European Tour Notes: Hoey named Golfer of the Month for September

Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey capped a magnificent month by being named the European Tour Golfer of the Month for September, the first time he has won the award.

Hoey won the $5 million Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland for his second European Tour title of the season and the third of his career – at the expense of his illustrious Northern Ireland compatriots Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, who finished second and tied for third, respectively.  

His victory moved Hoey to 15th place in the Race to Dubai and guaranteed his place in the season-ending Dubai World Championship, where he will have a chance to claim a share of the $7.5 million season-ending bonus pool.

“My victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship was the biggest week of my career, and for this to be acknowledged by the European Tour amongst so many other worthy candidates is a real privilege,” he said.

Thomas Bjorn also was given serious consideration after following up his win at the Johnnie Walker Championship at the end of August with a victory at the Omega European Masters at the beginning of September.

Hoey joins Martin Kaymer (January), Luke Donald (February and May), Paul Lawrie (March), Charl Schwartzel (April), Rory McIlroy (June), Darren Clarke (July) and Bjorn (August) as this season’s monthly winners.

CAPTAIN OLLIE: Ryder Cup Captain Jose Maria Olazabal will lead the European team against Asia at the 2012 Royal Trophy.

The match between the continents of Asia and Europe will be played at the Empire Hotel & Country Club in the Sultanate of Brunei on Dec. 14-16, 2012, when Europe will vie for its fifth win in six editions of the Ryder Cup-style event. The event also will honor five-time major winner Seve Ballesteros after the Spanish great’s death from cancer in May.

“The fact that the Royal Trophy has been dedicated to the memory of Seve makes the next edition of the matches extremely meaningful to me. I know how special representing Europe and the Royal Trophy were to Seve, and this will be a very important occasion,” said Olazabal.

Olazábal replaced Ballesteros as European captain in the third Royal Trophy contest in 2009 after Ballesteros was diagnosed with a brain tumor and undergoing a dramatic series of operations. Olazabal and Ballesteros formed the most successful partnership in Ryder Cup history. Olazabal is captaining Europe’s defense of the Ryder Cup in Chicago in September 2012.

“We are delighted with the selection of Jose Maria Olazabal as captain for the European Team. In leading the Europeans, he will be paying tribute to Seve Ballesteros and this will certainly be a truly memorable event,” said Royal Trophy Managing Director Lincoln Venancio.

Europe won the 2011 Royal Trophy earlier this year by a 9-7 count over Asia.

OFF TO MALAYSIA: PGA Tour regulars Camilo Villegas and Anthony Kim have entered the Iskandar Johor Open, which is set for Nov. 17-20 at Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club in Johor, Malaysia, where Padraig Harrington is the defending champion.

“I’ve heard a lot about golf in this part of the world but have never had the chance to play in Malaysia,” said Villegas. “It will be something new to compete in the Iskandar Johor Open and from what I’ve heard, it will be a good field with Harrington and Kim among the leading players, not to mention, the line-up of top Asian players who will also be challenging that week.”

Unlike Villegas, Kim has had some experience competing in Malaysia as he played in the 2009 Malaysian Open, tying for 33rd place.

“I truly enjoyed my stay in Kuala Lumpur two years ago and am looking forward to the chance to visit Johor,” said Kim. “It is great to get the opportunity to compete against top European and Asian players at the Iskandar Johor Open and I’ll be looking for a good week and hopefully a win.”