Understanding the Ryder Cup hooplah

I received the following email yesterday:

Dear Aussie Golfer

How do I explain the Ryder Cup concept to my wife, who doesn't understand all the hooplah?

Cheesy

Well Cheesy, at first I wondered how important it really was that your wife does understand. But given the great TV times for the Ryder Cup in Australia this weekend, I'm guessing it may mean a lot.

Considering Australians have no vested interest in the result it is hard to fathom all the 'hooplah' but start by explaining how most countries like to beat the Americans at anything.

Perhaps to convey some of the excitement and history, here's a few great Ryder Cup moments from the past with videos. Hope it helps. AG

1991, Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA

There was a dispute about the Americans changing their ball between holes.

Paul Azinger said, "I can tell you we're not trying to cheat." Ballesteros replied, "Oh no. Breaking the rules and cheating are two different things."

Mark Calcavecchia blew a four hole lead to half a match with Colin Montgomerie which meant Bernard Langer needed to win the final hole over Hale Irwin for Europe to hold on to the trophy.

1999: Brookline, Massachusetts, USA

USA came from nowhere after trailing 10 - 6 coming into the final day. Some amazing shots were played but it will be remembered for Justin Leonard's hysterical reaction to what was a match changing, monster putt. The problem was Jose-Marie Olazabal still had to putt.

"The emotion I can understand, but I still had a putt to make and that display should not have happened," Olazabal sniffed at the time. "You should show respect to your opponents."

2006: K Club, County Kildare, Ireland
This one sticks out for me for the outpouring of emotion from Darren Clarke who had lost his wife to cancer only months earlier. The emotion displayed towards Clarke from everyone including the defeated USA team will always be remembered. You'll have to go to the Ryder Cup website to see video highlights. Scroll down to "2006 Flashback".

Ryder Cup madness returns

Every four years we are subjected to three days of Ryder Cup madness in the USA. Golf candour is thrown to the dogs as celebrities take centre stage alongside golf legends, Presidents stand alongside WAGS, galleries go bananas during back swings and golfers proceed to act like lunatics after holing long putts - all while another golfer is still trying to work out which way his putt breaks.

Australian TV Times

Luckily, every other four years, the Ryder Cup reaches European shores  and we get to see Team golf the way it should be. Combatants and friends who all get to know each other after the round over champagne and chicken sandwiches.

Sadly this is no longer the case and Ryder Cup madness is now occurring every time it is held. This week for example, the Ryder Cup is being held at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales on the Twenty-Ten Golf Course. The only golf course to ever be designed specifically for the Ryder Cup. They do that sort of thing for the Olympic Games so why not golf as well I suppose.

Celebrities will be in attendance as usual to offer television networks something to broadcast while Dustin Johnson is trying to figure out if his ball is in a bunker or not. Catherine Zeta-Jones will be about the place as a Welsh native and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Tom Jones grace the green, green grass of Twenty-Ten.

The team uniforms is a talking point for those who don’t care for golf. The players always look a little awkward in them though. Like that feeling when you’re wearing someone else’s clothes. You know no one else knows but it feels wrong. Ryder Cup uniforms have very much a Steve Elkington look to them somehow.

As far as the golf goes, we have a Ryder Cup a little different from the norm. This one is not going to be about the big names but the small ones. Sure, Tiger will do his best to prove he is a team player on course and try and find some form that has reduced his name to nothing more than a commemorative beer. Phil Mickelson will try every shot he hasn’t thought of before and any others suggested by the WAGS at dinner. And Ian Poulter will just attempt to look good and broadcast invective tweets behind Monty's back.

It is the young guns that will have my interest. Can Rickie Fowler handle the pressure of playing in anything other than bright orange? Will he be allowed to wear a cap? What about Rory McIlroy? Surely he needs a cap to wear? If both of these long-locked guys square up, we’ll need some big crowds just to tell them where their ball went.

At least we won’t be subjected to the celebrity assistant captain like when Michael Jordan turned up at the last President's Cup. Although in his current form, Sergio Garcia could be considered one. I know Miguel Angel Jiminez is happy with Darren Clarke's assistant role. He is bringing the cigars and Miguel’s gonna smoke ‘em.

This whole madness will be worth watching.

