Speaking less than 24 hours after it was announced that the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf had merged, Rory McIlroy addressed the media at the Canadian Open and was typically candid with his thoughts.

In a special View From The Fairway column, Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his current thoughts on the staggering news story that has engulfed the world of golf this week.

As we digest the shock news of the merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf, it is worth taking some time to reflect on how this whole sorry saga has played out.

The Official World Golf Rankings were first launched in 1986 and a total of just 24 golfers have occupied that lofty position of number one. Some of the men who have been crowned as the world’s best golfers will surprise you. Having taken a long look at the list, Golfshake's Derek Clements thought that the time had come to rank the top 10.

Whether it be LIV Golf or the PGA Tour's proposed designated events, Golfshake's Derek Clements addresses the importance of having cuts in professional golf as part of this week's View From The Fairway.

Rory McIlroy will be looking to become the first player to win three consecutive RBC Canadian Open titles at Oakdale Golf & Country Club in Toronto this week. And with the US Open looming large on the horizon, McIlroy could do with making a decent fist of his defence.

Defending champion Linn Grant and 10-time DP World Tour winner Alex Noren will tee it up this week at the unique Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed at Ullna Golf & Club, just 30 minutes from the Swedish capital Stockholm.

Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin has won his first DP World Tour title with a two-shot victory at the European Open in Hamburg. The 20-year-old carded a three-under-par 70 to finish nine under and beat home hopes Maximilian Kieffer and Marcel Siem, with France's Julien Guerrier also finishing on seven under.

It's that time of year when you might be considering planning a golf break, either with a small group of friends or with a society. So, what do you need to consider before you get it booked? Golfshake's Derek Clements shares some key advice - most of it from personal experience.

If you had any doubts that a schism still exists within the world of professional golf, they would have been dispelled by a series of press conferences at Muirfield Village, scene of this week’s Memorial Tournament.

Emiliano Grillo won the Charles Schwab Challenge despite a double-bogey six at the 72nd hole. He hit his drive into a penalty area, took a drop, played his third shot to just short of the green, then pitched on and two-putted for a six at the par four.

Much is made of The Players Championship being golf’s fifth major, but if ever there was a course that was made to host the US Open it is Muirfield Village, the venue for this week’s Memorial Tournament, hosted by Jack Nicklaus.

There are genuinely high hopes of a home winner at the Porsche European Open in Germany this week, following a resurgence in German golf, but Frenchman Victor Perez could be the man to beat on the outskirts of Hamburg.

Brooks Koepka has won one major championship this year and finished runner-up in another, so will the LIV Golf star be part of the American Ryder Cup team? Golfshake's Derek Clements can't imagine a reality where Koepka is not part of Zach Johnson's side in Italy.

You could be forgiven for believing that a caddie is simply somebody who lugs a huge golf bag around and tells his or her player how far they are from the green. If it were that simple, we would all be doing it, especially when you consider the serious amounts of money to be made from accompanying the best golfers on the world’s fairways.

Brooks Koepka goes for his third victory of the year when he joins 47 other golfers for the latest LIV Golf tournament at Trump National in Potomac Falls, Virginia. And who would bet against him claiming another win this week?

The feel-good story at the PGA Championship was written by a club pro called Michael Block. From comfortably making the cut to playing with major champions and making a hole-in-one on Sunday, the 46-year-old reminded us all why we love sport.

There is a knack to being a successful golf commentator. It certainly helps if you have been involved at the sharp end, and that contributed towards Nick Faldo’s success with a microphone in his hand. Golfshake's Derek Clements has been thinking about who among those currently playing the game that would make a successful transition.

Usually, the week after a major sees a seriously weakened field but with the US Open just around the corner the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Tony Finau, Max Homa, Jordan Spieth and Tommy Fleetwood have opted to play in the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial.

Ryder Cup hopeful Victor Perez will defend his KLM Open title at Bernardus Golf Club this week, knowing that victory would go a long way towards securing his place in Luke Donald’s team

Jason Day's recent victory at the Byron Nelson was a long time coming, following years of struggles and doubts. Golfshake's Derek Clements has previously found the Australian's slow style difficult to watch, but he describes why he has a new-found respect for the former world number one.

There was much to like about this year's PGA Championship, but Golfshake's Derek Clements believes that the event has lost a degree of spark following its move to May and that should be addressed by the PGA of America.

Brooks Koepka won over the fans at Oak Hill with a sensational performance to claim his third PGA Championship title and fifth major victory, establishing the American as an all-time great, something that seemed unlikely just a year ago.

With the influx of money as a result of LIV Golf it will come as no surprise to learn that golfers figure prominently in the Forbes Sports List top 20 for 2023, with five LIV players in the top 20 and four times as many golfers in the top 50 as last year.

When Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia resigned from the DP World Tour, it meant that Europe lost three future Ryder Cup captains in the blink of an eye. So who are the men most likely to be asked to step into the fray in future? Here are some serious contenders, and a couple who won’t be asked but really would bring something special to the contest.

The second men's major of the year kicks off with most of the world’s best golfers in sensational form as they do battle for the Wanamaker Trophy. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to what promises to be a compelling week at Oak Hill.

It's time for the second major of the year as the PGA Championship returns to the revered Oak Hill, one of the most acclaimed venues in the United States. Always competitive and fascinating, who do you think will triumph? Golfshake's Derek Clements has some names for you to watch.

Who could surprise the favourites and lift the Wanamaker Trophy at Oak Hill? Golfshake's Derek Clements has identified several outsider contenders to follow during the 2023 PGA Championship.

Oak Hill Country Club was originally designed by Donald Ross. Cary Middlecoff, Lee Trevino and Curtis Strange won US Opens here, while Jack Nicklaus, Shaun Micheel and Jason Dufner have lifted the Wanamaker Trophy on the famous East Course. And who could forget the Ryder Cup in 1995 when Europe triumphed again on American soil.

Justin Thomas won the 2022 PGA Championship after shooting a final day 67 to finish five under and complete a stunning come-from-behind victory. He battled back from an eight-shot deficit to ultimately prevail in sweltering heat at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In this week's View From The Fairway, Golfshake's Derek Clements takes a closer look at the remarkable stories behind the competitors at the inaugural G4D Open, demonstrating that golf can be the most inclusive of sports, irrespective of disability or impairment.

The PGA Championship has often been regarded as the least significant of the sport’s four majors, something that Golfshake's Derek Clements believes is unfair. There have been some amazing editions of the PGA in recent years, and here are just a few of Derek's favourites.

The last time the PGA Championship was played at Oak Hill it was won by Jason Dufner, who set himself on the way to victory with a stunning 63 in the second round. His triumph made up for the disappointment of finishing runner-up to Keegan Bradley at Atlanta Athletic Club two years earlier.

Jason Day produced a stunning final round of 62 to win the AT&T Byron Nelson. It’s his 13th PGA Tour title at the same tournament at which he broke through for his first success way back in 2010, but it was his first since 2018.

Simon Forsstrom recovered from a back-nine wobble with a series of late birdies as he held off the charge of fellow Swede Jens Dantorp to claim his first DP World Tour title at the 2023 Soudal Open.

Wyndham Clark saw off a world-class field as he won the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow by four shots to claim his maiden PGA Tour title. The 29-year-old American started the final round with a two-shot lead and he followed his magnificent third round of 63 with a three-under 68 to finish on 19 under and clear of compatriot Xander Schauffele.

Talor Gooch will this week attempt to win his third successive LIV Golf event at Cedar Ridge Country Club in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. And he has an additional incentive for doing so as he is from this part of the world.

Tour players withdraw from events they had entered fairly regularly, but there has been much scrutiny about recent decisions made by Rory McIlroy, Georgia Hall and Charley Hull. Golfshake's Derek Clements explains why he hasn't been impressed by these actions.

With the PGA Championship taking place next week you will not be surprised to learn that many of the world’s leading players have chosen to give the AT&T Byron Nelson a miss. However, Scottie Scheffler and Tyrrell Hatton are heading to TPC Craig Ranch to tune up for the second major of the year.

For this week's View From The Fairway column, Derek Clements addresses the growing impact of social media trolls in golf, including the shameful recent online abuse of Brendan Lawlor.

Belgium’s top golfer will not be in the field for this week’s Soudal Open at Rinkven International Golf Club. But in the absence of Thomas Pieters, home hopes lie with Nicolas Colsaerts and the gifted Thomas Detry, who is currently plying his trade on the PGA Tour and is to be commended for crossing the Atlantic to compete on home soil.

Golfshake's Derek Clements has been lucky to play many of the most famous golf courses on the planet, but he wanted to share with you some of the lesser-known tracks that he has been fortunate enough to tackle over the years.

As we approach the PGA Championship it seems like a good time to take a look at a number of golfers who may have gone under the radar and are now ready to make some headlines on both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.

Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood have officially ruled themselves out of the running for this year’s Ryder Cup after resigning from the DP World Tour.

Pablo Larrazabal secured his second DP World Tour title in three starts, his fourth in 15 months and his ninth in total after producing a great finish to win the 2023 KLM Open by two shots.

There has been much discussion about the Official World Golf Rankings, how points aren't been awarded for LIV events, and the impact that could have on the major championships. Ultimately, Golfshake's Derek Clements believes that it's time for common sense to prevail.

For this week's View From The Fairway, Golfshake's Derek Clements reflects on the recent Chevron Championship and describes why he thinks the women's majors aren't getting the coverage they deserve.

Max Homa will attempt to win the Wells Fargo Championship for the third time in four years but will have to see off course specialist Rory McIlroy if he is to do so.

The Italian Open takes on an added significance this week. It will be staged at Marco Simone Golf Club, which hosts the Ryder Cup later this year and will provide European captain Luke Donald with a unique opportunity to view the course and gauge the form of some of the players who will be representing his team at the end of September.

And so the debate goes on. We recently reported on the feedback from our latest annual survey regarding the World Handicap System, a subject that continues to divide opinion. And it came as no surprise that the article exercised many of your minds yet again.

Golfshake's Derek Clements has been playing golf for longer than he cares to remember. That got him thinking about how the game has changed during that time, including the ways that things have progressed for the better.

The LIV Golf League will be in action for a second successive week. After playing Adelaide last week, they head to Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore. And they will do so in high spirits after performances of Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed at The Masters.

Sharing his weekly View From The Fairway column, Golfshake's Derek Clements comes to the defence of DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley, who has faced criticism from some observers in recent months.

Jon Rahm returns to Vidanta to defend his Mexico Open title and he will do so as the only member of the world’s top 10 in the field. It is difficult to see beyond Rahm making a successful defence after a meteoric start to 2023. He has already won four times this year, including that memorable performance at Augusta National.

A cosmopolitian field gathers in Incheon for the inaugural Korea Championship, with Europe’s best golfers facing a strong challenge from some of the most gifted home talent. The likes of Robert MacIntyre, Guido Migliozzi, Rasmus Hojgaard and Jordan Smith know that they need to find some big weeks if they are to have any chance of making it to the Ryder Cup in Italy.

Talor Gooch, who began the day with a 10-shot lead, stumbled to a final round of 73 but still achieved a three-shot victory at LIV Golf Adelaide. Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces, which had podium finishes in the first three events of the season, produced a sizzling final round in a tight team battle at The Grange Golf Club.

Australia's Lucas Herbert came through a marathon effort to beat Aaron Cockerill in a playoff and win the ISPS HANDA Championship in Japan and secure his third DP World Tour title.

America's Lilia Vu beat compatriot Angel Yin in a playoff for her first major title at the Chevron Championship. Vu started the day four shots back but moved up the leaderboard and took full advantage of the sluggish finish of Yin, who had victory in her grasp.

Over the years many golfers have attempted to follow in the footsteps of famous fathers and very few have enjoyed much success. However, brothers and sisters are an entirely different kettle of fish. We take a look at golf’s top sibling rivalries.

Major sporting events have suddenly become soft targets for protesters, and with Just Stop Oil promising to disrupt further sporting events this summer it begs an obvious question: just how vulnerable is professional golf?

From our most recent annual survey it became abundantly clear that many of you believe that much work still needs to be done in order to successfully grow the game and attract more people to golf. Our sport talks a good game but does it deliver?

After weeks of intense pressure, the world’s best golfers have a chance to relax and have a bit of fun this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Week in, week out, these guys try to beat each other’s brains out but this tournament has a unique format, giving PGA Tour golfers the chance to pair up with their buddies for what is always a birdie fest.

The LIV Golf League heads to Adelaide in Australia this week for the first of two back-to-back tournaments - next week the destination is Singapore. Brooks Koepka, now fully fit again after struggling with a knee injury for almost two years, could be the man to beat Down Under.

The DP World Tour returns with the ISPS Handa Championship being staged at PGM Ishioka Golf Club in Japan. Rasmus Hojgaard is a key name in the field, which also includes the likes of Rafa Cabrera Bello, Robert MacIntyre and Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

Rory McIlroy's decision to withdraw from the RBC Heritage has won him few friends - and is likely to cost him a great deal of money. So it should surprise nobody that many of his fellow players want to know how he is going to be punished.

The World Handicap System was introduced in Britain amid much fanfare more than two years ago. It was supposed to end the debate once and for all. But many of you still have serious issues with it. In our recent annual Golfshake Survey it once again turned out to be a thorny subject for you.

Rory McIlroy will have won few fans after deciding to withdraw from the RBC Heritage. His decision came after he missed the cut at The Masters, where he refused to speak to the media afterwards, two actions that Golfshake's Derek Clements believes are unprofessional.

Jon Rahm's victory at the 2023 Masters meant he was the fourth Spaniard to claim the Green Jacket. He followed the legendary Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia. Spanish golfers have thrilled galleries all around the world with their swashbuckling style of play. Here, we look at some of their most memorable moments on the world stage.

Golfshake's Derek Clements has just returned from a holiday to Australia, where he played golf at Secret Harbour Golf Links near Perth. What Derek found out is that golf - and life - is very different Down Under when compared to back home in the UK.

Before The Masters got under way, two-time champion Bubba Watson, who defected to LIV Golf last year, claimed that the animosity between the PGA Tour and LIV was media driven. However, Golfshake's Derek Clements believes there is enough evidence to prove that statement is inaccurate.

Don't you just love this time of year on the PGA Tour? We have just had four glorious days at Augusta National and now we move on to the RBC Heritage at the beautiful Harbour Town Links at Hilton Head Island, which is a Designated Event, meaning that the field is spectacular.

In his View From The Fairway column, Derek Clements addresses the Masters withdrawal of Tiger Woods and explains why the legendary golfer's major career may soon be over.

Following a memorable 87th Masters, Golfshake's Derek Clements reviews the whole spectacle, the stories, the talking points, and shares his thoughts on the Sky Sports coverage of the week, including praise for the commentary and analysis.

Jon Rahm held his nerve to become the fourth Spaniard to win The Masters. In the process, he emulated last year’s champion Scottie Scheffler by winning his fourth tournament of the year, reclaimed the world No1 spot and tightened his grip at the top of the FedEx Cup standings.

The DP World Tour has been told that it was within its rights to fine and suspend the likes of Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood after they took part in LIV Golf’s inaugural tournament at the Centurion Club last year.

Much has been made in some circles of what is perceived to be a lack of form by European golfers on the world stage. But Golfshake's Derek Clements explains why Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has no reason to be losing any sleep over his potential team.

Scottie Scheffler will head to Augusta this week as one of the hottest favourites to retain the Green Jacket since Tiger Woods was in his prime - and with some justification. Get ready for the 87th Masters with our comprehensive preview.

This year's Masters is hotly anticipated considering the brilliant form of the favourites in addition to the extra dynamic of LIV Golf players being determined to contend for that coveted Green Jacket. Golfshake's Derek Clements has given us ten picks to win the Masters at Augusta!

There are 88 invited players expected to compete in the 87th Masters Tournament at Augusta National, with attention fixed on leading favourites like Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy. However, there is plenty of quality further down the field. Golfshake's Derek Clements has identified ten possible contenders who could be worth an outside bet!

Augusta National has been extended since last year. It now measures 7,521 yards. Originally designed by Alister MacKenzie, it has been lengthened over the years and changed significantly in places since those early days.

Scottie Scheffler began 2022 still looking for his first tournament victory. He finished The Masters as champion and world number one as he won his fourth event in an extraordinary run of form.

The Masters Tournament and Augusta National boasts a rich, fascinating and sometimes controversial history. Golfshake's Derek Clements has picked out a series of facts and stats that you may not know - which tell the story of this iconic event.

More than any other major, The Masters is a tournament that is guaranteed to produce more than its fair share of dramatic moments. Here are just a few of them.

Golfshake's Derek Clements has been on holiday for a month and returns to share his thoughts on the golf ball proposals from The R&A and USGA, believing that there is a better and simpler solution to curb the impact of distance.

Brooks Koepka produced a final round of 67 to win his third PGA Championship and his fifth major, in the process becoming the first LIV Golf member to claim a major title.

Canada's Corey Conners warmed up for his sixth Masters appearance by winning the Texas Open for a second time. He shot a bogey-free four-under-par 68 to finish on 15 under, one clear of PGA Tour rookie Sam Stevens who had two eagles in a 66 at TPC San Antonio. Had Stevens won he would have secured a spot at Augusta.

Dell’s sponsorship has come to an end, which means there is now not a single matchplay tournament on the PGA Tour schedule. As things stand, there is nothing on the calendar for 2024. And that is a crying shame in the view of Golfshake's Derek Clements.

JJ Spaun will relish his return to the Valero Texas Open, scene of his maiden PGA Tour success 12 months ago - and a victory that signalled the start of a magnificent run of good form for the American.

Brandon Stone will be among the home players looking to succeed at the Jonsson Workwear Open in South Africa, with the former Scottish Open champion attempting to get his DP World Tour career back on track.

The top 64 players in the world are eligible to play in the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play, with Scottie Scheffler defending one of the four titles he won during a quite extraordinary run in 2022.

Presenting his latest View From The Fairway opinion column, Golfshake's Derek Clements looks at the crucial team aspect of LIV Golf and explains why he finds it difficult to engage with, unlike the passionate connection people have to sides in other sports.

Sam Burns will attempt to create a piece of history this week as he goes for a third successive title at the Valspar Championship, but the likes of Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood will be hoping to stop his winning run here.

There will be a strong South African presence at the SDC Championship at the magnificent St Francis Links this week. They include Thriston Lawrence, Shaun Norris, the prodigiously talented Wilco Nienaber, Zander Lombard, Brandon Stone, Darren Fichardt and Oliver Bekker.

We all watch professional sport to be entertained. And in every sport there is a man or woman who stands out from the crowd. It is not just about a God-given talent - it is charisma, it is an ability to do the unexpected. There is a feeling that golfers are robots. Not true. Here are 10 of the greatest entertainers the game has ever seen.

It's time for The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. This is one fabulous golf tournament, boasting the strongest field of the year to date, and with huge financial rewards on offer. The winner this week will pick up a cheque for a mind-boggling $4.5m.

The way that we watch golf on TV has changed, just as the game itself has been transformed forever with the launch of LIV Golf. So, what can be done to grow golf coverage viewing figures? Here are some of your opinions from our 2022 Golfshake Survey.

Ashun Wu of China returns to Nairobi to defend his Magical Kenya Open title. He won 12 months ago after a closing 65 gave him a four-shot win. This year, the likes of Marcel Siem and Robert MacIntyre are in the field.

With so much cash sloshing around in the world of professional golf, Jon Rahm must be wondering what on earth all the fuss is about. But for now, everybody is in awe of what the Spaniard is achieving as we build towards the 2023 Masters.

For many of us, one of the joys of competition is that it provides us with the opportunity to play with people we don’t normally compete alongside. It can lead to new friendships. It can also pair you with people you will never want to see again. Here are just a few of the characters you can expect to come across in the monthly medal.

When Tiger Woods won The Masters in 2019 it was hailed by some as the greatest sporting comeback the world has ever seen. Golfshake's Derek Clements has suggested that what Chris Kirk achieved at the Honda Classic comes pretty close.

The PGA Tour has announced that its designated tournaments in 2024 will consist of smaller fields - and will have no cut, a decision that has raised eyebrows among golf fans and led to coordinated derision from LIV Golf members.

Golf is a hard enough game as it is. But there are plenty of outside influences that add to our frustration, things we have no influence over. So, what are the things that ALL golfers hate? Golfshake's Derek Clements has shared his thoughts.

So, have you watched Full Swing yet? Golfshake's Derek Clements loved every single minute of the Netflix series. Not because of any insights into LIV Golf or those who opted to jump ship. And not because of any of the golf clips, of which there are plenty. He explains just what aspect of the programme he found genuinely moving and insightful.

