Golf Events from the Weekend 16th October

Well it was another amazing weekend of golf on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world. First I will start with the European Tour and the Race to Dubai. This week it headed to Portugal for the Portugal Masters and it was played on the Oceânico Victoria Golf Course, Vilamoura, Portugal. And it was the young 20 year that had recently turned professional and was only playing in his 3rd tournament on the European Tour as a Professional that stole the show and won his Maiden European Tour event. His name was Tom Lewis (England) and he scored rounds of 70-2, 64-8, 68-4 and a final round of 65-7 for a 72 hole total of 267-21. He won by 2 strokes and earned € 416,660 for his efforts. He moves to 53rd Position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 441,018 earned from the 5 events he has played to date this year so far. Luke Donald (England) still leads that list with €3,856,394 made from the 12 events he has played to date this year so far.

Tom Lewis (England) holding the Portugal Masters Trophy he won

Tom Lewis (England) made headline news back in July when he led the Open Championship in the 1st round with a 65-5. He went on to finish in 30th position on 289+9 after 72 holes and was the Low Amateur and won the Silver Medal. So he showed the Golf World that he had real promise as a Golfer even though he is so young. He played a brilliant Final Round with birdies on the Par 4, 1st hole and Par 5, 5th hole to go out in 34-2. He came with a hiss and a roar birding the Par 5, 12th hole, then made 4 consecutive birdies in a row from holes 14 – 17 when he birdied the Par 4, 14th hole, Par 5, 15th hole, Par 3, 16th hole and Par 5, 17th hole and scored 31-5 on the back nine to score a final round of 65-7. He gains his first European Tour International Schedule victory in his fifth European Tour event, having played the first two events as an Amateur. This victory beats his previous best European Tour performance of tied tenth in the 2011 Austrian GolfOpen presented by Lyoness. Playing in just his third event as a professional. The other being the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, where he finished 70th. He joined The European Tour as an Affiliate Member, with his first event as a professional being the 2011 Austrian GolfOpen presented by Lyoness.

Became the first Affiliate Member to win on The European Tour since Matteo Manassero (Italy) at the 2010 CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar. Only S S P Chowrasia (India) (2008 EMAAR –MGF Indian Masters), Rodney Pampling (Australia) (2009 Sportbet Australian Masters) (winning on first event as Affiliate Members) and joins Alejandro Cañizares (Spain), (2006 Imperial Collection Russian Open) (as players winning on their third Affiliate appearance), are the quickest Affiliate Members to win in European Tour history. Tom Lewis (England) playing on a sponsor’s invitation. Become the first sponsor’s invitation to win on The European Tour since Matteo Manassero (Italy) at the 2010 CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar. Become the ninth first-time winner of the 2011 season. The first-time winners are: Nick Watney (USA) (WGC – Cadillac Championship), Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium)  (Volvo China Open), Thomas Aiken (RSA) (Open de España), Robert Rock (England) (BMW Italian Open presented by CartaSi), Matthew Zions (Australia) (SAINT OMER OPEN presented by Neuflize OBC), Keegan Bradley (USA) (US PGA Championship), Oliver Fisher (England) (Czech Open), Lee Slattery (England) (Bankia Madrid Masters) and Tom Lewis (England) (Portugal Masters).

Tom Lewis (England) becomes the second consecutive first-time winner, following Lee Slattery(England) (Bankia Madrid Masters). Tom Lewis’s (England) four shot final round winning comeback equals the biggest of the 2011 season. His final 54 hole total of 197 (-19) equals the lowest of the 2011 season. Tom Lewis (England) became the 270th English victory on The European Tour. He also became the 85th different Englishman to win on The European Tour. He became the 396th different player to win on The European Tour. His victory was the 14th English victory of the 2011 season. They are: Paul Casey (England) (Volvo Golf Champions), Luke Donald(England) (WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship, BMW PGA Championship and Barclays Scottish Open), David Horsey (England) (Trophée Hassan II), Lee Westwood(England) (Ballantine’s Championship), Ian Poulter (England) (Volvo World Match Play Championship), Robert Rock(England) (BMW Italian Open presented by CartaSi), Simon Dyson (England) (Irish Open presented by Discover Ireland and KLM Open), Oliver Fisher (England) (Czech Open), Kenneth Ferrie (England) (Austrian GolfOpen presented by Lyoness), Lee Slattery (England) (Bankia Madrid Masters) and Tom Lewis (England) (Portugal Masters).

