Golf Events from the Weekend 4th December 2011

Well it was another great weekend of golf from the Professional Golf events from all over the world. First I will start with the PGA Tour of Australasia and this week it travelled to New Zealand for the 93rd BMW NZ Open hosted by Christchurch which was played at the Clearwater Golf Resort in Christchurch. And the player that won the Brodie Breeze Trophy and the $AU 72, 000 first prize winners cheque was Brad Kennedy (Australia) who scored rounds of 68-4, 71-1, 68-4 and a final round of 74+2 for a 72 hole total 281+7 after 72 holes, but he was tied on that score by Craig Parry (Australia) who scored rounds of 70-2, 69-3, 73+1 and 69-3 for a 72 holes total of 281-7 and those two players were headed back to the 18th hole for the 1st playoff hole.

So to the first playoff hole and it was decided that Craig Parry (Australia) would have the honour by the PGA Tour of Australasia rules official. He hit his tee shot well to the right of the fairway and landed it in the right hand fairway Bunker. Brad Kennedy (Australia) then hit his drive well and it landed in the first cut of rough on the left side of the fairway. Craig Parry (Australia) played his second shot first and hit it fat and it rolled in to the rough on the left hand side of the fairway just short of the water. Brad Kennedy (Australia) hit a similar shot to the one he hit in regulation play and left his ball 30 feet below the cup. Craig Parry (Australia) then hit a stunning pitch shot from a very difficult lie which nearly went in the hole and settled 8feet past the cup. Brad Kennedy (Australia) now had his 30 foot birdie putt to win his first NZ Open and the biggest title of his career to date. He calmed his nerve and rolled it straight in the middle of the cup.

Brad Kennedy (Australia) with the Brodie Breeze Trophy he won

Brad Kennedy (Australia) won $AU 72, 000 for his first prize winners cheque and moves to 8th position on the PGA Tour of Australasia 2011 Money list with $AU 102,500.00 earned to date this year so far with one event remaining. Greg Chalmers (Australia) still is number one on the list with $AU 540,000.00. It was Brad Kennedy (Australia) second win on the PGA Tour of Australasia having won the 2010 John Hughes Geely Nexus Risk Services WA Open as his maiden one. And it was the biggest win of Brad Kennedy’s (Australia) playing career. After playing the Asian Tour for a while early in his career and having limited success he decided just to the play the PGA Tour of Australasia the last few years. And with this win it may well lift his confidence and he might try to re qualify for the Asian Tour or the One Asia Tour. He played an average final round of 74+2, which included a front nine of 38+2 with a birdie on the Par 4, 7th hole but he made 3 poor bogeys on the Par 3, 3rd hole, Par 4, 6th hole and Par 3, 9th hole. But he played an extremely steady back nine with paring every hole to score 36 even par. And as I mentioned above he won the playoff. I hope Brad Kennedy (Australia) can finish off the year well with another high finish in the JBWere Masters which is being played in two weeks time to finish off the 2011 PGA Tour of Australasia. I wish him well for 2012 with whatever tour he chooses to play on.

Craig Parry (Australia) would be disappointed with his 2nd place finish because the way he played the 1st 17 holes in the final round was just awesome. He scored 69-3 in the final round and that included a front nine 34-2, he eagled the Par 5, 2nd hole where he chipped in from the front fringe. Then he birdied the Par 3, 9th hole, but had a silly bogey on the Par 4, 1st hole. He started the back nine brilliantly with birdies at the Par 5, 10th hole and Par 3, 11th holes. He then added another birdie at the Par 5, 14th hole to get to -9. He pared the next 3 holes and went to the 72 hole at -9 with a 2 stroke lead over the field. He hit a poor drive off the tee that landed in the left hand rough. Then he hit the worst shot of the whole tournament for him when he pulled his 2nd shot into the water on the left. He took his penalty drop and played a good 4th shot pitch to about 15 feet underneath the hole. And now had the bogey putt to win the tournament out right but it just missed on the left hand side. So he made a double bogey 6 and came home in 35-1. And as I mentioned above he lost the playoff to Brad Kennedy (Australia). Craig Parry (Australia) is now in 17th position on the PGA Tour of Australasia 2011 Money list with $AU 42,686.63 earned so far this year to date.

