Golf Events from the Weekend 22nd January 2012

Well it was another exciting weekend 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 was the Volvo Golf Champions which had only the winners of Tournaments on the European Tour in 2011 eligible to enter. It was played on the Links at Fancourt, George, South Africa where the 2003 Presidents Cup was held and it was the Golfer by the name of Branden Grace (RSA) who scored rounds of 68-5, 66-7, 75+2 and a final round of 71-2 for a 72 hole total of 280-12 and was tied for the lead with Ernie Els (RSA) who scored rounds of 71-2, 71-2, 71-2 and a final round of 67-6 for a 72 hole total of also 280-12 and the final player to tie for the lead after 72 holes was Retief Goosen (RSA) who scored rounds of 72-1, 68-5, 70-3 and a final round of 70-3 for a 72 hole total also of 280-12.

Branden Grace (RSA) holding the Volvo Golf Champions Trophy he won with his Fan Club in the back ground

So those three players head back to the Par 5,18th tee for the first playoff of the 2012 European Tour Season. Branden Grace (RSA) and Retief Goosen (RSA) both found the fairway, but Ernie Els (RSA) found the left hand rough and was forced to lay up with his second shot. Retief Goosen (RSA) hit his 2nd shot and it landed just short to the right of the green and he was unable to get up and down for his birdie 4 and had to settle for a par 5. Branden Grace (RSA) hit a great 2nd shot on to the front of the green but left himself with a difficult 2 putt. Ernie Els (RSA) after having been forced to lay up with his 2nd shot hit a nice 3rd shot into 12 feet just past the hole. Branden Grace (RSA) putted for his eagle from 45 feet and rolled it down to within 4 feet of the cup. Ernie Els (RSA) putted for his birdie 4 but just missed on the left hand side and tapped in for his Par 5. So that left Branden Grace (RSA) with his 4 footer to win the Volvo Golf Champions. It was the same length of putt he missed on the 72nd hole to win in regulation play. But this time there was no mistake and he rolled in right in the centre of the cup. He won his second title in two weeks and has a healthy lead a top the Race to Dubai Money list after the 3 tournaments that have been completed in 2012 so far.

He won € 350,000.00 and increases his lead in the 2012 Race to Dubai with €570,000 earned from the 3 events he has played to date this year so far. He also gains his second European Tour International Schedule victory in his 51st European Tour event. He moves inside the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking, from 164th. Prior to winning the Joburg Open seven days ago, Branden Grace (RSA) was 258th. Branden Grace (RSA) becomes the first player to win back-to-back European Tour events since Sergio Garcia (Spain) in 2011 at the Castelló Masters and Andalucia Masters. He graduated from the 2011 European Tour Qualifying School. He becomes the first Qualifying School graduate to win twice the year after graduation since Johan Edfors (Sweden) in 2006 who won three times at the TCL Classic, British Masters and Scottish Open. He becomes just the fourth Qualifying School graduate to record multiple victories they year after graduation. He follows Gordon Brand Jnr  (Scotland) (1982 - Coral Classic and Bob Hope British Classic), José María Olazábal (Spain) (1986 - European Masters and Sanyo Open) and Johan Edfors (Sweden) in 2006.

Branden Grace (RSA) holding the Volvo Golf Champions Trophy he won

Branden Grace (RSA) becomes just the sixth player to win their first two European Tour events in back-to-back tournaments. He follows: Graham Marsh (Australia) (1972 - Swiss Open and German Open), Jack Newton (Australia) (1972 - Dutch Open and Benson and Hedges Festival), Charles Coody (USA) (1973 - W.D and H.O Wills and John Player Classic), Baldovino Dassu (Italy) (1976 - Dunlop Masters and Italian Open) and Fred Couples (USA) (1995 - Dubai Desert Classic and Johnnie Walker Classic). He becomes the second youngest player in European Tour history to win their first two European Tour events in back-to-back events, aged 23 years and 247 days. The youngest was Jack Newton (Australia), who was 22 years and 202 days in 1972. He becomes the fifth South African golfer to win back-to-back European Tour events. He would follow: Dale Hayes (RSA) (1978 Italian Open and French Open), Ernie Els (RSA) (2005 Dubai Desert Classic and Qatar Masters), Richard Sterne (RSA) (2009 Alfred Dunhill Championship and South African Open Championship) and Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2010 Africa Open and Joburg Open). This victory continued with South Africa's recent run of wins on The European Tour. They have now won five of the last seven European Tour events. They are: Garth Mulroy (RSA) (2011 Alfred Dunhill Championship - Nov 11), Hennie Otto (RSA) (2011 South African Open Championship - Nov 11), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (2012 Africa Open) and Branden Grace (2012 Joburg Open and 2012 Volvo Golf Champions).