Tom Lewis (England) acknowleges the gallery in the final round

Tom Lewis (England) became the youngest winner of the Portugal Masters, aged 20 years and 284 days. He also became the 12th Affiliate Member to win in European Tour history. He became the 25th different sponsor’s invitation to win on The European Tour. Tom Lewis (England) became the first player to make the Portugal Masters their first European Tour title. He also became the third English winner of the Portugal Masters, following Steve Webster (England) (2007) and Lee Westwood (England) (2009). He gained his largest European Tour prize of €416,660. Tom Lewis (England) gained a European Tour exemption until the end of 2013. He also gained an exemption into the 2011 WGC – HSBC Champions and 2012 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational. And finally this win was his first professional victory on any tour.

I wish Tom Lewis (England) all the best for the remaining events on the European Tour in 2011 and hope he has a fast start to next year with more Tournament wins. In solo 2nd place at 269-19 after 72 holes was the 54 hole leader Rafael Cabrera – Bello (Spain). Tied for 3rd place at 270-18 after 72 holes were Gregory Havret (France), David Lynn (England), George Coetzee (RSA), Felipe Aguilar (Chile) and Christian Nilsson (Sweden). And rounding out the top 10 in tied for 8th place with scores of 271-17 after 72 holes were Martin Kaymer (Germany) a former World Number 1 player. Also on that same score were Jamie Donaldson (Wales) and Thomas Bjorn (Denmark).

Mark Brown (NZL) was the only New Zealander in the field this week. He scored a great first round of 68-4, but suffered a poor second round and could only manage 72 even for a 36 hole total of 140-4 and missed the 36 hole cut by the smallest of margins which was one shot. He slips to 155th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 110,905 earned from the 29 events he has played in to date this year. And with only 7 events remaining that he is likely to get starts in he is going to have to pull finger if he is going to finish inside the top 115 players on the final Race to Dubai Money list that earn full exempt Status on the European Tour for the 2012 season. But I feel he has the Talent and belief to achieve this goal. I wish him all the best in his quest to keep his card for 2012.

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai head to Spain for the Castello Masters and it is being played on the Club de Campo del Mediterráneo, Castellón, Valencia, Spain. With €2,000,000 as the prize purse it will attract another fine field of European Tour players. Matteo Manassero (Italy) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 20th October and I will report back who won next week.

The second event I am reporting on this week was on the USPGA Tour and was the 3rd of 4 events in the Fall Series. It was the McGladrey Classic and was played on the Seaside Course, Sea Island, Georgia. And Webb Simpson (USA) scored rounds of 63-7, 67-3, 69-1 and a final round of 66-4 for a 72 hole total of 265-15. But he was joined on that score by Ben Crane (USA) who scored rounds of 65-5, 70 even, 67-3 and a final round of 63-7 for a 72 hole total of also 265-15. So those two players headed back to the 18th hole for the 1st playoff hole. It was the 18th playoff on the USPGA Tour this season so far. Ben Crane (USA) drew 1st from the hat from PGA Tour Official, Mark Russell. He picked number 2, so that meant that Webb Simpson (USA) teed off first. Webb Simpson (USA) faded his tee shot into the right rough. Ben Crane (USA) then hit his tee shot right down the centre of the fairway and long. Webb Simpson (USA) hit his 2nd shot first with his mid iron and missed it right in the right hand green side bunker and leaving himself an extremely difficult bunker shot. Ben Crane (USA) then put his Short iron 2nd shot to within 4 feet from the hole and it looked like he had just won the tournament. Webb Simpson (USA) had other ideas and hit an amazing bunker shot out to within 2feet of the cup. It put the pressure on Ben Crane (USA) and he was unable to convert his 4 foot birdie putt, but tapped in for his par 4. Webb Simpson (USA) then tapped in his 2 foot par putt for his par 4 as well. So the two players headed to the Par 3, 17th hole for the 2nd playoff hole.