Josh Geary (NZL) was the highest placed New Zealand Golfer in the Tournament. He scored rounds of 71-1, 68-4, 71-1 and a final round of 72 even par for a 72 hole total of 282-6 and he finished in solo 3rd position. His erratic driving in the final round let him down at the crucial moments. He scored a 72 even par in the final round that included a front nine of 36 even par with a birdie 2 on the Par 3, 9th hole, but had a poor bogey 5 on the Par 4, 8th hole. He played the back nine in 36 even par as well, with birdies on the Par 4, 15th and Par 3, 16th holes. But had poor bogeys on the Par 4, 12th and Par 4, 18th holes. The one on the Par 4, 18th hole was extremely disappointing because he was taking a 3 wood for accuracy and hooked it into the water hazard on the left hand side. He took his penalty drop and hit a fine 3rd shot with a mid iron to 15 feet past the hole. But he was unable to convert the par putt and had to settle for bogey and 1 stroke out of the playoff. He is now in 20th position on the PGA Tour of Australasia 2011 Money list with $AU 36,030.00 earned to date so far this year. And he had a good year on the Nationwide Tour in America as well finishing in 74th position with $US 79,586 earned from the 25 events he played in. I wish him luck in the final 2011 PGA Tour of Australasia Tour event which is JB Were Masters in two weeks time.

In solo 4th position on 283-5 after 72 holes was Rohan Blizard (Australia). In tied for 5th position on 284-4 after 72 holes were Nicholas Cullen (Australia) and Leigh Deagan (Australia). In tied for 7th position at 285-3 after 72 holes were Adam Crawford (Australia) and Brent McCullough (Australia). Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 286-2 after 72 holes was 2003 NZ Open champion, Mahal Pearce (NZL) who scored rounds of 70-2, 73+1, 72 even and 71-1 for a 72 hole total of 286-2. He is now in 55th position on the PGA Tour of Australasia 2011 Money list with $AU 18,380.94 earned so far this year. Other players to tie for 9th were Terry Pilkadaris (Australia) and Steve Jones (Australia). Other New Zealand Golfers to make the cut were, Doug R Holloway (NZL) on 287-1 after 72 holes and tied for 12th position, Carl Brooking (NZL) on 291+3 after 72 holes an tied for 20th place. David Smail (NZL) on 293+5 after 72 holes and tied for 25th position. Brad Shilton (NZL) was also tied for 25th position on 293+5 after 72 holes. Anthony Doyle (NZL) was in tied for 31st Position on 294+6 after 72 holes. Steve Alker (NZL) was in tied for 35th position on 295+7 after 72 holes, as was David Klein (NZL) with a 72 hole total of 295+7 after 72 holes. Jim Cusdin (NZL) who was tied for the first round lead with Brad Kennedy (Australia) ended up tied for 41st position on 296+8 after 72 holes. In tied for 45th position was Vaughan McCall (Amateur) (NZL) who finished on 297+9 after 72 holes and was in tied for 45th position and he was also tied for the low New Zealand Amateur with Tim Leonard (Amateur) (NZL) who also finished on 297+9 after 72 holes.

Ryan Fox (Amateur) (NZL) finished on 298+10 after 72 holes and finished in tied for 52nd position. In tied for 54th position after 72 holes was Nick Gillespie (NZL) who finished on a score of 299+11. Grant Moorhead (NZL) finished in tied for 60th position with a score of 301+13 after 72 holes. Phil Tataurangi (NZL), Daniel Pearce (Amateur) (NZL) and Peter Spearman-Burn (NZL) were all tied for 62nd position on 302+14 after 72 holes. Marcus Wheelhouse (NZL) was in solo 67th position at 304+16 after 72 holes. And finally the final two New Zealand Golfers to make the cut were Jordan Dasler (NZL) and Jonathan Ratcliffe (Amateur) (NZL), they both scored 305+17 after 72 holes and were tied for 68th position.