Branden Grace (RSA) becomes the 30th different player in European Tour history to win back-to-back European Tour events. He is the 104th South African victory in European Tour history. He gains his largest European Tour prize of €350,000. He gains a place in the 2012 WGC - Bridgestone Invitational, WGC - HSBC Champions and 2013 Volvo Golf Champions. He gains a European Tour exemption until the end of 2014. And finally gains his third win as a professional. It was a steady final round for Branden Grace (RSA) after his poor 3rd round of 75+2. He scored 37+1 on the front nine that included birdies at the Par 4, 6th hole and the Par 5, 9th hole. But he made a poor Bogey on the Par 4, 4th hole and that followed a stupid Double Bogey on the Par 4, 3rd hole. But he played a Tournament winning back nine of 34-3 that included birdies on the Par 4, 12th hole, Par 5, 13th hole and Par 5, 16th hole. It all added up to a 71-2.

The win will do big things for Branden Graces (RSA) confidence having won last week as well at the Joburg Open. And this was a much higher calibre field than last week. He will now be looking to move inside the Top 50 Golfers on the Official World Golf Rankings by the end of March that get to play in the first Major of the year which is the Master Tournament. I wish him luck with the rest of his 2012 season on the European Tour and hope he has more wins.

Coming in tied for 2nd at 280-12 after 72 holes and both lost out in the Playoff were Ernie Els (RSA) and Retief Goosen (RSA). Coming in at solo 4th position at 281-11 after 72 holes was Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium); he was very unlucky not to be in the playoff with missing a short par putt on the 72nd hole to get in the playoff. Coming in solo 5th position at 282-10 after 72 holes was the current Masters Tournament Champion, Charl Schwartzel (RSA). Coming in solo 6th place at 284-8 after 72 holes was the real surprise of the Tournament, Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain). Coming in tied for 7th position at 286-6 after 72 holes was Raphael Jacquelin (France) and Louis Oosthuizen (RSA).  In solo 9th position at 287-5 after 72 holes was Thomas Aiken (RSA). Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 10th position at 288-4 after 72 holes were Paul Lawrie (Scotland) and Padraig Harrington (Ireland).

Next week the European Tour and the Race to Dubai heads to Abu Dhabi for the first tournament of 3 in the Gulf Swing. It is the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and it is being played at the Abu Dhabi GC, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It has a large prize purse of $US 2,700,000 up for grabs. Martin Kaymer (Germany) is the defending Champion and will be gunning for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 26th January and I will report back who won the Trophy next week.

The 2nd event I am reporting on this week was on the USPGA Tour and was part of 2012 FedEx Cup. This week was the first tournament on Mainland, USA for 2012. It was the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation and this year it had been reduced to 72 holes rather than 90 holes from the previous years. It was played on the PGA West (Palmer Course), La Quinta, California, PGA West (Nicklaus Course), La Quinta, California, La Quinta CC, La Quinta, California. And it was the Golfer by the name of Mark Wilson (USA) who scored rounds of 66-6, 62-10, 67-5 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of 264-24 after 72 holes. He won $US 1,008,000.00 for the win and that moved him to 3rd position on the 2012 USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,099,500 earned from the 3 events he has played in so far this year. Johnson Wagner (USA) is leading the money list with $US 1,573,133 earned from the 3 events he has played to date this year so far.

Mark Wilson (USA) in action in the final round

Mark Wilson (USA) is in 2nd position on the 2012 FedEx Cup points list with 553 points earned from the 3 events he has played this year to date. He earned 500 of those with this win. He is 230 points behind Johnson Wagner (USA) who has the early lead after 3 events with 783 FedEx Cup points. It was Mark Wilson (USA) 5th win on the USPGA Tour having won previously the 2007 The Honda Classic, 2009 Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun.  2011 Sony Open in Hawaii and the 2011 Waste Management Phoenix Open. He has started the 2012 USPGA Tour season the same way he started in 2011 with getting an early win. He played a steady final round that was enough to carry him to victory. He scored an average front nine of 37+1 that included a bogey 4 on the Par 3, 3rd hole. But he played a Tournament winning Back Nine when it counted with scoring 32-4 that included birdies at the Par 5, 11th hole, Par 3, 12th hole, Par 4, 16th hole and Par 5, 18th hole. His final round 69-3 was a great round under pressure. I hope he continues on the good form for the rest of the 2012 USPGA Tour season and gets his 2nd win of the season in the next few tournaments like he did last year. I wish him all the best.

Mark Wilson (USA) holding the Hope Trophy he won for winning the Humana Challenge

Coming in tied for 2nd position at 266-22 after 72 holes were last week’s winner Johnson Wagner (USA), John Mallinger (USA) and the long hitting Robert Garrigus (USA). Coming in solo 5th position on 267-21 after 72 holes was the ever green Jeff Maggert (USA). Coming in tied for 6th position at 268-20 after 72 holes were John Senden (Australia) and David Toms (USA). Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 269-19 after 72 holes were the 2010 NZ Open Champion, Bobby Gates (USA), Ben Crane (USA), Brandt Snedeker (USA) and the 2007 Masters Tournament winner, Zach Johnson.

