Golf Focus

Local, Global, and Major golf news from around the world

Local Focus

Bulthaup Battle at the Bay

A competitor plays his tee shot at the scenic sixth hole on the Jade Course at Discovery Bay Golf Club during the June Stableford competition last month. The tournament, which was sponsored for the first time by bulthaup, the leading German kitchen system manufacturer, featured a strong field of players across both men's and ladies' divisions and saw some fine performances over the demanding cliff-top layout. YB Rai led the way in the men's gross division, scoring 29 points, while up-and-coming junior Christy Chong swept to victory in the ladies' bracket with 30 points. Read a full report of the tournament within this issue.

The sixth hole on the Jade course at Discovery Bay

Global Focus

Flying the Flag

John Daly took a leaf from the Ian Poulter style book by donning a nifty pair of Union Jack-inspired trousers during the first round of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in late May. Daly, the 1995 Open champion, was one of only two Americans in the field (the other being Anthony Kang) but saw his hopes of challenging for the European Tour's flagship event flounder after picking up a hip injury, forcing him to retire midway through the second day. The tournament was won by England's Luke Donald, who defeated fellow countryman Lee Westwood on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off.

John Daly during the first round of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in late May

Major Focus

Magnificent McIlroy

Rory McIlroy plays his tee shot to the tenth hole during the final round of last month's US Open. The 22-year-old Ulsterman, who would stiff his approach for an easy birdie, became the youngest player since Bobby Jones in 1923 to win America's national championship with a near faultless display at a rain-softened Congressional Country Club. His 16-under-par total was the lowest in the championship's history and he wound up cruising to an emphatic eight-shot victory. As a result of his win, McIlroy, who let slip a four-stroke lead on the final day of this year's Masters, has reached a career high of number three in the Official Golf World Rankings and goes into this month's Open Championship as the red-hot favourite.

McIlroy tees off the tenth hole at Congressional en-route to his history making victory

Written by The Editors

Photography by Daniel Wong

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