Golf Events from the Weekend 20th November 2011

Well it was another exciting weekend on the Professional Golf Tours from around the world with three big tournaments going on. First I will start with the Presidents Cup which is a Bi-Annual event played between Team USA and Team International. It is one of the featured events on the USPGA Tour and is played on the years that the Ryder Cup isn’t played. It was first contested in the USA in 1994 where the USA Team easily beat Team International. It was played in the USA again in 1996 where the USA Team again beat the Team International, but this time it was much closer. In 1998 it was played for the first time outside the USA in Australia at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Melbourne, Victoria and this time the International Team easily beat the USA Team for their first and only win to this very day. In 2000 it was played back in the USA and Team USA beat Team International to win their 3rd President’s Cup in the 4 times it had been played so far.

Because of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks on America in 2001 the Ryder Cup that was Scheduled to be played the following week in England was held back a year. This meant the next President’s Cup was not played until 2003. This time it was played in South Africa and for the first time in President’s Cup history the cup was shared with both teams getting 17 points each. In 2005 the President’s Cup was again staged in USA with Team USA beating Team International in a close thought match.  In 2007 the President’s Cup was played in Canada and again Team USA beat Team International to record their 5th win in the 7th playing of the President’s Cup. In 2009 it was back in America with Team USA winning again over Team International. And this year it was back down to Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia for the staging of the 9th President’s Cup Matches.

Team USA this year consisted of Fred Couples (Team USA Captain), with Captain’s Assistants: Jay Haas (USA) and John Cook (USA). The ten Team USA Players that qualified in order from 1-10 were 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). And the two Captain’s Picks were: Bill Haas (USA) and Tiger Woods (USA).

Team International this year consisted of Greg Norman (Team International Captain), with Captains Assistants: Frank Nobilo (New Zealand) and Tim Clark (South Africa). The ten Team International Players that qualified in order from 1-10 were Jason Day (Australia), Adam Scott (Australia), Charl Schwartzel (South Africa), K. J. Choi (South Korea), Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea), Retief Goosen (South Africa), Geoff Ogilvy (Australia), Ernie Els (South Africa), Y.E. Yang (South Korea) and Ryo Ishikawa (Japan). And the two Captain’s Picks were: Robert Allenby (Australia) and Aaron Baddeley (Australia).

The Opening Ceremony was on Wednesday afternoon and the tournament opened, with 6 Thursday foursome’s matches being played on Thursday afternoon in brilliant sunny conditions with light winds. Team USA won them 4 points – 2 points over Team International. In the first match the pairing of Bubba Watson/Webb Simpson for Team USA defeated the pairing of Ernie Els (South Africa)/Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) for Team International by 4&2. In the second match the pairing of Bill Haas/Nick Watney for Team USA halved with Geoff Ogilvy (Australia)/Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International. In the third match the pairing of Dustin Johnson/Matt Kuchar for Team USA halved with Aaron Baddeley (Australia)/Jason Day (Australia) for Team International. In the fourth match the pairing of Phil Mickelson/Jim Furyk for Team USA defeated Retief Goosen (South Africa)/Robert Allenby (Australia) for Team International by 4&3. In the fifth match the pairing of Hunter Mahan/David Toms for Team USA defeated Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea)/Y. E. Yang (South Korea) for Team International by 6&5 and in the final match the pairing of Adam Scott (Australia)/K. J. Choi (South Korea) for Team International defeated Tiger Woods/Steve Stricker by 7&6.

So to Friday and the 6 Four ball Matches that were played in very trying conditions with 50mph winds blowing across the course and lightening fast greens making the course extremely difficult to play. The matches were halved 3 points all; in the first match the pairing of Bubba Watson/Webb Simpson for Team USA defeated Ernie Els (South Africa)/Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) for Team International by 3&1. In the second match the pairing of Aaron Baddeley (Australia)/Jason Day (Australia) for Team International defeated Tiger Woods/Dustin Johnson for Team USA by 1up. In the third match the pairing of Phil Mickelson/Jim Furyk for Team USA defeated Adam Scott (Australia)/ Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) for Team International by 2&1. In the fourth match the pairing of Geoff Ogilvy (Australia)/K. J. Choi (South Korea) for Team International defeated Bill Haas/Nick Watney for Team USA by 1up. In the fifth match the pairing of Matt Kuchar/Steve Stricker for Team USA defeated Y. E. Yang (South Korea)/Robert Allenby (Australia) for Team International by 4&3 and in the sixth match the pairing of Hunter Mahan/David Toms for Team USA defeated Retief Goosen (South Africa)/Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International by 2&1. So Team USA took a 7-5 point lead over Team International into the Weekend.

