Tag Archives: European Tour

Galvin Green – Christiaan Bezuidenhout wins fourth title in 18 months wearing Galvin Green

December 8, 2020 – Christiaan Bezuidenhout took his tournament victories wearing stylish and highly breathable Galvin Greenclothing to four within the past 18 months, when winning the South African Open last week weekend – averaging scores of -16 and four shots fewer than his rivals.

In securing his national title at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City – the longest course on the European Tour at almost 8,000 yards – Christiaan registered back-to-back wins on home soil after victory at the Alfred Dunhill Championship last week and became the most successful Team Galvin Green player this millennium.

Playing in warm and humid conditions, Christiaan once again played an impressive back nine to dominate his rivals in the final round. Staying cool under pressure, he opted to wear the highly breathable MALONE shirt with a jacquard-knitted design and in Navy and black NOAH trousers in lightweight VENTIL8 Plus stretch fabric that offer UV 20+ protection.

“It’s any South African golfer’s dream to win a national tournament,” said Christiaan Bezuidenhout, who became the first player to win consecutive European Tour events since Justin Rose in 2017. “I’m a big believer in feel good, play good. Galvin Green have supported me for a number of years now and their range is getting better and better. To work with a great team and to wear clothing that really does work are very important factors in me producing good results,” he added.

His outstanding run of tournament victories began in June last year. Playing as a rookie on the European Tour, he captured the Andalucia Masters at Valderrama by six shots from four runners up, including Spain’s Ryder Cup star Jon Rahm (score -10). After finishing runner up at the Dubai Desert Classic in January, he then won the Dimension Data Pro-Am on the Sunshine Tour (-24) in February by a stroke at -21. His -14 score during last week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship event saw him win by four shots, while he finished five shots ahead at -18 at the SA Open as the only competitor with four rounds under 70.

His latest triumph has moved Christiaan into the top five on the Race to Dubai ratings and up to 35 in the Official World Golf Ranking, ahead of the season’s final tournament at the DP World Tour Championship event on the Jumeirah Golf Estates course in Dubai.

“Galvin Green wishes Christiaan all the best in looking to complete a remarkable hat-trick of European Tour victories this week by becoming the Tour champion,” said CEO Nicholai Stein.

More information at www.galvingreen.com.

Galvin Green – Christiaan Bezuidenhout wins the Alfred Dunhill Championship 2020 in style

November 30, 2020 – Team Galvin Green star Christiaan Bezuidenhout won his second European Tour title in style at the Alfred Dunhill Championship 2020 in his native South Africa to mark a stellar fourth season with the leading apparel brand.

Fresh from making his debut at the Masters Tournament, the 26-year-old kept cool and calm wearing his VENTIL8 Plus shirt and trousers during the final round at the challenging Leopard Creek Country Club course to capture his first professional tournament on home soil by four shots with a brilliantly sculptured closing 69. He described the victory that puts him back into the world’s top 50 as being “very special and one I always wanted to win.”

It was his second triumph on the Sunshine Tour this year – after winning the Dimension Data Pro-Am in February – and followed his impressive win as a European Tour rookie at the 2019 Andalucia Masters at Valderrama, where he finished six shots ahead of Spanish favourite Jon Rahm. Runner up at the Dubai Desert Classic in January, he now moves up to 9th on the Race to Dubai, just behind fellow Modest! Golf Management player Tyrrell Hatton.

Playing in temperatures up to 35° C close to the Kruger National Park, Christiaan played a bogey-free back nine to stretch ahead of his rivals in the final round. To remain comfortable as possible, he chose to wear the MARIO shirt in Cool Grey/Sharkskin/Black and matching NOAH black trousers in highly breathable and lightweight VENTIL8 Plus stretch fabric that offers UV protection 20+.

“It’s really important to feel good on the golf course with good fitting clothing that’s lightweight and comfortable and I’m super happy with all the Galvin Green outfits I wear,” said Christiaan Bezuidenhout. “The VENTIL8 Plus shirts and trousers perform fantastically well in hot and humid conditions. Fashion is becoming a more and more important part of the game and I have great fun putting outfits together to look good on the course,” he added.

