Hi, friends across the pond. Just wanted to let you know the great game of golf is still being played somewhere in the world. Yeah, I know the Fed Ex and the Pres Cup is over. But not golf. the Hong Kong open is being played this week. And even if you can't be bothered with that, why not post something about golf you might be playing ? I played the other day with 3 clubs and a putter for 9 holes and shot 41...not bad, I don't mind saying myself. Is there any golf games you play in the winter ? ( Not the PS 3 BTW :) ). Tell us about it. Don't let Waggle room hybernate for the winter...tell us what you are up to. Who knows ? Emily might even post a round she played !

 Keep Waggle room going, or people will go, if you catch my drift . Cheers.

Rory McIlroy picked up a cheque for $2m after winning the Shanghai Masters following a sudden-death play-off with Anthony Kim.

Final round leaderboard

(GB & Ire unless stated)
-18 R McIlroy
-18 A Kim (US)
-13 Noh SY (Kor)
-13 H Mahan (US)
-12 I Poulter

McIlroy had started the final round with a three-shot cushion but blew his lead after 11 holes and required a late birdie to match Kim's 18-under-par total with a round of 72.

The pair found sand off the tee at the first extra hole but while the American missed his short putt for par, McIlroy holed from around two feet to take the win and the richest prize in golf.

Kim had earlier fired a round of 69 to match his playing partner and finish six shots clear of the chasing pack in the 30-man event.

Countryman Hunter Mahan (70) shared third place with Noh Seung-Yul (73) while Lee Westwood vaulted into fifth place with a five-under-par 67 that included a hole-in-one at the 12th.

Kim birdies

Things had gone wrong from the start for McIlroy when his approach to the first hit the pin and bounced into the fringe, causing a dropped shot.

And while Kim made his move with three birdies in the first six holes, the Northern Irishman re-took the lead at the seventh only to find water at the ninth and hand the initiative back, although Kim also dropped a shot when missing from five feet.

McIlroy three-putted the 11th but drew level again at the 15th when holing a five-footer, Kim unable to respond in kind.

The 22-year-old then had chances at both the 17th and 18th to claim birdies that would have given him an outright win, only to see both slide past the hole.

With the event unsanctioned by any of the major tours there were no ranking points at stake.

 Sorry I cut and pasted this, I didn't have a lot of time. Cheers.

Waggleroom.com regular reader and occasional contributor Easingwold asks a very good question:

I was reading an article by Sky Sports commentator, Ewen Murray about Rory Mcilroy's stellar performance in the US Open. Then Ewen got onto American golf in general and how money seems to rule thier mind set over winning. Here is what he had to stay;  "Talking of America, they are going through a thin period in golf and it's now five majors without a win. Sadly, after the greats of the fifties, sixties, seventies and eighties, success in the States is measured in winning $3million dollars with $5million in endorsements.

They don't have the hunger of Rors and GMac, Kaymer Westwood and Donald, quite simply they don't have the desire to travel and emulate the great Americans of the past.

Continue reading this post »

For those who might not know, The BMW Championship in England has some history. Played since 1955, the list of winners are impressive. Sometimes compared to the Players in Florida recently, it has always been one the top players this side of the Atlantic want to win. Like the players, it is Europe's flagship event. Not always played at Wentworth, it used to be played on some of the great links courses here too. Since 1984, it has remained at Wentworth.

  The list of winners is impressive too.

Nick Faldo 4 times

Peter Alliss, Bernahrd Langer, Colin Montgomerie, 3 times each

Tony Jacklin, Ian Woosnam, Anders Hansen, 2 times each

Other winners include Seve,Peter Oosterhuis,Bernhard Gallacher,Howard Clarke, Jose Maria Olazabal,Angel Cabrera,

Miguel Angel Jiminez, Paul Casey and the great Arnold Palmer.

Always a big day in European golf, some American cousins across the pond might understand why some, like Westwood prefer this over the Players.

Luke Donald, Matteo Mannasero and Alvaro Quiros share the lead after 2 rounds.

Today was a sad day for golf. Seve Ballesteros, as we all know, passed away this morning. While many Americans and internationals admired and liked Seve, the greatest of Ryder cuppers, I thought I'd write a few words from a European perspective. I didn't play golf until I was 32, back in 1990. I watched it a lot though, but in the '70's golf for the masses just didn't happen. If your father played, maybe you did. As I didn't have one then, no chance there. But then something happened. In 1976, at Royal Birkdale, a 19 year old finished 2nd to Johnny Miller. You could see there was something about him. Instantly, the British adored him. Just 7 years earlier, we had Tony Jacklin, winning the Open. Then the next year, he won the US Open. jacklin had fight. For too long, Americans dominated and it was time to fight back. But Jacklin was alone. But in his wake, came Seve. After '76, he was paired with Gary Player in the final round of the Masters, when Player shot a 64 to win it. Seve later said, Gary showed me it could be done. The next year, Seve won the Open. Then the year after , the Masters. When this happened, European golf took notice. Seve, Faldo, Langer, Lyle and Woosnam, all 5 born 13 months apart, took off on Seve's coat tails.