So to the 5 Foursome matches on Saturday Morning which were played in light rain. Team USA won this set of matches 4 points to 1 point. In the first match the pairing of Bubba Watson/Webb Simpson for Team USA defeated Robert Allenby (Australia)/Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) for Team International by 3&2. In the second match the pairing of Ernie Els (South Africa)/Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) for Team International defeated Bill Haas/Matt Kuchar for Team USA by 1up. In the third match the pairing of Hunter Mahan/David Toms for Team USA defeated Retief Goosen (South Africa)/Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International by 5&4. In the fourth match the pairing of Tiger Woods/Dustin Johnson for Team USA defeated Adam Scott (Australia)/K. J. Choi (South Korea) for Team International by 3&2 and in the fifth and final foursome’s match of the morning the pairing of Phil Mickelson/Jim Furyk for Team USA defeated Aaron Baddeley (Australia)/Jason Day (Australia) for Team International by 2&1. So Team USA now lead Team International 11-6 heading into the Saturday Afternoon four ball matches.

So to the 5 Saturday Afternoon four ball matches which were played in heavy rain with a moderate wind blowing. Team International won these set of matches 3 points to 2 points. In the first match the pairing of Retief Goosen (South Africa)/Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International defeated Bubba Watson/Webb Simpson for Team USA by 2&1. In the second match the pairing of Y. E. Yang (South Korea)/ Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) for Team International defeated Tiger Woods/Dustin Johnson for Team USA by 1up. In the third match the pairing of Geoff Ogilvy (Australia)/ K. J. Choi (South Korea) for Team International defeated Matt Kuchar/Steve Stricker for Team USA by 1up. In the fourth match the pairing of Hunter Mahan/Bill Haas for Team USA defeated Aaron Baddeley (Australia)/Jason Day (Australia) for Team International by 2&1 and in the fifth and final match the pairing of Jim Furyk/Nick Watney for Team USA defeated Adam Scott (Australia)/Ernie Els (South Africa) for Team International by 1up. So that meant the Team USA took a 13 point to 9 point lead over Team International into the 12 Sunday Singles Matches.

So to the 12 Sunday Singles matches that were played in very trying conditions with a strong south westerly wind blowing and the greens extremely slick with the pin placements tucked in very tight hard to get to places. The first match of the day was between Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) for Team International verse Webb Simpson for Team USA. After halving the first 3 holes Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) for Team International won the 4th and 5th holes to go 2up. Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) for Team International then birdied the Par 4, 7th hole to go to 3up. But then Webb Simpson for Team USA won the 8th hole with a Par 4 to get back to 2 down. Then they halved the next 6 holes from the 9th hole to the 14th hole. So Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) for Team International was still 2up with 5 holes to play. But then Webb Simpson for Team USA won the Par 5, 15 hole with a birdie and the Par 4, 16th hole with a Par and was now back to all square with Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) for Team International with 2 holes to play. But Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) for Team International came up with the goods on the Par 4, 17th hole and made a fine birdie to go back to 1up with 1 hole to play. Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) for Team International was faced with a difficult 8 foot par putt the win the match on the 18th green. But he was able to calm his nerve and sink the putt and gain the first singles point for Team International. Greg Norman (Australia) the Team International Captain gave him a big hug in Celebration.