Ben Crane (USA) is action during the final round of the McGladery Classic

Webb Simpson (USA) teed off first and landed his mid iron tee shot 20 feet underneath the hole. Ben Crane (USA) hit his mid iron tee shot 20 feet past the pin. Webb Simpson (USA) putted for his birdie first and rolled it 4 feet past the hole. Ben Crane then putted for birdie and the McGladrey Classic title. He just missed on the left side of the cup and it rolled about 6feet past. He calmed himself and rolled in the 6footer for his par 3. That meant that Webb Simpson (USA) had to hole his 4 footer to keep the playoff alive. But he unfortunately lipped it out. So Ben Crane (USA) had won his 4th USPGA Tour event and his first since he won the 2010 Farmers Insurance Open. He earned $US 720,000.00 for his efforts. He moves to 50th Position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,679,595 earned from the 23 events he has played to date this year so far. Webb Simpson (USA) leads that list with $US 6,200,243 earned from the 25 events he has played to date this year so far. It was a great week for him as his Wife was due to give birth to their 3rd Child the following day. When he first joined the USPGA Tour in 2002 after gaining his tour card at the 2001 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament when he finished tied for 5th on 407-25. He was known as one of the slowest players on Tour and was really hard to play with. But as the years have gone by Ben Crane (USA) has improved his pace of play. His first year on the USPGA Tour in 2002 he easily kept his card with earning $US 921,076 from the 30 events he entered. In 2003 he won his maiden USPGA Tour Event at the Bellsouth Classic and earned $US 1,419,070 from the 27 events he entered. In 2004 he made $US 1,036,958 from the 27 events he entered. In 2005 he won his 2nd tournament on the USPGA Tour which was the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee and he had his best earning season with earning $US 2,457,329 from the 21 events he entered. In 2006 he had another good season earning $US 1,489,093 from the 26 events he entered. In 2007 he had an injury and only played in 9events earning $US 278,252. In 2008 he had another million season earning $US 1,488,505 from the 25 events he entered. In 2009 he had yet another million season earning $US 1,667,085 from the 27 events he entered. In 2010 he won his 3rd Tournament which was the Farmers Insurance Open and earned his most ever in a season with earning $US 2,841,500 from the 24 events he entered and also won the Un-Official event which was the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia. So as you can see he has had an extremely successful USPGA Tour Career to date so far. I wouldn’t be surprised if he won a Major in the next few years. I wish him luck in the future with that.

Ben Crane (USA) holding the McGladrey Classic Trophy he won

In solo 2nd Position was Webb Simpson (USA), He will be disappointed with coming 2nd but will be happy he has moved to number 1 position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 6,200,243 earned from the 25 events he has played to date this year so far. With only one event remaining which is the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic, he has a $US 363,029 lead over Luke Donald (England) and if he can stay Number 1 on the USPGA Tour Money list after the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital’s Classic he will win the Money List title for 2011 season and gain a 5 year exemption on the USPGA Tour. I wish him luck with achieving this goal.

In solo 3rd position was Michael Thompson (USA) with a 72 hole total of 266-14 after 72 holes. This was his best ever placing in an event on the USPGA Tour in his rookie season after gaining his 2011 USPGA Tour card at the 2010 Q-School last December after going through all 3 stages of Q-School. The 3rd place cheque he earned in this tournament of $US 272,000.00 has secured his card for the 2012 USPGA Tour season as he now has earned $US 935,265 from the 24 events he has played to date this year so far and is in 94th position on the money list with 1 event remaining next week. I feel Michael Thompson (USA) is a player to watch out for in 2012 on the USPGA Tour, and I wish him luck with securing his maiden win.