At Augusta earlier this month, Christiaan wore a special GREEN Paclite waterproof jacket inspired by the traditional green jacket associated with the famous Major event.

“Galvin Green is very proud to be associated with such a wonderfully talented golfer as Christiaan, who has proved to be a magnificent brand ambassador since he first signed in 2017,” said CEO Nicholai Stein. “We wish him well at the final European Tour event in Dubai next month and trust that our apparel will help him perform at his best once again.”

More information at www.galvingreen.com.

European Tour – Real Club Valderrama celebrate its silver anniversary of golf events

August 31, 2020 – 35 years since its foundation and 25 individual events of the European Tour held on its pristine course. With this simple sentence we could summarize the history of the venue for the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, the event that will take place from September 3-6, but numbers fall short when trying to convey the meaning of the Real Club Valderrama for Andalusian, Spanish and European golf.

Valderrama was founded in 1985 thanks to the efforts and vision of Jaime Ortiz Patiño, who hired top designer Robert Trent Jones Sr to renovate the old Las Aves course and the surrounding land with the intention of creating the best golf course in continental Europe. Valderrama debuted as a European Tour venue soon after that, since in 1988 it held the Volvo Masters, an elite field event that brought the curtain down on the European Tour season.

Taking a quick look at its winner list (from Sir Nick Faldo, its first champion, to world-class golfers such as Sandy Lyle, Colin Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, among others) it’s easy to understand its importance. On the fairways and greens of Valderrama, unforgettable moments such as Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie‘s draw in 2002, Miguel Ángel Jiménez‘s albatross in 1994 or the exciting playoffs between Ian Poulter and Sergio García in 2004 or Fredrik Jacobson with Carlos Rodiles the previous year. In total, 16 Volvo Masters in which the Real Club Valderrama acted as a fair but demanding judge.

After being elevated to a well-deserved glory and gaining international prominence thanks to the 1997 Ryder Cup in which Seve Ballesteros captained the European team to victory, the Sotogrande club hosted another key event on the international schedule, the WGC American Express Championship. The field, again, was outstanding. In 1999, the number one in the world, Tiger Woods, needed a playoff to beat a tough rival carried by the cheering locals, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, while in 2000 Mike Weir, a Masters winner, conquered the title.

The Andalucía Masters, currently sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Junta de Andalucía, followed up with the great tradition of elite tournaments at Valderrama and Graeme McDowell, who had won the 2010 US Open winner, beat the field that year. Golf fans had to wait until 2011 for the first Spanish victory at Real Club Valderrama when Sergio García managed to overcome the resistance of Miguel Ángel Jiménez.

In 2016 the Open de España took over and the field faced a course that, as always, made no concessions. This time, fan-favourite Andrew Johnston won the title but could not beat Valderrama because he finished over par, something that had not happened since Sandy Lyle won with +3 in the 1992 Volvo Masters.

In the following two years, Sergio García continued his love affair with Real Club Valderrama by winning two consecutive Andalucía Masters titles, becoming the first player to obtain three individual victories at Valderrama. The Borriol golfer accumulates 14 top ten in 15 appearances at Valderrama (2 in the WGC American Express Championship, 7 in the Volvo Masters and 5 in the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters), an impressive record.

In 2019 the South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout broke Sergio García’s streak and managed to hold off the assault of the many Spanish players fighting for the title, since five Spaniards finished in the top 7 of the event.

The 2020 winner, therefore, will have the honor of being crowned in the 25th European Tour event played at Valderrama. Without a question, he will be a worthy heir to the tradition that so many illustrious international champions have written with their talent in one of the best courses in the world.

European Tour – The Mutuactivos Open de España will not take place in 2020

July 13, 2020 – Due to the uncertainty created by the Covid-19 epidemic, and as a consequence of the lack of a satisfactory date on the schedule after the restructuring of various tournaments, the Mutuactivos Open de España will not be held in 2020.

