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Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Perfect Ireland win five-star La Baule Nations Cup on zero score
Michael Blake's team, fresh from a dominant four-star victory in Langley, Canada last Sunday, were ruthless in France, finishing on a perfect zero score under immense pressure to continue their sparkling run of form. It was a blend of experience and emerging talent in the Irish team as Cian O'Connor and Bertram Allen were joined by young guns Seamus Hughes Kennedy and Tom Wachman, with all four contributing clear rounds to keep Belgium at bay, with Brazil finishing in third. Horse Sport Ireland High Performance Show Jumping Manager Blake was understandably delighted after the result, saying: 'That was phenomenal. We came here with really high expectations but when we saw the start list, with some of the world's biggest names in opposition, it put us back in our box a little bit. 'We knew how good we were, though, and we knew that if we kept jumping clear Belgium would have to match us and so would everybody else. The lads were magnificent and kept on ramping up the pressure on the rest, and eventually they couldn't live with us. 'This is one that's escaped us for a few years and I had it on my bucket list so I'm thrilled. Obviously, it's been a great week, having won last Sunday in Canada and I couldn't be happier. 'These lads are just brilliant – Cian and Bertram are incredible riders who have seen it all and know when to deliver, and I'm especially proud of Tom and Seamus – the two lads have come through our youth programme and have gained valuable experience through the EEF Series, and that showed today as they delivered at the highest level. "The last time we won here, in 2011, Seamus was eight years old and Tom was six! It shows how strong this programme is that these two lads performed so well and we could have Shane Sweetnam here as our fifth rider." Allen was double clear on Qonquest De Rigo, and he echoed Blake's sentiments. 'Coming to La Baule is a highlight of the season, it's great to win here. It's a traditional show, one of the Rolex Series, which are always the best shows and are where all the best riders want to be. 'As Michael said, when we saw the start list yesterday, we knew it would be difficult but we knew we had a good team, good riders and good horses, so we were confident of a good result.' It was the perfect start for Ireland as pathfinder Allen and Qonquest De Rigo, jumping first of the 40 combinations from 10 nations competing after Ireland were drawn number one to jump, delivered a sparkling clear round inside the time. It was never in doubt for the Wexford rider and his nine-year-old, and paved the way for Ireland's second rider Hughes Kennedy. The 23-year-old Kilkenny man and the Ennisnag Stud-bred Irish Sport Horse ESI Rocky, owned by his mother Clare Hughes, also produced the goods for chef d'equipe Blake and the Irish team, putting in a performance in the saddle beyond his years on the 10-year-old. With two riders clear, it was Tipperary's Wachman and Tabasco De Toxandria Z next in for the boys in green, with the youngster having already won a class earlier in the week. It wasn't the round they had hoped for and they finished on a score of eight faults, which would prove to be Ireland's discard score at the break as a nerveless O'Connor and his 14-year-old, did the business for another Irish clear round just when they needed it most, ensuring a zero score after round one. Joining them at the head of affairs at the break was Belgium, with Olympic champions Britain in third on four faults and the likes of Sweden, France and Brazil on eight. After the restart, Allen was required to do what he and Qonquest De Rigo had done in round one and go clear. He duly obliged to put pressure on the Belgians, as the pair began to trade blows at the top of the leaderboard. Nicola Philippaerts and Katanga v/d Dingeshof held up their end of the bargain to keep both nations on clean scores, with Hughes Kennedy next in for Ireland with ESI Rocky (ISH). Once again, the pair were imperious and delivered a crucial double clear to really ramp up the pressure on Belgium, who had Pieter Devos and Casual DV Z to jump as their second combination. They couldn't add their own double clear and it gave the Irish a glimpse of the finish line, with a clear round from either Wachman or O'Connor guaranteeing at least a jump-off to win gold. Coolness personified, Wachman was superb in the saddle on Tabasco De Toxandria Z to secure a faultless finish for Blake's team, meaning that Abdel Said and Bonne Amie simply could not afford any slip-ups. They kept their calm to go clear and with Ireland guaranteed a zero score, O'Connor's services were not required in round two, with just Belgian anchor Giles Thomas and Ermitage Kalone to come, themselves with no room for error. They couldn't rise to the occasion, however, with one pole down handing the victory to Ireland to cap a magical week following the Langley success.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler set for Genesis Scottish Open epic as World top 2 head for The Renaissance Club