So Team International now was on 10 points to Team USA who had 13 points. The second match of the day in the Sunday Singles was Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International verse Dustin Johnson for Team USA. Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International birdied the Par 5, 2nd hole to go 1up and pared the Par 3, 3rd hole to go 2up. Dustin Johnson for Team USA won the Par 4, 4th hole with a par to get back to 1 down. Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International won the Par 4, 7th hole when Dustin Johnson for Team USA conceded the hole to him. So he was back to 2up. Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International won the Par 4, 9th hole with a par to turn 3up. He then won the short par 4, 11th hole with a birdie to go 4up with 7 holes to play. Dustin Johnson for Team USA birdied the Par 4, 12th hole to get back to only 3down.  And he won the Par 5, 15th hole with a birdie to get back to only 2down with 3 holes to play. They halved the difficult Par 4, 16th hole in Bogey 5’s. So that meant that Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International was dormie 2 up over Dustin Johnson for Team USA. They both made birdie 3’s on the Par 4, 17th hole. But that meant that Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International had won the match 2&1. So the International Team now was on 11 points to Team USA who had 13 points.

The third match of the day in the Sunday Singles was Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) for Team International verse Bubba Watson for Team USA. Bubba Watson for Team USA won the first hole with a birdie 3 to go 1up. Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) for Team International then came back strong and won the Par 5, 2nd hole with a birdie, Par 3, 3rd hole with a bogey, Par 3, 5th hole with a par and the Par 4, 6th hole with a birdie to go 3up. Bubba Watson for Team USA then won the Par 4, 8th hole with a par to get back to 2down. But Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) for Team International came straight back and won the Par 4, 9th hole and turned 3up. The next 3 holes were halved. Then Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) for Team International won the Par 4, 13th hole with a birdie to go 4up with 5 holes to play. They halved the Par 3, 14th hole in par 3’s. That meant that Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) for Team International was now dormie 4up on Bubba Watson for Team USA. Bubba Watson for Team USA won the Par 5, 15th hole with a par and was now 3down with 3 holes to play. But when they both made bogey 5’s on the Par 4, 16th hole it meant that Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) for Team International had won the match 4&2. So the International Team now was on 12 points to Team USA who had 13 points.

The fourth match of the day in the Sunday Singles was Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) for Team International verse Bill Haas for Team USA. They halved the first 3holes, but Bill Haas for Team USA won the Par 4, 4th hole with a par to go 1up. Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) for Team International came straight back at the par 3, 5th hole with a fine birdie to get the match back to all square. Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) for Team International pared the par 4, 8th hole to go 1up. The next two holes were halved. Bill Haas for Team USA won the short par 4, 11th hole to get the match back to all square. Then Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) for Team International hole a 40 footer for a birdie 3 on the Par 4, 12th hole to get back to 1up. The next 5 holes were halved meaning Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) for Team International was 1up playing the Par 4, 18th hole. Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) for Team International hit a fine 2nd shot on the very difficult par 4, to 8feet underneath the cup and with Bill Haas for Team USA only able to get a bogey 5, it meant that Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) for Team International won the hole with a Par and won the match 2up. So the International Team now was now all tied up with Team USA on 13 points all.

The fifth match of the day in the Sunday Singles was Hunter Mahan for Team USA verse Jason Day (Australia) for Team International. Hunter Mahan for Team USA got off to a fast start winning the first hole with a par 4 to go 1up. He won the 4th hole with a par 4 to go 2up. Then he won holes 6-8 with pars to go 5up on Jason Day (Australia) for Team International. They halved the 9th hole in bogey 5’s. So Hunter Mahan for Team USA turned 5up. Jason Day (Australia) for Team International was just having a horror day with scoring 44 on his front nine. Hunter Mahan for Team USA wasn’t playing his best golf either with a front nine of 38. And both players never got a birdie on the front nine. Greg Norman (Australia) Team International Captain came over and had a chat to Jason Day (Australia) for Team International to try and inspire him to play better Golf. It seemed to work because Jason Day (Australia) for Team International won the short par 4, 11th hole with a birdie 3 and got back to 4 down. Then he won the Par 4, 13th hole with a bogey to get back to 3 down with 5 holes to play. But Hunter Mahan for Team USA then returned to form and birdied the par 3, 14th hole to go back to 4 up and now had Jason Day (Australia) for Team International dormie. He then birdied the Par 5, 15th hole and won the match 5&3. So Team USA now had 14 points to Team Internationals 13 points.

