Golf Events from the Weekend 13th November 2011

Well it was another great weekend of Golf on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world. The first tournament I am reporting on this week is the Emirates Australian Open and it was played at the Lakes Golf Club in Sydney, Australia. It had one of the best fields in recent times with the likes of Tiger Woods (USA), Dustin Johnson (USA), the current FedEx Cup Champion, Bill Haas (USA) along with the current Emirates Australian Open Champion, Geoff Ogilvy (Australia), Adam Scott (Australia) a former Champion, Greg Norman (Australia) who is a 5 time winner. All these players were playing because it was the week before the Presidents Cup which is being staged at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Melbourne, Australia next week.  Greg Chalmers (Australia) scored rounds of 67-5, 72 even, 67-5 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of 275-13 and won by 1 stroke to take home the Stone Haven Cup for 2011.

He won $AU 270,000.00 for the win and that takes him to first on the Australasian Tour Money list for 2011 in the one event he has play to date this year so far. He played a brilliant final round of 69-3 that included birdies at the 1st and 2nd holes. He made a silly bogey at the Par 4, 6th hole. But he hit a stunning tee shot into the Par 3, 7th hole and rolled in the 8 footer for a birdie. But when he missed a 3 foot par putt on the Par 3, 9th hole he was back on -11. But the 33-1 on the front nine was still a great score. Mean while, Tiger Woods (USA) was having a great front nine with Birdies on the Par 4, 3rd hole and Par 4, 4th hole he quickly moved to -8 and another birdie at the Par 5, 8th hole meant he went out in 31-3 and was -9 and only 2 strokes off the lead with nine holes to play. Jason Day (Australia) who was 1 stroke off the lead at the start of the day at -11 got off to a poor start with bogeying the Par 4, 1st hole and Par 4, 3rd hole. But he redeemed himself at the Par 3, 7th hole where he struck his tee shot to within 3 feet of the pin and made birdie. He then birdied the par 5, 8th hole and went out in 34 even par and was leading with Greg Chalmers (Australia) with 9 holes to play.

Greg Chalmers (Australia) in action during the final round

The real surprise was the play of overnight leader John Senden (Australia). He made 3 straight bogeys in a row from the 2nd to the 4th holes. And when he 3putted the Par 3, 7th hole for his 4th bogey and he was now 4 over for the round at -8 after a front nine 38+4. So to the back nine, Greg Chalmers (Australia) after 3 pars in a row to start the back nine made a fine birdie 3 at the short par 4, 13th hole. He then missed an easy birdie chance at the Par 5, 14th hole. But he hit a sensational tee shot at the Par 3, 15th hole that came to rest 4 feet from the pin leaving an easy birdie putt that he was able to make. So now he was -13 with 3 holes to play. He pared the tough par 4, 16th hole after getting up and down from the green side bunker. He made a solid par on the short par 5, 17th hole. He stood on the Par 3, 18th tee knowing that a Par 3 would more than likely win him the Emirates Australian Open for 2011. But he pulled his long iron tee shot in to the right hand green side bunker. But just like on the Par 4, 16th hole he struck a brilliant Bunker Shot that rolled to within 5feet of the cup. And he easily rolled the putt in for par. And he finished at 275-13 for the 72 holes.

Tiger Woods (USA) got off to a poor start on his back nine with bogeying the very birdie able Par 5, 11 hole. He came straight back though with a birdie on the very challenging Par 4, 12th hole. But he gave the stroke back on the Short Par 4, 13th hole when he tried to drive the green but ended up losing his drive well to the right and struggled to make bogey. But he came back with a hiss and a roar with a chip in eagle at the Par 5, 14th hole. He made solid pars at the next two holes. At the Par 5, 17th, he hit an awesome long iron 2nd shot to within 20 feet of the hole. He stuck a good putt for eagle, but it just missed on the right hand side. He tapped in for an easy birdie. He came to the 72nd hole at -11. He struck a solid tee shot that landed 30 feet below the cup. After having a good look at the putt he left it 3feet short, but tapped for an easy par. He finished on 277-11 after 72 holes. But it was still a fine week’s work by Tiger Woods (USA). And he is in good form heading to the Presidents Cup in Melbourne next week.