Danny Lee (NZL) in his 2nd tournament as a full USPGA Tour member scored rounds of 69-3, 69-3, 69-3 and a poor 74+2 in the final round that included a Hole in One on Par 3, 17th hole. He finished with a 72 hole total of 281-7 and finished in tied for 66th position. He earned $US 11,368.00 for the week and moves to tied for 110th position on the 2012 USPGA Tour money list with $US 11,368.00 earned from the 2 events he has played to date this year so far. He also moves to 110th position on the 2012 FedEx Cup points list with 3 points earned from the 2 events he has played to date this year so far. He earned those 3 points in this tournament. He is 780 points behind Johnson Wagner (USA). Danny Lee (NZL) has not got off to the fast start I hoped he would so far in the first two events. But he has many more chances in 2012 to prove himself and maybe next week he will fear better? I wish him all the best for great success in 2012.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup head up the west coast to California for the Farmers Insurance Open and it is being played at the Torrey Pines (South Course), La Jolla, California and Torrey Pines (North Course), La Jolla, California. It has a huge prize purse of $US 6,000,000 up for grabs and Bubba Watson (USA) is the defending champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 26th January and I will report back who took home the trophy next week.

Now to the Top 5 Players on the Official Golf World Rankings Points list for this week. Still coming in at Number One for the 34th week running is Luke Donald (England) with 9.89 Official World Golf Ranking Points, Coming in at Number Two is Lee Westwood (England) with 7.63 Official World Golf Rankings Points, Coming in at Number Three is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 7.41 Official World Ranking Points, Coming in at Number Four is Martin Kaymer (Germany) with 6.20 Official World Ranking Points and rounding out the top Five is Steve Stricker (USA) with 5.95 Official World Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week remains in 25th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 3.44 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealander in the World. This week he slips down one place to be at 154th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 1.15 Official World Golf Rankings Points on the list.

The Final event I am reporting on this week was on the Champions Tour and was the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai and the only players eligible to play in it were the winners on the Champions Tour in 2011. It was played on the Hualalai Golf Course, Ka'upulehu-Kona, Hawaii. And it was the Golfer by the name of Dan Forsman (USA) who scored rounds of 67-5, 65-7 and a final round of 69-3 for a 54 hole total of 201-15 and he won by 2 strokes. He won $US 307,000.00 for the win and is Number One on the Champions Tour Money list after the first event of 2012. He also got 307 Charles Schwab Cup Points and is at the top of that list as well. He has a 127 point lead over Jay Don Blake (USA) after the first event. It was Dan Forsman’s (USA) 3rd win on the Champions Tour having won also the 2009 AT&T Champions Classic and the 2010 Regions Charity Classic. 

Dan Forsman (USA) holding the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai Trophy he won

He played a steady final round of 69-3 which included a front nine of 34-2, with birdies on the Par 4, 1st hole and Par 5, 7th hole. He scored a back nine of 35-1 which included birdies on the Par 5, 10th hole and Par 5, 14th hole. He made a poor bogey on the Par 3, 12th hole. The first time I saw Dan Forsman (USA) play golf was on TV in the Final Round of the 1993 Masters Tournament. He had just taken the lead after completing the 11th hole in the final round. He came to the second hole of Amen Corner which was the short Par 3, 12th hole and put 2 balls in the Water and made a Quadruple Bogey 7 and didn’t win but had a good finish. But he has had a great career on the USPGA Tour with winning on 5 Occasions. Now he is starting to make his presence felt on the Champions Tour. I wish Dan Forsman (USA) all the best and to have many more wins in 2012 on the Champions Tour.

Coming in solo 2nd place at 203-13 after 54 holes was Jay Don Blake (USA). In tied for 3rd position at 204-12 after 54 holes were John Cook (USA) and Michael Allen (USA). In tied for 5th position at 205-11 after 54 holes were Gary Hallberg (USA) and Jeff Sluman (USA). Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 7th position at 206-10 after 54 holes were Mark Calcavecchia (USA), Jay Haas (USA), Tom Watson (USA) and Brad Bryant (USA).

Next event on the Champions Tour is in two weeks time and is the Allianz Championship and is being played at the Old Course at Broken Sound, Boca Raton, Florida. It has a huge prize purse of $US 1,800,000 for the taking which will attract the best players on the Champions Tour. Tom Lehman (USA) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Friday 10th February. I will report back who won the Trophy in two weeks time.

So until next week’s report remember to keep hitting the ball long and straight and put a smooth stroke on all your putts!!

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com

Golf Events from the Weekend 15th January 2012

Well it was another exciting weekend on the professional Golf Tours from through the world. First I will start with the European Tour and the Race to Dubai. This week it was the Joburg Open and it was played on the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, Johannesburg, South Africa. And it was the Golfer by the name of Branden Grace (RSA) that scored rounds of 67-5, 66-5, 65-7 and a final round of 72 even par for a 72 hole total of 270-17 and won by 1 stroke. It was his maiden win on the European Tour after gaining his card at the Qualifying School last month. He won € 206,050.00 for the win and moves to number one position on the Race to Dubai Money list € 220,000 earned from the 2 events he has played this year so far.

