
Many of the characters from the first series return, such as Violet Dowager Countess of Grantham, Lady Mary Crawley and John Bates, the Valet.
The second series follows on from the first which ended in 1914 with Lord Grantham announcing that England was at war with Germany.
The new series will highlight the social changes that took place during the first half of the 1900s.
Monday, 5 September 2011
Music helps depression
IN a study published this year it has been stated that music therapy may help depression.
The study was carried out in Finland, and printed in this country in the British Journal of Psychiatry.
The project included 79 people and subjects who listened to music scored better than those who had not and had only received the normal treatment for depression.
All the people in the study, who were all suffering from depression, were given the normal treatment of counselling and appropriate medication.
But 33 of them received 20 classes with a trained music therapist and took part in drum workshops.
Anxiety and depression were measured after three months in the patients and those who had been given the music therapy were less anxious and depressed than those that hadn't.
But after six months there was no improvements.
It is believed music can help people engage in a way that words can't.
Meanwhile Andy Murray is through to the last 16 of the US Open after beating Feliciano Lopez.
In the second round he was taken to five sets by the Dutchman Robin Haase. He had been two sets down in that match, but managed to fight his way back.
And in the first round he beat Somdev Devvarman from India in three sets, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3.
The best Andy Murray has done in this competition was in 2008 when he reached the final, losing to Roger Federer 6-2, 7-5, 6-2.
Murray has also been in the Australian Open final for the last two years. In 2010 he lost to Roger Federer 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 and this year he was beaten by Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.
The study was carried out in Finland, and printed in this country in the British Journal of Psychiatry.
The project included 79 people and subjects who listened to music scored better than those who had not and had only received the normal treatment for depression.
All the people in the study, who were all suffering from depression, were given the normal treatment of counselling and appropriate medication.
But 33 of them received 20 classes with a trained music therapist and took part in drum workshops.
Anxiety and depression were measured after three months in the patients and those who had been given the music therapy were less anxious and depressed than those that hadn't.
But after six months there was no improvements.
It is believed music can help people engage in a way that words can't.
Meanwhile Andy Murray is through to the last 16 of the US Open after beating Feliciano Lopez.
In the second round he was taken to five sets by the Dutchman Robin Haase. He had been two sets down in that match, but managed to fight his way back.
And in the first round he beat Somdev Devvarman from India in three sets, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3.
The best Andy Murray has done in this competition was in 2008 when he reached the final, losing to Roger Federer 6-2, 7-5, 6-2.
Murray has also been in the Australian Open final for the last two years. In 2010 he lost to Roger Federer 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 and this year he was beaten by Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.
Monday, 29 August 2011
New additions in the dictionary
MANY words used for texting have now been included in the dictionary.
The newest edition of the Chambers Dictionary lists acronyms like ‘OMG’, which is short for ‘oh my God.’
Also to be found in the dictionary is ‘BFF,’ meaning ‘best friend forever’.
Many of the new words have come from the internet, and others come from text speak, street slang and rap music.
Those people buying the new edition will also see ‘skank’ – the word to describe a loose woman.
Terms taken from Facebook find there way into the dictionary too and these are ‘unfriend’ and ‘defriend.’
Some traditionalists may not like the inclusion of some of these words in the English Language.
Meanwhile at the time of writing The US Open schedule does not look like being badly affected by Hurricane Irene.
The tournament will last for the next two weeks and is the final tennis major of the year.
It is played at Flushing Meadows and Great Britain’s Andy Murray will be seeded four.
Fred Perry was the last British player to win the tournament in 1936.
Last year’s winner of the men’s championship was Rafael Nadal. He beat Novak Djokovic in the final 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.
This year Novak Djokovic is seeded one, while Caroline Wozniacki is seeded one out of the women.
Andy Murray faces Somdev Devvarman in the first round.
The newest edition of the Chambers Dictionary lists acronyms like ‘OMG’, which is short for ‘oh my God.’
Also to be found in the dictionary is ‘BFF,’ meaning ‘best friend forever’.
Many of the new words have come from the internet, and others come from text speak, street slang and rap music.
Those people buying the new edition will also see ‘skank’ – the word to describe a loose woman.
Terms taken from Facebook find there way into the dictionary too and these are ‘unfriend’ and ‘defriend.’
Some traditionalists may not like the inclusion of some of these words in the English Language.
Meanwhile at the time of writing The US Open schedule does not look like being badly affected by Hurricane Irene.
The tournament will last for the next two weeks and is the final tennis major of the year.
It is played at Flushing Meadows and Great Britain’s Andy Murray will be seeded four.
Fred Perry was the last British player to win the tournament in 1936.
Last year’s winner of the men’s championship was Rafael Nadal. He beat Novak Djokovic in the final 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.
This year Novak Djokovic is seeded one, while Caroline Wozniacki is seeded one out of the women.
Andy Murray faces Somdev Devvarman in the first round.
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