Jason Day (Australia) got off to a poor start on his back nine with making a bogey on the Par 5, 11th hole when he pulled his 2nd shot into the deep rough left of the green. He was unable to get on the green for 3 strokes and missed an 8foot putt for par. He missed a great chance for birdie on the difficult par 4, 12th hole where hit struck his 2nd shot to 15 feet past the hole. But he left the birdie putt short right in the Jaws of the hole. Then on the short par 4, 13th hole he tried to drive the green but pulled it in the left fairway bunker just short of the green. He then bladed his 2nd shot over the back of the green. He failed to get his 3rd shot on the green as well. But he nearly chipped in for par with his 4th shot. So he had to settle for a bogey 5. On the Par 5, 14th hole he hit 2 fine shots and was on the green in 2 strokes. He was very unlucky not to get an eagle when his 30 foot putt just shaved the left edge of the hole. But the birdie 4 put him at -10 and he still had a chance to win. But a bogey at the Par 3, 15th hole sent him back to -9 and he was only able to par the last 3 holes. Jason Day finished the 72 holes at 279-9.

John Senden (Australia) found some of the form he had shown the day before when he scored 63-9. After missing his 2nd shot on the Par 5, 11th hole just to the left of the green in the greenside bunker. He hit a fine 3rd shot out of the bunker to within 8feet of the hole. He rolled the birdie putt in for his 1st birdie of the day. He then made his 2nd birdie of the day at the short par 4, 13th hole after laying up with his tee shot and hit his short wedge shot within 10 feet and slotted the putt. So now he was back to -10 with 5 holes to play. He then backed that birdie up with another birdie on the Par 5, 14th hole where he got up and down from the green side bunker. So now he was -11 with 3 holes to play. He made solid pars on the Par 3, 15th and Par 4, 16th holes. Then he got up and down for birdie at the Par 5, 17th hole to get to -12 for the Tournament with one hole to play. Now John Senden (Australia) knew what he had to do and that was birdie the Par 3, 18th hole to force a playoff with Greg Chalmers (Australia). He hit a good tee shot into the heart of the green and left himself a right to left breaking putt from 40 feet for his birdie 2. He gave it his best effort and it almost went in the hole just missing on the right. He tapped in for his par 3 and finished the 72 holes on 276-12. It was his best finish in the Emirates Australian Open since winning it in 2006 at the Royal Sydney Golf Club.

So that meant that Greg Chalmers (Australia) had won the Emirates Australian Open for the 2nd time in his career. He won it 13 years ago back in 1998 at Royal Adelaide Golf Club. That was also in a Presidents Cup year and the last time it was played in Australia. And he finished -13 and it also was November 13th so there must have been a good omen with the Number 13 for Greg Chalmers (Australia). He had his 5 year old Son right there to give a hug when he walked of the 18th green as well as his Mother. His Wife and 8 year old Son were back in Texas but would have been really happy for him as well. He had a good year on the USPGA Tour as well with winning $US 832,191 from the 28 events he played in and finished in 105th position on the final USPGA Tour Money list and easily kept his card for the 2012 season. I wish him all the best with the rest of the Australasian Tour this season.

Greg Chalmers (Australia) kisses the Stone Haven Cup he won for the second time

John Senden (Australia) would be disappointed with his solo 2nd place but pleased he came back well on the back nine after his shocking from nine. Tiger Woods (USA) will also be encouraged with his solo 3rd place, but will be disappointed with his 75+3 in the 3rd round. But it was his best finish in a while on any tour. In tied for 4th position at 279-9 after 72 holes was Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) who scored the lowest final round of 65-7. Also tied for 4th position was Nick O’Hern (Australia) who scored a disappointing even par round of 72 in the final round. He must be due to win an Australian Open one of these days because he seems to always finish in the Top 10 at the Australian Open. Also tied for 4th position was Adam Scott (Australia) he scored a final round of 69-3. Also tied for 4th position was Nick Watney (USA) who scored a final round 72 even. And the last player to tie for 4th position was Jason Day (Australia) who scored the worst final round of the leaders which was 74+2. But at the tender age 24 years he has many more chances to win the Stone Haven Cup.

Rounding out the Top 10 in tied for 9th position at 280-8 after 72 holes  was two time Champion of the Australian Open (1999-2000), Aaron Baddeley (Australia) who scored a final round of 69-3. Also tied for 9th position was Ryan Haller (Australia) who had one of his best finishes ever in an Australian Open. He scored a final round of 72 even par.

