Hi Everyone,
It is amazing that we have already reached the last Major of the year. Interesting that the powers that be are changing the dates for 2019, so the PGA will fall in May. I think this is a good thing as in August it does tend to get forgotten about, to back this up, can anyone name the last 5 PGA Champions? Of course, this is my last chance to showcase my Nostradamus like predicting skills and give everyone an idea what player to put their pension fund on! Like many in the golf industry, I feel like Rory is the man to beat this week. He has won at the venue, Quail Hollow, before and in the last couple of events he is really showing some form. Clearly Jordan Speith after his incredible Open Championship will feel he has every chance to emulate Tiger Woods and win all four Majors before his 24th birthday. The other player that always seem to be hanging around leader boards is Richie Fowler and he is worth some each way money. I think the Mercurial Northern Irishman will sweep all before him and here's a Golf Monthly piece I did on him a little while ago.
I and I am sure many of us are looking for an upturn in the weather later this month. I am hosting a good group of golfers on some wonderful courses in Herefordshire and Monmouthshire as part of my work with my friends company, David Short Golf Holidays.
Mentioning the weather my favourite golfing quote of the year so far is credited to a Japanese journalist who was covering The Open at Birkdale. On returning to the Press Centre having been rained on and buffeted by a brisk wind, he asked his press colleagues, why they didn't hold The Open in the summer!!
At the end of the month I will be in Hull for the final of the Trilby Tour where I do some promotional work for the event along with commentating on the play. The qualifying rounds have been taking place over the summer and the recorded highlights will begin in October on Sky Sports.
I was at a very windswept Oxfordshire last week, where I estimated it was a 4 club wind! The golf course was in superb condition and if you get a chance well worth playing, on hopefully a 0 to 1 club breeze day.
My other great sporting love, football starts this weekend and like all fans I am ever positive that this is the season it's all going to go well. I feel remarkably confident (a feeling I've had to be fair at this time of year since 1970) that Watford will surge up the league and win at least one cup. By Saturday afternoon however, having played Liverpool in their opening match, I may of course be feeling differently.
Hope your teams have a good season and you enjoy golf over the next few dry and sunny weeks!
All the best
Barney