Branden Grace (RSA) celebrates after winning the the Joburg Open

Branden Grace (RSA) played a solid final round of 72 even par which included a front nine of 37 even par where he birdied the Par 4, 9th hole but made a poor bogey at the Par 3, 2nd hole. He played a very solid back nine of 35 even par which included nine consecutive pars. With this win he gains his first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 50th European Tour event. He moves to just outside the top 160 on the Official World Golf Ranking, from 258th. This victory beats his previous best European Tour performance of tied sixth in the 2009 South African Open Championship. He becomes the first, first-time winner of the 2012 season. This victory is the third consecutive South African victory in the Joburg Open, following Charl Schwartzel (RSA) in 2010 and 2011. Branden Grace (RSA) graduated from the 2011 European Tour Qualifying School. He becomes the first Qualifying School graduate to win on The European Tour, the year after graduation since Simon Khan (England) at the 2010 BMW PGA Championship. This victory continues with South Africa’s recent run of wins on The European Tour. They have now won four of the last six European Tour events. They are: Garth Mulroy (RSA) (2011 Alfred Dunhill Championship – Nov 11), Hennie Otto (RSA) (2011 South African Open Championship – Nov 11), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (2012 Africa Open) and Branden Grace (RSA) (2012 Joburg Open).

Branden Grace (RSA) becomes the 30th different South African to win on The European Tour. He also becomes the 103rd South African victory in European Tour history. He becomes the 399th different player to win on The European Tour. He becomes the third different South African to win the Joburg Open, following Richard Sterne (RSA) (2008) and Schwartzel (RSA) (2010-2011) and for the fourth time out of the six it has been played, dating back to the 2007 season. He joins Ariel Canete (Argentina) (2007) as players to make the Joburg Open their first European Tour victory. This victory sees the Joburg Open follow the Africa Open from seven days ago in producing three consecutive South African winners of these two events, dating back from the 2010 season. Branden Grace (RSA) becomes the 34th different player to win on The European Tour Qualifying School, the year after graduation. He gains his largest European Tour prize of €206,050. He gains a European Tour exemption until the end of 2013. He gains a place in the 2012 Volvo Golf Champions and finally he gains his second victory as a professional.

Branden Grace (RSA) holding the Joburg Open Trophy he won

This win at the Joburg Open will give Branden Grace’s (RSA) professional golf career a huge boost of confidence and I wouldn’t be surprised if he won again this year. I wish him all the best for the remaining events on the European Tour and Race to Dubai in 2012.

Coming in solo second with a 72 hole total of 271-16 and a brilliant final round of 63-9 which included one eagle and seven birdies was Jamie Elson (England). He earned € 149,500.00 for his effort and moves to 3rd position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 153,020 earned from the 2 events he has played to date this year so far. Coming in at tied for 3rd position at 273-14 after 72 holes were David Drysdale (Scotland), Jaco Van Zyl (RSA), Marc Warren (Scotland), Trevor Fisher Jnr (RSA), Dawie Van Der Walt (RSA) and Michiel Bothma (RSA). They all won € 53,972 for their efforts. Rounding out the Top 10 in tied for 9th position at 274-13 after 72 holes were George Murray (Scotland), Bernd Wiesberger (Austria), Robert Rock (England) and Jbe Kruger (RSA).

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai stays in South Africa for the final event of the South African swing for this part of the season and it is the Volvo Golf Champions and it is being played at the Links at Fancourt, George, South Africa which is where the 2003 Presidents Cup was staged. It has a prize purse of €2,000,000 for the taking. Paul Casey (England) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 19th January and I will report back who took home the trophy next week.

Now to the final event I am reporting on this week and it was the first regular season event on the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup for 2012 and was the Sony Open in Hawaii and was played on the Waialae CC, Honolulu, Hawaii. And the Golfer by the name of Johnson Wagner (USA) scored rounds of 68-2, 66-4, 66-4 and 67-3 for a 72 hole total of 267-13 and won by 2strokes. He won $US 990,000.00 for the win and he moved to Number One position on the 2012 USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,155,000 earned from the two events he has played in so far this year. He also leads the FedEx Cup points list with 575 points from the 2 events he has played to date this year so far. He leads by 45 points over Steve Stricker (USA) who won last week.

Johnson Wagner (USA) pumps his fist in celebration

Johnson Wagner (USA) played a steady final round of 67-3 which included a front nine 34 -1 with birdies on the Par 4, 2nd hole, Par 3, 7th hole and Par 5, 9th hole. He played a great back nine of 33-2 which included birdies on the Par 4, 10th hole and Par 4, 15th hole. It was Johnson Wagner’s (USA) 3rd win on the USPGA Tour having previously won the 2008 Shell Houston Open and the 2011 Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun. He is now in the Masters Tournament and secures his place in the 2013 Hyundai Tournament of Champions. This win will give him a huge boost of confidence and I look for him to continue on his good form throughout the 2012 season. I wish him all the best in the future.