Scottie Scheffler returns to Bay Hill to defend his title at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, hoping to continue the form that saw him win four times by the middle of last April and rise to the top of the world rankings.

Marcel Siem turned the clock back by winning the Hero Indian Open. It was his first DP World Tour success for eight years. That sounds like a long time to wait between victories, but it is way short of the record.

Charles Howell III fired a final round of 63 to win the individual title at the LIV Golf Mayakoba and also lead Crushers GC to the team prize as the new LIV Golf season got under way.

Chris Kirk produced one of sport’s great comeback stories as he claimed the Honda Classic, his first title in nearly eight years, after overcoming alcoholism and deep depression.

Marcel Siem won his fifth DP World Tour title at the Hero Indian Open - eight years after his fourth victory. He held off the challenge of fellow German Yannik Paul to win by a single shot.

What is the current state of golf club memberships ahead of the 2023 season? We all know that golf enjoyed a massive boom during the height of the pandemic, but does the picture remain quite so optimistic this year? Our latest survey has offered some fascinating insights.

The new LIV Golf season kicks off this week at El Camaleón Golf Course at Mayakoba in Mexico with all the usual suspects once again competing for vast sums of money. It is the start of an expanded season, with 14 tournaments being played in 2023.

The always tricky PGA National hosts the Honda Classic, which boasts a field that includes defending champion Sepp Straka, and former winners Sungjae Im, Padraig Harrington, Rory Sabbatini and Camilo Villegas. Hoping to join that list is Billy Horschel, who is playing five weeks in a row.

The Indian Open returns for the first time since 2019, when Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher claimed the title. Gallacher’s victory was a surprise - home golfers normally dominate this event, and Shubhankar Sharma will be looking to continue that at DLF Golf & Country Club this week.

Golfshake's Derek Clements has some recommended viewing for you in his latest View From The Fairway as he describes the profile film about the world's top ranked disabled golfer Kipp Popert that you can see on Sky Sports Golf.

Bernhard Langer tied Hale Irwin for the most wins in PGA Tour Champions history at the Chubb Classic, winning the tournament for the fifth time. It was Langer’s 45th success since turning 50. And at the age of 65 years, 5 months, 23 days, he also broke his own record as the oldest winner on the Champions Tour.

Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen cruised to his seventh DP World Tour title as he won the Thailand Classic by four shots. He began the week in 20th place in the Race to Dubai and his win took him to fifth place and improved his chances of making the Ryder Cup team.

One of the most encouraging findings from our 2022 Golfshake Survey shows that 48% of you saw your handicap fall last year. So, how did these golfers manage that? It seems pretty obvious to say but it appears that you get out of the game what you put into it.

LIV Golf was a massive story last year and remains a talking point going into 2023. We wanted to find out more about how many golfers have watched those events and how the demographic of that audience compares to the overall picture of golf fans who view tournaments on TV and attend in person.

Ahead of the 2023 golf season, what is the current state of the game? These have been strange times for golf, with the sport enjoying a well-documented boom during the pandemic. So how are things looking now? The results are in for the Golfshake Survey, with more than 3,500 of you responding to tell us about your lives on the golf course.

The Genesis Invitational is hosted by Tiger Woods and the big news is that the 15-time major champion will be playing in the event. There is also a world-class field heading to Riviera, led by Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and man of the moment Jon Rahm.

Local favourite Kiradech Aphibarnrat says that he can’t wait to tee it up on home soil once again at this week's Thailand Classic as the DP World Tour returns to the country for the first time since 2016.

Both leading professionals and golf fans have expressed their excitement ahead of the release of Full Swing, including Golfshake's Derek Clements, who looks forward to the Netflix series following an unforgettable year on the PGA Tour.

If you regularly watch golf on TV you will know that in this country, Sky Sports leads the way. When you don’t have competition it is all too easy to become complacent and rest on your laurels. It is, therefore, to Sky’s credit that they have continued to innovate. But how could they further improve their coverage? Golfshake's Derek Clements has some ideas.

We reckon that any day spent at the golf course is fundamentally a good one, but what factors come together to create the perfect day? Golfshake's Derek Clements has given that some thought and describes what would be his absolutely perfect, dream round of golf.

There are all sorts of golfers at clubs around the country. But what makes them a proper golfer? Sharing his tongue in cheek analysis on the various personalities and behaviours he sees, Golfshake's Derek Clements offers his thoughts on the subject.

Justin Rose ended a four-year drought by winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. In the process, the Englishman secured his place in the field for The Masters.

Full Swing, the Netflix documentary series following a year in the life of the PGA Tour, has sparked a huge amount of interest. When the producers came up with the idea they could not possibly have imagined what would follow. It got us wondering about the documentaries and real-life movies that never happened but would surely have been ratings winners.

There is much controversy surrounding professional golf at the moment, but Golfshake's Derek Clements offers an optimistic take on things, demonstrating why he sees enough positive things for fans and viewers to be excited about in 2023.

This is a significant week for the DP World Tour, with an arbitration panel to decide whether the likes of Lee Westwood, Patrick Reed, Martin Kaymer and Ian Poulter can carry on playing in its tournaments.

Ian Poulter recently announced that if he was invited to play in this year’s Ryder Cup he would probably decline. But he tells a very different story in the new Netflix series, Full Swing, which will be available from February 15.

Phil Mickelson has been making a lot of noise on social media in recent weeks, stirring things up and causing a fair degree of controversy along the way. Golfshake's Derek Clements hasn't been left impressed by the six-time major champion.

There is a truly exceptional field that has been assembled by the PGA Tour for the typically raucous WM Phoenix Open, where Scottie Scheffler defends the title. World number one Rory McIlroy is competing. Fresh from winning the Dubai Desert Classic, TPC Scottsdale is a course that should be made for him.

Li Haotong is one of the star attractions at the inaugural Singapore Classic at Laguna National Golf Resort, but one of last year's standout performers, Ryan Fox, is surely among the favourites in this new DP World Tour event.

Daniel Gavins found water twice at the final hole and then holed a 30-foot double-bogey putt to win the Ras Al Khaimah Championship in the most dramatic fashion.

Abraham Ancer held off the challenge of Cameron Young to win the Saudi International by two strokes and claim a wire-to-wire victory after dropping just two shots all week.

Yes, even the best golfers on the planet have areas of the game that could be improved. So what would happen if you took the best parts from the best players? You would end up with some player. Thanks to golf’s obsession with statistics, it is actually possible to produce the complete golfer.

The public spats over LIV Golf continued last week, involving Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed, with even Sir Nick Faldo getting involved. Golfshake's Derek Clements believes that it's a pattern that has done the wider game no favours.

It's one of the PGA Tour's most divisive events, but Tom Hoge defends his title in California at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, with reigning US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick among the favourites to be successful this week.

The DP World Tour’s Desert Swing ends this week with the Ras Al Khaimah Championship at Al Hamra Golf Club. And Thriston Lawrence will make his second appearance at the event after getting his season off to a flyer with victory on home soil at the South African Open, while Padraig Harrington will again attempt to become the oldest winner in tour history.

Cameron Young, one of the hottest properties on the PGA Tour, will tee it up in the Saudi International. As expected, the field is full of LIV Golf members, including defending champion Harold Varner III, Phil Mickelson, Cameron Smith, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed.

It was somehow inevitable that the Dubai Desert Classic would come down to Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed, but it was the Northern Irishman who triumphed in dramatic style with a closing birdie on the last to deny the American.

Max Homa shot a 66 to come from five behind to claim the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines as Spain’s Jon Rahm, who had been attempting to win his third event in a row slumped to a 74 

When Golfshake's Derek Clements looks around at the behaviour of some of the people he sees playing this great game, it sometimes makes him wonder why they bother. And it got him thinking about the sort of individuals that, in an ideal world, we would want to play with. And those we wouldn’t want to be on the same course with, never mind in the same fourball.

Jon Rahm has been singing the praises of former Wales and Real Madrid footballing superstar Gareth Bale’s golfing ability after they played together in the pro-am at the Farmers Insurance Open. Bale isn’t the first professional footballer to have a gift for golf.

There are some golf tournaments that you know will always deliver, whether it be by providing guaranteed drama or an incredible atmosphere. But there are other wonderful events that might not obviously capture the public’s imagination. Derek Clements has picked out some underrated dates for your diary.

Rory McIlroy kicks off 2023 looking for a third victory at the Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club as part of a world-class field that includes Shane Lowry, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Ryan Fox, Francesco Molinari, Thomas Pieters, Guido Migliozzi, Robert MacIntyre, Adrian Meronk, Thriston Lawrence and Victor Perez.

Jon Rahm is back at his favourite venue, Torrey Pines, for the Farmers Insurance Open. The in-form Spaniard will be joined in the field by the likes of Xander Schauffele, Will Zalatoris, Hideki Matsuyama, Max Homa, Collin Morikawa and Tony Finau.

Using The Open, the Premier League and the Australian Open tennis as examples, Golfshake's Derek Clements reflects on the manner in which spectators are treated, with the highest consideration seemingly paid to whatever TV demands.

Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter has suggested that he would turn down a place on this year's team, should he qualify for Europe. But in his latest View From The Fairway opinion piece, Derek Clements believes that the Englishman's comments were delusional and misplaced.

You will probably be aware that LIV Golf has struck a deal with the CW Network for it to broadcast all 14 of its tournaments in 2023, but it's an announcement that left several unanswered questions.

Jon Rahm came out on top in an epic duel with rookie Davis Thompson to claim the American Express title. It was the Spaniard’s fourth win in five starts and his second in succession.

Frenchman Victor Perez secured the biggest win of his career and boosted his Ryder Cup qualification hopes after holing a bunker shot at the penultimate hole on his way to a final round of 66 and a dramatic victory at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

What should you be looking for if you have decided that the time has come to join a golf club? It's a scenario that many golfers face if there are several options available in their area. Golfshake's Derek Clements has been a member at venues across the country and he has outlined a number of factors you must consider.

After his spectacular comeback victory at the Tournament of Champions, Jon Rahm declared that nobody in the world is playing better golf than the Spaniard - and it is difficult to argue with him. And he will be one of the favourites to win The American Express Championship at PGA West this week.

Belgium's Thomas Pieters returns to Yas Links to defend his Abu Dhabi Championship title against a strong field as the DP World Tour resumes. Seamus Power will make his debut alongside former winners Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton, Ryan Fox, 2018 Open Champion Francesco Molinari and Sepp Straka.

The Official World Golf Rankings have continued to be a hot topic, with Jon Rahm again questioning his positioning following recent victories. Golfshake's Derek Clements is perplexed too, as he describes in his new View From The Fairway column.

Si Woo Kim shot a final round of 64 to pip Hayden Buckley and win the Sony Open in Hawaii by a stroke, continuing what has been a fast start to the year for Callaway's new Paradym Driver.

High-flying Polish star Adrian Meronk holed the winning putt as Continental Europe beat Great Britain & Ireland 14.5-10.5 to win the inaugural Hero Cup in what has been set up as a dress rehearsal for Europe’s prospects in the Ryder Cup later this year.

Golf is a very special game. Those of us who play it love the sport and almost everything about it. However, for those who look in from the outside, it is also a game that is surrounded by misconceptions. Golfshake's Derek Clements addresses some of those and, hopefully, dispels a few myths.

Rory McIlroy is a man who influences much of what happens in professional golf. And his resurgence got our Derek Clements thinking about the men he considers to be the 10 most influential golfers of all time.

The Saudi International is a tournament that has consistently divided opinion, even before the arrival of LIV Golf, but given that context, many will be surprised to discover that the PGA Tour has given permission to several of its players to compete next month.

2022 was quite the year to follow the PGA Tour, but that's just what the makers of Full Swing did for a fly-on-the-wall documentary series for Netflix, which is hotly anticipated by golf fans following the reveal of its first trailer.

Tommy Fleetwood captains GB&I against a Continental Europe side led by Francesco Molinari in the inaugural Hero Cup this week. It is seen as a dress rehearsal for the Ryder Cup and while some of the 20 players in action in Abu Dhabi will be in Rome, many of them will not.

Hideki Matsuyama defends his title at the Sony Open this week, the first full-field tournament of 2023. The likes of Billy Horschel, Jordan Spieth and Tom Kim are competing in Hawaii, making this an intriguing event to follow as the PGA Tour kicks back into gear.

Golfshake's Derek Clements assesses the current state of the Ryder Cup, the impact of possible exclusions for LIV golfers, and how the potential teams are looking with the showpiece event only nine months away.

There were several talking points that emerged from the Tournament of Champions, including the news that Patrick Cantlay is no longer sponsored by either Titleist or Hugo Boss. Golfshake's Derek Clements delves into some of the off-the-course highlights from an intriguing week.

As the new golf year kicks into action we should not underestimate the importance of the decision made by Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley and his committee to allow LIV Golf players to compete at The Masters in April.

Jon Rahm produced a glorious final round of 63 to overturn a seven-shot deficit as he won the Tournament of Champions by two shots. It allowed the Spaniard to put last year’s disappointment behind him when he finished second as Cameron Smith won the same event, making birdies for fun.

There are some individuals who are guaranteed to generate interest and make headlines, no matter what they say and do. Here, we look at the nine people in golf who are absolutely guaranteed to move the needle - even without hitting a single shot in anger.

With barely any time to draw breath, the PGA Tour is off and running again with the Sentry Tournament of Champions at The Plantation Course at Kapalua - and it will need to go some to top last year’s tournament.  Derek Clements looks head to this year's event.

SPORT can be an unforgiving mistress. Just when you think that you have it sussed, it has a nasty habit of biting you where it hurts most.  And golf is no exception. Just because a golfer has a couple of dream years, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will continue.

The introduction of LIV Golf has divided the golfing world, creating tension between players and fans alike. As we head into 2023, it is time to consider ways to bridge this gap and reconcile the sport. Derek Clements explores ways to reunite golfers and fans, and bring harmony back to the game.

With Tiger Woods' best days now behind him, the search is on for the next golfing superstar. The 2022-23 season on the PGA and DP World Tours may be the key to discovering just who that individual might be. We have identified 10 golfers whose progress bears watching in the upcoming season. From well-known names to potential up-and-comers, these players could be the future of golf.

There are no guarantees of success in sport. Over the years there have been many young prodigies who have been identified as being the next big thing. Here, we look at golfers we believe have underachieved. Some of the names in this list may surprise you.

Winning golf tournaments is no easy matter. No lead is ever big enough going into the final round. We have seen some remarkable final rounds this year on both the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour, and it got us thinking about the greatest comebacks in the history of our sport.  Here are 10 of the best.

This is a time of year for both reflection and for looking ahead. It is to be hoped that 2023 is a rather more uneventful year off the course.  Sports Writer Derek Clements shares what he would like to see happen in the 12 months that lie ahead.

This has been a year that we will not forget in a hurry. 2022 was the year when LIV Golf arrived, many of the world’s best players defected after being given massive signing-on cheques and were suspended by the PGA Tour. Here, we take a look at some of golf’s biggest winners and losers in 2022.

There was considerable outrage expressed by many in the golf community when neither US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick nor Rory McIlroy made the short list for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

What makes a good golf course? What makes you want to return? What lives long in the mind and makes you want to tell everybody you know? It may surprise you to learn that, according to Golfshake subscribers, the thing we all want is a proper challenge.

Nobody wants to be known as the best golfer never to have won a major. Make no mistake - they are not easy to win. Next year promises to be another exciting one, and Golfshake's Derek Clements picks out ten players he believes are most likely to be challenging for their first major successes.

Kylian Mbappe and France may have lost the World Cup final but their countryman Antoine Rozner produced a superb display of front-running as he fired a 67 to win the Mauritius Open by five shots.

We all know what makes a good golf course and a decent golf club. There are all sorts of reasons that we want to visit courses other than the ones of which we are members. Sadly, you tell us that there are still many courses and clubs that you visit once and decide never to return.

It has certainly been an eventful year in the world of professional golf. We have seen some outstanding performances in the majors, the resurgence of Rory McIlroy and the arrival of LIV Golf. There has been a lot of focus on events off the course, but we think there is still plenty to celebrate. Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his top 10 golfers of 2022.

The lack of world ranking points on LIV Golf has led to serious consequences for a number of players who have tumbled down the rankings during the past 12 months. For some it means that they will no longer be exempt to play in any of the four majors.

Belgium's Thomas Detry, who has made a superb start to his PGA Tour career, goes in search of his first DP World Tour victory at the Mauritius Open, which brings the curtain down on another wonderful golf year.

In his View From The Fairway opinion piece, Derek Clements recaps the latest around LIV Golf and the questions surrounding its newly announced venues for 2023 and what that could mean for the established tours.

South Africa's Ockie Strydom carded a final-round 69 to claim a maiden title on the DP World Tour with a two-shot victory at the Alfred Dunhill Championship on Sunday.

In his latest View From The Fairway opinion article, Derek Clements takes a closer look at the two teams announced for the Hero Cup in January and analyses whether the event can make a difference for Europe at September's Ryder Cup.

The QBE Shootout brings the curtain down on an eventful year for the PGA Tour, with 12 two-person teams competing at Tiburon Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Florida.

The Alfred Dunhill Championship returns to Leopard Creek for the first time in two years with Christiaan Bezuidenhout back to defend his title on home soil. The tournament marks the end of the DP World Tour’s South Africa Swing and once again boasts a strong field, dominated by home players.

Norway’s Viktor Hovland handled the toughest stretch at Muirfield Village and delivered three clutch putts at the end to win the Memorial Tournament in a playoff over Denny McCarthy. It was his fourth PGA Tour victory, worth a $3.6 million winner's check and a handshake from host Jack Nicklaus.

Thriston Lawrence nearly threw away the South African Open but held on to win by a single shot from Clement Sordet of France. Lawrence had a five-shot lead early on the back nine at Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate but was reeled in by his playing partner before getting over the line by one stroke at 16 under par.

Poland's Adrian Meronk shot a closing 66 to beat home favourite Adam Scott to the Australian Open title by five shots. The 29-year-old became the first Pole to win on the European Tour at July's Irish Open and added a second title in Melbourne.

Ashleigh Buhai capped a magnificent year by winning the Australian Open in Melbourne. Trailing 54-hole leader leader Jiyai Shin of South Korea by one stroke, Buhai carded a one-over par 73 to post a winning total of 14-under.

Speaking ahead of the Hero World Challenge, Tiger Woods has repeated Rory McIlroy’s call for Greg Norman to quit as LIV Golf CEO - to allow a settlement to be negotiated in golf’s civil war.

Sadly, Tiger Woods isn't competing in the Hero World Challenge this week after withdrawing due to injury, but the 15-time major champion will host 20 impressive names, including Jon Rahn, Justin Thomas and Scottie Scheffler.

The South African Open returns this week at Blair Atholl Golf Club in Johannesburg. As you would expect, there is a strong home presence, led by the likes of Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace, Dean Burmester, Dylan Frittelli, JC Ritchie, Thriston Lawrence, Wilco Nienaber, Erik van Rooyen and Darren Fichardt.

A significant piece of history will be created this week at the first mixed gender Australian Open at Victoria Golf Club and Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne. With men, women and disabled players all competing on the same stages at the same time, the Australian Open will return for the first time since 2019.

You will be aware that Greg Norman’s LIV Golf series has been adding new marquee signings all year and that more big names are due to join for the 2023 season, when a total of 14 big-money tournaments will be staged. What you may have missed throughout the season is that LIV Golf axed golfers who might have thought they were set up for life.

Cameron Smith completed his astonishing year by winning the Australian PGA Championship for his fifth victory of 2022. The Australian won the Tournament of Champions, Players Championship and Open Championship. He then moved to LIV Golf and wasted no time in winning again.

Dan Bradbury, a 23-year-old Englishman, is in wonderland after his wire-to-wire victory in the Joburg Open. Bradbury, who only turned professional in the summer, came into the tournament with no status on any tour but made the most of a sponsor’s invite, clinching a magnificent three-shot win as the 2023 season got off to a start that he will never forget.

Sweden's Caroline Hedwall beat Switzerland’s Morgane Metraux in a four-hole playoff to win the LET’s season-ending Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de Espana - her first tournament victory in four years.

There are many, many ways to play golf well. When we start the game we all have it drummed into us that mastering the basics is essential if we are ever to play at a decent level. And while that is undoubtedly true, it has to be said that there are some very good professionals who do things their own way. Here, we look at some of the top stars’ idiosyncrasies.

