Latest news with #JoburgOpen
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Calum Hill looks to shine on home soil at Nexo Championship
As for DP World Tour champion Calum Hill? Well, ups and downs are all just part of the day job. A month or so ago at the Renaissance, Hill was right in the thick of it after a first round 65 in the Genesis Scottish Open. The next day, he was nursing the wounds of a 77 that led to him missing the cut. What were we saying about peaks and troughs, again? 'The Scottish Open was very odd,' said Hill, who is back in action on home turf at this week's Nexo Championship at Trump International Golf Links. 'On the second day I putted just as well as day one and every putt caught on the edge. Every shot took a bounce and ended up on a downslope. It was just one of those days where it just gets away from you. 'It's funny. I could go on peaks and troughs with golf but when it's been a trough I'd be thinking my game is nowhere close. 'But it's never felt far away this time. There are better things in there, I just need it all to click.' Hill certainly got it to click in South Africa earlier this season when he won his second DP World Tour title at the Joburg Open. Since that triumph, it's been a bit of a mixed bag. In his last 12 events, he's enjoyed a share of third at the Italian Open, but he's also endured six missed cuts, including three in a row heading into this week's stop-off near Aberdeen. The links test here will be as hard as a clump of Rubislaw granite and an early reconnaissance mission a few weeks ago was quite an eye-opener. 'I think I started triple-bogey and double-bogey,' he said with a wry smile. 'I didn't know where I was the first few holes. But it was still good fun. 'The difficult thing is it's not like some links course where you get a bit of leeway. Here it's fairways or bushes and it's quite penal. "You'll have a lot of reloading. It's very strong off the tee and the greens are slightly upturned so you have a lot of runoffs. So, if you get it wrong it could be like ping pong.' In the here, there and everywhere birl of touring life, golfers have to quickly adapt to all manner of conditions, challenges and curiosities. The DLF Golf & Country Club in New Delhi, for instance, is widely viewed as the hardest course on the circuit. So, where does Trump's track sit? 'It's not quite as extreme as India,' said Hill. 'It (DLF) is the most extreme in that you hit either the fairway or you're in the munch. This is not far off India, mind you. "In India, you don't get the 30mph winds like you do here. You can ask me the question again on Sunday.' While Hill looks to get himself back in the swing, his fellow Scot, Danny Young, has made the trip north in a buoyant mood following his maiden win on the HotelPlanner – formerly Challenge – Tour last weekend. Young, who also qualified for The Open during a decent summer, bolstered his push for promotion to the main DP World Tour with a timely success in the Scottish Challenge at the Roxburghe near Kelso. 'Absolutely,' he replied when asked if he can contend again on this step-up to the cut-and-thrust of competition on the main tour. 'My game is good. I'm familiar with the course and the way the forecast is supposed to be. I think it should favour the home-grown players a bit, having played a bit more in heavier winds off the sea. 'Little things like having the patience to play links golf can add up a bit in your favour. So, I don't see any reason why I can't compete at this level.' Prior to his breakthrough win, Young had finished second and third on the HotelPlanner Tour before making a major debut in The Open at Portrush. This week's examination will provide a very different test to the parkland layout of the Roxburghe and Young is very much up for the challenge. 'You are going to make mistakes, you are going to make bogeys,' added he 32-year-old from Perth. 'Last week was pretty score-able and the weather was beautiful, so you could go and make a lot of birdies. "This week it will be more a case of trying to take the opportunities when they present themselves.' Opportunity knocks again for the upwardly mobile Young.