In solo 4th position was Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) who was the 2010 Open Champion, with a 72 hole total of 267-13. He is playing his first full year as a member of the USPGA Tour and has earned $US 717,965 from the 15 events he has played to date this year so far and is in 114th position on the USPGA Tour Money list. He has now played the required 15 events by a USPGA Tour Member to be eligible to retain his membership for the following season. And even if he falls out of the Top 125 Money earners this week that retain full playing Status in 2012 he will still be exempt having won the Open Championship in 2010.

In solo 5th position was Trevor Immelman (RSA) who is a former Masters Tournament Champion with a 72 hole total of 268-12. He recorded his first top 10 finish since coming tied for 2nd in the Stanford St. Jude Championship in early June 2008. He has been recovering from a career threatening wrist injury the last few seasons. And now he is back to full health. He earned $US 160,000.00 for the solo 5th place and moves to 89th position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,018,494 earned from the 24 events he has played to date this year so far. He will easily retain his card for the 2012 USPGA Tour season.

Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 6th position at 270-10 after 72 holes were Angel Cabrera (Argentina) who is a two time Major winner. He has earned $US 628,079 from the 17 events he has played to date this year so far. And he is in 128th position on the USPGA Tour Money list. But I feel his card is still safe for next year because of his win at the 2009 Masters Tournament gives him a 5 year exemption on the USPGA Tour. I hope he has a better season in 2012 on the USPGA Tour. Also tied for 6th position was Scott McCarron (USA) who is a 3 time USPGA Tour winner who last won in 2001 at the BellSouth Classic. This result was his first top 10 of the 2011 USPGA Tour season and he earned $US 125,200.00 for his efforts. He now finds himself in 145th Position on the USPGA Tour Money list with one event remaining in the 2012 season. Having earned $US 436,270 from the 21 events he has played to date this year so far. He needs to earn another $US 230,000 at least to get inside the top 125 players on the Final USPGA Tour Money list after the final event next week which is the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. I wish him luck with achieving that goal and hope he at least makes the cut because if he does he should at least earn conditional status on the USPGA Tour in 2012 by finishing inside the top 150 Players on the Final USPGA Tour Money list.

Also in tied for 6th position were Kevin Streelman (USA), Nick O’Hern (Australia) and Jeff Overton (USA). A special mention should be made of the efforts of Bud Cauley (USA) who is only 21 years old and has secured his 2012 USPGA Tour card by playing 8 events on sponsor’s exemption earning  $US 735,150 and that would have him placed in 112th Position on the USPGA Tour Money list right now. I wish him all the best for the USPGA Tour next year where he will be fully exempt.

Next week the USPGA Tour and the Fall Series have the 4th and final event of the season. It is the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic and is being played at the Magnolia GC, Lake Buena Vista and Palm GC, Lake Buena Vista, Florida. With a prize purse of $US 4,700,000 up for taking it will attract some of the best players on the USPGA Tour. Robert Garrigus (USA) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 20th October and I will report who won the Trophy next week. The other Tournament is the PGA Grand Slam of Golf which is being played on the Port Royal Golf Course, Southampton Parish, Bermuda. With the 4 major winners of 2011 all showing up this year to play for the prize purse of $US 1,350,000 with the winner getting $US 600,000. And they are Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (Master Tournament Champion), Rory McILroy (NIR) (US Open Champion), Darren Clarke (NIR) (Open Champion) and Keegan Bradley (USA) (PGA Champion).  It is 36 hole event and Ernie Els (RSA) is the defending Champion. But he won’t be defending his title because he never won a Major in 2011. It is played on Tuesday 18th – Wednesday 19th October. I report back who won the Trophy next week.

Now to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings this week and coming in at Number 1 is Luke Donald (England) for the 21st week in a row with 10.49 Official World Golf Ranking Points, he is now less than 3 points clear of Lee Westwood (England) who is in 2nd place with 7.63 Official World Ranking Points, Coming in at Number 3 is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 7.42 Official World Ranking Points, Coming in at Number 4 is Steve Stricker (USA) with 6.35 Official World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 is Dustin Johnson (USA) with 6.33 Official World Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week slips 3 more places and comes in at 55th in the Official World Golf Rankings with 2.62 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Best New Zealander Golfer is still Danny Lee (NZL) with 0.90 Official Golf World Ranking Points that places him in 209th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list. He is down 8 places from last week.