It's often been said that golf is a gentleman's game, but some of the actions of its best players have regularly defied that cliche. Golfshake's Derek Clements takes a closer look at some of the sport's highest profile - and ugliest - public feuds.

For those hoping to see a reconciliation of sorts across men's professional golf, the continued prominence of Greg Norman appears to be a significant stumbling block, with Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy and new PGA Tour board member Jimmy Dunne all seeing the two-time Open champion as a negative representative for LIV Golf.

With no time to draw breath, one season on the DP World Tour ends and another one begins. And South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence will defend the Joburg Open title he won 12 months ago in a tournament reduced to 36 holes because of the weather.

Open champion Cameron Smith is the star attraction and red-hot favourite to win the Australian PGA Championship in Brisbane this week, a tournament co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia.

Eventual DP World Tour Championship winner Jon Rahm was highly critical of the Official World Golf Ranking, which under a new algorithm granted the PGA Tour's RSM Classic more ranking points. Golfshake's Derek Clements supports the Spaniard's view.

Rory McIlroy's fourth-place finish at the DP World Tour Championship means that he finishes as Europe’s top golfer for the fourth time and caps an outstanding season that also saw him him claim the Tour Championship, the CJ Cup and the Canadian Open on the PGA Tour.

The DP World Tour Championship was won for the third time by Jon Rahm, of Spain, who finished with a 67 and a 72-hole total of 268, 20 under par, to beat Alex Noren and Tyrrell Hatton by two shots.

Lydia Ko's resurgence continued as she won the LPGA Tour Championship in Florida, beating Ireland’s Leona Maguire by two shots. It is Ko’s second victory in less than a month.

Canada's Adam Svensson won his maiden PGA Tour title at the RSM Classic at Sea Island after barely making the 36-hole cut. The 28-year-old's first Tour victory came on what was a 70th PGA start for the world number 174.

Marbella is one of the most famous holiday destinations in Spain. It is, of course, famous for its mix of night clubs, beach bars and shopping. But it has far, far more to offer both holidaymakers and golfers, including the spectacular Los Monteros Spa & Golf Resort.

As the red-hot summer starts to become a distant memory it might be time to start thinking about a winter golf break in the sun - and there are plenty of options to choose from to suit all budgets. We look at the USA, Dubai and the beautiful island of Mauritius, each coming recommended by our friends at Golfbreaks.

Rory McIlroy has called for Greg Norman to quit as commissioner of LIV Golf, hinting it is the only way that a peace deal can be achieved to end the dispute that has rocked men's golf in 2022.

Lincoln is one of the most beautiful and historic cities in England, and just 20 miles away you will find Belton Woods Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, a magnificent golf resort boasting a stunning hotel and two golf courses.

The news that the prize fund for the Aramco Saudi Ladies International is to be increased from $1m to $5m got us thinking about the whole question of prize money once again. The boost means that the women will be playing for the same financial rewards as those competing in the men’s Saudi International. Sadly, this is something of an exception.

In his weekly View From The Fairway, sports journalist Derek Clements addresses the new Hero Cup to be staged in January, featuring captains Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari, in a team event that is hoped will improve Europe's chances at the Ryder Cup. But Derek is skeptical about its likely impact.

Rory McIlroy arrives in Dubai for what he hopes will be his coronation as Europe’s number one when he tees it up at the DP World Tour Championship. The Northern Irishman leads the DP World Tour rankings ahead of Ryan Fox and US Open champion Matthew Fitzpatrick before the showpiece finale.

Seamus Power and Sepp Straka will be looking for another big week at the RSM Classic as both begin to lay their claims for Ryder Cup berths. They are joined by another European who is still looking to find his way back to his best form. Since winning The Open, Francesco Molinari has endured something of a rollercoaster ride, but he is finally back to full fitness and there have been some encouraging recent signs.

IT HAD been three years since Tommy Fleetwood's last victory - at the Nedbank Challenge at Sun City in South Africa. Since then there have been several near misses and some bitter disappointments.

THERE was a six-year gap between Tony Finau’s maiden victory and his second. But after winning in successive weeks in July 2022 on the PGA Tour, the 33-year-old American has clearly developed a taste for it.

Chiara Noja turned the form book on its head by shooting a final round of 65 to win the Aramco Team Series at the tender age of 16. She finished tied with England’s Charley Hull after regulation play and then held her nerve to win the playoff with a birdie.

Social media has gone into meltdown with the news that Tiger Woods has announced he will return to action at the 2022 Hero World Challenge.

There are sportsmen and women who go about their business with great fanfare. Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed are examples of golfers who wear their hearts on their sleeves, get the crowd involved and know how to enjoy winning golf tournaments.  But not everybody is like that. Many Tour pros go about their business quietly, with a minimum of fuss. Here, we look at 10 players who go under the radar.

IT IS often said that the most important six inches in golf is the space between our ears. We have all made decisions on the golf course that we later live to regret. We have all walked off a tee or green shaking our heads in disbelief at some act of stupidity.  So here are just a few of them.

In his weekly - View From The Fairway - Sports Journalist Derek Clements reports on the last announcement from the DP World Tour guaranteeing every player who plays in at least 15 tournaments $150,000 and poses the questions - do the players have LIV Golf to thank?

The PGA Tour visits Memorial Park for the 2022 Houston Open which was won last year by Jason Korkrak. The Houston Open was first played in 1946, with the inaugural event captured by Byron Nelson at River Oaks Country Club.

The Gary Player Country Club in South Africa hosts the penultimate event of the 2021-22 DP World Tour schedule, with the curtain coming down at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai next week. The event, which is widely regarded as South Africa’s major, makes a welcome return to the calendar, boasting a tremendously strong field.

Russell Henley ended a five-year winless drought when he claimed the Mayakoba Championship by four shots from Brian Harman.

The PGA Tour has made dramatic enhancements to several of its events, but what about this side of the pond? It got us thinking about tournaments on the DP World Tour that we believe could perhaps do with a review - and a boost in prize money and status.

As the days get shorter, our thoughts may turn to the prospect of heading off for some winter sun. And there are some incredible destinations recommended by our friends Golfbreaks that are closer than you might think.

A number of high-profile professionals have lost their DP World Tour cards. They include tournament winners such as Joost Luiten, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, David Horsey, Brandon Stone and Lucas Bjerregaard. But none had a more agonising finish than Italy's Renato Paratore.

Are you looking to change your golf clubs? Maybe you fancy a set of shiny new irons, or you could be looking for a set of second-hand clubs. You could, of course, head to your local professional’s shop and seek advice, but there are many options open to you.

The first LIV Golf season has come to an end after eight tournaments that have ripped professional golf asunder, setting many of the sport’s leading lights against one another. Golfshake's Derek Clements reflects on the impact of the new circuit and what's ahead.

Fans will return to the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba for the first time in two years as Viktor Hovland returns in an attempt to win the title for the third year on the trot. The hugely talented Norwegian will have his work cut out for him, however, with his biggest challenge perhaps coming from Collin Morikawa.

Ireland's Seamus Power laid down a marker for European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald by winning the Butterfield Bermuda Championship on the PGA Tour, beating Belgium's Thomas Detry by a shot.

After a hiatus of five years, Jordan Smith finally won his second DP World Tour title, securing the Portugal Masters at Dom Pedro Victoria. And he did so in the most spectacular fashion, shooting a final round of 63 for a mind-boggling 72-hole total of 254 - an astonishing 30 under par.

The LIV Golf season reaches its conclusion at Trump National Doral Golf Club in Miami this week, with huge sums of money on offer once again. The iconic Blue Monster course will stage the seeded three-day, knockout tournament featuring both match play and stroke play as LIV Golf’s 12 teams compete for a $50m purse.

There are worse places to be at the end of October than at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship this week. And Polish star Adrian Meronk will be hoping to make a name for himself as he makes a rare start on the PGA Tour after what has been an outstanding season in Europe.

The Portugal Masters represents the last-chance saloon for number of players on the DP World Tour. It is the final regular tournament of the 2021-22 season and offers the final chance to secure playing privileges for the year ahead.

It was somehow inevitable that the Dubai Desert Classic would come down to Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed, but it was the Northern Irishman who triumphed in dramatic style with a closing birdie on the last to deny the American.

Yannik Paul secured his maiden DP World Tour title after a dramatic finish to the Mallorca Golf Open. Paul birdied the last to post a one-over 72 at Son Muntaner Golf Club and end the week on 15 under, a shot ahead of fellow German Nicolai von Dellinghausen and England's Paul Waring.

The Cary Arms is a luxury, five-star venue that is located in a glorious bay in Babbacombe, near Torquay in Devon. It also has a stay-and-play arrangement with Teignmouth Golf Club, designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie. Golfshake's Derek Clements had the opportunity to experience both and he describes his time spent there.

France is becoming an increasingly popular destination for UK golfers. There are many reasons for this, not the least of which are the quality of courses combined with how easy it is to get there. However, we believe that The Resonance Golf Collection can provide you with the answers to all of your French golf questions.

Murcia is a historic city located in the south-east of Spain and is the perfect location for a golf break, no matter what time of year you may be thinking of heading off for some R&R.

Whether it be the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour, or LIV Golf, the riches available to the best men's golfers are extraordinary, with purses also rising across the women's game. Golfshake's Derek Clements takes a closer look at what some leading golfers have pocketed this year.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a sports journalist covering a golf tournament, especially a major championship? Golfshake's Derek Clements has decades of experience and he offers a behind the scenes view of what that week looks like for members of the press.

Rory McIlroy began his outstanding 2021-22 season with a victory at the CJ Cup at Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina and returns to defend his title against a world-class field that includes Scottie Scheffler, Hideki Matsuyama, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Viktor Hovland.

The DP World Tour completes its Spanish Swing at the Mallorca Open at Son Muntaner Golf Club in Palma. The field include Ryan Fox, Ewen Ferguson, Rafa Cabrera Bello, the Hojgaard twins, Nicolai and Rasmus, Erik Van Rooyen and Daniel Gavins.

Keegan Bradley won his first PGA Tour title in more than four years with a one-shot victory at the ZOZO Championship in Japan. He carded a two-under 68 to finish one stroke ahead of American compatriots Andrew Putnam and Rickie Fowler, the overnight leader. It was the 36-year-old's fifth Tour win, and his first since the BMW Championship in 2018.

Lexi Thompson put a tough couple of years behind her with a three-shot victory at the Aramco Team Series in New York. It is the American’s first win since she claimed the title at the Shoprite LPGA Classic in 2019.

Brooks Koepka became the latest $4m man when he defeated Peter Uihlein in a playoff to win the LIV Golf tournament in Jeddah. Both men finished the 54-hole tournament on 198, 12 under par.

Adrian Otaegui stormed to a six-shot victory with an astonishing display of stroke-making to win the Andalucia Masters at Valderrama. He reduced the course to 265 strokes, 19 under par, as he beat Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren. Min Woo Lee was third, a further three shots adrift.

US Open champion Matthew Fitzpatrick defends his Andalucia Masters title at Valderrama this week as the DP World Tour remains in Spain for the second of three events.

Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele lead the field at the Zozo Championship at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Japan. Also heading to the land of the rising sun are Cameron Champ, Rickie Fowler and Tommy Fleetwood.

LIV Golf moves to Jeddah for the penultimate event of its inaugural campaign, where the likes of Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith will be among the favourites to triumph on Saudi Arabia's Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.

It took her 246 attempts but England's Jodi Ewart Shadoff is finally a LPGA Tour winner, going wire to wire to claim the Mediheal Championship by a shot.

Patrick Cantlay had a disastrous finish at the Shriners Children's Open, opening the door for Tom Kim, who made such a huge impression for The Internationals at the recent Presidents Cup, to match a Tiger Woods record on the PGA Tour with victory at TPC Summerlin.

Jon Rahm's victory at The Masters takes him back No1 in the world rankings and consolidates his position at the top of the FedEx Cup standings. It also means he has now won two majors. This was his fourth victory of the year - exactly the number achieved by Scottie Scheffler when he claimed the Green Jacket 12 months ago.

You may have never heard of Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra, but he woke up this morning $4m richer after claiming the LIV Golf Bangkok title. His final round of 69 gave him a three-stroke victory.

Golf returned to the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016, when Justin Rose and Inbee Park claimed the gold medals. Xander Schauffele and Nelly Korda took the gold in Tokyo last year. And now, it has been confirmed that the game will make its debut at the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Australia in 2026.

Sungjae Im defends his Shriners Children’s Open title, looking to emulate his astonishing performance 12 months ago, when he shot a final round of 62 to win by four shots. Jason Day, Gary Woodland and Stewart Cink are all in the field at TPC Summerlin and will be joined by Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar, Cameron Champ, Harris English and J.T. Poston. But it's Patrick Cantlay who should be the man to beat.

Jon Rahm leads a star-studded field at the Open de Espana, and has his sights on a third success to add to his victories in 2018 and 2019. He is determined to emulate legendary fellow Spaniard Seve Ballesteros, who won this tournament in 1981, 1985 and 1995.

LIV Golf moves to Bangkok this week, where Open champion Cameron Smith's biggest threats are likely to come from Dustin Johnson, who has yet to finish outside the top 10 in the LIV Golf series, and the hugely gifted Joaquin Niemann.

It was a memorable week at the Dunhill Links, perhaps most so for the horrendous weather conditions on Friday that have Golfshake's Derek Clements wondering whether this long-standing autumn tradition at the Home of Golf would be better served moving to summer.

It wasn't pretty to watch but Mackenzie Hughes finally has his second PGA Tour victory, six years after his first. The Canadian beat Austria’s Sepp Straka at the second hole of a playoff at the Sanderson Farms Championship thanks to a magnificent birdie on the 18th.

Charley Hull shot a magnificent final round of 64 to win The Ascendant on the LPGA Tour with a 72-hole total of 266, 18 under par. It was the English golfer’s first success on the LPGA Tour for six years and it wasn’t easy. Her last triumph on the Tour came in 2016 when she won the CME Group Tour Championship in Florida.

Ryan Fox produced a final round of 68 to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and then paid tribute to Shane Warne, the legendary Australian cricketer who died earlier this year.

Feeder tours are an essential part of the professional game - they are where young players go to learn their trade and, for the lucky few, they are the route to the likes of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.

The Ryder Cup may still be 12 months away but it is already dominating the thoughts of many pundits. After the USA’s comfortable victory in the Presidents Cup, you can be sure that the events that will unfold in Italy next year are already dominating the thoughts of European captain Luke Donald.

Last year at the Sanderson Farms Championship, Sam Burns rolled off four birdies in a six-hole stretch to start the back nine and pulled away for a five-under 67 to secure his second PGA Tour title. And he is back, fresh from helping the USA to retain the Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow.

Rory McIlroy returns to Europe for the third time in four weeks when he plays in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. He finished second at the BMW PGA Championship and fourth at the Italian Open to extend his lead at the top of the DP World Tour rankings, and he can more or less sew things up with a victory at St Andrews this week.

Xander Schauffele holed the putt that gave the USA a 17.5-12.5 victory in the Presidents Cup. And so The Internationals’ quest for success on American soil continues despite a spirited performance during the last two days of matches.

Guido Migliozzi won the Open de France at Le Golf National thanks to a sensational final round of 62, which was good enough to pip Rasmus Hojgaard by a single shot.

Klara Spilkova claimed the Women's Irish Open after a three-way play-off at Dromoland Castle in Clare. It was her first victory in five years. The 27-year-old from the Czech Republic birdied the par-five 18th to defeat Nicole Broch Estrup and Ursula Wikstrom, both of whom made pars. The trio finished on 14 under par after a dramatic final day.

All 50 golfers currently signed to LIV Golf have written to Peter Dawson, chairman of the Official World Golf Rankings board, demanding that they be awarded ranking points. But what is stopping the new circuit from being eligible for points? There are several established criteria that it must meet.

Imagine for a moment that money was no object, that you have a series of luxury cars in the driveway of your eight-bedroom home. We have looked at some of the golf courses in the UK that provide the very best value for money. Now, we explore those where the green fees would make most of us baulk and walk away.

Captain Trevor Immelman will be hoping to mastermind the biggest of upsets as he prepares to captain The Internationals against Davis Love's USA in the Presidents Cup at the magnificent Quail Hollow this week.

A strong field has assembled at Le Golf National this week for the Open de France, which is being played for the first time since 2019. Three years ago the tournament was won by Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to the event.

Max Homa shot a 66 to come from five behind to claim the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines as Spain’s Jon Rahm, who had been attempting to win his third event in a row slumped to a 74 

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre put a miserable season behind him as he saw off U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick in a play-off to win the Italian Open.

Cameron Smith completed his astonishing year by winning the Australian PGA Championship for his fifth victory of 2022. The Australian won the Tournament of Champions, Players Championship and Open Championship. He then moved to LIV Golf and wasted no time in winning again.

Last week's BMW PGA Championship will not be forgotten in a hurry. Among the many stories from the week was that of Sergio Garcia, who withdrew after the opening round without a word of apology or explanation, instead attending a college football game in America. Derek Clements wonders just how much damage this has done to the Spaniard's reputation.

This week's Italian Open takes on special significance as it will be hosted at Marco Simone Golf Club which, in 12 months' time, will host the Ryder Cup, with Europe thirsting for revenge after suffering a humiliating defeat at Whistling Straits last year.

Shane Lowry produced a flawless final round of 65 to win the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. He finished the tournament - reduced to 54 holes after the death of The Queen - on 199, 17 under par.

A stellar cast gathers at Wentworth this week for the BMW PGA Championship, with huge excitement surrounding the appearance of Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy.

After a gap of eight years, England’s Oliver Wilson finally landed his second DP World Tour title at the Made in Himmerland in Denmark.

Alexander Knappe moved to the top of the Road to Mallorca Rankings as a four under par round of 68 was enough to secure a fourth Challenge Tour title at the B-NL Challenge Trophy by Hulencourt. In the process, he secured his return to the DP World Tour.

MANY of you have told us about the soaring cost of green fees since lockdown ended. And while it is quite clearly true that many clubs have opted to cash in on the golf boom by increasing their green fees for visitors, it is still possible to find a bargain.  We have had a trawl around and have come up with 18 courses that won’t break the bank - and the best news of all is that these are courses you should thoroughly enjoy as a visiting golfer.

AND so the 2021-22 PGA Tour season has come to end. And it is one that we will not forget in a hurry.  There has been plenty of fabulous action on the course, with several new names coming to the fore, as well as established stars continuing to build upon their reputations.

RYDER  Cup Europe has announced a radical change to the qualification process for the 2023 European Ryder Cup Team at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy, with Luke Donald being given six picks.

THE DP World Tour heads to Denmark this week for the Made in Himmerand, a tournament won last year by Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger. 2022 will see a new champion and there will be a great deal of attention on a strong home presence, led by Thorbjorn Olesen, Thomas Bjorn, Soren Kjeldsen and Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard.

THE fourth LIV Golf tournament takes place in Boston this week, with the organisers promising to announce the names of more marquee defectors. It comes at the end of a PGA Tour season we will not forget in a hurry.

KERCHING! Rory McIlroy overturned a six-shot deficit to pocket a cheque for $18m as he became the first golfer to win the FedEx Cup three times after an astonishing final round at the Tour Championship at East Lake.

Rory McIlroy - alongside Tiger Woods - has taken on a significant leadership role as the PGA Tour reacts to LIV Golf and the current situation in the game, but as Golfshake's Derek Clements notes, that lofty position has also brought with it some unwanted attention.

It is a big week at East Lake. The Tour Championship has seen some dramatic finishes over the years and some of the biggest names in the game of golf picking up the trophy. And, of course, there is also the small matter of the FedEx Cup and a cheque for $17m for the champion.

The DP World Tour heads to the Swiss Alps for the Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre, one of the most spectacular venues on the planet. Unsurprisingly, this stunning golf course has attracted a strong field.

Defending FedEx Cup champion Patrick Cantlay rewrote the record books by becoming the first golfer to successfully defend a tournament in the FedEx Cup post-season by retaining the BMW Championship.

American Nelly Korda produced a superb five-under-par 67 to win the Aramco Team Series event at La Reserva Club, Spain as her sister, Jessica, collapsed to 77 in the final round. 

Max Kieffer of Germany won his first DP World Tour title at the 249th attempt following a dramatic finish to the Czech Masters. We take a closer look at his career to date, profiling the player and looking at the clubs that he uses.

Tom Weiskopf was blessed with a glorious golf swing but he was cursed with a volcanic temper. It is one of golf's great mysteries that a man who struck the ball as well as Weiskopf, who has passed away at the age of 79, ended his career with just one major to his name.