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Calum Hill looking for 'it all to click' after shaking off Scottish Open 'strop'
Scot reflects on 'odd' Genesis Scottish Open early exit at The Renaissance Club 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... Calum Hill has shaken off his Genesis Scottish Open 'strop' and is hoping another home assignment in the Nexo Championship can deliver a better end product. Hill ended the opening day in last month's Genesis Scottish Open just one shot off the lead after carding a five-under-par 65 in the company of three-time major winner Padraig Harrington. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But, after a dramatic turnaround in fortunes, the Joburg Open champion ended up missing the cut in the $9 million Rolex Series event at The Renaissance Club following a second-round 77. Calum Hill pictured during last month's Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club |) 'The Scottish Open was very odd,' said Hill, speaking as he prepared to be part of a 14-strong contingent in this week's $2.75 million tournament at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire. 'The second day I didn't play very well, but I wouldn't take back a putt. The first day I putted really good and the second day I putted equally as well and every putt caught on the edge. 'Everything took a bounce and ended up on a downslope. It was just one of those where the day just gets away from you. I was having a bit of a strop.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hill laughed when he was asked how he gets rid of frustration. 'That's a question for Miranda,' he said of his wife, who accompanies him at most events. 'I'm not sure I am very good at being self observant. 'We stayed at Renaissance and left the next day and probably vegetated Saturday and went to range Sunday because we were flying to America the next morning. Just tried to switch off.' Helped by his second DP World Tour title triumph, the 30-year-old sits 26th in the Road to Mallorca Rankings, meaning a strong finish to the season could still get him in the mix for one of ten PGA Tour cards up for grabs once again. 'It doesn't feel far away,' he said of his game. 'I feel quite positive, really. It's been a weird year, but a few good ones have kept me up there in the rankings and there have a been a few bad ones as well. But it's never felt awful, which I guess is positive. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Graeme Robertson forced to withdraw due to injury 'In previous times, I could go on peaks and troughs with golf but, when it's been a trough I'd be thinking my game is nowhere close. But it's never felt far away this time. 'There are better things in there, I just need it all to click. It would be nice to put four rounds together. I have put three together this year, which is my best effort, without one dodgy one. I'll take four good ones here or anywhere.'
Scotsman
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Calum Hill's strong Scottish Open start inspired by verbal boot from wife
Fifer opens with bogey-free round after being told to enjoy himself in home event 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... He'd been told by his wife Miranda to make sure he 'enjoyed' this week's home appearance and Calum Hill certainly did just that in the opening round of the Genesis Scottish Open. Playing in the same group as three-time major champion Padraig Harrington and two-time PGA Tour winner Corey Conners, the 30-year-old carded a bogey-free five-under-par 65 at The Renaissance Club in East Lothian. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Calum Hill pictured during the first round of the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club |By his own admission, Hill has been guilty of being a bit too hard on himself at times and Mrs Hill, who travels around the world with him and was there to celebrate his Joburg Open win on the DP World Tour earlier in the year, had noticed that. 'I would say there's a chance that you might be correct with that,' he replied with a smile of being asked if he'd over-stressed himself in this event in particular. 'It's my favourite event of the year, and you just want to do so well. 'My wife has kicked me for the last few months just to say that this is just another event, and you just go and enjoy it more. Because I think I used to be a bit more on edge, so if anything went quite off-keel, I was a bit frustrated getting quick to disappointment and things. 'So, yeah, I'm just trying to take it a little bit easier on myself, I would say, and then obviously good golf helps with that.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While the biggest crowd of the opening morning was with defending champion Bob MacIntyre and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler, Hill enjoyed seeing lots of friendly faces following his group as well. Calum Hill lines up a putt on his way to a bogey-free five-under 65 at The Renaissance Club in East Lothian |'I generally play better when people are watching,' he added. 'I think it's just self-influence. You just want to do as well as you can in your Scottish Open. 'It's the best event we play all year for myself, and I'm sure the other Scots will say the same thing, especially when it's getting so big now. It's such a big tournament. A good week goes a long way.' A good one here could see Hill secure one of the three spots up for grabs in next week's 153rd The Open at Royal Portrush, where MacIntyre, HotelPlanner Tour player Daniel Young and amateur duo Connor Graham and Cameron Adam are currently set to fly the Saltire. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I've been trying my best,' he declared. 'There were also a few avenues this year that I've just felt short of as the last chance. No matter what happens, I'm playing golf next week.' That's because, as a back up, he has entered the Barracuda Championship, a DP World Tour and PGA Tour co-sanctioned event taking place in California alongside the season's final major. 'Every single year, I finish on a Sunday feeling disappointed I didn't get into The Open because you're trying to get a last spot, and then I never fly. So I've booked flights, and I'm going. So, no matter what, I'm playing golf next week. But yeah, The Open would be a bonus. I'd love to play Portrush. It seems like a proper event.' Calum Hill recently linked up with a new caddie in Edinburgh man Stuart Davidson |Hill recently linked up with a new caddie and has been encouraged by his work so far with Edinburgh man Stuart Davidson, who was on 2021 Scottish Open champion Min Woo Lee's bag for a spell. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Stu doesn't slur his words,' he said, smiling. 'He's extremely confident in the way he says things, which means I don't have very little doubt, and I think he's a very good analytical person on where that ball needs to finish to give himself the best chance. 'So even today, I've not hit it particularly well off the tee, and on those holes, you're just looking to get back in position, and every single time, it was always in a place where it was quite a straightforward up and down.