The sixth match of the day in the Sunday Singles was Nick Watney for Team USA verse K. J. Choi (South Korea) for Team International. They halved the first 3 holes then Nick Watney for Team USA won the Par 4, 4th hole with a par to go 1up and the Par 3, 5th hole with a birdie to go 2up. K. J. Choi (South Korea) for Team International then won the Par 4, 7th hole when he holed his 3rd shot from the bunker for a birdie 3 and was now back to 1 down. They halved the next 3 holes. Then K. J. Choi (South Korea) for Team International won the Par 4, 11th hole with a par to make the match all square. Nick Watney for Team USA won the 12th hole with a par to go back to 1up. Then he won the Par 5, 15th hole with a birdie 4 to go 2up with 3 holes to play. He won the Par 4, 16th hole with a Par 4 to win the match 3&2. So Team USA now had 15 points to Team Internationals 13 points.

The seventh match of the day in the Sunday Singles was Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International verse Phil Mickelson for Team USA. Phil Mickelson for Team USA got off to a terrible start conceding the first 3 holes to Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International. That meant Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International was 3up after 3holes. Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International then won the par 3, 5th hole with a par to go to 4up. Phil Mickelson for Team USA won the Par 4, 6th hole with a birdie 3 to get back to 3down. But conceded the Par 4, 8th hole to Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International to go back to 4down. Phil Mickelson for Team USA won the Par 4, 9th hole with a par 4 to get back to 3down at the turn. They then halved the next 4 holes from 10-13. Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International won the Par 3, 14th hole with a Par 3 to go back to 4up and now had Phil Mickelson for Team USA dormie 4up. Phil Mickelson for Team USA then birdied the Par 5, 15th hole to get back to 3down. Then he birdied the Par 4, 16th hole to get back to 2down with 2holes to play. But they both made par 4’s on the Par 4, 17th hole and that meant that Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International had won the match 2&1. So Team USA now had 15 points to Team Internationals 14 points.

The eighth match of the day in the Sunday Singles was Matt Kuchar for Team USA verse Retief Goosen (South Africa) for Team International. Matt Kuchar for Team USA won the first hole with a birdie 3 to go 1up. Retief Goosen (South Africa) for Team International won the second hole with a chip in eagle 3 to get back to all square. They halved holes 3-5. Retief Goosen (South Africa) for Team International birdied the Par 4, 6th hole to go 1up. They then halved holes 7-9. So Retief Goosen (South Africa) for Team International turned 1up. He then won the Par 4, 10th hole with a par 4 to go 2up and the Par 4, 11th hole with a par to go 3up. Matt Kuchar for Team USA then won the Par 4, 12th hole with a birdie to get back to 2down. He won the Par 4, 13th hole with a par to get back to 1down. And he won the Par 3, 14th hole with a birdie 2 to get the match back to all square with 5holes to play. Retief Goosen (South Africa) for Team International then won the Par 4, 16th hole with an amazing up and down from the right hand green side bunker for his par 4. He was now 1up with 2 holes to play. They both pared the par 4, 17th hole for a halve and that left Retief Goosen (South Africa) for Team International 1up with 1 hole to play. They both made Par 4’s on the Par 4, 18th hole which meant Retief Goosen (South Africa) for Team International had won the match 1up. So Team USA and Team International were all tied up at 15 points all.

The ninth match of the day in the Sunday Singles was Jim Furyk for Team USA verse Ernie Els (South Africa) for Team International. Jim Furyk for Team USA eagled the Par 5, 2nd hole to go 1up. Then he birdied the Par 4, 4th hole to go 2up. Then he birdied the Par 4, 6th hole to go 3up. And then he pared the Par 4, 9th hole to turn 4up. Ernie Els (South Africa) for Team International then fought back to win the 10th hole with a Par 4 to get back to 3down and won the 11th hole with a par 4 to get back to 2down. But Jim Furyk for Team USA won the par 3, 14th hole with a birdie 2 to get back to 3up. And he won the Par 5, 15th hole with a birdie 4 to win the match 4&3. So Team USA now had 16 points to Team Internationals 15 points.

