Latest news with #89thMasters
The Irish Sun
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Dubai is golfer's dream with luxury hotels overlooking scenic courses, stellar attractions & return flights for €669
IF you hear of someone going on a three-day trip, you don't automatically think of Dubai as their destination — but when Rory McIlroy is part of the deal, it all makes sense. Short stints of travel are usually connected to 5 Ann Mooney went on a three-day trip in Dubai to see Rory McIlroy play Credit: Journalist Collects 5 The golf courses are world-class and the good weather is guaranteed in Dubai Credit: Getty 5 McIlroy won the DP World Tour Championship at the Earth Course last year Credit: Getty McIlroy won the DP World Tour Championship at the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in November and I was lucky enough to be in attendance. The beauty of going to a tournament of this calibre in I was able to follow Rory and fellow Irishman Winning such a major event certainly set Rory up to win the Masters and claim his fifth major title, finally achieving the Grand Slam with his dramatic win in the 89th Masters played at Augusta National. Read more in Travel It's easy to see why Dubai is a favourite for golfers of all abilities and not just the pros. The courses are world-class, the good weather is guaranteed and the 19th, which to non It's definitely an annual event to mark up in the calendar and even if one is not a golfer there is so much to see and do. Beyond the golf there is a host of entertainment and activities to keep visitors occupied including desert safaris, wonderful shopping and sightseeing opportunities. Being a keen golfer myself it was a dream come true to play golf on the Nick Faldo-designed Most read in News Travel I have never played golf at night and the fact that we were playing in late afternoon made me apprehensive about getting the full 18 holes in. But as you would expect in Dubai, the course is floodlit and it was such a great experience to golf and watch the changing skyline as the night drew in. Dubai hotel with world's largest waterpark This championship course was initially opened as The Wadi, which is the Arabic word for valley in 1996. But it was redesigned by Faldo and opened in 2006, bringing together stunning visual design and the exciting challenges of a championship course. For me, playing at night under the starlit Dubai sky added an exciting and magical dimension to an already superb golfing experience. For great family entertainment and a chance to play golf on simulators the place to visit is Five Iron, where you can enjoy hours of simulated games on many international courses. The other course we played was the JA The Resort Golf Course, which I loved as it is perfect for the amateur player. This beautiful and scenic course is spread over 50 acres and is a 9-hole par 35 championship standard course. SO MANY THINGS TO SEE It is a fair challenge for players of all abilities and there are four different tee options providing players with a dynamic and varied 18 hole experience. The hotel itself is luxurious and built on the After the round of golf, we dined in the Republik restaurant in the magnificent Lake View Hotel and enjoyed one of the best meals we had while in Dubai. The hotel is the ultimate in luxury with 348 guest rooms and suites with balconies, three pools overlooking the golf course while within close proximity to the beach and marina. GO: DUBAI GET THERE: Ann flew from STAY THERE: The price per night for a medium Bedouin room at the 25hours Hotel, Dubai is €84. DO THIS: Golf! The cost of green fees on the Emirates Faldo Course ranges from €114.50 to €229, and the JA Jebel Ali Course is €71 on weekdays and €90 on weekends and holidays. EAT HERE: Ann ate at Korean restaurant Hoe Lee Kow where she enjoyed a sampling menu including dishes like Chicken Mandu, Grilled Dak Bulgogi, and HLK Chicken. For more information, see There are so many things to see in Dubai — the So in order to get them all in, we spent a few very enjoyable hours on board a luxury Xclusive Yachts boat, setting out from Dubai Marina, enjoying a chat with the wonderful Captain Rama, who pointed out the many major sights and attractions. Time was too short to indulge in my other favourite activity — shopping, and so I didn't get to visit the Dubai Mall, which is the world's largest shopping, entertainment and leisure complex. Think of over 1,200 shops and facilities, including an aquarium, an ice rink, a multi-screen cinema and a huge children's play zone, along with a wide variety of restaurants and food outlets. LUXURY HOTEL I stayed in 25Hours Hotel, which wasn't exactly what I had expected to be staying in Dubai where most of the world's luxurious hotel brands are located. I admit I got a bit of a shock when I walked into my room, which had a glass surround shower sitting right in the middle of the bedroom. But that is part of the quirkiness of this hotel, which as the name implies, entertains visitors for longer than 24 hours. The hotel is full of books, antiques, with hundreds of mirrors lining the walls and excellent artwork, and for chilling, it has Dubai's first mixed-gender sauna, as well as its first Bavarian pub and hops garden. One thing is for sure, it all added up to a whirlwind trip I won't forget! 5 Ann boarded a luxury boat from Xclusive Yachts Credit: Journalist Collects 5 Irish golfer Rory always attracts a big crowd Credit: Getty
