Ewen Murray reflects on the Open heading to Northern Ireland in 2019 and Rich Beem's decision to preserve Ian Poulter's Ryder Cup hopes.
After the hugely successful British Masters, supported by Sky Sports, golf has remained in the headlines this week. The joyous announcement The Open is to return to Northern Ireland is the talk of the sport and although three and a half years away, the people of this golf loving country are already full of anticipation.
The magnificent Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush will see some changes over the next few months as it upgrades its infrastructure to accommodate the oldest and most coveted event in our game.
After a gap of 68 years, the educated Northern Irish fans along with those from south of the border will flock to the north eastern corner of this enchanting land to inject genuine enthusiasm and excitement into The Open.
I applaud all those involved in taking The Championship outside Scotland and England for only the second time since 1860. In 1951, the Championship was won at Royal Portrush by my late neighbour, Max Faulkner. Max had a six shot lead going into the final round and his lead was being whittled away by Argentine star, Antonio Cerda.
A poor drive at the 16th and Max had to make a decision. Rather than chip back to the fairway, Faulkner selected a three wood, started the ball out of bounds and cut it back onto the green. Much is talked about, "the shot heard round the world" from Gene Sarazen at Augusta's 15th hole, but Max's playing partner that day, Frank Stranahan, said that approach was the best shot he had ever seen. Max in the end would win by two, take the Claret Jug and in the process pocket a cheque for £300!
The Open we will witness in 2019 will of course be so different, but the passion, the images, and the roars of the fanatical Irish fans will remain the same.
The changes to Dunluce will be overseen by Portrush resident and respected architect, Martin Ebert, who has this historic links at heart. Mainly, there will be tweaks here and there, a few new back tees will add 200 yards and a new green at the second will extend the par five.
Two significant changes will be the construction of two new holes from the adjacent Valley course. They will replace the 17th and 18th which will be used to accommodate an ever expanding tented village.
During the Irish Open in 2012, I stayed with Darren Clarke and one evening he took me down to see where the two new holes would be should The Open come there. They will fit in seamlessly with the other 16 holes and they have plenty of time to bed in and settle down before 2019. All good news there, with much to celebrate.
'Shouldn't have happened'
My close friend and colleague, 2002 PGA Champion, Rich Beem received a sponsors invite to play in the UBS Hong Kong Open. Although Rich is now busy with his Sky Sports commitments, he still relishes competing.
It had been a difficult month for Rich. His father Larry, his only teacher, passed away the week of the Tour Championship. Rich returned home to do what sons have to do in these lifetime situations.
On receiving his invitation to Hong Kong, he found some solace on the practice range and home course in Austin, Texas. Having made the journey from there to Hong Kong, a time change of fourteen hours, he played a practise round at Fanling Golf Club.
I spoke to him after that round and he was in good spirits looking forward to the week on an old fashioned course that suited his style of play rather than the long courses that are so prevalent in modern tournament golf.
What followed, is something I haven't come across before. On publication of this week's world rankings, Ian Poulter had slipped from 46th position to 51st thus making him ineligible for next months HSBC Championship in Shanghai. No big deal there you might think.
However, apart from the World Golf Championships and the Majors, Ian has played in only two regular European Tour events, the Scottish Open at Gullane and the British Masters where he was the perfect host.
To retain membership of the European Tour and compete in the season ending DP World Championship, you have to play in a minimum of 13 tournaments. By missing out in Shanghai, Poulter could not reach that number. Que, panic!
The entries had officially closed for Hong Kong and the only other avenue was through a sponsors invitation of which all had been allocated. Beem graciously stepped aside and Ian will tee up in Hong Kong this week and retain his membership.
Only Tour members can be considered for Ryder Cup selection, so this was a magnanimous gesture from the American.
My immediate thoughts was Beem did what I expected of him, but I have to question others. I presume Ian has a management team in place. What on earth were they thinking about? This situation should quite simply never occur.
With his world ranking precariously close to 50, Poulter could have played in the Frys.com event last week in the States. A good finish there would have kept him inside the top 50.
His management team could have entered him for the UBS and should he have stayed in the top 50 last Monday, he could have withdrawn from the event should he have chosen to do so.
With so many fine players in the modern game, the world ranking is far more volatile than in past years. Slipping several places down and climbing that list happens every week. There is now 90% who can win at any given event. That figure years ago was around 20%.
This decision I believe sets a dangerous precedent and it should never happen again. There were many ways it could have been avoided.
On a happier note, Rich will stay in Hong Kong and work commentating for the European Tour's world feed. Viewers from around the globe will enjoy his insight and knowledge, and the decision he made in the Far East makes me feel privileged he is my colleague.
More good news was the announcement that the British Masters, supported by Sky Sports will be played next October at The Grove near Watford. It will be hosted by Luke Donald, who played much of his junior golf at nearby Beaconsfield.
Luke has a lot to live up to after Poulter's impressive hosting at Woburn. He will rise to the occasion I'm sure and we are thrilled to have him at the helm.
Finally, Tiger Woods has said he has a long and arduous road to recovery ahead. I'm no physician so I cannot comment on the rehabilitation he faces to get back to tournament fitness.
With all the talk of the new young wave gracing our game, Day, Spieth and McIlroy, I'm sure I'm not alone in wishing Woods the best in his quest to full health and with that, a return to form. He gave us so much in his prime and my wish would be that he will have the opportunity to do that again.
Enjoy Hong Kong and next week's Turkish Airlines Open in Antalya. I'll be back with you at Sheshan International in Shanghai the following week for the HSBC Champions, where I'll be joined by Frank Nobilo, Phil Blackmar, Wayne Riley and Warren Humphries.