Ryder Cup: What you need to know

2010 Ryder Cup: What you need to know

Schedule
Day 1: AM - 4 fourball matches. PM - 4 foursomes matches
Day 2: AM - 4 fourball matches. PM - 4 foursomes matches
Day 3: 12 singles matches

TV Times
Ryder Cup madness returns

Format
Fourball: Two teams of two golfers play matchplay with four balls in play. i.e. each player plays their own ball. Best ball on each team contributes to team score.
Foursomes:  Two teams of two golfers play matchplay with each pairing playing alternate shots.

Course
The Twenty-Ten Course, Celtic Manor Resort, Wales

View Larger Map

Official Ryder Cup website (not sure why you are made to pick a team before entering)

The Teams

Europe	USA
Luke Donald	Phil Mickelson
Ross Fisher	Hunter Mahan
Peter Hanson	Bubba Watson
Padraig Harrington	Jim Furyk
Miguel Angel Jiminez	Steve Stricker
Martin Kaymer	Dustin Johnson
Graeme McDowell	Jeff Overton
Rory McIlroy	Matt Kuchar
Eduardo Molinari	Stewart Cink
Francesco Molinari	Rickie Fowler
Ian Poulter	Zach Johnson
Lee Westwood	Tiger Woods
Captains
Colin Montgomerie	Corey Pavin
Thomas Bjorn (asst)	Paul Goydos (asst)
Darren Clarke (asst)	Tom Lehman (asst)
Sergio Garcia (asst)	Davis Love III (asst)
Paul McGinley (asst)	Jeff Sluman (asst)

Australian TV Times for Ryder Cup

Keep up to date with the latest from Aussie Golfer by subscribing to free email updates! Click here to sign up.

Update (10:55pm): FoxSports 1 TV Guide still shows it will be showing the final round of singles tonight (Monday 4th Oct) from 11:30pm. Fingers crossed it isn't all over by then!


Update (10:15pm): It appears neither FoxSports nor OneHD will be showing the final day's play of the Ryder Cup. More details here on on Aussie Golfer Twitter feed as they come to hand.
Live scores can be found here or here's a live internet stream: http://eplsite.com/stream1.html

Great viewing times Down Under this week. Everything is live on OneHD and some of it is prime time viewing!

Friday 1st October 2010

5:30pm LIVE: Day 1 Fourballs

10:00pm LIVE: Day 1 Foursomes

Saturday 2nd October 2010

5:30pm LIVE: Day 2 Fourballs

10:00pm LIVE: Day 2 Foursomes

Sunday 3rd October 2010

9:30pm LIVE: Day 3 Singles

Aussie Golfer live on TalkinGolf Radio

I'll be talking golf tomorrow morning at 7am on TalkinGolf Radio.

Live shows go out twice a week and host Rod Morri has asked me to join him tomorrow to talk about Aussie Golfer. We're also going to be chatting to the CEO of World Golf Tour online golf game.

Listen in at 7am or catch the recording later at TalkinGolf Radio.

Try this beer, Tiger Would

The Ryder Cup is on this week and a Welsh brewery has concocted a limited edition beer to commemorate the event and they've named it Tiger Would.

The Vale of Glamorgan Brewery have released this batch in time for the Ryder Cup and will be sold in local pubs but also available online. No word yet on whether they are also releasing a second batch called Monty Would.

Don't like beer? You can just buy the t-shirt.

Furyk's bunker shot wins $11.6million

Haven't practised your bunker shots for a while? Here's why you should.

Jim Furyk has nailed a great bunker shot to within a few feet to secure himself The TOUR Championship, the FedEx Cup and around $AU11.6million. 

It was one of the most exciting finishes of the year thank to the new FedEx Cup format with quite a few other golfers all in with a chance to win the money including Luke Donald and Matt Kuchar.

It is hard to mention this victory without reference to the obscene amount of money involved. I can't help but feel it goes against the very thing I dislike about the game but it does serve as a reminder to practise our bunker shots!

If you missed the highlights, here they are courtesy of FoxSports.

Aussie Golf TV show back for eighth season

There is no shortage of live golf (very early) on Australian TV but there are only a few locally produced programs. The Golf Show and The Pro Shop are the two obvious ones but there is another golf show that is also worth checking out.

GolfZone is in its eighth season on community TV and screens across the country. The show covers golf tips relating to your game and equipment. The new club fitting segment is invaluable, something many golfers still underestimate.

The first week's episode sees LPGA player Wendy Berger make her debut covering all there is to know about the grip. Co-hosts John Lyons and Steve Khatib review the training aids, The Laser Putter and Laser Grip and there are prizes given away each week.