The cancellation comes from a consensual decision between Madrid Trophy Promotion (MTP), the promotors of the Mutuactivos Open de España, the European Tour and the Real Federación Española de Golf (RFEG), and is based on two main causes: the current situation, which means the Mutuactivos Open de España cannot be held as it was in 2019, maintaining the continuous line of innovation and quality that was started last season, and the impossibility of finding a suitable date after the adjustments made to the schedule, with many tournaments having been delayed as a consequence of covid-19.

“Unfortunately, we have had to make a decision that is painful for everyone”, said Gerard Tsobanian, president and CEO of Madrid Trophy Promotions. “However, given the current circumstances, we believe that the most reasonable outcome is to not hold the 2020 edition and now focus all our efforts on next year. The passion with which we embarked on this adventure remains intact and we are going to work to maintain our quality standards in 2021”, he added. “I’d like to thank all the sponsors of the Mutuactivos Open de España for their support and desire to continue with us”. 

“Spain has played such an important role in the European Tour’s history that we look forward to working with Gerard Tsobanian and his team on the return of the Mutuactivos Open de España in 2021”, said Keith Waters, chief operating officer of European Tour. “Madrid Trophy Promotion’s sporting vision and commitment to golf ensures this tournament will have a bright future”.

For his part, Gonzaga Escauriaza, President of the RFEG, stated that “not playing the Mutuactivos Open de España is a shame for everyone, but the three parties involved in its organisation are in no doubt that it is the correct decision given the huge uncertainty created by the pandemic and the difficulty of finding an ideal date. Despite that, we are still as enthusiastic as when we started this new project and we are now going to work together to make sure the next Mutuactivos Open de España is just as spectacular and unforgettable as the 2019 edition”.

In October 2019, the MTP’s first year at the helm of the historic tournament, together with the European Tour and the RFEG, the Mutuactivos Open de España attracted 31,219 people to the tournament over four days at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, where Jon Rahm took the spoils in a successful defence of his crown.

Any fans who have already purchased tickets for the 2020 Mutuactivos Open de España will receive a full refund in the coming weeks.

European Tour – Lumine Golf to host European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage until 2022

Calle Carlsson and Mike Stewart.

February 13, 2020 – Lumine Golf Club, at Costa Daurada of Tarragona (Spain), has been confirmed as the host venue of the European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage for the next three years, until 2022.

The Spanish venue first began its association with the European Tour Qualifying School in 2012 when it became a Second Stage Qualifying venue, before becoming the location for the six-round Final Stage, described as one of the toughest events in golf, in 2017.

Lumine’s two courses – The Hills and The Lakes – have so far seen 468 players tee it up at three pressure-packed Final Stage events, all hoping to seal one of 25 European Tour cards for the following season, and will continue to welcome European Tour hopefuls from 2020-2022.

In 2019, Denmark’s Benjamin Poke carded six sub-70 rounds at Lumine to win by six shots, while his compatriot Rasmus Højgaard became the first player born in the 21st century to secure his playing privileges at Qualifying School. The 18-year-old immediately reaped the benefits, triumphing at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open two weeks later to become the third youngest winner on the European Tour.

Mike Stewart, European Tour Qualifying School Director, said: “Lumine Golf Club has provided a terrific test for players since 2012, even more so since it became a Final Stage venue, pushing players all the way as they go in search of a European Tour card in one of golf’s most dramatic events.

“The quality of both courses, plus Lumine’s fantastic practice facilities and hospitality, have drawn praise from competitors and we look forward to working with Calle Carlsson and his team on delivering more successful editions of the event in the coming years.”

Calle Carlsson, General Manager at Lumine Golf Club, said: “Welcoming back the European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage for 2020 is an honour. We are delighted to yet again be hosting this prestigious event as it will be the fourth consecutive year that golfing hopefuls will battle it out on the Lumine golf courses.

“We have worked hard on the quality and test of golf we have here and I am immensely proud of my team as it is testament to their hard work and commitment that the European Tour have chosen to return to Lumine. We look forward to welcoming this year’s hopefuls to Lumine in November.”

European Tour – Tickets for the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, the best Christmas present!