Johnson Wagner (USA) holds aloft the Sony Open in Hawaii Trophy he won

Coming in tied for 2nd place at 269-11 after 72 holes were Carl Pettersson (Sweden), Sean O’Hair (USA), Harrison Frazer (USA) and Charles Howell III (USA). Coming in tied for 6th position at 270-10 after 72 holes were Michael Thompson (USA), Brian Gay (USA), D. A. Points (USA) and the 54 hole Co – Leader, Matt Every (USA) who scored a disappointing final round of 72+2 but he will learn a lot from it in the future. Rounding out the Top 10 in tied for 10th position at 271-9 after 72 holes were John Rollins (USA), David Hearn (Canada) and Brendon de Jonge (Zimbabwe). Steve Stricker (USA) had a surprisingly poor final round of 74+4 and finished 72 holes on 276-4 in tied for 38th position. He might have been a bit tired from last week’s win at the 2013 Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

Danny Lee (NZL), in his first USPGA Tour event as a Full Member of the USPGA Tour scored rounds of 72+2 and 71+1 for a 36 hole total of 143+3 and he missed the cut by 4 strokes. The cut fell at 139-1. It was a shame because I would have liked to see Danny Lee (NZL) start off with a top 10 finish and gain some real confidence in his first event. I hope for better results when he tees off in the Humana Challenge in Partnership with the Clinton Foundation which starts on Thursday (19th January).

Next week the USPGA Tour and the FedEx Cup head to Mainland USA for the Humana Challenge in Partnership with the Clinton Foundation and it is being played on the PGA West (Palmer Course), La Quinta, California. PGA West (Nicklaus Course), La Quinta, California and La Quinta CC, La Quinta, California. It has a prize purse of $US 5,600,000 for the taking and will attract some of the best USPGA Tour players. Jhonattan Vegas (Columbia) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. Danny Lee (NZL) is also entered and will be looking for a better performance than he showed last week. It starts on Thursday 19th January and I will report back who won next week.

Now to the Top Golfers 5 in the World this week. Coming in at Number One for the 33rd straight week in a row as the World Number One Golfer on the Official World Golf Rankings is Luke Donald (England) with 10.05 Official World Golf Ranking Points, Coming in at World Number Two Golfer is Lee Westwood (England) with 7.78 Official World Golf Ranking Points, Coming in at World Number Three Golfer on the list with 7.53 Official World Golf Ranking Points is Rory McILroy (NIR), Coming in at World Number Four Golfer in the World is Martin Kaymer (USA) with 6.32 Official World Golf Ranking Points and rounding out the Top five is Steve Stricker (USA) with 5.92 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week remains in 25th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 3.49 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealander in the World. This week he slips down 4 places to be at 153rd position in the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 1.16 Official World Golf Rankings Points on the list.

So until my next blog next week remember the key to any successful Golf Swing is to keep the head still.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com

Golf Events from the Weekend 8th January 2012

First I will start off with one tournament I missed reporting on at the end of last year and it was the 2011 Final Stage - Qualifying School for the PGA Tour of Australasia and it was played at the Peninsula Golf and Country Club, Victoria, Australia. And it was the Golfer by the name Daniel Popovic (Australia) who scored rounds of 68-4, 67-5 and a final round of 71-1 for a 54 hole total of 206-10 and won by 1 stroke to be the Medallist at the 2011 Final Stage - Qualifying School for the PGA Tour of Australasia. Daniel Popovic (Australia) will be teeing it up in the first event on the PGA Tour of Australasia for 2012 which is the Victorian Open that is being played at the Spring Valley Golf Club, Melbourne, Australia. I wish him luck in that event.

Coming in solo 2nd was Jason Scrivener (Australia) who was the 36 hole leader. He scored rounds of 66-6, 68-4 and a final round of 73+1 for a 54 hole total of 207-9. Jason Scrivener (Australia) was bogey free after two rounds and entered the final round as the tournament leader but the dream run was not to last. He suffered a mixed final round that included three bogeys, a double bogey and four birdies that saw him sign for a one-over 73 yet it was still enough to earn him a tour card for the 2012 season. In tied for 3rd position at 211-5 after 54 holes was Hamish Robertson (NZL), he scored rounds of 69-3, 74+2 and a final round of 68-4 for a 54 hole total of 211-5 and he was the best placed New Zealand Golfer at the 2011 Final Stage - Qualifying School for the PGA Tour of Australasia. And he was given the 3rd ranking position on the final qualifying list. Also tied for 3rd was Andrew Kelly (Australia), he scored rounds of 72 even, 70-2 and a final round of 69-3 for a 54 hole total of 211-5 and he got the 5th ranking position on the final qualifying list. And the last player to tie for 3rd position was James Carr (Australia), he scored rounds of 70-2, 67-5 and 74+2 for 54 hole total of 211-5 and he got the 4th ranking position on the final qualifying list.