Best New Zealander in the field and the Only New Zealander to make the 36 hole cut was Gareth Paddison (NZL), he scored rounds of 71-1, 74+2, 77+5 and a final round of 73+1 for a 72 hole total of 295+7 and he tied for tied for 58th position. Gareth Paddison (NZL) now moves to 22nd position on the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit for 2011 with $AU 21,744.00 earned. He now has the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China to look forward to in two weeks time with his partner Michael Hendry (NZL).

Other New Zealand Golfers that were in the field but missed the halfway cut were Doug Holloway (NZL) who scored 72+2 and 75+3 for a 36 hole total of 147+3 to miss the cut by 1 stroke. Players to miss the cut by 2 strokes were Phil Tataurangi (NZL) who scored rounds of 72 even and 76+4 for a 36 hole total of 148+4, also Michael Hendry (NZL) scored rounds of 71-1 and 77+5 for a 36 hole total of 148+4. Players to miss the 36 hole cut by 3 strokes were Mahal Pearce (NZL) who scored rounds of 74+2 and 75+3 for a 72 hole total 149+5, also Josh Carmichael (NZL) scored rounds of 72 even and 77+5 for a 36 hole total of 149+5. Players to miss the 36 hole cut by 4 strokes were Steve Alker (NZL) who scored rounds of 74+2 and 76+4 for a 36 hole total of 150+6, also David Klein (NZL) scored rounds of 74+2 and 76+4 for a 36 hole total of 150+6 along with Michael Long (NZL) who scored rounds of 77+5 and 73+1 for a 36 hole total of 150+6. Players to miss the 36 hole cut by 7 strokes were Michael Campbell (NZL) who scored rounds of 77+5 and 76+4 for a 36 hole total of 153+9. The last New Zealand Player to miss the 36 hole cut by 11 strokes were Brad Shilton (NZL) who scored rounds of 76+4 and 81+9 for a 36 hole total of 157+13.

Next week the PGA Tour of Australasia stays in New South Wales for the New South Wales Open Championship and it is being played at the Newcastle Golf Club, NSW, Australia. With $AU 135,000 up for grabs it will attract all the lesser name players on the PGA Tour of Australasia. Peter O’Malley (Australia) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 17th November and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

The second Tournament I am reporting on this week is the Barclays Singapore Open and it was played at the The Tanjong & The Serapong, Sentosa GC, Singapore. And it was the Golfer by the name of Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) who scored rounds of 66-5, 61-10 and a final round of 72+1 and a 54 hole total of 199-14 in the Weather interrupted tournament that had to be reduced to 54 holes. But Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines) scored rounds of 66-5, 66-5 and a final round of 67-4 for a 54 hole total also of 199-14. So those two players head back to the 18th hole for the 1st playoff hole.

Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines) teed off first and found the fairway but Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) could not follow suit, finding sand. After an hour or so delay for lightning, the players emerged and both laid up on the fairway, but as Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines) was weighing up his third shot into the par 5, play was called again for lightning. They came back on Monday Morning at 7:30 am to recommence the playoff. And what a start from Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines) as he hit a wedge to six feet. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) follows him into about seven feet from the cup. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) putted first and missed it on the left. Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines) stepped up to take the title but he too missed his putt just on the left. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) safely tidied up and it was back to the 18th tee.

Hole 2 – which was the Par 5, 18th hole: Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines) drives into the right rough, and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) finds the middle of the fairway. Both laid up, Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines) leaves himself about 120 yards this time. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) had about 80 yards out coming in from the right. Applause for Juvic Pagansun (Philippines) as he hit to ten feet and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) hit it inside his rival. Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines) misses on the right this time. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) eyes up his putt and makes it to win the Barclays Singapore Open for 2011. He won € 720,877 for winning the Barclays Singapore Open. He moved to 15th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with €1,066,452 earned from the 13 events he has played to date this year so far and with a few more top 10 finishes in the weeks to come he will be guaranteed some on the Bonus Money on offer once the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World is concluded in the 2nd week of December.  It is great to see him back on top of his game after serious back problems and overcoming his putting issues.

Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spain) kisses the Barclays Singapore Open Trophy he won

It was Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) fifth European Tour International Schedule victory in his 177th European Tour event. He moves to €1,066,451 in The Race to Dubai. This would be the second time in his European Tour career he has won more than €1 million in a single European Tour season. He first achieved the feat in 2009. It was his first European Tour victory since the 2008 British Masters which is a gap of three years and 46 days. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) in that time has played 71 European Tour events between victories. Has now won all his five titles in five different countries and they are the Netherlands (2005 KLM Open); China (2006 BMW Asian Open); Italy (2007 Italian Open); England (2008 British Masters) and Singapore (2011 Barclays Singapore Open). Since his win at the 2008 British Masters he has been second six times. In 2009 they were: the Estoril Open de Portugal, Volvo China Open, Ballantine’s Championship and Barclays Scottish Open. In 2010 at the Portugal Masters and in 2011 at the Castelló Masters. He continues his wonderful recent form. In his last three events he was second in the Castelló Masters, tied 12th in the Andalucía Masters and first in the Barclays Singapore Open. From these three events has won a total of €991,696. Gonzalo Frenandez-Castiono (Spain) becomes the first player from Spain to win the Barclays Singapore Open. He won in a playoff which means his last four European Tour events, all have coming via extra holes.

It was the third victory for Spain in the last four European Tour events, with Sergio Garcia (Spain) (Castelló Masters and Andalucía Masters) and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) (Barclays Singapore Open). It was the 162nd Spanish victory on The European Tour. It was the sixth Spanish victory of the 2011 season. They are: Pablo Martin (Spain) (Alfred Dunhill Championship, Alvaro Quiros (Spain) (Omega Dubai Desert Classic), Pablo Larrazabal (Spain) (BMW International Open), Sergio Garcia (Spain) (Castelló Masters and Andalucía Masters) and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) (Barclays Singapore Open). Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) moves over €5 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) gains his largest European Tour prize of €720,876 and finally gains a European Tour exemption until the end of the 2013 season.

Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines) on left and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spain) on right celebrate getting in the playoff

Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) should go from strength to strength with this win and I look for him to have a huge 2012 season. I hope he remains in good health now. And I wish him all the best for the remaining 2011 European Tour Season. Coming in solo 2nd was Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines). He won € 480,579.58 for his weeks work and moves to the Top of the Asian Tour Money list with $US 721,298.60 earned from the 11 events he has played to date this year so far on that tour. He doesn’t have a ranking on the Race to Dubai Money list because he is not a member of the European Tour. He has a great chance to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit for 2011 and I wish him luck with that. In tied for 3rd position on 200-13 after 54 holes was Anthony Kim (USA), he won € 243,512 for his efforts, but because he isn’t a member of the European Tour he doesn’t get a Race to Dubai Ranking on the money list. But it was still a fine showing for him. Also tied for 3rd was Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), he won € 243,512 for his weeks work and moves to 14th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 1,070,455 earned from the 20 events he has played to date this year. It continues his fine form he has showed in recent weeks.

In tied for 5th position was Danny Lee (NZL) who scored rounds of 68-3, 65-6 and a final round of 68-3 for a 54 hole total of 201-12. He earned € 154,844 for the week and now moves to 82nd Position on the Race to Dubai Money List with € 341,152 earned from the 13 events he has played to date this year so far. He has now secured his European Tour card for the 2012 season. So he will be playing on the two richest golf tours in the world next year which is a fine achievement from him. If he plays in a couple more of the 3 remaining regular season events on the Race to Dubai Schedule he may well get inside the top 60 money earners on the European Tour, Race to Dubai Money list and qualify for the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World in the 2nd week of December. I wish him luck with that. But it has been a break out year in Professional Golf for Danny Lee (NZL).

Also tied for 5th position was Joost Luiten (Netherlands), and he too earned € 154,844 for his efforts and moves to 33rd position on the Race to Dubai Money List with € 710,708 earned from the 25 events he has entered to date this year so far. And the final player to tie for 5th position at 201-12 after 54 holes was Edoardo Molinari (Italy); he earned € 154,844 for his great play and moved to 44th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 638,782 earned from the 19 events he has entered to date this year so far. In solo 8th position at 202-11 after 54 holes was the 36 hole leader James Morrison (England), he earned € 108,131 for his weeks efforts and moves to 60th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 459,759 earned from the 29 events he has played in to date this year so far. It he can stay in that position he will get a place in the European Tour Finale which is the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World in early December.