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rory McIlroy secures career grand slam with dramatic Masters playoff win over Justin Rose
Rory McIlroy, Masters champion. Four words that belie what this remarkable Northern Irishman achieved on a spine-tingling afternoon at Augusta National. They ignore, too, the torturous process McIlroy endured to realise this lifetime goal. Did he win the 89th Masters the hard way? Too right he did. From a seemingly untouchable position, McIlroy was dragged back into a scrap he was so desperate to avoid. He emerged from it on the first extra hole, where the unlikely adversary of Justin Rose was nudged aside. Rory McIlroy, Masters champion. Related: Rory McIlroy relieved to finally lift decade-long 'burden' with dramatic Masters win No wonder the scenes were so moving as McIlroy battered down the Masters door. McIlroy reduced so many others to tears, let alone himself. Finally, they were of unbridled joy. It almost felt the heartache had been worth it. What a ride. What a gobsmacking, exhausting ride. From 5ft on the last hole of regulation play, McIlroy passed up a chance to claim the Masters. Soon, he would be hugging his lifetime friend and caddie Harry Diamond in a scene of euphoria. This was a success built on sheer guts. Rory, you are immortal now. 'I started to wonder if it would ever be my time,' McIlroy admitted in the Butler Cabin. He was not the only one. McIlroy joins Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus as winners of golf's career grand slam. He also has Tiger Woods, his childhood idol, for company in that special group. We have known about McIlroy's genius since he flicked golf balls into a washing machine on national television in 1999. He had long since been holing putts outside the family home on the outskirts of Belfast with the dream of winning the Masters. Little did anybody know that his career would be so storied, so dramatic, such compulsive viewing. McIlroy did not exactly sprint into the pantheon of legends. Augusta National tugged upon every dark corner of his psyche, from a point where McIlroy looked like he would enjoy a procession. Rose and Ludvig Åberg had late hope. Rose's rampaging 66 meant second at 11 under. McIlroy's 73 tied that. Patrick Reed took third. More than a decade had passed since McIlroy won the last of his quartet of majors. Near misses had come and gone, none as painful as at last year's US Open. It felt appropriate that McIlroy had Bryson DeChambeau, the man who pipped him at Pinehurst, for company here. DeChambeau capsized. He spent Saturday evening watching James Bond movies and Sunday afternoon starring in one: Bogeys Galore. There were moments that implied the golfing gods were on McIlroy's side. He played a dangerous, low second shot to the 11th which clung on for dear life at the top of a bank leading to a water hazard. Moments later, DeChambeau found the same pond. There were also examples of McIlroy's jaw-dropping talent, such as the second shot to the 7th, which danced through trees. Those who criticise McIlroy's propensity to live dangerously should remember the theatre when his audacity pays off. Related: With a little boldness and a lot of luck, McIlroy banishes ghosts of 2011 | Andy Bull McIlroy's nerves were jangling to the extent he made a terrible mess of the 1st, his double bogey cancelling out a two-stroke lead. DeChambeau licked his lips. A DeChambeau birdie to McIlroy's par at the 2nd and the Californian was ahead. McIlroy jabbed back with a birdie at the 3rd as DeChambeau three-putted. DeChambeau did the same at the next with McIlroy's birdie earning him a three-stroke lead. It remained that way until the 9th, where McIlroy collected another shot and DeChambeau wasted an opportunity. McIlroy smiled when reaching dry land at the 12th, his playing partner now six back. The danger lay elsewhere; Rose and Åberg. Yet with six holes to play the only person who could beat McIlroy was McIlroy himself. Case in point; the 13th, where McIlroy laid up before astonishingly chipping into Rae's Creek. Cue McIlroy's fourth – yes, fourth – double bogey of the week. Åberg made a four at the 15th for 10 under. Rose had birdied the same hole. McIlroy's five-shot lead after 10 evaporated into a three-way tie as his par putt on the 14th somehow remained above ground. How would he recover from tossing this away? How would he ever recover? Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for 'The Guardian'. If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you're on the most recent version. In the Guardian app, tap the Menu button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications. Turn on sport notifications. McIlroy's iron into the 15th, bent around pine trees from 209 yards, is among the finest of his life. A birdie ensued. Rose matched 11 under at the 16th. Although he later made a triple bogey at the last, Åberg's race ended on the penultimate hole. Up ahead, Rose converted for a closing birdie – he had made a bogey on the 17th – to again tie McIlroy. A downhill birdie putt on the 16th gave McIlroy fresh hope but it missed to the right. One birdie from the last two was needed to avoid a playoff. There, Rose would not be lacking in incentive; he lost in extra holes to Sergio García in 2017. McIlroy delivered that three on the 17th but wobbled on the last after finding a greenside bunker from the fairway. Tension, wild tension. Back to the 18th tee they went. Lost in this melee will be that McIlroy's approach in the playoff hole was a thing of utter beauty. This time, it was a putt he could not possibly miss. Rose is due huge credit for his contribution to this major. When dust eventually settles, we will be left to ponder what on earth else McIlroy might fixate on for the remainder of his career. He has reached the promised land in only his 36th year. Rory McIlroy, Masters champion.
Scotsman
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
After 'cosmic' Masters win, what now for Rory McIlroy and 2025 majors?
Sole Scot Bob MacIntyre set for new test in 107th PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... How do you follow that? I am referring, of course, to last month's 89th Masters, which will go down in history as one of golf's greatest events due to the drama that unfolded before Rory McIlroy finally claimed his Green Jacket to become just the sixth player to complete a career grand slam. The doom merchants were out after the Northern Irishman ran up two double bogeys in the final four holes in his opening round before storming back up the leaderboard on the back of a second-round 66. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As for what happened in the final round, it is still difficult to take it all in. From two shots ahead at the start, McIlroy quickly found himself trailing Bryson DeChambeau before getting his nose in front again. Then, with one arm in that Green Jacket, he suddenly faltered and everyone feared the worst. Rory McIlroy celebrates winning the 2025 Masters after a dramatic last day at Augusta National Golf Club last month |Having posted ten birdies in a sensational closing 66, Justin Rose would have been a worthy winner, but McIlroy wasn't going to be denied in his 11th attempt to complete the set of major titles. Digging deep, he eventually came out on top in a play-off to join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as career grand slam winners. 'It felt cosmically the right outcome,' observed Scott Van Pelt, a leading American sports broadcaster of the season's opening major at Augusta National. 'I sat down years ago for a programme that we did for ESPN about Greg Norman not winning (when the Australian blew a six-stroke lead going into the final round as he lost out to Nick Faldo. Rory McIlroy 'carried a lot on his shoulders' 'And going there every year and Greg not standing on the other side of the ropes in a Green Jacket for the rest of his life just doesn't feel like it makes any damn sense to me because I just felt like he should have won that tournament because he was that kind of player and he played so well there. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'For Rory, it just felt like a sportsman who's been a great player, who's carried a lot on his shoulders for the tour with all that has gone on over the past few years. It just felt like the appropriate result was for him to be a major champion and him to be the sixth winner of the slam.' And, boy, did the emotion pour out after trying for 11 years to achieve that feat while the win, of course, also marked the end of a frustrating drought in the majors after claiming No 3 and No 4 in quick succession in The Open and the PGA Championship in 2004. 'Sometimes in life you don't know what you're holding on to until you let it go, and that damn burst of emotion was just astounding,' added Van Pelt, speaking on a media call set up by ESPN. 'To see him on his knees there in the play-off defeating an incredibly classy Justin Rose, who would have been an equally worthy champion, to see that and to see the respect and the warmth of their embrace was just remarkable.' Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose shake hands after thgeir play-off in the season's opening major |McIlroy now heads to Quail Hollow, where he's won four times in a PGA Tour event, trying to add the 107th PGA Championship and, if he can pull that off, a calendar grand slam will definitely be in his sights, with visits to Oakmont and Royal Portrush to come in the US Open and The Open in June and July. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I think it sets a tremendous sort of trajectory for the season,' declared Van Pelt, who will be anchoring ESPN's coverage in North Carolina, where the action starts on Thursday. 'For Rory to now go to a place where he's already won four times, it invites you to think, well, it wouldn't take a lot for us to imagine him winning a second, and then we're off to the races. 'But Augusta is always going to be a great storyline because we go there every year. So for Rory to finish it off I think just points the needle straight up in terms of people's excitement about what could be. I know there's a lot of people rooting for Bryson out there, but that was an awfully popular win. Those patrons were chanting Rory's name - and they meant it!' Having returned to winning ways in spectacular fashion by posting a 31-under-par total to record an eight-shot success in the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Houston last weekend, world No 1 Scottie Scheffler is heading into next week's event with a spring in his step again while two-time PGA champion Justin Thomas also tasted victory recently on the PGA Tour. Career grand slam chance for Jordan Spieth Jordan Spieth will also be inspired by this being his latest chance to become a career grand slam winner as well but, with a burden having been lifted from his shoulders and at a venue where he's had so much success in the past, all eyes will be on McIlroy next week. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I think there's a few things,' he said when asked how different it might feel for him. 'I'm obviously going to feel more comfortable and a lot less pressure, and I'm also going back to a venue that I love. It's nothing but positive vibes going in there next week with what happened a few weeks ago and then with my history there and how well I've played at Quail. Bob MacIntyre, who missed the cut in The Masters, is paying his first visit to Quail Hollow | Getty Images 'Yeah, it probably will feel a little bit different. I probably won't be quite as on edge as I have been for the last few years when I've been at major championships. I'll probably be a little bit better to be around for my family, and I'll be a little more relaxed. I think overall it will be a good thing.'
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus don't see the PGA Tour and LIV Golf reaching a deal anytime soon
Both Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus participated in the ceremonial tee shot to kick off the Masters on Thursday morning AUGUSTA, Ga. — Add Tom Watson to the list of people in the golf world who think reunification isn't on the table right now. The eight-time major champion, speaking after he participated in the ceremonial tee shot to officially open the 89th Masters on Thursday morning at Augusta National Golf Club, thinks things are simply too complicated right now for the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to come back together. 'I don't see a real working mechanism for the two tours to get back together,' Watson said. 'I think that's one of the reasons you haven't seen an agreement … since June two years ago.' The PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which backs LIV Golf, have been in negotiations for a partnership since Tour commissioner Jay Monahan made his surprise announcement nearly two full years ago. While there have been moments where it's felt close, especially after a pair of meetings at the White House with President Donald Trump, the two sides appear to be a long way from finalizing a deal. The Tour reportedly turned down a $1.5 billion offer from the PIF earlier this month, too. Specifics of that offer aren't known, though the PIF reportedly wants its governor to serve as a co-chairman of the PGA Tour Enterprises' board and wants team golf to stay part of the sport, among other things. There are 12 LIV Golf members in the field this week at the Masters, which is the fewest number of players from that circuit since it first started. More than half of them have a lifetime exemption, too. The tournament is just one of four this year where the golf world is back in one place. One of those with a lifetime exemption is Jon Rahm, who, when asked about reunification Tuesday, said this: "As I can tell and you guys can tell, it's not happening anytime soon." While Watson acknowledged just about everyone involved wants reunification to happen — including top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, who apparently said he was thrilled everyone was back together during the champions dinner Tuesday night — he thinks it's just too far off. 'It's really up to the powers that be to see if there's a framework in which the two tours can cooperate,' Watson said. 