Firstly, the big news of last week was Rory McIlroys Open Success. He clinched his first Open Championship and third major title with a two-shot victory over Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler on a thrilling final day at Hoylake. The Northern Irishman joined Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as the only players to win three of golf's modern majors by the age of 25. Two stunning rounds of 66 gave him a four-shot lead at halfway and banished talk of "freaky Fridays" after his recent trend of spoiling a low opening round with a bad second one. A spectacular finish to his third round, with two eagles in his last three holes, took McIlroy six clear of Fowler, with Garcia seven back, going into the final day.
Urged on by a vocal crowd, McIlroy made a birdie at the first to reach 17 under and extend his lead to seven - an ominous sign for his rivals. But if there was a feeling that the final day would become a procession, Garcia, bidding for a first major title at the 61st attempt, had other ideas. A wayward approach to the right of the long fifth cost McIlroy his first shot of the day, and Garcia's third birdie of the day minutes earlier at the same hole meant the lead was down to four.
The crowd were becoming increasingly raucous, and McIlroy had to single out one offender on the 16th tee, but he held his nerve to reach the 18th with a three-shot lead over Garcia and Fowler. I think it is worth mentioning the grace in which McIlroy showed when presented with the Claret Jug. His speech was great and showed what a good character he is for our game, he even mentioned that he was Manchester United fan though on the outskirts of Liverpool, true bravery. Next year The Open bandwagon moves onto St. Andrews.
The Open Sweepstake was won by Fred Bridge and is pictured above with his new Callaway X2 Hot driver, in 2nd place on a card playoff was Mike Hewitt with Peter Boyd in 3rd.
Moving on, how did the Nick's do in our shop challenge?
Nick Howsley
Graeme McDowell - -10
Henrik Stenson - -1
Justin Rose - -5
Jamie Donaldson - +7 (cut)
Rickie Fowler - -15
Jordan Speith - -2
Jimmy Walker - -4
Ryan Moore - -9
Thongchai Jaidee - -1
Total -40
Nick Chadwick
Rory McIlroy - -17
Graeme McDowell - -10
Justin Rose - -5
Marc Warren - -1
Jamie Donaldson - +7 (cut)
Jordan Speith - -2
Bradley Neil - +11 (cut)
Darren Clarke - -4
Kevin Na - +2
Total -19
Nick Summerfield
Graeme McDowell - -10
Justin Rose - -5
Adam Scott -12
Jamie Donaldson - +7 (cut)
Victor Dubuisson - -10
Mikko Ilonen - +4
Bernd Weisburger - +7 (cut)
Graham Dalaet - +2 (cut)
Richard Sterne - +8 (cut)
Total -9
So Nick Howsley won the shop challenge with his chosen players making an impressive -40, so some good calls from Weekend Nick. Nick Chadwick made a total of -19 and also did well to back the winner, Rory McIlroy. So Nick, the all-knowing pro, came last, defeated by his two apprentices. I'm sure he is very happy about that. Not really, I was brought down by all my outside picks missing the cut big style and it's better to be able to play the game well
Moving on, last Tuesdays the ladies played in the Par no. 6 comp and 9-hole stableford. 59 ladies played in the par comp. The overall winner was Claire Jones who came in with a very impressive 5up, this score was just better than Alison Hallworth who also got 5up but missed out on a card play-off.
The winner of Division 1 with a great score of 3up was Jean Duncan, closely followed by Carol Hulme, 2up.
The 9-hole comp was won by Myra Evans with 14 points.
Well done to all our ladies in the prizes last week.
It gives me pleasure to announce that Nike are holding a fitting day at the club on 19th August between noon and 4pm. They have issued a head to head challenge with the VRS Covert 2.0 against your existing driver, so why not take it up!!!!
Finally this week I am representing the club with Eamonn McGrath in the National PGA Pro Am at Dunham Forest. Hopefully if we can play well between us we can win the regional qualifier and head to Gleneagles in September for the Grand Final