The TV Times in each city (NZ too!) are listed below and the new season kicks off starting with Melbourne tonight at 7:30pm.

The TV Times for GolfZone TV

C31 Melbourne:
Friday Sept 24 – 7.30pm : Repeats Saturday 5.00pm Wednesday 5.30pm

TVS Sydney:
Saturday Sept 25 – 7.30 pm :Repeats Sunday 11.00am Tuesday 5.00pm

C31 Adelaide:
Monday Sept 27 - 8.30pm : Repeats to be announced

QCTV Brisbane:
Friday October 8 – 7.30 pm Repeats Saturday 10.00am – more to be announced

WTV Perth:
Sunday Sept 26 - 9:30am :Repeats Saturday at 2:00pm

Triangle TV NZ
Saturday 25th 3:30pm

Four Aussies eyeing off $10million

Clockwise from top left: Jason Day, Adam Scott,
Robert Allenby and Geoff Ogilvy.

These four Australian golfers are each assured of $US275,000 simply by turning up to the final FedEx Cup Playoff event, The TOUR Championship. Jason Day, Adam Scott, Robert Allenby and Geoff Ogilvy are all wanting to win the tournament's $US1.3m first prize but there is much more at stake. 

Finishing the playoffs with the most FedEx Cup points will earn yourself an extra $US10million.

Each Aussie needs a lot of other things to go their way if they want to claim the $US10million but Jason Day starts in the best position, currently ranked sixth.

Adam Scott (FedEx Ranking 14, World Ranking 36) is Australia's best chance this week with three Top-10's in his last five events. But as we've said before, it all relies on his putter. If he sinks a few putts early, look out.

Jason Day (6th, WR 41) has landed firmly on the PGA Tour this year. His recent form has been brilliant despite lingering sinus problems but if he feels good, he has the game to win. A statement Day made a few weeks ago does leave me wondering if he wants to win enough; "I've reached all my goals this year and it's a lot harder to get up in the morning and stay motivated."

Geoff Ogilvy (12th, WR 28) is missing his beloved Saints in the AFL Grand Final for this event so he'd better make the most of it. Six missed cuts this year has ultimately proved frustrating for Ogilvy (and me) but a tie for second a few weeks ago was cause to consider him a chance this week. The whole of Australia would love him to win, and Collingwood to lose.

Robert Allenby (27th, WR 21) is the only Australian playing this week without a win this year. Allenby did everything but win as the year began and it was those results that see him playing this week. He required injury on his knee in August after slipping in his boat and has failed to show much spark since. The technical word for his game right now is, "ok".

Rules of Golf: The Sprinkler Head

Your ball is just off the green and you would like to putt but a sprinkler head lies between your ball and the green. Are you entitled to relief as your ball will clearly hit the sprinkler head?

It is a situation we've probably all encountered at some stage but what is the answer?

No.

No, you are not entitled to a free drop but you would be entitled to a free drop if your ball was resting on the sprinkler head or if it was affecting your normal swing or stance.  

This is dealt with under Rule 24-2: Immovable Obstruction, but some golf courses have local rules in place which would allow relief if the sprinkler head is within two club lengths of the green. For example, Werribee Park Golf Club have dealt with it nicely in their local rules.

Yet another reason to know the local rules before you tee off.

Related Posts
Appleby to read the local rules
Improving your line of play
Unplayable lie

WIN a free round of competition golf!

Competition

GolfLink contacted Aussie Golfer after our story on the "Race To..." series of golf tournaments and they have offered a couple of free spots to lucky Aussie Golfer readers!

Each spot equates to around $150 in value, one in Sydney at Ryde/Parramatta Golf Course and one in Melbourne at Settlers Run Golf Course. Both events give you a chance to compete for a spot in the Final event which has around $5000 in prizes!

The prize gives you a place in the field, 18 holes of tournament golf, a 2 for 1 voucher to play either Cypress Lakes or Rich River, and a food and beverage voucher. More details can be found at the "Race To..." series website.

How to enter

Which race series would you like to take part in, Sydney or Melbourne?
Simply email Aussie Golfer OR add your name and answer to the comments section below this post.

A winner will be chosen at random for each of the Sydney and Melbourne events and announced here at Aussie Golfer on Saturday October 9, 2010. (Entries close Friday October 8, 2010, 5pm AEST.)

Get cracking and leave your comments below!