Rounding out the Top 10 in tied for 9th position at 203-10 after 54 holes were Justin Rose (England) who won € 91,696 for his weeks work and now moves to 47th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 571,283 earned from the 12 events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for 9th position was Tjaart Van Der Walt (RSA), he too won € 91,696 for his efforts and moves to 145th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 145,028 earned from the 5 events he has entered to date this year. The other New Zealand Golfer in the field was Mark Brown (NZL). He scored rounds of 70-1 and 78+7 for a 36 hole total of 148+6 and missed the 36 hole halfway cut by 9 strokes. He is now in 159th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 115,805 earned from the 31 events he has played to date this year. He only has 3 regular European Tour events remaining in the 2011 season left that he will more than likely get starts in to try and get inside the top 115 players that keep their European Tour playing status for the 2012 European Tour season. He will more than likely need two top 10 finishes to achieve this. I wish him all the best with keeping his playing Status.

Next week on the European Tour and Race to Dubai there are two tournaments. The first one is the Alfred Dunhill Championship and it is being played at the Leopard Creek CC, Malelane, South Africa. It carries a prize purse of €1,000,000 which will attract some of the best European Tour players. Pablo Martin (Spain) is the two time defending Champion having won it in 2010-11 and will be looking for a hat trick of wins. It is played twice this season because the European Tour has been made into a calendar year this year. It starts on Thursday 17th November and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

The second tournament is the Iskandar Johor Open and it is being played on the Horizon Hills G&CC, Johor, Malaysia. With $US 2,000,000 up for the taking it is going to attract a fine field of European Tour players. It is a brand new tournament on the Race to Dubai Schedule so there will be a new Champion for the first time. It starts on Thursday 17th November and I will report back who took home the trophy for the first time next week.

So to the top 5 on the Official Golf World Rankings this week. Coming in at Number One for the 25th week in a row is Luke Donald (England) with 10.33 Official Golf World Ranking Points, coming in at number two is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 7.55 Official Golf World Ranking Points, coming in at number three is Lee Westwood (England) with 7.49 Official World Ranking Points, Coming in at number four is Martin Kaymer (Germany) with 7.00 Official World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 is Steve Stricker (USA) with 5.91 Official World Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week gains 8 places on the Official World Golf Rankings with his 3rd place finish in the Emirates Australian Open and now has 2.79 Official World Ranking Points and moves to 50th on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he moves up 25 places to 153th in the Official World Golf Rankings Points list fresh of his equal 5th placing in the Barclays Singapore Open. He now has 1.18 Official World Golf Ranking Points.

This coming week is the last of the USPGA Tour’s featured events and is the 9th playing of the Presidents Cup which is a bi-annual event. It is played in the Match play format over the four days. This year it is being played in Australia for the 2nd time in 13 years having being played here back in 1998 and was the scene of the only Team International Win. The Presidents Cup is Team International verse Team USA. It is being played at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Team USA is: Fred Couples (USA) (Team Captain), and his Captain’s Assistants are Jay Haas (USA) and Michael Jordon (USA). The Players for Team USA are: Matt Kuchar (USA), Steve Stricker (USA), Dustin Johnson (USA), Webb Simpson (USA), Nick Watney (USA), Phil Mickelson (USA), Bubba Watson (USA), David Toms (USA), Hunter Mahan (USA) and Jim Furyk (USA). Captain’s Picks: Tiger Woods (USA) and Bill Haas (USA) and Team International are: Greg Norman (Australia) (Team Captain), and his Captain’s Assistants are: Frank Nobilo (NZL) and Tim Clark (RSA). The International Team Players are Jason Day (Australia), Adam Scott (Australia), Charl Schwartzel (RSA), KJ Choi (NZL), Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea), Retief Goosen (RSA), Geoff Ogilvy (Australia), Ernie Els (RSA), YE Yang (South Africa) and Ryo Ishikawa (South Africa). Captain’s Picks: Robert Allenby (Australia) and Aaron Baddeley (Australia). Team USA are the defending Champions and will be keen to secure in their trophy cabinet for 2011 season. But Team International will put up a good fight on home soil. It starts on Thursday 17th November and I will report back which team won next week.

So until my next report remember when it is breezy swing easy.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com