News Digest – 04/10/2007

Björn named new Tournament Committee chairman

Thomas Björn (pictured) has accepted the role of chairman of the European Tour?s Tournament Committee.

Jamie Spence resigned in May after three years in the position. The appointment was confirmed at a meeting of the Tournament Committee at St Andrews before the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

George O?Grady, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: ?It was the unanimous feeling of the Committee that Thomas is the right man to carry on that sterling work.?

Björn commented: ?I am honored that my fellow professionals on the Tournament Committee have placed their faith in me to succeed Jamie. He was a popular and extremely hard-working chairman and I will do my utmost to continue the good work which he started.?

Field confirmed for World Cup

A high quality field has been announced for the Omega Mission Hills World Cup, which begins on November 22 in China.

Among the favourites will be the South African team that consists of two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen and world number 18 Trevor Immelman. The designer of the course, José Maria Olazábal, will represent Spain alongside Miguel Angel Jiménez.

Scotland?s Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren join forces for the second year running after finishing second just behind Germany last time round.

Justin Rose and Ian Poulter combine to create a strong English partnership.

Two qualifying rounds took place last weekend in Asia and Latin America with 10 countries joining the 18 exempt nations already announced.

Confirmed field:

Argentina: Andres Romero and Ricardo Gonzalez

Australia: Nick O?Hern and Nathan Green

Austria: Markus Brier and Claude Grenier

Canada: Mike Weir and Wes Heffernan

China: Liang Wen-chong and Zhang Lian-wei

Colombia: Gustavo Mendoza and Jorge Benedetti

Denmark: Anders Hansen and Søren Hansen

England: Justin Rose and Ian Poulter

France: Raphaël Jacquelin and Gregory Havret

Finland: Mikko Ilonen and Pasi Purhonen

Germany: Martin Kaymer and Alex Cejka

India: Jyoti Randhawa and Gaurev Ghei

Ireland: Michael Hoey and Gareth Maybin

Italy: Edoardo Molinari and Francesco Molinari

Japan: Hideto Tanihara and Tetsuji Hiratsuka

Korea: Lee Seung-ho and Lee Sung

New Zealand: Richard Lee and Stephen Scahill

Paraguay: Carlos Franco and Fabrizio Zanotti

Philippines: Tony Lascuna and Gerald Rosales

Puerto Rico: Wilfredo Morales and Miguel Suárez

Scotland: Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren

South Africa: Retief Goosen and Trevor Immelman

Spain: José Maria Olazábal and Miguel Angel Jiménez

Sweden: Robert Karlsson and Peter Hanson

Thailand: Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng

The Netherlands: Robert-Jan Derksen and Maarten Lafeber

United States: Arron Oberholser and Sean O?Hair

Wales: Stephen Dodd and Bradley Dredge

Austin takes a plunge

Thanks to forum member Shooter_McGavin for supplying us with one of the funniest golf clips you are ever likely to see. Woody Austin takes a dip at the Presidents Cup?

Colin Dalgleish to captain GB&I teams

The R&A has reappointed Colin Dalgleish as the captain of the Great Britain and Ireland men?s amateur teams for a further two years. He will captain the GB&I team in both the 2008 St Andrews Trophy at Kingsbarns, Scotland, and the 2009 Walker Cup at Merion, Pennsylvania, USA.

Dalgleish was the captain of the GB&I team for the St Andrews Trophy played at Marianske Lazne, Czech Republic, in 2006 and for the recent Walker Cup at Royal County Down. His team recorded a win in the St Andrews Trophy beating the Continent of Europe 15?9. His Great Britain & Ireland team lost this year?s Walker Cup to the USA, but the match will live long in the memory for the stirring fightback by Dalgleish?s men in the Sunday afternoon singles.

Chairman of selectors Tony Disle, said, ?We are delighted that Colin has agreed to continue in the role of captain for another two years. Colin?s experience and undoubted leadership skills make him the ideal candidate to continue the good work he has done over the last two years.?

Dalgleish said, ?I am delighted that the R&A has extended my captaincy of the Great Britain & Ireland team for a further two years. I look forward to both next year?s St Andrews Trophy match against the Continent of Europe at Kingsbarns, and in particular to the Walker Cup at Merion in 2009, where I hope to play my part in returning the trophy to St Andrews, after so narrowly missing out at Royal County Down.?