The tenth match of the day in the Sunday Singles was David Toms for Team USA verse Robert Allenby (Australia) for Team International. David Toms for Team USA won the first hole with a Par 4 to go 1up. He won par 4, 4th hole with a par to go 2up. He won the Par 3, 5th hole with a par to go 3up. Robert Allenby (Australia) for Team International then won the Par 4, 6th hole with a birdie to get back to 2down. David Toms for Team USA then won Par 4, 7th hole with a par to get back to 3up, Par 4, 8th hole with a birdie to get to 4up and then won the Par 4, 9th hole with a par 4 to turn 5up after the front nine. David Toms for Team USA then won the Par 4, 11th hole with a birdie to get to 6up. He won the par 4, 13th hole with a par 4 to get to 7up and won the match 7&5. So Team USA now had 17 points to Team Internationals 15 points.

Tiger Woods (USA) celebrates with his Team USA Team mates after they won the Presidents Cup

The eleventh match of the day in the Sunday Singles was Tiger Woods for Team USA verse Aaron Baddeley (Australia) for Team International. They halved the first 4 holes. Tiger Woods for Team USA won the Par 3, 5th hole with a birdie to go 1up. He won the par 4, 6th hole with a birdie to go to 2up. They halved holes 7-9 so Tiger Woods for Team USA turned 2up. Tiger Woods for Team USA won the Par 4, 10th with a birdie to get to 3up. He won the Par 4, 12th hole with a par to go 4up and the Par 4, 13th hole with a par 4 to go dormie 5up. Aaron Baddeley (Australia) for Team International fought back and won the par 3, 14th hole with a par to get back to dormie 4down. But they halved the par 5, 15th hole in birdie 4’s and that meant that Tiger Woods for Team USA had won the match 4&3. And that meant that Team USA had won the 9th Presidents Cup because they had achieved the 18 points required for the win and Team International still only had 15 points.

The twelfth match of the day in the Sunday Singles still had to be finished even though Team USA had all ready secured the Presidents Cup and it was Steve Stricker for Team USA verse Y. E. Yang (South Korea) for Team International. Y. E. Yang (South Korea) for Team International won the Par 4, first hole with a birdie 3 to go 1up. Steve Stricker for Team USA won the 3rd hole with a par 3 to get the match back to all square. He won the Par 4, 4th hole with a bogey 5 to go 1up, the par 3, 5th hole with a par 3 to go 2up, the par 4, 6th hole with a par 4 to go 3up. Y. E. Yang (South Korea) for Team International won the par 4, 7th hole with a par 4 to get back to 2down. Steve Stricker for Team USA won the Par 4, 8th hole with a par 4 to get back to 3up. Y. E. Yang (South Korea) for Team International won the par 4, 9th hole with a par 4 to turn 2down. Steve Stricker for Team USA won the par 4, 10th hole with a birdie 3 to go 3up. Y. E. Yang (South Korea) for Team International won the par 4, 12th hole with a par to get back to 2down. And he won the par 3, 14th hole with a birdie 2 to get back to 1down with 4 holes to play. Steve Stricker for Team USA won the par 4, 16th hole with a par to go to 2up. They both made pars on the par 4, 17th hole and that meant that Steve Stricker for Team USA had won the match 2&1. So the final score in the 9th Presidents Cup of 2011 was Team USA 19 Team International 15. It was Team USA’s, 7th win in the nine times the President Cup has been played so far. The International Team has only won once and there has been one tie.

Team USA poses with the 2011 Presidents Cup which they won 19 -15 over the International Team

Again the International Team lost the 2 sets of foursomes matches badly with a combined score losing them 3-8 to Team USA. If they can find out a way to play those matches better they may well be more competitive next time. But it was a huge success bringing the 9th Presidents Cup down to Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia for a 2nd time in 13 years. And the matches were played in excellent spirit with the game of Golf being the real winner. The next Presidents Cup will be stage at Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, Columbus, Ohio, USA which is where the Memorial Tournament run by Jack Nicklaus is always played. It is scheduled to be played September 30th- October 6th, 2013. It will be an exciting course to play such an exciting event like this on because golf fans from around the world are familiar with all the holes on this course with the Memorial Tournament being a USPGA Tour event. Let’s hope the International Team can fear better next time.