Sydney

Date:

Monday 18 October 2010

Region:

NSW - Sydney

Club:

Ryde-Parramatta GC

Melbourne

Date:

Friday 22 October 2010

Region:

VIC - Melbourne

Club:

Settlers Run

Young Aussie golfer meets the President

Mitch Krywulycz smartens up before arriving at the White House.
Image source: Augusta Chronicle

In early June this year, Mitch Krywulycz helped guide his American college team to victory at the Division 1 NCAA Golf Championship. Australia doesn't have anything like the US college tournaments but the fact that Krywulycz and his winning team mates went to visit the US President last week, may give you some idea of how big a deal this victory was.

It was the first time Augusta State had won the event and the team were officially congratulated by President Obama on the lawns of The White House. For a young bloke from the Shire it must have been a massive thrill and Mitch was kind enough to tell Aussie Golfer about the experience.

"I grew up in the Sutherland Shire, playing most of my golf at Kareela and practicing at Woolooware with the Endeavour Sports High School golf program, so being at The White House was very surreal. Listening to President Obama giving a speech to the NCAA Champions in each sport was remarkable."

The Augusta State golf team on the lawns of the White House. Image source

"It was a perfect day weather wise and he gave the speech to us on The White House lawn after we visited some of the famous war memorials in the morning. It was a very long day being up at 4:30am for workouts and not getting home until 1am the next morning."

Attending Augusta State University, I couldn't help wonder if Mitch has been to the US Masters or even played Augusta National.

"I have been to the Masters four times and played the National twice and will also play it twice more this year. I plan to live in Augusta once I graduate in June and turn pro, while returning to Australia for the Australian summer golf circuit."

The new season started this weekend and at the time of writing, Augusta State are second in the opening event with one round to go. Mitch leads the way for his team in a tie for sixth overall. Most experts have Augusta State running as favourites to take the NCAA title again, given that all five starting members of the team are back for this year.

Aussie Golfer would like to thank Mitch for his time. We are firmly on the Augusta State bandwagon and  wish Mitch and the team well. 

Here is a link to the live NCAA golf leaderboard if you want to check out the action.

Mitch Krywulycz during his last match heroics in June.

Read golf magazines online

Need some free weekend golf reading? In addition to the multitude of golf magazines on the shelves there are a few free Australian golf magazines you'll either find at your local golf course or online.

Golf Industry Central has been producing an online magazine geared towards the Australian golf industry that is always worth a read. This month the magazine looks at the financial problems facing many golf courses around the country after the recent closure of Palm Meadows. Click to read Golf Industry Central magazine online.

Inside Golf is the golf magazine of choice around many golf clubs in the country. Personally, I love to browse over this publication with loads of news and reviews relating to Australian golf. Click to read Inside Golf online  or look for it at your golf club.

Through the Green - The religion of golf

Corey Pavin's wife on the cover
of Avid Golfer magazine.

"Through the Green" is a look at some extra golf news to pass the desk at Aussie Golfer. Previous Through the Green.

Golf is a religion

Corey Pavin, captain of the US Ryder Cup team recently made his four captain's picks. He settled with Tiger Woods, Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson and Rickie Fowler to join the team but there's a story circling that he made these picks in good faith. This is an enlightening article (click title) on the religious views of some of the golfers involved.

Palm Meadows closes down

One of Australia's most iconic golf courses has closed down. Palm Meadows officially halted operations on August 1. This has sent shivers through the golfing community. If Palm Meadows can't survive what other golf courses are doomed? One of my early golf memories is watching Greg Norman cut the corner on the famous 18th hole. No one will be able to even try it any more.

Ogilvy says $300,000 AFL Grand Final ticket not worth it

Geoff Ogilvy has confirmed he will play the PGA Tour season ending event rather than attend the 2010 AFL Grand Final if his beloved St.Kilda make it.

"If it wasn't guaranteed money, and a nice one to win, I'd go (to the grand final) for sure, but the Tour Championship is one you can't miss," Ogilvy said. "It's worth a lot of money. It would be a $300,000 or $400,000 grand final ticket. Is a grand final seat worth that much?" 

Ryder Cup not just about the clothes

If you're still reading this and have taken your eyes off the picture, know that Corey Pavin's wife Lisa has the Ryder Cup covered. She's turning it into one stylish event by picking out the clothes for the US team and wants to tailor each player and caddie's room to suit them.

