Latest news with #Bunkered
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Is Graeme McDowell ready for a TV career? First, he's working some magic at LIV Golf UK
Graeme McDowell has just a single top-10 finish on the LIV Golf circuit this year, and he admitted to the British golf site Bunkered that he's seriously considering a dive into the media world if his playing days on the fledgling league are coming to a close. In fact, after a week on the microphone for Sky Sports and the R&A's 'World Feed' coverage during the 2025 Open Championship at Portrush, McDowell said his appetite has officially been whetted. "Is there any TV in my future? Potentially, when I'm done playing golf, it was always something that I wanted to dip my toe into to see if I liked it. And last week was a way to have a little chip at it and see if there's anything there," he told Bunkered. 'First and foremost. I mean, I gained a definite appreciation for the skill level involved in being very, very good at it, you know, surrounded by guys like, you know, Ewan Murray and Nick Dougherty and Andrew Cotter and Ken Brown." McDowell is back on the other side of the mic this week at LIV Golf UK, where he pulled off a masterful shot during Friday's opening round. After finding some thick stuff on the par-4 11th hole at JCB Golf & Country Club, the 2010 U.S. Open winner showed his creativity around the greens as he pitched a ball up on a slope and brought it back down inches from the cup. Now 45, McDowell signed a one-year deal with Smash GC, Brooks Koepka's squad, but he's on the outside looking in for next year, in terms of relegation. The Northern Irishman is 32nd in the LIV standings and he needs to get into the top 24 in the next three events to secure a spot for 2026. Understandably, he's keeping his future options open. 'Say I was done with LIV at the end of this year and I got unceremoniously dumped out, what would I do? Would I go back to the European Tour for a year, take up a year's membership and one of my exemptions there? Or would I make the jump into the media world?' McDowell told Bunkered. 'It would really just depend on how I feel, how I feel my game is, how my health is, what the world would look like from a media point of view." "I'll continue to talk to some of these media outlets and maybe do a little training on the side, you know, just to get myself ready. I feel like I know a lot of these guys very well and I understand the sport. I'd give it a go for a year or two just to see if I like it. 'I've never had a real job before, so I'm not sure how I'd handle it.'
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Daily Record
'27-hole golf course' runs 20 miles through Scotland's most spectacular scenery
If you want to explore three of the best nine-hole courses in the country, you can find them on one 20-mile stretch of road. The golf season is underway, and Scottish players are eager to tee off on new courses across the nation. Not all enthusiasts can dedicate nearly four hours for a full 18 holes, though. Fortunately, Scotland boasts a selection of nine-hole courses that offer a swift golfing session in less than two hours. For many, their passion for the sport was kindled on these shorter courses, which continue to be a splendid test for golfers at any skill level. For those yearning to experience three of the top nine-hole courses in Scotland, they're nestled within a 20-mile drive through some of the most beautiful and untouched landscapes available. While Perthshire might rank just after Fife as the home of golf in Scotland, featuring the prestigious Gleneagles, further exploration reveals three lesser-known delights. These hidden gems provide double the enjoyment with half the number of holes, or for those seeking an extended adventure, all three can be played in one day, transforming this stretch into a 27-hole marvel spanning 20 miles. Leading the way is Comrie Golf Club in the vibrantly-named village, often referred to as 'shacky toun' due to its slight but frequent seismic shakes. Situated conveniently off the A85, connecting Perth to Oban, Comrie has earned high praise as "one of the finest and most scenic nine-hole courses in the UK", according to Bunkered magazine. Flaunting a heathland course, it's heralded for its "classic James Braid design that makes full use of the natural topography," notes the club's website. Comrie, a par 35 course stretching 3,008 yards from the back tees, is often praised for its diverse range of holes, reports the Scottish Daily Express. The two par 3s are notably challenging, but even if your golfing skills aren't top-notch, the stunning surrounding countryside and tree-lined fairways, home to red squirrels, mistle thrush, woodpeckers and roe deer, makeup for it. Just under six miles west, near Loch Earn's banks, lies St Fillans, a course highly favoured by two-time major champion Sandy Lyle, who dubbed it his favourite inland course in the country. Despite being encircled by towering mountains, St Fillans maintains a relatively flat terrain, with each hole presenting a unique challenge. St Fillans, a par 36 course measuring 3,008 yards from the back tees, was established in 1903. It's no surprise that Lyle, known to play the course with hickory clubs, holds the 18-hole course record of 66. Golf enthusiasts can then journey along the A85 on Loch Earn's north shore before heading north towards Killen. A brief detour off the A85 is required to reach this secluded village near Loch Tay's western shore, where you'll discover the third in this series of exceptional courses. Killen is another contender for Scotland's most picturesque nine-hole course - and it could easily rival many 18-hole courses too. Each hole offers breathtaking views, and with 14 different tees, those staying for 18 holes can enjoy a slightly varied challenge. All three courses have been recognised by Bunkered as some of the top nine-hole facilities in Scotland. It would be quite feasible to play all three in a single day, with the journey from Comrie to Killen taking less than 40 minutes. The green fees for nine holes are usually £20 at Comrie, £18 at St Fillans, and £20 at Killen, which means playing all three would cost a mere £58.