The second tournament I am reporting on this week was on the European Tour and was part of the Race to Dubai. It was the Iskandar Johor Open and was played on the Horizon Hills G&CC, Johor, Malaysia. And it was the Golfer by the name of Joost Luiten (Netherlands) that scored rounds of 63-8, 70-1 and a final round of 65-6 for a 54 hole total of 198-15 in the 54 hole rain shortened event. He won € 242,580.60 for his maiden win on European Tour and moved to 18th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with €953,289 earned from the 26 events he has played to date this year so far. Luke Donald (England) still leads that list with €3,856,394 earned from the 12 events he has played to date so far this year. He now will be hoping to move up even further to inside the Top 15 players on the Race to Dubai Money list so he can get some of the bonus money on offer in the final tournament which is Dubai World Championship presented by DP World in the 2nd week of December.

Joost Luiten (Netherlands) kisses his putter after winning the Iskandar Johor Open

Joost Luiten (Netherlands) played flawless golf in the final round going out in 30-5 on his front nine which included birdies on the Par 5, 2nd hole, Par 3, 3rd hole, Par 3, 4th hole, Par 3, 8th hole and Par 4, 9th hole. He played steady golf coming in with a back nine 35-1 that included a solo birdie on the Par 4, 12th hole. And record a brilliant final round of 66-5. It was his first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 80th European Tour event.

He moves to €953,288 on The Race to Dubai. This would represent his highest single-season total of his career, beating the €905,441 he amassed in 2010. This victory beats his previous best European Tour performances of second in the 2007 KLM Open and tied second in the 2010 Portugal Masters. This victory beats his previous best 2011 performances of third in the Austrian GolfOpen presented by Lyoness and tied third in the BMW International Open.

He becomes the tenth 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), Tom Lewis (England) (Portugal Masters) and Joost Luiten (Netherlands) (Iskandar Johor Open).

This victory continues his fine two weeks in Asia where he was tied fifth in the Barclays Singapore Open and first in the Iskandar Johor Open. From those events Joost Luiten (Netherlands) has won €397,424. This victory continues his excellent run of form over the past two months. He has now finished in the top ten in five of his last 8 event events, dating back to the KLM Open. He becomes the fourth Dutch golfer to win on The European Tour following Robert-Jan Derksen (Netherlands), Maarten Lafeber (Netherlands) and Rolf Muntz (Netherlands). He becomes the first Dutch player to win on The European Tour since Robert-Jan Derksen (Netherlands) at the 2005 Madeira Islands Open. It was the fifth Dutch victory in European Tour history. He became the 397th different player to win in European Tour history. Joost Luiten (Netherlands) gains a European Tour exemption until the end of 2013. He gains his largest European Tour prize of €242,580. And finally it is his fourth win as a professional.

Joost Luiten (Netherlands) poses with the Iskandar Johor Open he won

I wish Joost Luiten (Netherlands) all the best with the remainder of the 2011 European Tour season and hope he has a brilliant 2012 season as well. In solo 2nd position at 199-14 after 54 holes was Daniel Chopra (Sweden), he won € 161,720 for his weeks work but because he isn’t a member on the European Tour he doesn’t have a ranking on the Race to Dubai Money list. In tied for 3rd position at 200-13 after 54 holes were Rhys Davies (Wales) and he earned € 75,201 and moves to 55th on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 533,178 earned from the 29 events he has played in so far this year. His aim would now be stay inside the top 60 on the Race to Dubai Money list and if he does he will earn the right to play in the final tournament which is Dubai World Championship presented by DP World in the 2nd week of December. Also tied for 3rd position was Padraig Harrington (Ireland) and he won € 75,201 for his efforts. He moves to 65th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 448,368 earned from the 17 events he has played to date this year so far. It is good to see the 3 time major Champion returning to form. The last player to tie for 3rd was James Morrison (England) he too won € 75,201 for his efforts and moves to 54th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 534,959 earned from the 30 events he has played this year so far.