  Jack Nicklaus made the great suggestion that Great Britain and Ireland merge with Europe for the Ryder Cup. Jacklin stepped up. Seve, backing him up, galvanised Europe and it has gone on ever since. Seve had this way of bringing out the best in everyone. With all those majors won by Europeans, Ryder Cup success from '79 onwards, suddenly, there was a golf boom in Britain. I remember workmates all going on about golf. We had a go. Everyone loved Faldo, Woosnam and Lyle. They were winners. Langer too...and a German at that. But we adored Seve. It was like he was one of us, missing the fairway. But that is where the comparison stopped. No one got out of trouble like Seve. Not Mickleson, and certainly not Woods. 100 yards in, Seve every time. We loved him here more than the Spanish did.

  Today I played in a medal, and in the clubhouse people were talking about Seve. we were lucky to have him in our lives. Padraig Harrington has suggested that Seve's logo become the logo of the European tour. I think that is a brilliant idea. He deserves no less.

  If you want to see what golf meant to Seve and see the passion of the man, one moment that sums up everything about him, watch the final putt on the 18th at St Andrews in 1984 when he beat Tom Watson. Not a fist pump, just sheer joy. Probably the best celebration in golf history. RIP Seve.

   PS...  at Wentworth, for the BMW on May 26, Jose Maria Olazabal will speak about Seve...do try to watch it.

Now that we are well into Spring (the Northern hemosphere anyway, sorry Chip ) it's that time again when club golfers everywhere jump out of the blocks. What will the season hold for you ? A drop in handicap ? A club trophy maybe ? Or a hole in one ? Whatever happens this year, I hope you all play well and enjoy each round as much as one can...and some won't be that good. But it is still a privlidge to play the game..we are lucky that we can play it. Next time you hit one OOB ( as I did today ) try to accept it, and do better next time. Best of luck everyone, play well.

While Adam Scott tries to go one better after the Masters at the Texas Open,  Masters champion Charl Shwartzel ,Martin Kaymer and Rory Mcilroy are in Malaysia.  Kaymer, struggling on the greens, posted 3 under, but Mcilroy shot a 64 to share the lead in the clubhouse on 11 under with Alexander Noren. Simon Dyson is 10 under. Matteo Manassero is 6 under with 9 to play, lightning suspended play. Shwartzel is plus 1 with 9 to play, struggling to make the cut. Mcilroy had no bogeys in his round and seems fine after his last round collapse at Augusta. 12 time zones from Augusta didn't seem to bother him too much.

High drama in sports keeps fans watching. There are many examples in sports, I'll name a few from my own memories.

Basketball. Havlicek stealing the ball...West sinking that 63 footer against New York to send the game into overtime...the Lakers 33 game win streak.  Showtime Lakers and Micheal Jordan.

Olympics/atheletics..Mark Spitz winning all 7 golds in '72...Ben Johnson's DQ after the drug test...Coe and Ovett taking turns breaking the mile record.

Football. Aresenal scoring in the last minute to deny Liverpool..Man Utd scoring twice in the last minute to win the European Cup. Liverpool doing the same to tear the FA cup from Arsenal.

Tennis. Mckenroe and Borg clashes...Aggassi and Sampras...Federer and Nedal.

Examples are endless.Golf competes easily with other sports...we have...

Palmers collapse against casper in the US Open...Norman against Faldo in the Masters. Nicklaus winning the Masters in '86 Woods winning everything in 2000. And what a great Masters this year..it had everything.

I point all this out because there are some who believe without Woods golf will nosedive. The best thing about the Masters 2011 ? It showed that golf is exciting, full of drama, full of talent. If they don't trick up the course silly, it can be great, as this week proved. Carnoustie did it in '99 as do many US Opens. Golf remains a great sport, as watchable as any. It has the advantage of being a global game, like football (soccer) and even better, is played on different courses, all over the world. It also has the best sportsmanship. Be proud of the game, those of you who play it, try to remember it is a privlidge to play it. And the next time you hit one OOB, try to steb back and laugh about it. We are human afetr all.

As most people know, Woods spit yet again. Call me old fashioned, but this is simply unacceptable. This time, however, he broke ettiquete like never before. Even the boulder incident. It is not the first time, he has done it many times on the fairway. But spitting on the green less than 10 feet from the hole shows no respect for the game and even less for his fellow players. Why is he allowed to get away with it ? I believe because he brings so much publicity to the tournament, the organisers fall over backwards to get him in. Paying him appearence money around the world is almost certain profit for the organisers and I don't blame them. Even Jerry West is almost on his knees to get Woods to LA, but he's not going.