Coming in at solo 6th position was the Amateur Golfer, Christopher Wood (am) (Australia), he scored rounds of 73+1, 69-3 and a final round of 70-2 for a 54 hole total of 212-4. Coming in at solo 7th position was the Amateur Golfer, Ryan Fox (am) (NZL), he scored rounds of 70-2, 71-1 and a final round of 72 even for a 54 hole total of 213-3. In solo 8th position was Peter Cooke (Australia), he scored rounds of 72 even, 69-3 and a final round of 73+1 for a 54 hole total of 214-2. Rounding out the Top 10 in tied for 9th position was Andrew Evans (Australia), he scored 68-4, 73+1 and a final round of 74+2 for a 54 hole total of 215-1 and he was given the 9th ranking position on the final qualifying list. Also tied for 9th position was Brody Ninyette (Australia), he scored rounds of 71-1, 73+1 and a final round of 71-1 for a 54 hole total of 215-1 and he was given the 10th ranking position on the final qualifying list. Another player to tied for 9th position was the Amateur Golfer, Ryan Lynch (am) (Australia), he scored 74+2, 71-1 and a final round of 70-2 for a 54 hole total of 215-1 and he was given the 11th ranking position on the final qualifying list. And the final player to tied for 9th position was Brett Rankin (Australia), he scored rounds of 72 even, 71-1 and a final round of 72 even for a 54 hole total of 215-1 and he was given the 12th ranking position on the final qualifying list.

All 62 players that teed it up in the final round have earned themselves status on the PGA Tour of Australasia for the 2012 season. The other New Zealand Golfers to qualify for the 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia were Pieter Zwart (NZL) (216 even par) (15th ranking); Jared Pender (NZL) (219+3) (31st ranking); Kevin Smith (am) (NZL) (220+4) (38th ranking); Nick Gillespie (NZL) (220+4) (41st ranking); Sven Puymbroeck (am) (NZL) (220+4) (42nd ranking); Peter Spearman-Burn (NZL) (224+8) (55th ranking) and David Klein (NZL) (225+9) (57th ranking).

Now to the second event I am reporting on this week and it was the opening tournament of the 2012 USPGA Tour season and was the Hyundai Tournament of Champions which only has the winners on the USPGA Tour in the 2011 season playing in it. It was played on the Plantation Course at Kapalua, Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii and for the first time in its history it had a scheduled Monday finish because of NFL Football TV commitments with NBC Sports. And it was the Golfer by the name of Steve Stricker (USA) that scored rounds of 68-5, 63-10, 69-4 and a final round of 69-4 for a 72 hole total of 269-23 and he won by 3 strokes. It was his first time he has ever won the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and it was his 12th USPGA Tour win and his first for the 2012 Season. He won $US 1,120,000 for the win and is leading the USPGA Tour 2012 Money List with $US 1,120,000 earned from the one event he has played in so far this year. Steve Stricker (USA) also leads the 2012 FedEx Cup points list with 500 points earned after the first event of the 2012 season was completed.

Steve Stricker (USA) gives his Daughter a kiss after winning the Hyundai Tournament of Champions

Steve Stricker (USA) got off to a shaky start in the final round with making 5 straight pars and then a poor bogey on the Par 4, 6th hole. At that point his lead had been reduced to one stroke over Jonathan Byrd (USA) who had birdied 3 out of the first 6 holes. They both pared the Par 4, 7th hole. But there was a 2 stroke swing on the Par 3, 8th hole where Steve Stricker (USA) made a birdie 2 to Jonathan Byrd (USA) bogey 4. Steve Stricker’s (USA) lead was now back to 3 strokes. They both made birdie 4’s on the Par 5, 9th hole. Jonathan Byrd (USA) then birdied the short Par 4, 10th hole to reduce Steve Stricker’s (USA) lead back to 2 strokes. But Steve Stricker (USA) came back with a birdie of his own on the short Par 4, 12th hole and his lead was back to 3 strokes over Jonathan Byrd (USA). Jonathan Byrd (USA) came back with a birdie of his own on the Par 4, 14th hole and Steve Stricker’s (USA) lead was only 2 strokes again with 4 holes to play. They both only pared the Par 5, 15th hole and Steve Stricker (USA) now had a 2 stroke lead with 3 holes to play. They both then birdied the Par 4, 16th hole so Steve Stricker (USA) had a 2 stroke lead with 2 holes to play.

Meanwhile Martin Laird (Scotland) had finished with 5 birdies in his last 7 holes and posted a final round of 67-6. His 72 hole total was 272-20 and he was the leader in the Club House. Steve Stricker (USA) pared the tricky par 4, 17th hole but Jonathan Byrd (USA) could only manage a bogey five so that left Steve Sticker (USA) with a 2 Stroke lead over Martin Laird (Scotland) with the 72nd hole to play. Steve Stricker (USA) hit a great drive down the long par 5, 18th hole and hit his 2nd shot just short of the green. He chipped his 3rd shot to within 8feet of the cup and holed the birdie putt for a round of 69-4. It was a great start to the season for him. Steve Stricker (USA) has set himself a huge goal this year and that is to win a Major Championship. I think he has the talent to do it, but age may be against him as he turns 45 in February. But I wish him all the best on the USPGA Tour in 2012. Coming in Solo 2nd place with rounds of 68-5, 70-3, 67-6 and a final round of 67-6 for a 72 hole total of 272-20 was Martin Laird (Scotland), it was a good way to start his 2012 USPGA Tour season off.