“It’s not just about clothes; people think my job only involves clothing. I’m thinking how to take the PGA of America to other people who wouldn’t normally be interested. That’s just my business mind working versus doing the usual responsibilities that a wife does. We’ll see if it works.”

Pirates spend the night in a sand trap

The overturned ship truck in the bunker. Source: The Daily Mail

This has got to be the weirdest story of the year. The Daily Mail has reported that greenkeepers at the Royal North Devon Golf Club found a Land Rover rolled over in a bunker on course last Sunday with two pirates asleep in the back.

Paramedics and police were called to the scene but it turns out the two swashbucklers were fine, just fast asleep. The club chairman said,  "It was a little more than a ball in the bunker. It is a strange place to drive at night. You can get disorientated very quickly."

The club claims to be the oldest golf course in England but can probably also claim to have never seen anything like this before. ARRRGH!

Related Stories
Are you kidding? 

The golf pants that scream loud

John Daly showed up in Australia last year looking a million dollars. He'd emerged from his problematic bouts with gambling, drinking and depression a few years ago with a whole new look. He'd quit drinking, lost 155pounds thanks to lap-band surgery and was wearing a pair of golf pants that had everyone reaching for their sunglasses.

Loudmouth golf pants were the strides of choice and they now have an Australian website and shipping depot allowing one or two day delivery to purchases from Australia and New Zealand. I didn't realise until I browsed the website that there's a whole range of other Loudmouth gear too. Plenty of women's apparel including 'skorts'. The belts look sweet too.

I love the fact that these pants will send some old country club golfers crazy at the sight of these walking through his snobby clubhouse. If you have any problems, let John Daly know.

Australian Loudmouth website

John Daly and girlfriend at last year's Australian Open.

Related Stories on Aussie Golfer

Daly arrives in Australia, practices in pyjamas

Couples joins Woods, Garcia, Daly in Australia

Daly, Leishman and a trophy encounter

Video: Golf (basketball) trick shot

A crazy golf (basketball) trick shot doing the rounds at the moment. I suppose if you try this enough times you're bound to nail it at some point.

Some more golf trick shots

Skim a golf ball 200yds across a lake

Jiminez bounces one off a wall

Mickelson plays a shot off the road

Top 25 golf courses in New Zealand

Wairakei Golf Course. Voted the number one golf course in New Zealand. Image source

"What? Hang on, this is an Australian golf website?! Isn't this the team that beat us all the time at rugby!?"

Well, that's true but our siblings across the Tasman live in a little oasis of their own surrounded but some incredible golf courses. It only takes three hours from Sydney and you could be on your way to playing osme of these golf courses.

NZPGA Golf Professional Andrew Whiley from Dunedin has compiled a Top 25 New Zealand Golf Course Ranking for 2010.  Whiley believes this ranking is the most extensive ranking of New Zealand golf courses undertaken.  With 35 respondents from NZPGA Golf Professionals, Tour Professionals, Golf Travel operators to one of New Zealand’s leading Golf Course Architects, this is a true overall ranking of New Zealand golf courses from New Zealand industry leaders. A requirement was that the respondents had to have either played or walked over the golf courses they were ranking.

The list is fascinating. Most golfers will have heard of Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs but I'm embarrassingly ignorant of the rest on the list. If the Wallabies win tomorrow night, I'll vow to play Jacks Point by the end of the year. Who am I kidding? I might just play it anyway.

The first 10 are listed below but the 25 top golf courses of New Zealand are listed at Golf Rankings NZ with an interactive map for each region.

#1     Wairakei Golf Course | Taupo

#2     Kauri Cliffs Golf Course | Kerikeri

#3     Kinloch Golf Club | Taupo

#4     Cape Kidnappers Golf Course | Havelock North

#5     Paraparaumu Golf Club | Paraparaumu Beach

#6     Jacks Point Golf Course | Queenstown

#7     The Hills | Arrowtown

#8     Titirangi Golf Club | Auckland

#9     Auckland Golf Club | Auckland

#10   Wellington Golf Club | Upper Hutt

Hat tip to Golf Industry Central.

Cape Kidnappers Golf Course.

Will Tiger be any good in Australia this year?

Tiger Woods winning the Australian Masters in 2009.

Arriving in Australia to play last year's Australian Masters, Tiger Woods was asked how he had been able to maintain a massive degree of privacy away from the golf course. His reply; "People have been extremely respectful of my privacy, especially now that I have a family. They understand it. People who have family of their own, they would want that as well. In that regard, I have been very lucky that the people and the media have been very respectful of that and I'm very thankful."