Khaleej Times
10-03-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Great Scot! Calum Hill's late surge seals ‘special' Joburg Open victory for second DP World Tour title
Calum Hill produced a breathtaking final-round charge and held his nerve in a dramatic play-off to win the Joburg Open, securing his second DP World Tour title in unforgettable fashion. The victory ended a long wait since his breakthrough at the 2021 Cazoo Classic, making the moment even sweeter. "This means a lot," said Hill who has three wins on the Challenge Tour and one on the Sunshine Tour. "It's been a while since that first win, and to do it like this, coming from behind, it makes it even more special." The Scotsman, who started the day a staggering eight shots off the lead, fired a sensational final-round 62 at the Signature Jack Nicklaus-designed Houghton Golf Club to catapult himself into contention before edging out South Africans Jacques Kruyswijk and Shaun Norris in extra holes. "It's awesome. A little bit surprised there, I thought we were having to go again (to another play-off hole)," Hill, 34, admitted. "And then the lightning is ridiculous, so I don't know what was going to happen, but yeah, I'm delighted. It was a fantastic day, and this is the cherry on top." Hill was relentless in his pursuit, carding five birdies and a bogey on the front nine before igniting his charge on the back nine with another birdie at the 11th, followed by a hat-trick from the 13th. A bogey on the 16th momentarily halted his momentum, but a remarkable birdie on the last—helped by a fortunate bounce—put him in the clubhouse at 14 under par, setting a formidable target. "Getting the birdie on the 18th was the only way I was going to have a chance," Hill, who was born in Kirkcaldy, a town and former royal burgh in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland, said. "I got lucky with the bounce up the slope and made a nice five-footer, and then it gave me a chance to have a go in this play-off." Three-player Showdown With Kruyswijk and Norris both clawing their way back to match Hill's total, a three-man showdown ensued. After all three parred the first extra hole, Hill's steady par on the second proved enough for victory as Norris found the water and Kruyswijk missed a five-foot putt. "You never know how a play-off is going to go. I think that might be my first play-off ever, so it's nice to have a 1-0 record on that!" Hill quipped. For Norris, the day was a rollercoaster. The 42-year-old began with a commanding four-shot lead but saw it evaporate after early bogeys. Despite battling back with birdies at the fifth and sixth, a costly double bogey on the 12th opened the door for his challengers. He produced a late charge, holing a monster birdie putt at the last to force extra holes, but ultimately faltered in the play-off. Missed Opportunity Kruyswijk, meanwhile, carded a composed 66, staying in the mix with birdies at the 17th before his play-off hopes ended with a missed opportunity from five feet. The thrilling finale also brought the curtain down on the International Swing, with England's Laurie Canter finishing atop the standings. But on this Sunday in Johannesburg, the spotlight belonged to Calum Hill—gutsy, composed, and a champion once again.
BBC News
10-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hill eyes PGA Tour card after Joburg Open victory
Calum Hill hopes the momentum gained from his Joburg Open triumph can help him reach his chief goal of securing a PGA Tour 30-year-old Scot sealed his second DP World Tour title in South Africa on takes him to 11th on the Race to Dubai rankings, in which the top 10 at the end of the year who do not already have one are handed cards for the United States-based circuit."Yes 100%, it's probably the main one this season," Hill told BBC Scotland when asked about his goals for the rest of the year. "My wife Miranda's from Arizona, so I've spent a lot of time out there and it would suit me nicely if I was able to continue the position I'm in and by the end of the year get one of those 10 cards – I'd be very happy."Hill, from Crook of Devon, secured victory at the Joburg Open on the second play-off hole after he equalled a course record 62 in his final dramatic victory lifted him 126 places to 160th in golf's world MacIntyre is 18th in the world rankings and Hill admits all the Scots on the DP World Tour are eager to be out playing in the States with him."All of us that are in that same group area that are playing in Europe right now are all aiming for that card to get to America," Hill, whose first title came at the Cazoo Classic in London in 2021, added."I think it's where most of the people would want to go towards in their career trajectory and I think we'd all be delighted to join Bob out there and hopefully have a good PGA Tour career."