The low Amateur for the week was eighteen-year-old Jake Higginbottom (Amateur) (Australia) and he lifted the Bledisloe Cup for the low amateur of the week with rounds of 72 even, 68-4, 76+4 and a final round of 76+4 for a 72 hole total of 292+4 after 72 holes and he finished in tied for 22nd position.

This week there is no event on the PGA Tour of Australasia, but next week the PGA Tour of Australasia has the first stage of PGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School which is being played at the Sandhurst Golf Course, Victoria, Australia. It starts on Wednesday 14th December. Also in two weeks time it is the JBWere Masters and it is the final PGA Tour of Australasia event for the 2011. It has a minimum prize purse of $AU 1,000,000 for the taking. Stuart Appleby (Australia) is the defending champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 15th December and I will report back who won the trophy in two weeks time.

The second tournament I am reporting on this week was on the European Tour and part of the Race to Dubai and it was the UBS Hong Kong Open. It was played on the Hong Kong GC, Fanling, Hong Kong. It was the last regular tour event of the season before the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World which the top 60 players on the Race to Dubai money list at the conclusion of this event qualify for. And it was the current US Open Champion, Rory McILroy (NIR) who scored rounds of 64-6, 69-1, 70 even par and a final round of 65-5 for a 72 hole total of 268-12 and he won by 2 strokes. He won € 341,724 for the win and stays in 2nd position the Race to Dubai Money list with € 3,066,606 earned from the 18 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 this year so far. So Luke Donald (England) and Rory McILroy (NIR) will face off next week at the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World to see who will win the Race to Dubai Money list for 2011.

Rory McILroy (NIR) pumps his fist after winning holing his bunker shot for birdie on the 72nd hole

Rory McILroy (NIR) won his third European Tour International Schedule victory in his 99th European Tour event. He moves to €3,066,605 in The Race to Dubai. This is the second time in three years he has won more than €3 million in a single European Tour season. The other season was in 2009 where he won €3,610,020. It was his second European Tour title of the season, following the US Open Championship. It was the first time he has won twice in the same European Tour season. He becomes the tenth multiple winner of the season. They are: Luke Donald (England) (WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship, BMW PGA Championship and Barclays Scottish Open), Thomas Björn (Denmark) (Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy, Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and Omega European Masters), Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (Joburg Open and Masters Tournament), Darren Clarke (NIR) (Iberdrola Open and The 140th Open Championship), Alex Noren (Sweden) (Saab Wales Open and Nordea Masters), Rory McIlroy (NIR) (US Open Championship and WGC – HSBC Champions), Simon Dyson (England) (Irish Open presented by Discover Ireland and KLM Open), Michael Hoey (NIR) (Madeira Islands Open and Alfred Dunhill Links Championship), Sergio Garcia (Spain) (Castelló Masters and Andalucía Masters) and Rory McIlroy (US Open Championship and UBS Hong Kong Open).

