Articles by John Huggan

December 7th, 2024

‘I have found who my friends really are’: Two-time major winner still angry over criticism for jumping to LIV Golf

Say what you like about Martin Kaymer – and there are those who have done just that during the two-and-a-half years since he made his controversial switch to LIV Golf.

December 6th, 2024

Patrick Reed’s idea for how men’s pro golf can work together isn’t as outrageous as you’d think

Two-and-a-half years into his LIV Golf League career, Patrick Reed still wants to play. Anywhere and everywhere that is.

December 5th, 2024

Sergio Garcia is willing to jump through countless hoops for chance to play in one more Ryder Cup

His eponymous website hails him as “more than a champion.” Which is fair if you pay due deference to the nearly 40 tournament victories, the more than nine years he has spent ranked inside the world’s top 10 and take even the briefest glance at Sergio Garcia’s record as part of 10 Ryder Cup teams. Read more…

November 24th, 2024

A few final words with Martin Slumbers

In a wide-ranging interview at the end of his tenure, R&A chief executive Slumbers cautions: “The constant dialogue of money has damaged the reputation of the sport.”

November 20th, 2024

Sergio Garcia re-applies for DP World Tour membership, pays old fines as suspensions linger

Until he serves the suspensions – believed to total about nine weeks – that went along with the payment of his reportedly seven-figure fines, Garcia will be unable to tee up on the DP World Tour.

November 18th, 2024

Relief! An emotional Rory McIlroy ends a topsy-turvy year with a victory in Dubai

Calling his six Race to Dubai wins “a huge achievement”, McIlroy was clearly keen to enjoy the moment and the fact that he has now tied the record of the late, great Seve Ballesteros. Only Colin Montgomerie’s eight wins are still to be surpassed.

November 18th, 2024

Rasmus Hojgaard couldn’t top Rory McIlroy in Dubai, but he was the first of these 10 players to earn PGA Tour cards for 2025

For those in contention for the 10 PGA Tour cards, especially those numbered 8-10, the difference between success and failure went far beyond mere prizemoney. For them, the next year of their professional lives was on the line.

November 17th, 2024

With 18 holes left in the DP World Tour season, one title is a done deal, while another is wide open

DUBAI, U.A.E. — If any of what follows looks and sounds familiar, that’s because it is. In more ways than one, this was Groundhog Day minus Bill Murray. Exactly 12 months on from his identical twin, Nicolai’s, victory in this DP World Tour Championship, Rasmus Hojgaard is tied for the lead with 18 holes to Read more…

November 17th, 2024

Adam Scott isn’t getting enough credit for his age-defying 2024 season – and he’s got more left for 2025

Scott is about to complete a season in which he has, at a time of competitive life when most players are entering inevitable decline, risen from 44th to 20th on the Official World Golf Ranking.

November 16th, 2024

Joaquin Niemann has jumped through more hoops than any LIV golfer to qualify for majors. Can he keep hopping in 2025?

DUBAI, U.A.E. — He’s two shots back at the halfway stage of the DP World Tour Championship. Apart from the leader, Antoine Rozner, he has two formidable names ahead of him in Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton. And he is part of a chasing pack that includes the likes of Shane Lowry, Rasmus Hojgaard and Read more…

November 15th, 2024

Here’s the one key reason European Ryder Cup players say they are OK not getting paid to play in the matches

One by one, in the wake of their opening rounds at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, leading European players lined up to verbalise their own attitudes regarding playing for pay or playing for pride.

November 15th, 2024

Meet the American who is taking the road less traveled—and loving it

DUBAI, U.A.E. — Billy Horschel talks about it a lot. Twice a winner of the biggest event on the DP World Tour, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, the 37-year-old Floridian has often wondered why his regular attendance on the Old World circuit is not replicated by more of his fellow Americans. Citing the quality Read more…

November 14th, 2024

‘Race to the States’ gives the DP World Tour finale another dramatic storyline

With the state of play at the top of the Old World circuit’s rankings pointing to only one thing – a sixth Rory McIlroy victory – the contest for the 10 PGA Tour cards available to those not already in possession has added prominence to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

November 14th, 2024

Rory McIlroy wants to play long into his 40s. Here’s what he’s doing now to make that happen

The Northern Irishman is taking a new approach to his schedule to boost his longevity.

November 13th, 2024

DP World Tour schedule won’t feature dramatic changes in 2025. Beyond that might be a different story

The 2026 season on what used to be called the European Tour is likely to own at least the potential to be a lot more interesting and even exciting. For now, however, we must make do with some minor tweaks, as well as 42 events in a minimum of 26 different countries in 2025.

November 13th, 2024

A breakthrough year for Thriston Lawrence could end with a breakthrough week

When the DP World Tour Championship tees off on Thursday, no one in the 50-strong field will have more to play for than Lawrence.

November 12th, 2024

‘I know I did the right thing’: Adrian Meronk is happy as a LIV golfer, but all is not forgiven regarding the Ryder Cup

The former Australian Open champion has no regrets about his late switch to LIV Golf earlier this year.

November 6th, 2024

In a year of disappointing finishes for Rory McIlroy, here’s a title that looks impossible to lose

McIlroy will equal the record of the late Seve Ballesteros should he pick up his sixth season-long title and trail only Colin Montgomerie’s eight Race to Dubai titles on the all-time list.

October 21st, 2024

Frenchman Julien Guerrier wins the Andalucia Masters, but the bigger winner might have been Rasmus Hojgaard, who probably is headed to the PGA Tour

The destination of the title was eventually decided in Guerrier’s favour, the 39-year old prevailing with a par at the ninth extra hole (equalling the DP World Tour record).

October 7th, 2024

Tyrrell Hatton loves the Old Course, tops Nicolas Colsaerts to collect third Dunhill Links title

As well as his record-breaking three victories in this tournament, Hatton has a brace of second place finishes and a T-7 in only 11 appearances.

October 6th, 2024

Credit this South African billionaire for helping bring PGA Tour and PIF leaders together on the golf course

This week, Johann Rupert’s role as tournament host at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns has taken on a unique significance.

October 4th, 2024

Breaking down the Jay Monahan, Yasir Al-Rumayyan round at Carnoustie

Exactly what was being said between the two main protagonists in their many private moments will remain something of a mystery. Neither man had anything to say publicly at the conclusion of their rounds.