Sadly, the scale of the schism that exists in professional golf has come to the fore once again this week, with events off the course continuing to dominate the headlines.

Tenerife is one of the most popular year-round European destinations for British tourists - and it is not difficult to work out why. You won’t be surprised to learn that it is also a paradise for golfers, boasting no fewer than nine courses, many with luxurious accommodation. Let’s start with Hotel Las Madrigueras and the superb Golf Las Americas.

The Algarve boasts a variety of spectacular golf courses that will live long in the memory. Perhaps the most famous of all is Penina, designed by the legendary Henry Cotton. It was also the first course to be built in the Algarve. And while many others have since been created, Penina has stood the test of time and remains a must-play for anybody visiting the region.  

During the FedEx St Jude Championship, there was a social media debate surrounding the apparent lack of star names on the leaderboard. Golfshake's Derek Clements reflects on that and why it demonstrated the strength of depth on the PGA Tour.

With just two events left in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, everything can change. There is huge money at stake, as well as extra points for the man who wins the BMW Championship. Will Zalatoris’ win at the St Jude means he now leads the standings, with Scottie Scheffler in second.

The D+D Real Czech Masters has become something of a personal benefit for Thomas Pieters and the Belgian will be looking to win the tournament for a third time this week. 

If you are going to win your first tournament on the PGA Tour you may as well make it a FedEx Cup playoff event. And that’s exactly what Will Zalatoris did, when he defeated Austria's Sepp Straka on the third play-off hole to claim the FedEx St Jude Championship in Memphis.

Ewen shot a final-round 69 to complete a wire-to-wire victory at the ISPS Handa World Invitational at Galgorm Castle Golf Club - his second win of the year.

There have been some changes made to the Official World Golf Rankings, but it's fair to say that they haven't been received positively by everyone, with some DP World Tour players expressing concerning that they are being short-changed when compared to the PGA Tour.

And so the PGA Tour enters its final straight as the Playoffs begin, with Tony Finau defending his title at what was the Northern Trust Open but is now the FedEx St Jude Championship at TPC Southwind.

Daniel Gavins returns to Galgorm Castle to defend his title at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational, while Irish star Leona Maguire headlines the women's section of this unique event where the DP World Tour and Ladies European Tour stage tournaments simultaneously.

It was always going to come to this, but the news that Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Ian Poulter are among 11 LIV Golf players who have filed a lawsuit against the PGA Tour in order to challenge their suspensions simply confirms that professional golf is in the middle of a civil war in which there are unlikely to be any winners.

Two decades after her idol Ernie Els won the Open at Muirfield, South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai followed in his footsteps after a dramatic finish to the £6 million AIG Women’s Open. Els had to come through a four-man, five-hole play-off to claim his third major title in 2002 and Buhai required four extra holes to win her first by beating South Korea’s In Gee Chun after giving up two seemingly commanding leads.

Joohyung Kim shot a final round of 61 to win the Wyndham Championship, his maiden PGA Tour title. Born in Seoul, the 20-year-old becomes one of the youngest ever winners on the American circuit and is a rising star in the game.

Big-hitting Englishman Callum Shinkwin claimed a four-shot victory over Scotland's Connor Syme at the Cazoo Open at Celtic Manor. It was his second DP World Tour success but his first, in 2020, was when there were no crowds because of the pandemic. This was different.

The continuing fallout from the emergence of the LIV Golf Series and the wider response to the venture remains dominant in the headlines, but Golfshake's Derek Clements has been left confused by much of the whole situation and the discussion around it.

A frantic spell for women’s golf comes to a head when Anna Nordqvist defends her Women’s Open title at Muirfield. This is the final major of the year, with the world’s best heading to one of the most famous golf courses on the planet.

Luke Donald has been named as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain, replacing Henrik Stenson, who was sacked after joining the Saudi-back LIV Golf Series.

Ahead of the Women's Open at Muirfield, Golfshake's Derek Clements reflects on last year's championship at Carnoustie, where Anna Nordqvist claimed her third major title in dramatic fashion with Scottish amateur Louise Duncan giving the home fans a thrill on the final day.

This week’s Wyndham Championship is a season-defining tournament. It marks the final regular event of the 2021-22 PGA Tour season, with the top 125 players in the rankings guaranteeing their playing rights for next season.

The Cazoo Open returns to the Twenty Ten Course at Celtic Manor, representing the fifth of six successive tournaments being staged in the UK, with the run coming to an end with the ISPS Handa World Invitational at Galgorm Castle next week.

Henrik Stenson admitted last week that he had joined LIV Golf for the money. And it didn’t take long for the decision to pay off for the controversial Swede as he shot a final round of 69 to win at Trump National, beating Dustin Johnson and Matthew Wolff by two shots. 

Tony Finau claimed a second PGA Tour title in as many starts by cruising to a five-stroke victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit. The 32-year-old recorded six birdies on his way to a five-under 67, seeing him end the week on 26 under and become the first player since Brendon Todd in 2019 to win PGA Tour events on successive weeks.

American Sean Crocker landed his maiden DP World Tour title as he took the Hero Open by a single shot but boy did England’s Eddie Pepperell give him a fright.

LIV Golf has announced that 2023 will feature 14 tournaments boasting a mind-boggling total prize fund of £335m. The full schedule will be revealed at a later date but the Saudi-backed organisation’s footprint will expand to incorporate Europe, North America, the Middle East, Latin America and Australia.

Greg Norman’s Saudi-backed-series appears to have cut loose a number of golfers who played in the first event at Centurion Golf Club in St Albans, including Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal and American Andy Ogletree.  So what now?

RYAN FOX will be looking to continue his astonishing DP World Tour season when he tees it up at the Hero Open at Fairmont St Andrews as many of Europe’s finest golfers return to the home of golf.

CAMERON YOUNG arrives at the Rocket Mortgage Classic fresh from his wonderful performance at the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews, where he finished a shot behind winner Cameron Smith after a spectacular final round of 65.

The third LIV Series 54-hole tournament takes place this week at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New York, with the news that Henrik Stenson has, as widely predicted, joined the circus. He will be joined by Jason Kokrak and the money-making machine that is Charles Howell III.

Twelve months ago it was Jon Rahm who saw off the challenge of Tony Finau to win the Mexico Open. But this time Finau produced a final round of 66 to secure a three-stroke victory over the world No.1. He finished the week on 260, a magnificent 24 under par.

ON A roller-coaster day that saw 13 players lead at one point or another, Canada's Brooke Henderson holed an eight-foot birdie putt on the final green to win the Evian Championship and secure her second major title after a six-year wait.

RICH RAMSAY ended his seven-year wait for a fourth DP World Tour title as he nervelessly holed his tricky par putt at the 18th to win the 2022 Cazoo Classic by one shot.

DARREN CLARKE joined a pretty elite club when he became only the fourth man to add the Senior Open to the Claret Jug he won at Royal St George’s in 2001.

For Golfshake's Derek Clements, it was bad enough that Henrik Stenson is expected to confirm his defection to the Saudi-backed LIV Series. It is now a hundred times worse that he has done so after being named as captain of Europe’s Ryder Cup team, a coveted position that the Swede has now lost.

What was initially a minor inconvenience for the PGA Tour and DP World Tour is now a crisis as LIV Golf continues to attract new players, with speculation mounting that Henrik Stenson, Cameron Smith and Hideki Matsuyama are about to take the jump. For Golfshake's Derek Clements, whatever happens, the Ryder Cup must be protected - no matter what it takes to do so.

WHAT a week that was. The 150th Open Championship was long-anticipated and boy did it live up to expectations. Golfshake's Derek Clements reflects on an extraordinary event that delivered on history, moments, atmosphere and the weather, an Open that all of the 290,000 spectators who attended will never forget.

The 3M Open boasts a pretty strong field this year, led by 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, who will be flying from St Andrews. Matsuyama will be joined by former World No. 1 Jason Day, J.T. Poston, who won the John Deere Classic, and former Open champion Stewart Cink. Former major champions Danny Willett and Lucas Glover are also teeing it up, along with the big-hitting Tony Finau and four-time DP World Tour winner Matt Wallace.

The magnificent Hillside Golf Club hosts the DP World Tour at the Cazoo Classic, where the likes of Robert MacIntyre, Marcus Armitage and Eddie Pepperell will be hoping to produce a strong performance. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to the event.

Chez Reavie took advantage of the absence of the world’s best players to win the Barracuda Championship on Sunday, holding on in the final round of the PGA Tour’s modified Stableford scoring event to secure his third title.

Australia's Cameron Smith rewrote the record books as he won the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews by a single shot from American rookie Cameron Young. Between them, Smith and Young broke the heart of Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman, seeking his first major victory since 2014, was joint lead after 54 holes with Norway’s Viktor Hovland.

Major champion and Sky Sports Golf Rich Beem analyst has tipped Tyrrell Hatton and Patrick Cantlay to do well at St Andrews, and also believes that Tommy Fleetwood has an outside chance at the historic 150th Open.

With the world’s best playing in The Open Championship at St Andrews this week, the Barracuda Championship represents a chance for many of the sport’s lesser lights to gain some valuable FedEx Cup points.

There is huge excitement ahead of the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews, with a record crowd of 290,000 guaranteed at the Home of Golf to see if Collin Morikawa can successfully defend the Claret Jug.

The 150th Open Championship at St Andrews is a milestone event that would be a unique achievement for a player to win. But who could that be? Golfshake's Derek Clements has some thoughts...

The Old Course at St Andrews is one of the most iconic venues in sport. Unusually, it features just two par threes and two par fives. Seven of the greens are shared by two holes each, with hole numbers adding up to 18. Only the 1st, 9th, 17th and 18th holes have their own greens.

The Old Course at St Andrews, host to the 150th Open Championship, has been the scene of much drama over the years. Here, we look at some of the classic moments that have unfolded at the Home of Golf.

Unless you have been living on the moon, you will know that this year’s Open Championship at St Andrews is the 150th and we thought it might be fun to mark what will be a very special week by giving you 150 facts and figures about The Open.

Xander Schauffele continued his red-hot run of form by winning the Scottish Open at Renaissance. The American, who led after 54 holes, opened with early birdies but dropped shots at the sixth, seventh and ninth holes. However, birdies at the 14th and 16th holes got him back on track and his final round of 70 was good enough to give him a one-shot victory over fellow American Kurt Kitayama and South Korea's Joohyung Kim.

The winner of the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews will walk away with a record £2m. It represents an increase of more than £300,000 on the £1.7m Collin Morikawa won last year, while the total purse for the game's oldest major has risen by 22% from last year to £11.2m.

St Andrews is, of course, known as the home of golf. But the Auld Grey Toun offers so much more to those who visit it. Golfshake's Derek Clements picks out some of the key attractions and history behind this remarkable corner of Fife.

The most most recent Open Championship to be played at St Andrews featured a dramatic conclusion, fitting for such an iconic venue. Arnold Palmer and Peter Thomson made final appearances in the Champion's Challenge, Nick Faldo and Tom Watson bowed out, and there was incredible tension as the action unfolded on the delayed final day. 

Ten years ago we witnessed one of the most remarkable Open collapses. Adam Scott led by four shots with four holes to play at Lytham but bogeyed each one to lose by one to Ernie Els. Now 41, Scott says he cannot wait to tee it up at St Andrews.

Last year, Collin Morikawa shot a scintillating bogey-free final round to clinch the Claret Jug on his Open Championship debut as returning fans soaked up the sun at Royal St George's.

There has been a great deal of talk about loyalty in recent weeks. LIV golfers Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia have been quick to criticise the DP World Tour for fining and suspending them and have all talked about their years of loyal service to the tour. But what can be considered loyal these days?

A can of worms has been opened with the news that Ian Poulter will be allowed to play in the Scottish Open after an appeal against his ban was upheld. Adrian Otaegui and Justin Harding have also been cleared to play after taking legal action against the DP World Tour, whose chief executive Keith Pelley said: “We are disappointed by the outcome of today’s hearing.”

The Scottish Open boasts the strongest field of the year to date as many of the world’s best golfers use it as an opportunity to get their games in shape for The Open Championship at St Andrews next week.

The launch of the controversial LIV Golf Series has caused uproar within the world of professional golf, but Golfshake's Derek Clements believes there is a need for innovation and freshness on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour to provide a more compelling product to golf fans.

Lee Westwood says that he doesn’t think his defection to the LIV Golf series should affect his chances of playing for Europe in the Ryder Cup next year, with record points scorer Sergio Garcia holding a similar view about his future participation in the event.

JT Poston became the first wire-to-wire winner of the John Deere Classic in 30 years winning by three shots at Deere Run in Illinois. The 29-year-old also claimed a place in The Open at St Andrews, along with Emiliano Grillo and Christiaan Bezuidenhout, who finished tied second, three shots behind Poston.

Adrian Meronk wrote a piece of golfing history as the first Polish winner on the DP World Tour after producing some wonderful golf on the back nine to win the Irish Open by three shots.

South Africa's Branden Grace won the second LIV Golf Invitational Series in Portland, pocketing a massive $4,375,000 in the process.

DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley has admitted for the first time that talks did take place about a possible collaboration with the Saudis who are funding the LIV Series, but a new 13-year joint venture partnership has instead been announced with the PGA Tour.

Rory McIlroy is one of the most exciting and naturally gifted golfers on the planet. There is no more thrilling sight than watching the Northern Irishman in full flight. He is also one of his sport’s great thinkers. The media loves him because when he speaks he usually has something worthwhile to say. He is also not afraid to stir up a bit of controversy.

Many of the PGA Tour’s biggest stars are taking some time off as they prepare for the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews. It means that the field for this week’s John Deere Classic is not the strongest, but it does provide the potential for somebody to make a name for themselves.

The likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Abraham Ancer, Patrick Reed and Pat Perez will be teeing it up alongside the likes of Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Louis Oosthuizen, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Phil Mickelson and Charl Schwartzel, winner of the inaugural event at Centurion, for the second LIV Golf event.

The entry list for the Irish Open at Mount Juliet reads like a who’s who of European golf. With The Open Championship just a couple of weeks away, it is little surprise that so many leading lights should choose to head to Ireland in order to tune up for St Andrews.

Xander Schauffele won the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands after rookie Sahith Theegala suffered a nightmare on the final hole.

Lexi Thompson threw away a two-shot lead with three holes to play to hand the Women’s PGA Championship to South Korea's In Gee Chun. It was her third major title but her first in six years.

Haotong Li ended a four-year wait for a DP World Tour title in style as he beat Thomas Pieters in a play-off with a gigantic birdie putt to complete a stunning wire-to-wire victory at the BMW International Open in Munich.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington led the US Senior Open at Bethlehem by six shots with 10 holes to play. That’s when Steve Stricker decided to put his foot to the floor and, in the end, Harrington was forced to hang on for dear life to claim the title by a single shot.

The DP World Tour put itself on collision course with the players who took part in the LIV Series tournament at Centurion. The tour stopped short of suspending them but the likes of Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Richard Bland will each be fined £100,000 - with the threat of further fines if they take part in other LIV events.

It was clear that the PGA Tour had to do something to keep its best players, and they have come up a format that should do precisely that, announcing a series of highly lucrative tournaments, eight events to begin at the end of 2023, each boasting purses of $20m for the top 50 in the previous season's FedEx Cup standings.

It is just you against the golf course and the elements so when you play badly there is nobody to blame but yourself. And that means you are going to hear excuses for poor shots. Lots of excuses. Some of them are pretty far-fetched. Some of them are just plain daft. Without further ado, here are some of the best excuses you will hear on the golf course.

Although the money is obviously a significant factor, it is becoming increasingly clear that a reason many of the world’s best players are signing for the LIV Series is that the idea of playing less competitive golf is appealing to them.

Linn Grant's astonishing victory at the Scandinavian Mixed has reopened the debate about the disparity in prize money between men’s and women’s golf with a potential solution either being more mixed gender tournaments or men's and women's championhips being staged alongside each other. Golfshake's Derek Clement delves into the debate.

The most significant impact of the LIV Series is going to be on the Ryder Cup. With a number of top Europeans reaching the end of their careers, there was always going to be a changing of the guard for European captain Henrik Stenson. But now his hand has been forced and things will look different in 2023.

Harris English returns to defend his title at the Travelers Championship, where Rory McIlroy headlines a star field that includes Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka and Tommy Fleetwood.

Billy Horschel fresh from his victory in The Memorial at Muirfield Village, is the star attraction as he makes his debut at the BMW International Open at Golfclub München Eichenried in Germany.

Matt Fitzpatrick beat defending champion Jordan Spieth in a dramatic play-off to win the RBC Heritage title in South Carolina - a tournament he used to attend with his family.

Jon Rahm will arrive at the fearsome Brookline Country Club looking to successfully defend his US Open title, but will face contenders in hot form, including Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Sam Burns and Scottie Scheffler. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to what is sure to be a fascinating week at a venue rich with history.

The US Open returns to The Country Club, Brookline, where Jon Rahm defends America's national title. But who will lift the famous trophy at this most historic of venues? Golfshake's Derek Clements has picked out ten potential winners, ranging from pre-tournament favourites to surprise contenders.

The Country Club, Brookline, will host the US Open for the fourth time but the course will see some changes from when Curtis Strange defeated Nick Faldo in 1988.

The 2022 US Open is going to be overshadowed by the news that the PGA Tour has suspended every player who took part in the LIV Invitational at Centurion. The likes of Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Talor Gooch and Louis Oosthuizen will tee it up at Brookline with the prospect of any of them winning America's national title surely a concern for the powers-that-be.

The Country Club at Brookline is best remembered by many for some of the most unedifying scenes ever witnessed on a golf course during the 1999 Ryder Cup between Europe and the United States.

Jon Rahm claimed his first major 12 months ago after finishing with back-to-back birdies on an astonishing final day of the US Open at Torrey Pines.

Curtis Strange had twice won the money list on the PGA Tour but he had also thrown away a golden chance of victory at The Masters in 1985 and had earned the unwanted tag of being the best player never to have won a major. That all changed at the 1988 US Open at Brookline when he defeated Nick Faldo in an 18-hole playoff.

There will be a field of 156 golfers teeing it up at Brookline on Thursday. But when entries closed in April the USGA had accepted a total of 9,265 entries, including 12 champions. The number of entries was the sixth-highest total in championship history.

Rory McIlroy produced a sensational final round of 62 to retain the Canadian Open title he won in 2019. It was his first victory of the year and the timing could not have been better, with the US Open at Brookline starting on Thursday.

Sweden's Linn Grant wrote herself into the history books with a stunning nine-shot victory at the Scandinavian Mixed to become the first female winner on the DP World Tour.

Charl Schwartzel woke up this morning $4.75m richer than when he arrived at St Albans last week. The South African won the inaugural LIV Invitational at Centurion Golf Club, for which he picked up a cool $4m and he also collected a further $750,000 for being a member of the winning team element.

There are many lists of must-play courses, together with seemingly endless lists of the best courses. That made Golfshake's Derek Clements think about all the courses he has played, picking out those that left an impression and made him want to come back and play them again.

Two-time major champion Dustin Johnson has quit the PGA Tour to focus on the LIV Series, which is reported to have paid him $150m to commit his future to the Saudi-backed project.

Get ready for a media feeding frenzy as Phil Mickelson emerges from his self-imposed exile as the highest-profile player in the 48-man field for the inaugural LIV Invitational at Centurion Golf Club in St Albans.

We thought it was about time that we featured 18 of the holes that give those who compete on the PGA and DP World Tour the heebie-jeebies. You won’t be surprised to see that it features several huge par fours. You may, however, be taken aback when you realise that it also contains four par threes - all beautiful, but all with the potential to inflict disaster and wreck the best of scorecards.

It is three years since the Canadian Open was last staged. The pandemic saw the tournament being scrapped in both 2020 and last year. Rory McIlroy won in 2019 and heads to St George’s Golf Club in Toronto as defending champion, looking to fine tune his game ahead of next week’s US Open.

Home favourites Alex Noren, Linn Grant and Ingrid Lindblad will join defending champion Jonathan Caldwell at the Volvo Scandinavian Mixed, which features a field of 78 men and 78 women playing for one prize fund and one trophy and is hosted by Swedish golf legends Annika Sorenstam and Henrik Stenson.

With Dustin Johnson now the headline act of the first LIV Series event at Centurion Club, for Golfshake's Derek Clements it again raises questions about the staggering sums of money being pushed into this venture, with little chance of any financial return.

Australia's Minjee Lee secured her second major title after winning the US Women's Open at Pine Needles, claiming the biggest prize in the history of women's golf. Derek Clements profiles the 26-year-old who is setting the standard on the LPGA Tour this year.

