Portugal Masters; Grand Slam

The European Tour stays in Iberia this week, as it heads to the Portugal Masters at the Oceanico Victoria Course.

Once again, there's a stellar line-up on the way, with six of Europe's defeated Ryder Cup men teeing up on Thursday.

Pre-tournament favourite, Robert Karlsson, is looking for a chance to extend his lead at the top of the Order of Merit, and force Padraig Harrington into needing a win at Valderrama. It's difficult to see him being beaten, I must say. He's not the sort of guy that gets tired too easily, he takes his wins in his stride, and he likes the event, having finished 2nd here last year. Don't be surprised to see him take his third title on the trot on Sunday evening.

 

However, Ross Fisher and Martin Kaymer, the men he beat in the playoff at St. Andrew's are both here as well, Fisher after a week off and Kaymer continuing a run of three weeks play. They both had top 10s here last year as well, and will be looking to ensure a high finish in the Order of Merit, as well as a bit of revenge for the near miss at the Dunhill.

Aside from these three guys, I fancy Westwood. I reckon he's finally got a bit of energy back after a week off last week, he had a top 5 finish here last year, and, let's face it, after the year he's had, who's going to say he won't get a win before it finishes? He's still in the Order of Merit race, but a win here is pretty vital to keep his hopes alive, as it is for Miguel Angel as well, as you can bet Karlsson will be up there as well.

McDowell, Wilson, and Soren Hansen are the other Ryder Cuppers appearing here this week, all trying to consolidate their position inside the top 10 in the OM. Wilson's the only player to play in a Ryder Cup without a tournament win, but after the year he's had I can't see that duck lasting much longer. He's another guy who's been a bit tired since the Ryder Cup, but if he's got a bit of energy back I expect him to be in the mix come the back nine on Sunday.

Just a brief look at Bermuda, where the Grand Slam is being played. Harrington and Furyk are both -2 after the 1st of 2 rounds, while Goosen is on level par, and Immelman's shot himself out of it with a +6 76. It's not the biggest tournament on my radar, but I'd like to see Padraig pick it up, and I think he'll do enough to edge out Furyk.

The PGA Tour heads to Vegas this week, and I'm not even going to go into any detail on this. I think Hunter Mahan will win - he's had a good season, a great Ryder Cup, and he'll be licking his chops now regular tournament play is back.

Once again, I just want to send my best to Seve. I understand there was a biopsy yesterday, but I still haven't heard any more news. 

Take care.

Race to Dubai

Over the last week or so, there's been a lot of talk about the upcoming Race to Dubai, the multi-million Euro 53-week long series coming to the European Tour. The number of tournaments required for a Tour player to retain his rights has been upped from 11 to 12, events have been cut and added, and some of the best from across the pond have started talking about getting in on the action.

Is it a good idea? At first, I must admit I was against it. It sounded too much like the FedEx Cup for me, which simply hasn't worked so far in the States, and I'm not convinced it will ever, to the extent that it improves the Tour. Golf may be about a lot of money these days, but I don't think it should be about €20 million prize funds, or $10 million bonuses.

 However, it will place more focus on the European Tour, and that is definitely a positive. The European Tour has continued to get stronger and stronger over the past years, and is now nothing less than world class. In my opinion, the standard is just as good if not better than the PGA Tour, and it certainly makes guys into more all-round golfers. They play on different and diverse courses, even within the labels of parkland and links. They face weather conditions and temperatures that Boo Weekley's probably never even heard of, let alone played in. The young guys on Tour - Martin Kaymer, Ross Fisher, Oliver Fisher, Oliver Wilson, Pablo Larrazabal - don't be surprised if these guys start picking up majors over the next few seasons, and as for Kaymer, he's a potential World No. 1. I know a guy who might have something to say about that though...

There'd be greater focus on the Tour if Phil, Kim, Vijay, and others kept their word and made it over for a few events. It would prove the quality of the European players. Don't be surprised to see some of the above Europeans going head to head with these guys and beating them. 

Robert Allenby is another player who's talked about coming over - I'd love to see that - he's a beautiful player to watch; there are few guys who strike their irons as well as him.

I'm delighted that the number of events has been raised from 11 to 12, including at least 2 in Continental Europe. At the moment, you can play 4 majors, 3 WGCs and only leave the US once, and can make up the rest with a few Irish and Scottish tournaments. The French, Italian, Spanish, and many other Opens are fantastic events on fantastic courses and deserve to be recognized as such. Harrington's 2nd on the Order of Merit - he's played 13 events this year and has only left the US, Ireland, and Britain once. I'm not criticizing him - he's got his own schedule and I respect it absolutely - but it does show that it's possible to gain the benefits of Tour membership and still bypass some great events. Karlsson's a consummate European golfer - he's played 21 events this year, has only come outside the top 20 5 times, and has 11 top 10s, including wins in his last 2 events. He's worked around Europe all year, and he's only a few bob ahead.

If the Race to Dubai brings more exposure to the superb players on the European Tour, and allows them to compete against more of the games top players, then I'll be happy to accept it as a positive step in the life of this wonderful game.