Well it was a good weekend on the Professional Golf Tours around the world for the New Zealand Professionals. On the USPGATour they staged the 2nd Stage of USPGA Tour Qualifying School. It was played at 6 different venues across the USA. Out of the 7 New Zealand Players in the 2nd Stage field’s spread at different venues across USA, four managed to make it through to the final stage which is to be played in early December at Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge, at the Panther Lake Course, Winter Garden, Crooked Cat Course, Winter Garden, in the state of Florida.
Mike Hendry (NZL) played great at his 2nd Stage Venue at the Beer Creek Golf Club in California shot rounds of 67,73,69,75:284 – 4 to finish in a tie for 6th place and easily qualify for the final Stage for the 1st time in his career. His final round of 75 was played in extremely tough conditions. Danny Lee (NZL) also Qualified for the Final Stage at the same venue, with scores of 73,74,70,71:288 even par to finish tied for 12th, easily inside the top 20 players and ties that made it to the Final Stage. His Final round 71-1 was brilliant in the extremely trying conditions, and was only one off the best round of the day. But on the other hand, Phil Tataurangi (NZL) had a 2nd Stage he would rather forget. He scored rounds of 76,77,77,86:316+28 to finish tied 65th and missed out on the final stage by 26 shots. He faces an uncertain future on the USPGA Tour with no Status on either the USPGA Tour or Nationwide Tour.
Well Steve Alker (NZL) after playing a full season on the Nationwide tour and not making one cut has had a turnaround of his from. Playing at the Bayonet and Black Horse- Bayonet Course in California, he shot rounds of 68,68,70,73:279-9 to finish in a tie for 9th place. Easily inside the cut off mark of -7. And he too is off to the final Stage in early December to hopefully regain his Status. Brad Iles (NZL) had a very disappointing last round at his 2nd Stage on qualifying on the TPC Craig Ranch, Texas, after getting to -3 after 9holes of his final round, he played the back nine holes in 42+6 and missed out on qualifying by 2shots. It was a shocking end to the season for Brad Iles (NZL) after nearly winning a Nationwide Tour event mid season and looking good to finish in the Top 25 on the Money list and gain his 2011 USPGA Tour Status. But he slipped badly in the last few tournaments and fell outside the Top 40th on the nationwide tour money list meaning he would have to play the 2nd Stage Qualifying School. But at least he has Secured Nationwide Tour Status for 2011 with his finish on the money list there.
Tim Wilkinson (NZL) scored rounds of 74,67,71,69:281-9 and tied for 8th at the Hombre Golf Club, Florida to easily get him through to the Final Stage. It will be his 2nd time at the final stage having got through in 2007 to gain his 2008 USPGA Tour card which he kept for the 2009 season. I wish him luck in regaining his Full Status on the USPGA Tour or at worst a Nationwide tour card. But Grant Waite (NZL) had a poor week at his 2nd Stage venue. Grant Waite (NZL) playing at the Southern Hills Plantation Club, Florida. He could only manage 3rounds of 72,72,75 before he withdrew. His career on the USPGA Tour in 2011 is not looking so good as he won’t have any status. Not quite sure where his career is heading now.
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Ian Poulter (England) with the UBS Hong Kong Open Trophy 2010 |
Tied for 2nd were Simon Dyson (England) who won the same tournament 10years ago in 2000, he finished -21 after a final round 65-5, and Matteo Manassero (Italy) who became the youngest winner on the European Tour last month, shot a brilliant final round of 62-8 and also finished tied for 2nd as well. Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) finished 5th on -19 after a frustrating final round with the putter even though he scored 68-2. He earned 76,689euro’s to close the gap even more on Martin Kaymer (Germany) in the Race to Dubai and is now less than 280, 000 euro’s behind him. So it will bring excitement to the Dubai World Championship starting Thursday Night New Zealand time. Mark Brown (NZL) had one of his best tournaments of the Season. He lead after round one with 62-8, and then had rounds of 69-1, 65-5, but had a poor final round of 71+1 and finished -13 tied for 16th. He earned 24,418euro’s that meant he finished 102nd on the Race to Dubai Money List with 255,985euro’s and retains his card for the 2011 season.
The other New Zealander in the field was Mark Purser (NZL), but he missed the cut as he finished 36 holes at +4 after a 2nd round 75+5. So we await the Race to Dubai finale which is the Dubai World Championship which starts on Thursday in Dubai, Thursday Evening New Zealand time. Who will win the big prize? The smart money is on the top 3 on the list, Martin Kaymer (Germany), Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) & Lee Westwood (England). But I will be able to report who actually has won it next week.
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Steven Bowditch (Australia) in action in the final round of the Cellarbrations NSW PGA Championship |
Next week’s tournament is the NSW OPEN presented by Nathan Green that will be staged at The Vintage Golf Club, NSW. It starts on Thursday. Let’s hope a New Zealand Professional can win this one heading into the Australian Open at The Lakes GC, NSW the following week.
Source: europeantour.com, Pgatour.com, pgatour.org.au
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