Top 10 Brits
(4) Harry Vardon
Not many know that Harry Vardon was actually a “Bean”, the slang term for a local on the Channel Island of Jersey where he was born in 1870. The population of Jersey at that time was under 60,000, barely that of a small town today. To find a multiple major winner born there would be a minor miracle, to discover that a second – the beefy Ted Ray – was a contemporary defies belief. Vardon is still remembered today for the “Vardon Grip”, the most popular grip in golf. He was revered by fellow pros for his effortless power, rhythm and balance, largely due to the lightness of his grip. Pedantic Scots may argue that it should be called the “Lindlay Grip”, as top Scottish amateur John Ernest Lindlay is actually credited with having invented it. Regardless, Vardon is unique in winning the Open Championship an amazing six times. The only other major of the era was the US Open, which, despite the travel difficulties involved, he entered three times with a stunning record of a win and two second places. This included losing to Francis Ouimet in the historic playoff in 1913, alongside fellow “Bean” Ray, and then losing to Ray by a stroke in 1920. Vardon was 50-years- old by that time and would have been the oldest major winner of all time had he prevailed. His name also graces the annual PGA of America Vardon Trophy awarded for the lowest average round over the season which Tiger Woods has won a record eight times. The trophy was first awarded in the year of Vardon’s death in 1937.
The founder of Golf 007, a leading Hong Kong-based golf travel agency, talks us through a memorable two rounds at Xili, his fondness for John Daly and what he'd like to see happen to slow players
Paul Prendergast talks to seven-time PGA Tour winner, astute course design critic and father of three Geoff Ogilvy about the state of his game, his off-course architecture business, the renovation of St Andrews and the long putter debate
Alex Jenkins turns his attention to the winners (and losers) over the past 12 months
Paul Prendergast talks to the Zimbabwean, a three-time Major winner, who takes over from Greg Norman as captain of the International Team at the Presidents Cup, which will be played this October at the Jack Nicklaus-founded Muirfield Village in Ohio
Paul Prendergast had only one thing on his mind when he travelled to the Emirates Australian Open last month – watch his idol – the ageless Tom Watson – put on a show ... which he duly delivered
The exhibition matches of today are little more than a lucrative sideline to the tournament playing life of players like Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods. With countless millions on offer, they travel the globe showing off their skills, knowing that modern air travel will have them back home within hours not days. It was a totally different story back in the 1930s when top professionals spent weeks, even months out on the road. This hitherto untold snippet from golf history deals with the most remarkable exhibition tour of all time. Undertaken by the great Walter Hagen in 1937, it reads like something from Indiana Jones movie including tales of man-eating tigers, sinister Japanese troops and even a German U-Boat
The sweet-swinging South African, number seven in the world rankings, talks to Brendan Barratt about his outstanding season and goals for 2013
Our European correspondent Lewine Mair talks to the Ryder Cup hero and world rankings climber – who is living proof that nice guys do indeed win
Defending UBS Hong Kong Open champion Rory McIlroy has had the Titleist 913 driver in his bag for a few months now – and it clearly agrees with him. Equipment editor Charlie Schroeder decided it was worth taking a closer look at the club, which goes on retail sale in Hong Kong this month, that won the US PGA Championship.