Rory McILroy (NIR) removes his hat to Acknowledge the crowd after winning

Rory McILroy (NIR) continues his wonderful record in the UBS Hong Kong Open. He was first in 2011, sixth in 2010 and second in both 2009 editions. He is now 62 under par for his last 16 rounds in the UBS Hong Kong Open. He has now broken or equalled par in his last 16 rounds in the UBS Hong Kong Open. This victory comes in his fifth appearance in the UBS Hong Kong Open. This victory made history for Northern Ireland. It was first time the country has recorded six victories in a single European Tour season. The 2011 wins are: Darren Clarke (NIR) (Iberdrola Open and The 140th Open Championship), Michael Hoey (NIR) (Madeira Islands Open, Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and Rory McIlroy (NIR) (US Open Championship and UBS Hong Kong Open). This victory made history for Northern Ireland. It would represent the first time three players have recorded multiple victories in the same season. Rory McILroy (NIR) becomes the 43rd Northern Irish win in European Tour history. He continued his wonderful 2011 European Tour season, with his 12th top ten finishes from his 18 events to date. (12 is the most of any player this season). Rory McILroy (NIR) has recorded nine top ten finishes on the 2010 European Tour season. From the start of last season, he has played 34 European Tour events and has been placed in the top ten 21 times. It was his fifth win as a professional worldwide. And finally it was his third victory of 2011, following the US Open Championship and the Shanghai Masters.

Rory McILroy (NIR) poses with the UBS Hong Kong Open trophy he won

Rory McILroy (NIR) just played a flawless final round with scoring 33-2 on the front nine which included birdies at the Par 5, 2nd hole and Par 4, 9th hole. He continued on the fine form on the back nine with recording birdies on the Par 5, 12th hole, Par 3, 15th hole and came to the 18th hole -4 for the round and -11 for the tournament with a 1 stroke lead. He put his second shot in the front bunker and that meant he would have to get up and down to win the tournament. But he went one better than that and holed out for a birdie 3 in spectacular fashion. This win just confirms what an amazing season he is having and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he won the finale to the Race to Dubai this week which is the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World. I wish Rory McILroy (NIR) all the best with that and winning more Major Championships in 2012.

Coming in solo 2nd position was Gregory Havret (France) he scored 270-10 after 72 holes and earned € 227,813.28 for his week’s work that moved him to 25th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 880,841 earned from the 28 events he has played to date this year so far. He easily qualifies for the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World next week. In solo 3rd position at 271-9 after 72 holes was Peter Hanson (Sweden), he won € 128,352.34 for the week and moves to 16th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 1,057,721 earned from the 23 events he has played to date this year so far. He too easily qualifies for the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World next week.

In tied for 4th position at 272-8 after 72 holes was Richie Ramsey (Scotland), he won € 87,071.82 for his weeks work and moves to 26th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 870,787 earned from the 31 events he has played this year so far. He too easily qualifies for the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World next week. Also tied for 3rd was Ian Poulter (England), he too won € 87,071.82 for his weeks work and moves to 21st position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 955,607 earned from the 15 events he has played to date this year so far and he too easily qualifies for the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World next week. The other player to tied for 4th position at 272-8 after 72 holes was Pariya Junhasavasdikul (Thailand), he too earned € 87,071.82 for his weeks work and moved to 173rd position on the on the Race to Dubai Money list with earning € 98,751 for the 7 events he has played to date this year and he didn’t qualify for the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World next week. He was only playing in this event because it was co – sanctioned by the Asian Tour as well. He didn’t earn enough money to keep his European Tour card for next year.

In tied for 7th position at 273-7 after 72 holes was Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Thailand), he earned € 52,899.21 for his weeks work and moved to 146th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 154,895 earned from the 8 events he played in and he too didn’t qualify for the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World next week. He also was only playing in this event because it was co – sanctioned by the Asian Tour as well. He too didn’t earn enough money to keep his European Tour card for next year. Y. E. Yang (South Korea) was also tied for 7th position; he won € 52,899.21 for his weeks work as well and moves to 28th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 846,230 from the 13 events he has played to date this year so far. And he too easily qualifies for the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World next week. The last player to tie for 7th position was Alvaro Quiros (Spain), he also earned € 52,899.21 for his weeks work and moves to 19th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 1,004,445 from the 22 events he has played to date this year so far. He too easily qualifies for the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World next week.