Steve Stricker (USA) holding the Hyundai Tournament of Champions Trophy he won

Tied for 3rd position on 273-19 after 72 holes were Webb Simpson (USA) and last year’s Champion in this very tournament Jonathan Byrd (USA). Coming in at tied for 5th position at 277-15 after 72 holes were K. J. Choi (South Korea) who scored 65-8 which was the lowest round in the final round and Harrison Frazar (USA) was also tied for 5th. Coming in at tied for 7th position on 278-14 after 72 holes were Chris Kirk (USA) and Bryce Molder (USA). Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position on 279-13 after 72 holes were Johnson Wagner (USA), Rory Sabbatini (RSA) and Ben Crane (USA).

Next week is the first regular USPGA Tour event of the 2012 season which is the Sony Open in Hawaii. It is being played on the Waialae CC, Honolulu, Hawaii and has a prize purse of $US 5,500,000 for the taking. Mark Wilson (USA) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It is Danny Lee (New Zealand) debut appearance on the USPGA Tour as a Full playing member after gaining his card from the 2011 Nationwide Tour where he finished 6th on the final money list. It starts on Thursday 12th January and I will report back who won next week.   

Now to the third event I am reporting on this week and it was the opening tournament of the 2012 European Tour and Race to Dubai season. It was the Africa Open and was played at the East London GC, East London, South Africa. And it was the Golfer by the name of Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) who scored rounds of 69-4, 62-11, 67-6 and a final round of 67-6 for a 72 hole total of 265-27 and he won by 2 strokes. He won € 158,500 for his efforts and moves to Number one position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 158,500 earned from the one event he has played in. He played a great final round with going out in 33-4 which included birdies at the Par 5, 1st hole, Par 4, 6th , 7th and 9th holes and an eagle at the Par 5, 3rd hole. He had poor bogeys at the Par 3, 2nd hole and Par 4, 5th hole. He came home in 34-2 which included birdies at the Par 5, 11th hole and Par 3, 17th hole which added up to a final round 67-6.

Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) in action during the final round of the Africa Open

It was his fourth European Tour International Schedule victory in his 192nd European Tour event. He goes to the top of The Race to Dubai with €158,500. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) made a successful defence of his Africa Open title, having defeated Manuel Quiros and Chris Wood in a play-off 12 months ago. This victory represents the first time he has successfully defended a title on The European Tour International Schedule. (He did win the Telkom PGA Championship on the Sunshine Tour in back-to-back years in 2007-08). He becomes the fourth different South African player to make a successful defence of a European Tour title. He follows: Ernie Els (RSA) (2002-04 Heineken Classic), Trevor Immelman (RSA) (2003-04 South African Open Championship) and Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2010-11 Joburg Open). The Africa Open is the just the second official European Tour event that South Africa has won for three consecutive seasons. This follows the South African Open Championship, between 2002-04 and 2005-07.

It was the third consecutive South African victory in the Africa Open, following Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (2011) and Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2010), since the event became part of The European Tour. (The Africa Open was first played in 2008. Shaun Norris (RSA) won that year, followed by Retief Goosen (RSA) in 2009, both from South Africa). Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) became the first player since Martin Kaymer (Germany) (2010-11 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship) to win the same European Tour event in back-to-back years. He becomes the 33rd different player to successfully defend a European Tour title. Has now finished inside the top eight in his last six consecutive European Tour events and is a total of 93 under par for these tournaments. This dates back to the 2011 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. It was the 102nd South African victory in European Tour history.

Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) kisses the Africa Open Trophy he won for the 2nd straight year

Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) claimed his ninth win as a professional. He has now won on the European Tour in each of the last three seasons. And finally he moves over €6 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings. This win should give him a lot of confidence for the 2012 European Tour Season and Race to Dubai. And maybe he can with his 2nd Major of his career this year? (He won the Open Championship at St Andrews in 2010). I wish him all the best for the 2012 season. Coming in solo 2nd place at 267-25 after 72 holes was Tjaart Van Der Walt (RSA). Coming in solo 3rd place at 268-24 after 72 holes was two time US Open Champion, Retief Goosen (RSA). Coming in solo 4th place at 269-23 after 72 holes was Jaco Van Zyl (RSA). Coming in solo 5th place at 270-22 after 72 holes was Alastair Forsyth (Scotland). Coming in Solo 6th place at 272-20 after 72 holes Richard Sterne (RSA). Coming in Solo 7th place at 273-19 after 72 holes was Danny Willett (England). In tied for 8th place at 274-18 after 72 holes was Lyle Rowe (RSA) and Craig Lee (Scotland). Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 10th place at 275-17 after 72 holes were Emiliano Grillo (Argentina), Peter Karmis (RSA), Matthew Baldwin (England) and Magnus A Carlsson (Sweden).

Next week on the European Tour and the Race to Dubai it is the Joburg Open. It is being played at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, Johannesburg, South Africa. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) is the two time defending Champion and will be looking for the 3 peat. It has a prize purse of €1,300,000 for the taking and will attract some of the best players on the European Tour. It starts on Thursday 12th January and a will report back who won the Trophy next week.