January 1, 2020 – Tickets are now on sale for the 2020 Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Valderrama Masters, taking place at Real Club Valderrama from 29 April – 03 May, 2020. The new event dates will surely attract a superb field eager to face the Sotogrande course in ideal weather conditions. The best international and national golfers will show their talent before all those who want to experience first-hand this thrilling European Tour taking advantage of the 1st May holiday weekend.

With a special price available for a limited time, fans can enjoy world-class golf at one of Europe’s most iconic venues from just €7. Pro-Am tickets are available at €7 for juniors and €9 for adults, while tickets for the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday are available at €10 per person.

Saturday and Sunday tickets are available at €10 for juniors and €15 for adults, with a weekend ticket available at a special price of just €20. Season tickets, which include all four days of action and Wednesday’s Pro-Am day, are available at €30 for juniors and €55 for adults.

These special prices are only available until midnight on Monday 6 January, 2020. After that, early bird tickets will be also available (until February 11). You can check the full pricelist and ticket sale periods at the following link.

https://www.andaluciavalderramamasters.com/en/public-tickets

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters hosted by the Sergio García Foundation, an event in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai made possible by the essential contribution of the Real Club Valderrama, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Consejería de Turismo, Regeneración, Justicia y Administración Local of the Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by EU and declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Spanish Government.

Callaway Golf – The golf brand becomes official partner of the European Tour

January 17, 2019 – The European Tour has announced today Callaway Golf as an Official Partner for the next five years.

Within this wide-reaching agreement across the family of Callaway owned brands, Callaway becomes the official driver, golf ball, shoe and golf bag brand of the European Tour; Odyssey and OGIO become the official putter and luggage brands respectively; and Callaway Apparel, plus the ‘new to Europe’ Travis Mathew brand, will be the official on-course apparel of the European Tour.

As well as Official Partner status, Callaway will also supply its market-leading Chrome Soft Golf Balls to driving ranges at European Tour events. Callaway will also drive awareness of Odyssey, the number one putter in golf, through a ‘putting leaderboard’ on TV broadcasts, which will showcase a new range of performance statistics at each European Tour event.

As part of the Official Partnership, Callaway will collaborate with the European Tour’s digital channels to create new content strands featuring the Callaway brands, products and their Staff Professionals.

Established in 1982 by the late Ely Callaway, the brand has a rich heritage of investing in European golf, and boasts major-winning Staff Professionals at the pinnacle of the sport, including Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Danny Willett.

The Official Partnership begins at this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA – the first of eight Rolex Series events in the 2019 Race to Dubai.

Neil Howie, President & Managing Director of Callaway Golf Europe, said: “Securing this important leadership position with such a forward-thinking and committed organisation as the European Tour aligns perfectly with our own business goals of making the game more enjoyable and accessible through market-leading innovation and superior product performance.

“Callaway continues to enjoy a very strong and loyal following among players on the European Tour, Odyssey has been the number one brand for more than ten years and Rogue Drivers were the number one model in play across 2018, and we are excited about the impact of our recently launched Epic Flash family. We also look forward to the many tournament, broadcast and content opportunities that this new partnership will bring.”

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive Officer of the European Tour, said: “We are delighted to have Callaway on board as an Official Partner for the next five years. It is really exciting to form a new relationship with a brand dedicated to producing not only high-performance golf products but also delivering unique and engaging content to golfers across the globe.”

At the picture Neil Howie, President and Managing Director, Callaway Golf EMEA and Keith Pelley, Chief Executive, European Tour confirm Callaway as Official Partner to the European Tour for five years.

European Tour – Sergio García, Ryder Cup points leader, set to defend Valderrama Masters title

October 9, 2018 – Sergio García will defend his Andalucía Valderrama Masters title from October 18-21 in the wake of becoming all-time Ryder Cup points leader at the Le Golf National. This feat is the result of nearly two decades of steady success in an event focused on team action rather than individual performance. 

Sergio made this point very clearly at the start of the week in Paris: “I’m not concerned by records, I’m not even thinking about that. If I managed to beat that record, but we lost the Ryder Cup, it would be worthless to me. I’m only interested in adding points to the team so that we win back together the Cup for Europe. Only the team counts this week.”

