The golfing weekend (11-14 June 2009)

Posted on 11/06/09. Source: GOLFLINKS (By Steve Brine)

GOLFLINKS Editor, Steve Brine looks ahead to all the weekend golf on tour ...

Professional Tour (the boys) ...

PGA Tour - St. Jude Classic Presented by FedEx
In spite of press reports in the US that the future of the million-dollar fundraising St Jude Classic is under threat, the big names gather in Memphis this weekend for the 2009 outing.  A very emotional Phil Mickelson (pictured) returns to the game following a short break to be with his wife and will line up alongside Garcia, Harrington, Goosen and defending champion, Justin Leonard.

Venue: TPC Southwind; Memphis, Tenn.
Date: 11-14 June 2009
Defending Champion: Justin Leonard (US)
www.stjudeclassic.com

TV coverage: Golf Channel (US) Thurs/Fri - CBS (US) Sat/Sun
Fancy a bet on the St Jude Classic? - Place your bets now with Sky Bet

Professional Tour (the girls) ...

Ladies European Tour - Ladies Open de Portugal
The Ladies European Tour heads to the town of Rio Maior, one hour north of Lisbon, this week, for the Ladies Open of Portugal at Golden Eagle Golf Club. Frenchwoman Anne-Lise Caudal defends her Portuguese crown against a strong international field that includes recent Ladies European Tour winners Marianne Skarpnord, Jade Schaeffer and Tania Elosegui, all from the top five on the LET's Henderson Money List.

Venue: Golden Eagle Golf Club, Rio Maior, Portugal
Date: 12-14 June 2009
Defending Champion: Anne-Lise Caudal (France)
www.ladieseuropeantour.com

Fancy a bet on the LET? - Place your bets now with Sky Bet

LPGA (US) - McDonald's LPGA Championship Presented by Coca-Cola
The reigning Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Yani Tseng returns to Bulle Rock Golf Course this week hoping to channel memories that will lead to a successful title defense at the 55th edition of the $2 million McDonald's LPGA Championship Presented by Coca-Cola.

Venue: Bulle Rock Golf Course, Havre de Grace, Maryland
Date: 11-14 June 2009
Defending Champion: Yani Tseng (Taiwan)
www.mcdslpgachampionship.com
 
TV coverage: ESPN and NBC (US)
Fancy a bet on McDonald's? - Place your bets now with Sky Bet

Rookie tours ...

European Challenge Tour - Challenge of Ireland presented by Moyvalley
Ireland's latest golfing star Shane Lowry has shown his support for the European Challenge Tour by playing in the Challenge of Ireland presented by Moyvalley Pro-Am.  With The European Tour International Schedule taking a one-week break due to the Austrian Golf Open being moved back to September, Lowry has taken the opportunity to sharpen his game at the majestic Moyvalley Hotel and Country Club, a joint collaboration between European Golf Design and Ireland's Darren Clarke.

Venue: The Champions Club, Moyvalley Hotel & Country Club Co. Kildare, Ireland
Date: 11-14 June 2009
Defending Champion: Andrew Tampion (Aus)
Fancy a bet on the Challenge Tour? - Place your bets now with Sky Bet

US Nationwide Tour - Knoxville Open Presented by Food City
Venue: Fox Den CC, Knoxville, Tennessee
Date: 11-14 June 2009
Defending Champion: Jarrod Lyle (Aus)
www.knoxvilleopen.com

Fancy a bet on the US rookie tour? - Place your bets now with Sky Bet

Senior Tours ...

European Seniors Tour - Jersey Seniors Classic
Jersey's most famous resident Ian Woosnam returns 'home' to the Channel Island this week for his debut in the Jersey Seniors Classic buoyed by his stunning victory in the Irish Seniors Open in association with Fáilte Ireland and AIB Bank.

Venue: La Moye GC, Channel Islands
Date: 12-14 June 2009
Defending Champion: Tony Johnstone (Zim)
www.europeantour.com

Elsewhere on GOLFLINKS.co.uk - In-form Woosnam aims for 'home' success
Fancy a bet on the Jersey Seniors Classic? - Place your bets now with Sky Bet

Other professional tours ...

Japan Golf Tour - Japan PGA Championship
Venue: Eniwa Country Club
Date: 11-14 June 2009
Defending Champion: Shingo Katayama (Japan)
http://www.jgto.org/

News of other tours around the golfing world ...

Sunshine Tour (South Africa) - No action this weekend bu the Sunshine Tour returns from 15-17 June 2009 with the Klipdrift Gold Sun International Touring Pro-Am at Royal Swazi Sun Country Club.

European Tour 'Race to Dubai' - no tournament this week; the ET returns with the Saint-Omer Open from 18-21 June 2009.

USPGA Champions Tour - returns with the Dick's Sporting Goods Open from 26-28 June 2009.

PGA Tour of Australasia - no seperate event this weekend.

Asian Tour - no seperate event this weekend.

Photo source; Zimbio.com