It is a very different Tiger Woods coming back to Australia again in November with the wall of privacy all but gone. The Victorian Government are once again paying for half of his $3million appearance fee to defend his golf jacket at the Australian Masters but it was in Melbourne last year, after winning the tournament his private life began to unravel.

Was it worth it?

Prior to Woods' arrival last year, lovers and haters of golf debated the merits of enticing the world's best golfer to play in Australia with a $3million cheque. But you only had to be within the vicinity of Melbourne to recognise the electric atmosphere as soon as the golf lover himself, landed. Subsequent reports by the Victorian government rated the enticement a huge success with $30million coming back into the economy and Golf Australia reporting a huge increase in golf participation across the country.

This was all helped by the fact Woods made the cut, which gave everyone an extra couple of days to see him play. The fact he went on to win the Masters was a huge, but not overly unexpected bonus.

Ten months on, after what has transpired and the news of his recent divorce, there's a few people wondering where the gold jacket is, and more importantly could he win another one if he wanted to? I realise that in the spectrum of world golf, the Australian Masters is not high on everybody's list of must-win events but with a $3 million dollar investment to lure the jungle-cat down under, it would be nice to know if he is going to be competitive.

Will he be any good?

Based on Woods' 2010 performances, it is no lay down misére. He hasn't played much golf and the golf he has played has been, by his standards, very poor. He needed a captain's pick to make the Ryder Cup team and has only shown brief glimpses of anything resembling the old Tiger Woods. He vowed to become better behaved on the golf course and more personable but we've seen very little of that. If anything, he seems to be more angrier and stoic in post-round interviews than ever.

Tiger Woods fans at Kingston Heath last year. Photo: AFP

Sledging?
With this in mind one wonders how he will deal with the popular Australian past-time of sledging. His less controversial rival Phil Mickelson, has thrown members of the gallery out of the tournament for calling him 'Figjam' which is almost considered a term of endearment in down here.

No one in Australia has lost any admiration for him as a golfer, but one wonders if he'll be able to shut out the banter and play good golf. One can never underestimate Woods' ability to surprise on the golf course but things aren't looking good for some weekend action in November. There must be a few tournament organisers hoping he comes good and makes the cut at the very least. If he doesn't, now officially divorced, it is not hard to imagine how Tiger will use his spare time.

Related Story
Couples joins Woods, Garcia and Daly in Australia

Through the Green - Swing starts fire

A lot of golf news passes over the desk at Aussie Golfer HQ. Today we introduce to you, "Through the Green". A summary of some of the other golf news we don't always get a chance to comment on. But please feel free to make your own comments below!

Photo taken after swing causes spark that starts the fire. Source.

Golfers swing sparks a fire

I've seen sparks fly off clubs but I'm sure I believe this story. Reportedly, a golfer struck a rock during a swing which caused a spark setting the rough on fire. It went on to cause a huge bushfire on and around the Shady Canyon Golf Course. I've yet to hear form the golf course confirming the story but California is very dry at the moment.

Politics and The Ryder Cup

Paul Casey, currently #9 in the world golf rankings was overlooked for Ryder Cup team selection by Colin Montgomerie. Apparently there is a back story to his exclusion which may or may not be interesting. It won't be nearly as interesting if Corey Pavin doesn't pick Tiger Woods in his team. Tiger will be there though.

Teen disqualifies himself after winning medal

A 14-year old from Wisconsin realised he had two many clubs in his bag after winning a junior golf tournament. When it was pointed out to him after the round, he immediately disqualified himself which was very noble of him. After someone noticed it was pretty much the only thing he could do.

PING shares name with Apple

Apple have a new social music feature in iTunes. It's called PING and they entered an agreement with the famous golf brand in order to do so.

Day and Ogilvy tie for 2nd; Aussies looking good

Jason Day during the final round at Deutsche Bank Championship.
Source: Getty Images

Jason Day has finished tied for second with Geoff Ogilvy at the Deutsche Bank Championship. Charlie Hoffman's 9-under 62 was enough to win the tournament by five shots as Day couldn't hang on to the lead he had held for most of the tournament. 