Billy Horschel is a seven-time winner on the PGA Tour, not to mention his triumph at the BMW PGA Championship in 2021. Golfshake's Derek Clements describes the American's career, performance statistics and golf clubs, with the 35-year-old now unquestionably a major contender.

New European Open champion Kalle Samooja overcame a brutally testing golf course to claim his maiden DP World Tour victory. It has been a long time in the making for the 34-year-old. Golfshake's Derek Clements takes a closer look at the Finn, profiling his career and looking at what clubs he uses.

And so, finally, we know who is going to be playing in the LIV Golf Invitational at Centurion Golf Club next week, and there are few surprises. Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia are among the field confirmed for the first $25m Saudi-funded event, and will be joined by Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Richard Bland and Graeme McDowell.

What are your favourite golf holes? We all have a selection that stick in the mind, but imagine if you could combine them all into one course! Providing a touch of inspiration for you to consider, Golfshake's Derek Clements has taken to describing his dream ones - the places where some unforgettable magic has occurred. 

There is something special about The Memorial. Maybe it’s the magnificent Muirfield Village course upon which it is played. Perhaps it’s because it is hosted by the legendary Jack Nicklaus. Or it could be because the US Open is just around the corner and this course provides a proper test ahead of the season’s third major.

Tommy Fleetwood showed a welcome return to form at Southern Hills, where finished in a tie for fifth place. And he will start the week at the Porsche European Open as a warm favourite to claim Marcus Armitage's title from last year.

Rory McIlroy cut a dejected figure after the recent PGA Championship when a promising start finished with yet another missed chance at a major victory. But where does the Northern Irishman go from here as he look to finally cross that winning line again?

It only seems like yesterday that Padraig Harrington was winning The Open and the PGA Championship but he has just announced that he will be making his Senior Open debut at Gleneagles in July.

You can talk all you like about 350-yard drives that split the middle of fairways, but if you can’t putt nobody is likely to remember anything you do from the tee. Just ask Victor Perez, who ended a three-year victory drought by holing a series of incredible putts to defeat Ryan Fox in a play-off and win the Dutch Open.

What are the golf holes that still make you scream with terror? Everyone has a tale of somewhere that utterly shattered their scorecard and spirit. For a touch of inspiration, Golfshake's Derek Clements has shared his 18 nightmare holes, completing a course of pure horror.

The week after a major usually sees pretty weak fields, but that is not the case as the PGA Tour arrives at historic Colonial for the Charles Schwab Challenge, where Scottie Scheffler headlines alongside the likes of Jordan Spieth and Viktor Hovland.

Kristoffer Broberg returns to Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt for the Dutch Open, a tournament he won in highly emotional circumstances last year. And the Swede will be looking to draw on some positive memories  as he looks to successfully defend the title.

Phil Mickelson, the defending champion, was a sad loss at the PGA Championship. How things have changed for him since he won at Kiawah Island, in the process becoming the oldest-ever winner of a major. The past year should have been a celebration for one of the most popular golfers ever to bestride the world’s fairways. Instead, it has all fallen apart for the 51-year-old.

History will record that Justin Thomas won his second PGA Championship at Southern Hills, overcoming a seven-shot deficit to beat Will Zalatoris in a play-off, but this was the major that should have been won by Chilean Mito Pereira.

It is 20 years since Rich Beem won the PGA Championship at Hazeltine. It was a victory that changed his life. The popular Sky Sports commentator caught up with Golfshake's Derek Clements to discuss everything from the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series to this week's major at Southern Hills.

There are two golfers who stand head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to willing the ball into the hole when it matters most - Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. We recall some of biggest and best putts these two legends were able to hole when they absolutely had to.

The second men's major of the season takes place at Southern Hills this week. And the bad news for his rivals is that the venue for the PGA Championship is world number one Scottie Scheffler’s favourite golf course. But who will lift the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday? Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his comprehensive preview.

We pick out 10 golfers to keep an eye on at Southern Hills. Five of them will figure on most lists ahead of the year’s second men's major, but the other five may come as a surprise to you at the PGA Championship.

When it comes to golf, we have seen the likes of Todd Hamilton and Ben Curtis win The Open, but the major that produces more surprise winners than any other is the PGA Championship. We take a look at some of the most unlikely names on the Wanamaker Trophy.

It definitely wasn't meant to happen. Kiawah Island is one of the toughest golf courses on the other side of the pond. So when it came to predicting possible winners of the 2021 PGA Championship, one name that did not feature on any list was Phil Mickelson. But at 50 years of age, he became the oldest major winner of all time. 

Sam Horsfield fought back the tears as he won the Soudal Open in Belgium, as big-hitting New Zealander Ryan Fox let victory slip from his grasp, securing the Englishman's third victory on the DP World Tour.

During the uproar surrounding Greg Norman and his LIV Invitational Series, golfers have found themselves being accused of greed. But before we become too obsessed with the vast sums being earned by the world’s best golfers, let’s have a look at the money swashing around in some other sports. And the numbers are simply mind-boggling.

Golf's world rankings are dominated by Americans, with Australia and South Africa strongly represented too. But where do the home nations stand with the rest? Golfshake's Derek Clements looks at the best players currently from the UK & Ireland.

When all is going well and your swing is in sync there is no better sport than golf. But it can also be unforgiving. Just when you think you have it cracked, it has a habit of biting you in the backside. We take a look at the absolute worst shots in the game.

Masters champion Scottie Scheffler heads the field for the AT&T Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch near Dallas. With the PGA Championship being staged at Southern Hills next week, a number of the world’s best players are using this tournament as an opportunity to tune up for the year’s second major.

Home favourites Thomas Pieters, Nicolas Colsaerts and Thomas Detry are part of the field as the DP World Tour returns to Belgium for the inaugural Soudal Open at Rinkven Golf Club.

Perhaps inevitably, Greg Norman’s Saudi-backed breakaway tour has set players against one another. Mike Lorenzo-Vera, a Frenchman who competes on the DP World Tour, launched a blistering attack on the likes of Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood at the British Masters.

Kipp Popert, who has cerebral palsy, became the inaugural winner on the G4D (Golf for the Disabled) Tour after defeating Kurtis Barkley and Chris Biggins in a play-off at The Belfry.

Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen produced a sensational eagle-birdie finish for the second day in succession to win the British Masters by a single shot at The Belfry.

Lee Westwood has confirmed that he has sought permission for a release to play in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational at Centurion Club, placing him in conflict with the DP World Tour, but the Englishman has explained the motivations behind his stance.

The DP World Tour could be on collision course with its players over releases to play in the $25m Saudi-backed event at Centurion in June. Any DP World Tour member who wants to play has to seek permission, and they have until May 10 to do so, with many believing that Chief Executive Keith Pelley is likely to refuse the wishes of those players.

Open champion Collin Morikawa says that winning majors will always matter more to him than money and that he has no interest in competing in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational events, which begin next month at Centurion Club.

Richard Bland returns to The Belfry to defend the Betfred British Masters title he won in such dramatic fashion 12 months ago.  The Betfred British Masters is the first of a four-tournament mini-series, which also includes the Soudal Open, Dutch Open and Porsche European Open.

Sports journalist Derek Clements looks ahead at the 2022 Wells Fargo Championship on the PGA Tour which is being hosted for the first time at TPC Potomac.

Sports Journlist Derek Clements provides his weekly wrap-up from the professional tours around the world, focusing on a Spanish double on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour and a second tour win on the LPGA Tour.

67-year-old two-time champion Greg Norman asked The R&A to give him a special exemption into the 150th Open, a prospect that was quickly shot down by a spokesperson at the weekend. Golfshake's Derek Clements believes that it's been nothing more than a publicity stunt.

He electrified the final round of the Masters earlier this month, but Rory McIlroy's apparent struggles to put together four rounds in the majors continues to frustrate Golfshake's Derek Clements, who is hoping to see that trend rectified later this season.

Robert Garrigus is the first man to seek permission from the PGA Tour to take part in the LIV Golf Invitational in June, but such a player isn't likely to set the pulses racing of golf fans either attending the event or watching on TV.

US Open champion Jon Rahm has confirmed his participation in the Mexico Open at Vidanta, presented by Grupo Salinas, where he will compete against a field that includes home star Abraham Ancer.

The DP World Tour visits Spain for a second successive week with the inaugural Catalunya Championship at the Stadium Course at PGA Catalunya, and once again there will be a strong home presence.

Local favourite Pablo Larrazábal shot a stunning final round of 62 to claim his seventh DP World Tour title. The round featured five birdies on the trot as he won the ISPS Handa Championship by one shot.

Golf is one of those sports. We love it and hate it in equal measures - and it makes us all do some crazy things. We have all seen and done some strange stuff on the golf course, either at first hand or perpetrated by some of the world’s best players.

Reaching the top of the world rankings is hard enough. Even more difficult is staying there. And trickier still is keeping the ship upright when things start to go wrong. Here, we look at some former world number ones who have tumbled down the rankings. Some have managed to keep things afloat - others appear to be in freefall.

It should, perhaps, come as no great surprise that one of the side-effects of the boom in club golf we are currently experiencing has been an impact on golf societies. Green fees have increased, as has the cost of accommodation, food and drink, and there is far less availability according to the results of the recent survey we conducted into society golf.

Huge numbers of golfers are members of societies, but what explains their enduring popularity? We asked you to share your thoughts on ‘Why Society Golf Is Great’ with five key reasons standing out.

The PGA Tour heads west this week for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana.  Cameron Smith and fellow Australian Marc Leishman will defend their team title which they won defating Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel in a playoff 12 months ago.

THE DP World Tour returns for the first of two weeks in Spain with the ISPS Handa Championship at the Lakes Course in Tarragona.

JUST nine days after missing the cut at The Masters for the first time in his career, Jordan Spieth bounced back to defeat Patrick Cantlay in a playoff at the RBC Heritage Classic.

The scale of the boom enjoyed by golf has been revealed by two participation reports compiled by the R&A, England Golf, Golf Ireland, Scottish Golf and Wales Golf.

Stewart Cink rolled back the years at Hilton Head 12 months ago when he won the RBC Heritage with his son Reagan on the bag. And he returns to defend that title againt a formidable field that includes the likes of Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay and Justin Thomas.

And so the question for golf is a simple enough one: what on earth happens when Tiger Woods hangs up his golf clubs for good? Just when you think that this extraordinary athlete cannot surprise you again he did precisely that with his announcement that he intended to play in The Masters last week.

Scottie Scheffler won The Masters in sensational style, holding off a thrilling challenge from Rory McIlroy, who came from nowhere to close out with a spectacular 64 and finish second.

Scottie Scheffler shot his third successive sub-par round to taker a three-shot leads into the final round of The Masters. The 25-year-old American shot a one-under 71 - carding four bogeys in the final seven holes - to take a three-stroke lead into Sunday's final round. 

Scottie Scheffler overcame testing conditions at Augusta National to spreadeagle the field after two rounds of The Masters. He will go into the third round with a five-shot lead after a round of 67 left him on 136, eight under par.

A combination of the clocks going forward and the start of The Masters at Augusta National means that, for many, the golf season is finally getting under way. But are you really ready to go? Here, we take a light-hearted look at some of the steps you should be taking in readiness for that first 18 holes.

Well, he only went and did it again. With the hype surrounding his latest astonishing comeback at fever pitch, Tiger Woods defied the odds and shot a one-under par 71 on his Masters return at Augusta - just 14 months after he nearly lost his leg in a car crash.

Former Masters champion Ian Woosnam believes that Tiger Woods will struggle at Augusta this week. The 15-time major champion announced that we will compete after recovering from leg injuries sustained in a horrific car crash 14 months ago.

Everybody loves The Masters, but have you ever stopped to ask yourself why it holds such a special place in our hearts? Golfshake's Derek Clements looks at the various factors that combine to make this tournament so unique.

Get ready for another outbreak of Tiger Mania. The news we have all craved was finally delivered when Tiger Woods confirmed that he will be making his competitive comeback at The Masters this week, 14 months after the car crash in which he nearly lost his right leg.

The 86th Masters Tournament is set to be captivating, with Hideki Matsuyama defending and the competitive return of five-time champion Tiger Woods. But who could ultimately be the man to claim the iconic Green Jacket on Sunday? Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his 10 Picks to Win.

And so the season really gets under way as the world’s best golfers arrive at Augusta National for The Masters, with Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama defending the title he won in such emotional circumstances 12 months ago. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to what should be a fascinating week.

Nothing ever stands still at Augusta National, with course changes becoming part of the tradition as the powers-that-be try to do their bit to tackle the distance debate. And this year will be no different.

The powers-that-be at The Masters do things their own way. It is effectively an invitation event, usually restricted to around 90 players. That means that it boasts the weakest field of any of the sport’s four majors. And that several notable players are not making that drive down Magnolia Lane this year.

Jennifer Kupcho became the last woman to leap into Poppie’s Pond after winning the Chevron Championship, the first women’s major of the year. The 24-year-old carded 74 in the final round to finish 14 under and secure her first victory on the LPGA Tour.

The Masters likely provokes more debate and discussion than any other of the sport’s majors. It is unique in that it is the only major that is played at the same course every year and it also boasts the smallest field. But is it the best? Golfshake's Derek Clements analyses the reasons for and against and declares his own view.

The whole of Japan rejoiced 12 months ago as Hideki Matsuyama held off the field to win The Masters by one stroke at Augusta National and become the first Japanese man to claim a major title.

Jordan Spieth had gone 1,351 days without a victory. But, finally, he won again at the Texas Open 12 months ago, and the American will be relishing returning to defend his title this week against a field that includes Rory McIlroy.

As you will know, we carry out lots of surveys to seek your feedback on a whole range of issues. And it has become obvious to us that there are lots of issues that get under your skin, and many of them have raised a smile with us here at Golfshake, if only because we can relate to so many of them.

The DP World Tour heads back to the Middle East for the Qatar Masters, where Antoine Rozner defends his title. The Frenchman will be hoping to recapture that form against a field that includes Adri Arnaus, Justin Harding and Callum Shinkwin.

With just two weeks until the Masters, the world's best golfers have gathered in Austin for the WGC Match Play, where Billy Horschel is the defending champion. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to a unique event on the calendar.

There was a sense of what might have been after Anirban Lahiri finished runner-up at The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. India has a population of more than 1.8 billion but just 200,000 Indians play golf. If that could change, the potential growth is extraordinary.

Sam Burns won his third PGA Tour title in 25 starts when he successfully defended the Valspar Championship in dramatic circumstances, defeating rookie Davis Riley in a playoff.

If Greg Norman has his way, Phil Mickelson could still emerge as the face of the new LIV Golf International series. Norman, chief executive of LIV Golf Investments, said he has spoken to Mickelson says and that "the door is wide open" for the American.

The speculation is over. Henrik Stenson has been named as Europe’s Ryder Cup Captain. His appointment can only mean that he has decided not to throw his lot in with the Saudi-backed Super Golf League and will now lead Europe at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome next year. 

The hugely impressive Sam Burns is back at Innisbrook to defend the Valspar Championship, where he faces a field that includes the likes of former world number ones Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to the final event of the Florida Swing.

Australia’s Cameron Smith survived putting his approach at the final hole into the water to win The Players Championship at the end of five days dogged by weather delays.

Despite measures having been introduced to combat slow play in professional golf, nothing seems to be changing in the view of Golfshake's Derek Clements, who declares that it's vital for the game to address the issue as it can impact the enjoyment for golfers both watching and playing.

From the Honda Classic to Bay Hill and TPC Sawgrass, the PGA Tour's Florida Swing provides a testing environment for the world's best, something that has drawn some criticism from the players. However, Golfshake's Derek Clements explains why this challenge is exactly what he wants to see more of in the game.

The Club at Steyn City, north of Johannesburg, hosts its first major international tournament with the new $1.5 million Steyn City Championship, which makes its debut on the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour schedule.

Nanna Koerstz Madsen secured her maiden LPGA Tour victory with a dramatic play-off win at the Honda LPGA Thailand, becoming the first Danish golfer to triumph on the leading circuit.

Tiger Woods became the 164th inductee to golf’s Hall of Fame in Florida. And as he accepted perhaps the greatest honour of his career, the 15-time major champion chose not to mention any of his 82 PGA Tour wins, major victories or numerous operations.

It's time for The Players Championship, where Justin Thomas defends his title at TPC Sawgrass against the deepest field of the PGA Tour season. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to what is one of the showpiece events of the year, truly a highlight on the calendar.

The Pecanwood Classic will make its debut as a co-sanctioned tournament between the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour. Bernd Wiesberger and Richard Bland are among the European stars hoping to triumph in South Africa.

Sponsors and manufacturers pay vast sums to the world's best golfers to represent their brand and play their equipment, but these corporations demand something back in return and will remove their backing should a player make a public mistake, as Phil Mickelson has recently discovered.

The R&A has appointed Zane Scotland as a diversity ambassador and he is determined to drive change in the game, starting with the sport’s archaic dress code.

They usually make birdies and eagles for fun on the PGA Tour. But not at Bay Hill. The final round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational was all about survival, with Scottie Scheffler shooting a final round of 72 to win on one of the most challenging courses in America.

Golf has seen many positives from the boom in playing numbers that coincided with the global pandemic. And the good news is that UK golf clubs seem to have got their act together and put the needs and demands of their members first.

Incredibly, Tiger Woods has won $8m for generating more media interest than any other golfer in 2021 - even though he played just one tournament all year. 

As life has slowly got back to something like normality, Golfshake subscribers generally got out there and played more rounds of golf than they had previously. But how do you compare to the playing habits of both club members and nomadic golfers?

Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his latest View From The Fairway, commenting on the exciting and timely announcement that the DP World Tour is helping to launch the G4D (Golf for the Disabled) Tour.

Zach Johnson has been named as captain of the United States Ryder Cup team against Europe in Rome in 2023 as they look to end a run of 30 years without an away victory.

The likes of Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy will be hoping to claim their first victories of 2022 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to an iconic event.

The DP World Tour returns after a three-week break, with Justin Harding defending his Magical Kenya Open title. He faces faces some pretty stiff competition, not least from fellow South Africans Dean Burmester, Thriston Lawrence and Daniel Van Tonder. India’s Shubhankar Sharma is also looking to continue his recent good form. 

Nine of the world's top ten golfers are in the field for the HSBC Women’s World Championship at Sentosa Golf Club, which is often described as being ‘Asia’s major’.

Double major winner Tony Jacklin has praised Phil Mickelson for the stance he has taken against the PGA Tour. And the man who helped to transform the Ryder Cup has expressed his fears that any bans imposed on players who opt to take part in the Saudi-backed Super League could spell the death death knell for what has become golf’s greatest team event.

Daniel Berger cut a disconsolate figure as he threw away a five-shot lead on a dramatic final day at PGA National as Sepp Straka became the latest first-time winner on the PGA Tour.

With the cost of living rising, so too are green fees. As they continue to rise, many Golfshake subscribers have told us that they feel like they are being taken advantage of by golf clubs and venues. But where does it end?

One thing you can be sure of with Phil Mickelson, on the course or off it, is that there will never be a dull moment. But now, his world has come crashing down after the Super Golf League controversy. He has apologised for his 'reckless' comments about Saudi Arabia and says he will be taking a break from golf.

Despite the dramatic increase of members seen during the past two years, there are three main reasons why many golfers still decide not to join a golf club and, on the face of it they are pretty obvious, as discovered by the recent Golfshake Survey.

The PGA Tour's Florida Swing kicks off at the Honda Classic, where Australia's Matt Jones defends his title against a field that includes the likes of Brooks Koepka, Louis Oosthuizen and Tommy Fleetwood. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to The Bear Trap at PGA National.

In a new View From The Fairway, Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his thoughts on the recent crowd scenes at the WM Phoenix Open and whether things went too far.

Dustin Johnson has finally ended speculation that he has signed for the Saudi-backed Super Golf League, with fellow American Bryson DeChambeau also making its clear that his future lies with the PGA Tour.

Joaquin Niemann survived a few nervous moments at Riviera as he shot a 71 to become the first wire-to-wire winner of The Genesis Invitational since Charlie Sifford 53 years ago.

Phil Mickelson is the most prominent supporter of the proposed Super Golf League, but an excerpt from a new book has revealed the American star's true motivations behind his potential move and his deep reservations about its Saudi Arabian backers.

The world’s best golfers are at Riviera for the Genesis Invitational but in a tournament hosted by Tiger Woods there was always only going to be one question on everybody’s lips: when will Woods be back in action?