'I don't see that framework happening.' LIV Golf is currently in its fourth season, and it feels a bit like the league is on the ropes. Less than 500,000 people tuned in to Fox to watch last week's tournament in South Florida, which marked the first time the league has been shown on a major American network. By comparison, the PGA Tour's Valero Texas Open drew more than 1.7 million viewers despite not having most of its stars competing. Both Jack Nicklaus (center) and Tom Watson participated in the ceremonial tee shot to open the Masters on Thursday morning. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) If the two leagues are going to finally strike a deal, it doesn't seem like it's going to happen in the near future. And, at least in the eyes of Jack Nicklaus, the Tour doesn't necessarily need LIV Golf anymore. 'I think the LIV pushed the PGA Tour into doing some things that were a little premature for the PGA Tour. But the PGA Tour is doing fine,' Nicklaus said. 'I think they've changed their structure. The players now own a piece of what's going on. I think their plan of bringing along with their elevated events and their plan of bringing young players along in the other tournaments has been very successful. We're making new stars for the game. 'Would I love to see them all come together? Sure, I think we all would. But I think the PGA Tour is the tour, and that's where most of your good players are, and I think it's very healthy no matter which way it goes, but obviously we'd all like to see everybody together.'
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus don't see the PGA Tour and LIV Golf reaching a deal anytime soon
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Add Tom Watson to the list of people in the golf world who think reunification isn't on the table right now. The eight-time major champion, speaking after he participated in the ceremonial tee shot to officially open the 89th Masters on Thursday morning at Augusta National Golf Club, thinks things are simply too complicated right now for the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to come back together. 'I don't see a real working mechanism for the two tours to get back together,' Watson said. 'I think that's one of the reasons you haven't seen an agreement … since June two years ago.' The PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which backs LIV Golf, have been in negotiations for a partnership since Tour commissioner Jay Monahan made his surprise announcement nearly two full years ago. While there have been moments where it's felt close, especially after a pair of meetings at the White House with President Donald Trump, the two sides appear to be a long way from finalizing a deal. The Tour reportedly turned down a $1.5 billion offer from the PIF earlier this month, too. Specifics of that offer aren't known, though the PIF reportedly wants its governor to serve as a co-chairman of the PGA Tour Enterprises' board and wants team golf to stay part of the sport, among other things. There are 12 LIV Golf members in the field this week at the Masters, which is the fewest number of players from that circuit since it first started. More than half of them have a lifetime exemption, too. The tournament is just one of four this year where the golf world is back in one place. One of those with a lifetime exemption is Jon Rahm, who, when asked about reunification Tuesday, said this: "As I can tell and you guys can tell, it's not happening anytime soon." While Watson acknowledged just about everyone involved wants reunification to happen — including top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, who apparently said he was thrilled everyone was back together during the champions dinner Tuesday night — he thinks it's just too far off. 'It's really up to the powers that be to see if there's a framework in which the two tours can cooperate,' Watson said. 'I don't see that framework happening.' LIV Golf is currently in its fourth season, and it feels a bit like the league is on the ropes. Less than 500,000 people tuned in to Fox to watch last week's tournament in South Florida, which marked the first time the league has been shown on a major American network. By comparison, the PGA Tour's Valero Texas Open drew more than 1.7 million viewers despite not having most of its stars competing. If the two leagues are going to finally strike a deal, it doesn't seem like it's going to happen in the near future. And, at least in the eyes of Jack Nicklaus, the Tour doesn't necessarily need LIV Golf anymore. 'I think the LIV pushed the PGA Tour into doing some things that were a little premature for the PGA Tour. But the PGA Tour is doing fine,' Nicklaus said. 'I think they've changed their structure. The players now own a piece of what's going on. I think their plan of bringing along with their elevated events and their plan of bringing young players along in the other tournaments has been very successful. We're making new stars for the game. 'Would I love to see them all come together? Sure, I think we all would. But I think the PGA Tour is the tour, and that's where most of your good players are, and I think it's very healthy no matter which way it goes, but obviously we'd all like to see everybody together.'