It was Sergio’s ninth appearance in the showdown against the US, one more than his childhood hero Seve Ballesteros. He made his debut at Brookline (3-1-1) where Europe lost, but the Spanish rookie exhibited the blend of talent, courage and team spirit that would enable him to take up the torch as one of the pillars of the European side. While Seve revitalized the event by opening its doors to continental Europe and inspiring the team to new heights, Sergio has made a vital contribution to consolidating European dominance over the last two decades.

After a disappointing season this year, the 38-year-old arrived at the Albatros Course as a risky captain’s pick, but by week’s end he had cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players of the biennial event. His Sunday singles victory over Rickie Fowler capped a 3-1 week in which he was key to Europe’s sixth consecutive victory on home soil, and pushed his career Ryder Cup record to a sparkling 22-12-7 in his nine appearances, the 25.5 total points breaking the previous record.

It was a glorious and emotional moment after his win on Sunday: “Yeah, I don’t usually cry, but I couldn’t help it. What a week! It’s been a rough year, but you know, we fought hard. Obviously so thankful for Thomas to pick me and believe in me, and so happy, so happy to get the Cup back here in Paris and in Europe and for everyone to enjoy it as much as they did.”

But the team was definitely on the front of his mind: “Yeah, it means a lot but at the end of the day, I’ve always said it. It’s about the team and I’m happy that I was able to help with some of the points. It’s a bonus. It’s something that I never thought I would have the possibility of doing, and now that it’s happened, I’m just so happy. I mean, these guys are unbelievable.”

Next week at Real Club Valderrama, one of his favourite courses, Sergio will look to build on this positive momentum as he fights, this time individually, for his third Andalucía Valderrama Masters title.

Tickets for the 2018 Andalucía Valderrama Masters hosted by the Sergio García Foundation are available HERE. Children under 14 are admitted to the event free of charge when accompanied by a ticket holding adult.

Pictures: ©Getty Images

Callaway Golf – Birdie blitz for Andrea Pavan secures breakthrough European Tour win

August 27, 2018 – Callaway, the #1 Driver brand at the D+D Real Czech Masters, saw Italian Staff Professional, Andrea Pavan, clinch his breakthrough European Tour title after a stunning final round 67 that saw him birdie five of the closing nine holes at Albatross Golf Resort in Prague.

Using a full bag of Callaway and Odyssey products including the Chrome Soft X Golf Ball, 29-year-old Pavan, tasted victory in style, leading the field in putts per green in regulation and ranking second in putts per round using his White Hot Pro V-Line Putter.

Across the four tournament rounds he also averaged 296.9 yards from the tee with his Rogue Sub Zero 9° Driver, whilst hitting 80.6% of greens in regulation thanks to his Callaway X Forged ’18 Irons.

The four-time Challenge Tour winner finished an incredible 22-under par, a new tournament record, and two shots clear of the chasing pack, to clinch the €166,660 winner’s cheque, having hit a rich vein of form that had seen three previous Top 10 European Tour finishes in recent months.

“It’s amazing, it’s massive,” said Andrea Pavan. “I’ll enjoy this one because it’s really hard to get and I’ll just keep focusing on the stuff that seems to be working and enjoy the success,” he added.

Neil Howie, President and Managing Director, Callaway EMEA, commented: “To finish the final nine holes of a tournament in just 31 shots, when you are chasing your maiden European Tour title, is a phenomenal achievement for Andrea. Huge congratulations to him, and it marks another winning performance for#teamcallaway.”

What’s in Andrea Pavan golf bag?