A strong field has gathered at Riviera Country Club as Max Homa defends his Genesis Invitational title. Rory McIlroy will make his first American start of 2022, while Open champion Collin Morikawa is searching for his best form after struggling in the Middle East.

Golfshake's Derek Clements glances across the golf headlines in his latest View From The Fairway, including the announcement that Stacy Lewis will captain the United States against Suzann Pettersen's Europe in next year's Solheim Cup.

Scottie Scheffler birdied the third hole of a sudden-death playoff against Patrick Cantlay to win the WM Phoenix Open, thus securing his maiden victory on the PGA Tour.

Professional golf is facing a revolution, the likes of which the sport has never seen before. Unsurprisingly, the Saudi involvement and proposals have exercised the minds of golf fans, with dozens of you reacting on Golfshake. We take a closer look at what the viewers think of the situation.

Brooks Koepka returns to defend his Phoenix Open title at TPC Scottsdale, but he'll face a strong field that includes Jon Rahm, Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Thomas and Viktor Hovland. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to what is always a raucous week.

The DP World Tour’s Middle East Swing continues with the inaugural Ras Al Khaimah Classic at Al Hamra Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates. Richard Bland missed out on the Dubai Desert Classic in a playoff, but he's competing here and will be looking to beat the talented Hojgaard twins.

In a special View From The Fairway, Golfshake's Derek Clements reflects on what we saw at the controversial Saudi International and what it means for the professional game in the months and years ahead.

The sensational Nicolai Hojgaard claimed his second DP World Tour title after holding off Jordan Smith in a roller-coaster final round at the 2022 Ras al Khaimah Championship presented by Phoenix Capital to win by four shots.

Ireland's Leona Maguire wrote herself into the history books by becoming the first Irish golfer to win a title on the LPGA Tour when she claimed the Drive On Championship at the Crown Colony Golf & Country Club.

There has been a great deal of data on the health of the game and the latest comes from the Hillier Hopkins 2021-22 Golf Club Report, which has provided further evidence that the golf boom is continuing. Golfshake's Derek Clements analyses some of the most intriguing findings in the report.

Phil Mickelson claims that every member of the top 100 in the world rankings has been approached by LIV Golf Investments to sign up for Saudi Arabia’s breakaway golf league. It seems that professional golf is about to be shaken to the core in a way that no sport has seen since Kerry Packer launched Word Series Cricket in the 1970s.

It was only a matter of time and, sure enough, England is to host an Asian Tour event for the first time, with Greg Norman insisting it will be the first of many as a new power struggle threatens to engulf the professional game.

Rory McIlroy is, in equal parts, the most thrilling and most frustrating golfer on the planet. At his very best there is no more naturally gifted golfer, smashing huge drives, producing stunning iron shots and holing putts for fun, but when it goes wrong his shoulders slump and he reminds us that he is all too human. We look at the very best and very worst of the Northern Irishman.

Ahead of what is destined to be a contentious week in the game, Golfshake's Derek Clements addresses the headlines in his latest View From The Fairway, including Rory McIlroy's admission that he has no intention to play senior golf later in his career.

Daniel Berger defends his AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am title on the Monterey Peninsula. This is a tournament that often divides opinion, but there is no doubting the quality of the venues, or indeed the field, which includes the likes of Patrick Cantlay and Jordan Spieth.

While many of the world’s best golfers are chasing vast sums of money in Jeddah, Danny Willett, Bernd Wiesberger and the Hojgaard twins Nicolai and Rasmus will lead the field at the inaugural Ras Al Khaimah Championship, which heralds a new chapter on the DP World Tour.

There will be no Rory McIlroy and no Jon Rahm playing for the mega riches on offer at the controversial Saudi International in Jeddah this week but the rest of the field reads like a golfing who’s who as many of the world’s finest compete at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.

Rory McIlroy will be heading home to Florida wondering how on earth he failed to win the Dubai Desert Classic. Viktor Hovland celebrated his sixth tournament win in under two years after beating Richard Bland in a playoff but the Norwegian will know he should not have been raising the trophy aloft.

For the second successive week, Collin Morikawa and Rory McIlroy head another all-star cast as the DP World Tour heads to the Emirates Golf Club for the Dubai Desert Classic, with Paul Casey defending his title. 

World number one Jon Rahm returns to Torrey Pines, the scene of both his breakthrough PGA Tour victory, and his maiden major triumph at last year's US Open, for the Farmers Insurance Open.

From the struggles of Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari, to the Masters retirement of former champion Ian Woosnam, Golfshake's Derek Clements reflects on the past week in the game in his View From The Fairway.

Thomas Pieters became the first Belgian to win a Rolex Series event as he shot a 72 in difficult conditions to win the Abu Dhabi Championship by a shot. Pieters held off a strong field to secure his sixth DP World Tour title and move back into the top 50 in the world rankings, ensuring that he will be teeing it up in The Masters at Augusta in April.

Golf is a social sport and one of the advantages is that you get to stride the fairways alongside regular playing partners. However, there are occasions when you will end up playing with individuals you don’t know. We take a light-hearted look at the type of golfers you don’t want to be drawn with, as well as the ones whose company you might enjoy.

Ireland's Seamus Power has been quietly going about his business over the past year or so and his third-place finish behind winner Hideki Matsuyama at the Sony Open saw him break into the top 50 in the world rankings for the first time - quite a feat for a man who was ranked 434th in the world this time last year.

Bryson DeChambeau would be the first to admit that he has made headlines for all the wrong reasons, but the American says that he wants to change all that and even claims that all the adverse publicity he received in 2021 made him consider walking away from the game.

Tiger Woods thrilled golf fans when he played in the PNC Championship with his son, Charlie, but said afterwards that he is still nowhere near being tournament ready. However, that hasn’t stopped continued speculation about when he will be back.

The DP World Tour resumes in style with a star-studded field headed by Collin Morikawa and Rory McIlroy taking part in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links. It is the first Rolex Series event of 2022 and boasts an impressive prize fund of $8m.

Si Woo Kim defends the American Express title he won in dramatic fashion last year against a field that includes world number one Jon Rahm, FedEx Cup winner Patrick Cantlay, and six-time major champion Phil Mickelson.

Ahead of the DP World Tour's return in Abu Dhabi, Golfshake's Derek Clements addresses the latest headlines across the game in his View From The Fairway.

Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama overturned a five-shot deficit with just nine holes to play to win the Sony Open in Hawaii after defeating Russell Henley in a playoff.

We can say, without fear of contradiction, that no subject within the game of golf has exercised the minds quite like the introduction of the World Handicap System. However, there is some encouraging feedback. There are growing signs that we are learning to live with the WHS, although the slope rating system continues to cause some confusion.

When you look at the golfers who have won the most tournaments in history, the vast majority of them are figures from the distant past. Golfshake's Derek Clements believes this suggests that today's events are much deeper in quality and that the game is now more competitive than it has ever been.

The Sony Open is the first full-field event of 2022 on the PGA Tour and this year’s edition will have to go some to come anywhere close to the drama served up in Hawaii 12 months ago, when Kevin Na came from three shots behind with six holes to play for a one-shot victory with a birdie on the final hole.

With the professional game in the process of resuming for 2022, Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his latest View From The Fairway, recapping the stories and headlines that you may have missed.

Cameron Smith started 2022 with a sensational performance to win the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii with a mind-boggling 72-hole total of 258 - THIRTY FOUR under par, a new scoring record on the PGA Tour and beating world number one Jon Rahm in the process.

The PGA Tour returns with Harris English defending his title at the Tournament of Champions at the Plantation Course at Kapalua and the tournament boasts a star-studded field that also includes FedExCup champion Patrick Cantlay, Open champion Collin Morikawa and Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama.

As we enter the New Year, Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his latest View From The Fairway, focusing on what we hope to see in 2022.

As we head into a new year most of us will sit down and make some resolutions. Golfers are no different to the rest of us. They also make resolutions. We take a (tongue in cheek) look at the resolutions that some of the world’s leading golfers may choose to make for the year ahead.

Reflecting on the past year in golf, our very own Derek Clements shares his thoughts on the biggest stories and the best players, in addition to describing why his reason for playing the sport was reaffirmed this season after health struggles.

Marking Tiger Woods' 46th birthday, Golfshake's Derek Clements has picked out five of the great man's victories that stand out to him, from his first major to his last, with a pair of staggering, record-breaking performances between them.

Golfshake's Derek Clements reports on the feedback from a recent article looking at the experiences of non-club members and how difficult many of you still found booking tee times.

It is awards season, that time of year when plaudits are handed out. We didn’t want to feel left out so here Golfshake's Derek Clements presents the View From The Fairway 2021 Golf Awards, celebrating the biggest moments and achievements from the past season.

Nobody who witnessed Tiger Woods’ latest comeback should be surprised. Yes, it was only a low-key 36-hole exhibition event played in the company of his 12 year-old son, but Woods once again proved to be box office. Golfshake's Derek Clements reflects on a memorable outing for the 15-time major champion, and where it could lead in 2022.

It is no secret that many golfers decide to pack their clubs away at this time of year but for for those of us who play all year round PlayMoreGolf, the UK's largest flexible golf membership offering, is teeing off a series of Boxing Day packages to encourage golfers to get their game back on course during the festive season and into the New Year.

As we prepare for a new year our thoughts turn to what we would like to see happen in 2022, with Golfshake's Derek Clements picking out some things that he hopes to witness in the game, including major successes and rules changes.

Ahead of Christmas, Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his latest View From The Fairway, as the game prepares to usher in the New Year with an exciting schedule to come in 2022.

On the eve of his 46th birthday, Tiger Woods defied the odds once again by producing some sensational golf alongside his 12-year-old son Charlie as they recorded 11 successive birdies to finish two shots behind winners John Daly and his son John Jr in the PNC Championship.

Research figures revealed by The R&A and Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS) confirms something we already all knew - golf is enjoying a huge increase in popularity.  With 5.5 million news players participating in the game over the past fives years.

One of the more surprising findings from our recent survey was that it has emerged that although golf clubs are open to visitors, a large number of non-members are actually finding it difficult to get a game, something that suggests encouragement for membership numbers, but a fact which could become an issue longer-term.

It would be all too easy to believe that all is well within the world of club golf. As we have recorded here several times, clubs are enjoying something of a boom but nobody involved in the sport should be resting on their laurels. There is so much that can be done to retain your members, keep visitors happy and ensure the tills are ringing.

When we conduct our Golfshake surveys there is always feedback that takes us by surprise. Your comments are extremely valuable and often thought-provoking and highlight areas of the game that clearly trouble you. And you have brought several more areas to our attention.

When you get bitten by the golf bug, there is no known cure. It is a sport that can quite easily become an obsession. But is there a more unforgiving sport? Just when you think that you have cracked it, it has a habit of jumping up and biting you where it hurts. So how do you get out of a slump? We have some thoughts.

It takes all sorts of people to make a golf club tick. If you get the right people doing their jobs to the very best of their abilities the chances are that you will have a club that is popular with its members. But just who is the most important person at your golf club? Here are some contenders.

As we approach the end of 2021, what better time to reflect on what has been a memorable golfing year? Golfshake's Derek Clements takes a closer look at the defining moments in the men's game, from the four majors, the Ryder Cup, and the emerging stars who look set to dominate.

Playing golf on true championship courses is not cheap, some would say the green fees are extortionate. But is it worth it? Golfshake's Derek Clements makes the argument that the experience offered by these legendary venues is worth every single penny.

Golf continues to enjoy a boom and while huge progress has been made in many areas it is clear that much still needs to be done to ensure that golf clubs capitalise on the upsurge in interest. In our most recent survey, we asked golfers to tell us about the way their clubs communicate with them. We wanted to understand how clubs engage with golfers and what they need to do to improve the experience and attract more visitors.

It may be December, the golf season is apparently over, but the headlines don't stop! Golfshake's Derek Clements reflects on what has most caught his eye, including a major twist in the race to become Europe's next Ryder Cup captain, which could open the door for Luke Donald.

Matt Kuchar and Harris English are back to defend the QBE Shootout against an intriguing collection of teams that include Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter, Bubba Watson and Lexi Thompson, and Australian pair Marc Leishman and Jason Day. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to this fun event.

Most golf eyes were on the Hero World Challenge this weekend, hosted by a resurfaced Tiger Woods, but few could have anticipated the drama as world number one hopeful Collin Morikawa struggled dramatically on Sunday, opening the door for European sensation Viktor Hovland to triumph over the limited but elite field.

This has been an extraordinary time for club golf, with most having seen an increase in membership, some having introduced waiting lists and a few bringing back joining fees. So with everything looking rosy in the garden, you would expect UK golf clubs to have stepped up to the plate when it comes to the way they treat and communicate with their members. But have they?

Tiger Woods changed the face of professional golf for ever and every player who routinely picks up winners’ cheques for sums in excess of $1m should give thanks to him. When Woods was in the field TV viewing figures went through the roof. Fans and sponsors alike couldn’t get enough of him. Everybody wanted him in their field.  Derek Clements assesses the impact Tiger's had on the game.

It is well enough documented that the past couple of years have witnessed an unprecedented number or people either returning to golf or taking it up for the first time.  So it seems like the perfect time to examine why some people walk away from the game.

It’s fast approaching that time of year when the big fella with the white beard, red suit and a penchant for reindeer gets ready for his big day.  And if you are a golfer, you will surely be dreading the “novelty” presents that you will be forced to open on Christmas Day.  So, with tongue firmly in cheek, here are just a few of the Christmas presents that the golfer in your life really doesn’t want:

It has been a sensational year for the likes of Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa and Hideki Matsuyama. But it has not all been success stories. Here, we look at golfers who will not look back on 2021 with much affection and will be hoping for a vast improvement next year.

Golfshake Sports writer Derek Clements reports on the latest news following an exclusive Golf Digest interview with Tiger Woods.

THERE were no surprises when Suzann  Pettersen was named as Solheim Cup captain as Europe attempts to win the trophy for an unprecedented third time on the trot.  The 40-year-old Norwegian succeeds Catriona Matthew after serving as vice-captain to the Scot for last September's epic 15-13 triumph in Toledo.

Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his latest View From The Fairway this weekend focusing on coverage across social media of Tiger Woods & Rory McIlroy, the drive shown by Collin Morikawa and the staggering prizes funds now being played for on the global tours.

BROOKS KOEPKA easily swept aside his supposed bitter rival Bryson DeChambeau in The Match, a charity event at Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas.  The media has attempted to hype it up as some kind of rivalry. Golfshake's Derek Clements ask if it really is and considers some of the other rivalries in golf.

IT MAY be a limited-field invitation-only tournament but the Hero World Challenge will see most of the world’s best players in action at Albany in The Bahamas.  The tournament is hosted by Tiger Woods and although he will not be competing as he recovers from the injuries sustained in a car crash in February, he is expected to be at the tournament, and will be under huge pressure to give the world an update on his rehabilitation.

The tournament is one of the oldest open golf championships in the world, having first been played in 1903.  However, with South Africa at the centre of a new strain of Covid, the tournament has been removed from the DP World Tour schedule and will now go ahead as a Sunshine Tour event.

JUST when you thought it was all over…the Joburg Open ended in chaos, with Thriston Lawrence becoming the first winner on the DP World Tour, being handed the title after just 36 holes.

Professional golf is in a good place. The sport is awash with both established and up-and-coming young stars. But tour pros are judged by what they achieve in the majors. Here, we gaze into our crystal ball and pick out some young - and not so young - men who could well join the major club in the not-too-distant future.

The new DP World Tour season begins in South Africa at the Joburg Open, the first of three tournaments to be held in the country, where many players will be hoping to secure their status on the circuit before the year ends.

And so the European Tour season comes to an end and, with it, an era is concluded. Without any time to draw breath, it starts all over again in South Africa and we look forward to what is now going to be called the DP World Tour. But first, Golfshake's Derek Clements looks back on the highlights from the past campaign.

Admiring the newly opened clubhouse at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire, an emotional tale on the PGA Tour, and yet another case of a golfer not shouting fore, Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his latest View From The Fairway.

Collin Morikawa shot a final round of 66 to win the DP World Tour Championship and the Race to Dubai. For much of the final round it looked like Rory McIlroy was going to win the tournament, but he suffered an astonishing piece of bad luck at the 14th, which led to a disappointing finish for the Northern Irishman.

Generally, most golfers will regularly play stableford, strokeplay or matchplay, but there are so many formats that can make the game competitively engaging for a group of friends on the course. We take a closer look at each of the formats that could inspire you to give one a go.

Sam Torrance is a legend of the European Tour and Ryder Cup, and the Scot is excited about what the future brings for both. Golfshake's Derek Clements caught up with the hero of The Belfry to hear his thoughts on the DP World Tour, where Europe goes next, and his magical 50-year career.

Rory McIlroy is hoping to end his year on a high at the DP World Tour Championship, where Collin Morikawa and Billy Horschel will be attempting to become the first American winners of the Race to Dubai. But defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick could be the man to beat on the Earth Course.

The most passionate of golfers play 12 months a year, but winter isn't for everyone, as Golfshake's Derek Clements describes in this tongue in cheek look at the reasons why our Scottish born and raised correspondent now prefers to stay at home when the cold weather rolls in. 

It's the final regular PGA Tour event of the calendar year, with Robert Streb defending the RSM Classic at the beautiful Sea Island Resort. Major winners Louis Oosthuizen and Webb Simpson are among the fancied runners in the event hosted by two-time Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III.

Ahead of the DP World Tour Championship, Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his latest View From The Fairway, where he addresses the new era for the European Tour, the longevity of Stephen Gallacher, and the apparent split between Rory McIlroy and coach Pete Cowen.

Fresh from becoming the oldest man to win a tournament on the PGA Tour Champions, Germany’s Bernhard Langer claimed the season-ending Schwab Cup for the sixth time as Phil Mickelson held on to win the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

Denmark's Joachim B Hansen sealed his place in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship by winning the AVIV Dubai Championship. It is his second European Tour victory.

In-form Sam Burns and Brooks Koepka are among the favourites at the Houston Open, where European Ryder Cup legends Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood will also be hoping to roll back the years. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to the event from Memorial Park Golf Course.

It's crunch time for many players as the European Tour season nears its conclusion in Dubai. Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood and Paul Casey headline the field on the Fire Course at Jumeriah Golf Estates ahead of next week's big finale at the DP World Tour Championship.

The eyes of the world have been on Glasgow as politicians from around the globe have gathered to tackle climate change, the single biggest issue facing mankind today. And it's a serious problem for golf too, with courses in the UK already feeling the impact of coastal erosion and flooding.

Describing his most memorable shots, the secured future of an Irish classic, and the work that senior golfers put into competing on the Champions Tour, Golfshake's Derek Clements reveals his latest View From The Fairway.

The incredible rise of Viktor Hovland continues as the young Norwegian successfully defended his title at the Mayakoba Championship in Mexico on Sunday, winning by four shots to secure his third PGA Tour victory.

Thomas Pieters secured his first European Tour title for more than two years with a two-shot victory at the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura, qualifying for the lucrative season-ending DP World Tour Championship in the process.

British golf icon and Ryder Cup legend, Tony Jacklin has spoken to Golfshake's Derek Clements and commented on a wide variety of issues in the game, including where Europe got it wrong at Whistling Straits, the impending Saudi-backed Asian Tour events, and how golf has lost the battle with distance.

There is now no denying it. Winter is here. For many golfers it is time to put the clubs away and wait for the return of longer, warmer days. But for the real enthusiasts among us, the challenge continues. So what are the highs and lows of winter golf? 

Viktor Hovland will attempt to become the first player to successfully defend his title at Mayakoba when he competes against a 132-player field that includes names like Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia and Matt Fitzpatrick.

The European Tour heads to Vilamoura for the Portugal Masters, where the likes of Min Woo Lee, Laurie Canter, Victor Perez and Rasmus Hojgaard will be hoping to claim a precious victory ahead of the lucrative finale in Dubai.

Golfshake's Derek Clements reveals his latest View From The Fairway, where he praises the remarkable career of Bernhard Langer, who continues to win tournaments on the Champions Tour, setting a benchmark of longevity and success that will be hard to match in the future.

Money talks. Much has been said and written about the proposed Saudi-backed Super Golf League. And it's not going away anytime soon. Golfshake's Derek Clements takes a closer look at the next steps for all parties and why it could potentially lead to the courtroom.

Lucas Herbert saw his life change forever with victory in the Bermuda Championship at the Princess Hamilton and Port Royal Golf Course, his first victory on the PGA Tour.

