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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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!!
Thanks Jamie. A good informative read as always and well put together.
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