The 3rd event I am reporting on this week was on the Champions Tour and was the AT&T Championship and it was played on the TPC San Antonio - ATT Canyons, San Antonio, Texas. And it was the Golfer by the name of Fred Couples (USA) that scored rounds of 65-7, 62-10 and a final round of 66-6 for a 54 hole total of 193-23 and he won by 7 strokes. He won $US 270,000.00 for the victory and moved to 12th position on the Champions Tour Money list with $US 957,753 earned from the 9 events he has played to date this year. Tom Lehman (USA) is still number 1 on the list with $US 2,039,776 earned from the 20 events he has played to date this year. Fred Couples (USA) moves to 8th position on the Charles Schwab Cup Points list with 1,288 points earned from the 9 events he has played to date this year. He is 1,050 points behind Tom Lehman (RSA) who leads that list with 2,338 points earned from the 20 events he has played to date this year so far.

Fred Couples in action during the final round of the AT&T Championship

This win was Fred Couples (USA) 6th of his short Champions Tour Career having played a full 2 seasons now. It goes along with his 15 USPGA Tour wins including the 1992 Masters Tournament which was his lone Major win. It was the largest margin of victory on the Champions Tour all season. Fred Couples (USA) played near flawless Golf all week. He recorded 26 birdies, 26 pars, 1 bogey and 1 double bogey. He scored 66-6 in the final round which included a birdie on the Par 5, 6th hole to go out in 35-1, then coming in he made birdies on the Par 4, 11th hole, Par 5, 12th hole, Par 5, 15th hole, Par 4, 17th hole and Par 4, 18th hole. I feel next year he will be a real threat to taking out the Charles Schwab Cup if he is healthy and plays a full schedule. And in just under a month he is Captaining the US Presidents Cup Team when they take on the International Team down at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, in Melbourne, Australia. I wish him all the best in the final event of the season which is the Charles Schwab Cup Championship. And hope he has a great season in 2012 on the Champions Tour.

Fred Couples (USA) looks at his shot he just struck in the AT&T Championship

In solo 2nd position at 200-16 was Mark Calcavecchia (USA), he moved to 3rd position on the Champions Tour Money list with $US 1,672,241 earned from the 21 events he has played to date this year. He also moved to 2nd position on the Charles Schwab Cup Points list 1,956 points earned from the 21 events he has played to date this year so far. He is now only 382 points behind the Charles Schwab Cup Points leader who is Tom Lehman (USA) with one event remaining. If he wins the Charles Schwab Cup Championship he will also win the Charles Schwab Cup. I wish him luck with that.

In tied for 3rd position on 202-14 was Tom Lehman (USA) who leads both the Champions Tour Money list and the Charles Schwab Cup Points list. And John Cook (USA) was also tied 3rd. In solo 5th position at 203-13 was Peter Senior (Australia) who is having a great season with 12 top 10 finishes. He must be due a win soon? And in the 54 holes he played in this tournament he didn’t make one single bogey or worse. In tied for 6th position at 205-11 were Michael Allen (USA), Jeff Hart (USA) and John Huston (USA). In solo 9th position at 206-10 was the 1995 US Open Championship Winner, Corey Pavin (USA). Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 10th place at 207-9 was Chien Soon Lu (Taiwan), Russ Cochran (USA) and Mark O’Meara (USA).

The Champions Tour now takes a 3 week break before the final event which is Charles Schwab Cup Championship which will decide who wins the Charles Schwab Cup. It is being played on the TPC Harding Park GC, San Francisco, California. With a prize purse of $US 2,500,000 up for the taking only the 30 best players on the Champions Tour Money List get an invitation to play. John Cook (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 3rd November and I will report back who won as soon as the result is known.

So to the 4th and final event I am reporting on this week. It was on the Nationwide Tour and was the Miccosukee Championship and was played on the Miccosukee G&CC, Miami, Florida. And it was the golfer by the name of Jason Kokrak (USA) who scored rounds of 63-8, 66-5, 69-2 and a final round of 66-5 for a 72 hole total of 264-20 and he won by 7 strokes. He won $US 108,000.00 for the win and moves to 4th position on the Nationwide Tour Money list with $US 301,592 earned from the 14 events he has played to date this year so far. J. J. Killeen (USA) still leads that list with $US 409,473 earned from the 23 events he has played to date this year so far.