World No.1 and No.2 booked for The Renaissance Club next month Golf giants Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are set for a spectacular Scottish head-to-head next month at The Renaissance Club. The Genesis Scottish Open is now gearing up for a potentially-epic clash between the World's No.1 and No.2 players after the American confirmed he's returning to the East Lothian showpiece. Scheffler has punched is ticket alongside 2023 champion McIlory in an elite field fighting it out at £8 million Rolex Series cracker at The Renaissance Club. The 28-year-old opted to miss the event last year in the build-up to The Open at Royal Troon. However, as he gets ready for Royal Portrush and the 153rd Championship in Northern Ireland, the three-times major winner is heading back to golf country to join McIlroy and an all-star cast. Scheffler said: 'I'm looking forward to getting back to the Genesis Scottish Open next month. "It's an event and a course I enjoy playing given we only get to play links golf a couple of times a year. Playing in such a strong field and in front of the Scottish fans is always fun for us.' Scheffler's appearance means seven of the top 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking are teeing it up in Scotland's national Open as he joins McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Ludvig Aberg and Sepp Straka. Defending champion Robert MacIntyre will spearhead the home challenge as he aims to go back-to-back at Renaissance after his fabulous triumph 11 months ago. Major champions Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick, six-time PGA TOUR winner Max Homa and most recent Genesis Championship winner Byeong Hun An are also involved. Scheffler's win at Muirfield Village last week was his third of the season, including his third Major title at the PGA Championship, as he joined Tiger Woods as the only players to successfully defend their titles at Jack's Place. The 28-year-old returns to the Genesis Scottish Open after a tied third place finish on his last appearance at the Renaissance Club in 2023.
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler confirms Genesis Scottish Open appearance
Three-time major winner joins another stellar field for $9m Rolex Series 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... Scottie Scheffler, the world No 1, has joined another stellar field for this year's Genesis Scottish Open after confirming his return to The Renaissance Club in East Lothian. The three-time major winner had become a regular in the Rolex Series event before sitting out last year's edition due to the Olympics - he won a gold medal in Paris - adding to a busy summer schedule. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad His decision to restore the Genesis Scottish Open to his list of events this year is another massive boost to the $9 million tournament, which is part of both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour. Scottie Scheffler talks with his caddie Ted Scott during the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club | Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images It means that the current top five in the Official World Golf Ranking will be teeing it up in Scotland's Golf Coast, with Scheffler joining Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas in being announced by the organisers. In addition, two others - European Ryder Cup duo Ludvig Aberg and Sepp Straka - in the current top ten in the global standings will be among Bob MacIntyre's rivals as well as the Scot defends his title on 10-13 July. American shot 63 at The Renaissance Club in 2021 After a slowish start to his 2025 campaign, Scheffler won the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow last month before successfully defending the title in the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village last weekend. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The 28-year-old, who has racked up an astonishing 16 victories in just over three years, made his debut in the Genesis Scottish Open in 2021, carding a 63 in the second round as he finished in a tie for 12th behind Australian Min Woo Lee. He then missed the cut the following year before posting scores of 68-65-67-70 to secure a share of third spot behind McIlroy, who finished birdie-birdie to pip MacIntyre, in 2023. 'I'm looking forward to getting back to the Genesis Scottish Open next month,' admitted Scheffler of the only event he has played on the DP World Tour apart from the JP McManus Pro-Am in Ireland in 2022. 'It's an event and a course I enjoy playing given we only get to play links golf a couple of times a year. Playing in such a strong field and in front of the Scottish fans is always fun for us.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Women's world No 1 Nelly Korda will also be in action in the home of golf this summer when she makes a debut appearance in the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire |Scheffler's appearance on this occasion means that both the men's and women's world No 1s will be playing on Scottish soil this summer after Nelly Korda announced earlier this week that she is teeing up for the first time in the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open. It takes place at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire a fortnight after the Genesis Scottish Open and both events should now be guaranteed to attract bumper crowds. Enhanced fan experience includes gig by KT Tunstall Others confirmed for the Genesis Scottish Open include former US Open champions Justin Rose and Matthew Fitzpatrick, as well as six-time PGA Tour winner Max Homa and Genesis Championship title holder Byeong Hun An. The absentees from the world's top ten are sixth-ranked Russell Henley, former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama and Bryson DeChambeau, who is ineligible for PGA Tour events due to being a LIV Golf player. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad An enhanced fan experience at this year's event will include a Fringe by the Tee pop-up stage that will see KT Tunstall, the Grammy-nominated, Brit Award-winning artist, fill a headline slot on the Saturday.