  • Driver: Callaway Rogue Sub Zero 9o, Oban Kiyoshi shaft
  • Fairway: Callaway Great Big Bertha Epic Sub Zero, 13.5o, Oban shaft
  • Utility: Callaway X Forged UT, 18°, True Temper Project X shaft
  • Irons: Callaway X Forged ’18, 3-PW, True Temper Project X shafts
  • Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy Forged, 52° and 58°, True Temper Project X
  • Putter: Odyssey White Hot Pro V-Line
  • Ball: Callaway Chrome Soft X
  • Clothing: Colmar

European Tour – Honma Golf joins forces with 2018 Hong Kong Open

July 17, 2018 – HONMA Golf will be the title sponsor of the newly named Honma Hong Kong Open, when the US$ 2 million purse tournament returns to the Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling from November 22-25.

The Japanese golf equipment manufacturer takes on the sponsorship of one of Asia’s most prestigious golf tournaments as HONMA and the Hong Kong Open look to celebrate their respective 60th year anniversaries.

Established in Sakata, Japan in 1959, HONMA is one of the world’s leading premium golf brands, synonymous with intricate craftsmanship, dedication to performance excellence and exceptional product quality. Its renowned ‘Made in Japan, SAKATA’ stamp is recognised by golfers around the world.

Dating back to the same year, the Hong Kong Open is Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event and along with the Masters Tournament at Augusta National and the Omega European Masters at Crans-Montana, is the only professional golf tournament to have been held at the same venue for more than 55 consecutive years.

The tournament, which was won in thrilling fashion by Wade Ormsby of Australia last November, will continue to be played on the Hong Kong Golf Club’s composite Championship Course in Fanling, and will be tri-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and the Hong Kong Golf Association.

The 2018 edition of the Honma Hong Kong Open presents both the Hong Kong Open and HONMA with an opportunity to celebrate each other’s history and provide a world-class sporting spectacle for the people of Hong Kong and golf fans around the world, as Liu Jianguo, Chairman, HONMA explained:

“HONMA is proud to be named title sponsor of the Honma Hong Kong Open for the 2018 edition. HONMA and the Hong Kong Open are two unique organisations with a great history. We are excited about the increasing popularity of golf in Asia, with the number of golf fans in Asia growing by some 34% over the past five years.  We look forward to celebrating the 60th anniversary of the tournament and the founding of HONMA and to working together with the Hong Kong Golf Club to make this year’s event a very special occasion in the tournament’s esteemed history.”

Martin Hadaway, Captain of Hong Kong Golf Club said, “The Hong Kong Golf Club is pleased to welcome HONMA to the Hong Kong Open. 2018 promises to be a very special year in the history of the tournament as the Hong Kong Golf Club celebrates 60 years of bringing the best golfers in the world to Hong Kong to compete in this prestigious tournament. We share HONMA’s passion for the game and look forward to celebrating this important milestone with them.  Over the last two years the tournament has made significant steps to make the Hong Kong Open accessible to everyone in Hong Kong with free access on Thursday and Friday continuing in 2018.”

Yoshihiro Nishi, President of the Hong Kong Golf Association, added, “We welcome HONMA to the golf community in Hong Kong. Their sponsorship of the 2018 Honma Hong Kong Open is testament to their reputation as one of the leading brands in the golf industry and we look forward to celebrating the 60th anniversary of both organisations in November this year. We thank them for their support of the tournament, while also extending our thanks to our partners at the European Tour and the Asian Tour for their continued support of this wonderful event.” 

Ben Cowen, the European Tour’s Director of International Policy, said: “We congratulate the Hong Kong Golf Club and HONMA on their 60th year anniversaries and we look forward to another exciting edition of the Honma Hong Kong Open. 

“Last year’s Hong Kong Open marked the start of the European Tour’s 2018 Race to Dubai and it’s fitting that a tournament of this stature continues to be the curtain raiser for the new season. We look forward to once again working with our sanctioning partners, the Asian Tour and the Hong Kong Golf Association, to staging another world-class event.”

The Honma Hong Kong Open will be staged at Hong Kong Golf Club from November 22-25, 2018 and marks the start of the European Tour’s 2019 Race to Dubai, while offering valuable season-ending points for the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit. For more information see www.honmahkopen.com.

The Honma Hong Kong Open has also been recognized as an “M” Mark event to help enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia’s sports event capital. “M” Mark is awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolizing an intense, spectacular and signature event in the territory sports calendar.


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