  Woods is not the only player to spit but seeing him get away with it they will do the same. Even worse, kids will think it is fine to do the same. It is time he was punshed. Fines ? They mean nothing to him...I think he has contempt at times for those who run the game. Ettiquette is part of the rules of golf. Penalty shots go on the card for breaking some rules, I think Woods should have been penalised likewise in some way. It is the only thing that would make this spoilt man/boy take notice.

  Woods has done a lot for the game, in that more people watch, but that's no good if they see him behave in this way. One of the best things about golf for juniors is that the game teaches them manners...what will the future of the game be like if they think this is acceptable ?

Golf...what a sport. I feel lucky to have discovered it. When I was young, I played all the American sports at school. Basketball was my favorate game, but at 5 ft 11 in at 16 I was not tall enough. I could touch the rim, but could never dunk. At 16, I returned to England. After a spell in the Royal Navy, I was in civvy street and took up Rugby. I had, for me, 6 good years, I joined a gym, being too small to play in the pack and soon got stronger. But for 4 years I carried on going to the gym. Then it happened. Someone from work asked me if I would like to play golf. I said, I never have before, but down we went. I shot 63 for 9 holes. We went again, about 6 of us. I again was rubbish, but this time a mate came down who had one arm not quite 100%...and he beat me...very fit at the time. I thought, what a great game. I followed it scince the '60's, but never dreamed I'd be playing it one day. In '92 I started taking it seriously and broke 100, then joined a club in '93. My late son Jamie, joined Easingwold GC in '96 and soon won the junior matchplay final. We had many great rounds together...once, we both chipped in on the same hole. 2 years ago we had a round at Filey GC and traded birdies like we played of scratch for the front 9, both going out in 1 over. What a laugh we had about that. The last round we had together, he rolled in a 60 foot putt for a birdie. Bliss.

I play a lot with mates from work, the oldest being 59. We are all still competitive and when I think of all those sports I played when I was young, Golf remains the best, because of the people we play it with. And at 53, I can still hit a ball like I did when I was 33. It is also a game with great honour and is probably the best game because it forces one to look into oneself...there is no where to hide. Teaches people manners. We shake hands after.  When someone gets a hole in one, there is genuine joy from his opponents. Not to mention the people we meet because of golf. Waggle room included. I feel lucky to play golf. What a game.

The Players Championship takes place shortly before two of the biggest events on the Race to Dubai - the Volvo World Match Play and the BMW PGA Championship. Rory Macllroy has hinted he may miss the Players Championship, along with Lee Westwood.

  When the event was in March, it didn't clash with big events on the European tour, but the move to May has caused a few problems. Obviously, the world's two main tours will clash at some point in the year, but I think if they worked more together this situation could be avoided. Any thoughts ?

I just wanted to thank you all for your wonderful comments. I didn't intend to broadcast things here, only to let Wendy, TXQ and Court to let you all know I was not being rude staying away. My son Jamie, is having his send off on Monday, 22, November. We are going to make it special...in his 26 years he lived a very full life, but I am his father. I might be bias. We recieved the flowers today, I must thank you all...Wendy deserves a special thanks, having been putting up with my e mails the last few days. They have given me strength, along with all the others I cannot name. Thanks to all the WG regs, I will return to annoy you all, I know I'll argue with court :) I have looked at the blog a few times to see what is going on, but I can't comment yet, but I had to for Jamie and your kindness. Hope you all have a great Christmas and happy new year...I might come on before that, but at the moment, I just don't know. Monday, we give jamie his send off. Thanks again and take care, Keith (Easy )

John Daly said it. " They say that no one is bigger than golf. But Tiger is" When I read that, I thought big John had just finished a bottle of Jack Daniels. Of course, John Daly, still a big draw and benifactor of appearance money outside the US would say that. Many players with no chance of winning make a lot of money in this era of the Tiger. In thier never ending lust for profit, companies  will make one man a billionaire if it makes them a whole lot more. And many players make millions with thier top ten finishes in his wake. None of this is Tigers fault, the field by and large have got lazy by comparison. Ernie Els, now 40, is past it. He didn't work hard enough, once Tiger raised the bar. The trouble is, the rest of the field believe all the media about Tiger on the course. Yes, he is the best, but they can beat him, if they believe. Jacks rivals didn't have to cope with the media of today, they got off thier backsides and took it to him. And he responded accordanly. But today, some believe Tiger is golf. 50 years from now, he will be seen as possibly the greatest golfer and nothing more. Untill someone else comes along. But...now we have the crash 2 weeks ago and all hell has broken loose. And all the millionaires are in a panic. The whole golfing media makes a load off Tigers back, thats all it is. Fincham too. The tour. Thats what the tabloids do, albiet in an obvious way. It's all fuelled by the media of course, that also means all of us, even commenting on a blog. Tiger is not bigger than golf. But the media is and clouds one's objective thinking to the point he might as well be on a bottle of Jack Daniels.