The world is your oyster for ugly trophies

Published on Friday 10 February 2012 02:49

PAUL Lawrie’s victory at the Qatar Masters on Sunday earned him the tidy sum £265,000 – but it also came with a not-so-tidy trophy representing a giant oyster shell containing an even more giant pearl.

As sporting trophies go, it is a world away from the graceful elegance of the cups crafted by silversmiths in the early days of sport, such as the Scottish Cup, the oldest national football trophy in the world.

But is the pearl-in-the-shell the worst trophy in sport? There is plenty of competition – mainly in the Middle East, where a feeling for “less is more” has yet to catch on. Golf and tennis are particular offenders.

Here’s a selection:

1) After lifting the ‘Mother of Pearl’ trophy, Lawrie – who also won the Qatar Masters in 1999 – said: “I’m 43 now and it feels a lot heavier than in 1999.”

2) The Western & Southern Open trophy-makers went for ceramic rather than silver. Andy Murray looks unsure whether to lift it or stick flowers in it.

3) The Dubai Desert Classic trophy also takes a bit of lifting. It was won by Spaniard Alvaro Quiros last year and the big hitter has probably added even more muscle to his game after lugging it around for 12 months.

4) “Jolly” Roger Federer finds his sea legs to hoist the nautical Dubai Duty Free Open trophy.

5) Eagle-eyed Murray with the Qatar Open tennis trophy.

6) Sergio Garcia was delighted to clinch the Castello Masters last year even if he was saddled with a Mr Potato Head-style bronze statuette.

7) Kim Clijsters with the Open Gaz de France trophy, which has taken on a few new designs over the years. Perhaps Kim just loved it so much she refused to part with it…

8) A towering effort from Luke Donald won him the Race to Dubai. Not that you could race anywhere carrying that thing.

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IanW

Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 11:23 AM

The article would have been better if they had actually pictured the trophies concerned.

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Stan Smith

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 04:39 PM

Random fact: the Vince Lombardi Super bowl trophy is actually made by Tiffany & Co.

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