In solo 6th position at 201-12 after 54 holes was Gregory Bourdy (France), he won € 50,942 for his weeks work and moves to 46th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 595,054 earned from the 28 events he has played to date this year so far. In solo 7th position at 202-11 after 54 holes was Soren Kjeldsen (Denmark), he won € 43,665 for his weeks work and moves to 70th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 432,520 earned from the 28 events he has played in so far this year. Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 8th position at 203-10 after 54 holes were Fredrik Andersson Hed (Sweden), Darren Beck (Australia), Marcus Fraser (Australia), Jose Manuel Lara (Spain) and Louis Oosthuizen (RSA). They all earned € 29,983 for their efforts.

Best of the New Zealand Golfers in the field was Danny Lee (NZL), he scored rounds of 73+2 and 70-1 for a 36 hole total of 143+1 and he missed the 36 hole cut by 3 strokes which was disappointing for him. He is now in 87th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 341,152 earned from the 14 events he has played to date so far this year. He will need to have at least one more top 10 finish in the remaining 2 regular season events on the European Tour to make the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World in the 2nd week of December. He needs to be in the Top 60 players on the Race to Dubai Money list after the UBS Hong Kong Open if he wants to play in the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World. I wish him luck with achieving that goal. The other New Zealand Golfer in the field was Mark Brown (NZL), he scored rounds of 75+4 and 69-2 for 36 hole total of 144+2 and missed the cut by 4 strokes. He is now in 161st position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 115,805 earned from the 32 events he has played to date this year so far. He will need at least two top 10 finishes in the two remaining regular season events if he has any chance of getting inside the top 115 players on the Final Race to Dubai Money list for 2011 that keep their cards for the 2012 European Tour season. But I wish him all the best with achieving that goal. 

The third and final tournament I am reporting on this week was also part of the European Tour and Race to Dubai. It was the Alfred Dunhill Championship and it was played on the Leopard Creek CC, Malelane, South Africa. And it was Garth Mulroy (RSA) who scored rounds of 69-3, 68-4, 64-8 and a final round of 68-4 for a 72 hole total of 269-19. He won by 2 strokes and got the first prize cheque of € 158,500 for his efforts. Because he isn’t a member of the European Tour as he plays the Nationwide Tour full time and will be on the USPGA Tour next year. So he doesn’t have a money list ranking on the Race to Dubai Money list. Garth Mulroy (RSA) played a steady final round with going out in 34-1. He birdied the Par 4, 6th hole and Par 4, 8th hole with his lone bogey on the Par 5, 2nd hole. He then came in with a 34-3 that included birdies at the Par 4, 10th hole, Par 5, 13th hole, Par 5, 15th and Par 3, 16th hole. He made is lone bogey on the Par 4, 14th hole. And it added up to a 68-4.

Garth Mulroy (RSA) in action during the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship

Garth Mulroy (RSA) gains his first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 19th European Tour event. This victory beats his previous best European Tour performances of second in the 2011 Joburg Open and tied second in the 2008 Joburg Open. He becomes the 11th 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),Tom Lewis (England) (Portugal Masters), Joost Luiten (Netherlands) (Iskandar Johor Open) and Garth Mulroy (RSA) (Alfred Dunhill Championship). This victory is the 100th South African win in European Tour history. Since the event began in 2000, Garth Mulroy (RSA) (2011) became the eighth straight first time player to make the Alfred Dunhill Championship their first European Tour title. They are:  Anthony Wall (England) (2000), Adam Scott (Australia) (2001), Justin Rose (England) (2002), Mark Foster (England) (2003), Marcel Siem (Germany) (2004), Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2005), Alvaro Quiros (Spain) (2007) and Garth Mulroy (RSA) (2011). He becomes the fourth South African to win the Alfred Dunhill Championship, following Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2005), Ernie Els (RSA) (2006) and Richard Sterne (RSA) (2009).