Jason Kokrak (USA) in action during the final round of the Miccosukee Championship

It was Jason Kokrak’s (USA) 2nd win on the Nationwide Tour this year having won the Albertsons Boise Open Pres'd by Kraft in September for his maiden Nationwide Tour win. Jason Kokrak (USA) played flawless golf all week from the first round where he scored a bogey free 63-8 to the 66-5 he scored in the final round with birdies on the par 4, 1st hole and Par 4, 7th hole along with the lone bogey he made on the par 3, 8th hole he went out in 34-1. He then came home strong with birdies on the par 3, 11th hole, par 4, 13th hole, Par 4, 14th hole and par 3, 17th hole to come in with a back nine score of 31-4. He completely demolished the field this week with his brilliant play and now is assured of a 2012 USPGA Tour card. I wish him all the best in the final two Nationwide Tour events this season and hope he can move up the Money List even more. And I wish him a fast start to the 2012 USPGA Tour season.

In solo 2nd position on 271-13, 7 strokes behind Jason Kokrak (USA) was Mark Anderson (USA). Tied for 3rd position on 273-11 was the recently turned professional Harris English (USA) who won the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational in late July as an Amateur. He has now earned $US 90,488 from the 6 events he has played to date this year. He is now in 61st position on the Nationwide Tour Money list. It he makes the cut this week he is almost guaranteed a start in the Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island which is the following week which the top 60 players on the money list get into. Also tied for 3rd were Roger Tambellini (USA) and Matt Every (USA). In tied for 6th position at 274-10 after 72 holes were Daniel Chopra (Sweden) who is a past USPGA Tour winner, Darron Stiles (USA), Diego Velasquez (Colombia). Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 275-9 after 72 holes were Mathias Gronberg (Sweden), Rob Oppenheim (USA) and Chris Nallen (USA).

Best of the New Zealander Golfers was Tim Wilkinson (NZL) who scored rounds of 68-3, 69-2, 72+1 and a final round of 74+3 for a 72 hole total of 283-1. He finished in tied for 57th position and earned $US 1,845.00 for his weeks work. He is in 70th position on the Nationwide Tour Money list with $US 80,833 earned from the 22 events he has played to date this year so far. He will need a top finish next week if he is going to make it into the Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island the following week. I wish him all the best with that though. Other New Zealand Golfers that were in the field but failed to make the 36 hole halfway cut were Bradley Iles (NZL) who scored rounds of 69-2 and 72+1 for a 36 hole total of 141-1 and missed the 36 hole cut by 2 strokes. He will need a big finish next week to make it into the Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island the following week. The final New Zealand Golfer in the field was Josh Geary (NZL) who scored 2 rounds of 73+2 for a 36 hole total of 146+4 after 36 holes and missed the half cut by 7 strokes. He is in 72nd position on the Nationwide Tour Money list with $US 79,586 earned from the 24 events he has played to date this year. A top 10 finish next week could see him playing in Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island the following week.

Danny Lee (USA) is the only New Zealander Golfer assured of a 2012 USPGA Tour card. He is in 5th position on the Nationwide Tour Money list with $US 271,700 earned from the 16 events he has played to date this year. And he hasn’t even played the last few weeks.

Next week the Nationwide Tour heads to Florida for the Winn-Dix Jacksonville Open Presented by Planters. It is being played on the Miccosukee G&CC, Miami, Florida. With a prize purse of $US 600,000 for the taking and the last chance to making the top 60 players that qualify for the Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island the following week, it will attract another good field. David Mathis (USA) is the defending Champion but won’t be defending his title as he now plays on the USPGA Tour. It starts on Thursday 20th October and I will report who won the trophy next week.

So until my next report remember to practise your chipping and putting lots because that will safe you heaps of strokes.

Source: europeantour.com, pgatour.com