Han Hails Asian Tour Alliance With European Counterparts


Loch Lomond (July 9): The Asian Tour and the European Tour have announced an alliance they say is designed to invigorate the game internationally by fortifying existing co-sanctioned tournaments, generating new competition at all levels and reinforcing relationships with sponsors, tournament promoters, national associations and regional professional bodies. This alliance will ensure unity and cohesion on the commercial and media fronts, said the Tours, who have not always seen eye-to-eye but appear to have found common ground in the wake of the launching of the OneAsia Super Series. According to the Tours, the immediate strategic aim will be to further enhance and develop the media global platform available to all co-sanctioned tournaments by amalgamating the TV/Media production and distribution facilities and networks of both Tours.

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Open Championship: 'I Believe I Can Win', Says Watson


Turnberry (July 17): Well, who would possibly have thought it? While we've become accustomed to remarkable deeds at the Open Championship, Tom Watson's efforts this week rank close to the very top. And who's to say it won't get even better over the weekend. After a topsy-turvy day when Turnberry turned nasty and world number one Tiger Woods was sent packing, the 59-year-old five-time Open Championship winner was walking tall atop the half-way leaderboard. With the roars of the galleries ringing in his ears after holing monster birdie putts on 16 and 18, Watson signed for an even-par 70. That gave him a 36-hole total of 135 and a share of the lead with fellow-American Steve Marino.

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Open Championship: Vintage Watson Rolls Back The Years


Turnberry (July 16): Teenager Ryo Ishikawa and five-time Open Championship winner Tom Watson dominated the headlines on the opening day of the 138th edition of the world's eldest golf tournament. While 17-year-old Japanese Ishikawa, the second youngest player in the field, fired a two-under-par 68 to upstage playing partner Tiger Woods, 59-year-old Watson, the oldest man in the field, rolled back the years to claim a share of second place, one shot behind Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez. Capitaising on the benign morning conditions, Watson carded a five-under-par 65 - the same score he recorded in the last two rounds on his way to victory at Turnberry in 1977 in the famous 'Duel in the Sun' with Jack Nicklaus. The American recorded five birdies and no bogeys in a flawless display to set the morning lead that was matched by Ben Curtis and bettered only by Jimenez.

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Open Championship: Liang's First-Round Turnberry Lament


Turnberry (July 16): Liang Wen-chong may not have hit the high notes in the opening round of the 138th Open Championship, but China was still making big news with confirmation of a television deal that will potentially take the Open into one billion homes in the world's most populous country. Struggling off the tee, the 30-year-old left himself with a mountain to climb if he's to make the cut as he soared to a seven-over-par 77 on a calm morning when scoring conditions were at their easiest. But the Chinese number one failed to take advantage. “My tee shots were all very poor today. The three-wood that I was using did not work and most of my shots landed in the rough which obviously made things very difficult for me,” said Liang, who aims to redeem himself in the second round.

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Hungry Tiger Once More The Man To Beat At Turnberry


Turnberry (July 15): Whether you’re a golf fan or not, no prizes for guessing who will set out as favourite when the 138th Open Championship tees-off on Thursday. Yes, Tiger Woods will, once again, be the man to beat. Says who? Well, his fellow players for a start. Then there’s the backing of the British bookmakers. Rarely are they known to be too far off with their predictions. If you’re looking for further compelling evidence to back up these assertions, it’s not too tough to find. After all, the 32-year-old father-of-two remains the undisputed number one golfer on Planet Earth, a position he has held on the Official World Golf Ranking for the little matter of 556 weeks throughout his career. The last time he was knocked from his lofty perch was more than 215 weeks ago, or mid-2005 to put it another way. Remember Vijay Singh’s brief flirtation with top spot?

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It's Official! Referee Li Breaks New Ground For China At Turnberry


Turnbery (July 13): Liang Wen-chong will not be the only Chinese taking part in this week’s Open Championship in Scotland. Taylor Li Jinliang, the Chief Referee on the Omega China Tour, will also be part of the action at Turnberry when he becomes the first mainland Chinese to officiate at one of golf’s four Majors. “When I received the invitation letter from The R&A (The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews), I felt great because this was the first time a Chinese referee had received an invitation to officiate at a Major. It’s my honour to be that person and I believe this will prove a milestone in Chinese golf history,” said the Beijing-based 37-year-old. “I feel more excited than nervous, as I’ve had some experience in big tournaments such as the HSBC Champions and the Omega Mission Hills World Cup and so on,” added Li, who has officiated in many Asian Tour and European Tour events.

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