(See The Golf Show's recent interview with Jason Day below)

Day is in a rich vein of form right now which is stunning considering his battle with illness and sinus issues. He is easily Australia's best golfer at the minute and the second spot has propelled him into 4th position in the FedEx Cup standings. It should be enough to see him play the final playoff tournament in a few weeks for some serious cash.

Ten of the 13 Australian golfers who began the FedEx Cup playoffs have finished in the Top-70 and qualified for the next tournament with four Aussies finishing in the Top-10 this week; Jason Day (T2), Geoff Ogilvy (T2), Adam Scott (T5) and John Senden (8). Michael Sim finished tied for 11th.

Geoff Ogilvy has been overshadowed by Day's golf but he is coming good at the end of the year. He now sits 9th in the Fed Ex Cup standings, well within the Top-30 needed to progress to the final tournament in a few weeks time.

Jason Day was interviewed on The Golf Show on FoxSports recently, see the video below.

FedEx Cup format

Full wrap-up at the PGA Tour website

Run your own Race

Has there ever been a better time to be an amateur, social hacker golfer? 

With an official AGU handicap there are so many events to enter at some of Australia's best golf courses. If you plan it right, it can feel like your own personal golf tour.

I've just come across Golflink's "Race to..." series that should be on your list of events. Similar to the pro tours, a series of six tournaments allow you accumulate points for the Order of Merit depending on where you finish. Eligibility into the final round depends on your ranking on the Order of Merit where your points are converted into dollars, deducted from your entrance fee in the final!

Sydney and Melbourne have their own separate series' this year. The Sydney Series is a Race to Cypress Lakes and the Melbourne Series is a Race to Rich River. There are plenty of prizes at each qualifying event as well as a $1200 first prize for the winner of the final in both series. See GolfLink for qualifications courses and dates.

(Neither GolfLink or anyone else pays Aussie Golfer to promote their service or products. While I am more than happy to be reimbursed for golf service and product promotion, all reports appearing will be given an honest appraisal for Aussie Golfer readers.)

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Couples joins Woods, Garcia, Daly in Australia

Fred Couples is the latest big name international golfer to decide to be a part of Australia's big three end of year golf tournaments. Couples hasn't been down to Australia for many years to play but on the back of a great season on the Champions Tour, he has agreed to play the Australian Open in Sydney.

Sergio Garcia, Tiger Woods, Camilo Villegas and John Daly and now Fred Couples are just some of the big name overseas golfers making the trek down under for the short Australian swing that is the Australian Masters, Australian Open and the Australian PGA. These guys join loads of the Aussies coming back of course, including Adam Scott, Geoff Ogilvy, Greg Norman and Stuart Appleby.

Couples was on the cards to play last year but was forced to withdraw due to back problems. In a particularly straight forward 'say all the right things' statement, Couples said "I am very much looking forward to playing in the Australian Open in particular The Lakes Golf Club.  I have not been to Sydney for some time and look forward to visiting this magnificent city once again.". Tick.

I'm willing to bet he makes it this year and goes down on a reconnaissance mission to Royal Melbourne at some stage ahead of next year's Presidents Cup. As captain of the US team, he'll want to make sure he knows the layout well before arriving with the team.

Can someone ask him to bring down a few pairs of those golf shoes he wears? Some funky wheels he's been wearing.

The 2010 Australian Men's Golf Tournament Schedule

Australian Masters, Victoria GC, Melbourne November 11 - 14, 2010

Australian Open, The Lakes, Sydney December 2 - 5, 2010

Australian PGA, Coolum, Sunshine Coast December 9 - 12, 2010

Rules of Golf: Improving your line of play

Here, the boys from The Golf Show on FoxSports (hosted by Brett Ogle, Tuesdays 8:30pm) discuss the rules of golf relating to improving your line of play on the fairway and in a bunker.

More rules of golf

Playing from a hazard
Read the local rules
The double-hit
Hazard Stakes

"If you don't know how to lose, you might as well give up the game"

Arjun Atwal (AP)

A few wise words Arjun Atwal who won his first PGA Tour event a couple of weeks ago. After a near fatal car-crash and numerous injuries, the win was the first by an Indian on the PGA Tour and gifted him a Tour card for next year

"There is a fine line, perhaps, between success and disaster and although it would have been devastating for me to have missed that (a bogey would have meant a playoff with former Major winner David Toms), I have learnt to soak in losses and disappointments with a certain degree of humility. Golf is a game where the losing percentage is very high compared with other sports so if you don't know how to lose, you might as well give up the game."