Al Etihad
03-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
McIlroy set for Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
3 June 2025 17:44 Abu Dhabi (ALETIHAD)Grand slam winner and five-time major champion Rory McIlroy will return to Yas Links for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship from November 6-9 as he bids to win a seventh Race to Dubai rankings year's winner of The Masters leads the Race to Dubai having already secured his place in the field for the first event of the DP World Tour play-offs thanks to that thrilling victory at Augusta National, in addition to a fourth-place finish at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the first Rolex Series event of the season. Staged by Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the DP World Tour or the erstwhile European Tour, the 20th staging of the championship is part of the DP World Tour's end-of-season showpiece. The list will be pruned after the event with the top 50 players then heading straight into the finale at the regular venue of Jumeirah Golf Estates in top 70 available players at the conclusion of the Back 9 events will gather in Abu Dhabi for the fourth Rolex Series event of the year as the season will come to a became the first European to win the career grand slam earlier this year when he added a Green Jacket to his four previous major victories at the 2011 US Open, the US PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014 and The Open in 2014 and he will look to clinch a fourth successive Race to Dubai title when he returns to the Middle East in said through a statement: 'I love ending the season in the Middle East and I'm excited to return to Abu Dhabi again for the first of two big events later this year. 'I've started the year well and I've got a good record at Yas Links so hopefully I can continue doing what I'm doing and give myself a chance of finishing the season strongly and having a shot of getting another Race to Dubai under my belt.' The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship returns to Yas Links for the fourth season after England's Paul Waring won his maiden Rolex Series title in 2024, and tickets are available for the Race to Dubai's penultimate event now. General admission tickets are free of charge for the first two days of the event, with prices starting at just Dh50 for the final two days, which is half the price during the exclusive early bird access window.
Scotsman
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
More big names announced for Genesis Scottish Open as excitement builds for Rolex Series event
Open champion and two 2025 PGA Tour winners added to stellar line up 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... Open champion Xander Schauffele and 2025 PGA Tour winners Sepp Straka and Ludvig Aberg are the latest big names to be added to this year's Genesis Scottish Open field. Schauffele, the world No 3, will be returning to the scene of his 2022 triumph in the DP World Tour and PGA Tour co-sanctioned event when he tees up at The Renaissance Club on 10-13 July. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The American will be making his fifth consecutive appearance in the $9 million Rolex Series tournament and freely admits that it contributed hugely to his Claret Jug win at Royal Troon last summer. Xander Schauffele, the 2022 winner, in action during last year's Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club |'It was awesome to win the Genesis Scottish Open in 2022, and I always look forward to playing in front of the Scottish fans,' said the two-time major winner and 2020 Olympic gold medallist. 'It's become an important stop on my schedule, especially last year, teeing it up at The Renaissance Club before going on to win my second major the next week.' Austrian ace Straka has won twice on the PGA Tour this year, most recently in the Truist Championship, one of the circuit's big-money Signature Events. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The world No 9 will be teeing up in the Genesis Scottish Open for just the third time as he bids to emulate compatriot Bernd Wiesberger after his title triumph at the East Lothian venue in 2019. 'It's always fun to play in the home of golf, and my game is in a great place this season, so I would love to bring that momentum over to Scotland in July,' said Straka, who is on course to make his second successive appearance in the Ryder Cup later this year. Aberg, who also played on the winning European team in Rome, made his first DP World Tour appearance as a professional in the 2023 Genesis Scottish Open and then tied for fourth behind Bob MacIntyre the following year on Scotland's Golf Coast. 'I had a good run at the title at Renaissance Club last season and it will be cool to come back this summer as The Genesis Invitational winner,' said the world No 6, having also landed a Signature Event success at Torrey Pines earlier this year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ludvig Aberg, Xander Schauffele and Sepp Straka are the latest big-name additions to the field for the Rolex Series event in East Lothian | DP World Tour The trio join a stellar field that is set to be headed by Masters champion Rory McIlroy and title holder MacIntyre, as well as Justin Rose, Justin Thomas, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Collin Morikawa and Max Homa. The only big name missing really is world No 1 and new PGA champion Scottie Scheffler and there's still time for him to add his name to the line up.
