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Alistair Tait

Senior Writer

Alistair Tait joined Golfweek in 1994 and became a senior writer in 1999 after leaving Golf Monthly in the UK. He divides his time between the European Tour and the British amateur scene. Tait graduated from the University of Guelph with a Masters degree in English after completing his BA at the University of Waterloo. When not covering golf, he can be found at Woburn Golf Club near his home in rural Hertfordshire, England, trying, unsuccessfully, to live up to an 8 handicap alongside his dog Izzy.
 
• First set of clubs: Mother’s hand-me-down set with baby blue grips
• Favorite story you’ve written: The 72 Club, about a bunch of masochists who annually play 72 holes in a day at Littlestone Golf Club, walking and carrying their clubs. Stupidly, I’ve since joined the club!
• Describe your perfect day: 18 holes in the morning, walk the dog in the afternoon, take my family to the local pub for dinner in the evening – with the dog too!
• Favorite book: The Dubliners by James Joyce or Heart Songs by Annie Proux.

Recent Posts



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Tait: Rock a bit nervous about Woods pairing

Robert Rock is paired with Tiger Woods in the final round of the Abu Dhabi Championship and, as Alistair Tait explains, he isn't hiding the fact that he's nervous.

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Irish Open at Royal Portrush, where it belongs

This year’s Irish Open, to be played at legendary Royal Portrush, is now a can’t-miss event.

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After travels, Pinckney closes in on Euro Tour card

Influenced by his friend Rory McIlroy, American Scott Pinckney has chosen to play in Europe. It's time to see if it has paid off.

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Tait: Wilson in a lull, heads to Euro Q-School

Oliver Wilson has too much talent to be at the bottom of the European Tour for long.

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Tait: World Cup doesn't live up to expectations

Truth is, the World Cup is lost in a sea of tournaments and doesn’t truly live up to what it claims to be: a world championship.

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Tait: Money earned in golf is mind-boggling

In these difficult economic times, one thing is certain: pro golfers at the elite level are recession-proof.

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Tait: Money earned in golf is mind-boggling

In these difficult economic times, one thing is certain: pro golfers at the elite level are recession-proof.

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Tait: 10 additions for the new Rules of Golf

In honor of the upcoming publication of the new Rules of Golf, some suggestions for addition.

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Tait: Lawrie stays grounded, true to his roots

Alistair Tait: Paul Lawrie won the Qatar Masters on Sunday and also owns a major title (the '99 British Open), but he is the same guy that entered the scene as a nobody. And he likes it like that.

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Tait: Hunter Mahan globetrots for golf

Hunter Mahan travels multiple time zones to play in this week's Commercialbank Qatar Masters and will do the same to play in next week's AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

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Tait: McDowell says he needs to be more patient

Alistair Tait: Patience is the key for Graeme McDowell this year. The Northern Irishman is hoping that virtue will get him back to the form he showed in 2010.

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Tait: 'Rocky' shocks Tiger and the golf world

Alistair Tait: Robert Rock was supposed to crumble under the pressure of playing with Tiger Woods. He admitted to being nervous. But he forced Tiger Woods to play the role of Apollo Creed.

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Tait: Rock a bit nervous about Woods pairing

Robert Rock is paired with Tiger Woods in the final round of the Abu Dhabi Championship and, as Alistair Tait explains, he isn't hiding the fact that he's nervous.

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Tiger vs. Rory: Start of a beautiful rivalry

Yankees-Red Sox. Celtics-Lakers. Tiger-Rory. Wait, what? Alistair Tait says what is shaping up in Abu Dhabi could have an impact on golf's popularity in the coming years.

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LGU names 12-player GB&I Curtis Cup squad

Alabama’s Stephanie Meadow was among the 12 players named to the Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup squad. The eventual eight players to play in the Curtis Cup will come from this squad.

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Tiger Tracker: Woods fires 70, trails by three

Tiger Tracker: Tiger Woods made his debut in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday night, and he shot a 2-under 70 to sit three shots behind the leaders. Check out how Tiger's round unfolded . . .

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Tait: Kaymer done adjusting for the Masters

Alistair Tait: Martin Kaymer tried to change his natural game to try and tame Augusta National. It proved to be a bad idea. So, Kaymer says he has learned his lesson.

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Tait: Westwood says he has fixed short game

Alistair Tait: Lee Westwood is one of the world's best with his driver in hand. His shortcoming has been his putting, but he says that is fixed. And that could be scary for everyone else.

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Tait: McIlroy has found his comfort zone

Alistair Tait: Rory McIlroy used to be in awe of Tiger Woods. But, after getting to know the former World No. 1, McIlroy simply wants to measure his game against golf's main attraction.

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Uihlein set to make professional debut in India

Alistair Tait: Former Oklahoma State standout Peter Uihlein will make his professional debut this week, but not in Abu Dhabi, but on the Challenge Tour in Ahmadabad, India.

