What’s this? “Victory = ρA = mA / VA , ρB = mB / VB divided by the square route of Dubai.” Why, it’s an excerpt from Bryson DeChambeau’s transcript after his win in the Dubai Desert Classic, of course.
The scientist, the physician, the deep-thinker, the madcap eccentric? Call him what you like, the American’s methods paid off in the Middle East with an emphatic seven shot win … even though the deliberate DeChambeau’s analytical approach moves along with all the zip of long-term coastal erosion. DeChambeau was one of the big movers and shakers of the weekend in golf and here's his cliche-ridden reaction to his win. Or perhaps not ...
What goes into winning?
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 27, 2019
Air pressure, firmness values, mph on speed, ball speed, spin rates…. pic.twitter.com/Op2ZyC2m7G
ROSE BLOOMS AT TORREY PINES
World No 1 Justin Rose closed out his 10th PGA Tour win with victory in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
The Englishman had led from the second day and headed into the final round three shots ahead of Adam Scott.
Although the Australian closed with four successive birdies Rose, who picked up two shots of his own in that stretch, had built up enough of an advantage to still win by two with a 21-under-par total.
It was not all plain sailing, however, as Rose bogeyed three of his first five holes, before a run of three birdies in four holes from the seventh restored some order.
He was helped by the fact Scott failed to take advantage after playing his opening 14 holes in level par, including one bogey and a birdie, meaning his race to the finish came too late to have any effect.
Rose, in only his second tournament after changing club manufacturer, closed with a 69 to secure his third win and 16th top-10 finish in his last 24 worldwide events.
SAUDI SOJOURN CONTINUES TO CAUSE A STIR
The European Tour have been accused of turning a blind eye to an "abhorrent, reprehensible regime" by staging an event in Saudi Arabia, with top players also coming in for criticism.
The inaugural Saudi International, which gets under way on Thursday, has attracted a star-studded field despite the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year in the Saudi consulate in Turkey focusing further attention on the country's regime.
England's Paul Casey confirmed on Friday that human rights violations were behind his decision not to compete at the Royal Greens Country Club, but four of the world's top five and the likes of Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter are due to contest the £2.6million event.
Golf Channel analyst and former PGA Tour professional Brandel Chamblee said: "I'm a big fan of the European Tour, a big fan of (chief executive) Keith Pelley. I think they take chances.
"Politically I get why you have to capitulate to Saudi Arabia and maybe from a business standpoint even, but a more definitive personal rebuke can be shown to the PR stunt of this regime by not participating, by refusing to participate, because your participation in some way enriches this regime.
"By non-participation of the athletes in general, you can in some marginal way - and I applaud Paul Casey - make a statement about human rights. Whether the European Tour knows it, whether the players know it, by participating they are a ventriloquist for this abhorrent, reprehensible regime."
The European Tour had no comment to make about Chamblee's criticism but chief executive Pelley attempted to deflect concerns when the event was confirmed as part of the 2019 schedule in November.
"We have heard some of the criticism of the region, we have listened and will continue to monitor the situation," he said. "We have had no dialogue with our partners, our own government, the golf federation or anyone from Saudi Arabia."
NEW RULE WHIPS UP A TWITTER TORRENT
From "harsh", "unfair and "pedantic-ness" to more erudite phrases like "s***e" and "b*****ks", the decison to hand Haotong Li a two-shot penalty in Dubai for a breach of a new rule caused quite the social media stooshie.
In the new Rules of Golf implemented this month, officials from the USGA and R&A decided to prohibit caddies from standing behind players as they’re preparing to hit a shot or when they take their swings.
Li was preparing for his birdie putt on the 18th green at the Emirates Club when his caddie was seen standing behind him as he was taking his stance. Li holed the putt, but European Tour officials decided that he had violated the new rule so he had to put himself down for a bogey 6 on the hole. Instead of finishing tied third, the defending champion fell to tied-12th ... and lost around $100,000. Ouch.
Paul McGinley was one of countless critics lining up to lambast the decision. Judge for yourself ...
This is so ridiculously marginal. The player should be given the benefit of the doubt. The rule changes are largely about the spirit of the game & player integrity not this pedanticness.... https://t.co/BAgufWzRhi
— Paul McGinley (@mcginleygolf) January 27, 2019
FLAG IN OR OUT? GOLFING GODS DON'T CARE ...
They are a fickle bunch up there, sitting on their clouds, exchanging thunderbolts with Zeus and generally fiddling with golfing fortunes. The flag in or out debate continues but if that wee dimpled ba' is not going to drop, then it's not going to drop. It's a daft game ...
Golf is hard. 💔 pic.twitter.com/aRfi6Y3HUT
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 27, 2019
SCOTS WATCH
The Dubai Desert Classic wasn't, well, a classic for the Scots. Richie Ramsay was the pick of the bunch in a share of 56th with two-time Dubai winner Stephen Gallacher 67th and Marc Warren second last.
In the US, the tartan twosome of Russell Knox and Martin Laird shared 43rd spot in the Farmers Insurance Open.
At No 65, Knox is the leading Scot on the world rankings and still has his sights on a top-50 spot needed to qualify for April's Masters. Scott Jamieson is the next highest home representative on the global pecking order at No 185 while David Drysdale is No 199.
World Top-10
1 - Justin Rose
2 - Brooks Koepka
3 - Dustin Johnson
4 - Justin Thomas
5 - Bryson DeChambeau
6 - Xander Schauffele
8 - Rory McIlroy
9 - Francesco Molinari
10 - Jason Day
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