Rounding out the Top 10 in solo 10th position at 274-6 after 72 holes was Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines), he earned € 41,007.14 for his efforts but because he isn’t a member of the European Tour he doesn’t have a Race to Dubai Ranking. But he is leading the Asian Tour Order of Merit with $US 788,298.60 earned from 13 events he has played to date this year on the Asian Tour and with only one tournament left for the 2011 season he is virtually assured of winning the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

The only New Zealand Golfer in the field to make the cut was Danny Lee (NZL), he scored rounds of 70 even, 65-5, 70 even and a final round of 74+4 for a 72 hole total of 279-1 after 72 holes and won € 17,325.52 for his efforts and moves to 84th position on the Final Race to Dubai Money list with € 358,477 earned from the 15 events he played in this year. And he easily keeps his playing status for the 2012 European Tour season. But he missed out on securing his place in the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World next week.

He is now exempt on the two biggest tours around the world next year having gained his USPGA Tour card for 2012 as well by finishing 6th on the Final Nationwide money list. I wish Danny Lee (NZL) the best of luck for the 2012 and hope he can win on the big stage next year. The other New Zealander in the field but missed the 36 hole halfway cut was Mark Brown (NZL), he scored rounds of 73+3 and 70 even for a 36 hole total 143+3 to missed the 36 hole cut by 1 stroke which was bitterly disappointing for him.  He finished in 161st position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 121,005 earned from the 34 events he played in. He will now have to go to Qualifying School to regain his playing Card for the 2012 European Tour season. I wish him luck with that. And hope he has a better season in 2012.

Next week it is the final tour event on the European Tour and the Race to Dubai schedule for 2011. It is the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World and it is being played at the Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the Finale to the season long Race to Dubai Schedule. Only the Top 60 players on the Race to Dubai Money list after the USB Hong Kong Open are exempt to play in it. It has a massive prize purse of $US 7,500,000 for the taking. Robert Karlsson (Sweden) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 8th December and I will report back who won next week.

So to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings this week. Coming in at Number 1 for the 28th week in a row is Luke Donald (England) with 10.20 Official World Golf Ranking Points, Coming in at Number 2 is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 8.14 Official World Golf Ranking Points, coming in at Number 3 is Lee Westwood (England) with 8.08 Official World Golf Ranking Points, coming in at Number 4 is Martin Kaymer (Germany) with 6.91 Official World Golf Ranking Points and rounding out the Top 5 is Steve Stricker (USA) with 5.67 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week leaps up 31 places fresh of his first win in over two years which was the Chevron World Challenge. He is now the 21st ranked golfer in the World on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 3.74 Official Golf World Ranking points. Danny Lee (New Zealand) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he moves up 7 places to be at 156th Position on the Official Golf World Rankings Points list with 1.16 points on the Official World Golf Rankings.

Now to the third event I am reporting on this week, and it was Chevron World Challenge that was played on the Sherwood CC, Thousand Oaks, California. And it was Tiger Woods (USA) who scored rounds of 69-3, 67-5, 73+1 and a final round of 69 -3 for a 72 hole total of 278-10 and won by 1 stroke. It was his first win in over 2 years and will give him huge confidence heading into the 2012 USPGA Tour season. He won $US 1,200,000.00 for the win and donated it all to his Tiger Woods (USA) Learning Foundation which benefits Children throughout America. He played a great final round which made for great TV viewing.

Tiger Woods (USA) celebrates after winning his first tournament in over two years

Because it was a Un - Official USPGA Tour event the money doesn’t count towards the money list. Tiger Woods (USA) played a great final round with scoring 69-3 which included a front nine 36 even par where he had a birdie on the Par 5, 2nd hole, but he had a poor bogey on the long Par 3, 8th hole. He started the back nine with a hiss and a roar when he birdied the Par 4, 10th hole and the Par 5, 11th hole. But a poor bogey on the Par 3, 12th hole knocked him back a bit. But he made a fine birdie on the Par 3, 17th hole which tied him all up with Zach Johnson (USA) on -9 with one hole to play. Then he holed an 8 foot birdie putt on the 18th green for 3 and he scored a back nine 33-3. I hope this can be a good platform for him heading into the 2012 USPGA Tour Season and he can have many more wins and even a Major Championship win I hope. I wish all the best for his future in Golf.