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Olazabal to make Ryder Cup picks on Aug. 27

Alistair Tait: European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal has learned from 2010's debacle and says his 2012 team will be selected the day after The Barclays and Johnnie Walker Championship.

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Tait: Tiger plays it too safe at press conference

Alistair Tait: Tiger confirmed that he got appearance money to play in Abu Dhabi this week, but unfortunately, that is about all he revealed in his lackluster press conference on Tuesday.

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Tait: Grace might be next 'giant killer'

Seems Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen aren’t the only South Africans capable of giant killing these days. Branden Grace looks the most likely to join those two major winners after his second-straight Euro Tour win.

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Tait: Remembering a wonderful British journalist

Many of you won't know Alan Booth, but you certainly know the stories he told and followed.

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England's Ewart wins LET Q-School

Alistair Tait: England's Jodi Ewart took top honors at LET Q-School on Thursday, and India's Sharmila Nicollet took the final card in a dramatic two-hole playoff.

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India's Nicollet tied for lead at LET Q-School

Those who doubt India’s future in golf should find the leaderboard of the Ladies Euro Tour Q-School interesting.

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Euro Tour grinder Elson hits stride at Joburg Open

After struggling to keep his European Tour card, Jamie Elson seems to have found his stride.

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Tait: Sterne stands out at Africa Open

Richard Sterne headlines three players you should take notice of off the Africa Open's final leaderboard.

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Irish Open at Royal Portrush, where it belongs

This year’s Irish Open, to be played at legendary Royal Portrush, is now a can’t-miss event.

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2012 in preview: 10 European wishes

There is no way that golf in Europe could get any better in 2012, is there? Our Alistair Tait takes a look at five realistic wishes and five not-so-realistic wishes for the upcoming year.

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My year in golf: Alistair Tait

From wallabies in Abu Dhabi to Tom Lewis at Royal Lytham, covering Europe provided plenty of great storylines.

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Number crunching 2011: Bjorn up; Dougherty, Wilson down

On Day 7 of our annual number-crunching series, where we break down who has risen and fallen in our Golfweek/Sagarin rankings, Thomas Bjorn rose behind three wins, while Nick Dougherty and Oliver Wilson fell back.

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Euro Tour, LET schedules look strong for 2012

There is no recession for European professionals. The 2012 schedules of the European and Ladies European tours confirm just that.

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Chandler: Uihlein will get 7 Euro starts

Peter Uihlein will have no trouble getting the seven invites he needs to try to get his European Tour card next year, Uihlein’s agent Andrew “Chubby” Chandler told Golfweek.

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2011 in review: Top 10 Euro storylines

Alistair Tait: From Europe's dramatic win over the U.S. at the Solheim Cup to Luke Donald's mastery on both tours to Rory McIlroy's big win at the U.S. Open, it was a year to remember in Europe.

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Meet the European Tour Q-School graduates

Thirty-seven players gained cards at this year’s European Tour Qualifying School in Girona, Spain, and form the class of 2012. England’s David Dixon took first card with a six-round total of 21-under 407, but as always there were good news and bad news stories.

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Tait: Perfect ending to great year for Euro Tour

Alistair Tait: From Luke Donald's world dominance to Rory McIlroy's rockstar status to Alvaro Quiros' season-ending win to Sergio Garcia's resurgence, the European Tour ends the year with very little to complain about.

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After travels, Pinckney closes in on Euro Tour card

Influenced by his friend Rory McIlroy, American Scott Pinckney has chosen to play in Europe. It's time to see if it has paid off.

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Tait: McIlroy's win adds intrigue to Dubai

Rory's trip to Hong Kong may not have been best for his health, but it was great for the Euro Tour.

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Tait: Wilson in a lull, heads to Euro Q-School

Oliver Wilson has too much talent to be at the bottom of the European Tour for long.

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Tait: Otto wins despite combustible nature

Alistair Tait: Hennie Otto won the South African Open Championship on Sunday, but a rough back-nine had those who know him best worried: Would he stay patient or blow his lid again?

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Tait: World Cup doesn't live up to expectations

Truth is, the World Cup is lost in a sea of tournaments and doesn’t truly live up to what it claims to be: a world championship.

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Tait: Tiger playing Abu Dhabi is all about money

Tiger says he likes visiting different corners of the world, but he is really visiting Abu Dhabi for the money.

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Tait: Hasn't been all roses for European golf

Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke had their stellar moments. And the Europeans are dominating the world golf rankings. But they've had their share of disappointments, too.

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Fleetwood headlines Challenge Tour grads

Tommy Fleetwood takes top honors on the European Challenge Tour, while former Texas A&M star Andrea Pavan wins the season finale in Italy.

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Tait: Money earned in golf is mind-boggling

In these difficult economic times, one thing is certain: pro golfers at the elite level are recession-proof.

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Tait: 10 additions for the new Rules of Golf

In honor of the upcoming publication of the new Rules of Golf, some suggestions for addition.

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