Tiger Woods is arguably the most iconic figure in golf history, but his impact hasn't seen a dramatic change in the number of golfers from BAME backgrounds. Indeed, within the UK, the percentage of members from racial minorities is shamefully low. Golfshake's Derek Clements takes a closer look at the subject and the work being done to address the issue.

Last season on the PGA Tour was all about the comebacks. It started with 48-year-old Brian Gay winning the Bermuda Championship. And now, he's back to defend against a field that includes Matt Fitzpatrick and former Masters champion Patrick Reed.

Commenting on the stories you may have missed, Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his latest View From The Fairway, including Rory McIlroy's intriguing post-victory remarks, the field taking shape at Tiger's Hero World Challenge, and the European Tour's upcoming South African Swing.

Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama cruised to a five-shot victory at the Zozo Championship, thrilling an enthusiastic home gallery by sealing the deal with an eagle at the final hole.

All the evidence points towards increased numbers of people playing the game since the pandemic began. A whole host of surveys and research shows record numbers of people playing golf, but we cannot afford to be complacent. The numbers who flocked back to the sport when the first lockdown ended was unprecedented and we clearly cannot expect it to continue.

Rory McIlroy's recent victory and comments at the CJ Cup brought into question the future of his relationship with Pete Cowen and lifelong coach Michael Bannon. Of course, McIlroy would not be the first golfer to decide to part company with a coach. We look at some of the most high-profile splits.

With golf enjoying a boom it is all too easy to forget that there are those who have stopped playing the game for reasons beyond their control. A recent Golfshake Survey revealed that age and injury are contributory factors. Golfshake's Derek Clements has shared his own battle with rheumatoid arthritis and the impact it has had on his ability to play golf.

Devon's Eastbury Hotel & Spa has a reciprocal agreement with nearby Sherborne Golf Club, making it a potentially ideal destination for a short golf break. Golfshake's Derek Clements had the chance to experience it for himself and he has reviewed the setting for us.

Golf still faces many challenges, not the least of which is how it can attract a younger audience and keep hold of those who have returned to the game. Golfshake's Derek Clements has identified some practical measures that he believes could transform more clubs into the next decade and beyond.

The PGA Tour returns to Japan for the Zozo Championship, where home favourite Hideki Matsuyama headlines a field that includes Collin Morikawa, Tommy Fleetwood and Rickie Fowler. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to the week and expects great things from the Masters champion.

The European Tour returns to Mallorca this week for the first time in ten years, with Golf Santa Ponsa hosting the Mallorca Golf Open, where the Spanish contingent within the field will be especially hopeful of claiming victory on home soil.

Golfshake's Derek Clements addresses several key topics and headlines in his latest View From The Fairway, including insight behind the spending habits of flexible members, a new era for The Belfry, and the sad passing of golf broadcasting great Renton Laidlaw.

Days after saying that he still believed he is the best golfer on the planet, Rory McIlroy went some way towards proving the point by winning the CJ Cup in Las Vegas with a final round of 66 to complete an astonishing weekend for European golf as Matt Fitzpatrick landed the Andalucia Masters and Charley Hull secured the individual title at the Aramco Team Series in New York.

Justin Thomas has surprised the golf world by announcing that he and long-time caddie Jimmy Johnson had split. It came hot on the heels of the news that Bubba Watson and Ted Scott had decided to part company. But it is not unusual for tour pros to sack their caddies. We look back at some high-profile splits in the game.

Nine members of the victorious United States Ryder Cup Team will this week challenge Jason Kokrak for his title at the CJ Cup in Las Vegas, Nevada, where they will be joined by seven members of Padraig Harrington’s vanquished European Team. 

World Number One and U.S. Open Champion Jon Rahm returns to Valderrama this week to compete in the Andalucia Masters. Two of the 26-year-old’s seven European Tour victories have come on Spanish soil, and Rahm now has his sights on capturing another home title after coming up short last week.

25 years ago, Tiger Woods won his first PGA Tour title, marking the start of a legendary professional career. Golfshake's Derek Clements turns back the clock and reflects on Tiger's playoff victory over Davis Love III in Las Vegas a quarter of a century ago.

Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his commentary on the latest headlines and hot topics in golf, including a review of the new film about Seve Ballesteros, his cynicism about The Match between Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, and thoughts on revamping the European Tour's membership requirements.

Rafa Cabrera Bello put months of misery behind him as he won a playoff against fellow Spaniard Adri Arnaus to claim the Spanish Open in front of a boisterous home gallery, ending a long wait for another European Tour victory.

Looking to buy a new set of golf clubs? Or perhaps you are thinking about investing in your first set? There is a perception that getting started in golf is expensive. It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. We look at some key tips that will help you to get the most suitable clubs for the best value.

Sport needs rivalries. And a bit of spice between them only adds to the appeal in the eyes of the public. There is now anticipation ahead of the forthcoming Match between Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka. It got us thinking about other golf grudge matches the public would like to see.

Many people have either joined a golf club for the first time in the past 15 months or so or have taken the decision to rejoin. All golf clubs are different, of course, but there are some characters you are likely to meet. Golfshake's Derek Clements describes just a few of the individuals you may encounter.

Much has already been said and written about potential successors to Padraig Harrington as Europe’s next Ryder Cup captain, but Golfshake's Derek Clements has gone a step further and predicts the names of the next three European skippers.

Last year, Scotland's Martin Laird ended a long title drought when he holed a 20-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole to claim the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Now, he returns to defend against a field that includes Brooks Koepka, Hideki Matsuyama and Patrick Reed.

World number one Jon Rahm returns to the European Tour as he attempts to win a third successive Open de Espana. Two years ago he became the first player in 66 years to successfully defend the title with a five-shot victory at Club de Campo in Madrid.

Golfshake's Derek Clements comments on the latest headlines in golf and shares his observations, including potential captain Lee Westwood's call for a changed Ryder Cup qualification process, Rory McIlroy's determination to rebound in 2023, and some peculiar handicaps at the Dunhill Links.

Bryson DeChambeau reached the final of the Professional Longest Drive Association World Championship but bowed out after reaching the last eight. The 28-year-old American was eliminated with a top distance of 391 yards, although he did manage a ball speed of 218 miles per hour in Nevada.

Danny Willett celebrated his 34th birthday by winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, for his eighth European Tour title. The 2016 Masters champion went into the final round at St Andrews with a three-shot lead and carded a four-under 68 to win by two on 18 under par.

Sam Burns secured his second PGA Tour title of 2021 with a one-shot victory at the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi. The 25-year-old American made seven birdies in his final round, picking up four shots on the back nine as he closed with a five-under 67 and 22 under par total.

Shane Lowry has hit out at the 'idiots' in the crowd at Whistling Straits that soured the experience of his Ryder Cup debut. He stressed that most of the home spectators in Wisconsin were well behaved and courteous as they cheered Steve Stricker's Team USA to a record victory, but there were many who aimed abuse at the Irishman and his wife, Wendy.

Billy Horschel returns to British shores for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship as he attempts win the Race to Dubai. Ryder Cup stars Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and European captain Padraig Harrington have also made the journey to Scotland for this celebration of links golf.

Sergio Garcia will head to Jackson, Mississippi, after his efforts at Whistling Straits to defend the Sanderson Farms Championship title he won last year, with Englishmen Aaron Rai and Matt Wallace also part of the field as the early PGA Tour season takes shape.

World number one Jon Rahm was a bright spot for Europe at the Ryder Cup in forming a winning partnership with Sergio Garcia, which is the latest chapter in his continued rise to the top and beyond. Golfshake's Derek Clements reflects on Rahm's stunning journey so far through the game.

Reflecting on the Ryder Cup, Golfshake's Derek Clements states that Lee Westwood MUST be Europe's next captain, while also commenting on the successful leadership of Steve Stricker, the Spanish duo of Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia, and his thoughts on Sky's coverage of the event.

For once, the world rankings didn’t lie. Europe were simply outclassed and outplayed by the United States at Whistling Straits. This is no time for recriminations. The Americans were sensational and deserve full credit. Padraig Harrington will no doubt reflect on some of his choices but there was very little he could have done to influence the outcome.

This time there was to be no miracle. It turned out that America’s Ryder Cup team were not only better on paper after all. The world rankings don’t lie. Steve Stricker’s magnificent team duly regained the trophy with a record 19-9 victory at Whistling Straits in front of a passionate gallery.

This is going to be a very different Ryder Cup. Travel restrictions means that there are going to be very few European fans at Whistling Straits as Padraig Harrington’s 12 men take on an American side that dominates the world rankings. But is the Irishman concerned? Not a chance. We look ahead to what promises to be a compelling contest.

Many players have been defined by the Ryder Cup, but which European stars through the decades would come together and complete the strongest team? We tasked Golfshake's Derek Clements - who has watched each edition since 1969 - to select his ultimate fantasy squad for Europe.

The talking is almost over. The teams have been finalised and now we can look forward to three days of thrilling action at Whistling Straits. Younger and stronger in the world rankings, the Americans look formidable, while Europe is packed with experience. We take a closer look at both sides.

Now 45, European talisman Ian Poulter was one of Padraig Harrington's wild card picks, but can the Englishman raise his game once more in the Ryder Cup? Golfshake's Derek Clements looks at the passionate veteran's potential impact.

Ian Poulter will be hoping that his words don't come back to haunt him after telling America's six rookies that nothing can possibly prepare them for the intensity of the Ryder Cup.

Was there ever a more dramatic Ryder Cup than the one that was staged at Medinah in 2012? Jose Maria Olazabal’s European team went into the final day’s singles trailing 10-6, but somehow responded to claim an unforgettable comeback victory.

Ahead of the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his latest View From, commenting on the omissions of Justin Rose and Billy Horschel, in addition to proposing a bold way for Steve Stricker to handle the Koepka/DeChambeau question.

The Ryder Cup at Brookline in 1999 left a bad taste in the mouth, and not because of the fact that Europe lost but because of the behaviour of American players, their wives, officials and fans as the US completed an astonishing fightback. In 2002, Sam Torrance and Curtis Strange, the respective Europe and United States captains, were determined to put on a show in the true nature of the competition. 

France hosted the Ryder Cup for the first time in 2018 at the magnificent Le Golf National near Paris. It is a course that is well known to European golfers, as host to the French Open. But the Americans made a schoolboy error in the run-up to the event by failing to get to know it ahead of the event. And how they paid for it.

The 1999 Ryder Cup has gone down in history as The Battle of Brookline after astonishing scenes on the 17th green in the crucial singles match between Justin Leonard and Jose Maria Olazabal.

Kristoffer Broberg claimed his second European Tour title just under six years after his first and then admitted he had been to hell and back during that time, while Max Homa secured another victory on the PGA Tour. Golfshake's Derek Clements recaps the action.

When you think of the Ryder Cup, few have been more connected with that event than Tony Jacklin, a stalwart player who later transformed Europe's fortunes as captain. Now, his story is recorded in a new book written with renowned journalist Tony Jimenez. Golfshake's Derek Clements reviews this new publication that's a must for golf fans.

The new PGA Tour season begins this week at Napa Valley in a tournament that has a new sponsor and will now be called the Fortinet Championship, with Jon Rahm, Hideki Matsuyama and Phil Mickelson in the field.

The Dutch Open is back on the calendar after being absent last year, with Belgians Thomas Detry and Thomas Pieters among the field and hoping to venture across the border and claim victory at Bernardus Golf Club.

With the Ryder Cup approaching, Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his latest View From The Fairway, where he comments on the strength of the teams, in addition to reflecting on Europe's achievement at the Solheim Cup, the journey of Patrick Cantlay, and The Open's return to Royal Portrush.

European Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington confirmed the worst-kept secret in golf when he named Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter as two of his wild cards, with the third one going to 2019 Open champion Shane Lowry.

Billy Horschel won a thrilling BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and then revealed that he had been spurred on by being snubbed for the Ryder Cup

There is an obsession with reducing the age profile of those who play golf socially. But let’s not forget the benefits of playing golf for older players. And they are many and varied. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks at the positives that the game can offer golfers in their senior years.

Scottie Scheffler was the surprise name when Steve Stricker finally announced his six Ryder Cup wildcards - and there was another big surprise when he failed to pick Patrick Reed.

Ireland's sensational rookie Leona Maguire was the star of the show for Catriona Matthew as Europe brilliantly retained the Solheim Cup with a thrilling 15-13 victory at Inverness Club in Ohio.

There are going to be some very disappointed European Tour golfers when Padraig Harrington announces his three wild cards for the Ryder Cup. Rumour has it that Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter have already been pencilled in, but who else? Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his latest View From The Fairway.

The European Tour heads home to Wentworth for the BMW PGA Championship, where a strong field has gathered for the flagship event. But eyes will be on Padraig Harrington, who at the conclusion of play will reveal the players who will complete Europe’s Ryder Cup team.

It was the year of the comebacks on the PGA Tour, none more so than Jordan Spieth, who became a major contender again after lengthy struggles. Golfshake's Derek Clements charts the Texan's slump and subsequent rise back to the top of the game, with the promise of more to come in 2022.

What a season it was on the PGA Tour, we saw Hideki Matsuyama win The Masters from nowhere, Phil Mickelson become the oldest ever winner of a major, Jon Rahm win his first major at the US Open, and Collin Morikawa produce a stunning display of iron play to win The Open Championship. Golfshake's Derek Clements reflects on the past year.

Completing a memorable season on the PGA Tour, Patrick Cantlay birdied the 18th hole at East Lake to win the Tour Championship, the FedEx Cup title and the small matter of $15m, finishing one shot ahead of world number one and US Open champion Jon Rahm.

Catriona Matthew's European team head to Inverness Club in Ohio to defend the Solheim Cup won in such dramatic fashion at Gleneagles two years ago. The team will include four rookies and will be led by Women’s Open champion Anna Nordqvist.

Tiger Woods has achieved many wondrous things during his extraordinary career but his victory at the Tour Championship in 2018 takes a bit of beating. He took the title by two shots to record his 80th PGA Tour victory, and his first for five years.

Who would ever have thought that, at the age of 43, Donald would have no status on the PGA Tour? But that is precisely the situation the popular Englishman finds himself in, 10 years after being ranked as the world’s best player.

Europe had finally brought American domination of the Ryder Cup to an end at The Belfry in 1985 but they had yet to win on US soil. They had come within a whisker of doing so in 1983 but that all changed in 1987.

THE top 70 in the FedEx Cup standings head to Caves Valley for the BMW Championship, knowing that they will have to go some if they are to come anywhere close to repeating the drama we witnessed in this tournament 12 months ago.

TONY FINAU has waited a long time for his second victory on the PGA Tour. But if you are going to do it, you may as well do it in style, and the American did precisely that by winning the storm-delayed Northern Trust Open in New York by defeating Cameron Smith in a playoff.

After a two-year absence the European Tour returns to the spectacular Crans-sur-Sierre, with a number of big name players taking part following their failure to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

There have been many memorable moments at Crans-our-Sierre, home of the European Masters but none more so than the shot that Severiano Ballesteros hit at the final hole in 1993.

Catch up with the latest headlines in golf with Derek Clements' View From The Fairway, including Jon Rahm's desire to play in the Olympics, hot topics from the Women's Open, another course potentially closing for redevelopment and the impact of fans returning to events.

SWEDEN’S Anna Nordqvist won her third major title in a nerve-shredding final day to claim the Women's Open at Carnoustie, which at one point, during a dramatic final day, had a six-way tie for the lead.

Johannes Veerman became the latest first-time winner on the European Tour after securing a dramatic victory at the D+D Real Czech Masters.

We had waited a long time to see it but when Sam Torrance holed a 20-foot putt on the 18th green at The Belfry and raised his arms in triumph, tears rolling down his cheeks, Europe had delivered a first Ryder Cup defeat upon the United States since 1957 

As she heads to Carnoustie to defend her Women's Open title, Sophia Popov will surely take a moment or two to reflect on how much her life has changed in the past 12 months. It was an incredible story, and she will be defending in front of 8,000 spectators each day against the world's best players.

Unbelievably, the FedEx Cup Playoffs begin this week, with Dustin Johnson back to defend the Northern Trust title he won by an incredible 11 shots last year, with major winners Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa and Hideki Matsuyama all looking to mount serious challenges for the FedEx Cup and its massive bonus pool.

The Czech Masters returns after a two-year absence and time is running out for those who still harbour hopes of making Europe’s Ryder Cup team with captain Padraig Harrington part of the field this week at Albatross Golf Resort in Prague.

Catch up with the latest headlines in golf with Derek Clements' View From The Fairway, including the decline of Henrik Stenson, the issue of pros not shouting fore, a change to the world rankings, and an exciting move from The R&A.

Calum Hill put the disappointment of failing to win on home soil behind him with a dramatic victory at the Cazoo Classic to become the second Scot in as many weeks to register his maiden European Tour title.

It's the final PGA Tour event before the FedEx Cup Playoffs and Jim Herman defends his title at the Wyndham Championship. The likes of Louis Oosthuizen, Gary Woodland, Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood are in the field. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to the week.

The Cazoo Classic at the magnificent London Club brings the curtain down on the European Tour’s UK Swing, with Bernd Wiesberger, Andy Sullivan and Victor Perez all looking for Ryder Cup points as they try to catch the eye of Padraig Harrington.

By the 1980s, players from continental Europe were now part of the Ryder Cup, and their inclusion contributed to a dramatic impact at PGA National in 1983, where Tony Jacklin's team almost secured a momentous victory. However, the influence of Seve Ballesteros would be the difference in years to come.

Including the story of an Irish golf club that was saved by its members, big changes ahead for the European Tour, golf's future in the Olympics, and two legends showing that class is permanent, Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his latest View From The Fairway.

Former Australian Open winner, Abraham Ancer of Mexico won the WGC FedEx St. Jude Invitational for his first PGA Tour title, beating Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama and Sam Burns with a six-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole.

Nelly Korda’s astonishing season continued when she won the women’s Olympic gold medal by a shot on a dramatic final day in Tokyo, completing a golfing double for Team USA after Xander Schauffele won the men's competition last weekend.

Club golf has been patting itself on the back for the past 12 months as demand for membership has continued to soar. But is everything in the garden really as rosy as we would all like to think? We ran a survey in which we asked you for your feedback and found intriguing answers for the future.

In the second part of our Ryder Cup countdown we look back at Royal Birkdale in 1969, famously remembered for 'The Concession' as Jack Nicklaus conceded a short putt to Tony Jacklin, ensuring that the match ended in a tie.

After competing in the Olympics, Justin Thomas now defends his title at the WGC FedEx St Jude Invitational, where both Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa have a chance to overtake Jon Rahm and become world number one. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to the event from TPC Southwind.

Golfshake's Derek Clements addresses the latest headlines in golf, including the Olympic Games. Following recent stories involving Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and Ben Stokes, Derek also comments on the mental wellbeing of elite golfers, who faces similar pressures to those other stars.

Five years ago, the great Inbee Park won the Olympic gold in Rio, and she is back to defend that title in Tokyo. Mel Reid and Jodi Ewart Shadoff are representing Great Britain, with Nelly Korda, Danielle Kang, Lexi Thompson, and Jessica Korda being a formidable group for the Americans.

Rory McIlroy had previously questioned his motivation for the event, but his perception of the Olympic Games has changed after missing out on a medal in the men's golf tournament in Tokyo.

Daniel Gavins carded a magnificent 65 to come from seven shots back and win his first European Tour title at the ISPS Handa World Invitational at Galgorm Castle Golf Club.

Xander Schauffele won gold for Team USA in the men's Olympic golf competition, as Rory McIlroy and Paul Casey narrowly missed out on a medal in the most dramatic fashion. They finished third with five other players after regulation play but CT Pan emerged triumphant to claim the bronze medal.

The World Handicap System was introduced last year in an attempt to simplify matters and make golf a fairer game for everybody who plays it. We recently conducted a survey designed to find out what golfers make of it all. Unsurprisingly, we got a real mixed bag of results. Some of you believe it is a fairer system, others still cannot make head nor tail of it, while others still struggle to understand why things were changed in the first place.

With the headlines dominated by high-profile failed Covid-19 tests and many of golf’s leading players choosing to give it a miss, it is good to hear Tommy Fleetwood talking about how he cannot wait to represent Great Britain alongside Paul Casey at the Tokyo Olympics.

The Olympic Games golf tournament finally gets under way in Japan this week, starting with the men's competition. Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Reed are representing the US, with Tommy Fleetwood and Paul Casey wearing Team GB colours, while Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry will be carrying Irish hopes in Tokyo.

It was a golf tournament that had been blighted by withdrawals, with many of the world’s leading golfers refusing to take part in the Olympic Games golf tournament, citing concerns over the Zika virus. And here we are, five years later, and so little seems to have changed. But for Justin Rose, those four days in Rio in 2016 turned out to be hugely memorable.

