Korean offers Yang to Tiger's ying

Korean offers Yang to Tiger’s ying

Austin Garvin

WHEN YE Yang stared down Tiger Woods to win the US PGA Championship at Hazeltine on Sunday, he achieved one of the greatest upsets in sport. The most notable aspect of the victory is that Yang did to Tiger what Tiger has become famous for doing to everyone else.
The Korean won the Championship fair and square. While most people expected the challenge to come from others, including PΡdraig Harrington, he held his composure, and finished like a true champion with one of the best second shots of all time.
Tiger was strangely subdued, and his putting, which is generally one of his greatest strengths, was nowhere near good enough. The win will do a lot for golf in Asia in particular. Korean players are to the fore in women’s professional golf, with only KJ Choi prominent in the men’s game to any great extent prior to last weekend’s win.
For PΡdraig Harrington, it was a case of history repeating itself. His problems at the eighth hole were practically a carbon copy of those he experienced a week earlier on the 16th at the Bridgestone Invitational. Hopefully such issues won’t have long- term repercussions for the Irishman.
Elsewhere, Rory McIlroy did very well to finish in joint third place. It would seem that it’s only a matter of time before he lands his first major title.

Golf for the Olympic Games
GOLF is one step closer to being reinstated as an Olympic sport following the recommendation by the International Olympic Committee Executive Board to add golf to the 2016 Olympic programme. The final vote will be taken on October 9 at the 121st IOC session in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Golf was included for the final time in the Games in 1904, when the United States and Canada were the only competing nations.
While the membership of the IOC is not obliged to follow the Executive Board’s recommendation, nevertheless it’s highly unlikely they will turn it down.
Since 1904 golf has really become popular worldwide; television has brought the game to the masses and more and more people have become attracted to it.
The Royal & Ancient are constantly striving to bring golf to underdeveloped countries; they are spending a lot of money on coaching and equipment, with the result it’s growing more popular on a daily basis.
Ireland would be expected to do well in golf at the Games; along with boxing, it’s probably amongst our strongest sport. Hopefully it will get the official imprimatur in October.

Lady Captain’s Prize at Ballaghaderreen
NEXT Sunday is a big day for Ballaghaderreen lady Mary Wright, who will hold her Captain’s Prize on August 23. Hopefully the weather will be kind to the popular Lady Captain. We wish you well, Mary. May the sun shine brightly on your special day.

Jimmy Carroll final at Ballinrobe
THE Connacht final of the Jimmy Carroll Trophy will take place at Ballinrobe Golf Club on Wednesday next. It’s a real local derby with Claremorris taking on near neighbours Tuam at the neutral venue. Tuam have a good record in the competition, but Claremorris won’t travel without hope.

Connacht third in Men’s Interpro
CONNACHT finished in third place in the Men’s Interprovincial Championships, which were held at Douglas Golf Club last week.
Connacht went into the Championships without some of their leading players, including Cathal O’Malley and Eddie McCormack. Swinford’s Declan Loftus put in a great performance, winning two matches. Overall, finishing in third place was about as good as one could expect in the circumstances.

Bill Hopkins wins President’s Prize at Westport
OUR congratulations go to Bill Hopkins who won the President’s Prize (Hugh Murphy) at Westport Golf Club over the weekend. Bill plays off a handicap of 13, and finished with a creditable 39 points. Bill is a doughty competitor and will be delighted with this win.

Scratch Cups at Claremorris
WE have been asked to give another mention to the three Scratch Cups to be held at Claremorris Golf Club on Saturday, August 29.
The John Keane Scratch Cup will cater for handicaps of 0-4, the Irish Permanent Scratch Cup is for handicaps 5-9, and the Fr Eddie Griffith Scratch Cup is for handicaps of 10 upwards. The entry fee is €20.  For more information you are asked to contact the club at 094 9371527.

Ladies President’s Prize at Claremorris
NEXT Sunday is Lady President’s (Mary Colohan) Prize day at Claremorris Golf Club. The popular, quietly-spoken Limerick lady will be hoping for much better weather than what we are experiencing at the moment. We hope to add our support to the men’s section of the competition.

Green & Red Captain’s Prize
THE Captain’s Prize of the Green & Red Golfing Society will take place at Ballina Golf Club on Saturday, August 29. Gerry Connor of Ballina Golf Club is the Captain this year. For time-sheet ring Tina at 096 21050. There are prizes for members together with local members.