Tiger Woods (USA) poses with the Chevron World Challenge Trophy he won

Zach Johnson (USA) put up a great fight in the final round and can be proud of the way he finished. He scored rounds of 73+1, 67-5, 68-4 and a final round of 71-1 for a 72 hole total of 279-9 and finished in solo 2nd position. In solo 3rd position was Paul Casey (England), he scored rounds of 79+7, 68-4, 67-5 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of 283-5. In tied for 4th position on 284-4 after 72 holes were Hunter Mahan (USA) and Matt Kuchar (USA). In tied for 6th position at 287-1 after 72 holes were Jim Furyk (USA), Martin Laird (Scotland), Rickie Fowler (USA) and Bubba Watson (USA). Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 10th position at 288 even par were Bo Van Pelt (USA) and Gary Woodland (USA).

Next week is the final end of season event for the USPGA Tour which is the Franklin Templeton Shootout and it is being played on the Tiburon GC, Naples, Florida. It is a unique event in which 12 Two Man Teams play 3 rounds. The first round is a modified version of Foursomes, the Second round is a four ball and the Final round is a Scramble Format where each player has a go at the one shot after the best tee shot is taken. There is a prize purse of $US 3,000,000 for the taking. Dustin Johnson (USA) & Ian Poulter (England) are the defending Champions and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Friday 9th December and I will report who won next week.

The final event I am reporting on this week is the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament and it was played on the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course, La Quinta, California and the PGA West Stadium Course, La Quinta, California. And it was the Golfer by the name of Brendon Todd (USA) that scored rounds of 71-1, 68-4, 69-3, 71-1, 68-4 and a final round of 68-4 for 108 hole total of 415-17. He was the medallist at the Q-School for 2011. I hope he has a fine season on the USPGA Tour in 2012 and keeps his card for the 2013 season.

Brendon Todd (USA) lining up a putt in the final round

In solo 2nd position at 416-16 after 108 holes was Stephen Gangluff (USA). In tied for 3rd position at 417-15 after 108 holes was the 2010 NZ Open Champion, Bobby Gates (USA) and Seung-yul Noh (South Korea). In tied for 5th position at 418-14 after 108 holes were Tommy Biershenk (USA), Vaughn Taylor (USA) and Jarrod Lyle (Australia). And rounding out the top 10 in tied for 8th position at 419-13 after 72 holes were Bob Estes (USA), Brian Harman (USA) and Marco Dawson (USA).

The next 19 players all gained their 2012 USPGA Tour cards as well as the 10 players I mentioned above and they were Sang-Moon Bae (South Korea), Kevin Kisner (USA), Roberto Castro (USA), William McGirt (USA), Jeff Maggert (USA), Charlie Beljan (USA), Harris English (USA), Patrick Sheehan (USA), Scott Dunlap (USA), Greg Owen (England), Daniel Summerhays (USA), Will Claxton (USA), Edward Loar (USA), Mark Anderson (USA), Alexandre Rocha (Brazil), Richard H. Lee (USA), John Huh (USA), Nathan Green (Australia) and Colt Knost (USA).

The only New Zealander in the field was Tim Wilkinson (NZL) he scored rounds of 70-2, 74+2, 75+3, 72 even, 70-2 and a final round of 69-3 for an 108 hole total of 430-2 and tied for 72nd position. He missed out on his 2012 USPGA Tour card by 6 strokes. But he got his Nationwide Tour card for 2012.

So until my next Golf Blog next week remember with the ground being so hard now remember to allow for the run on the ball when you’re playing your shots.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com, pga.org.au