FASHION FORE-WARD

Golf is getting much more fun to watch these days due to some less sartorially stuffy players flirting with fashion options. Trust me, from a clothes perspective today’s golf is nothing like what was used to.

We love the looks that Daly continues to sport with loud gusto; prints that are fun, fiesty and funky! John went from groovy hippy flower power pants on Friday to animal type prints in red and black on Saturday, and finally a patriotic stars and stripes get up on Final day.

If Big John’s game seems a little quiet these days, he sure is making up for it with “noise” from his apparel.

It wasn’t too long ago that we saw Nicklaus appearing in colourful plaid, or Palmer donning his then customary sansabelt pants. And how about Player with his two-tone pants to reflect his rainbow coalition stand. That sort of bravado seem to fall away to baggy shirts and an excess of khaki. Thank goodness things are turning back to the more adventurous.

The Europeans have always hung onto some sort of style, with Jasper Parnevik turning up occasionally in skinny tie, a pork-pie hat, and drainpipe pants, courtesy of J. Lindeberg. In more recent times, Fredrik Andersson Hed is holding a candle to this Scandinavian sassiness.

But the future’s looks belong to the trio of youngsters that match their wardrobe with their other worldly skills. Camillio Villegas, Ryo Ishikawa (left) and Rickie have the athletic physiques that complement lean flare pants in bold shades and body hugging tops that show off nice shoulders and arms. Ah, to be young, bold and sexy once again.

Half a generation ahead, Tiger still looks good, albeit a little too conservative, in his tight fitting shirts, and nicely tailored pants (we’d love to see you trim down that flare, Tiger). And Ian Poulter is ever sexy and multi-coloured in his own range of apparel.

All the colours from the brightest stars were in full bloom at the Open where GolfMuse was fortunate to be at this year. On final day, Ishikawa blazed in fire engine red pants; but it was Ricky Fowler (right) who took the catwalk runway prize for fairway fashion. Kitted out in an all mandarin orange ensemble from rapper cap to two tone orange and white shoes, he looked like a walking citrus popsicle. But when he made the birdie chip on the difficult 17th road hole, then wearing that outfit made the shot stand out all the more.

Like a beacon, he shone the way for more adventurous attire for men on the course; attitudes and apparel we're not likely to fore-get.

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