Daily Pulse for April 30, 2012

Web Street Golf Daily Pulse
VOLUME 3, NUMBER 86                                                         
Monday, April 30, 2012

ANY IDEA WHO SAID THIS? “I've done that since I started playing golf from what everybody has told me. I wish I could tell you it's one thing or it's this, but it's just totally subconscious. I couldn't even tell you how many times I do it.”

BRAIN TEASER: How many times has Steve Stricker finished inside the op 10 in his seven starts on the PGA TOUR this year?

TAYLORMADE BLISTERS THE FIRST QUARTER: The adidas Group today announced preliminary results for the first quarter of 2012. According to the company, revenues increased 14% on a currency-neutral basis or 17% in euro terms to Euro 3.8 billion. This fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth was driven by increases in all regions and segments. In particular, growth rates in Greater China and Japan as well as at TaylorMade-adidas Golf were significantly above initial expectations. It said TaylorMade-adidas Golf sales increased 32% on a currency-neutral basis, driven by significant growth and market share gains in metalwoods and irons. The company did not provide a specific breakdown of its golf division’s revenues or profits. It is slated to report in detail its first quarter results on May 3.

KEEPING TIME: Rolex has extended its support of The R&A for a further 10 years. “Through its historic and unwavering support, Rolex has become part of the fabric of golf. From supporting the amateur game to increasing awareness of the Rules, through an association of more than 30 years with golf’s original Major to presenting the Senior Open, Rolex is making a significant contribution at every level of our sport,” stated the R&A’s Chief Executive Peter Dawson. “That is why I am delighted with today’s announcement and look forward to our relationship going from strength-to-strength over the next 10 years.”

"Rolex has been a strong symbol of performance and prestige for over a century and we are delighted to extend our relationship with The R&A,” said Gian Riccardo Marini, Chief Executive Officer of Rolex SA. "The R&A shares our values, which include a commitment to growing the game of golf throughout the world, and we look forward to continuing our close working relationship over the coming years.”

SO FAR, SO GOOD: Buoyed by mild weather and a thaw in the economy, the manufacturer of the popular Titleist golf equipment is expecting modest growth in the golf industry for the coming year. READ MORE>>>

AFFORDABILITY FUELS GROWTH: Mike Moore, the CEO of RMG Golf Management, said memberships are selling "beyond our wildest imagination. We are way ahead of our projections." READ MORE>>>
OPPORTUNITY COSTS: By losing control and casting only a distracted eye over a seemingly never-ending stream of so-called technological “advances” – particularly in the realms of ball and driver – the rule makers on both sides of the Atlantic have badly let down almost everything they are supposedly employed to protect. They have also cost themselves money, if this week’s admission that the R&A has spent £10 million on “renovating” the Open Championship courses since 2000 is anything to go by. READ MORE>>>

WINNER’S CLUBS: Jason Dufner won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in his 164th career start. He had some help in securing his first victory from Titleist. Dufner played the 910 D2 driver (9.5 degrees), 910 F (13.5 degrees) and 906 F2 (18.0 degrees) fairway metals. He carried the 910 H (19.0 degrees) hybrid and AP2 irons (4-PW), which had True Temper’s new PXi shaft in them. He played the Vokey Design SM4 sand (54) and lob (60) wedges and a Scotty Cameron prototype putter. His golf ball of choice was the Titleist Pro V1. He wore FootJoy’s XPS-1 golf shoes and FJ performance apparel

Bernd Wiesberger won his first career European Tour title at the Ballantine's Championship in Seoul, Korea. The Austrian also relied on Titleist equipment in his victory. Wiesberger played the 910 D3 (9.5 degrees) driver and 910F (15.0 degrees) fairway metal. He carried the AP2 (2) and CB (3-PW) irons and Vokey Design SM4 approach (52), sand (56) and lob (60) wedges and Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport Fastback putter. His golf ball of choice was the Pro V1x model. He wore FJ ICON golf shoes and a StaSof glove in his victory. He played the last 59 holes without dropping a shot. The last time he went over par was when he took a double-bogey at the par three 13th in round one.

The Titleist golf ball also won on the Japanese and LPGA Tour over the weekend, which gives it 52 worldwide victories in 2012.

TOP 10: Jason Dufner won his first PGA Tour title by beating Ernie Els at the second extra hole of a play-off for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The win takes Dufner up 10 places to World Number 20 and Els moves back into the World Top 50 for the first time in six months, up 23 places to 40th. Luke Donald reclaims the World Number One Position with a third place finish in New Orleans.

Bernd Wiesberger became the sixth first time winner on the 2012 European Tour with a dominant display in the final three rounds to win by five at the Ballantine’s Championship. Wiesberger became the third Austrian in history to win on The European Tour. He jumped 75 places on the Official World Golf Ranking to 95th spot.

Luke List entered the South Georgia Classic set on making it his week, and he did just that, firing rounds of 67-68-69-68 to win by two from fellow American Brian Stuard. It is the first Nationwide Tour victory of the 27-year-old Nashville resident’s career. The win sees him climb to 13th in the Nationwide Tour Money List, and he also leaps some 190 spots up to 288th position in the World Ranking.

1) Luke Donald
2) Rory McIlroy
3) Lee Westwood
4) Bubba Watson
5) Hunter Mahan
6) Steve Stricker
7) Tiger Woods
8) Martin Kaymer
9) Justin Rose
10) Phil Mickelson

WEB GEMS:

ONE OF A KIND: "Golf was never a religion to me," he said. "The things people come up with, all the hollering and the sayings, it's just funny. Bad shots are funny, too, especially when somebody else hits them." READ MORE>>>

TIME FLIES: Jack Nicklaus was a 22-year-old rookie, golf's next big star still without a win as a pro. Arnold Palmer, the Masters champion and first golfer to transcend his sport, was at the peak of his popularity and playing before a home crowd at Oakmont for the U.S. Open. "You can't write that script," award-winning producer Ross Greenburg said. That epic 1962 U.S. Open, a pivotal moment in one of golf's most celebrated rivalries, is what the USGA delivered Greenburg to create a one-hour documentary. This is the 50-year anniversary of Nicklaus' playoff win over Palmer for the first of his record 18 major championships. READ MORE>>>

TRIBUTE PLANNED IN SEVILLE: The European Tour’s proud past and exciting future comes together this week, as Spain’s new generation marks the 40th anniversary of the Tour’s first event, while at the same time remembering the legendary Seve Ballesteros at the Reale Seguros Open de España. Next Monday marks the one-year anniversary of the passing of Ballesteros, Spain’s most successful golfer and a three-time winner of this event, with the current crop of players who grew up idolizing the five-time Major Champion keen to pay a fitting tribute to the man who changed the face of the game in Europe and beyond. READ MORE>>>

ANSWERS: Jason Dufner asked about the waggles in his pre shot routine, said, “I've done that since I started playing golf from what everybody has told me. I wish I could tell you it's one thing or it's this, but it's just totally subconscious. I couldn't even tell you how many times I do it.”

In just his seventh start of the 2012 season, Steve Stricker recorded his fourth top 10 with a solo 6th at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IS BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE, BUT IT IS NOT GUARANTEED. THE OPINION EXPRESSED IS THAT OF TERRY MCANDREW AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A SOLICITATION TO BUY OR SELL SECURITIES IN ANY OF THE COMPANIES DISCUSSED WITHIN THIS NEWSLETTER. CONTENTS OF THIS NEWSLETTER MAY NOT BE REPRINTED OR REBROADCAST WITHOUT THE EXPRESSED WRITTEN CONSENT OF TMAC GOLF