So to the Top 5 on the Official Golf World Rankings Points list for the first time in 2012. Coming in number one for the 32nd week in a row is Luke Donald (England) with 10.21 Official World Golf Ranking Points, Coming in number two is Lee Westwood (England) with 7.92 Official World Golf Ranking Points, Coming in number three is Rory McILroy (NIR) was 7.65 Official World Golf Ranking Points, Coming in number four is Martin Kaymer (Germany) with 6.43 Official World Golf Rankings Points and rounding out the top five is Steve Stricker (USA) with 6.00 Official Golf World Ranking Points. He was fresh off his win at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions victory last week. Tiger Woods (USA) this week slips two places to be at 25th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 3.54 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealander in the World. This week he moves up 2 places to be at 149th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 1.17 Official World Golf Rankings Points on the list.

The final event I am reporting on this week was the Opening event of the PGA Tour of Australasia for the 2012. It was Victorian Open and was played at the Spring Valley Golf Club, Melbourne and it was the Golfer by the name of Scott Arnold (Australia) who rounds of 71 even, 66-5, 67-4 and a final round of 68-3 for a 72 hole total of 272-12 and won by 1 stroke. He won $AU 18,750.00 for his efforts and moves to the top of the Australasian Tour Money list after the first event in 2012.

Scott Arnold (Australia) in action during the final round of the Victorian Open

It was a thrilling finish to the 2012 Victorian Open for Scott Arnold (Australia) as claimed his first professional win at the Spring Valley Golf Club today. He started the round tied with New Zealand’s Michael Hendry (NZL) at 9-under par; it was an exciting round of golf which saw the lead change many times before Arnold eventually prevailed. "It's great, especially the way I did it as well, I just sort of hung in there all day,” said Arnold. With scores of 71, 66, 67 and 68 for a tournament total 12-under the card Arnold showed composure when his playing partners made charges for the title. He said “I didn't play fantastic golf but was still playing within myself and getting done what I needed to do”. He said “Barnesey was really putting the heat on, especially on the back nine at 11 and 12 and 13, I got out of my little zone and had to get back in and I was happy that I pulled it off."

Kurt Barnes (Australia) headed into the final day three shots back from his playing partners, Scott Arnold (Australia) and Michael Hendry(NZL), but with a birdie on his opening hole followed by birdies on the 5th and 6th and an eagle on the 7th he looked unstoppable. “I had to get out of the blocks early and I did, through nine holes I thought it was probably mine to lose,” said Kurt Barnes (Australia). A double bogey on the 11th followed by two more bogeys on 13th and 14th had all but worked Barnes out of the Victorian Open until an eagle on the 17th had him back in contention. He said “I faltered a bit on the back nine, but I come home strong there”. He said “I thought if I made my eagle on 17 and Scotty missed his, I was still a chance, but that's golf.” 

Barnes finished with a final round score of 5-under 66 to take him to a tournament total of 11-under par, one shot back from Arnold in second place. “Well done to Scotty, I gave it a good run,” added Barnes. Michael Hendry (New Zealand), who had dominated the tournament throughout the first two rounds, earning himself a six stroke lead heading into the weekend, unfortunately couldn’t finish the way he started, with his putting let him down. Michael Hendry said “I've never seen so many putts hit the hole, at not a lot of speed either, and find a way not to go in”. He added “On another day, they'd all drop and it would have been my day”. It was just one of those things. Hendry’s final round saw him record four bogeys to finish the day at 2-over. With scores of 65, 66, 73, 73 to be 7-under the card and five shots from the lead, Hendry finished the Victorian Open third. But it was still a great start to the 2012 Australasian Tour season for him with earning $AU 8,750.00 for his effort and is in 3rd position on the Australasian Tour Money list for 2012 after the first event.

 Coming in at tied for 4th position at 279-5 after 72 holes were Matthew Ballard (Australia), Peter Lonard (Australia), Leigh McKechnie (Australia) and Nick Cullen (Australia). In solo 8th position at 280-4 was the 2011 Final Stage - Qualifying School for the PGA Tour of Australasia winner Daniel Popovic (Australia), it was nice to see him get off to a great start to his 2012 campaign on the  Australasian Tour. Round out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 281-3 after 72 holes were Craig Parry (Australia) and Quinton Howe (Australia). Other New Zealand Golfers in the field that made the cut were Michael Long (NZL) and Doug Holloway (NZL), they were both tied for tied for 18th position at 283-1 after 72 holes. They both earned $AU 1,500.00 for their weeks work and are tied for 16th position on the Australasian Tour Order of Merit after the first event of 2012.

Daniel Bringolf (Australia) finished as the highest ranked amateur at282-2 after 72 holes. Other New Zealand Golfers that missed the 36 hole halfway cut that fell at 146+2 were Ben Campbell (Amateur) (NZL) on 147+5, Kevin Smith (NZL) 152+10, Sven Puymbroeck (NZL) 157+15.

Next tournament on the PGA Tour of Australasia is the Adroit Insurance Group Victorian PGA Championship and it is being played on the Forest Resort, Creswick. It has a prize purse of $AU 120,000 for the taking. James Nitties (Australia) is the defending champion and will be looking to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 16th February, I will report back who won the trophy once it has been completed.

So until then remember to keep striking the ball long and straight and make all your Putts!!

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