ABU DHABI // Once upon a time, golfers could be confidently relied upon to perform a function as the least athletic of professional athletes.
Even as recently as 2007, ESPN was asking “Are golfers really athletes?”
ESPN conducted a study in 2004 in which it asked sports scientists, academics and journalists (but only one actual professional athlete) to rank the most demanding sports.
Golf finished 51st out of 60, just ahead of cheerleading and roller-skating.
Those were the last digs at a sport that even then was changing.
Tiger Woods began the process, arguably the first professional golfer who looked like he belonged in any professional sport.
That process took an evolutionary leap this year with the appearance of a pumped and ripped Rory McIlroy on the cover of Men’s Health magazine in the United States.
He is the first golfer to be there and very likely will not be the last. The fitness of golfers was put into sharp focus at the 27th Nomura Cup that concluded at the Yas Links Golf Club yesterday.
The biennial 72-hole stroke-play tournament, second only to the Eisenhower Trophy in prestige as an amateur event, was being held in the UAE for the first time.
A young UAE side made encouraging progress but the unusually high temperatures at this time of the year brought an unusual problem for coach Greg Holmes.
The UAE’s team has performed well over the front nine but flagged thereafter, and Holmes suspects it is partly because they are not used to walking courses.
On most courses in the UAE, buggies are the norm for players. “Ahmed Skaik played great today, but after 12-13 holes he said he felt shattered, mentally and physically,” Holmes said.
“The heat gets on top of you. It’s hot and not playing with a buggy you’re walking 8-9km out in the sun. It’s the end of October, but really, really hot and it takes a toll if you’re not used to it.
“It’s difficult because the buggies are a necessity here. You can’t walk on a lot of courses.”
He is right, even if the non-athletic instinct will be to scoff: walking?
How is that difficult?
Well, with no shelter from the sun, high humidity and temperatures nearing 40° C, walking that many kilometres over six hours is an ordeal.
Holmes does not think it is necessarily a fitness issue.
“Their stamina is pretty good,” he said. “It’s just the heat, which has affected everyone. Chinese Taipei struggled as well yesterday.
“It’s a long old day and it takes its toll.”
It is also a question of experience. This is a particularly young and fresh UAE side, missing several senior players who are on national service. Junior players have been promoted. For Skaik, for instance, this is his first step onto the big scene.
Some of them are simply not used to it.
Others such as Khalid Yousuf, who is playing his sixth Nomura Cup, and is only 26, did not think the heat a huge factor.
“I’m used to the heat so that was not an issue,” he said, explaining a final day round of 84. “I just lost my swing and this course isn’t a forgiving one really.”
Though the young side fell away eventually to finish 20th out of the 27 teams competing, there was enough in the performances for Holmes to think the future is bright.
“It’s gone very well for us,” he said. “The guys have done really well. On the first day we were lying in 10th spot, which is one of our best finishes for Day 1.
“We had high expectations moving forward.
“We were missing some players because they were working and doing national service, so it was a good opportunity to bring new blood in.
“We weren’t going out there saying we were going to win this. It’s just great to nurture some new talent and the junior guys have done well.”
JAPAN CLINCH TEAM TITLE BUT CHINESE IS BEST GOLFER
China’s Cheng Jin picked up a second major title within a month, winning the individual prize at the 27th Nomura Cup, which closed at the Yas Links Golf Club yesterday.
Jin, 17, had already won the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Hong Kong this month, which secured him an appearance at The Masters next year.
He ended on 13 under over the four days, though he could not help China break their team title drought; the three-time winners have not won since 1983 and finished sixth this year.
Jin recorded sub-par rounds of 67, 60, 70 and 69. “I had a great week, it was a disappointing finish from the team’s point of view but I feel very lucky to have won,” he said.
“I just tried to play really consistent this week and happily my long game was really good. I didn’t miss too many fairways or greens throughout all four days. My putting was alright, so I did enough.
“Well, I’m not sure how this will affect me moving forwards. But I have really enjoyed the week in Abu Dhabi and the time I have spent with my teammates and all of the competitors. I enjoy playing team events even though we don’t get to play them a lot and I’m always proud to represent my country.”
In a thrilling late twist, the team prize was won by Japan, overcoming Chinese Taipei to win the tournament for the ninth time.
It was their first win in the biennial event since 1989. Chinese Taipei had been in the lead for two days before they were pulled in by the Japanese.
The UAE finished in 20th place and their coach Greg Holmes was pleased with the progress of a team missing several senior players.
In particular he was impressed by the teenager Ahmed Skaik. “He’s worked hard, stuck to his processes and has improved in leaps and bounds in the last year. I’m really proud of him and he’s definitely going to be one of our top senior players going forward.”
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