Ahead of this year's Ryder Cup, we are looking back at past matches, reflecting on some of the most special moments. Starting with the 1957 edition at Lindrick, it would prove to be a momentous occasion for Great Britain & Ireland.

Golfshake's Derek Clements takes aim at the latest headlines in golf through his View From The Fairway, describing why Jordan Spieth is an inspiration, the Olympic disappointment for Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, and how the 150th Open at St Andrews will be one for the ages.

There were tears of joy and frustration on an astonishing final day at the Cazoo Open and Evian Championship, while Welshman Stephen Dodd birdied the 72nd hole to win a dramatic Senior Open at Sunningdale, before Cameron Champ rediscovered his form on the PGA Tour.

After a two-year absence because of the pandemic, the Senior Open returns, with the seemingly ageless Bernhard Langer defending his title at the stunning Sunningdale Golf Club against a field that includes Ernie Els, Jim Furyk and Retief Goosen.

World number two Dustin Johnson, Louis Oosthuizen, Rickie Fowler and Robert MacIntyre are in the field at the 3M Open, as the PGA Tour continues its journey towards the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to the event from Minnesota where Michael Thompson is the defending champion.

The European Tour is back at the Celtic Manor Resort for the Wales Open, this year entitled the Cazoo Open supported by Gareth Bale. England's Matt Wallace is probably the pick of the leading contenders at the Twenty Ten Course, made famous for the Ryder Cup in 2010.

Reflecting on the 149th Open, Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his latest View From The Fairway, where he describes his love for Sky Sports' coverage of the championship, the joy of seeing crowds back at Royal St George's, and why Brooks vs Bryson is becoming increasingly tiresome.

24-year-old American Collin Morikawa created major history at Royal St George's as he celebrated his Open debut with a magnificent two-shot victory over Jordan Spieth, becoming the first player to win two different majors at the first attempt.

Brooks Koepka says Royal St George's is not his favourite venue on The Open rotation but he still believes that he will contend for a fifth major victory this week.

It is an early start at The Open on Thursday, with Richard Bland having the honour of hitting the opening shot a 6.35am. Shane Lowry begins the defence of his title at 9.58am alongside US Open champion Jon Rahm and South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen.

Jon Rahm generates tremendous power from one of the shortest backswings in the game and he has revealed that it all stems from being born with a club foot that required extensive surgery when he was a baby.

Rory McIlroy is hoping to draw inspiration from Darren Clarke at Royal St George’s as he competes in this week’s Open Championship on the back of a tied 59th finish at the Irish Open and a missed cut at the Scottish Open.

Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama had already pulled out of the Open after testing positive for Covid-19 and he has been joined by  former champion Zach Johnson, South Africa's Louis de Jager and two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson, who have also all withdrawn for Covid reasons.

After two years, it's finally back, the Open is here and the world's finest golfers have assembled in Kent at Royal St George's, where Shane Lowry will defend the Claret Jug in front of 32,000 spectators each day. With a special atmosphere expected, the 149th Championship has all the makings of a classic. Get ready for the showpiece with our Preview.

The oldest championship in golf, the Open has defined generations of memories. Golfshake's Derek Clements has attended many of them, all of which have been special. From Jack Nicklaus in 1970 to Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson at Troon, Derek shares his ten favourite Open memories.

Shane Lowry has held onto the Claret Jug for two years, but 155 other players at Royal St George's will be hoping to wrestle the iconic trophy from his grasp. Golfshake's Derek Clements identifies the five players he is paying close attention to this week, and it's hard to argue with the choices.

Much attention will be placed on the likes of Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy at Royal St George's, but all 156 players at the 149th Open will be determined to put themselves into a contending position. Golfshake's Derek Clements has picked out five relative outsiders who may well have a memorable week in Kent.

The Claret Jug, or to use its proper name, the Golf Champion Trophy, is presented to each year's winner of The Open, but it wasn't the original prize for claiming the championship, as Golfshake's Derek Clements describes.

A decade ago, Darren Clarke finally enjoyed his major moment, winning the Open Championship at Royal St George's. Golfshake's Derek Clements recaps that memorable victory, a triumph that was over 20 years in the making for the Northern Irishman.

Ahead of the 149th Open, Derek Clements shares his View From The Fairway, where he comments on the return of crowds at Royal St George's, the change of strategy for Rory McIlroy, and Paul Casey's excitement at representing Great Britain in the Olympic Games.

Min Woo Lee says that a 90-minute weather delay and the chance to watch Novak Djokovic clinch a sixth Wimbledon singles title inspired him to secure the Scottish Open after a play-off at the Renaissance Club.

Steve Stricker has given the broadest indication that his captaincy at Whistling Straits in September will be an inclusive affair by saying that he plans to ask for advice from the players who earn automatic spots on the US Ryder Cup team on how he should use his six captain's picks.

Jon Rahm headlines a stunning field at The Renaissance Club for the Scottish Open, which includes Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa. England's Aaron Rai is the defending champion at the event where many of the world's best are honing their games ahead of The Open at Royal St George's.

As many of the world’s leading golfers head towards The Renaissance Club there is one thing that home fans want to see more than anything else - a Scottish winner of the Scottish Open. The last time it happened was in 1999 when Colin Montgomerie took the title.

When the John Deere Classic was last played at TPC Deere Run two years ago, Dylan Frittelli was the surprise winner. Now, the South African is back to defend his title at the final PGA Tour event before the Open Championship.

Golfshake's Derek Clements looks at how Shane Lowry will finally have the chance to defend the Claret Jug, the brilliance of Nelly Korda, the rise of Viktor Hovland, and why Padraig Harrington is destined to be a successful Ryder Cup captain.

Following Lucas Herbert's victory at the Irish Open, Cameron Davis secured his maiden PGA Tour title, winning the Rocket Mortgage Classic after a five-hole playoff, completing a victorious day for Australian golfers.

The Kordas are proving that sporting success can run in the family across golf and tennis, but how many fathers and sons have managed to win tournaments on the PGA Tour? Golfshake's Derek Clements explains that it's a pretty short list.

Golfshake's Derek Clements addresses the headlines in his View From The Fairway, commenting on golf withdrawals from the Olympic Games, the encouraging form of Rory McIlroy, the return of crowds at the Open Championship, and why Martin Kaymer could still play in the Ryder Cup.

Rory McIlroy returns to home soil for what he hopes will be a triumphant return to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Mount Juliet. And he will do so in front of a limited number of fans. McIlroy will be joined in the field by fellow major champions Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell.

Bryson DeChambeau won the Rocket Mortgage Classic last year with an astonishing display of big hitting in Detroit. With a series of jaw-dropping drives and some clutch putts, he was victorious by three strokes, and he's back this week to defend his title.

Viktor Hovland confirmed his status as one of the best young golfers on the planet by becoming the first Norwegian winner in European Tour history as he completed a two shot victory at the BMW International Open.

Nelly Korda landed the first major of her career and moved to world number one with a three-shot win at the Women's PGA Championship. The 22-year-old started the final day level with Lizette Salas at the top of the leaderboard. However, Korda had two eagles in a four-under final round of 68 as she won on 19 under, with Salas recording a 71.

In a sure and certain sign that the baton in European golf is being passed on to a new generation, Padraig Harrington has named two men who holed winning Ryder Cup putts as vice-captains for the encounter against the USA in September. 

There were many who questioned whether Jon Rahm would ever win a major. This has nothing to do with his ability but plenty to do with his temperament. But this is a man who was born to greatness. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks back at the Spaniard's journey to glory and what could happen next.

Jon Rahm's dramatic victory at the US Open at Torrey Pines touched the hearts of many in the golfing world, with legends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player leading the tributes to the Spaniard as he landed the first of what will surely be many major victories.

Dustin Johnson maintained his remarkable record of winning at least once every year on the PGA Tour when he saw off Brendon Todd at last year’s Travelers Championship. And he faces a field that includes Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Cantlay, Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed.

The BMW International Open was postponed last year because of the pandemic. When it was last played two years ago, Andrea Pavan won in dramatic fashion. Viktor Hovland, Sergio Garcia, and home favourite Martin Kaymer are part of the field in Germany this week.

Golfshake's Derek Clements comments on headlines from the past week in golf, including Rory McIlroy declaring his support for banning green reading books, the ongoing Koepka and DeChambeau story, and the calls from Scottish Golf's chair for clubs to become less intimidating for new players.

Jon Rahm loves Torrey Pines. It was where he won his first PGA Tour event, it was where his girlfriend accepted his marriage proposal and now it is the venue for his first major victory, following a typically electrifying finish at the US Open.

There has been much attention on the continuing feud between Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau, but these sorts of bitter rivalries aren't especially rare in the game, as Derek Clements reflects on several of the most high-profile differences of opinion on tour.

Bryson DeChambeau defends the US Open at Torrey Pines, where many eyes will be on record breaking local boy Phil Mickelson as he seeks more history. However, the likes of Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka and Collin Morikawa will be keen to claim America's national championship. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to the 121st US Open.

Always an exacting challenge, the US Open has been dominated by home players in recent years, but international stars have often etched their name into the history of America's national championship. Who will be that man this time? Golfshake's Derek Clements picks out ten names, a mixture of leading favourites and relative outsiders, who we should be watching.

Bryson DeChambeau produced a wonderful final-round display to win the US Open by six shots and claim the first major title of his career last year. The 27-year-old was the only player to break par at the notoriously difficult Winged Foot in New York. We take a look back at a stunning performance.

Phil Mickelson has endured more than his fair share of misery at the US Open. His quest to win his national title has been one of the most compelling stories of the past 25 years. Incredibly, he has finished runner-up six times. Here, we look back at Mickelson’s six near misses.

The South Course at Torrey Pines is a familiar layout, being one of the two courses used for the Farmers Insurance Open. But it will be a very different beast for the US Open. When the tournament was last played here in 2008 the average score was just over 74.

Steve Stricker has told Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau to "put their differences aside" well ahead of the Ryder Cup in September. The pair have been embroiled in an open feud since footage of Koepka's angry reaction and offensive comments towards his American rival were leaked shortly after the PGA Championship.

Sharing this week's View From The Fairway, Derek Clements comments on Rory McIlroy entering July's Irish Open, the success of the Scandinavian Mixed, the rise of Garrick Higgo, and the two Premier League footballers now managing future golf stars.

Garrick Higgo is in dreamland. After two victories on the European Tour this season, he collected the most unlikely of wins at the Palmetto Championship. While in Sweden, Jonathan Caldwell birdied the last hole and then watched Adrian Otaegui three-putt from nowhere to hand the Northern Irishman his maiden European Tour title at the Scandinavian Mixed Hosted by Henrik & Annika.

The PGA Tour should be in Canada this week but, for the second year on the trot, the Canadian Open has had to be cancelled because of the pandemic. In the week before the US Open, the tour will instead head to South Carolina for the Palmetto Championship at Congaree and a strong field is headed by Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka.

The legendary Annika Sörenstam will tee it up on home soil for the first time in 13 years alongside fellow tournament host Henrik Stenson at the Scandinavian Mixed Hosted by Henrik and Annika at Vallda Golf and Country Club, joining a field of 78 men and 78 women.

Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his latest View From The Fairway, where he comments on why Jack Nicklaus' Muirfield Village should host a major championship, while also reflecting on the form of Jordan Spieth, the LPGA Tour tackling slow play, and the growth of one English golf club.

Yuka Saso wrote her name into the history books as she became the first golfer from the Philippines to win a major. Saso, who is just 19 years old, defeated Nasa Hataoka of Japan in a sudden death playoff to claim the US Women’s Open after they had finished tied on four under par.

Patrick Cantlay won The Memorial tournament at Muirfield Village for the second time in three years, defeating Collin Morikawa in a playoff. The American, who now tops the FedEx Cup standings, won with a par after he and Morikawa had finished the week with 71s to end the tournament on 13 under par.

Increasingly golf is turning to former players to populate the commentary box and the course. And, almost without exception, they have turned out to be as adept with a microphone in their hands as they were in their prime as tour players. Derek Clements picks out a few of this favourites.

Michelle Wie West has called for "more conversations" regarding the mental health of sports personalities in the wake of tennis star Naomi Osaka's withdrawal from the French Open, which raises the question of how all sports - including golf - can better support the well-being of players.

Paul Casey returns to Germany to defend the Porsche European Open title he won in 2019. It was his first European Tour win for five years. Major champions Martin Kaymer and Henrik Stenson are also playing in the event that won't begin until Saturday due to coronavirus restrictions.

The PGA Tour returns to Muirfield Village, with Jon Rahm defending The Memorial Tournament, which he won the hard way in July last year, where the likes of Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama, Bryson DeChambeu and Jordan Spieth are hoping to triumph at Jack's Place.

It has been a long road back for Paula Creamer. Once the darling of US women's golf, she has been through hell with injuries, but this week she tees it up in the US Women's Open at The Olympic Club on a special exemption, making her 18th appearance in the championship she memorably won in 2010.

Sharing his latest View From The Fairway, Derek Clements reflects on the encouraging increase in golfers playing in the UK & Ireland, the feud between Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau, the inconsistencies of Rory McIlroy, and the quiet return to form of Shane Lowry.

Austria's Bernd Wiesberger defended his Made in HimmerLand title in style as he cruised to a five shot win in Denmark, while Jason Kokrak defeated Jordan Spieth by two shots to secure the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club for his second victory of the season.

Perception is vital for a sport like golf, and following the appointments of Mollie Marcoux Samaan at the LPGA and Hannah McAllister at Wales Golf, Derek Clements believes that we need to see further diversification among those who lead the important organisations and decisions in the game.

Forget any speculation about Tiger Woods playing golf again this year - the 15-time major champion has set his goal as being able to walk on his own as he continues his long and painful recovery from the multiple leg injuries he sustained in a car crash.

Phil Mickelson became the oldest ever winner of a major, seeing off the challenge of a host of much younger challengers. Coming as it did just a week after 48-year-old Richard Bland won his first European Tour event at his 478th attempt, it confirmed that golf is not necessarily a young man’s game.

Sharing his latest View From The Fairway, Derek Clements reports on more encouraging news for golf, some surprising sights at Kiawah Island, new leadership at Wales Golf, and how one club is rewarding those who have been on the frontlines during the pandemic.

Daniel Berger is back at iconic Colonial to defend the Charles Schwab Challenge at one of the PGA Tour's great venues, where a strong field has gathered, including new PGA champion Phil Mickelson, former winner Jordan Spieth and Collin Morikawa.

Bernd Wiesberger defends in Denmark at the newly titled Made In Himmerland, where South Africans Wilco Nienaber and Brandon Stone will be among the favourites alongside new British Masters winner Richard Bland. Golfshake's Derek Clements look ahead to the event.

The PGA Championship at Kiawah Island brought back vivid memories of a vitriolic Ryder Cup known as The War on the Shore which was widely regarded as the three days that changed the event for ever.

Rolling back the years, Padraig Harrington finished joint fourth at the PGA Championship but immediately ruled out the possibility of naming himself as a captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup, despite his best major finish since 2012. 

Tiger Woods led the social media tributes to long-time rival Phil Mickelson after the 50-year-old registered a history-making victory at the PGA Championship, with the great Jack Nicklaus also sharing his praise for the age-defying six-time major winner.

Phil Mickelson has always done things his own way but even by his standards what he achieved at Kiawah Island is something special. On the eve of his 51st birthday he won the PGA Championship, holding off Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen to become the oldest ever winner of a major championship.

It seems that the Saudi Arabia-backed Super League Golf isn’t going away anytime soon. It is believed that the men behind the SLG have been at Kiawah Island sounding out the agents of top players. Bryson DeChambeau was among those commenting, and Golfshake's Derek Clements believes it's time for leading players to take a stance against the concept.

Designed by Pete and Alice Dye, the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island was unveiled in 1991, presenting a brutally challenging and spectacular coastal layout, that year unforgettably hosting the Ryder Cup. Now, the PGA Championship returns to a course that will be the longest in the history of the game at this stature, measuring 7,876 yards.

Commenting on several key topics from the past week, Golfshake's Derek Clements declares his wish to see Rickie Fowler back to his best form, and looks at a special invite for Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau's travel exploits, and the problem of arson attacks at golf clubs.

It's time for the second men's major of the season as the PGA Championship returns to the stunning Ocean Course at Kiawah Island. Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas are considered among the favourites, but who will lift the Wanamaker Trophy? Get ready with our comprehensive preview.

After his victory in the Wells Fargo at Quail Hollow, Rory McIlroy was installed as favourite to win the PGA Championship, but if you are looking for some more left-field bets, we have picked outside contenders that are worth considering at Kiawah Island.

From Walter Hagen and Ben Hogan to Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, the Wanamaker Trophy lists many storied names in golf. But who is going to follow in the footsteps of those legendary champions? Golfshake's Derek Clements picks out five notable contenders who he believes will contend for the grand prize.

Collin Morikawa made a major impact on the PGA Championship last year, producing a devastating display of iron play to finish two shots ahead of Paul Casey and Dustin Johnson. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks back at the event from Harding Park.

Rory McIlroy will return to Kiawah Island with some great memories. This was where he landed his second major in 2012. And he did so in sensational style, winning by a record eight shots. 

Richard Bland rewrote the record books, securing his first European Tour title at the 478th attempt and in the process becoming the tour’s oldest first-time winner at the age of 48. He beat Guido Migliozzi, a man half his age, at the first play-off hole to land the British Masters.

Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his thoughts on stories that have dominated the game in the past week, including the events being launched to remember the great Seve Ballesteros, vandalism at golf courses, and the one revered club that is finally getting with the times.

The British Masters returns to The Belfry, where former Masters champion Danny Willett hosts. Many eyes will be on Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, who will be hoping to transform his impressive results in America into a triumph in Europe. Golfshake's Derek Clements looks ahead to the event.

Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama and Jordan Spieth headline the field at the AT&T Byron Nelson, which heads to a new venue, TPC Craig Ranch. It's the final PGA Tour event before the next major championship, with many leading names hoping to strike form at the right time.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy ended his winless run by clinching the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow for a third time - just six weeks after starting to work with swing coach Pete Cowen, setting the four-time major winner up for a return to Kiawah Island and the PGA Championship.

The USA retained the Walker Cup after holding off a stirring fightback from Great Britain and Ireland to claim a 14-12 victory at Seminole in Florida in a match that was overshadowed by both teams being struck down by a stomach bug.

Seve Ballesteros was taken from us far too soon. He should never be forgotten. And thanks to renowned sports photographer David Cannon and his wonderful book Seve: His Life Through The Lens, he never will be. Published to mark the 10th anniversary of his death, it is a picture-led book that captures the very essence of the man.

Seve, Rory, Jack, Phil, - with the greatest sportsmen in their field you only need to hear a Christian name. Others have nicknames - often they are not known to the wider public. Here we look at some of the game’s leading players and explain their monikers.

Like the ill-fated European Super Football League, the proposed Super Golf League appears to be dead in the water, following the news that the PGA Tour and European Tour are "aligned in opposing" renewed plans for the breakaway circuit, with players who sign up facing suspension from the Tour.

Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his latest View From The Fairway, this week focusing on some of the players chasing Olympic selection, stories from the PGA Tour and stories from the last week.

The Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow will see the return of Rory McIlroy back in action this week along with seven of the world's top 10, defending champion from 2019 winner Max Homa and fourteen major championship winners.

Expect to see some seriously low scoring in this week’s Canary Islands Championship at Golf Costa Adeje in Tenerife. The course measures just 6,816 yards, which makes it a comparative tiddler by today’s standards. And there are plenty of players in the field who enjoy making birdies for fun.

Sports writer Derek Clements reports on this weekend's action on tour including a first win for Sam Burns on the PGA Tour at the Valspar Championship and South African Dean Burmester secures his first win in four years at the Tenerife Open on the European Tour.

WE ALL know that, despite the boom the game is enjoying, club golf still faces many challenges, not the least of which is finding ways to make the game more attractive to girls and women.  In our Winter Survey we wanted to know what inspired female golfers to take up the sport, how they first played, and their thoughts on what's important for beginners.

The sport that we all love offers us the opportunity to socialise, to enjoy regular outdoor exercise and be at one with nature. It is good for us both physically and mentally. On the face of it, life as a tournament pro is a pretty glamorous existence. But is it?

Golfshake's Derek Clements shares his latest View From The Fairway, looking back at the recent win from veteran Stewart Cink, Sorenstam coming out of retirement to team up with Stenson and the hot talking points in golf.