Garth Mulroy (RSA) holds aloft the Alfred Dunhill Open Trophy he won

He becomes the 29th different South African to win on The European Tour. He becomes the sixth South African victory of the 2011 season. They are: Ernie Els (RSA) (South African Open Championship), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (Africa Open), Charl Schwartzel (RSA)  (Joburg Open and Masters Tournament), Thomas Aiken (RSA)  (Open de España) and Garth Mulroy (Alfred Dunhill Championship). He becomes the 398th different player to win on The European Tour. He is the first non-European Tour Member to win since Keegan Bradley at (USA) the 2011 US PGA Championship. He gains his largest European Tour prize of €158,500. And finally gains his fourth professional victory. I wish him all the best with the remaining events on the European Tour in 2011. And also hope he has big Success on the USPGA Tour in 2012.

In solo 2nd place at 271-17 after 72 holes was George Murray (Scotland), he won € 115,000.00 for his 2nd place cheque. He moved to 77th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 383,093 earned from the 27 events he has played to date this year so far. He will need at least one more top 10 finishes to make the Top 60 Players on Race to Dubai Money list after the UBS Hong Kong Open if he wants to play in the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World that is the finale to the Race to Dubai. In tied for 3rd position at 275-13 after 72 holes was Jaco Van Zyl (RSA), he earned € 48,750.00 for his efforts and moved to 52nd position on the Race to Dubai Money list from the 21 events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for 3rd was George Coetzee (RSA), he too earned € 48,750.00 for his weeks work and moved to 25th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 853,064 earned from the 27 events he has played to date this year so far. Another player to tie for 3rd was Peter Whiteford (Scotland), he too earned € 48,750.00 for his weeks work and moved to 62nd position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 467,554 earned from the 30 events he has played to date so far this year. He is just outside the Top 60 players on the Race to Dubai Money list that will qualify to play in the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World that is the finale to the Race to Dubai. Another top 10 finish in the two remaining events should get him into that. The final player to tie for 3rd was Felipe Aguilar (Chile), he too earned € 48,750.00 for the week and moved to 53rd position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 535,995 earned from the 27 events he has played to date this year so far.

In tied for 7th position at 276-12 after 72 holes were Andrea Pavan (Italy) and Hennie Otto (RSA). Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 277-11 after 72 holes were James Kamte (RSA), Steven Tiley (England) and Jbe Kruger (RSA).

Next week there are two tournaments on the European Tour and the Race to Dubai. The first one is the SA Open Championship and it is being played at the Serengeti Golf Club, Ekurhuleni, South Africa. With €1,000,000 up for grabs as prize money it is going to attract some of the best players on the European Tour. Ernie Els (RSA) is the defending Champion and will be looking to win back to back titles and to win his 4th title. It starts on Thursday 24th November. I will report back who won next week.

The second event on the European Tour this week is the Bi-Annual 56th edition of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup and it is being played on the Mission Hills Resort, Hainan Island, China. It is Partners from each country that qualified. They play Four Ball Best Ball Stroke play the first and third rounds and foursomes the second and final rounds. It has a huge prize purse of $US 7,500,000 for the taking. This year New Zealand has a Team of Gareth Paddison (NZL) and Michael Hendry (NZL) playing because they qualified in the Asian Qualifier earlier in the year. The defending champions are Edoardo and Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Italy that won the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in 2009 when it was last played. They will be keen to defend their title. It starts on Thursday 24th November. I will report back which Countries team won next week.

So to the top 5 in the Official World Golf Rankings this week. Still coming in at Number one for the 26th week in a row is Luke Donald (England) with 10.37 Official World Ranking Points, coming in at Number two is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 7.59 Official World Ranking Points, coming in at Number three is Lee Westwood (England) with 7.50 Official World Ranking Points, coming in at Number four is Martin Kaymer (Germany) with 7.02 Official World Ranking Points and rounding out the top five is Steve Stricker (USA) with 5.80 Official World ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week slips one place to 51st in the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 2.74 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he slips 6 places to 159th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 1.15 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

So until next week remember to keep hitting Fairways and Greens and holing putts.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com